Born: 1960s
Origin: Kansas City, Missouri
Genres: a… Read Full Bio ↴Jeff Black
Born: 1960s
Origin: Kansas City, Missouri
Genres: alternative, folk, singer-songwriter
Instruments: vocals, guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica
Years active 1990s - present
Label: Lotos Nile Music
Website: jeffblack.com
Jeff Black is an American singer-songwriter. After critically acclaimed commercial releases on label homes, fan favorite independent releases on his own Lotos Nile Music imprint, song placement on numerous independent films, thirty plus years of celebrated live performing and songs covered by artists as diverse as Alison Krauss, Waylon Jennings, Sam Bush, Blackhawk, Jerry Douglas, John Oates and Dierks Bentley, Jeff Black is recognized as a pioneer in the modern music industry. As an influential independent artist, Boston’s WUMB listeners voted Jeff Black as one of the top 100 most important Folk artists of the last 25 years. Continuing to evolve as a master songwriter and performer in the tradition of the great storytellers, his passionate, soul driven live performances of songs from his vast catalog are not to be missed.
Biography
Jeff Black was born circa 1960 and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Black received his first guitar as a present for his tenth birthday. In his twenties Black began performing at Blayney's, a Kansas City blues club where he also worked as a bouncer. Soon Black began touring and eventually relocated to Nashville, Tennessee after receiving a letter from Iris DeMent (Black lends some backing vocals on DeMent's 1992 debut album, Infamous Angel).
Black's own first album, Birmingham Road, was recorded with the members of the band Wilco, minus lead singer, Jeff Tweedy. The songs have been described as "fine portraits of American life without the sappiness or self-consciousness often attributed to the singer/songwriter genre. In 2007 Boston's WUMB listeners voted Jeff Black as one of the top 100 most important Folk artists of the last 25 years.
Discography
* Birmingham Road | Arista 1998
* Honey And Salt | Lotos Nile Music Released 2003
* B-Sides And Confessions Vol. I | Lotos Nile Music Released 2003
* Tin Lily | Lotos Nile Music Released 2003
* Mining | Lotos Nile Music Released 2007
* Sleepy Town | Lotos Nile Music Released 2008
* Christmas Sunshine | Lotos Nile Music Released 2009
* Plow Through The Mystic | Lotos Nile Music Released 2011
* B-Sides and Confessions Vol. 2 | Lotos Nile Music Released 2013
* Folklore | Lotos Nile Music Released 2014
1. Ronnie Lankford, Jr. "Review: Tin Lily", Allmusic 3.5/5 stars
2. Melissa Block, "Singer as DJ: Jeff Black's Podcasts", All Things Considered,
National Public Radio, August 9, 2005
3. Arthur Wood, "From Missouri to Nashville", FolkWax (link requires free subscription)
4. Charlotte Dillon, "Jeff Black: Biography", Allmusic
5. James Chrispell, "Review: Birmingham Road", Allmusic 4/5 stars
6. Arthur Wood, "Review: Honey and Salt, FolkWax, June 11, 2003 (8 out of 10)
7. Arthur Wood, "Review: B Sides and Confessions" , FolkWax, March 26, 2003 (9 out of 10)
8. Arthur Wood, "Another Winner from Jeff Black" (Review of Tin Lily), FolkWax, July 28, 2005
Higher Ground
Jeff Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks like we're going to fall to fortune
In ribbons rings and bows
Riding on a light so clean and fine
It's going to change some things around here I know
Ever since last October
I been thinking the whole thing over
That we've got someone on the inside now babe
I think they're going to show us how they
Transcend all that's pure
Oh look here what we found
Higher ground
Full moon and the rivers flowing
Pretty soon the roosters crowing
Better open up the door
Catch me in a dream I don't care
I want to hold the world to my share
And ask for a little more
I believe we can see forever
And all we leave behind together
May be washed away with time
I really want it to mean, to matter
Silver gold wood and leather
And heaven on my mind
Oh look here what we found
Oh look here what we found
Higher ground
The song "Higher Ground" by Jeff Black has ambiguous lyrics that can be interpreted in various ways. Still, he seems to open the song by referring to a star shining over Jordan, which can represent hope or something divine that is going to guide them towards a new path of fortune. The image of ribbons, rings, and bows may refer to the idea of them being dressed up for something big and transformative. The light that they are riding on is a symbol of the road that they are taking, which can be difficult but is also seen as clean and fine. Jeff Black expresses his hope that change will come when he mentions having someone on the inside that will show them how to transcend what is pure.
The second verse evokes an idyllic image of a full moon and a flowing river accompanied by the crowing roosters. Jeff Black introduces a sense of urgency when he says, "Better open up the door," as if it's now or never to take a chance on a dream that is vague but compelling. The singer cares less about what he's going to get than holding the world to his share and wanting a little more. The last two lines suggest that whatever they leave behind is insignificant when compared to what is ahead. The singer seems to yearn for something more profound than what can be obtained by mere earthly possessions. He wants to hold on to the idea of heaven on his mind and wants his life to matter.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a star shining over Jordan
Something divine is happening and we are about to experience good fortune
Looks like we're going to fall to fortune
It seems as if good things are about to happen to us
In ribbons rings and bows
We are going to experience this good fortune in a celebratory and joyful manner
Riding on a light so clean and fine
We will be guided towards this good fortune by something pure and good
It's going to change some things around here I know
This good fortune will bring about positive changes in our lives
Ever since last October
For some time now
I been thinking the whole thing over
I have been reflecting on everything
And I'm feeling fairly sure
I am quite confident
That we've got someone on the inside now babe
We have an ally in our corner now
I think they're going to show us how they
I believe they will demonstrate to us
Transcend all that's pure
Achieve something that is beyond what is considered pure and perfect
Oh look here what we found
Look at what we have discovered
Higher ground
A better place or situation we have achieved
Full moon and the rivers flowing
The environment is peaceful and flowing
Pretty soon the roosters crowing
Morning is approaching
Better open up the door
We should be ready to welcome the new day and whatever it may bring
Catch me in a dream I don't care
I am carefree and content within my dreams
I want to hold the world to my share
I wish to have my fair share of success and happiness in life
And ask for a little more
And also wish for some more than what I already have
I believe we can see forever
I have a feeling that we have a bright future ahead of us
And all we leave behind together
Everything we achieve together
May be washed away with time
May eventually be forgotten as time passes
I really want it to mean, to matter
I desire for our achievements to have significance and purpose
Silver gold wood and leather
All types of valuable things that symbolize success and achievement
And heaven on my mind
We are thinking positively and optimistically about our success
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jarri
Glad to have found this artist and his music. Thank you Mr Jeff Black.
New subscriber
RS_Mas_Takilya
This song is amazing; it reminds me of coming home.
Danny Kooistra
Glad we found you. Had to subscribe so we can keep in touch & listen to you often. Thank you for the music.
Slisia Chish Chish Nace
This was supposed to be our first dance at our Wedding... and Fentanyl took him from me...
dasboot353
this is not higher ground