"Valley of Tears" - Solomon Burke with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

This is one of the most beautiful performances of this song you will ever hear. Gospel music is a balm for the pain in life. It gives hope when all seems to be lost. The sorrow turns to hope and joy when set to music. In the world of gospel music, there is Aaron Neville, and then everyone else. The only one, in my opinion, who even comes close, is Solomon Burke. You Tube him sometime and treat yourself to an incredible wealth of music from his 6 decades of recording.

In this beautiful spiritual;  written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings; Solomon Burke teams with the writers to deliver a beautiful performance of a haunting song, while all the while holding out hope that he will overcome his troubles. There is another gospel song by the same name as this one, written by Antoine "Fats" Domino and Dave Bartholomew. It was also recorded by Buddy Holly as well as Solomon Burke. But this is the one that really hits "home" for me.

Lamenting that people “stand in line- just to hear me cry” underscores the sorrow which the singer feels deeply, yet the audiences hunger to see his suffering lifts him up spiritually. He will not go to the valley. Instead, he sings his way through the pain, all the while praying for the deliverance of those who would rather see him suffer, if only to assuage their own pain.

The intersection of Solomon Burke with Gillian Welch gives further credence to our ability to overcome our superficial differences when we concentrate on our mutual emotions and needs. And music is such a great place to begin that journey.

Note: real life partners Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have been quietly influencing American independent music for several decades now. Her singing and writing, along with his deep love of playing guitar, combine together in such a way so as to communicate their love for one another to the audience without ever saying a word to one another. They are among my favorite musical artists. 

Valley of Tears” by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

I've been riding high, but i don't know why

everybody wants to send me down to the valley of tears.

It's a sunny day and i'm on my way

but everybody wants to send me down to the valley of tears.

People stand in line just to hear me cry.

I wanna know the other side

but everyone i choose only brings bad news.

Everybody wants to send me down to the valley of tears.

People stand in line just to hear me cry.

I wanna know what's on the other side.

I've been riding high, but i don't know why

cause everybody wants to send me down to the valley of tears.

It's a sunny bright day and i'm on my way

but everybody wants to send me down to the valley of tears.

"Everything Is Free" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (2004)

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are coming to Charlotte in a few weeks. They will be playing at the Neighborhood Theater in NoDa, just north of Uptown, on April 25th. It's a very pleasing venue with about 600 seats in all. And that's the best way to see these two extraordinary artists; in as small a venue as possible.

The beauty of watching them perform their magic lies in the fact that they are partners in life as well as music. Mr. Rawlings obvious command of his instrument melds seamlessly with Ms. Welch's singing and her playing.

Songs like this are easily learned. Capo on the 5th fret; Am C G D with a few minor variations and you've got it. But songs like this are also a lifetime in the making. Though I have been fans of these two remarkable artists for several years now this is the first chance I will have had to see them. You can bet that if I had the extra cash I would be going to this show. For now though, I'll just play along....

"Winters Come and Gone" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

The music of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings always makes me feel warm. And this song is perfect for the dead of winter. With storm after storm dumping on half of the country, even people unaffected by the storms can get a bit antsy from waiting for spring.

In this beautiful ballad Ms. Welch, along with some help from longtime partner David Rawlings, takes on the woes of winter. With her beautifully nuanced voice, along with David Rawlings poignant guitar work, she coaxes on the arrival of spring while melting away the frigid weather. It’s an art.

Oh little red bird

Come to my window sill

Been so lonesome

Shaking that morning chill

Oh little red bird

Open your mouth and sing

Been so lonesome

Just about flown away

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

Oh little blue bird

Pearly feather breast

Five cold nickels all I got left

Oh little blue bird

What am I gonna do

Five cold nickels

Ain't gonna see me through

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

Oh little black bird

On my wire line

Dark as trouble

In this heart of mine

Poor little black bird

Sings a worried song

Dark as trouble 

'Til winter's come and gone 

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

Note: There was no live video of this song by the artists, just cover versions by other performers.

"Pocahontas" - Performed by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch

Of all the versions of this Neil Young song which have been recorded I enjoy this one the most. It probably has more to do with the interaction of long time partners Gillian Welch and David Rawlings than anything else. The song itself is beautiful; full of imagery recounting the last days of the Indian Wars. I never have figured out the Marlon Brando verse and its relationship to the rest of the song, but somehow it all works out.

David Welch is one of the most underrated of guitarists. When you watch him you’ll notice that he uses his hip to steady his 1935 National guitar while he performs, particularly when playing lead. His whole body is inside of each note. And, that fret board is like a second home; while his ears picks up on any key changes, his fingers following instinctively.

For her part, Gillian Welch is one of the most gifted vocalists of her genre. Her haunting voice can bring new scope and meaning to anything she sings. Together the two are among my favorite musical performers.  I think it has to do with the intimacy between the two, which spills out unintentionally and becomes part of the performance.

Music is a force, just as love is. And when you love the music you perform; and the person you are performing with; you can take that music to new heights. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings prove that point time and time again.

"I Want to Sing that Rock and Roll" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

I’m thinking of making Sunday a day for gospel music; and while I’m thinking about it; I can think of no better representatives of the modern gospel scene than Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, whom I featured here last week singing “I’ll Fly Away”.

Gospel music is often mistaken as simply being songs about Christianity; but, as a Jewish kid from Brooklyn; I can tell you honestly that there is so much more to gospel music once you scratch the surface. Gospel music transcends not only the troubles of this world; promising something better beyond the present; it also bridges the differences between us all with its themes of sorrow, redemption and joy. It’s like listening to Hank Williams “singing” his pain. It lifts you up just hearing him get the pain out. Like the blues.

In this song the emphasis is on wanting what you don’t have, and feeling left out. It speaks of peer pressure, and reluctant change; “everybody’s been making a shout, so big and loud, drowning me out….” The singers want to lay down their old guitars and pick up new electrified instruments. They are weary of trying to be heard above the din. I think we have all felt this way at one time or another when confronted with change. Because sometimes change doesn't feel like progress at all.