Listening: Tori


When I was kid, maybe eleven or twelve, it was pretty common for my mom to call home and give me some instructions to get dinner started. I remember one time I had to prepare some yams that she had already peeled. Now I like yams a lot but they're a bitch to peel so I was fine with preparing them eventhough I usually whined about fixing dinner. To this day I don't like cooking.


Anyway, back then I worked my butt off for school and only slowed down plowing through my homework to speak with my mom. I don't remember the conversation for the very simple reason that I wasn't really paying close attention. The instructions didn't vary much since my mom didn't want me to burn down her kitchen. It was usually set out some meat, and open some cans. So she asked me to take out the yams, mash them, and put them on the stove. She told me what to add and in what quantities, none of which I really heard.


Later when got around to preparing the yams I was keenly aware that I didn't know what I was doing but mom was already on the road so I didn't have any time to lose. I mashed the things and added any number of things that sounded good to me: milk, a little bit of butter, lots of cinnamon and brown sugar. Over the heat the concoction smelled awesome. My mom was puzzled but decided it was a worthy and successful experiment.


But it was that moment that I actually had a taste of it that it was most dazzling. My entire lower jaw went slightly melty as the gentle sweetness worked its way to the joints. All of my senses were totally happy for just a second at the joy for good food.


And that's the only way I can describe listening to the Tales of a Librarian version of "Way Down." I love how all of these songs have been rediscovered through remixing and remastering, and "Way Down" was finally given its due as the gospel choir was allowed some extra air time to just be... yummy.


Guess I'm a sucker for good Gospel. And while we're on the subject, if you don't already own a copy of The Blind Boys of Alabama's Spirit of the Century, go out and get it now. Go on. what are you waiting for?



Well?



And if you don't like yams, well... Goodness. What's wrong with you, anyway?