Bob Carpenter "Silent Passage"-1974 lost folk rock gem. Track by Track

Love Letter To A Record:
Marlon Williams On Bob Carpenter’s ‘Silent Passage’


Written by Marlon Williams on February 16, 2018
Love Letter To A Record: Marlon Williams On Bob Carpenter's 'Silent Passage' - Music Feeds






I first heard the title track of Bob Carpenter’s Silent Passage on Midlakes’ edition of the Late Night Tales compilation series. The first thing that struck me was the compromised quality of the master. It suffered from a bit of pitch bend and a fair amount of tape hiss. Instead of being put off by this at all, I was compelled. Much like a physical idiosyncrasy in a lover, this blemish became a medal of mysterious distinction.

Then that voice descended upon me; “Before the war I had no need for traveling/ indeed I do not know what made it too important to leave/ And after all this time I found that I’m avoiding thee/ for nothing more or less than fear of what I have to gain from staying in the clear”. Instantly, I knew this protagonist, whoever he was, had suffered, and my heart was given over to his story. I remember getting to the end of that song and the questions burning away within: What war? Who have you been avoiding? The respective answers to these questions are, crucially, “No war you’ve ever heard of” and “thee”.

I listened to the rest of the album. More tales of mysterious and terrible journeys, bound by the common thread of seafaring. I searched out the cover with something kin to lust; Gustav Dorés’ etch of a ship traveling towards an unknown horizon for ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’. Of course. Carpenter’s protagonist in Silent Passage was a modern day Mariner. The religious imagery. The metaphor of the “ship of life” on a sea of faith. And yes, the ambiguous mystery of time and place. People have long conjectured over where the Ancient Mariner’s Rime takes place; The presence of icebergs and the albatross itself seem to place it in southern seas somewhere near Antarctica, but it’s all conjecture.

Similarly, there were lyrics across Silent Passage that, no matter how hard I listened, I couldn’t quite discern. In my hunger to know I searched the web. It seemed nobody could say for sure what the lyrics were and through my research I learned that Carpenter had passed away almost twenty years ago, thereby preserving that precious mystery.

This paradox of self-consistent ambiguity, so central to storytelling, is what makes Carpenter’s only record a true work of art in the highest sense. No other album had ever dragged me away to a world so vaguely half-detailed, so achingly dreamlike, and no album has quite done that since.

A tasteful and respectful cover by Marlon Williams...stunning.


Chills. Sessions on Trams like this are only more precious in these times...

 

Excellent...glad you were mistaken about who "Bob" was, and entered here for a sweet surprise! I hope more forum members make the same mistake...or rather discovery.

 

I've just sent for the CD so thanks for keeping the thread alive!

I'm not much of a musician, so I'm really happy you're putting up the chords. I'd struggle to work them out for myself! Be nice to play some of these in the pub once the dreaded virus passes over.

 

Wish I could stop in for a pint and a listen when all things return to "normal".

 

This kind of thread is why I love this forum so much.

Thank you so much for drawing attention to this album and artist, neither of which I had previously heard of.

Drawn in by the cover, I listened on Tidal this afternoon, whilst taking my permitted exercise and was blown away with just how good this album is.

I am so looking forward to listening again with time for a bit more concentration and also to reading through the thread.

Best Wishes,
David

 

Thank you very much for this thread! I never heard of Bob Carpenter before today, but I've been on a 70s folk-rock kick lately (Steeleye Span, Mr. Fox, etc.), and I figured this was something I should check out. Very glad I did! This is a wonderful little album.

 

I too got goosebumps when I first cued this up, though for a different reason...for a second, I thought I was listening to Suede's The Asphalt World! I love coming across a song that reminds me of one of my favourite tracks, and then goes off in a completely different direction.

 

You're converting people, Lemonade Kid!

 

Never heard of him, but played some of the songs featured herein and placed an order!!!

 

Cool that you mention Mr. Fox. I've known their music for years...obscure fantastic folk rock music. "Second wave" 70's folk rock following in the wake of Fairport Convention.

 

I am sure that, like myself, Silent Passage will become a favorite and oft played gem in your collection.

Cheers

 

track 4) First Light

Stunningly beautiful. Much of the album's tracks refer
to the many loves and fears of a sailors life, I suppose as a metaphor of traveling through the varied
and often treacherous waters of our journey. Beautiful stuff.



First Light

(Am) Far across the (G) windy wave (F) ocean
(Am) On a ship (G) prepared for any (C) weather
(F) We sailed upon the (C) sea
(F) The magic ship and (C) me
(C) From the coast of where I’ve (Am) been
(Am/g) To where I think I’d rather (F) be

(C) In the first light of (Am) morning
An army I have (E) gathered
Beneath the great (Am) mountain
Where all men have (F) fallen
Where Christ was a (C) soldier
Soon to be (Am) forgotten
(E) And I have come with sword and heavy (F) armor
Where he was dressed in (C) wonder
And (E) I have come to search for just an (Am) hour
Where he is down (F) forever

The road is (C) buried in (Am) tradition
The earth has lost (E) another
She claims to be our (Am) mother
But she’s just the eldest (F) daughter
And her power is the (C) mind
And the craving of the (Am) body
(E) And she has me but the war is just (Am) beginning
My father stands (C) before me
(E) She has me but I’m bound that I’ll be (Am) living
I know he won’t (F) ignore me

(C) In the first light of (Am) morning
An army I have (E) gathered
Beneath the great (Am) mountain
Where all men have (F) fallen
Where Christ was a (C) soldier
Soon to be (Am) forgotten
(E) And I have come with sword and heavy (F) armor
Where he was dressed in (C) wonder
And (E) I have come to search for just an (Am) hour
Where he is down (F) forever

(Am) Far across the (G) windy wave (F) ocean
(Am) On a ship (G) prepared for any (C) weather
(F) We sailed upon the (C) sea
(F) The magic ship and (C) me
(C) From the coast of where I’ve (Am) been

(Am/g) To where I think I’d rather (F) be

 

It is interesting how Bob Carpenter recalls other favorite music for us, but ends up being a complete original like no other.

Richie Havens comes to mind...


Hard as I've tried I have never found any more rare recordings of Bob Carpenter. There must have been outtakes and demos, but I suppose all those tapes of the studio sessions of demos and outtakes were wiped, or are lost and long gone forever.

 

Where did the copies in Reprise come from? Did they ultimately sell those off as cutouts or...

 

Listening to it a bit right now... Pretty good. Am I wrong in getting a Jim Capaldi vibe with maybe more a country/pub rock feel?

 

I've even seen one or two vinyl Reprise copies on ebay. Your guess is likely correct as they were never released by Reprise. Just so wrong minded.

 

track 5) Morning Train

This one gives me chills every time (I know, I say this with every "Silent Passage" track but it's true!)...
so so so chillingly beautiful.



(Em) I was alone and you were the only (Am) one to see
(D) Showing me from your soul another (Em) part of me
(Em) And if I refused I know I would lose a (Am) lifetime in a lie
My lord I (D) can’t afford to live unless I (G) die


(G) Out on the morning, out on the evening
I (F) think I’ll be on my way
I (C) guess I’ll be going home someday
Upon a (G) morning train
(G) Someday told me if I wasn’t lonely
That (F) I’d be the man to see
I (C) guess I’d have to agree
But it’s all so (G) new to me


For every lapse at life and love remains when life is gone
For every lover there’s a song we all can sing along
And if you’re aware of another who bears the mark of a man who tries
Than you can look into his eyes and you can realize


Out on the morning, out on the evening
I think I’ll be on my way
I guess I’ll be going home someday
Upon a morning train
Someday told me if I wasn’t lonely
That I’d be the man to see
I guess I’d have to agree
But it’s all so new to me


For every lapse at life and love remains when life is gone
For every lover there’s a song we all can sing along
And if you’re aware of another who bears the mark of a man who tries
Than you can look into his eyes and you can realize
Than you can look into his eyes and you can sympathize
You can look into his eyes and you can harmonize


Out on the morning, out on the evening
I think I’ll be on my way
I guess I’ll be going home someday
Upon a morning train
Someday told me if I wasn’t lonely
That I’d be the man to see
I guess I’d have to agree
But it’s all so new to me

 

Well, thanks to @lemonade kid and the rest of you in this thread, I ordered a copy of this on CD, as well!

 

track 6) The Believer

If you haven't heard this one, get ready to be astounded. Beautiful.
It starts out so starkly beautiful with just Bob and his guitar, then opens up
to wash over us...



Capo II

(C) I can’t imagine, (Em) that’s my (Fsus2/a) problem
I’m searching (F) always for better (C) weather
(C) The coast is (Em) rough and the tide is (Fsus/a) running
(F) I chase my shadow till I (C) remember

The fine and free days have gone to storming
I spend my time with joy and sorrow
But one is dying and one is crying
I may not be around tomorrow

My dearest friends are total strangers
I call them heroes, they call me lonely
I wish them wisdom and self-destruction
And hope someday they’ll come to know me

The forest grows around my door now
But I am dreaming of a meadow
Where I may lie in frosty sunlight
Far between the earth a stray shadow

Though I’m not a God for certain
There are steps we all must follow
He’s a beggar and a king
He’s a falcon and a swallow

 

Thank you for making me aware of this artist...I'm loving it!

 

My CD arrived today.

 

Today we have...
track 7) Gypsy Boy

Yet another stunning track. Bob's world weary voice
is perfect for this gypsy boy...



Capo II

(Am) Painted lantern circus with the (E7) wagon swinging slowly
(Am) On a cold October morning, on a (E7) day that should be holy
(Fmaj7) Winding through the forest as the (C) sun is just a breaking
(Fmaj7) And I am only seven, and a gypsy in (C) the making

(Am) Winds are blowing through me and the (E7) canvas wraps is tearing
(Am) And the folks is talking low now cause they (E7) don’t want me to hear them
(Fmaj7) An uncle says there’s trouble with the (C) bulls along the border
(Fmaj7) And I’m a wondering why and a (C) wishing I were (Am) older

Many years ago it seems and many summers ending
The wagon wheels is rusted and the axle’s ears a bending
And grandma’s bones is bleaching and our hearts is still a dying
But I am a gypsy boy and there ain’t no time for crying

Now it’s getting colder and the air is growing ugly
And the wolves is getting bolder and there ain’t no sun above me
And I think it’s time to move now but I don’t know where we’re going
And I think it won’t be long now before it starts a snowing

Baby’s crying softly as the women are a sighing
And somewhere in the wagon there’s a soul that must be dying
Cause the paper’s hanging black from the window of each lorry
And we’ll likely camp at sunset so as the body can be buried

So the carts will rumble though there ain’t no road to travel
And I listen to the grinding of the wooden wheels unravel
And the sad songs and the old songs will warm and will hold me
Till me hidden flesh goes weary and the arms of sleep unfold me

For I am a gypsy boy and my home is where you’ll find me
For I am a gypsy boy and my home is where you’ll find me

 

I'm envying your first listen...

 

Thoroughly enjoying it!

 

DAMN his voice reminds me of a track I happened to catch one morning
many years ago, The Early '80s, possibly, a folk tune featuring a raspy
voice repeating, "... to be young again" or similar. I even bothered to
start a thread on it. Could this be the guy?