Back in the mists of time (1989) and after waiting longer than most, I finally got around to buying a CD player and, having done so, went out and acquired a couple of albums I fancied on the shiny new format. One of these was Daniel Lanois’ “Acadie”. Dripping atmosphere and with more than a few famous friends on board, the French- Canadian’s debut sounded pretty stunning through the new system.
Recorded in New Orleans, the record was suffused throughout with the sounds and culture of French North America. The second track on “Acadie” is ‘The Maker’. A single chord followed by the drums precedes the distinctive bass line bubbling from the speakers. They’re joined with funky percussion courtesy of Cyril Neville and swirling keys before Lanois intones: “Oh, oh deep water / Black and cold like the night / I stand with arms wide open”. He’s joined in the chorus by Aaron Neville’s distinctive backing vocal. Three more verses of Catholic mysticism follow each one concluding with a different aspect of the singer’s relationship to his Maker. The song closes with some truly atmospheric guitar from Lanois.
The song was covered by Emmylou Harris on the “Spyboy” 1998) live album where she is backed by Buddy Miller and New Orleans rhythm section Daryl Johnson and Brady Blade. Harris’ version extends to eight minutes with Miller supplying harmonies, their voices seeming to intertwine as they sing. Miller’s guitar work is outstanding and Blades delivers a seriously funky drum solo before the band and singers drop back in for the “Oh river rise from your sleep” outro.
On Halloween 1992, Jerry Garcia played his first live show since a serious health scare that summer. With his band at Oakland Coliseum, he played an extended show of covers and his own songs. “The Maker” is the third song in the set which was subsequently released as “Garcia Live Vol 19” almost 30 years later in October 2022. The symbolism following the return from a near death experience underlies the song which is lit by some superb keyboard work from Melvin Seals and the gospel-hued backing vocals from Jackie LaBranch and Gloria Jones. Garcia’s vocal is quite breathy and vulnerable while his guitar solos are more understated than either Lanois’ or Miller’s.
“The Maker” is a glorious song with many dimensions to it based around twin pillars of funk and spirituality.
