Dave Alvin
&
Don Heffington
From ANDRAS JONES: DAVE ALVIN is someone we’ve wanted to have on the show for years. Today, on the eve of embarking on a tour with Jimmie Dale Gilmore (and previous R8B guests Dead Rock West) he joins our session with his buddy DON HEFFINGTON to ask one of life’s essential questions. Like “To be or not to be?” or “Should I stay or should I go?” Dave’s question cuts to the quick. You’re going to have to listen to know what it is but along the way we get deep into the beat. As in The Beat Farmers (and The Pleasure Barons see below) as well as the elusive force Don appears to be searching for in his song.
Dave and Jimmie Dale Gilmore are playing in Austin at Antone’s the day of this release with Guilty Ones.
LISTENING FOR THE BEAT
(Don Heffington)
WELL IT’S COLD AND IT’S STILL RAINING
BUT AT LEAST I’M ON MY FEET
AS I TRY TO CUT THROUGH TANGLED LINES
OF PEOPLE ON THE STREET
I’VE SO MANY THINGS TO TELL YOU
SHOULD WE CHANCE AGAIN TO MEET
AND AS I TRUDGE UP TO THE PLATFORM
I’M LISTENING… FOR THE BEAT
AND NOW I SEE HOW EASILY
NIGHT OVERTAKES THE DAY
HOW EASILY YOU TURNED AROUND
AND SIMPLY WALKED AWAY
BUT YOU MIGHT’VE HEARD ME CALL YOUR NAME
FROM THE DARK END OF THE STREET
AND A CANDLE LIT A WINDOWPANE
WHILE I WAS LISTENING FOR THE BEAT
MY HEART IT KEEPS ON POUNDING
THROUGH EVERY NEW DEFEAT
INDISCREET AND OBSOLETE
AND FREEZING IN THE HEAT
IN THE BACKSEAT OF OLD BLUE DODGE
WE ALMOST FELT COMPLETE
LOOKING FOR AN EASY OUT
AND LISTENING FOR THE BEAT
SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF BABYLON
OFF THE CROWDED STREET
SOMEWHERE NEAR THE RIVERS END
WHERE ALL THE ANGELS MEET
WE GATHER THERE TO PAY OUR FARE
SALVATION ISN’T CHEAP
AND MANY MEN HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS
WHILE LISTENING FOR THE BEAT
IT’S COLD AND IT’S STILL RAINING
BUT AT LEAST I’M ON MY FEET
AS I TRY TO CUT THROUGH TANGLED LINES
OF PEOPLE ON THE STREET
THERE’S SO MUCH I NEED TO TELL YOU
SHOULD CHANCE AGAIN TO MEET
AND AS I TRUDGE UP TO THE PLATFORM
I’M LISTENING FOR THE BEAT
