Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyers999
This song was written/recorded by Steve Goodman in 1971 and describes a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad's “City of New Orleans” (a real train). Arlo Guthrie recorded it in 1972 and it was a hit for him appearing on the charts as high as #4. Willie Nelson recorded it in 1984 as the first song on his album of that year entitled “The City of New Orleans.” This was in honor of Goodman who died that year from leukemia at the age of 36.
Other artists have recorded it but my favorite has always been Goodman’s. Although his voice might be a little more raspy, the words are so beautiful with wonderful imagery. (“magic carpet made of steel”; “southbound odyssey,” “graveyards of the rusted automobiles”).
This video is only five and a half minutes long and includes him describing his meeting with Guthrie and other trivia about the song, at the beginning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ztWNJYFrU |
Steve Goodman is not as famous as he should be. Good choice.
I could write a list of songs I love for the rest of the day, but I'll name one here that I've been attached to (again) lately. I'll go with Angel From Montgomery. Written by John Prine, and performed magically by Bonnie Rait. I've also stumbled on a version by Tedeschi Trucks Band that is also great.