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• 26 - Cerulean

  Sep 10, 2005 at 9:15 am

  Thanks for starting this thread. That song is awesome. I guess I need to buy that CD. Chuckie, there's plenty of blame to go around, federal, state and local. There's no good excuse for any of it, but the tradition of corruption and incompetence in that area is long and while the ransacking of FEMA is recent and has a single cause in the Bush Administration.
  
  There's no way around that.
  
  Randy Newman is a genius. I'm going to record "Shelter for the Storm" and check out the performances.
  
  I wrote a song that seems to have something to do with this although it was written ten days before. I'm trying to record it now.
  
  Cry For the Lost World
  
  (Blues Song)
  
  Cry for the lost world
  One that I see when I close my eyes
  I say cry. Cry. Cry. Cry. Cry
  Used to be love on earth
  Now they say it's in the sky.
  
  Cry for the world that used to be
  They took piece by piece from under me
  I say cry oh cry for the world that used to be.
  
  Smell the ocean. See the night
  Stars by thousands, and candlelight
  Grace beguiling, twisting song
  Strike the notes and hear the song
  Trail of music in the air
  We were the owners, when we lived there
  
  They took my park.
  They took my places.
  The took the dark.
  They took the spaces.
  Don’t ask me how they did what they did to me.
  They took the ocean--how is a mystery.
  
  Cry for the lost world
  World that I see when I’m hypnotized.
  What I see in my dreams is not a lie
  I say cry, cry, cry children you wanna cry
  Rich only need apply
  
  Every sweet thing has gone and left
  We’re left living but we’re bereft
  
  Cry for the lost girls. They were loved; did they realize?
  
  Trail of a time that once was lost
  Listen to the voices that have crossed
  
  Every time you turned around
  they took your babies
  They took your town
  
  Cry for the lost world
  Cry for the world that used to be
  Cry for the world that lived for you and me
  I say cry, cry all night long is misery
  
  Trail of a time that used to be
  Singing voices in the luminous sea
  See fallen angels that are you and me
  See fallen angels where the sunset would be
  See fallen angels in their misery
  
  copyright by author
  
  
  
  
  
  copyright by author
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 27 - Rawson

  Sep 10, 2005 at 5:50 pm

  Another great song that will make you tear up is the cover of "We'll Meet Again" by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (a couple of members of which haven't been heard from).
  
  We'll meet again
  Don't know where
  Don't know when
  But I know
  We'll meet again
  Some sunny day
  
  The 1927 flood is a -- pardon the pun -- watershed event in America history, helping to trigger the flight of poor people and blacks from the south to the urban north, driving a permanent wedge between the black population and the Republican party, and helping to spark The New Deal.
  
  And New Orleans is below sea level, but it didn't start that way. It has been sinking, along with all of the Mississippi Delta, because of environmental damage caused by the system of dams and levees on the Mississippi. Ever year an area the size of Manhattan disappears becuase of this damage -- which can be fixed.
  
  I wish that the Conservative detractors would stop blaming the victims. It's a shame that they try.
  
  
  

• 28 - Chuckie

  Sep 11, 2005 at 9:59 am

  I wish that the Democrat detractors would stop blaming the federal government.
  It's a disgrace that they try.
  
  The federal government has shouldered the burden and cost of the recovery and rebuilding efforts, ever since the city government of New Orleans collapsed into anarchy following a storm.
  Mayor Ray Nagin started the blame game. Now let's start the investigation of Ray Nagin.

• 29 - Beldridge

  Sep 12, 2005 at 8:33 pm

  Did anyone know or heard the other versions of Louisiana 1927 by the following artists Jeff Naidean and Marcia Ball? Each artist adds their own haunting artistry to this awesome song that I just heard last week, courtesy of NPR. I've enjoyed reading everyone's opinions, by the way. Thanks for the 'updated' versions of this song. Your 'take' on this tragedy is insightful.

• 30 - C Salvo

  Sep 16, 2005 at 12:16 am

  I was just feeling bad, and started looking for the Aaron Neville (sic) version of this song and accidentally came across Roger Sweeny's post. Hey Roger, great investigative work. Who would have thought NO sat below sea level. You are a true genius. Go fuck yourself.

• 31 - Natalie Davis

  Sep 16, 2005 at 12:56 am

  "I sincerely feel that most North Americans dont consider it to be as deafening emotionally as 9/11. How can that be?"
  
  A-fucking-men. But -- "How can that be?" The answer is simple and tragic: Because this is America.
  
  I have loved the Newman song for eons. Hearing Aaron Neville's version gave it new life and resonance -- especially considering that Neville's was one of the many, many houses destroyed in the disaster.

• 32 - chilly

  Sep 16, 2005 at 12:18 pm

  If you're going to make accusations toward your political leaders, you should do a little research and at least "try" to state the truth. The ignorant let their emotions steer their comments. The wise person states the truth even if the truth does not support their cause. Lying about our president's actions and motives will not ease our pain or restore our losses. If you must place blame, you should state facts. If you want to console the hurting, ensenuating there was intent to wipe out the poor and minorities is not the way to do so. It only adds to the pain.

• 33 - Ernesto Del Mundo

  Sep 17, 2005 at 5:20 pm

  Wonder if any of y'all crackers have heard the old traditional blues song about the 1927 flood titled "I Rowed a Little Boat". It had been performed by John Lee Hooker among others:
  
  You know I rowed a little boat,
  five miles 'cross the pond
  You know I rowed a little boat,
  'bout five miles 'cross the pond
  I throwed my things in the little boat,
  it rolled me right along
  
  
  It was thunderin' and lightnin',
  but it rolled me right along
  It was thunderin', it was lightnin',
  Oh yeah, it rolled me right along
  There were thousands of people,
  they didn't have no place to go, mmm
  
  
  Little children they were screamin'
  and cryin', Oh yeah
  The wind was howlin',
  they didn't have no place to go, mmm
  There were thousands o' people,
  they's goin' from door to door, mmm
  
  
  My little boat kept rollin',
  it kept on rollin',
  You know it rolled me right along
  Mmm-mmm, Kept on rollin,
  Kept on rollin' Kept on rollin'
  Kept on rollin', Rollin'
  ---------------------
  
  Would be nice to hear that one done one more time...maybe by Keb Mo or another blues traditionalist.
  
  

• 34 - Ernesto Del Mundo

  Sep 17, 2005 at 5:26 pm

  Newsflash to wingnuts...Bush has already admitted he was responsible for the poor response from FEMA. It's believed to be the first time he has ever shown any hint of responsibility in his entire life, so this is indeed a watershed moment. No doubt induced by Turdblossom's desparation to stem the approval ratings from cratering any further. But it would be nice if his legion of buttlickers were to follow suit, just this once.

• 35 - carolAnn Jones

  Sep 18, 2005 at 11:52 pm

  Like so many here the words of Randy's song have been rolling through my brain since this terrible tragedy. I had to laugh & agree with snufpark's comments about the cultural Philistines. If you are old enough to remember, this is not the first time Randy was censored. when his song "short people" came out, it was so misunderstood, and there was such an uproar that it was banned from the airwaves of many radio stations (silly as it seems). It's no wonder Randy gave up & moved to LA.

• 36 - Rich Koster

  Oct 01, 2005 at 12:14 pm

  I agree that Randy Newman's original lyrics are classic. I also agree with those who responded to the Bush-bashing that there's plenty of responsibility on the local and state level -- as the way procedures now are in the U.S. (which hopefully will be changed by Congress) is that the federal government and FEMA only step in after requested by local and state officials -- i.e., Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin in this case, who both delayed their requests as well as delaying mandatory evacuations. Both also were quick to point fingers away from themselves.
  
  In light of that, I present my own re-write of Randy Newman's classic...
  
  "Louisiana 2005"
  Rich Koster, with apologies to Randy Newman and his "Louisiana 1927" masterpiece
  
  What has happened down here is the winds have changed
  Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain
  Rained real hard and levees broke before it was done
  Twelve feet of water in the streets of New Orleans
  
  -
  
  The lake, it rose all day
  The water rose all night
  Some people got lost in the flood
  Some people got away alright
  Hurr'cane first busted through clear down in Plaquemines
  Twelve feet of water in the streets of New Orleans
  
  -
  
  (CHORUS)
  Louisiana, Louisiana
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  Louisiana, Louisiana
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  
  -
  
  Guv'nor Blanco came down in an aeroplane
  She's a little fat gal with a note-pad in her hand
  The Guv'nor say, "Mister Mayor isn't it a shame what the lake has done
  To this poor cracker's land."
  
  -
  
  (CHORUS)
  Louisiana, Louisiana
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  Louisiana, Louisiana
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  They're tryin' to wash us away
  
  - - -
  
  But all of the state, local and federal politicians are now saying they will work together to help people in the affected areas all along the gulf coast. I hope and pray they'll keep their word. And that is why I also altered the following song lyric:
  
  Dysfunct'nal After All These Years
  A Song Of Remembrance And Hope
  
  (By Rich Koster, with apologies to Paul Simon, singer/writer/composer of his Still Crazy After All These Years song)
  
  I saw my old city
  Flooded streets last night
  She seemed so diff'rent to me
  I just cried
  And remembered 'bout some old times...
  Beignets at Cafe du Monde...
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Oh, dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  -
  
  We're not like other lands
  So some might theorize
  We seem to lean on
  Old familiar ways
  And I aint no fool for 'scuses
  That whisper in my ears
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  -
  
  Four in the morning
  Storms come, warning
  Washing my life a--way
  I'll never worry
  Why should I?
  It's all gonna dry and fade
  
  -
  
  Through broken glass in windows
  And through holes in roofs, the sky.
  I fear storms'll do more damage
  One fine day
  But the guv'nor's pointin' fingers
  And the mayor's just the same
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal
  Dysfunct'nal
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  - - -
  
  "Louisiana was dysfunct'nal last month"
  FEMA man did testify.
  I just smiled
  Oh, it wasn't just the old times
  That's still how we do things here
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  -
  
  I'm not the network man
  Who hasn't lived 'round here.
  Losses of billions
  "Should it be rebuilt
  And if so, how should it be done?"
  Those "experts" in my ears
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  -
  
  Not from "Noo Awlins"
  "N'awlins", darlin',
  Do you know what it means
  To miss "New Or-leenz"?
  Why should you?
  You know Mardi Gras parades
  
  -
  
  We are more than Bourbon Street
  We're alive and jazzed with hope
  We must rebuild the damage
  One fine day
  But it won't be very easy
  As "Big Easy" wipes its tears
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal
  Dysfunct'nal
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  - - -
  
  Rememb'rin' our city
  Bustlin' streets all night
  Saints games, West End, "da parish"
  I just smiled
  All those places "ain't dere no more."
  And we drank our Dixie beers
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  -
  
  I'm gonna raise my glass
  To all that went away
  I've seen Katrina
  Scour familiar days
  And I miss my friends who've moved out
  And those who died right here
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  Still dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  -
  
  Four in the morning
  Tapped out, yawning
  Longing for cafe au lait
  Where y'at, my dawlin'?
  Here with me
  Our angst, it's all gonna fade
  
  -
  
  We have love and our fam'ly
  As we watch debris go by
  Don't fear all of the damage
  One fine day
  We will grow stronger than ever
  Faith and prayers God always hears
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years?
  *NOT* dysfunct'nal
  Dysfunct'nal
  Dysfunct'nal after all these years
  
  - - -
  - Altered lyrics by Rich Koster
  - Original lyrics by Paul Simon
  

• 37 - samm

  Oct 15, 2005 at 7:01 am

  Following hurricane Katrina, I wrote and recorded a song called "New Orleans 2005", to channel some of my anger at the conspicuous lack of disaster relief, and at what I believe are the racist underpinnings of such lack. The ultra-simplistic arrangement (just a drone and voice) as well as its message are aspects of the song which I think many listeners will find appealing. The song is not for sale, but rather is available for free to anyone who wishes to download it. I hope you'll take a moment to go to the website and listen to the song and, if you wish, download it for free. Thank you,
  
  Samm Bennett
  
  PS: Here are the lyrics, though since it is a song, I believe it's better heard than read...
  
  new orleans 2005
  
  
  see the black man down in New Orleans
  waist deep in the flood waters wading
  gunfire crackles in the distance
  the last glimmer of daylight is fading
  he didn't have much to begin with
  now his world has come all unglued
  he's on his way to bust into a grocery store
  to get his family water and food
  
  new orleans new orleans 2005
  
  now see the president way up in his airplane
  he says zero tolerance for looters
  i tell you one thing this president
  really knows how to do
  is to send in the guns and the shooters
  but less bullets
  more boats beds and blankets
  and a few hundred lives he might save
  ah but blaming the victim is what we do best
  here in the home of the brave
  
  new orleans new orleans 2005
  
  they say the president loves all americans
  no matter the color or creed
  but you decide for yourself
  where the real truth resides
  is it found in the word or the deed?
  if you say you don't think that it's racist
  maybe this'll cut through your
  dense mental haze
  just try and imagine a whole stadium
  full of white people
  left to fend for themselves for six days
  well i don't think it would've happened
  quite that way
  
  new orleans new orleans 2005
  
  now if there's good that can come
  from this tragedy
  it's that maybe things'll get rearranged
  lord knows over in washington d.c.
  we're long overdue for regime change
  one hundred eighty six million dollars
  they spend
  on the war in iraq every day
  with just a fraction of that
  they could've shored up those levees
  and kept the floodwaters at bay
  
  new orleans new orleans 2005
  
  copyright 2005/Samm Bennett

• 38 - cheryl

  Oct 19, 2005 at 7:27 pm

  Well, I lived in New Orleans until 9 feet of water, and a tree fell on my house. What is even sadder is my house was looted last week! Wait a minute, I'll tell you what is the saddest thing you will ever see is the sadness in our eyes. I can always identify an evacuee from New Orleans. We have a stare, a glazed look! I want my life back!! I saw Randy Newman at the Jazz Fest this year and he was the best, but the best gift was the little concert, sort of like Storyteller, and I said I can now die and go to heaven. It was great and such a gift!! Thank You!!
  Cheryl

• 39 - cheryl

  Oct 19, 2005 at 7:32 pm

  Well, I lived in New Orleans until 9 feet of water, and a tree fell on my house. What is even sadder is my house was looted last week! Wait a minute, I'll tell you what is the saddest thing you will ever see is the sadness in our eyes. I can always identify an evacuee from New Orleans. We have a stare, a glazed look! I want my life back!! I saw Randy Newman at the Jazz Fest this year and he was the best, but the best gift was the little concert, sort of like Storyteller, and I said I can now die and go to heaven. It was great and such a gift!! Thank You!!
  Cheryl

• 40 - Steve White

  Nov 14, 2005 at 3:39 pm

  What I find interesting about this song is that it misrepresents what happened in 1927, especially in and around New Orleans. Plaquemine Parish was not flooded by mother nature, but by the old monied interest of the New Orleans banking and financial communities. There was a flood, but the levee below Mississippi was dynamited with President Coolidge's approval. I suggest anybody interested in this historical moment read John Barry's amazing book "Rising Tide."

• 41 - Steve White

  Nov 14, 2005 at 3:43 pm

  What I find interesting about this song is that it misrepresents what happened in 1927, especially in and around New Orleans. Plaquemine Parish was not flooded by mother nature, but by the old monied interest of the New Orleans banking and financial communities. There was a flood, but the levee below New Orleans was dynamited with President Coolidge's approval. I suggest anybody interested in this historical moment read John Barry's amazing book "Rising Tide."