View Full Version : Wheel inside the wheel?
dumbtourist
11-09-2006, 01:03 AM
On Buffett's new cd, Take the Weather with You, he plays a great song written by Mary Gauthier called Wheel inside the Wheel. This song is entirely about New Orleans. The refrain: "So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel, And roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel".
Can anyone help me with this? Is the flaming circle the sun? What is the golden reel? And what is meant by the wheel inside the wheel? Thanks.
dumbtourist
11-13-2006, 11:08 PM
Four days and no answer. I found an interview Mary did with NPR early this year talking about the cd. The song was written for a good friend from N.O. who died and the song is about what she thinks life after death might be like. But no reference as to the meaning of "flaming circle...wheel inside the wheel". Damn. Anyway, if case you didn't know, she has a tough past, being in jail at 18, and has just started to see some success as a songwriter. Still looking for an answer to the question, "wheel inside the wheel". Have checked the Marg.ville site as well...no one there knows either.
Corona
11-14-2006, 06:56 AM
DT, I posted it to some of my music friends who don't get on here much. Maybe they'll have a few thoughts for ya....
Give her a shout- only she would know fo sho:MaryGoshay@aol.com
dumbtourist
11-14-2006, 03:01 PM
Give her a shout- only she would know fo sho:MaryGoshay@aol.com
Ohio, that's the way her name is pronounced, but not the way it's spelled. But I'll try it anyway...thanks. And you too Corona.
It's a great song, in case you haven't heard it.
mightyradgumbo
11-15-2006, 04:28 AM
She used to own a restaurant in Boston called the Dixie Kitchen. Real good food.
YYR, DT-her past is definitely checkered to say the least. Opening night of her restaurant debut, she was busted for DUI.
Hellava singer/songwriter.
I am torn which version I like better-hers or Jimmy's
dumbtourist
11-15-2006, 12:39 PM
I am torn which version I like better-hers or Jimmy's
I had never heard of her until I got Jimmy's cd, then loved the song and read the cover to find out he didn't write it, and from there, have been trying to learn about her. I've only heard part of her version on NPR...I'm looking forward to picking up her cd at LMF next week.
grisgris
11-19-2006, 09:17 PM
Ok DT here I go, I just finished a 76 hrs shift at work & had some wine, but here is my take on the song. The older ones start & new ones take over, be it musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, Drag Queens, GutterPunks & etc. The wheel is life & it continues, it is neverending. It's New Orleans, it continues no matter what, Katrina can't stop it, nothing can stop New Orleans, it just continues no matter what. But then again the cow jumped over the moon & no one will ever know except the writer of the song. Just my thoughts.
Ohio, that's the way her name is pronounced, but not the way it's spelled. But I'll try it anyway...thanks. And you too Corona.
It's a great song, in case you haven't heard it.
Did you think I made it up? I got it from her agent's site...:rolleyes:
dumbtourist
11-20-2006, 03:38 PM
Did you think I made it up? I got it from her agent's site...:rolleyes:
No, I didn't think you made it up...just wasn't sure we had the same Mary. But as they say....YOU DA MAN!!! I just got a response, as below:
Mary Gauthier is on tour in Europe. I work with her here in the States. She asked me to respond to your email regarding her song...Wheel Inside the Wheel. I'm not sure if the interpretation below will help, but it's worth a try. "Wheel" is a biblical reference to Ezekiel's wheel thus the wheel inside the wheel. The song was written as a tribute to a friend and songwriter Dave Carter who passed away. Since Mary's from New Orleans she wanted to write a New Orleans jazz funeral song for Dave. There you have it. I hope it helps.
Melanie
Ezekiel 1:16-21 (NIV)
This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not turn about as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
Thanks again, OHIO!
Cool!
but that bible stuff scares me...
Earthmother
03-06-2008, 10:02 PM
Cool!
but that bible stuff scares me...
BWAHAHAHAHA, Bry! (That was an evil laugh,BTW), Don't be skeered. The Bible isn't what'll hurtcha.......:eek:
sophisticated sissy
03-07-2008, 01:05 AM
Thank you for posting the interpretation and the quote from Ezekiel, D.T. I really like the song, too.
Ohio, I think I heard/read somewhere that Mary G. will be playing in our area soon . Coulda been a brainfart, though.:confused:
Don't worry EM, I'm more scared of mankind....
That is a great tune. Sis, keep me posted if you hear more.
sophisticated sissy
03-07-2008, 01:47 AM
Will do, Bry! :)
stlbarb
03-13-2008, 12:07 PM
Did you think I made it up? I got it from her agent's site...:rolleyes:
i just figured it was part of you innate stalker abilities....
freebo
03-13-2008, 12:50 PM
Dave Carter partnered up with Tracy Grammar, and together they made musical magic.
Check out 'Tanglewood Tree' and 'Drum Hat Buddha'. Highly recommended.
Mary Gauthier has written and performed many amazing songs. While her voice is an acquired taste, her soul really shines through, and that makes up for any technical deficiencies.
I recommend 'Mercy Now' (warning: downbeat & serious, but worthy), and the album 'Filth & Fire' both of which (I think) were produced by Gurf Morlix, who has a knack for bringing out the best in singer-songwriters (see: Lucinda Williams).
Wait? What was this thread about anyway...? ;)
Stella Blue
03-16-2008, 02:53 PM
Here are the full lyrics to the Mary Gauthier song, in case anyone was interested. I was:
The parade of souls is marching across the sky
Their heat and their light bathed in blue as they march by
The All Stars play "When the Saints Go Marching In"
A second line forms and they wave white hankies in the wind
Satchmo takes a solo, and he flashes his million dollar smile
Marie Laveau promenades with Oscar Wilde
Big Funky Stella twirls her little red umbrella to the beat
As the soul parade winds its way down Eternity Street
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Mardi Gras Indians chant in the streets at sundown
Spyboy meets Spyboy, and Big Chief meets Big Chief uptown
They circle and sway in their rainbow colored feathers and beads
They prance like peacocks, children of slavery freed
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
Roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
The Krewe of the Crossbones parades into the midnight sun
They march through the fire and come out beating homemade drums
While the French Quarter Queens in their high-heeled drag disguise
Sing "Over the Rainbow" 'til Judy Garland quivers and sighs
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Flambeau dancers light the walkway to Jean Pierre's
There's a party tonight and all the girls are gonna be there
Sipping wormwood concoctions, drinking absinthe and talking trash
It's a red carpet, black tie, all night, celestial bash
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
I said roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Yeah, roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel''
The Ezekiel reference make sense.
Bob Weir has an unreleased song called "Money for Gasoline'' that includes in part of its chorus a call-and-response that ultimately mentions Ezekiel.
"(Spin the wheel)
Hit the bricks and run like hell
(Spin the wheel)
Pound the piss out the poorhouse bell
(Spin the wheel)
Dive right in to the wishing well and
Spin the wheel like Ezekiel''
As for Biblical references in songs, you don't have to religious or non-religious to know there is plenty of great storytelling in the Bible -- universal conflicts etc. -- that make them a great source for song writers...
peteup
03-16-2008, 06:54 PM
I love Mary Gauthier and would crawl over broken glass to see her play. On every one of her albums there are priceless gems.
Hehehehe.....and I just love the way she sings "sipping wormwood concoctions, drinking absinthe and talkin' trash" - sends shivers down my spine!!
sophisticated sissy
03-22-2008, 06:55 PM
Sis, keep me posted if you hear more.
Ohio, Mary G. will be appearing tomorrow, Sunday, 3-23-08 @ SHAKE IT RECORDS on Hamilton Ave. 4 P.M.
Free in store show
591-0123
Oh poo! I already have something planned with my Mom. Can't get out of as it's already a reschedule from the blizzard weekend. :(
sophisticated sissy
03-22-2008, 07:05 PM
Drag mom out witcha!:) ;)
Drag mom out witcha!:) ;)
She's cooking dinner, and not really into music other than classical :(
I heard this song on the radio tonight, on Sirius Satellite channel 70's Saturday Night "Bourbon St" show. :)
sophisticated sissy
03-24-2008, 04:15 PM
Mary Gauthier's in store show was very nice! She played for about 45 minutes and did a meet & greet/ autograph session with the fans afterward. A very sharp, intelligent person!
Not a very large crowd, though. Maybe about 40 peeps showed up, but it was a lot of fun. Mary G.'s opening for the Cowboy Junkies and then going on a European tour. Hope I have the opportunity to see her again up the road.
stlbarb
03-26-2008, 07:06 PM
i excited, we're going to Cowboy Junkies tonite and get Mary Gauthier as a lagnaippe!