Uncle Son Fun Fact: Uncle Son was a real person - the brother of Ray's mother. He fought in WW2 and then worked for the railway. Ray has said he contracted TB from that work and "died because of his job." According to Ray's bio, his mum would say things like "Uncle Son would have liked that" which gave Ray and Dave the sense he had been someone special. The lyrics paint a picture that Mark has so well described. And as for the song, this thread rarely ceases to amaze. That's a mighty factoid Mark has provided. This may not be an upbeat song but it's a fitting note on which to end the slower, personal songs that make up the bulk of side two of the album. It is one of my favourites on this record.
I generally like it when Ray and Dave harmonise together, but with the slide guitar it's just too far over the Americana line for me.
I dunno about that.. I'd say the idea amongst people that they could change the world (in whichever is their preferred way) has definitely come back into vogue over the last 'interesting' 10 years or so we have had (as I write this from Glasgow UK where the COP26 conference is in full swing).. whether it's actually possible is another matter or course, but as I see it anyway that kind of idealistic grassroots political engagement has never been higher in my lifetime.
As much as I enjoy the song musically, I'm not quite comfortable with it. In the superb first verse, Ray expertly makes this uncle guy come alive in just five little lines – not only alive but instantly noble and admirable. But then, putting him against the political context (or the political parties) is making the song as much about them as it is about him, which is a shame and a misstep in my (humble) opinion. It takes the song away from the guy, right after making it clear he'd deserve a song all his own.
I guess "Uncle Son" is the song on this album that I have paid the least amount of attention to but because I love this album as a whole, it is still a pretty strong recording in my book. I love the organ and Ray's voice - well, mournful (as @mark winstanley put it) nails it.
"Uncle Son", as the other Avids have pointed out, was based on a relative of Ray's, one that he really had few memories of. I remember reading an interview w/Ray in which he said that what he remembered most about Uncle Son is that he drew a picture of a train for him when he was a kid. This is a song that seems to suggest that the "common man" is mere fodder for whatever political movement that seems to pop up to "save" him. Our Headmaster was right on point about this aspect. As a song, I like it very much, especially the harmonies between Ray & Dave.
Eleven songs in on a twelve track album…so if it’s beginning to disappear at this point it means you like the album! Yes, I agree. It has a church-like feel.
Just out of interest.... is it the roots music that doesn't connect, or the sound of the instruments involved? No judgement or criticism involved here, I'm just trying to put my finger on what it is that turns you off this type of stuff.
Uncle Son: this song is arguably the song on the album that has gripped me the least. It’s not a bad song by any stretch, I just think, as Fortuleo so succinctly stated, it is over shadowed by the song on either side of it. Even the most perfect of albums always has to have a weakest song and I suppose for me, this is it. Unfortunately, being surrounded by 11 other amazing songs, this just blends a bit into the background. I’m hoping that reading everyone else’s opinions and thoughts will help me to understand more about this song. I acknowledged that it is eminently hummable. I suspect if I loaded it onto my playlist and surrounded it with songs not from this particular album on either side, it may cause it’s merits to pop out a bit more. Perhaps with the Rats remix and Dreams from Percy on either side, I’ll bet this song then jumps out in between rather than fading into the woodwork. I’ll give it a spin and report back!
Uncle Son This one is a bridge too far for me also. Musically, it's too much of a plodder. Lyrically, the political element outweighs the human element and moreover lacks the klassic Davies heart and wit. The song is good enough for most, but not klassic era Kinks.
A couple of days ago a friend of mine, who lives in Muswell Hill, posted on Facebook that she'd spotted a bunch of vintage double decker buses ferrying passengers about and asked if anyone knew why. Jokingly I said it was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of "Muswell Hillbillies", not realizing that "Muswell Hillbillies" was, in fact, released in the UK in November 1971! Today she posted this link and, sadly, it was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the closure of Muswell Hill's bus garage - which doesn't seem like something you'd want to commemorate? Anyway, I preferred my idea. Vintage bus rides in Muswell Hill
I think of Uncle Son as almost a benediction; “bless you, Uncle Son…”, a short interlude before the Grand Finale. I like it, so keep the album scoring at 11/11, but don’t consider it a candidate for playlist-hood.
Uncle Son The first ten times I listened to Muswell Hillbillies, this was the the track I liked the least. But, as I listened more this one has slowly moved into the lead for me. It is my fav amongst the MH tracks. The lyrics could have been written today. Liberals dream of equal rights, Conservatives live in a world gone by, Socialists preach of a promised land, But old Uncle Son was an ordinary man. As the descendant of Kentucky hillbillies, the country vibe calls to my soul. Of all the country-ish tracks on the album, this one is the most authentic to me. I love the harmonies and sing along every time it comes on.
The lead piccy in that story has the double decker w/vintage ads for a VCR & a computer. Speaking of doubledeckers, does any Avids remember a UK kid's show from the early 70s called The Doubledeckers? It actually was on the telly here in the States on Saturday mornings.
Uncle Son 1st listen and enjoying the slide and the brothers vocalising in union on all their unionist lines! Very American musically of course and someone has mentioned the Taylor Stones era. Nothing much to add after 2 listens and needing sleep before my daughter's Aunt/Girl pops over in the morning to celebrate her 9th birthday.
I remember the Double Deckers, although from early 90s repeats rather than the original run, during which I was about -10. Fun show, (and I agree, ultra catchy theme tune) which even 20 years later seemed pungently of it’s time as well as having that weirdly liminal nonspecific UK/US atmosphere as it was a transatlantic co production. Brinsley Ford from the show later went on to even greater fame as frontman for the reggae group Aswad.
I do. Get on board, get on board, get on board with the double deckers. If fun and laughter is what you're after...... on our double decker London bus....
Uncle Son. This one draws the line from American working class to English working class. I hear Woody Guthrie and the depression, the dust bowl and support of the 1930's common man. It is then filtered through The Band and The English working class. A prime example of working class sensibilities from both sides of the pond. Bless all the Uncle Sons.
Re: Mark’s conclusion, I agree. I bought a small farm a number of years ago and agreed over the phone, before taking possession, to permit a nearby farmer to graze his cattle on my new property. Best decision I ever made as we had an instant friend and ally. There wasn’t anything that Our Favorite Farmer couldn’t do. (It might have been a different story with the farmer we bought from! But that’ll destroy my point.) This attitude of “why don’t you do it yourself” was held by even many of the nearby contractors. My waterline to the barn sprung a gushing leak in early December and I called an outfit to have it fixed. True story, the guy says, “well, me and the guys can come out and you can watch us dig a hole…or you can do it yourself!” So I was out in the swirling snow, hacking my way through the frozen ground until I was four feet down and located the break. And fixed it. In short, I have great respect for the working man (and farmers). Okay, this is related to Uncle Son!
