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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 9:44:15 GMT -5
"Don't Cry Now" is a great album. Not being American, I don't quite get the criticism of Linda's "Sail Away". The lyrics seem to reflect disillusion from an immigrant's point of view, after being promised better things...
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Post by Partridge on Jan 13, 2022 12:58:22 GMT -5
I don't think slaves should be referred to as "immigrants" as they did not come here by choice.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 13:32:09 GMT -5
I don't think slaves should be referred to as "immigrants" as they did not come here by choice. How is it slaves, where in the lyrics? Being Linda I imagined Mexican immigrants.  |
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jan 13, 2022 13:49:18 GMT -5
Linda did not write the words, so you would have to go to the writer and inquire re: the meaning of song. Your idea of song, hb, is nice but unfortunately it was not immigration Newman was writing about. Standing alone not knowing the original meaning of song, it is a well sung and has a good beat/melody but just a bit tooooo nice for the subject matter. eddiejinnj
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Post by rick on Jan 13, 2022 17:44:41 GMT -5
From the "Albums" section on the Linda website -- Linda Ronstadt Album and CD Releases 1969 - 2006 Don't Cry Now released September 1973 Producers: John David Souther, John Boylan, Peter Asher songs: I Can Almost See It [J D Souther] Love Has No Pride [Eric Kaz- Libby Titus] Silver Threads and Golden Needles [J Rhodes- D Reynolds] Desperado [Don Henley- Glenn Frey] Don't Cry Now [J D Souther] Sail Away [Randy Newman] Colorado [Rick Roberts] The Fast One [J D Souther] Everybody Loves a Winner [Bill Williams- Booker T Jones] I Believe in You [Neil Young] |
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Post by RobGNYC on Jan 13, 2022 19:08:48 GMT -5
The critics on Linda's "Sail Away" (and Gladys's, where Christgau confirms what Randy was writing about): Stereo Review:ronstadt-linda.com/revdont1.htm ("clipped and lacking in irony") Crawdaddy: ronstadt-linda.com/revdont2.htm ("completely overlooks the lyrics satire") Christgau:Don't Cry Now [Asylum, 1973]
In which whatever was raunchy and country about her is laundered in David Geffen's homogenizing machine, manned this time by John David Souther, who must have told her that "Sail Away" was just another pretty song. You think she's gotten so used to playing the dumb chick that she's turned into one? C+ Miss Gladys Knight [Buddah, 1978]
The most inconsistent of Gladys's albums with the Pips offered frequent glimmers of the soul in the middle of the road, but this solo shot is dreary. Not only is it markedly duller than The One and Only . . . , supposedly her farewell to the Pips, but it's also less interesting than Callin', the second album by the Pips along together. I assume producer Gary Klein arranged the switch from New York soul session guys, who have their moments, to El Lay schlock-pop session guys, who don't. So he and second-stringer Tony Macaulay (why he have three songs on this album? why he produce them?) will do as scapegoats. But is it their fault she says "little one" instead of "little wog" on a version of "Sail Away" in which the slave trader's gently humorous persona recalls the narrator of "Try to Remember"? And was it they who saddled her with the Jim Gilstrap Singers, soon to change their name to the Paps? Even her summer TV show was more fun than this. C- |
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Post by Partridge on Jan 13, 2022 19:34:09 GMT -5
It was pretty obvious to me upon first hearing the song that it was about enticing Africans to come to America to enjoy watermelon and buckwheat cakes and they wouldn't have to scuff up their feet in the jungle, etc. But I don't see anything wrong with Linda's straightforward interpretation of it. It is convincing to me. I would have discouraged Linda from recording this song, or Etta James, or Ray Charles, or any of the many who have recorded it. more about Sail Away |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 20:20:16 GMT -5
But no indication of slavery, which was bodily kidnapping. Enticement is advertising/persuading. That bit doesn't fit with slavery. Perhaps slavery being interpreted into the lyrics is a "woke" idea.
In America you get food to eat
Won't have to run through the jungle
And scuff up your feet
You just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day
It's great to be an American
Ain't no lion or tiger, ain't no mama snake
Just the sweet watermelon and the buckwheat cake
Ev'rybody is as happy as a man can be
Climb aboard, little one, sail away with me
Sail away, sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Sail away, sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
In America every man is free
To take care of his home and his family
You'll be as happy as a monkey in a monkey tree
You're all gonna be an American
Sail away, sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Sail away, sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
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Post by rick on Jan 13, 2022 21:00:42 GMT -5
Charleston, S.C. was a major, if not THE major port where the slave ships docked in the U.S.
“the jungle”?
“watermelon”?
heartbreaker, Randy Newman wrote the song as irony as to what a slave trader might say to those rounded up and sold. Newman isn’t going to use the words “ slave,” “slavery,” “enslavement,” etc. to “sing the praises” (ahem) of being brought to America to be treated as property.
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Post by RobGNYC on Jan 13, 2022 21:15:33 GMT -5
The lyrics are not "little one," they're "little wog" (that was one of Christgau's criticisms of the Gladys Knight version--that it changed "wog" to "one"). The lyrics drip with irony--"in America every man is free..." According to Merriam-Webster: Definition of wog: chiefly British, offensive. Used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a dark-skinned foreigner and especially for one from the Middle East or Far East. First known use of wog circa 1929, in the meaning defined above. History and etymology: perhaps short for golliwog. How about we give Randy the last word on this one: "There was a producer, the husband of [actress] Leslie Caron. He wanted to make a movie where he would give ten minutes to these artists – people like Van Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, me – to do anything we wanted. It never got made. But I had this idea of a slave ship and a sea shanty – this guy standing in a clearing, singing to a crowd of natives. These people in my songs don’t know they’re bad. They think they’re fine. I didn’t just want to say, 'Slavery is awful.' It’s too easy. I wasn’t doing Roots. I knew Bobby Darin pretty well. He covered this [in 1972], but he was such a musical guy that he missed the point. He was like, 'Little one, come to America.' Etta James did it, and I guarantee she knew what it was about, absolutely." www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/randy-newman-my-life-in-15-songs-202825/sail-away-203931/ |
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Post by Partridge on Jan 13, 2022 23:13:10 GMT -5
Perhaps slavery being interpreted into the lyrics is a "woke" idea. Or perhaps you are being deliberately obtuse. That being said as someone who lives in the Republic of South Carolina. Listen on youtube to the Gladys Knight version-- it makes a more direct connection to slavery. I also listened to the Bobby Darin version-- better than I expected. |
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Post by rick on Jan 14, 2022 6:07:40 GMT -5
But no indication of slavery, which was bodily kidnapping. Enticement is advertising/persuading. That bit doesn't fit with slavery. Perhaps slavery being interpreted into the lyrics is a "woke" idea. In America you get food to eat Won't have to run through the jungle And scuff up your feet You just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day It's great to be an American Ain't no lion or tiger, ain't no mama snake Just the sweet watermelon and the buckwheat cake Ev'rybody is as happy as a man can be Climb aboard, little one, sail away with me Sail away, sail away We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay Sail away, sail away We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay In America every man is free To take care of his home and his family You'll be as happy as a monkey in a monkey tree You're all gonna be an American Sail away, sail away We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay Sail away, sail away We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay From Wikipedia -- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sail_Away_(Randy_Newman_song)"Sail Away" is a song by Randy Newman, the title track of his 1972 album. In a 1972 review in Rolling Stone, Stephen Holden describes "Sail Away" as presenting "the American dream of a promised land as it might have been presented to black Africa in slave running days."[1]"Sail Away" has been widely praised by critics and Newman fans as one of his finest works. It is often cited among the best tracks on one of his best albums. Like many Newman songs, the relative simplicity and "hominess" of the music contrast powerfully with the emotional fortitude of the lyrics. "Sail Away" has been covered by many artists in live performances, notably, Ray Charles, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Etta James, Frankie Miller, Roseanna Vitro, Bobby Doyle, Linda Ronstadt, Ann Wilson, Dave Van Ronk, Harry Nilsson and Dave Matthews. On her first solo album, Gladys Knight covered it as part of a medley with Allen Toussaint's song Freedom for the Stallion, which shares themes of slave trade.
In 2011 it was listed at number 268 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[4] |
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jan 14, 2022 7:58:57 GMT -5
Case in point as to why I wanted to stay on track re: the self-titled album. I knew this one would get some deserved analysis; just not in the other thread.
eddiejinfl
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2022 8:56:35 GMT -5
Perhaps slavery being interpreted into the lyrics is a "woke" idea. . That being said as someone who lives in the Republic of South Carolina. Listen on youtube to the Gladys Knight version-- it makes a more direct connection to slavery. I also listened to the Bobby Darin version-- better than I expected. Not. I am aware keenly of slavery, as from Bristol UK. I am not acquainted with Randy Newman's songs or style beyond what Linda has sung. Newman's style & sense of ironic humour is maybe too subtle for me  , or too American? I did watch "Roots", back in the 1970s, grim for a young teenager. But moving to Linda's performance, its sung nicely, slightly tongue-in-cheek, and a curious choice for her beyond suiting her voice well. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2022 9:07:02 GMT -5
My favourite release of DCN is the Japanese mini-LP CD in the WMJ 40th anniversary series. A great improvement over any other, including MSFL's audiophile release. Similarily SD & LITUSA are best over others.
Linda's singing is sound staged front and center on the Japanese CD, while other versions have her sounding backstaged to her band and behind a veil, especially noticeable on "Desperado", for example.
I think perhaps western mastering & re-mastering prioritises instrumentation over vocals. Not just rock, but opera as well.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jan 14, 2022 9:16:46 GMT -5
Love the last note on the title song from DCN. Beautiful. eddiejinfl
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Post by erik on Jan 14, 2022 9:43:21 GMT -5
Setting aside all the brouhaha we're having over just the one song on Don't Cry Now for a moment....
This was the first album of Linda's where I think audiences began coming around to her predilections for mixing country, rock, and certain elements of R&B. It may not be a "perfect" album (and it was her first for Asylum, though she still owed Capitol one more on the contract she had signed in 1966), but it sold far better than its predecessors, getting up to #45 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart (and #5 on the same publication's C&W Album Chart as well).
From my standpoint, I think her versions of "Desperado" (natch!) and "Colorado" (written by Rick Roberts back in 1970, around the time he joined the Flying Burrito Brothers as a replacement for Gram Parsons, and recorded by that band on their 1971 self-titled album) are stand-out tracks there, obviously because of the naturalistic yearning of Linda's voice and her interpretation, but also, in my opinion, because of the big sky imagery of the Mountain West that the songs evoke, and the need to belong somewhere and to be with someone. These are things that Linda has always known about and can sing about like nobody's business (IMHO).
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Post by MokyWI on Jan 14, 2022 12:53:20 GMT -5
Linda did not write the words, so you would have to go to the writer and inquire re: the meaning of song. Your idea of song, hb, is nice but unfortunately it was not immigration Newman was writing about. Standing alone not knowing the original meaning of song, it is a well sung and has a good beat/melody but just a bit tooooo nice for the subject matter. eddiejinnj ...AND THATS THE POINT! Listen to the lyric/melody closely and how Linda sings it...It is perfect. The whole point of the song is about getting them on the ship by lying to them about going to paradise and a chance at a much better life, when really they were going to be slaves. I think Linda sang "Sail Away" perfectly. She knew what she was singing about and she knew what she was doing with her take on it. I think those critics who all said she missed the point of "Sail Away" were just being sexist and putting Linda down for being clueless because of course she COULD NOT be talented, beautiful/sexy, AND intelligent. Actually what happened was one well known critic said it, and then many others then repeated what the first critic said. Listen to the song...how was she supposed to sing it? The lyric is all about lying and tricking them to get on board for a better life....SLAVERY! I would have followed that voice and believed every word she was saying. Linda knew what she was singing about and what she was doing with it. For some reason I remember "Sail Away" was pushed as the first single but it was "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", "Love Has No Pride", and "Desperado" radio took too. I remember seeing and ad for the Don't Cry Now album right when it was coming out and the ad said "Sail Away" was the first single from the album. That was in Rolling Stone or another music magazine. Full Page ad. Very well done. Picking "Sail Away" as a single for radio sung like she is singing it comes off bad. As simply an album cut I think it works great but as a single...no, it just reads bad. I think THAT is where it all comes from. And "Sail Away" is a Randy Newman song...that first critic was up to something, he didn't like Linda and he was trying to paint her as clueless. I think "Sail Away" being sent to radio and print ads as the first single had something to do with the critic thinking Linda didn't get it. They sure didn't push that song at radio. Only in print did I see it being pushed as the "first single". I think that fire was put out very fast with "Silver Threads", "Love Has No Pride" and "Desperado" which all were strong on radio. Not in the top 40 but bubbling under, right under and they had staying power as did the album. The album might not have done as well as Geffen and Linda were hoping for, just look at the production credits on the album, they put ALOT of money into it, they had HIGH hopes, but it stayed bubbling under all year...it was like grabbing flies in the air, she almost got it...did she get to third base?... That along with her tour with Neil Young, it was that tour, the album Don't Cry Now, her television appearances on the music specials that were popular at the time that Linda nailed and got noticed by many. Linda right before Heart Like A Wheel was considered the next big thing, she had a strong cult following, she had that "cool to be into" thing that happens to good artists right before they breakout big. Once they become big then its not cool to like them anymore and that happened to Linda fast with the success and attention of Heart Like a Wheel. FM Radio in 1973 was behind Linda, it was cool to play Linda Ronstadt yet she wasn't really top 40, it was more about the album, it was like she was hitting #1 but bubbling under#1 if that makes any sense...AND she had TWO record companies in her corner...it all came together perfectly and then she gives us Heart Like A Wheel. The album Don't Cry Now was one that took time for me to really get into. It has something to it that no other Ronstadt album has, I can't put it into words...a southern (white)/soul vibe worked into country rock. I think it is where we hear that "Ronstadt Sound" for the first time. That sound that Trisha gets close to at times but no one sounds like Linda...just ask Emmylou. I love the album and it gets played still in my house. |
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Post by PoP80 on Jan 14, 2022 13:59:40 GMT -5
I concur that Linda is too intelligent and insightful to chose a song that she didn't understand the meaning of. "Sail Away" has been covered by many other artists. Newman later said, "Bobby Darin could sing, but he did "Sail Away", and, well... I don't think he understood it. He did it like was a happy song about coming to America. Randy Newman did not say that about Linda's version and she certainly knew and communicated the irony of the lyrics.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2022 15:09:52 GMT -5
I will listen to others singing "Sail Away", though having heard Randy Newman himself singing it, I think Linda's version is close to his.
DCN has grown on me. I see "Linda Ronstadt" as its prelude, in spirit, and listening to both, they run together very well.
HLAW, PID & HDTW likewise progress smoothly. SD is stand-alone, but leads into LITUSA & eventually GC which concludes that era of Linda albums, the 8 greats.
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Post by rick on Jan 14, 2022 16:08:00 GMT -5
This was the first album of Linda's where I think audiences began coming around to her predilections for mixing country, rock, and certain elements of R&B. Erik, which song or songs would you say had elements of R&B? "Fast One" sounds more like a two-steppin', honky-tonk tune to me. Whereas "Linda Ronstadt" (1972) had a cover of "Rescue Me," which is clear R&B, of the tracks on "Don't Cry Now" I don't discern a real clear R&B tune. I know you said "elements of." I started college in September 1975 and I can remember blasting "I Can Almost See It" in my apartment. It's an album I played over and over again. One of my best friends got into Linda when "Heart Like a Wheel" was first released and was hooked but he never went back to explore her back catalog. For a birthday, I gave him "Don't Cry Now," and, as much as he loves Linda, he never warmed to it. To each his/her/their own. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2022 16:26:29 GMT -5
Long time fandom rick!
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Post by rick on Jan 14, 2022 16:33:03 GMT -5
Yes, heartbreaker. First time I saw her live was in 1974. |
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jan 14, 2022 17:26:41 GMT -5
I have always thought of DCN as soulful. I get the blues/soul vibe. I never knew that "Sail Away" was a single; no less the first one off album. Superb album. eddiejinfl
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Post by erik on Jan 14, 2022 18:31:45 GMT -5
Quote by rick:
I think the R&B influence is there in "Everybody Loves A Winner", which was written by Bill Williams and Booker T. Jones (the latter being the leader of the MG's, known for their 1962 Stax instrumental classic "Green Onions"), and the R&B/gospel-influenced backing vocals of Ginger and Mary Holliday (who had worked with Elvis) on "Love Has No Pride".
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Post by RobGNYC on Jan 14, 2022 18:43:18 GMT -5
"Sail Away" wasn't a single. The three singles from Don't Cry Now were: Love Has No Pride/I Can Almost See It (#51 pop/#23 AC) Silver Threads and Golden Needles/Don't Cry Now (#67 pop/#20 country) Colorado/Desperado (#108 pop)   |
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Post by MikeKoecher forgot to sign in on Jan 14, 2022 23:05:17 GMT -5
"Sail Away" wasn't a single. The three singles from Don't Cry Now were: Love Has No Pride/I Can Almost See It (#51 pop/#23 AC) Silver Threads and Golden Needles/Don't Cry Now (#67 pop/#20 country) Colorado/Desperado (#108 pop) <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button><button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> I saw the ad for the album and it said featuring "Sail Away" first single from the album. I will try and find it. I am not saying it was ever put to vinyl 45 as a single but at some point in the initial press for the album it was an idea, maybe it went to reviewers and they saw that. "Sail Away" is not top 40 material for those times, the lyrics and the point of the song, that would be a hard one to turn into a top 40 hit no matter how catchy and beautiful it was sung. If I was a reviewer and that was sent to me as the first single from an album I was reviewing I would be a bit puzzled myself but I wouldn't think Linda missed the point. |
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Post by MokyWI on Jan 14, 2022 23:10:13 GMT -5
"Sail Away" wasn't a single. The three singles from Don't Cry Now were: Love Has No Pride/I Can Almost See It (#51 pop/#23 AC) Silver Threads and Golden Needles/Don't Cry Now (#67 pop/#20 country) Colorado/Desperado (#108 pop) <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button><button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> I saw the ad for the album and it said featuring "Sail Away" first single from the album. I will try and find it. I am not saying it was ever put to vinyl 45 as a single but at some point in the initial press for the album it was an idea, maybe it went to reviewers and they saw that. "Sail Away" is not top 40 material for those times, the lyrics and the point of the song, that would be a hard one to turn into a top 40 hit no matter how catchy and beautiful it was sung. If I was a reviewer and that was sent to me as the first single from an album I was reviewing I would be a bit puzzled myself but I wouldn't think Linda missed the point. ...wait, maybe it was "Colorado" that I saw in the ad listed as first single...no I remember "Sail Away"...I also could have dreamed it all up... |
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Post by Partridge on Jan 14, 2022 23:14:12 GMT -5
My favourite release of DCN is the Japanese mini-LP CD in the WMJ 40th anniversary series. A great improvement over any other, including MSFL's audiophile release. Similarily SD & LITUSA are best over others. Linda's singing is sound staged front and center on the Japanese CD, while other versions have her sounding backstaged to her band and behind a veil, especially noticeable on "Desperado", for example. I think perhaps western mastering & re-mastering prioritises instrumentation over vocals. Not just rock, but opera as well. It's such a chore to actually have to go grab a CD off the shelf, but I will listen to that Japanese mini-LP again. Anything that puts Linda's voice front and center will be appreciated. I don't usually spend much time comparing different versions, but the Rockbeat issue of Heart Like a Wheel immediately seemed like the winning version of that album to me. |
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jan 15, 2022 6:18:48 GMT -5
I think it was "Colorado" if I had to press my memory. Moky, great analysis piece and I get the "singer" is playing salesman for America but Randy said Darin did it too "happy". That is why I have always had mixed feelings re: the song on DCN. eddiejinfl
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, or too American? I did watch "Roots", back in the 1970s, grim for a young teenager.
