New Orleans Is Sinking is yet another great song recommended at Max’s blog – PowerPop. The guitar work and vocal are sharp – edged, bluesy and hone you in. I have included at the end of this article the original studio release and a ‘stand – out’ live version. I believe it was aired a year prior to lead singer’s Gordon Edgar Downie’s passing in 2017. According to wiki: The song is one of the band’s signature songs and still receives consistent radio airplay in Canada. I would encourage you to read Max’s article which was said: ‘does justice to the hip‘ – New Orleans Is Sinking in the link below:
I liked this one with a first listen. I love the relentless guitar riff that starts this off. The song seems to be recalling a past experience in the city, and the lyrics describe a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for everything New Orleans has to offer…including its spirit. The song is lamenting the changing times and expressing his desire to remain connected to its rich history and traditions.
Max at PowerPop
All right
Bourbon blues on the street, loose and complete
Under skies all smoky blue green
I can’t forsake a dixie dead shake
So we danced the sidewalk clean
My memory is muddy, what’s this river that I’m in?
New Orleans is sinking, man, and I don’t want to swim
Colonel Tom, what’s wrong? What’s going on?
You can’t tie yourself up for a deal
He said, “Hey, north, you’re south, shut your big mouth
You gotta do what you feel is real”
Ain’t got no picture postcards, ain’t got no souvenirs
My baby she don’t know me when I’m thinking ’bout those years
References:
1. New Orleans Is Sinking – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Thanks Matt! I really like this song and the band. They are so popular in Canada but hardly anywhere else. My Canadian buddies say this song is worn out in Canada…I wish it was here.
Initially, the part that drew me in was the effervescent, but quirky performance in the live version. Then the original studio possesses such silky smooth, but sharp guitar – playing and fantastic vocals. He does remind me (not only to look at), but as a revved up, rock buzzing version of Glen McLennan of the Go – Betweens.
Oh, and I see your Dodgers are having a great season (again!) so far!
Yea they went through a 11 game winning streak and they took control of the division.
I wish you Dodgers fans the best for the remainder! Our Richmond Tigers have just left their winning dynasty (old age?) behind and won’t make finals this year. We need to start all over basically and that could decades like it did last time.
Yea sport teams are the same all over…there comes a time to rebuild.
Yeh it sux, but 3 premierships in 4 years is nothing to be ashamed of. ha-ha
Saw this 2019 one with the family – man was it good and those times don’t come back, but they stay with us (check out Marlion Pickett’s – first gamer pirouette – the stuff of legends):
No that is great. I watched it…I’m not familiar with the rules but I got enough of it.
That’s awesome you saw it Max. Thanks, Man. Yeh, the rules and understanding of the game can feel a bit discombobulating. The indigenous Australian Marlion Pickett who did a pirouette around the player was playing his first game in the ‘majors’ to put it on your level. He was the second ‘first-gamer’ in the over century-long history of the game to get the nod for a grand final. Now here’s for the icing on the cake…. He was a in prison just a few years earlier. Richmond gave him a go and he was a stand – out in that final. It’s one of the greatest Sporting stories I’ve ever witnessed.
I was picking it up a little as we went…it looks like our football mixed with soccer…some.
It’s like a hybrid of rugby, football, basketball in one, but it’s indistinguishable still the same. Cheers buddy and thanks again for watching it.
Thanks for that…that makes sense
My portal into this band way back when. This cut never gets old for me.
Listening to it again now writing this. I’m glad I read Max’s post. Fantastic song. Thanks for your thoughts on this man.
I havent been by lately. Hiding out. You Max and a couple others when Im not so lazy. I see you have been posting some good stuff, Stanley Bros, Archie, Bob, more Bruce, Warren and the the heavyweight champion of the world, John Coltrane (listening to a John McLaughlin nod to Coltrane this morning. Fantastic), Ill try to pop in more often especially when you post music that I dig.
Sweet man. Thanks for the kind words. Chime in, when you are about. I’m a fan of your thoughts. Cheers.
Thanks fella. Music conjures up so many emotions. I was buying a pair of Levis when ‘Born To Run’ was released. The sales clerk was very helpful and nice. We were chatting and making a del when ‘Born To Run’ came blasting out of the speakers in the shop. She stopped what we were doing and looked at me and said “I hate that song!!”. I had a different opinion. It was funny. Later.
That’s a great story. I can kind of resonate with the salesclerk. It’s probably the song I like least from the record.