On this fine Wednesday, allow me to brighten your day with this beautiful cover by two of my favorite people (and neighbors, more-or-less) of one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite songwriters. That’s FOUR favorites in one video. Seriously, Don and Lori Chaffer are delightful and crazy talented. If you’ve never dug into Waterdeep (or Paul Simon), here’s a good reason to correct that.
Andrew Peterson is a singer-songwriter and author. Andrew has released more than ten records over the past twenty years, earning him a reputation for songs that connect with his listeners in ways equally powerful, poetic, and intimate. As an author, Andrew’s books include the four volumes of the award-winning Wingfeather Saga, released in collectible hardcover editions through Random House in 2020, and his creative memoir, Adorning the Dark, released in 2019 through B&H Publishing.
16 Comments
Justin
My sentiments exactly. Well, except the two favorite people part; I’m sure Don and Lori are lovely people, but I’ve never actually met them, because they never come to the left coast (it was great to see you in Washington, though AP!). Waterdeep is one of my favorite bands though, and Graceland has been one of my all time favorite albums since it was released 26 years ago (that makes me feel old).
John Barber
I think I’ve watched this 27 times. It’s so good. Can we convince them to do an entire Graceland cover album?
Jon Slone
Sweet River Roll!
EmmaJ
Love! Nice work, Don and Lori. Not everyone could do justice to the unique loveliness of this song.
I would venture to guess that Paul Simon did not specifically intend Graceland for eight-year-olds, but I snagged a bootleg copy that someone had given to my mom and it became the soundtrack to my childhood. Something about it drew me in and has stayed with me all these years.
yankeegospelgirl
Yeah, I hear a little of this in Rich’s “My Deliverer.”
Andrew, have to ask, did you dare play any of your songs for Paul when you met him? 😉
Jen
Why haven’t I listened to more from Waterdeep? That’s so lame. Because every time I do hear something by them, it’s delightful. (At least I have and love Graceland.)
Note to self: correct this problem. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Mark Geil
Thanks for sharing. This is wonderful. I love how a subtle reduction in tempo changes the mood of the song and casts the lyrics in a different light. Lori sounds great (covering Linda Ronstadt, if I remember correctly) and I’ve made myself a little dizzy watching each of their left hands playing different chords.
My Graceland CD is coming off the shelf this week! (Along with Rhythm of the Saints – I always seem to play them together.)
Heather
Such a fun, and beautiful sound.
I’ve found more new music through this web site, than through any other source. Love the reviews!
Dan Foster
2005: My first intro to Andy O was at a Caedmons Call concert in which they opened with “Diamonds on the Sole of her Shoes”
College: EmmaJ, Jud, and myself all attended a conservative Baptist college that had “You can call me Al” as its fight song (don’t ask me why).
To EmmaJ – I didn’t know that I shared a childhood musical experience with you.
Covering Graceland. Ah.
Dave
I LOVE Waterdeep. Amazing..thanks for posting this.
Sir Jonathan C. Andrews
One of my favorite moments from Hutchmoot (first year) was calling a friend of mine back home and telling him that Waterdeep had just walked into the room. I didn’t have to recognize them because a whisper had traveled across the room. “Oh look it’s Waterdeep” and “no way! are they playing tonight?” On a completely different note I just added Waterdeep to my computer’s dictionary.
Jud
Wow Dan, you’re really bringing back the memories now. It’s hard for me now to hear that song and not want to follow it with a rousing chorus of “Jackets go!”
Peter B
Huh. Color my interest piqued.
Thanks, Andrew; quite aside from your own excellent music, you have — more than any other individual — broadened my horizons by introducing me to countless praiseworthy artists.
Don C
Andrew, hadn’t seen this before tonight. Sheesh. Thanks.
EmmaJ
@Dan… the fact that I didn’t know that was our college fight song is testimony to how few sporting events I attended. And/or that my powers of memory are slipping. Or, well, both. Had I known this thing, might I have gone to more basketball games? Alas, now we will never know.
As for a childhood obsession with Graceland… how have we never talked about this? Perhaps this is the underlying core of our friendship – the boy in the bubble and the baby with the baboon heart and stuff.
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