I love food. Hell, everyone probably does…food is truly a wonderful thing. While it is wonderful, in relation to music, it is generally relegated to whimsy. Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with this, it’s just necessary to point out the difficulty in writing a passionate song about food. It is, however, much easier to write a whimsical food song, like our first track “I Love Nachos” by Mr. Phil. Philip Melancon was (is?) a piano player at the Ponchatrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. An entertainer extraordinaire, this first track is a great ode to food. Whimsy at its finest, indeed.
And then there is a track by the Felice Brothers which represents a different vision of food. It opens with a voice message from a friend of the band’s who possess an interesting scope of geography. The more important issue is his concern, which is a great segue into this song. Lyrically, the song is simplistic, to an extent. What it holds within it is the deep well of devotion to those in want. Though Cain’s question was both snide and rhetorical, the Old Testament goes to great lengths to tell us that “yes, you are your brother’s keeper.” The lesson is imparted in much easier fashion by the boys from New York:
Take this bread, if you need a friend
‘Cause I’m alright if you’re alright
I ain’t got a lot, but all I got
You’re welcome to it
‘Cause I’m alright if you’re alright
The Gourds tell the story of an amazing, almost Forrest Gump’esque fruit vendor in “My Name is Jorge.” Somehow, the title character of this rollicking tune sells apples to William S. Burroughs, a lemon to Henry S. Ford, sugar to Harvey Oswald, and pears to Muhammad Ali (unfortunately, he “called him Clay” and was decked). Jorge waltzes into town with a wagon of fruit, but refuses to sell “cow, fish, fowl, or pig.” Take note and enjoy one of the best Gourds tracks available.
Wonderful Wednesday: Grub Time
I love food. Hell, everyone probably does…food is truly a wonderful thing. While it is wonderful, in relation to music, it is generally relegated to whimsy. Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with this, it’s just necessary to point out the difficulty in writing a passionate song about food. It is, however, much easier to write a whimsical food song, like our first track “I Love Nachos” by Mr. Phil. Philip Melancon was (is?) a piano player at the Ponchatrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. An entertainer extraordinaire, this first track is a great ode to food. Whimsy at its finest, indeed.
01-I-Love-Nachos.mp3
Mr Phil – I Love Nachos
And then there is a track by the Felice Brothers which represents a different vision of food. It opens with a voice message from a friend of the band’s who possess an interesting scope of geography. The more important issue is his concern, which is a great segue into this song. Lyrically, the song is simplistic, to an extent. What it holds within it is the deep well of devotion to those in want. Though Cain’s question was both snide and rhetorical, the Old Testament goes to great lengths to tell us that “yes, you are your brother’s keeper.” The lesson is imparted in much easier fashion by the boys from New York:
07-Take-This-Bread.mp3
Felice Brothers – Take This Bread
The Gourds tell the story of an amazing, almost Forrest Gump’esque fruit vendor in “My Name is Jorge.” Somehow, the title character of this rollicking tune sells apples to William S. Burroughs, a lemon to Henry S. Ford, sugar to Harvey Oswald, and pears to Muhammad Ali (unfortunately, he “called him Clay” and was decked). Jorge waltzes into town with a wagon of fruit, but refuses to sell “cow, fish, fowl, or pig.” Take note and enjoy one of the best Gourds tracks available.
01-My-Name-Is-Jorge.mp3
The Gourds – My Name is Jorge