OK I only did Melanie a month ago.
But, she's in arms reach and I'm in a rush and I need something to sooth the little edges of my brain.
Watching the news I keep thinking how apt Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" is (and wondering why someone hasn't done a recent cover of it) but I want to turn away from cynicism to hope.
Hence Melanie.
But was the world ever like that depicted by Melanie?
Sure it was, but you have to look for it, and so does Melanie.
Here, Melanie, on her 4th studio album is noticing that some of her flowers have wilted and the world around her can be oppressive and can disillusion even the most sunny of optimists
Melanie is still quite agrarian and rootsy (in an upstate New York kind o way – small towns, coffee shops, and hamlets as opposed to wide open places and being lost in nature) in her music and in her outlook, but there is some dark clouds hanging over the songs.
Melanie's solution is to both fight for optimism and to retreat from the source of the darkness, which seems to be modern living, the music business and the city.
Hardcore punk and agit-pop types may frown on the retreat-ism but ultimately one has to live and live as well as one can. Should change come from confrontation or should it come from showing those against you there in retreating and living well there are alternatives. I'm cynical about the latter but it would be nice and I've been wrong before.
I t may seem more than a little silly to be even remotely philosophical about contemporary pop music but ultimately pop music, can and often does, reflect the times.
In 1971 Melanie may have been lumped with sunshine music hippies whilst the MC5, The Stooges and others were whaming on about the decline of western civilisation but both forms have merit.
Melanie, though, could see the other sides point of view. There is darkness and melancholy in her gentle and personal songs.
There is also a wide world view which is something missing from a lot of singer songwriters who tend to internalise everything so that heartbreak is rarely put in perspective with what is going on around them.
Melanie hits gold often. How much gold is there depends on your tolerance of this type of music and of how many prejudices you hold.
Seriously, half the wounded indie femmes and alt country cowgirls owe a truck load to this chick.
See my other comments for biographical details.
All songs written by Melanie Safka, except where noted.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Good Book – These lyrics may not work on everyone but there is a certain innocent charm to them that is undeniable
- Babe Rainbow – advice to women who have been smacked down and trampled on in the form of , you're better than that and him, pick yourself up and carry on. Melanie sings it emotively and powerfully …. she has convinced me.
- Sign on the Window – (Bob Dylan) – A cover of Dylan's ode to family (?) tune from his "New Morning" LP from 1970.
- The Saddest Thing – and a very sad song
- Nickel Song – a hit for Melanie and she return to her familiar child like voice. Innocent lyrics with a double meaning. Here she takes a swipe at the music industry. Fitting perhaps, given she was having trouble with her record label, Buddah, l and left after this album.
- Isn't It a Pity – Four lines and a giggle. Strangely erotic.
- My Father – (Judy Collins) – very personal and effective as good as Collins' original.
- Chords of Fame – (Phil Ochs) – Phil Ochs beautiful, and cyncial song about the music industry, fame and taking the easy way out in life.
- You Can Go Fishin' – I haven't been fishing in years. I used to go all the times as a kid with my uncles.This song is really about fishing. But rather a "fuck off" to a boyfriend.
- Birthday of the Sun – a vocal tour de force.
- The Prize – another vocal tour de force. Both power and innocence. Melanie has this down pat.
- Babe Rainbow (Reprise) – see above.
And …
Another winner …. I'm keeping it. I love this chick.
Chart Action
US
Singles
1972 The Nickel Song The Billboard Hot 100 #35
Album
1971 #80
England
Singles
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Album
1971 #9
Sounds
http://recordlective.com/Melanie/The_Good_Book/a6e02149-c213-378c-8c12-73544ad1d6a1/
Sign on the Window
Mp3 attached
(sorry about the scratchiness)
Nickel Song
Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAa-VzzCGyc
Chords of Fame
Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzECo5YnMDM
Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKN6lYU5bZ4
Review
http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-good-book-mw0000843865
http://raeblog.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/good-book-melanie.html
Bio
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/melanie-mn0000409670
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Safka
Website
http://www.melaniesafka.com/home.cfm
http://freespace.virgin.net/robert_ian.smith/Melanie.htm
http://melaniemusicsociety.tripod.com/Mercurio/Mercurio.html
http://www.melanie-music.org/
Trivia
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