By: Joe Salembier
Click the orange button below to listen to "Rice and Beans":
When I was young and hungry all the time
I’d nick some candy from the store at 4th and Vine
But mama knew much better and gave me this advice
if you’re looking for a real treat, come home for beans and rice
You can boil them in a pot or fry them in a pan
just get it to your tummy any way that you can
You can eat them when they're cold
or maybe steaming hot
You can have them for your lunch break
out in the parking lot
When you wake up out of sorts in the middle of the night
get your bathrobe and your slippers, turn on the kitchen light
open up the fridge, grab a serving bowl or plate
and dig into those rice and beans
they'll make you feel so great
You can boil the minute rice or long grain if there's time
You can simmer them in the skillet till they’re smelling mighty fine
You can choose a can of pintos or even red or white
but bake beans are the answer
if the barbecue’s in sight
Now I'm getting older with the finer things in life
a house and car, a candy bar and a loving wife
as times go by my hair is gone but on this you'll agree
those rice and beans will remain
a sacrament to me
Beans and rice, rice and beans surely in the family genes
like a church and congregation if you reckon what I mean
Rice and beans, beans and rice every day it’s once or twice
like a blessing sent from heaven it's the soul food of my life
Artist’s Notes on Rice & Beans:
I never thought of myself as a songwriter; rather more of a poet. But after writing and recording “Particles of Light”, I began to think about merging the two disciplines. Songs have more structure, with verses and a chorus, while poetry is unbounded. Poetry can use a basic rhyme scheme or be written totally free form.
When I started my second project, I had 2 basic thoughts in mind: Not to get pigeonholed thematically - blues, pop, spiritual, rap etc. I wanted to try lots of styles. Second, I didn’t want to become a prisoner of standard song structure or poetic precepts. I’d just write down what came out of me. That approach was liberating, giving me a measure of freedom to say whatever I wanted to convey.
Some of my stuff is song-like and some on the poetic side. “Rice ‘n Beans” is both. Who knows where the Rice ‘n Beans ideas originated? I thought I was writing a blues song but this is what came out. I’m from southern Connecticut which isn’t exactly “the South” so my upbringing didn’t play a part. I've visited New Orleans once or twice. Ate at The Commander's Palace as I recall but not rice & beans. We never ate the dish at home either.
The singer, Keenan King and producer, Electric Lotus were fantastic. How lucky I’ve been to find this studio.
