As a chemical plant operator on the Houston ship channel that deals with the things this song talks about daily, this is literally my favorite song ever. So glad it’s finally getting its recognition.
Such a great song, and the video actually adds rather than detracts for a change. My dad had a great job when I was growing up, but it kept him travelling from one side of the country to the next every other week. When he was home, he used that little time to fix things up around the house, whether it be the yard, a broken appliance, the bills. He never stopped working. And once everything was finally in order, he was too exhausted to do anything but sit and catch his breath. I still remember one Saturday after he got home from a trip, we went out into the yard to play catch with a baseball. Little eight year old me wanted to show dad just how good of an arm I had, so I threw that ball into the dirt, over his head, ten feet to the left and right. He told me to throw softer and focus, but man, I wanted to impress. I missed the mark again, the ball rolling down the street, and he went inside to take a nap. Just crushed me. He's in his 70's now, stick thin, losing weight and can't keep it on. I'm a few years in the red trying to start my own business after a few failure attempts already, but I won't quit until I find something that works. I'll keep trying and struggling until I find success. I want to actually be here for my kids, and I won't compromise that short, precious time. Failure is not an option.
This is one of those songs that still gives me the chills every damn time after countless plays. That whistlng fits in so well with the theme too. That typical working man off to the plant/mine/whatever whistle really ties the lyrics together for me.
Michael, I've completely fallen in love with your channel. Your passion for the music you review is intoxicating. Your reactions to the country/folk/bluegrass music that you listen to (which is what I predominantly listen to) remind me so much of how I felt when I first heard them. You have such an articulate way of describing your feelings, and it's really a joy to watch. Please react to 'Follow you to Virgie' by Tyler Childers (The OurVinyl Session version). Oh! And either 'The Housefire' or 'Down Here' by Turnpike Troubadours
I think you miss the point of his channel. I think he said what he liked most about the channel was that he was able to find new music and also let us be introduced to new music. Which is why it's disappointing to me to see that all you people do is mention that same style of music and even the same people over and over again. To me, that defeats the purpose. There's so much Michael still hasn't gotten into because most of you guys keep voting up similar things. I found wings of Pegasus much more interesting in this regard because he does a loooooot of different stuff. I wish Michael would do more instead of the similar styles over and over again. I don't see much classical (and I heard him say he really likes classical) like Paco De Lucia, sabicas, or something branched off from it like estas tonne and there's literally so much more. I still like the channel and love the way he gets into it and breaks it down, just this little thing I've felt missing in some ways, not entirely.
This song takes me to tears every time. I missed the younger years of my children working in the oil fields of Oklahoma. One day after I almost lost my life, I walked away from it. My prayers are always with those who put it on the line to Keep the wolves away.
"It happened on a French owned tanker ship, spilling poison into Galveston bay" en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_City_disaster I was born and raised in the town referenced in the song. I drive past the port of Texas City every day on my drive to work where I work in a metal fabrication shop supporting the chemical plants he talks about in the song. The name of the ship was the Grand Camp and was one of the worst industrial disasters in history. I have friends and family with relatives that lived through the ordeal and their stories are incredible. It's a huge part of the history of our small city. Powerful song.
I agree it’s powerful!! I’m from Santa Fe myself actually, and grew up with my dad offshore half the year. I don’t think he’s referencing the grand camp though, because this is an autobiographical song and I doubt Galloway was 13 in 1947. I may be wrong but it I think it might’ve been the Mega Borg spill in 1990. Lmk what you think. I’m glad to see other south 45 people on here!!
@@REIDALICIOUSSSS I agree, don't think it was the Grand Camp, but also don't think it was the Mega Borg either. Mega was a Norwegian owned vessel and that explosion and spill happened about 50 miles out. I have been trying for a while to find some "french owned" spill of any kind in the Galveston bay/ Houston Channel since i heard the song with little luck. All I can figure is artistic license with details and maybe an amalgamation of different spills that have happened. I'm from Houston orbit too, went to school in Galveston.
I’m a lucky man. My oldest son said he would never allow me to be in a Nursing Home. He said he will raise his kids like I raised him and his brothers and sisters.
This song and cats in the cradle resonate so much with folks from corpus to Shreveport. Shout out to all the fathers and guys out there grinding to support themselves and their families. American heroes everyone should appreciate more.
My late great Uncle Rev. booked them at Spirits (restaurant) in Alexandria, La. One of there first shows. He passed this year. One of the biggest losses of my life. I heard this song from a friend and asked who is that? I sent the song to my Uncle and he sent me pictures. I was blown away. He was a magnet for talent. This is a special song to me obviously. Will learn it for sure. Grew up in Louisiana so it really hits home. My Uncle was the best man anyone could ever know.
Another great vid. I had the bitter-sweet pleasure of seeing one of the last shows that Uncle Lucius played, and I have seen and met Kevin Galloway since he has been on his own. He is a great guy, and an incredible musician.
Micheal, I hope you read this. Kevin is singing a true story. This song is about what actually happened to his dad. It’s his own experience. And an added note, at around the 11:00 mark when you stop the video, that is his dad in the white cowboy hat. We saw his dad numerous times when they would play that Texas landmark, Gruene Hall. It’s a powerful song by an incredible band that is sadly no longer together. I laughed at your reaction when Kevin started singing the first words. That was exactly how I looked for two hours the first time I saw them live. We followed these Austin guys around Texas for 3-4 years. By the way, great job on the reaction videos.
I absolutely enjoyed your reaction to uncle Lucius! My brother is five years younger than me and he introduced this the song to me a couple years ago after our father died. Our father worked three and four jobs to provide for his family. He always took care of us and put himself last. It wasn’t until after my father died that I realized how much my brother was like my father. Now it’s his turn to keep The wolves away. He works out of town all the time and rarely gets to see his family. Know that I’ve watched your reaction, I understand this song so much better. As I’m typing this, I’m crying! Thank you!
Pleaseeee do “Sometimes Wine” by Sturgill Simpson and Sunday Valley. Watch the one where they are in a barn. Sturgill plays his telecaster he made from scratch like there’s no tomorrow and his voice fits the bluegrass country sound so well.
I’ve always loved this song! It reminds me of my dad. Growing up he was lineman and worked all the over time he could to help pay bills cause my mom didn’t work. He had a lot of friends die on the line and a few close calls him self. He’s getting close to retiring and lord willing before long I’ll be a lineman with the same company he was! Also band of heathens - hurricane is one you should check out!
Benjamin Tod “we ain’t even kin” is a near and dear song to me that and I think you’d like the lyrics and his music over all. Not a very popular artist but definitely deserves a reaction!
Im from Austin, worked in a restaurant with the drummer of this band and saw them play at threadgills several times. And the song is true story of the singers father
This song is a true story about the lead singer’s dad who was seriously injured in a chemical accident, he is actually the guy that appears in the audience at the end
Grateful to you for doing this song... it has so much connection to my life. I grew up in the same town that Kevin Galloway is from, Freeport TX. Freeport is an a blue collar town surrounded by petrochemical complex. The mouth of the muddy Brazos and "Refinery clouds" paint vivid pictures for me. I fished from the banks of the Brazos, and yes, it's muddy. If you go off shore from Freeport and look back, you see a green haze over the area from the chlorine gas from the plants. The part that really hits home for me is that the dad was gassed by a spill from a French owned tanker. My dad was gassed by a leak from a French owned tanker. It wasn't in Galveston Bay, though. He worked at a French owned Chemical plant in Freeport and was sent to deal with a gas leak on a tanker in Mexico City. He had an equipment malfunction and was gassed and lost a lot of lung capacity. This area is full of hard working people dealing every day with dangerous chemicals just trying to make a living. Hell, one of the plants exploded on one the day my little brother was born. Great song, and I appreciate your take on it.
Thanks for doing this one been a fan of Uncle Lucius for a long time. Please react to Benjamin Tod. He's the front man for Lost Dog Street Band. Phenomenal storyteller! Many of his videos have over 1M views. Any song you choose would be awesome. I really think you'd like his style.
Love this song... I never realized some of the struggles my parents went through when I was younger. My dad worked two full time jobs, 80+ hours a week, and we barely scraped by. Never had a clue until after my wife and I had our first, and he reminded of the responsibility I now held as a dad. That’s when he told me everything they went threw when we were kids.
The Sun is Shinning Down by JJ Grey and Mofro is a tear jerker. A very talented musician with tons of soul straight from my home time. Never fails to hit me in my soul.
“Work like hell to keep the wolves at bay”... ain’t that the truth. Powerful stuff! I’m a father of two girls and I promise you that nothing will change a man as much as having children. Every day seems long, but man oh man the years pass by so fast. Cherish those long days because they’re gone in the blink of an eye. Great works of art always appeal to the human condition, which is exactly what this song does. Excellent video, Mikey! 🎸🔥
As a dad in his early 40s with 2 very young kids, this video really hit home for me and has inspired me to be an even better dad. Thank you Michael and Uncle Lucius!
You should really listen to "The tallest man on earth" he is a great picker, would recommend The tallest man on earth "Revelation Blues" - City of Music The Tallest Man On Earth - "What I've Been Kicking Around" (Live at WFUV) ONE of the reasons why i started playing guitar
Uncle Lucius is my all time favorite band . And ... eight years after they released this album .... it just got certified gold yesterday ! How cool is that?!?! Thanks for your review of their most popular song .
You're an incredible teacher and player no doubt, but speaking with so much depth about life and how it relates to the music is what makes you such a special artist Micheal!
Dude! I’ve noticed that you haven’t done Greta Van Fleet yet! A bunch of young kids bringing back 60’s 70’s rock. They will sound familiar but are non-the-less impressive. I’d love to see what you think of them. “When the curtain falls” is a really cool song that would be perfect!
Could you do an episode on Gregory Alan Isakov? His songs, as I like to put it, make you nostalgic for somewhere you've never been. His song If I Go, I'm Goin ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4v9yE96j9Z0.html is one of my favorites.
As much as I like your emotion and reaction to the details, it is amazing watching your musical knowledge break songs down immediately. Also if you want a raw emotional song check out Amigo the Devil - Cocaine and Abel ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qE2PHfJIcpM.html
Got to see this band play one of their last shows before they broke up (at Gruene Hall), the dad (of the lead singer) was picked up on the shoulders of some of the guys in the crowd... “He’s still alive, he’s doing good, he’s in his SIXTIES...” and everybody lost their fucking mind. Was one of the most powerful moments I’ve ever experienced at a concert.
I just found this channel the other day I absolutely love how talented you are on the guitar and very thankful for this kinda content 🙏 keep up the good work my man
