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Calexico — Sunken Waltz
Album: Feast of Wire
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 628









Released: 2003
Length: 2:24
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Washed my face in the rivers of empire,
made my bed from a cardboard crate,
down in the City of Quartz.
No news, no new regrets.
Tossed a Susan B. over my shoulder,
and prayed it would rain and rain,
submerge the whole western states.
Call it a last fair deal
with American zeal
and corporate handshake.

Take the story of Carpenter Mike,
who dropped his tools and his keys and left
and headed out as far as he could,
past the cities and gated neighborhoods.
And he slept neath the stars,
wrote down what he dreamt,
and he built a machine
for no one to see.
Then took flight, at first light
of new morning.
Comments (81)add comment
 lysisphere wrote:

Andrew Bird followed by Calexico - reminds me of my days counting plague-borne fleas in the lab with Eryn Wilder - hi Eryn if you're out there!


saw them together at the former Blue Hills Pavilion - outdoor harbour event venue in Boston - thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. never would have paired them but it was fantastic. PS i love whistling...nowhere near good but what a happy past-time
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 gortacleva wrote:
What a gem of a song. First time I've managed to catch it on RP.

 
Not merely a gem of a song, but a gem of a band.  Brilliant.
Posted 9 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
 tulfan wrote:
This song makes me crave hearing some Buckwheat Zydeco...

 
Now that's a stretch, but I see where you're coming from.

Personally, I thought it was a nice segue from Noche Tequiluc.


Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
{#Kiss} ...... luv this band a lot - nice song 8 for me
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
This song makes me crave hearing some Buckwheat Zydeco...
Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
'Tossed a Susan B over my shoulder'?

Anyone care to elucidate? 

 

The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin would be my first guess...
Posted 10 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
'Tossed a Susan B over my shoulder'?

Anyone care to elucidate? 
Posted 10 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
ALGIERS is a bitter-bitter disappointment in my opinion!
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
this song makes me dance!...in my seat as i work, work, work...
Posted 12 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
 lysisphere wrote:
Andrew Bird followed by Calexico - reminds me of my days counting plague-borne fleas in the lab with Eryn Wilder - hi Eryn if you're out there!
  

 westslope wrote:

Plague-borne, or plague-bearing?
 
Maybe we should ask Eryn. If the fleas didn't get her. 

Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Wonder if this is written from the perspective of a Quartzite, Arizona resident? That is one spooky, desperate place (unless the nomadic dealers are in for a mineral show). Haunted eyes everywhere, self exiled ghosts looking for anything to blame but themselves. A spaghetti Western that never made it out of the editing room.
Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
"Caught a last fair deal with an American Seal" - what a beautiful song to celebrate our disaffection on this day.  Thanks.
Posted 13 years ago by mvanderford60    [ Reply ]
kaybee wrote:
I really like this piece; even the accordion (normally an instrument I can't stand and have to mute) doesn't marr it.
How do you feel about the glockenspiel on Little Wing?

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]

Volker Zander and Paul Niehaus  by mikerizzi
Mike Rizzi
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rizzi/

Calexico soundcheck at the Fillmore.

4-DSCF1217

Copyright All rights reserved

.
Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
What a gem of a song. First time I've managed to catch it on RP.
Posted 14 years ago by gortacleva    [ Reply ]
 lysisphere wrote:
Andrew Bird followed by Calexico - reminds me of my days counting plague-borne fleas in the lab with Eryn Wilder - hi Eryn if you're out there!
 
Plague-borne, or plague-bearing?

Posted 14 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Andrew Bird followed by Calexico - reminds me of my days counting plague-borne fleas in the lab with Eryn Wilder - hi Eryn if you're out there!
Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
wonderful. . . .\

Waltzes. . .I cannot believe I'm liking Waltzes!     Calexico does one one their newest CD (News about William) 

XO by Elliot Smith is another favorite
Posted 14 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
I really like this piece; even the accordion (normally an instrument I can't stand and have to mute) doesn't marr it.
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
These guys are incredibly good live, I highly recommend them!
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
mandolin wrote:
++ ...first when i discovered them three years ago my reaction was much the same - their back catalog is vast, lots and lots of great music to wade through...
Yes, so much good, have them all! I have clipped the beginning of "Crystal Fronter" for my ring tone, the horns sound great!
Posted 16 years ago by s0db    [ Reply ]
Vocal sounds like Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay also. But I sound like kermit the frog. Doesn't mean I am him or want to be, or am trying to be. I am however looking for the rainbow connection. Could it be RP?
Posted 16 years ago by s0db    [ Reply ]
prickelpit96 wrote:
How could I've been existing for so many years without Calexico? This doubtless is great music!
++ ...first when i discovered them three years ago my reaction was much the same - their back catalog is vast, lots and lots of great music to wade through...
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
A great track from a great group. Like a sad movie in which nobody actually died, everyone made it across the river. I have no idea what I am talking about.
Posted 16 years ago by s0db    [ Reply ]
xkolibuul wrote:
Al Stewart?! Its a friggin' waltz. Show me where Al Stewart ever played a waltz. And a much more than decent waltz at that. Tucson's finest.
Take a pill, dude. The voices are similar.
Posted 16 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
How could I've been existing for so many years without Calexico? This doubtless is great music!
Posted 16 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
That is one frightening piece of artwork...
Posted 16 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
Love it
Posted 16 years ago by b17m4p    [ Reply ]
Ah, I so looooovvvveeeee these guys, am acquiring all their CD's. Thanks for playing them RP.
Posted 17 years ago by PurplePrincess    [ Reply ]
Al Stewart?! Its a friggin' waltz. Show me where Al Stewart ever played a waltz. And a much more than decent waltz at that. Tucson's finest. westslope wrote:
Al Stewart.... true. Decent.
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Al Stewart.... true. Decent.
Posted 17 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing Al Stewart . . . not in a bad way.
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Radiohead and Calexico back to back....to good to be true...is it a Friday, too?.....
Posted 17 years ago by Almo80    [ Reply ]
can you Bob Dylan?
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
i am really enjoying this!
Posted 17 years ago by canadianbug    [ Reply ]
First song I heard from these guys. Instantly started downloading more. Got myself into a huge calexico addiction. Saw them live @ The Effenaar, Eindhoven - The Netherlands. Really guys, if you like this: Go and see them live, they're even better live than on CD's! Worth every penny! And if you by any chance own a serious record player, buy the vinyl. Sounds way better than the CD's.
Posted 17 years ago by s_k    [ Reply ]
Holy shniz if this set keeps going i'm gonna 'splode... RH- subterranean homesick alien now this!
Posted 17 years ago by pugifat    [ Reply ]
More Calexico!
Posted 17 years ago by 99    [ Reply ]
Behold, MojoJojo. vandal wrote:
no more obscure than mojojojo
Posted 18 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
I love these obscure album titles, like "Feast of Wire". It reminds me of the subject lines in all the crap-ass, junk emails I get.
Posted 18 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
mrselfdestruct wrote:
Sounds like you've drinking. Mush.
hmmm sarcasm isn't your strong point?
Posted 18 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
And again July 3 - this has been a recording. vandal wrote:
oddly enough, the same songs in the same order on 21.April still great stuff!
Posted 18 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
hippiechick wrote:
Big fan of Calexico, thanks to RP
Me, too, THANKS TO RP -- and to think, I used to go through that place several times a year (was married to a Mexicana from San Felipe)... Hey, what are the chances of hearing Caifanes (or Los Jaguares) on RP? Anyway, RP sure takes good care of us, no? Con mucho carino!
Posted 18 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Ahh thank you Bill. Iron & Wine, Radiohead, and Colexico all within the same listen. I'm feeling quite spoiled.
Posted 18 years ago by mousebones    [ Reply ]
Big fan of Calexico, thanks to RP
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
om pa pa om pa pa nothing like a polka inspired pop folk tune time to upload some polka inspired rock, maybeThe Kehoe Nation "Polka yer eye out!"
Posted 18 years ago by cptbuz    [ Reply ]
Sunken Waltz right after Subterranean Homesick Alien - Radio Heaven!
Posted 18 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
this song is terrific. i can't wait for the day to see calexico live ... they are one of the very few bands whose live shows I actually like listening to.
Posted 18 years ago by borderlessworld    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Tell me a single thing Michael Moore has been right about. Just one, please.
Well, I read that he's a big Calexico fan. How's that?
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Tell me a single thing Michael Moore has been right about. Just one, please.
He bet on the gullability of the American left and hit the jackpot. Back on topic: I really like this piece. Dear Santa, please put some Calexico under the tree this year . . . .
Posted 19 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
He's loud but he turned out right. Who has no brain cells now?
Tell me a single thing Michael Moore has been right about. Just one, please.
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
He's loud but he turned out right. Who has no brain cells now?
If you throw out enough conjecture as he did some of it will stick. It doesn't make him a good prognosticator though. IMHO.
Posted 19 years ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Several impossibilities: ... Find a brain cell in Michael Moore's head
He's loud but he turned out right. Who has no brain cells now?
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Several impossibilities: Paint the wind One canister of orange smoke does the trick. Find a brain cell in Michael Moore's head He has a large brain, it is the over ride and control systems that sometimes overwhelm him Play too much Calexico
Okay, I'm with you on this one.
Posted 19 years ago by Dragonfly_Launch    [ Reply ]
Ooooooh, GREAT piece of relaxing music. Absolutely great wibes that chill your soul. This is 10/10 from me.
Posted 19 years ago by Sobient    [ Reply ]
:sunny.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
" I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow."
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Several impossibilities: Paint the wind Find a brain cell in Michael Moore's head Play too much Calexico
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Nuance wrote:
Been drinking?? This beautiful song is mush to short.
Sounds like you've drinking. Mush.
Posted 19 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
masterhead wrote:
I mush prefer this Calexico than the epic mexican interpretations...
Been drinking?? This beautiful song is mush to short.
Posted 20 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
I mush prefer this Calexico than the epic mexican interpretations...
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
tonypf wrote:
Is that the faint memory of Gram Parsons I hear?
No, you just hear the dude who burnt him to a crisp!
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
Is that the faint memory of Gram Parsons I hear?
Posted 20 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
love this song. have just added the album to my wishlist.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Feast of Wire reveals the wonderful diversity of music played by Calexico. No cut is a loser, and each one sounds quite comfortable and can be considered an old friend from the first listen. (Give Neko Case a try, who owes much of her sound to the group.)
Posted 20 years ago by cheetah    [ Reply ]
these guys aren't half bad.
Posted 20 years ago by downbylaw    [ Reply ]
Great song, great album.
Posted 20 years ago by Zeke19    [ Reply ]
mrmonkey wrote:
played way too often!
I like the song but agree with mrmonkey
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
i don't know what it is, but i just love a waltz...
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
diegodude wrote:
I bought this album hoping that all the songs will be as good as this one and Quattro. Unfortunately I wasnt very impressed with the others.
That's funny. I bought the album hoping that it would more like Quattro and less like Sunken Waltz. I'm really enjoying it. Granted, I skip Sunken Waltz more often than not. To each his (or her) own, right? :)
Posted 21 years ago by indigo_xia    [ Reply ]
I bought this album hoping that all the songs will be as good as this one and Quattro. Unfortunately I wasnt very impressed with the others. Listen to entire albums before you buy them :-)
Posted 21 years ago by diegodude    [ Reply ]
played way too often!
Posted 21 years ago by mrmonkey    [ Reply ]
This tune, while nice, leaves me jonesing for a Leonard Cohen Waltz after it\'s over. Tastes like another. :p
Posted 21 years ago by caitlin    [ Reply ]
I think these guys have taken a page right of the book written by Los Lobos.....
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ndanger666: This should have been named "Suckin' Watltz" ;)
Gee, you'd have to be a contortionist, with exceptional coordination.
Posted 21 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
This should have been named \"Suckin\' Watltz\" ;)
Posted 21 years ago by ndanger666    [ Reply ]
Me Too
Posted 21 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
Love love love.... I love how eclectic this band is... you don\'t get bored..:) :D
Posted 21 years ago by Talalala    [ Reply ]