Song of the Day: “Birds Fly South” from The Mastersons

The Mastersons

There’s something about real-life lovers singing about relationships where you know you have a good chance of getting down to something truthful and raw, as in the best work by bands like Fleetwood Mac. And when the couple is married or in a committed relationship, you know you had better listen. The work by the duo of Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, otherwise known as The Mastersons, brings some heartfelt lyrics to their great voices in songs like “Birds Fly South.”

“Birds Fly South” is the title track from the 2012 debut album by The Mastersons. In the song about escape, the singer asks “Will you be right by my side?” but later in the song the request turns into a plea. Check out this performance from the Spring 2012 Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin.

The Mastersons, who started out in Texas and are now based in Austin, lived in Brooklyn for awhile, hence the reference to escaping the city. They have also played as part of Steve Earle’s band, The Dukes. Their most recent album is Good Luck Charm“ (2014).

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    What a Beautiful Day!

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    Hearing Jim Obergefell on CNN today talking about the Supreme Court decision holding the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage could melt the hardest of hearts. The case had started out with Obergefell seeking to have his name on the death certificate of his partner of twenty years. His fight came out of his love, which made the victory all the more sweet.

    So, tonight even though up until President Obama we have never had a president say that they supported gay marriage, we have a White House lit up in rainbow colors. And it is hard not only to think of those who can now get married, but also to think of those through the years who did not live long enough to see this day. And one hopes that this decision will aid the ongoing progress, helping teenagers who have historically felt ostracized.

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    “What a Beautiful Day” is from Brett Every’s album Tales of Ten Men (2012). The song won the Outmusic Awards 2012 Love Song Of The Year.

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    [2024 Update: Unfortunately the video is not presently available.]

    What is your favorite movie featuring children in the summer? Of course, Stand by Me (1986) is a great movie about childhood, but so is To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).

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    No Sinner’s Cover of Gram Parson’s “She”

    Colleen Rennison

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    Bohemian Rhapsody Zac Brown

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    What do you think of the Zac Brown Band cover? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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