The Real Country No. 12 (and Related Take-Away Show)
Earlier this year Josh T. Pearson (of Saddlecreek’s one-album band, Lift to Experience) put out one of the most personal and affecting albums of this or any year, “Last of the Country Gentlemen.” Amongst a harem of harrowing songs on the album can be found the walloping Woman, When I’ve Raised Hell. In this song the protagonist demands acceptance of his alcoholism because refusal will result in his seriously bad company, and ultimately recommends saving departure. Lyrically astounding, this is Real Country. Check the album version below, the well-crafted lyrics and a live video of the song thereafter.
Josh T. Pearson–Woman, When I’ve Raised Hell
[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/01-Woman-When-Ive-Raised-Hell.mp3|titles=01 Woman, When I’ve Raised Hell]
Woman When I’ve Raised Hell:
Woman when I’ve raised hell, you’re gonna know it
There won’t be a shadow of doubt in your bright little mind
No pictures left hangin’ only lonely unpainted nails
Ah Honey you’ll connect those dots read the writin’ on the walls
Woman when I’ve raised hell, heaven knows you’re gonna know it
Don’t make me rule this home with the back of my hand
Just let me sit alone in this chair, my own make believe little throne
Ah Honey and collect the thoughts that’ll help me to stand
Honestly, why can’t you just let it be
And let me quietly drink myself to sleep
I said honestly, it’s not what it appears to be
But only memories that ain’t got shit to do with you
Woman when I’ve raised hell, you’re gonna know it
There won’t be a shadow of doubt in your bright little mind
No pictures left hangin’ only lonely unpainted nails
Ah Honey you’ll connect those dots read the writtin’ on the wall
Woman when I’ve raised hell, there won’t be a star left untouched in your sky
When my lightening crashes across that night
No shadows of doubt or of turnin’ in that questioning’ little mind
Just a burnin’ rekindled truth and one single agonizin’ blinding white light
Cuz honestly, Honey you are the Queen
But you had better leave or I will be forced to be King
So now quietly, without questions or screams
Just gently leave it well enough alone
Woman when I’ve raised hell, you of all people are gonna know it
There’ll be nothin’ not nailed down left unturned in this home
Then your old friend silence will creep back into this pettiest of all places
He’ll ask you again, “Which is better or for worse, livin’ with me or livin’ with all my ghosts?”
Honestly, why can’t you just let it be
And let me quietly drink myself to sleep
Honestly, it’s not what it appears to be
But only memories that ain’t got shit to do with you
Woman when I’ve raised hell, heaven knows you’re gonna know it
There won’t be a shadow of doubt in your bright little mind
No pictures left hangin’ only lonely unpainted nails
Ah Honey you’ll connect those dots read the writin’ on the walls
For some further proof of the worth of Pearson, check out The Take-Away Video below wherein Josh performs Sweetheart I’m Not Your Christ and Thou Art Loose. Though over 20-minutes long, we couldn’t take our eyes off the video. Check out in particular the juxtaposition of lyric and the Christ-like visual effect (on the Sweetheart I’m Not Your Christ portion of the video) starting at 5:48 and ending at 6:15 in emblematic glow. And there is circumstantial magic (thanks to Take-Away Video’s site-selection) that ensues between the 6:15 mark and the renewed, naturally-reverberating singing that starts at 16:58. We reckon Pearson is a beating force to be reckoned with. You can read more about this Take-Away Show and Pearson HERE.
Josh T. Pearson | Sweetheart I Ain’t Your Christ | Thou Art Loose | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
Are there guns and girls on Evensong, Whitey?
I’m anxiously awaiting The Lefort Report’s review/critique of Evensong Project.
[…] all-time, “The Gift.” Aquarium Drunkard is pointing to a new read of O Holy Night by Josh T. Pearson, who earlier this year gave us real (and heavy) country music in the form of his great album, […]