Guest Book

JoJoDancer, I don’t think you’re full of CARP ;), but I think the answer to your question is ‘no.’ Here’s why (I apologize in advance, but I love analyzing lyrics): The High Cost of Low Living, to me, is about two things: fast living and betrayal. Those are the major themes in Gregg’s body of work, and the song may be the best synthesis of the two ideas. You’re right about the first-person/second-person issue. Gregg’s ‘fast living’ songs are generally in the first person. The best examples include All Night Train, What’s Done is Done, Sailin’ ‘Cross the Devil’s Sea, End of the Line, and Rockin’ Horse. The last few, like High Cost, are all written by multiple people, so I can’t say who’s responsible for what line (the lyrics to End of the Line are primarily Woody’s), but we know Gregg was involved in writing them all, and he sings all but one. Midnight Rider is similar, but it’s less a lament and more a statement of purpose -- “this is who I am.” These songs are all in the first person (I, me, etc.). Gregg (or his character) is always aware that he's making a mistake, but it's usually too late to do anything about it- "What's Done is Done." This theme also comes up in some of the blues covers Gregg sings -- Trouble No More, with the line “I know what I know- lord, you’re livin too fast,” even though it's about the woman instead of Gregg, comes to mind. The ‘betrayal’ songs, like they are in classic blues, are almost always second person [“you”]: see Black Hearted Woman, Don't Keep Me Wonderin', Come and Go Blues, Things You Used to Do, etc. (Whipping Post (first person) is a notable exception, and Stand Back, aside from its title line, is actually third-person.) Of course, the 'betrayal' songs are all about women, except for one: Wasted Words, which has Gregg (in the first person) telling off a fair-weather friend(s). I used to think the person who is being sung ‘to’ in High Cost was a woman, and I just realized that’s why I made the assumption: when Gregg sings to someone, it's always a woman. But despite the second-person delivery, Gregg isn’t the one being betrayed in this song, since he’s singing about someone else (telling someone else's story). The song in Gregg’s catalog most similar to High Cost is probably Get On With Your Life. In that one, Gregg seems to very earnestly be urging the woman to get over her problems (which are of both the emotional and substance variety) for both their sakes. There's a little first person in that song, though. (The polar opposite would be Wasted Words, which is very bitter and sarcastic -- and, funny enough, I used to think Gregg wrote that song about Dickey. ) The protagonist in High Cost isn’t betrayed by a lover, though- he’s (assuming for a minute it's a guy) betrayed by users and phony friends [“fair weather has-beens...just along for the ride”]. They’ve taken him in and tricked him with flattery: “Still you just can’t tell/The real ones from those who drop your name/And all the while, behind your back/They rip the flesh right from your bones/You should know by now- we’re all fair game.” Wasted Words definitely shares that theme. There’s definitely drinking and drug content, which is common to Gregg and Dickey. But as the most well-known face in the ABB, with the famous good looks, the foray into movies, and so on, I think the whole thing has more to do with Gregg’s life -- he has the most experience with individual fame. I’ve always felt the song is very autobiographical. My interpretation is that Gregg is talking to someone who is in the situation he was maybe 10 years ago: living too fast and starting to pay for it, but unaware of what the ultimate price will be. Gregg eventually figured it out, and that’s why he’s sober now. It's a very introspective song, and I think it turned a corner in his writing- Old Before My Time is also very introspective, for example. They're songs by an older, more experienced man looking back at his life -- and since this is the blues, he's most concerned with his mistakes. Of course, this is all my opinion, and that's how it'll stay until Gregg says otherwise (he's welcome, of course, to tell me so ;)). But he's always been more likely to write and sing about his personal life than talk about it, that's why he's a musician. What song can we do next? Peace. --Marley

there you go lamdog... great opportunity for the pranksters from the Nut Hut to go hear Bromberg near Plymouth Meeting...

Just found this, for you lucky East Coaster's. (Sorry, Lana I know it's not the right place to do this, but since we're on the topic....) The David Bromberg Band will perform on the following dates: (Supporting act at all shows will be Guy Davis) Wednesday, May 8, 2002 The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA Tickets are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com Thursday, May 9, 2002 The Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA Tickets are currently on sale at the box office, by phone, by fax, by mail, and on-line! 2nd Night Added! Friday, May 10, 2002 The Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA Tickets are currently on sale at the box office, by phone, by fax, by mail, and on-line! Saturday, May 11, 2002 2nd Night Added at Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY see below for ticket info. Sunday, May 12, 2002 Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY Tickets are currently on sale Twin Cloud Productions David Bromberg & Friends will appear in a benefit for The Magen David Adom Sunday, May 19, 2002 at 6PM The John Harms Center, Englewood, NJ. The bill includes: David Bromberg & Friends, David Grisman, Andy Statman Trio, Lucy Kaplansky, The Yossi Piamenta Band, Neshama Carlebach, and a surprise guest or two. Tickets are available ONLY by calling The Magen David Adom toll free at (866)583-8539. Ticket prices for this fund-raiser range from $36 up to $125. Sponsorship packages are also available, which include the best seats and tix to the post-event reception with the artists.

Testing....testing....

Hey Folks,...Speaking of Alvin Lee, I think the last time I saw him was in the mid 80's in Minneapolis. KQRS 92.something was sponsoring (sp) the show, and tickets were only $1.92. I thought it was great. It might have been Alvin Lee & Co. As for TYA, I thought they were superb musicians. Leo Lyons played Bass like he was playing lead guitar, and Alvin, wow!!!! Just thought i'd chime in again. A busy day here for me. It's been great fun..Peace Folks,...Neil.

Speaking of Alvin Lee, I saw him with Mick Taylor in Champaign, IL in about 1982. Stood right in front of Alvin the whole night, he is a highly underated guitar player. The combination of him with Mick Taylor made for a great show with lots of speed riffs and some great slide playing by Mick. The only downside was that I could not hear a thing for about 1 week after that, but it was worth it!

Bromberg has been semi-retired for a while now. I think he's playing a show in NYC in May. Mothers Day I do believe. Go check it out Dorene.

BroFan,....Thanks for the info., on Ten Years After. I haven't really listened to them for awhile, but I might have to check out that Fillmore East CD. Other1, & NVPeach,...I just received an e-mail on that Peter Green tour myself and was gonna post, but you guys beat me to it..Peace Folks......Neil.

Brofan... YOU of all people should know the fine art of sharks blending in with the tunas. Yup, I'm a tourist all right.... It appalled me so much I could of fell out of one of the hokey saddles.... and Clint sat in one, maybe you want to call him a girley boy, oh that's right, he's getting old. Go for it...

; ) I'm new on the AWESOME web site. I grew up listenin to the Brothers. Thanks Dad!! I've seen them at least once sometimes more EVERY summer for the past 5 years. I was fortunate enough to see the last 2 shows at the Beacon before Dickie was ousted. They are a band the ALWAYS takes the audience to school! I LOVE THEM & CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM THIS YEAR!!!