The Use of Ashes

by Pearls Before Swine

Overview

For their second Reprise Records outing, Pearls Before Swine worked primarily with Nashville-based musicians, including a small orchestra who provide a stately feel to the highly intimate nature of the material. According to Tom Rapp, the songs were written while he and his wife were living in the Netherlands, which Rapp said contributed significantly to the air of romanticism throughout. "The Jeweller" opens the album with an exquisite tale that exemplifies Rapp's remarkable abilities to draw upon disparate metaphors such as shining coins and worshiping God, both involving the The Use of Ashes -- hence the title. The rural mood created by the notable Music City USA stalwarts effortlessly fuses with David Briggs' baroque-flavored harpsichord on the delicate "From the Movie of the Same Name," featuring Rapp and spouse Elisabeth on non-verbal vocalizations as they "da-da-da" the melody. Although "Rocket Man" predates the Elton John cut by a couple of years, Bernie Taupin cites it as his inspiration for the lyrics behind John's 1972 Top Ten hit. The words are credited as having been influenced by a Ray Bradbury novella that dealt with the universal emotion of loss. Again, Briggs' keyboard runs relate the story with subdued refinement. By contrast, "God Save the Child" is one of the more amplified inclusions, making good use of session heavies Kenneth A. Buttrey (drums) and Charlie McCoy (guitar), especially when placed against the restrained string section. Another sonic texture in the tapestry is the jazzy "Tell Me Why," shimmering with an uncredited vibraphone lead gliding beneath Rapp's whimsical lines. These tracks are offset by the noir "When the War Began," the ethereal love song "Margery," and the mid-tempo retelling of the "Riegal," a ship whose 4,000 inhabitants perished during World War II. Rapp's juxtaposition of stark imagery reveals that while Pearls Before Swine might not have continued the bombastic direction set about on their earlier protest works "Uncle John" or "Drop Out," they maintained social and political relevance. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	11/19/2013
Label:	4 Men With Beards
UPC:	0646315123418
Rank:	57922

Tracks

1. The Jeweler
2. From The Movie Of The Same Name
3. Rocket Man
4. God Save The Child
5. Song About A Rose
6. Tell Me Why
7. Margery
8. The Old Man
9. Riegal
10. When The War Began

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pearls Before Swine   Primary Artist
Kenny Buttrey   Drums
Mac Gayden   Guitar
Charlie McCoy   Bass,Dobro,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica
Charles McCoy   Bass,Dobro,Guitar,Harmonica
Norbert Putnam   Bass
Buddy Spicher   Cello,Viola,Violin
John Duke   Oboe,Wind,Flute
Tom Rapp   Guitar,Vocals
Hutch Davie   Wind,Keyboards
Bill Pippin   Oboe,Wind,Flute
David Briggs   Piano,Keyboards,Harpsichord
Elisabeth   Vocals

Technical Credits

Patrick Roques   Reissue Art Director
Tom Rapp   Composer
Brooks Arthur   Mixing Engineer
Rick Horton   Engineer
Richard Horton   Engineer
Peter H. Edmiston   Producer
Ed Thrasher   Art Direction