 Black Cadillac (2006) [ larger cover art ] |
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Radio operator, in a tiny foreign room
We can hear you now and later
Calling out and coming through
Radio operator, you're a voice so far from home
With a signal like a heartbeat
Not afraid but so alone
Where are the messages for me
The secret codes for parts unknown
I'll ride the signal to the world
And to the girl in San Antone
Radio operator, do you ever think of me
'Cause I'm a gleam on some horizon
Just too far away to see
Radio operator, there are still messages to send
From the future, from the present
And it never has to end
Where are the messages for me
The secret codes for parts unknown
I'll ride the signal to the world
And to the girl in San Antone
---- Instrumental Interlude ----
Radio operator, I am calling like a friend
From my future, from your memory
And it never has to end
This message will not end
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: Jan 05, 2011 - 06:08 xtalman wrote: Funny thing if you talk to somebody who likes country they will tell that this is NOT country. No argument. But that was not the point. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Nov 27, 2010 - 14:44  Rosanne Cash @ The Moore Theater, Seattle 5-1-10 by Kirk Stauffer http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirkstauffer/ © 2010 Kirk Stauffer Photography  All rights reserved |
| xtalman (What dimension?) | Posted: Aug 31, 2010 - 07:28 Hannio wrote: I dislike country (with a very few exceptions) as much as anybody here, but I would never be so illiberal, bigoted and selfish as to demand that none be played on RP. Funny thing if you talk to somebody who likes country they will tell that this is NOT country. |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: Mar 25, 2010 - 06:35 Thanks, a great song from a versatile artist. I wonder if some of the same listeners using the impossibly vague label of "country" to categorize any North American music that's not rock, soul, jazz or Chicago blues are the same posters extolling the endless variety and depth of reggae? Yeah, I know about Willie. |
| peter_james_bond (Lunenburg, NS) | Posted: Jul 16, 2009 - 07:31 lattalo wrote: Bill, I love Rosanne Cash and would love to hear more of her. I don't think of her as just country, more like her own style. True, she reminds me of Lucinda Williams, she does her own thing. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Mar 19, 2009 - 08:05 Rest In Peace, radio operator. You are missed. |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: Feb 15, 2009 - 19:24 Misterfixit wrote: Johnny and I talked about his military "career" one time back around 1995. Mr Cash was a Morse Code Intercept Operator for the US Air Force Security Service. He told me that the recruiter and testing people told him he had a "musical ear" — meaning that he could learn Morse Code easily. I mentioned that from my time in the military I learned that musicians are the best Morse Code operators. Anyway, I think we can assume that there is a lot in this song about Johnny Cash from the perspective of his daughter. Cool. Love Cash Sr.'s music. This is not bad either. 6 out of the gate. |
| lattalo (Beartooths) | Posted: Dec 14, 2008 - 11:50 Bill, I love Rosanne Cash and would love to hear more of her. I don't think of her as just country, more like her own style. |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: Nov 05, 2008 - 06:56 fredriley wrote: Yep, I'd second that. Country and/or Western usually sparks an immediate reach for the mute button - eat your heart out, Pavlov :) - but it's all part and parcel of an "eclectic" playlist so I'd never ask for C&W to be barred from RP. The good thing about this station is the width of its output and the way it constantly surprises its listeners. If the playlist were to be narrowed to suit the tastes of some listeners it would be a poorer station, IMO. Talking of mute buttons, Johnny Cash (which is what we called Durex machines when I was a teen ;-)) has just come on, so time to reach... I think I'd cast this differently. What is it about genres that is so off-putting that folks reach for the MUTE button? When you take a whole genre off your life's experience's table, you deprive yourself of opportunities to expand your knowledge and to learn something new. There are some magnificent and thoughtful artists that we might classify as country, including bluegrass, whose contribution to the artistic and cultural dialog is no less vital than, say, Jimmy Buffet or Metallica: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Roseanne Cash, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Clint Black, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, Larry and Tony Rice, Alison Krauss, and the list goes on. I wouldn't reach for the MUTE button just because I heard a pedal steel or mandolin any more than I would if I heard the scratch of a turntable or an orchestral string section... |
| susanakers (central Indiana) | Posted: Nov 05, 2008 - 06:49 At a concert last summer, the talented Ms. Cash said she wrote this for her father as he was once a radio operator. Her music is always welcome on RP! We need to continue to engage with all types of music, not merely labeling her 'country' and being done with it! |
| BobSteinVisiBone (Maine) | Posted: Oct 04, 2008 - 16:38 fredriley wrote: ...The good thing about this station is the width of its output and the way it constantly surprises its listeners.... I third that. Music genre are how chimpanzees and record company executives would classify. No help in the personal quest for sublime sound. |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: Sep 03, 2008 - 03:11 Hannio wrote: I dislike country (with a very few exceptions) as much as anybody here, but I would never be so illiberal, bigoted and selfish as to demand that none be played on RP. Yep, I'd second that. Country and/or Western usually sparks an immediate reach for the mute button - eat your heart out, Pavlov :) - but it's all part and parcel of an "eclectic" playlist so I'd never ask for C&W to be barred from RP. The good thing about this station is the width of its output and the way it constantly surprises its listeners. If the playlist were to be narrowed to suit the tastes of some listeners it would be a poorer station, IMO. Talking of mute buttons, Johnny Cash (which is what we called Durex machines when I was a teen ;-)) has just come on, so time to reach... |
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: Jul 09, 2008 - 12:24 tnt_thomas wrote: Poor tapestry - yuck, No Country!  I dislike country (with a very few exceptions) as much as anybody here, but I would never be so illiberal, bigoted and selfish as to demand that none be played on RP. |
| lattalo (Beartooths) | Posted: Jul 01, 2008 - 22:17 I wish Bill would play My Old Man, Rosanne's song writing is great. I think her Dad was very proud of her. This CD is excellent by the way. |
| jeremyg2k (New York, NY) | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 11:24 Why, RP, why oh why, do you feel the need to intersperse this femmy twangy garbage amid your otherwise perfect setlists?? |
| Baby_M (a 100-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio) | Posted: Mar 05, 2008 - 13:10 Where are the messages for me The secret codes for parts unknown Ooooh. I like this. |
| Jack_Jefferson (Columbus, OH) | Posted: Jan 26, 2008 - 12:58 cc_rider wrote: Um, do you know who she's talking about? c. C, I wouldn't have known otherwise. But from reading the other posts, she's singing about her father, Johnny Cash. Speaking of Johnny, did you (or anyone reading this) catch the documentary/concert of him at San Quentin? It was on CMT this morning. Jack |
| a_genuine_find (Sol, Gould Belt, Orion Arm, Galaxy of Milk and Honey) | Posted: Jan 26, 2008 - 12:39  |
| Misterfixit (Nashville) | Posted: Jan 02, 2008 - 16:16 cutterjudd wrote: Her late father...was'nt he a radio operator in the Air Force....the late Johnny Cash. Johnny and I talked about his military "career" one time back around 1995. Mr Cash was a Morse Code Intercept Operator for the US Air Force Security Service. He told me that the recruiter and testing people told him he had a "musical ear" -- meaning that he could learn Morse Code easily. I mentioned that from my time in the military I learned that musicians are the best Morse Code operators. Anyway, I think we can assume that there is a lot in this song about Johnny Cash from the perspective of his daughter. |
| Otomi (Guanajuato) | Posted: Jan 02, 2008 - 16:14    
|
| stickers11 (Burnaby, BC) | Posted: Nov 24, 2007 - 16:40 stickers11 wrote: Great song, great arangement. Listen on a good stereo people...
I agree, great recording, great mixing, great instrumentation. |
| CafeRacer (Still Waiting To Wake Up, Indiana) | Posted: Oct 24, 2007 - 06:57 Jack_Jefferson wrote: Radio operator sounds a little dated. Not many young people out there know what one is. If I were to ask my teenage nephew what a radio operator is, he'd probably say a person that turns the station and adjusts the volume. I wonder if she considered using 'Telephone Operator' instead.
Even telephone operator is getting outdated. Maybe she should change it to iPhone Operator or IM Operator.  |
| cutterjudd (smackdabinthemiddle) | Posted: Aug 22, 2007 - 11:51 cc_rider wrote: Um, do you know who she's talking about? c. Her late father...was'nt he a radio operator in the Air Force....the late Johnny Cash. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Jun 20, 2007 - 14:04 Jack_Jefferson wrote: Radio operator sounds a little dated. Not many young people out there know what one is. If I were to ask my teenage nephew what a radio operator is, he'd probably say a person that turns the station and adjusts the volume. I wonder if she considered using 'Telephone Operator' instead.
Um, do you know who she's talking about? c. |
| UltraNurd (Boston, MA) | Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 08:23 tnt_thomas wrote: Poor tapestry - yuck, No Country! When I think of "country", I think of modern country music first - Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, et al. The Cashes are certainly not country in that sense. I think RP's tapestry has just the right warp and weave of whatever kind of country they are, and a happy lack of "modern country". |
| tnt_thomas (Prince George, BC) | Posted: Dec 18, 2006 - 15:01 rubenbeagle wrote: country music is just one part of the great musical tapestry that makes up rp...thanks for including it!
 Poor tapestry - yuck, No Country! |
| punkbot | Posted: Dec 18, 2006 - 14:51 Of all the Cashs to come and go in the music industry, she's the most, ah, recent. Quite unremarkable.  |
| rubenbeagle (deep in the heart of illinois) | Posted: Dec 10, 2006 - 18:30 country music is just one part of the great musical tapestry that makes up rp...thanks for including it! |
| SinBlossom (Boulder, CO) | Posted: Oct 13, 2006 - 07:12 Oh, and great segue, Bill! |
| annanyc (Gotham) | Posted: Oct 06, 2006 - 12:33 Little_Wing wrote: I call it soft adult pop rock with a twang.
Although I like Roasanne Cash. I have never heard her a lot in the past. And I think she really sounds like her Mom. Which is a very good thing. "I'm goin to Jackson....  June isn't her mother. She is from Johnny's first marriage. I think John Carter Cash was June and Johnny's only child together. |
| stickers11 (Burnaby, BC) | Posted: Sep 28, 2006 - 15:07 Great song, great arangement. Listen on a good stereo people... |
| SinBlossom (Boulder, CO) | Posted: Sep 28, 2006 - 15:05 There's something in her style that reminds me of Lyle Lovett, which is not a bad thing, at least musically. Also sounds a little like Mary Chapin Carpenter, which is all to the good. |
| Jack_Jefferson (Columbus, OH) | Posted: Aug 23, 2006 - 14:29 Radio operator sounds a little dated. Not many young people out there know what one is. If I were to ask my teenage nephew what a radio operator is, he'd probably say a person that turns the station and adjusts the volume. I wonder if she considered using 'Telephone Operator' instead. |
| Little_Wing (SoCal) | Posted: Aug 23, 2006 - 14:25 I call it soft adult pop rock with a twang.
Although I like Roasanne Cash. I have never heard her a lot in the past. And I think she really sounds like her Mom. Which is a very good thing. "I'm goin to Jackson.... |
| Xeric (Various Strata) | Posted: Aug 15, 2006 - 18:14 arandomvandal wrote: There's nothing wrong with country, per se, it's pop country that's shit-tacular, Although I wouldn't count this genre among my favorites, I do enjoy the occasional gem it produces. |
| ruthless (Midtown Memphis) | Posted: Jul 25, 2006 - 08:04 OnYourLeft wrote: Nice. This needs to be added the the "I bought because of RadioParadise" list.
Yep |
| Mary_Read (The Pirate Ship Revenge) | Posted: Jul 17, 2006 - 10:06 earthbased wrote: If you get a chance to see her live, do so. You won't be disappointed.
Dan I agree. She opened for Wilco at the Ottawa Bluesfest this weekend. I was pleasantly surprised by her rockin set :) |
| arandomvandal | Posted: Jul 02, 2006 - 18:58 milchschnitte wrote: country
:puke:
There's nothing wrong with country, per se, it's pop country that's shit-tacular, Although I wouldn't count this genre among my favorites, I do enjoy the occasional gem it produces. |
| OnYourLeft | Posted: May 01, 2006 - 11:32 Nice. This needs to be added the the "I bought because of RadioParadise" list. |
| mojoman (Rocky Mountains, Colorado) | Posted: May 01, 2006 - 11:31 Paul_in_Australia wrote: I think it was in the Film "Shaun of the Dead" that the hero throws old LPs at the zombies to decapitate them. I think Dire Straits proved particularly deadly. In every sense.
I think that the "Coalition of the Willing" should requisition all the unsold Mariah Carey CDs they can find < there ought to be squillions> and the warehouses of CDs by this 'artist' so that Earth can be saved in the event of inavasion by zombies whose 'achilles heel' is decapitation by prerecorded music CDs. Then we can all sleep soundly in our beds. We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. The only thing that will kill the aliens in "Mars Invades" is Slim Whitman music. Very funny scene when the earthlings realize this and start blasting Slim through loudspeakers, sending the Martians into paroxisms of pain. |
| Pablo_BR (Brazil) | Posted: Mar 30, 2006 - 11:28 milchschnitte wrote: country
:puke:
.....i agree with you... :puke: :puke: |
| milchschnitte (Hamburg, Germany) | Posted: Mar 24, 2006 - 01:10 country :puke: |
| cptbuz (El Dorado Hills, CA) | Posted: Mar 18, 2006 - 13:32 Paul_in_Australia wrote: I think it was in the Film "Shaun of the Dead" that the hero throws old LPs at the zombies to decapitate them. I think Dire Straits proved particularly deadly. In every sense.
I think that the "Coalition of the Willing" should requisition all the unsold Mariah Carey CDs they can find < there ought to be squillions> and the warehouses of CDs by this 'artist' so that Earth can be saved in the event of inavasion by zombies whose 'achilles heel' is decapitation by prerecorded music CDs. Then we can all sleep soundly in our beds. We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. i have no idea what you are talking about here...but now I have to see that movie! |
| Paul_in_Australia (Melbourne) | Posted: Mar 07, 2006 - 17:36 I think it was in the Film "Shaun of the Dead" that the hero throws old LPs at the zombies to decapitate them. I think Dire Straits proved particularly deadly. In every sense. I think that the "Coalition of the Willing" should requisition all the unsold Mariah Carey CDs they can find < there ought to be squillions> and the warehouses of CDs by this 'artist' so that Earth can be saved in the event of inavasion by zombies whose 'achilles heel' is decapitation by prerecorded music CDs. Then we can all sleep soundly in our beds. We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. |
| Dotman | Posted: Mar 03, 2006 - 18:55 dot twiddles a few knobs. turns a cash into cash. dot. |
| matteos (Paris, France) | Posted: Feb 28, 2006 - 23:50 For me it looks like 'Wandering Spirit' by Mick Jagger... |
| drmike (Hong Kong) | Posted: Feb 28, 2006 - 23:47 Just loved the whole set, tracy, Wailin', Rosanne Thanks again Paradise. You can't imagine what I have to listen to in China |
| earthbased (Milwaukee, WI USA) | Posted: Feb 06, 2006 - 08:46 If you get a chance to see her live, do so. You won't be disappointed. Dan |
| xkolibuul (Green Mountain state of mind) | Posted: Feb 02, 2006 - 10:28 Hearing real country (not that "alt-" stuff, sorry Emmylou) on RP always makes my day. Thanks for featuring this new CD, Bill. |
| meghan89 (between 2 vertices) | Posted: Feb 02, 2006 - 10:27 Keith_Eel wrote: What a musical family, old habits are still hard to break, Whatever whenever however I will still tap my foot for any member of the Cash family!
But she could be so much more..... You're right. The CD seems like it would better used as a coaster. Maybe an awkward mousepad. Or as a projectile. I'm not sure exactly, but I don't think she be used for listening to. I feel like her voice doesn't belong to this genre, that she should be doing something else... Her parents were MUCH, MUCH better |