Saturday, December 20, 2008

Las Vegas Blvd.

I long to see vacation from the sunrise and the sword
The life’s gone out of being angry and I’m hungover from the war
I got myself a hotel room where no one else will go
And I will weep for lonely purchase but I’ll reap what I sow
I’ll ask the waitress how much is that drink she’ll say it’s free
And I know - I just like to hear her say sweet things to me
So we laugh as the chips fall from the wealthy and the poor
Till I’ve won myself enough I don’t love you anymore.

Angels of the Strip you keep me safe and sane and hard
like a hurricane ashore upon Las Vegas Blvd.
Cause accidents are common when you’re living every day
Like it’s the first one that you fashioned or the final that you fade
I’ll ask the waitress how much is that drink she’ll say it’s free
And I know - I just like to hear her say sweet things to me
Cause if ever I rolled a seven I could roll eleven or
Until I’ve doubled up enough I don’t love you anymore

There’s always declination like the sun, the stars, the ride
There is always someone’s bridesmaid wishing they could be the bride
I never had the good looks, love, I never had the pride
But you know when I’ve got the money there’ll be someone by my side
I’ll ask the waitress how much is that drink she’ll say it’s free
And I know - I just like to hear her say sweet things to me
So I fall into her arms and then I fall into the form
And I’ve fallen far enough I don’t love you anymore

And the player that I’m trying to be, the man I’m not right now
Is not the man that you will see if you come find me in this town
And you get so sick of hearing all the truths you can’t believe
That if I cannot change forever, then why would I ever leave
I’ll ask the waitress how much is that drink she’ll say it’s free
And I know - I just like to hear her say sweet things to me
And I walk these streets from sundown till early in the morn
Or I’ve changed my luck enough I don’t love you anymore.

Drums - Chris Crooker
Bass - Jackie Crosby
Rhythm Guitars - RB/David Hanners
Ambient/Lead Guitar - Ben Durrant

Dirtroads

I like dirtroads
no, they don’t lie ‘bout their opinion
They don’t question my decisions and I can roll one real slow
I’ve woke up at times where I did not go to bed at
Some place where I was stranded on the Interstellar line.

Some are prone to motion and the freeway is their mission
Yah, the miles are like communion and the tollbooth pays the fare
Some it follows round them as they leave the Sherriff cursing
Like it’s given him a fuss to see they broke the high score

But I like dirtroads
no, they don’t lie ‘bout their opinion
They don’t question my decisions and I can roll one real slow
I’ve woke up at times where I did not go to bed at
Some place where I was stranded on the Interstellar line.

Well, who cares about the sad and lonely
Who cares about the lost highway
I’m sure there’s someone more deserving
A stand up guy who’s willing and ready
Take my place

And if you see things my way it’d be fame from which we’re running
Yah we’re all already criminals, and we should not share our names
Cameras bring the danger and investigations later
If we aren’t out by tomorrow we may never get out alive

But I like dirtroads
no, they don’t lie ‘bout their opinions
They don’t question my decisions and I can roll one real slow
I’ve woke up at times where I did not go to bed at
Some place where I was stranded on the Interstellar line.

Acoustic/Resonator/Piano - RB

Till My Lawyer Says Otherwise

I saw the rock star kiss the drama queen
It looked even older then Adam and Eve
I guess Eve becomes a groupie down in Tennessee
On a rocket thru the depths of fame
With supporting roles and a big one on the way
Cause if you’re gonna work Hollywood you gotta double down these days

And I can find you where the paparazzi play
With the cowgirl style and the cool nicknames
with all of the bullshit, and all the disguise
“Babe, I love you till my lawyer says otherwise”
And I, I cannot turn away, I cannot turn away.

He heard she wanted to sing someday
He wrote her a single that could get them both some play
It was a mutual agreement for an undetermined stay
The record label got the timing wrong
Yah, the critics blamed the video I think she blamed the song
But hey, probably, baby, it’s your target audience that changed

So it was decided without consent of one of them
To release the sex tape and reap all the dividends
With options to renew and trademarks to claim
On the cowgirl style and the cool nicknames
Like the wages of skin that the knife carves in
Everything you cut may have to be recut again
And I, I cannot fall away, I cannot fall away.

And I can find you where the paparazzi plays
With the cowgirl style and the cool nicknames
And all of the bullshit, and all the disguise
“Babe, I love you till my lawyer says otherwise”
And I, I cannot fall away, I cannot fall away.

Drums - Chris Crooker
Bass - Jackie Crosby
Rhythm Guitars - RB
Harmonica - Bob Nordquist
Additional BGV's - Brenda DeJardin, Chris Thompson, Jackie Crosby

Thrift Store Suit

If you head out you should wait until morning
Lest you come back and I could be gone
But I thought you would listen before making up your mind
And if you called the cops you would not call them tonight

It should be obvious to you with all that we’ve been through
That what the working man makes no longer feeds two
And some things I can’t tell my Lord to his face
Till he promised me some extra measure of grace

In my thrift store suit
I have lost about everything I’m gonna lose
Standing here in a thrift store suit
You’re judging me and they are judging you now

I keep my head down and I duck inside
When the pastor’s wife shows up in their new ride
And I’ve got friends with friends, I got favors I saved
I wrote a number on a phonebook just in case I outgrow

my thrift store suit
I have lost about everything I’m gonna lose
Walking round in my thrift store suit
You’re judging me and they are judging you now

You know the righteous insure they survive just fine
And if you’d come to bed and be my alibi
Then you’d pay them your way, and I’d pay them mine
And we’d show up next Sunday right by your side

Wearing the thrift store suit
I have lost about everything I’m gonna lose
Walking round in my thrift store suit
You’re judging me and they are judging you now

Acoustic Guitars/Percussion - RB

Fortress Americana

If you’re gonna have walls, I got the ground you should see
And we’ll supply the finest stone – and these heights are all you’ll need
to hold them all away from the mountains ‘round this place
And you be sure that you don’t leave anything you want stranded there outside the gates

And if you’re gonna have walls, you’ll want oil for the moat
So if they try to cross the waters you burn alive anything that floats
And then just to be safe, you dig a well from which you drink
And you be sure that you don’t leave anything you want stranded there outside the gates

And if you’re gonna have walls, you’ll want arrows for the siege
These have got expensive venom, a little scratch is all you’ll need
Cause if you’re gonna trust fate, you are better off too fast then too late
And you be sure that you don’t leave anything you want stranded there outside the gates

By now you’ve probably noticed, something’s looking kind of strange
Your life it melts away like ice now, and I have not aged a day
I have built you many walls, walls that reach to the sky
I have built you many walls, walls that made these mountains cry

They’ll keep out the danger, they’ll keep out the shame
They’ll keep out the accusations, they’ll keep out the blame
They’ll keep out all the orphans you created during your reign

And now my royal highness, let me help you to your bed
And smile cause no one loves your name
And when you’ve passed away
I will be the king instead.

Ambient Guitar - Ben Durrant
Acoustic/Resonator guitars and Organ - RB

Whiskey Chaser

I know when she’s leaving, I can tell by what she wrote
I get the letter with no laughing and no smiling I know
Time goes by and I tell my friends her memory is fading
But I don’t get no sleep at night, who is it I think I’m kidding

One by one and two by two and three by three and four by four
These other women cannot hold me anymore
One by one and two by two and three by three and four by four
Where is the girl that you love, do not say you can erase her
When you can’t even dream her up
Just give me my whiskey chaser

time goes by, and I wonder if I’m living or if I’m dying
I drank a fifth to end my life but I just go on surviving

One by one and two by two and three by three and four by four
This rugged bible does not comfort anymore
One by one and two by two and three by three and four by four
Where is the girl that you love, do not say you can live without her
What the hell do you know of love
Just give me my whiskey chaser

Now it’s been a couple years, I don’t think that she’s returning
Like the two times before that, well I guess she must be learning

One by one and two by two and three by three and four by four
This lonely guitar cannot help me anymore
One by one and two by two and three by three and four by four
Where is the girl that you love, do not say you can replace her
I’ll tell you what, when it’s all too much to bear
You just replace that whiskey chaser

Drums - Chris Crooker
Bass - Jackie Crosby
Rhythm Guitars - RB/David Hanners

Samurai Blues

The favored son of freedom has fallen in disgrace
The sky goes dark, loses heart, and leaves the lonely taste
Till you’re so used to changes they’re the only thing that stays the same
And I heard the call to arms, and I remember changing blades

I saw the revolution broad shouldered but giving way
And you know if you ever lose your strength then yeah, the revolution fades
Commander gave instructions to hold the ground that never yields
Yah he likes to wear the helmet but he will never take the field

But I guess that what don’t kill you, makes you stronger in the end
Now baby, I’m so goddamn strong, I cannot die by the hand of man
And if I were a samurai, I’d probably abstain
Give up my titles and my daimyo, I’d leave town, I’d change my face

Drums - Chris Crooker
Ambient Guitar - Ben Durrant
Acoustic Guitar - RB

St. Brigid

It always hits me like rush hr.
When nothing is going fast
I thought I was moving
Then my exit has gone past
And if I never radiate, and if I can’t go back
St. Brigid, I’m not praying, St Brigid, I’m so unwise
St. Brigid, I’m not praying, but I could have used you tonight.

And no officer wants me
I have not broken my parole
But I know what they’re chasing
I guess I know what the fugitive knows
And if I never radiate, and if I can’t go home
St. Brigid, I’m not praying, St Brigid, I’m so unwise
St. Brigid, I’m not praying, but I could have used you tonight.

And if I never radiate, and if I can’t go back
St. Brigid, I’m not praying, St. Brigid, I’m so unwise
St. Brigid, I’m not praying, but I could use you tonight.

Acoustic/Resonator Guitars - RB

Fall Into Memphis

She calls me unfeeling, yah she calls me numb
Sometimes she calls me the price of sins
I twist and I turn, but I just never learn
I just twist inside out again
Baby wants a roadmap, baby wants a prophet
But sometimes I can never tell
Baby hears a song that was written by the King
So she writes me to say farewell

You act so fast but you think so slow
You laugh so loud but you laugh solo

I don’t wanna to be the record that you wanted
I don’t wanna be the guy that you left at home
I don’t wanna find myself lost down on Beale St.
I don’t wanna wake up at night unknown
I don’t wanna be your ’68 comeback special
I don’t wanna be that friend that you always call
I don’t wanna pass out by the steps at Graceland
And I don’t wanna be there when you fall

You fall into Memphis
You fall into Memphis
You fall into Memphis
You fall into Memphis

She calls me up sometimes
And she thanks me for listening
she hangs up real quick and calls back next week
And she says I seem distant
I tell her I’m happy
Yah I tell her a lie
But Elvis doesn’t care cause he’s no longer there
I’m sure he died back when we were five

You act so fast but you think so slow
You laugh so loud but you laugh solo

I don’t wanna to be the record that you wanted
I don’t wanna be the guy that you left at home
I don’t wanna find myself lost down on Beale St.
I don’t wanna wake up at night unknown
I don’t wanna be your ’68 comeback special
I don’t wanna be that friend that you always call
I don’t wanna pass out by the steps at Graceland
And I don’t wanna be there when you fall

You fall into Memphis
You fall into Memphis
You fall into Memphis
You fall into Memphis

Drums - Chris Crooker
Bass - Jackie Crosby
Rhythm Guitars - RB/David Hanners
Harmonica - Bob Nordquist
BGV's - Bob Nordquist/David Hanners

Joe Lewis

My name is Joe Lewis, no relation to the boxer
It’s a name my daddy gave, hoping it’d make me the fighter
And every asshole you can name from first grade till today
Wants to say he took a shot at Joe Lewis yesterday

Dads roll around some, and mine he rolled elsewhere
You can’t take your family with you, but you pray that they’re still there
And every dollar that I earned, every promise that I made,
I kept them both so I’d do better for my little girl someday.

I don’t see why you won’t ease my worried mind
I don’t see why, I don’t see why

There are some advantages to living near the water
but there’s no way social service can ever replace that missing father
and when the ocean wouldn’t stand to be held anymore
it came thru our neighborhood and it drove us from the ward

I tried to do my best and I put on my happy face
But I just cannot be grateful when my family’s been displaced
Sometimes I would leave her and I’d hope she wouldn’t wake
And you pray for peaceful slumber, but it just takes one mistake

Rumors started after the investigation faltered
Digging thru the neighbor’s yard just to find my missing daughter
And I’d have waited for the cops but their justice takes too long
And of everything I’m living for, brother, all of it is gone

I don’t see why you won’t ease my worried mind
I don’t see why, I don’t see why

And if I had a rationale on which I base my plea
It’s that my little girl will grow up fast in heaven without me
And it will be not the wrong way, no, it’s not like suicide
It’s just there’s men who should be killed who are neither bought nor justified

Here’s five thousand dollars, it’s all the money that I saved
Here’s the keys to my pickup, you be sure you change the plates
and we’ll save the state the trouble, skip the trial just one time
be the jury, and pass the sentence, it’s just an eye for an eye

and I don’t see why you won’t ease my wounded mind
It’s not murder, it’s just paying for the crime

And they’ll play the drum real slowly, pass the bottle till it’s light
You know the sounds of celebration fill a barroom every night
I told her angels fill the pearly gates with puppies of all size
Tonight me and my little girl are going to heaven side by side

Acoustic Guitar - RB

The Fugitive Peace

If Elaine calls, will you go to her side
The desert’s been crying, the ground has been dry
The wedding’s been cancelled, the guests have arrived
If Elaine calls, will you go to her side
If Elaine calls, will you go to her side

And if the fire fails, will you cover my cause
Faith is still lying here beneath permafrost
And we’ve been defined both by love and by loss
And if the fire fails, will you cover my cause

And if the song ends you can’t mourn it too long
It’s the commercial trash and the radio’s wrong
The symphony’s poison, the melody’s gone
If the song ends, I’ll sing you the new one.

And when the flood comes it can wash me away
It can have all my baggage and my reasons to stay
I’ve been refined, let my soul never stray
But if the flood comes, it can wash me away

And If Elaine calls, will you go to her side
The desert’s been crying, the ground has been dry
The wedding’s been cancelled, the guests have arrived
If Elaine calls, will you go to her side
If Elaine calls, will you go to her side

Electric Guitar - Ben Durrant
Acoustic Guitar/Piano - RB