LP: BLUES COUNTRY Hello and welcome to our musical presentation of BLUES COUNTRY. This is a collection of original Blues and Country material that’s been percolating through my brain over the past few years. Please enjoy! ---Jeff S. Dodge, Lead Songwriter & founder of the Peasant Revolution Band SIDE I: BLUES 1 (We Are A) Peasant Revolution Band 2 The VP Biden Blues 3 The Cultist Corporation Blues 4 The Global Warming Blues* 5 Poor Poor Poor 6 Golden Boy 7 The Mitch Humbucker Blues†** 8 Generations† 9 The PRB Blues†** SIDE II: COUNTRY 10 French Glen 11 Novacaine 12 You Gall Me 13 F*** That Corporation 14 Fund Raiser 15 Outnumbered 16 War Room Waltz 17 Hey Hey Truck Driver*** 18 Disco Clown**** The Peasant Revolution Band is: Jeff S. Dodge Lead Vocals, backing vocals, & guitars on all songs Keys / Piano on Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 15 & 17 Bass on Track 14 Tambourine on Track 13 Echo Narcissus Lead Vocals on Tracks 12 & 15 Backing Vocals on Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13 & 16 Bobby Caesar Lead Vocals on Tracks 4 & 12 Backing Vocals on Tracks 1, 5, 16 Phil Jefferson Flute on Tracks 1, 4, 12, 16 & 18 Steven Cebula Bass guitar on all Tracks (except 6, 10, 13 & 14) Rich Reece Drums on Tracks 7, 8 & 9 Guest Peasantry Featuring: Talbott Guthrie Drums on Track 1 Bongos on Track 2 Conga on Track 6 Percussion on Track 13 Stew Dodge Fiddle on Tracks 10, 12 & 16 Aaron Overstreet Bass on Tracks 6, 10 & 13 Lead Guitar on Tracks 6 & 12 Lint Chocolate Lead Guitar on Tracks 17 & 18 All recordings engineered and produced at Trench Digger Productions & Recording Studios except † † Recorded and Engineered at Mountain Air Studios courtesy of Mike Woodman Johnson Recording Engineer - Mike Woodman Johnson Studio Engineer - Joel Groves Guitar Technician - Scotty P All songs written by Jeff S. Dodge and performed by the Peasant Revolution Band except * written by Jeff S. Dodge & Robert Pardington 2014 ** written by Jeff S. Dodge, Steven Cebula and Rich Reece 2014 *** written by Lint Chocolate & Jeff S. Dodge 1997 **** written by Schwanee A. Phillips & Jeff S.Dodge 1991 Special Thanks: Badfinger, John, George & Paul, Jack, Eric & Ginger, Tom Petty, Uncle Dick, Johnny Hollywood, The Bar Of The Gods, Flight 64 Studios, Jane Brown, Hancock Family, Toolboxrock.com, Jemila Hart Entertainment and the countless legions of fans that inspire us to do this tedious but necessary work. LYRICS - Featuring Liner Notes by Jeff S. Dodge (We Are A) Peasant Revolution Band (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2008 : Key of F# minor) We are 27 years away - from the planet blowing us away if you really don’t want to stay - then go float off in the Milky Way ‘Cause we’re a Peasant Revolution Band We’re just trying to really understand And the truth of our mission is to heal all the division join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band Well the status quo it just can’t stay - it’s gotta go and get the hell away well I tried to get me some peace today but the future seems so far away ‘Cause we’re a Peasant Revolution Band We’re just trying to really understand And the truth of our mission is to heal all the division join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band SOLO ‘Cause we’re a Peasant Revolution Band We’re just trying to really understand And the truth of our mission is to heal all the division join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band And the gentry is awash today - the greedy pigs in corporate troughs that they bathe Well I wish I didn’t have to stay - but somebody’s got to make them pay ‘Cause we’re a Peasant Revolution Band We’re just trying to really understand And the truth of our mission is to heal all the division join our Peasant Revolution Band Come join our Peasant Revolution Band join our Peasant Revolution Band LINER NOTES: I first came up with the idea of the Peasant Revolution Band back in 1995 when I was a member of the AmeriCorp. I had no idea when I was toying with this concept that America was going to become even more corporatized than it was back then. My premise with all of this is and always has been rather simple; Republican or Democrat, we’ve been watching America turn into a feudalistic nation of ‘Haves’ & ‘Have Nots’. And despite what your political persuasion may be, this income inequality has soared to historic levels ever since the advent of ‘Reaganomics’ & ‘trickle-down theory’ (politicians across the spectrum have embraced this ideology). There’s definitely a lot of intangibles squeezed in throughout that period, to be sure of, (technological advancement / global communications & global warming / the freakin’ Internet!), but this constant also remains; the Peasantry will rise up against their feudal overlords once the inequality gets too great. Humans are very much like rubber bands when they respond to pressure - they'll only bend so far before they snap back or break. We at the Peasant Revolution Band embrace this reality - but we're also hoping to deliver a different kind of message. One of peaceful revolution focused on societal healing and global harmony through art and music rather than violent uprising. Unfortunately, it rarely works out that way. But we’re ever the eternal optimists - so, if you will, come join our Peasant Revolution Band? The VP Biden Blues (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2014 - Key of C) I saw Joe Biden driving by my house - I saw Joe Biden driving by my house He went & got some ice cream - right down on my street I saw Joe Biden driving by my house It looked as though he spilled some on his sleeve - It looked as though he spilled some on his sleeve I don’t know what it means when you go spilling ice cream I saw Joe Biden driving by my house SOLO People were confused by what they saw - People were confused by what they saw streets were shutting down - as the cops silently stood round its creepy when you can’t trust the law they say Joe Biden faux paus out his mouth- they say Joe Biden faux paus out his mouth ain’t no one calmed him down - he says what he thinks out loud they say Joe Biden faux paus out his mouth In the end I like a man who eats ice cream - In the end I like a man who eats ice cream you’ll never see him dream - ‘bout a world that can’t be free In the end I like a man who eats ice cream LINER NOTES: I came up with this song during a recording session with Peasant bassist Steven Cebula for another forthcoming project. We were on our way to get some beer at the nearby market when we noticed a major police presence descending upon the scene - Alberta Street had been entirely shut down! As people gathered, Steve & I quietly grabbed our beer and sauntered back into the studio. Just as we were heading in, a number of black SUV’s and limousines cruised by at high velocity. I’m not sure, but I think I made out a flash of our Vice President squinting through his sunglasses. The Cultist Corporation Blues (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2014 - Key of E) I said Jim Jones ain’t got nothing on GE - I said Jimmy Jones ain’t got nothing on GE For every child he killed GE done at least three Cause Baby - I’ve got them Cultist Corporation Blues You know darling - I’ve them Cultist Corporation Blues- And I don’t know what to do I don’t know what to do SOLO Cause Baby - I’ve got them Cultist Corporation Blues You know darling - I’ve them Cultist Corporation Blues- And I don’t know what to do - I don’t know what to do Now Nike may make my tennis shoes - they use accountants to go and hide their ruse But when it’s your standards that they’re taking out - there ain’t nothing those fat cats won’t do Cause Baby - I’ve got them Cultist Corporation Blues You know darling - I’ve them Cultist Corporation Blues- And I don’t know what to do - I don’t know what to do I don’t need no federal army - I don’t need no national guard I feel so divine - like it’s Waco Texas in my backyard Blackwater’s for hire - and they’re going to do you so hard Cause Baby - I’ve got them Cultist Corporation Blues You know darling - I’ve them Cultist Corporation Blues- And I don’t know what to do - I don’t know what to do Fuck that corporation Fuck that corporation Fuck that corporation Fuck that corporation LINER NOTES: In 2014, we saw the passing of many talented musicians but one of my major musical influences not named John, Paul or George, was the legendary Jack Bruce. Continuing in the 1/4/5 Blues structure, I crafted this song to be not only a study in corporate greed, the narcissistic allegiance it inspires, and the failed policies of Reaganomics but also as a musical tribute to kind of guitar interplay between Jack and Eric Clapton. The Global Warming Blues (Written by Jeff S. Dodge & Robert Pardington 2014 - Key of E / C#min) All the lakes are dried up - and the river beds are low you keep on screaming Obama - the world is changing and you know It blows my mind - that you scream and cry - sooner than later we’ll be dealing with them Global Warming Blues The winds are howling - trees are bending through the night Desert Hemispheres - Got to Keep up the fight it blows my mind - that you run and hide and it’s a shapeshifting thing that I feel if you can grab it and take it and figure it out SOLO It blows my mind - that you scream and cry - sooner than later we’ll be dealing with them Global Warming Blues All the mountains are barren Habitats have died Keep blaming the Democrats - and I’ll still be getting high The world is changing and you know that’s not always bad Cause there’s no other planet that we can go to Trees are burning It's getting bad It blows my mind - that you scream and cry - sooner than later we’ll be dealing with them Global Warming Blues Why don’t they call it Global Warming anymore? What’s with all this Climate Change? When I grew up it was called Global Warming All the Wetlands are dried up - and the river beds are low Keep on screaming Obama - the world is changing and you know the world is changing and you know the world is changing and you know LINER NOTES: My wife & I enjoy traveling the Eastern Oregon countryside during the summer and have done so over the past decade plus. Unfortunately, our most recent trip revealed to me the alarming state of environmental degradation and desertification of the area. In the geologically brief period of 2001 - 2014, I’ve witnessed giant bird refuges dry up from the growing strain upon water resources in this area. It arrived quicker than even what the most alarmist, tree-hugging-hippie environmentalist would’ve ever predicted in the 1990's (I would know - I was at the U of O back then). And yet our nation’s law and federal land policy is being determined by deniers of these truths. People - the planet is on fire, man! And folks out in Washington DC want to yell at Obama & the Democrats about tax cuts?! To me, it always seems like the stupidest and most ridiculously inane things occupy the minds of the East Coast talking heads and power brokers! Arghhh! A tit for tat contest of name-calling and stall tactics resulting in utter procrastination and inaction. And why did they change it from ‘Global Warming’ to ‘Climate Change’, anyway?! Cause it sounds nicer? Easier to ‘forget’ that this is a ‘Global’ problem and instead focus on, ‘Oh - we’re just having a little, temporary nasty 'Climate' weather…” So, I ended up needing to let some steam off with this one. Songwriter Robert Pardington contributed the hemisphere & habitat lines. And Bobby Caesar did a magnificent job of vocally interpreting our work. It also features one of my favorite recordings to date of our flautist, Phil Jefferson. Poor Poor Poor (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2014 - Key of A) Well we saw what you did while you were running round yeah - we saw what you did while you were running round acting like there’s nothing wrong - you was shutting it down cause we saw what you did when you was running round it’s never funny - when you’re all out of money and I’m poor poor poor - all the time Well I ain’t religious anymore No I ain’t religious anymore maybe it’s still in me cause I care about the poor But I ain’t religious anymore it’s not that funny - when you’re all out of money and I’m poor poor poor - all the time cause the faster that we race - is a race thats to the bottom I thought I was finally safe but found that the core was rotten in this race to the bottom we go-- it’s a race to the bottom it’s not that funny - when you’re all out of money and I’m poor poor poor - and I’m poor poor poor - all the time cause the faster that we race - is a race thats to the bottom I thought I was finally safe but found that the core was rotten in this race to the bottom we go-- it’s a race to the bottom it’s not that funny - when you’re all out of money and I’m poor poor poor - and I’m poor poor poor - all the time SOLO I’m so poor race to the bottom it’s a race to the bottom it’s not that funny - when you’re all out of money and I’m poor poor poor - and I’m poor poor poor - all the time ‘cause the faster that we race - is a race thats to the bottom I thought I was finally safe but found that the core was rotten in this race to the bottom that we go-- it’s a race to the bottom LINER NOTES: Story of my life. I've truly been poor more often than not - but I enjoy what I do for a living. And as a Gen X-er, I think that's kind of a common theme for many of the people that have settled out West here. 'Poor Poor Poor' is kind of asking that age old question about the quality of life you lead versus the quantity of numbers you make and the "race to the bottom" treadmill you can find yourself getting stuck on. Golden Boy (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2014 - Key of B) I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted I’m a golden boy when the winds of war have contracted I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted I’m a golden child, baby - I can seem to do no wrong I’m a golden child, baby - I can seem to do no wrong I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted I’m a golden boy when the winds of war have contracted I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted SOLO I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted I’m a golden boy when the winds of war have contracted I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted I’m a golden child, baby - I can seem to do no wrong I’m a golden child, baby - I can seem to do no wrong if I could have it my way - I’d just want us all to get along if I could have it my way - I’d just want us all to get along I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted I’m a golden boy when the winds of war have contracted I’m a golden boy - when others seem distracted LINER NOTES: I have two younger sisters. They had this delusion that I was spoiled and given a lot more opportunity than them. So, as an older brother, this felt like an appropriate response. Aaron Overstreet added bass guitar and we dueled a bit on lead electrics as well (his is the harmonizer guitar). I told him we were looking for a T-Rex type of vibe. Outnumbered (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 1994 - Key of C) I saw the Christmas tree lights - glowing in the windows they made me want to hate - the stupid people of this world with everybody out there smiling - like they really understand they’ve got Bob Hope in a ferris wheel - trying to lend a hand Ohh- when I looked around - what did you see Different channels & different sounds - on my TV Ohh when I looked around - what did you see I was outnumbered Beat me down - Beat me to the ground Kick me down - like a dog when it’s down Beat me down - Beat me to the ground Kick me down - like a dog when it’s down Now there’s sunshine - on that Grand Old Party doctorate musicians - trying to let it all hang out But when they try to teach you - what this world is all about a time warp will distort them - and leave you on your own Ohh when I looked around - what did you see Different channels & different sounds - on my TV Ohh when I looked around - what did you see I was outnumbered Beat me down - Beat me to the ground Kick me down - like a dog when it’s down Beat me down - Beat me to the ground Kick me down - like a dog when it’s down And when pride has tried - to take the lonely person I know the aggressive soul - won’t ever let it go it takes too much confusion - to know exactly what you’re doing just go and let us play - the future’s very far away Ohh when I looked around - what did you see Different channels - different sounds Ohh when I looked around - what did you see I was outnumbered Beat me down - Beat me to the ground Kick me down - like a dog when it’s down I was out numbered LINER NOTES: I wrote this song in the early 90's. I think I had just dropped out of college and was feeling very confused about what I should be doing. One of many "Graduate" type moments throughout my life... You Gall Me (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2006 - Key of C) You feel alone - like no one’s home it’s so empty - inside your soul and your eyes - are filled with rage haven’t seen enough of these tragic times Do-do do-do-do-do-Voo-doo you eliminate funding from the things that you ay you love you use every excuse to play the hawk instead of dove you’ve got your billionaire friends tucked away like bookends and you never never seem to shake it up and you never never seem to shake it up you gall everyone with your deception and your lies you forgot tomorrows born on someone else’s shoulders you gall everyone with your deception and your lies You feel alone - like no no one’s home it’s so empty inside your soul such a shame - there’s no none to blame and you twist the truth - until you finally cross that li-i-i-i-ine you eliminate funding from the things that you ay you love you use every excuse to play the hawk instead of dove you’ve got your billionaire friends tucked away like bookends and you never never seem to shake it up and you never never seem to shake it up you gall everyone with your deception and your lies you forgot tomorrows born on someone else’s shoulders you gall everyone with your deception and your lies all alone - why don’t you pick up the phone just call it off - call off the dance… LINER NOTES: This was more of a pop style song I wrote during George W. Bush's war years. I guess I was trying to imagine the loneliness he was going through over some of his decision making (remember - this is still before the economy crashed on his way out the door otherwise I would've added more fuel to the fire). French Glen (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2008 - Key of G) Hit the Ochocos - we had nowhere to go except that good ol highway 78 was on a mountain pass - it nearly kicked our ass driving them deserts tempting sagebrush and our fate well we couldn’t get much higher - if I hadn’t start that fire BLM acreage well it burned all through the night I’m losing all my hope and we just ran out of soap So I’m heading back to French Glen again we need water and supplies from our friends yes we’re heading back to French Glen again We’ll replenish our memory in French Glen We raced the antelope - saw a vultures scoped running our rims on Poker Jim Ridge and fumes well we couldn’t get much higher - if I hadn’t start that fire BLM acreage well it burned all through the night I’m losing all my hope and we just ran out of soap So I’m heading back to French Glen again we need water and supplies from our friends yes we’re heading back to French Glen again We’ll replenish our memory in French Glen SOLO well we couldn’t get much higher - if I hadn’t start that fire BLM acreage well it burned all through the night I’m losing all my hope and we just ran out of soap So I’m heading back to French Glen again we need water and supplies from our friends yes we’re heading back to French Glen again We’ll replenish our memory in French Glen LINER NOTES: Another song about the Eastern Oregon desert country. Please visit French Glen if you get the chance - wonderful little town. As you can hear in the lyrics, it is a little dry out there. When we first travelled to them parts, I was a cigarette smoker so the fear of accidentally starting a forest fire was always on my mind. And though I quit in 2005, sadly, a lot of the area has still burned down pretty significantly due mostly to these drier conditions. On the bright side, Stew Dodge (my Dad and father of aforementioned sisters) spoiled me with this great fiddle solo track! We was a family raised on that thar Bluegrass stuff... Novocaine (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 1998 - Key of E minor) I found you - and you found me I saw you - and you saw me Oh - I want to hold you tight - do you want to hold me too? when you take our glasses off - I tell you things aren’t quite the same Don’t get down if you’re sad and stuff - you hit me in my heart like novocaine I can’t explain - it’s like a shot of novocaine I once lost you - and you once lost me I always find you - and you always find me Oh - I want to hold you tight - do you want to hold me too? Don’t get down if you’re sad and stuff - I’ll make it up with some campaign we’ll get rich and I’ll take you out - we’ll go out on a trip and fly off to Spain-- on Novacaine- well we’ll fly to Spain and take novocaine I can’t explain - I really like my novocaine SOLO I can’t feel my gums - I’m going numb believe that I need you - and you need me I still believe - together we will be Oh - I want to hold you tight - do you want to hold me too? when you take our glasses off - I tell you things aren’t quite the same Don’t get down if you’re sad and stuff - you hit me in my heart like novocaine I can’t explain - it’s like a shot of novacaine LINER NOTES: My wife wears glasses and pretty much always has. I can't remember the exact origins of this song, but I believe it was early on in our relationship during her time in Africa with the Peace Corps. We had a brief but consequential reunion. I was also going through some dental issues and might've written parts of it while I was taking vicodin for a root canal? One thing I learned was that your singing range is deeply impacted by the amount of novocaine coursing through your gums. Hey Hey Truck Driver (Written by Jeff S. Dodge & Lint Chocolate 1997 - Key of E minor) Hey Hey Truck Driver - what you doing on the road Hey Hey Truck Driver - driving another heavy load you got many miles ahead of you many miles behind hey hey truckdriver better never lose your mind I’ve got cocaine on my nose I’ve got 50 miles to go I’ve got lipstick on the wheel and I’m trying not to squeal-- ‘Cos I’m a truck driving ma-an SOLO I’ve got cocaine on my nose I’ve got 50 miles to go I’ve got lipstick on the wheel and I’m trying not to steal I’m a truck driving man Hey Hey Truck Driver - the distribution center is over there Hey Hey Truck Driver - drive down my street you best beware you’ve got too many drops to make in this urban landscape Hey Hey Truck Driver - the distribution center is over there I’ve got meth between my knees I ain’t been asleep for 8 weeks My rig the biggest one around there ain’t no law can take me down-- I’m a truck driving man LINER NOTES: Some of these lyrics got revised by me to reflect the current theme of this album (originally I think a lot of this was just that 'cocaine' line over & over?!). But there's a couple points I wanted to make; the first being that there sure seem to be a lot of semi-trucks out on the road these days. Didn't society used to have distribution centers for these big rigs to unload at and then smaller vehicles would bring them into the city for delivery? Now it feels like you can't even cross the street before some Semi Truck has pulled in front of you to offload a package of candy or a pallette of dental floss! The other point and that was the original nature of this song, is that the extreme lengths that some of these truckers go to get their shipment in faster (and potentially make everybody a little bit more profit) are very dangerous methods. Like Global Warming, I'd like to see society think more carefully about our infrastructure and means to moving goods and product around. Everybody wants their stuff fast. But I just think people would be willing to wait longer if doing so would improve the quality of life for more people, including that of the truck driver. F*** That Corporation (Written by Jeff S. Dodge 2008 - Key of D) Do-do-do-do-voo-do Do-do-do-do-voo-do Do-do-do-do-voo-do Do-do-do-do-voo-do-do voo-do-voo-do-do Ya know the people that make your television are very concerned about what you watch and the institutions that print your textbooks are denying science and buying stocks f*** that corporation - screw that imitation and the people who make your tennis shoes are changing faces in a race to the bottom but they also own all the cable news their ethics created in a business school f*** that corporation screw that imitation with your corporate logos and your corporate fonts every decision’s determined by if you profit or not and the people who make your tennis shoes are changing faces in a race to the bottom but they also own all the cable news their ethics created in a business school f*** that corporation screw that imitation with your corporate logos and your corporate fonts every decision’s determined - by if you profit or not it sucks your soul - it’s time to go the status quo has got to go LINER NOTES: No comment We thank you for visiting and if you enjoyed your time here, please visit some of our previous concept albums listed under The Jeff Dodge Peasant Revolution Band.