Debriefing: The music and art of Vic Chesnutt

Monday, October 22, 2012

I'm feeling the itch to blog again.

I know it's been way too long since I updated this blog and I apologize. I hope to remedy that situation soon. Recently, I've been delving into a treasure trove of unreleased Vic and the desire has been welling up inside of me to write about his music and creativity again.
In the next few weeks, look for updates, including reviews of unreleased tracks, upcoming video and audio releases, revisits to his back catalog and just a proclamation of the love for his music.
He is missed still, and it's time to spread the word again.

Thanks for sticking around.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Amazing Little Parlor Games Volumes 1-9

Hello everybody.

First let me apologize for the lack of activity on this blog. Thanks for the kind words and for taking time to actually read this. Making the blog took a toll on me, and hence the lack of contributions for the last year or so. That said, I would like to offer the following post to say "I'm sorry."

When I decided to start making the Amazing Little Parlor Games compilations 7 years ago, I had no idea that it would evolve to NINE volumes (so far), feature 145 songs and would have a supposed impact on the way Vic released his music. I was flattered when he would ask me for the comps, and I was more than happy to oblige. I did not expect that eventually over 20 of these tracks would be recorded and put out for the world to hear.

Whether or not I had any impact in that I don't know for sure, but Vic did tell me that he sent "live versions" of some of these songs to his producers and that the song choices for the albums came from that. I like to think that perhaps they were from these comps. Maybe not, but to be sure, he was always very happy to get them. Nine volumes in and there still may be enough unreleased material for a few more sets. Vic was prolific, to say the least.

I have taken the time to 'remaster' the 9 previous volumes, and have decided to upload them for everyone to be able to have for themselves. These remasters were done in order to upgrade quality, to speed correct, to replace with superior versions, and in general just to clean them up to the best possible sound that they could be. The songs deserve it, and so does Vic. These should be considered the definitive versions.

I hope that everyone will take time to download, enjoy, share and leave comments. Some changes have been made since the initial sets were offered and the most accurate and up to date info is below. Song titles have been changed to reflect the proper titles and in incidents where the song was eventually released, that information has been noted.

Feel free to critique, criticize, praise and compare all you want. I would like to see some dialogue regarding these songs and have this blog be more active in discussions and proactive in keeping Vic's music alive. The more interest that there is in the man and his music, the more likely hood for future releases, at least that is my hope.

Volume One: http://www.divshare.com/folder/888992-13a
Volume Two: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889026-397
Volume Three: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889043-501
Volume Four: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889060-3fc
Volume Five: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889078-ef5
Volume Six: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889339-277
Volume Seven: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889449-21c
Volume Eight: http://www.divshare.com/folder/889469-c2a
Volume Nine: http://www.divshare.com/folder/888098-7d9

Amazing Little Parlor Games... A Collection of Live and Unreleased Songs (Revised, Remastered and Upgraded in July, 2011)

Disc One:
1. Is the Actor Happy?- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/16/99
2. Got Me Me- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/16/99
-Released on Ghetto Bells, 2005-
3. Shit- Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR, 1/27/04
-Planned for release on Preachy, 2010 (CANCELLED)-
4. Town Crier (Jack Logan cover)- Uptown, Minneapolis, MN. 9/22/94
5. Push- The Mint, Los Angeles, 11/16/99 -Released as a demo on www.vicchesnutt.com, 2003-
6. Salt and Pepper Life- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/17/99
7. Fodder On Her Wings (Nina Simone cover)- Turf Club, St. Paul, MN, 4/21/03 -Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
8. Grave Governess-The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/17/99
-Released as 'Glossolalia' on North Star Deserter, 2007-
9. Sundown (Gordon Lightfoot cover)- Electric Lounge, Dallas, TX, 10/2/95
10. Sugar Daddy- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/17/99
11. Lagoon- Mountain Stage, Charleston, WV, 3/10/96
-Released on Ditch Lilly, by Barbara Cue, 2003-
12. Debriefing- Dunhams Radio Show, WZGK, Atlanta, GA, 1998
-Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
13. Practice Makes Perfect- Stiltskins, Sioux Falls, SD, 11/18/92
14. Boston Blackey- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/16/99
15. Poor Little Jesus (Trad.)- BBC-Radcliffe Sessions, London, UK, 12/9/96
16. Mr. Smartypants- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/16/99
17. Zippy Morocco (Early Version)- Stiltskins, Sioux Falls, SD, 11/18/92
-Alternate Version released on Silver Lake, 2003-
18. I'm Proud Of You (You've Done It)- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 9/11/04

Disc Two:
1. Little Pink Boy- Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR, 1/27/04
2. Eat And Learn- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 12/13/03
-Planned for release on Preachy, 2010 (CANCELED)-
3. Unlike Joni Mitchell- Barrymore Theater, Madison, WI, 4/14/99
4. Opened Up- 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN, 12/4/99
5. Like Timothy Leary- Schuba's, Chicago, IL, 12/9/99
6. Object With Two Heads (Ernest Noyes Brookings cover)- Büchsenstadel, Ulm, Germany, 8/17/95
7. Drunk Electrician- Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA, 3/13/00
-Recorded for supposed Robert Dickerson (Benjamin Smoke) Tribute album 'BENJAMIN REMEMBERED' (CANCELLED)-
8. Rips In The Fabric- Little Brother's, Columbus, OH, 7/26/03
-Released on Skitter on Take Off, 2009-
9. Vesuvius- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, 2/15/02
-Released on Ghetto Bells, 2005-
10. Rustic City Fathers- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 2/15/98
-Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
11. Miss Prissy- FM4, Vienna, Austria, 2/17/97
12. Bust A Nut- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, 2/15/02
13. Stop The Horse- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 2/15/98
-Released on Dark Developments, 2008-
14. Left A Message Twice- Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC, 7/18/99

Disc Three:
1. Nucleus- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, 2/15/02
2. Don't Take Her (She's All I've Got) (Johnny Paycheck cover)- 40 Watt
Club, Athens, GA, 7/24/96
3. Ignorant People- Schuba's, Chicago, IL, 12/9/99
-Released on Ghetto Bells, 2005-
4. Wallace Stevens- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 2/15/98
-Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
5. Forthright- Old Music Hall, Madison, WI, 5/20/00
-Released on Ghetto Bells, 2005-
6. Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line (Waylon Jennings cover)- Uptown,Minneapolis, MN. 9/22/94
7. Worst Friend In The World- Blue Cat's, Knoxville, TN, 10/21/04
-Released on Skitter On Take Off, 2009; Alternate version planned for release on Vibratile Nerves, 2006 (CANCELLED)-
8. Wussy- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 12/13/03
9. Portrait- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, 2/15/02
10. Virginia- NPR, Weekend Edition, Washington, DC, 8/03
-Released on Ghetto Bells, 2005-
11. On Paper- KCRW, Santa Monica, CA, 5/22/91
12. The Moon - Black Mountain Folk Festival, Black Mountain, NC 5/91
13. Rational Man- Uptown, Minneapolis, MN, 6/9/92
14. Slice of Life- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 3/29/01
15. Cocks And Weenies-400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN, 12/4/99
16. Hero- Uptown, Minneapolis, MN, 6/9/92

Disc Four:
1. Dirty Dog- Under The Street, Durham, NC, 2/2/93
2. Garden Party (Ricky Nelson cover)- Georgia Theater, Athens, GA 1/27/00 (with Brute)
3. This Cruel Thing- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA- 3/17/00
4. Cushy Laurels- Park West, Chicago, IL, 5/18/00
5. Wealthy and Wise- Cat's Cradle, Carburro, NC, 3/11/97
6. Cock-a-Doodle Dee- Uptown, Minneapolis, MN, 6/9/94
7. Boys In The Backroom (Marlene Dietrich cover)-VARA Radio, Netherlands, 3/19/94
8. Everything I Say- Uptown, Minneapolis, MN, 6/22/94
-Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
9. Rainy Night In Georgia (Brooks Benton cover)- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/17/99 (with Dave Phillips)
10. Backsliding Deist's Prayer- Austin, TX, 3/16/01 (w/ The La Di Das)
-Released on rare 7" single by The Deist’s Pouch, 2000- (Limited to 750 copies)-
11. Daddy's Little Dandy- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 10/17/92
12. Beyond Belief (Elvis Costello cover)- Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 2/26/99 (with Lambchop)
13. Sultan So Mighty (Early Version)- The Mint, Los Angeles, CA, 11/16/99
-Reworked version released on Silver Lake, 2003-
14. Rumors, Remedies and Ruminations- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 10/17/92
15. The Garden- Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC, 3/19/00
-Released on Ghetto Bells, 2005-

Disc Five:
1. Warm- Park West, Chicago 5/18/00
-Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
2. Mezzanine- KCRW Radio, Santa Monica, CA 10/13/95
3. Fishin' For Compliments (Improv)- Knitting Factory, New York, NY 7/14/99
4. The Grit- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA 1/18/94 (w/ The La-Di-Das)
5. It Is What It Is- Munich, Germany 5/31/05
-Released on At The Cut, 2009-
6. Fidgety Boy- KCRW Radio, Santa Monica, CA 10/13/95
7. All I've Got To Do (Beatles cover)- 40 Watt Clubm Athens, GA 4/29/01 (w/ Barbara Cue)
8. Witchita Lineman (Glen Campbell cover)- KCRW FM, Santa Monica, CA, 5/22/91 (w/ Bob Mould)
9. Bye Bye Blacksheep- Hannover, Germany 8/12/94
10. Ooh Las Vegas (Gram Parsons cover)- -40 Watt, Athens, GA, (“Beat Bush Bash”) 10/17/92
11. Bilocating Dog- Barbican Hall, London, England, 11/3/2001
-Released on Dark Developments, 2008-
12. Have You Never Been Mellow (Olivia Newton-John cover)- High-Hat Club, Athens, GA 8/16/97 (w/Brute)
-Studio version appeared on Pancake Mountain DVD #1, 2003-
13. Soldering Gun- Knitting Factory, New York, NY 7/14/99
14. Big Absurd Suits Of Glory- St. Anne's Wherehouse, Brooklyn, NY ("Josiah Meigs and Me")11/17/01
15. Pencil Dick (Improv)- Kendall Café, Cambridge, MA 7/21/03
16. Holly Jolly Christmas-40 Watt Club, Athens, GA ("40 Watt X-mas Party") 12/13/03 (with Breck Steele)
17. Hang On Sloopy (McCoy's Cover)- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA 10/18/04

Disc Six:
1. Phil The Fiddler-40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 1/23/06
-Released on At The Cut, 2008-
2. Delta Dawn (Tanya Tucker cover)- CBGBs, New York, New York, 6/11/93 (w/ Giant Sand)
3. The Pool- 40 Watt, Athens, GA, 2/8/06 (w/ Undertow Orchestra)
4. Robots- Mound City Music Fest, St. Louis, MO, 12/10/05
5. Private Picture Show- St. Anne's Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY ("Josiah Meigs and Me")11/17/01
6. I Am Judas Iscariot- Belcourt Theater, Nashville, TN, 2/28/06 (w/ Undertow Orchestra)
7. Joy Without Pleasure (Daniel Johnston cover)- Barbican Hall, London, England, 4/14/06
8. Psychiatrist Song (Giant Sand version)- CBGBs, New York, New York, 6/11/93 (w/ Giant Sand)
-Originally released as 'Where Were You' on West of Rome, 1991-
9. Whatever The Reason- Mound City Music Fest, St. Louis, MO, 12/10/05
10. Vibratile Nerves- Orange Peel, Asheville, NC, 10/6/05
-Planned for release on Vibratile Nerves, 2006 (CANCELLED)-
11. Independent Bookstore- St. Anne's Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY ("Josiah Meigs and Me")11/17/01
12.Over- Mound City Music Fest, St. Louis, MO, 12/10/05
-Released on North Star Deserter, 2007-
13. Tuna Ketchup (Daniel Johnston cover)- Barbican Hall, London, England, 4/14/06
14. 3-D Billiards- St. Anne's Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY ("Josiah Meigs and Me")11/17/01
15. Minotaur- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 12/16/06

Volume Seven:
1. When The Bottom Fell Out- The Basement, Nashville, TN, 10/13/07
-Released on At The Cut, 2009-
2. Rhinestone Cowboy (Glen Campbell cover)- KCPR Radio, St. Louis, MO- 3/93
3. Nothing's Happening- 40 Watt, Athens, GA, 12/16/06
4. Continence Rome- Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 5/9/07
5. Society Sue- 40 Watt, Athens, GA, 3/1/08
-Released on Skitter on Take Off, 2009-
6. Beady Blue Eyes- 40 Watt, Athens, GA, 6/11/07
7. Ruby Tuesday (Melanie cover)- Registratur, Munich, Germany, 11/3/07
8. Granny- Neu Club, Madrid, Spain, 9/16/08
-Released on At The Cut, 2009-
9. Does Curtis' Reverb Work (D.C.R.W) (Porn Orchard cover)- 40 Watt, Athens, GA 2/2/08
10. Best Show I've Ever Seen- The Earl, Atlanta, GA, 10/20/07
11. Cut and Run- The Earl, Atlanta, GA, 3/2/08
12. Angry Man- Club Congress, Tuscon, Arizona, 9/9/06
13. Shrewd Politician- Cat's Cradle, Carrborro, NC, 11/29/95
14. Coward- Gartenbaukino, Vienna, Austria, 11/02/07
-Released on At The Cut, 2009-
15. Lean On Me (Ben E. King cover)- 40 Watt, Athens, GA, 2/2/08
16. The Passenger- (Iggy Pop cover)- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 10/18/07

Volume Eight:
1. Legacy- Daytrotter Studios, Rock Island, IL, 6/2/09
2. Chamberlain- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 1/8/94 (w/ La Di Das)-
3. Smiley Punk Rocker- Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC, 11/29/95
4. Butterfly Collector (Garbage cover)- The Knaack, Berlin, Germany, 8/13/94
5. Conjunctions of Coincidence- St. Anne's Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY, 11/17/01 ("Josiah Meigs and Me")
6. Time After Time(Annalise) (REM cover)- Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC, 9/10/09
7. Sacrificial Lamp- The Knaack, Berlin, Germany, 8/13/94
8. He's In Love With His Dog- Club IOTA, Arlington, VA, 5.13.00
9. Everybody Hurts (REM cover)- Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC, 2/9/09
10. Palomino Girl- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 1/8/94 (w/ La Di Das)-
11. Secret Satisfaction- 40 Watt Club, Athens, Georgia, 07/24/96
12. Good Hearted Woman (Waylon Jennings cover)- Joe's Pub, New York, NY, 2/22/02 (w/Kurt Wagner)
13. New Fiction (Incomplete)- The Uptown, Minneapolis, MN, 9/22/94
14. Blue Christmas (Elvis cover)- 40 Watt, Athens, GA, 12/16/05
15. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Bob Dylan cover)- Urania, Vienna, Austria, 10/19/08

Volume Nine:
1. Welcome To The Show, Ya'll- Mousonturm, Frankfurt, Germany, 6/1/05
2. Supreme Fiction- Under The Street, Durham, NC, 2/2/93
3. Roses are Red (Parody)- Unknown Venue, Augsburg, Germany, 8/10/94
4. The Trumpet Song- 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA, 1/8/94 (w/ The La Di Das)-
5. Someday Never Comes (CCR Cover)- Sala Rossa, Montreal, Quebec, Canada- 6/13/08
6. My Blue Wave (Lambchop Cover)- Barbican Hall, London, England- 11/3/01 (w/ Kurt Wagner)-
7. Until The End- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA- 2/15/02
8. A Letter From Li- Po (Conrad Aiken poem)- St. Anne's Warehouse, New York, NY- 11/17/01 ("Josiah Meigs and Me")
9. Bite The Cocky (Soundcheck)- The Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC- 2/9/09
10. Estimate -The Downstairs, Athens, GA- 1/16/91 (w/ Mr. Greenjeans)-
11. Save Her- Union Chapel, London, England- 6/3/03
12. The Twist (Chubby Checker cover)- Club Soda, Montreal, Quebec, Canada- 10.25.95
13. Muscle Beach -The Downstairs, Athens, GA- 1/16/91 (w/ Mr. Greenjeans)-
14. Bakersfield (La Di Das version)- Human Rights Festival, Athens, GA- 5/17/98 (w/ The La Di Das)
15. Sampan (Soundcheck)- KPCR Radio, St. Louis, MO- 3/93
16. Dicking Around- The Knitting Factory, New York, NY- 7/15/99
17. Harmonica Solo- Büchsenstadl, Ulm, Germany- 8/17/95
18. O! Holy Night (Traditional)- Canturbury House, Athens, GA- 12/89
19. Coming Home- 40 Watt, Athens, GA- 11/2/09

Some titles assumed.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

"Morally Challenged", Brute- Cobalt Blue, 2002 Widespread Records

Vic was a fun guy. He could make you laugh without even trying. He was self deprecating and pleasant (mostly) and always had control of his crowd, no matter the situation. He was very funny... and his humor shone through, not only in his personality, but also in his work, including this song.

Morally Challenged was written during a drive between Austin, TX and Los Angeles sometime in the early 1990s. Vic wrote it on a newly purchased Omnichord. He said he had the "Omnichord in one hand, a joint in his mouth and his other hand on the wheel." The earliest performances start around 1994, and the song didn't receive an official release until 2002's Cobalt Blue album from his Widespread Panic collaboration entitled "Brute."

The song's musical transformation over the years is quite stunning. Whether it be the simple tick tock, Casio type keyboards of the original... to the acoustic stop and go acoustic strums .... to this full out Jam-band arrangement with Brute, the comic tone has remained. Vic really enjoyed playing this and always got a reaction from the crowd.

Lyrically, Morally Challenged is basically a joke song, full of irreverence and blatancy. Vic is the pundit, and each of the subjects, in this southern travelogue, have a commentary made about their social position (save one). The grandmother (convict), the mother (liar), the father (transsexual), and the sister (floozy) each have their dirty laundry vocalized by Vic. The only person not exposed, if you will, is the poet/appreciator and is the only person Vic talks to directly. That person is simply adorned, and highlighted for their love of famed poet W.H. Auden (which was one of Vic's favorites.) I'm pretty certain the song is complete fiction. If it's not however, praise be to Vic for being an astute observer of their 'flaws.'

As with almost all of Vic's tunes, I am more fond of his live solo versions, and this is no exception. I do like the Brute version, but I was always a little put off with that combination. Widespread Panic fans and Vic fans, in my opinion, seldom overlapped, and I wonder what effect it had on Vic. I remember being at several Vic shows and hearing people yell out for Panic songs, and it seemed to be an annoyance to him. Perhaps I am wrong. Nevertheless, Vic solo is 'cherry pie' as Michael Stipe would say.

The live version below, is just Vic and his Omnichord and is a fun listen, replete with 'boop boop be doop' sections, and flubbed lyrics. The essence of the song is intact, and it still remains one of my favorite live Vic moments.

Here's Brute's version:

And here's a very early Omnichord version from Minneapolis 1994:

https://soundcloud.com/chazarrelli/morally-challenged-092294

MORALLY CHALLENGED

She's your gray-haired granny from Gadsden, Alabama, yeah
She's your gray-haired granny from Gadsden, Alabama, yeah
She's your gray-haired granny from Gadsden, Alabama, yeah
You never see her 'cause she's always in the slammer
She's your gray-haired granny from Gadsden, Alabama, yeah

She's your hard-hearted mama from Appalachiacola, yeah
She's your hard-hearted mama from Appalachiacola, yeah
She's your hard-hearted mama from Appalachiacola, yeah
You're daddy's dead, or at least that's what she told ya
She's your hard-hearted mama from Appalachiacola, yeah

He's your long-lost daddy from Union, Mississippi, yeah
He's your long-lost daddy from Union, Mississippi, yeah
He's your long-lost daddy from Union, Mississippi, yeah
He's been with Nelly since nineteen-and-sixty
He's your long-lost daddy from Union, Mississippi, yeah

She's your morally-challenged sister from Albany, Georgia
She's your morally-challenged sister from Albany, Georgia
She's your morally-challenged sister from Albany, Georgia
You never liked her, but you never porked
She's your morally-challenged sister from Albany, Georgia

You're a reader of poems from Slidell, Louisiana, yeah
You're a reader of poems from Slidell, Louisiana, yeah
You're a reader of poems from Slidell, Louisiana, yeah
W.H. Auden wrote all your favorite stanzas
You're a reader of poems from Slidell, Louisiana, yeah

Reader of poems from Slidell, Louisiana
Reader of poems from Slidell, Louisiana
Reader of poems from Slidell
Slidell, Louisiana, yeah

Monday, March 22, 2010

"Rips in the Fabric"- Skitter on Take-Off, 2009 Vapor Records

In July of 2003, I make a trek to catch Vic in Columbus, Ohio at a club called Little Brother's. I had caught him a couple of times previously, that year, with the Amorphous Strums, who were touring in support of Silver Lake, and they were great. However, this night was Vic in his element....he was doing a solo show.

I had made arrangements with New West records to get into the show early, so I got the chance to spend some time with Vic before hand. Laura (my girlfriend at the time) and I had become familiar to Vic so he was in a great talkative mood. At one point, he asked us what we wanted to hear? Laura blurted out her favorite track (Steve Willoughby) as well as a couple more. I mentioned Supernatural, New Town and then I said, slyly, that I wanted to hear a new song, not knowing if Vic would oblige or not.

So showtime rolls around and low and behold...each of our requests became audible as Vic proceeded through the set list. It was a great treat, and a testament to Vic's love of his fans. Anyway, as the night was finishing, Vic introduced a 'new' song... and my face got grin on it as big as Robert Mitchum...if you'll pardon the plagiarism. Recently, Vic's tours had been free of new material... he was supporting Silver Lake so the set lists where basically consistent each evening, save for the encore, but those had been pretty consistent as well. Don't get me wrong.. that tour was fantastic, but Vic, by himself, is such a treat. That evening's new composition was an interesting song about mundanity and life. It was entitled Rips in The Fabric and as far as I know, the only time it was ever played live.

Fast forward six years. Vic has released, what I consider, two of his finest efforts... one a energetic, loud, emotional album entitled At The Cut (with Guy Picciotto and Silver Mtn Zion) and the other, a surprisingly stripped down affair, called Skitter on Take-Off, which is essentially, a solo album. He is backed by Tommy Larkins and Jonathan Richman, but their sparseness and subtlety only emphasis Vic's lean arrangements. I really like the album. Vic's songs always had a basic simplicity to them that made them honest, and funny and viable. The big production efforts like At The Cut, Silver Lake and even my favorite The Salesmen and Bernadette are fantastic, and very enjoyable, but the real heart of a Vic song is his ability to pull so much out of sparsity.

Rips in the Fabric feels like an observation about humanity, religion, free will and public opinion. I think Vic's 'moral' is that people just go through their lives, despite their mortality, unaware of their insignificance, in the scheme of the universe. Humans are, essentially, in control of their own existance, even though there are people (preachers, or teachers, or hipsters) who would have the collective conscienceness believe otherwise. Interestingly, in the original version (featured below) Vic only addresses the theological opinions... and not the academic or popular.

Skitter On Take-Off is a release of grave importance, just as Little was in 1990. In fact, Skitter is an appropriate ending to a very storied career. Others may look at At The Cut as more relevant given it's lyrical association with Vic's final days, but I for one find the sparseness and pureness of Skitter comforting. For Vic to come full circle at the end of his 20 year career is amazing. It’s as if he had the foresight to reflect back, on his beginnings, and to harness that creativity to create his ultimate finale. I am glad he did.

Vic and Laura at Little Brother's- July 2003

Here's the studio version:

And the live one from Columbus 2003:

https://soundcloud.com/chazarrelli/alpg2-d1t8-rips-in-the-fabric

RIPS IN THE FABRIC

She was walking down the sidewalk
Sniffing swiftly in the wind
Thinking of everything and nothing
Just another flighty human being

And satellites where arcing
Undetected overhead
Her cells were busy splitting
And jettisoning the dead

Beauty is as beauty does
In the eyes of the beholder
Or collectively in all of us

She was waving to a cyclist
As he went coasting by
Through a lazy intersection
Towards the remainder of his life

And a feral cat went diving
Behind a dumpster there
Which displaced a big brown rat
That went fleeing with a comical flair

We are trapped, but we are free
To go through the motions
And be just as happy as we can be.

And later on I held her
In my skinny arms
My chapped lips were whispering
Esoteric alarms

But her warm breath assuaged me
And the music returned
Our dancing continued
While big forest fires burned

Space is spooky
And time is a trip
Don't let the preachers and teachers and hipsters fool you
There ain't no rips in the fabric.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

"West of Rome", West of Rome, 1993 New West Records

The title track from one of Vic's most celebrated albums is bittersweet for me today. Mark Linkous, of Sparklehorse fame, committed suicide this past weekend, in Knoxville, TN. Not only was he a fantastic musician, an artistic genius, and one of my favorite all time performers, but he did a amazing cover of West of Rome, for the Sweet Relief 2 compilation.

Ironically, the last time I ever saw Mark, he and Vic and I were chatting about this specific track.

It was in Asheville, NC. I had mentioned to Vic that it was the only song off of the album West Of Rome that I had never heard him perform. He told me that he hadn't played the song in years, but would try and work out an arrangement. At that point, Mark very humbly offered that if I wanted t

o hear a 'terrible' version that he had one on the Sweet Relief compilation. I sort of laughed and said that it was a fantastic cover and that it was my favorite track on that specific album. Afterwards, Mark and I sat together and watched Vic perform his magic. That was February 2009.

I never saw either of them again after that night.

West of Rome was inspired, but not directly, by the book of the same name by John Fante. The book, which features two novellas, is about a father's reflections on his own life and that of his children. Vic read the book and then wrote the song. The two have only that relation. Also, despite thoughts to the contrary, the song is not about Rome, Georgia, although Vic had mentioned that is could have been because it has some Georgia imagery in the lyrics.

Speaking of lyrics, West of Rome has some of Vic's most narrative lyrics. The scene is set, from the first line, and in just five minutes, Vic has presents an interesting character study of the protagonist, and his environment. Lines like "a childhood of dry goods and wet neglect" and "polishing his boots and pummeling his liver" are so simple yet descriptive. Just another facet of Vic's incredible talent and ability.

I miss him still. In fact, I miss them both.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

"This Cruel Thing" (Live)- Amazing Little Parlor Games... A Collection of Live and Unreleased Songs- Volume Four, 2005

I made the trip a week last, to the Vic Shows at the 40 Watt, in Athens. It was a fascinating, albeit emotionally exhausting tribute to the man whom was loved by so many. The performers where an array of national acts, Athens' locals, fellow songwriters, musical friends and former collaborators...each of whom had a special connection with Vic and his art.

One of the many highlights, on Saturday, was a special performance by Silver Mtn. Zion and Guy Picciotto...Vic's partners in crime on At The Cut. Sitting in on vocals was Vic's niece and an amazing vocalist in her own right, Liz Durrett. This ensemble performed, what I consider, the best song of the evening, and a song that Vic never committed to a studio album... This Cruel Thing.

This Cruel Thing is a rather old song. The earliest performances dating back to the early 1990s, and even though a studio version has yet to surface, the song isn't completely unknown. Vic licensed it for the soundtrack to the movie A Slipping Down Life where it was performed by actor Guy Pearce. I like that version and it's included below.

Lyrically the song draws heavily from a sentimental Civil War ballad entitled Weeping Sad and Lonely (When This Cruel War is Over.) The ballad, penned by Charles Carrol Sawyer, is considered to be one of the most widely adored songs from the period, despite critical opinion to the opposite. Most critics panned the song as being "commonplace" and having a musical structure that was 'flimsy' and unmelodious. Not everyone agreed, however. It was heralded as "the greatest musical success ever known in this country" by the Cleveland Leader when the song was still contemporary. They went on to add that the "melody catches the popular ear and the words touch the popular heart." Despite that digression, the song sparked numerous musical replies, parodies and became popular on both sides of the battlefield.

Vic's deference is lyrically comparable, and melodically it has its similarities as well. The first line, for example, is almost identical to the title of the former composition. The original focused on the thought of the time in which it was written, and the hope of no more conflict or battles. Vic took that idea and ran with it, crafting a beautiful lyric around a touching melody and a song which becomes bittersweet with the foreknowledge of the events that occurred last Christmas.

Vic always felt in battle with life...whether it be physically or otherwise. He always seemed to make the best of his situation, but the conflict always seemed to be prevalent, and I can see why he would be drawn to the emotion of the original.

This song has always been a personal favorite of mine, and the version at the 40 Watt tribute validated that opinion. Vic's live versions are a fantastic listen, but Liz singing her version, backed by Vic's final band, caught my ear and touched my heart.

Whether a studio version, by Vic, will ever surface or not is unknown (Edit: it does exist and it is fantastic.) It's also just been recorded and is intended for inclusion on the upcoming album by Vic's former collaborators Widespread Panic. I'm glad that it wont be forgotten. (Second edit: That version is included here as well.)

Here's a live version by Vic:

https://soundcloud.com/chazarrelli/alpg-d4t03-this-cruel-thing

Here's Guy Pearce's version:

And here's the version by Silver Mtn. Zion featuring Guy Picciotto and Liz Durrett:

https://soundcloud.com/chazarrelli/this-cruel-thing-silver-mt-zion-w-guy-picciotto-liz-durrett

And here's Widespread Panic's version:

THIS CRUEL THING

Weeping sad and lonely
When this cruel thing is over
Hopes and fears... How vain?
When this cruel thing is over

And often dreams I see you
On the battle plain
Sadly breathing...falling
When this cruel thing is over

If a mid din of battle
Nobly you should fall
I'll whisper words in honor
When this cruel thing is over.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

"Independent Bookstore" (Live)- Josiah Meigs and Me- A Song Cycle for Puppets, November 2001 (Unreleased)

In November 2001, Vic performed a handful of shows, in New York, that were entitled "Josiah Meigs and Me: A Song Cycle for Puppets." The shows featured words and music by Vic, and a stage production by filmmaker Jane Geiser, one of the country's most foremost puppeteers. The stage show, which was called “a grand little live-action silent movie,” was elaborate and artistic, and was well received by both press and fans alike.

The cycle revolved around the man Josiah Meigs; an academic, writer, lawyer and former President of the University of Georgia. His influence was great, and even though he was unlamented as President, his name is still prominent at the University, and in Athens.

Vic recognized similarities between Josiah and his late father. The biggest being that both were ousted from their jobs due to corporate and political idealism. Josiah resigned his duty as President in

1810 after several disputes with the Board of Trustees. In Vic's father's case, he was let go from his job at Eastern Airlines, and died within a year as a result. His death is something that Vic never let go of, and rightfully so.

When asked about his fascination with Meigs, Vic was quoted as saying:

"He was a smart man with deep convictions, and he was surrounded by political opponents. I had a dream in which he was talking to me. I don't remember what he said, but it was my late father's head he was talking with. That's what really hooked me- he'd climbed deep into m psyche and hooked up with my father. This song cycle is about finding Meigs and what that led me to discover about myself and my country."

The concerts consisted of Vic on stage left, with an array of different sized puppets,
each of which representing a character from the cycle, rotating through the storyline center stage.There's was a three-quarter sized Vic marionette animated to relay his memories and thoughts (including both a rowboat and dreaming sequences), a life-sized, large headed Josiah Meigs cranking a wheel of a printing press, a miniature reenactment of the founding of UGA, and other assorted puppets.

The song cycle included all new compositions (save one- Flying, which was an old track about Vic's father.) The story starts with the discovery of a book, by Vic, at a used bookstore about the history of UGA. There he discovered the history of Meigs and understood the correlation between Josiah and his father. The storyline develops into the telling of his heritage and about how that knowledge changed his perspective on life.

The song that is included here is first song of the storyline. It tells of the discovery of the above mentioned book, and is a fun listen.

I know that Vic held this production as one of the high points in his performance career, and I'm glad that a document of the evenings exist. Vic's music has always been theatrical and imaginative. This production is proof of that.