Pensieri di un lunatico minore

Lubbock or leave it

What do you get if you combine three of the most talented musicians that the Lone Star State has ever produced? A band whose first album took nearly 20 years to get released.

In Texas music circles, The Flatlanders are more heard of than heard—at least until recently. Composed of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely, The Flatlanders, at least to me, represent the pinnacle of the Texas “country music” world, or what Joe Ely once called “country’s inlaws” when asked if they were part of the whole outlaw country movement that is best typified by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.

While their first recording session, in the famous Sun Studio, was a gem, it was not an appreciated gem in 1972. It got little to no radio play, and was only released on 8-track. Later, in 1991, Rounder Records, home to a diverse cast of talented musicians, released the sessions and people’s interest again grew. Since then, they’ve recorded some new music together, although due to the intervening years, I don’t think it’s ever been quite as cohesive as that first album. As their re-release was masterfully titled “More a Legend than a Band”.

From a later album, Now Again that I’ve had in my car this past week comes these tightly composed lyrics to “Waving My Heart Goodbye”:

Standing in the station I got no destination
I’m waving my heart goodbye
I’m walkin in the crowd and I’m talkin out loud
I’m telling myself dont cry
And Lord I’d rather not
forget what I forgot
but I guess I’m gonna have to try

Standing in the station I got no reservation
I’m waving my heart goodbye
I know it’s not to blame but it’s leavin’ just the same
and nobody ever asked it why
Standing in the rain
wonderin’ if the train
will stop before the tears will dry

Standing in the station its a sad situation
I’m waving my heart goodbye
It’s movin’ down the track and it ain’t lookin’ back
and I’m feeling like I could die
A train is made to roam
like a heart without a home
and I’m thinkin’ maybe so was I

I wonder will tomorrow come to hide the sorrow.
Will the sun forsake the sky?
And Lord I’d rather not forget what I forgot
but I guess Im gonna have to try
Standing in the station I got no destination
I’m waving my heart goodbye
Standing in the station
I’m waving my heart goodbye