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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jun 30, 2007 12:18:34 GMT -5
After listening to this album (thanks to a good friend), here are my thoughts...for what they're worth. Was it K&R's intention to create a concept album? What was going on in Karen's life between mid-1974 and early spring of 1975? The album starts out so happily, so optimistically, in the morning, but by the end of the day I sense that Karen is coming to grips with the collapse of yet another relationship. When there is no communication ("Please, Mr. Postman"), our minds begin to wander, and wonder what's gone wrong. Is he being a "Desperado", out on his range alone, and is he really happier playing "Solitaire"? Hope, as expressed in "I Can Dream, Can't I?" fades with the falling sun in "Caught Between Goodbye and I Love You" as she struggles to retain a shred of hope...but the phone never rings. "Love Me For What I Am" is a "this is your last chance, take it or leave it!" message. If you can't stand the heat...you know the rest. By the time we get to "Eventide" we hear this... "Weary to be home again Among the faces Of my friends The day is done Candles burning by the sea Are waiting for me Patiently I wish the same For you" She's tired of the emotional struggle of this day, and has forced herself to fall out of love, and to let this person go out of her life, but she has no ill feelings...just wondering why. A day that started out so full of hope and promise has turned into yet another one of despair, but it's a feeling that she's all too familiar with. On the other hand, I could be all wrong...but the expression on her face on the album cover says it all. From Richard himself: "Ironically, though Karen was now suffering with anorexia nervosa, she was never in better voice." Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing...and is it the "inverse" of "beer goggles"? Something to ponder... Dave, I enjoy reading about your excellent take on the integration of the songs on "Horizon" and the kaleidoscope of uncertain, hurt and scared emotions. (No wonder I often feel overwhelmingly "down" and grumpy after hearing all these songs in one sitting!) One song noticeably missing in your analysis is "Happy," which uses gambling as a metaphor for love, a game of chance. Unlike prior albums where the songs are more eclectic in the types of messages they convey, this album focuses only on the temperamental nature of personal relationships. There is a more cohesive blend of feelings of hope, disillusionment and jadedness, making this a very intimate and mature look at the evolution and dissolution of romantic feelings between people. The harsh realities of personal vices, quirks and blemishes are all presented here for us to ponder, yet the will and hunger to try to find love again survives...
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Dave
Ultra Emissary
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on Jun 30, 2007 21:27:05 GMT -5
After listening to this album (thanks to a good friend), here are my thoughts...for what they're worth. Was it K&R's intention to create a concept album? What was going on in Karen's life between mid-1974 and early spring of 1975? The album starts out so happily, so optimistically, in the morning, but by the end of the day I sense that Karen is coming to grips with the collapse of yet another relationship. When there is no communication ("Please, Mr. Postman"), our minds begin to wander, and wonder what's gone wrong. Is he being a "Desperado", out on his range alone, and is he really happier playing "Solitaire"? Hope, as expressed in "I Can Dream, Can't I?" fades with the falling sun in "Caught Between Goodbye and I Love You" as she struggles to retain a shred of hope...but the phone never rings. "Love Me For What I Am" is a "this is your last chance, take it or leave it!" message. If you can't stand the heat...you know the rest. By the time we get to "Eventide" we hear this... "Weary to be home again Among the faces Of my friends The day is done Candles burning by the sea Are waiting for me Patiently I wish the same For you" She's tired of the emotional struggle of this day, and has forced herself to fall out of love, and to let this person go out of her life, but she has no ill feelings...just wondering why. A day that started out so full of hope and promise has turned into yet another one of despair, but it's a feeling that she's all too familiar with. On the other hand, I could be all wrong...but the expression on her face on the album cover says it all. From Richard himself: "Ironically, though Karen was now suffering with anorexia nervosa, she was never in better voice." Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing...and is it the "inverse" of "beer goggles"? Something to ponder... Dave, I enjoy reading about your excellent take on the integration of the songs on "Horizon" and the kaleidoscope of uncertain, hurt and scared emotions. (No wonder I often feel overwhelmingly "down" and grumpy after hearing all these songs in one sitting!) One song noticeably missing in your analysis is "Happy," which uses gambling as a metaphor for love, a game of chance. Unlike prior albums where the songs are more eclectic in the types of messages they convey, this album focuses only on the temperamental nature of personal relationships. There is a more cohesive blend of feelings of hope, disillusionment and jadedness, making this a very intimate and mature look at the evolution and dissolution of romantic feelings between people. The harsh realities of personal vices, quirks and blemishes are all presented here for us to ponder, yet the will and hunger to try to find love again survives... I somehow forgot to include "Happy", and it was an oversight on my part. That's easy to do early in the morning. If you read the lyrics without listening to *where* the song is placed in the order on the album, you'd think that it was indeed a "happy" song. But when a relationship is on the verge of collapse, we go through many emotional stages, the most powerful one is that of denial. After no communications, she's attempting to convince herself that there really is no problem, that he'll call or write tomorrow (gee, would "Stop, Mr. E-Mail" have done as well...?), but in reality, it's her last grasp at a hope that's fading. Yeah, she's been down this flight of stairs more than once, but ever the gambler, she's willing to hold out hope...but only until we get to "Caught Between Goodbye And I Love You". Now, the shred of hope is fading, and "Love Me For What I Am", and "Eventide" spell the end to a very emotionally trying day, one which most likely had her crying herself to sleep as she'd done so, so many times. Musically, I marvel at the intricacies of "I Can Dream, Can't I?". The first two words that came to mind were "Ella Fitzgerald", and then I mused at how Richard and Jimmy Buffett, born a scant two months apart, could have such vastly different musical influences. This album generated three Top 40 hits, but in my opinion, radio simply wasn't ready for the other songs. If Deliliah played "I Can Dream" on her show, her lines would be flooded with people wanting to know who that was and where did she come from.
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 30, 2007 21:34:59 GMT -5
Dave, I enjoy reading about your excellent take on the integration of the songs on "Horizon" and the kaleidoscope of uncertain, hurt and scared emotions. (No wonder I often feel overwhelmingly "down" and grumpy after hearing all these songs in one sitting!) One song noticeably missing in your analysis is "Happy," which uses gambling as a metaphor for love, a game of chance. Unlike prior albums where the songs are more eclectic in the types of messages they convey, this album focuses only on the temperamental nature of personal relationships. There is a more cohesive blend of feelings of hope, disillusionment and jadedness, making this a very intimate and mature look at the evolution and dissolution of romantic feelings between people. The harsh realities of personal vices, quirks and blemishes are all presented here for us to ponder, yet the will and hunger to try to find love again survives... I somehow forgot to include "Happy", and it was an oversight on my part. That's easy to do early in the morning. If you read the lyrics without listening to *where* the song is placed in the order on the album, you'd think that it was indeed a "happy" song. But when a relationship is on the verge of collapse, we go through many emotional stages, the most powerful one is that of denial. After no communications, she's attempting to convince herself that there really is no problem, that he'll call or write tomorrow (gee, would "Stop, Mr. E-Mail" have done as well...?), but in reality, it's her last grasp at a hope that's fading. Yeah, she's been down this flight of stairs more than once, but ever the gambler, she's willing to hold out hope...but only until we get to "Caught Between Goodbye And I Love You". Now, the shred of hope is fading, and "Love Me For What I Am", and "Eventide" spell the end to a very emotionally trying day, one which most likely had her crying herself to sleep as she'd done so, so many times. Musically, I marvel at the intricacies of "I Can Dream, Can't I?". The first two words that came to mind were "Ella Fitzgerald", and then I mused at how Richard and Jimmy Buffett, born a scant two months apart, could have such vastly different musical influences. This album generated three Top 40 hits, but in my opinion, radio simply wasn't ready for the other songs. If Deliliah played "I Can Dream" on her show, her lines would be flooded with people wanting to know who that was and where did she come from. I think you have hit upon a very plausible album progression. VERY interesting, indeed. Each song in it's successive order appears to take the path you've outlined. Great thoughts, Dave.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 30, 2007 21:59:21 GMT -5
Dreams, I didn't even make the connection of the picture you posted in your thread... This one: The picture shows the meeting of earth and sky - or anyway ocean and sky. I also have a little more to add to the common thread and how the songs weave together to make a concept and/or theme. Just after "Aurora" (which speaks of dawn breaking) comes the song "Only Yesterday" which mentions in it's lyric; " you were the dawn breaking the night, the promise of morning light". Also in the line " free as a song, singin' forever" - I think of a bird flying free singing his/her song to the world. This is more of a conceptual thought... though again this is a connection with earth and sky as birds fly in the big blue sky. The song "Only Yesterday" in it's entirety is a song about celebrating the "new day"... the "morning light"... the "breaking sun". Can anyone elaborate on this connection between the first two songs "Aurora" and "Only Yesterday"... and can anyone make the jump from "Only Yesterday" to "Desperado" - what connects these two songs? Jumping forward to "Happy" the lyric reads... " if it's the stars, they're surely on my side" - this is just a beginning at connecting "Happy" to the common thread which I believe exists through the entire album. Continuing with my interpretation of "Horizon". Note to all... I am not writing this with the attitude that this is the only and/or best interpretation... this is just my interpretation as I see and understand these songs... as we all have valid viewpoints and interpretations of what this album means. Going from "Desperado" we see the loner who was riding those fences alone get lonely or possibly become homesick. He's back home to his love (Karen) after she had been waiting for such a long time just to hear from him - he's back. He's back and Karen is "happy", but she's smarter now as she's played this game of love before. Regardless she's willing to to play her hand this time - eventhough she knows the chances of it surviving are slim (eventhough the odds are high). We leave Karen feeling "happy" because she's falling in love... but soon her life is going to change again... I'll be back with more when I continue with this saga and how "I Can Dream Can't I" has changed her life and yet she still has hope of making things work with her desperado. hmmm... seems like "Desperado" is a pivotal song on the album. *** BTW Dave, "I Can Dream Can't I" has received a good amount of radio airplay through the years - and especially on smooth jazz radio throughout the 90's.
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Post by wisejester7 on Jun 30, 2007 22:19:08 GMT -5
Continuing with my interpretation of "Horizon". Note to all... I am not writing this with the attitude that this is the only and/or best interpretation... this is just my interpretation as I see and understand these songs... as we all have valid viewpoints and interpretations of what this album means. Going from "Desperado" we see the loner who was riding those fences alone get lonely or possibly become homesick. He's back home to his love (Karen) after she had been waiting for such a long time just to hear from him - he's back. He's back and Karen is "happy", but she's smarter now as she's played this game of love before. Regardless she's willing to to play her hand this time - eventhough she knows the chances of it surviving are slim (eventhough the odds are high). We leave Karen feeling "happy" because she's falling in love... but soon her life is going to change again... I'll be back with more when I continue with this saga and how "I Can Dream Can't I" has changed her life and yet she still has hope of making things work with her desperado. hmmm... seems like "Desperado" is a pivotal song on the album. *** BTW Dave, "I Can Dream Can't I" has received a good amount of radio airplay through the years - and especially on smooth jazz radio throughout the 90's. It's obvious that you've put a lot of thought into this set of songs, Rick. I'm curious as to how you are going to piece the next sections of the album together. Desperado vs. Karen ... interesting.
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Post by smoothie2 on Jun 30, 2007 22:56:42 GMT -5
Great input by alll...It is very interesting linking the meanings together for Horizon. I have no deep thoughts in the matter, because you all are covering it well. ::)The album Horizon indeed seems to be in a class of its' own, when compared to all the others.I have the LP, even tho I don't have a working record player any longer, I am glad I have the record. During those long ago days when the C's were (and of course we understand they still are)Huge,I bought any new record that came along, just about. Horizon really holds the meanings! The album the way it looks with the overlapping flap and then the fantastic pictures inside of R. and K., truly caught the eye. Just thinking of the cover off hand, I believe there's one pic. where they look down, disappointed. and then another inside pic. Karen looks great and happy. I really do think because of Eventide and Aurora, songs were chosen that would connect together in some way.great stuff.
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Dave
Ultra Emissary
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on Jul 1, 2007 5:22:31 GMT -5
"*** BTW Dave, "I Can Dream Can't I" has received a good amount of radio airplay through the years - and especially on smooth jazz radio throughout the 90's."
Even after all these years, it still is amazing how regional radio airplay can be. When I was going to school in Columbus, WCOL was one of those stations that were chosen to "break" new songs. The 45 RPM version of "Free Bird" was thusly available, and was played, for one week!
I never heard "I Believe You" until I bought the "Gold" album, and yet there it was being played on a radio station near Tampa as we ate lunch in a restaurant near Brookville, FL.
You're really fortunate to have such a musical variety on your radio, but then again, you live near LA.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 1, 2007 9:59:11 GMT -5
"*** BTW Dave, "I Can Dream Can't I" has received a good amount of radio airplay through the years - and especially on smooth jazz radio throughout the 90's." Even after all these years, it still is amazing how regional radio airplay can be. When I was going to school in Columbus, WCOL was one of those stations that were chosen to "break" new songs. The 45 RPM version of "Free Bird" was thusly available, and was played, for one week! I never heard "I Believe You" until I bought the "Gold" album, and yet there it was being played on a radio station near Tampa as we ate lunch in a restaurant near Brookville, FL. You're really fortunate to have such a musical variety on your radio, but then again, you live near LA.
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Dave
Ultra Emissary
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on Jul 4, 2007 15:18:27 GMT -5
"My dreams are songs I play"
We just may have missed the forest for the trees...
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Post by wisejester7 on Jul 5, 2007 6:02:20 GMT -5
"My dreams are songs I play" We just may have missed the forest for the trees... Spot on, Dave. I think you just hit the nail on the head.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jul 5, 2007 7:29:38 GMT -5
"My dreams are songs I play" We just may have missed the forest for the trees...
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 2, 2007 20:37:33 GMT -5
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