"Soggy Tongues"- West Of Rome, 1992 New West

One of my all time favorite Vic memories revolves around a show in Knoxville, TN in October 2004. I had arrived to the venue early, and Vic and Tina (his wife) invited me to hang out with them before the show. The three of us sat around for a couple of hours, caught up on life and just chilled. During that time, Vic decided that they needed to prepare the set list for that night's show. Tina was playing bass with Vic for that show, and they had a handful of lyric sheets with them...each of them in Vic's scrawled handwriting, with chord references and music addendum scribbled among the pages. I was awestruck. Here were the actual lyric sheets for a ton of my favorite songs ever...in the original handwriting, in the possession of the man who wrote them . Amazes me still.

Anyway, so while they were contemplating over the nights play lists, Vic would ask my opinion from time to time. Of course, I was biased and sad that I loved them all. One song in particular though I had direct influence on. Tina had pulled out the lyrics to "Soggy Tongues', and Vic said that he didn't know if they could play it. He said it had been too long, and indeed he may had been right. The last documented performance was from around 1992. Anyway, I interjected that I really would like to hear that song and since up to that point, the set list seemed to revolve around songs from Vic's first four albums (which were just reissued on New West), that it fit perfectly into theme of the evening. They mulled it over for a second, and then agreed. Vic was always like that, at least to me. He was inviting and generous and I will cherish those memories and experiences.

The performance of 'Soggy Tongues' from that night was far from perfect (and I've included it below for your enjoyment). It was, however, such a treat to hear... not only because of the song's rarity, but also because of Vic's banter onstage as the song's quick collapse, after just a few measures. His prophetic divorce joke notwithstanding, the recording perfectly displays Vic's sense of humor, stage presence, and ability to reel in the crowd, even during an awkward performance like this.

The original studio version was released on 'West Of Rome', or as Vic called it, his "second squirt"...or his "sophomore slough." That album is widely hailed as one of Vic's best, if not THE best. The song is his retelling on the events immediately surrounding his marriage to Tina... a ceremony which, incidentally took place at the counter in 'Rip Griffin's World's Largest Truck stop', just outside of Dallas, TX.

From the documentary 'Speed Racer- Welcome To The World Of Vic Chesnutt', by Peter Sillen...

"Tina and I got married, and we came back to Athens after I lived in California for a while. And, oh the stories where a flyin' about, you know, what the deal was. Everybody was like, um, all mad that we got married or something? I don't know what the deal was? But there was like the sordid little theory mill, and little rumors were going crazy about what the, you know, because the various involvements or something, ya know? Athens is a small town, you know, everybody is involved with everybody. So, anyway, I wrote 'Soggy Tongues' in about five minutes,and it's um, the perfect summation of us gettin' married."

Musically, the song has an 'airy' production, quality vocals, and benefits greatly from some staccato strings (aptly performed by Vic's young nieces- Liz and Mandi Durrett.) Arranged (or heard) and produced by Michael Stipe, 'Soggy Tongues' is very melodic and Vic's inflections, with his unique drawl and elongation of phrases, is at a pinnacle here. All in all, not too bad for a song which was defiantly written in about five minutes.

Here's the live version that I referenced. (Warning: Explicit content)


And the studio...

Soggy Tongues

narrowed eyes and soggy tongues

beautiful rumors are flying about the ugly ones

the girl she is by the pool

yellow journalists' jewel

and all those wagging fingers are silly little stingers

rabbits are cooking breakfast

the fog is fragrant

the girl she is waking up against the famous vagrant

the cool council is tallying fines to be levied

the girl she is tightly grinning

the vagrant thinks it's all too heavy

presents are presented and bribes reluctantly taken

summer's sweetie iced a cohort while the rest of the town was baking

traffic is light and appetites are hearty and tongues are soggy

accusations are tossed like darts

at the good little girl who is groggy

"Mighty Monkey"- Merriment, 2000 Backburner

In 2000, Vic released this funny little record (his seventh) on Backburner. It is a collaborative effort, with fellow Athenians, Kelly and Nikki Keneipp. My understanding of the record is that Vic would write the lyrics (or provide the lyrics) and the Keneipps would arrange the music. The results are interesting, and at times, it feels a little too tailored for Vic, almost as if the process is specifically made to highlight his input rather than that of the Keneipp's.

Peter Jesperson, currently of New West records, reviewed that album at the time of it's release, and he described it as such... "There are bits of Lewis Carroll, funny, ominous, Brecht-Weill-ian nursery rhyme words, recitation, singing and music (stuff that will make you shudder but then you won't be sure just why). And some just plain silliness."

'Mighty Monkey' very aptly shows Vic's writing ability (which leans more towards the realm of short stories rather than lyrics) and his humor. And as a whole, the song feels like a whimsical foray into a world that is both eclectic, southern and just plain degenerative. His descriptions are so vivid and lively, that it's hard to not formulate visions of each of the protagonists.

Musically, the song is whimsical, and alluring. It's basic structure is just a rustic piano and clarinet (performed by Vic.) It's very mellow, dreamy structure that aptly frames the lyrical character study that has been created.

In the musical catalog that Vic released during his life, several basic themes reoccur- death, suicide, struggle, sarcasm and humor. Mighty Monkey accurately presents Vic's humorous side, and it is the highlight of this particular album, in my opinion.

MIGHTY MONKEY

smell the mighty monkey

trainer is a junky

and the tightrope walker

has one foot in the grave

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

dancing bear is full of worms

see the puny pachyderms

lion tamer wrestles with

ghosts from his past

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

clowns have herpes

and hepatitis c

the chick who runs the pony ride

we call her catherine the gross

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

alcoholic acrobats

emcee smokes crack

last week the human cannonball

blew his brains out

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

"Hot Seat", About To Choke, 1996, Capitol Records

This song, from Vic's 1996 major label debut, got a lot of press at the time of Vic's recent hospitalization, specifically because of the lyric referring to being in a coma. It is, however ironic, a good representation of Vic's ability to musically highlight issues in his life.

The album, which was produced by Bob Mould (from Hüsker Dü), was supposedly Vic's big breakout. It had slick production, a strong marketing campaign and allowed Vic to be heard by a larger audience than his previous, grassroots releases. Titled very 'tongue in cheekily' by Vic, who predicted that the album would fail, or that he would 'choke', it is home to many 'fan favorites.' All of Vic's predominate themes are on the album, including the theme of death..his usual staple.

"Some of this record is a bit obsessed with the premise that through death life is nourished," Vic said, in a press release for the album. "Like when you throw a dead fish next to a plant it grows better." Vic goes on to insist that his work is purely fiction. That said, 'Hot Seat' confront a near death experience with such honesty and candor, that it's hard to believe his statement.

Lyrically, 'Hot Seat' is a relaying an events in which left Vic in a coma, after a drug binge. It's sort of a song to himself, where he's milling the fact that, regardless of his steadfastness, and focus, he will falter...again, to the temptation of addiction. His directness is one of the things that made Vic's writing so desirable to me. I applaud the honesty that he poured out, and his ability to put taboo subjects at the forefront of his writing. That's what I am gonna miss most, I think.

"I didn't want to think that all of my songs deal with this, " Vic continued, in reference to the themes of the album. "But I swing the stick and these are the things that I hit. I reached into my grab bag at the fair and these are the ones that popped out. I'm just trying to do some sleight of hand here, baby. It has some I Ching logic to it."

Further reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching

HOT SEAT

Ventolin and Vivarin and primatine

secret tequila shots and a patch of morphine

in the morning and in the throes

what a great day to come out of a coma

I've been in the hot seat sweating it out

oh sweating it out

sweating it out

sweating it out

I touch the telephone it falls away

I think they call it empathy

but not this way

I put my lips on the sound hole

my tongue is finally warming

but my brain is charcoal

I've been in the hot seat sweating it out

oh sweating it outsweating it out

sweating it out

not much later, fall out of favor

pretty soon

I know I'll do precisely what I wanted not to do

maybe I slipped up and learned a lesson

to work my proclivity

towards second guessing

I was too naive and enthusiastic

to keep my trap shut

and my monkey in a motherfuckin' basket

I've been in the hot seat sweating it out

oh sweating it out

sweating it out

sweating it out

"Debriefing", North Star Deserter, 2007, Constellation Records

Over the course of his musical career, Vic wrote several songs that revolved around the principles of death. It was just in his nature to focus on the absolutes, I guess. And whether it be from a first person view or otherwise, the results were always chillingly poignant, however sad.

When I decided to name this blog "Debriefing," after this specific song, it wasn't only as a reflection of my love for the song (which I absolutely adore) but more so because I feel that the song conveys accurately Vic's personal journey and a furthermore, the journey that I myself am partaking in as a result of his passing.

A debriefing is a one-time, semi-structured conversation with an individual who has just experienced a stressful or life changing event. The purpose being to reduce any possibility of psychological harm, by allowing the victim to talk or reflect back on the experience.

So, this blog, by definition, is a one-time reflection back on the life and music of a man whom meant so much, to so many.

Unlike some of Vic's other 'mortality' songs, 'Debriefing' seems very matter of fact, and fearless. He has embraced the fact that we are all destined to die, and he addresses that from the very first line...not in a dejected way, but rather boldly. Here it is...this is what will be...just letting you know.

To say that he will be debriefing forever as a result of his life is a sad statement as to his opinion of his time spent here, with us. The very nature of a debriefing is for the victim to express there feelings one time, and as a result, be free of the pain or stress associated with the incident. Vic's anticipation of a forever diatribe is sad. I hope that it was merely being poetic, and not prophetic.

Musically, the song is a tour de force. The earliest recording that I have dates back to 1998, and is a sparse, lonely live version with just Vic and a guitar (and hauntingly, the listener can hear the faint rustlings of a child in the background playing). From that simplicity, came this monumental album cut. That whole album is a sonic wonder, with the guys from Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, the Tra La La Band, Guy Picciotto (from Fugazi) and producer Jem Cohen taking Vic's small-ish arrangements and magnifying them ten fold.

The track starts with whispers and dialogue, as if someone is being surrounded by a group, and the ethereal quality of the production sets an eerie tone. Vic's vocals are clear and direct and the music almost reaches a funeral march type tempo. As much as I love this arrangement, I am torn between the original and the re-worked. Regardless, no matter how sad and foreseeing the words may be, the song is amazing, and I'm glad that Vic committed it to tape.

Both versions are included below.

DEBRIEFING

when I stop breathing

my poor old heart finally gives out

i will spend eternity

debriefing, debriefing, debriefing, debriefing.

when I deplete the funds

and am forced to pull the plug

chisel on my tombstone

debriefing, debriefing, debriefing, debriefing.

"Isadora Duncan", Little, 1990, New West Records

The first song on Vic's debut album 'Little' is a brilliantly descriptive, hauntingly poetic masterpiece based around ballet dancer, jealous romantic, "modern' Victorian and famed bi-sexual, Isadora Duncan.

The whole first album was recorded in just one day on October 6th, 1988 ("on well water...no juice" as Vic noted in the liner notes) with just basic acoustic guitar, croaking vocals, 'Dylanesque' harmonica, elementary keyboards and sparse overdubs.
The story goes that Michael Stipe would frequent Vic's Tuesday night residencies at the famed 40 Watt Club, in Athens. He was impressed by the quality and sheer volume of material that Vic performed during those shows and decided to commit some songs down on tape. It's doubtful that this was the first song recorded during those sessions, but it undoubtably, a beauty of an opener.

Vic once introduced this song as a 'bummer', but I can't imagine why. The melody is gorgeous, and musically it's a perfect representation of that period in Vic's life. His voice is shredding and unique. Just listen to his Southen gothic drawl on the word 'attitude.' His singing, even that early, was formidable and daunting.

Lyrically, the song is an unusual tet a tete involving love, romance, sarcasm and rejection. It was born out of a dare, from Vic's old La Di Da's bandmate Todd McBride, to write a song with the line "Once I dreamed I was dancing with Isadora Duncan." Vic once mentioned to me, that he hadn't listened to "Little" since the day it was recorded. If that is true, then it is unfortunate. What he crafted from that challenge is sheer poetry, in my opinion, and a song that echoes in my head for days on end. A beauty of an opener for a beauty of an album and worth repeated listening.

Lyrics and link below.

Also check out the fantastic cover, by the band Jolene, from their 1995 album "Hell's Half Acre."

http://http//www.amazon.com/Hells-Half-Acre-Jolene/dp/B000005D7Y



Further reading... "Isadora Speaks"

http://www.amazon.com/Isadora-Speaks-Writings-Speeches-Duncan/dp/0882862278

Isadora Duncan

once I dreamed I was dancing with Isadora Duncan

in a silver cafe,

it was a cafe that was not at all near here

she was planning to diversify

and she sang I should do the same

so I whistled to her how I loved her the best

but she sang "I can't believe you own this attitude",

but with some ballet moves,

I removed her shoes

and I painted my lips to hers

and still she sang "I can't believe you own this attitude"

she sang "I can't believe you own this, this attitude"

she needed her beauty sleep

though I didn't want it to sound like that

her mind was occupied,

her hard coffee was cold by then as snow

and she sang "my smile is more than pearly white,

and my dreams are more than you",

she sang "my yellow eyes are more than mirrors,

and my scarf is more, more, more than blue."

and she sang "I can't believe you own this attitude"

yes i sang "I can't believe you own this, this attitude"

she closed her New Directions paperbook

and screamed "there is no shelter in the arts"

she'd been crying all day

but now her eyes they were brighter than the moon

and she sang "my smile is more than pearly white,

and my dreams are more than you",

she sang "my yellow eyes are more than mirrors,

and my scarf is more, more, more, more than blue."

and she sang "I can't believe you own this attitude"

"I can't believe it, I can't believe you own this attitude",

"I can't believe it, I can't believe you own this, this attitude".

Here's the Studio Version:

And a very rare live version from 1987 by The La Di Das:

https://soundcloud.com/chazarrelli/isadora-duncan-la-di-das

So it begins...

When Vic died on Christmas, I was overcome with a sense of unbalance...as if the world had come off of its axis. A stabilizing factor in my life had left me, and I felt as if I might never recover my equilibrium. I still feel that way. Vic has been a constant in my world since I first discovered him in 1993. Vic was an inspiration. Here was a man, although crippled and frail, who possessed such a strength and formidity, that his candor and presence belied his tiny frame. He so eloquently embraced the esoteric. Lyrically, he glorified the mundane and shunned the contrived. He nourished a love for language, and personalized it in a way that only Vic could. He accomplished such amazing feats, while all the time battling the demons that he finally succumbed to. I couldn't help but be drawn in and admire him. My relationship with Vic wasn't idol worship or fandom. No, it was admiration and respect, awe and wonder, and later on reassurance and comfort. I am so proud that I got to know Vic on a personal level. It wasn't just fan and artist anymore..it was a friendship ..and for that I am ever grateful.

I first met Vic the day before Valentine's Day, 2002, at 12th and Porter in Nashville, TN. I had driven 6 hours to see him open for Jonathan Richmond and Tommy Larkin. I didn't know what to expect...just that I was about to see my musical hero on stage...for the first time. Prior to the show, I was sitting there, with Laura, who accomponied me. Out rolled Vic, along with Tina, his wife, and they sat not a mere 10 feet from us. I'm not too sure what I looked like when that happened, but I for certain felt exhilerated, nervous, and "star struck." Laura encouraged me to go over to his table and speak with him. I eventually mustered up the gumption to do just that. Unfortunately, my arrival coincided with the arrival of Vic's meal, so the meeting started of a tad bit akward. I hated to interrupt, but felt like I couldn't just turn away. I politely introduced myself, said I had driven several hours to be there and that I was a huge fan. Vic was charming! He was so amazed that I had made the trek that far, and politely signed my CD. He wrote "Thanks for diggin it.- Vic." The show was fanastic and I was elated for weeks.

Now I won't recount every Vic show that I ever attended, or every moment that I was able spend time with him. There are far too many, and that isn't the point of this endeavor. I may, from time to time, recount little memories or incidents that come to mind. In fact, I can almost promise that. This blog is my form of grieving, if you will. A way of processing my inherent need for understanding and explanation of what made Vic so important and relevant to my life. I will focus on an individual work by Vic everyday for one year...reviewing, relistening, rethinking, reflecting and reacting on each one. My hope is that, during this experiment, I will be enlightened, entertained, inspired, and walk away with a greater love for the man than I had already, and eventually, regain the balance that I lost that day he died.

Even though it is my journey, I hope that you, as the reader, will come along with me..and form your own understanding of this man...my friend and my hero.