Life as I know it…
Today I got up and did things I haven’t in weeks. I bought groceries. Worked in the garden. Cooked dinner. Organized my glass studio.
It’s life as I know it, usually. The tour is over. Yesterday TMDR and I drove back from Aspen to Denver. I felt lightheaded after my massage at the Aspen Club, so I sat in the passenger seat for the first shift, my shoulders, back and neck glittering (the best explanation I have for the feeling) as we drove back down through the snow-dusted mountains. As we approached Denver the world flattened out into the plains, and I groaned, remembering the days spent on flat roads through flat lands as we had crossed Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska. Before I knew it we had left our trusty Dodge Magnum at the rental place, having put over 4,000 miles on the odometer, and I was saying my goodbyes as I went north back to Oregon, and TMDR went due west back to California.
In the car, TMDR had a conversation on his phone as we neared the end of the tour, saying how his crew was starting to all wonder about the experience, all the time and miles and sweat…what did it all mean?
Like everyone, I had my favorite songs in the shows. “Windpower” is one I really enjoyed hearing (most of the time I was not able to watch the show, the merch table being located down a hall, behind a wall, in a lobby, or, in the affectionate case of the Key Club, in “the pit.” But I could always hear the shows, and when I finally saw the accompanying video for “Windpower” I was hooked. I have been a huge fan of the aesthetics of windfarms and turbines for years, seeing Brian’s video and Johnny’s masterful creations with it, combining with the music put a smile on my face as I sat alone with the t-shirts and posters while everyone else was watching the show.
But my absolute favorite is the beginning of “Flying North.” The swooping chords over the opening lines, growing richer. I tried to convey to Thomas how much these few moments of music touched me every time, in my fumbling, non-technical way somewhere near Ohio, I think. These chords were buried in the studio version of the song, but I never heard them until he played “Flying North” live. On the last evening in Aspen, as those opening notes went by, my image of Thomas wavered as my eyes filled with tears, knowing it was the last time.
“You get to go to all the shows? Travel? You are SO lucky! It must be SO much fun.”
My answer to that one has been a big smile, and silence. Because it HAS been so much fun, but it has also been SO much work, for all of us who supported him on the road, and TMDR himself. There are times I was so tired, so very tired, and my computer was gone with a dead hard drive and I had forgotten some piece of information, or the hotel reservations were missing, or no one brought towels or water to the dressing room, or the GPS wouldn’t let us find a freaking restaurant and it was late at night…
Even with all that, as I sit at my own dining room table and I know what day it is, (Friday!) and the actual date (the 26th!) at the same time, something I haven’t been able to do for weeks now, I don’t ask myself what it all means. I know.
When I remember the few times I felt stressed, or just exhausted and wished I’d just stayed home in my own bed with my cats, and the infinite number of amazing, happy, elated memories that made me not want to trade my job for anything else in the world, I also remember those opening chords that I love and I know what it all meant…to support him…help him fly north.
It’s been a wonderful experience to talk to everyone I have met on the road. Thomas has some of the most intense, and delightful fans I have ever met. So many interesting stories to share, and ways to express how much his music has touched them. It has been a honor to serve you directly and indirectly, and I thank all of you for your kindness and willingness to share your stories with me. And the rest of the crew, they leave me speechless with their talent, drive, and never-wavering willingness to help me, as I hope I helped them.
And now I am off to sit with my cats, create some jewelry designs, and listen to the Oregon rain. I’ll see you all on the online forum! =)
Lunesse
Thank you for all of your hard work and helping make this possible!!
Thomas was brilliant, the tour was unforgettable and you were superb! We owe the whole flat earth to you. Take care.
Heh. That “you” had better be plural! =)
I agree with you regarding “Flying North” – it’s one of my absolute favourites – it has such a soaring feeling to it. I’m always surprised it gets so little attention in peoples favourites lists. I must admit though, there’s a line that goes “Lincolns steaming in the chilly air of the morning” and for years (because I had no accompanying album sleeve with lyrics printed) I thought it was “Niggers teaming in the chilly air…” I DID think that TD was unlikely to be so un-PC, but I also thought “hey if I recorded a song and listened back to it, how could you miss something like that?” – I wonder if the man himself has never noticed it ????
Absolutely, Lunesse….absolutely.
Thanks again, Lunesse! Can we presume you’ll also be tagging along on the Fall tour?
Hey Saucy I thought I heard the same thing when I first heard FN! I knew it couldn’t possibly be that but I admit that one shocked the hell out of me back in ’82! I remember thinking “What the …???”
). I don’t remember if the first release of GAOW had lyrics in the innner sleeve, I know the ’83 reissue didn’t. But I quickly found out it was Lincoln which I believe was a tri-motor prop plane or something. I remember a friend who I played it to did a double take too when he first heard it.
But Lunesse great job on the tour and I hope you’re able to make for the next tour , whenever that is! Enjoy your well deserved down time!
!
I had actually convinced myself it was “knickers”
Don’t even ask what I thought “I’m staring down into the cold” was!
What with the “plug/cloth” and “poles are taverns” mishearings cited elsewhere on the forums I wonder if Flying North isn’t perhaps his most misunderstood song
Lunesse: thank YOU for everything, and also a big “thank you” to the rest of the crew for all of their hard work. It was great getting to know each of you, and I hope we see you all on the fall tour.
Get some rest!
Lady L: Adding my thanks to the chorus above. It’s been lonely out herre for us TMDR fans. Too many people voting on American Idol instead of American Politics. And godforbid we continue this fascination with body parts of the various Jackson siblings. Yikes. So to see Thomas again and reflect and remember and enjoy……… can’t wait till the fall!!! New stuff? Maybe ya’ll could do a limited release on 8 track just for old times sake?!?!?!
peace out, and have a good Pinot for me…….
Yes Lunesse Thank you so much for all that you do. both on the site and at the shows!!!
Lunesse, the world is not flat thanks to your efforts. (Whatever I just said.)
;-p
And I also feel exactly the same way about the opening chords and how they’re played on Flying North live.
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