Woody And Dutch On The Slow Train To Peking
Rickie Lee Jones · Pirates [2009]
To find the Stax and Sun
They were reaching to get to
They was a rapping the flat scat
Diamond dialectos of points and taps
Between the chicken and the back
They drew themselves a be-bop
Midnight map
They said "do you got a map the next joint?"
"Do you got a map the next joint?"
Pick it up on the night train
Down on the corner of rhythm and blues
Where I have met all of my boys since
Back in '52
Bringing 'em Stax and Sun
'cause I think that Cleveland forgot
And Memphis forgot
Where they were coming from
Do ya like it? Do ya like it like that?
Do you like rapping the fat scat?
Woody and Dutch dance in the cell of fourteen
Like a pill they do it all night
Spectators,
White-walls, find and greased back
Every Saturday night
Leaning in the scenery
Picking up the kids
At the next door neighbors'
"Yeah I know what you did
Yeah I got a room you can stay in
If you promise you won't make so much noise"
"No I won't"
"No I don't!"
Woody And Dutch On The Slow Train To Peking
Rickie Lee Jones continues her tradition of narrative songwriting with "Woody And Dutch On The Slow Train To Peking," a track from her 2009 album Pirates. Known for blending jazz, folk, and rock influences, Jones often crafts vivid character studies that feel both intimate and expansive. This recording showcases her distinctive vocal style and lyrical depth, capturing a moment in time through the lens of traveling figures. The song fits within a broader discography that values storytelling and emotional resonance over straightforward pop structures. As part of the Pirates era, it reflects Jones's ongoing exploration of complex themes and her ability to create atmospheric soundscapes that invite listeners into her unique musical world.