Tugboat Jackson - Us Against Them

 Tugboat Jackson's output has been slim lately, as his attention has been taken up by helping his son manage the hardware store he bought from Tugboat. Tug has also been very busy on his local political scene, and with charity work. His songs usually have a social consciousness  to them, and are but a reflection of the man himself!

The way of these times try to make
I say that these times try to make
Us against them, time and again
But it’s not true, all a mistake

Same ol’ trick to conquer us all
You bet, trick to conquer us all
Bad folks are out, spread fear and doubt
Be under the thumb, big and small

Busy fighting all the others
We’ll fall into the same old crap
Fingers point at friends and brothers
It’s all just used to bait the trap

First the ones come from far away
First immigrants from far away
Put a mean frown, on skin that’s brown
Deport the bastards, far away!

They’re the ones cause all our trouble
Ones that cause all of our trouble
It comes to pass, bet yer sweet ass
Yer the next one, on the bubble

I’m tired of the same ol’ shit!
Through all of our history
Many end up and believe it
Humans end up broken and split

Take heart, it sure will not last
Nope, no way it will ever last
No matter how long, by the time it’s gone
Many freedoms will long be passed

Then we’ll start all over again
Square one, ‘bout all over again
Not much salvage, too much damage
Sure seems to me to be a sin

Blacks and the browns, off color whites
The slum poor, well as the needy
Any one that’s weak for the fight
Be re-conquered by the greedy.
 

Buzzy Carlyle - Who I Am

 Buzzy Carlyle's music, like many musicians, is autobiographical. Buzzy doesn't talk much about his personal life in conversation, and when he sings about it, it can be enigmatic. Gives little hints here and there, but not enough to piece too much together. In this new song he throws a little more out there. For instance, he's referenced his kids before, but only that he had some and doesn't know where they are. Here he confesses that he really didn't care about them, that his focus was on playing the blues, drinking, and drugs. The song has the first references to a wife, or two, or three. Hew admits to being so preoccupied (or high) at the time he doesn't remember.

His Doctor told us that he had some people visit him at the Senior Home he lives in now and offered to help him find any family members they could. Buzzy wasn't interested, told them they probably don't give a damn, don't even know who he is. Buzzy's tone is pretty consistent in that it's difficult to tell what he really feels about it. There are times when you can hear some regret in his voice about the life he's lived, but at other times he just relates how it was, and how he's changed. That is probably why his son gs and his style interests his hard core fans so much. And he can sure play the Delta Blues!

 Been going through life half assed
Said been livin' my life half assed
Always a day late, dollar short
Now most of my life done passed

Gimme a smoke, light up a toke
Nothin' really mattered to me
Tried to go far, playing guitar
And singin' the blues ya see

Had some kids, didn't give a shit
My kids, never did give a shit
Had a wife or two or three
Don't 'member too much of it

Gimme a swig, another gig
The next gin mill down the road
Take a swaller, hoot and holler
All my fears I never showed

Played my soul out, I really did
Sang and played my soul yes I did
Went to the next crummy joint
And kept myself off of the grid

Want to help me, find family
But none of 'em will give a damn
But all the same, I sure can't blame
Them not want to know who I am

Mams Carter - The Blues Done Got Me So Bad

We've heard Mams Carter before on some of Amos Carter's songs, (who happens to be her son) and one other solo. This is the first time we've heard her sing the blues. And she's good! In a song of her own writing,  The Blues Done Got Me So Bad, she accompanies herself on the piano as a string orchestra plays in the background. Her voice is perfect for the song, and displays her understanding of the blues style. Her voice conveys the sadness and anger that goes along with a breakup. Her son gave a little insight into the music:

This song is a follow up to her first solo song, Who Needs It? I know she really loved this guy, and it appeared the feeling was mutual. Outside of her kids and grandkids, Momma has been alone for a long time, so I understood when she started to date. This guy reeled her in, lied left and right and was good at it. Showed her a man that she wanted, but it was an  act. So this song reflects Momma's heartache over loving someone that ended up no good for her, and the breakup.

We have it on Amos' authority that his Mother can play in a lot of different styles, so we hope she shows us more of her versatility in the future!

Had the blues all goddam day long
Been grumpy, all irritated too
I started to sing this song
To try and feel not so blue

The blues... done got me so bad
Sullen and glum, feel so damn bad
I been without him, for so long
Tryin' to cure my sadness...with this song

Rememberin' all the good times
Then the bad memories kick in
Now my unhappy mood still climbs
I thought there's no way we could win

The blues... done got me so bad
Sullen and glum, feel so damn bad
I been without him, for so long
Tryin' to cure my sadness...with this song

Yes, he was a son of a bitch
He lied about so many things
Tried to pull the ol' bait and switch
But the pain of it...still stings!

The blues... done got me so bad
And it makes me so goddam mad!
He's not worth, pain and agony
He wasn't no damned good... for me...

Hambone Riley - Gotta Believe Me, Darlin'

 Hambone Riley continues to show us his range in singin' the blues. With this, his fourth recording, he goes out on his own as a songwriter. His first three recordings were songs written by his pal and fellow gig partner Forgotten Bob. Bob seemed to know instinctively what would help Hambone, a introverted musician, get out of his hell a little. Before he met Bob, Hambone played mainly in other group's gigs in a few numbers, and always had a wild look on his face, probably an honest reaction to his performance stress.  Hambone's demeanor, according to those who've seen him in performance, seems to have calmed somewhat although he's still got an electric presence. 

What seemed to have helped Hambone's stress of performing is the presence of not just Bob, but a saxophone player that he met through Bob. The sax player's a mystery, like much associated with Forgotten Bob, and the only name he have for him is Slobberin' Blowhard, hardly a complimentary moniker, but that follows the pattern for the musicians associated with Bob. What also follows the pattern is his ability on his instrument. The guy is a real talent, and on this latest Hambone song Gotta Believe Me Darlin', he plays a breathy, earthy sax. Hambone's got a real liking for Slobberin', and the two make a good combo. 

Hambone shows a real talent for songwriting with this song, and his voice is more mellow to fit with the words and performance. What will be next for this surprising bluesman? Wecan't wait to see (and hear!)

Know ya overheard me talkin'
And it made you feel sad and blue
But ya gotta believe me darlin'
It twern't anything 'bout you

Remember my sweet honey
Never wanna see ya so blue
Ever got a problem at all
I'll hold you're hand and talk to you

I was givin' advice to my bro
Who for sure got bended out double
His woman went and stepped out on him
He's hurtin’, really in trouble

Remember my sweet darlin'
Never wanna see ya so blue
Ever got a problem at all
I'll hold you're hand and talk to you

Ya only heard part the phone call
Can see why ya took it all wrong
Advice I give weren't very pretty
That's why I'm a singin' this song

Remember my sweet baby
Never wanna see ya so blue
Ever got a problem at all
I'll hold you're hand and talk to you

Oh...you know that I will
Because for sure...I love you still!
Oh yeah! Never stop! 

Un Grupo de Mexicali - Dia de los Muerto

To people outside of Mexican culture, Dia de los Muertos, or The Day Of The Dead, may seem as a morbid way to remember those who have passed on. Indeed, we have heard that comment from some, with no understanding about the preponderance of skulls and death symbols seen on the day.   But the only difference between the Mexican celebration and the way others honor their loved ones that have passed on, is a difference in culture. The feeling of loss, of still being spiritually united, is the commonality.  

The day is celebrated, ironically, right around our culture's Halloween, in which the roots also deal with the dead and spirits, albeit in a much different way. In the Mexican celebration, the departed are remembered and their spirits are welcomed, while in the early history of Halloween, costumes are worn to prevent the spirits from recognizing us, and Jack O' Lanterns serve to try and scare them away! But if anything, the modern Halloween  celebration has gotten more and more on the 'morbid' side, akin to the Mexican celebration.

Marigolds

The Day Of The Dead encompasses roots deep in the Indigenous People and Catholic religion of Mexico, and continues to be a day of stories of the ones who have passed, their favorite foods, visiting of cemetaries, and general remembrance and celebration. To link Life and Death together in a celebration makes sense, as both are things that all humans have in common. Un Grupo de Mexicali captures the spirit of the day in their song that mentions the Marigold, a flower native to Mexico, and a powerful symbol.

 

 

 

 

Las velas brillan en la noche oscura
El viento susurra historias de ternura
Calaveras blancas bailan en la luna

On the day of the dead sing out their names
Through the flowers and fire
Eternal flames
They’re gone but here
In our hearts they remain

Pan de muerto sobre la mesa
Fotos antiguas llenan la pieza
Risas y lágrimas en la tristeza

Marigolds glow
Their scent will guide
Bridges of love death cannot divide

On the day of the dead sing out their names
Through the flowers and fire
Eternal flames
They’re gone but here
In our hearts they remain

Cempasúchil y papel picado
Cantan los vivos
Lloran los callados
Life and death dance in a sacred embrace

En el Día de Muertos, cantemos sus nombres
Entre flores y fuego
Llamas eternas
Se han ido, pero aquí
En nuestros corazones permanecen

La vida y la muerte danzan en un abrazo sagrado!
 

The Widow Makers - Baby, Gonna Rock Ya

Classical stringed instruments have been crossing over into other genres from classical for a long time.

  The Beatles in the 1960's used them, just one example of bands before and since that have. We're no rock music historians, but this just may be the first time that band members themselves played the stringed instruments of a string quartet, 2 violins, viola, and cello, on a recording. The other examples we can think of usually used outside musicians. 

The core players of The Widow Makers, 4 young men that went to music school together, are the ones that play on the recording. They did have to have a few other musicians fill in for the group. These 4 musicians have been playing classical string quartet music together since music school, so it's a natural thing for them to incorporate it into their rock music. Their latest song Baby Gonna Rock Ya is not what you can call innovative or original, but the music is the thing in this song. The words are kind of just along for the ride, in our opinion.

Yeah baby all the mornin' long!
Carry it over to afternoon
End up the whole damn daylong!
Until ya roll over and swoon!

Yeah baby, gonna rock ya!
Like you never been rocked before
Never ending rockin' and roll
Until yer really damn good and sore!

Gonna do it all brash and loud!
Non-stop with lotta soul and sound
Gonna play it hard and make ya proud
The roarin' music will abound!

Yeah baby, gonna rock ya!
Like you never been rocked before
Never ending rockin' and roll
Rock ya til' yer damn good and sore!

All mornin' long! Gonna rock ya!
In the afternoon! Gonna rock ya!
All damn daylong! Gonna rock ya!
Make ya swoon! Gonna rock ya,!

Ya know baby, gonna rock ya!
Like you never ever been before
Long lastin’ rockin' and rollin’
Til yer really damn good and sore!

Mams Carter - Who Needs It?

 Amos Carter's mother, who has played played on a few of his songs, comes out with a recording of her own, Who Needs It?. She asked if instead of Mama Carter as she was credited on other recordings she could use Mams Carter. She's got a passel of Grand kids and they all call her Mams, and of course we agreed. 

Amos told us about his Mom:

I grew up hearing Mama play the piano. She played everything; classical stuff like Chopin and Mozart, was a church pianist off and on so a lot of hymns, blues, big band, and especially boogie woogie. She could sit and play just off  the top of her head, improvise as she went, something I could never do on the piano. I took lessons when I was a kid, but didn't have much interest in it. Taught me  theory and stuff like that, but wasn't into playing much other than picking out tunes. The bass fiddle's my instrument! Bass guitar too. I can improvise a bass line okay, but Mama is her own one-woman band! It's a real joy playing along with her on gigs and recordings, and let me tell  ya, she's a real pro! Believes in rehearsing the hell out of stuff until it suits her! With this song she gave us the chords she was going to use, pretty much basic stuff with a few curve balls, and we'd hold down the harmonic backing as she'd riff on the chords and sing as she went! Mama's the real musician in the family, and I'm, glad she's getting her talent recorded!  

My Dad died from cancer, and Mama raised the little one, I was 16 at the time, pretty much by herself. I helped all I could, but mostly I went to work and gave her money to help. When all us kids were either out of the house or close to it, she started dating. Didn't have many boyfriends, and she didn't get serious about one 'til this guy in the song. She fond out before they got hitched that he wasn't what he appeared to be, and she wrote  this song about some of it. She dumped him quick, but I know she cared a lot about him, so who knows whats he's coming up with next!

For sure Mams has some awesome piano chops, and her singing voice is pretty good too, so we're happy to give her a solo shot!

Had a boyfriend, he was really great
Treated me nice, and so sweet
I know he loved me without doubt
I loved him too, he was such a treat

But he popped the question to me
Took me unawares right at first
Why he asked was hard to see
But then I just thought of the worst!

I can wash his clothes, clean his house!
Do the cookin', mop all the floors
Wash the windows wipe down the doors
He needs a maid, not a damn spouse!

I told him thanks but no thanks
I like things the way that they are
He got a pained look on his face
Brought out the keys to his car

Accused me of not lovin' him
Got up headed for the door
He said, "Thought you'd jump at the chance!
It's what we been dating for!'

Ain't gonna wash your clothes and cook!
Ain't gonna clean your dirty house!
Don't do windows, wipe down the doors!
I won't be your maid, or your spouse!

You know, I was havin' a shred of doubt.
Maybe I misjudged him?
But what he said next, took care of any doubt!

A woman's sposed to do laundry!
Her job to take care of her man!
All of it is woman's work
Give ya'll another chance so you can!

Oh hell no!
Go clean your own damned dirty house!
Wash all yer funky underwear!
Our relationship boils down to that
What in hell do I really care?

He stomped out of my house.
Two days later phone's ringin' off the hook.
But that's too damned bad!
I raised all my kids and took care of a man!
Now this time is all about me!
Haaaa! Haaaaa! Who needs it?
Friendship, yeah. Companionship?
Uh huh! Some hanky-panky here and there?
Yeah man! But runnin' a maid service?
HAHAHA!

Who needs it?