Song of the Week – 13 Questions, Seatrain

Ignored           Obscured            Restored

Seatrain is one of those relatively obscure bands that I really enjoy listening to.  Their first, eponymous album was called Sea Train (1969).  That band was formed by ex-members of the Blues Project, flutist/bassist/songwriter Andy Kulberg and drummer Roy Blumenfeld.  They were joined by fiddler Richard Greene who had played with Geoff and Maria Muldaur in the Jim Kweskin Jug Band.

The second, eponymous album was titled Seatrain (1970).  That’s my favorite and was improved by the addition of Peter Rowan on guitar, but more importantly, lead vocals.  Seatrain was produced by George Martin.  It was the first rock act he produced after completing his run with the Beatles on Abbey Road.  (Seatrain recorded for Capitol Records, as did the Beatles in the US before they formed Apple.)

The country-rock on Seatrain makes some biblical references.  The song “Waiting for Elija” alludes to Elija’s second coming.  Another biblical story is told in “Book of Job.”

Today’s SotW was the band’s only “hit.”  “13 Questions” reached #49 on the Billboard charts.

“13 Questions” flips the typical alien invasion story.  This one is told from the perspective of the alien.

Deep in the darkest hour of a very heavy week,
Three Earthmen did confront me, and I could hardly speak.
They showed me 19 terrors, and each one struck my soul,
They threw me 13 questions, each one an endless hole.
Thirteen questions, each an endless hole.

If anyone is interested in digging deeper, check out Seatrain’s recording of Lowell George’s “Willin’” – there titled “I’m Willing.”  It has a creative arrangement and was on record before either of the two versions released by Little Feat on their first two albums.

Enjoy… until next week.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.