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The Lemonheads - Hannah And Gabi

Just got back from an evening walk. It's 29º and the sidewalks have been half plowed and salted lazily. One wrong step and you're done for. Tomorrow's the winter solstice. It's one of those Lemonheads kind of nights. Evan Dando's indolent, frayed voice has a way of connecting with the fatigue of a Wednesday evening in mid-December. This tune, Hannah And Gabi, from the Lemonheads '92 breakthrough, It's A Shame About Ray is one of my favorite deep cuts. The opening lyrics meander effortlessly:

 Got me watching your eyes watching things go by outside
Out the window of a train
Easy sipping them just seeing it fly left to right
Pour the milk and I'll say when

 Apparently, Dando was hoping for Sneaky Pete Kleinow from the Flying Burrito Brothers to lay down the lap steel part. Gram Parsons' influence has always orbited Dando's work. However, the record company could only arrange for Jeff Skunk Baxter from the Doobie Brothers to do a session. For me, it's one of the defining parts of the tune. When that lap steel enters with the drums it gives me butterflies.

 

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