THIS IS EROSION ROCK: Inaccurately yet affectionately dubbed âthe Godfather of Alt. Countryâ by the British press, Tucson, Arizona-based musician Howe Gelb has remained the sole epicenter and creative force behind the ever-fluid configurations of Giant Sand for over a quarter century, giving birth along the way to an extended musical family tree that fostered the likes of The Band ofâŠBlacky Ranchette, The Friends of Dean Martinez, OP8, and Calexico.
"Giant Sand is a mood," explained Howe, as if to simplify the dizzying breadth of his prolific output as an artist. With an impressive catalog of material that stretches back to 1983, he can easily claim some 40 albums to his credentials as both a band leader and a solo performer, each of which maintains its own genre-defying singularity while also drawing on the not-so disparate threads of country, southwestern roots, lo-fi, jazz, and punk--or the âyippity and happenstanceâ that arises to inspire the soundscape of
whatever project Gelb is involved in creating.
But Howeâs initial signposts were planted crookedly in Pennsylvania during the 1970s, among them being the rock opera ZEQE 24,088 which was recorded in 3 hours at a PBS radio station. In 1972, when floodwaters claimed his hometown and family house, ultimately sending him downstream to Arizona alongside the debris of his parentsâ divorce, the song âSteadfastâ was born as an articulation of that disaster. Soon upon arriving in Tucson, he met his sonic soul mate in the guitarist Rainer Ptacek, and as a result the two went on to form the Giant Sandworms. After releasing only a handful of singles and recordings, the worms were finally put to rest, making room for Giant Sand to bubble comfortably from the soil by the early 1980s. From that time on, in one manifestation or another, an album of Howeâs music has been recorded and delivered every 4 to 8 months.
Now following a nearly four year hiatus, Giant Sand returns with the release of proVISIONS on September 2, 2008. Produced by Howe and Kent Olsen (Arizona Amp
and Alternator, Marie Frank), the albumâs 13 tracks were recorded during a summer in Denmark, and features the Danish musicians Thoger T. Lund (bass), Peter Dombernowsky (drums), and Anders Pedersen (slide guitar). As with past incarnations of the band, the current lineup utilizes a more natural form of playing, relying heavily on improvisation and âon the flyâ problem solving, as well as exploring melodic variations within Howeâs songs.
Also lending themselves to the casual mix are a host of talented friends/collaborators--such as Neko Case, M. Ward, Isobell Campbell, Henriette Sennenvaldt, Lucie Idlout and Lonna Kelley--all of whom ease warmly into the passenger seat to ride shotgun for a while on an album thick with musings scattered by the desert winds and soaked with eroding guitars or dusty piano.
Providing an alternate route around box-store labels like âAlt. Countryâ while ruminating on love and loss in the socio-political climate of a modern world at odds with itself, proVISIONS is a creeping cruise down a dark desert highway, forging another surprising and welcome byway in the completely unique musical legacy of Giant Sand.
~ bio by Mitch Cullin
BUT
Howe Gelb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
would I be a dangling toward demise?
forgetting about the innocent splendors?
and rage blinding my eyes?
could have slouched into deception
could have just made it make more sense
accept the devilish invitation?
should I just sit upon this fence?
take in the herald I hear a harking
against the bone yard hounds a barking
almost went to bed hating it
almost managed to manifest
tormented by stating it
a situation so self obsessed
felt like burning down the home
felt like buying me a gun
felt like I was all alone
felt like taking it all on the run
{CHORUS}
people just smiling at the sun shining
seeing the dark clouds? silver lining
hearing the happy children a chirping
sacrifice sometimes is just timing
feel so much you can?t stand it
feel the love that lives inside it
realize that life is but a minute
until I finally found you in it
no, I won?t let go
against the haunting howls a hounding
give it all a god almighty pounding
{CHORUS}
The song "But I Did Not" by Howe Gelb is a reflective piece about the choices we make in life and the consequences that come with them. The first verse begins with the question of whether we will be awakened on the wrong side, meaning will we wake up to the consequences of our actions. The verse continues by asking if we will forget about the innocent moments in life and succumb to our rage. There is a sense of self-doubt and questioning that is present in the lyrics, as if the singer is unsure if they made the right choices.
The chorus, "no, I won't let go," is a declaration of determination and perseverance, despite the struggles that the singer faces. The second verse touches on the emotions of the singer, as they feel tormented and alone at times. However, there is a sense of hope within the lyrics, as the singer recognizes that sacrifice is sometimes necessary and that life is filled with love and moments of greatness.
The final verse is a recognition that life is short and precious, and that the singer has finally found someone to share it with. The haunting howls that were present in the second verse have turned into a god almighty pounding, signifying a newfound strength and courage. Overall, the song is a powerful message about the importance of making the right choices in life and persevering through hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
Would I be awakened where the wrong side renders?
Would I be aware of my mistakes if I was on the losing side?
Would I be a dangling toward demise?
Would I be close to death?
Forgetting about the innocent splendors?
Ignoring the beauty of simple and pure things?
And rage blinding my eyes?
Being too angry to see clearly?
Could have slouched into deception
Could have lied to myself?
Could have just made it make more sense
Could have tried to rationalize my actions?
Accept the devilish invitation?
Agree to do something evil?
Should I just sit upon this fence?
Should I remain undecided?
No, I won?t let go
No, I won't give up?
Take in the herald I hear a harking
Listen to the signs and warnings?
Against the bone yard hounds a barking
Resist the attackers threatening my life?
Almost went to bed hating it
Almost gave up on what I was doing?
Almost managed to manifest
Almost succeeded in making something happen?
Tormented by stating it
Troubled by admitting the truth?
A situation so self obsessed
A self-centered and narcissistic situation?
Felt like burning down the home
Felt like destroying everything I had?
Felt like buying me a gun
Felt like getting a weapon to defend myself?
Felt like I was all alone
Felt like having no one by my side?
Felt like taking it all on the run
Felt like escaping from everything?
People just smiling at the sun shining
People enjoying the beauty of nature?
Seeing the dark clouds? silver lining
Finding something good in a bad situation?
Hearing the happy children a chirping
Hearing the joy and innocence in children's laughter?
Sacrifice sometimes is just timing
Sometimes giving up something is just a matter of timing?
Feel so much you can?t stand it
Feeling so much emotion that it's overwhelming?
Feel the love that lives inside it
Feeling the warmth and affection that exists inside?
Realize that life is but a minute
Recognizing that life is short and fleeting?
Until I finally found you in it
Until I found true love and happiness?
Against the haunting howls a hounding
Fighting against the terrifying threats and dangers?
Give it all a god almighty pounding
Giving everything I have to overcome?
No, I won't let go
No, I won't give up?
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOWE GELB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KarlaMay
I was lucky enough to be at this terrific show. At 2:35 when Howe really starts going with the guitar...awesome.
@wolfgangsterr2523
Legend!!!
@michistrasser3859
its shelley, isnt it? đ„°
@ianyoung7077
Less than 5,000 views in 5 years? Fuck you, Internet.
@KarliBraun
holy shXt, is dat steve shelley?
@KarliBraun
O F C ITS SHELLEY
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