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Wreck Of The Hesperus

from The Miseducation of Willie The Hill by John Tabacco

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about

Words and Music © 1969 by Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid

I had the privilege to sing with the Ed Palermo Big Band back in 2001 at the now defunct live venue "The Bottom Line". While I sang mostly Frank Zappa material (theoretically harder to perform with all the meter changes than what is found in the average pop song) I had no problem with any of it. Why should I? I grew up listening to Zappa so it was a walk in the park. Ed's great arrangements did not just cover Zappa material. He had a love and a broad knowledge of popular, jazz and classical music of the 20th Century. Many of which I was familiar and adored. However, at this particular show Ed wanted me to learn three Procol Harum songs. "Wreck Of The Hesperus", "In The Autumn Of My Madness" and "Look Into Your Soul". On the surface they seemed pretty straight ahead songs. Little did I know I had absolutely no feel or reference for them. I listen to a cassette of these three pieces literally a hundred times each. I just could not remember how they went melodically as well as lyrically. After a week of intense study I got a call from Ed asking me to come into the city and rehearse with the band. I was excited and nervous. Not about the Zappa of course but of this P.C. music. I so clearly wanted to tell Ed I was not the man for the job - the music was so foreign to me. But my ego would not let it go. Amazingly as soon as the band broke into these tunes I was able to sing about 90% of it correct (if not totally musical). Ed seemed vaguely pleased. By the time of the show a week or so later I was ready. I think. I don't know. I still hear a little tentativeness in my voice but it's the sincere kind. Looking back now I can't imagine not being able to sing these songs. I had Procol Harum block. The only cure - severe repetition and wanting to please a tremendous talented big band arranger.

lyrics

WRECK OF THE HESPERUS

We'll hoist a hand, becalmed upon a troubled sea
'Make haste to your funeral, ' cries the Valkyrie
We'll hoist a hand or drown amidst this stormy sea
'Here lies a coffin, ' cries the cemetery, it calls to me
And all for nothing quite in vain was hope forever tossed
No thoughts explained, no moments gained, all hope forever lost
One moment's space, one moment's final fall from grace
Burnt by fire, blind in sight, lost in ire
We'll hoist a hand, becalmed upon a troubled sea
I fear a mighty wave is threatening me
We'll hoist a hand, or drown amidst this stormy sea
'Come follow after, ' cry the humble, 'You will surely see ...'
But still for nothing quite in vain was hope forever tossed
No moments gained, no thoughts explained, all hope forever lost
One moment's space, one moment's final fall from grace
Burnt by fire, blind in sight, lost in ire

credits

from The Miseducation of Willie The Hill, released October 29, 2014
JT : Lead vocal
Arranged by Ed Palermo
Performed by The Ed Palermo Big Band
Recorded live at The Bottom Line, NYC, 2001.

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John Tabacco Stony Brook, New York

John Tabacco is a composer, singer-songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and visual artist.

Like an unfolding musical diary / puzzle, Tabacco’s music and art are constantly being re-worked, juxtaposed and intertwined.

For more info : www.johntabacco.net ... more

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