Quando si parla di loro viene subito spontaneo pensare a quel santo immane opera prima, le femmine violente erano già catapultate nella leggenda per quel primo disco, condannati ad associare le loro identità a quel disco, nonostante "Hallowed Ground", anno 1984, e nonostante Gano, che raccolse nuove storie (che poi erano le stesse di quell’omonimo), per realizzare un'altra raccolta di spartane canzoni di rabbia attraverso la commistione di blues, voodoo, country e quel folk rustico, pagano e scarno che tanto incise nella scena roots del recupero folk attraverso atteggiamenti e prese di coscienze punk nell’indie americano anni 80.
Gano con questo disco spinge tutto negli anfratti mistico religiosi che permeavano la sua vita, il suo amore/odio verso la religione è ben rappresentato dalla traccia d’apertura, la mortifera "Country Death Song". Questa prima traccia segna una svolta importante della loro musica, si nota infatti un'impronta marcatamente country guidata dal banjo, articolandosi tra tradizioni Appalache e uccisioni rituali di bambini (in onore ai Dead Kennedys?), ma la sua andatura country pare più una marcia lugubre che evoca visioni di desperados, con la voce di Gano che ripete “I started making plans to kill my own kind. I started making plans to kill my own kind” e “Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves. Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God save”. "I Hear The Rain", breve traccia dalla ripetitività quasi ossessiva ci porta a "Never Tell" dove è presente un altro strumento bastardo alla tradizione rock, la marimba: "Never Tell" vale da sola l'intero disco, ecco la vena inquieta, la vena nervosa, la vena punk tuttosommato, il ritornello poi è da giganti (ed è anche molto famoso), la cavalcata è contagiosa sugli altipiani desertici del nord del Messico e dell'estremo sud degli USA, i bastardi nati dall’incrocio tra razze altrettanto bastarde sono dei loser che animano i riti sacrificali, accendono gli animi e le croci cosparse di benzina che affollano le autostrade.
"Jesus Walking On The Water" è una ballata, molto melodica, che fonda tocchi di gospel e folk. Non capisci mai se il tono sia serio o da presa in giro, l'America suona come una finzione, magari una finzione cinematografica, o nella sua essenza primordiale, una finzione onirica. Ho passeggiato una volta in un angolo malsano del Nuovo Messico, certe cose ormai sono rimaste a pensarle solo cadaverici consumati che hanno visto in faccia la morte come me. Sergio Leone è lontano, non ci sono in giro cowboys colorati di seppia, non ci sono fucili, la cameriera bionda dei saloon è solo un patetico simulacro di uno scenario estinto (proprio come me).
"I Know It's True (But I'm Sorry To Say)" è una dolcissima ballad, una canzone da cantare intorno al fuoco, strappalacrime se non fosse per il testo di Gano che contiene espliciti riferimenti sessuali e forse anche qualcosa in più. La titletrack, scura e paludosa, è ancora un numero d’alta scuola, il Voodoo si infiamma, lo stesso che permeava i rituali dei Doors e dei Gun Club, uno dei significati del termine “voodoo”, “essere in trance”, deriva in parte dal fatto che agli schiavi non era concessa degna sepoltura, il che, si diceva, dava origine alle anime in pena e ai morti viventi, detti anche zombi. A New Orleans le anime degli antenati trapassati sono accuratamente preservate attraverso riti consueti quali i funerali jazz, con bande di ottoni e parate di cappelli a cilindro e ombrelli. Non deve trarre in inganno la dicotomia Voodoo/Cristianesimo, il Voodoo è una pratica religiosa che mischia il Cristianesimo con elementi di origine africana, importati dagli schiavi neri, circa tre quarti degli otto milioni di abitanti di Haiti si riconoscono in questa religione. Il Vodun, come il Cristianesimo è una religione di molte tradizioni, il Voodoo è quindi una fusione tra Cristianesimo e lo spiritismo delle tribù che venivano prese con forza dall'Africa e portati in America a fare da schiavi.
Una rapida virata nello stile ed ecco che si prostra a noi "Sweet Misery Blues", un blues stralunato infettato da Lou Reed nella voce e nella stessa musica. Suona così, grezzo, stonato e sporco come la stessa anima dei Violent Femmes. La politicamente scorretta "Black Girls", memorabile overture di batteria prima di cedere il passo al free jazz del sax di, udite udite, John Zorn, il genio in persona anche lui a far cagnara con dei folli scorreggioni assieme al combo di fiati lasciati all'impazzata, un'orgia fracassona.
Il disco si conclude con "It's Gonna Rain", un misto di gospel e blues d'armonica, una sorta di profezia bibblica, chissà quanto ironica negli intenti, che narrà della storia dell'Arca di Noè: “Now who, who, who do you think I am? Well, I built this ark with Japheth, Shem, and Ham” canta Gano e sinceramente scappa anche una risata, perché, secondo loro, quel che ci vuole per liberare il mondo dalla malsanità e dalla sofferenza è il diluvio universale.
Un manifesto al coraggio di questo trio di strada, il coraggio delle arringhe di Gano contro cattolici e calvinisti che uccidevano in nome di Dio, credo che la loro forza sia stata quella di parlare di cose serissime e tristissime (religione, morte, disagio giovanile, mancanza di ideali) con un vena ironica, anche autoironica, e goliardica molto spinta.
Questo disco rappresenta l’epica del nuovo gotico del sud: perché che si creda o no ci sono fantasmi e spettri che, da sempre, nuotano nel Mississipi.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Country Death Song (05:02)
I had me a wife, I had me some daughters.
I tried so hard, I never knew still waters.
Nothing to eat and nothing to drink.
Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think.
Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think.
Well, I'm a thinkin' and thinkin', till there's nothin' I ain't thunk.
Breathing in the stink, till finally I stunk.
It was at that time, I swear I lost my mind.
I started making plans to kill my own kind.
I started making plans to kill my own kind.
Come little daughter," I said to the youngest one,
Put your coat on, we'll have some fun.
We'll go out to mountains, the one to explore.
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door.
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door.
Come little daughter, I will carry the lanterns.
We'll go out tonight, we'll go to the caverns.
We'll go out tonight, we'll go to the caves.
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves.
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves.
A led her to a hole, a deep black well.
I said "make a wish, make sure and not tell and
close you're eyes dear, and count to seven.
You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven.
You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven.
I gave her a push, I gave her a shove.
I pushed with all my might, I pushed with all my love.
I through my child into a bottomless pit.
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit.
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit.
Gather round boys to this tale that I tell.
You wanna know how to take a short trip to hell?
It's guarenteed to get your own place in hell.
Just take your lovely daughter and push her in the well.
Take your lovely daughter and throw her in the well.
Don't speak to me of lovers, with a broken heart.
You wanna know what can really tear you apart?
I'm going out to the barn, will I never stop in pain?
I'm going out to the barn, to hang myself in shame.
Gordon Gano: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Brian Ritchie: Acoustic bass guitar
Victor DeLorenzo: Drums, Vocals
Tony Trischka; Banjo
Produced by Mark Van Hecke
Recorded at Secret Sound Studio, New York City
03 Never Tell (07:10)
Some people stand like trees, without a word
and what that means is that some people don't talk.
Oh please pardon me mister.
Ya know I just didn't hear you the first time that you said that,
but now that you repeat for me, I'll be sure to do what I can.
Ya know I'm going to do what I can,
do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can.
Gonna do what I can,
do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can,
but no more, you understand?
Oh please pardon me father.
Ya know I just didn't hear you that, that, that
that first time that you said th...
help me, help me, help me, help me...
Repeat it, repeat it, repeat it.
I'll be sure do, do, do what I can.
Do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can.
Gotta do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can,
but no more, you understand?
It's of utmost importance, we're dealing with volitiale substance. (4 times)
I had so much on my mind.
I was so glad when I died, oh...
Listen to me baby.
Can you keep a secret for me?
Make sure no one finds out,
cause then the lights will go out,
and I will find you out,
and I will cut you up.
Uh hmm, don't ask me why,
because, I said, I said, I said
I'm gonna do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can.
Gotta do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can. (3 times)
but I'll have none of that, you understand?
Don't you know nothin'? You never tell on someone. (3 times)
Don't you know nothin'? You ain't never going to tell on someone.
What you going to do?
Gonna turn, gonna turn rat fink?
What you wanna do?
Do want to see, do you wanna see what it's like to sink?
Sink down, sink down, sink down, down, down to the bottom of the river.
Sink down, sink, sink down down.
Down, down, to the bottom of the river, sink, down sink.
Sink down, down. Down, down to bottom of the river.
Sink down, sink, sink down down.
Down, down to the bottom of the river.
Don't you know no one? You never tell on someone. (3 times)
Don't you know no one? You ain't never gonna tell on someone. (3 times)
Ah, ah, oh, I tell you what it's like, I tell you what it's like, oh.
I stood right up in the heart of Hell, I never tell. (3 times)
I stood right up in the heart of Hell,
I'm never gonna tell, tell, tell, tell.
I'm never, never, never, never gonna tell, tell, tell, tell.
Nothing, nothing, never gonna tell, tell, tell, tell.
I'm never, never, never, never gonna tell, tell, tell, tell.
Nothing, nothing, never gonna tell, tell, tell, tell.
Ah...
04 Jesus Walking on the Water (03:07)
and oh my, oh my, oh my, tell me is it true.
Did he, did he, did he die upon that cross?
and did he, did he, did he come back across?
Jesus walking on the water.
Sweet Jesus walking in the sky.
Sinking sand, took my hand, raised me up,
and brought me up.
I can hold my head up high.
Will I, will I, will I be true to my birth?
and will I, will I, will I give what I'm worth?
Oh yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, I come when you call,
and yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, sweet Jesus, my all-in-all.
06 Hallowed Ground (04:18)
The prophet is a fool
the spiritual man is mad
For the multitude of thy iniquity
And the great hatred...
Everyone's tryin
to decide
where to go
when theres no place to hide
I follow the bombs as theyre coming down
This must have been
Hallowed Ground
Ooooooo ooo ooo ooooo ooo oo o o
No matter what
they decide to have done
burn up the clouds
Block out the sun
My hope is in
one they cant bring down
My soul is in
Hallowed Ground
Oo ooo oooo oo
I see the fear
Its on the rise
Lets catch the enemy
By surprise
Bury your treasure
Where it cant be found
Bury it deep
In Hallowed Ground
Ooo ooo ooo oooo oo ooo oo o
Ooo ooo ooo oooo oo ooo oo oooooooo
07 Sweet Misery Blues (02:51)
Yeah I saw you walkin down the street
I could tell by your look that you didn't wanna meet
so this time
I went away
But next time
Im just gonna have to say
"Could I buy a dress or something?
Could I buy ya some jewelry or something?
Would ya go out with me or something?
Would ya sleep with me or something?"
Ya better watch out!
If your trains moving too fast.
Ya better look out!
if youre living in the past because
Thats why you'll never lose
These sweet, misery blues
Thats why you'll never lose
These sweet misery blues
Yeah im gonna corner you in an elevator
and you wont be able to put me off till later
I'll put on my charm
I'll tingle your spine
I'll take off my charm
And then you'll wanna die
"Could i buy you a dress or something?
Could I buy ya some jewelry or somethin?
Would you go out with me or somethin?
Would ya sleep with me or somethin?"
YOU BETTER WATCH OUT
cause you can't get rid of me
Ya better look out
Oh baby dont you see?
Thats why you'll never lose
These sweet misery blues
Thats why you'll never lose
These sweet misery blues
08 Black Girls (05:41)
I dig the black girls, oh so much more than the white girls.
I was so pleased to learn they were faster.
Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, oooh and after.
Along comes a faggot white boy.
Said look, look, look for some kind of joy.
They come around so queer and quiet,
but inside rebel and riot.
Said I dig the white boys,
Oh, so much more that the black boys.
I was so pleased to learn they're not smarter.
Go on, give, give, give it to me harder, harder, harder, just say harder.
You know I love the Lord of hosts,
the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.
I was so pleased to learn that he's inside me
In my time of trouble he will hide me.
I dig the black girls.
I dig the black girls.
I dig the black girls.
I dig the black girls.
Gordon Gano: Vocals, guitar
Brian Ritchie: Electric Bass, Slide Bass, Jew's Harp, Vocals
Victor DeLorenzo:Drums,Vocals
John Zorn: sax, clarinet Peter Balestrieri: Sax Drake Scott Cornetto
Produced by Mark Van Hecke
Recorded at Secret Sound Studio, New York City
09 It's Gonna Rain (04:11)
Now who, who, who do you think I am?
Well, I built this ark with Japheth, Shem, and Ham.
Now what, what, what do you think it's gonna do
when I live by faith and now my work is through?
It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain)
I said it's gonna rain (It's gonna rain)
Yes, It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain.)
I'm so happy to say (It's gonna rain)
Oh It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain) on the world today
Now when, when, when I am in doubt
and I think that things for me will never work out,
but where, where, where the heart is true,
ya know Lord, your God, will never forsake you.
It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain)
I said it's gonna rain (It's gonna rain)
Yes, It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain.)
I'm so happy to say (It's gonna rain)
Oh It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain) on the world today
repeat verse 1 (drums only)
It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain)
I said it's gonna rain (It's gonna rain)
Yes, It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain.)
I'm so happy to say (It's gonna rain)
Oh It's gonna rain (It's gonna rain) on the world today
Forty days and forty nights (It's gonna rain)
Forty days and forty nights (It's gonna rain)
Hallileua, it's alright (It's gonna rain)
Everybody's sleepin' tight (It's gonna rain)
Oh, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's gonna rain tonight.
repeat chorus three times
Carico i commenti... con calma
