Zuunzug

  • Innocent When You Dream (Tom Waits)

    Somewhere in the United States (probably), in the late 80’s (maybe).

     

     

    This is a song my dad taught me when I was a kid.
    That’s a lie.
    This is a song I learned from some kids in the alley behind the theatre
    That’s a lie too.
    I learned this from Gregory Peck.
    That too is a lie.
    They’re all lies.
    The whole song is a lie.
    No it’s not.
    I learned this from Pavarotti…

    The bats are in the belfry
    The dew is on the moor
    Where are the arms that held me
    And pledged her love before
    And pledged her love before

    And it’s such a sad old feeling
    All the fields are soft and green
    It’s memories that I’m stealing
    But you’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream

    I made a golden promise
    That we would never part
    I gave my love a locket
    And then I broke her heart
    And then I broke her heart

    And it’s such a sad old feeling
    All of the fields are soft and green
    And it’s memories that I’m stealing
    But you’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream

    We’ve running through the graveyard
    And we laughed, my friends and I
    We swore we’d be together
    Until the day we died
    Until the day we died

    And it’s such a sad old feeling
    All of the fields are soft and green
    And it’s memories that I’m stealing
    But you’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream

    And it’s such a sad old feeling
    The fields are soft and green
    And it’s memories that I’m stealing
    But you’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream
    When you dream
    You’re innocent when you dream

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  • Explain These Blues

    Ma Rainey (1886 – 1939), surnommée « the Mother of the Blues », a enregistré une centaine de morceaux entre 1923 et 1928, dont « Explaining the Blues » (1925) d’où est extrait le sample vocal de ce morceau.

    Ma Rainey with band

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  • Alberta Hunter sings the blues

    Alberta Hunter a commencé sa carrière de chanteuse dans les années 20. En 1922, elle écrit « Downhearted Blues » dont Bessie Smith fera un énorme succès l’année suivante. Elle enregistre beaucoup dans les années 20 et 30 puis disparaît petit à petit de la scène avant de se retirer définitivement dans les années 50. Elle sera infirmière pendant plus de 20 ans et ne reprendra la chanson qu’à la fin des années 70 quand l’hôpital où elle travaillait l’obligera à prendre sa retraite!

    La vidéo qui suit est tirée de « Jazz at the Smithsonian : Alberta Hunter (1982) », elle avait alors 87 ans. Elle est accompagnée de Gerald Cook au piano et Jimmy Lewis à la contrebasse et interprète le génial « Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out » de Jimmy Cox.

    Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out (Alberta Hunter change une bonne partie des paroles originales…) :

    I once lived the life of a millionaire
    Spending my money I didn’t care
    Always taking my friends out for a good time
    Buying champagne, gin and wine
    But just as soon as my dough got low
    I couldn’t find a friend, no place I go
    If I ever get my hands on a dollar again
    I’m gonna squeeze it, and squeeze it
    Till the eagle grins

     

    Nobody knows you when you’re down and out
    In your pocket, not one penny
    And your friends, you haven’t any
    And as soon as you get on your feet again
    Everybody is your long lost friend
    It’s mighty strange, without a doubt, but
    Nobody wants you when you’re down and out

    You know folks, I once had a mansion
    Way up on the side of a hill
    I’d give champagne and caviar parties
    Just for fun and get a thrill
    But you know things they just can’t stay like that forever
    And now I can’t muscle up enough money
    To buy a shot of gin

    But you know, if I ever get my hands on a dollar again
    I’m gonna squeeze it, and squeeze it till the eagle grins
    It’s mighty strange, without a doubt
    Nobody wants you
    Nobody needs you
    Nobody wants you when you’re down and out

    Alberta_Hunter
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