Don Henley - I Can't Stand Still

If Metamorpho Answers-You Better Hang Up....

Hello again my people. I thought you might be interested in reading a radio interview I gave on my favorite Seer talk-music radio station years ago. WOCC Ultimate FM was the best on the dial. The two most talented DJs, Telly Kinetic and Clare V. Oyant, conducted the procedure. They, of course, provided the required brandy and cigar so I would be comfortable. They even had mechanics give my carpet a 30,000 mile check up. Well, since no money was involved I had to be compensated some way! You do know the word "free" is disappearing from the dictionary, don't you? Anyway, for your pleasure, it is as follows:

T: We have in our studio today that world reknown and mega talented Metamorpho!
M: (blushing) Well, I wouldn't say that, but I'm glad you did Telly.
C: We are so fortunate and honored you consented to this interview!
M: (smiling) As you should be I suppose.
T: (covering up a rude name as he coughs), Well, good (eyes rolling).
C: Err... Perhaps we should start discussing Don Henley's new release called "I Can't Stand Still".
M: I'm all for that. Can I have my brandy freshened up please?
T: (pouring and mumbling), So Metamorpho, what do you think of this effort?
M: Respectable. Of course, it's no Eagles effort, but the songs here covey a maturity and growth.
C: How so? We always rely on your wisdom.
M: Thank-you Clare. Could you relight my cigar for me? It went out--thanks.
C: (exasperated and beads of sweat form) O.K. now about Don Henley?
M: A noble offering. Henley, as we know, is no stranger to the rock field. I would say the musicianship is adequate here but not overwhelmingly brilliant to say the least.
T: But, what of the content? What kind of things does he bring to the table?
M: Most of the material here deals with the strain of maintaining a solid relationship.
C: How so?
M: Well, for example, he examines the restless heart in such songs as "I Can't Stand Still","You Better Hang Up" and "Long Way Home". Many heartbreaks and disconnects that take place. (sips brandy).
T: (jotting down notes) But what goes on in them?
M: Oh, just illicit affairs, deception, cheating, loneliness. Just the usual stuff people do to bring themselves joy.
C: (eyebrows creased), Excuse me, I have to call my husband (exits room).
T: Well, is there any hope here Metamorpho?
M: Certainly! There always is. He gives you ballads of beautiful longing such as "Talking to the Moon" and, an effort I consider to be one of his best, the exquisite Irish lullabye "La Eile" seguing into "Lilah". Never has anything been so heartfelt.
T: It certainly sounds like a potpourri of sounds and structure here.
M: Oh, it is! (elbow slipping off table).
T: Anything else?
M: Well (eyes turning red), he sings of the perverse need of the news industry to portray bad news with pomp and glitz with "Dirty Laundry".
T: What comes across noble Seer?
M: Pure shallowness and the numbing of the general public. (burps)
C: (back from discovering her husband is not home), how sad.
M: Yes, and not only that, but Henley also tackles the failure of the school system with "Johnny Can't Read".
C: (make-up flaking off from freshly powdered tear drops), how depressing.
M: Well, truth sometimes is, but take heart! He ends with a reggae inspired song of hope called "The Unclouded Day".
T: Well, it certainly seems like a fine effort from Mr. Henley.
M: It is. You sort of miss the blend of the vocals the Eagles had. But, Henley compensates somewhat with his unique style. (flicking ash that misses completely and flys off hitting Clare's powder puff).
C: Thank-you Metamorpho. We have time for just one call. There's someone on the line now.
Voice: "Hello Metamorpho. This is Carey. I'm 17 and my boyfriend just broke up with me. I've been crying for 3 days straight. (sobbing sounds are heard). We went everywhere together, the movies, hiking, skateboarding, deep sea diving. We even hung out at the 7-11 together. I don't know what to do. Oh great Seer, they tell me you are the best. People all across the world told me you have provided the answer to alot of nation's problems. Please Metamorpho! Please! Tell me what to do (almost breaking down completely). Please! What can I do"?
M: Fortunately, I have an "in" with the Universe and my guides. My child, do not weep. They have given me the answer which I will impart to you. Are you ready?
Voice: YES! Oh great Seer! YES!
M: O.K. The answer is::::::: find another boyfriend.
C: (mouth agape) errr... That concludes our interview. Thank-you Metamorpho.
M: You're welcome. Do you have more brandy?

Well, I hope you found this of interest. As we know now, Don Henley went on to produce more essential and relevatory music. This one was the beginning of things to come. I recommend it with brandy.

I Can't Sit Still-- Metamorpho ;)

April 1, 2008

Not a homerun, but a solid extra-base hit

Not sure why this album has become the redheaded stepchild of the solo Henley canon. Surely it deserved to have more than one song on the greatest hits. Why is "Dirty Laundry" all the public at large seems to remember? "Johnny Can't Read" was actually the leadoff single and the title track charted as well. The album also is home to "La Eile/Lilah," perhaps the most unjustly unknown song in the entire Henley universe. No speechifying, just a heartbreaking ode to what can happen to young love when it grows older, set against the metaphorical backdrop of a couple's farmland that's drying up. The music gently sways as the concerns and fears of adulthood crush and sweep away the simple satisfactions of youth. I'm not doing this song justice, but it must be heard. Elsewhere, things get a little spotty, both musically and lyrically. "You Better Hang Up" sounds like songwriting-by-numbers and "Nobody's Business" seems to endorse prostitution, which is an odd stance. I'll concede that this album is nowhere near as solid as "Beast" and "Innocence," but there's still a lot here to like beyond "Dirty Laundry." December 14, 2005

Don Henley Starts His Solo Career With A Bang

Don Henley's solo career started with a bang on his first album, I CAN'T STAND STILL. Most of the songs are great, especially "Johnny Can't Read", which protests against the increasing number of high-school dropouts, and "Dirty Laundry", which decries the tendency of radio and TV newscasting to feed into selfish, antisocial behavior. This is a great album, especially when you consider that Henley believes that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia on drug-smuggling charges was wrongfully convicted, a factor which makes this album an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience. August 24, 2005

Ordinary stuff from a great singer

Thanks for reading
This is just an OK album in my opinion.
Finding his roots as a solo artist, Don Henley just gets better from here. There are some OK songs here, but all sounding a bit dated these days.
For fans only!
December 20, 2004

I am SUCH a hypocrite...

Forget Gene Simmonds, forget Michael Stipe, forget Dave Matthews: if there was EVER an "artist" that deserved a good kick in the 'nads, it'd be Henley. But - and here I go, being a hypocrite - this ain't a bad album. At ALL. Just the mere inclusion of Danny Kortchmer's presence on the album gives it merit, right there. But "credit where credit is due," and all that, "Dirty Laundry" is one of the most magnificent, flawless Rock and Roll songs ever. I've been quoted before as saying that Joe Walsh is America's greatest natural resource, and the solo he does with his "duet/background" pedal, whatever, just proves that point. And Don, no matter what I may think of you, yourself, I sympathize 100% with the sentiments expressed in this song. I mean I'VE "been there, done that," myself. Yeah, "Eat your dirty laundry," INDEED! And - my goodness, I hope none of my old band members are reading this - despite the drooling liberal sentiments expressed in "Them Or Us," it is STILL a GREAT Rock and Roll song. I would never have heard it, except for the fact that, one Sunday morning in 1983, on the way to Church, I was listening to the "hip" radio staion in Atlanta, and they were interviewing the late, great Warren Zevon. Warren mentioned "Them Or Us," probably because he tended to drift "slightly to the left," himself, but he also did background vocals on the song. OK, Don, you win...I actually OWN this CD... January 11, 2004

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