Sunday, March 30, 2008

If there's one thing the world doesn't need it's more singer-songwriters.  You know that.  I know that.  And yet, here I am, recommending another singer-songwriter.  After seeing The Hold Steady Thursday night, I suppose I'm keen on hearing more really fantastic lyrics (although it's hard to beat "She was a real good kisser and she wasn't all that strict of a Christian/She was a damn good dancer but she wasn't all that great of a girlfriend").  Then on Saturday a local coffee shop hosted an On The Road reading marathon.  So you'll excuse me if I've suddenly become very keen on thoughtful contemplation of American themes. Satisfying my thirst is American Heart by A. A. Bondy.

There's a quote I've heard a few times (I think it's by Count Basie) that is roughly "it's the space between notes that counts."  The implications for jazz music I won't talk about here, but I think it applies to the lyrics of a good singer songwriter; sometimes we need someone to say the obvious, and say it eloquently, but to leave the "insightful commentary" unsaid.  It's unsaid, but it's still present, which makes it really great (This is why I love early Dylan material).  Anyway, A. A. Bondy does just this, and he does it quite well.  Just listen to these lyrics: "If your God makes war, then he's no God I know, cause Christ would not send boys to die."  He doesn't quite tackle themes of religion and American evangelical patriotism, he just points them out, shrugs (eloquently), plays his harmonica and moves on.  What else can you do?

:AA Bondy - American Hearts:

- John Michael Cassetta -

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