I was driving through Rochester in 1995 the first time I
heard “On Your Own,” from A Northern Soul and I nearly shit my pants. WBER –
The Only Station That Matters was playing it and the second I got home I went
out and bought the album.
One of the most touching songs ever written about
the finality of life. “Life seems so obscene until it’s over… who knows?” I
love how Ashcroft punches that line with “who knows?”
“On Your Own” is very special song to me, and I've always
had a positive spin on it. No matter what we lose in our lives doesn't matter.
It will be gone when we go anyway. So, there’s always time to fill the hole.
There’s always time to feel wanted and to love someone, something or someplace…
before you check out alone. I could be 100% wrong, but that’s what I want to hear
when I listen to “On Your Own.”
A Northern Soul was never a full album for me. Back in the
day, I would listen to “A New Decade,” “This Is Music,” “On Your Own,” “So It
Goes,” and “History.” I always felt like the rest of it didn't go anywhere, I
still kind of agreed with that on this listen. I always loved how "So It Goes" was a companion to "On Your Own."
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I had the immense pleasure of meeting Richard Ashcroft two
years ago when he came by my radio station for an interview and a performance.
I got to engineer the performance! Setting up a mic and soundchecking with
Richard Ashcroft was probably one of the most memorable moments in my radio
career. It’s the little things, right?
During the interview he told a couple stories about two
songs on Urban Hymns that I had never heard.
This story was off the air, for just a handful of people in
the room. When the band was writing and recording demos for Urban Hymns, a
producer or an A&R guy, Ashcroft wouldn't name him, told the band flat out
that they should NOT record “Lucky Man.” When they asked why, he replied with, “Because
it sounds like an old fuckin' English folk song!” Ashcroft’s response was “Well, who doesn't want to write and old English folk song? We’re doing it!” Can you
imagine if they didn't record it? It’s the best song on the album! It’s one of
the best songs he ever wrote! That kind of stuff makes you wonder how many
other truly great songs were never recorded because of dipshits that work in
the music industry.
After he played a couple of songs from United Nations Of Sound, he was about to pull his guitar off when I asked, "Would you mind playing 'Lucky Man?'" "You know I wrote that song," he replied. "Yes," I said. "And I've listened to it a million times." Sitting four feet in front of him as he sang it was chilling! Please take a listen!
This story he told on the air and it’s so simple and obvious
I was shaking my head wondering why I didn't know this. I had always thought
that “The Drugs Don’t Work” was a junkie love story. A couple of dope addicts,
the chick dies, the guy can’t get high enough anymore, he’s hoping to die soon.
I could not have been more wrong.
“The Drugs Don’t Work,” is about a loved one who is dying of
cancer and the chemo and the meds just aren't doing anything. If you listen to
it in that light, it’s truly one of the saddest songs you’ll ever hear.
When I
hear it now, I see the face of my Uncle Patrick M. Breslin the last day he was alive.
Cancer in his throat had ravaged his body and there was basically nothing left
of him. He was moving his head and looking at me, a slight look of anguish on
his face, he wanted to say something, I know he did, but words were failing to
come from his mouth. I whispered that I will see him again in his ear and that was it. He passed the next morning April 14, 2003.
I don’t just get
choked up when I hear this song. It fills me with uncontrollable emotion. There isn't another song in the world that can do that.
Yeah yeah, I get a little teary eyed during the "Star Spangled
Banner," but that’s different.
This album was officially released under the moniker RPA & The United Nations of Sound, but according to the label that put it out here in the States, Americans are Bozos and wouldn't understand that name. I guess they're kind of right.
Two years ago I was all over this album. I loved it and then it just kind of slipped off my radar. It’s almost as if it’s disposable Ashcroft! What? Blasphemy,
I know. I'm sorry.
First four tracks hold up, “Are You Ready?” “Born Again,” “America,”
and “This Thing Called Life,” but then Ashcroft really tests the patience of
his loyal followers with “Beatitudes.” Really? “Beatitudes” sounds like the name
of an LMFAO b-side. “Good Lovin’ is corny. “How Deep Is Your Man?” is generic
blues. And the rest!
I love the guy and he’s put out some questionable stuff here and there, but he’ll be back with more brilliance. In fact, he’s in the studio
right now working on another solo album! I hope we get to hear this year!
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Check out the rest of my March Playlist!
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