Currently Listening: Red House Painters Songs For A Blue Guitar
Hopefully, you feel the same way that I do about some of your favorite records. In a time where the music listening public moves away from listening to albums, and it becomes more about the song, I hold on to the hope that the art and the pleasure of a band’s work as a record aren’t forgotten by the music fans. My favorite recordings hold a special place in my heart, not only for what is etched on that vinyl, or disc, by the artist, but for what they represent as a time, place, or person in my life. They present an emotion and an awareness that happens when the music really connects. The recording takes on a special meaning, whether it be through lyrics, or just through sound. Your interpretation of that artists art that fits your emotional or physical state at that time.
Something drew me to revist one of my favorite recordings from Red House Painters, and as I expected to revisit my memories of Songs For A Blue Guitar, I strangely found new meaning in the record. A new meaning that seemed to be the calling for me to revisit. And that’s the beauty of music.
Many of you might know Mark Kozelek’s more recent work as the outfit Sun Kil Moon, but Red House Painters was the beginning of many of us getting to know the talent of his ability to craft music and lyrics in a unique way. Kozelek crafts songs that patiently wander and drift as if there is no final destination, but only the journey. Like taking a drive in the country for the pure sake of taking a drive in the country, with no real destination. Just taking time to experience what is around you for that moment in time. Songs For A Blue Guitar is, in my opinion, the one of the most complete albums from start to finish that Kozelek has produced. Sometimes floating along acoustically and delicate and other times a passive sonic trip, that continues on for minutes and minutes, as on the track “Make Like Paper” which clocks in @ 12 minutes. The album is a patient listen, but a suitable companion for the cloudy rain soaked days currently residing.
MP3> Red House Painters ‘Have You Forgotten’
MP3> Red House Painters ‘Make Like Paper’
MP3> Red House Painters ‘Revelation Big Sur’
