My motto is INWARD THRU THE FOG. One day about a month ago, Laura 'Taylor' Whitfield told me I should, "write that song." Thinking back on a fog-bound night in California, I wrote it. Norman Pilcher, a friend from Texas, and I were headed north…
Paul Smith
Fun song. There seems to be at least 5 comments on Alonetone. Some from way back too. Smith Yes. I just saw that. Don't know why I didn't see them earlier...
My motto is INWARD THRU THE FOG. One day about a month ago, Laura 'Taylor' Whitfield told me I should, "write that song." Thinking back on a fog-bound night in California, I wrote it. Norman Pilcher, a friend from Texas, and I were headed north…
Loved it. I used to ride my Suzuki 750 up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Big Sur/Monterey so this song brought back memories. We road all over the central coast. Once we rode out to the site of James Dean's fatal accident. Thanks for posting.
MOTHER'S EYES
I used to chide my mother
She saw the loss in every face
The cemetery. The old folks home
along the way
I used to laugh at Mother
She saw the pain in every eye
Now time has passed
and Mom is gone and here am I
And…
Jim and I both loved listening to this beautiful song. Besides enjoying the tight harmony we identified with your mother's words - our mothers also used to say "...some day you will understand."
My mom is 91 and still holding on.
The people that help her make it thru
each day have learned that there is no
sense in arguing with her about who they
are or when it is...thus the song.
MAMA HAS A TIME MACHINE key - Em
Mama has a…
My mom is 91 and still holding on.
The people that help her make it thru
each day have learned that there is no
sense in arguing with her about who they
are or when it is...thus the song.
MAMA HAS A TIME MACHINE key - Em
Mama has a…
My mom is 91 and still holding on.
The people that help her make it thru
each day have learned that there is no
sense in arguing with her about who they
are or when it is...thus the song.
MAMA HAS A TIME MACHINE key - Em
Mama has a…
BIG FAT HORSE
I wish I had a big fat horse. Corn to feed him on.
Pretty little girl to say at home. Feed him when
I’m gone. Wish I had a big fat horse...
I wish I had a mountain top to look out to the sea
I wish I had a mountain top to…
Tony Desmuke
I just listened to the title cut. All I can say is WOW. You have an exceptional way with words. The music was really nice too. Loved the banjo in the last verse.
This is my mom's story.
Lula Teeters got off to
a pretty rough start.
She finally turned it
all lose last November.
May she rest in peace.
SISTER SAID
Daddy was a miner. He worked himself to death
Company said he killed himself, but…
Tony Desmuke
I just listened to the title cut. All I can say is WOW. You have an exceptional way with words. The music was really nice too. Loved the banjo in the last verse.
My favorite song by Jane Bowers
She was still alive back when I 1st learned
this song from the Kingston Trio.
I didn't know, back then, that I could have met her.
WHEN I WAS YOUNG by Jane Bowers
When I was young and dreams were new…
LAMENT FOR WILD BILL in C - Capo @ 3
The moon shone like diamonds on mirrors in puddles shaped like horse's feet
Deadwood was quiet. The smoke had all settled. The blood was dry.
Young Jack McCall sat awake in his cell, alone and quiet…
This one is different from you usual. As we've discussed, most of your songs focus on personal experiences. This starts out as a western song and then becomes personal, I'm going to have to get the back story.
Maia was from Georgia. The Georgia that was part of the the USSR. She drew pictures of her sisters. She lived on orange juice and tea. (Horns by my brother, John.)
MEETING MAIA
Where the tram stops in front of the Van Gough Museum, I waited…
Maia was from Georgia. The Georgia that was part of the the USSR. She drew pictures of her sisters. She lived on orange juice and tea. (Horns by my brother, John.)
MEETING MAIA
Where the tram stops in front of the Van Gough Museum, I waited…
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…
BEDROOM AND A BATH
At the end of the hall
is a bedroom and a bath
A place he never goes
Way back there,
buried in the past
but she'll never know
When the kids moved out
he took one of their rooms
He made the bed
Closed the shade…
James Michael Taylor
Roland Brown Thank you for listening and commenting, Roland. Especially, Room @ the end of the hall. You are the 1st to mention that one. I debated putting that one on the list.
Like
Reply3h
Roland Brown
James Michael Taylor That is , IMHO, a powerful mind journey. I was enthralled by it.
Like
BEDROOM AND A BATH
At the end of the hall
is a bedroom and a bath
A place he never goes
Way back there,
buried in the past
but she'll never know
When the kids moved out
he took one of their rooms
He made the bed
Closed the shade…
Roland Brown
I sort of slowed down a bit weekend before last and listened to and enjoyed “My New Shorts”. On first listen I was particularly struck by Room at the End of the Hall (love that one!), Fireflies (thoughtful), Cattails and Butterflies, Broken Cookies and Day Old Bread, and Everyone I Need to Talk To. Well done!
This one explains itself...for Eric.
WORLD OF HURT Capo @ 3 Key G
G
A friend of mine called yesterday
Em
To try to cheer me up
C
He said I should be happy
D
Things could be much worse
He told me he was…
MOTHER'S EYES
I used to chide my mother
She saw the loss in every face
The cemetery. The old folks home
along the way
I used to laugh at Mother
She saw the pain in every eye
Now time has passed
and Mom is gone and here am I
And…
VIDEO - https://www.facebook.com/100001468692811/videos/1120270078888215/
https://www.facebook.com/true.taylor.3/videos/397153049918748
GHOST TOWN capo @ 2 in C
C Em F G C
I…
Naad Kaur Khalsa
Well that was just gorgeous...beautiful poetry in its own right...all the way through, lovley lyric, lovley playing polished and easy tonkick bk to despite the ghostly disappearing act...which actually I quite enjoyed
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James Michael Taylor
Naad Kaur Khalsa Thank you for listening and commenting...
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Naad Kaur Khalsa
James Michael Taylor my absolute pleasure...was really fun...you're in TX right? What town? Your whole vibe is so there...it just has me grinning from ear to ear ....so much of the American I love...from my uniquely un-American vantage point
CALIFORNIA
Capo @ 4 in C/Am
I’m (Am) going back to California
A little place in the San (E) Joaquin
(Am, stepping down A G F# F E)
Where the back pasture builds
To Sierra foothills
And Kaweah tumbles down cool and clean
I’m going back…
Matthew F. Blowers III
I am really liking your song on California, I have a special love for that state. You captured all the reaons I miss it, with your superb storytelling in lyrics and with the smooth harmonies and extremely well played music. It has a catchy beat, and I listened to the very last note.
I NEVER DREAM capo @ 2 in C
C
I never dream of building bridges. I never dream I’ll build a dam
I never dreamed of a cathedral for the mighty God, I Am
F
I never dreamed of founding clinics or make donations to the cause
C
I don’t see…
So today, for some reason I decided to read the words first.. Just the words. And found it an absolutely beautiful experience. The metaphors you use to describe great and cosmic plans and intentions of great societal achievement, contrasted with the lines that begin with, "BUT I dreamed we met for breakfast".... (the switch and the contrast is very powerful) what a tiny, common human thing: meeting over the sharing of food,. Then followed by, "I dreamed I held your hand"... human touch/connection, as though those two simple things are worth more than all the highest achievements of worldly fame, and material ladders climbed! Which they are. They so are. The rest of the lyrics continue to develop & express that idea beautifully. Then I listened to the sing, and although it is good as a song, For me, the words in themselves stand strong and impactful w/o anything else. Not to contrast them and say one is "better" than the other. Just that sometimes I see lyrics that stand alone, And just saying, these words do that very well. Gwyn Henry
So I was locked in the broom-cupboard, checking out some old songs that need recording.
I'd just picked one and then suddenly this thing came out of nowehere. It started with one of those guitarist doodles that other musicians love so much…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Now here's a bit of an oldie - the second song I ever wrote. In... 1978!
I think I played it once, or maybe twice, at school assemblies. My musical peers and colleagues back then dismissed it as corny/rancid pop music…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I found this one while I was digging through the shoe-box for the 1994 songs. Apparently I wrote it on 10th November 1995.
Foolishly, I thought it would only take a week or so to record... I was originally expecting…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
So I got me a new geetar the other week.
Named her Lala, obviously. Seemed kind of appropriate - she wears a faded gold dress and is full of chunes and mischiefs.
This is our first effort together. It was meant…
I wrote this song after planting and fertalizing a crop of sudan grass just to have the sun shine down with no relief on it for 100 days and no rain. We, Texas Water, were heading home one night AFTER A GIG at Gringo's in Grapevine when the…
I hope Brian (one of us Proods) will forgive me for posting this before we could get together to work on it further. He first played it for me a few months ago and I've been obsessively tweaking it every chance I could get.
I like to imagine…
My attempt at this super fun sea shanty!
This is an old New Zealand whaling song. The popular recent version was recorded a cappella by The Longest Johns. I'm using the chords suggested by Piotrek_G on ultimate-guitar.
Edit: re-uploaded…
CALIFORNIA
Capo @ 4 in C/Am
I’m (Am) going back to California
A little place in the San (E) Joaquin
(Am, stepping down A G F# F E)
Where the back pasture builds
To Sierra foothills
And Kaweah tumbles down cool and clean
I’m going back…
California has a chorus that camouflages the dramatic irony of the verse narrative. If it weren’t for the unusual intro, it’d seem zirconium. Christopher Youngblood
VIDEO https://www.facebook.com/reel/629088762494393
https://www.facebook.com/100007692130538/videos/122358790913196/
THE CIRCLE OF NO REGRETS Key C
capo @ 5
C F G C C G C
If your heart must be broken…
Circle of No Regrets sounds quaint. That’s what makes it hit. Unless you turn your ears on, it’s a boring song, but once you do, it’s hard to take.
It’s almost like you’re giving the audience an option. Christopher Youngblood
MOTHER'S EYES
I used to chide my mother
She saw the loss in every face
The cemetery. The old folks home
along the way
I used to laugh at Mother
She saw the pain in every eye
Now time has passed
and Mom is gone and here am I
And…
I wrote to my children, my answer. I told the how I watched them thru the window and enjoyed them in ways they never knew. How seeing them learn and succeed at their efforts was such pleasure to me. How discovering who they were by the talents and generosity they exhibited made me happy...The first response I got was from Embyr, now a registered nurse, mother of 4, just said, "Jim, you were mean."
Sat 11:38 PM
Christopher sent Yesterday at 11:38 PM
I listened to Kite a bunch of times, trying to think how it could be improved (it can’t be), and it occurred to me that Ben Franklin flew a key. That part of the story had never occurred to me as important before. But it’s like he was trying to unlock something.
Maybe he tried it on a clear day and let the kite rise to where he couldn’t see it. That’d be a different experiment altogether. Christopher Youngblood
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Paul Smith Fun song. There seems to be at least 5 comments on Alonetone. Some from way back too. Smith Yes. I just saw that. Don't know why I didn't see them earlier...
Loved it. I used to ride my Suzuki 750 up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Big Sur/Monterey so this song brought back memories. We road all over the central coast. Once we rode out to the site of James Dean's fatal accident. Thanks for posting.
Jim and I both loved listening to this beautiful song. Besides enjoying the tight harmony we identified with your mother's words - our mothers also used to say "...some day you will understand."
Naad Kaur Khalsa James Michael Taylor yup super cool Like
Cool song. Karen Mason
Leslie Young James Michael Taylor I like that a lot.
Tony Desmuke I just listened to the title cut. All I can say is WOW. You have an exceptional way with words. The music was really nice too. Loved the banjo in the last verse.
Leslie Young James Michael Taylor That is very pretty but sad.
Tony Desmuke I just listened to the title cut. All I can say is WOW. You have an exceptional way with words. The music was really nice too. Loved the banjo in the last verse.
Deanie Hamilton Berry That was beautiful James, and the harmony was a very nice touch.
I'm going to bug you for chords on this one.
This one is different from you usual. As we've discussed, most of your songs focus on personal experiences. This starts out as a western song and then becomes personal, I'm going to have to get the back story.
Maia Simonia You woke up my old memories… Thank you James
Maia...not really… but partly..
"I listened to that song and loved it." Scott Grace
James Michael Taylor Roland Brown Thank you for listening and commenting, Roland. Especially, Room @ the end of the hall. You are the 1st to mention that one. I debated putting that one on the list. Like Reply3h Roland Brown James Michael Taylor That is , IMHO, a powerful mind journey. I was enthralled by it. Like
Roland Brown I sort of slowed down a bit weekend before last and listened to and enjoyed “My New Shorts”. On first listen I was particularly struck by Room at the End of the Hall (love that one!), Fireflies (thoughtful), Cattails and Butterflies, Broken Cookies and Day Old Bread, and Everyone I Need to Talk To. Well done!
Gerald Ray Lovely my friend
I really like this song. I don't remember it if have heard it. Maybe just now I understand it. Time presents new perspectives and lessons.
Naad Kaur Khalsa Well that was just gorgeous...beautiful poetry in its own right...all the way through, lovley lyric, lovley playing polished and easy tonkick bk to despite the ghostly disappearing act...which actually I quite enjoyed Like ReplyHide2h Active James Michael Taylor Naad Kaur Khalsa Thank you for listening and commenting... Like Reply1h Active Naad Kaur Khalsa James Michael Taylor my absolute pleasure...was really fun...you're in TX right? What town? Your whole vibe is so there...it just has me grinning from ear to ear ....so much of the American I love...from my uniquely un-American vantage point
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Matthew F. Blowers III I am really liking your song on California, I have a special love for that state. You captured all the reaons I miss it, with your superb storytelling in lyrics and with the smooth harmonies and extremely well played music. It has a catchy beat, and I listened to the very last note.
Very catchy! Too short, maybe. Gotta listen twice.
So today, for some reason I decided to read the words first.. Just the words. And found it an absolutely beautiful experience. The metaphors you use to describe great and cosmic plans and intentions of great societal achievement, contrasted with the lines that begin with, "BUT I dreamed we met for breakfast".... (the switch and the contrast is very powerful) what a tiny, common human thing: meeting over the sharing of food,. Then followed by, "I dreamed I held your hand"... human touch/connection, as though those two simple things are worth more than all the highest achievements of worldly fame, and material ladders climbed! Which they are. They so are. The rest of the lyrics continue to develop & express that idea beautifully. Then I listened to the sing, and although it is good as a song, For me, the words in themselves stand strong and impactful w/o anything else. Not to contrast them and say one is "better" than the other. Just that sometimes I see lyrics that stand alone, And just saying, these words do that very well. Gwyn Henry
This is cool. It gives me ideas.
WoW! Knocks me out. Really sizzles.
Makes me want to find a partner and do a little dance...very nice.
You had me at, "If I back off and shut my mouth..." Know exactly where you are. So afraid the answer is, "No."
Sounds like a 50s Buddy Holly era song. Very sweet sentiment. And, yes, I can dance to it.
Great characterization. Great kick drum sound.
WoW! Rock me, dude! Love the imagery.
Kim Triolo Feil James Michael Taylor that's a fantastic story and a very lovely song
Yes! A MONKEES song, for sure.
Interesting sounds. Cool chord shifts.
Aaah, if Love could only be forgotten... Nice.
Like it.
Very nice...
California has a chorus that camouflages the dramatic irony of the verse narrative. If it weren’t for the unusual intro, it’d seem zirconium. Christopher Youngblood
Circle of No Regrets sounds quaint. That’s what makes it hit. Unless you turn your ears on, it’s a boring song, but once you do, it’s hard to take. It’s almost like you’re giving the audience an option. Christopher Youngblood
I wrote to my children, my answer. I told the how I watched them thru the window and enjoyed them in ways they never knew. How seeing them learn and succeed at their efforts was such pleasure to me. How discovering who they were by the talents and generosity they exhibited made me happy...The first response I got was from Embyr, now a registered nurse, mother of 4, just said, "Jim, you were mean."
Sat 11:38 PM Christopher sent Yesterday at 11:38 PM I listened to Kite a bunch of times, trying to think how it could be improved (it can’t be), and it occurred to me that Ben Franklin flew a key. That part of the story had never occurred to me as important before. But it’s like he was trying to unlock something. Maybe he tried it on a clear day and let the kite rise to where he couldn’t see it. That’d be a different experiment altogether. Christopher Youngblood