Ferron, “I Never Was to Africa” (1984)
From one of the great break-up albums, Shadows on a Dime. I’m not normally one for touchy-feely folkie fare, particularly of such an arguably Kumbayah new-age bent (fair warning, all), but I think Ferron is something of a special case. Her imagery is tender and sharply observed; the line here about the synchronicity of saying “I love you” to future partners is just great, and she tosses it off so casually too. I saw her a few times way back and remember her as a terrific performer, funny and with a knack for storytelling and even for stunts like getting the crowd to sing along. It may sound cloying, but trust me, it was anything but. Maybe you had to be there. If you were, by some chance, these songs are likely to bring it all roaring back.
About last week: “Snowin’ in Brooklyn”
More stuff at Can’t Explain.