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In Reply to: RE: Utah Phillips - singer, songwriter, activist, raconteur and unionist posted by LWR on May 27, 2008 at 07:28:15
Sad news, but not a total surprise. He had been in poor health for some time. I had just posted a references to him over in Central a few days ago and still have Moscow Hold and Loafer's Glory laying out. Even changed my signature line. Whether or not you agree with his politics or other views you had to love the way he expressed them. A master story teller. He had a lot of originals and recycled a lot of old ones, but uniquely made them his own. I still have a tape I made of a Gene Shay radio interview with him and Gamble Rogers (another master story teller and damn good guitar picker who we also lost a good number of years ago)talking about the oral tradition of passing along jokes and stories. The link is to somebody's transcription of "The Past Didn't Go Anywhere", maybe his only "hit" recording; done with Ani Difranco. Basically it is his words set to a musical background and gives you an idea of his work. Musically, his biggest "hit" was "Rock Salt and Nails" which has been covered by many folk singes.
Rock salt and nails
On the banks of the river where the willows hang down
And the wild birds all warble with a low moaning sound
Down in the hollow where the waters run cold
It was there I first listened to the lies that you told
Now I lie on my bed and I see your sweet face
The past I remember time cannot erase
The letter you wrote me it was written in shame
And I know that your conscience still echoe's my name
Now the nights are so long Lord sorrow runs deep
And nothing is worse than a night without sleep
I'll walk out alone and look at the sky
To empty to sing to lonesome to cry
If the ladies were blackbirds and the ladies wore thrushes
I'd lie there for hours in the chilly cold marshes
If the ladies were squirrel's with high bushy tails
I'd fill up gun with rock salt and nails
http://www.utahphillips.org/ - a tribute page
http://www.utahphillips.org/stuff/mooseturdpie.mp3 - mp3 file
You know "Utah" ain't resting anywhere in peace. He's busy raisin' a little hell.
He has entered the "river of time". Stop and take a drink, and refresh yourself.
Neil
"My God, that's moose turd pie!......It's good though."
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