(Please welcome Rickie Lee Jones and Howie Klein who join us in the comments section today — JH)
Rickie Lee Jones has been a great friend to Blue America and a committed lifelong political activist. Along with Tom Maxwell and Ken Mosher she recorded the groundbreaking Have You Had Enough that Howie Klein adapted so successfully for progressive candidates across the country in the 2006 election, and she's soon be giving a benefit concert in Louisiana. Her career has been remarkably long for someone so young, spanning three decades and consistently breaking new ground. She joins us today in the comments section to discuss her new album, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard, and comes bearing gifts — a copy of the new single Falling Up (which I have to say I love).
We're also giving away a pair of tickets with backstage passes to one of Ricki Lee's concerts on her new North American tour (as are Crooks & Liars and DownWithtyrany) for the winner of the contest below so please be sure to enter.
Says Howie of the new album:
Rickie described the new album to me in a way that made me think it's going to be a musical about the musician Rickie Lee Jones who dreams that she wakes up in Jerusalem and apparently is Jesus… except that there are strange pieces of today floating around, and in the end, it was about her life after all. Or… his. Hard to say. The music is raw and immediate… Velvet Underground… Patti Smith, and the singing and performances have a foot on the inspirational ground of Astral Weeks or… hmmm… Primarily guitar, electric guitar. Rickie describes herself "doing dove sounds, howling on a donkey, and praying, serenely, always– with an eye out for any approaching evangelists so I can keep them as far away as possible. It praises the Rabbi's words, and gives harsh commentary to the religion, something the Prophet himself would have approved, no doubt. It's not a Christian work; very little is even said about Christ or Christianity."
It's an album that tackles a subject that secular musicians rarely delve into. And, more than anything, it follows the imagination, fertile imagination, and the heart of Rickie Lee Jones.
"Listening to this record," she told me, "one of the first bloggers wrote about their experience of a Jesus/Jones character, free styles a kind of manifestation… and that is a description in which I feel quite comfortable. The song at the end of this recording called 'I Was There' describes when he/she tells somebody in the room because you've been traveling in so many universes and you manifested here, brother I didn't realize you were talking to me until you broke that bread and I saw that you were.. where have you been that you don't know what's been going on here in Jerusalem, haven't you heard, haven't you heard about the Nazarene? You know, we thought 'we were gonna set Israel free' reminds me of Berkeley, the SDS, children of a lesser God perhaps, or, of the Russian revolution, or, of the Children Crusade…It's been going on for a long time, wars fought under the banner of religion enlightenment torn apart by creeds and manifestos. 'Every generation watches the princes of their nation file away.'"
This is a lonely after hours walk down an empty street, and it evokes another time, could be 1980, could be 86 AD. This person (presumably Rickie) remembering her life from the view of another time in space… Yet it also might be one of the disciples remembering his life through hers… And it works. The broken promises, big hopes, revolutions, misguided, a lost crew, an anthem… the same old story. It is a spell binding performance.
It's an exquisite album from an artist at the peak of her creative abilities, a beautiful and haunting portrait that Rickie Lee sculpts with that unique and evocative voice of hers. I hope you give the single a listen and stop by in the comments and say "hi" and let her know what you think.
Because if you want to enter the contest, you gotta listen to the single. You need to put together a 5 song thematic set of music which includes "Falling Up'", as well as your reasoning (if you like), and send it to downwithtyranny@aol.com. You have 24 hours from the time this posts to create, as Howie Klein says, "an interesting set that your imaginary listeners would love." So give a listen, have a crack at being Blue America dj for a day, and please join Howie, Rickie Lee and me in the comments for this very special edition of the Sunday salon.
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Have You Had Enough?
PIRATES!!
Welcome to Firedoglake, Rickie. I’ve always hoped you’d come on here for a chat. You have a whole community of fans here. I’m eager to hear about the benefit in New Orleans. I remember you telling me it’s about Non-violence. When is it and what are some other details?
RevDeb, you beat me to it! I was going to get by third zed in one day.
Hi, Rickie Lee, and welcome! Glad to see you here, so we can tell you how much we appreciated your participation with Have You Had Enough!
I am glad to be here on this rainy afternoon.
Welcome Rickie Lee,
Really nice article about you in the Boston Globe today.
Welcome, Rickie. We really appreciate all you’ve done for Blue America and the fact that you’re with us here today.
To all commenters: as always, please keep Salon comments on topic. If you want to go off topic, feel free to do so in the previous thread.
The New Orleans benifit came about after I listened to an NPR special about the murder rate in the city. I wanted to be a part of drawing attention to this problem, and singing is the best way I know how to do that.
Hi Rickie- Starting to absorb the new album and it’s truly an album, a realized work, but the songs stand on their own too. Beautiful artwork. We have a date with you here in a few weeks in Northampton MA. WRSI is adding the single fer sher and we’re all looking forward to seeing you. I hear your band is pretty edgy? Who are they?
rickie lee jones @ 5
I’m actually at Howie’s house now. No rain, but lots of CDs.
Hi, Rickie Lee! We’re all glad you’re here, but I have to confess to being a big, big fan. I have some very nerdy questions about your music, so I hope you’ll bear with me.
Question No. 1: One of my favorite releases of yours was 1983’s “Girl at Her Volcano” which I bought on the original 10″ vinyl format.
Who wrote and first recorded “Something Cool”? I love your version, but would like to hear the original someday.
We will be donating our salary to a local grass roots organization combating this terrible problem. I was down there recently doing a film, and talking with all the local folks there, I got the feeling of an unstoppable community, entirely American, and fragile. They need our support. It’s not Katrina, it’s not a dysaster site, it’s people. People there need to know that we are part of building their city again.
I can’t believe a lurker like me gets to comment so early! “Had enough” was such a spectacular success. Thank you so so much!
I am not sure if I am suppose to repond to all comments here, or to you individually, to keep track of them…but
let me say I am so glad to have been a part of stopping the republicans, and the ongoing discussion about the coup that place Bush in office, and his gun slinging side kick, a truly evil man. Ugly indeed.
And the Boston Globe article, we got that today. What did you think?
Welcome Rickie Lee Jones! I have to say, this is truly an honor. When Howie was first putting together the potential vocals list for Have You Had Enough?, he and I spoke and were talking about lead voices and we both had you at the top of our respective dream singers. And I am SO glad that you were able to help us out with the project — it was an amazing vocal from an awesome set of pipes. The LA benefit is wonderful.
I’m just so thrilled that you are here at FDL today. Thanks so much for everything you have done and continue to do.
I love “Falling Up,” Rickie, it sounds like a real hit. I haven’t heard the rest of the album — is it all as accessible as that?
TRex @ 11
Billy Barnes wrote it, and the first recordings included Lilia, from the Little Rascals, I am not sure of her name in real life, but a stunningly appropriate match for that song. Julie London did the version I first heard. Barnes apparently was a newpaper man, and this one song, )kind of like All of the Game which i think was written by the postmaster general or something)was his only.
rickie lee jones @ 14
Different guests have handled it different ways. You just go with whatever you’re comfortable with. There’s no established procedure.
LOVE “Falling UP”!
THANKS for Had Enuf.
I haven’t had enough of “Falling Up”.
Thanks for being here Howie and Rickie.
Rickie Lee, thank you so much for coming to FireDogLake. It is a great honor to have an artist of your stature here.
Boy, what an honor to have you so “close”. Thanks for helping us win in November with the best song I’ve ever heard in any campaign. Thanks too, for this work on helping folks in Louisiana.
Ann in AZ @ 4
That was pretty cool. I didn’t hear it out there in the real world, but I hear it did a good work. How cool to be part of that.
plus squirrel nut zippers, that is one tight band.
Hey Rickie,I dig your music to pieces.
Welcome!
What a great afternoon. Making chicken soup, watching it snow, listening to Pachelbel, and then THIS!
Welcome to the lake. It’s like you are already a resident here, though. We love it and hope you’ll come back often.
Not sure how Howie has guided you on this chat but if you answer publically to each, that seems best.
I asked about the band. Just two more ?s and I’ll sit back and watch.
1. Is the reference to Exposition Blvd in Los Angeles?
2. I saw your show at Largo with Mark Kozelek, I was the one crying at the table in the front. Have you been listening to Sun Kil Moon, his new band, or been in touch at all? That was like an awesome issue of Marvel Team Up seing you two play together.
Jane Hamsher @ 16
Yes, it is.
It is immensely accessible. It it a true rock classic I think. if i can say that. it reminds me of the great fleetwood mac, rolling stone records, many great songs, simple, short, and to the point. with the occasional eight minute rant.
thanks.
Rickie- just a “thank you” for your great work on Had Enough. I can’t count the number of times I’ve listened to it. I seem to remember Howie saying that you “nailed it in one take” or something to that effect- am I remembering correctly? I know zilch about music production, but I also seem to recall that you were doing this with the tapes (?) from Tom and co., not with them there live. I thought that was pretty amazing, but then you are…
thanks for all the good comments, bil, terry, john, christy jan bob and 23, 24 and..
Ricki, the disaster in N.O. had such a strong affect on me. I wrote this at the time.
I grieve for the people of New Orleans. I also grieve for a city I called a friend. The first time I saw New Orleans, I was 18. Like most people that age, we couldn’t wait to walk toward the French Quarter. On our way, we passed an old man with a funny cap who stopped in front of us. He did a little dance and sang a ditty that I cannot remember now. When he ended and said, “you be good boys now”, I knew I was in a special place.
I have been back many times since, exploring the restaurants and viewing historic sites.
At one point, I was living outside the south for many years. After hearing all the stories of New Orleans, a good friend of mine wanted to see it with me. We flew into Memphis and drove through Mississippi down to New Orleans. After spending a few days there, my friend said, you know, someone started a party here and it never ended, the people just come and go.
He was correct. Now, the party has ended. I hope not forever.
Ooooh. I’ve got to track that down.
Any chance of you ever putting “Volcano” up on iTunes? I went looking for it and it wasn’t there.
I was just a high schooler when I got it and it was my first exposure to songs like “Lush Life”. Then, when I heard other people’s versions, they all so seemed so tame and utterly dull. There was none of the appropriate pathos, I thought, when, say, Linda Ronstadt sang it. “This isn’t how it goes!” I protested, “The song is supposed to completely grind to a despairing halt, here!”
The girls I knew there,
with sad, sullen, gray faces,
distingue traces.
You can see where they’ve been…washed away.
By too many through the day.
(Twelve o’clock-tails.)
Effing brilliant delivery. You rock.
Jim Neill @ 25
thanks …. the Largo is like the Cavern in a way, was that the Beatles place? It’s cavenous, and there is this feeling that the joint belongs to you, so you can do what you want. There are no places like that, where the club owner just respects the artists so much. how long ago was this show you refer to?
I remember it, but can’t remember when…
Valley Girl @ 27
thankyou valley girl
it doesn’t take many takes to sing songs, unless you just want to keep singing it.
i think it comes out right the first time,
maybe again the second, but after that it’s imitation.
i am a kind of free styler in a way. i like to make it up, it’s made of the moment. of course the moment is made of many lifetimes.
so it all comes out, if you trust the moment..
Rickie:
I know it’s old news, but “Ugly Man” just tears me up. Wonderful.
Hello Rickie Lee
It’s an honor and a thrill having you here at FDL–it’ s one of my very favoritie places in cyberspace.
I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for you and your work over the years. I’ve grown with and through your music since I was a 14 year old in 1979. My political awareness has evolved over the years, and your music has been both an inspiration and unwitting reflection of that process as well.
I saw you this past september at Oaklands Art and Soul and you were just beaming light and love. I also spent some time with you about 10 years ago after the tribute show you did with Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman (as part of the Mill Valley film festival movie about you.)
Was there something specific that inspired a more political tone to your music? Was it, perchance, the stealing of the 2000 election, or something before that? Are you hopeful about the future?
Thank you again, for sharing yourself and your music with the world. Many blessings to you!
Howie, I’ve never read a description of an album like the one at the top of this post. Time to hit the store . . .
(Somehow, RevDeb getting the first comment seems appropriate on a thread with this title.)
Hi Ricki!
Thank you for lending your voice to elect Dems to Congress. Any plans for 2008? We sure could use a theme song to sum up our feelings…how about “kick the bastards out?” or, well. Some thing like that.
rickie lee jones @
8
rickie lee jones @
12
Rickie Lee, I downloaded the song and listened through. There was a lot of other confusion going on (8 in my household), so I need to listen again late tonight. I’m really looking forward to hearing the whole album. When will you be coming to New Orleans?
TRex @
30
[nerd alert]
It originally came out on Capitol records in 1957 and was re-recorded with the same session musicians in stereo in 1962 — cool if you can get both vinyl copies :-) Available in 10″ and 12″ — Something Cool is also the title of the album.
of course the moment is made of many lifetimes
Now that is one heck of a quoteable quote! It really resonates.
artists will help save our souls. thank you for years of enjoyment.
The Largo gig with Mark Kozelek was probably 1999 or so. I used to wonder if I’d only dreamed it so thanks for confirming! The Iron Horse in Northampton MA where I work now is much like Largo but Jordi, who played the part of Flanagan out here, has split. We do what we can to keep it magic and the legacy helps. I hope you have good memories of the Horse. I have good ones of you there! So many Iron Horse vets come back and play the larger Calvin Theatre now. Ray LaMontagne, Lucinds… Shawn Colvin played alone w/ her guitar a few nights ago and made the big room small. Loudon still plays the Horse though. “Help! I’m trapped in my career!” he said last time I saw him there. Ha!
rickie lee jones-
i am a kind of free styler in a way. i like to make it up, it’s made of the moment. of course the moment is made of many lifetimes.
so it all comes out, if you trust the moment..
what a beautiful message.
Thank you so much for coming to the lake!
JANE!!!! glad to see you’re up and about – hey ricky lee welcome to the best blog online! i’m a very early fan from back in the day – havent heard the latest cd but will purchase it just because of your great activity in progressive matters
Rickie Lee, thank you so much for your refined and elegant responses. Only if you care to comment, to what would you attribute (in your background) that cultivated your passion for social justice/fairness?
Also again, only if you care to respond, who were the formative influences on you as an artist and a musician growing up?
TRex @ 30
Well, thank alot, I needed alittle of that!
it goes a long way, kind of condensed praise.
i was thinking, funny you say that, about my version of My Funny Valentine. My friend Angelea McClosky was saying she had sung it somewhere, and I was remembering Fiona Apple saying she didn’t want to sing it in front of me on night at the Largo. What a compliment, holy moses. For many years I shunned this performance, considering it, and myself, much too emotional. But I was listening to it the other day and came to the conclusion that it is worthwhile. It is different from any other for it’s commitment to the sorrow of the melody. And using the lyric to explore the melody, often these jazz lyrics engage in hyperbole, or they seem to enjoy looking at their own reflection in the mirror, these lyrics. Hard to sing such self conscience stuff. I like to jump right in to lyrics like that, lyrics that are a challenge. Anyway, Funny Valentine, after all, turned out to be a pretty great performance, in spite of the fact that jazz radio, which doesn’t really exist, never played it or me. The reason I mention this is that I have heard people tell me for many years that i was the instrument that turned them on to jazz standards. The kids came to hear Chuck E and got a big does of Lush Life, it was very cool. So thanks, I am really happy to hear that you heard those songs through me. I love to sing them.
Hi Rickie Lee, Thanks for recording Had Enough? it was fantastic.
AM I eligible to win the passes? hehe
Samwoman @ 34
that was such a great festival, I just loved it. I had one of the best times i have ever had on stage. we played the new stuff, it was really a great day for us.
Hi Rickie,
Great to see you here! Quick question; you and New Orleans seems like a cool match. Will you be hooking up with local musicians for the benefit? Will you be recording it? Ok. that’s two quick questions. OOOPS ;)
Hi Rickie Lee. Thanks so much for your work on “Have You Had Enough?” And kudos to Howie and the Maxwell/Mosher band too. It was a valuable contribution to the cause.
juslin @ 43
well thats good enough by me.
John Amato @
47
Let’s have your big five, fella. You’ll probably be disqualified but it would be nice to know anyway.
rickie lee jones @ 51
We do like to show up for those who support progressive action and are delighted to get the chance to do so here.
Audrey @ 49
I have just submitted the idea to Tipatina’s, who returned enthusiastically. I will do all I can to amke it an event, get people to write about this situation. Not the poverty, the drains, the anything, just the fact that people are killing people at an unpresedented rate in one of our (most beloved) towns, and we have to do something to find out why and stop it.
ricky lee i hope you’re planning on coming to the NYC area soon as i’d love to attend any gigs of yours in this area.
Jane Hamsher @ 52
HI Jane- but on the other hand, wouldn’t the winner be especially delighted to have beat out John Amato? (hehe)
juslin @ 55
Rickie’s tour schedule is linked in the post (above) and… there sure is a New York show. And if you win the FDL contest, you get a pair of tickets and a chance to go backstage and say hi to Rickie in person.
Hi Ricky,
Like others I thank you for your work on “Had Enough”. I can’t tell you how many times I listened to that when I needed a little boost during the campaign season.
I looked at your tour schedule and didn’t see any dates in the Phoenix area. Will any dates be added here?
John Casper @ 44
You’re so welcome.
That EP wasn’t just my entree into jazz, but it was also my gateway into your work. It was an assignment from my English teacher who was my sorta gay mentor. I was telling him about how much I loved the new Haircut 100 single or something and he said, “Go get this record and write me a 5000 word essay about it. You need to get some culture, ya punk!”
I went from that to “Pirates” and have been a fan ever since.
Do you remember a monitor tech named Colm O’Riley? Irish guy? Blue, blue eyes? He lives down the street from me. He came back from touring with you and I was (I’m afraid) a total pain in the ass, “OH my GOD! You didn’t tell me you were going out on the road with RICKIE LEE JONES! What’s she like? Is she, like, the coolest person ever? Tell me everything!”
For the record, he says you’re lovely, terribly hard working, and actually quite shy.
Hey, do I qualify for this contest or not?
rickie lee jones @ 54
That’s excellent! Thank you so much for taking on this important work. Hope it has a HUGE impact. (Still downloading the song on dialup and reading the Globe article between refreshes.)
Bless you.
Omigod I feel like a fangurl.
Thanks for being with us, Ricky Lee.
gaardvark @ 58
the first group of dates does not include Phoenix, but i think it may come up by the end of April…before Europe.
To be honest, it is a question of a promoter bringing us there, offering us enough money and being willing to promote us.
I think our record is going to grow, because no matter what is written about it, people just gotta hear it, and if they do, they are going to recommend it to others, I think.
so hopefully we can play everywhere this year.
I have never been to south america, africa, russia, so many places i hope we can play,
including phoenix.
TRex @ 60
No, but give me a call and I’ll see if I can do something for you, champ.
So, who’s in the band? Anyone we’d know?
She joins us today in the comments section to discuss her new album, Semon on Exposition Boulevard,
Um… Jane, little typo there. :-)
[Mod Note; thanks for the heads up. It should be fixed now.]
I saw someone asked this earlier but haven’t seen an answer.
I have quite a collection of diverse music and am very tuned into folks who speak to social justice. From where does this sense come for you?
TRex @ 60
Well…have you been on Expo Blvd? Not implausible that you’d find that too. ;-)
Rickie- I hope you’ll tolerate another naive question… again, I really appreciated your comments to the effect of being in the moment.
I am probably the least muscially informed person who comments here, so that has me a bit embarrassed. However, I have had a small amount of training in acting, and the “in the moment” thing got pounded into me, even if I couldn’t always do it. So, to me, “in the moment” also means being totally authentic. And, your voice is totally authentic.
It’s struggle for some, but comes naturally to others. I suspect it didn’t take you much to find your voice, but I am interested to know if this was ever an issue for you. (Again, this question comes from a woefully naive perspective; hope you’ll forgive that.)
rickie lee jones @ 64
If “Falling Up” is and indication of what’s on the rest of the record, it most certainly will. I know I’ll be recommending it.
Jim Neill @ 66
the band
peter atanasoff, who wrote the music for alot of the songs on the record
joey maramba, played bass on most of the record
and two new players named.
junior and macoco,
on guitar and drums.
we start in a little over aweek.
when I first heard your music, I was most impressed by your strength. Similar kind of strong that we all adore in Ms. Hamsher.
Spokane Moderate @ 67
Too fast for me, mods.
Valley Girl @ 71
That reminds me– what about the film you just acted in last fall, Rickie? The one in Louisiana. What’s that called and when is it coming out?
Dear Songstress, inquiring minds wish to know, who’s in the session and tour bands… if you will?
Ahhh, strike that, thanks.
ember @
74
Well that’s the biggest compliment I’ve gotten all day.
Valley Girl @ 71
it was a great stuggle. when i started out, most of my voice was contained in a little box, i had no ability to project, i had lots of emotion and high notes, but ran out of air.
I saw a diagram of how to sing in a book and began to practice the techniques, to feel the air in my belly instead of my chest, move the note out of my throat, and this has really save me I think. I sing naturally and rarely have technical trouble, hoarseness or things like that. I did once, coincidentally in New Orleans last time I was there, had to cancel the show. my throat would not open up. Went out and got a tatoo instead.
so yes, it is an evolution, the process of working with art, or anything, love, horses, it’s all a learning thing. it never stops.
Hi Rickie Lee, I see you’re now on New West records. You’ve got some good company in Delbert McClinton and Dwight Yoakam on that record label. :-)
May I guess you’re doing a similar business model, taking them a product and leasing the record to them? I know that’s how Delbert does it.
I’m in a local San Jose band making roots music and we’re making our own record on the cheap. It’s amazing how much of an “old-school” sound you can get if you eschew a lot of modern practices, even when you’re using Pro Tools.
I wish you great success with your new record. Thanks for coming today!
Yes, yes! Colm said you called him “Father O’Riley”! I just remembered that part. He’s such a peaceful soul.
I’m so excited to get your new record, by the way.
I am probably singing better now than I ever have. I remember seeing Sinatra sing at 60, and seeing his high notes were going, but none of his real song, the stuff he put into it, had diminished at all. You can sing as long as you mean it, you can crock out something.
acting, you rely on others, since it’s a minute of work and it’s over. i am just a beginner, but i do know one thing, you have to love being in front of the camera. I think if you love the camera, the rest may follow. I don’t know, I may suck. But i think expressing emotion through film would be alot of fun for me, as long as it is not confusing for my work as a singer.
Sorry to be late to the listening party, this new song is very impressive Ms. Jones. It kind of reminds me of Richard Thompson’s work. As a fan of music in general and someone who grew up with your music, I’d be fascinated to know if you got stuck on an island for a year with an mp3 player, what would we find in your playlist? What rocks your world?
Thank you for all you have done and are doing. Had Enough, too great forever!!
Great song! I’ll have to get the album. I love you’re work. Thanks for everything you do.
As a very shy person, myself, it’s nice to hear that someone like you has the same problem.
I’d continue, but I’m gushing enough.
CNN’s reporting that another chopper’s down.
Guitar_Playing_Bastard @ 80
i dont think we leased this one. i am not sure though. I was just glad to be signed. I had a great record, i brought it to them, andt they got it. It’s all about the music.
we did our record in a little shack on exposition blvd, and it was all on protools,
this thing revolutionizes the music busienss, because it gives the same tools professional have to anyone in the world, any kid can use the same basic technology and make a record now. it’s fantastic. I always hated the elitism of the business. We have it and you don’t. Now anyone can make music. the question is, who will market it. with the internet kids can go directly to their audience. it’s a new world
Rickie,
In college, I wore the needle right through the vinyl on Pirates and Magazine (subsequently replaced by CD). Can’t say enough about “Had Enough” — really appreciate the work and creativity you, Howie, FDL, C&L and Act Blue carried into the November elections.
We are a bit off of the radar for most folks here in Vermont, but the appreciation factor will be off the radar as well if you decide to add a concert at Flynn Theatre in Burlington — or anywhere else along the Green Mountains for that matter — to your schedule. Any plans to play in Vermont?
slainte,
cl
delurking to give a shout out !
Flying Cowboys !!!
gots da chills just being in the same corner of cyber space as Mz Ricki Lee Jones. Thank you ALL, for all you are doing. As you say above..It is a learning thing and it never stops. And of course Mz Jane, so glad you are on the mend..shed many a lurking tear, waiting your recovery. Long Live FDL. Trex, love you to death man. Come to think of it,love the whole place.
now back to permanent lurkitude
The song is impressive, I like the styling. The front artwork has a Frieda Kahlo shimmer to it.
i just got here, but Rickie, i have been a fan of yours since about 1982-1983.
i just wanted to say, ‘thanx for the music’!
as i’m a doddering unsavvy PC person i cant get the gig sched for ms. jones please help me out – thanx
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 83
Thompson is a great player. funny, it’s coincidental, because Lee, our producer and the writer of the book, listens to him, and Sandy Denny all the time.
i would take the same old stuff i would ever ever taken
a beatle record, hopefully the stuff pre 1967,
and
astral weeks, veedon fleece,
and
west side story
and
sly and the family stone,
superfly curtis mayfield
marvin gaye, whats goin on?
and
cat stevens, tea for the tillerman
taj mahal de ol folks at home
neil young everybody knows this is nowhere
old laughing lady lp
coleman hawkins my one and only love
bill monroe maybe…
surrealistic pillow, jefferson airplane
jethro tull,,,, nothing is easy
i also like
cat power, outcast,
thankyou..
i did not see it mentioned, but i always love it there. maybe talk to your local promoter!!
juslin @ 91
Here’s the tour schedule
Howie Klein @
94
I also inserted it into the post, should show now if you refresh.
Rickie, thanks for sharing comments. I have all your music and will buy Sermon On Exposition Boulevard. I became a fan when I saw you on Saturday Night Live back in late 70s. I had not heard anyone like you…you blew me away at first sight and sound.
I got a chance to see you in concert at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis, just after release of first album. It is still my favorite concert. You created a setting of singing from a building top..very magical.
Anyway, I want to say thank you for all the music.
Wordsmith @ 89
i made the cologe of my face, and then
lee took elements of some art we have around the house and created the cover, thanks.
thanx howie – the LAKE is just THE BEST!
I really love this guitar sound in “Falling Up”. Is that a Rickenbacher? It sounds like dropping acid in the desert.
Do you write songs lyrics-first or melody-first? Would you consider letting us read the lyrics to Falling Up now? I’d like to know more about this song.
Rickie Lee!
(…I know, I know, it’s the timing for the first post thing again. I’m working on it.)
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts here with us and especially for exploring this subject in universal ways of unconditional love. We are all one whether we realize it or not. Your work is always moving and a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Heya Howie…excellent writing and thoughts, as usual.
Neil Green @ 96
thank you. i remember coming to mephis for the first time. that was such a great set.
the rooftop tour.
the next one was the dock tour, for Pirates.
Hmm. . . I also thought the song’s sound and structure reminded me a bit of Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville, though I’ll wager Liz has been far more influenced by Rickie Lee than the other way around.
rumi @ 100
hey thank you
I love to perform, and thats where unusual things occur, come see us sometime.
rickie lee jones @
86
Indeed it does. I know several Nashville people who made their latest releases in their houses, or at a friend’s house. They sound great and the records do too.
It is a different world, and the way business is done in music is changing. I see it as all to the good.
The reason I asked about leasing is something Delbert told me when I was on his cruise – “Never ever make a record you don’t own.”
He’s had many difficulties throughout his career with record labels until about 2001, when he made his record on his own dime and leased it to New West. He must be doing something right because he’s won two Grammys since then and he makes money from the very first record sale.
Is there any chance your record will be on iTunes? I get most of my music that way these days.
Again, best of luck with your new record. I know you’ll do well.
juslin @
91
Here is a link to a site with her tour schedule and a way to order tickets online.
Sure hope you’re coming to Germany in spring or summer. Kudos and thanks for a life of shimmering music.
rickie lee jones @ 82
Wow, thanks for this insight and your earlier comments. Interestingly, my acting teacher was actually trained formally in voice, and got interested in acting through her work on Broadway. She trained a lot of actors, and was always pushing them to learn “voice” because she insisted that the best (most compelling) vocalists were those who could be “in the moment”, even if they were techically limited. I have a feeling that the same is true in reverse- in moving from song to film- craft in acting is important, but being able to be in the moment and authentic also counts hugely. I don’t think from what you have said (esp. re Sinatra) it will be confusing. Seems like it will be a natural fit for you.
Rickie Lee, thanks for sing “Had Enough” and I love “Falling Up”. Have to echo TRex’ comment about the guitar work. It sounds terrific.
TRex @ 99
no it is not a ricken bacher. rick N. Backer.
i made these songs up, they are improvised in front of the mike, coming out as one. that was the amazing thing in the creation. we are doing a rap thing, working on a different project with some kids, and they come in and listen to the track and write down a text and do it, right there. But i didn’t write it, i just stood and did it.
then as it went on i began to write lyrics for the tracks i heard, and made up the melodies. it was a fast process, involving the improvised sense, the immediacy of creation each time. even wtih text, there was some exploration,
two of the songs were filmed as they were recorded. “i was there’ and ‘tried to be a man’ You can see them on the DVD in the special package which includes a sacd, dvd, mp3, w a 5.1 surround mix.
it’s at amazon.com… It’s pretty cool to see the track that is on the record being done.
rickie lee jones @ 103
I’m sure I will. Life has changed in ways that I never expected, as it’s know to do. Many of us are in a new transition of activism after being rudely awakened by the current administration. They poked us with a stick and now we’ll hound them for the ones who can’t speak out for themselves…for as long as we can.
Your words are truly an inspiration. I mentioned in an earlier thread that for me, and possible others, this is a chance to atone my years of political apathy.
Pachacutec @ 102
I can hear that too, its from the same musical ballpark.
And that’s fascinating to hear the production team that worked on this new material listens to a lot of Richard Thompson. I hear a very clear influence in the chord structures and the general atmospherics of the song. It has a very Celtic breeze to it.
Lee was filming the entire project all along, so there are alot of media…many more songs that did not make it on my record…
and he is also working on a project with rappers from bone thugsn harmonhy, the last poets, and some kids out of LA, Yo yo, big chan, on continueing this interpretive idea,
interpreting the words of christ in a musical setting. These rappers are putting down amazing and moving tracks. very, very street.
Finally! Finished downloading and am listening to it now. Awesome!
Rickie, gotta say, I agree with Jane. I will be recommending it! Of course, I thought I would anyway, since I’ve loved your stuff since the beginnning. Still have your first album on vinyl and hoping someday to play it again. Sucks how hard record players are to come by these days.
Audrey @ 113
Consumer models are hard to come by, but thanks to the hip hop end of the business, the pro models keep getting cranked out.
rickie lee jones @
86
Yeah, even I make original music in my basement nowadays just for the sheer fun (or the occasional musical rant) that it allows.
I don’t know what propels you to write all those terrific lyrics/poems/essays but I liken it to an itch that needs scratching. Do you have a better analogy?
Wow this turntable even comes with a USB connection so you can digitize your records into the computer! I guess I’m gonna get to drag out my copy of Pirates stored at my brother’s house soon.
Glad you mentioned Funny Valentine. Listened to it again last night. Gives me a consistent physical reaction: hair standing on end, gooseflesh, etc. No one else can do that for me.
thanks
No way! Your lyrics have always seemed so exquisitely crafted to me. You’re telling me that you just make them up on the spot?
Now, see, I figured that you had notebooks and notebooks crammed with these hundreds of perfect poems that you spent months and years developing.
Okay, now here’s where I out myself as a singer-songwriter. I’ve always been really anal about my lyrics. Everything is planned out weeks in advance. As a result, looking back at my work, sometimes the scope of it seems so limited. I always kind of wish I’d said more and opened myself up more fully.
These days I blog, but maybe one day I’ll start singing again.
Thank you so much for being here, Rickie. I was totally disappointed when I went to CT with the Squirrel Nut guys and found out you weren’t coming. I really, really wanted to meet you.
None of these tour dates are near Athens, GA it appears, so I will have to scheme my way into a New York or Washington trip to see the show.
TRex- your blogging “sings”.
rumi @ 110
the apathy, well,
unfortunately when things are going well noone bothers to lock the door. and people become complaciant. Clinton was attacked, and the people read about the cigar, how many of us put down the paper and refused to read it, refused to be a part of the republicans using the republican owned media to attack the president? it had never been so blatant. we get alittle angry at our own when they don’t do what we think they could do. we dont protect them from the evil that waits at the door. sometimes. as a people we could have stood up and written to schools and papers and said, this is not our business, in spite of what fox news is saying. It is wrong to publish this pornogrphy so that children passing by can see it. It is wrong to discuss this to the exclusion of all else, and allow him to be attacked, like Ceasar, in front of us all.
The society, in the golden years of the good work of Clinton, racism being confronted and discussed, poets invited to the white house, musicians, a scholor in the white house working to find ways to bring the polorized sides together. attacked when HIllary had the audacity to mention the idea of health care for everyone. remember? she came out and they condesendedly said what a fine little lady she was and proceeded to take her and him apart. Shame on the DRs of our country, who heal people for a large check and support the destruction of a president, of the confidence of American people in their democracy, of voters who thought that the ones they elected would actually take office…….all this so that health care does not bring down their profit margins. What would it mean if everyone had fair and equal health care? Would it be the end of civilization? Does it depend on the poor not having access to health care except through humiliation and sumission…? Why do the people who work in DC forget the basic principles of living in the world? What happens there anyway?
oh a rant. i may be getting tired…
TRex – If you would cut loose in a song-writing rant like you do in some of your posts, I don’t see how it could be anything less than powerful.
Audrey @ 113
I can’t wait until you guys can hear the whole thing.
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 116
Most sound cards/chips on PCs have a line in port to which you can connect your stereo. Just thought I’d point that out before you pull out your MasterCard. ;)
Hi Rickie. Huge fan here.
Your album “Naked Songs” came out right when I got sober, and was a huge source of strength through that rough time.
11 years later and it’s in rotation on the IPod!
Honestly Love you. Thanks for everything (including help fight those nasty ‘pugs).
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 116
Thank you!!! Great links. I hadn’t even thought about trying to find a record player this way.
Rickie, your album will be heard again! Yes! :D
p.s. TRex- now that you don’t have the luxury of planning your (blogging) words weeks in advance, maybe that experience will change the way you “sing”, next time around.
submission.
sorry about my spelling you guys.
rickie lee jones @ 127
Yep, watch out for them tyops.
rickie lee jones @ 127
Jane!!!!!
T-REX u got jokes lolol
Rickie; that’s quite an impressive list of musical influences, most of whom I keep in my playlist, even at YouTube.
Question 1: Have you had the chance to play with any of them? It’d be great if you could perform with Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) in the current heat of things.
You wrote: I am probably singing better now than I ever have. I remember seeing Sinatra sing at 60,
Last night, I found a YouTube of Elizabeth Cotten singing Freight Train at age 92. She still strummed string better than I ever will, but her vocals were a bit croaky. I agree about Sinatra, but would advise you to get your best inspirations sung before you’re 90!
Question #2. Is there any chance of a megaconcert assemblage singing for Global Peace, utilizing all who’ve been singing politically in the past few years (Pink, Dixie Chicks, Kris Kristofferson, etc… hell, I understand even Norah Jones has a political song on her forthcoming album)? Think there’s any promoters who’d want to tackle such a project before Bush nukes Iran?
p.s. they are typoes.
rickie lee jones @ 127
S’OK. You’re trying to outtype a bunch of us. BTW, the new version of Firefox has a builtin spellchecker. I hear the Windows version has some problems, but you might want to try it:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Your music makes me feel good. Thanks, because God knows, the last 6 years have taken their toll.
Have You Had Enough was just the best!
the boston globe has a wonderful photo and it’s a good article I think.
Mojo is doing something, I would like to share here, a five star reveiw, which we are thrilled about…
and then I am going to stop as I am getting kind of tired. I am really thrilled to be a part of this community. I am so in shock that we actually took down the house and the senate, how can that be. So we have to remember and never forget what it has been like.
stop the use of torture and kidnapping as an offical policy of our government, and return our country to the people who live here. Obama, and Hilary, I think. I’ll be there!!
and thank you for helping to spread the word about The sermon on exposition blvd.
it will be a great year. everyone do try to hang on til next time we meet.
yes?
Ms. Jones, Loved your contribution to “Lullabies from the Axis of Evil”. What a great subversive way to protest imperialism. Thank you for everything you do!
Cujo359 @ 123
He said to the guy who records podcasts and musicians for a living. [sly grin]
I know that silly, but the USB connection means I get to skip around the noise generating audio input and go straight to a digital audio transfer of what’s on the record to the software in my computer I use to edit sound with. In other words, way more ideal and worthy of whipping out non existent MasterCards. The only card I have that has that logo is tied to the decrpit bank account I have.
rickie lee jones @ 120
wow, you are an incredible soul with amazing gifts. I now feel guiltier than I did before, but that’s good as long as it’s a positive force for change.
I have fought City Hall all of my life. When it came to politics, though, I felt futility more than apathy. I never thought change was actually possible, by anyone, let alone insignificant me.
Your rant hits the points that we need to hear regardless of apathy, futility or ignorance – I don’t know, I don’t care – and it probably wouldn’t matter anyway.
No matter what I’ve done before, you convince me that even more is expected of all of us. Thank you again for sharing those incredible passions for people.
Cujo359 @
123
It’s important to point out you cannot hook your turntable directly to a sound card, as the signal form the cartridge is too weak ad unequalized to make good recordings.
If you have a unit (receiver, amplifier, whatever) with a turntable input, what you need to do is connect the turntable to the amplifier and connect your cound card to the “tape out” or “line out” if it has one.
Then the signal will get the RIAA curve it needs to sound like a record, and the computer will get the line level signal it needs to create good digital audio.
Woo Hoo! Ricki Lee live at da Lake! Doesn’t get any better than this! Thank you Jane & Howie and most especially Ricki Lee for all your immeasurable gifts and generousity of Spirit!
Kevin Hayden @ 131
He is not touring, we inquired. we thought he and I and Matisyahu would be a wonderful tour…But Matisyahu will not take the stage with a woman. period.
Howie, welcome back from the jungle,
sending my love.
Wow! I just remembered listening to your albums all day before your SNL debut. I must have been about twelve yrs. old. I used to keep you and Leon Redbone in the same section of records. I dont know why. *S*
Allow me to add my thanks for so many years of music and inspiration last year with Had Enough.
Please stay with us, we have much more to do!
and come play Eureka Springs.
rickie lee jones @ 135
Thanks for staying this long and answering all those questions, Rickie. You were great. I’m sure you’ll have lots of people from this community at your concerts this year. Good luck on Letterman! Come by FDL any time you’d like.
Hey, there’s a typo quota and we have not met it yet. Get crakin.
as i’m a HUGE joni mitchell fan – but i now place you ms. jones right along side of her as my new fave! and btw you’re smoking in this salon oh yeah!
Hi Rickie Lee,
Thanks for being here. I just listened to “Falling Up,” and love it – I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. And it blows my mind that you improvise your lyrics on the spot.
rickie lee jones @ 122
I’m with you! I can’t wait either. BTW: That kind of ranting is so ok with me. I remember writing letters to the editors in the 80’s and 90’s and rarely getting through to anyone. It was hard not to feel like a voice in the wilderness. The internet and FDL and of course “Have You Had Enough” saved my sanity. :)
GOODBYE EVERYBODY,
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY SUNDAY
OH YEA,
JANIS JOPLIN w ball and chain
and steel dan
goucho and cant by a thrill
and
Thank you for visiting, Rickie. And for your great art. And greater heart.
rickie lee jones @ 148
Goodbye and good luck with everything! Fight the power!
bonkers @ 136
you got it.
bye
Goodbye, Rickie Lee! Thanks for coming!
Jivin’!
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 137
True, although I suspect that good electronics and cables on the way to the line-in port would make that a moot point. I have to admit, though, that my HF hearing went out so long ago that I have no way of testing that assumption.
In my own experience, the worst distortion usually comes from the A/D converters in the audio card/chip, or somewhere in the analog part of that device. In a sense, that USB port just moves that problem area into the turntable.
I guess we’re getting OT here. Sorry.
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Rickie Lee. Best of luck with the new album and the tour, looking forward very much to both.
That was way cool! I enjoyed reading the whole thing! Thanks Rickie, Jane, Howie, and John!!
Thanks again Ms Jones.
There’s a difference to be made. yes.
Seconded.
Thanks so much Jane and Howie for hosting this salon with Rickie Lee! You’re the best.
Rickie, please come back anytime. We speak typonese so no worries there. ;)
Goodbye, Rickie Lee. Stop by anytime!
Hi Rickie
Thanks for all the good work during the last election
I saw you in the 80’s at the Flint Center in Cupertino, CA – Instead of a straight concert, you told a story w/ vignettes and song – One of the best nights of theater I’ve ever had. Will you be doing anything like that again?
rickie lee jones @ 120
And such a beautiful rant, that.
(I may have some disagreements about the efforts of Hillary there, but from “Shame on the Drs.” on, it was the finest healthcare rant I’ve ever read.)
john in california @ 161
A tad late, brother, she just left.
Damn, looks like I just missed you all. Looks like quite a chat – I’ll read it through. Loved the song! Hold strong, Rickie!
Yes, thank you Jane and Team-FDL conspirators.
How do you plan to top that salon? Gandhi? Jesus? Donald Trump getting swallowed by Michelle Bachmann’s unhinged jaws?
Kevin Hayden @ 162
That rant was downright righteous. Every once in a while I get a little beaten down in the battles but that rant has me headin’ to take on the windmills again.
…do you think it would be a tad much to have it tatooed on my back, in its entirety, to keep for instant inspiration? I’d probably have to have it done backwards so I could read it in a mirror,….damn, this is getting complicated…
time to be tiltin’ at windmills again.
Thanks Howie, Jane and all for a wonderful guest this evening.
WOW! WOW! i actually was able to keep up today – and thanks howie jane and all the lakers that made this salon possible.
For your viewing/ listening pleasure: 2 flashbacks
Had enough of Dirty Dick Pombo? Vote Jerry McNerney!
Tommy Yum & co “Had Enough” in CT
Ms Jones,
Thank you for helping to save the world.
Jane–you are loved! Amazing to see you with Rickie Lee Jones on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you, both, for making this an extraordinary trip without leaving my room.
Loved everything you’ve ever done, from the beginning. Played it in the pottery studio for years, spreading your good vibrations and turning on the folks who didn’t know your work. You have rocked my world for so long, it’s awesome that I can see you in Milwaukee AND Chicago on the same weekend!
Glorious good news–joy to see this salon.
new thread – Jane’s upstairs
Rickie Lee, I have always loved your music and your voice.
all these Betty CROCKER WINNERS~WONDER WHAT THE ODDS ARE!!!??
wow, i can’t believe you were here ricie and i missed you! i am a huge fan and have had the pleasure of listening to you perform live nurmerous times, last being at the triple door in settle last winter.
a little off topic, i love getting your email updates and think you have a great site. a couple years ago when you let us all download those christmas carols,, i just want to tell you, i have never in my life heard anyone sing o holy night like you do. i have played it a zillion times, espeacially around the holidays.
my sisters are all huge fans and one of them who is plays down at the local pub does a fair job singing yer tunes. i have sung to your records more times than i could count..
punch it in and shake the chain i love you thank you for a lifetime of tunes. thank you for being so real live and never fakin it.
it was an o holy day or noght when you were born baby
so much for my typing, shit, i shoulda woulda checked thru my tears. rickie, sorry i spelled yer name wrong
ruffian @ 173
Wrong thread! Upstairs!
EPUd in a great big way, but had to be on this thread. Love to all.
jesus, i just finished reading the globe piece, i’m running out and buying this album. can’t wait! rickie, you’ve never lost your mojo in my book.
love love love fallin up!
annie @
178
I’m always straggling behind. I found that Globe article to be a fine explanation of the gifted woman in the words. I’m with you that the mojo is surely nowhere else but where it belongs, with her.
I didn’t have time before this Salon to be as familiar with specifics of this project and the Globe piece puts it all in perspective. Funny thing is, she found the road that many of us have been on for a few years and we thought we were alone. I’m spreading the good words as far and wide as I can.
Here’s another article that’s good.
Rickie Lee Jones explores ’secret room of your heart’
Tommy Yum!!!!