New York Times, in an article today
"Hamburgers in Paris!" Its on the front page
Everybody wants it. McDonalds in Paris
Everybody wants it
Has the taste of the forbidden. Illicit and subversive.
You can print it out. You can write it cursive…
New York Times, in an article today
"Hamburgers in Paris!" Its on the front page
Everybody wants it. McDonalds in Paris
Everybody wants it
Has the taste of the forbidden. Illicit and subversive.
You can print it out. You can write it cursive…
If you were dead my life would be simple
I'd hurt and miss you like I do
But the missing would be different, if you were dead
If you were dead it would be all over
I'd cry and write a song or two
But the songs would be different, if you were…
I KNEW YOU'S GONNA SAY THAT
Well, I woke up this mornin agreeing with you completely
Oh, yeah, I woke up this mornin agreeing with you completely
(forgive me for this silly song...)
(C) 2009 Royal T Music
COOKIES
G B7 Em C
G) I got a lawn to mow. B7) Weeds to hoe.
Em) Cans I need to cash in at C) Recycle rodeo
Thots I need to think. Sites I need to link
Piles of dirty dishes waiting in the sink
But I got A) cookies in the kitchen
and…
WHEN HANNAH IS SILENT
When Hanna is silent, I worry
When Hanna is quiet, I wait
When Hannah shuts down,
There's a cloud on this town
Her silence increases the distance
When Hannah is silent, it's dark
Her words are the cues
To find…
by James Michael Taylor
I have a brain that I must keep busy
I have a heart with too many hurts
And I have a house with too many memories
My life is broken but somehow it still works
And I have a dream that wakes me up crying
I feel…
FISHING
People keep saying that it's a big ocean
There's more than one fish in the sea
Where did they get such a ridiculous notion
What's fishin' between you and me
Fishin' or fusion, photo voltaic cells
Wind mills and hydrogen too…
This is the original version of WILD BILL
that I submitted to Production back in '95
when I was working on the film. It got set aside
when the music was forwarded from Ry Cooter to Van Dyke Parks.
One day I came in from work and Peggy…
This is the original version of WILD BILL
that I submitted to Production back in '95
when I was working on the film. It got set aside
when the music was forwarded from Ry Cooter to Van Dyke Parks.
One day I came in from work and Peggy…
This is the original version of WILD BILL
that I submitted to Production back in '95
when I was working on the film. It got set aside
when the music was forwarded from Ry Cooter to Van Dyke Parks.
One day I came in from work and Peggy…
OCCUPY 0112
It's a highland I call my land
It's an island in the sun
No matter how you measure it
It's always number one
If I had a house to occupy
I'd occupy my wish
But to have a house to occupy
I must defy the rich
We buy the…
OCCUPY 0112
It's a highland I call my land
It's an island in the sun
No matter how you measure it
It's always number one
If I had a house to occupy
I'd occupy my wish
But to have a house to occupy
I must defy the rich
We buy the…
OCCUPY 0112
It's a highland I call my land
It's an island in the sun
No matter how you measure it
It's always number one
If I had a house to occupy
I'd occupy my wish
But to have a house to occupy
I must defy the rich
We buy the…
Just thinking about Happiness. Thinking about how she said she was leaving because she wanted to be happy.
HAPPY Key - C walking down...
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades as the memory is made…
OCCUPY 0112
It's a highland I call my land
It's an island in the sun
No matter how you measure it
It's always number one
If I had a house to occupy
I'd occupy my wish
But to have a house to occupy
I must defy the rich
We buy the…
After Brook drowned.
Ra Byn did everything but rhythm guitar.
He must have been about 12.
Open 9th tuning...
Well, you say that you're lonely
I see that you are
Tell me, where have you been
Life ain't no lay pen
Yeah, you call it a…
Gwyn Henry
Meet Me at the Club-- darker than its exterior. I love it. Barbara and Peggy sound great! What a lot of pain must have been wrapped in those sassy harmonies. This song has a Bopcat feel,. musically--- apples that fell from the same tree, and didn't roll too far from ea other. Your vocals especially good in this.
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…
TWO POUNDS - (Diethylstilbestrol Daughters)
"DES, which was once prescribed to prevent miscarriages, caused obesity, rare vaginal tumors, infertility, and testicular growths among those exposed in utero." http://www.motherjones.com/environment…
I wrote this after I sang with a friend
at his mother's funeral.
He had always wondered
why he looked nothing like his brothers...
DOOR MAT
Key - A
A) My daddy treated Mama like a door mat
D) Me and little brother didn't like that…
I wrote this after I sang with a friend
at his mother's funeral.
He had always wondered
why he looked nothing like his brothers...
DOOR MAT
Key - A
A) My daddy treated Mama like a door mat
D) Me and little brother didn't like that…
I dreamed this song a while ago. Sort of a music circle in a pub. Lots of instruments and percussion and what not. I quite like it :)
(Bass, lyre, bodhran, bongos, shaker, 2 mandolin tracks, multiple clap tracks)
Here's an instrumental folk Celtic sort of tune I made today. Guitar, bass, pennywhistle, mandolin, bodhran.
Took about 4 hours to record all the parts properly. The result is a delightful minute and a half, I think!
A cover of Great Big Sea's cover of Ron Angel's song. I love both versions. I used guitar, bodhran, vocals.
Edit: reuploaded; fixed up the vocals a bit.
Messing around, playing a classic. Recorded on my phone. Lots of fun!
(Merle Travis, Tennesse Ernie Ford, Johnny Cash all did popular versions; probably a million others have played it at some point.)
It's a long-distance love song
Yes, a long-distance love song
I'll sing it just for you
I'll sing a long distance love song
When the night is long
And you've been gone from home
Sing a long-distance love song
Yeah a long-distance love…
When I was a kid, my dad was the preacher at the Church of Christ in Tehachapi, California. We lived in Palmdale, so we'd get up early on Sunday mornings, pile the 5 of us into our 1950 Chevy coupe and head up thru Lancaster and Mojave, over the…
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.
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
This is GREAT! You're making me hungry.
That's really great. Very well told! You had me riveted!
I like the fun feel to this and the guitar. Norway does amazing burgers. Pizza too! Just saying!
Such a poignant and realistic song. Love your vocal and lyric!
Oh! happy birthday Levi!
Ha, you hit the heights vocally here! Rockin good!
Love the honky tonk feel and the melody. Oooo, who can whistle then! I think I'll make some tea!
Ah, short but most effective!
The silent alarm - great line! Lovely clear vox.
I can see you sitting on a stool in front of a live audience. Really cute song.
Great story telling! Be careful . . . You might bring up the spirit of Townes VanZant too! There is nothing better than a wistful song.
A story perfectly told. Love the vocals!
Love the contrasts in the vocals .....the trumpet works a treat ....a wonderful story
Makes me want to hoist a pint and it's only seven in the morning!
Picturing JMT in a kilt.
Very Gaelic in flavour,love it
Here is the rare chance to listen to JMT who thinking about ~Happiness~
Come here to listen to what The Man said!
Gosh, this is powerful stuff and a refreshing rework of the original. Your vocal timing is impeccable.
Sounds like an Irish folky song. The "Diamonds back to coal" is a great line! Love it, very jaunty!
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Gwyn Henry Meet Me at the Club-- darker than its exterior. I love it. Barbara and Peggy sound great! What a lot of pain must have been wrapped in those sassy harmonies. This song has a Bopcat feel,. musically--- apples that fell from the same tree, and didn't roll too far from ea other. Your vocals especially good in this.
Rocking the loops?
Bruce Balmer I listened to “My New Shorts.” Brilliant use of time. Like mini-oreos or something. Interesting production, nice vocals.
Holy cow. What a song. Michael Rehahn
Gwyn Henry Thanks for writing this, Jim.
"Powerful stuff." Ray Russell
Great "slap-back" feel.
Cool. I had to look up bodhran.
Love it when men sing these songs in unison. Well done.
Great old song, well done.
Very sweet. Nice solo.
That's some sweet guitar playing. Ray Russell
'Very good capture." Gwyn Henry
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.