Evolving, in part, from the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles, the Gourds original line-up consists of Kevin Russell (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Jimmy Smith (vocals, bass, guitar), Claude Bernard (accordion, guitar, vocals), and Charlie Llewellin (drums, percussion). Llewellin was replaced by current drummer Keith Langford shortly after the second album was recorded, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston officially joined after being invited to play on their third album. By the following album, Johnston had also become the band's third songwriter, though Russell and Smith have continued to share the bulk of those responsibilities.
Despite a sizable amount of original material, the Gourds are probably best known for a song they did not write, and for which they initially did not receive credit. A full twelve years after its live debut, fans can still be heard calling out for the band's cover version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice", often before they have even taken the stage. This has led some to consider it an albatross, but the band continues to play the crowd pleaser, adding various impromptu covers to its mid-section as a way of expanding its appeal.
While the Gourds studio efforts have all been well received, their high-energy live performances and constant touring have earned them the reputation of a band that must be seen to be appreciated. As a result, they enjoy a dedicated fan base, that is happy to follow them from town to town, and have become a favorite among those who tape live music
Members
* Kevin Russell - vocals, mandolin, guitar
* Claude Bernard - accordion, organ, guitar
* Jimmy Smith - vocals, guitar, percussion, bass, water bowl
* Keith Langford - drums, harmonica, washboard, toy guitar
* Max Johnston (of Uncle Tupelo & Wilco) - banjo, fiddle, guitar, vocals
Discography
Studio albums
Dem's Good Beeble – 1997
Stadium Blitzer – 1998
Ghosts of Hallelujah – 1999
Bolsa de Agua – 2000
Cow Fish Fowl or Pig – 2002
Blood of the Ram – 2004
Heavy Ornamentals – 2006
Noble Creatures – 2007
Haymaker! – 2009
Studio covers and live originals
Gogitchyershinebox – 1998
Shinebox – 2001
Soundtracks
Growin' a Beard – 2003
Something's Brewin' in Shiner – 2004
Magnolia
The Gourds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That started on green metal
She whispered and the wind shook
The magnolia seeded limp in winter
And she twisted round the cage
And slipped out into the shaking night
And only shuffled cloth hanging
In the quickness of her leaving
Only shuffled cloth hanging
In the hastiness of her flight
The song Magnolia by The Gourds is an emotional and poetic depiction of a dream coming to an end. The lyrics use powerful imagery to convey the sense of loss and sadness that follows the dissolution of a relationship. The first verse sets the scene by referencing the color green which is often associated with growth and new beginnings. However, the dream that started on green metal, perhaps a metaphor for something strong and sturdy, has come to an end. The use of "whispered" and "wind shook" implies a sense of fragility and vulnerability.
The second verse focuses on the central character of the song, a woman who feels trapped and confined ("twisted round the cage"). However, in the end, she manages to slip away and escape into the "shaking night". The sense of urgency and fear is captured in the final lines of the song, which talk about the only evidence of her departure being the "shuffled cloth hanging" in the hastiness of her flight. The song is a powerful reminder of the pain and loss that come with the end of a dream, and the struggle to break free from oppressive situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's the end of the dream
The dream that was once alive has now come to an end
That started on green metal
The dream that has ended had started on a strong foundation
She whispered and the wind shook
Her soft words were powerful enough to cause a stir in the wind
The magnolia seeded limp in winter
The magnolia tree struggled to survive during the harsh winter months
Well she twisted round the cage
She struggled to break free from the constraints of her situation
And she twisted round the cage
She kept trying to break free, even though it seemed impossible
And slipped out into the shaking night
She finally escaped into the uncertain darkness
And only shuffled cloth hanging
All that was left behind was some clothes hanging loosely
In the quickness of her leaving
She left so quickly that all that remained were her clothes
Only shuffled cloth hanging
There wasn't anything else left, but just some clothes hanging by a thread
In the hastiness of her flight
Her departure was so sudden that she didn't even have time to pack
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thatguy
on Burn The Honeysuckle
Are you gonna credit ChatGPT for writing this?