A 2CD set, this is a soulful record. A 19-song collection (10 songs unpublished until now) that comes from a handful of Eric’s performances in the 1970s, mainly from two concerts (1975 and 1978) at Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant in Houston, Texas, recorded on a Pioneer reel-to-reel machine with a Tapco 6-channel mixer set on a front table by the stage. “Charlie Ray McWhite” taped at Bill Flanagan’s house (1979). “Chicken Fried Steak” from a KPFT appearance with Don Sanders hosting.
REVIEWS
“I loved this time period in our lives. Eric would love what you have done to lease these songs to an audience that may have never heard them. I am glad you included some stories, too!” – Joy Lewallen
“I’m sitting here with Early Eric Taylor, just basking in the glow. I haven’t listened yet, I want to soak up all of the care and love that went into the physical aspects first. It is overwhelming. The photos, the lyric sheets, the songs themselves – you and Eric have woven true magic here. And James and Rock, too, of course. And I haven’t even listened yet! I am blown away! The quality is unbelievable. And those songs! It’s so cool hearing young Eric. All of the elements are there, but how different his voice sounds. What a treasure!” – Jon Green
“Susan, I received the new CDs yesterday and played them for about two hours. Thank you and your team for all the beautiful work it took to produce this. Hearing Eric’s voice from those years brought me to tears. He was so creative! The early guitar work is so pristine! Jesus, but I miss my friend! God bless you, dear one!” – Michael Tenney
“I was lucky enough to experience this music at Anderson Fair back in the day. Eric Taylor was a mentor to Lyle Lovett among others. He was a brilliant wordsmith and looked deep inside the human soul…..and didn’t hesitate to share what he found. Insightful, unapologetic with a dash of curmudgeon thrown in. He should be recognized as one of the finest songwriters our generation produced! And then there’s his “musicality “! Eric’s voice was silenced way too soon but thanks to Susan Lindfors Taylor, Rock Romano and others you now have an opportunity to experience his early years. If you don’t know Eric’s music do yourself a favor and order this cd.” – Sandra Mathis
“I think you are very brave and your every step is in harmony with Eric.” – Sooz Caldwell
“I am enthralled. I remember first hearing Shameless Love in 1981 or 1982 and the uniqueness of Eric’s voice, his lyrics, the instrumentation – all of that is brought back to me with these two early albums. When I played the 2 CDs, I was mesmerised at the pure quality of all and also sad, remembering the great times we had together. There were only ever three maestros – Eric, Townes and Guy. Nobody comes within a country mile of their talents. Thanks for putting this project together. It is truly a towering honour to Eric.” – Patrick Hurley
“Throughout my artistic life men have come along who bump the bar just a bit higher and keep me hungry: Dylan, Prine, VanZandt…. Eric is on the short list for me… he was something else. Thank you so much.” – Michael Elwood
“We love the CD. And the insert is amazing too! What a treasure of old photos and hand written lyrics!!! Just beautiful. Congratulations. Thank you again.” – Louise Mosrie Coombe
“Wow. I guess that I expected the songs to be good, even in Eric’s youth, but not THIS good. Astonishing sound quality too. Thank god for reel to reels (I still have mine) and the few that used them, especially in a club. I have some knowledge of what it took to get that sound off of those old reels and the mastering involved. Beautifully done and my compliments to all involved.” – Ramcey Rodriguez
“these recordings are wonderful!!! my god. i can’t believe how self possessed as a writer, performer, guitarist, everything he was so young. it’s amazing. thank you so much for this wonderful gift. i am loving the heck out of it.” – Betty Soo
“Just wanted to thank you for the cd. I first saw Eric in the early ’90’s when I moved to Houston, and I’m amazed how different his voice sounds on these songs! Like a young man. And he looks so different in the pictures! These cd’s are a true gift for all of us who are long-time fans. I can’t thank you enough.” – Bill Eley
“Susan, I’ve spent nearly two hours immersing myself in the 19 songs on Eric’s double CD collection. I did so listening on my Sennheiser headphones because I wanted to totally hear them with no distractions, something that singer songwriters of Eric’s calibre deserve. I should really add musician to Eric’s accomplishments because from the very beginning his extraordinary guitar playing shone through on every track. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay to these recordings is that it makes, in fact inspires me, to dig out all his previous albums and immerse myself in those, too. Rest assured I shall be doing so as the current year bids farewell and we head into 2023. These recordings are truly breathtaking, particularly as he was so young and relatively unknown when these performances found their way onto that Pioneer reel-to-reel tape machine. You, James Gilmer and Rock Romano have honoured Eric’s legacy in the best possible way with the care and obvious loving way in which you have resurrected these recordings and presented them so beautifully, both sonically and with the presentation. The packaging complements the music therein and it was a joy to have the lyrics to hand as I listened to his masterful performances of the songs. It really felt, as I listened, that I was right there in the audience. I can’t begin to imagine how emotional it must have been for you to first hear these recordings. That you have enabled people like me to hear them as well means we shall forever be in debt to you for doing so. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s remarkable to hear previously unreleased songs of such quality. It’s a thrill to have so much new music from Eric to enjoy. The work the three of you put in to make them worthy of release is greatly to be applauded. What I heard on those two CDs was fresh and immediate, a front row seat with Eric on fine form, clearly enjoying himself and the audience responding enthusiastically to what they were hearing. Again, BIG THANKS to all three of you for honouring Eric’s legacy so magnificently.” – Peter O’Brien
“I almost made it through the opening song without tearing up. Almost…” – Bailey Jones
“Susan, I finally had time to listen to my Eric double CD. I listened to all of it and all I can say is WOW! I completely loved it. Thank you so much for getting this project done. I really am so thankful. Loved it!” – Ruby Nordby
“Knowing how highly we thought of Eric, Susan Lindfors Taylor was kind enough to send us an early release of this beautiful collection of his early works. Those who’ve seen Eric at our Rosie’s Cafe shows will understand how exciting this is. The Early Eric Taylor album contains 19 pristine live recordings, 10 of which have never been released.” – George Wirth
“I was thrilled today to learn that Eric Taylor’s widow, Susan Lindfors Taylor has released a compilation CD of Eric’s early recordings, which led me to spend a few moments reminiscing on our many house concerts with Eric. Eric was an intensely brilliant songwriter and an evening with Eric was one to remember. I first met him years ago in Northern California when I heard his songs on a folk radio station and got myself invited to a house concert with him that very evening. I was a lifelong fan with the first alternating bass riff and the first lyric of his masterful songs. Within a few months he was performing at our house in Gainesville. I have many thoughts about his songs and his brilliance, but today what I thought about was his connection to our family and our community. I noticed that with each concert he took time to chat with everyone in attendance and he could talk to anyone about anything. He got to know our children and always asked about them with each trip back to Gainesville. Our hoedowns always went well into the night and featured an “afterglow” when everyone had the opportunity to take the mic and sing and jam with all the musicians. Eric loved the afterglow and even got back up on numerous occasions to share some more songs with us. He listened to each performer with respect and appreciation and on one occasion he grabbed my knee, looked at me, and said ‘tonite, I am one happy man”. Special memories of a special songwriter.” – Ralph Taylor
“Susan. I can’t thank you enough. This is amazing. My eyes well up just hearing him again. Thank you so much for this amazing gift. It’s so, so good. You did an amazing job and anything we can do to keep Eric’s music going and alive I’m excited for. Thank you again so much my friend. Big love.” – Ron Collins
“Absolutely fabulous! Great, great job on this. So cool to hear all this early stuff, the vast majority of which I’ve never heard before. Interesting to hear Eric’s distinct guitar playing so early in his career, to hear that he was always something of a storyteller and to see how his songwriting evolved over the years.” – Steve Wilkison
LYRICS
1. D.C. Song
Sure, I’d like to talk to you for a while
Like to ask you how you been
Gettin’ kinda lonesome for a smile
Sure makes travelin’ easier with a friend along
I’m feelin’ like some roller coaster rider
with my face against the wind
Understanding you was all I really meant to do
One more ticket, please, I’ll ride again
I hate this ol’ bus station worse than hell
Not to mention all the buildin’
This air I breathe’s got a dyin’ kind of smell
Guess there ain’t much life in city living
Remember all the fields of clover
and the pick-up truck we drove there
Well, we had two girls and we didn’t know where to begin
Yeah, I remember all the good times, drunk on
elderberry wine
Hey, do you want to do that again?
When I came I thought I’d really love this city
With all the people that I saw
God bless my words, I think that it’s a pity
To see ’em stumble ’round and fall the way they do
Don’t know if you heard it, but there’s been another murder
The man who died was stayin’ down the hall
I heard about it yesterday, said it happened in the subway
For a half a pint, a dollar’s worth of tokens and that’s all
I’m feelin’ like some roller coaster rider
with my face against the wind
Understanding you was all I really meant to do
One more ticket please, I’ll ride again
2. Game Of Hearts
Could be I’m missin’ you,
Could be I’m lazy, don’t wanna try nothin’ new.
It’s a game of hearts,
Let the cards lay where they’re fallin’
Babe, if you got money to spend,
Don’t lay odds, I won’t be ’round again
I just ain’t in the mood
And I’m too tired to be gamblin’.
(chorus)
But maybe I’m the kind of gambler
that burns his hands on a brand new moon.
His luck runs pale in the afternoon
He suffers the cold like the old folks do.
But any gamblin’ man will know
that’s ever played for love or gold
that the game don’t end, you pick up what you win,
lay down your cards and go
Could be the sound of good-bye or the keys in the door,
Could be the sound of the rollin’ of the dice on the floor.
I’ll raise and you’ll call and I’ll pass and you’ll fold
So, honey, just deal them ’round again.
Babe, I ain’t been lyin’ to you
I just played this game like the gamblers do.
I think it’s a shame
bad luck ain’t to blame this time
(repeat chorus)
3. New Mexico Song
Close your eyes, the sun is fallin’ back
Behind the car the bags are on the rack
We ain’t got no radio but I sing for you awhile
And we’ll stop and see Billy Bonney’s grave in about 300 miles
(chorus)
Whoa, New Mexico, fourth down and goal to go
If I don’t like it, you don’t have to come no more
Whoa, New Mexico, how come this town ain’t on this road map?
The man sold me for a dollar and a dime
Me and Daniel we got drunk last night
Driving home in the dark without the lights
Policeman he asked my name, Daniel he got loud
Mama, don’t ask me how much it cost, just come and get me out
(repeat chorus)
Canyon crosswinds blowin’ in my face
This sky’s so big I think I must be crazy
Hot coffee cup between my legs is causin’ me concern
Gonna try to be in Santa Fe by the time the aspens turn
(repeat chorus 2x)
4. Mr. Mooney
Maybe it’s true ol’ Mooney knew more than he would tell
’bout three boys found near the edge of town
30 years ago in April
But the judge said no, the sheriff let him go thinkin’ that would end it
The truth still lies in the Mooney man’s eyes
It ain’t easy to forget it.
Could’a been someone just passin’ through
with the devil in his mind
Then again, it could’a been ol’ Mooney all the time
So if you ever wake up cryin’, just latch the screen
Tell me what you seen and tell the truth
(chorus)
Mooney’s at the window
Mooney’s at the door
Everybody in bed better cover their head
and ask a favor of the Lord
They called him Mr. Mooney, his first name was James
He lived down the road from my Aunt Grace
near the roller skatin’ rink
She said that Mr. Mooney for years had been insane
He could scare any kid in the neighborhood
by the mention of his name
He could stir up the dusty afternoon in his ol’ red Ford
We would head for the door
Mama, open up, he’s comin’ for us, just latch the screen
Tell me what you seen and tell the truth
(repeat chorus)
The night that Mr. Mooney’s house, it burned to the ground
My Aunt Grace said he sat inside
while they begged him to come out
She said the smoke weren’t cleared ‘fore his son was here
to drive away the Ford
The newspapers told he was 90 years old
and he’d fought in both the wars
The streets were quiet as we stood outside,
lit cigarettes and swore
We weren’t afraid of Mooney anymore
That’s a lie and we all know it as we latch the screens
Tell me what you seen, now, tell the truth
(repeat chorus)
5. Bobbie’s Song
Bobbie wore this yellow dress when we were introduced
Talked about a kid in Birmingham and a man in Baton Rouge
We let the midnight take its chances
as we waltzed through the fancy dancers through the hallways
of the Hotel Mirabella
(chorus)
Here’s to the lovin’ in the cheap hotels
Here’s to the whiskey that stole our breath
Here’s to the things we might have said
Bobbie, here’s to why we never did, Lord,
Here’s to why we never did
Bobbie kept this old blue cat, I think her name was Faye
She used to sleep inside my hat before she ran away
Bobbie stayed up all night long
made me leave the porch light on
Said I know she won’t come home, but just in case
(repeat chorus)
Bobbie kept this diary, she locked it with three keys
She said she’d tell the truth to me,
she’d tell the book anything she pleased
One drink left in the bottle, Lord,
I held the cup and Bobbie poured
The last of the bad rose.
(repeat chorus)
Bobbie left this yellow dress and three keys on a ring
She took $20 from my pants, I think she’s in Biloxi
Maybe it’s just a whiskey dream, but sometimes I think I see
An old blue cat in my hat
(repeat chorus)
6. Shermann Karmann
He was three days out of Mobile
three days without a bath
There’s a knock at my door
Throw your things on the floor
and tell me ’bout them times you had
He said they wasn’t bad,
They wasn’t special,
It’s just the stories I found
in these hurricane towns
get lost in the barroom shuffle.
Karmann plays a melody line
with his fingers flyin’ and you keep time
And he will play the blues from his hat to his shoes
and he laughs with you nearly every time
He told me about the Alamo bar
he’d been sleepin’ in his car
and the right hand side of highway 49
had been takin’ him too far
He said she wasn’t bad, her name was Ruth
a little older than he liked
But it’s been some time
and we’re as good as blind
when you turn out all those lights
Karmann plays her a melody line
With his fingers flyin’ and she keeps time
And he will play them blues from his hat to his shoes
and he laughs with Ruth nearly every time
(repeat first verse and shuffle off)
7. Jail Widow’s Walk
If I had a dollar, Lord
I’d spend it on good times
Ninety cents on women, Lord,
And ten cents on wine
Anybody let me be your
Anybody let me be your love
Mr. John Watson drove a blue Studebaker
Kept a shine on both his shoes
Whipped my legs with a hickory switch
For the language that I used
Anybody let me be your
Anybody let me be your love
If you’re lookin’ for answers
In all this troublin’ love
Why don’t you ask me for lies, honey
I’ve heard a million of ’em
There ain’t no blues on jail widow’s walk
Everything is lip rouge red
If you got tears, miss mama dear
You better keep ’em to yourself
Anybody let me be your
Anybody let me be your love
8. Cowgirl’s Heel
She’s as wild as a hobo dreamin’
how it used to be
When he’d hear that whistle screamin’
he’d come runnin’ through the trees
To catch a ride to anywhere, to the moon
If there’s trains up there
Yeah, she’s as wild as a hobo’s dream
You know, she talks like she’s
from somewhere’s else
It could be Texas, maybe further west
Where the streets are wide and dusty
from the chilly wind’s unrest
Where young girls smile from Chevrolets
dressed in their Sunday best
She talks like she’s from somewhere else
She’s as soft as the river lights
shakin’ loose the river night
Where the whiskey-drinkin’ young boys
They get a little bit too loud
Where the old men go for fishin’
They don’t tell their wives
She’s as soft as the river lights
She’s as fast as a red-maned stallion
She’s as quick as a cowgirl’s heel
She’s as warm as a desert flower, Lord,
and she’s as cold as a hometown jail
She’s everything I told you
and some more
You know that I just need her, I don’t know her
(repeat last verse)
9. Me And Lamar
Me and Lamar sat on his car
On the sidewalk outside the Naked Nun Bar
It was easy to see by the blinkin’ beer lights
That me and Lamar had been there all night
Both drunk as fools, the whole town could hear us singing
Boney Maroney to the parking meter
(chorus)
And I’ll sing it again
Yes, a friend and a friend
Both lose their minds, Lord
And find it again
On Sundays we sit by the washing machines
In the laundry uptown and read old magazines
And it was dimes in the horse and it’d run up and down
Like me and Lamar kinda runnin’ nowhere
And the laughter would sound from the feelin’ we found when
We jumped in the dryer, Lord, and we rode round and round
(chorus)
Now I hear Lamar has still got that car
It sits on cement blocks in his front yard
Old Lamar said he’d never marry, but he must have found the special one
‘Cause I hear his wife’s a waitress down at the Naked Nun
I’ll never forget the way we used to yell and cuss
About the way that time just walked out on the both of us
(chorus 2x)
I’ll never forget the way we used to yell and cuss
About the way that time just walked out on the both of us
10. Featherbed
Well the moon’s holdin’ whiskey
Let’s get drunk with the stars
Dance with the hobos
in them rattlin’ cars
Keep time with the thunder
when the lightnin’s past
It’s midnight motion, Mama
Let’s make it last
Let’s do anything that we might need
to make us any less the lonely
There’s two of us, we can’t be lonesome
Mama, won’t you let me see you smile some
(chorus)
The streets of the city are a featherbed
Let’s get lost in the lights tonight
Let’s get lost in the lights
Leaves me hungry but she keeps me fed
Let’s get lost in the lights tonight
Let’s get lost in the lights
Sunrise leaves me cold and pale
As headlines rainy mornings
Sundown finds me fast and clean
Smilin’ without warnin’
Bartender’s talkin’ with his eyes,
Drink ’em up, boys, it’s closin’ time
The moon just landed on my head
Streets of the city are a featherbed for me
(repeat chorus)
11. East Texas Moon
Old friend Pete’s in Tennessee, Nashville turnaround
Friend Vince, well, he went up East to think it out
We’re still down in East Texas holdin’ each other up with a smile
Drinkin’ coffee in the mornin’ and anything at night
The sun like some old outlaw is feelin’ his way West
He’s been up all day and I figure he’s done his best
Ah, but don’t let the sun tell you he’s the only one around
‘Cause when he goes, another face shows itself
(chorus)
East Texas moon
Shinin’ down on rooftops, yes, and backyards
and beer joints and dogs bark, ain’t it fine?
East Texas moon
Almost Louisiana but not quite
hey, enough light to stay between the lines
It’s a late night movie, Lon Chaney and me,
We’ve gone through this before
Sunday paper lays wasted on the floor
Here comes ol’ three in the mornin’
and he’s layin’ down the same ol’ lines
I’ve got to admit the company he keeps
is near about the same as mine
And it looks like maybe I’m losin’ myself again tonight
Somewhere between what’s real and what just rhymes
Old gray faces all trade places in the lost and found
And telephone calls are like old postcards with sound
(repeat chorus)
12. Straight Talk / Sweet Talk
What’s all this for?
Come on and open the door, you know it’s me
Yeah, I know you told me how you feel
But I think I left my coat in here
And I can’t get home without the key
You said I steal the wings of anything that moves me
You said that the me and the moon were lyin’
Yeah, I know you got reasons plenty
But I can’t help it, you’re so damned pretty
and lonely — hell, it just ain’t right
(chorus)
She played piano down on North Avenue
Till a quarter ’till two
She found a love that was true
And he smiled when he saw her
Yes and he sang along
But the song was too long
He got lost in the tune
I didn’t mean what I said
Why don’t you get dressed, we’ll go out for a while
Yeah, I know I can tell what you’re thinking
but, honey, you know how I am when I’m drinkin’
Always been a man too quick to cry
You say I don’t say I love you enough
You say that crazy ol’ piano’s all you’ve had
You think maybe if we’d been married
And I’d a been a man with a salary
The last few years woulda been so bad?
(chorus 2x)
You said I steal the wings of anything that moves me
You said that me and the moon were lyin’
Yeah, I know you got reasons plenty
But I can’t help it, you’re so damned pretty
and lonely — hell, it just ain’t right
13. Jack-Knife Gypsy
Jack-Knife Gypsy
Don’t you take my life
My kids are hungry,
The sickness got my wife
I work in the mills
Where they make that stockyard feed
So you can take my money
My life is all that I need
Jack-Knife Gypsy
Every man must cheat
I know your problem
I’ve lived out on the street
Too much of nothin’
Can make us very small
Take my life, Jack
We won’t have nothin’ at all
Jack-Knife Gypsy
I see you don’t look so good
I’ve seen you limpin’
Through the neighborhood
I know your momma
I know your daddy, too
Come see me next payday
I’ll see what I can do
Jack-Knife Gypsy
I’m goin’ home to bed
This ain’t been nice
But we got something said
I once held the knife
The same way that you do
So you see there ain’t much difference
From me and you
14. Virginia’s Photograph
Well, the faces in the pictures are growin’ old
Hell, photographs are only shadows anyhow
Well, the one of little Martin at the rodeo
It’s fadin’ his blue eyes and turnin’ brown
Ah, she can’t complain, it’s been a good life
She’s been a good wife
Ah, and she can’t complain, she’s had her laughs
Her goods and bads
She’s got those photographs
Now here’s one of the pony that she used to ride
On the back it’s penciled Christmas ’34
Well, the two of them together was a pretty sight
And every boy in Henry County told her so
Ah, she’s got every ribbon that she ever wore in her hair
Folks are always askin’ what she saves them for
And she just stares – at them ol’ photographs
(chorus)
Run, Virginia, put on your fancy clothes
Put on your favorite smile
Daddy’s going to take a picture of us all
You know, he says they last a lifetime
Oh, you know, he says, he says they last a lifetime
The talks around that maybe she’s just lost her mind
Ah, it’s probably good to keep the kids away
I don’t know, to me, she looks as though she’s feelin’ fine
How can you tell when someone acts that way?
Maybe she just never took those changes like the rest
Like some old rose she pressed between the pages
She saved herself – and those ol’ photographs
(chorus)
Now, Miss Virginia, we don’t mean to do you harm
We’re just doing what we think is best
We hear the place is neatly kept and the rooms are warm
Now, you be good and do what the doctor says
Miss Virginia went inside to get her things, just a few things
I can’t help thinkin’ how her face was framed
By the front door screen – like some ol’ photograph
(chorus)
15. I Hear Nevada
I hear Nevada is so dry and cold
When the wind blew the winter in the Indians froze
Time turns like a wagon wheel across the crumblin’ West
and fallen feathered fineries are laid to rest
(chorus)
Go ask the ponies where the cold wind blows
and ask the canyons if you will
and they will tell you it took a different kind of man
to live in harmony with them
Bless the elk and eagle
and the curse the yellow hair
Take the gold and silver and leave the bear
Ghost Dance on the prairies, the bullets will not burn me
I’m rollin’ back the earth to find my family
Go ask the ponies where the cold wind blows
and ask the canyons if you will
and they will tell you it took a different kind of man
to live in harmony with them
I hear Nevada is so dry and cold
When the wind blew the winter in the Indians froze
16. Uncle Ben And Aunt Marie
My Uncle Ben he would begin
to wind around all the tales of the time
He drove a tank in the Second War
Close the door I’ve got some more
You know I’ve lived every day of my life
Now as I was sayin’
My Uncle Ben would hang out with the men
Who stared blindly at the numbers
When they pump the gasoline
He would drive me down to the church on every Sunday
But he would not give them money
And it was hard to stay awake
(chorus)
His house had a workin’ fireplace
and you couldn’t touch the ceiling
If you tried, you’d fall and break your leg
The bed that I did sleep in there
Was special made for dreamin’ there
It gently let the mornin’ in
Oh, it gently let the mornin’ in
My Aunt Marie she couldn’t sleep
Unless the radio was playin’ by her bed
Calms me more for dreamin’ she said
And she said, child, just turn the dial
And you can find anything that you need
From happiness to comic tragedy
My Aunt Marie, she wrote upon the windows
‘Cause it snowed there every winter that I came
She would do to please me
Believin’ all the lies I told her
And my eyes they bought and sold her
For any picture show in town
(chorus)
(Her…)
17. Old Quarter Song
In that smoky old bar at Austin and Congress
You can get yourself right with a glass
You can deal yourself in but you lose if you win
While the talkers get caught up on laughs
(chorus)
And it’s beaucoups of blues when ol’ Rocky plays
The winos got blood on their chins
It’s crazy I know, but it’s free with the show
And do you think anybody would listen?
That damn ol’ machine that cooks up the popcorn
It’s always crowdin’ the sound
But you learn before long you go ahead with your song
And let the goddamn thing sing background
And it’s beaucoups of blues when ol’ Frank plays
He’s got a book that he keeps all his songs in
Well, it’s crazy I know, but that’s a “daddy banjo”
But do you think anybody would listen?
These big wooden doors are loose on their hinges
You’re always more welcome than not
It’s true your bed pan is most always empty
You can’t get from them that ain’t got
And it’s beaucoups of blues when ol’ Guy plays
He’s often too drunk to begin
It’s crazy I know, but it’s free with the show
And do you think anybody would listen?
In that smoky old bar at Austin and Congress
You can get yourself right with a glass
You can deal yourself in but you lose if you win
While the talkers get caught up on lies and laughs, lies and laughs
And it’s beaucoups of blues when ol’ Rocky plays
The winos got blood on their chins
It’s crazy I know, but it’s free with the show
And do you think anybody would listen?
Hell, no
18. Charlie Ray McWhite
He was coughin’ cold and crazy in the rain
Wish I’d had the sense to ask his name
When I think back on it now, it crossed my mind
but the man that I was lookin’ for was nearly twice his size.
The colors told the truth beneath his eyes
Standin’ there in broken shoes that leaked along the sides.
He had a Florida road map folded down
in the pocket of his raincoat, you know, the plastic kind.
(chorus)
The street’s a ragin’ river when it rains,
That lamp post is just a lighthouse dressed in pain.
“Anybody here seen Charlie?”
Young boy says he knows him.
“No, sir, we ain’t seen him none today.”
Silver Airstream stained in rusty chrome
I knocked upon that trailer door and found nobody home
I could smell six months of drunk and dirty clothes
Must have been 50 empty bottles fillin’ sacks beside the door.
I kicked around inside for just a while
Wonderin’ why I was goin’ to all this trouble anyhow
From the looks of things he ain’t been around for days
What the hell, man, just forget it, I was curious anyway.
(repeat chorus)
I heard footsteps on the front steps just behind me
She said, “This one ain’t for rent, son, but I got one down the line.
God damn it to hell, this place smells, and I got some work to do
But you don’t know how glad I am to be shed of that old fool.”
I asked her what she meant, and she said, “Dead.”
She went to work pullin’ dirty sheets off a dirty bed.
And she said his name was Charlie Ray McWhite
and he died in Pensacola, Florida a week ago last night.
(repeat chorus)
“. . .and if we had, I doubt we’d tell you anyway.”
19. Goodnight Irene
20. Chicken Fried Steak
Well, it’s ten after four and I was drunk on the floor
Tomorrow is workin’ day
Got bad news, slap on the boots
And I’m dyin’ for a chicken fried steak
Sherin, please, won’t you find the car keys
We ain’t got a minute to lose
We could make it to that all-night place
Yes, the one with the greasy food
(chorus)
Chicken fried steak, dressed in gravy
Lord, I can’t wait
Well, it looks like crap
But it’s tasty, tasty
Mmmm
Well, as we pulled out, I was talkin’ about
That culinary treat
Drivin’s fun if you just got one
Boot on both your feet
Well, I was doin’ okay till I caught the ray
Of the policeman’s blue lights
Started to pray ’cause I knew right away
My ass was chicken fried
(chorus)
(kazoo break)
Well, the police said, “Get out of that car
And lean up against the door
Where in the hell is your other boot?
That’s what God gave you two feet for.”
Well, they took me down to the station house
Threw me in the tank
Never guess when the morning came
What was on my breakfast plate
(chorus … looks like jail food)