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Post by 88keys on Oct 10, 2016 5:20:59 GMT
Just one song this time. It's a nearly 8 minute pop opera titled SouthBound Jericho Parkway by Roy Orbison.
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 12, 2016 20:29:23 GMT
Roy Orbison - "Southbound Jericho Parkway" Lyrics ----------------------------------------------- There was a man whose memories were made up, Of nothing. He pushed the elevator button, and go home, To nothing. Yes his business had prospered but women get lonely sometimes, now she has the house His son in college had dropped out, To expand his mind. And Sarah, his daughter had not spoken to him. Maybe he'd raised her the wrong way. He wondered. He checked his mailbox, with fingers a-tremblin' No mail, from anyone. I'm home he said softly, as he opened the door and gazed at his empty apartment. Aching, thinking. Southbound jericho parkway Is what you call a one-way street. Southbound jericho parkway Is what you call a one-way street. At 7.20, monday after New Year, Mister Henry Johnson leaned against the pedal Aimed his Lincoln steady and drove himself into a wall. How could a thing sush as this ever happen. All the community said it was shame. He was a good man,he was a clean man yeah, That's what he was a good and clean man And his landlady said he was an exemplary tenant. They're always nice and quiet when they're all alone At his age. The young man sat, on a small woven mat. While the silken smoke it cirlcled over head. The cigarettes were there to prove he didn't care Bout the contents of the telegram he'd just read. Father, father, father. You always seemed to be so out of reach. And the psychedelyc sign read: peace. Apartment in New York, a girl closes the door, And leans against it with her head bowed low. Thoughts raced through her mind Of when she was a child. Raised warmly by a man she didn't know. Father, father, father. She wished she had phoned him yesterday There were so many things she had to say Henry, the check is in my hands Brought by the insurance man to cover all my plans We'll have flowers, your broker will be there And Sarah, if she cares, and our boy with all his hair And the sun rose,and the sunset As it always has, And people yet unknown, were busy being born, And time when past.
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 12, 2016 20:29:55 GMT
Wow, this is a great epic tune, 88. I'm still processing it for my final review. In the meantime, I put a cheat sheet of the lyrics for anyone's reference. Amazing song, will send final review later once I really soak it all in a few times.
Jim
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Post by Chippa on Oct 13, 2016 0:07:15 GMT
This is some wild stuff. It's like "MacArthur Park" , but with even more twists and turns. Lyrically,it's pretty depressing, if a bit awkward with some of the wordplay.
The last minute or so is classic Orbison. Chills up my spine.
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 16, 2016 2:25:09 GMT
OK, here is my review of the song Roy Orbison - "Southbound Jericho Parkway". Kind of a Harry Chapin feel to the lyric and the way it is sung for the first part. Like how the voice gets higher at the second part. The song showcases his voice range. I like the avant-garde brass on the letter from his son part, kind of reflects the scene the son of the father was in to. Some good harmonica riffin'. Really like how there is a climactic ending with words that describe everydayness, "And the sun rose,and the sunset As it always has, And people yet unknown, were busy being born, And time when past." Apparently, it's because time was going on regular and people living their life regular, but the father and children in the song could no longer experience it with each other, since he ended his life. So that seems like why the end lyric became dramatic, showcasing all that has been missed out on, when people don't address the divergences between each other in their lives. Star rating: 4.6 out of 5 Bottom Line: A great cut, musically adventurous with an interesting lyric and a good point, with Roy's expressive and well-ranged vocal performance. Thank you very much for introducing me to that wonderful song, 88! I really enjoyed it, will mark you down for the next available spot, assuming there is still a spot available for the year before we decide what or what not to do for 2017. Sorry for the lateness of the review, I've been slammed, and wanted to really play and analyze it a lot, so finally got the chance to do that tonight. Jim
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Post by dillwyn on Oct 16, 2016 9:16:11 GMT
Well I've never heard or even come across this before and it is certainly unusual. I totally get the "MacArthur Park" reference, I wonder which came first. It feels like a medley you get in musicals sometimes. a mash-up of styles and performance. Musically it is very accomplished. lyrically it works, i appreciate he has taken some short cuts but it conveys an arc of story. I'm not sure i'm drawn to this style but really grateful to hear it. Thank you for posting
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Post by unomusette on Oct 16, 2016 17:55:03 GMT
Love the Big O's voice in this, but then he's never sung anything badly. For me the song is a bit disjointed, but the different sections are quite entertaining. Having the lyrics provided (thanks Jim!) added a lot to it too, whatever were they thinking of with "our boy with all his hair"? Good to have a chance to hear Roy exploring a bit out of his comfort zone, I'd give it 5 out of 10. Thanks for the experience, 88keys
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