The last one of from these sessions I've listened to – now I've finally caught up with everybody.
The song isn't exactly
Telegraph Road, indeed, and quite obviously not something they would ever have considered putting on the album. But in a strange way, I'm enjoying it a lot. It's very unambitious, musically and lyrically, but I find it intriguing because Mark has this talent for painting "mixed characters" – people whom you dislike, but, at the same time, find yourself identifying with. I'm not from Memphis, I hate golf, I do know that Mallorca is a part of Spain (even though Mallorcans speak their own language and many of them would prefer to be independent or part of Catalonia) – but I
do love a cold, crisp, dry white wine and I understand how this guy just tries to be friendly and can't help but talk down to the bartender. I've been in similar situations, and probably many of us have been (and I've worked as a bartender myself, so I know the other side, too). I really like the way how Mark doesn't judge his characters, but just portrays them with a few sketches. I only know a handful of Randy Newman's songs, and based on that, think that the comparison only goes so far, but I do think Mark generally does a great job with his "character" songs.
By the way, did you notice how Greg Leisz accentuates "Tennesseeae" with his pedal steel? Brilliant. Beautiful playing by him and Mark throughout the song.
