:Click below to listen on Bandcamp:
|
This project started with the discovery of old cassettes of my songs recorded in the seventies, songs which I had totally forgotten. I wanted to honor those songs with a decent recording. As it happens only one of them "Waltzing and Wrestling With An Angel" ended up on this collection as I wrote a bunch more songs in the few years before and during this recording process.
The recording process started with Bill Lauf coming across the country to my house and in a week we recorded all but three of the songs live, mostly in one take. At the end of that week the Covid-19 era began. That changed everything including the music you hear. Musicians were suddenly grounded sitting at home in their studios. Rather than having live collaborations we sent the tracks out to old and new friends to add their sonic spice to the mix. First we reached out to Gordy Johnson in Minneapolis to hold down the bass then to Phil Hey and Celso Alberti for rhythm. Each song has a different flavor from a friend. Steve Alboucq on trumpet, Martin Lund on organ, Patrick Harison on accordion and rub board, Nancy Rumbel on oboe, Bruce Huebner and his Shakuhachi, Boyd Bristow tearing it up on his telecaster. Through it all Susan Osborn has been a guiding hand, a coach, and an engineer with a great pair of ears. Mastering by Jake Perrine A few of these songs retain the simplicity of the first take. Some are more complex. Some are humorous some are prayers. All are me talking to you exploring what I think a song can say these days freed of commercial constraints. Click on the button to the left to listen to the tracks on my Bandcamp site. You can download the album there and also send it to a friend you think might enjoy it. I appreciate your help to spread the word and share the Bouquets. |
The Lyrics Notes
|
1. Brainstem Bouquet
When I try to think of you My thoughts go all askew Think of all the things you do (for me) What can I bring to you (I only) Have this brainstem bouquet today They say the thought is all that counts You have my thought in large amounts Tie them with a red balloon So when you go out at noon My brainstem bouquet will follow you People stop and stare (they gesture) They want you to be aware (that there's a) Brain stem bouquet above your Head - is like the milky way (it's powers) Constellations bloom every day (like flowers) In your brainstem bouquet, your brainstem bouquet I will take my last good-bye kiss And bet it on a butterfly wish And when they ask the reason why it’s… Because - When I think of you My thoughts go all askew Think of all the things you do (for me) What can I bring to you (I only) Have this brainstem bouquet for you today. |
David Lee Densmore - Vocal,
William Lauf Jr -Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass Bill correctly identified this song as a spiritual. It is also the most basic statement I can make. Having been given or acquired self consciousness what do we have to offer each other or our planet other than our brainstem bouquets? The phrase brainstem bouquet came from a poem I wrote incorporating a lot of body part metaphors. Brainstem bouquet in particular stuck in my head. |
|
2. To Win At The Losing Game (what a shame)
You can build a tower of debt, name it after yourself Hide the key on the highest shelf Hide your shame under a golden crown All hail to the king of clowns Oh, What a shame to win at the losing game 2X You may hold the King, you may draw an Ace You may feel flush when that’s not the case You can win the hand and still go home poor if you don’t know what you’re playing for Oh, What a shame to win at the losing game 2X Tell your mother, tell your Pa March down the street ’till you’ve told them all There’s more to living than the bottom line Taking care of yours at the expense of mine Win at the losing, win at the losing game 2X Clean air to breathe and the water to drink Food to eat and the freedom to think You’ll find the simple life the world around Is the rarest treasure to be found Oh, What a shame to win at the losing game :2X Win at the losing, win at the losing game XX |
David Densmore -Vocal, William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass, Steve Albouq - Trumpets, Martin Lund - Organ, Celso Alberti - Drums
Susan asked me to write a song about the Trump presidency. I was struck by the sadness and waste of self delusion. It was a perfect plan if only he had lost. I began with part of a poem I had written about houses long before he became president. "You can build a tower of debt name it after yourself / hide the key on the highest shelf." |
|
3. 21st Century Country Girl
The heat lamp is on in the brooding house She gets up at dawn quiet as a mouse And slips out to check and make sure that the chicks are ok. She loves to be alone in the chilly morn Collect the eggs while they’re still warm And greet the rising sun with a silent song. She goes to the barn for the smell of hay And strokes the back her old bay And says “I’ll be back in a minute with a bucket of grain”. She breaks the ice off the water trough And thanks her lucky stars That she got off the roller coaster ride of city life She’s a 21st Century country girl She’s got her feet on the ground she’s a woman of the world Her hands in the soil and dirt on her knees Don’t push her around she’ll do what she please She knows what it takes to grow slow and strong. She doesn’t need a man but she keeps one around ‘Cause he’s funny sometimes that’s what she’s found And I’m glad she hasn’t grown tired of the same old shtick. She lived in a shack in a town called Spink ‘Till her friend burnt it down and it made her think It’s time to move to Manhattan and sing out on the street She traveled the world on the wings of song She could only do it cause she knew it wouldn’t be long Before she’d be flying back to her country home. She lives in a cabin with a dog and cat She walks the beans wearing only a hat And doesn’t mind who drives by as long as they wave She’s as happy as a pig in slop If she wants hot water well there’s wood to chop. A little quiet time suits her just fine. She’s a 21st Century country girl She’s got her feet on the ground she’s a woman of the world Her hands in the soil and dirt on her knees Don’t push her around she’ll do what she please She knows what it takes to grow slow and strong. She doesn’t need a man but she keeps one around ‘Cause he’s handy sometimes that’s what she’s found I hope she doesn’t pull too hard on that drawer I fixed. She’s a 21st Century country girl She’s got her feet on the ground she’s a woman of the world Her hands in the soil and dirt on her knees Don’t push her around she’ll do what she please She knows how to help you grow slow and strong. |
David Densmore - Vocals, Tenor Guitar, Cavaquino
This song combines stories from Susan Osborn's life and an homage to the many farmer women I see living around me in my country home. My grandmother was a 19-20th century country girl who saw many changes. The 21st century women are more empowered to make their own way. To the benefit of all. |
|
4. As Easy To Love As You (If only everyone were)
It takes all kinds to make a world Boys and girls - Some swine, some pearls Doing our best to love one another We discover - Sometimes, it's a mother - Everyone created equal - Equal creators creating a sequel - OM ---- When will everyone be easy to love? As easy to love as you — as easy to love as you If everyone had a smile on their face, The whole human race - was in on the joke and laughed in the same place If everyone had a song on their lips Flexible hips - an answer to life at their finger tips Well, everyone created equal - Equal creators creating a sequel - OM ---- Maybe then everyone would be easy to love As easy to love as you — as easy to love as you If everyone was more like you I think you'd agree Our problems would be few The world would sing in harmony. Everyone created equal Equal creators creating a sequel - OM ---- Surely then everyone would be easy to love As easy to love as you — as easy to love as you If everyone would pick up their socks Turn off the FOX do the dishes, refill the teapots If everyone was willing to share All they had with no care daring to see if life could be fair Everyone created equal - Equal creators creating a sequel - OM ---- Surely then everyone would be easy to love As easy to love as you — as easy to love as you |
David Densmore -Vocal, William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar
Wouldn't life be easier if everyone were more like you? |
|
5. The Money’s Gone
I’m in a fix and I won’t deny it / It’s the last of my tricks but I’m gonna try it I’m gonna be honest with you, the money’s gone I know I owe you more than I can say / that’s why I’m here to play this song, the money’s gone Well I want to pay you back but I want you to know / It’s not from lack of want it’s from lack of dough I hate to tell you brother but the money’s gone I’d buy you a drink but my money’s gone / down the drain of the sink so I brought this song I hope you’ll sing along ’till the money’s gone I hope you like this song and you fill the jar so I can put some gas into my car - I promise I won’t be back ’till the money’s gone I went to the banker down on my knees / I said won’t you spare me some money please? I’m down on my luck, my money’s gone The banker sitting on pile of money / said your bare assets haven’t accrued sonny and I’ve lost interest in you, your money’s gone I hope you like this song and it makes you feel a little bit better about your deal - I get to sing this song but my money’s gone I prayed to the virgin out on the lawn in a pink bathtub down in San Antone’ I cried Mary, roll back my stone She said I love you honey but your money’s gone and I got no use for a tag along I’ll give you this song I hope they sing along I hope you like this song and you fill the jar so I can put some gas into my car - I promise I won’t be back until the money’s gone Now the money’s pouring in and we’ll have some fun We’ll share the wealth with a musician Then we can sing along ’till the money’s gone |
David Densmore -Vocal, William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass, Patrick Harison - Accordian, Scratchboard, Phil Hey - Drums
This song was written after attending a concert by friends at which each table had a tip jar. Also the economy was crashing again. oh well. |
|
6. The Zombie Apocalypso
The boss he is out drinking He’s been thinking He buried us alive Won’t he be surprised To find that we survived The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso Get up and dance Shake off your trance This is your chance to live though - The sun may swoon In the arms of the moon It’s the Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso The Zombie Apocalypso |
David Densmore -Vocal, Ukulele, Tenor, Cavaquinho,
William Lauf Jr - Background Vocals The week the Covid - 19 pandemic started I ran into the head of our local EMTs. He informed me he was on his way to the fire station for a meeting on the coming Zombie Apocalypse. At the same time I read a friend's book of photographs one of which was a Haitian man quoted as saying the slave owners used to bury slaves alive and occasionally they clawed their way out being taken as Zombies. In more ways than one we survived the Zombie Apocalypso. |
|
7. What’s Not Supposed To Happen (happens all the time)
I went down to the river just to take a peek What I saw really made me freak I saw a black bird hanging from a fishing line Let me tell you brother, nearly blew my mind That should never happen it occurred to me Keep the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea A tree’s no place for a hook and line What's not supposed to happen happens all the time Chorus: It's not supposed to happen (that's what they say) It's not supposed to happen (not every day) It's not supposed to happen (to me or mine) What's not supposed to happen happens all the time My baby left me, she said she'd had enough Enough of what? She said “all your stuff” Took all of hers and half of mine What's not supposed to happen happens all the time I took my pain to the doctor, I said, “doctor please I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't eat at Mickey D’s" Doctor said “son, I'd like to ease your mind But what's not supposed to happen happens all the time” Chorus: Bridge: Pick any station, listen to the news Everybody's singing an eight bar blues Can't happen here, and it can't happen there Guess it's not happening anywhere Politician was the friend of the working man Salt of the Earth that's how he ran But the pork got the salt and the earth got the brine What's not supposed to happen happens all the time They found a tribe of peaceful pygmies living under the trees Missionary said, “let me at 'em please” Corporation said, “not this time, We need workers who will work all day for a dime” Chorus: It's not supposed to happen (that's what they say) It's not supposed to happen (not every day) It's not supposed to happen (to me or mine) What's not supposed to happen happens all the time What's not supposed to happen happens all the time What's not supposed to happen happens all the time |
David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Phil Hey - Drums This song steals another scene from Susan's life, a crow hanging from a fishing line. This song addresses the common feeling that it can't happen here or it won't happen to me. A feeling that strangely persists even though what's not supposed to happen happens all the time. |
|
8. Waltzing and Wrestling with an Angel
I’ve been waltzing and wrestling with an angel Getting all tangled up in her hair If you see me in darkness it’s only a shadow I cast as I stand in her glare. I’ve been waltzing and wrestling with an angel Getting all tangled up in her hair Give me a call, drop me a line Let me know there’s still somebody there. Blame my burning obsession Keeps me turning away When you see me look into the face of my angel You know that there’ll be hell to pay. I’ve been waltzing and wrestling with an angel Getting all tangled up in her hair If you see me in darkness it’s only the shadow I cast as I stand in her glare. It’s the flame of my burning obsession Keeps me turning away When you see me look into the face of my angel You know that there’ll be hell to pay. When you see me look into the face of my angel You know that there’ll be hell to pay. |
David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar This is a song I wrote in the early 80s. I so love Bill's guitar work on this that I couldn't bear to add anything to our first take. |
|
9. Canyon
I’m flying, over the Canyon Watching my shadow climb the walls The river’s a sliver of light A ribbon that weaves a path through the night ‘Till the waters at dawn mirror the sky While the lovers uncovered stand hand in hand Poised on the brink of the falls Then push from the safety of shore Into the mouth of the rapids’ roar Feeling the breath of death on their necks They fill their lungs with the song they’ve sung about … Flying over the Canyon Watching their shadows climb the walls The river’s a sliver of light A ribbon that weaves a path through the night ‘Till the waters at dawn mirror the sky And the lovers discover in each other’s eyes A light that could shine in their world And push from the safety of shore Lean into the wave that could flip them o’er Feeling the kiss of life in the mist They fill their lungs with the song they’ve sung about …. Hey-La, Hey-La Shay-la, Hey-La Shay-la Hey-La Oh Hey-La Shay-la, Hey-La Oh Ding dong goody goody watcha ding dong go, ding dong go Ding dong goody goody watcha ding dong go, ding dong go Hey-La, Hey-La Shay-la, Hey-La Oh |
d -David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass, Celso Alberti - Drums, Percussion, Bruce Huebner - Shakuhachi Susan and I took two groups singing our way down the Grand Canyon. A trip down into the earth. A trip of death and life and great beauty. A trip of going over the falls and coming out the other end. Hey-la Shay-la is a song the boatmen taught us.The bird song at the beginning is the Canyon Wren. |
|
10. Sandbag Lane
She didn’t need a weatherman, she didn’t need a vane She was prepared for disaster, but when it came It was the wrong disaster, it didn’t have a name It came out of nowhere down on Sandbag Lane… On Sandbag Lane on a moonless night The darkness gathered ‘round a pale street light And from the shadows someone sang Sounding like the wind through a canyon of pain The wind whistled through a canyon of pain And it sounded so sweet on Sandbag Lane On Sandbag Lane Seven times you stumble, eight times get up again She threw her duffel in the trunk of her car And pointed that wagon at the northern star She didn’t take a map didn’t stop to tie her shoes She couldn’t get lost she had nothing to lose On a blue highway where the traffic was light With no signs to stop her she might take flight But with a lover named Chance she had nothing to gain She knew she’d end up back on Sandbag Lane On Sandbag Lane, on Sandbag Lane Seven times you stumble, eight times you’re up again Life will send a message, nine times out of ten Its eleven times you stumble, twelve times - get up again |
David Densmore -Vocal, Ukulele, Tenor Guitar William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar,
Gordon Johnson - Bass Phil Hey - Drums Nana karobi ya oki - A Japanese proverb - seven times you stumble eight times get up again. What more is there to say? I said more to fill out the song. |
|
11. Turning Right Against the Light Again
She was laying on the deck, she was catching some rays She was thinking about how the body decays She was turning right against the light again. He was cruising in his car, he was listening to tunes His mind was an empty thought balloon He was turning right against the light again. He drove up on the lawn, he missed the potted palm He stopped just short of her sarong He was turning right against the light again. Two wrongs don’t make a right but Two rights could right a wrong A changing light could change a life around If you have the sense tonight to treat your baby right She might turn right against the light again. He said “baby since I’m here anyway, invite me in I’d like to stay I turned right against the light again”. She said, “what the heck, come up on the deck I was just thinking how life is a wreck Then you turn right against the light again”. Now two of a kind they’re sitting on the deck Wondering how to play it up the neck And then they turn right, and they turn right And they turn right, and they turn right And they turn right, and they turn right And they turn right against the light again. |
David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass It's always a risk to turn right against the light. Usually worth it, but be careful. |
|
12. Living on Earth
We’re hand me downs from the lost and found We’re not put here to stay We’re refugees, down off the trees Who hope to walk upright one day. Isn’t it funny and rather sublime that we’re living on Earth at the very same time? Living on Earth We booked this club for a limited engagement All the time our luck allows You be my manager, I’ll be your agent ‘Till we take our final bows. We’re lotto winners, the original sinners, We got our apple pie in the sky We’re rank beginners at senior dinners We’re trying to see eye to eye We’re dining on sunbeams and sweet water wine we’re living on Earth and we’re doing just fine. Living on Earth Gentlemen and elephants made out of the elements Ladies who can dance in pants Polar bears and burkas, holy men and workers Salamanders, fleas, and ants. We’re sailing on sunlight we’re surfing the breeze We’re living on Earth with the greatest of ease…. Living on Earth The bought and sold is getting old The “who owes what to whom” We’ll pay the price, the web of life is coming off the loom. We’re dancing on razor blades stuck in the sand We don’t want to see what we don’t understand. Living on Earth |
David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass, Celso Alberti - Drums, Percussion, Patrick Harison - Accordian It's a mystery that we ended up in this life / time with this beautiful land and water to look after and eachother to enjoy. Isn’t it funny and rather sublime that we’re living on Earth at the very same time? |
|
13. Trouble & Glory
There’s trouble in the water / There’s trouble in the air There’s trouble on the land / There’s trouble everywhere No need to chase it / Trouble, it ain’t hard to find There’s trouble in the body, there’s trouble in the mind There’s trouble in the morning / There’s trouble in the night There’s trouble to the left / There’s trouble on the right Can’t out run it / Trouble leaves no place to hide Trouble out there, and there’s trouble inside Amazing grace, the gift, the call Reveals the Glory shining through it all Glory, Glory, shining through it all There’s Glory in the water / There’s Glory in the air There’s Glory on the land / There’s Glory everywhere Don’t need to chase it / Glory is not hard to find There’s Glory in the body, there’s Glory in the mind Glory in the morning / There’s Glory at night There’s Glory to the left / There’s Glory to the right Can’t out run it / Glory leaves no place to hide There’s Glory out there there’s Glory inside Amazing Grace how sweet the sound Reveals the glory shining all around Glory, Glory, shining all around |
David Densmore - Vocals, Tenor Guitar, Cavaquinho
After watching a show about Aretha Franklin I wanted to write a gospel song. This is as basic as I could make it. |
|
14. You Can Be Like Me
I want to be a rolling stone / But I don't want to leave my home I want to catch a rising star / But I don't want to reach that far I want to be a guiding light / But I keep the door shut tight I want to see a change / As long as everything stays the same Don't want to be a soldier Don't want to be a holy man Don't want to be a culture warrior I just want a seat up in the stands You can be like me, take a seat at my T V Don't worry I'll be fine just as long as I can whine Don't want to be a Limbaugh / Don’t want to be a Francophile I don't want Viagra / I don’t want to do it froggy style You want to run for parliament / You want to be the president You want to be a CEO / You want to be rolling in dough You want to win a season pass Including housing food and gas You want a VIP to wipe your Dirty little windshield You can be like me, take a seat at my TV Don't worry I'll make room - Pizza ordered coming soon You can be like me - take a seat at my TV My TV! |
David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, |
|
15. Let Us Meet at the Edge of the Universe
Let us meet at the edge of the universe Where galaxies go to unwind Where time, that boxcar hobo Can jump from the tracks of your mind Let's make our home in the cosmos Under a blanket of stars We'll dance in the space between spaces As the pleiades ladies play their guitars Fly spaceman, carry Adam's prayer Far, to the dark side of eve I lost, will find you there And stay 'till I have to leave An ocean pounds inside a seed ‘Till a wave becomes a leaf The leaf becomes a fragile boy Who grows into a tree A tree makes temples to the sun And bends before the wind Then falls in rows in silent halls Like all of Noah's kin Fly Spaceman, carry Adam's hope Far to a bright new land All the stars you see are sparks Thrown from that first fire in the sand Raise your hands, grandmother's palms Jesus, Mary's son, Abraham's daughters touch your heart Let their will be done |
David Densmore -Vocal,
William Lauf Jr - Tenor Guitar, Gordon Johnson - Bass, Celso Alberti - Drums, Percussion, Nancy Rumbel - Oboe This song came from a period when three friends died in one year. Two of them were in long decline and I was part of a group doing hands on healing, music, and other pain relieving efforts. This is my attempt to express the feeling of being with another on that journey. |
