SKATING
I shouldn’t be out skating. Storm is passing thru
Out here in the darkness where I last saw you
Standing neath that street lamp. Standing cold and wet
Only light and shadow and regret
I shouldn’t be out skating tho the traffic…read more
SKATING
I shouldn’t be out skating. Storm is passing thru
Out here in the darkness where I last saw you
Standing neath that street lamp. Standing cold and wet
Only light and shadow and regret
I shouldn’t be out skating tho the traffic…read more
Barbara wrote this about a friend from Portland. It became her most requested song until she wrote North Sulfur River. Maybe because it was her only other song.
(c) 1990 Royal T Music
This originated as a poem sent to me by Rose Kampton, It was essentially a complaint. I turned it into a prayer and put music to it. Then when Brook drowned it became something altogether else.
(c) 1990 Royal T Muaic
This is a beautiful poem sung beautifully by Barbara. Barbara passed on during August 20, 2019. Barbara was no only an extremely intelligent individual, she was ever so sweet and compassionate…always willing to listen to and be there for others who were going through rough water.
My daughter, Wyn, sings
a song I wrote in 1977
while I was doing a gig
at the Ramada Inn in
Laredo.
Harmonies are by her mother,
Barbara Anne Taylor and step
mother, Peggy Ann Mitchell.
The guitar solo and keys are
by my son, Rabyn…read more
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
Beneath the August Moon my summer love is shed
Once again I'm left to ponder what we said
Was it with words or smiles my heart was taken
I should know but can't get beyond, "I'm forsaken…read more
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
Beneath the August Moon my summer love is shed
Once again I'm left to ponder what we said
Was it with words or smiles my heart was taken
I should know but can't get beyond, "I'm forsaken…read more
This is the title song from my first LP.
FEATHERS IN THE WIND by SNOWGEESE.
It was recorded by Michael Jeffrey in his living room on a 4 track machine.
Carolyn is gone now and Keren and I don't see each other much any more. The events in…read more
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
Beneath the August Moon my summer love is shed
Once again I'm left to ponder what we said
Was it with words or smiles my heart was taken
I should know but can't get beyond, "I'm forsaken…read more
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
Beneath the August Moon my summer love is shed
Once again I'm left to ponder what we said
Was it with words or smiles my heart was taken
I should know but can't get beyond, "I'm forsaken…read more
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
Beneath the August Moon my summer love is shed
Once again I'm left to ponder what we said
Was it with words or smiles my heart was taken
I should know but can't get beyond, "I'm forsaken…read more
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
Beneath the August Moon my summer love is shed
Once again I'm left to ponder what we said
Was it with words or smiles my heart was taken
I should know but can't get beyond, "I'm forsaken…read more
Probably anyone who plays the guitar could write this song....
Someone asked if I was actually in Spain in 2003. Actually, 2000.
THAT'S WHAT LONELINESS WILL DO - 031811
Capo @ 2 in C
My triple O (ooo) will cry out when I leave her on the…read more
MAN THAT I AM - Key Dm
Dm
Train pulls out the station and the shades are all drawn
Cold steel bites my ankles and I am on my way home
G
I would jump out of that window. Risk a bullet in my back
Dm
But I'm shackled to a bunk…read more
This is amazing. I love this song. I was born in 1961 and was aware of the war as a child. It was a big world lesson for a little mind that if you were a young guy you would be forced to fight and die in a country on the other side of the world, and I saw this on the same tv I saw the GI Joe doll ads aimed at little boys. Later as a teen I had the vision of the guys on stage thrashing out the rock & roll and punk, the living spirits of the dead boys, armed with guitars and drums and skill and rage. Thanks for writing this song. It has a fine groove.
This is a Rick babb song. I seem to like it more than some of the people I've played it for but I think it just wasn't quiet enough for them to really hear this. Maybe others haven't been to this place. What a nice thot.
(C)2011 Royal T Music
HEY! I just had a GREAT idea! Hey… SAM THE LION… hey, you guys… hey, you, SAM THE LION guys… I watched the video of you guys doing your set of JMT songs… you had JMT on stage with you… (LOVED IT!) How about this… DO THIS SONG !! And have BOTH JMT and Rick Babb on stage with you! Maybe also do “Quiet Tonight” ??? Hmmm… start strong with HCLonely and then go softer with QT ??? Or… maybe start soft with QT and then break out strong with HCL ??? Hmmm… which way… which way… What a nice decision to have to make! BUT MAY I SUGGEST… do them… either, both, or all of them… as SAM THE LION songs! Do NOT simply “cover” the Babb/Taylor versions… own the songs. (that is… “own the songs” period… end of sentence!) I watched you SAM THE LION guys play on that “Songs of JMT” video… and after watching it, it is my firm belief… you guys can “own” any damn song you want!
This is a Rick babb song. I seem to like it more than some of the people I've played it for but I think it just wasn't quiet enough for them to really hear this. Maybe others haven't been to this place. What a nice thot.
(C)2011 Royal T Music
Yes, this is a great song. When I was allowed the honor of choosing my own “Best Of JMT” collection, I am proud to say… in that collection, I included another great Rick Babb song… “Here Comes Lonely” You know, Jimmy… I think I have a CD… someplace, in some drawer or box… tossed in with my collection of JMT “Works In Progress” and my collection of… “Hey, JohnQ, here is new song I’m working on!” CD’s… well, that CD I am thinking of… I believe it is called… something like… Babb-ylon… ??? Maybe even a Babb-ylon II… ??? Think I’ll go look… see if I can find it… see if I can find them…
Great groove and lyric. This might be the best GC song I’ve heard. You have all your images working. A total success. Vocal, production…all fully realized.
This is my contribution to the Song Writing Challenge: Write a song about "First Date".
Written for Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show / Pioneer Radio 90.1 Thief River Falls.
This is my contribution to the Song Writing Challenge: Write a song about "First Date".
Written for Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show / Pioneer Radio 90.1 Thief River Falls.
Maybe I take that challenge. But my song would be about Patti Meadors who transferred to my school in the middle of my senior year and tho she ate lunch across the street at the elementary school cafeteria with me just a few times and then transferred away before the year was over I will never forget her and…we never had that first date.
Another Minnesota Coffee Table Song! Written and recorded "live" in one evening.
Memories: Written and performed by John Bennet, Joe Passofaro, Mark Lofgren, Colleen Dillon & Greg Connor. Listen to Minnesota Homebrew Radio w/ Carl…read more
THE SWING
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
To Gramma’s in the Spring
I’d hop out of the car. Run to her back yard.
Gramma had a swing
The times have changed...
And when I became a dad I took all the rope I had
And tied it to…read more
Another Minnesota Coffee Table Song! Written and recorded “live” in one evening.
Memories: Written and performed by John Bennet, Joe Passofaro, Mark Lofgren, Colleen Dillon & Greg Connor. Listen to Minnesota Homebrew Radio w/ Carl Unbehaun…read more
Florencia
The tide is going out in Avila
I can feel it in my blood
Here I am in South beach Florida
Just like you knew I would
Florencia, I've been waiting for your call
Florencia, you make me feel so small
There's a place in California…read more
Florencia Di Concilio It’s not the first time someone writes me a song, though it is the very first time I actually like it. I love the song, to tell you the truth! You’re awesome James Michael Taylor! You made my day. ❤️
Recorded at Texas Central with Pete Thompson turning the knobs. Pete also played the drums and bass. Thank you, Pete.
LANCASTER STREET
Midnight in Cowtown. 90 degrees
Too hot for a blanket. Too hot for a sheet
The trash on the sidewalk…read more
Recorded at Texas Central with Pete Thompson turning the knobs. Pete also played the drums and bass. Thank you, Pete.
LANCASTER STREET
Midnight in Cowtown. 90 degrees
Too hot for a blanket. Too hot for a sheet
The trash on the sidewalk…read more
"This Balloon" was written for the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show hosted by Carl Unbehaun. A March songwriting Challenge - Write a song about Balloons. Listen to Carl's radio show on the internet:
Pioneer Radio 90.1 Thief River Falls, MN…read more
You asked me who Jack Hardy was…He was a friend of mine, now gone. Beloved by many. This was a bit of teasing him, imitating how he sang. He and I shared a mutual respect. The first time I met him I was sitting under an awning at the Kerrville Folk Festival and he pulled up a chair and said, “Sing me a song.” We were buddies from then on. The day he would arrive at Kerrville was always joyfully anticipated, not just because he made such great spigot. Here is a link to more about him:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hardy_(singer-songwriter)
This song is a spin-off from "Hold On". Tez found the original music and wanted to use it for his own lyric, so we assembled a new band, and Gabro replaced my original piano track (while still using the original harmonies).
The new lead melody…read more
THE CIRCLE OF NO REGRETS Key C
If my heart be broken let it be by beauty
If my tears be spoken let it be by music
If my silence must be ending let it be by laughing
If my love must say good-bye let it be in dying
If my pockets empty…read more
Refuge into the imagination:Is it crazy? Is it survival? Is desire to survive crazy?
THERE SHE WAS Key - G 102811
G
She'd been gone for three years now so he'd been on the road
Playing every truck stop bar and every song he wrote…read more
Easing my way back into music production. This is a work in progress, but I have so many ideas floating I don't know how long it will take to make progress. I do like the way this turned out so far. Enjoy.
Mid-tempo, loud, and sans vocals. You want to sing (or play) on it? Drop me a line.
EDIT: I may have a taker on turning this into a proper song. If he does, this is "off-the-market", but if he doesn't, then I'll put it back on or do my…
This is such a solid track it could go a dozen ways.
Also, thank you for your comment. I had a 7th line clear up until my final mix when I realized how useless it was…your response verifies my thot. The song was start to finish this afternoon.Thanks again.
THE BURDEN OF SANITY
As I turned on to Calhoun I could hear the music from the street
A dog pissed on a speaker as I found myself a seat
Now, Buster is a caveman all hunched over his bones
Hair matted like a buffalo, like he’d never owned…read more
SWEET AND FREE - Version B
Lyrics: Mohamed Ibrahim
Vocals, Vocal Melody: Kim Noble
Guitars: Frank Zax
Bass: Andy Gupta
Drums: Robert Cudmore
Original Music & Production: Steffen Offermann
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Cool vibe eerily married to the dark content… I kind of want more verses to see what happens!
Thanks for the comment James! I love your story about your Senior year.
This “Skating” song is fun to listen to. I’m on my second time thru. Definitely unique!
Beautiful song
This is a beautiful poem sung beautifully by Barbara. Barbara passed on during August 20, 2019. Barbara was no only an extremely intelligent individual, she was ever so sweet and compassionate…always willing to listen to and be there for others who were going through rough water.
This is exquisite Michael. I HAD NEVER HEARD WYN SING…DIDN’T KNOW SHE COULD EVEN AND RABYN’S PLAYING…ALL BEAUTIFUL …PERFECT.
Beautiful lovethis song
Beautiful song,love it.
Life is full of “feathers in the wind.” Another bright star in the night sky.
So beautiful!
Beautiful. Did you write this when your child slipped into eternity?
Fantastic!
Amazing and beautiful!
Beautiful. My dear friend 💛
Funny
This is amazing. I love this song. I was born in 1961 and was aware of the war as a child. It was a big world lesson for a little mind that if you were a young guy you would be forced to fight and die in a country on the other side of the world, and I saw this on the same tv I saw the GI Joe doll ads aimed at little boys. Later as a teen I had the vision of the guys on stage thrashing out the rock & roll and punk, the living spirits of the dead boys, armed with guitars and drums and skill and rage. Thanks for writing this song. It has a fine groove.
My last post tonight I promise! Here is the link to the video of James Michael Taylor and Sam The Lion - Shipping & Receiving 06/14/19 LIVE on YouTube PLEASE, somebody else watch this video and either confirm my belief SAM THE LION can own whatever song they want… or tell me I’m full of… ahhh… stuff… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRbr9wj71Nw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1a3LFyCzsLpCKu22Szezh220UAsmbq7vMacCVx1lC3GJl1jZWljQnsyLQ
HEY! I just had a GREAT idea! Hey… SAM THE LION… hey, you guys… hey, you, SAM THE LION guys… I watched the video of you guys doing your set of JMT songs… you had JMT on stage with you… (LOVED IT!) How about this… DO THIS SONG !! And have BOTH JMT and Rick Babb on stage with you! Maybe also do “Quiet Tonight” ??? Hmmm… start strong with HCLonely and then go softer with QT ??? Or… maybe start soft with QT and then break out strong with HCL ??? Hmmm… which way… which way… What a nice decision to have to make! BUT MAY I SUGGEST… do them… either, both, or all of them… as SAM THE LION songs! Do NOT simply “cover” the Babb/Taylor versions… own the songs. (that is… “own the songs” period… end of sentence!) I watched you SAM THE LION guys play on that “Songs of JMT” video… and after watching it, it is my firm belief… you guys can “own” any damn song you want!
Here is ANOTHER great Rick Babb song!
Yes, this is a great song. When I was allowed the honor of choosing my own “Best Of JMT” collection, I am proud to say… in that collection, I included another great Rick Babb song… “Here Comes Lonely” You know, Jimmy… I think I have a CD… someplace, in some drawer or box… tossed in with my collection of JMT “Works In Progress” and my collection of… “Hey, JohnQ, here is new song I’m working on!” CD’s… well, that CD I am thinking of… I believe it is called… something like… Babb-ylon… ??? Maybe even a Babb-ylon II… ??? Think I’ll go look… see if I can find it… see if I can find them…
Very nice! I like the way you’ve composed this song; it is musically expressive of the central metaphor. Jenni Mansfield Peal
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Great groove and lyric. This might be the best GC song I’ve heard. You have all your images working. A total success. Vocal, production…all fully realized.
SKATING is another of my suicide songs.
I must do a trip to your coffee table group sometime.
Maybe I take that challenge. But my song would be about Patti Meadors who transferred to my school in the middle of my senior year and tho she ate lunch across the street at the elementary school cafeteria with me just a few times and then transferred away before the year was over I will never forget her and…we never had that first date.
Very nice! I like the way you’ve composed this song; it is musically expressive of the central metaphor. Jenni Mansfield Peal
Great harmonies!
“That was brilliant. We are crying.” Maria Moss
If I lived near you I would want to be part of this tribe.
Florencia Di Concilio It’s not the first time someone writes me a song, though it is the very first time I actually like it. I love the song, to tell you the truth! You’re awesome James Michael Taylor! You made my day. ❤️
Laurie Callinan - Its very beautiful. Love the line about the garbage trying to sleep.
Connie Pittman Ramsey Visually sorrowful and heartfelt…. Thank you James, once again, for going where most dare not go
First, the guitar sound is amazing. This friendly little project is is special in so many ways.
You asked me who Jack Hardy was…He was a friend of mine, now gone. Beloved by many. This was a bit of teasing him, imitating how he sang. He and I shared a mutual respect. The first time I met him I was sitting under an awning at the Kerrville Folk Festival and he pulled up a chair and said, “Sing me a song.” We were buddies from then on. The day he would arrive at Kerrville was always joyfully anticipated, not just because he made such great spigot. Here is a link to more about him:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hardy_(singer-songwriter)
That bass is awesome! Great build!
This is beautiful.
Wonderful, James. Thank you for singing the songs in your heart. This world needs them.Summer Loraine Russell
Mighty powerful feelings of aloneness and independence, songs and songwriting/singing a perfect fit! Keith Haas
This immediately puts me in a mythical meadow with fairies and crickets and lightning bugs at dusk…
This is such a solid track it could go a dozen ways.
Also, thank you for your comment. I had a 7th line clear up until my final mix when I realized how useless it was…your response verifies my thot. The song was start to finish this afternoon.Thanks again.
“The years can kill your spirit. The years you can’t explain
The years that simply melt away… like mascara in the rain.”
Damn… what great words. JMT words.
Words that paint a picture… on the canvas of my spirit. `
Jon McCabe
Crisp and crystal clear!