Talk:Helpless (song)

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[edit] Location of Omemee

Omemee cannot be considered Northern Ontario (even "barely"). It is in the southern part of Kawartha Lakes (see Kawartha Lakes, Ontario), which is never considered "Northern." The Wikipedia article for Northern Ontario doesn't include it. Omemee is only about 50 km from Lake Ontario, while it is 300 km from North Bay, arguably the border of Northern Ontario.

While Omeemee would not be considered Northern Ontario now, in Neil's youth Omeemee, and the Kawartha's in general, would be a long trip from Toronto and, in the mind of a kid, especially one from the city, way North. While surprising to many today, given Omeemee lying on the edge of Toronto's commuter belt, in the 50's, the train was the best way to get to the Kawartha's as the road system was still pretty rudimetary. Freeways were still a way away.

Culturally, this area (yes, I live here) views Toronto (and the south) as something alien. Artistically, and consider Neil's thoughts over his childhood and his parents' separation here, Omemee, would seem a world away from his Toronto, or even Winnipeg, experience.

[edit] Pedal steel?

Jerry Garcia is credited as the pedal steel player on the album, but not specifically this track "Helpless". The swelling guitar is more likely played by Stephen Stills using either the volume knob on his conventional electric guitar or a volume pedal on same. Other tracks on the Deja Vu album clearly contain pedal steel, and it has a different tone to the guitar swells on this track. --Design 11:28, 26 July 2006 (UTC)