Delany Bramlett learned the guitar in his youth. He moved to Los Angeles in 1959, where he became a session musician. His most notable early work was as a member of the Shindogs, the house band for the ABC-TV series Shindig! (1964–66), which also included guitarist and keyboardist Leon Russell. He was the first artist signed to Independence Records. His debut single "Guess I Must be Dreamin" was produced by Leon Russell.
Bonnie Bramlett (née Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, born November 8, 1944 in Granite City, Illinois) was an accomplished singer at an early age, performing with blues guitarist Albert King at age 14 and in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue—the first white Ikette. She moved to Los Angeles in 1967 and met and married Bramlett later that year
During this time, Delany Bramlett worked with J.J. Cale, who was his first guitar player, and Leon Russell.
Over the years, some of his songs have reached "standard" status such as "Superstar", which he co-wrote with Leon Russell and his first wife, Bonnie Bramlett. It was recorded in 2006 by Usher, and in the past by Luther Vandross, The Carpenters, Sonic Youth (this version was on the #1 Billboard soundtrack from the movie Juno[5]) and many others; and "Never Ending Song of Love" (which is on the soundtrack of RV and A Good Year.) In addition, Delaney co-wrote "Let It Rain", which was recorded by Eric Clapton.
Eric Clapton joined Delaney, Bonnie & Friends on tour in the early 1970s, after which Delaney produced and co-wrote songs for Clapton's debut solo album, Eric Clapton. Clapton still credits Delaney for pushing him to sing and teaching him the art. Bramlett produced King Curtis' last LP, which had two hit singles: "Teasin'" and "Lonesome Long Way from Home".
George Harrison had his first slide bottle placed in his hand by Bramlett, who taught Harrison how to play slide guitar, which led into a gospel jam that resulted in Harrison's hit "My Sweet Lord". Bramlett wrote, recorded, or appeared on stage with many notable performers, including Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Dave Mason, Billy Preston, John Lennon, The Everly Brothers, Spooner Oldham, Steve Cropper and Billy Burnette.
In 2006 Bramlett was one of the duet artists on the Jerry Lee Lewis album Last Man Standing, singing and playing guitar on "Lost Highway". In 2008, the year of his death, Bramlett released his first CD in six years, A New Kind of Blues. on his own label, Magnolia Gold Records.
On December 27, 2008 at 4:55 a.m., Bramlett died from complications of gall bladder surgery.[2] He was survived by his widow, Susan Lanier-Bramlett; three daughters, Suzanne, Michele, and Bekka Bramlett, a singer; and a son, Dylan Thomas.
Discography
1969 Accept No Substitute (Elektra)
1969 Home (Stax)
1970 Delaney & Bonnie & Friends on Tour (WEA / Atlantic)
1970 To Bonnie from Delaney (Atco)
1971 Motel Shot (Atco)
1971 Genesis (GNP/Crescendo)
1972 Somethings Coming (Columbia)
1972 Country Life (Atco)
1972 D&B Together (CBS)
1973 Best of Delaney Bramlett (Atlantic)
1973 Mobius Strip (CBS)
1975 Giving Birth to a Song (MGM)
1977 Class Reunion (Prodigal)
1978 Delaney Bramlett with Steve Cropper (Motown)
1990 Best of Delaney & Bonnie (Rhino)
1998 Sounds From Home (DK/Zane)
2002 Sweet Inspiration (Dreamsville Records)
2008 A New Kind of Blues (Magnolia Gold)
There is currently a grass roots movement to get Delaney admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Check out:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=247286568092&ref=ts
or
http://www.delaneybramlett.com/
The Ghetto
Delaney & Bonnie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe at the close of your day
On your front porch you'll hear the sound of a jukebox
From a neighbourhood cafe
Well at noon you may hear the neighbours fussin'
When a kid breaks a window pane
And at night - and at night you may be wakened
The rich folks they own the big city
And they down us for living the way we do
But when you're born the child of a poor man
You know the ghetto is the only place for you
Well if there's such a thing as revolution
And there will be if we rise to the call
When we build we build we build we build the New Jerusalem
There won't be no more ghetto - ghetto at all
No there won't be no more ghetto - ghetto at all
Delaney and Bonnie's song "Ghetto" is a powerful commentary on the realities of poverty and urban decay. The lyrics describe the experience of living in a ghetto, with a particular focus on the sounds that can be heard from one's front porch. The sound of a jukebox from a nearby cafe, the noise of neighbours arguing and children playing, and the rumble of an outbound train make up the soundtrack of this world. The chorus reflects a deeply felt sense of injustice and frustration, with the rich owning the big city and looking down on those in poverty.
The song acknowledges that poverty is often passed down from one generation to the next, with the ghetto being the only home that many poor children will ever know. However, it also holds out hope for a better future. The final verse suggests that a revolution is possible, and that a "New Jerusalem" can be built in which there are no ghettos at all. The song's powerful message is underscored by its soulful, bluesy instrumentation and the impassioned vocals of Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett.
Overall, "Ghetto" is a deeply moving protest song that speaks to the experiences of countless people living in poverty in the United States and around the world. Its lyrics remain as relevant today as they were when the song was written, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ever live in a ghetto
If you ever have to live in a poor and neglected neighbourhood
Maybe at the close of your day
Maybe towards the end of your life
On your front porch you'll hear the sound of a jukebox
You'll be able to hear the music coming from a nearby cafe
From a neighbourhood cafe
From a cafe located in the same poor neighbourhood
Well at noon you may hear the neighbours fussin'
You may hear your neighbours arguing during the day
When a kid breaks a window pane
When a child breaks a window by accident or intentionally
And at night - and at night you may be wakened
During the night, you may wake up to the sound of something
By the sound of the out- outbound train
By the sound of a train leaving the nearby station, heard even at night
The rich folks they own the big city
People who are wealthy own and control the big and prosperous areas of the city
And they down us for living the way we do
They criticize us for living in poverty, neglect, and difficult conditions
But when you're born the child of a poor man
If you're born into a family that is struggling to make ends meet
You know the ghetto is the only place for you
You understand that living in a ghetto is your only option due to lack of opportunities and resources
Well if there's such a thing as revolution
If there's a movement for change and reform
And there will be if we rise to the call
And there will be a revolution if we answer the call for change
When we build we build we build we build the New Jerusalem
When we construct a new and better society through reform and progress
There won't be no more ghetto - ghetto at all
There won't be any more impoverished, neglected neighbourhoods whatsoever
No there won't be no more ghetto - ghetto at all
There won't be any more impoverished, neglected neighbourhoods whatsoever
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: OBIE TRICE, LEE HAZLEWOOD, TREMAINE ALDON NEVERSON, JONATHAN ROTEM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind