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Swan Songs

by Kerry Spitzer

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1.
Iowa (A Road Dog's Lament) 06:20
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GOT LAID OUT LOWLY SLOWER THAN SLOWLY I HAD SUCH GOOD INTENTIONS AT THE START WAS RAISED UP RIGHTLY, SAID MY PRAYERS NIGHTLY AND TOOK THOSE GOOD BOOK STORIES STRAIGHT TO HEART TOWN SQUARE, FALL BONFIRES, BAKE SALES, SCHOOL CHOIRS MOMMA PLAYIN' GUITAR AND SHARIN' WHAT SHE KNOWED THAT SMALL TOWN GREW ME, FOLKS THERE ALL KNEW ME ALL I KNEW WAS GETTIN’ DOWN THE ROAD GOODNESS GRACIOUS, SOMEONE SAVE US FROM THIS HOLE THAT WE’RE IN CHRIST ALMIGHTY, COME HERE AND RIGHT ME I’M TIPPIN’ TOWARDS THAT RAMBLIN’ LIFE AGAIN MUSIC IS LIKE CRACK, A BIG OLD MONKEY ON YOUR BACK DIGS DEEPER DOWN WITH EVERY NOTE THAT’S PLAYED YOU SLEEP IN YOUR JUNK CAR ‘TWEEN DIVE, DANCEHALL, DOWNTROD BAR KISSIN’ GIRLS, GETTING’ DRUNK, BUT BARELY PAID (CHORUS) ALL THE DRIFTIN’ TOWN TO TOWN WILL BEAT THE VERY BEST MAN DOWN I AIN’T NO ONE’S BEST- FEEL EVERY MILE I WENT AIN’T NO GROCERIES IN GOOD LICKS CAN’T GAS UP ON GUITAR PICKS PAYIN’ DUES AIN’T NEVER PAID NOBODY’S RENT BUT I BELIEVE- YES I BELIEVE A MAN NEEDS A PLACE TO CALL HIS OWN SOME SHELTER FROM THE STRIFE, SOME SOLACE IN HIS LIFE I'M PACKIN' UP MY DREAMS AND HEADIN' HOME (CHORUS X 2)
2.
Bent 04:29
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LIKE MY RUSTBELT AUTOMOBILE COLD I RUN LIKE HELL BUT WARM ME UP, GIVE ME A KICK I’LL START GOT DINGED UP AND DOUBLED DOWN NO WORSE FROM WEAR HEY I CAN SWEAR I’M STILL A KID AT HEART SEE A MAN WHO’S HIT HIS STRIDE AND AIN’T CLOSE TO SPENT LITTLE WORN DOWN HERE AND THERE ALL BROKE IN, BUT A LITTLE BENT JUST A LITTLE BENT HEAR THAT FRIEGHT TRAIN WHISTLE LOW ADD SOME FACTORY NOISE CLINKIN’ GLASS, AND A SEAGULL’S CRY CHURCH BELLS RINGING’, CAR HORNS SINGIN’, LAUGHIN’ LOUD FOR JOY SIMPLE SOUNDS SPIN MY LULLABY TO A MAN WHO’S HIT HIS STRIDE ( CHORUS ) WAS TOLD I HAD SOME PROMISE ONCE SOMEWHERE THE PROMISE BROKE NOTHIN’ HERE’S WHAT IT USED TO BE PIPEDREAMS, PUTDOWNS, PRETTY THINGS AND PEOPLE COME AND GONE TOUCHED MY SOUL BUT TOOK A TOLL ON ME LEFT A MAN WHO HIT HIS STRIDE ( CHORUS X 2 )
3.
Jimmy's Jig 04:31
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4.
Job/Rim Trail Ride 06:16
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KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE HORIZON, KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS WHEN IT’S UNCLEAR, HOLD YOUR DREAMS NEAR, WALK THIS WORLD HEAD UNBOWED FIX YOUR VISION ON THE DISTANCE, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL YOU MIGHT FALL DOWN, YOU WILL REBOUND, RISE ABOVE IT ALL LIFE CAN TEAR YOU UP, LIFE CAN TEAR YOU DOWN LIFE CAN TEAR YOU FAR FROM EVERY SINGLE FRIEND LIFE CAN ROCK YOUR WORLD, RIP IT ALL APART LIFE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART- MAKE IT WHOLE AGAIN KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE HORIZON, WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE GIVE LOVE FREELY, LIVE COMPLETELY, MAKE YOUR MARK ’FORE YOU LEAVE ( CHORUS ) KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, DON’T YOU LET UP, IT’S A LONG RACE THAT YOU RUN THIS TOO WILL PASS, PEACE COMES AT LAST, PEACE IS EASILY WON WITH A JOB WELL DONE
5.
No More Blues 05:39
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THERE'S SO MUCH BAD STUFF IN THIS WORLD TODAY CAN’T DUCK YOUR HEAD DOWN AND GET AWAY CAN’T WATCH THE NEWS ’CAUSE IT AIN’T NO FUN AIN’T NOTHIN’ THERE TO RAISE THE SPIRITS NONE SO MUCH TROUBLE, AND NO END IN SIGHT NO NEW DAY DAWNIN’ AND AN END TO NIGHT SO PUT ON A BOAT ME PUT ON A PLANE LET ME RIDE THE RAILS UNTIL I ROLL OUT OF THE RAIN JUST CAN‘T HANDLE MORE BAD NEWS- NO MORE BLUES WELL I LIVE IN FEAR THAT MY TELEPHONE RINGS AIN’T NO GOOD TIDINGS THE DAMN THING BRINGS I DON’T CHECK MY MAIL EITHER SNAIL OR E THAT WAY NO WORRY’S GETS A HOLD OF ME WANNA LIVE MY LIFE WITH THE HAPPY THRONG LIKE SWEET SOUL MUSIC NOT THE SAME SAD SONG ( CHORUS ) SEEMS MY GLASS CEILIN’S DRAGGIN’ TO FLOOR I PUSH, I PUSH- CAN’T LIFT NO MORE I COULD SIPPIN’ COLD BEER DOWN IN SANTA FE SUCKIN’ CHILE DOWN IN AUSTIN SOAKIN’ SUN UP IN LA I SHOULD HANGIN’ WITH MY BUDS I SHOULD BE OUT THERE RAISIN’ HELL SHOULD BE CRANKED UP LOUD ENOUGH TO DROWN OUT ANY TOLLIN’ BELL ( CHORUS X 2 )
6.
Strong 2nd Place 04:58
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I LEAD ME A QUIET LIFE, I LIVE QUITE SIMPLY I GOT ME A JOB ON THE FARM I DAY DREAM A BIT, AND CAN'T SEEM TO QUIT IT DON'T SEEM TO DO TOO MUCH HARM SEE FOLKS HURRY’N BY TRYIN’ TO BEAT THE RAT RACE SEE FOLKS SEEIN' LIFE AS COMPETITION I GOT WHAT I GOT, I DON’T NEED A LOT GUESS YOU’RE ABOUT ALL THAT I’M MISSIN’ I AIN’T GOT NO MONEY- MY PROSPECTS ARE FEW AND GUYS THAT'S LIKE ME DON’T GET GIRLS THAT'S LIKE YOU I’M NOBODY’S 1st CHOICE BUT THAT’S NO DISGRACE I’M HAPPY TO SHOW A STRONG 2nd PLACE WE MEET IN THE BOOKSTORE, WE MEET ON THE SQUARE YOU TOSS ME A GLANCE AT THE CAFÉ I SURE LIKE YOUR LOOKS, I SURE LIKE YOUR SMILE I CAN’T FIND ME 2 WORDS TO SAY THERE’S BOYS WHERE YOU WORK, BOYS WHERE YOU PLAY THERE’S MORE BOYS THAN FISH IN THE OCEAN GOOD FISHERMAN KNOW WHAT IS RIPE TO BE CAUGHT CAST HERE IF YOU GET A NOTION I AIN’T MUCH TO LOOK AT OR OVERLY SMART I LEAD WITH MY CHIN, I FOLLOW MY HEART I’M STEALIN’ MY WAY INTO YOUR GOOD GRACE I’M SLIDIN’ INTO A STRONG 2nd PLACE SOME BOYS BUY YOU CANDY AND FLOWERS AND PERFUME THEY SWEAR UP AND DOWN THAT THEY LOVE YOU I NEED ME AN EQUAL, A PARTNER IN CRIME I’LL NEVER PUT NO ONE ABOVE YOU SOME BOYS BUY YOU DIAMONDS SOME BOYS BUY YOU PEARLS SOME BOYS COME AND PLY YOU WITH WINE SOME BOYS WRITE YOU SONGS ______ DARLIN', COME SHARE ALL OF MINE I GOT NO AGENDA, I GOT NO DESIGNS I’LL COLOR YOUR WORLD, NOT JUST IN THE LINES YOUR 1st LOVE'S LONG GONE, IT'S TIME TO EMBRACE YOUR LIFE ONCE AGAIN, A STRONG 2nd PLACE
7.
A Special Kind of Fool 05:02
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LATELY I QUIT WONDERIN’ ’BOUT THIS LIFE I GOT IN FACT- I’M ALMOST IN A PLACE WHERE I GET IT ALL THE WORRY BOUT WHATEVER U R OR WHAT YOU’RE NOT CAN SPIN OUT OF CONTROL IF YOU LET IT YOU NEVER QUITE STUMBLE INTO PEACE OF MIND HOLD TIGHT TO WHATEVER PEACE YOU FIND IT TAKES A SPCL KIND OF FOOL TO DIG THRU THE DEBRI TO THE PLACE HIS HAPPINESS IS LYIN’ THE WORLD ALWAYS HARD GETS HARDR CONSTANTLY TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF FOOL TO KEEP TRYIN’ INSTRUMENTAL I BEEN THINKIN’ BOUT THE WORLD I’LL LEAVE BEHIND I BEEN THINKIN’ ‘BOUT THE FOLKS COME AFTER LIKE 2 LEAVE THE OLD PLACE SWEET FOR THEM 2 FIND OR AT LEAST LITTLE LESS OF A DISASTER EVERY TIME YOU THE WALL OR HIT THE GROUND EVERYTHNG GETS BUSTED LOOSE OR TWISTED ‘ROUND ( CHORUS ) INSTRUMENTAL X 2 I BEEN WORKIN’ ON BEIN’ AN AGENT OF CHANGE THERE’S SURE A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE HERE I AIN’T HAD MUCH SUCCESS BUT IT’S STILL NOT OUT OF RANGE IN THE DISTANCE I CAN SEE IT SO CLEAR HARD TO GAIN ANY GROUND ANY GIVEN DAY WHEN YOU START CLOSIN’ IN IT SLIPS AWAY INSTRUMENTAL ( CHORUS 2 ) TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF FOOL TO SWIM AGAINST THE TIDE TO WALK INTO THE WAY THE WINDS BLOWIN’ TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF FOOL TO KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON STILL A SPECIAL KIND OF FOOL KEEPS ON GOIN’
8.
McPherson Goes To Market 03:45
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9.
Zouk 2 05:07
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I KNOW YOU’RE SCARED OF THE UNCERTAINTY UNCERTAIN DAYS DRIVE US ALONG I KNOW YOU CRAVE EVEN A BRIEF RESPITE TIME TO RECHARGE SO YOU CAN STAY STRONG WHEN YOU GET CAUGHT UP IN CIRCUMSTANCE YOU’RE FORCED TO FACE UP TO YOUR FATE NOTHING IN LIFE IS WRITTEN IN STONE IT NEVER GETS TOO LATE INSTRUMENTAL SOMETIME YOU FEEL THAT YOUR BEST TIME HAS PAST YOU BY SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE FEELIN’ YOUR AGE YOU’RE NOT RESIGNED TO YOUR SAD LOT IN LIFE PUMP UP THE JOY, PUSH DOWN THE RAGE NO TIME TO DANCE ON YOUR LOST DREAMS GRAVE YOU’VE ONLY GOT THIS LIFE TO LIVE TAKES ALL YOU GOT JUST TO GET OUT OF BED STILL YOU GIVE, & YOU GIVE, & YOU GIVE INSTRUMENTAL X 2 I KNOW YOU’RE TIRED, TIRED OF THE BULLSHIT IN YOUR LIFE I KNOW YOU FRET ‘BOUT WHAT’S COMIN’ DOWN I KNOW YOU WANT MORE THAN YOU GOT RIGHT NOW I KNOW YOU WEEP WHEN THERE’S NO ONE AROUND DON’T HAVE TO JUMP WHEN THEY CRACK THAT WHIP YOU’VE LEARNED HOW TO STAND YOUR GROUND SHOULD YOU NEED HELP WHEN IT ALL GOES TO HELL LOOK UP THERE IS HELP ALL AROUND YOU KNOW I AM EASILY FOUND
10.
Badger Boy Blues 05:20
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I'M A MIDWEST MAN, UP TO MY RUMP IN SLEET AND SNOW (X 2) YOU KNOW I CAN'T GET WARM, THE COLD IS ALL I KNOW I GOT THEM BADGER BOY BLUES,I'M OUTA WORK AND ON THE PROWL ( X 2) I GOT NO BADGER BOY FRIENDS, JUST THAT NORTH WIND'S HOWL WINTER IN WISCONSIN, WINTER IN WISCONSIN, WINTERS HERE CHANGES EVERYTHING WINTER'S HERE LEAVE US BEGGIN' 4 THE SPRING WINTER COMIN' DOWN, EVERYTHING TURNED WHITE BEST ENJOY IT QUICK YOU GOT 2 HOURS OF DAYLIGHT YOUR NOSE IS OFF & RUNNIN', YOU BARELY FEEL YOUR FEET CAN'T FIND NO CHEESEHEAD GIRL TO SHARE SOME BODYHEAT WINTER'S HERE MY NERVES IS 'BOUT RUBBED RAW WINTER'S HERE, I AM WAITIN' FOR A THAW WINTER IN WISCONSIN, WINTER IN WISCONSIN WINTER'S HERE IT'S TOUGH ON THIS OLD BOY I'M GONNA PACK MY BAGS, MOVE WAY DOWN SOUTH TO ILLINOIS BALMY, BALMY, ILLINOIS WHERE THE SUN'S ALWAYS SHININ'
11.
Gettin' There 04:17
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LEFT MY FAMILY, MY HOMETOWN FRIENDS, WENT WHERE THE ROAD OUT ENDS TO CHANGE THE WORLD AND BE SOMEONE, AIN'T QUITE THERE YET BUT THE RIDES BEEN FUN YOU KNOW I'M ALLRIGHT, I'M OK, AIN'T GONNA LET NOTHIN' COME SPOIL MY DAY AIN'T GOT MUCH OF NOTHIN' TO SPARE, STILL, SLOWLY BUT SURELY I AM GETTIN' THERE I MADE MYSELF A LIFE OUT IN THE EAST, GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES, FAMINE, FEAST HAD ME SOME FRIENDS BUT WE HAD TO PART, I STILL HOLD ’EM HERE IN MY HEART CHORUS DON'T NEED NO MOSES TO LEAD ME OUT THE WILDERNESS NO SIGMUND FRUED MY ISSUES TO ADDRESS I GOT ME A WOMAN WHO GETS MY SOUL, I STAND BEFORE YOU HEALED, HAPPY, AND WHOLE CHORUS WE'RE ALL ALLRIGHT,WE'RE ALL OK AIN'T GONNA LET NOTHIN' COME SPOIL OUR DAY AIN'T GOT MUCH OF NOTHIN' TO SHARE, STILL SLOWLY BUT SURELY WE'LL BEGETTIN' THERE
12.
A Little Bit Goes A Long Way 04:18
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13.
Blue Prairie Promenade 05:42
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14.
Gravy and Grace 05:46
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I KNOW YOU'RE WORRIED 'BOUT ME AND HALF OF WHAT I DO HALF TIME I’M HALF CRAZY HALF TIME I’M WORRIED TOO IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T LOVE YOU, IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T CARE NOT ALL THAT BAGGAGE WE ACCRUED FRM HERE & THERE I TOOK THE LONG WAY ROUND & WOUND UP IN THIS PLACE GONNA TAKE SOME GETTIN' USED TO GRAVY & GRACE I NEVER HAD NO GOOD LIFE LIKE THE ONE I GOT NOW I TRIED MY BEST TO GET IT ONCE OR TWICE, SLIPPED PAST ME ANYHOW IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T WANT YOU DAWN TO DUSK TO DAWN WORSHIP EVERY INCH OF GROUND U SET SWEET YOUR FEET ON IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T LOVE YOUR HAIR, YOUR SMILE, YOUR FORM, YOUR FACE I'M JUST NOW GETTING USED TO GRAVY AND GRACE HOLD ME TIGHTER THAN TIGHT, ALL MY FEARS ALAY RIGHT NOW I’M BLACK AS THE NIGHT I'LL BE BRIGHTER SOME DAY, HELP ME GET THAT WAY I FEEL LIKE THERE’S A STRANGER IN THE SHOES I'M STANDIN IN BUT OF LEAVIN YOU THERE’S NO DANGER, YOUR LOVE SWEET AS SIN IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T WANT YOU HERE TO COME AND SHARE MY DAYS I SWEAR I’D FOLLOW YOU DOWN WHEREVER YOUR PATH LAYS FORGIVE MY TREPIDATION, FORGIVE THIS SNAIL’S PACE I AM SLOWLY GETTING’ USED TO GRAVY AND GRACE

about

These are the last songs I managed to croak out a barely acceptable vocal on before I lost my voice. I've been on the fence about releasing them even though the songs and arrangements are pretty good. I've always tried to showcase myself song writing 1st, as a producer/arranger 2nd, as a multi-instrumentalist 3rd, and somewhere way down the list, a performer. There's a strong Irish and Old school soul influence running throughout this album but I'd still classify it as semi modern folk. Here's the review by Quick Picks

Kerry Spitzer is one of those musicians whose toolbox is so chock-full, it can’t be closed. This guy can sit in with anybody, on multiple instruments, and be roundly respected. Swan Songs is Spitzer’s last outing to include vocals, as he has recently lost his voice to cancer. Thankfully, though, he was blessed with hands that speak clearly on their own.
Although the vocals are a bit rough, that roughness really manages to serve the songs. I’ll be damned if Bent doesn’t sound like an old Faces track, complete with Rod Stewart affectations. Likewise, the swampy No More Blues struts and slinks like nobody’s business.
Broadly, Swan Songs might fit into the Americana category, but there are elements of bluegrass, rock and folk, all existing together in the best possible way. This is something special, as it sounds better with each repeated listen. Go get it.

credits

released April 5, 2021

Fiddle- Melissa Buck on Iowa and Strong 2nd Place, Janice Frillman on Special Kind of Fool and Job
Harmonies- Larry Hinds, Jeff Baas, and Jim McPhaul on Iowa and Strong 2nd Place. Janice Frillman on Special Kind of Fool and Job

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Kerry Spitzer Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Kerry Spitzer is a multi-instrumentalist song writer who lost his voice in 2015. He still plays as a solo artist or with bands of every genre on a number of instruments in the Chicago-Milwaukee area.

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