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…
ADOBE & BLOOD
Thanks to David Kneller
for bringing up the subject
and creating that phrase:
ADOBE & BLOOD
I read a lotta stories about a lotta stuff
But I tell ya folks, I'll never read enough
To block out the memories what…
This is my adaptation of a poem by Rosemarie Kempton.
"I always felt that it was fitting that you turned the poem I wrote into a poignant hymn that captured the feeling of loss of a loved one. My words sprang from my attempts to understand…
Her real name isn't Luanne and she was so drunk when this all happened (tho she has a cd with this song on it) she has no idea it's about her.
Singing this song always makes me cry...
ABOUT LUANNE capo @ 2 in Am
Am G F E repeats
Luanne…
It’s an exceptional piece... I like pieces that “bother” and flip a phrase to a point... this one intrigues me....
You must keep writing James!!! Hope to cross paths again soon...
Blu (Sharon Walker)
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…
what awesome lyrics mate!
Reminds me of good old Robert Zimmerman... but it also doubles as metaphorical mastery!
The boy represents an issue within your community... one for which you are there, and MUST help... but which the community just sits back on, not really seeing the "problem" you are attempting to fix...
Powerful stuff, mate.
Love it. Mark Brookman
GHOST TOWN
Key C Capo @ 2 or whatever works for you...
C Em F G C
I live in a Ghost Town somewhere on the edge of space
C Em F G
Everything is dusty and everything is in it's place
Am Em F G C
All the doors hang open and when it rains…
...after reading John Steinbeck's IN DUBIOUS BATTLE and watching the John Ford movie of GRAPES OF WRATH. The opening and closing statements are quotes from the Preacher in the movie.
A friend said he wanted to do a video of this track. I…
Gwyn Henry
The Stienbeck excerpt: Especially the 2nd paragraph. My Gawd! I had forgotten how that man could write!!! I had forgotten why he is an icon among American writers,. Touched by the gods. As is your song, In Dubious Battle. It is an opus. imhop. If you had never written another song, just leaving this one would earn you a place in the echelons!! (OK, I'll calm down now.) These two pieces in combination have moved me greatly for their Truth. And so totally relevant today.
FIREFLIES. capo @ 2
F walk down
We (C) spoke of them as (C/B) sweethearts
There (Am) in the Southern (F) sky
(C) Saturn, just a (G) twinkle, bold (F) Jupiter near (G) by
I (Am) guess we didn't (Am/G) notice
as they (Am/F)drifted a…
"Fireflies." has a stellar intro, and then you woot he listener in with your crooning and compelling vocals. I have always loved the topic of fireflies and your hook about chsing fireflies in the htickets of two hearts is Phenomenal. Lots of nostalgia in this one, especiually for the girl next door who played a game with me, a kiss for every firefly i caught for her. But man those bugs were elusive as hell. But when I got a few, I was enthralled by her gentle thank you on my lips. Matthew Blowers III
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…
Now "Skinny Girls.' is a riotus collection of just plain fun and some great humor, I was so dissappointed when the track just cut out. But then I unbderstood you were giving folks just a taste. I was actually starting to visualize all the descriptive bean pole girls you were listing. A great bar song for sure, and I can see all the slightly inebriated guys rethinking and checking out all the skinny girls nursing their beers. LOL Matthew Blowers III
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
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
I never dreamed of founding clinics or make donations to the cause
I don’t see my name on statues and…
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
HOME
(Am D) or (F C)
VERSE 1.
Where the (G) windmill sings to the mocking bird
And the (CM7) prairie wind, without a word
(Am) Whispers thru tall (D) grass, I’ll be (G) home
(F C G) or (Am D)
VERSE 2.
Where the butter cups and…
Peggy taught me an Eagles song toward the end off our life together. I think it was NEW BOY IN TOWN. (I had no idea what she was telling me.) I took the chord progression from that song and wrote this. Peggy said that was cheating.
WATERMELON…
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…
IN MY ROOM
In my room there's no day and there's no night
In my room, just an incandescent light
...hanging from a wire.
In my room there's no hot and there's no cold
In my room,I'm not young. I'm not old
...hanging from a wire…
JOHNNY BROKE AN AXLE 110220
I got revved up on blueberry donut holes
and cranked this one out...
Johnny broke an axle
Broke it like a pencil
Oh, no.
We need an ambulance at turn three.
Johnny broke an axle
Broke it like a pencil…
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
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…
(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
Alone for the weekend so here's another.....Reg has really got to stop being a peeping Tom he's going to get caught one of these days.......
I Love her (Lyrics)
she wanders about inside my mind sending me crazy from time to time but i love…
Another one jip1965 sent to me for playing with!
Silent and magical
Calming and practical
Moonbeams, silver moonbeams
Filtering through the air
Twinkling in our hair
Moonbeams, silver moonbeams
Dancing on the leaves of trees
Shaking…
Really like your vocals. Reminds me of the girls that sang in a trio from Seattle back in the fifties called The Fleetwoods. They did Tragedy and Come Softly to Me.
Another lyrically-challenged collaboration with jip1965, who sent me a guitar, bongo, percussion track with a recorder playing named, simply, 'Love'.
I added the piccolo, crystals and windchimes from my virtual keyboard, renamed it 'What is…
Another early tune, this one remains forever unfinished... Still, it has some raw charm, and there's even some CMOR rapping happening!
From my 2006 album, 'Quip Hop'
This is a remix of this song.
It was recorded in 2010, and I was in a hurry to post it elsewhere because I'm so fond of the song itself. But I've always hated the old mix - I lost the essence of the guitars and choirs during mastering because…
Big time "like". Such an expanse of history/experience/pathos captured in so few words.
I dealt with this on a much smaller scale in a song I called THE INAPPROPRIATE QUESTION.
In my late teens I was in a hard rock band and this was one of our songs. This recording is not the band but myself doing all the instruments and vocals. Our singer Kevin wrote the lyrics but I forgot some of the lines and adlibbed a bit of it…
This is a lil tune I had written over fifteen years ago. It is one of my favorite progressions and I figure in the near future to record a full band arrangement with vocals. This is just a ruff take working out a melody over the changes.
Oh yet another nostalgic blast from the past. I found this unbelievable backing track surfing the web some years ago. I usually never use backing tracks because they usually suck bad . But this one is like having mitch and noel at your side. I…
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…
New one from me. It's ended up as a bit of a "crying into yer beer at Bob's Country Bunker" sort of song lol...
I've been sat on these lyrics in some form or another for absolutely years. I first wrote them one very dark night a few years after…
First new one from me in a long time.
Kind of a love song, I guess.
Recorded in my new "studio" (3rd bedroom in the new house). Almost up and running now... shine and don't stop wondering!
****
**Shine - A A J Russe**
On my way…
A new original from me. Another one-voice, one-guitar, "live" performance in my broom-cupboard. This time it's the good ole tin guitar.
I wrote this one in 2002 during the "dark years" lol. I've ummed and aahed over the years on whether to…
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…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Visions and emotions that I haven't felt in a long time. Thank you so much. Jere Reiser
"EXCELLENT POINTED SONG RIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER!" -Don Law
That may be the most beautiful thing I ever heard. Breathtaking. Thanks for sharing. - Janet Fawcett
It’s an exceptional piece... I like pieces that “bother” and flip a phrase to a point... this one intrigues me.... You must keep writing James!!! Hope to cross paths again soon... Blu (Sharon Walker)
what awesome lyrics mate! Reminds me of good old Robert Zimmerman... but it also doubles as metaphorical mastery! The boy represents an issue within your community... one for which you are there, and MUST help... but which the community just sits back on, not really seeing the "problem" you are attempting to fix... Powerful stuff, mate. Love it. Mark Brookman
I ❤️ that song...Kavin Me too. One of his many good ones. JS Savage
Gwyn Henry The Stienbeck excerpt: Especially the 2nd paragraph. My Gawd! I had forgotten how that man could write!!! I had forgotten why he is an icon among American writers,. Touched by the gods. As is your song, In Dubious Battle. It is an opus. imhop. If you had never written another song, just leaving this one would earn you a place in the echelons!! (OK, I'll calm down now.) These two pieces in combination have moved me greatly for their Truth. And so totally relevant today.
"Fireflies." has a stellar intro, and then you woot he listener in with your crooning and compelling vocals. I have always loved the topic of fireflies and your hook about chsing fireflies in the htickets of two hearts is Phenomenal. Lots of nostalgia in this one, especiually for the girl next door who played a game with me, a kiss for every firefly i caught for her. But man those bugs were elusive as hell. But when I got a few, I was enthralled by her gentle thank you on my lips. Matthew Blowers III
Now "Skinny Girls.' is a riotus collection of just plain fun and some great humor, I was so dissappointed when the track just cut out. But then I unbderstood you were giving folks just a taste. I was actually starting to visualize all the descriptive bean pole girls you were listing. A great bar song for sure, and I can see all the slightly inebriated guys rethinking and checking out all the skinny girls nursing their beers. LOL Matthew Blowers III
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.
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
My husband and I enjoyed that song thanks for the lyrics on Facebook.
Amazing song thank you for leaving the lyrics chords and that beautiful piano composition for us.
Glad to see that your spirit was not a victim of the virus.
short and sweet, i like it :)
Eerily simple and powerful
Good one! Sorry about Johnny. lol
Isn't that the truth, losing people every day.
Good one, I really like it!
I think we have all been there, really cute song!
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Like the funkyness of it.
Like how it grows. Swells and fades. Like the "radar" beep...
I haven't heard the original...but this is very cool. Very poppie. A little bit of DEVO here.
Really like your vocals. Reminds me of the girls that sang in a trio from Seattle back in the fifties called The Fleetwoods. They did Tragedy and Come Softly to Me.
Really evocative. You are using that program very expertly. I have been working in Logic Pro since my computer with Nuendo died.
This sounds ancient. Unlike the others I have listened to. Interesting bass line.
This is really solid. From note one. Love the tone on that bass.
Groovy.
Are your tunes all done with Midi? It's all so clean.
Likewise...
Very cool. Love the sparceness of it.
Big time "like". Such an expanse of history/experience/pathos captured in so few words. I dealt with this on a much smaller scale in a song I called THE INAPPROPRIATE QUESTION.
Stadium rock!!! Yeah!
Reminds me of The Fleetwoods. (Not Fleetw3ood Mac) A very specific time and place.
So Cream/Hendrix. Jack Bruce. Love the unrelenting drive. Stevie Ray too. (Thank you for your comment.
Thank you for the comments. You made my day. jmt
Yeah.Takes me back to high school.
Like. So clean.
Clean! Like the simplicity. The intensity.
Love the delicacy of it.