![]() The Last Waltz – a massive 'farewell' concert – took place on November 25th in San Francisco, featuring special guests Neil Young and Joni Mitchell along with a host of others, including Eric Clapton, Muddy Watters, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, and Ringo Starr. So it isn't a far stretch to assume some modicum of sympathy for the truck drivers.īy 1976, a mere seven years after the release of "Up on Cripple Creek," Robertson found himself weary of touring and urged The Band to retire. Likewise, The Band spent a great deal of time on the road. Robertson felt akin to truckers, since rock bands have been forced into touring to make ends meet since the birth of the industry (recording companies take a huge percentage of record sales). But what is clear is the inspiration behind the tune. ![]() Specifically, the Calcasieu Channel allows large ocean liners to sail up from the Gulf of Mexico.ĭid Robertson and The Band ever actually visit Lake Charles? It's unclear. The natural beauty of the region can be predominately attributed to the Calcasieu River, Prien Lake, and a handful of bayous – Contraband Bayou, Henderson Bayou, and English Bayou – which are marshy outlets of lakes and rivers. In 1910, a great fire devastated most of the city, but it was quickly rebuilt, and during World War II it experienced an industrial boom. ![]() Originally called Charleston, the area is known for its many lakes – the namesake body of water being only the largest of them. Lake Charles is in the southwest corner of the state of Louisiana, a mere stone's throw from the border of Texas. Other than the town being where Bessie is from, what makes Lake Charles Louisiana (mentioned in the first stanza) so special to the narrator, Robertson, and The Band? This particular riff can be heard during every chorus. Interestingly enough, "Up on Cripple Creek" is the first time a clavinet was used with a wah-wah pedal to achieve a unique sound often duplicated in the '70s, especially in funk music. Truck driving can be a lonely profession, but when he's finished with the work, the narrator sings about returning home to "big mama" (a euphemism for their dispatcher at headquarters and not, as many have previously argued, a reference to his wife). He mentions exhausting himself on the road and the problems with weather in other parts of the country. The narrator of the song gambles, drinks, listens to music, and spends time with "Little Bessie" while he's away from home. Photo: Patrick Feller, via Flickr, CC 2.0 Robertson loved telling the stories of average joes and liked to keep his lyrics "real."Ĭalcasieu River passing through Lake Charles Written by Robertson, the song tells the story of a blue collar truck driver looking forward to his next trip south to meet his lady friend. Their sophomore, self-titled effort released in 1969 contained perhaps their most famous track, "Up on Cripple Creek," which rose to #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. ![]() Their 1968 debut album – without any frontman – Music from Big Pink set their moniker in stone (since they'd always back other artists, they simply stuck with "the band"). They began backing Bob Dylan during his tours in the mid-'60s. Led by Robbie Robertson, the members of The Band first came together to play rockabilly and bluegrass music in the late '50s and early '60s. Many artists and songwriters hopped aboard this train and Canadian rockers, The Band, were no different. Bands across North America rode the pendulum swing back the other direction, from turbulence, violence, and social upheaval to relaxation, family values, and real life. Read full LyricsFollowing the folk rock boom of the 1960s, the next decade saw a rise of grassroots rock – music for regular guys.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |