Gem of the Bayou: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Paincourtville, LA

In late afternoon light

tainted by scenes in stained glass

creating a subtle rainbow

residual incense wafts

as we walk toward the chancel.

An odor of sanctity

captured in cavernous sanctuary

upward-rising to the rafters.

Largest building in dwindling town

stretched along straight roads

between the canebreaks

and the occasional refinery

along bending banks of ever-widening river

the Gem of the Bayou reminds of a reality

transcending the fields and marshes

that stretch between the Gulf and Baton Rouge.

Significant Song Number 6

:"Lonesome, On'ry, and Mean" by Waylon Jennings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1mw4ImMUmQ

   This is the title track from Waylon's first Outlaw album, released in 1973. Already the process mentioned in Significant Song Number 5 had moved along quite well. Waylon was the bassist of Buddy Holly and the Crickets who gave up his seat on the plane that crashed "The Day the Music Died". This album was the first that Waylon co-produced and shows his distinct imprint. Reaching #8 on the Country charts, the album cemented Waylon's career and paved the way for greater things.
   The song has a definite rock beat and demonstrates the blending of genres. Jokingly, I say I want it played at a retirement party, should I have one, primarily for the title's sake.

Significant Song Number 5: "Wild Horses"- Flying Burrito Brothers Version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZHJajD6T-M

We will never know if this is truly a Jagger-Richards composition, solely Gram's work, or some collaboration. I suspect the latter. What is certain is that the Burritos had the first release of the song, and it is Ur-Country Rock indeed! Since several of the Burritos were in the Byrds earlier, the songs were played on the FM stations, since Country was not cool back then. Gradually, we longhairs liked some Country artists, especially the Outlaws, and some Country fans respected the hippy artists. No matter who plays the song, and it has been covered numerous times, it's simply a fine song!

People along the way

Going half-way across the country

Thousands of faces flash by

In rest areas, attractions, streets, businesses.

Some of them stand out

For one inexplicable reason or another.

Shuffling from their SUV,

A family heads to the Lone Star

Leaning at the Sabine River Rest Area

Standing in front of thick gray clouds

So they can take each other’s picture.

Far from Hessen, in the Hill Country

German cuisine is served in a frontier house.

For a moment her native language

Floats in the air amid the Texan drawls

As it used to not so long ago.

Praying silently in the cathedral

With arms stretched along the railing

Her daughter converses as well

Discretely, impatiently speaking

Into her I phone.

Couple of our approximate age

Unhappy at everything

She fusses at restaurant hostess

Then unleashes a torrent of spite

At his day-long negativity.

Later I intentionally walk by them

As he slowly eats while she

Sits clutching her elbows

Not even caring to look at him.

From several feet away from the fountain

Tawny-tressed girl and mother standing.

Daughter appears to want a drink but refuses an offer

As her mother expresses her thanks anyway,

Observation Point 13, Ft. Drum, New York

Tree stretching toward Canada

Wispy clouds hover in summer sky

Vacationer’s paradise unfolding

Except for the large orange circles

On a small, man-made hill

Surrounded by the rusted wrecks

Or yesterday’s automobiles.

Radio transmissions crackle

Over in the Fire Direction Center

As bratwurst and kielbasa sizzle

Over on several hibachis.

Fire Mision! All human activity stops

As the hundred-pound rounds

Slam into the circles from a distance

Of classified information.

The plates have already been passed,

And as an FM rock station plays “Tommy”

By The Who, the howitzers blast away

At a few more wrecks.

Every shot has been in the box

And everyone his happy.

Like if good on OP 13 as

Lunch continues and I regret

Having taken so long to enlist.

Had I known the Army could be

This good, I would have joined earlier!

Significant song Number 4: "Like a Rolling Stone", by Bob Dylan

http://www.fastcompany.com/3021970/most-creative-people/the-making-of-bob-dylans-hypnotizing-like-a-rolling-stone-interactive-v

I first heard this in Canada, somewhere in rural Ontario. We were there on vacation, and the local CBC station played this as we drove. My brother and I were thrilled; my parents were not but did not say anything. What impressed  me then was the length and the story line.

This epic was released almost a half-century ago: 20 July 1965. Recently the original lyrics sold for $2 million.

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/w-h-auden-fridays-child-in?in=arthur-turfa-1/sets/arthur-turfa

A reading of an Auden poem not many would know.

 Significant Song Number Three- I better start numbering these now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J3gX47rHGg&feature=kp

     Ray Davies has an extraordinary talent as a lyricist, in addition to being an outstanding composer/musician. He creates stories about people, places, and situations  in very appealing ways. "You Really Got Me", as great a rock song as there is, lacks the poetry, but Davies evolved form that and found his own voice.
     I saw this performed live in Irvine, CA, in 1976, and would have seen it again in Santa Fe, NM, in 1987 had it not been for a rain at an open-air concert.In 1979 and 1983, when visiting the UK, naturally I thought of the song as I went through the station and whenever I looked at  the "dirty old river".

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/idyll-the-meadow-and-the-muse

Hear it recited by me!