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Such a beautiful song.

I'm so glad it is not overproduced.
A gift ...
Thank you Leonard!

danslenoir wrote:

jerry wrote:I just don't understand why Show Me The Place sounds like a demo or bootleg recording when there was so much time to get it right?

The fact that it was on the previous two records and wasn't addressed the first time and appears to have not been addressed this time suggests it isn't really a problem for Leonard and that maybe he even likes that style of production.

That is his style, at least since VP, and I'm Your man is no less than demos on synths... And TNS. I highly believe Ed Sanders or Patrick Leonard can hear the issues there, but sound is not perfect for audiophiles, but 90% of other listeners will not hear it or will connect that to Leonard's distinctive sound recording style.

Didn't want to spoil the surprise of the new album in January, but couldn't resist listening to "Show me the place" and find it's going round and round in my head since! Two associations came to mind; what we used to call, in less politically correct times, "Negro Spirituals" , and the Titanic. There is no agreement about what the brave band played in the dying moments of Titanic, but this would have been eminently suitable had it existed in 1912. There is, sadly, an end of life feeling about it, ( look at that SHADOW ! Leonard sounds more fragile and vulnerable here than he seemed in live concert ) Yet it is strangely comforting, with its lovely backing. That surely can't be a violin, as already pointed out here, unless it is a synthesised one, but who cares - it sounds gorgeous, whatever it is !

I don't know about anyone else but I can see a strong Tom Waits influence in the song.

Nothing wrong with that, both are pure geniuses

Vicomtesse and I totally agree, the violin is just wonderful.......... I can see the hankies out for this on the next tour

As I thought, this song has indeed been growing on me, and I find going round my head a lot those days. I agree Ann that it has the sound of African-American spiritual songs, and oddly enough, given my pretty poor Bible knowledge, the 'roll away the stone' refrain was bothering me - of course, I think this refers to the resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8), where Mary Magdalene and Mary ask 'who will roll away the stone', and then it is moved by god. 'Show me the place where the word became a man' also seems to me to refer to Jesus (though not the resurrection, presumably that would be the man becoming the word!). I also assume there are more specifically Jewish references that I'm missing.

Vicomte wrote:
Vicomtesse and I totally agree, the violin is just wonderful.......... I can see the hankies out for this on the next tour

Hello Vicomte - ever the optimist! Sure why not...

It's also "the Word became flesh" ~ and I like Leonard's verbiage of "the Word became a man."
The song doesn't leave you.
Thanks, Linda, for your comment about appreciating that the song is not over-produced... and Tom's pointing out Leonard's signature sound.

Hi TipperaryAnn,

Oh yes, don't you remember as a kid, if you just repeated something over and over, eventually, it might happen

I am trying to see it all through the eyes of a man who has found a whole new "huge fan base" and I do think this was why the tour went on so long. I believe it became more popular than L.C, or his management surely ever thought possible, new dates were arranged as the tour went on, what a great feeling that must have been for him.

So my question is, why would you not want to feel that again? I might be wrong but I sensed very early on in that tour, an element of, not surprise but at times a look he gave was one of, how, why, what's occurring here, this is just amazing. I never got those thoughts in all the other concerts I have been to in the long and distant past. It was different, along with the old ever present fans, the new fans gave him a big lift, I'm sure of it.

Now I stand to be completely wrong and he will announce his retirement next year

Vicomte wrote:I don't know about anyone else but I can see a strong Tom Waits influence in the song.

Nothing wrong with that, both are pure geniuses

See what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XewO1DB96To

I think this is such a haunting song but one thing I have noticed. Each time Leonard sings ' but there were chains so I hastened to behave' I just do not get the 'behave'. Usually you can hear each word so clearly. Could he be saying 'hastened to ... a destination sounding almost like behave?

Just a thought.

Cheshire gal wrote:I think this is such a haunting song but one thing I have noticed. Each time Leonard sings ' but there were chains so I hastened to behave' I just do not get the 'behave'. Usually you can hear each word so clearly. Could he be saying 'hastened to ... a destination sounding almost like behave?

Just a thought.

I hear him say behave very clearly.

Thanks jerry. It must be these 'old ears'.

Show Me The Place.The sequel to Hallelujah.

Vicomte wrote:I don't know about anyone else but I can see a strong Tom Waits influence in the song.

Certainly, I thought that straight away, if not an influence at least a strong resemblance!

somewhat_nifty wrote:the 'roll away the stone' refrain...I think this refers to the resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8), where Mary Magdalene and Mary ask 'who will roll away the stone', and then it is moved by god.. I also assume there are more specifically Jewish references.

How about a reference from the TORAH
portion Vayetza (Jacob dreams of a ladder that stretches up from earth to heaven and angels of God ascending and descending the ladder.)

Genesis 29:10

10. And when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, and the flock of his uncle Laban, Jacob went up and rolled the stone off the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of his uncle Laban.
11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and broke into tears.

---Arlene