With the exceptions of Messrs. Brown, Sinfield and Reid, non-playing lyricists are rarely celebrated in any way, and it’s more than true in the case of Clementine Hall. She was the lady behind the memorable lines “Chaos all around me / With its fevered clinging” that opened “I Had To Tell You” by THE 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS and co-writer, with Roky Erickson, of “Splash 1 (Now I’m Home)” which appeared on the American band’s debut album. And still, she’s all but forgotten now – thankfully, not by everyone.
& EVE MONSEES –
Sing The Songs Of Clementine Hall
As a leader of THE EXPLOSIVES – the Texan trio who backed Erickson in the late ’70s and early ’80s – Freddie Steady Krc knows the late great Roky’s repertoire quite well and is well aware of the fact that “She Lives (In A Time of Her Own)” from “Easter Everywhere” which the singer co-wrote with Tommy Hall, the ELEVATORS’ other founder and Clementine’s husband, was inspired by her, their spiritual guide. This is why Freddie recently teamed up with Eve Monsees, who already covered, together with her schoolmate Gary Clark Jr., “Roller Coaster” – on the “May The Circle Remain Unbroken” tribute album – for a couple of duets. Backed by the best Austin musicians, the two cut the pieces Mrs. Hall put her words to, with the result being the “Sing The Songs Of Clementine Hall” single – scheduled for release, on CD and as a download on March 8th. A unique thing.
