Tell It Away

UPDATE TO THIS POST 8/8/2008: You can now listen to the song below on Lee Barber's MYSPACE page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=120246544


Tell It Away is a song title from one of my favorite bands, The Barbers. Just thought the phrase reflected what a blog is all about.....telling all your musings/problems/secrets away - a purging effect.

I was involved recently with our theatre group's production of DINNER WITH FRIENDS. It was a stunningly beautiful experience. I loved watching it over and over each night (7 times including the 2 dress rehearsals and 5 performances). It was like listening to your favorite passionate piece of music over and over again--eyes closed, feeling your heart rise in your throat as you reach the crescendo. But unlike the musical recording, which never changes, the live performances shift each night, giving you ups and downs, as the actors either get the moment just the way you want it, or de-emphasize something you found profound the night before, or make subtle changes that actually increase your emotional response, adding to the thrill.

The play's plot had to do with two 40-something couples facing the impending divorce of one of the couples and the consequences to their friendships. But it was really about love, honesty, and mortality. My favorite line in the play comes in the next to the last scene. Gabe says, "It just doesn't seem fair....when so much has already gone, and there's just so little left." Even though I don't have children like the characters in the play do, I can still connect to that feeling that I'm on the downhill slide. With or without children, married or single, "practical matters" still tend to outweigh "abandon."

My new favorite song is by Lee Barber (formerly of The Barbers). It is called "The Monkey and the Ass." It is sad and haunting and heartbreaking. He was in town from Austin and played with Bruce Golden at Lemuria dot.com one night a few weeks ago, and he sang this song which I can only assume was autobiographical and perhaps about his former wife, who used to be in the band with him. The song wasn't on his new mini-CD or on his myspace page, so I asked him to send me the lyrics. They seem to echo some of the themes in the play. Here they are:



The Monkey and the Ass
by Lee Barber

There’s so much to forget, misplace / between the monkey and the ass
The nights we slept on sheets of glass / until you called it over
But I’ll remember the perfume
The ceremony in your room
When we were young as lovers

And I know
It will never be the same / it will never wash away
Like the button on your coat
I’ll think of you
When the working day is through
When the noise turns into night / I will be alright
I’ll think of you

And if they ask me / how does the story go?
I wouldn’t know / I read the book but all I heard was music


Everybody knows this face / will not be used to launch the ship
But I’ll be here if you should slip / and I will catch you
So don’t forget your trail of crumbs / at least until the morning comes
So that I can find you

Don’t look back
Bring your flashlight and your drum / play it ‘til your hands are numb
Your twisted cane, your cardboard wings
All those things
That light you up and keep you young / the righteous heart, the open kiss
All the things that I will miss
Will follow you

And if they ask me / how does the story go?
I wouldn’t know / I read the book but all I heard was music


And I know
It will never be the same / it will never wash away
Like the button on your coat
I’ll think of you
When the working day is through
When the noise turns into night / I will be alright
I’ll think of you