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Released May 20th, 2006 Recorded in practice locations Produced by Storehouse Productions. |
One of several love songs on the CD. Sometimes someone comes along that puts you totally at ease with yourself, and feeling comfortable with who you are. Usually, and as originally written, this is a lover. In our current lives many folks at Walker Church have made each of us feel like that. They are all honest to goodness genuine folks, and they feel good to be around and this song has special meaning because of that. The flute track was conceived during the final recording session and now live performances use the flute instead of the bass (both are present on the CD)
Ol' Daniel (John 1974 and Jim, 2005)
As noted in the band history, Tom announced at a practice that he was leaving the group and as he was packing up, John started playing Ol' Daniel, perhaps moved by the pain felt by the old man as his son Daniel left home. It was the first time Jim or Tom had heard the song and Tom joked that if there was more music like that on the horizon, he might reconsider his decision to leave. Jim liked the tune as well but had difficulty following the story. While visiting North Carolina in June, Jim visited several historical sites that used slave labor and became inspired to offer some suggestions to John to help tell a more cohesive story. John accepted many of the changes and after a few more revisions the new Ol' Daniel was born.
Let Those Good Feelings Flow (John, 1978)
John spent some time in the summer of 1978 hanging out on the beach in Key West, Florida where he spent time eating shark and coconuts. As he hitchhiked back to Minnesota, hoping to be accepted again by those he had left behind, this song emerged. Much like a good trip from Florida through Tennessee the musical journey runs from a folksy beach jam to a good old country two step.
Grow Old With Me (Jim, 2006)
John & Jim often perform at the Walker Open Stage to support our friend Tony Wentersdorf for the many years he has helped local musicians get started and have a place to perform. It is also a great opportunity to try out new music and for Jim to gain experience in singing. For the February, 2006 Open Stage, John & Jim decided to have a Valentine's theme. A week before the Open Stage, Jim was playing his selections for his daughter, Carrie. She said, "Why don't you write a song for mom for Valentine's day?" The result was a jazz ballad with a flute solo in the middle. Although the first performance kind of fell apart, the tune survived, the words got extensively revised and this song is dedicated to Jim's wife of 24 years, Julia Philips.
Every Somethin' Needs Some Nothin' (Lao Tzu Blue #11) (Words by Jim, Music by John, 2005)
This song was written literally on the back of a napkin during an airline flight from Minneapolis to Albuquerque. Jim wanted to capitalize on the acoustic blues sound that sounded good in the covers. The words are based on a verse from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching (The Way of Life), some ancient Chinese philosophy that is incorporated into services at Walker Church each week. There are many translations of Lao Tzu that capture much the same message in different language. The song is based on the John C. H. Wu translation of #11. Jim plans to do a few additional chapters. One interesting note is that the recording for this song was completed on May 12th and the CD was released on May 20th.
A Ship Without Sails (John, 1978)
Have you ever felt like there was no wind in your sails that life was at a standstill and you were searching for more? This was written during such a time in his life while John was living in Colorado and traveling all over the country in a VW van or by hitchhiking (a popular mode of transportation in the 70's).
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Love (John, 1990)
The worst thing to do is to hold a grudge on someone especially if it lasts for years and years. Sometimes it is so hard to find forgiveness. This song is taken from that Bible verse somewhere that says to resolve your resentments and anger with another before the day is over. No tall order here.
Change is A Comin' (Jim, 2006)
The Walker Community was shaken by the suicide of Seth Garwood on July 21, 2005. Larry Nielsen replaced Seth as pastor on an interim basis and led the community through some difficult healing time. One of his themes was to recognize the need for change, prepare for it, and embrace it. This song is generically about accepting change, but there are specific references to the uncertainty surrounding the appointment of a new, permanent pastor and the certainty of the death of the old one. The walking blues style is punctuated with a jazzy bridge.
Rivertown (John, 1993)
One of John's adventures was to go down the same Mississippi River that Mark Twain wrote about and live the same way on a raft. Well after the first night on the river almost losing his life to an approaching tow boat pushing 15 barges upriver, he decided to travel only by day. He made it as far as Memphis and decided he had enough of the River. John hitched the rest of the way to New Orleans, getting a ride from some oil rig platform workers. He still romances about that river, and now lives only a half a mile from it. Rivertown is about a fictional character but the sights around the city of Minneapolis and St. Paul haven't changed much since he wrote the song.
On a Real Roll (John, 1988)
As a songwriter John tries to use metaphors for different situations. This one is a love relationship metaphor based upon gambling. Not to encourage gambling but just to look at a relationship in a fun way with a good country beat.
Tomorrow's Light (Jim, 2006)
Walker Church, where Jim & Tom are members and John regularly visits, has as part of its mission statement "To Work Courageously for Peace with Justice." The Peace with Justice (PWJ) Committee had fallen on hard times and had become somewhat inactive much to the disappointment of the church members. In late 2005 the committee became active again with lots of new, energetic members including Jim. Part of its rebirth included an entire Sunday Celebration (service) dedicated to informing the congregation about the new PWJ activities. One tradition at Walker is to have a special music performance as part of each Celebration, and Jim signed up for that Sunday and composed this song for the occasion. As luck would have it, Jim & John were performing as a duo the Friday before at the Fire Roast Mountain Cafe (Tom was in concert that night with the Fireroast Mountain Boys). John had a bad cold and couldn't sing much, so Tomorrow's Light had its debut there to fill in some time. The official debut, January 22, 2006, included Jim, John and Tom as well as Kent Eklund on piano and featured Jim whipping the congregation into a frenzy with some revivalist preaching in support of Peace with Justice. (The preaching finale is not presented on the CD as the connection with a live audience is crucial to its success.)
Sandman (John 1979)
John once had a dream that featured Louis Armstrong in some sort of fantasy world. This song is his tribute to Armstrong as well as a song about dreaming.
It's Just Not the Right Time (Jim, 2006)
This was the last song written for the CD. Jim's flute playing on some of the covers (Moondance & Summertime) done at gigs is always a crowd pleaser and something up tempo for the flute was needed for the CD. As original;y recorded, this song had the same message in the 12 bar section as in the 8 bar section - things are looking up and all is good. As this was being prepared for the March 2005 Open Stage (John, Jim & Kent Eklund) Jim changed the message of the 12 bar section to present an alternative view of the situation. About 30 minutes before going on stage, the arrangement changed from the typical vocal-instrumental-vocal format to a statement of the melody with the flute, then vocals, then improvisation then the final statement of the melody. The scat singing was also added at just the right time.
What a Heart Can Do (John, 1982)
John was working in a factory on Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder, Colorado. The highlight of the work day was quitting time so he could return to his friends at a nearby farm house. This song represents his hope that in everyone's life there is that someone who shows you how much you are loved.
Released Spring, 2005
Recorded live at Creative Aire Studio
You Made My Day**
Run Like a Winner
Fish**
I'm Thankful
Fire Insurance
True Satisfier
Lies
Faith Alone
God Can Use a Broken Heart
** Previously released on John Bennett's CD Whole Heart
Tom appears with the Fireroast Mountain Boys, Brian Peterson and Ruth Giegerich
Jim appears with Ruth Giegerich.