yeah, i think the basic backdrop or story line is fairly apparent. but like so many other good songs, what keeps me coming back is really the feeling, the atmosphere, the...
...well in this case also the power. this song begins so quietly and casually, and eventually reaches that peak where Grace is wailing "You don't need us!" while Jorma cracks open a lightning bolt with the treble knob on 11. after that, they really had to add the "go ride the music" section... we couldn't just go home from there like nothing happened.
it is also interesting in that there are a number of different versions of this song. The CSN studio version is so much more monochromatic, or mono-emotive... a bit dry.
The live CSNY version from Woodstock takes that same arrangement, but it gets transformed by the wild energy of playing a new and lightly-rehearsed song, by a brand new band, in front of half a million people, mostly on acid, in a storm. That version has a grand and scary energy that makes an interesting contrast with the more laid-back and etherial, but equally magnificent, power of this JA version.
Interesting observations dcba. The JA version does indeed start off more subtly then build to a crescendo with a scream of desperation, due to Nicky Hopkins piano on the intro to Jorma's searing guitar work.
Interesting observations dcba. The JA version does indeed start off more subtly then build to a crescendo with a scream of desperation, due to Nicky Hopkins piano on the intro to Jorma's searing guitar work.
It's also interesting to note the distinct parts that each composer, being Kantner, Crosby and Stills, brought to the song.
It's also interesting to note the distinct parts that each composer, being Kantner, Crosby and Stills, brought to the song.
Here's Kantner's:
Sail away where the mornin' sun goes high
Sail away where the wind blows sweet and young birds fly
Take a sister by her hand
Lead her far from this barren land
Here's Kantner's:
Sail away where the mornin' sun goes high
Sail away where the wind blows sweet and young birds fly
Take a sister by her hand
Lead her far from this barren land
And here's Stills:
Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we...
And here's Stills:
Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we can do is echo your anguished cry
Stare as all your human feelings die
We are leaving
You don't need us
I believe Crosby contributed the chorus; "Wooden ships on the water...etc."
The end result is a masterpiece work by three very talented musicians.
yeah, i think the basic backdrop or story line is fairly apparent. but like so many other good songs, what keeps me coming back is really the feeling, the atmosphere, the...
...well in this case also the power. this song begins so quietly and casually, and eventually reaches that peak where Grace is wailing "You don't need us!" while Jorma cracks open a lightning bolt with the treble knob on 11. after that, they really had to add the "go ride the music" section... we couldn't just go home from there like nothing happened.
it is also interesting in that there are a number of different versions of this song. The CSN studio version is so much more monochromatic, or mono-emotive... a bit dry.
The live CSNY version from Woodstock takes that same arrangement, but it gets transformed by the wild energy of playing a new and lightly-rehearsed song, by a brand new band, in front of half a million people, mostly on acid, in a storm. That version has a grand and scary energy that makes an interesting contrast with the more laid-back and etherial, but equally magnificent, power of this JA version.
Interesting observations dcba. The JA version does indeed start off more subtly then build to a crescendo with a scream of desperation, due to Nicky Hopkins piano on the intro to Jorma's searing guitar work.
Interesting observations dcba. The JA version does indeed start off more subtly then build to a crescendo with a scream of desperation, due to Nicky Hopkins piano on the intro to Jorma's searing guitar work.
It's also interesting to note the distinct parts that each composer, being Kantner, Crosby and Stills, brought to the song.
It's also interesting to note the distinct parts that each composer, being Kantner, Crosby and Stills, brought to the song.
Here's Kantner's: Sail away where the mornin' sun goes high Sail away where the wind blows sweet and young birds fly Take a sister by her hand Lead her far from this barren land
Here's Kantner's: Sail away where the mornin' sun goes high Sail away where the wind blows sweet and young birds fly Take a sister by her hand Lead her far from this barren land
And here's Stills: Horror grips us as we watch you die All we...
And here's Stills: Horror grips us as we watch you die All we can do is echo your anguished cry Stare as all your human feelings die We are leaving You don't need us
I believe Crosby contributed the chorus; "Wooden ships on the water...etc."
The end result is a masterpiece work by three very talented musicians.