This is the heart of my website.  Here you'll find selected songs from my catalogue for review, and I'll post more over time as they come of age.  The challenge in bringing some of the older material to the present is that they were initially recorded on a 4-track using analog tapes, and my mastering wasn't stellar.  My critical ear requires, and today's digital equipment allows, me to re-record dozens of these songs and make them fresh and shiny.   But all of this updating takes time.  Additionally, all songwriting occuring in the present tense takes priority.  Please be patient while I play catch up!

Selected songs are listed alphabetically.  Simply click on the desired link - a blue song title links to either a complete song (if I've re-recorded it) or a sound clip (if it's still on the wait list), and the lyric links are clear.  The music files are either mp3 or wma files and use Windows Media Player or similar software.  The lyrics are doc files and open in MS Word. 

Updates

7/21/10: Jesus, anyone who's slogged their way through all these recent updates certainly needs a shot of happiness, and a cold beer. Well, I'll take you part way anyway. It's time to stop beating the political  drum and move on. Life, both at present, and with hope for the future, rocks. That's my new and improved story. Things get better from here as I shed this past tale like a skin. Stick around. 
6/18/10: And I thought 2008 sucked. Little did I know how transformational 2009 would be. Here, half a year into 2010, I don't really want to relive 2009, but there are a couple of events that changed everything. On 1/19/09 I said goodbye to Teddy, my beautiful black and white dog. He was eleven, long with hip dysplasia, and something cancerous eating away at his throat, esophagus, or whatever. Fucking cancer. Later that month I completed and recorded Teddy Waits, which now looks to be the title track of my long overdue CD. Come summer I took Teddy's ashes to Colorado, and on 8/4/09 scattered them up on Devil's Thumb Pass. It pains me still. Tragically, Casey, my astounding 6-year old Aussie, suddenly died from leukemia a month later on 9/7/09. My world more or less spun off its axis about that time, and my music ground to a halt. Silence. Eventually Haley and I needed another dog, and on 10/30/09 a litter was born to a sibling of Casey's sired by Casey's dad. I chose a male and named him Rider. I took him home in December. He's a work in progress, and music sits on the sideline until Rider's good to go. The good news is I'm recently beginning to play again, now that I can look away from Rider for a second without him peeing somewhere or chewing something into splinters. Hope stirs.
1/4/09: Wow - good riddance to 2008 - the worst year in recent memory.  Between my steady drip of the
election, the war, and the economy, it's a wonder I got any art accomplished last year.  But this year'll be better, right?  On the music scene, I'm currently recording the title track for the CD, an instrumental called Now In Progress.  There's also another political rocker in the works called Hey, America that's showing promise.  The music's done.  If I can complete the lyrics, this one'll be a lot of fun.  Farewell, Mr. Bush.
6/11/08: You know, I'm beginning to reconsider the working title of this CD I've been working on since...March 2007.  Instead of Now In Progress, it's looking more like Slow Progress.  Hilarious, I know.  But there's actually good news - I've completed a new song called A Thousand Songs, and am recording it now.  I've also recorded two covers: Bruce Springsteen's magnificent Thunder Road (a slow version with basically guitar and vocals) and Stephen Stills Find The Cost of Freedom, which remains far too relevant given the never ending war.  So, if I count right, I have 9 songs (mostly) ready for the new CD.  My goal is 15 songs.  Spring 2009, perhaps?   
3/23/2008: Time flies!  I'm still chipping away at Now In Progress in a scattered sort of way.  What I mean by that is I'm working on multiple pieces at once, which isn't optimal for me.  Recently I completed Everybody Had A Bad Day, which decribes a day in the life of the Bush presidency.  Pick one, any one.  I'm also writing a song called Teddy Waits, inspired by the almost daily view of my dog Teddy sitting in the window as I come down the drive.  Priceless!  I'm also recording (again) I Want One, which is coming along nicely.  At this point, my goal is to finish this CD in 2008.  Focus, Jamie, focus!
11/3/07: Ok, I admit it: Now In Progress hasn't made much progress since my last posting.  Life (read: work) has been challenging, and I haven't had the time or the energy to pour into my music as I'd like.  In defense of my slothfulness, I have recently written Let It Fly, and am recording it now.  I'm also working on Mountainrise, and a few other as yet unnamed songs.  I've said it before: writing new music takes priority over recording songs already in the can.
7/21/07: Last night a friend commented that I hadn't posted any new material for some time.  True enough, and here are a couple of reasons.  After the "official" release of the We Go On cd in March, I was basically wiped out.  It'd been a lot of effort to record 16 tracks while my alter ego worked for big corporate america, and I needed a break.  There's also been a shift in my current thinking: if I continue to post material as I complete it, where's the anticipation for the eventual release of the next cd?  Speaking of which - here's an update on that cd, currently titled Now In Progress: I've completed the tracks Next Stop, Ground and Where Are We Now?, and am presently working on Wooden Blocks. 
2/28/07: This piece is, for me, an epic.  Please enjoy Just Enough Strength.  This one has worn me out, and I sense that it may be a while before my next posting.  Right now, I'm not sure I can do any better.
2/3/07: By popular demand, the complete versions of Riding High, Shadows, Somewhere 'Round The Bend, and Yeah, You Were.  New recordings are in the works!
1/17/07: Here are three more complete tunes: Empty Metal, Love Requires Assembly, and We Go On. 
1/14/07: Finally - I've shrugged off the post-holiday malaise, and have posted the mp3 of This Chance.  I started recording this in mid-December, but... 
11/29/06: Life cajoles me to create, then stands in my way.  After numerous obstacles, here's the complete version of Light The Way Home, in mp3 format. 
11/5/06: A friend has requested that I post more complete version of my songs.  In response, I will occasionally do so, and here's an mp3 of No Turning Back.  Feedback, please!
10/22/06: Another good week - the complete version of Friend Of Mine, in mp3 format.  This smokes!  
10/17/06: Just recorded and posted - the complete version of Those Who Remain, in mp3 format.  Enjoy!

 

Songs

1. A Thousand Songs - This song was written in response to a letter from an old friend, as was intended as a farewell of sorts.  In the arranging the instrumentation gave this song very much a Jackson Browne feel, sans piano, and I'm grateful to him for that.  Damn near 50 years on this road, did you find what called you so?  Florida, Ó2008.  (Lyrics to come)     
2. A Way Through – Written in Texas in 1981 and Ó1990.  I’d graduated from Denison and relocated the year before, and my girlfriend hadn’t.  This song explores the transition from being alone, to loneliness.  Lyrics    
3. All I Need’s A Little While - Written over Thanksgiving break at Denison in 1979 and Ó1990.  A nice, jazzy, song about making someone happy, and how pleasurable that can be.  It’s so easy.  Lyrics
4. Burning With Promise - This is the first song I wrote in an open tuning, and was completed around 1977. It describes ones search for the inner flame which, for me, is music. Ohio, Ó2006.  Lyrics 
5. Empty Metal – This song describes the transition from marriage to divorce, from flight to sorrow.  This ring of vows now is empty metal.  Written in Colorado in 2004, and Ó2006.  Lyrics
6. Everybody Had A Bad Day - Inspired, sadly, by the endless war, the declining economy, and the considerable damage to America's standing in the world - all of which can be laid at the feet of our imbecilic president.  What an asshole.  Florida, Ó2008.  (Lyrics to come)
7. Friend Of Mine – One of my first electric tunes intended for a full band.  As I approached graduation, I was thinking a lot about leaving my friends and the uncertainty of going forward alone.  This song explores that uncertaintly, as set to a western theme.  Do we ride together, or is this another story left untold?  Written at Denison in 1980, and Ó1990.  Lyrics
8. I Find Myself – Among the first songs I wrote in Colorado in 1976 and Ó1991.  Ok, it shows.  But it also describes the youthful, romantic feel of daydreaming about someone.  Lyrics
9. I Want One – My first country song, and its title appeared while watching the Grammys in 1991.  When the best new songwriter award was presented, I said I want one.  The resulting story was one about which I had a little knowledge.  Florida, Ó1991.  She'll love you like a river flowing, leave you washed up on the shore.  Lyrics 
10. It’s Raining – Written in Boulder in 1984 after a phone call from an old girlfriend.  And we’ll laugh about days gone by, but in your voice I can still hear the blame.  The past is never very far away.  Ó1990.  Lyrics
11. Just Enough Strength – This song was written in 1988, and poetically describes starting over in a new land, and dreaming of the future.  It's my anthem, my epic, my prayer.  The land that we dream of, the life that we glimpse in the night.  Florida, Ó1990.  Lyrics
12. Laugh Out Loud – Another song written in Dallas after graduation in 1980, reflecting on a conversation about love I’d had with a then girlfriend.  Yup, then she dumped me.  Try to laugh out loud.  Ó1990.  Lyrics
13. Let It Fly - From time to time everyone dreams of quitting their job and heading off to parts unknown.  This song is my expression of that theme, set to up tempo blues.  Any day now, you'll mash that pedal down and let it fly.  Written in Florida, ©2007.  Lyrics
14. Light The Way Home – Written in 1986 about my love of Colorado, and my desire to return.  It’s introspective, and hopeful, and describes my feelings still. I wish my words could free me as I sing this song.  Florida, Ó1990.  Lyrics
15. Love Requires Assembly – A rocker written in 1991, more or less about the fact that the instructions for love are printed in Japan, and often lose something in translation.  Hey, where do these pieces go?  Florida, Ó1991.  Lyrics
16. Mountainrise - This song is built of 5 parts, the first 2 of which were written circa 1996.  Unfinished, it just drifted around, making an appearance every now and then.  I recently finished it using some imagery both present and past.  Much of the lyrics are vignettes meant to paint a scene for the listener.  Part II owes its attitude to Stephen Stills.  Florida, ©2007.  Lyrics 
17. Next Stop, Ground - My alter ego works for big corporate america; a job which pays the bills while I dream my nights away in the studio.  This song is inspired by, and perhaps exorcises some of, the corporate demons.  Ground down, the mill turns 'round, small cog in a symphony of gears.  Written in Florida, ©2007.  Lyrics 
18. No Turning Back – There’s new life here, beneath the stars.  Written in 1992 in the flush of new love full of promise.  Good stuff.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics 
19. Now In Progress - This is an instrumental that kind of got it's name by default.  Most instrumentals don't exactly make their name clear, as songs with lyrics do, and I needed a title track for my CD.  I originally called it Wolves.  The song is dark, brooding, and cool.  Florida, Ó2008.   
20. Ours To Command – An all time favorite of mine, written in Texas in 1980.  At the time I traveled a lot of dirt roads running off into the distance, thus the imagery.  These back roads became a metaphor for my recollections, and some longing.  Ó1990.  Lyrics 
21. Please Hear What I Say – Perhaps my second country song, written in Florida in 1991.  Two young hearts, restless souls, dream of holding the world in their hands.  Ó1991.  Lyrics
22. Riding High – A political rocker written in 2006 about blood and oil.  Where’d the Golden Rule go?  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
23. Shadows – Sometimes memories come to call around nightfall.  This song muses that the past can be consuming, if the sad memories aren’t balanced with fond ones.  Nestled in with the sorrow, joy’s along for the ride.  Written in Florida in 2006, Ó2006.  Lyrics
24. Siren’s Song – Written in 1995, the siren’s song I describe was an unresolved calling from the past.  Time to set a course away from the voices in the wind.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
25. Solit’ry Man – Another song about transition, from the perspective of a stranger in a strange land.  When I close my eyes, I can see to tomorrow, and recall yesterday.  Written in Florida in 1986, and Ó1990.  Lyrics
26. Some Kind Of Surprise – Hey, could you be some kind of surprise?  A love, that’s big enough to survive?  A hopeful, thoughtful song written in Florida in 1990, and Ó1990.  Lyrics
27. Someone Was Listening – Written in 1984, this song describes a meeting with the wind, and the feeling of renewal.  No drugs were involved.  I recall the touch of her hand, and the infusion of strength as my life found direction again.  Florida, Ó1990.  Lyrics
28. Somewhere ‘Round The Bend – I started this in 2002 in response to the untimely death of a wonderful friend.  This, and its companion song, Yeah, You Were, took 2 years to complete.  Here I muse about the afterlife, and the expectation that we’ll meet again, somewhere ‘round the bend.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
29. This Chance – Written in Florida in 1991 about the need to seize the day.  The music is in part a resurrection of a song I wrote circa 1978 that never made the cut.  Tell her now while you can, take her up to the sky.  Ó1991.  Lyrics
30. Those Who Remain – A song written in 1991 about the value of true friendship.  Real friendships, they’re not easy to find.  So few remain with the passing of time.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
31. Tumble Down – Written in 1982 as sort of a letter to a friend.  Is there anything left of the past that you need?  Come and see.  The answer was no.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
32. We Go On – I wrote this in 1990, and it’s one of my favorites.  It describes the spiritual benefit of songwriting, and of sharing the music.  Without it I’d surely fall ‘neath the weight of the world, and the secrets that need to be free.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
33. When I Didn’t Have To Try – This song resulted from a 1984 conversation with a girl who was interested in me.  The verses fairly describe our differing points of view, and the resulting stalemate.  Some things used to be so easy.  Colorado, Ó1990.  Lyrics
34. When The Heart’s Involved – While on the phone with a friend discussing her relationship woes, I said People act so strangely, when the heart’s involved.  Not only is this true, it soon became the first line of this song written in 1991.  This may be my favorite, at least for today.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics
35. Where Are We Now? - Circa 1984 Brad Sageman wrote an instrumental called Where Are We? that we played during Knockwood sets.  It began as a jazzy, upbeat number that transitioned into this brooding, minor key progression that I always thought was the best part of the song.  Over the years I've made numerous attempts to write lyrics for it, and finally completed them in June.  This field, though fallow now, must yield, before the plow.  Florida, ©2007.  Lyrics   
36. Wooden Blocks – As I write this, I see a similar point of view as in Shadows.  I’m reflecting on the past, and the lessons we learn along the way.  Written in 1986 for a friend and lost love, the song suggests that we think those dusty thoughts, stack ‘em up like wooden blocks, ‘til we build ourselves a future different than we’ve now.  Florida, Ó1990.  Lyrics
37. Yeah, You Were – Written in 2002 along with Somewhere ‘Round The Bend, about a friend who’d passed away.  Convention fled before your attitude.  You were one of a kind, yeah, you were.  Florida, Ó2006.  Lyrics