Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
Blog: Living Well
December 13, 2009
Most folk music, along with country and western, has a melancholy touch. B.J. Thomas epitomized that in his (Hey Won't You Play) Another "Somebody Done Somebody Wrong" Song.
Many songs, in fact, are written with this theme in mind. While I favor folk music, as a youngster I regularly listened to the Grand Old Opry on Saturday nights, whenever the battery was up and my grandparents could have the radio on. As an adult, especially in Georgia, we listened to a lot of blue grass and country. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, singing about Luckenbach, Texas, was a favorite.
<br<
At this supposedly merry season of good cheer, a number of Christmas songs echo the sadness of the season, when some will be home "....if only in their (my) dreams." Someone even created a list of Ten Sad Christmas Songs..
Right now, however, my favorite "feeling good about feeling bad" music comes from Chuck Egner in his recording studio above his and Frank Dechaine's winery, 37 cellars. He sings a song which never fails to bring on the tears, and which I would listen to time and time again in spite of that. Although the song is about the closing of the Aragon weaving mill in Georgia in 1979, it could well apply to the loss of jobs today brought on by present economical circumstances.
Chuck knows I'm going to ask for it every time we go up to 37 Cellars to get his great wines, so he usually humors me by singing it. Alex hands me his handkerchief and I have a happy, tearful time.
Si Kahn wrote this and many have performed it, but nobody does it like Chuck, with his 37 Martin guitar and his Tennessee soul. Maybe one of these days he'll listen to some good advice (mine, of course) and record it. I'll be his first customer.
And just maybe, when you go up to the winery and try Chuck and Frank's wines, and ask very nicely, they will sing Aragon Mill. Do call first: 548-8663.
You can tell them, "Joanne made me do it."
Advertisements
Comments
Want to comment on this story? All Wenatchee World members are invited to comment on stories, by using the form below. Please know that we at wenatcheeworld.com hope our site is useful, entertaining and civil. So we'll delete comments that are obscene, abusive or way off topic. We appreciate it when readers use the "suggest removal" button to flag inappropriate comments. For more about interacting with the site, see our Use Policy.
douglas 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
If I have a favorite sad Christmas song, it's got to be Charles Brown's chestnut, Please Come Home For Christmas". It's been re recorded by almost everybody, but as Dobie Gray once said, "The original's still the greatest...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCxvCA...
alex39 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
Isn't anybody going to bring up Alvin?
On a similar and unrelated topic, I have a least favorite Christmas song...I detest "Little Drummer Boy"! Even when it is performed by some of my favorite ladies, I can barely keep from snapping the machine off.
Thanks for not posting a Utube of anybody singing it.
joanne 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
Well, dagnabit. I'll take the youtube of it off my blog of our favorite Christmas music. ; ) Dum-de-dum-dum-dum-de-dum-de-dum-dum, Dum-de-dum-dum.
Maybe I'll just hum it softly as we sit here in the silence before TV goes on, and later when we mute the commercials.
douglas 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
I have to agree with Alex. It's not that I don't like the classic version by the Harry Simieon Corale, it's just at Christmas time the rockers play a really bad version. I mean, nothing says Christmas to me as much as Bob Seger gargling his way through the song.....
akbluesman 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
Joanne - if you like melancholy country tunes, get a copy of Lucinda William's CD "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road". Almost every cut is a masterpiece, in my opinion. Slide guitar like nowhere else.
joanne 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
ak, I will try to find it. Would like to know who you are. I know people have their good reasons for being anonymous, but i enjoy knowing people.
joanne 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
Doug, thanks. There is now sound to the B.J. Thomas song.
akbluesman 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
I'm just a worn out old guy living in Alaska, who plays music. Nobody special.
My interest in Wenatchee is that I have owned property in the Chumstick since the late 70's, and I get down to Chelan County and Sandpoint Idaho about once per year. Next time I'll ask you for some recommendations re. wine tastings.
Did you get "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road"? I would be interested in your comments re. this CD.
joanne 2 years, 1 month ago
Feeling Good About Feeling Bad
Not yet. And up here on satellite for computers I can't listen to much. Too slow. I will try when go to town and to friends with real hi-speed. How far up Chumstick is your property? We have family up there and we aren't far off. I assume you play blues? Our granddaughter in Atlanta plays bass guitar in some groups there. She's almost 18.
Sign in to comment