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The Guggenheim Grotto — Wonderful Wizard
Album: Waltzing Alone
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1079









Released: 2005
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I have been told
Not by one but two of my lovers
That I've got a heart of gold
But I'm unable to share it with others
They call me a poet who'll never have a poem
A tiger with no taste for bone
I'm the wonderful, wonderful wizard of waltzing alone
And I have been told
Not by one but two of my brothers
That a solitary soul
Is a thorn in the side of all others
Just like a homeless, that hangs around your home
Or a mother who'd give away her own
I'm the wonderful, wonderful wizard of waltzing alone
Haven't you been told
One man’s meat is the ruin of another
Your Edgar Allen crow
Is the very bird that holds me together
They call me a poet who'll never have a poem
A tiger with no taste for bone
I'm the wonderful, wonderful wizard of waltzing alone
We’re all of to see the wizard. The wonderful, wonderful
Wonderful wizard
Comments (101)add comment
Miss this group. I've had a chance to see them in person, and they were great.  Sad they are not together anymore.
Posted 1 year ago by mcarusoRP    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:

Is Waltzing Alone a euphemism?


Nope; all song lyrics are meant to be taken strictly literally.
Posted 2 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Interesting. I haven't heard this before - may need to spend some time alone with the lyrics. 
Posted 2 years ago by hellsgardener    [ Reply ]
Is Waltzing Alone a euphemism?
Posted 2 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
A tiger with no taste for bone...I love that line.
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
all lies - this is Calexico
Posted 3 years ago by onomasticator    [ Reply ]
Joe Strummer meets Calexico
Posted 3 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
this is an excellent album with fun liner notes. 
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 meanderer wrote:
Loving the track... Just nicely pootling along!

It's not a waltz time signature though 
 
This guy's lovers say he can't share, his brothers call him an annoying loner, a homeless dude or a deadbeat mom, he can't write poetry, he can't enjoy a meal and he can't keep time? This guy can't catch a break.
Posted 4 years ago by danmc    [ Reply ]
Something odd has happened. I used to find this terribly boring and now I get it. Good stuff. 
Posted 4 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Loving the track... Just nicely pootling along!

It's not a waltz time signature though 
Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
Expected Cake, got The  Guggenheim Grotto.

Like it!
Posted 4 years ago by LeftShoe    [ Reply ]
Cohen-es que. first time for me. Thank you RP
Posted 5 years ago by ai63    [ Reply ]
Thanks again, RP, for this band, and particularly this tune.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
FORTUNATE ISLANDS SHIRT
Posted 6 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
First time hearing this song. It made me happy.
Posted 6 years ago by Paralistener    [ Reply ]
Wow!
 
Seven years since this tune played. I still like it!
Posted 6 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
True!
 annersjen wrote:

Yes, but tastier than Cake. (Someone had to say it)

 


Posted 13 years ago by Shaker    [ Reply ]
Great cover  but the music sucks, sorry.
Posted 13 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
 That_SOB wrote:
Is good song, and that album cover ? Well, I swear that thing lived under my bed when
I was a child. Is this a relitive demon ?
 
The song is uninspiring, but the album cover is terrific!    Hmmmmmmmmm.... maybe this is subjective after all....  Circles rule!  Squares are evil!
Posted 14 years ago by amb599    [ Reply ]
I knew this wasn't Cake right away...how? It didn't annoy me right away! That's how I knew. I like this tune.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 malvey254 wrote:

 
I thought it was a lie - guess I was wrong.

Posted 14 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Is good song, and that album cover ? Well, I swear that thing lived under my bed when
I was a child. Is this a relitive demon ?
Posted 14 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
clearly not Cake cuz there are no horns and not even a little vibraslap!

but it's got the same sort of clever and almost lethargic vocal quality.

me likey.
Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Wow, why so many critics of these guys?
I've heard much more vapid and uninteresting music here that gets tons of praise.
I don't get it. 
 
I agree completely.  C'mon, Jelani and I can't be the only wonderful wizards who listen to RP.


Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 smilestoomuch wrote:
I keep hearing Cake...
 
A little more serious, though...Serious Cake? Bread? Ughh. Not Bread...>the spectre of David Gates looms up in my office doorway>...Aaahhhhhh......

Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
C'mon Travelling Light!
Posted 14 years ago by swell_sailor    [ Reply ]
 malvey254 wrote:

 
Woah, bring that over and I'll start a pot of coffee to go with it . . .


Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
I liked the words..."a solitary man is a thorn in every side" or something like that.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Wow, why so many critics of these guys?
I've heard much more vapid and uninteresting music here that gets tons of praise.
I don't get it. 
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Take a piece of Cake and go down Calexico way and somehow you end up in the Guggenheim Grotto. 

Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]

moved from a 3 to a 2. It's getting worse each time I hear it.


Posted 15 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
 malvey254 wrote:

 
Shoot want that!!!! {#Eek} {#Hungry}
Posted 15 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
 smilestoomuch wrote:
I keep hearing Cake...
 

100% right...
Posted 15 years ago by evansdad    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing Cake...
Posted 15 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
 malvey254 wrote:

 
Cake?  I don't hear cake in this at all.  Their stuff is fun and has a swing to it that is totally mising here.

Posted 15 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]
heeeheeeeeee (lol) I like this ...
Posted 15 years ago by midreaming    [ Reply ]
 lmic wrote:
Leonard Cohen and John McCrea walk into a bar...
 


Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Leonard Cohen and John McCrea walk into a bar...
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by malvey254    [ Reply ]
 bokey wrote:

Foolish comment from a non musician

 
Uh oh.  You have to be a musician to listen and comment here now?  Bill won't be pleased with this development. {#Snooty}
Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 joshfm wrote:
lackluster mediocre ego stroke
 
Foolish comment from a non musician

Posted 15 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
playtime is over!
Posted 15 years ago by gormeister    [ Reply ]
 membeth wrote:
I like this song reasonably well, but it really does sound remarkably like Cake.
 
Yes, but tastier than Cake. (Someone had to say it)

Posted 15 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]
{#Nyah}
 pushkinjim wrote:
Mute, puke
 


Posted 15 years ago by sissyolina    [ Reply ]
I have missed the grotto on RP!
Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
 membeth wrote:
I like this song reasonably well, but it really does sound remarkably like Cake.
 
I thought it was a more serious song by Cake, until I check the play list. Not
my fave.

Posted 15 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
There are much better songs from this group that we could be listening to!
Posted 15 years ago by jakewhite77    [ Reply ]
I like this song reasonably well, but it really does sound remarkably like Cake.
Posted 16 years ago by membeth    [ Reply ]
lackluster mediocre ego stroke
Posted 16 years ago by joshfm    [ Reply ]
I like it.
Posted 16 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Not a bad tune, but very Cake-esque.
Posted 16 years ago by adroc    [ Reply ]
Meh.
Posted 16 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
coy wrote:
wonderful wonderful wonderful wizard
Saw these guys live in London a few months back (Camden Lock) and they're actually very good live. Sound Irish fellas from Dublin!
Posted 16 years ago by Tayto    [ Reply ]
Jelani wrote:
better cake
It's not Cake, it's a Twinkie.
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
lionirons wrote:
Fake Cake!
better cake
Posted 17 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I'M A WIZARD!...rating? 1.
Posted 17 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
Mute, puke
Posted 17 years ago by pushkinjim    [ Reply ]
wonderful wonderful wonderful wizard
Posted 17 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
canz wrote:
Is it actually the singer from Cake? It's an extremely similar tone.
I agree - and his voice has a very "California" sound to me (whatever that means ) Wiki indicates that GG is from Dublin. (Kevin May, Mick Lynch vocals.)
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Mmmmmmmmmm, nice.
Posted 17 years ago by madaxeman    [ Reply ]
MissAmy wrote:
You aren't the only one. I was sitting here thinking, "Is this a Leonard song I've never heard? Could it be?" Alas, no. Good song nonetheless.
Actually, they are self-admitted Leonard Cohen fans, and one of their songs on this album, "Koan", is a tribute to him.
Posted 17 years ago by roggles    [ Reply ]
i bought it i'm dancing
Posted 17 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
What a wonderful tune.
Posted 17 years ago by saturnine    [ Reply ]
sounds like The Lost Boys
Posted 17 years ago by mano    [ Reply ]
"Cakey"...he's going the distance.
Posted 17 years ago by stillwater    [ Reply ]
Fake Cake!
Posted 17 years ago by lionirons    [ Reply ]
canz wrote:
Is it actually the singer from Cake? It's an extremely similar tone.
Yeah, I always thought this was Cake.
Posted 17 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Test
Posted 17 years ago by Bad_Art    [ Reply ]
rachlan wrote:
I thought it was a LC song redone by guggenheim grotto
You aren't the only one. I was sitting here thinking, "Is this a Leonard song I've never heard? Could it be?" Alas, no. Good song nonetheless.
Posted 17 years ago by MissAmy    [ Reply ]
Its the singing that's Cakey.
Is it actually the singer from Cake? It's an extremely similar tone.
Posted 17 years ago by canz    [ Reply ]
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
Cake don't do the upper midrange guitar licks, otherwise yepperdoodles fur shur.
Yeah. Its the singing that's Cakey. There's no mariachi trumpet...
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
I prefer other songs on the album, but it's a decent start. The album finally, came out stateside!
Posted 18 years ago by melodious    [ Reply ]
Coppertop wrote:
Funny, I thought Leonard Cohen too.
I thought it was a LC song redone by guggenheim grotto
Posted 18 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Gregorama wrote:
Cakey.
Cake don't do the upper midrange guitar licks, otherwise yepperdoodles fur shur.
Posted 18 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
Can't say enough great things about this CD. Outstanding!
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
I thought it was David Sylvian....
Posted 18 years ago by scruzer    [ Reply ]
Denzil wrote:
Cohen + Cake is a good description. Looking forward to hearing more. While you're at it, how about some more Cohen and Cake. :)
Love it.
Posted 18 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Cakey.
Posted 18 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
Love the bass groove.
Posted 18 years ago by texastimr    [ Reply ]
I was just thinking, this sounds a lot like Cake. This is why I love RP!!! mmm....cake.
Posted 18 years ago by SoundsGoodToMe    [ Reply ]
Cohen + Cake is a good description. Looking forward to hearing more. While you're at it, how about some more Cohen and Cake. :)
Posted 18 years ago by Denzil    [ Reply ]
SFBiscottiBabe wrote:
Interesting name... the weird part of hearing them was that I was looking at Google's artwork of the day (you know, where they change the standard google image to something else) and looking at Joan Miro's first piece listed. Interestingly enough, it was a piece from the Guggenheim Collection. Quite likeable tune.
where do you find that?
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Interesting name... the weird part of hearing them was that I was looking at Google's artwork of the day (you know, where they change the standard google image to something else) and looking at Joan Miro's first piece listed. Interestingly enough, it was a piece from the Guggenheim Collection. Quite likeable tune.
Posted 18 years ago by SFBiscottiBabe    [ Reply ]
ploba wrote:
Mmm Cake, yes, but his voice also reminds me a bit of early leonard cohen
Funny, I thought Leonard Cohen too.
Posted 18 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
Definitely remind me of Morrissey's You Are the Quarry. ... Ok, not so much during this part.
Posted 18 years ago by nshifley    [ Reply ]
Mmm Cake, yes, but his voice also reminds me a bit of early leonard cohen
Posted 18 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
It sounds like they've been watching too much Dark Side of the Rainbow.
Posted 18 years ago by istanbulbaby    [ Reply ]
Better than Cake. But I'm not a Cake fan. Cake hurts me.
Posted 18 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Bizzarefall wrote:
That is EXACTLY what I was just thinking.
I second that reckon.
Posted 18 years ago by larz    [ Reply ]
Roverfish wrote:
Cake? P'raps. I was thinking they sounded a lot like Calexico, but without the brass backing and heavy Latin influence. Decent tune, anyway. Nice to hear some indies on RP.
That is EXACTLY what I was just thinking.
Posted 18 years ago by Bizzarefall    [ Reply ]
That was cool! I'd love to hear more of them!
Posted 18 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Love the Hammond in it...
Posted 18 years ago by DarkStar    [ Reply ]
I like this... Wonderful Wizard. Greatful Dead Next. :
Posted 18 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
Cake? P'raps. I was thinking they sounded a lot like Calexico, but without the brass backing and heavy Latin influence. Decent tune, anyway. Nice to hear some indies on RP.
Posted 18 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
MissMieke wrote:
Also, there is absolutely NO info on their album at all.
www.guggenheimgrotto.com
Posted 19 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
This sounds an awful lot like Cake without the trumpet . . .and I don't mean just the vocals - the songwriting style as well. Also, there is absolutely NO info on their album at all. So is it some kinda little hoax?
Posted 19 years ago by MissMieke    [ Reply ]
Gregorama wrote:
Sounds like Cake on 'ludes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just a little melancholy is all...
It does! good call.
Posted 19 years ago by Bizzarefall    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Cake on 'ludes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just a little melancholy is all...
Posted 19 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]