Drive-By Truckers - Danko/Manuel

title : Danko/Manuel
artist : Drive-By Truckers
year : 2004
chart : Did Not Chart
album : The Dirty South





















about the song:
Written by Jason Isbell, 2003 a a tribute song "for and about a couple members of The Band who are no longer with us." "

Jason Isbell: "When I started writing this one, I wanted to capture some of Levon Helm's feelings about the deaths (and lives) of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. The longer I worked on the song, the more impossible that became. I felt like the best I could do was to explain my own attitude toward being a working and traveling musician."

Recorded in 2003 by the Drive-By Truckers for the 2004 album The Dirty South.


Danko/Manuel :



lyrics :
Let the night air cool you off.
Tilt your head back and try to cough.
Don't say nothin' about the things you never saw.
Let the night air cool you off.

I ain't livin' like I should.
A little rest might do me good.
Got to sinking in the place where I once stood.
I ain't livin' like I should.

Can you hear that singing? Sounds like gold.
Maybe I can only hear it in my head.
Fifteen years ago they owned that road.
Now it's rolling over us instead.

Richard Manuel is dead.

God forbid you call their bluff.
Like the nightmares ain't enough.
Remember when they used to say that we were tough?
God forbid you call their bluff.

First they make you out to be
the only pirate on the sea.
Then they say Danko would have sounded just like me.
"Is that the man you want to be?"

Can you hear that singing? Sounds like gold.
Maybe I could make it bigger overseas.
Fifteen years ago they owned that road.
Now it only gives us somewhere else to leave.

Something else you can't believe.

Can you hear that singing? Sounds like gold.
Maybe I can hear poor Richard from the grave.
Singing where to reap and when to sow
when you've found another home you have to leave.

Something else you can't believe.

Rick Danko (The Band)

On December 10, 1999, just days after the end of a brief tour of the Midwest that included two shows in the Chicago area and a final gig at The Ark in Ann Arbor,Michigan Rick Danko's heart gave out,and he died in his sleep at his home nearWoodstock, New York.


Rick Danko :
Richard Clare Danko, Dec. 29 1943 - Dec. 10 1999.
Lead singer. Instrument: Bass, violin, guitar of The Band
The music will live forever.

Life :
Rick Danko learned music as a young child, became an apprentice butcher at age 14, was a member of an American/Canadian Honky-Tonk Rock’n'Roll band at 17, an international Rock’n'Roll star with “The Band” by age 23, and died at age 56 of a heart attack.

Rick Danko was a kind, fun-loving, goofy man who used a distinctive and flowing style when playing bass (aided in part by his use of a fret-less bass beginning in the mid-70’s) and sang with a pitchy, falsetto voice on many of his lead-vocal tracks with The Band.















Rick Danko, The Last Waltz, 1976




Quotes about Rick Danko :

• "I think Rick was one of the greatest and most soulful singers I've ever heard. Definitely, the most original bass player I've ever heard, and one of the kindest hearts to have ever graced this planet."
  -- Robbie Robertson
  

• "Rick Danko is one of the all-time great writers, musicians and interpreters. The first time I heard Rick, I knew he was something out of the ordinary, a commanding presence both inspiring and healing. Even after thirty years, his soulful, artistic integrity never wavered. Rick Danko was an artist true to himself and to the rest of us."
  --Richie Havens
• "Rick Danko was a special friend. A great singer, unique musician and wonderful soul. His music and charisma had the power to move and inspire. His knowing chuckle could always bring a smile. And though we don't have him with us anymore, we will always be able to hear his voice and feel his spirit."
  --Eric Andersen
  

Rick Danko on lead vocals for The Band :
Two notable songs by the Band that Danko sang lead for included “Stage Fright” and “The Unfaithful Servant.” Both became staples for the group’s live performances, and both are among the best of the music the group recorded.


Authorized Biography : HERE

Rick Danko's Album Discography : HERE

Rick Danko's Photos : HERE

Rick Danko at Wikipedia : HERE

Tribute Site : Rick Danko - His Life, His Music & His Legacy

Tributes Songs :
Drive-By Truckers - Danko/Manuel, The Dirty South (2004)
Steve Forbert - Wild As The Wind, Just Like There's Nothin' To It (2004)
Jonas Fjeld - Rick, Tidevann (2001) http://theband.hiof.no/lyrics/rick.html
Luke Doucet - The Day Rick Danko Died, Blood's Too Rich (2008)
Amy Fradon - Silver Wings, Small Town News (2000)
Blue Horizon - Back To Memphis
David Munyon - Song For Danko, Song For Danko (2006)
Sonny Miller - Danko's Blues (All In All), Jewels Dance Hall (2005)


Audio Clips (Tribute Tracks) :
Drive-By Truckers - Danko/Manuel (2004)
Luke Doucet - The Day Rick Danko Died (2008)


YouTube :
Rick Danko - When You Awake


The Weight - Rick Danko with the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra (1999)


Stage Fright - Rick Danko, Paul Butterfield and Blondie Chaplin, Madison Square Garden (1979)


David Munyon - Song For Danko (2006)