Richard Shindell-The last fare of the day

[funkoutrageous]

Bravo. Thank you, Richard, for reminding us that, no matter how dark it gets, life does go on.

I know that he wrote this song about the aftermath of September 11th, but I always connect this song with two events from my own life, one unhappy and then one life-affirming. And I almost always tear up when he gets to the final line.

[stihlhead1]

This song would stand alone as poetry without music. He captured the purely human joy of enjoying the joy of perfect strangers. Though he never mentoined it, I can sense that the shocks on his cab were worn out. Hemingway, Stienbeck, Dylan, Guthrie, Seeger, et al could not have done better.

[TheResonatorGhost]

He is a songwriting hero of mine, a brilliant man. I would love the chance to see him live.

[Beemerguy53]

@TheResonatorGhost

You can join his mailing list and get his concert schedule e-mailed to you. I've seen him live many times over the years, and he is just wonderful, a great performer.

[jeffsaxton22]

I was privileged to be at this show. It was so nice reading all the moving posts for this song & those few of us who know a true artist & genius when we see him. Thank you for posting this video...it brings back memories....

[ectowle]

Richard Shindell is an incredible poet along with mastery of weaving a beautiful melody. If you are not convinced, listen to some studio cuts where he is joined by Lucy Kaplansky and John Gorka, etc.

[nateraed]

hes going to be at the ark in ann arbor this sunday

[zpidew]

Just love listening to this guy!!! Had seen him play twice, his music is only outdone by the helluva' nice guy that he is!! There is so much depth to any of his ballads ...

[folkmusicgirl]

Richard Shindell- such a pleasure to listen to this great artist. Really incredible songwriter. He is an artist I have tremendous respect for and admire his way to write such profound lyrics. I love to hear him sing and very good guitarist as well. Not many artists can write in the style he does, what I call a great prolific writer.

[DavidfromW5]

Didn't realise that he was coming to London recently and then it was sold out. Damn..

[jpg0572]

Who likes that guitar part from 4:20-4:23?

[jeffreydebra1]

Great song! Still need to see Richard live someday. Missed him in Madison at the High Noon Saloon earlier this year. Shucks.

[NateontheGuitar]

That was the show I was going to go to as well! garrrr! I wish i had found out about it beforehand!

[rednecksailorlover]

Apparently I fail. That was supposed to be a reply to jpg0572.

[jpg0572]

The comment about the Irish sound in his voice? Why did you get a thumbs down (-1) for that?

[ljbmonkey]

Here's why I think this is a 9/11 song: in the months following 9/11, people in NYC treated one another with a strange (and wonderful) attentiveness and delicacy and consideration and reserve....probably never seen before or since in NYC! Everyone was watchful of one another, careful of one another...much like the interactions in this song. When else and why would a cabby turn off radio, not turn on the fare box, drive slow on request?

[ljbmonkey]

And more.... I believe 7th Ave was where they set up the armory where families could go to find their missing loved ones.... of course, anyone who was missing for more than the first few hours never turned up, so nobody really got good news there. A cabby picking up someone on 7th Ave in the fall of 01 might be able to tell a hell of a lot about his passengers in one quick glance. Anyhow, that's my take. Richard, care to comment? : )

[izzyamar]

It is about 9/11 - I've seen him live a few times, and he confirmed it during one of the shows. There's a mention in the song about the meter in the cab being dark - cabbies weren't charging people to get back home on 9/11. Also, the line about the woman thanking the cabbie for turning off the radio because she "could not bear another word"...after living through that, would you want to listen to radio coverage of it?

Such a moving story about such an awful day.

[MsRobinski]

Yes, a response to 9/11. Back when I was a dj I had the opportunity to interview Richard several times. We talked at length about this song. And others also. He's an intelligent, thoughtful, man and a risk taker as a songwriter.

[intracoast]

Here's my take on this song: Ok, so we all know that everyone and everything on this planet is Holy and Sacred...Schindell is showing us in a story that someone just doing his job, in this case a cab driver, by being expert(catching green lights all the way) and being empathetic to the people he serves can make a difference in others lives. The cab driver has a feeling for the flow of traffic and mood of his passengers like Schindell has for the characters in his songs. I am moved by this video.

[salathyne]

Do to the time this was written and the fact that he's a home grown Jersey boy. I realy want to belive this is about 9/11. And the "hope" that we can recover. 9/11 struck us all deeply, while I pumped my fist with Toby Kieth, and I cried with Bruce, I deeply respect and revier this thinly vield look at 9/11. While i may be wrong, that's the way I see it

[intracoast]

Your interpretation of this song gave the song some added pathos as I was listening for the first time. But after listening again Lindell is describing a couple that has gone through a sad event going home in a cab, and then later going home in a cab after a happy one. He's not that specific about what the sad event is. Of course you picked the saddest event in recent memory. Like everyone, I hope the family members of those lost on September 11, 2001 find peace.

[kyleh0122]

To be honest, in the CD liner notes from this song states that it takes place in "Fall 2001" and then "Spring 2002" He might be talking about 9/11 or something to do with 9/11. It's very likely. Nonetheless, the song is, as you mentioned, about hope after traumatic events. God Bless You, Richard!

[sidthinker]

Never heard this song before, or heard of it or the guy performing it...but, took a risk. The flow, softness and peacefulness brought me into it right away and made me listen to the lyrics, which, have a lot to offer, even though I haven't heard much of them yet. Kind of like finding undiscovered dylan work from 64. Nicely done...hard to pull that off. Deep bows and smiles.

[joecoolmccall]

cool- his style is so unique- not a copy cat at ALL...:) well done!

[GEOHHADDAD]

Mr Shindel is one of the most astounding, gifted and humble people in music. His songs are either socially relevant, touchingly romantic or light hearted....sometimes a combination of those elements. His story telling and ability to occupy the voice of a character are nearly unique. I have had the opportunity to see him live twice and his presence makes his music even better. Though he has a good fan base he still remains an "undiscovered" treasure in my opinion.

[jpg0572]

He sounds a bit Irish in this tune, no?

[rednecksailorlover]

Yeah I know! Apparently I'm not the only one who noticed that.

[mostofthetime]

Amazing:)

[3eb4me]

just saw him in tampa fl. AMAZING!!

[zipster100]

I was going to attend this show but it fell on a weekend that I was already committed to something else, boy do I regret missing it. He is fantastic.

[Swine1841]

One of the very greatest. Saw him in Twickenham.

[ogjonesuk]

just saw him play in camden in London, and it was phenomenal, played this song and it was just great! great performer, taking requests for all sorts of songs from anyone who wanted them really

[hoppingmadly]

Any more Richard Shindell clips?

[hoppingmadly]

Thanks for adding this - I saw RS last night in England but he didn't play this. It was fantastic anyway. GREAT GREAT song/songwriter/singer/guitari­st

[Cihoro]

great song