It’s a small town. Woodlake, California. East side of the San Joaquin Valley. 14 miles from where all those “Lindsey” olives you see on your grocery store shelves come from. The Woodlake Echo, says, “In the foothills of the Sequoias”.
FOOTHILLS…
James, thank you SOOOO much for this song! This one fits your voice so well and I feel I got to go there with you. This is a keeper! Thank you...there may be a haiku soon ;) Can I post this with my haiku if I do and of course make sure you are credited...the inspiration will be there...also love that rift that was so unusual...wasn't expecting it, but really layered the song!!! Thanks!!
EVER ONE I NEED TO TALK TO
Everyone I need to talk to tonight is gone
Some have gone to heaven. Some have gone to hell
Ever one I want to talk to tonight is gone
WHEN WE GET TO COLORADO
Capo @ 5 in C positions
C G
Thirty one years in this city
Thirty one yers on this street
Fighting in the morning
Fighting at night
This place has the smell of defeat…
SKINNY GIRLS
Capo @ 3 in G
...and then he said,
I like skinny girls
Toothy girls
Flat chested girls
I like girls with Adam's apples
A mouth full of titty
And a hand full of ass...
A girl with a six pack
is my kind of...
And then…
I wondered if that was the case :) ... mine's still with me, though she claims she's on the way... and every now and then she goes "but you like skinny girls" and I go "not since I met you!" :)
SKINNY GIRLS
Capo @ 3 in G
...and then he said,
I like skinny girls
Toothy girls
Flat chested girls
I like girls with Adam's apples
A mouth full of titty
And a hand full of ass...
A girl with a six pack
is my kind of...
And then…
Hehehehe... This was me when I was in my 20s! Tastes change, though.... You learn you probably do need something to grab on to... Like you did with your Mum or Gran... Otherwise you end up falling over in the street and stuff like that...
TOO MUCH
I've heard too much. I've seen too much.
Don't ask me any questions because I know too much.
I've read too much. I've written too much.
Consider the lilies of the field.
I know exactly how they feel
My mom told me to be like…
WHEN WE GET TO COLORADO
Capo @ 5 in C positions
C G
Thirty one years in this city
Thirty one yers on this street
Fighting in the morning
Fighting at night
This place has the smell of defeat…
Jim Lamb said, I just listened to James Michael James Michael Taylor’s song, Colorado... just a random selection of his music, I want to do a production of that song... I tell you what, Jeff Prince, you have one extraordinary songwriting friend there!!!
Jeff Prince said, Taylor is the songwriting king of the jungle around these parts
But the Sun
I close the curtains
To shut out the darkness
I shut the window
To keep out the cold
But the Sun is shining
Somewhere, I know.
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
There was an album by a Los Angeles singer/songwriter named Judee Sill that came into KINK-FM back in 1971.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/obituaries/judee-sill-overlooked.html
MISSING JUDY - Capo 2
Stepping down from C
C B…
There was an album by a Los Angeles singer/songwriter named Judee Sill that came into KINK-FM back in 1971.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/obituaries/judee-sill-overlooked.html
MISSING JUDY - Capo 2
Stepping down from C
C B…
But the Sun
I close the curtains
To shut out the darkness
I shut the window
To keep out the cold
But the Sun is shining
Somewhere, I know.
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
KAWEAH (says the crow)
"Kaweah, Kaweah"
There's a place on up the hill
Redwood trees are standing still
The murmur of the river will invite you
Lay your head down on a rock
You'll forget about the clock
The whisper of the sun will…
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…
(I Almost Washed the ) DISHES
I almost washed the dishes
I almost ran the water
Maybe tomorrow
Maybe Saturday
What does it matter to me
I almost washed the dishes..
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
HAHAHAHA - I know the feeling well... Have you got a camera in my kitchen??! I never leave them quite that long... but I'm often washing up when she gets home. And I suspect I will be doing the same in 20 minutes or so...
FOOD I MY BELLY
Capo @ 5 in Em
Em) I gotta get some food in my belly (2)
Am) My hands are shaking and I'm feeling weak
B7) I gotta get some food in my belly
I gotta get some food in my belly
I'm feeling woozy gotta get off of my feet…
EVER ONE I NEED TO TALK TO
Everyone I need to talk to tonight is gone
Some have gone to heaven. Some have gone to hell
Ever one I want to talk to tonight is gone
When I was a kid, my dad was the preacher at the Church of Christ in Tehachapi, California. We lived in Palmdale, so we'd get up early on Sunday mornings, pile the 5 of us into our 1950 Chevy coupe and head up thru Lancaster and Mojave, over the…
One of my favorites. I hadn't heard it in a while.
One of those that is soothing with the melody, but so sad when the words sneak up and take you into a personal space.
I wrote this after I sang with a friend
at his mother's funeral.
He had always wondered
why he looked nothing like his brothers...
DOOR MAT
Key - A
A) My daddy treated Mama like a door mat
D) Me and little brother didn't like that…
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…
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…
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…
Florencia - I would telll you the chords
but I don't know what they are...
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…
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. ❤️
LANCASTER STREET
Midnight in Cowtown. 90 degrees
Too hot for a blanket. Too hot for a sheet
The trash on the sidewalk is trying to sleep
Breathing the bus fumes on Lancaster Street
Sunshine brings tacos. Sunshine brings beans.
Sunshine…
LANCASTER STREET
Midnight in Cowtown. 90 degrees
Too hot for a blanket. Too hot for a sheet
The trash on the sidewalk is trying to sleep
Breathing the bus fumes on Lancaster Street
Sunshine brings tacos. Sunshine brings beans.
Sunshine…
"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…
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…
THE CIRCLE OF NO REGRETS Key C
Capo @ 3
VIDEO - https://www.facebook.com/reel/629088762494393
https://fb.watch/lQdzfYTriA/
https://www.facebook.com/100007692130538/videos/122358790913196/. With Martha - practice
C. F. C…
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…
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 - capo @ 5 in An
Am F
As I turned on to Calhoun I could hear the music from the street
Dm E
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…
"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
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
James, thank you SOOOO much for this song! This one fits your voice so well and I feel I got to go there with you. This is a keeper! Thank you...there may be a haiku soon ;) Can I post this with my haiku if I do and of course make sure you are credited...the inspiration will be there...also love that rift that was so unusual...wasn't expecting it, but really layered the song!!! Thanks!!
I’ve had one of those nights
But, whey they got to Colorado they divorced and both are happier now... So, I guess Colorado WAS the remedy.
I wondered if that was the case :) ... mine's still with me, though she claims she's on the way... and every now and then she goes "but you like skinny girls" and I go "not since I met you!" :)
Hehehehe... This was me when I was in my 20s! Tastes change, though.... You learn you probably do need something to grab on to... Like you did with your Mum or Gran... Otherwise you end up falling over in the street and stuff like that...
Pretty Much Sums It. Great Song James!
Jim Lamb said, I just listened to James Michael James Michael Taylor’s song, Colorado... just a random selection of his music, I want to do a production of that song... I tell you what, Jeff Prince, you have one extraordinary songwriting friend there!!! Jeff Prince said, Taylor is the songwriting king of the jungle around these parts
I love it James
Lovely little ditty. You are the master of the quick statement and done song.
I love your short sweet ones like this!
Short but I love it!
wonderful
beautiful
I nearly fell off my chair with this one.
HAHAHAHA - I know the feeling well... Have you got a camera in my kitchen??! I never leave them quite that long... but I'm often washing up when she gets home. And I suspect I will be doing the same in 20 minutes or so...
Haha... same here. Cooking the curry for me and Mrs R is not actually filling the hole left by forgetting lunch while working at home...
Fab vocals. Love it.
You are somethin' else.
One of my favorites. I hadn't heard it in a while. One of those that is soothing with the melody, but so sad when the words sneak up and take you into a personal space.
Whoa! What a song!!
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
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!
Perfect for your voice. "aging Silverado..." "so, I don't say a word, my order is heard."
Love your voice on this. Like 50s American pop song.
So clean! Really rocks. Sounds like your first language is American English.
Great production! Is that all you playing everything?