Central Park 1977

[Eric Aniversario]

Carl was totally lost and confused during Feel Flows...

I often wonder why they put that song in the set list. Some of the longer Bob Dylan songs have easier lyrics to remember.  You have to admire their guts though, to even attempt it.

On most days, Carl remembered all of the lyrics, even during some shows where he sounded a little loopy.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Carl was totally lost and confused during Feel Flows...

I often wonder why they put that song in the set list.

I haven't listened to my tape for awhile, but wasn't Charles Lloyd on stage with them? I seem to recall Mike making some onstage comment about "taking advantage of having Charles Lloyd with them". And, the number of BB songs with Charles Lloyd are limited.

I was just thinking....maybe around that time Charles was working (in the studio) with Mike Love & Celebration on some of the Almost Summer songs. Maybe?

[TdHabib]

I've never heard them but apparantley there are shows were Carl apologizes for the "bad" lyrics on "Feel Flows." Personally, I love them, even if they essentially mean nothing at all.

[tpesky]

I have heard a recording where he does apologize for the bad lyrics to Feel Flows.

[the captain]

Always bears revisitation. (Apparently) Rieley says of the song (and lyric):

As for Feel Flows, the song was composed, written and recorded under seriously powdered conditions. Carl and I worked on it for days at Bellagio, often getting trapped in laughing jags that seemed unending and thus made the sessions more fun / exciting and the music more daring. The guitar solo is Carl's best in his life. The lyric came to me in the studio early one summer evening just after the solo was recorded. Trapped with Carl in another laugh riot, I somehow managed to overcome the effects and drive over to Carl & Annie's place on Coldwater to write in peace. Half way and numerous lines through the lyric Annie and I got still deeper into one of those laugh jags. I couldn't stop until going out back, stripping off my clothes, jumping into their pool and swimming for a long while, still strongly under the influence. When I came out of the water it was to find that Annie had taken my clothes and hidden them inside the house. Prude me slightly freaked and pouted until I got them back. By then the idea for the lyric changed somewhat and all the lines I feel good about began popping into the song. The middle part, with Carl's unfuckinbelievable solo followed by the synth and flute, is the sound of orgasm, plain and simple. My favorite things on the song are Carl's "ah-yeaahhh-yeah-yeah" rounds during the solo and my "aaaah" exclamation. It's all about orgasm, dewdz.

Angelic Carl. So sweet. Such a deep and meaningful song. http://smileysmile.net/index.php/jack_rieley_speaks_part_one

[Jay]

I somehow think that there is more to those words. I've always loved Feel Flows. I think the Jack Rieley period is very underrated. Some people think that the words are overblown and too "out there", but Feel Flows, and The Trader, sound quite poetic to me.

[Jonathan Blum]

It was mid-1977 - Carl was well into his heroin and cocaine addiction at the time, and his drinking didn't help matters either. He was equally loopy in Largo in January of 1977.

Hang on, that's a bit of chronology I didn't quite have straight.  Are you saying Carl got into heroin *before* Dennis did?  (I seem to remember the story being that Karen got Dennis into it in the later half of '77...)

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Jay]

It was mid-1977 - Carl was well into his heroin and cocaine addiction at the time, and his drinking didn't help matters either. He was equally loopy in Largo in January of 1977.

Hang on, that's a bit of chronology I didn't quite have straight.  Are you saying Carl got into heroin *before* Dennis did?  (I seem to remember the story being that Karen got Dennis into it in the later half of '77...)

Cheers,
Jon Blum

Carl was well on his way in Maryland, and wasn't that back in January?

[MBE]

I think New Years eve 1977 is right for Dennis. Carl who knows but it could of just been drink and downers in early 1977.

[Andrew G. Doe]

It was mid-1977 - Carl was well into his heroin and cocaine addiction at the time, and his drinking didn't help matters either. He was equally loopy in Largo in January of 1977.

Hang on, that's a bit of chronology I didn't quite have straight.  Are you saying Carl got into heroin *before* Dennis did?  (I seem to remember the story being that Karen got Dennis into it in the later half of '77...)

Cheers,
Jon Blum

Carl was well on his way in Maryland, and wasn't that back in January?

Largo is in Maryland.