Category: Singer-Songwriter

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Marty Balin/Comin’ Back to Me


A beautiful rendition of the Jefferson Airplane folk rock song, “Comin’ Back to Me” from the Surrealistic Pillow album, written by the late Marty Balin.

Marty performing with his band at Jorma’s place in Pomeroy, Ohio 2014.

He goes to prepare a place for us.

Comin’ Back to Me

The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin’ back to me

One begins to read between the pages of a book
The shape of sleepy music, and suddenly you’re hooked
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin’ back to me

You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won’t go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been

A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn’t begun
I saw you, yes, I saw you
Comin’ back to me

Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realized I’ve been there before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin’ back to me

Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you comin’ back to me

Songwriter: Marty Balin

Comin’ Back to Me Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

 



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She Remembers Everything – Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash is set to release her first new album in nearly five years, She Remembers Everything, on November 2nd.

In the wake of the latest tsunami of survivor stories, Cash has had to contend with the fact that much of what she hoped would change across her lifetime really hasn’t.  It’s a reality that is reflected in her deliberate embrace of women’s narratives on the new album.

“There is a woman’s real life, complex experiences and layered understanding in these songs,” Rosanne says. “I could not have written them 10 years ago—not even close. Time is shorter, I have more to say.”

Rosanne has released two songs from ‘She Remembers Everything;’ the haunting title track, and “Everyone But Me,” an exquisite mosaic of generational grief and reckoning.

In addition to the ten-song release, a deluxe version of ‘She Remembers Everything’ with three bonus tracks will be released digitally and as a limited edition casebound book CD.

Fans will also have the option to purchase a limited edition box set entitled the ‘She Remembers Everything Memory Box,’ which will include personal letters of correspondence signed by Rosanne, and exchanged between her and T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Sam Phillips, Joe Henry, Tucker Martine, and John Leventhal; an exclusive Rosanne Cash Live at SFJAZZ CD, recorded in 2017 and featuring Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams; ‘She Remembers Everything’ pressed to pink vinyl; the deluxe casebound CD with three extra tracks; and a digital download redemption card.

The box will also include a copy of ‘Bird On A Blade’ (UT Press), a new book of lyrics and illustration by Rosanne Cash and Dan Rizzie, along with an 8” x 10” printed lithograph featuring an original Rizzie illustration from the book.

You may Pre-order Here.

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Ana Silvera – Oracles

Today’s music gem…

From  ana_silvera’s  Instagram Page:

It took 7 years for the songs inside my head to reach the fingers of my hands and vocal cords and for my mind to unearth the stories and images that would eventually merge with the melodies in my head… plus many mistakes and revisions and to do lists and the help of kind supporters that would eventually result in THIS physical manifestation of Oracles that is sitting on the shelves of record stores worldwide waiting to find their owners! ☺️

As any self-respecting hippie (and Rudolf Steiner) will tell you, 7-year cycles are significant, marking an inner shift in consciousness.

Give a listen to these 7 songs and evolve playfully under the tree.

 

 

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Steve Perry Returns!

The Music of Our Heart is overjoyed to share with my readers and music fans everywhere that Steve Perry has returned with his first recording after 25 years!

The anticipation started yesterday morning with an Internet tease from Steve Perry on Twitter which I just had to retweet.

I then got an e-mail an hour ago from Steve Perry and Concord Music.

Steve Perry Announces New Album, TRACES
Available October 5th!

Traces

Read Steve Perry’s personal message about Traces from his heart to ours.

Then watch the video for his brand new single, “No Erasin'”

Placing my Pre-Order now!

I Know It’s Been A Long Time Comin’…
Years ago, I disappeared. There were many reasons, but mainly…
My Love for Music had suddenly left me.
I knew that simply stopping, was what I had to do.
If music was ever to return to my heart,
then and only then I would figure out what to do.
If not… so be it,
for I had already lived the dream of dreams.
Many years passed.
One day, I began sketching some musical ideas
with the creative freedom that I was the
only one who would ever hear them.
One song led to many.
My Love for Music had returned.
Then another beautiful thing happened.
I found Love.
My precious Kellie gave me a life
I never knew I had.
I lost her December of 2012.
I now deeply understand the meaning of:
“’It’s better to have Loved and Lost,
Than to have never Loved at All.”
May of 2015,
I began recording.
These songs are special to me.
I respectfully ask that you please listen to them,
And whatever they make you feel,
I thank you for listening.Sincerely,
Steve Perry 

Track Listing:

1. “No Erasin’”
2. “We’re Still Here”
3. “Most Of All”
4. “No More Cryin’”
5. “In The Rain”
6. “Sun Shines Gray”
7. “You Belong To Me”
8. “Easy To Love”
9. “I Need You”
10. “We Fly”

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Paul Simon – In the Blue Light

The new album In The Blue Light shines fresh perspectives on 10 of Paul Simon’s favorite (though perhaps less-familiar) songs from his unparalleled body of work. Discover new insight and energy in compositions like “Can’t Run But,” “Darling Lorraine,” “One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor” and “Questions For The Angels,” revisited here by Simon and a talented cast of musicians, including jazz icons Wynton Marsalis, Bill Frisell, Steve Gadd and Jack DeJohnette, as well as New York-based modern chamber sextet yMusic, currently accompanying Simon and his band on Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour.

“This album consists of songs that I thought were almost right, or were odd enough to be overlooked the first time around,” he said in a statement. “Re-doing arrangements, harmonic structures, and lyrics that didn’t make their meaning clear, giving me time to clarify in my head what I wanted to say, or realize what I was thinking and make it more easily understood.”

This will be Simon’s 14th solo studio album, following 2016’s Stranger to Stranger.

Produced by Paul Simon and Roy Halee, In The Blue Light is available everywhere on Friday, September 7.

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The Tree of Forgiveness – John Prine

Years ago I worked for Microsoft as a Systems Engineer. There was a poster in the cafeteria  with an ad slogan that said, “Where Do You Want To Go Today?” The year was 1994 when I discovered the World Wide Web was available through a browser on my computer and a dial-up modem. It was the jump to hyperspace.

Each new day renews the online quest to discover a new music source or reacquaint with an old friend from over the years.

This morning I’m connecting with John Prine who released his new album yesterday, The Tree of Forgiveness.  His first album of new original songs in 13 years that dropped on Friday the 13th 😉

The star-making machinery is actively underway with John Prine appearing on Late Night with Stephen Colbert.  Watch John Prine, Brandi Carlile, and Sturgill Simpson perform the first single from the album, “Summers End”.

Think I’ll make this a John Prine Saturday out of respect for an old friend.

OhBoy

 

 

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Don McLean’s Botanical Gardens

Don McLean has released a new album Botanical Gardens. It is his 19th studio album and first in 8 years.

The inspiration for the project started years ago when I would walk in the beautiful gardens in Sydney Australia near the Opera House. I would dream young dreams and it was a comfort and an inspiration. I was always young inside like we all are, and I felt it again there. – Don McLean

Don McLean recently conducted an interview where he discusses the depth and purpose of the songs on Botanical Gardens.  It’s noteworthy to hear an artist share their muse. I am struck to learn that Don McLean is not a set list focused artist and that he reinvents himself on stage each night.

Being of similar age and temperament I am mindful of what Don McLean is saying about the passage of time. His personal reflections echo my sentiments. I found his words a comfort and a blessing.

Don McLean Electronic Press Kit Interview – Interview conducted by and shoot directed by Bob Sarles. DP: Craig Spirko. Audio and media management by Jack Morris.

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Bob Seger – I Knew You When (Deluxe Edition)

A teaser video below features five songs from the next Bob Se album: “Busload of Faith”, “I Knew You When”, “Blue Ridge”, “Democracy” and “Gracile”.  The album will be available in stores and via streaming services this Friday, November 17th.

It is his 18th studio album in 49 years for Capitol Records.

The cover shot may be from the photo sessions for his second album, Noah, as I notice its the same suit 😉

 

Earlier this year, Seger’s GREATEST HITS album was certified diamond by the RIAA for achieving 10 million units sold in the U.S.

BOB SEGER
I KNEW YOU WHEN
(Capitol Records)
Release Date: November 17th
Produced by Bob Seger

TRACKLISTING

  1. Gracile (2:48)
  2. Busload of Faith (4:32)
  3. The Highway (3:38)
  4. I Knew You When (3:53)
  5. I’ll Remember You (3:48)
  6. The Sea Inside (4:14)
  7. Marie (3:26)
  8. Runaway Train (4:10)
  9. Something More (3:47)
  10. Democracy (6:32)
  11. Forward Into The Past (4:12) (Deluxe Album only)
  12. Blue Ridge (3:50) (Deluxe Album only)
  13. Glenn Song (2:49) (Deluxe Album only)
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Our 50 Year Journey with Livingston Taylor

I was chuffed to find out that our warm friend Livingston Taylor is celebrating 50 years as a musician, performer, and educator. Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 18th, will officially be declared “Livingston Taylor Day” by both Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. It gave me pause as I reflected on what Livingston Taylor has meant to our lives.

My wife and I have been dedicated fans of Liv’s music for 47 years. We have been blessed by Livingston’s charm and wit 10 times in concert.

I recall the first concert at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, in July of 1970. Livingston Taylor was the opening act for Jethro Tull and unknown musician to us but he melted our hearts quickly. He sat directly on a stool in front of us playing acoustic guitar. We became enthralled as Liv sang, “Carolina Day”. We hunted down his first vinyl LP the next day and played it often during our dating years.

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The next concert was three years later, in December 1973 at the University of New Haven. I made arrangements with his manager Don Law to interview Livingston before the concert. I was forced to conduct the interview with a fellow WNHU-FM air personality. I warned this person NOT to mention James Taylor during the interview. I had been warned it infuriated Livingston Taylor to be asked or compared to his brother. That person swore to me he would not do that.

We get to the locker room before the show and Randy Newman, Liv’s opening act is pacing the floor and frequenting the restroom.  He stood off to the side as we interviewed Livingston Taylor. Don’t you know the idiot I am doing the interview with asks Livingston, “So what’s it like to have a famous brother like James? Livingston looks at him and then me and says, “Sorry, interview is over.” I pushed the saboteur off the locker bench, telling him, “Thanks for screwing this up for the station.” Randy Newman then said, “Hey guy, you really blew it for your buddy there.”

Many years later I had a good laugh with Livingston recalling that moment with him at The Towne Crier Cafe in Pawling, NY. We saw him perform there four times, once with his sister Kate Taylor. Livingston was always cordial after the show, willing to sign his CDs and chat with us. We would get seats right next to the stage and order dinner/desert. Livingston would come out of the kitchen, ascend the stage and ask us, “How was the desert? They have the best deserts at The Towne Crier.”

Note: Livingston Taylor will be performing the debut of his new album, Safe Home at the Towne Crier Cafe which is now located in Beacon, N.Y., on Saturday, Jan. 21.

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His signed book Stage Performance has proven invaluable to me as an educator. It has helped me refine how I connnect with my students. I have a peer in music and education with Liv giving me solace 🙂

So that has been our cherished 50-year journey with Livingston Taylor. We’re looking forward to seeing him receive his honors in Boston tomorrow. We won’t be there in person but we will be attending in the music of our hearts.

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