Writing about The Bug recently got me to realize that I am not celebrating my fellow man nearly enough these days – particularly the people I know who are exceedingly talented: take The Watchman for example…
Naturally “The Watchman” is an alias for one of the finest lyricists I have ever heard (and actually know) – who, I believe, can be compared to the likes of Dylan, Gabriel, Morrison & Fish (of MARILLION fame). Why does The Watchman require an alias? Well, I gather he has a high profile gig that — associations to folk such as me — would get him blacklisted from the gentry we middle-class types try to eke our living from – so our kids won’t have crooked teeth or run up astronomical medical bills should they do battle with a cancer (God forbid).
When I was first exposed to the power and scope of Bobby Zimmerman’s “Alice’s Restaurant” –I didn’t think that any contemporary lyricist would ever hold-a-candle to him – but along came Morrison (‘Jim,’ for those not in the know); Gabriel (‘Peter’ for those not in the know); and, Fish (who might possibly have been the-best-of-the-lot [and that hardly anyone knows]).
With regards to Peter Gabriel, I worked backwards from Selling England by the Pound, to Supper’s Ready to Musical Box; Morrison set the tone with the DOORS debut – and sustained it through 5 subsequent albums; while Fish hit his stride on “Misplaced Childhood” and “Clutching at Straws”; and The Watchman, well The Watchman pounded out some highly impressive lyrics from 1985-86 when he joined forces with us (I know that he hasn’t quit writing lyrics or music – but I’d like to think that we experienced an inspired time together)…
“There’s a prophet on the mountain
With a message on his tongue
The headlines in the paper say
That he’s the only one”
(from ‘Hear the Angels Sigh’)
Some might suggest that this is a rather simple rhyme with not much substance to it – but I respectfully disagree – particularly when you put these lyrics into their proper socio-religious context (and I have to say – the lyrics keep getting better-and-better throughout this song – I just can’t commit the whole song to this penning…)…
“Would you think I’m crazy
If I sat her for awhile
Grinning like a Cheshire Cat
Waiting to beguile
Silent waves of darkness
Have blinded all the light
Every Morning’s promise
Has drifted out of sight
(from ‘Don’t Leave Me Here Alone’)
I find this one to be quite a compelling ode to the “break-up” and/or “lost love” – if you hadn’t picked up on that…
Starin’ at mirror – there’s a person
that you do not know
Someone who’s a stranger and in danger
as he turns to go
Leavin’ cuz he’s bleeding so you track him
In your lonely room
Caught up in a vacuum where the shadows
And the silence loom
Someone’s calling from within — deep inside your heart again
Feelings can be hypnotizing – turn around and face the rising
(from ‘The Rising’)
If I could have properly appreciated The Watchman’s talent when I played with him – I wonder where we might have taken the music: but life, marriage and children took us away from being rock-and-roll contenders…still, I now consider it a wonderful honor to have played with The Watchman and still get goose bumps listening to the old tunes taken off-the-shelf.