Sometimes it might be best not to even think about what terrible things might happen. It might be part of setting those very terrible things in motion. How can one know?
HAPPY
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades out as the memory is made
Happy is the spark when the hammer strikes the steel
Before the spit has sizzled into a vapor trail
And happy is the planner…
I learned a chord my teacher told me was called THE GYPSY CHORD. So I wrote a song using nothing but that chord. Initially I had a girl named ....... in it but she didn't like that so I changed her name to, what was it, Emily.
After reading the book: The Immortal Life of Henryetta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Google HeLa cells and you'll get the whole story. The most famous cell line EVER.
RUN HeLa RUN
Her name was Henryetta Lacks but she never knew
Her family finally…
I love the way you have made this true story into a song.
Straight to the point lyrics with tremendous backing vocals.
It's a very strong and determined sounding track.
HAPPY
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades out as the memory is made
Happy is the spark when the hammer strikes the steel
Before the spit has sizzled into a vapor trail
And happy is the planner…
HAPPY
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades out as the memory is made
Happy is the spark when the hammer strikes the steel
Before the spit has sizzled into a vapor trail
And happy is the planner…
One night after three month of no rain, as we were driving home from singing at Gringos in Grapevine a splash of water hit the windshield.
I said to myself, "Sweet Rain."
I went home and wrote the song. It's on the soundtrack of a movie called…
So in 1951 you lived in the desert just around the corner from where I grew up , except I wasn't there until 1953 at the ripe and smelly age of 1.I think I was considering buying a house out in the same patch of desert you grew up in. Your Dad might of known a Bob Dollins, he worked at Northrop for a short while . What year did you depart?
In 1951 I was eight years old but it's all like yesterday. The tumbleweeds and the horny toads. Flying kites so far into the desert air that I couldn't see them.
Palmdale, California, 1951
Pretty yellow chickens hating in the sun
Fertilizer…
Small world indeed. In 1953 I was 1 and we lived on the base. In old pics the housing were those Quansot Huts. Hell, if you lived out there at 8 years no wonder you got that dreamy like recollection. It be like living on the Moon, had barren can it get, and the bright sun beating down cooking that desert, sonic booms rattleing windows. I know, I don't know when they stop doing it but I remember as far back as 1964 of our classrooms windows rattling and that 's in Palmdale. They test artilliary as well out at EAB. Fortunately I was only 1 year old back then and i was shielded from the sun by my moma's breast and taken out there before I could develope a memory.Funny thing in early '54 my folks moved just off the south end of 15th. I still live close to it. There is no hope for Peace on Earth as long as militaries stand armed and ready.
You captured the mood! Good integration of song voice and guitar. It was warm & tender despite the hard cold reality the song spoke of. Imaginitive lyrics that mixed well with the sweet simplicity of the music.
In 1951 I was eight years old but it's all like yesterday. The tumbleweeds and the horny toads. Flying kites so far into the desert air that I couldn't see them.
Palmdale, California, 1951
Pretty yellow chickens hating in the sun
Fertilizer…
Another Palmdale resident. The horny toads you don't see to much anymore but he tumbleweeds and the wind are still here so kite flying is still around. Hey ,you forgot the rattlesnakes. I don't remember it being so dreamy though. Your song is different and somewhat interesting but I wouldn't vote for it to be the official Palmdale song. I arrived in Palmdale in 1953, maybe that's what it is.
The Cindy I mention in this song is Cindy Sheehan. This was before out trip to Crawford. The rest is pretty self-explained.
HEROS
No, I ain't no hero, I'm just trying to survive
Me and Cindy, just staying alive.
Got a hurt in our heart and…
The Cindy I mention in this song is Cindy Sheehan. This was before out trip to Crawford. The rest is pretty self-explained.
HEROS
No, I ain't no hero, I'm just trying to survive
Me and Cindy, just staying alive.
Got a hurt in our heart and…
In 1951 I was eight years old but it's all like yesterday. The tumbleweeds and the horny toads. Flying kites so far into the desert air that I couldn't see them.
Palmdale, California, 1951
Pretty yellow chickens hating in the sun
Fertilizer…
Sometimes it might be best not to even think about what terrible things might happen. It might be part of setting those very terrible things in motion. How can one know?
EDIT 2017-09-02: MIDI guitars and drums were replaced with real instruments.
Lyrics, Vocal Melody: Kim Noble
Electric Guitars: Uli Lang
Acoustic Guitars: James Fraser
Bass: Jean Lui Toudou
Drums: Nick Anderson
Original Music & Production…
Lyrics: Mike Graszyk
Vocals, Vocal Melody: Jessica Rasche
Guitars: Derek Barlas
Bass: George Schiessl
Drums: Ole Kirkeby
Original Music & Production: Steffen Offermann
I really like this song. Especially the vocal. Sad Rock! But...there are places it's so far back into the mix that I can't tell what she is saying.
AND...thanks for listening to my music.
Snow on the ground. Wind and temperatures below zero. It's time for another coffee table evening.
Recorded live around my coffee table with:
Mark Lofgren - Lead Guitar & Harmony
Colleen Dillon- Ukelele & Harmony
Greg Connor…
No, I never wrote the song, but always thought I would begin the song with the sound of my 12 guage shotgun as I open the action.
Gunshots and clapping are very hard to record. But there are plenty of places to go grab a sample.
Snow on the ground. Wind and temperatures below zero. It's time for another coffee table evening.
Recorded live around my coffee table with:
Mark Lofgren - Lead Guitar & Harmony
Colleen Dillon- Ukelele & Harmony
Greg Connor…
You commented on my song I KEEP MY RADIO ON. You also added, "I once had someone call me selling a security system. I told them “I don’t need it.” They will only come in here once." Did you write that song?
Em
Well, some folks got big noses
Some folks got big ass
Some folks stand out in the aisle
Make it hard to pass
Am
Some folks got money
Em
They say, “That’s just how it goes.”
B7 A
They make it hard for folks like me
Am Em
To keep…
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
Jon Hogan said - You are a master of your art. It's the auditory equivalent of a bracing Charley Russel, or a fine Rembrandt, or a poem by Keats or a short story by Hemingway; like these, you have become a master of your art.
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
Jon Hogan said - We were speachless after it was over, up to about the count of ten. We were staring at each other, such a mix of feelings.... then we both laughed out loud to keep from crying. Mindblowing is all I can really think to say, simply mindblowing.
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
There's another plane that I'll ride
and only I know where I'm going
and without reason I can't think
and your lies won't let me sleep.
This early morning sunshine
gets sucked into the wall
where perhaps we might draw from it
when we are…
This song was written after I had watched a documentary about Jonestown, which featured music from their choir. They were very talented and I couldn't help wondering if any of them had survived. I'd like to think that there were a couple of 'em…
I decided to keep working on this one a bit on the "keep messing with it" program.... added some backing vocals and some piano.... kind of like where its heading after the one take wonder before... Any other suggestions are very welcome…
I wrote this song about 2 years ago and shared it here on Alonetone back then. I decided to do a studio recording of it recently. With the help of the team at F5 Soundhouse here in Minneapolis we've created this updated version. I hope you enjoy…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Very Pretty story telling. I've been to Deadwood. What a place to spend eternity.
Excellent!
Another very clever one!
This one is one of my favourites of your tracks. The chorus is especially poignant.
I love this! The music is really driving!
You performed this so well. A very interesting story, perfectly done. Good luck, "Emily". Yeah, nice chord!
I love the way you have made this true story into a song. Straight to the point lyrics with tremendous backing vocals. It's a very strong and determined sounding track.
Wow, JM! Grrreat harmonies, and a master class in lyrics.
nice job... its a snapshot in a snapshot.
So in 1951 you lived in the desert just around the corner from where I grew up , except I wasn't there until 1953 at the ripe and smelly age of 1.I think I was considering buying a house out in the same patch of desert you grew up in. Your Dad might of known a Bob Dollins, he worked at Northrop for a short while . What year did you depart?
These songs with the choir are cool. Are these friends , sounds like you got a regular choir doing back up
Small world indeed. In 1953 I was 1 and we lived on the base. In old pics the housing were those Quansot Huts. Hell, if you lived out there at 8 years no wonder you got that dreamy like recollection. It be like living on the Moon, had barren can it get, and the bright sun beating down cooking that desert, sonic booms rattleing windows. I know, I don't know when they stop doing it but I remember as far back as 1964 of our classrooms windows rattling and that 's in Palmdale. They test artilliary as well out at EAB. Fortunately I was only 1 year old back then and i was shielded from the sun by my moma's breast and taken out there before I could develope a memory.Funny thing in early '54 my folks moved just off the south end of 15th. I still live close to it. There is no hope for Peace on Earth as long as militaries stand armed and ready.
You captured the mood! Good integration of song voice and guitar. It was warm & tender despite the hard cold reality the song spoke of. Imaginitive lyrics that mixed well with the sweet simplicity of the music.
Another Palmdale resident. The horny toads you don't see to much anymore but he tumbleweeds and the wind are still here so kite flying is still around. Hey ,you forgot the rattlesnakes. I don't remember it being so dreamy though. Your song is different and somewhat interesting but I wouldn't vote for it to be the official Palmdale song. I arrived in Palmdale in 1953, maybe that's what it is.
Nice percussion. Strong message!
Most excellent lyrics! I admire those who will stand up and be counted! Great song!
LOL as they say
Wistful though not wishful. The drum is very effective. Doubling the tempo for the spoken parts - excellent!
Your speaking voice is really believable. I like that! Sounds great! A most clever song JM Who's your friend?
Yeah, sure you would! Oh, love it! What a cracking good song.
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
I find this very soothing. I like the way you build it and then take it back to the theme before taking it on out.
This is really peppy. Like the snappyness of the midi stuff. Maybe I'll try some midi guitar.
I really like this song. Especially the vocal. Sad Rock! But...there are places it's so far back into the mix that I can't tell what she is saying. AND...thanks for listening to my music.
Strange how you have such happy music with such sad story.
Acoustic Tull. Love it.
Very good lyric and delivery. Please put your words up.
No, I never wrote the song, but always thought I would begin the song with the sound of my 12 guage shotgun as I open the action. Gunshots and clapping are very hard to record. But there are plenty of places to go grab a sample.
You commented on my song I KEEP MY RADIO ON. You also added, "I once had someone call me selling a security system. I told them “I don’t need it.” They will only come in here once." Did you write that song?
Morgan Lindley said - That is awesome. Next time you see me I'll be playing that song. I'm stoked you have a tab for it
Jon Hogan said - You are a master of your art. It's the auditory equivalent of a bracing Charley Russel, or a fine Rembrandt, or a poem by Keats or a short story by Hemingway; like these, you have become a master of your art.
Jon Hogan said - We were speachless after it was over, up to about the count of ten. We were staring at each other, such a mix of feelings.... then we both laughed out loud to keep from crying. Mindblowing is all I can really think to say, simply mindblowing.
Maria Moss said - Oh yeah. We stopped typing on our laptops and just listened. And then we both went "oh yeah!"
Sooooo relaxing...
Very soothing.
Boy, this is a wake up. Love the energy.
Immediately captures the harshness. The unpredictability of it.
Been there.
I've got no monopoly on clever... Especially like, "Is there nothing you believe in that could not withstand a scrutinous review?"
Nice wake-up song. Like the harmonies.
Enjoying this again. Such a fine song. So well done.