"Somebody's Crying" by Chris Isaak

"Somebody's Crying" is a solid mid-90's song of the day. When the weather took a turn for the worse this past weekend I turned to the bluesy sounds of Chris Isaak, and this song is a gem.

Up until last year the only song that I knew from Chris Isaak was "Wicked Game," a song that was out in 1989, but remained popular through the 90's.  On my second trip to Seattle last year we spent some time hanging out in Fremont, a really hip, young section of town, and we were checking out some used CD's at "Jive Time Records," and came across the Chris Isaak album "Forever Blue." Whenever one of us picked it up my good friend Ron Cepek got the crazy look in his eyes that happens when he gets excited about music and even though I cant remember the details I am certain that Ron launched into a half a dozen different stories about the tracks on the album.  Ron has a great taste in music, and a gift at remembering specific details about songs and albums that he loves.  I've never been steered wrong by Ron's musical taste, so I picked up the album that day.   A few days later Ron, Christian, Ryan, and I took a trip out to the coast, a surprisingly long drive from the port town of Seattle, but it was a great time spent with good people listening to good music.  "Forever Blue" was definitely one of the best albums we listened to that day, and "Somebody's Crying" is a great track.

When I looked up some information on this song I found out it was written after a break up with a girl.  No surprise there of course with much of the great art of human history coming directly as a result of heart break.  The cool thing about the story I read was that Isaak was at a friends party after the break up, but he wasn't in the mood to party.  In my mind I imagine that night he was probably just going through the motions smiling and telling little dumb stories to friends all the while trying to keep it together on the inside.  At some point through the night he found himself alone in a walk-in closet with a guitar, and started writing "Somebody's Crying."

I found an interview with "Addicted to Noise," a 90's online music magazine that former Rolling Stone Editor Michael Goldberg founded, where they asked Chris a couple questions about writing this song.


Addicted To Noise: What were you thinking about when you wrote that?

Isaak: If you were looking at my life at the time, it looked like everything was okay. That I was having a good time. But in actuality, I was missing her more than ever. I like the first lines of the song: "I know somebody/ And they cry for you/ They lie awake at night." Not only are you saying that this is happening, but it's kind of in a secret way. It's like a little kid's way of saying things. Most of us are as terrified of love as little kids are terrified of the world. Little kids come up to you and say, "I know someone who loves you" or "I know someone who likes you." They say it like, I'm not going to really come out and say it. And for adults, it's probably the same way. They never really get beyond that fear."
 
This album was a great suggestion from Ron, and if you're feeling a little blue, id give it a shot. This is a good performance of the song in the video, and it gives you a good preview of his style of music, but I would check out some other songs to hear the range and power in his voice.  Enjoy.

"If its the Beaches" The Avett Brothers

There are few bands that I love more than the Avett Brothers.  I was first introduced to the Avett Brothers a few years ago from my friend Jake Nelko and my sister at right around the same time. At this point the Avett Brothers were not the Columbia signed, Rick Rubin produced band that has CD's sold at Starbucks and a big radio single.  They were seemingly small town boys playing free shows at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival and were making good impressions in local folk and indie circles across the country.  Unlike some people, I'm not mad at the Avett Brothers for making it big.  I don't resent that they signed with Columbia or allowed Rick Rubin to help guide their recordings,  I'm just glad that I am able to say I liked them before those days.

I remember the first time I saw the Avett Brothers play at the Carnegie Library and Music Hall in Munhall.  We were near the front, and it was the most energized concert and excited crowd I have ever seen.  Between songs there was a buzz in the audience about what would come out next, and for every song the applause started all over again.  After the show I waited outside with my brother, Jake Nelko, and some of Jake's friends.  Everyone waiting outside was pretty laid back.  People were just kind of chilling in their little circles talking about the show.  Then the Avett Brothers came off the tour bus and started making their way around to the different circles.  I was amazed at the way it all went down.  People were just cool and waited patiently for the Avett Brothers to come to their circle.  They weren't rushed by mobs of fans, they weren't being hassled by loads of girls, and they weren't waiting for the fans to come to them.  The Brothers just made their rounds, hanging out, graciously signing autographs, throwing frisbees with their fans, and stopping for a picture with my brother and I (as you can see below).

I have seen the Avett Brothers a few times since they've become a big name, and their demeanor hasn't changed.  I ran into them again at Newport Folk Festival, and they were so nice and appreciative to the fans around them.  Basically they're sweet guys.  They play good honest music, and they really seem to love and appreciate their fans.  I love seeing a band like this grow in popularity.  They aren't pretentious, they aren't dark, and they don't have to add a ton of effects or choreographed dancing to make their performance entertaining.

 When Jake and I are talking before an Avett Brothers concert we always talk about the different songs that we want to hear from their extensive catalog, and "If its the Beaches" always topped my list.  This is an uncharacteristically mellow song by the Avett Brothers, but it is definitely one of my favorites.  The song has a wonderful string section and builds into a really powerful song about loving a girl well, and doing whatever it takes to let her know she is loved.  Its a good solid song.  This isn't one of the more popular songs for the brothers to play in concert (probably because its mellow and their live shows are a foot stompin' party), but the last time I saw the Avett Brothers in Pittsburgh they played it.  Whenever the intro to the song started, Jake and I just looked at each other and our little group started going nuts.  I sang that song with everything I had in me that night, and when Scott Avett forgot the words (a rare mistake in all the awesome sets I've seen from them) I sang even harder.  I like to think that when he says he heard someone singing in the audience he was talking about me.

So I love the Avett Brothers, I love this song, and they are playing a show in Pittsburgh on May 27th that you should all come see.

this is the video from the Pittsburgh show where Scott forgot the words. Like I said this is a subdued video, I would go to youtube and check out some of the other videos as well. To fans of the Avett Brothers, I would love to hear your favorite song.