Stick a fork in the EP, it’s done. Some tweaks and retweaks today and re-recorded one vocal phrase. But final mix and master is done and everything has been uploaded to DistroKid, who will spread the album to all the various streaming services, should drop on Mon 8Jan24. For those that don’t want to wait, the final tracks (mp3) below. A labor of love, now time to relax a bit – well, until tomorrow’s solo show in SB.
the lost years (2024)
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The first five tunes were written at various points of the late 70’s and early 80’s. I Know Where I’m Going and Nightmare Blues were performed live by The Warp and Nasty Habits in 1980-82, the other tunes just knocking around during the lost years (1979-1983). The album has a narrative arc, opening with an up/poppy tune with a hopeful message but things get dark pretty quickly (at least lyrically). The songs were a product of the time and environment – I’ve got stories. For now, they play out musically.
The last track is an entirely different thing altogether. It is about our cat Sugar, who is know as the “Minister of Naughtiness.” The song came out of a coffee conversation with st, and a few hours later the EDM track was done. It seemed to be an appropriately non-sequitorial ending to the lost years. At least this installment…
Instruments: Collings I-30LC and Anderson Raven electric guitars, Collings OM1JL and Martin 000-28 CA 1937 acoustic guitars, Beard Radio R Standard dobro, Fodera Yin Yang Deluxe and Fender Player basses, keyboard instruments and drum programming in Apple Logic. All instruments recorded direct – well, except vocals (Austrian Audio OC-18 condenser mic).

I Know Where I’m Going
People traveling here and there
But they’re not really going anywhere
I used to follow everybody else
Then I started thinking for myself
‘Cause I know where I’m going, and I don’t care what they say
As for the crowd, I’ll just walk away
Well you sitting there talking so cool
And you think I’m going to be your fool
But I’m not that stupid any more
That’s why you’ll see me walking out the door
‘Cause I know where I’m going, and I don’t care what they say
And as for the crowd, well, I’ll just walk away
Nightmare Blues
Well I’m locked in this prison, but I made it myself
I said I’m locked in this prison, but I made it myself
I just sit and stare, while time runs away
I scream at the night, but nobody hears me
Said I scream at the night, but nobody hears me
Trapped by the spirits, I’m held in my mind
I gotta get away, gotta make my escape
I said I gotta get away, make my escape
But there’s no place to go, there’s no place in sight
Slant of Light
the sun is shining in
but i can’t see no light
help is coming soon
but i keep losing sight
slant of light, slant of light, yeah
the wind is surely blowing
but i can’t feel a breeze
is there on one here
who can tend to my needs?
slant of light, slant of light, yeah
the door is open wide
but they won’t let me out
i thought i was a winner
but now i’m lost in doubt
slant of light, slant of light, yeah
the end is surely near
the walls keep closin’ in
i think it must be time
to pay for all my sins
slant of light, slant of light, yeah
Tangelo Control
If you add it all up and nothing’s there
and it’s getting so you just don’t care
if you find somebody swiped your soul
hand it off to the tangelo control
if you come on over
you’ll begin to see the light
but if you can’t make it, that’s allright
you can turn left, then go right
continue on until you done lost sight
keep on ’till you near your goal
but you can never stray from the tangelo control
if you come on over
you’ll begin to see the light
but if you can’t make it, that’s allright
you say you want to make it all on your own
when it gets tough you just want to take a loan
even though you want to stay whole
got to leave some for the tangelo control
if you come on over
you’ll begin to see the light
but if you can’t make it, that’s allright
Stationhouse Man
Going to that station, meet my baby at nine
Headed to the station, see my baby at nine
Time I got there, train was running out of sight
So I left the station, found the fastest cab I know
You know I left that station, find the fastest cab I know
Never did find her, but still got this here guitar
You know I lost my baby, and I’ll never see her again
Know I lost my baby, never see her again
Really don’t bother me, still got this here guitar
Minister
minister of naughtiness
no, down
minister of naughtiness
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