Cracker — Sidi Ifni
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Length: 5:57
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We walked down
a long promenade
Down a winding stair,
wide as boulevards
Vines and shrubs
grew between the steps
From the Spanish town
to the African sea
We drank wine
and toasted to the day
When she was the queen,
before the long decay
We drank wine,
slept off hangovers
Lethargy, decay
and forgotten loves
We'd awake
to the BBC
An old English queen
on the balcony
Wander 'round
abandoned consulates
An old broken chair
on the marble stair
And from the roof,
see Canary seas
The discarded runway
of Sidi Ifni
We drank wine
lying on our backs
On the warm tarmac,
in a bowl of stars
Well, I went down,
mostly on my own
Till I was alone
in that shipwrecked house
Through the porthole sea
an epiphany
I would never leave this place alive
I drink gin
with the old ex-pats
We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back
a long promenade
Down a winding stair,
wide as boulevards
Vines and shrubs
grew between the steps
From the Spanish town
to the African sea
We drank wine
and toasted to the day
When she was the queen,
before the long decay
We drank wine,
slept off hangovers
Lethargy, decay
and forgotten loves
We'd awake
to the BBC
An old English queen
on the balcony
Wander 'round
abandoned consulates
An old broken chair
on the marble stair
And from the roof,
see Canary seas
The discarded runway
of Sidi Ifni
We drank wine
lying on our backs
On the warm tarmac,
in a bowl of stars
Well, I went down,
mostly on my own
Till I was alone
in that shipwrecked house
Through the porthole sea
an epiphany
I would never leave this place alive
I drink gin
with the old ex-pats
We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back
Comments (321)add comment
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Generally I'm not a fan of these guys, but this is a nice groove.
This song paints a vivid picture of a time a and place, layered with history, and on another level, very personal.
at first i thought it was a petty tune i had never heard before.
Jodidanente bueno este asunto RP. Dale duro malandrín. 🦾
From the wiki page:
The band mix influences and sounds from rock, punk, grunge, psychedelia, country, blues and folk.
I don't care what you call it but this band has carefully listened to how prog rock bands put music together.
Regardless, I gotta stop what I am doing and crank this up every time.
The band mix influences and sounds from rock, punk, grunge, psychedelia, country, blues and folk.
I don't care what you call it but this band has carefully listened to how prog rock bands put music together.
Regardless, I gotta stop what I am doing and crank this up every time.
7 -> 8
Old ex pats.....
Have met many that were indeed bitter and longing for a bygone era.
Have met many who were 100% fluent in the local language(s) and extremely insightful.
Have met many that were indeed bitter and longing for a bygone era.
Have met many who were 100% fluent in the local language(s) and extremely insightful.
Pure Graham Greene. Ageing expats in grubby white jackets lamenting ages gone. I can see John Hurt in the film. A truly great and evocative song that I'll never forget. 10 from the pining Nottingham jury.
jbuhl wrote:
Floyd. The one named Pink.
Nice, I thought it was Tom Petty on ludes
Floyd. The one named Pink.
Brilliant, moving, sublime. I always sing along, sometimes a little teary.
10
10
Laurelai wrote:
Totally. I'm going through a breakup now (sh!t happens) and this song hit me square in the guts. A horribly wonderful song.
These lyrics-
"We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
If that's not pure heartbreak, I don't know what is. This song weeps.
Totally. I'm going through a breakup now (sh!t happens) and this song hit me square in the guts. A horribly wonderful song.
Wild, dark, enigmatic! Would be fantastic followed up by "Babylon Fading," by Jim Morrison & The Doors; or this: People Are Strange
so cool. so spacey. I think I picked the wrong day to quit the delta-8.
seagroves wrote:
And I believe a part-time professor at UGA in Athens? Not to mention an all-around cool dude.
from his wikipedia entry, emphasis mine
David Charles Lowery (born September 10, 1960) is an American guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, mathematician, and activist.
And I believe a part-time professor at UGA in Athens? Not to mention an all-around cool dude.
Camper Van and Cracker both sprinkled into my morning. Sweet.
To be followed by a Tom Petty track, but I can't recall which one that this reminds me of. I think they would segue nicely...
[Edit] Found it - Its good to be king. A tad faster, though.
[Edit] Found it - Its good to be king. A tad faster, though.
Dark, relentless, hypnotic. Wonderful.
westslope wrote:
Right. Southern Moroccan coast.
I can't help it... This fascinates me and I reckon some of the "action" takes place at the former Spanish Consulate, which might overlook the airport:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/...
Now closed to the public, it seems, unfortunately...
Annoyingly, the Google car hasn't visited, so I can't get any StreetView.
Seems to be surfing heaven...
Right. Southern Moroccan coast.
I can't help it... This fascinates me and I reckon some of the "action" takes place at the former Spanish Consulate, which might overlook the airport:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/...
Now closed to the public, it seems, unfortunately...
Annoyingly, the Google car hasn't visited, so I can't get any StreetView.
Seems to be surfing heaven...
Love me some Cracker...especially with Leftover Salmon
Slowcore twang-dub
Powerful stuff
Dont mix with driving
Powerful stuff
Dont mix with driving
Not a huge Cracker fan but I absolutely love this song.
ThomR wrote:
LOL!
Finally had me at "I drink gin".
LOL!
I like Cracker. ...I never would have guessed that this was Cracker. ...Great tune!
Not a Cracker fan but this tune is quite interesting - I would not have guessed the artist.
Rockit9 wrote:
Imperialism?
Let's give a hand to all the effort throughout the world involved in finding a vaccine for this virus.
Imperialism?
"And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
The trouble is, she may never come back...
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
The trouble is, she may never come back...
Finally had me at "I drink gin".
Let's give a hand to all the effort throughout the world involved in finding a vaccine for this virus.
uksminas wrote:
Thank you for the perfect picture of a moment past.
Thank you for the perfect picture of a moment past.
under the water cover of Wish You Were Here...
DaidyBoy wrote:
Too right, friend.
I would have placed it in Morocco, though. You wouldn't see any runway in Sidi Ifni from the Canaries - see various below
Right. Southern Moroccan coast.
Too right, friend.
I would have placed it in Morocco, though. You wouldn't see any runway in Sidi Ifni from the Canaries - see various below
Right. Southern Moroccan coast.
westslope wrote:
Too right, friend.
I would have placed it in Morocco, though. You wouldn't see any runway in Sidi Ifni from the Canaries - see various below
I love this song.
Who cannot love a song where the RP thread discusses Camus and Graham Green? Seriously now.
P.S. Do the lyrics situate the author in the Canary Islands?
Who cannot love a song where the RP thread discusses Camus and Graham Green? Seriously now.
P.S. Do the lyrics situate the author in the Canary Islands?
Too right, friend.
I would have placed it in Morocco, though. You wouldn't see any runway in Sidi Ifni from the Canaries - see various below
Good golly jeepers that was a seamless segue!
Breaks Co-op's "The Sound Inside" to Cracker's "Sidi Ifni"
King Bill!
Breaks Co-op's "The Sound Inside" to Cracker's "Sidi Ifni"
King Bill!
This song is achingly lovely. I love the seagull guitar <3
Several connections to my home - Richmond, VA.
Little problem with the voice ... but it's good
Is this a Cormac McCarthy novel? So hard.
Ihatethissong wrote:
David Lowery has had a 35-year career in music, so I guess his voice works for him.
A band lives or dies by it's singer, and with that in mind I bet I'd like this band more with a different voice fronting it.
But I guess then it wouldn't really be the same band.
Very creative, eclectic band.
But I guess then it wouldn't really be the same band.
Very creative, eclectic band.
David Lowery has had a 35-year career in music, so I guess his voice works for him.
Stingray wrote:
So TRUE!!
I INSIST THIS IS ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST BAND!
And nobody wants to listen - unbelievable!
LIVE UNBEATABLE - but not just live!
And nobody wants to listen - unbelievable!
LIVE UNBEATABLE - but not just live!
So TRUE!!
Laurelai wrote:
i can relate
These lyrics-
"We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
If that's not pure heartbreak, I don't know what is. This song weeps.
"We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
If that's not pure heartbreak, I don't know what is. This song weeps.
i can relate
These lyrics-
"We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
If that's not pure heartbreak, I don't know what is. This song weeps.
"We are broken things,
from a broken past
And it comes near;
but just out of grasp
The alchemist words
that would bring her back"
If that's not pure heartbreak, I don't know what is. This song weeps.
Was planning to see these guys last night, but got jerked around by the front door people and the band posted way too late start time, which they did NOT list on the freaking web site.
So...did not seem them.
So...did not seem them.
Cracker is one of my favorite bands and this song is great as usual.
It's so great! Wish I could ever catch them live. Too far for either of these but such small venues... would be cool.
Fri, Apr 6,New Buffalo, MI
Fri, Apr 6,New Buffalo, MI
Hard Rock Cafe
Thu, May 31,Cleveland, OH
Thu, May 31,Cleveland, OH
I love this song.
Who cannot love a song where the RP thread discusses Camus and Graham Green? Seriously now.
P.S. Do the lyrics situate the author in the Canary Islands?
Who cannot love a song where the RP thread discusses Camus and Graham Green? Seriously now.
P.S. Do the lyrics situate the author in the Canary Islands?
Nice, I thought it was Tom Petty on ludes
This is fucking brutal. What is the deal with Cracker?
michael.senecal@gmail.com wrote:
I was absolutely sure this was Tom Petty. Came here to see which album. Nice surprise.
sounds like an indie Tom Petty. nice atmospheric vibe.
I was absolutely sure this was Tom Petty. Came here to see which album. Nice surprise.
very nice!
sounds like an indie Tom Petty. nice atmospheric vibe.
This opens up like a Jesse Colin Young song..."Before You Came"...similar chord progression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI9R8l6NELA
The cut from the album :Highway is for Heroes" version opens w/ guitar instead of piano but you can get the drift. But I like this cracker song too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI9R8l6NELA
The cut from the album :Highway is for Heroes" version opens w/ guitar instead of piano but you can get the drift. But I like this cracker song too.
fredriley wrote:
It feels more Graham Greene than Albert Camus, on account of the references to Brit expats, but I get your drift - it evokes the same kind of dusty, hot, decadent town that featured in Camus' L'etranger (IIRC). You can just see tired old diplomats in faded white suits drinking G&Ts in the hot African sun, lusting after the local girls and pining for the lost glories of colonialism. Michael Caine in the film The Honorary Consul comes immediately to mind. So, so different in style from other Cracker numbers.
There's no video with this song, AFAIK, but there is a YouTube collage of images of Sidi Ifni with the song as backdrop which is worth watching.
Before it drops off the board, I posted this link earlier which might interest listeners: Wikipedia page on the village of Sidi Ifni
Was reading a New York Times article about touring Cambodia in the footsteps of a mid-19th century French explorer and the music fit the mood of the article perfectly.
Fred, did you ever see Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser in "The Quiet American"? Another great adaptation of a Graham Greene novel.
Great postcard of Sidi Ifni here. The beaches look quite nice as well...
It feels more Graham Greene than Albert Camus, on account of the references to Brit expats, but I get your drift - it evokes the same kind of dusty, hot, decadent town that featured in Camus' L'etranger (IIRC). You can just see tired old diplomats in faded white suits drinking G&Ts in the hot African sun, lusting after the local girls and pining for the lost glories of colonialism. Michael Caine in the film The Honorary Consul comes immediately to mind. So, so different in style from other Cracker numbers.
There's no video with this song, AFAIK, but there is a YouTube collage of images of Sidi Ifni with the song as backdrop which is worth watching.
Before it drops off the board, I posted this link earlier which might interest listeners: Wikipedia page on the village of Sidi Ifni
Was reading a New York Times article about touring Cambodia in the footsteps of a mid-19th century French explorer and the music fit the mood of the article perfectly.
Fred, did you ever see Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser in "The Quiet American"? Another great adaptation of a Graham Greene novel.
Great postcard of Sidi Ifni here. The beaches look quite nice as well...
If I could wake up one day and pick which Rock n Roll voice I could have for the rest of my life, it would be David Lowery's. He has been so freaking cool for so freaking long, it is amazing. Camper van Beethoven was the band of choice in my 80's college days. Kind of like an American Brian Ferry, Lowery just does his thing and kills it.
Try the following tunes on for size:
Big Dipper; Golden Age (1996)
Turn on, Tune In, Drop Out with Me; Sunrise in the Land of Milk & Honey (2009)
JIan wrote:
Far and away my favorite Cracker song that I have heard, though admittedly my experience with this band is somewhat limited.
Love this band. I wish Bill could play some tracks from their newest "Berkeley to Bakersfield". I had six uploaded tracks vetoed by the powers-that-be from that CD. Gotta believe there's a few which would work out on RP...
PF wannabes. Awful claptrap, these lyrics.
nickkky wrote:
LIGHTYEARS AWAY!
And three Milky Ways better!
Pink Floyd ))))))))))))))))))
LIGHTYEARS AWAY!
And three Milky Ways better!
stuart_dean wrote:
Nope!
You covering some clown!
Tom Petty cover of Pink Floyd?
Nope!
You covering some clown!
westslope wrote:
Yes, exactly!
So what is the origin of the term 'cracker' as a pejorative label for poor southern white folks?
Just curious.
Yes, exactly!
Figure wrote:
Was was earlier?
Hen or Cracker...?
Just the extension of Robert Plant's "Central Two-O-Nine" from "Band of Joy" )
Was was earlier?
Hen or Cracker...?
ThePoose wrote:
Explain please...
The original name for the members of The Band was The Crackers.
Explain please...
I INSIST THIS IS ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST BAND!
And nobody wants to listen - unbelievable!
LIVE UNBEATABLE - but not just live!
And nobody wants to listen - unbelievable!
LIVE UNBEATABLE - but not just live!
Max the speakers, ride the groove.
I love this.
The original name for the members of The Band was The Crackers.
coloradojohn wrote:
It feels more Graham Greene than Albert Camus, on account of the references to Brit expats, but I get your drift - it evokes the same kind of dusty, hot, decadent town that featured in Camus' L'etranger (IIRC). You can just see tired old diplomats in faded white suits drinking G&Ts in the hot African sun, lusting after the local girls and pining for the lost glories of colonialism. Michael Caine in the film The Honorary Consul comes immediately to mind. So, so different in style from other Cracker numbers.
There's no video with this song, AFAIK, but there is a YouTube collage of images of Sidi Ifni with the song as backdrop which is worth watching.
Before it drops off the board, I posted this link earlier which might interest listeners: Wikipedia page on the village of Sidi Ifni
Always loved this spooky tune evocative of North Africa, like a page out of a Camus book.
It feels more Graham Greene than Albert Camus, on account of the references to Brit expats, but I get your drift - it evokes the same kind of dusty, hot, decadent town that featured in Camus' L'etranger (IIRC). You can just see tired old diplomats in faded white suits drinking G&Ts in the hot African sun, lusting after the local girls and pining for the lost glories of colonialism. Michael Caine in the film The Honorary Consul comes immediately to mind. So, so different in style from other Cracker numbers.
There's no video with this song, AFAIK, but there is a YouTube collage of images of Sidi Ifni with the song as backdrop which is worth watching.
Before it drops off the board, I posted this link earlier which might interest listeners: Wikipedia page on the village of Sidi Ifni
Think their lyrics are better than most people give them credit for; compositoins not bad either
Always loved this spooky tune evocative of North Africa, like a page out of a Camus book. So glad I got to see them last New Year's Eve...what a great mix of jam and clever poetry from early days to current times; what a great band Cracker is! Go Johnny, on guitar!
i like Cracker---like Cracker Jack full of surprises.
Far and away my favorite Cracker song that I have heard, though admittedly my experience with this band is somewhat limited.
So what is the origin of the term 'cracker' as a pejorative label for poor southern white folks?
Just curious.
NeuroGeek wrote:
I'm not a fan, either, but this doesn't suck.
I thought the only good songs of Cracker were from Kerosene Hat, but this one made me doubt about it.
I'm not a fan, either, but this doesn't suck.
I thought the only good songs of Cracker were from Kerosene Hat, but this one made me doubt about it.
TJS wrote:
I'm not a fan, either, but this doesn't suck.
I've never been a fan of Cracker, but I really like this!
I'm not a fan, either, but this doesn't suck.
..oh yeah, is good..straightaway 8..
check out the lyrics on thees poetry
We walked down a long promenade
Down a winding stair, wide as boulevards
Vines and shrubs grew between the steps
From the Spanish town to the African sea
We drank wine and toasted to the day
When she was the queen, before the long decay
We drank wine, slept off hangovers
Lethargy, decay and forgotten loves
We’d awake to the BBC
An old English queen on the balcony
Wander ’round abandoned consulates
An old broken chair on the marble stair
And from the roof, see Canary seas
The discarded runway of Sidi Ifni
We drank wine lying on our backs
On the warm tarmac, in a bowl of stars
Well, I went down, mostly on my own
Till I was alone in that shipwrecked house
Through the porthole sea—an epiphany
I would never leave this place alive
I drink gin with the old ex-pats
We are broken things, from a broken past
And it comes near; but just out of grasp
The alchemist words that would bring her back
We walked down a long promenade
Down a winding stair, wide as boulevards
Vines and shrubs grew between the steps
From the Spanish town to the African sea
We drank wine and toasted to the day
When she was the queen, before the long decay
We drank wine, slept off hangovers
Lethargy, decay and forgotten loves
We’d awake to the BBC
An old English queen on the balcony
Wander ’round abandoned consulates
An old broken chair on the marble stair
And from the roof, see Canary seas
The discarded runway of Sidi Ifni
We drank wine lying on our backs
On the warm tarmac, in a bowl of stars
Well, I went down, mostly on my own
Till I was alone in that shipwrecked house
Through the porthole sea—an epiphany
I would never leave this place alive
I drink gin with the old ex-pats
We are broken things, from a broken past
And it comes near; but just out of grasp
The alchemist words that would bring her back
I've never been a fan of Cracker, but I really like this!
Just the extension of Robert Plant's "Central Two-O-Nine" from "Band of Joy" )
I never got into this cracker album, i will give it another shot as this sounds cool!
Tom Petty cover of Pink Floyd?
Bill and those wonderful segues...from Frozen to this....bliss.....
Nice to drop down into the deep dark green waters of Sidi Ifni once in a while.
Pink Floyd ))))))))))))))))))
. . . thump thump, thump thump, thump thump. . .
That is a proper Cracker!
The beginning of this always reminds me of a song from the movie HEAT soundtrack...loved that movie and soundtrack
EDIT:
Ah-ha! I am not alone: :)
TimeWasterPosted: Jun 13, 2007 - 15:19 < Reply >
This kind of reminds me of a Moby tune on the movie "Heat" (Deniro, Pacino) It's played during the scene when Pacino is following Deniro on the Freeway to finally meet face to face. I think it's called "New Dawn Fades".
EDIT:
Ah-ha! I am not alone: :)
TimeWasterPosted: Jun 13, 2007 - 15:19 < Reply >
This kind of reminds me of a Moby tune on the movie "Heat" (Deniro, Pacino) It's played during the scene when Pacino is following Deniro on the Freeway to finally meet face to face. I think it's called "New Dawn Fades".
Simply sublime. Nice to hear some off the beaten path Cracker.
Mack wrote:
...When the gaenocologist bought a new boat, what to call it?...
Seems to conjure the image of a little man in a boat, but can't remember what it refers to. Mack wrote:
Once again I waive simultaneous translation.
Drinking gin with the old ex pats. Oh the memories! 'Xray Spex' the name of the Sunseeker who's busines is to make lenses for reading glasses. 'In the Spade' for the Mo-Hawk who's owner is a builder. When the gaenocologist bought a new boat, what to call it? now that's a top notch Spannish pub quiz.
Once again I waive simultaneous translation.
Quite cool, I think I need this album!
Like too many, my Cracker exposure was primarily Kerosene Hat. RP has revealed their amazing diversity.
aelfheld wrote:
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
CRACKER is "1st-league",
and is among America's finest bands,
studio and certainly live too!
"Sidi Ifni"
is a lovely place on top of it!
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
CRACKER is "1st-league",
and is among America's finest bands,
studio and certainly live too!
"Sidi Ifni"
is a lovely place on top of it!
jamesat43 wrote:
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
Another awesome segue...Kashmir to Sidi Ifni!!!
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
Another awesome segue...Kashmir to Sidi Ifni!!!
martinc wrote:
No, the rest of their material is very different, in my opinion. Camper Von Beethoven, an older band which shares several members with Cracker, sounds more like this.
Had to check who this was as I thought it might be a Petty tune I had not heard. Rest of their material like this?
No, the rest of their material is very different, in my opinion. Camper Von Beethoven, an older band which shares several members with Cracker, sounds more like this.
One of the most underrated bands of all time. I'm still kicking myself for not having the funds for the Cracker/CVB tour this year.
I love this, had to download it after hearing it on RP. Moody, sadder but wiser.
Naturally follows Kashmir. Cut from the same cloth.
dreary droning dredge . . . quasi - suicidal, eck!
For info, as I wrote in an earlier comment, there's a Wikipedia page on the village of Sidi Ifni which might give folk some interesting background to the song.
radiojunkie wrote:
Apparently I have managed to miss this song every time it's been played over the past couple of years. I, too, thought it was Pink Floyd when it began. Have to say, I don't think the vocals really mesh with the instrumentation — and, if anything, it sounds more like Procol Harum than Tom Petty. And far from being too long, it's actually not long enough — never really develops into anything worthy of the opening.
Ah, crap, it's just a song.
Ah, crap, it's just a song.
Nice
martinc wrote:
...it's a good album, and on the whole all very strong material which fits together nicely, but most of it isn't so sobre in tone...
Had to check who this was as I thought it might be a Petty tune I had not heard. Rest of their material like this?
...it's a good album, and on the whole all very strong material which fits together nicely, but most of it isn't so sobre in tone...
Ntropy wrote:
Well put.
This song starts, and my mind just ****sighs*****.. as the music takes me to another place, another time. 10 +++
Well put.
Had to check who this was as I thought it might be a Petty tune I had not heard. Rest of their material like this?
Cracker's best effort to date (much like Kashmir for Led Zep in my book, which was just played by the masterful BillG).
wenatchee wrote:
YES!....yes....yes.....yes....yes.....yes......yes.....
Echo's of Tom Petty?
YES!....yes....yes.....yes....yes.....yes......yes.....
This song starts, and my mind just ****sighs*****.. as the music takes me to another place, another time. 10 +++
Praying that the baby stays asleep just another 5 minutes ...
Echo's of Tom Petty?
Reflects an historic moment lost in time and the vast expanse of the Sahara.
Mack wrote:
Snatchmaster?
When the gaenocologist bought a new boat, what to call it? now that's a top notch Spannish pub quiz.
Snatchmaster?
I've upped my rating twice on this song.
Each time I hear it - it grows on me.
jakewhite77 wrote:
This makes more sense than what I wrote. Have to say I agree with you.
This makes more sense than what I wrote. Have to say I agree with you.
Apparently I have managed to miss this song every time it's been played over the past couple of years. I, too, thought it was Pink Floyd when it began. Have to say, I don't think the vocals really mesh with the instrumentation — and, if anything, it sounds more like Procol Harum than Tom Petty. And far from being too long, it's actually not long enough — never really develops into anything worthy of the opening.
Ah, crap, it's just a song.
Ah, crap, it's just a song.
Drinking gin with the old ex pats. Oh the memories! 'Xray Spex' the name of the Sunseeker who's busines is to make lenses for reading glasses. 'In the Spade' for the Mo-Hawk who's owner is a builder. When the gaenocologist bought a new boat, what to call it? now that's a top notch Spannish pub quiz.
Darn! All this time I thought this was Tom Petty! Gets an 8!