"Persistence of Memory"
© 1971 Lee Ruth
MP3
Sample of Lee's Original
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"Persistence of Memory" © 1971 Lee Ruth |
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Steve Jerrett |
| Steve Jerrett - Vocal & Acoustic Guitars | |
| MP3
Sample of Lee's Original |
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| Song Lyrics: |
Lee's Lyrics:
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| And so I see you again Once my lover, still my friend And all the days and weeks and years Of joy and laughter, sorrow, tears Are recalled, return suspended Your raging beauty I have known For me to live my life without From view and all I see again So here's a song to tell you how |
And so I see you, again Once my lover, still my friend And all the days and weeks and years Of joy and laughter, sorrow, tears Are recalled, returned, suspended Again I am undone, upended And I find I'm not surprised to find You still completely fill my mind Your raging beauty I have known Like the fire of love has grown And the feeling, and the touch Of you are far too far too much For me to live my life without This I know, beyond a doubt And the passing slow parade Of friends and lovers fast does fade From view, and all I see again Is you, you ask me how I've been So here's a song to tell you how |
| Artist on the Song: |
Lee on the Song:
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| "Persistence of Memory" is a love song with a twist. What would YOU feel if you and a flame from the past crossed paths? | Written in 1972, "Persistence of Memory" was partially a reaction to some conversations I heard or overheard in which former lovers were getting a bad rap, and some songs I heard in which the protagonist copped a negative, vengeful, or blameful attitude toward the absent ex. Thinking about my own experience, it seemed more likely that each she would have grown in both inner and outer beauty as well as fullness and richness of being, at any present or future rendezvous point in time be it six months or six years or sixty years down the line; thus, here is a love song to make that claim. The title, borrowed from the title of a Salvador Dali painting, suggests to me not only the life and duration of memory but the ongoing correspondence and synchronicity with present and future reality that memory, made in truth at its time of creation, can manifest. Ah, but this is all much too philosophical and intellectually convoluted for a love song, which, in its time of creation, was rooted in heat and light, heartbeat, instinct, and feeling. |
| Artist on Lee Ruth: |
Lee on the Artist:
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| I first met Lee when I came to KOPN in 1994. Due to our busy schedules, we have rarely had a chance to chat in depth, but I always appreciated his straightforwardness and honesty and highly respected his songwriting. Lee is the real deal. | It must have been around 1994 when I first met Steve--right
about the time he began his "Sunday Morning Coffeehouse" radio
show on KOPN. One of the things I appreciated about his show was the way
and degree to which it differed from my own weekly folk music show. For
the most part we featured different artists--different songs--even though
it all fell under the vast umbrella of folk music. That made, for me and,
I trust, for many of KOPN's listeners, a richer and broader listening experience.
Steve has been playing music for people almost as long as I have, and I'm pleased that he found a song of mine to record. |
| Producer's Notes: |
Recording Credits:
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| Steve Jerrett's "Sunday Morning Coffee Hose" radio show has preceded mine on KOPN's Sunday airwaves for years. I knew that Steve had been playing guitar for years, but I don't think I'd ever really got a chance to hear him play. "Persistence of Memory" is a song that I suppose could be about any small town where past friends and lovers may run into each other. Those past lovers who remain friends are always special and this song explains that common human condition. Steve did a masterful job playing some beautiful guitar parts on this song on the original tracks and on a second added guitar track; I think we used that special Neumann vintage tube microphone on that second guitar! |
Recorded at Pete Szkolka's Studio Record Date: 5/21/03 Mixed: 12/16/03 Mixed by Pete Szkolka and Steve Donofrio |
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