Love and family have always been sources of inspiration for critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter/musician Rodriguez, but never have they featured so prominently than on her release Love & Circumstance, a covers album that includes songs written by her father, and once performed by her great aunt.
Rodriguez' journey from teenage violin student to touring the world with the likes of Chip Taylor (famed songwriter of "Wild Thing), Lucinda Williams and Alejandro Escovedo, has resulted in a prodigious output of recordings - eight albums in as many years - for the young musician; with the new album, Carrie relies on others to handle the songwriting duties, she provides the interpretations.
"In 2009, after a very busy few years, I felt like I should take a step back and assess the situation," she says, during a quick stop between tours. "The idea of doing a covers record had been developing for a while, and had been prompted by requests I get at every show for a recording of some of the covers I play live, especially 'La Punalada Trapera.' I stated to wonder what kind of album I could make that would be a fit for that song."
Besides the contributions from her immediate family, Love & Circumstance, includes compositions from her extended musical family and friends, including John Hiatt/Nick Lowe/Ry Cooder/Jim Keltner (aka Little Village), Buddy Miller & Julie Miller, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Richard Thompson, Townes Van Zandt, M. Ward, Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens, Hank Williams, and Lucinda Williams.
"It was very important for me to go back to my roots with this record and concentrate on what was important to me," Rodriguez explains, "songwriters like Richard Thompson, Townes, Hank, they're the ones who initially inspired me." And Rodriguez' inspirations are being admired, with Thompson exclaiming "It is always a thrill to write a song and have someone else take it to unexpected places. Thank you (Carrie) for the heartfelt and impassioned performance."
Rodriguez' professional career was launched in 2001 after a show at South By Southwest introduced her to Taylor, with whom she has recorded four full albums and an EP. Her musical development started much earlier, however, and at the hands of an equally seasoned songwriting veteran, her father David Rodriquez. "My dad gave me a Leonard Cohen record for my ninth birthday! I hated it. But of course I rediscovered it at thirteen and loved it." By fifteen Rodriguez and her dad were touring the Netherlands together; chops were being honed.
Rodriguez' maternal side of the family also influenced her musical upbringing. Not only was her mother a fanatical opera enthusiast, her great-aunt, Eva Garza, was a popular Latin recording artist in the 50's, and it was from Garza that Rodriguez first heard 'La Punalada Trapera,' which soon became a mainstay in her live set. Having family friends include Lyle Lovett, who invited Rodriguez to sit in with his band when she was at college, also helped her develop as a performer.
The list of bold faced names that have come into Rodriguez' orbit over the years also includes Lee Townsend, the famed producer, who collaborated with Carrie on the selection of songs for the album, and ultimately produced the project at her new label's (Ninth Street Opus) studios in Berkeley and at the renowned Fantasy Studios.
As might be expected from her and Townsend's A-list connections, the list of players on Love & Circumstance includes a sterling roster of music greats including Bill Frisell (guitars), Greg Leisz (pedal steel & slide guitars), Aoife O'Donovan (background vocals), and Buddy Miller (background vocals).
"Greg Leisz is the greatest pedal steel player in the world, and for someone with a Bill Frisell record collection getting to play with him is a dream," gushes Rodriguez, reminding us that despite a decade and a half in the trenches she's still a young (31) and impassioned music fan.
Those who have been following Carrie Rodriguez throughout her career will find Love & Circumstance an exciting addition to her oeuvre, new fans will get a glimpse of the rising star's influences; both will revel in the sterling musicianship and heartfelt interpretations of new and classic songs.
"This is a really important record for me,' says Rodriguez, 'not just because it gave me the chance to go back to my roots, but also because it celebrates my family."
And for those who need a more intimate experience with Carrie Rodriguez, you'll find her where she started, live and on the road.
02/10 - A. Pollock
Wide River to Cross
Carrie Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowing down the road I've been
I can hear it cry while shadows steal the sun
But I cannot look back now
I've come too far to turn around
And there's still a race ahead that I must run
I've gotta journey on
To where I'll find the things I have lost
I've come a long, long road
Still I've got some miles to go
I've got a wide, wide river to cross
I have stumbled, I have strayed
You can trace the tracks I've made
All across the memories my heart recalls
But I'm just a refugee
Won't you say a prayer for me?
'Cause sometimes even the strongest soldier falls
I'm only halfway home
I've gotta journey on
To where I'll find the things I have lost
I've come a long, long road
Still I've got miles to go
I've got a wide, wide river to cross
I've got a wide, wide river to cross
Carrie Rodriguez's song "Wide River to Cross" is an introspective contemplation of the journey of life. The opening lyrics set the tone for the song: "There's a sorrow in the wind, Blowing down the road I've been, I can hear it cry while shadows steal the sun." This creates a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, which is a recurring theme throughout the song. As the song progresses, the initial sense of longing morphs into a determination to keep moving forward. The line "But I cannot look back now, I've come too far to turn around" shows that the singer is aware of the past, but is also determined to not let it define their future.
The chorus of the song, "I'm only halfway home, I've gotta journey on, To where I'll find the things I have lost, I've come a long, long road, Still I've got some miles to go, I've got a wide, wide river to cross," encapsulates the overall meaning of the song. The singer is aware that they have come a long way, but they still have a long way to go. The "wide, wide river" represents the challenges and obstacles that the singer will have to face in the future. However, the singer remains determined to keep moving forward, despite the challenges they will face.
Overall, "Wide River to Cross" is a beautifully written song about the journey of life. It captures the sense of nostalgia and melancholy that many people feel as they reflect on their past, but also the determination and resilience that they need to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sorrow in the wind
The wind moans with sadness and melancholy.
Blowing down the road I've been
The wind carries grief and despair along the same path I have travelled.
I can hear it cry while shadows steal the sun
The sobs of the wind grow louder as darkness replaces daylight.
But I cannot look back now
I can no longer dwell on the past; I must move forward.
I've come too far to turn around
I've overcame many obstacles to be here, and I can't give up now.
And there's still a race ahead that I must run
There are more hardships I must face and overcome.
I'm only halfway home
I've made progress, but there is still a long way to go.
I've gotta journey on
I must continue to move forward despite the difficulties.
To where I'll find the things I have lost
I hope to regain what I've lost along the way.
I've come a long, long road
I've faced many challenges and travelled a great distance.
Still I've got some miles to go
Despite my progress, I still have more obstacles to overcome.
I've got a wide, wide river to cross
There is a significant, daunting challenge ahead of me that I must overcome.
I have stumbled, I have strayed
I've made mistakes or taken wrong turns along the way.
You can trace the tracks I've made
My missteps and errors are evident in the path I've taken.
All across the memories my heart recalls
My past experiences, both positive and negative, weigh on my heart and affect my choices.
But I'm just a refugee
I am lost and seeking safety or a sense of belonging.
Won't you say a prayer for me?
I ask for your support or good wishes to help me in my struggles.
'Cause sometimes even the strongest soldier falls
Even the bravest and toughest individuals can stumble and struggle.
I've got a wide, wide river to cross
I am facing a challenge that may be insurmountable, but I must push on.
Writer(s): MILLER STEVEN P, MILLER JULIE ANNE
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.