I have been bored as of late and decided to just start watching movies. I was not overly picky but Sci-Fi flicks are always my first choice and doomsday apocalyptic types are always interesting...sometimes in a bad way.
I started watching "20 Years After" (not a very good movie in the least) and was just about ready to turn it off when I heard an Appalachian style tune playing in the background. I could not make out many of the lyrics but I did hear the words, "...stars fell on Alabama last night..." so I began searching on the web until I found this:
Of course that led me to some reviews, a Myspace page, and several other goodies that gave me some background info on this wonderful song. It seems that this is an old Jazz standard but it just seems to translate so well into mountain music. I just wished it was a bit longer.
Back when I was a kid, I would have hated that song, but now as an adult I feel drawn to it and I am not sure why. I mean, I am an 80's metalhead who still loves turning up the Iron Maiden, Metallica, Poison, Kix, and Hanoi Rocks whenever I get the chance...why do I feel so much emotion when I hear mountain music?
I guess my Hillbilly spirit is getting restless. It happens every year. I feel drawn back to my home state and music becomes the catalyst. Heck, I even start listening to John Denver.
By the way, the song (Stars fell on Alabama) is performed by Tara Nevin and actually is the best thing I have heard from her. She was asked to arrange and perform this especially for "20 Years After".
Update - Here is an extended version, live (w/with Charlie Howell and the Believers):
