100 years from this day
Will the people still feel this way
And keep saying the things that they’re
saying right now
Everyone said I hurt you
They say that I’d desert you
If I go away you know I’m gonna come back somehow
Nobody knows what kind of trouble we’re in
Nobody seems to think
It all might happen again
100 years from this night
Would anybody change their minds?
And find out one thing or two about life
But people are always talkin’
You know they’re always talkin’
Everybody’s so wrong you know
R. M. Goetz - vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, keyboards, bass
Jennifer Schmidt - drums & percussion
100 Years From Now
I first heard this beautiful Gram Parsons song in the summer of 1975 on a hillside in Crafton Park. I can't remember the name of the local band that covered it, but ever since I've regarded "100 Years" as the penultimate psychedelic country song. (Ok, maybe secondn next to the Byrds "Wasn't Born To Follow"). Anyway, in late spring 1999 Catamount played a gig at Pluto's in the Strip. Jen's set went okay, but I died the death. I rushed songs, sang flat, broke a string. I mean, people were leaving after the 2nd song. And I don't blame them....
After this disaster I decided I didn't want to play loud music anymore. I'd been driving around in the cab for the past year and a half listening to 5D, Younger Than Yesterday, Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Mid-60's Byrds albums), and especially The Gilded Palace of Sin (Flying Burrito Bros.), the touchstone of 'cosmic american music'. Why not cover some of these simple, clear, direct, tuneful, melodious pieces of pre-post-modern americana? Living Praise Choir Mach 1 was assembled in the early spring of 2000, and after a few rehearsals we recordded a 4-song EP at barbecue Bob's during the summer of 2000. Personnel included John Fetkovich on drums and vocals, Barb Madaus on bass (she contributed a beautiful harmony on "100 years" that I almost forgot to credit her for), Rob R. on slide guitar and studio, me on vocals, guitar and concept, and the exquisite vocal stylings of Ms. Lila Sharra. On "100 Years From Now" we are joined by my buddy Max Bear from the Squares who contributed dueling mandolins.