1. Tire Swing (for Joanna)
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
well it might be light left over from a TV show
a time traveler changes bodies in a bright green glow
what did you want to be after you grew up
before you gave up on taking a sip from offered cup
she says I want to go back to camp and fall in love
and I’m looking over at her and seeing she’s had enough
but one of these days I’ll say something to really make her mad
and lose the summer camp we never had
on the Viaduct between the Puget Sound and the downtown
on left the water glistens, on right a skyline’s found
a mixtape on cassette deck that you made back as a kid
that she pulled out when she came home out of shoebox you kept hid
I know and realize that it’s wrong to want to be
with someone just to be a part of the family
but I wanted you as a sister, you were one that started fad
of speaking of the summer camp we never had
put the seed into the soil and watch the tree grow tall
in the backyard that will fill with the brightest leaves to fall
then tie a tire to swing ‘round strongest branch you can find
with a rope tied with a knot that won’t ever come untied
that won’t ever come untied
well the songs played on The Yacht Club’s kitchen radio
where I washed dishes and made her up all those years ago
I hate sometimes too how reluctant she can be
to accept the effect of all of her beauty
how she finds the truth in laughter, purges fear of being hurt
even back there in the garden where I thought I had to blur
all of what can make her worried into what can make her glad
by singing of the summer camp we never had
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric guitar
Michael Spaly-violin
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drums
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
2. One More Cigarette
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
the night turns to Easter, it’s my new birthday
just like in a past life, that comes back when you say
let’s have one more cigarette while parked in driveway
let’s have one more cigarette before night turns into day
Diana, Diana, "put your head on my shoulder"
Diana, Diana, "wouldn’t it be nice if we were older"
and I wouldn’t have to fight the high of a homesick
with you around, I don’t look down, it all comes back with the flick
of just one more cigarette before I get on track
just one more cigarette before smoke covers crack
Diana, Diana, "there’s a place where lovers go"
Diana, Diana, "sooner or later one of us must know"
that it goes without saying, all these songs in our heads
reincarnate everything, even the regret
it’ll be church in a few hours but we won’t be there
to hear your sister singing, instead our throats will tear
from just one more cigarette before I go inside
just one more cigarette, before away you ride
Diana, Diana, "I saw the harbor lights"
Diana, Diana, "don’t worry baby, we’ll make it alright"
with just one more cigarette, just one more cigarette
just one more cigarette
when we get to heaven we’ll walk down the streets paved with gold
when we get to heaven I know we won’t have to grow old
when we get to heaven we’ll stand on the top of the sun
when we get to heaven away from dark fields we’ll run
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
Michael Spaly-fiddle
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Marc Hagar-electric piano
Rachel Ferguson-backing vocals
Mark Livingston-electric bass
Jefferson Allen-drums
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
3. Fire at Captain Mike's
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
the last summer of the millennium
I worked at the Boathouse downtown
the waitstaff full of beautiful girls
I'd go on my night off to see who's around
Cara said there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
the bar right down the street
I must have missed it on my way to the place
couldn't tell on account of the heat
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching)
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
pop my head in the kitchen
to see the Moon boys on the line
Dave and Chris not related at all
but they hang out every night
you know it's even hotter in the kitchen than
a wet dream donkey punch
from the sight of all the waitresses
grabbing their plates five at once
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching)
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
we could go to Bourbon Street (we could go to Bourbon Street)
we could go to Buoy's (we could go to Buoy's)
we could go to Carl's (we could go to Carl's)
or Fec's Place to play some oldies
they got a jukebox filled with rock n' roll bartender skips if she don't like
and anything that you play by mistake she'll say that it's alright
well now Monica, Marissa and Kelly
lived together in one big house
they put Chris Moon up for awhile
after his girlfriend kicked him out
it was the 4th of July but fireworks
were not necessary for me
everyday was full of explosions
that in my young life I'd never seen
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
we could go to Harborside (we could go to Harborside)
we could go to the Port (we could go to the Port)
or back to the Boathouse (back to the Boathouse)
all part of what we call the four corners, along with
Paddy-O's where we end up for last call every night
before going 'cross the street to the diner to hang out til 4 or 5
Carissa and Annie, the owner's nieces
drinkin' with their Mom at the deck bar
Carissa's gonna get a job here in the fall
Chris Moon will fall in love with her so hard
we'll both get fired and Annie will get us jobs
at her restaurant on the Interstate
and Captain Mike's will get rebuilt
and we'll all be first mates
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching)
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric guitar
Michael Spaly-electric guitar, mandolin, violin, backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar, backing vocals
Schuyler Jones-electric bass, backing vocals
Isaac Chirino-drum kit
Ken Nottingham, Chris Mulally, Bill Fuller, Russ Fuller-gang vocals
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
4. Dear Jonathan Richman
(words and music by Sam Russell)
dear Jonathan Richman, do you remember me
I’m the girl that wrote to you from ages 9 to 15
my sister went backstage at one of your shows
she told you all about me how all your songs I did know
and you wrote down your address for her to give to me
you said that I should write you sometime just to what’s up to see
and so I wrote you and you wrote me back
I didn’t think it was unusual to just write somebody back
you’d tell about your kids, draw me pictures
I’d ask if your songs were true and you would say “sure!”
you’d send me postcards from Italy, wherever you were on the road
I thought you wrote back to every kid, I was too young to know
then one day I stopped writing, it just felt a little bit weird
I didn’t want to be a kid anymore, I just wanted to drink some beer
and then I went to see you and after you played a song
you asked is Diana out there somewhere in the crowd
and I just froze up, I couldn’t say a thing
and so you just moved on and next song began to play
and I still feel bad about that, I wonder if you were hurt
I wonder if you wonder what happened to me why last letter was never returned
dear Jonathan Richman, I want you to know
how much your letters meant to me even if you off I did blow
maybe somebody I’ll come see you and introduce myself backstage
and even if you don’t remember me I’ll say “hey Jonathan thanks”
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitar, harmonium
Michael Spaly-violin, mandolin, acoustic guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drum kit, percussion
recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
5. Elizabeth Street
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
well it might be light left over from a TV show
a time traveler changes bodies in a bright green glow
what did you want to be after you grew up
before you gave up on taking a sip from offered cup
she says I want to go back to camp and fall in love
and I’m looking over at her and seeing she’s had enough
but one of these days I’ll say something to really make her mad
and lose the summer camp we never had
on the Viaduct between the Puget Sound and the downtown
on left the water glistens, on right a skyline’s found
a mixtape on cassette deck that you made back as a kid
that she pulled out when she came home out of shoebox you kept hid
I know and realize that it’s wrong to want to be
with someone just to be a part of the family
but I wanted you as a sister, you were one that started fad
of speaking of the summer camp we never had
put the seed into the soil and watch the tree grow tall
in the backyard that will fill with the brightest leaves to fall
then tie a tire to swing ‘round strongest branch you can find
with a rope tied with a knot that won’t ever come untied
that won’t ever come untied
well the songs played on The Yacht Club’s kitchen radio
where I washed dishes and made her up all those years ago
I hate sometimes too how reluctant she can be
to accept the effect of all of her beauty
how she finds the truth in laughter, purges fear of being hurt
even back there in the garden where I thought I had to blur
all of what can make her worried into what can make her glad
by singing of the summer camp we never had
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric guitar
Michael Spaly-violin
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drums
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
2. One More Cigarette
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
the night turns to Easter, it’s my new birthday
just like in a past life, that comes back when you say
let’s have one more cigarette while parked in driveway
let’s have one more cigarette before night turns into day
Diana, Diana, "put your head on my shoulder"
Diana, Diana, "wouldn’t it be nice if we were older"
and I wouldn’t have to fight the high of a homesick
with you around, I don’t look down, it all comes back with the flick
of just one more cigarette before I get on track
just one more cigarette before smoke covers crack
Diana, Diana, "there’s a place where lovers go"
Diana, Diana, "sooner or later one of us must know"
that it goes without saying, all these songs in our heads
reincarnate everything, even the regret
it’ll be church in a few hours but we won’t be there
to hear your sister singing, instead our throats will tear
from just one more cigarette before I go inside
just one more cigarette, before away you ride
Diana, Diana, "I saw the harbor lights"
Diana, Diana, "don’t worry baby, we’ll make it alright"
with just one more cigarette, just one more cigarette
just one more cigarette
when we get to heaven we’ll walk down the streets paved with gold
when we get to heaven I know we won’t have to grow old
when we get to heaven we’ll stand on the top of the sun
when we get to heaven away from dark fields we’ll run
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
Michael Spaly-fiddle
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Marc Hagar-electric piano
Rachel Ferguson-backing vocals
Mark Livingston-electric bass
Jefferson Allen-drums
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
3. Fire at Captain Mike's
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
the last summer of the millennium
I worked at the Boathouse downtown
the waitstaff full of beautiful girls
I'd go on my night off to see who's around
Cara said there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
the bar right down the street
I must have missed it on my way to the place
couldn't tell on account of the heat
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching)
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
pop my head in the kitchen
to see the Moon boys on the line
Dave and Chris not related at all
but they hang out every night
you know it's even hotter in the kitchen than
a wet dream donkey punch
from the sight of all the waitresses
grabbing their plates five at once
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching)
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
we could go to Bourbon Street (we could go to Bourbon Street)
we could go to Buoy's (we could go to Buoy's)
we could go to Carl's (we could go to Carl's)
or Fec's Place to play some oldies
they got a jukebox filled with rock n' roll bartender skips if she don't like
and anything that you play by mistake she'll say that it's alright
well now Monica, Marissa and Kelly
lived together in one big house
they put Chris Moon up for awhile
after his girlfriend kicked him out
it was the 4th of July but fireworks
were not necessary for me
everyday was full of explosions
that in my young life I'd never seen
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
we could go to Harborside (we could go to Harborside)
we could go to the Port (we could go to the Port)
or back to the Boathouse (back to the Boathouse)
all part of what we call the four corners, along with
Paddy-O's where we end up for last call every night
before going 'cross the street to the diner to hang out til 4 or 5
Carissa and Annie, the owner's nieces
drinkin' with their Mom at the deck bar
Carissa's gonna get a job here in the fall
Chris Moon will fall in love with her so hard
we'll both get fired and Annie will get us jobs
at her restaurant on the Interstate
and Captain Mike's will get rebuilt
and we'll all be first mates
Kimmy was frying (Kimmy was frying)
Mindy was burning (Mindy was burning)
Kelly was aching (Kelly was aching)
Heather was hurting (Heather was hurting)
and you could see there'd been a fire at Captain Mike's
underneath the hot June sun
but there's plenty of places left downtown
where we can have some fun
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric guitar
Michael Spaly-electric guitar, mandolin, violin, backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar, backing vocals
Schuyler Jones-electric bass, backing vocals
Isaac Chirino-drum kit
Ken Nottingham, Chris Mulally, Bill Fuller, Russ Fuller-gang vocals
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
4. Dear Jonathan Richman
(words and music by Sam Russell)
dear Jonathan Richman, do you remember me
I’m the girl that wrote to you from ages 9 to 15
my sister went backstage at one of your shows
she told you all about me how all your songs I did know
and you wrote down your address for her to give to me
you said that I should write you sometime just to what’s up to see
and so I wrote you and you wrote me back
I didn’t think it was unusual to just write somebody back
you’d tell about your kids, draw me pictures
I’d ask if your songs were true and you would say “sure!”
you’d send me postcards from Italy, wherever you were on the road
I thought you wrote back to every kid, I was too young to know
then one day I stopped writing, it just felt a little bit weird
I didn’t want to be a kid anymore, I just wanted to drink some beer
and then I went to see you and after you played a song
you asked is Diana out there somewhere in the crowd
and I just froze up, I couldn’t say a thing
and so you just moved on and next song began to play
and I still feel bad about that, I wonder if you were hurt
I wonder if you wonder what happened to me why last letter was never returned
dear Jonathan Richman, I want you to know
how much your letters meant to me even if you off I did blow
maybe somebody I’ll come see you and introduce myself backstage
and even if you don’t remember me I’ll say “hey Jonathan thanks”
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitar, harmonium
Michael Spaly-violin, mandolin, acoustic guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drum kit, percussion
recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
5. Elizabeth Street
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
when there was a spark that started this thing, I took the
moment and I turned it into a ring
that I’d have always to give just to you
during a walk far on an Elizabeth Street
sight of sign on the corner would greet
Sam & Allison:
and be perfect vision to finally descend
as we’re glad to be back at a place that we’ve never been
Sam:
time changes the words that are said so much
til they’re gone and they’re used as a crutch
Sam & Allison:
to walk past every girl that goes floating by
so I don’t have to think, I don’t even try
to let search begin and in action drown
I’m first flying high and then crashing down on
Elizabeth Street, where the sidewalks never grow cold
on Elizabeth Street where I’ll watch you grow old
I want to be on an Elizabeth Street
I need the hope to lift grip and pass
so I can try to see in the glass
the reflection that right now I need
to be arrow to finally lead back to
to Elizabeth Street where we’re finally off on our own
brother and sister sharing same road as a home
in the evening on an Elizabeth Street
Sam Russell-lead vocal, acoustic guitar, percussion
Allison Tulloss-backing vocal
Michael Spaly-violin, acoustic guitar
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
6. Empty Parking Lots
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Michael:
run into you while home for holiday
you laugh and smile but I can’t feel the same way
cause I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
I see the rest at bars and grocery stores
they’re as sad as you, maybe even more
Michael, Sam & Kate:
thatI still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael:
empty parking lots I could not let contain
we said goodbye before I could explain
that I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael, Sam & Kate:
and I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael, Sam, Kate, Allison, Nathan, Scott, & James:
and I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael Spaly-lead vocals, electric guitar, mandolin, electric violin
Sam Russell-electric guitar, backing vocals
Kate Noson-backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Allison Tulloss-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drum kit
recorded by Michael Spaly at Monkeystack Studios
additional recording and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
7. The Youngest Sister
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
she came from a Catholic family, the last to fall off of the tree
I met the middle who told me and hinted of a history
and right away then I would dream that she’d come home and then see me
and recognize the common soul from all those lives ago
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
when I met her I recognized an ancient light behind her eyes
that we shared in all our past lives when we were at each other’s side
it took time to find her again but there she stood my old friend
from childhood dreams and fantasies, the one again I’d meet
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
bring back home the youngest sister, bring back home the youngest sister
if there’s a God up in the sky, I need now at least to try
to break my vow and pray for first time as a man to say
this soul’s split in half and yearns for the youngest sister’s
there comes a time in all these lives when we must part and say goodbye
and wonder if we’ll meet again whether in this life or the next
but I can’t wait that long and even though I know it’s wrong
I’ll sacrifice patience for faith to have her here this coming day
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her, I said goodbye and kissed her
I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric guitar
Michael Spaly-electric guitar, violin, backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar, gang vocals
Schuyler Jones-electric bass, gang vocals
Isaac Chirino-drum kit
Ken Nottingham, Chris Mulally, Bill Fuller, Russ Fuller-gang vocals
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
8. Letter to Paul Auster
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
the preacher rambles on at the ceremony
I’m living in a flash-forward memory
as a child imagining his sister at alter
the twist of retrospect and living causing heart to halter
I am the narrator controlling the flow
moving out of tunnel in which creature’s eyes will glow
a sleight of hand the author practices
to exploit every instance of coincidence
the old sifting pattern perfected
debate between the theories projected
the wedding will be setting of the play’s intermission
the sticky southern air only missing her presence
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster maybe take her out for coffee
if you walk down Willoughby and both make the same turn
maybe my favorite author can be watching over her
I listen for the songs played in the background
throughout rehearsal dinner cutting through the combined sound
to bring up calm contained at center of connection
to feel her grace from far away without feeling abandoned
a way to know you’re dreaming is to look at the clock twice
if it doesn’t say the same time, you’ll wake up tasting rice
riding back to bed and breakfast drunk in the backseat
my sister and fiancée upfront looking for right street
my love flew out last minute for the audition
I ran with my cell phone listening in kitchen
I wanted her to come with me to keep panic at bay
and pose for picture with my sister on her wedding day
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster help her get up on the marquee
I’m singing out to you because I can’t sing to God
even if I had the faith I haven’t used it in so long
I wish I didn’t notice the judgment every time it passes
from all my sister’s friends and relatives glances
my 8th-grade best friend called out of nowhere to tell me
that he just married some girl cause God didn’t want him to be lonely
he said God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
you mentioned Kenosha in two books and I asked you why
at the book signing you said to read the only book of yours I hadn’t tried
your grandma shot your grandpa in my hometown and your father
was cut off all his life, his communication faltered
paddle deeper through downtown, overflow will soak socks
time travel may occur from a creaking porch swing as it rocks
you don’t know what to wish for, where or what to call a home
time’s running out better get back and face family alone
here comes the shore, closer and closer
peripheral sees water wetting all the parallels
the opposite of optimism vs. the epic of the everything
oh that ferry back and forth, how I love to hear her sing
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster listen to her music carry
past your open Brooklyn window heading out for Seattle
ducking all the epiphanies raining down to kill
duck upstairs from reception to the white walls and linen
caught between the confrontation and happiness to be had
she writes she loves me in the snow, stops at first letter of my name
after I make fun of her and make her think that I’m ashamed but
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
can each loose thread be traced back directly to the source don’t ya
end up with nothing if you pull and try to force
the answer into light before it’s ready to view
before every variation is distilled into precious few
if I can’t wrap this up, I’ll say you can’t always either
you trapped the man in vault and could not get him out as the writer
but you made your inability center of story
admitting failure as possible way to glory
but Mr. Auster you must consider
that the man in vault could have gotten out to be with her
I put that book down knowing there was still a solution
so tell me you were wrong if you think I’m proving it
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster keep her safe for me to see
in the meatpacking district tonight now 3 AM
yeah you write out the prayer and I’ll sing it as a hymn, I’ll sing that
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitar
Michael Spaly-electric violin, fiddle, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drum kit, percussion
Ken Nottingham, Chris Mulally, Bill Fuller, Russ Fuller-gang vocals
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
moment and I turned it into a ring
that I’d have always to give just to you
during a walk far on an Elizabeth Street
sight of sign on the corner would greet
Sam & Allison:
and be perfect vision to finally descend
as we’re glad to be back at a place that we’ve never been
Sam:
time changes the words that are said so much
til they’re gone and they’re used as a crutch
Sam & Allison:
to walk past every girl that goes floating by
so I don’t have to think, I don’t even try
to let search begin and in action drown
I’m first flying high and then crashing down on
Elizabeth Street, where the sidewalks never grow cold
on Elizabeth Street where I’ll watch you grow old
I want to be on an Elizabeth Street
I need the hope to lift grip and pass
so I can try to see in the glass
the reflection that right now I need
to be arrow to finally lead back to
to Elizabeth Street where we’re finally off on our own
brother and sister sharing same road as a home
in the evening on an Elizabeth Street
Sam Russell-lead vocal, acoustic guitar, percussion
Allison Tulloss-backing vocal
Michael Spaly-violin, acoustic guitar
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
6. Empty Parking Lots
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Michael:
run into you while home for holiday
you laugh and smile but I can’t feel the same way
cause I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
I see the rest at bars and grocery stores
they’re as sad as you, maybe even more
Michael, Sam & Kate:
thatI still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael:
empty parking lots I could not let contain
we said goodbye before I could explain
that I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael, Sam & Kate:
and I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael, Sam, Kate, Allison, Nathan, Scott, & James:
and I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
I still see the girl once such a friend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
my heart rises up to send a piece to help yours mend
tell me when did the neverending summer end
Michael Spaly-lead vocals, electric guitar, mandolin, electric violin
Sam Russell-electric guitar, backing vocals
Kate Noson-backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Allison Tulloss-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drum kit
recorded by Michael Spaly at Monkeystack Studios
additional recording and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
7. The Youngest Sister
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
she came from a Catholic family, the last to fall off of the tree
I met the middle who told me and hinted of a history
and right away then I would dream that she’d come home and then see me
and recognize the common soul from all those lives ago
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
when I met her I recognized an ancient light behind her eyes
that we shared in all our past lives when we were at each other’s side
it took time to find her again but there she stood my old friend
from childhood dreams and fantasies, the one again I’d meet
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
bring back home the youngest sister, bring back home the youngest sister
if there’s a God up in the sky, I need now at least to try
to break my vow and pray for first time as a man to say
this soul’s split in half and yearns for the youngest sister’s
there comes a time in all these lives when we must part and say goodbye
and wonder if we’ll meet again whether in this life or the next
but I can’t wait that long and even though I know it’s wrong
I’ll sacrifice patience for faith to have her here this coming day
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
and dear Lord how I miss her, bring back home the youngest sister
she had to go far away to see what fate may await
when she said she had to leave, I was as brave as I could be
so I said goodbye and kissed her, I said goodbye and kissed her
I said goodbye and kissed her and cried for the youngest sister
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric guitar
Michael Spaly-electric guitar, violin, backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar, gang vocals
Schuyler Jones-electric bass, gang vocals
Isaac Chirino-drum kit
Ken Nottingham, Chris Mulally, Bill Fuller, Russ Fuller-gang vocals
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios
8. Letter to Paul Auster
(words and music by Sam Russell)
Sam:
the preacher rambles on at the ceremony
I’m living in a flash-forward memory
as a child imagining his sister at alter
the twist of retrospect and living causing heart to halter
I am the narrator controlling the flow
moving out of tunnel in which creature’s eyes will glow
a sleight of hand the author practices
to exploit every instance of coincidence
the old sifting pattern perfected
debate between the theories projected
the wedding will be setting of the play’s intermission
the sticky southern air only missing her presence
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster maybe take her out for coffee
if you walk down Willoughby and both make the same turn
maybe my favorite author can be watching over her
I listen for the songs played in the background
throughout rehearsal dinner cutting through the combined sound
to bring up calm contained at center of connection
to feel her grace from far away without feeling abandoned
a way to know you’re dreaming is to look at the clock twice
if it doesn’t say the same time, you’ll wake up tasting rice
riding back to bed and breakfast drunk in the backseat
my sister and fiancée upfront looking for right street
my love flew out last minute for the audition
I ran with my cell phone listening in kitchen
I wanted her to come with me to keep panic at bay
and pose for picture with my sister on her wedding day
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster help her get up on the marquee
I’m singing out to you because I can’t sing to God
even if I had the faith I haven’t used it in so long
I wish I didn’t notice the judgment every time it passes
from all my sister’s friends and relatives glances
my 8th-grade best friend called out of nowhere to tell me
that he just married some girl cause God didn’t want him to be lonely
he said God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
you mentioned Kenosha in two books and I asked you why
at the book signing you said to read the only book of yours I hadn’t tried
your grandma shot your grandpa in my hometown and your father
was cut off all his life, his communication faltered
paddle deeper through downtown, overflow will soak socks
time travel may occur from a creaking porch swing as it rocks
you don’t know what to wish for, where or what to call a home
time’s running out better get back and face family alone
here comes the shore, closer and closer
peripheral sees water wetting all the parallels
the opposite of optimism vs. the epic of the everything
oh that ferry back and forth, how I love to hear her sing
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster listen to her music carry
past your open Brooklyn window heading out for Seattle
ducking all the epiphanies raining down to kill
duck upstairs from reception to the white walls and linen
caught between the confrontation and happiness to be had
she writes she loves me in the snow, stops at first letter of my name
after I make fun of her and make her think that I’m ashamed but
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
can each loose thread be traced back directly to the source don’t ya
end up with nothing if you pull and try to force
the answer into light before it’s ready to view
before every variation is distilled into precious few
if I can’t wrap this up, I’ll say you can’t always either
you trapped the man in vault and could not get him out as the writer
but you made your inability center of story
admitting failure as possible way to glory
but Mr. Auster you must consider
that the man in vault could have gotten out to be with her
I put that book down knowing there was still a solution
so tell me you were wrong if you think I’m proving it
hey Paul Auster won’t you take care of my baby
hey Paul Auster keep her safe for me to see
in the meatpacking district tonight now 3 AM
yeah you write out the prayer and I’ll sing it as a hymn, I’ll sing that
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
God didn’t want me to be lonely, God didn’t want me to be lonely
Sam Russell-lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitar
Michael Spaly-electric violin, fiddle, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Nathan Wade-backing vocal
Scott Andrew-backing vocal
James Apollo-backing vocal
Clay Ballard-backing vocal
Ian Rodney-electric guitar
Schuyler Jones-electric bass
Isaac Chirino-drum kit, percussion
Ken Nottingham, Chris Mulally, Bill Fuller, Russ Fuller-gang vocals
Recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios