Δυο τραγούδια από το μνημειώδες (ίσως και το αρτιότερο) άλμπουμ των Gentle Giant Octopus, κυκλοφορία του 1972, στο νέο mix που έκανε σ’ αυτό το 2015 ο Steven Wilson. Ο ακατάβλητος εκλεκτισμός της βρετανικής prog μπάντας λάμπει ακόμα και στις πιο απλές τους στιγμές, όπως το λυρικώτατο ‘Dog’s Life’ (εννοείται ότι διαφωνώ τελείως με όσα λένε εδώ …αλλά λατρεύω τον τρόπο με τον οποίο τα λένε) 📀 📀 📀 Two songs from Gentle Giant’s monumental (perhaps even their most fully realized) 1972 album Octopus,, in the new mix Steven Wilson made of it in 2015. The British prog band’s indomitable eclecticism shines even in their simplest moments, such as the deeply lyrical ‘Dog’s Life’ (needless to say I completely disagree with what they say here… but I love the way they say it).

00:00 A Cry For Everyone 04:08 Dog’s Life

A CRY FOR EVERYONE
Run, why should I run away?
When at the end the only truth certain
One day everyone dies
If only to justify life
Live, I’ve lived a thousand lives
And anyone is the right, the just life
If I could cry, I’d cry for everyone
Doubts, no doubt, is all I know
There is no fate, there’s no luck, what does that show?
Showing is proof, but proving is nothing but fear
If I could cry, I’d cry then for everyone
Hope, I’ve hoped two thousand years, but
No one hears, so I’ve cried, crying vain tears
Always too late, too late to cry, cry for everyone

DOG’S LIFE
Shuffling down the street with his sideways feet,
Stopping now and then and he’ll stop again,
No doubt in his mind where he’s going.
He doesn’t care for his hair or his teeth
And if the truth were known he’s a bit of a thief,
Innocently lies, and it’s showing.
Who’d imagine he’s man’s best friend.
Knowing he’s your friend in the end.
Won’t be around when you shout or swear
Not very sorry, he doesn’t care;
God knows why we call him old faithful.
Pat him on the head, give the dog a bone;
Use a friendly tone, he won’t leave you alone.
No one understands like old faithful.
Early rise. Is it wise?
Wonders happen now and then.
Eats his fill, time to kill,
Then goes back to sleep again.
Trusty slave, bold and brave,
And he roars like a lion
But in fact, it’s an act,
And the truth is that he isn’t
No one understands it’s a dog’s life.
Chases dreams, so it seems
He shines in his master’s light.
Looking good, so he should
For the choice is very narrow
No one understands it’s a dog’s life.
Repeat: Shuffling down the street, etc.