Paul Duncan - "In A Way"

Here is the sequence of events that led me to write this:

I was sitting in my chair, at my desk, petting my cat (Bruno the Berber "purr-purr" kitty) contemplating what kind of song I felt like writing about. I picked up a guitar and played a simple part that reminded me of Tortoise: a hammer-on on the low E string, a big, meaty slide on the A string, a strange time signature. Then I opened my email and found this song.

I knew that I would post it as soon as I heard the wide-open drum overture yield to the guitars. I liked the way they paced back and forth. I thought that I shouldn't deny the cosmic significance of the fact that "In a Way" sounds like the Chicago post-rock Tortoise pioneered. When I discovered that it was in 10/8 time I burned the only extant copy of my novel. It was a masterpiece. I realize the inapproriateness of my reaction, but such is my insouciance in the face of 10/8 time.

At 0:53 there is a short build to a small crescendo - the kind that Tortoise was (is?) fond of and that brought me so much joy as a teenager. Impeccably arranged; a violin, a rhodes and a guitar playing at being a mandolin bring the song to a conclusion. [Buy/Info]

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Fred Neil with Gram Parsons - "You Don't Miss Your Water"

Fred Neil and Gram Parsons sing about not knowing what you got til it's gone. Despite the abrasive blues-style, big bend acoustic guitar playing in the left channel, and the low mix of Parsons's voice, this still emerges as a simple, felt and trenchant song of regret. [Buy]