Volume 10, Track 11
Posted on | July 27, 2009 | 2 Comments
“John Saw That Number” by Neko Case (2006)
I have no idea what Neko Case’s religious or spiritual views are; for all I know the recording of “John Saw That Number” could serve as nothing more than a desire to have a traditional cover start side two of Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. Or, maybe she covered it to be cynical or ironic. I doubt that the latter is true but one never knows for certain.[1] Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt in my mind that “John Saw That Number” is hands down the greatest song I have heard that is filled to the gills with religious imagery. Aside from the first thirty seconds of the track (which I personally think is the only blemish), this song—both musically and vocally—are absolutely perfect. Between Case’s powerfully absorbing voice and the wonderfully arranged music that takes its time in adding in all of its texture, “John Saw That Number” is the unalloyed crown jewel of this album. And if you need any proof of this just listen to Case’s vocals and how they are in sync with the music when she sings “So he flew from the pit with the moon round his waist/Gathered wind in his fists so the stars round his wrists/Cryin’ holy, holy to the Lord.” There is an effortlessness here in how natural the up-and-down tempo of the music and vocals unfold that it would arouse envy in just about any musician or producer. This is one of the best songs of the decade.
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[1] I mean, Bruce Springsteen never really went out of his way to let the casual listener know that “Born In The U.S.A.” was the antithesis of a patriotic song.
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April 25th, 2010 @ 8:26 am
[...] Don’t get me wrong, when Case is on musically she is capable of creating truly gorgeous music. Category: Volume [...]
July 1st, 2010 @ 10:24 am
[...] by The Beatles, “Sweet Thing” by Van Morrison, and Neko Case’s “John Saw That Number.” To say that the music of “Ripple” is pitch perfect would be an understatement: from the [...]