Month: November 2007

Song of the Week: Tennessee Waltz

November 12th, 2007

My thoughts seem to be oddly turned toward Nashville this week. This afternoon, I stumbled upon an old favorite introduced to me during my erstwhile days at Dartmouth. Norah Jones with her smooth vocals and dexterous piano playing couldn’t have performed the rendition of the song any better.

Without further ado the Pax Plena song of the week is none other than Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King’s 1947 hit, the Tennessee Waltz as performed by Norah Jones. Lyrics follow. Enjoy!

(Note: The Tennessee Waltz is in no way intended to be confused with the Tennessee Waltz sting operation which sent several top Volunteer State Democrats to prison)

Tennessee Waltz
As Performed by Norah Jones

I was dancin’ with my baby to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I just happened to see
I introduced her to my loved one
And while they were dancin’
My friend stole my sweetheart from me

I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
And I knew just how much I had lost
I have lost my little darlin’
The night they were playing
The beautiful Tennessee Waltz

I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
And I knew just how much I had lost
I have lost my little darlin’
The night they were playing
The beautiful beautiful Tennessee Waltz
The Tennessee Waltz
Bluebird Cafe Gets New Owners

November 11th, 2007

Years ago, under happier circumstance, I had the chance to visit Nashville, TN and the Bluebird Cafe.

Actually located closer to nearby Brentwood than Nashville, the Bluebird struck me as remarkable place precisely because it seemed so typical. Opened along a nondescript strip mall just off a major artery out of the city, the Bluebird boasted cramped tables, and only mediocre food. Not at all what one would expect from a famous restaurant.

Of course, the real hallmark of the venue was its legend among country music artists. In many ways, the Bluebird Cafe is to country music what the Apollo Theater is to Jazz- an unexpected, musical sacred center.

Opened in the early 1980s, the Bluebird Cafe quickly became home to a regular gathering of music artists who provided live music for the restaurant’s tiny stage. Eventually, some of these artists would go on to net major recording contracts with record labels across Music City. Famous names include song writing ace Paul Overstreet and country music legend Garth Brooks.

The rest, as they say, is history. As a venue, the small cafe soon became a mainstay of country music lore.

At any rate, I was saddened to learn a few months back that the cafe’s future was in jeopardy as its owners mulled retirement. Fortunately, news on the wires this week is that the cafe has earned a reprieve.

[Link]

According to the Tennessean, the cafe will be purchased by the Nashville Songwriters Association International and will remain in operation for years to come.
Song of the Week: There’s Your Trouble

November 6th, 2007

We had once a consistent song of the week here Pax Plena. The lapse is utterly my own. consider this the latest attempt to revive the practice. Today’s song of the week is a fun one for both the wistful and self deprecating alike. Courtesy of the Dixie Chicks- back when they were musicians rather than political activists; to wit, they have always been much better at the former than the latter- the song will surely be a blast from the past for country music fans out there. Without further ado, the Pax Plena song of the week is none other than the Dixie Chick’s There’s Your Trouble. Lyrics follow after the jump. http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-2822071750978649608&hl=en There’s Your Trouble Should have been different, but It wasn’t different, was it Same old story Dear John and so long Should have fit like a glove Should have fit like a ring, Like a Diamond ring Token of true Love Should have all worked out but it didn’t She should be here now but she isn’t CHORUS There’s your trouble, there’s your trouble You keep seeing double with the wrong one You can’t see I love you You can’t see she doesn’t But you just keep holding on There’s your trouble So now you’re thinking ’bout All you’re missing how Deep you’re sinking Round and round dragging down Why don’t you cash in your chips Why don’t you call in a loss Not such a big loss Chalk it up better luck Could have been true love but it wasn’t It should all add up but it doesn’t REPEAT CHORUS Should of all worked out but it didn’t She should be here now but she isn’t REPEAT CHORUS [Link]

Month: November 2007

Song of the Week: Tennessee Waltz

Bluebird Cafe Gets New Owners

Song of the Week: There’s Your Trouble