HOW
I've got a friend. He is in trouble
But he just stands there in the rubble
It seems each day his sorrows double
He needs to know. He needs to know
How do you keep your hand from shaking
How do you keep your fear from waking
How…
I CAN'T TELL
I can't tell if it's morning or evening
I can't tell night from day
I can't tell if I'm arriving or leaving
Doesn't mean a thing to me
Since you went away
I can't tell if it's sunny or raining
I can't tell if it's…
I CAN'T TELL
I can't tell if it's morning or evening
I can't tell night from day
I can't tell if I'm arriving or leaving
Doesn't mean a thing to me
Since you went away
I can't tell if it's sunny or raining
I can't tell if it's…
I CAN'T TELL
I can't tell if it's morning or evening
I can't tell night from day
I can't tell if I'm arriving or leaving
Doesn't mean a thing to me
Since you went away
I can't tell if it's sunny or raining
I can't tell if it's…
I CAN'T TELL
I can't tell if it's morning or evening
I can't tell night from day
I can't tell if I'm arriving or leaving
Doesn't mean a thing to me
Since you went away
I can't tell if it's sunny or raining
I can't tell if it's…
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…
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…
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…
It seems our hunger to express awe is channeled
into petty things early in our life and when we break free we feel robbed because all the mighty expressions are tied up in silly stories about some jealous being making contradictory demands…
When you come to the end of the road
and all of the signs just say "No"
You never say, "Quit"
Cause that's not your bit
You're not a pup
You never give up...
It's so dark
she can't sleep
She needs more
ice in her water
She lost her smile
It went to Nashville
So she sent
me her address
I didn't know
if I should answer
or go to her
I could call a taxi
Too much wine
Too much coffee
Too…
Jeff's version
FLORENCIA
The tide is going out in Avila
I can feel it in my blood
Here I am in South Beach Florida
Just like you knew I would
There's a place in California
Where the coast is always clear
You said you'd be in…
Like it. I get the Glen Campbell vibe too.
I kinda like how the song is quite relaxed but the bass line is steaming along - almost like the bass-player thinks he's getting paid per note!
Jeff's version
FLORENCIA
The tide is going out in Avila
I can feel it in my blood
Here I am in South Beach Florida
Just like you knew I would
There's a place in California
Where the coast is always clear
You said you'd be in…
Jeff's version
FLORENCIA
The tide is going out in Avila
I can feel it in my blood
Here I am in South Beach Florida
Just like you knew I would
There's a place in California
Where the coast is always clear
You said you'd be in…
Kind of a Glen Campbell-era classy country sound and vibe. I think I like this version best, so far... who knows who might come along to do version of this version of that version of I'm confused already! ;)
THE GIFT - key C
An architect in Bakersfield gave him a gift of wine
Napa Valley, California, famous for the vine
When the grape is coupled with the peach, the promise is divine
But he would never pull the cork as he alone would dine…
sounds good. the lyrical tweaks worked. the production is simple and effective. the vocals on the last verse seem to be punched in and out a lot, i wasn't sure if you were going for an effect or what, but it distracted me from the song a little. otherwise, that's a gooder 'un.
jbp
THE GIFT - key C
An architect in Bakersfield gave him a gift of wine
Napa Valley, California, famous for the vine
When the grape is coupled with the peach, the promise is divine
But he would never pull the cork as he alone would dine…
It's so dark
she can't sleep
She needs more
ice in her water
She lost her smile
It went to Nashville
So she sent
me her address
I didn't know
if I should answer
or go to her
I could call a taxi
Too much wine
Too much coffee
Too…
Now these are some interesting lyrics. The music is rather dark and sad in its delivery. It's a good mixing/mastering job -- chilling! I like it, but I sense the pain.
This version was an effort to make it into a country song... an "effort."
Florencia Di Concilio is a composer who lives in Paris. Among other things, she writes music for movies. One of the movies she wrote music for is DARK BLOOD, the last…
This version was an effort to make it into a country song... an "effort."
Florencia Di Concilio is a composer who lives in Paris. Among other things, she writes music for movies. One of the movies she wrote music for is DARK BLOOD, the last…
IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY
If it makes you happy I will tie your shoe
If it makes you happy I will tickle you
If it makes you happy I'm telling you true
If it makes you happy I'll be happy too
If it makes you happy I will wiggle my ears…
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 capo @ 2 in C
C
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
F
I never dreamed of founding clinics or make donations to the cause
C
I don’t see…
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
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…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
Now here's a bit of an oldie - the second song I ever wrote. In... 1978!
I think I played it once, or maybe twice, at school assemblies. My musical peers and colleagues back then dismissed it as corny/rancid pop music…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
I found this one while I was digging through the shoe-box for the 1994 songs. Apparently I wrote it on 10th November 1995.
Foolishly, I thought it would only take a week or so to record... I was originally expecting…
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
So I got me a new geetar the other week.
Named her Lala, obviously. Seemed kind of appropriate - she wears a faded gold dress and is full of chunes and mischiefs.
This is our first effort together. It was meant…
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 hope Brian (one of us Proods) will forgive me for posting this before we could get together to work on it further. He first played it for me a few months ago and I've been obsessively tweaking it every chance I could get.
I like to imagine…
My attempt at this super fun sea shanty!
This is an old New Zealand whaling song. The popular recent version was recorded a cappella by The Longest Johns. I'm using the chords suggested by Piotrek_G on ultimate-guitar.
Edit: re-uploaded…
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
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Wow! Amazing!! Really powerful song. All the best to those who were in your mind as you wrote this one.
Love the chorus on this! Gonna be the song in my head today!!!
Good one....
Nice one, like it. Is there a February write-a-song thing? Cos I've written one too! (Might be September before I've finished recording it, though...)
I love the music and I totally adore the poetry!
Powerful message, and it just keeps coming in today's time. . . .all in the name of God.
Great song! Such visual lyrics and powerful melody!
R O C K - O N!!! A song of social conscious, like we use to write in the '60s! Great lyrics, great sounds, great attitude = GREAT JOB!
You create some stunning stuff.
Very short and sweet - love it.
I LOVE this.
Like it. I get the Glen Campbell vibe too. I kinda like how the song is quite relaxed but the bass line is steaming along - almost like the bass-player thinks he's getting paid per note!
The Glen Campbell-John Hartford era reference is spot on. I dig it
Kind of a Glen Campbell-era classy country sound and vibe. I think I like this version best, so far... who knows who might come along to do version of this version of that version of I'm confused already! ;)
sounds good. the lyrical tweaks worked. the production is simple and effective. the vocals on the last verse seem to be punched in and out a lot, i wasn't sure if you were going for an effect or what, but it distracted me from the song a little. otherwise, that's a gooder 'un. jbp
Bittersweet. Dark, painful, but beautiful. Very well recorded -- mixed and mustered with great care and taste.
Now these are some interesting lyrics. The music is rather dark and sad in its delivery. It's a good mixing/mastering job -- chilling! I like it, but I sense the pain.
This is a great song! Creates a great visual with the lyrics.
An interesting progression of chords. Good lyrics. Nice vocal mix.
Cool tune, it does make me happy!
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
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.
Very catchy! Too short, maybe. Gotta listen twice.
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
This is cool. It gives me ideas.
WoW! Knocks me out. Really sizzles.
Makes me want to find a partner and do a little dance...very nice.
You had me at, "If I back off and shut my mouth..." Know exactly where you are. So afraid the answer is, "No."
Sounds like a 50s Buddy Holly era song. Very sweet sentiment. And, yes, I can dance to it.
Great characterization. Great kick drum sound.
WoW! Rock me, dude! Love the imagery.
Kim Triolo Feil James Michael Taylor that's a fantastic story and a very lovely song
Yes! A MONKEES song, for sure.
Interesting sounds. Cool chord shifts.
Aaah, if Love could only be forgotten... Nice.
Like it.
Very nice...
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