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
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…
You were talking about Salvation art earlier-- Although this is great in its own right as to what it gives to others, I can see the processing that was going on in letting this go, in a kind of creation. Just beautiful! Gwyn Henry
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…
Gwyn Henry
James Michael Taylor Oh, yes, this is beautiful,Jim.You should do more of this... spoken word,to music. I'm thinking that you have,tho! Or spoken word mixe w/ sung.
SOMERTHING TO BELIEVE capo @ 2 in C
C
They’re rounding up the roosters down in Florida
F
Drowning all the snakes in New Orleans
G
The fires are chasing antelopes in Chyanne…
CEDRICH/DRUNKEN INDIAN
CEDRICK Key G Open G tuning (GGDGBD)
He gave me 2 rings. Silver with turquoise insets. That was 1974. We were moving from Oregon to Texas in an old Dodge school bus. Towing the Chevy Van behind it. Unhitched the van…
I'M AN EAGLE
I'm an eagle
I'm an arrow
I'm a falcon
I'm a sparrow
...and I feel the wind crossing my feathers in the morning
Flying high above the fields. Swoop down without a warning
I'm an eagle
I'm an arrow
I'm a falcon
I'm…
CEDRICK Key G Open G tuning (GGDGBD)
He gave me 2 rings. Silver with turquoise insets. That was 1974. We were moving from Oregon to Texas in an old Dodge school bus. Towing the Chevy Van behind it. Unhitched the van when we stopped in Albuquerque…
Em capo @ 6
Maybe I could be a potter
Throwing all the words away
Maybe I could learn the language of the clay
Maybe I could be a potter
Sweep the words out of the way
Let my fingers find the music in the clay
Gwyn Henry
James Michael Taylor Kat took the words right out of my mouth... you do have a song for almost everything, and that's lucky for the world! But there will always be an "almost', so keep writing!
Like
Reply11m
Active
Gwyn Henry
PS: Just listened to the song, one of your "shorts"... it is beautiful! Love the thoughtful melody in a minor key. Love the bits of harmony, love that distant echo at the end. This song sure has its own vibe, its own world...now you've got me thinking, maybe I could be a potter!
Em capo @ 6
Maybe I could be a potter
Throwing all the words away
Maybe I could learn the language of the clay
Maybe I could be a potter
Sweep the words out of the way
Let my fingers find the music in the clay
Kat Angel
James Michael Taylor You have a song for everything 🤩 Your song makes me think you are sitting Indian style and are contemplating if being a potter is something you might do. You craft stories with your music.
DEEPER
Every day I sink a little deeper
Two steps up. Three steps back.
I'd rather be dead than be a sleeper
I'm not coming back...
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
Wade Jackson
James Michael Taylor my brain just put a 7 turnaround after that ending major chord and wanted to add another verse… 😆 time is too short my friend !
PERFECT
When I said, “She’s perfect,” I meant she’s Perfect for me
You might not see her that Perfectly
When 1 and 1 is 2 and 2 and 1 is three, that’s math and on math we all agree
But Perfect has a sliding scale on which we all find our…
I was speaking to those who kept telling me Peggy wasn't as pretty as I thought, thus, “When I said." She’s perfect,” I meant she’s Perfect for me." "You might not see her so perfectly." And then I was just riffing on what perfect means...
PORTAL and HAPPINESS and TIME are three of the songs on my new CD, EUREKA. Short pieces.
TIME
There was a time when I figured my Chevy van would last forever
I guess that was back when I was about thirty
And there was a time when I thot…
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…
PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANY MORE
capo @ 3 in G
James Michael Taylor 09 26/7 14
VERSE ONE - You said you knew the story would upset me G
That you'd resolved to kept it to yourself G D
You said you knew how hard it would…
Remember that song, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANY MORE? You wrote. "What a hateful, miserable person that big mouth is." Well, Big Mouth, yes, and oblivious, but he's one among us and non of us think of him as hateful. People say things in a flash, not having a clue to how it's going to land.
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…
My Rebecca married a buddy who was killed in a car wreck. Had a beautiful daughter who died in her teens. Such sadness I have lost touch with her. She and I met ay Abilene Christian College in 1964. One day we met at a park and she read THE LITTLE PRINCE to me.
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…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
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
You were talking about Salvation art earlier-- Although this is great in its own right as to what it gives to others, I can see the processing that was going on in letting this go, in a kind of creation. Just beautiful! Gwyn Henry
Gwyn Henry James Michael Taylor Oh, yes, this is beautiful,Jim.You should do more of this... spoken word,to music. I'm thinking that you have,tho! Or spoken word mixe w/ sung.
Lane Beauvais Another round of GMOs please. I'm sprouting wings and barking like a puppy cat.
Wade Jackson Well done brother. I always enjoy your approach to songs.
we really liked "Drunken Indian" `Maybe, it's a metaphor for you.
Jenni Mansfield Peal I really like that song. Raw and heartbreaking.
Gwyn Henry James Michael Taylor Kat took the words right out of my mouth... you do have a song for almost everything, and that's lucky for the world! But there will always be an "almost', so keep writing! Like Reply11m Active Gwyn Henry PS: Just listened to the song, one of your "shorts"... it is beautiful! Love the thoughtful melody in a minor key. Love the bits of harmony, love that distant echo at the end. This song sure has its own vibe, its own world...now you've got me thinking, maybe I could be a potter!
Kat Angel James Michael Taylor You have a song for everything 🤩 Your song makes me think you are sitting Indian style and are contemplating if being a potter is something you might do. You craft stories with your music.
Wade Jackson James Michael Taylor my brain just put a 7 turnaround after that ending major chord and wanted to add another verse… 😆 time is too short my friend !
I was speaking to those who kept telling me Peggy wasn't as pretty as I thought, thus, “When I said." She’s perfect,” I meant she’s Perfect for me." "You might not see her so perfectly." And then I was just riffing on what perfect means...
Kat Angel Very different and interesting. I like the changes in tempo and the story.
Kat Angel Nice imagery. You paint pictures with your songs
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Remember that song, PLEASE DON'T TELL ME ANY MORE? You wrote. "What a hateful, miserable person that big mouth is." Well, Big Mouth, yes, and oblivious, but he's one among us and non of us think of him as hateful. People say things in a flash, not having a clue to how it's going to land.
My Rebecca married a buddy who was killed in a car wreck. Had a beautiful daughter who died in her teens. Such sadness I have lost touch with her. She and I met ay Abilene Christian College in 1964. One day we met at a park and she read THE LITTLE PRINCE to me.
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