Jay Bennett: The Engines Are Idle

Jay Bennett's final album Whatever Happened I Apologize is available as a free download at the music site Rock Proper.

As one might imagine, the record, which sounds like a completely solo affair, is a very poignant listen. While I am unfamiliar with Bennett's solo work, listening to Whatever Happened I Apologize makes clear the sturdy songwriting and musicality he brought to the Wilco table for five albums.

Particularly affecting is "The Engines are Idle." Ostensibly about the end of a relationship it, like these types of songs often do, takes on new meaning in light of Bennett's passing.

In the end I suppose
You sink or you swim
But your chance would be better
If you weren't chained to him
'Cause it's ageless and timeless
But beauty must fade
And it looked so much better
When the picture was made

With its "when all is said and done" vibe, "The Engines are Idle" recalls "Keep Me in Your Heart for Awhile", Warren Zevon's heartbreaking finale from his 2003 farewell record The Wind.

mp3: Jay Bennett, "The Engines are Idle"
Download Whatever Happened I Aplogize here at Rock Proper

Jeff Tweedy & Jay Bennett, "James Alley Blues" 1999