oh Jezebel
today i wanted to listen to some Iron & Wine - decided on Woman King i couldn't make it past the second song on the album - Jezebel. i have listened to the song at least 20 times today and every single listening has made me tear up a little. i have never before been so moved by a single song. it isn't the story itself or the lyrics to the song that break my heart. instead, it is the amazingly beautiful simplicity and sincerity of the music and Beam's voice that cuts through me.
the song itself vaguely tells the tale of the bible's Phoenician princess; a pagan bride to Ahab, the prince of Israel. Jezebel is ultimately devoured by wild dogs, thus fulfilling Elijah's prophecy concerning her downfall. the song doesn't exactly describe the story to the listener, but more or less hints at the feelings evoked by the passages from 1 kings 16-21 and 2 kings 9 (yeah, i may not believe in god, but that doesn't mean that i don't read extensively). there is no percussion or bass in the song. just beam's acoustic guitar, gentle banjo pickings, light piano work and faint dulcimer tingings in the background lay the musical foundation for Jezebel. his voice floats lightly between the notes, creating a haunting and heartbreaking melody that is beam's finest work.
i am not capable of putting into words the accolades and praises that this song deserves. i'm not even entirely sure that a simple description alone is capable of conveying to you everything that this song encompasses, both musically and emotionally. all i can tell you is that you need to listen to this song. Jezebel reminds the listener of everything wonderful and compelling about music. in a way, i love the fact that all of his albums are like these secret little treasures that absolutely nobody knows about. you have to search his music out if you want to hear it. and only those of us who do are rewarded for our efforts. you can listen to the track here
"who's seen jezebel?
she was born to be the woman we could blame
make me a beast half as brave
i'd be the same
who's seen jezebel?
she was certainly the spark for all i've done
the window was wide
she could see the dogs come running"
the song itself vaguely tells the tale of the bible's Phoenician princess; a pagan bride to Ahab, the prince of Israel. Jezebel is ultimately devoured by wild dogs, thus fulfilling Elijah's prophecy concerning her downfall. the song doesn't exactly describe the story to the listener, but more or less hints at the feelings evoked by the passages from 1 kings 16-21 and 2 kings 9 (yeah, i may not believe in god, but that doesn't mean that i don't read extensively). there is no percussion or bass in the song. just beam's acoustic guitar, gentle banjo pickings, light piano work and faint dulcimer tingings in the background lay the musical foundation for Jezebel. his voice floats lightly between the notes, creating a haunting and heartbreaking melody that is beam's finest work.
i am not capable of putting into words the accolades and praises that this song deserves. i'm not even entirely sure that a simple description alone is capable of conveying to you everything that this song encompasses, both musically and emotionally. all i can tell you is that you need to listen to this song. Jezebel reminds the listener of everything wonderful and compelling about music. in a way, i love the fact that all of his albums are like these secret little treasures that absolutely nobody knows about. you have to search his music out if you want to hear it. and only those of us who do are rewarded for our efforts. you can listen to the track here
"who's seen jezebel?
she was born to be the woman we could blame
make me a beast half as brave
i'd be the same
who's seen jezebel?
she was certainly the spark for all i've done
the window was wide
she could see the dogs come running"
posted by brandon at
10:18 PM
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