Bob Dylan: The 1966 Live Recordings (36 Disc) Track Listing

Disc 1: Sydney, Part I, 13 April 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me (Incomplete)

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 2: Sydney, Part II, 13 April 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Positively 4th Street

Disc 3: Melbourne, 20 April 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me (Incomplete)

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Tell Me, Momma (Fragment)

  8. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  9. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

Disc 4: Copenhagen, 1 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around (Fragment)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Incomplete)

  6. Ballad of a Thin Man

  7. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 5: Dublin, Part 1, 5 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 6: Dublin, Part II, 5 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 7: Belfast, Part 1, 6 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. Desolation Row

  5. Just Like a Woman

  6. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 8: Belfast, Part II, 6 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 9: Bristol, Part I, 10 May 1966

  1. Fourth Time Around

  2. Mr. Tambourine Man

  3. She Belongs to Me

  4. Vision of Johanna

  5. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  6. Desolation Row

  7. Just Like a Woman

Disc 10: Bristol, Part II, 10 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings (Incomplete)

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 11: Cardiff, 11 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 12: Birmingham, Part I, 12 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna (Incomplete)

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 13: Birmingham, Part II, 12 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 14: Liverpool, 14 May 1966

  1. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  2. Desolation Row

  3. Just Like a Woman

  4. Mr. Tambourine Man

  5. Tell Me, Momma (Incomplete - Drop Out)

  6. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  7. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  9. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  10. One Too Many Mornings

  11. Ballad of a Thin Man

  12. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 15: Leicester, Part I, 15 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 16: Leicester, Part II, 15 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 17: Sheffield, Part I, 16 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 18: Sheffield, Part II, 16 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 19: Manchester, Part I, 17 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 20: Manchester, Part II, 17 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

  9. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Incomplete) Soundcheck

Disc 21: Glasgow, 19 May 1966

  1. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  2. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  3. Just Like a Woman

  4. Mr. Tambourine Man

  5. Tell Me, Momma

  6. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  7. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  9. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  10. One Too Many Mornings (Incomplete)

  11. Ballad of a Thin Man

  12. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 22: Edinburgh, Part I, 20 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 23: Edinburgh, Part II, 20 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 24: Newcastle, Part I, 21 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me (Incomplete)

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 25: Newcastle, Part II, 21 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 26: Paris, Part I, 24 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 27: Paris, Part II, 24 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 28: London, Part I, 26 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 29: London, Part II, 26 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 30: London, Part I, 27 May 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

Disc 31: London, Part II, 27 May 1966

  1. Tell Me, Momma

  2. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  3. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  4. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  5. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  6. One Too Many Mornings

  7. Ballad of a Thin Man

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 32: White Plains, 5 February 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. To Ramona

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Love Minus Zero / No Limit

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

  8. Tell Me, Momma

  9. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) [Incomplete]

Disc 33: Pittsburgh, 6 February 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. To Ramona

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  5. Love Minus Zero / No Limit (Incomplete)

  6. Mr. Tambourine Man

  7. Positively 4th Street

  8. Like a Rolling Stone

Disc 34: Hempstead, 26 February 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Love Minus Zero / No Limit

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

  8. Tell Me, Momma

  9. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  10. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  11. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  12. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

  13. One Too Many Mornings (Incomplete)

Disc 35: Melbourne, 19 April 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row

  6. Just Like a Woman

  7. Mr. Tambourine Man

  8. Tell Me, Momma

  9. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  10. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  11. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

  12. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Fragment)

Disc 36: Stockholm, 29 April 1966

  1. She Belongs to Me

  2. Fourth Time Around

  3. Visions of Johanna

  4. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  5. Desolation Row (Incomplete)

  6. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

  7. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down

  8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Fragment)

  9. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Incomplete)

  10. One Too Many Mornings (Incomplete)

  11. Ballad of a Thin Man (Incomplete)

Full Video: Kanye West Backs Trump, Calls Him A Genius & Gets Booed; Wants To Run in 2020....

Children Medieval Band Plays Medieval Music For Children

I stumbled upon Children Medieval Band (CMB) a year ago or so. They are a family of young Romanian-American multi-instrumentalists, ranging in age from 6 to 14, living in California, who usually post videos of covers of songs by hard rock bands, like Rammstein, often filmed in their living room. 

This is their program of medieval European music, performed for children at a school event.

I think they are amazing.

From CMB:

On Nov. 15th, 2016 we played our medieval repertoire in front of about 200 children and their parents. That was a lovely audience, the kids liked us and had the patience to watch all 10 medieval pieces. During the 'entrada' song they were even clapping along the beat! Thank you kids!

And one more detail: on this show we had our younger brother Nectarios playing on stage for the first time. He is 6 yo and played only triangle and tambourine for now. In the future we hope he will become our bass player.

Intro - 0:00
Vikings - 1:12
Pavane (Pierre Attaignant) - 3:17
Volta21 (Thoinot Arbeau & Stefan) - 5:00
Nota (Anonymous) - 7:20
Little Bears (Tielman Susato) - 8:57
Entrada (Susato) - 10:20
Scarbourough Fair (Anonymous) - 12:35
Ecco La Primavera (Francesco Landini) - 14:07
Turdion (P. Attaignant) - 15:51
Greensleeves (Anonymous) - 17:39
Monami (Susato) - 19:05

Our site: https://childrenmedievalband.wordpres...

Happy Birthday To The Late, Great Gene Clark, Co-Founder Of The Byrds!!!

                                                                             Gene Clark with Bob Dylan, 1965

The late, great Gene Clark would be 72 today. He co-founded The Byrds (singing on their #1 hits "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn Turn Turn") and wrote their classics "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better" and "Eight Miles High". After The Byrds, he did a bunch of awesome stuff, working with people like The Godsin Brothers, Douglas Dillard, Jesse Ed Davis, and Tom Kaye. Of particular note are White Light and No Other. Sadly, his post-Byrds material, while gaining a cult following (especially among musicians), has yet to capture the public's ear. I feel that one well-placed Gene Clark song in a film or TV show could change all that.

Sierra Records is releasing a highly anticipated Gene Clark rarities collection today.

Some info about the release from Sierra:

GENE CLARK-THE LOST STUDIO SESSIONS 1964-1982 

1964 Sessions 

The Way I Am/I'd Feel Better/That Girl/A Worried Heart/If There's No Love 

These Jim Dickson-produced tracks reveal a sensitive acoustic balladeer honing his songwriting craft. Already apparent are the unexpected chord changes, soaring tenor and preoccupation with heartache that would characterize his later, more well-known work, both with The Byrds and as a solo artist. 

HUGH MASEKELA SESSIONS, 1967 
Back Street Mirror/Don't Let It Fall Through 

On the verge of being dropped by Columbia following disappointing performance of his debut album, Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers, Gene hooked up with South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela to record several songs in the spring of 1967. "Back Street Mirror," released later that fall by actor David Hemmings (produced by Dickson as well) on his Happens LP (using the same backing track), recalls the rich baroque stylings of "Echoes"; while the spirited "Don't Let It Fall Through" shows Gene was no slouch singing swinging, R&B-based rock. 

1969-1970 SESSIONS-SOLO
Back To The Earth Again/The Lighthouse/The Awakening Within/Sweet Adrienne/Walking Through This Lifetime/The Sparrow/Only Yesterday's Gone 

Virtually an album within an album, these seven tracks constitute a convincing, cohesive testament to Clark's extraordinary growth as a writer, especially when juxtaposed with the 1964 material. Temporarily eschewing the pressures of life in LA for the pastoral peace of his Northern California retreat, Gene's music reflected uncommon maturity, grace and scope, with songs that embraced philosophy, ecology and spirituality. 

WITH THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS 
She Darked The Sun 

Recorded in spring of 1970 before Gram Parsons' firing, Gene revives a song that first appeared on the first Dillard and Clark album (also covered by Linda Ronstadt). This uptempo interpretation shows how effortlessly Gene could have slipped into another band situation had he chosen to do so. One can't help but think that this version, paired with Gene's other Burritos-backed song, "Here Tonight," would have made a great double-A-side 45!

1972 SESSIONS 

Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms/She Don't Care About Time/Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky/Bars Have Made a Prisoner Out Of Me 

Similar to the situation with "Back Street Mirror," two of these tracks eventually saw release on Terry Melcher's self-titled album from 1974; Gene's vocals having been wiped and replaced by Melcher's. Thankfully, Chris Hinshaw had the good sense and vision to record these featuring Gene's original vocals. Jim Dickson always maintained that "these were the best Gene ever sounded!" One would be hard pressed to argue. 

1982 NYTEFLYTE - Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Al Perkins, Michael Clarke 

One Hundred Years From Now/ (The) Letter/ Still Feeling Blue/No Memories Hangin' Round/I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better 

The July 1982 "Nyteflyte" sessions were an effort by the team of Tickner & Dickson to re-energize country-rock in Nashville. Alas, they were too early; so-called "New Country" had not yet hit Nashville tune masters. Nyteflyte's music, featuring Gene as lead singer, may not have caught on with the 16th Avenue Music Row crowd, but we may now enjoy these exciting, previously unreleased recordings. Sadly, this would be the final occasion in which ex-Byrds Clark, Hillman and Clarke would record together.

ORDER DIRECTLY AT:

http://sierrarecords.goestores.com/…/s…/ViewDept-269908.aspx

Today is also Gordon Lightfoot's birthday! He's going strong(ish) at 77!

Here's Gene doing a Gordon classic...

Related Articles:

The Gene Clark - Kanye West Connection

The Byrds' Gene Clark Scored This Anti-Marijuana "Educational" Clip Starring Sonny Bono (1968)

Why Didn't Gene Clark's Solo Career Take Off?

The Byrds 1973 Reunion Flop: What Happened?

Byrds Gene Clark & Roger McGuinn Live At The Bottom Line, NYC, 10/19/77 - Full Concert

Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group) Tribute To Gene Clark's "Eight Miles High" and Sandy Pearlman

Hey John, Tell Us How You *Really* Feel.... Scathing 1971 Lennon Letter to Macca Surfaces...

“Dear Linda and Paul,

I was reading your letter and wondering what middle aged cranky Beatle fan wrote it. I resisted looking at the last page to find out—I kept thinking who is it—Queenie? Stuart's mother?—Clive Epstein's wife?—Alan Williams?—What the hell—it's Linda!

You really think the press are beneath me/you? Do you think that? Who do you think we/you are? The ‘self-indulgent doesn't realize who he is hurting’ bit—I hope you realize what shit you and the rest of my 'kind and unselfish' friends laid on Yoko and me, since we've been together. It might have sometimes been a bit more subtle or should I say ‘middle class’—but not often. We both ‘rose above it’ quite a few times—& forgave you two—so it's the least you can do for us—you noble people.—Linda—if you don't care what I say—shut up!—let Paul write—or whatever.

When asked about what I thought originally concerning MBE, etc.—I told them as best as I can remember—and I do remember squirming a little—don't you, Paul?—or do you—as I suspect—still believe it all? I'll forgive Paul for encouraging the Beatles—if he forgives me for the same—for being—‘honest with me and caring too much’! Fucking hell, Linda, you're not writing for Beatle book!!!

I'm not ashamed of the Beatles—(I did start it all)—but of some of the shit we took to make them so big—I thought we all felt that way in varying degrees—obviously not.

Do you really think most of today's art came about because of the Beatles?—I don't believe you're that insane—Paul—do you believe that? When you stop believing it you might wake up! Didn't we always say we were part of the movement—not all of it?—Of course, we changed the world—but try and follow it through—GET OFF YOUR GOLD DISC AND FLY!

Don't give me that Aunty Gin shit about ‘in five years I'll look back as a different person’—don't you see that's what's happening NOW!—If I only knew THEN what I know NOW—you seemed to have missed that point….

Excuse me if I use ‘Beatle Space’ to talk about whatever I want—obviously if they keep asking Beatle questions—I'll answer them—and get as much John and Yoko Space as I can—they ask me about Paul and I answer—I know some of it gets personal—but whether you believe it or not I try and answer straight—and the bits they use are obviously the juicy bits—I don't resent your husband—I'm sorry for him. I know the Beatles are ‘quite nice people’—I'm one of them—they're also just as big bastards as anyone else—so get off your high horse!—by the way—we've had more intelligent interest in our new activities in one year than we had throughout the Beatle era.

Finally, about not telling anyone that I left the Beatles—PAUL and Klein both spent the day persuading me it was better not to say anything—asking me not to say anything because it would 'hurt the Beatles'—and ‘let's just let it petre out’—remember? So get that into your petty little perversion of a mind, Mrs. McCartney—the cunts asked me to keep quiet about it. Of course, the money angle is important—to all of us—especially after all the petty shit that came from your insane family/in laws—and GOD HELP YOU OUT, PAUL—see you in two years—I reckon you'll be out then—inspite of it all, love to you both, from us two.”

“P.S. about addressing your letter just to me—STILL….!!!”

According to RR Auction: Referenced in the 2012 book The John Lennon Letters, this biting missive is in response to a letter from Linda in which she had chided Lennon for, among other things, not openly announcing his departure from The Beatles. Triggered by the death of manager Brian Epstein, the dissolution of the Fab Four and, in particular, the relationship between McCartney and Lennon, escalated over the subsequent control of Apple Corps., and the introduction of both Linda and Yoko Ono into the Beatles circle. Lennon, who was prepared to leave the band and formally announce the end to the Beatles era, shares his side of the story, explaining that McCartney’s interference ultimately stayed him from reaching out to the media. McCartney’s eventual ‘break-up’ announcement, given in a public relations coup with his debut solo album, was viewed by a Lennon as a ‘preemptive strike.’ Likely written shortly before Lennon and Ono’s departure for America, this draft captures the intense rivalry between the two men in the months, and even years, surrounding the breakup of the Beatles. 


Letter Up For Auction Here...

Car Seat Headrest "Field Commander Cohen" (Video Of Leonard Cohen Cover)

February 8, 2016 NPR: All Songs Considered, Tiny Desk Concert

Set List:
"The Drum"
"Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales"
"Sober To Death"

The Last Shadow Puppets "Les Cactus" (Official Video)

Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys has an excellent side project with his mate Miles Kane called The Last Shadow Puppets. Last Shadow Puppets will release a new EP Dream Synopsis, which includes this song, on December 2, 2016.

Tracklisting for Dream Synopsis

01   Aviation

02   Les Cactus  (original by Jacques Dutronc)

03   Totally Wired (original by The Fall)

04   This Is Your Life (original by Glaxo Babies)

05   Is This What You Wanted (original by Leonard Cohen)

06   The Dream Synopsis

Here they are doing an unlikely cover of Leonard Cohen's "Is This What You Wanted" from Cohen's 1974 New Skin For The Old Ceremony:

Is This What You Wanted

Foxygen "Follow the Leader" (Official Video)

"Uncertain and Afraid: We Must Love one Another or Die" - Why W.H. Auden's "September 1, 1939" Speaks To This Very Moment

                                                                                Auden with his lover and collaborator Chester Kallman



"...As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear 
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth...."

Although Auden later disowned this poem, many people have found it moving over the years.

It was written about the fear and uncertainty that overtook the world as World War II began, but I believe it speaks to our time as well. Uncertainty and fear seem to be what a great number of people are feeling at the moment.

To those of us who were in New York (where this poem was written in 1939) for the September 11th attacks, a few lines jumped out at us through time:

The unmentionable odour of death 
Offends the September night....

and

Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return....

There was a horrible smell in New York for weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Fires continued to smolder. Tons of material had burned, as well as so many human beings. It was the smell of death and it was awful and it went on and on, like the sirens that moaned and echoed and went nowhere and never stopped, for weeks...

The missing posters affixed to every building "Have you seen my loved one? Last seen at..." No one had the heart to tell them their relatives were not "missing".

Evil had been done, evil had been returned, and continues to be returned.

This 2016 election has been amazing, and it is truly remarkable how divided and divisive we are.

We have differences.

There will always be people who hate, but most white people who hate ethnic and religious minorities, LGBT's, and other vulnerable communities simply out of knee-jerk reaction are old and will die soon. 

But the rest of us are stuck with each other. Global warming is a reality, and if we expect to survive, as Auden said, we must indeed love each other or die.

Only together can we face and triumph over these challenges.

September 1, 1939 by W.H. Auden

I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade: 
Waves of anger and fear 
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth, 
Obsessing our private lives;
The unmentionable odour of death 
Offends the September night.

Accurate scholarship can
Unearth the whole offence
From Luther until now
That has driven a culture mad,
Find what occurred at Linz,
What huge imago made
A psychopathic god:
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.

Exiled Thucydides knew
All that a speech can say
About Democracy,
And what dictators do,
The elderly rubbish they talk
To an apathetic grave;
Analysed all in his book,
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again.

Into this neutral air
Where blind skyscrapers use 
Their full height to proclaim 
The strength of Collective Man, 
Each language pours its vain 
Competitive excuse:
But who can live for long
In an euphoric dream;
Out of the mirror they stare, 
Imperialism's face
And the international wrong.

Faces along the bar
Cling to their average day:
The lights must never go out,
The music must always play,
All the conventions conspire
To make this fort assume
The furniture of home;
Lest we should see where we are, 
Lost in a haunted wood,
Children afraid of the night
Who have never been happy or good.

The windiest militant trash 
Important Persons shout
Is not so crude as our wish: 
What mad Nijinsky wrote 
About Diaghilev
Is true of the normal heart; 
For the error bred in the bone 
Of each woman and each man 
Craves what it cannot have, 
Not universal love
But to be loved alone.

From the conservative dark
Into the ethical life
The dense commuters come,
Repeating their morning vow;
'I will be true to the wife,
I'll concentrate more on my work,'
And helpless governors wake
To resume their compulsory game: 
Who can release them now,
Who can reach the dead,
Who can speak for the dumb?

All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street 
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky: 
There is no such thing as the State 
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die.

Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.

Wikipedia article on this poem

Test Subjects "Mentally Disturbed" (Audio)

Mentally Disturbed from testsubjx on Myspace.

From a 1985 demo tape recorded by David Cordingley at his Oakland home studio, feat Ron Findlay (guitar), the late, great Mike O'Holic (AKA Michael Kingsley on bass), Vadge Moore (drums), Michael Donnelly (words).... oh, and I guess a William Blake sample in the lyrics?

Test Subjects live at New Method Warehouse, Emeryville, California, late 1985.
Photos by Murray Bowles.