Description
When Everyone Wore Hats is a 3CD Book Set by the American alternative rock band Daniel Amos, independently released on their own label Stunt Records in 2001. It’s actually their 1995-album Songs of the Heart re-envisioned in the form of a 3CD book set. It includes the entire original Songs of the Heart release plus the entire album rerecorded as an acoustic coffeehouse band, three bonus tracks, an interview about the album, new photos, liner notes and a short story by Terry Taylor.
Back in 1995 everyone’s favorite oddball alternative Christian band (well, mine anyway) decided to record a concept album, Songs of the Heart, detailing the last vacation of Bud and Irma Akendorf before Bud passes away in his sleep. As if the subject wasn’t enough of a guarantee to ensure a “big hit with the kids” they decided to use unconventional instrumentation and arrangements and the vocalist often spoke the part of Bud. For further confusion they used an album cover from a 60’s gospel album (not the one above), resulting in their album often being placed among Sandi Patti, Bill Gaither Trio and their ilk. It all seemed like a good idea at the time.
Even for many diehard fans, myself included, this album had an unusually long warming period. But once it hits, it hits hard with rich stories of the blessings and sufferings in their lives, all presented in a kind of movie soundtrack. The instrumentation, while unorthodox, does usually revolve around the typical rock band setup. Except «Get Back Into The Bus, Aloha» which uses a trombone to play the bass part … and «The Glory Road», which is about Route 66 and is built in a very angular rhythm and an accordion part so luscious and hip that it encouraged me to learn that very instrument – and a few others. But I digress.
Once one gets past the initial shock the different musical tone colors only serve to make repeated listens more enjoyable with new textures and parts being discovered each time. Personal favorites are legion but include the bittersweet, nostalgic, near a cappella «Donna Nietche and Her Super Race of Kick Boxing Uber Parrots» and «Sins of the Fathers», a song in which Bud faces his own mortality in a roadside diner by reflecting upon the young “counter kid with the insufficient moustache.” Lines such as “I could offer the boy some kind of words of wisdom… Tell him about unrealized expectations … But you can’t teach these young dogs new tricks” poetically portray Bud’s past as well as his hope for the future. The final song, «My Hand to God» finds Bud with his sleeping wife of 47 years beside him in bed, his body in the grips of a heart attack, knowing his time has come and yet hesitating to offer a prayer for his wife that “You know I love you, sweetheart / See you again soon.”
As strange as some songs on the album have been, here the music is a perfect compliment to the beautiful lyrics that often manage to pull tears from deep within me. In addition to the many lyrical and musical gems on this album one can also hear the insane musical ramblings of bassist Tim Chandler and the kind of guitar parts that can only sprout from the mathematical mind of Greg Flesch, who by day is a real NASA scientist. I’ve heard thousands of musicians in my life, and these two approach their instruments in such an off-kilter manner that I’ve yet to hear their equal.
This album has been reissued in a most unusual and fitting format. First, there is a 60-page book that includes notes on the original recordings and a lengthy story where this last vacation is fleshed out and given more depth. A second disc contains a stripped-down acoustic version of the album with the songs presented in a somewhat more coherent order. Presented with only piano, drum kit, and acoustic guitar, the lyrics are allowed more of center stage and reveal previously hidden nuances of the songwriter’s craft. The final CD includes band leader Terry Taylor reading sections of the story, an interview with him about the album and two new songs that bring further elements of the story to life. For those willing to take on this exhilarating Americana adventure down Route 66, cruise over to danielamos.com. Be sure to tell them Bud Akendorf sent ya! [Jason Hoffman, Whatzup, 2002]
3CD tracklist:
Disc One – Songs of the Heart:
1-01. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – 4:57
1-02. The Glory Road – 3:21
1-03. Get Into The Bus, Aloha – 2:32
1-04. Evangeline – 3:28
1-05. Uneasy Lies The Head Of The Confidence Man – 4:39
1-06. The Organ Bar – 3:56
1-07. Donna Nietche And Her Super Race Of Kick Boxing Über Parrots – 1:15
1-08. Our Night To Howl, Time To Go Dancing – 2:35
1-09. Sins Of The Fathers – 3:50
1-10. Turn This Off – 1:04
1-11. Loveland – 4:12
1-12. When Everyone Wore Hats – 5:27
1-13. My Hand To God – 3:50
Disc Two – Songs of the Heart Acoustic Version:
2-01. Donna Nietche And Her Super Race Of Kick Boxing Über Parrots – 1:32
2-02. Trois Gymnopédies No. 1 (instrumental) – 1:00
2-03. The Glory Road – 3:51
2-04. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You/Get Back Into The Bus, Aloha – 4:28
2-05. Evangeline – 3:20
2-06. Uneasy Lies The Head Of The Confidence Man – 4:36
2-07. The Organ Bar – 3:37
2-08. Our Night To Howl, Time To Go Dancing – 3:36
2-09. Sins Of The Fathers – 4:17
2-10. Loveland – 3:41
2-11. When Everyone Wore Hats – 4:42
2-12. My Hand To God – 4:50
2-13. The Glory Road, Pt 2 – 1:31
Disc Three – The Story of Bud & Irma:
3-01. Part One – 1:11
3-02. Your Hidden Hand – 2:44
3-03. Part Two – 0:47
3-04. Turn This Off – 1:30
3-05. Part Three – 1:59
3-06. The Devil’s Elbow – 2:33
3-07. Interview – 10:19
Note: Available at Bandcamp:
https://terryscotttaylor.bandcamp.com/album/when-everyone-wore-hats-disc-2
https://terryscotttaylor.bandcamp.com/album/when-everyone-wore-hats-disc-3
Lucas re-envisioned his trilogy. Spielberg rebuilt E.T. Now Terry Taylor has remade Songs of the Heart. Why, you may ask. In fact, unless you are the most die hard fan of Daniel Amos, you may have missed this disc. It was released with little promotion. So why this disc? Why not Motorcycle? Why not Darn-Floor? Hey, why not Kalhoun? It’s pretty simple when you see When Everyone Wore Hats. See, where Lucas and Spielberg messed up classics, Taylor took an interesting album and made it fresh and complete.
For those uncertain, When Everyone Wore Hats tells the story (as did Songs of the Heart) of Bud and Irma Akendorf – starting from their youth in 1947 to Bud’s death. And it’s a nostalgic story, clearly influenced by a recognition of the WWII generation. This was all part of the original disc – and disc one is simply Songs of the Heart. For those who never heard it, it’s an eclectic blend of noise.
It starts out with a nice upbeat rendition of the old song «Can’t Take my Eyes Off of You». The thing is, for much of the CD Taylor sings in the person of Bud (a move he admits was questioned by many and misunderstood by even more). It’s a low, near growl that takes a lot of time to adjust to, since most went into this expecting Terry, not Bud. «Get Into the Bus, Aloha» begins with an accordion and becomes a rock number shortly thereafter. The songs tell of the strange characters Bud and Irma meet, such as a faith healer named Evangeline. Again, Taylor speaks his way on a medium tempo bed.
The standout tracks of disc one are really at the end, like «Sins of the Fathers», in which Bud contemplates the shortness of life over a cup of coffee. The music drives the words along with a sense of urgency. The rock ballad «When Everyone Wore Hats», is sung by Taylor with a melancholy nostalgia. And «My Hand to God» is a beautiful ballad that speaks of greeting God, while saying goodbye to loved ones.
This is, of course, a team effort. It would be ridiculous to ignore the contributions of the band. Greg Flesch pulled a Prince and played an assorted collection of instruments (including – but not limited to – guitar, organ and accordion). Tim “I’ve played in every band except U2” Chandler offers his bass and trombone talents (along with some guitar). Jerry Chamberlain offered his guitar skills. And of course, don’t forget the master of Daniel Amos’ drums, Ed McTaggart (the only guy who didn’t play guitar on the disc).
Which brings us to disc two. DA went back in the studio and recorded all the songs acoustically. The disc now opens with «Donna Nietche and Her Super Race of Kickboxing Uber Parrots». I just mention that for the rather bizarre title. «The Glory Road» works nicely in the upbeat acoustic format, but it really just sounds like a non-electric version of the original, whereas «Get On the Bus, Aloha» sounds like a lounge lizard’s groovy intro. Evangeline’s point is easier to focus on in this format. Hearing Taylor treat these more as songs, it makes everything more listenable. «Our Night to Howl, Time to Go Dancing» feels almost novelty in this format, but the lyrics should still lift the hearts of couples young and old. «Loveland» sounds incredible as a quiet, passionate love song. The final two tracks are gems. Truth be told, I used to wonder if Terry was poking fun at the earlier generations with the song «When Everyone Wore Hats». This new version, underscored on piano, holds the importance of the tribute he meant to pay with the song. This is clearly to honor his father’s generation, and it’s done beautifully. «My Hand to God» is quite haunting.
Disc three includes Taylor reading selections from When Everyone Wore Hats, divided by additional songs (also rendered acoustically) and a rather informative interview conducted by some kid named Jason Martin.
And to the book. Back in 2000, we were treated to an ¡Alarma! Chronicles book set. There was talk of more (and there are at least two more to come – but no re-recordings?). The fans were shocked by the choice, but it works nicely. Taylor’s prose has improved quite a bit since the ¡Alarma! Chronicles, though he is given to overusing metaphors a little too much. The visuals of the books are very nice. They feature both stock images of iconic fifties imagery and pictures of the band members from their childhood. The book also contains explanations of the songs, the lyrics and a nice little intro by Taylor. In fact, the biggest criticism I have of the book is that it isn’t a hardcover like the ¡Alarma! Chronicles was. There are valid reasons, and frankly, it’s a minor concern. All in all, this is a solid and creative piece of work. Daniel Amos has help shed light on a little praised album and made it a worthy collection for any fan.
*Just as a precaution (to cover my butt): If you hated Songs of the Heart, you may not like this one either. [Thom Gladhill, Vagrant Cafe]
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