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…
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…
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
The story our song that night (Songwriter night, Tuesday, at The Post, where we would divide up into groups and have a new song ready to perform in one hour) was about railroads and a girl from San Antone. When I got home I had the Tejas/Chaos…
Love the piano. Love the brevity, and the words themselves. Love "voice like confetti"! I get more about her story from the music itself. The words set it up beautifully. But the music, the back up, the energy had me seeing those waves, and sensing the sleeping fish beneath! Love the "tip" of another story, her buying l ip gloss in NYC. Love that that is all that you gave.
Seen by Gwyn at 12:20 PM
Gwyn Henry
I BUY GUITARS
Em
One man might buy cigarettes and waste it all in smoke
Another marijuana and share a friendly toke
Am
Another, with more money, might invest in antique cars
Em
I buy guitars
A man might buy a baseball card
Keep it…
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…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
Ah! The history in discarded things. I see the similarity with my "his name in a book". I hope the couch found a new home (and the mouse..). Nice to have the words to read too, I hadn't thought of doing that.
She lies alone. She's crying.
The truth hit her like a rock
A rock thrown thru her window
The window to her heart
His eyes told her a story
And she believed it, every word
She made plans to leave forever
Her time was over on this earth…
A GOOD CRY
Rick Babb/JMT
Why don't you cry
I know you need to
A tear is meant to ease your pain
A flood could come
And it would wash you
So, don't you try and hold it back
A good cry can't be bad
Why don't you cry
Come her, I'll…
Good gawd, this song still makes me cry, every time I hear it... and I have listened to this song for years. Good gawd, what a great song. You do know, old friend, that on most of your songs, I love your voice; but this song cries out for someone who is a true vocalist.
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
The story our song that night (Songwriter night, Tuesday, at The Post, where we would divide up into groups and have a new song ready to perform in one hour) was about railroads and a girl from San Antone. When I got home I had the Tejas/Chaos…
I've always said, The best compliment I can give a poet or a songwriter is... "Damn, I wish I had written that!" Damn, ol' son... I had forgotten what a great gut punch of a song this one is. I wish I had written it! But then again, if I had written it, then not only would no one else have had the chance to hear and appreciate how damn good it really is... but I too would never have had the pleasure myself. Old friend, you are one hell of an artist.
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…
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'm not sure I want to know where you came up with this... :) acoustic57 My song "Down By The Sea" is from spending time at the beach with my wife. So, yes, it is pretty much real :)
M E L I S S A Key of G
These are letters I like to say - M E L I S S A
These are notes I like to play……
Letters that sparkle. Notes that jingle
Make a little song in my heart
There’s a song in my heart today - M E L I S S A
I wish…
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…
I’ll tell you the truth. I’ve been out of control
They took away my blanket. Put me out in the cold.
Even Miami’s got ice on the ground
Man said, “You be a good boy and get out of my town.”
I’d just got to sleep when they turned on the…
Inspired by Last Week's Winter Storm where the only people out driving around in it were the people trying to prove Darwin's theory of Natural Selection.
Vocal addition by Colleen Dillon. Colleen also suggested the topic *"Winter Tune…
This is my first upload. I mostly have a vocal here. It's a song that I'd love to get some collaboration on from the guitarists in the community. Let me know what you think?
This is my first upload. I mostly have a vocal here. It's a song that I'd love to get some collaboration on from the guitarists in the community. Let me know what you think?
HEAR MY FINAL SONG
Most were drinkin', four were playin' cards
Two were dancin', one he played guitar
He was singin' how she broke his heart
Some were smokin', smoke rings filled the air
One was flirtin', playin' with her hair
He was…
To me, as a songwriter, I have come to the "conclusion" that what I might say to explain a song is functionally THE BRIDGE. Your explanation adds so much to the song maybe it's bridge time.
MONOLOGUE
I found a hole, it's in the wall
And reaching up, I crawled inside
And to the stars I gave a call
To grant a better place to hide
I cannot leave the hole I found
The chapel for my dark despair
I do not seek to hang around…
Very interesting commentary...
And, thank you for listening to my song.
I was at the stockade at Fort Ord in California and then sent to Leavenworth where I ended up at the prison farm running the egg factory.
****
Jan 17 2015 - Remixed. I was always kinda disappointed with what the original mix sounded like. Listening to it the other day I realised what it is - I'd mixed the vocals too loud. This reduced the "stereo" and killed off a lot of the life…
I have been wanting to do some Cream covers for awhile now and with the passing of Jack Bruce it seemed an appropriate time to record some sort of tribute to him and the band.
This is an instrumental song I composed roundabout 7 years ago. Finally we got around to recording it with real instruments, and the band is:
Frank Zax: Guitars
Andy Gupta: Bass
Mark R. Cole: Drums:
Steffen Offermann: Synthesizers, Music…
****
Jan 17 2015 - Remixed. I was always kinda disappointed with what the original mix sounded like. Listening to it the other day I realised what it is - I'd mixed the vocals too loud. This reduced the "stereo" and killed off a lot of the life…
****
Jan 17 2015 - Remixed. I was always kinda disappointed with what the original mix sounded like. Listening to it the other day I realised what it is - I'd mixed the vocals too loud. This reduced the "stereo" and killed off a lot of the life…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Makes you think.
Kim Triolo Feil James Michael Taylor that's a fantastic story and a very lovely song
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
Love the piano. Love the brevity, and the words themselves. Love "voice like confetti"! I get more about her story from the music itself. The words set it up beautifully. But the music, the back up, the energy had me seeing those waves, and sensing the sleeping fish beneath! Love the "tip" of another story, her buying l ip gloss in NYC. Love that that is all that you gave. Seen by Gwyn at 12:20 PM Gwyn Henry
"Love this! That last verse... ummm hmmmmm." Gwyn Henry
Sure is some good listening .....
Ah! The history in discarded things. I see the similarity with my "his name in a book". I hope the couch found a new home (and the mouse..). Nice to have the words to read too, I hadn't thought of doing that.
"Unbelievable..., unbuckled my jaw." Christopher Youngblood
Good gawd, this song still makes me cry, every time I hear it... and I have listened to this song for years. Good gawd, what a great song. You do know, old friend, that on most of your songs, I love your voice; but this song cries out for someone who is a true vocalist.
Gwyn Henry Again...poetry!! Love this. Can relate to the discoveries under the couch!!
I've always said, The best compliment I can give a poet or a songwriter is... "Damn, I wish I had written that!" Damn, ol' son... I had forgotten what a great gut punch of a song this one is. I wish I had written it! But then again, if I had written it, then not only would no one else have had the chance to hear and appreciate how damn good it really is... but I too would never have had the pleasure myself. Old friend, you are one hell of an artist.
Pake Rossi James Michael Taylor this is one of my favorite of your songs!
A JMT musical Haiku! Love it!
I'm not sure I want to know where you came up with this... :) acoustic57 My song "Down By The Sea" is from spending time at the beach with my wife. So, yes, it is pretty much real :)
Hey, cool. Makes you feel young again :). acoustic57
Nice song James. Great vocals. Reminds me a lot of CSNY. from acoustic57 :)
Carolyn Wade 60 Years later?? This is a good song. Love the lyrics, the music fits the words.
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
It really has that driving-down-the-blvd feel.
Very blusey. Great guitar sound.
Soooo pretty.
Like a sound trac to a slow roller coaster...
You are singing in the key of B. This is very cool.
Very cool.
To me, as a songwriter, I have come to the "conclusion" that what I might say to explain a song is functionally THE BRIDGE. Your explanation adds so much to the song maybe it's bridge time.
Love your voice.
Such sweet harmony...
Very interesting commentary... And, thank you for listening to my song. I was at the stockade at Fort Ord in California and then sent to Leavenworth where I ended up at the prison farm running the egg factory.
The more I listen to this the more I like it.
great beat
That's music to meditate by...
An instant favorite...
Coulda fooled me.
I worked Phantom many times (maybe 39 times)as a stagehand. This really takes me back...
Nice.
Love this. So much drama. Great contrasts.
Very interesting story. Your music catches the mystery of it.
Great quote. Who is that?