Lagniappe (la ·gniappe) noun ‘lan-ˌyap,’ — 1. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. 2. Something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus.
The music world lost a giant in April: George Jones, White Lightening himself — the Possum. For this installment of The Lagniappe Sessions our favorite Canadian country crooner, Daniel Romano, pays tribute to the legend covering “I Can Still See Him In Your Eyes” and “There’s The Door”. Jones’ body may have been laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, but his firebolt spirit is less easily contained. Romano, in his own words, below.
Daniel Romano :: I Can Still See Him In Your Eyes (George Jones)
Daniel Romano :: There’s The Door (George Jones)
Half devastating, half optimistic, this song is mostly good for its amazing vocal delivery by Jones. When the chorus hits you could swear he’s crying. The front half is a man caught in the headlights of truth and being turned away. The second, a self-discovery and a thought of a chance at another chance. I don’t know what it says about me, but I prefer the front half.
Lagniappe Sessions Archives / original illustration for aquarium drunkard by Ben Towle.
ole possum done right
I saw Daniel do “I Can Still See Him In Your Eyes” in Austin, Texas…the day that the Possum passed away. It was sooooo well done. Daniel could have done an entire show of George Jones songs. Man, that was awesome. Of course, that would have deprived us of Romano’s excellent lyrics! Keep it country, Daniel – you are the best!
Gorgeous performances. New fan of Daniel’s old soul music. Grateful a straight ahead country artist is getting exposure.
About every ten years or so a musician like Daniel Romano comes along to restore my faith. I feel a little like Simeon must have felt when he finally saw the infant Jesus carried into Jerusalem: “… now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,which thou hast prepared before the face of all people…” For another generation, at least, country music is safe from extinction.