The fact that all that these Texas music titans, on their first go-round as The Flatlanders in 1972, were completely rejected by the country music establishment is surprising in retrospect but, ultimately, poetic. That each went on to have formidable solo careers is a testament to their talent and determination. Add to this their diverse yet complimentary styles - Joe the street-wise rocker, Jimmie Dale the mystic with the classic country voice and Butch the cerebral folk singer - and you've got a story of one of the most extraordinary kinships in American musical history.
It took these Flatlanders a mere three decades to release the sequel to their legendary debut. So the swift arrival of the group's latest New West album Wheels of Fortune - which comes hard on the heels of 2002's widely acclaimed Now Again - is a delightful and very welcome surprise. The fourteen songs that make up Wheels Of Fortune are absolute wonders of songcraft, sung by three of the most authentic voices in music today.
Joe, Jimmie and Butch initially reunited as The Flatlanders in 1998 to do a one-off recording, at the behest of Robert Redford's people, for the soundtrack of The Horse Whisperer. It was so much fun, the trio regrouped and cut an entire album. The result, Now Again, was unanimously received as a triumph. Mojo magazine dubbed them a "country Beatles." Rolling Stone gave it 3 and 1/2 stars. The Washington Post said, "Given the jaw-dropping quality of the disc, three decades almost seems a reasonable wait." Billboard raved, "An event record that lives up to all expectations." Now Again spent 17 weeks at #1 on the Americana charts and 21 weeks on the Billboard Country charts.
It was only a matter of weeks after the band had completed an 80-date U.S. and European tour when they re-entered the studio. "Once you get somebody on stage, it's kind of hard to get 'em off," Hancock says with a laugh. "Once we got a roll going, it felt good to keep working on something."
"We didn't want to go another 30 years before we made a record," Ely says. "After our last date of the tour, we were talking about it on the bus. We said, 'Well, ought to just get together while the band is hot and fresh and record. Not even think about it.' Basically, that's what we did. We didn't plan it or anything. We just sat down and started recording songs that we'd like to hear on tape. That's what this record is."
In March 2003, the Flatlanders and their band - Robbie Gjersoe (guitars, banjo, vocals), Steve Wesson (musical saw), Tony Pearson (vocals), Gary Herman (bass), and Chris Searles (drums) - convened at Joe Ely's Austin studio, with Ely again producing. Guests included steel guitarist (and noted producer) Lloyd Maines, guitarist Mitch Watkins, and accordionist Joel Guzman. The Flatlanders ended up cutting more than 30 songs, 14 of which appear on Wheels of Fortune. Some of the tunes are brand new while others have been kicking around in the individual repertoires of Ely, Gilmore, and Hancock for some time.
Hancock reflects, "We came together as a bunch of friends who happened to be musicians, too. There's just that crazy Lubbock mystery to it. We've all had our focus on the quality of the songs and the music, instead of any kind of 'me first' thing, or any kind of ego trips. It's almost like the old Marx Brothers thing: Three guys get to the door at the same time, and they all say, 'Oh, no, you go first.' 'No, you go first.' 'No, please, please, you go first.'"
Ely adds, "We've always been close, but now I think that we all realize that this is something that is really special. There are very few people who have remained as close as we have, especially in the music world. There are cases out there where brothers won't even talk to each other because they've been in the music business together. We consider this a real precious thing."
"For it to still be as much fun as it was in the beginning, I feel blessed," says Gilmore. "A lot of musicians don't get that luxury."
Copied and pasted from http://newwestrecords.com/theflatlanders.php
One Day At A Time
The Flatlanders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Chorus)
I live one day at a time
I dream one dream at a time
Yesterday's dead and tomorrow is blind
And I live one day at a time
If you're surprised to see me back at home
You don't know how I missed you when I was gone
Don't ask how long I planned to stay, it never it crossed my mind
'Cause I live one day at a time
(Chorus)
(Guitar)
There's a swallow wingin' 'cross a cloudy sky
Searchin' for a patch of sun, so am I
Don't ask how long I'll have to follow him, perhaps I won't in time
But I live one day at a time
(Chorus)
The Flatlanders's song "One Day At A Time" is a reflective and hopeful tune that speaks to the idea of living in the present moment. The opening lines, which are written by Willie Nelson, emphasize the idea of mindfulness and taking life one day at a time. This idea is then repeated in the chorus, with a simple and memorable melody that reinforces the message for the listener.
The second verse adds another dimension to the song with a beautiful image of a swallow searching for a patch of sun. The metaphor suggests that even the most basic of creatures are guided by a sense of purpose, and that we can learn from this sense of direction. The lyrics suggest that the singer isn't sure how long they'll be on this journey, but that it's okay because they are living in the moment and taking things one day at a time.
Overall, "One Day At A Time" is a song that encourages us to step back from the constant rush of life and focus on the present. The lyrics are a beautiful reminder of the importance of mindfulness and taking things as they come. The song is also a beautiful example of the power of simplicity in music, with a melody and lyrics that stay with the listener long after the song is over.
Line by Line Meaning
I live one day at a time
I don't worry about what might happen tomorrow, I focus on living just for today
I dream one dream at a time
I have only one goal that I'm working towards at any given moment and I remain committed to that goal
Yesterday's dead and tomorrow is blind
The past is behind me and the future is uncertain, but I remain focused on the present despite of it.
And I live one day at a time
I always stay grounded and try not to let myself get too ahead of things while taking life one day at a time.
If you're surprised to see me back at home
If you thought I wasn't coming back, you might not know me very well
You don't know how I missed you when I was gone
I deeply missed the people I love while I was away, even though I didn't always fully express it
Don't ask how long I planned to stay, it never it crossed my mind
I didn't have a specific plan or timeframe in mind for my return, I was just living in the moment
'Cause I live one day at a time
My approach to life is not to get too caught up in planning for the future or dwelling on the past
There's a swallow wingin' 'cross a cloudy sky
Just like that bird flying in the sky, I too am searching for something within the uncertain and unknown
Searchin' for a patch of sun, so am I
I am searching for a little bit of happiness and positivity to brighten up my life in the same way that bird is seeking the light
Don't ask how long I'll have to follow him, perhaps I won't in time
I don't know how long my journey will take or if I'll ever find what I'm looking for, but I'll continue to follow my own path.
But I live one day at a time
No matter what happens, I stay true to my approach of just focusing on one day at a time.
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marvinmaricic9006
Excellent
@jeffreymatuszak1125
Now THAT'S music!🕵
@tcsmith9924
These guys have been friends and collaborators for years!!! Each have solo careers but they share. I met them in Lubbock in 1971. Missing from this post is Butch Hancock. Seen them live many times in many places since 71.
@gloriastapp932
Love this West Texas bunch!! I can hear Jimmie Dale's voice. Tell Elise hello from Gloria and Mike Stapp in Amarillo, TX.
@waynechapman9823
Never been a fan of the musical saw on this one, but this is such a beautiful song regardless.
@josealonso9380
Flatlanders. One Day At The Time. Me gusta.
@shirleyjennings5787
Awesome!
@peterwitteveen7647
Nice upload. Nice cover by the band too.
@George_Washington_Hayduke
I love the Flatlanders and Butch Hancock but he isn't the composer on this one. Willie Nelson wrote this.
@ahomefulofcatsdogs805
The song is called One Day At A Time.