I've had the last three days off from work, but I can only recall a couple examples of feeling so exhausted in my entire life. It's back to work on Monday, and then only one day off (Thursday) over the next ten. Fun. When it rains, it pours.
This song always makes me feel good, though, and the video is amazing.
I thought I knew a lot about music when I started working at Oar Folkjokeopus in September of 1999. It did not take long for me to realize how wrong I was. There were entire worlds beyond the punk and indie rock that I weaned myself on, and everyday I found myself completely intimidated by the knowledge of my new boss Mark Trehus.
Nearly every day, Mark's control over the store stereo would introduce me not only to artists that I wasn't familiar with, but entire genres that I had no prior interest in knowing. One of those genres was black Southern gospel.
One day during my first month on the job, local comedian and TV pitchman Fancy Ray McCloney, a regular customer and gospel and soul fanatic, was visiting Mark. I was checking in an order from a cutout distributor, and had just checked in two copies of The Best of The Hightower Brothers on Nashboro Records. Mark shouted, "Ray! Do you know the Hightower Brothers?" He cracked open one of the CDs and threw it on the stereo. "Finally Made It In" was the first track. Fancy Ray was lovin' it. Mark was lovin' it. Between the two of them, they snatched both copies of the CD that we brought into the store.
In the background, I was blown away. I realized that I had never given gospel music a fair shake before because I never knew it could be so raw, so primal. Not being very religious, I never saw much point. I had given too much credit to the subject matter, and not enough to the emotion. "Finally Made It In" is the song that changed that for me. You don't need to be religious, but if you don't feel something while listening to this, you should probably check your pulse.
This whole CD is great. Unfortunately, it's been out of print for several years now. You can probably find a used copy online for a reasonable price -- far more affordable than some of their original Nashboro sides, anyway.
From a 2000 John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1 comes this goosebump-inducing take on the gospel standard "Lord, Don't Move the Mountain." Prior to the performance, Neko talks of learning the song from a Bessie Griffin album. I've never heard Bessie's version, but I've heard incarnations from Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. I'll put Ms. Case's version up against any of those esteemed artists. As much as I love Neko Case's own songs, I often think her greatest vocal moments happen when she lets it rip on gospel and soul covers, such as "John Saw That Number" from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and "Runnin' Out of Fools" and "Look For Me (I'll Be Around)" from Blacklisted.
As a bonus, I decided to let the track run through John Peel's stunned reaction to the performance. It's always good to hear his voice. I still miss you, Mr. Peel.
I've had the last three days off from work, but I can only recall a couple examples of feeling so exhausted in my entire life. It's back to work on Monday, and then only one day off (Thursday) over the next ten. Fun. When it rains, it pours.
I thought I knew a lot about music when I started working at Oar Folkjokeopus in September of 1999. It did not take long for me to realize how wrong I was. There were entire worlds beyond the punk and indie rock that I weaned myself on, and everyday I found myself completely intimidated by the knowledge of my new boss Mark Trehus.
From a 2000 John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1 comes this goosebump-inducing take on the gospel standard "Lord, Don't Move the Mountain." Prior to the performance, Neko talks of learning the song from a Bessie Griffin album. I've never heard Bessie's version, but I've heard incarnations from Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. I'll put Ms. Case's version up against any of those esteemed artists. As much as I love Neko Case's own songs, I often think her greatest vocal moments happen when she lets it rip on gospel and soul covers, such as "John Saw That Number" from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and "Runnin' Out of Fools" and "Look For Me (I'll Be Around)" from Blacklisted.
