A quick visit to a Musical Stranger's website has my brain so v. busy this morning with memories and completely unable to get Leavin' on a Jet Plane out of this head of mine.
Used to sing that song with West Coast Sister, picking out harmonies and lullabying drunken stragglers at the end of long party nights. Found, oddly enough, that best acoustics for such singing was under the a bridge on the Charles, slowly paddling in circles to keep our voices trapped under the concrete.
Is so v. sad, that song. When was a youngster, was convinced that the singer was, indeed, going to come back and marry the person they were singing to. Now, as have loved and lost and lost and lost again, am fairly certain that the tragedy of it lies not in the leaving, but in the v. v. slim chance that they are actually ever coming back. The late Mr. Denver (the first performer I ever saw live) made me believe. Mary (of the Peter and Paul variety), her low, melancholy voice on the stereo, made me doubt. Don't know when I'll be back again. A childish hope says, someday. A grown-up's experience says, I'll try not to keep my fingers crossed.
Miss hearing WCS's voice taking the harmonies. Miss most of the ways she complemented me, actually. Will be good to get on that jet plane on Wednesday to see her again.
Incidentally, Musical Stranger has such a lovely voice. Can't wait to hear his version.
Posted by This Fish at September 18, 2003 09:50 AMI love that song...and I remember having a big long row with my own sister about whether or not he was coming back. I never thought he would, she was optimistic.
The version that was redone a few years back for some movie wasn't bad...but it wasn't John Denver, either.
Posted by: Anne at September 18, 2003 11:44 AMSpeaking of John Denver, I used to think that song "Country Roads" was a bit incestual ...
"Mountin' momma, take me home ... country roads."
*tee hee*
Posted by: Texas T-bone at September 18, 2003 05:31 PMFish, I wanted to recommend this musician because I think you might like her. http://www.rounder.com/index.php?id=album.php&catalog_id=5249 Her name is Lynn Miles and this particular album is sublime (every track). You can sample her on that link and I recommend Map of My Heart and Beautiful Night. The tracks are incomplete but I have the album Night in a Strange Town and can send you an mp3 or two if you'd like to sample her. Beautiful and original voice, lyrics and chords.
Posted by: Katherine at September 18, 2003 11:28 PMOnly John Denver could sing "Almost heaven, West Virginia" and make me believe it.
I also love Mary of PP&M. Interpretation can make all the difference in a song. Karen Carpenter is another one of my favorites - she sang such fluffy songs but her voice was very dark and intense. Every time I hear Rainy Days and Mondays I get chills.
Posted by: Lux at September 18, 2003 11:53 PMI hafta say I think the best version of LOAJP is the one by Chantal Kreviazuk. She gives it such a... poignant quality!
Posted by: Wafka at September 19, 2003 06:55 AMjohn denver is the first concert i ever went to too! on my first date. in 6th grade.
Posted by: chevy at September 19, 2003 08:41 AMWhile we're offering recommendations, check out Leah Siegel. My FAVORITE not-so-well-know artist. She plays in NY now, so GO GO GO. I mean it. http://www.leahsiegel.com
Posted by: Fish at September 19, 2003 11:05 AM