In 1984 George Sluizer, a Dutch director filmed RED DESERT PENITENTIARY in and around Sweetwater, Texas. This is the theme song of the lead character, Danny McMann. I played that role in the movie and wrote the music to the film.
Video at:https…
IF I WAS A LUTHERAN - capo @ 2 in C
If I was a Lutheran I might have married Dodie Harris
Learned hill-side irrigation and I'd have learned to weld
And all the city fathers would have slapped me on the shoulder
And all the city mothers wished…
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 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…
Barabara's voice was perfect for your song, " Sweet Rain". Her voice reminds me of a cross between Linda Rondstat and an old friendgiel of mine.... Lazarus
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 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…
Capo @ 2 in D (E) Dropped D tuning
Actually, it was almost two years. 1965-67.
Leavenworth, Kansas U S Army prison. I played the organ at the daily Protestant chapel. Took dictation and typed letters for the Protestant chaplain. Wrote 2-page…
That's the date I recorded it. My prison number was 41515. My army number was RA 19845014.
Enter
You sent
RA stood for Regular Army.
Enter
You sent
It interested me from the 1st that it started with 1984.
Capo @ 2 in D (E) Dropped D tuning
Actually, it was almost two years. 1965-67.
Leavenworth, Kansas U S Army prison. I played the organ at the daily Protestant chapel. Took dictation and typed letters for the Protestant chaplain. Wrote 2-page…
Hauntingly True
Prison is exactly like that.
Fantastic Song
Another #1 Hit
Enter
Kat
Love love love It!
Enter
Kat
Kat Angel
112814 .. was that ur of number?
Capo @ 2 in D (E) Dropped D tuning
Actually, it was almost two years. 1965-67.
Leavenworth, Kansas U S Army prison. I played the organ at the daily Protestant chapel. Took dictation and typed letters for the Protestant chaplain. Wrote 2-page…
Capo @ 2 in D (E) Dropped D tuning
Actually, it was almost two years. 1965-67.
Leavenworth, Kansas U S Army prison. I played the organ at the daily Protestant chapel. Took dictation and typed letters for the Protestant chaplain. Wrote 2-page…
Lee Snaples
And I've never heard you do this live because...
James Michael Taylor
...because. I've never sung it except when I was recording it as I "wrote" it. Are you suggesting I should?
You might notice that it's been on line since 2007 and not one comment.
SLAUGHTER MOUNTAIN
My mom’s dad was a coal miner. Her mother died of TB when she was a kid. When she was twelve, her dad, dying of black lung, slit his throat with a butcher knife. That left her with a cripple little brother to take care of…
Kat Angel
James Michael Taylor awesome 💞 Your song is incredibly beautiful and soulful. My fav part was your narrative at the beginning. Haunting. My sister's name is Loretta 💕 My mom ....chose her namesake to tag her beautiful baby girl. Time. Goes. By.
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 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…
BEAVERS AND WILLOWS
Capo @ 5 in C
FCG FC FCFG
F C G F C
Like beavers and willows
Bats and mosquitos
F) Toad C) frogs and F) flies (G
DA DA - E Am G C
Algae and oil spills
Shovels and coal hills
Black holes…
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…
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…
Gwyn Henry said, "Your song spoke of a much more major event, than my struggling to take that picture... my picture being my art, your song being your art in this train of logic. But even capturing images from what you see in the world around you that calls out to you... it is a life saving and nurturing process for me. Art as salvation." I said, "Where I put things when I find a place for them."
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…
Your song spoke of a much more major event, than my struggling to take that picture... my picture being my art, your song being your art in this train of logic. But even capturing images from what you see in the world around you that calls out to you... it is a life saving and nurturing process for me. Art as salvation. Gwyn Henry
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
Very interesting. I was there with my girlfriend Rebecca Portillo. Your song made that trip extra special. She lived in Las Cruces NM and I lived in Columbia, Mo attending UMC. We eventually went out separate ways. So your song turned out to be prophetic. Thank you for using your gift of music and sharing it. Phil Estes
The banjo, bass and guitar on this song
was played by Michael Jeffrey. This is one song off the record we did together back in 1975/6 on his 4 track machine. Michael and Barbara Anne Taylor sing harmony.
I LIVE WITH REBECCA
I live with…
Any chance you played in a bar in El Paso August 1978? That’s where I heard “I live with Rebecca.” Bought an album there with this song, actually because of this song. Peace - Phil Estes
NEW DAY Key Am
In the morning when she gets me up
Pours some wake up in my coffee cup
She opens the window, lets the new day in
She says, “Open your heart and embrace it.
Take that frown and erase it.
I whistle a happy song…”
So…
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
Marcie Brooks
Oh, I LOVE this! The fact that your camera placement, while swaying and playing, made me feel like I was actually swinging to the song. GENIUS!
OWIE! in G
When I get an owie
I want to tell somebody
When I get an owie
I feel so alone
When I get an owie
I want to show somebody
When I get an owie
I run strait to mom
When I get an owie
It's better if it's bloody...
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
Brent Woods
Oh it brought back memories of a swing when I visited my Grandmother ! Bitter Sweet Memories of times gone by.! Thanks for bringing that back to me !
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
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…
Yes. The listener knows from the beginning that she is gone, but the sadness becomes haunting when the harmony was t his ear.
Enter
You sent
I see.
Enter
You sent
My sadness begins when I sing, "She's been gone for three years..."
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…
When does THERE SHE WAS begin to engage the listener and what about it makes the listener sad?
Enter
Lazarus
Lazarus Knight
To me, iy was when he heard her harmony in his ear.
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…
Saw a black man on TV one night. His name was John Ferguson. This is his story. He's not a songwriter.
DAMNED IF I DO - G
I got thrown in jail for killing a guy
Then I went crazy, waiting to die
So, now they can't kill me
Because I'm…
The lyrics of this song,
as they pertain to plot,
are my exact memory of the event.
I had spoken to the kid maybe a minute before the "action" started about how the pressure of the water was very strong. He was nestled down with his back…
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…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Em LeFever Comedy so dry, you might forget to laugh.
Markolapogous Saurus I really like this.
Barbara White Lane Oh how I miss her voice.
Barabara's voice was perfect for your song, " Sweet Rain". Her voice reminds me of a cross between Linda Rondstat and an old friendgiel of mine.... Lazarus
Very rich and beautiful - Kat Angel
Tim Tandy Wonderful song on so many levels - the lyrics, melody, harmonies, instrumentals. Mighty fine.............and timely!
That's the date I recorded it. My prison number was 41515. My army number was RA 19845014. Enter You sent RA stood for Regular Army. Enter You sent It interested me from the 1st that it started with 1984.
Hauntingly True Prison is exactly like that. Fantastic Song Another #1 Hit Enter Kat Love love love It! Enter Kat Kat Angel 112814 .. was that ur of number?
Kat Angel James Michael Taylor please make your song shareable. It gave me chills....so good!
Jme Kinser Oh sure, couple times
Deborah Claybourn Darr James Michael Taylor I completely Love this Song
Tim Robinson James Michael Taylor heavy song
Lee Snaples And I've never heard you do this live because... James Michael Taylor ...because. I've never sung it except when I was recording it as I "wrote" it. Are you suggesting I should? You might notice that it's been on line since 2007 and not one comment.
Kat Angel James Michael Taylor awesome 💞 Your song is incredibly beautiful and soulful. My fav part was your narrative at the beginning. Haunting. My sister's name is Loretta 💕 My mom ....chose her namesake to tag her beautiful baby girl. Time. Goes. By.
Rosemarie Kempton Love reading what you write!
Judith Ellen Lopez - that's magic
Has anyone ever told you you're like an awesome mix of Crosby Stills Nash and Young mainly Neil Young meets Frank Zappa? LeAnne E Christian
Tony Desmuke That was some mighty fine prose there James.
Gwyn Henry said, "Your song spoke of a much more major event, than my struggling to take that picture... my picture being my art, your song being your art in this train of logic. But even capturing images from what you see in the world around you that calls out to you... it is a life saving and nurturing process for me. Art as salvation." I said, "Where I put things when I find a place for them."
Your song spoke of a much more major event, than my struggling to take that picture... my picture being my art, your song being your art in this train of logic. But even capturing images from what you see in the world around you that calls out to you... it is a life saving and nurturing process for me. Art as salvation. Gwyn Henry
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Becky Byrd Spicer That’s a sweet song, vocals and strings.
Very interesting. I was there with my girlfriend Rebecca Portillo. Your song made that trip extra special. She lived in Las Cruces NM and I lived in Columbia, Mo attending UMC. We eventually went out separate ways. So your song turned out to be prophetic. Thank you for using your gift of music and sharing it. Phil Estes
Any chance you played in a bar in El Paso August 1978? That’s where I heard “I live with Rebecca.” Bought an album there with this song, actually because of this song. Peace - Phil Estes
Robert White Beautiful Song James Michael Taylor! Thanks for sharing! 🤗
Kat Angel James Michael Taylor Delightful!
Kat Angel Good wake up song. I can see the teacher playing this song for the kids at the start of their school day and they all sing along.
Cathy Maxwell · 1:51 that's a great HAPPY song!!!
Marcie Brooks Oh, I LOVE this! The fact that your camera placement, while swaying and playing, made me feel like I was actually swinging to the song. GENIUS!
Laurie Callinan James Michael Taylor thats great… we are alone till we share
Brent Woods Oh it brought back memories of a swing when I visited my Grandmother ! Bitter Sweet Memories of times gone by.! Thanks for bringing that back to me !
Allen Hurt I love it my friend, very well thought out and i love the way you pick throught it. Keep up the great buddy
Kat Angel Heartfelt, you told the story so well...I was there
Brent Woods This one got Me ! I'm humming it now ! Man oh Man . . . Greatness !
Brent Woods James Michael Taylor my Friends. One of the Greats and I'm proud to say . . . Friend !
Yes. The listener knows from the beginning that she is gone, but the sadness becomes haunting when the harmony was t his ear. Enter You sent I see. Enter You sent My sadness begins when I sing, "She's been gone for three years..."
When does THERE SHE WAS begin to engage the listener and what about it makes the listener sad? Enter Lazarus Lazarus Knight To me, iy was when he heard her harmony in his ear.
Made me cry. - Laz
"Damn. advise from a murderer." Steve Theskin
Greg West My favorite JMT song.
Please send me a link or the lyrics to the song about "there she was". That is a masterpiece! - Lazarus