Album Notes

PLAY THIS ALBUM LOUD. This is not meant for pretentious listening or anything of the sort. This is a new Americana. Swampy and slippery, loud and unpolished. Yes, there are jams, and yes (absolutely), lots of guitar. This is me.

The lyrics are equally raw. Some moments are painful, some are basic, and most have many meanings.

I don’t pretend anymore. I am not a great anything. But I love our music. We can share these notes. I left in mistakes. We share these in life so we share them here too.

I wish this was an album-as in 33 and a third. But it is record as in a record of one person. This is the story and these are the mini-epics of this american.

Play this album loud.

Kiss my Lips.
If I seem scared, am I being true?
This is both the sweetest and most sensual song on the album. It’s from the woman’s perspective, and that’s all I say about that.

Nobody’s Fault but Mine..
The first gospel/spiritual/traditional tune. I added a few lyrics to make it my own, sometimes songs need updating, and believing in unicorns ain’t my thing.

Rock of Ages…
A traditional tune with my lyrics. On this planet we have the gift of life, and there is no reason to belittle it by pretending it needs help

Honky Jive….
Don’t be done with me baby…

Oh Union…..
Without unions, what will the country become? We are seeing this. This song is about a life with unions and how the rich will destroy the earth. We need each other. The speaker is Cesar Chavez and I ask that we all listen close to what he has to say. I am angry and I hate greed, especially greed that kills children. I hate corporations and the stock market. I hate making money at the expense of others. I hate governments that are bought by capitalists and I hate colleges that are bought and sold at the expense of students.

Let it Slide……
Slide guitar, chill out, passion. The band name. It is what it is-because you got that cute way of walking.

Canvas……..
I would die in the ocean
Baby I’d die in the sea
Hold me so close in your ocean
Lift me up rescue me

Another gospel tune.

One American………
This is the rawest of tunes. With my life, I know of confessionals and psychotherapy. I know the brain re-imagines itself every second. Here is the result. I don’t know anymore. I don’t pretend to know anymore.
I don’t know how to be a leader
I don’t know how to be your strong
A good friend
Seems like I get it wrong

I need you to help me baby
Can you show me the way
I can’t make it one more hour
One more day
I need you to show me
The way

Each and Every Time………
Deeper than it first sounds. This is a song about many relationships and perspectives. Each verse was written twice from mine and the other’s perspective. Yet, it is just a tune, right?
If I ever smoke weed again, I’d love to get high with Willie.

THANK YOU My family and friends, all of you seem so big and bright. To all the players that taught me and gave me life. Tod and Bob, the original Hamsters. Cesar Chavez and Harper and Arsenal fans for additional vocals. Julian plays Fender, Gretsch, Guild, Epiphone guitars; Fender and KMD amplifiers; all different slides but mainly Mudslide; CryBaby and Digitech.