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Gillian Welch — Revelator
Album: Time (The Revelator)
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 341









Released: 2001
Length: 6:13
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Darling, remember
When you come to me
I'm the pretender
And not what I'm supposed to be
But who could know if I'm a traitor
Time's the revelator

They caught the katy
And left me a mule to ride
The fortune lady
Came along, she walked beside
But every word seemed to date her
Time's the revelator
The revelator

Up in the morning
Up and on the ride
I drive into Corning
And all the spindles whine
And every day is getting straighter
Time's the revelator
The revelator

Leaving the valley
And fucking out of sight
I'll go back to Cali
Where I can sleep out every night
And watch the waves and move the fader
Time's the revelator
The revelator

Queen of the fakes and imitators
Time's the revelator
Comments (65)add comment
 horstman wrote:
Whenever I run across a song like this that just doesn't do it for me, I don't say "This song sucks!" because that is just a negative comment that pisses off the people that do like it.
Rather, I just post a 1 rating and move on.
More of you could learn from this.
But people love to bitch and complain.
 
I'm with you horstman re the needless negative comments.
No problem with people writing something negative if there's some intelligent explanation included.
I do happen to like this song.
Posted 13 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Thought this was very early Jayhawks.
Posted 13 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Surely the real deal............who is also starring on guit??

Posted 14 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Hey, this is very nice!! Saw her with Norah Jones and David Rawlings  live in Nashville. Very nice concert! This Guitar-exellent!!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:
Had to check to see if Gillian Welch was one of the Wailin Wennys. She's not, but they recorded her song One More Dollar.

 
Wailin Jenny's?

Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
Nuance wrote:
Sounds more like they were too cheap to do a retake on the first solo. Then he carried with it to seem "purposeful". imho
It's a nuance. I can see how some folks might miss that.

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:
Whenever I run across a song like this that just doesn't do it for me, I don't say "This song sucks!" because that is just a negative comment that pisses off the people that do like it.

Rather, I just post a 1 rating and move on.

More of you could learn from this.

But people love to bitch and complain.
 

Oh yes, and I will continue to do so whenever I dislike a song. Not this time though! 8!!!!{#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Whenever I run across a song like this that just doesn't do it for me, I don't say "This song sucks!" because that is just a negative comment that pisses off the people that do like it.

Rather, I just post a 1 rating and move on.

More of you could learn from this.

But people love to bitch and complain.
Posted 14 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
{#Yawn}
Posted 14 years ago by ndg    [ Reply ]
 newwavegurly wrote:
Sorry, she sounds off key in some of this, and the guitar does in some bits as well. It could just be me, but this is just dreary. EDIT: Reading through some of the comments, it seems the guitar sound is intentional... doesn't make me like it any more, though.
 
Sounds more like they were too cheap to do a retake on the first solo. Then he carried with it to seem "purposeful". imho
Posted 14 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
Had to check to see if Gillian Welch was one of the Wailin Wennys. She's not, but they recorded her song One More Dollar.

Posted 14 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - "The Weight" - Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXf-SuBbJa0

"Old Crow Medicine Show join Gillian and David Rawlings for an encore at St Lukes in London"
Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
One of my fave albums . . . 
Posted 15 years ago by onomasticator    [ Reply ]
I needed a song like this today...
Posted 15 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
I think they've been tinkering in the studio for the past year...hopefully soon. I agree it's been too long.

I am looking forward to seeing them this Summer, though! {#Dancingbanana}

(www.folksfestival.com) ... if you're interested.


 Ljenny wrote:
Does anyone know when she/they are coming out with some new stuff?  It's been too long.
 

Posted 15 years ago by 214radio    [ Reply ]
I need an all boys radio station.  *pout*
Posted 15 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
Does anyone know when she/they are coming out with some new stuff?  It's been too long.
Posted 15 years ago by Ljenny    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
This is my first hearing, but from nearly a nearly inaudible level I could tell it was Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, after only hearing them on another CD. Yes, the sound may require real listening. This is not sweet background music, but has a quality that conveys real honesty, at least to me. This music may not fit all moods, either, but she has something unique. Yet another unexpected RP find.
 

Agreeed, bam23.  You hit the nail on the head.  As a matter of fact I hope you don't mind if I check out some of your highest rated songs here on RP.  I might find something new that I like.
Posted 16 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
This is my first hearing, but from nearly a nearly inaudible level I could tell it was Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, after only hearing them on another CD. Yes, the sound may require real listening. This is not sweet background music, but has a quality that conveys real honesty, at least to me. This music may not fit all moods, either, but she has something unique. Yet another unexpected RP find.
Posted 16 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
The guitar is mesmerizing and fits beautifully to my ears.
Posted 16 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
Tend to agree..the offkey guitar although purposefully done is annoying newwavegurly wrote:
Sorry, she sounds off key in some of this, and the guitar does in some bits as well. It could just be me, but this is just dreary. EDIT: Reading through some of the comments, it seems the guitar sound is intentional... doesn't make me like it any more, though.
Posted 16 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
myasma wrote:
The guitar player is named David Rawlings. When you see Gillian and David together live, it is like one voice--they are so attuned to each other.
I saw them, via webcast, from Bonnaroo this year. They were amazing. The audience was captivated. So was I.
Posted 16 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
Sorry, she sounds off key in some of this, and the guitar does in some bits as well. It could just be me, but this is just dreary. EDIT: Reading through some of the comments, it seems the guitar sound is intentional... doesn't make me like it any more, though.
Posted 16 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
The guitar player is named David Rawlings. When you see Gillian and David together live, it is like one voice--they are so attuned to each other.
Posted 16 years ago by myasma    [ Reply ]
Simply sublime.
Posted 16 years ago by rvontha    [ Reply ]
Incredible track. So much character and emotion, wonderful keening, challenging harmonies make it a real treat to listen to.
Posted 16 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
Sigh. I just got her cd Revival ... now I guess I'm going to have to get this one too.
Posted 16 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Gillian Welch - Revelator Neko Case - Buckets of Rain Tracy Chapman - Let it Rain Madeleine Peyroux - California Raining brilliant set bill, happy new year!
Posted 16 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
...she is so fine...
Posted 17 years ago by eman    [ Reply ]
gutsy to open an album with a song like this..haunting and honest.
Posted 17 years ago by sugarbaby    [ Reply ]
Hmm. Seems so tired. Or maybe that's me.
Posted 17 years ago by folkalta    [ Reply ]
Absolutely beautiful! More Gillian Welch! Thanks Bill! I miss your posts at WorldClassRock!
Posted 17 years ago by Jimmy86    [ Reply ]
handyrae, go see her in person. You will have a change of heart. And you will go buy all her cd's.
Posted 17 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
... throw that old mono thang away an' buy somethin' equivelant to your music shop's headphones an' stereo system Gillian is worth the money an' the effort! handyrae wrote:
Not me! I bought one of her CD's many years ago and after playing it a couple of times couldn't figure out what made me like it enough to buy it in the first place. Actually I do know why. The shop I bought it from has listening stations with great headphones that make everything sound fantastic. Gillian Welch's wasn't the first CD I bought because of those headphones that didn't live up to the billing once I got it home.
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
music_man wrote:
Gillian's one of those artists where as soon as you buy one of her discs, you need to buy them all. This was the first one I bought and was so blown away that I now own all of them! BTW, David Rawlings is a fantastic guitarist. I had the privlege of seeing them last year here in Boulder and was not disappointed.
Not me! I bought one of her CD's many years ago and after playing it a couple of times couldn't figure out what made me like it enough to buy it in the first place. Actually I do know why. The shop I bought it from has listening stations with great headphones that make everything sound fantastic. Gillian Welch's wasn't the first CD I bought because of those headphones that didn't live up to the billing once I got it home.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Glen Phillips (formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket) does a great cover of this tune, adding some instrumentation to the arrangement in a way that lets the song simmer and growl a bit (if that makes any sense). I uploaded it to the LRC, but alas, didn't make the cut. (The song is on Glen's EP-length disc Unlucky 7. Still, I really like the original too. The unusual harmonies are a pleasant departure from the same ol' thing.
Posted 17 years ago by DBCinCA    [ Reply ]
............
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
This is one of my favorite GW songs.
Posted 17 years ago by ramette    [ Reply ]
Blown away by this and many more of her recordings, her colaboration with David Rawlings has produced many of my personal favorites - still haven't seen them live!
Posted 18 years ago by go_ski_mully    [ Reply ]
Beautiful
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Her fellow picker is outstanding.
Posted 18 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
ChicoCyclist wrote:
Truly outstanding! Seeing these two perform is a truly moving experience and I don't mind saying that I have nearly shed a tear during their performances.
Oh, that is a goal of mine. One day! I too wore this album out...so very harmonious and touching.
Posted 18 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
BillG wrote:
If you listen carefully, it is indeed about unconventional scales & harmonies - which tend to push that "out of tune" button to those of us whose ears are trained by conventional European harmony. Often the quarter-tones in Asian & Celtic music have the same effect.
Regardless.....
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
music_man wrote:
Gillian's one of those artists where as soon as you buy one of her discs, you need to buy them all. This was the first one I bought and was so blown away that I now own all of them! BTW, David Rawlings is a fantastic guitarist. I had the privlege of seeing them last year here in Boulder and was not disappointed.
I second the motion. Our sighting was in Greenville SC.
Posted 18 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
way too downbeat....depressssing....sigh, I have to go now...
Posted 18 years ago by kootzy    [ Reply ]
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
This is like saying 'the paint that the artist has used in the painting is a very special paint, very unusual and challenging' If I dont like the painting, then I dont care if the paint is rare and special and unusual, or if it is bought from the local craft shop for $5. The music sounds discordant to me, and I dont care if these are the same notes Mozart used, Gillian makes them sound awful. Yuk
Ah...the perpetual misunderstanding between the theoreticians and engineers...
Posted 18 years ago by MTL_Robbie    [ Reply ]
Gillian's one of those artists where as soon as you buy one of her discs, you need to buy them all. This was the first one I bought and was so blown away that I now own all of them! BTW, David Rawlings is a fantastic guitarist. I had the privlege of seeing them last year here in Boulder and was not disappointed.
Posted 18 years ago by music_man    [ Reply ]
rluking wrote:
Indeed. These guitars are absolutely in tune. It's the tritone some people can't tolerate. The flatted 5th.
This is like saying 'the paint that the artist has used in the painting is a very special paint, very unusual and challenging' If I dont like the painting, then I dont care if the paint is rare and special and unusual, or if it is bought from the local craft shop for $5. The music sounds discordant to me, and I dont care if these are the same notes Mozart used, Gillian makes them sound awful. Yuk
Posted 18 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
BillG wrote:
If you listen carefully, it is indeed about unconventional scales & harmonies - which tend to push that "out of tune" button to those of us whose ears are trained by conventional European harmony. Often the quarter-tones in Asian & Celtic music have the same effect.
... ...
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
just fit my mood right. great voice for the subject, and the shape,,, well, sigh.....
Posted 18 years ago by hippiebikercowboymusician    [ Reply ]
Nice, very nice indeed. Care to play more of her?
Posted 18 years ago by Tux    [ Reply ]
BillG wrote:
If you listen carefully, it is indeed about unconventional scales & harmonies - which tend to push that "out of tune" button to those of us whose ears are trained by conventional European harmony. Often the quarter-tones in Asian & Celtic music have the same effect.
Indeed. These guitars are absolutely in tune. It's the tritone some people can't tolerate. The flatted 5th.
Posted 18 years ago by rluking    [ Reply ]
Desert island disc for sure! Love it.
Posted 18 years ago by Edu    [ Reply ]
Truly outstanding! Seeing these two perform is a truly moving experience and I don't mind saying that I have nearly shed a tear during their performances.
Posted 18 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
DownHomeGirl wrote:
I think part of what you are hearing is David and Gillian's penchant for using "seconds" in their harmonies as opposed to "thirds." It's a little unconventional. David has such a sweet and understated style of picking. I love it
If you listen carefully, it is indeed about unconventional scales & harmonies - which tend to push that "out of tune" button to those of us whose ears are trained by conventional European harmony. Often the quarter-tones in Asian & Celtic music have the same effect.
Posted 18 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
I must say that I find the whole notion that someone who can play the guitar as well as this, working with such a great singer, and then using a company's money to go into a professional recoding and cut a disk that a record company puts on sale might actually have an out of tune guitar and not notice. But hey, maybe I'm being naive
Posted 20 years ago by 4999thnewuser    [ Reply ]
ad4tise wrote:
Was the sound engineer even listening to this?? The guitar is so out of tune it literally hurts my ears! :-&
I think part of what you are hearing is David and Gillian's penchant for using "seconds" in their harmonies as opposed to "thirds." It's a little unconventional. David has such a sweet and understated style of picking. I love it
Posted 20 years ago by DownHomeGirl    [ Reply ]
ad4tise wrote:
Was the sound engineer even listening to this?? The guitar is so out of tune it literally hurts my ears! :-&
... pretty bad ...
Posted 20 years ago by rolo    [ Reply ]
Was the sound engineer even listening to this?? The guitar is so out of tune it literally hurts my ears! :-&
Posted 20 years ago by ad4tise    [ Reply ]
Classic song from a classic album. MASTERPIECE!
Posted 21 years ago by Han    [ Reply ]
Absolutely her and David's best CD and that's saying alot. All those released before are excellent as well. A great live show, if anyone is afforded the opportunity. Thanks!
Posted 21 years ago by bill5    [ Reply ]
I think I detect a trace of Tracy Chapman in there somewhere, certainly no bad thing tho!! Great track!
Posted 21 years ago by BigCalm    [ Reply ]
Bill, really good song selection with this one following Hufamooses' James , which speaks of youthful optimism and changing the world.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
This is new to me...two puritanical \"thumbs up\"
Posted 22 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]