"Lung of Love" by Amy Ray (2012)

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, who first met as students in elementary school in Georgia, have been together for a long time now as the Indigo Girls. They began performing together in high school, and continued in college, releasing their first album in 1987. That album, and all the ones which came after it, are insightful, witty and strong. And, so it is with Amy Ray’s first solo effort, “Lung of Love.”

From the opening polish of “When You’re Gone, You’re Gone”, followed by the slightly poppish “Glow”, the album goes through a number of musical changes and styles, yet all deniably Ms. Ray.  The Christian- Rockabilly number “The Rock is My Foundation” is a real winner, as it begins in an old revival manner, ending up solidly in the 21^st century, both technically, as well as lyrically.

There is aggression, contentment and everything in between on this album. Lyrically, Ms. Ray is as strong as ever. And musically, she has grown in a way which enables her to stretch her wings a bit, trying on a new hat here and there. It’s hard for an audience to accept change, but this album is worth the time. When Amy Ray hits Charlotte again, I’ll be there!

Indigo Girls - Closer to Fine

Sue and I just missed the Indigo Girls a few weeks back. I hate it when that happens! From the very first album these ladies have penned some of the best folk rock lyrics since Dylan. "Closer to Fine" is a perfect example. It is, at once, an accusation as well as a celebration. The former attacks all the established rules,while the latter highlights our abilities to overcome the obstacles which we often place in our own paths. Here's the lyrics, followed by a performance on "The David Letterman Show" in 1989.

Closer to Fine
(words and music Emily Saliers)

I'm trying to tell you something about my life
maybe give me insight between black and white
and the best thing you've ever done for me
is to help me take my life less seriously
it's only life after all
yeah

well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
and lightness has a call that's hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
I'm crawling on your shores

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
there's more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in a crooked line
and the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine

and I went to see the doctor of philosophy
with a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee
he never did marry or see a b-grade movie
he graded my performance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
got my paper and I was free

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
there's more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in a crooked line
the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine

I stopped by the bar at 3 a.m.
to seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend
and I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before
and I went in seeking clarity.

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
yeah we go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
we look to the children, we drink from the fountains
yeah we go to the bible, we go through the workout
we read up on revival and we stand up for the lookout
there's more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in a crooked line
the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine
I'm trying to tell you something about my life
maybe give me insight between black and white
and the best thing you've ever done for me
is to help me take my life less seriously
it's only life after all
yeah

well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
and lightness has a call that's hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
I'm crawling on your shores

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
there's more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in a crooked line
and the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine

and I went to see the doctor of philosophy
with a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee
he never did marry or see a b-grade movie
he graded my performance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
got my paper and I was free

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
there's more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in a crooked line
the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine

I stopped by the bar at 3 a.m.
to seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend
and I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before
and I went in seeking clarity.

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
yeah we go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
we look to the children, we drink from the fountains
yeah we go to the bible, we go through the workout
we read up on revival and we stand up for the lookout
there's more than one answer to these questions
pointing me in a crooked line
the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine
the closer I am to fine


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