Raspbernie Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Last year around this time, EricCarmen.com launched BOATS BLOG , an in-depth look at and celebration of Eric's masterpiece Boats Against The Current where you can read the fascinating entries, listen to a couple of tasty original demo tapes, and take an inside look into Eric's songwriting process through his original notes and lyrics sheets! On August 1, 2008, this classic album will be 31 years old. Happy Birthday, BOATS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Yes, this is definitely some of his best work.And if I were him, I'd kick the pants off of the people who ditched it.So, Happy Birthday "Boats" and never say die. Keep a-writing and keep in good spirits, EC, because you help me get through the days sometimes!I'm definitely going to look into it.BTW, where's that "Everything On It" pizza I ordered? (You will never live that one down, you know.) And I'd like my paper, dammit! I am literate and need some reading to keep my mind active while my son is ill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 What I love about "Boats" is not only are the songs awesome individually.....but the album as a whole is a cohesive masterpiece. It's truly one of the few albums that I listen to from beginning to end as a whole unit. It's also an album that inspires the gamut of emotions from the listener. Plus "Boats Against The Current" remains my fav ec song.John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Boats is perhaps the work most representative of Eric's artistry and the universality of his work as a whole. It's very difficult to believe Boats is nearly 31 years old, because it's just as fresh today as it was when it was written.This album is a major opus of EC's work and has stood, and will always stand, the test of time. it's a testament to the hallmarks that set Eric's work far above that of other artists: As John said, the entire gamut of emotions is contained therein, but applied with sheer intelligence and understanding. This is what makes the music of Eric Carmen sublimely transcendant.HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOATS!!! And Congratulations, Eric! --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna R Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Couldn't agree with you more Darlene!It is my absolute, all time favorite album EVER!!Number one in my book. The lyrics are so moving and powerful. Eric's masterpiece for sure!I would LOVE to see him do ANY of those songs live. THAT would be the concert of a lifetime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I just read the BOATS BLOG and I am sorry he's so disillusioned with the industry. It seems recorders have become studio products instead of enlisting the tools of the studios.If I wanted to record anything I could do, I'd need to be rich, have a huge basement and make my own studio -- with a little help from my friends.Listen to that demo, too. It's really moving. Read the lyrics, as well.Now I need to wonder if I'm more depressed than he is. Caring people are more easily hurt, it seems, yet EC has been quoted as saying he writes out of sad experience.Well, I admit a lot of the poetry that I needed to do was from sadness, and it got me through final high school English with a great mark. I should have published before I lost the diskette. Would you believe a person such as me could do a sonnet, too? Well, I lost that one.I'll do it all again some day, and so will EC, I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elle4ec Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 You have probably seen or heard of the movie, "The 40 year old Virgin". In my case, it would be "The 44 Year Old Virgin", and no, it's not what you are thinking! I'm speaking of my personal relationship with Eric Carmen and his music. Growing up in the 70's, of course I knew of Eric Carmen. I remembered him from the Raspberries, and enjoyed his solo hits from the 70's and the 80's. I remember seeing him on television performing "All By myself" and thinking how "hot" he looked! Unfortunately ,it would take over 30 years for that innocent teenage crush to develop into an experienced lover Of Eric Carmen and his music. In retrospect, it could have been so easy. So easy, because all it would have taken to change my life forever was one album. Actually, all it would have taken was one song. When I listened to the title track to "Boats Against The Current" for the first time, I instantly knew that I would no longer be the same. I cried while listening to the music, to the poetic lyrics, (so sad, yet so hopeful), and to that incredible voice, and I knew I had just experienced the height of musical perfection. For me, "Boats Against The Current" truly is the epitomy of the perfect song. All of its elements keep me longing for more. Thus, after all these years, my intimate relationship with Eric Carmen's music has begun. I just thank God it's not too late to experience the ultimate pleasure of this masterfully crafted music, and I hope this relationship will last a lifetime. So, for me, the 31st Birthday for "Boats Against The Current" will always be a special one. For now that I have experienced the "ultimate", I can never settle for less... in my music, or in my life. You see, A girl never forgets "her first time"... Once again, Happy Birthday, "Boats Against The Current", and Congratulations Eric! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I was the 48-year-old virgin. Well, from January until March. Now I'm 49. So what. I feel 14 again. (Go All The Way.) The music is getting me through some tough times right now, and I'm very thankful Bernie started this site, because EC makes me laugh, the people here are very nice, and most music lifts meup.If I need a good cry, I listen to EC's songs, too. It's because that cleans out the system and gets the emotions out. A VERY healthy thing.I also found out that musical people are very intelligent, and that means me, too! It's so encouraging. It also means one of my sons, because although he has Oppositional Defiant Disorder, he can sing in tune. So he's smart yet rebellious. There is hope.As a hopeless romantic, I look forward to more EC and Raspberry music, even if I can't stray very far from home.One of these days, I will be getting "Boats" because I can afford it now.Thank you so much, EC and Bernie. You guys so rock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichR Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Listen to " I think I found myself" ....for me...doing those vocals at Brother Studios with Eric,Nigel, Bruce Johnston, Curt Betcher, and myself....we THE most FUN part of the entire Boats experience. I remember Dennis Wilson calling from some bar cause he didn't have his wallet...then showing up in the studio....and breaking a glass then dancing on it....what a hoot...Cheer up Eric...."got kids?"....you do!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna R Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 31 years ago...a masterpiece was given to the world. Thank you Eric, for the best album I have ever heard in my entire life. The most moving melodies and heartfelt lyrics.And thank you too Rich, for being a big part of this album. Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Yep, Happy Birthday, BOATS! What a classic... albeit a largely undiscovered classic. I can honestly say that if I had actually counted the number of times I listened to all the songs I've ever heard up until now, "Boats Against the Current" would rank as No. 1. And I would bet I've listened to the Boats album as much as any other I've owned, if not more.Bernie, that Blog was a lot of fun.... And for me, the best parts (besides the chance to reminisce) were the demos Bernie stuck in there for us: "Temporary Hero" and "Run Away." Outstanding! Check 'em out if you haven't heard 'em: They're in the Aug. 24 and Aug. 5 entries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 I knew Bruce Johnston had sung on the album...but I did not know Betcher had sung on it. Betcher was a genius...had a hand in some of pop musics finest moments.Wow...next I'll find out Gary Usher was around too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 An old Chinese adage:"Sailing against currents, you either push ahead or fall behind." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Boats may have been about sailing against the currents but it certainly has sailed on and stood the test of time. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2008 BOATS!!!! Sail on, sail on for a hundred more years!!! --Love, Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymooladi Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Congratulations on Boats birthday. You can compare this album to any other and this on beats hands down. It has insight, love, compassion, brilliant arrangements, and a voice that speaks to your heart. Thank you for brilliant album Eric. Your music lives on for all of us to enjoy.Love June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Great music never gets old...Boats Against The Current still sounds fresh...vital...and close to the heart even after 31 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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