Big Brother
I've always loved Mose Allison's 1990 New Orleans recording "My Back Yard", which contains this song. The local band he assembled (Bill Huntington: Bass, John Vidacovich: Drums, Steve Masakowski: Guitar, Tony Dagradi: Tenor) absolutely kick it on the street beat. We experiment with some funky re-casting here, featuring the deep groove well of Al Hartland on drums.
Dave Davies Trb, Voc, Gtr
Chad Lieberman Piano
Harry Aceto Bass
Al Hartland Drums
Orange Circus
This song wrote itself In the early days of a certain newly-minted presidential administration, when the turnover rate of staff and cabinet seemed so unusual and unprecedented. Many new verses could be written since then, but alas, time and space have their limits. Chad Lieberman's piano captures the ever-increasing absurdity of Orange Circusness.
Dave Davies Voc, Gtr
Chad Lieberman Piano
Harry Aceto Bass
Al Hartland Drums
My Musical Town
Celebrating the community that can grow over a lifetime of music playing and connecting with kindred souls. I met Dr James Rhythm in 1976 in Oswego NY, tugging energetically on his washtub bass, and have enjoyed all kinds of adventures, musical and otherwise with him ever since. Another of these opportunities for me is the Ashokan group Swingology playing here, and for happy campers and audiences for at least 35 years.
This song dedicated to the memory of Franko "Washboard" Jackson who I'm sure is scrubbing the rhythms of Heaven.
Dave Davies Guit, Voc
Harry Aceto Bass
Molly Mason Guitar
Jay Ungar Fiddle
Peter Davis Banjo
Party of Four Vocs:
Cookie Coogan
Doug Robinson
Wayne Gottlieb
Longview Blues
For when you zoom way, way out over the mists of time, in a Planet of the Apes sort of way. Harry Aceto, as always, knows exactly what to do.
Dave Davies Guit, Voc
Chad Lieberman Piano
Harry Aceto Bass
Stay With Me
An attempt at a pop song, which emerged after playing Joe Zawinul's "Mercy Mercy Mercy" a lot for west coast swing dancers. The middle features a duet between sections of our vocal group "Party of Four" from Ithaca.
Dave Davies Guit, Voc
Chad Lieberman Piano, Organ
Harry Aceto Bass
Al Hartland Drums
Party of Four Vocs
Cookie Coogan
Doug Robinson
Wayne Gottlieb
Dark Water
This song was inspired one day while actually walking through dark water In a flooded crawl space for someone, with nothing but a flashlight. Somehow that experience caused me to think of the risks that people take on the behalf of others every day, inspired by love, kindness, or just plain curiosity.
Dave Davies Guit, Voc, Trb, Bass
The Howl of the Underdog
During the presidential campaign of 2008 I was amazed by the dubious shifting and ever-expanding claims of all the candidates, and how more-than-usually bizarre that whole year was.
Dave Davies Guit, Voc
Chad Lieberman Piano
Harry Aceto Bass
Al Hartland Drums
Eric Aceto Violin
Party of Four Howls
Welcome to the World
Seeing a baby made me flash back to a moment when I was holding our newborn daughter, and it suddenly struck me with profound sadness that someday, if all went well, she would leave us, and our home and protection. This song was written at a time when she was doing that very thing, and embarking on the next chapter of life. At the same time, a dear friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and I was once again reminded of how precious and finite all human relationships are.
Dave Davies Guit, Voc
Alice Saltonstall Voc
Chad Lieberman Piano
Harry Aceto Bass
Al Hartland Drums