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November 07, 2005
washed and scrubbed to a keen shine
Paul Duncan - Oil in the Fields
There are notes in this song that sound like long, aimless drives (specifically in late spring). In fact, "Oil in the Fields" is the late-night car ride back home, with a backseat full of high school friends, at the end of a long evening spent at an elaborate social gathering (banquet, wedding, or ball). Paul Duncan in this case is probably Paul Duncan the young, well-known local golf legend, son of a very well-respected older couple who own several small businesses in town. If there's a car crash (almost a certainty) on the way home, Paul will survive, and notice, with detached amusement, the way the oil from the car has spread over the road, over his hands and clothing. The cops ask him over and over again if he had anything to drink at the party, while an ambulance comes to cart away the backseat passengers- and with halfheartedly feigned casualness, Duncan admits, finally, to having had a few cocktails.
'Oil in the Fields' is from "Be Careful What You Call Home", Duncan's wonderfully layered album that mixes up playful instrumentals (most of them prefixed with the word 'toy') and amazing songs (like this one). "Be Careful What You Call Home" is available over at Home Tapes for a mere $11.
Posted by Kevin at November 7, 2005 12:04 AM