I see it as a place where our sins are obsolved and forgiven. A place where fairness, in her lovely beauty persisits. I believe in hope, and a place called The Promised Land. I believe in love's infinite escape. It all comes to you at the end of the day.
I see it as a call to arms - something along the line "artists united against bigotry, close-mindedness , prejudism, trumpism, racism etc". I don't read any religious, magical or spiritual thinking in to the song.
Interesting take. I take it to be more nostalgic, Bruce said in the 80's that Bruce's generation / musicians of the Sixties were the ones who would save the world - with music. And in 1000 Guitars Bruce still has these idealism, although much more realistic and with the added insight of a more or less fully lived life. Meaning a realisation that the world can't be saved with music, but that you still need to believe that. Don't think your enthusiasm is bizarre either, the song is both encouraging and wistful.
My first thought about 1000 Guitars was that this is how Bruce visualizes heaven. And from this first impulse on, I enjoyed the song calmly, appreciated it for what I imagined it meant to him. The beautifully sung chant at the end has elevated this song into one of his most gracious preaches. Later on, I even read somewhere that Bruce said it was his favorite song from the album. It makes sense considering his Catholic upbringing. Beliefs that might have gone undercover over the years often resurface when people get older.
And then came the latest download, with the beautiful Mary's Place, and bang, the two songs collided. Due to the situation with the disease and living in lockdown, Mary's Place has hit me hard. I moved directly to 1000 Guitars after MP, and suddenly I had a light bulb moment. I realized that this song was Mary's Place part II, the after-party in heaven.
1000 Guitars boosts my hope and optimism, and for some bizarre reason, I feel so encouraged when I hear him sing: 'Well, it's alright yeah, it's alright meet me darlin' come Saturday night.' I feel like I've still got a couple of parties to attend. C'mon Slim slip me in man...
My suggested listen for tonight: All That Heaven Will Allow, Mary's Place, House Of A Thousand Guitars.
I'm convinced that Rainmaker could be excellently done in the style of Reason To Believe on the D&D tour, maybe with some additional distorted dobro by Nils. Bring on the bullet mic!
Wrote this elsewhere but Zoom, I get a total Mary's Place vibe with Thousand Guitars, don't even know why, just the line about the "music never ending" and I think of havin' a party at Mary's Place. I love this song so damn much and not too sure myself all the reasons either, not a complicated song.
To me, 1000 Guitars is kind of a sequel to Where The Bands Are (thematically), seen from the other end of a musician's career, with None But The Brave fitting between them.
I'm not really sure what makes me like the song so much; it might be the way Bruce sounds singing the song - not the way he sings it, but the way he sounds singing (don't know if that makes any sense). It has some of the same type of feeling of belief that Thunder Road has, that Bruce truly believes what he's singing, there's no distance at all.
I feel better after seeing the Accountant's and Mario's latest rankings regarding my coolness to Janey Needs A Shooter. By some margin, for me the least of the old songs. It's ok, but nothing really exciting. I like Priest a lot and Orphans quite a bit. Actually, Orphans more and more where if you substitute "America" for wherever Bruce uses "axis" it becomes a whole different thing.
Mind you, my judgement is probably suspect at best because I like House Of A Thousand Guitars. A lot. In a return tribute, it's like a day after hangover to any number of Jim Steinman songs.
Rolling Stone says Letter to You is the 12th best album of 2020. I actually find that relatively low ranking a refreshing change of pace for RS.
I see it as a place where our sins are obsolved and forgiven. A place where fairness, in her lovely beauty persisits. I believe in hope, and a place called The Promised Land. I believe in love's infinite escape. It all comes to you at the end of the day.
Interesting take. I take it to be more nostalgic, Bruce said in the 80's that Bruce's generation / musicians of the Sixties were the ones who would save the world - with music. And in 1000 Guitars Bruce still has these idealism, although much more realistic and with the added insight of a more or less fully lived life. Meaning a realisation that the world can't be saved with music, but that you still need to believe that. Don't think your enthusiasm is bizarre either, the song is both encouraging and wistful.
My first thought about 1000 Guitars was that this is how Bruce visualizes heaven. And from this first impulse on, I enjoyed the song calmly, appreciated it for what I imagined it meant to him. The beautifully sung chant at the end has elevated this song into one of his most gracious preaches. Later on, I even read somewhere that Bruce said it was his favorite song from the album. It makes sense considering his Catholic upbringing. Beliefs that might have gone undercover over the years often resurface when people get older.
And then came the latest download, with the beautiful Mary's Place, and bang, the two songs collided. Due to the situation with the disease and living in lockdown, Mary's Place has hit me hard. I moved directly to 1000 Guitars after MP, and suddenly I had a light bulb moment. I realized that this song was Mary's Place part II, the after-party in heaven.
1000 Guitars boosts my hope and optimism, and for some bizarre reason, I feel so encouraged when I hear him sing: 'Well, it's alright yeah, it's alright meet me darlin' come Saturday night.' I feel like I've still got a couple of parties to attend. C'mon Slim slip me in man...
My suggested listen for tonight: All That Heaven Will Allow, Mary's Place, House Of A Thousand Guitars.
I hear Mellencamp circa Check It Out era on Rainmaker. Not a bad thing whatsofreakinevah.
I'm convinced that Rainmaker could be excellently done in the style of Reason To Believe on the D&D tour, maybe with some additional distorted dobro by Nils. Bring on the bullet mic!
Interesting, but yeah...I can see the connection. And it's not complicated, the chorus is almost parodically simple, but it's more than all right.
Wrote this elsewhere but Zoom, I get a total Mary's Place vibe with Thousand Guitars, don't even know why, just the line about the "music never ending" and I think of havin' a party at Mary's Place. I love this song so damn much and not too sure myself all the reasons either, not a complicated song.
To me, 1000 Guitars is kind of a sequel to Where The Bands Are (thematically), seen from the other end of a musician's career, with None But The Brave fitting between them.
I'm not really sure what makes me like the song so much; it might be the way Bruce sounds singing the song - not the way he sings it, but the way he sounds singing (don't know if that makes any sense). It has some of the same type of feeling of belief that Thunder Road has, that Bruce truly believes what he's singing, there's no distance at all.
For me it ends up being a wrap around album ...1-4 and 9-12 .....and if i want to stretch just a little i kind of like The Power of Prayer .....
My top 3 are 1000 Guitars, I'll See You In My Dreams and Power of Prayer. Bottom 3 would be Last Man Standing, Janey and Rainmaker.
I'm now able to listen to Janey and Rainmaker without feeling the need to skip them.
I feel better after seeing the Accountant's and Mario's latest rankings regarding my coolness to Janey Needs A Shooter. By some margin, for me the least of the old songs. It's ok, but nothing really exciting. I like Priest a lot and Orphans quite a bit. Actually, Orphans more and more where if you substitute "America" for wherever Bruce uses "axis" it becomes a whole different thing.
Mind you, my judgement is probably suspect at best because I like House Of A Thousand Guitars. A lot. In a return tribute, it's like a day after hangover to any number of Jim Steinman songs.