Jurado's solo career began during the mid-1990s, releasing lo-fi folk based recordings on his own cassette-only label, Casa Recordings, beginning in 1995.
Jurado often makes use of found-sound and field-recording techniques, and has experimented with different forms of tape recordings. In 2000 he released Postcards and Audio Letters, a collection of found audio letters and fragments that he had found from sources such as thrift store tape players and answering machines. Also released in 2000 was Ghost of David,, Jurado's bleakest and most personal sounding record to date. I Break Chairs, (2002) was produced by long time friend, David Bazan. It was his last album for Sub Pop, and was a much rockier, electric affair. After signing for the Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, Damien Jurado reverted to his trademark folk ballad-based style, releasing six more albums: Where Shall You Take Me? (2003), On My Way To Absence (2005), And Now That I'm In Your Shadow (2006), Caught in the Trees (2008), Saint Bartlett (2010) and Maraqopa (2012).
Official blog: iamcaughtinthetrees.blogspot.com
November 20
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Satirical moments still to have
(said and done)
Not around to be banking on the laughs
(all is gold)
On a shelf where the dust seems to collect
in a groove was the showroom you were at
Hints of gin and your finger in the glass
I sit in for the late show presents past
(here and now)
In "November 20" by Damien Jurado, the lyrics describe the passing of a comedian named Allan, and the aftermath of his absence. The first two lines of the chorus, "Allan, no one was laughing when you passed, satirical moments still to have" seem to convey a feeling of acute loss and missed opportunities. It's possible that Allan was a beloved figure in the stand-up comedy community, or perhaps he was just someone who was able to find humor even in the bleakest of situations. The line "not around to be banking on the laughs" is particularly poignant - it implies that Allan might have relied on his ability to make others laugh as a source of income or social currency, and without him, everything seems a little more uncertain.
The second half of the chorus switches to what seems to be a personal memory of Allan - "hints of gin and your finger in the glass, I sit in for the late show presents past". It's unclear who the singer is or what their relationship was to Allan, but the image of the gin and the finger in the glass suggest a certain level of intimacy. The phrase "late show presents past" is a powerful one - it implies that Allan's legacy is something that's still being processed or reckoned with, that he's left behind a powerful imprint that will continue to reverberate in the future.
Overall, the lyrics to "November 20" are somewhat enigmatic, but they create a powerful sense of mourning and reflection. It's a song that seems to be grappling with the concept of loss, and trying to find meaning in the wake of tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
Allan, no one was laughing when you passed
Allan, your passing was not a laughing matter, despite any previous satirical moments.
Satirical moments still to have (said and done)
There may have been satirical moments in the past, but there are still more to come in the future.
Not around to be banking on the laughs (all is gold)
You can't rely on humor when you're not around anymore, as life is precious and fleeting.
On a shelf where the dust seems to collect
There is a place, possibly forgotten or dusty, where something important or valuable is kept.
in a groove was the showroom you were at (you were on)
You were in a familiar place, almost as if it was a routine or groove you had established.
Hints of gin and your finger in the glass
There are remnants of your presence, such as a glass with gin and your fingerprints.
I sit in for the late show presents past (here and now)
As I reflect on the present, I am reminded of the past and feel a sense of melancholy.
Contributed by Ella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.