You know, Tina, the more I listen to Illinois the more I think this might be a five star record. It is so beautiful and human.
I'm right there with you. My lastest fixation is with the song "Casimir Pulaski Day." I love the young forbidden love story aspect of it ("I remember at Michael's house/when you kissed my mouth/and I almost touched your blouse/in the morning at the top of the stairs/when your father found out what we did that night/and you told me you were scared"). And the trying to heal someone with prayer and it not working aspect of it ("Tuesday night at the bible study/we lift our hands and pray over your body/but nothing ever happens").
On top of that the title is so intriguing. I googled and it's a real holiday - March 1st ("On the first of March/on the holiday/I thought I saw your breathing"). Turns out Pulaski was a hero of the American Revolution:
After surviving numerous bloody campaigns against Russia, Count Casimir Pulaski retired to France in 1777, bitterly disappointed and deeply depressed at Poland's failure to defeat her foes. In Paris Pulaski met Benjamin Franklin, who was recruiting volunteers to fight in America's War of Independence...In 1779, Pulaski was ordered to join General Lincoln in the South...After French General D'Estaing, leader in the attack on the southern capital, fell wounded, Pulaski is reported to have rushed forward to assume command and raise the soldiers' spirits by his example and courage, only to be mortally wounded himself. Pulaski was named the "Father of American Cavalry", and remains one of the well known figures of the American Revolutionary War. There is hardly a state in America without a county or town, street or square, monument or tablet, school or highway named in grateful memory of General Casimir Pulaski.
I had no idea. Chicago, I found out, is especially known for celebrating Pulaski Day because of the large Polish-American population here.
Of course that isn't what the song is about at all - there is only the tiniest reference to it. Still cool though.
Tina, in the current issue of Mojo they show Sufjan wearing the Illini cheerleader outfit he'll be wearing on this tour.
Jim, here's the Denim download.
It took me several tries to get it. It's best to try when the site is not so busy.
Tina, in the current issue of Mojo they show Sufjan wearing the Illini cheerleader outfit he'll be wearing on this tour.
I am SO bummed that I will miss him when he comes to Chicago. I will be at Winfield...and two days after I leave KS? He is playing my absolute favorite (and tiny) bar (to see live music anway) in Lawrence...sadness.
I put a couple Denim songs up at Buffistarawk.
They're very meta, but they're also exemplars of the musics they're commenting on. "American Rock" is like every 70s Lou Reed song ever all jammed together. "Middle of the Road" pisses on the sacred cows of music fandom to a walloping glam rock beat.
I didn't realize that Back In Denim song was rare, or I could have sent it to you! Herself gave it to me. I love it, of course.
I bought Dr. John's Gumbo and am enjoying it immensely; my favorite so far is "Staggerlee". I'll probably buy the Rhino records anthology next; thank you all.
My lastest fixation is with the song "Casimir Pulaski Day."
Yes, this. I picked "Casimir Pulaski Day" up at Glorious Noise and I might buy the album on the strength of it. The directness of the lyrics, especially the opening lines, with the lulling way they're sung is really affecting.
Also, I did some good today and bought tickets for the Posies.
Hec, do you want the Voltaire "Brains!" song?
I didn't realize that Back In Denim song was rare
Thing is, Mojo just highlighted in a recent issue while at the same time Go Kart Mozart (his new group) has a new record out. Hence the scramble by record collector scum to go back and find it. It's OOP, so it's more of a sudden increase in demand.
I bought Dr. John's Gumbo and am enjoying it immensely; my favorite so far is "Staggerlee". I'll probably buy the Rhino records anthology next; thank you all. Also, I think you would really love his video for "Where The Wild Roses Grow."
Excellent! I'll have to show you the Nick Cave video for "Staggerlee" sometime as it's scandalous but very entertaining. I am deeply in love with him for wearing a pink Take That t-shirt in that vid. (Take That being the Brit equivalent of N'Sync.)
Hec, do you want the Voltaire "Brains!" song?
Thank you, ma'am but Jilli posted it up at buffistarawk with some other Voltaire songs (which you should get). I think I'll probably go ahead and buy one of his CDs as I'm liking his stuff.
