Most people
these days, if they know Robert W Service's name at all, know him as
the author of either "The Cremation of Sam McGee" or "The Shooting of
Dan McGrew" (or both); both ironic and very funny pseudo-epic pieces
from his time in the Yukon.
But there is another side to Service's work; he was a war correspondent
and ambulance driver in World War One, and he wrote some truly
harrowing poetry inspired by the experience.
And from those poems, Country Joe McDonald has chosen eight (and a
ninth -- "The March of the Dead" -- from the Boer War), setting them to
a perfectly-realised sparse acoustic accompaniment featuring just
12-string guitar, harmonica and a touch of organ, which sets off Joe's
slightly nasal, somewhat reedy voice excellently.
The standout piece is "The Ballad of Jean Desprez", a nine-and-a-half
minute account of reprisals and counter-reprisals in a small French
village; Jean Desprez is a nine year old peasant boy who finds himself
in the middle of events beyond his control or even comprehension, and
proves in at least one way equal to the moment. It builds to an
inevitable, tragic-heroic conclusion.
Other songs:
"The Munition Maker" -- a man who has become "rajah-rich" through arms
sales... but who knows "...there are no pockets in a shroud..."
"War Widow" -- bitterly ironic little ditty that explains how war is a
Good Thing because it keeps the population down (resonates with Joe's
own "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag" -- "War's good business, invest
your son!")
"The Man from Aphabaska" is a trapper from backwoods Canada who's an
"exhibition sniper" in the trenches, holding his fellow poilus
spellbound with stories of the wilderness.
"The Twins" summarises the lives of twin brothers, one of whom is a
Good Soldier, one of whom is a shirker and profiteer. Guess which lies
in the Potter's Field?
Brilliant, spare and moving.
More than worthy of your attention.
{Originally posted 6 December 2003}
"More than worthy of your
attention?" Yes -- especially in 2005.
This album came out originally during the latter part of the Viet Nam
war -- Joe McDonald was a Navy vet who did two Viet Nam tours before
coming home to write songs such as the "Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die
Rag" and to work against that war. I served a year at the Naval
Communication Station at Cam Ranh Bay, Viet Nam. After i was
discharged, i took part in some demonstrations and protests against the
war, myself.
My step-son-in-law is currently in Baghdad, serving in a unit that has,
proportionally, taken higher casualties than almost any other.
I think it's time to dust off some of the old songs and symbols and
signs and make ourselves heard again.
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