The Burgoo Boys - The Ballad Of Elon

We're not surprised at all that the The Burgoo Boys would eventually have a political commentary song to go with their social commentary ones.  And there's much about the inclusion of Elon Musk in government to comment on. He's been somewhat out of the news since the big blow up with President Trump, but we can expect that he'll be back.  It looks like he enjoyed being in the limelight. Maybe he no longer will be satisfied to direct his attention to electric cars and rocket ships alone, but return for more to say. And when he does, somebody will probably write a song about that as well!   

 

 

There was a man from a foreign land 

Who had an ass full of money 

He took a stand, and he had a plan 

To rescue our great country 

 

 Bought a spot in the administration 

 $300 million he paid out 

To a man convicted and conflicted 

And helped the criminal win out 

 

So he got free rein with a chain saw

 And cut all the waste, fraud that he saw

 But one area that he didn’t react 

Where he had a government contract 

 

 The beauty was that he wasn’t elected 

And answered to only one man 

He ran rough shod over many 

All across this sprawling land 

 

Who in their right mind could think 

That a man from South Africa 

With beliefs in authority 

Would be good for America? 

 

We saw him jump and leap about 

Buzzed up on drugs that made him flout 

No emotional intelligence 

Lacking in due diligence 

 

He had to quit the government

 When Tesla went in the crapper 

And rocket ships for outer space 

Blew up and parts that scatter 

 

Then he threw a big hissy fit 

About the great beautiful turd 

Said it increases the deficit 

And told his ex boss all the word

 

 In a fight that was to beheld 

Two men calling names and yelled 

Elon could no way come out best

 Ended up shittin' in his nest 

 

Once he held a place of respect 

Now Elon inhabits limbo 

With the village idiot 

Calling him a bimbo! 

 

Elon has seen he has done wrong 

He’s tried and tried to kiss the ring 

But the Dumpster has wrote him off 

So Elon can’t kiss anything 

 

But with zero empathy 

With morals like an alley cat

 People can finally see 

And an ego big and fat 

 

Stick to your goddam rocket ships 

Done damage to most everyone 

With ideas of cutting cost 

And Dump is the guy that has won! 

 

 There was a man from a foreign land... 

Who had an ass full of money... 

He took a stand, and he had a plan... 

To rescue our great country 

MORE LIKE RUN IT IN THE GROUND FOR A TAX BREAK!

 

Ada Shymore And The Boogie Men - The Band, A Drink, My Ears, And Me

Ada Shymore And The Boogie Men had to explore until they found what really suits them as a band,and Ada as a singer. A light, jazzy sound seems to be a good fit. The band is versatile enough to play different styles of music, and she's got a voice that adapts to different styles as well. They continue to work with arrangers and other music groups to augment their band when needed to very good effect. They're pretty much recording studio artists, have never played much in bars and lounges. And they seem to be fine with that, and so are we!

Going out to a club, listen to some music 

Don't have a date, unless I include me 

I do not want to dance, I do not want to rock 

Want to sip a few drinks, alone and free 

 

The saxophone is gently wooing me 

The soft guitars are gently soothing me 

Don't have any use for anything else 

Just the band, a drink , my ears...and me 

 

 Sitting at a table, paying full attention 

To the music that washes my soul 

I do not want to talk, I do not want to walk 

The music to heal my only goal 

 

The clarinet is crooning so softly 

The piano whispers so softly 

Don't have any use for anything else 

Just the band, a drink , my ears...and me 

 

 As the band takes five, a waiter arrives 

With a drink on his serving tray 

Compliments of the gentleman over there 

And the man starts to head my way. 

 

Bound to happen, sooner or later 

But I don't want any pick up talk 

Don't have any use for anything else 

So I take my ears..myself...and I walk....

 

The Widow Makers - Take No Prisoners

Our resident heavy metal band, The Widow Makers, sent us their latest from across the pond. Seems they're getting more popular in their locality and we're glad to spread their work in the U.S. Most of us here at Big And Tall Records are no what you'd call the biggest of heavy metal fans, but we like to be open minded and give our listeners a good mix of music options.  Like we mentioned in a previous post about this group, their lyrics are dark, and their language is rough (and some of it incomprehensible to many of us old timers!) but there's a definite fan base for this music. We'll continue to keep our ears open for different musicians and music. It's what we do!

 

We don’t take no fuckin’ arse freaks 

We don’t take no poofy darlin’s 

We don’t take the weak or the meek 

We ain’t takin’ any Merlins 

 

Why are we The Widow Makers 

Cuz we don’t give ya no quarter 

Ya follow us, you’ll find out why 

We always make yer women cry! 

 

We don’t take no he man arse holes 

We don’t take no purple Percys 

We don’t take them playin’ game roles 

We ain’t showin’ any mercy! 

 

Ya wanna rock hard, we’ll take ya!

 Wanna fuck things up, we do too 

Cause havoc, anarchy as well 

Do stuff that’s right out a the blue? 

 

We don’t take no dainty doilies 

We don’t like any macho men 

Don’t want disguntled employees 

Ain’t sure, then we’ll tell ya again 

 

We’re fans of ambiguity 

We sure as fuck will not deny 

We’ll rock ya so god dam hard

 You’ll fall over, and ya will die! 

 

Yer woman will see ya sprawled there 

With yer cold dead eyes as they stare 

She’ll run her fingers through yer hair 

Find out half yer skull isn’t there…! 

She’ll start to scream and cry out NO! 

Why ya could not taken it slow! 

It is such a terrible blow 

Yo! Yo! Yo! Yo! 

Are you up there, or down below?

 

Zbig Szafranski - Polska, My Home

By the time we at Big And Tall Records released this song by Zbig Szafranski, he was on his way home to Poland. He had left in the early 1970's for political reasons. His work in Polish resistance to the government then led to him having a price on his head. The group he was involved with slowly grew into the Solidarity movement. He was married with two children at the time, and had been separated from his wife for her and the children's safety for many months. He was in imminent danger of being discovered, and no doubt would have been executed if he had stayed. He was assured by the leaders of the movement that he needed to leave the country and his family would be safe. So he made his way to the U.S. (he still won't tell anyone how he got here) and started to make a new life and awaited the arrival of his family.  months later, he received a letter from Poland that his wife had died in a Gulag.  He never heard a word about his children. 

That was related to us by a band member of The Nude Polka Kings, with which he toured with. The band member said that he hoped his children were still alive, and that he wanted to die in Poland. He's in his late 80's, so it's understandable that he'd want to tie up loose ends. He's sold all his holdings in the tavern and dance hall he ran for over 40 years, so it's reasonable he won't be back. His gravelly, out of tune renditions of Polka songs have been interesting to say the least. And it's of note that he usually ends his songs with some graphic language in Polish, but that doesn't happen here. Just a slow lament of his countries name in Polish - Polska.

I not been to my homeland 

For a very long time ago

 Before I fall over the dead 

I vant to pack it up and go 

 

 I don’t know who is still alive

But I know that my wife is dead 

I getting ready to die myself 

I can’t get Polska out my head 

 

Polska, it is land of my birth 

A peoples wronged in history 

Cheated and robbed all their worth 

But it is still homeland to me

 

 Damn filthy Rosjanie (Russians) 

Damn filthy Niemcy (Germans) 

Invade our homeland take wealth 

 

They never want us to be free 

 So much Polska blood drenched the ground 

Bastards brought so much death and pain 

And nothing has been learned from it all 

For it happens over again... 

 

 Polska, I am still filled with hate 

For peoples wronged in history 

Masters of not their own fate 

Is still my homeland to me 

 

Never should have left long ago 

With promise that my family 

After a short time in hiding 

Would come here eventually 

 

GOD DAMN ROSJANIE! 

WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?

 So many years alone, by myself

 I never see them again... 

 

Polska, I am so ashamed

 For not staying together 

And die all as a family 

Be a family…forever.. 

Polska...Polska...Polska

The Nude Polka Kings - Pigtail Polka

 

The Nude Polka Kings continue there composing efforts towards covering anything imaginable with a polka! This time it's pig tails. Not the kind on a real pig (although even that may be a subject for a polka in the future), but the hairstyle worn by women.  As the only nude polka band in the country, they have probably seen their share of body types and hairstyles, a vast number of subjects for polkas from this creative bunch of polka nuts! This polka slowly gets faster and faster until anyone still dancing at the end of it is going at a pretty good clip. The pig tails would be flying!

They just began their tour of nude polka venues, and believe it or not, they always sell out! We still are gobsmacked that there are so many fans of dancing in the nude! Of course, it must be remembered that the polka culture also embraces all kinds of Eastern European cuisine, and nothing goes better with that than beer! So like many off-beat occurrences, alcohol is involved. And we know that the Slavic heart is open and welcoming, so add that with an alcohol-lubricated mood, perhaps it isn't so strange. 

 

Pretty young girls dance in the Polka Hall 

Dancing and spinning without a care

Golden hair tied in perfect twists 

In pig tailed glory with ribbons fair 

 

 Oh they twirl in their dresses tonight

 As the band plays a happy song 

Young men compete to dance with them 

The song is short, the night is long 

 

 Their feet tap fast on the floor boards 

Rhythms in time with the band 

Accordions sing and the tuba growls 

The couples dance hand in hand 

 

Oh they twirl in their dresses tonight

 As the band plays a happy song 

Young men compete to dance with them 

The song is short, the night is long 

 

 Clarinets sing of the old country 

Slavic memories fill the hall 

Each girl has a handsome partner 

They look in their eyes and start to fall

 

 Oh they twirl in their dresses tonight 

Some older ones will soon be out of them 

They'll sneak away with their partners 

We were young once, so won't condemn! 

 

The younger girls are watched real close

 By parents and chaperones 

They're way too young to start to make

 Any little baby Slavic clones! 

 

 The old Mamas have the keenest eyes 

To watch out that they don't get the chance 

They know just what to look for, indeed they do 

To make sure that their daughters only dance

 

Brisa Caribeña - Chica Chica

 Brisa Caribeña is presently on an American tour and playing to sold out audiences. The lead singer, the comely Sophia Johnson has added her mellow contralto voice to a varied set of songs and dances. The recent lawsuits and counter-lawsuits between the band and their former lead singer are now resolved, so the band can concentrate on making music! 

Their latest song, Chica Chica, is a song warning young women about the predatory type of man that populates music halls and dance venues.  Regrettably this is still a problem, and the band no doubt has seen these kinds of men and found it necessary to give a warning to the young, good looking, and gullible.  

Some men at the dancing places

 Look for young ones to corrupt 

Keep eyes open, be aware

Once they get started they won't stop 

 

 Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

Watch out for his glance 

Do not take the chance 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

 

These men are like a raptor 

Look for the innocent and sweet 

Swoop on you before you know it 

Try to sweep you off your feet 

 

 Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 Are not what they seem 

Just like a bad dream 

 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 They like the girls underage 

Those that pass as much older 

A smile, a dance, and eye wink 

A start to getting bolder 

 

Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

Jewelry and chains 

Predatory brains 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

 

Looking for a young conquest 

Bragging rites to other scum 

Ruin your lives they don't care

 Tell you you're the only one 

 

Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 Awfully bad and mean 

Evil in their jeans 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 

Un Grupo de Mexicali - The Hombre They Call TACO!

 We here at Big And Tall Records got a call from one of the members of Un Grupo de Mexicali informing us that the tour of the U.S. they had planned in late summer has been canceled. They weren't shy about telling us why either. They do not feel comfortable crossing the border right now because of the current administration's policy towards non-citizens, no matter if they are here legally or not. We had a long talk, but he was adamant. No crossing the border until things lighten up or change. 

We can't say that we blame them. We're sure that the group has all of their paperwork,passports, visas, and Border Crossing Cards up to date as they have been touring in this country for the past 5 years.  But that is little comfort once the actions of the current administration are considered. The group has always given a full itinerary of their tours, along with exact dates to leave the country and have never had an issue. But they won't take the chance now.

That was news that really bummed us out. We like the group and their music, a really friendly bunch who all speak English of varying qualities but quite understandable. But that doesn't mean they aren't sending us recordings! This latest from them The Hombre They Call TACO! is a jab at things the way they are, and we're happy to let their displeasure be known!  

Do amigos in the States have a new leader? 

We hear of him the other day from all the news feeder 

Who is the brand new man we no have heard of before? 

Is a strange name, por favore we hear it more and more? 

 

The hombre they call TACO, is he from Mexico?

 Is that his real name or not, we really want to know! 

Also call him orange chicken, but we don't know what it means? 

Is he Mexicanos, and like to eat pinto beans 

 

 Heard of the hombre Elon, leader of the doge army 

And someone name of Pedro, boss of the real army 

But who is orange chicken, it is a mystery? 

Is it just a nickname, or is it a secretary? 

 

The hombre they call TACO, is he a real thing 

The United States gets stranger, then we ever seen 

Trump is such a strange man, that we surely know 

But who is this hombre TACO, we want to know! 

 

 Does TACO work in tariffs, it would be very nice 

He knows what of he doing, Trump take his advise 

To tell him that commerce is for all of us too 

Not just for lining pockets of him, family too 

 

The hombre they call TACO, AYE, is Trump himself! 

There will be no advising, good he give himself! 

We know orange chicken, we know what it means 

He is no Mexicanos, and fool of pinto beans 

 

The hombre they call TACO, AYE, is Trump himself! 

Trump Always Chicken Out! All by himself! 

So he is orange chicken too, AYE, AYE, AYE AYE! 

We all can kiss our culo, BYE, BYE, BYE!!

 

Amos Carter - Rubber Neckers

 The latest from Amos Carter and his crew, a simple little song about rubber neckers. You know, thepeople who insist on holding up traffic of one kind or another to gawk at an accident or something else. Admittedly they can be not only annoying, but a danger in themselves. But as Amos warns us all in the song, we all got rubber necker behavior in us. Be aware! Don't become one yourself! 

Yeah yer bound to see 'em out on the road

In a car, or a truck haulin' grain 

Whatever you see out on the street 

Could have one drivin', what a pain! 

 

 Somethin' out of the corner their eye 

Derails their attention on the road 

Could be a gopher, could be a wreck 

Hitch hiker or a busted commode 

 

The rubber neckers, traffic breakers! 

What the hell is so dang important? 

It's a risky behavior on the road 

Get some better safety deportment! 

 

 Other day a man riding' a bike 

Wearin' speedos, lights on his spokes 

In front of me, shakin' and weavin' 

I thought he was havin' a stroke! 

 

 He was rubber neckin' like crazy 

Thought was gonna untwist his fool head 

It's contagious, you'll do it too 

You'll turn into a danger instead! 

 

The rubber neckers, traffic breakers! 

What the hell is so dang important?

 It's a risky behavior on the road 

Get some better safety deportment! 

 

It's true, I know from experience 

Human beings nosey by nature 

There's a rubber necker inside you 

Were made that way by the creator 

 

But ya gotta learn to stifle it 

Rubber neckin' can be a habit 

Look at anything but what ya should 

Whether it's a shoe or a rabbit! 

 

 The rubber neckers, traffic breakers! 

What the hell is so dang important? 

It's a risky behavior on the road 

Get some better safety deportment! 

 

 It's true, I know from experience 

Human beings nosey by nature 

There's a rubber necker inside you 

Were made that way by the creator 

 

But ya gotta learn to stifle it 

Rubber neckin' can be a habit 

Look at anything but what ya should 

Whether it's a shoe or a rabbit! 

 

The rubber neckers, traffic breakers! 

What the hell is so dang important?

 It's a risky behavior on the road 

Get some better safety deportment! 

 

 Rubber neckers! Traffic breakers! 

Don't become one yerself!

 

Delmar Gentry - I'll Think It Over, Son

Ben the mule and Delmar's Dad

 We here at Big And Tall Records didn't know what to expect after we heard Delmar's previous song that expressed his tension and stress over his father's visit to his ranch. We gathered from the song that his father did not agree with him retiring to Arizona and buying a horse ranch, and that they hadn't been very close for quite a while. So we were pleasantly surprised with this new song that relates how his father embraced the change and enjoyed his stay so much that he stayed longer than he expected.  

At the end of the song it tells how Delmar has invited his Dad to come live with him on the ranch, so there's not an end to the story yet! Delmar has quite an extended family already, as he's got Marie his housekeeper and cook and her mother living there, along with Doyle and Blanche Harseth, former owner of the ranch, and Amos Carter, ranch hand and double bass player! Not to mention 5 horses, a mule, and two dogs! Evidently Delmar's father likes animals and took a shine to the latest critter addition, Ben the mule!

My Dad just left from his visit 

What a great time we all had 

Only thing he said, he wanted 

Quit calling him Pa call him Dad 

 

 I worried to a right frazzle 

Hadn't been close in a long while 

Couldn't believe he's turned mellow 

Met me at the door with a smile 

 

Introduced him to all the folks 

That keeps this whole ranch working well 

We sat and talked all that first night 

All had lots of stories to tell 

 

I worried to a right frazzle 

Hadn't been close in a long while 

Couldn't believe he's turned mellow 

Met me at the door with a smile 

 

 I was really all a dazzled 

With the way my Dad looked so good 

Quit the law but a few years past 

Still tall and lean, from where he stood 

 

Days went by, we talked, understood 

What made each one of us tick 

No insinuations at all 

Could've knocked me dumb, with a stick 

 

 Spent lots of time with the critters 

Knew he liked them from way back when 

But his favorite one of them 

Was the mule we just got, name of Ben 

 

I worried to a right frazzle 

Hadn't been close in a long while 

Couldn't believe he's turned mellow 

Met me at the door with a smile 

 

Dad got up early, like I knew 

Marie fixed him coffee and toast 

Then he'd head on out to the barn 

To see the mule he liked the most 

 

I worried to a right frazzle 

Hadn't been close in a long while 

Couldn't believe he's turned mellow 

Met me at the door with a smile 

 

Time flew by, and he had to leave 

He'd stayed longer than he guessed 

I made an open invitation 

To come to my adopted west 

 

 As I saw his plane slowly rise 

I confess I choked up a might 

Not one harsh word we spoke 

No misunderstandings, or fight 

 

Dad's my hero, before and now 

I was sure proud to be his son 

Made an offer, come live with us 

He scratched his chin, said 

"I'll think it over, son."

 

The Noir Players - Changes (Tugboat Jackson Cover)

The Noir Players latest is the second cover of our blues  artist Tugboat Jackson's song Changes. This
one transforms the blues song into a mini-opera for orchestra and a particularly rich and deep female vocal. It's interesting in that the music is changed considerably while the lyrics are verbatim from the original. The content as well as the lyrical possibilities are myriad, and we at Big And Tall Records are proud of Tugboat's talent and the talent of those who have chosen to make their version of his song. Tugboat himself remains humbled by the experience as he writes:

When I wrote the song, I noodled out words and chords together for a laid back blues tune, something different than my previous few songs that were a lot more intense. The Noir Players version really blows me away, as well as Sonny Hotchkins version does, although it's a hell of a lot different. Tell ya, don't know what it is about the lyrics that speak to other musicians so much that they're inspired to create their own versions. Sure wasn't intentional I can tell ya'll that!  I am honored and humbled at the same time!

 

The way the world is can be troublin’ 

Yeah, it shore as hell can be troublin’ 

Ya gotta take a side, but keep it in stride 

Or your own troubles you’ll be doublin’ 

 

 There is a great need for big change

 But remember we all are resistant 

Keep all your desires in range 

Try your be to be persistent 

 

 If you think that change is needed

 Really think that change is needed 

Whatever you do, change pertains to you 

Things to bring it about heeded! 

 

 Make every effort for compassion 

Sometimes it’s very hard to do

 Isn’t always the trending fashion 

With some no matter what you do 

 

Gotta do what you can to be stable

 Make the effort to keep yourself stable

 Passion is fine, but keep it in line 

Do it the best that you are able 

 

On occasion, say to hell with it all! 

Yeah, just say to hell with it all! 

Keep it understood, that life still is good 

Cherish things in your life that are small 

 

Every generation has its ills 

For sho, generations all have their ills 

You’ll wonder what for, we still fightin’ war

 After history shows all that it’s killed 

 

 Keep fightin’ on for things that are right

 But take a break from all of the trends 

Enjoy whatever gets you through the night

 And your family, neighbors , and friends

 

Tugboat Jackson - Lollygaggin'

 Tugboat's back after a brief illness that required surgery, but he doesn't sound worse for wear with this new song Lollygaggin'. We pretty much know what the word means, but just for the hell of it we googled it and got this result:

"Lollygagging" is a colloquial term that means to dawdle, waste time, or fool around. It's essentially a playful or informal way of saying someone is not being serious or productive.

That sure seems to be what Tugboat's singing about. An  old guy, retired, doin' old retired guy stuff of no consequence. Good one, Tugger!

The years done caught right up to me 

Yeah, they done caught right up to me 

Places was flat, now rolls of fat 

That saps me of my energy 

 

My big ol' ass just got bigger 

My ass got bigger and bigger 

Hair was once wild, now sparse and mild 

Really cuttin' quite the figger 

 

But I do not care all that much 

That the bags under my eyes sag 

I've got an important duty 

To do nothin' but lollygag! 

 

 Used to do the nasty all night 

Now takes all night to get it right 

You know that is the way it goes 

Takes me hour to get out mah clothes!

 

 But what the hell is the difference? 

I ain't a rip roarin' young stag! 

Still got an important duty 

To do nothin' but lollygag! 

 

So ya'll got lots for me to do? 

Say, lots of stuff for me to do? 

I wasn't fired, I retired 

So it's gotta wait 'til I'm through 

 

I know ya'll might think it's a drag 

Yeah, you jest might think it's a drag 

Toein' the line, takes all my time 

To do nothin' but lollygag! 

 

Don't be thinkin' that it's easy 

Gettin' up with the risin' sun 

Without a thang at all to do

 By sundown got only half done 

 

So ya'll got lots for me to do?

 Say, lots of stuff for me to do?

 I wasn't fired, I retired 

So it's gotta wait 'til I'm through 

 

 Lollygaggin', a lost art form 

Lollygaggin', not for everyone 

Lollygaggin' take ya by storm

 Lollygaggin's tirin'... but lots of fun!

 

Boxcar Bertha - Light Fingered Moses

 The third recording from the storyteller Boxcar Bertha. After thirty years riding the rails, she's no doubt has a lot of stories to tell, and when she wants to tell them in song, we'll record them! She now lives in a small efficiency apartment, and is trying to get used to it. We talked to her recently:

I'm lucky to be able to get off the road. Ridin' the rails isn't for old folks, and it's gettin' harder and harder to do. I did work off an on, one time at a two year stretch. Got pretty good pay, socked most of it away for my old age. Got a nice apartment, but I'm feeling hemmed in .When you're used to  sleeping wherever you can lay your head, usually under the stars, having a comfortable bed should be a comfort. But there's most night I make a bedroll and go sleep outside. Put some of the other tenants in a dither when I started doing that. They thought I'd died out in the front yard! But they don't bother me any more. But I'm slowly gettin' used to a bed, spoiled, actually. Lots easier to get some rest for my old weary bones on a nice mattress than the hard ground!

The word has gotten out to many of her hobo friends, as there's a constant stream of them coming to her apartment, most looking for a handout. She told us she had to finally cut off giving them anything, as she went through too much money. But there are some true friends that just want to visit. 

Many years ago, there was a young man 

He had a talent he used to survive 

A Bo on the rails since he was full growed 

He had the fastest hands, ever alive 

 

Light fingered Moses was his hobo name 

His touch was so soft, his hands so nimble 

He lived by takin’ things out of folk’s pockets 

He wore a tattered hat, was his symbol 

 

 Moses was a veteran, of the rails 

He sure didn’t look it, with his young face 

He kept a small book of where he had been 

Many an obscure, and familiar place 

 

Light fingered Moses was his hobo name 

His touch was so soft, his hands so nimble 

He lived by takin’ things out of folk’s pockets 

He wore a tattered hat, was his symbol 

 

 He’s go in a store, or gas station 

Looked innocent casin’ out the store 

He’d swipe stuff out of pockets, off the shelves 

Cigarettes and candy, and so much more 

 

 Light fingered Moses was his hobo name 

His touch was so soft, his hands so nimble 

He lived by takin’ things out of folk’s pockets 

He wore a tattered hat, was his symbol

 

 Don’t know how he did it, but he sure could

 Beat the alarm systems in the big stores 

He’d look all around, and find some cool stuff 

He’d stuff his pockets, and go out the doors 

 

Light fingered Moses, no one ever caught 

Didn’t matter if from a pocket or shelf 

Always had something, in his coat to share 

Thought about others just not ‘bout himself 

 

He was a thief, but not from a Bo 

Had some thought about things, and he took a stand

 Hobos to him were like a family 

He took things solely, only from the man! 

 

 Light fingered Moses, always was great fun 

Could sing like a country western star 

And he could really dance, just like a pro 

Even could play, a little of guitar 

 

Then on one sunny day, Sheriff came lookin’ 

Moses hid and thought he was a goner 

Rest of us in camp, wondered what it was 

Sheriff said it was a lawyer’s letter 

 

Ended up that Moses didn’t know it 

But he had rich relative that died 

Named him in the unknown relatives will 

Sure wasn’t no reason to run and hide! 

 

Ended up ol’ Moses got some money 

And he told me and all the other men 

He’d see us soon, and pass some money out 

But never saw his ragged ass again! Haa Haa!!

 

Travis V. McGonigle - The Barber Of Paducah Act I, Scene 1

Travis V. McGonigle

At last, after months and months of work, the first section of the opera The Barber Of Paducah by Travis V. McGonigle is done (at least in a working copy) and recorded! The composer, a notoriously cranky man in his nineties, has been amazingly productive for his age. He has completely revised both lyrics and music from the original first written in the late 1940's. The music itself is traditionalesque, but definitely quirky like the composer himself. And the lyrics are even more so. But this first scene of Act I shows his determination to get a fully revised copy finished before he goes. His health remains fragile, as is expected for his age, but his resolve is not. Early on, the tenor Luigi Trasudante, the moving force behind the project, tried to ease some of the burden from the composer in various ways, but was promptly put in his place by McGonigle. Everyone working with him found out he is in charge, and any hint of taking away control or decisions from him have been met with scathing replies. This ha resulted in the original conductor removing himself from the project, along with some others. Now the team is devoted to carrying out his wishes, no matter how  eccentric they are. 

This first recording is of ACT I, Scene 1, and the complete libretto for this section may be found here. The following is a synopsis and commentary on the music and settings:

ACT I

Scene 1: At The Barbershop 

Luigi and his brother Antonio have opened a barbershop in Paducah, Kentucky and offer lots more services than just hair cuts and shaves. There is no overture to open the opera, but the orchestra plays a very small introduction to Luigi the barber's first aria that welcomes new patrons to the shop.  

Luigi's aria - Come On Into My Shop 

This area shows right away that this opera won't be the rarefied language or atmosphere of a classical opera. It is McGonigle's version of a patter song, although the tempo is not excessive, the words come forth fast and close together. All their services tells why they can only stay in a town for a certain amount of time. The law usually catches up to the sooner or later, and the husband's that figure out what's going on threaten real harm.

 

Soon their barbershop has a large growing clientele that enjoy all the amenities the brothers provide. A group of the march to the barbershop after work to relax. A short march in a traditional style.

March of the patrons 

When they arrive, they all engage in singing their praises of Luigi and the shop

Chorus - The barbershop, our safe haven 

 Illegally sold alcohol, illegal gambling, and illegal prostitution is praised by the patrons of the barbershop in this section for men's chorus. It also alludes to Luigi's aid in convincing the wives to let the men stay at the shop. When the wives call, many times Luigi will go to their house to explain, sometimes he's gone for over an hour. Either these guys are dumb or don't care what's going on. This is one area where this opera is like any opera; a certain amount of suspension of reality is needed.

Three months goes by since the opening of the barbershop, and the two brothers are making lots of money. This is portrayed by a waltz.

Luigi's Waltz  

 A waltz in mixed minor and major keys that leads to Luigi's second aria

Luigi Aria - How Much Better Is It Gonna Get? 

 Luigi counts the money earned for the day and is amazed at how much they're making, and at the expense of some very 'stupid hilly billies'. This give a further glimpse into the lecherous and deceitful heart that Luigi has.

 

While Luigi gloats over the money and calls his patrons stupid, his brother 
Antonio has been mopping up to finish the day before they close the shop. Antonio is a big, lumbering man unlike his brother who is of average stature. McGonigle portrays Antonio mopping the floor with what he calls

Antonio - Mop The Floor Interlude

Horns, trombones, and a tuba portray the rather clumsy Antonio. They lead into an aria by Antonio

Aria - That's all well and good

Antonio is more even tempered and practical, and warns Luigi about his philandering, a warning that has been given many times and to deaf ears.

 

End of Scene 1

 

Percy McCoy - Love Of My Life

There's definitely been a change in Percy McCoy. He's recorded some pretty raunchy songs for us in the past, but slowly they've been changing, until we come to this latest one from his pen. With no vulgarity in the lyrics, it marks a first for Percy,and the reason for the change is the little person he met and has fallen in love with. We wondered what kind of a turn this would take, knowing his past, but this must be very special. Evidently they've worked through some of the problems of the heigth differences (she's a little peson) between them, as well as some of the other differences. 

Percy still works as a master machinist craftsman making tools and dies, and his lady is a trained para-legal that has just returned to work after moving to a different area after a contentious divorce. Percy has got a good-ol'-boy upbringing, but that doesn't mean he's not a smart guy. He's a voracious reader, and there's a lot of education and training that goes into being a tool and die maker. And his recordings show his talent in music and lyric writing. 

Been with a few girl friends, and four wives 

Never knew what true love really is 

'Til I met this girl, love of my life 

It was nothing but a fleeting bliss 

She listens, pays attention to me 

Tries to understand where I am at

 Patient, and loving, not judgmental 

Even when we have a small spat

 

 The love I feel from this little one

 Puts all of the others to shame 

Feel it every day, and I'm glad to say 

I'm sure in love with her all the same

 

 If love could be measured in stature 

She would be well over six foot tall 

Over me, and I am six foot four 

But it doesn't work that way at all 

She’s just so petite, and really sweet 

Attractive to me in every way 

Can be a challenge it is so true 

But those issues just dissolve away 

 

 The love I feel from this little one 

I cherish in my heart every day 

When I kiss her lips, my heart does the flips 

And puts all of my worries at bay 

 

She's changed me for the good, I know it 

Gave me self respect, and for her too 

Time was in the past, songs turned nasty 

With all of that I think I am through 

They'll be none of our personal actions 

Sure none of our sexuality 

Leave it to all imaginations

 All I'll say, she really attracts me! 

 

The love I feel from this little one

 Continues to amaze me so much

 As sure as I'm born, I'm no more forlorn

I crave all her love and her touch

 

The Widow Makers - We're The Widow Makers

One of our associates travels to Great Britain across the pond once a year on vacation, and one night he had a chance to see a local band in the town he was in. He went, he liked them, the band had a file of one of their songs so he sent it along to us.  This associate is a big fan of Hard Rock music, and we'll have to take his word for it, as we don't really know the exacty genre it is. But it's pretty loud and has a pounding beat. This is the first recording of this type of band for us here at Big And Tall Records, so we decided what the hell, let's give it a shot! The band's name is The Widow Makers, and our associate sent along pictures of them, but he assured us they're decent lads, just like to listen to and play 'kick ass music' (no doubt a technical term!) It's early yet, but there's been some definate interest in the recording. So we may be adding more artists to our catalog!

We're the band the widow makers 

We're for real we ain't no fakers 

Come join us or we'll just take yas 

We don't want no fuckin' wankers! 

 

Been 'round a few times, yeah! 

Never ones for playing games no! 

Kick yer teeth dawn ya bloody throat 

Smash all yer face watch the blood flow

 

 We're the band the widow makers 

We're for real we ain't no fakers 

Come join us or we'll just take yas 

We don't want no fuckin' wankers! 

 

 We bust our nuts makin' music 

We treat our women just like whores 

We come from bloody Great Britain 

Sure ain't no goddam fuckin' bores! 

 

We're the band the widow makers 

We're for real we ain't no fakers 

Come join us or we'll just take yas 

We don't want no fuckin' wankers!! 

 

We'll steal yer fuckin' women, yeah! 

Then shove them back when we're all through 

But they won't want you anymore 

After us, they'll throw rocks at you! 

 

We're the band the widow makers 

We're for real we ain't no fakers 

Come join us or we'll just take yas 

We don't want no fuckin' wankers!

 

The Burgoo Boys - Feed 'Em Beans!

The Burgoo Boys give some more home-spun profound (and profane) wisdom about dealing with the complexities of life accompanied by some really fine bluegrass pickin'.  We think we've got them slowed down enough for most people to follow them. They're such virtuosos on their instruments that playing fast (warp speed fast) is not only possible, but preferable for them. These guys can burn up guitar strings and banjo skins when they really let loose! 

When beset by troubles and worries 

What helps get you get back straight and through it 

Us Burgoo boys have a foolproof way 

And it helps more than jest a little bit 

We say 

 

 Fuck 'em one and all, and feed 'em beans! 

Kill 'em all off, but spare jest six 

Them half dozen be the pallbearers 

Then hit 'em in the head with some bricks 

 

 This life can be like a hemorrhoid 

A really right pain in the ass 

Be like a stubborn kidney stone 

Hurts like hell 'til it decides to pass 

So we say 

 

Fuck 'em one and all, and feed 'em beans! 

Slap 'em long side the head, do it quick! 

No worries 'bout hurtin' them at all 

If ya can, do it with a big stick! 

 

On the job, got a prick for a boss

 That ain't such a peculiar switch 

Don't matter who they are, what they say

 Ain't nothin' but a son of a bitch 

So say to yerself 

 

Fuck 'em one and all, and feed 'em beans! 

They irritate, and it ain't no fluke! 

Ya cain't really tell 'em off that's true 

Git it out yer system 'fore ya puke! 

 

 Ain't suggestin' ya'll get violent 

Jest givin' idears to vent yer spleens 

Meet so many holier than thous 

Mealy mouthers , and drama queens 

So ya'll can say 

 

 Fuck 'em one and all, and feed 'em beans! 

Shut 'em up, gimme a goddam break 

Too many people can fuck ya over 

Take care of yerself, fer heaven's sake! 

 

 Fuck 'em one and all, and feed 'em beans!

 Kill 'em all off, but spare jest six 

Them half dozen be the pallbearers 

Then hit 'em in the head with some bricks