THE LESSON
I saw her in a music store in Fort Worth, Texas
I'd driven in to buy some strings
It was like getting hit by a little fist in my solar plexis
when she said, “Can you help me tune this thing?”
She had a smile. A thin disguise…
A PICTURE I CAN'T THROW AWAY Key C
Capo @ 4
(Yes. It's a true story. I changed it to 1st person. It was a friend of my brother, Joe's.)
This audio is missing. I will have to find it in the archives or re-record it some day…
It’s a small town. Woodlake, California. East side of the San Joaquin Valley. 14 miles from where all those “Lindsey” olives you see on your grocery store shelves come from. The Woodlake Echo, says, “In the foothills of the Sequoias”.
FOOTHILLS…
STEPPIN' ON SOME TOES Key - Em and E
Em
Well, some folks got big noses
Some folks got big hats
Some folks stand out in the aisle
Make it hard to pass
Am
Some folks they got money
Em
They…
WHERE
Where will I spend the rest of our life?
Where will I live our tomorrow
Our only hope springs from within your sorrow
And if I thot your pain could be bought
I'd start saving today for tomorrow
Where, where
Our only hope springs…
" ...and if I thought, your pain could be bought, I'd start saving today, for tomorrow." My Gawd, My Gawd! Who else but JMT could write such a great line!
This song is akin to REMEMBERING BABE. Another night to Keren's. Almost got caught by the cops. Saw 'em coming so Babe and I hid in the olive orchard until they turned off the spot light and left. THEN, I did what came to be called my Night Ride…
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…
Sadly, Annie and Allan are now divorced...
The games are over...
Annie & Allan
Annie and Allan were having a problem
Made a decision to go their own ways
Annie and Allan made an announcement
Not even knowing how it saddened…
I was in Spain, in the Pyrenees, working on THE STONE RAFT. I was the only American, read, "English speaker." I was feeling very alone.
SOLITARY WALK Am
INTRO Am F Am F
Am (walking down) G F G
Tho I follow in the footprints of my friends…
Dear James, thanks for sharing this song that remains me the days we spent together in Pirineos, Spain. Congrats and big hugs from the Summertime at Madrid
The Fading Yellow Ribbon
There’s a fading yellow ribbon
around the oak tree in the yard
Each day they walk out to the mail box
but even walking’s getting hard
And they’re looking for a letter
that they fear will not arrive
It’s a letter…
Well you've made my eyes leak again. I keep listening to your songs and I keep leaking. I might have developed an allergy of some kind but I'll keep listening. Really touching.
I wrote this at my dad's urging. He likes it. We sing it together. I have YouTube Video of it up.
EULOGY
He grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma
Red dirt back yard, Gramma's place
Honey suckle in a dust bowl
Life as hard as limestone lace…
Returned today to listen, and so glad I did! It is a wonderful song. I like the timber of your vocals, too. There is a soft edge that serves the song so well because of its subject. I respond too, as an Okie, having lived for 40 years in Sapulpa and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fav lines might be, "Red dirt back yard, Gramma’s place
Honey suckle in a dust bowl
Life as hard as limestone lace
Remembering the red dirt...
Know these accents and sounds like the back of my hand... thanks for posting! --Gwyn Henry
Sadly, Annie and Allan are now divorced...
The games are over...
Annie & Allan
Annie and Allan were having a problem
Made a decision to go their own ways
Annie and Allan made an announcement
Not even knowing how it saddened…
DEAR PEGGY
Dear Peggy,I thot you'd like to know
That blue tile in our bathroom you said would have to go
I replaced with the slate that we bought at Home Depot
mmmmm mmmmm
Dear Peggy, The heat has killed the lawn
And water is so expensive…
damn, old son... sometimes hearing you sing is like bumping a half healed wound and ripping the scab off... and it hurts, it hurts bad. You know, it's like I knew her... I never met Peg, but sometimes when you sing/cry your words, I want to cry... because... somewhere inside I feel like... I miss her... I really do, I feel like I miss her... and it hurts... it hurts bad. Peace Old friend, Peace JQM
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…
Damn, Jimmy... funny how after almost 40 years of listening to JMT music, hearing a new song of yours can still make me cry. Good song, old friend, good song. JQM
THE BEST I'VE FOUND
A ray of sun, an act of grace
A bit of song, a smiling face
Can lift me from dispair
And when I'm lost in yesterday
I find a kiss along the way
Will bring me here from there
A super moon, a darker blue
A purring…
Sweet song.
My song CODY'S SURPRISE is not a made up story.
I waited for a couple of years for Cody to write the song. He's a horse trainer singer/songwriter friend of mine living and working in California. Finally decided to write it for him. It was quite a trauma for him. His cowboy name is Cody Pendant.
So 50/90 is an unnatural forcing of a crap ton of songs in a relatively short period of time. We're half way though and I've learned one thing. I've learned how easy it is to repeat something you've already done. This one sounds a LOT like…
An old one remastered. Thought I'd be posh and call it that !!!! Didn't realize I wrote this 7 years ago, it is a bit of a rant, quietly !!! I apologise in advance if any one is offended by the Lyrics, just my opinion !!!!
This was written in 1983. Used as backing music for a dance project in Ft Collins, CO. There is now a lyric and a melody. This version is a serious jam.
Like anyone who happens to look, I see the signs of a failing economy all over the Country. This song is a effort to encourage folks to struggle for a more open and equitable system for the financial benefit of all of us.
This was written in 1983. Used as backing music for a dance project in Ft Collins, CO. There is now a lyric and a melody. This version is a serious jam.
Your music has a very interesting over all sound. The way you put it all together. There is a smoothness to it. Gentle. Harmonies, very sweet. What kind of program are you using.
A bit of nonsense maybe ?? Started off as an instrumental then these words popped out. Call me lazy if you must, but couldn't think of more !!!
C'est la vie !!!!
When we sat down to work the demo on this tune, Matt already had the guitar layering and arrangement worked out--including the wicked long intro. The lyrics are based around something my wife and I did when I was away on business. When I called…
A song about taking the time to raise our kids instead of letting them do what ever they want. I know, I know...shut up old man. Go ahead, you can say it. It's a rocker that we had a ton of fun producing. It's the only track that Matt says anything…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Enjoyed this story and the song. Thank you for uploading it!
Wow!
Great lyrics and imagery. Love this. Feels like an anthem!!
Love it Jim!
" ...and if I thought, your pain could be bought, I'd start saving today, for tomorrow." My Gawd, My Gawd! Who else but JMT could write such a great line!
Great song!
lovely....
very very nice !
Dear James, thanks for sharing this song that remains me the days we spent together in Pirineos, Spain. Congrats and big hugs from the Summertime at Madrid
Well that makes me happy.
Besides you that is.
Russ Emerick wondered, who is singing?
Well you've made my eyes leak again. I keep listening to your songs and I keep leaking. I might have developed an allergy of some kind but I'll keep listening. Really touching.
A great day-starter!
Full of drama, sounds like a movie track
That's the way it happened.
Returned today to listen, and so glad I did! It is a wonderful song. I like the timber of your vocals, too. There is a soft edge that serves the song so well because of its subject. I respond too, as an Okie, having lived for 40 years in Sapulpa and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fav lines might be, "Red dirt back yard, Gramma’s place Honey suckle in a dust bowl Life as hard as limestone lace Remembering the red dirt... Know these accents and sounds like the back of my hand... thanks for posting! --Gwyn Henry
Top track really cool
damn, old son... sometimes hearing you sing is like bumping a half healed wound and ripping the scab off... and it hurts, it hurts bad. You know, it's like I knew her... I never met Peg, but sometimes when you sing/cry your words, I want to cry... because... somewhere inside I feel like... I miss her... I really do, I feel like I miss her... and it hurts... it hurts bad. Peace Old friend, Peace JQM
Damn, Jimmy... funny how after almost 40 years of listening to JMT music, hearing a new song of yours can still make me cry. Good song, old friend, good song. JQM
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Sweet song. My song CODY'S SURPRISE is not a made up story. I waited for a couple of years for Cody to write the song. He's a horse trainer singer/songwriter friend of mine living and working in California. Finally decided to write it for him. It was quite a trauma for him. His cowboy name is Cody Pendant.
I like this. Reminds me of Steven Stills. But you need to bring your voices out in the mix. As loud as the guitar, at least, when you are singing.
Puts my back in the 50s. Recognized Bethan's sweet voice instantly.
Love the guitar sound. "There will be people you wish you'd never met." Great big sound. Great production.
Great groove. Very nice...
Time to add more songs, Bruce.
Really like the voice. Such a sad song.
Yeah. Great guitar work. Production really rocks.
Very nice. Like a continuation of CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
Is that you on electric guitar?
really!!!
Your music has a very interesting over all sound. The way you put it all together. There is a smoothness to it. Gentle. Harmonies, very sweet. What kind of program are you using.
Beautifully done.
Great guitar sound and mix. So clean. What are recording with...program? (pyropool@earthlink.net)
Your playing is so clean and bright. Are you mic-ing your guitar? So wistful.
Soooo pretty with a touch of sad.
So bright and sunny. Makes me see happy lovers playing on the beach. Children playing in a park.
Nice sentiment. Unity thru common vision.
You guys really have that ZZ tightness... My son is too good to play with me.
What a happy tune with just one little cloud. A great little sing along, "blue sky, clouds go by..."