Raspbernie Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 T-MINUS 1 MONTH, and counting…Eric's second solo album, Boats Against The Current, was released in August 1977. BOATS BLOG will go live on August 1, 2007, the 30th Anniversary of Boats Against The Current. We'll feature exclusive interactive content, audio and video downloads, unpublished photos and manuscripts, and more. So, click on the link, mark the page, sign up for a free Google account (if you don't have one and want to join in on the fun), and save the date. For many of Eric's fans, Boats Against The Current was a triumphant album and for Eric, himself, it was a watershed musical highlight. Stay tuned…Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Good looking blog! Can't wait for the "goodies". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessieboo Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 I Love Boats Against the Currents, It is an work of Genus. It is hard to believe that much time has past since it was written, It is a timeless piece of work, I hope more people will enjoy this treasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Me too-just got signed on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 Signed on...and look forward to each entry. It still blows my mind the emotional depth and gravitas EC reached with the lyrics when he was what???? 26 years old. DAMN!!!!!!!!Boats Against The Current, to me, is one of the most mature and insightful songs I've ever heard. "Row Row Row Your Boat" as an intro to BATC just adds to the package.WOW!John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HT from Mo Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 I too just got signed on and look forward to the celebration!HT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 When I was driving home from work yesterday a thought kind of popped into my head- If you Googled “Boats Against the Current†would the first answer be to a F. Scott Fitzgerald link/webpage or one to Eric Carmen. Take a guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzza Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I took a guess....then Googled it... and I was right.. Muzza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I love the way life cycles, and, how the Internet has brought it all together .... I remember buying "Boats" in '77 - it was at the beginning of my record collecting days, although I had all the 'Berries stuff already, and the first EC. But, when I heard Boats, it moved me to a place only one other Artist had before - The Beach Boys. It became my favorite album, and, has been ever since ... It seems like a few weeks ago! I look forward to the blog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCraft Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 The re-release of the CD must be going well---its backordered from the place I was able to get TYM form.JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostControl Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 30 years ago? Holy Cow.Well... as I was only a little kid, I didn't buy the album when it was newly released, but I did eventually buy a copy (in 1989) and wore totally wore it out. Looks like I'll have to get the CD, so I can wear it out too.Great idea to have the Blog Bernie! I'm looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor4Life Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I bought that sucker the minute it came out!It had been almost 2 years since the debut (a lifetime for a teenager), and immeidiately fell in love with it. To this day, it's STILL one of my favorite all time albums.Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 BOATS BLOG is now LIVE! Come celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Boats Against The Current. But just don't just be a passive observer, actively participate by posting your own thoughts and comments. Let's make this one party to remember!Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywine Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 We recently picked up the Boats/Change of Heart issue. I love Boats, the Scott Fitzgerald symbolism etc., but I think its thematically inconsitent. It is serious at times, and then lighthearted at times via some songs. I think it should have remained seriously reflective throughout. I have always believed that "Desperate Fools" was the song that the album Boats needed to push it over the top. I imagine it wasnt written in that timeframe but it would have been a perfect fit. Its consistent with the serious reflections on the album. My other major concern is that the song "Boats," which is one of my absolute all time favorite Carmen songs, leads off the album. If ever there was a summation song that should have closed an album, this was it. Its interesting to read all the chaos associated with this recording in "Marathon Man." Its clear to me that some of the external influences may have worked its way into the consistency of the album. Nonetheless, its still a great one IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I believe Eric posted recently that the running order of the songs was changed (not by him), and that "Boats" (the song) was actually supposed to be the last song.Although I'm not a fan of "Temporary Hero", another song that was written for "Boats" but didn't make the cut, it certainly would have fit thematically. Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susana Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I still can't get signed in to this... Have a google mail account I planned to use, but I'm obviously very tech challenged this go around. Tried to click on "sign in" and nothing happens. Nada. Not seeing where else to subscribe to the blog...Hope someone can help.Gracias. S* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Krider Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I just wanted to thank Bernie for asking me to contribute to the blog. I don't feel quite worthy to do this, since I've never blogged before, but I made a couple of posts that I hope are somewhat interesting to fans.Don Krider http://www.epinions.com/content_393207123588 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Did someone say "lighthearted at times"? If, by lighthearted, you mean, "occasionally positive", then I guess "She Did It" fits that description, along with "Love Is All That Matters." But take another look at the lyrics to the verses of both of those songs .They're not sunshine and roses. Within the context of any album, it's important to try to mix up the tempos a bit. The reason for the occasional mid-tempo song on "Boats," was to give the listener a temporary "break" from the tone of the rest of the album. Listening to one depressing ballad after another for forty minutes would be pretty relentless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 When I work out the sequence of an album ( or "live" show, for that matter) the most important aspect is to contrast each song, one against the other. How dull would it be to go to a Raspberries concert and have us play all the uptempo songs first, back to back , and THEN play all the ballads, back to back? By sequencing a rocker, then a ballad, then a mid-tempo song, you contrast each one and they all sound better. Mark and I did the same thing with the 'Live On Sunset Strip" CD. The nicest way to highlight a song like "Should I Wait" is to place it after "I Don't Know What I Want." Albums and live shows both have to have a "pace." If you go back and check the Raspberries set lists from the ten shows we played, the idea is to start with a bang, bring the audience up to a certain level, and then give them a bit of relief with something slower. Then you start the process again, and finally, end with "the biggest bang." Come to think of it, it's a bit like making love. I'll leave it at that. ec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 hmmm ponders Eric's last sentence..... sighs.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessieboo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Was the order of the songs on BATC the order you intended? I felt "Runaway" should have been earlier and "Loves is all that Matters" last.Did you create the order or the record company? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 A few weeks ago Eric posted on this and I believe he said that the running order was reversed. He originally intended "Boats" to be the last song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Bessieboo,It was in this thread (first page) that Eric casually mentioned his plan for the original order of Boats: http://www.ericcarmen.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003271#000000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Carmen Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 My sequence began with "Run Away" and ended with "Boats Against The Current". It began with high school (the past) and ended in the present, with stops along the way. That's not something that's of any importance to "marketing." ec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywine Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Yes I see what youre saying about "She Did It." Wasnt seeing it in that manner. Very true , you see that also in Shakespeare, Robert Altman films, all sorts of places indeed- that need to break the very serious with something change of pace, a curve ball, even light heartedness at times. I suppose "When Im Sixty Four" is the ultimate example of this. "Pepper" had an existential heaviness in many cuts that needed to be broken at some point. "Boats" still a wonderful album regardless. I hadnt caught that Eric had previously mentioned he wanted to close with "Boats" the song. It is one heck of a finisher and quite a tear jerker in my opinion, which is good. Yes, the world of marketing seems to move to its own ethics and spin. Artistic continuity, or even depth of content, not really their domain regardless of the industry involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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