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•album concept: Earth is planet-bound. Heaven is not.
“Almost I can hear the angels singing over and over again.”
•liner notes and lyrics:
1. She Walks:
-Around here, she walks too fast (and so does he). “Stop the clock and let me off!” And in the end, you can hear my daughter saying, “Those two guys are still talking.”
She walks much too fast; cannot catch her now Somewhere someone calls. Ears can't hear the bell. Two legs all she has, nothin' left to show Don't bother. Don't bother. You are much too slow. He leaves, shuts the door, he won't ever turn around. Stop watch keeps the time and minutes pass but never mind. Chair waits but he won't stall. Push the motor, push the motor, Push the motor, push the motor down the hall. No man waits for time waits for no man waits for no time... Stop the clock and let me off! Vocals, Harmonica, Flute, Guitars, Bass, Field recordings: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor Street commentary: Caroline Petty
2. Speak to Me:
-This world is like a tombstone town. It once was called the valley of the shadow of death. I think I need to hear Maker talk to me and, well, just explain things… everyday.
Speak to me before my heart breaks down I've got to hear your still small sound Without your word my world will shake My heart will ache, will snap and break. CHORUS: Speak to me. Speak to me. Speak to me. Speak to me For this time, I am listening. Your word is my light in a dark dark place. Speak to me now so can see. You light the night in this tombstone town. When I'm falling down, your words are catching me... CHORUS Blessed is the man who investigates, ruminates, who concentrates Blessed is the one who meditates on your living words Talk to me Lord and I will be a tree planted by the riverside, And you can pick the fruit anytime, And my leaves are always green... CHORUS Vocals, Synth, Guitars, Bass: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
3. Head in the Clouds:
-And so there’s this weird guy who comes around here with a message from a place way beyond all this. I think that guy is me… …Might be you.
He's got his head in the clouds and some pie in the sky on his wavelength Can't figure him out, he seems quite peculiar to you. And the sounds that he hears doesn't seem to be on your radio Thought they ran it off the planet back in 0032. Strange kinda wisdom. The sound of his words gets you right through the ceiling. He comes slowly to you with an eye that drops time in a twinkling. Can't figure him out he seems quite peculiar to you. And the sight that he sees doesn't seem to be in your vision. There's something unique all in his point of view. Strange kinda vision. Sees right through. Strange kind of vision. Something unique all in his view. Right up your doorstep like a postman delivering a letter. Unusually personal and you know that he sees right through. He's got love in his eyes and he wants to deliver. Unusually personal he's handing the message to you. Strange kinda wisdom. The sight of his eyes. Strange kinda mission. The sound of his words. Strange kinda vision... to you. Lead Vocal,Guitars,Bass,Drum Machine,Harmonica,SoundFX: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
4. Spanish River:
-Let’s float downstream… away from here.
Guitars, Bass: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
5. We Fall in Love:
-So there’s this falling in love song but not about who you might think. Or maybe, if you know me, you figured that out.
When I breathe you breathe in me Whisper words into my ear Thoughts I hear like they were mine. CHORUS: We fall in love all over We fall in love all over We fall in love all over... again Puzzle this... how infinite can fit inside of me Incredibly me... myself and the Eye in I... CHORUS Lead and background vocals, guitars, bass: Dave Petty Background vocal: Missy Simms Violin: "JB" (Jonathan Byrne) Drums: Dan Taylor
6. Vibraham:
-The name come from memories of an ancient saint who lived on the same wavelength with his maker.
Keyboards, guitars, drum machine: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
7. Don’t Mind Me:
-All this with that sad neglect for one (namely me) who denies the attention he wants most.
Night comes too fast. Day drifts on by. Don't mind me. Don't mind me at all. I was just thing out loud as I could. I got the feeling that you were here too. So here I am but... Don't mind me. Don't mind me at all. Reading your novel. Writing my book. The train of our thinking runs from here to there And here I am but... Don't mind me. Don't mind me at all. What are you thinking if you don't mind my asking? What is this burning? I would just like to know. So here I am but... Don't mind me. Don't mind me at all. Vocals, guitars, synth, bass, field recordings: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
8. Madness of Love:
-So there’s this relentless love that takes crazy risks to seek out a broken-down planet that he loves so much.
There are fewer here walking Cold chill speeds the movement The neighborhood is shutting in Blanket gray skies unpredictably Spit in spots here or there and creeping on Blurs this urban twilight amazon CHORUS: The madness of love out in the wild, wild night Heart like a strong hand The madness of love out the door and never let go Arms reaching out to hold you If I made no assertion but to watch and watch and silent pray In this hiding tomb locked from the inside Feet like squatters set to stay Fear would rule the speckled street And all would keep their wheels for feet My shut-in neighbor turn away... CHORUS Vocals, guitars, drum machine: Dave Petty Background vocals: Missy Simms Drums: Dan Taylor
9. Slide Thing:
-I had just gotten my new Martin guitar. Within an hour, I had to press record and just slide away!
Guitars, bass: Dave Petty
10. The Bunnies:
-An excerpted story from my daughter Caroline’s in-house-famous Kitty Lovin’ EP. She was about 5 at the time.
Story teller: Caroline Petty Guitars, Bass: Dave Petty
11. Wrestle with the Angel:
-Based on the story of Jacob… another ancient patriarch. A love relationship with God has got to go to the healing place. He hurts to heal. He cares that much. He’s just that good. And He will not let me go!
Wrestle with the angel. Knock myself out Nothing in the morning left to brag about But a displaced hip and the knowledge of my weakness Everyday of my life. Everyday of my life Wounded healers can't look down on you. Just see you eye to eye. They've been brushed in the face by the wings of holy glory. Been brought down low to lift you up. CHORUS: I have grabbed for this. I have longed for this. This fist of feathers this touch of wonderful. And I will not let you go. I will not let you go, I will not let you go until you bless me. Tangle with the cherubim, arguing with God While the whole thing unravels in a mystery Something deep inside me just can't give it up And we lay bruised and wounded in the morning wondering... CHORUS Vocals, celtic harps, guitars, bass, drum machine: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
12. This Is Where I Find You:
-This was a poem I wrote while my sweet wife Carol was taking a outdoor nap. She’s gone ahead of me (sure do miss her!)… gone to heaven… and I guess you might figure out that she’s who this album is dedicated to. Sort of gives more significance to the title song that follows (which I’ll let speak for itself).
Surrounding you, sweet embracing whispers of the wildflowers Singers of the endless song. Feathers robed in wilderness. Beyond the walls that house you, And this is where I find you most CHORUS Lie right there and take it in. I will watch you slumbering. I will watch you shimmering. Near the heart... near the heart of God. Heaven still is breathing, you know where to press your ear (The ground, the earth, the wind and to the humming of the wild). And I will watch you listening and I will see you smile Beyond the walls that house you and this is where I find you most... CHORUS And this is where I find you, This is where I find you most. Vocals, guitars, bass: Dave Petty
13. Almost.
If I could get there in just one piece Not a shattered window but a sweet release If my inside space wouldn't tear at the seams Losing air and the innocent dreams CHORUS: Almost I can taste the cool breeze of heaven Almost I can hear the angels singing over and over again Almost I can lay down on a river bank Almost I can spread my wings beyond the rainbow's end But I am still a pilgrim, still in shadow And I am standing here on the other shore Where is the bell that rings a melody That can catch me up, can catch me up and take me over... CHORUS If I could talk with you, talk with you and never leave this place And we could tell the story, tell the story with the right refrain And we could walk along the shoreline, and we could walk along the shoreline, And we could walk along the shoreline Singing glory in the morning rain... CHORUS Vocals, guitars, organ, bass: Dave Petty Drums: Dan Taylor
•album credits:
All music and lyrics (except for Canaan Land) written by Dave Petty Produced, Recorded, Edited, Mixed and Mastered by Dave Petty Art direction and graphic layout: Christy Petty Baker Cover and disc art: Christy Petty Baker
•special thanks:
to all my patient people who seem to be able to wait forever for the next wave of my stuff. Too many to list... For all of you who completely underwrote the first CD (I couldn't bear to ask you again!). To Dan and Lynda (and Matt) for keeping me playing in Detroit. To Ron and Carol. To all of you encouragers at FOCUS, GCC, CEC, Stanwich and beyond (you know who you are). To Leebob for urging me to make the studio happen, to Bill Leverty who gave me far more time than I deserved, to Rob Mathes who is just amazing, to JB and Missy for just dropping in, to Lydia (whose cello won't come out until the next CD, which also reminds me to mention Christian and Tim for their helping hands), to everyone at Shine and Wave (who I can't and don't forget), to Joanie, to my crazy sister Brooke and her proud tears, to Capp, Kath, TC, Shannon, Chuck, Davy, Jamie and Kermit, to Margo, Joel, Ben and Ari, to Mary Ellen, to Doug, to Aaron, to sweet Alison: to the cast of supporting thousands... to Christy who has become so beautiful, I can't stand it. to Caroline, who is the jumpiest, runningest, bestest kid on this planet.
•dedicated:
to Carol, my wife and best friend of more than 30 years gone to glory... I'll see you soon!
