About the CD... Creating this 12 song CD was an incredible adventure that took nearly 3 years to complete. Each song was developed and recorded in an unorthodox fashion in several studios. 6 tracks were written with my great friend and guitarist Jimmy Leahey, 3 tracks were created from lyrics written by the beautiful Eryn Shewell who not only sings lead on "A Boy like you" but lent her stellar voice to 3 others as well. 1 track was written with my talented husband/bassist/drummer/studio engineer Al Greene and 1 is a unique arrangement of one of my favorite Beatle Songs. Al Greene spent 100's of hours recording and mixing the finished product and it was expertly mastered by Steve Fallone at Sterling Audio in NYC. I can't thank Al enough for his drive and talent. My ridiculously talented neighbor and friend...virtuoso violinist Laura Oatts is featured on "I'd be Bad". Eryn's guitarist Pat Ruh is on a number of tracks and her drummer Jake O'Handley crushed our version of "Happiness". I'm so lucky to have such incredibly talented friends... The Tracks... (scroll through to see all lyrics and stories) Lightning (Leon/ Leahey) (This song was inspired by my search for the great inventor Nikola Tesla) Lightning going off in my brain, propelling me forward Another lost train of thought it's like rain A daydream of sorts running it's course of life's big events...and it's all making sense Look at the stars, not so far away Just like a ray of sun crackles to life And I'm just a girl off to explore Something so real, it's just how I feel Just want to know, no interruptions It's best to agree and see what I see The center of life about to commence And it's all making sense Spark in the night, shines in my hand Yes I'm alright, just want to know Just want to know I'm just a girl off to explore It's how I feel and it's all making sense.... Jimmy Leahey: guitars and stuff Al Greene: bass and drums Love that never was(Leon/Leahey) (This one is about unattainable love...one that resides only in the mind) I think about you all the time Yeah every day, the one that got away You are the same for all time So iconic, you're like a dream to me now On the way, I got lost, and I promise to Climb, climb every mountain Turn over every stone for a love that never was Yeah I think about you all the time every day, the one that got away They say, peace is in your heart but how come my heart is oh so undecided We all want greatness There's a time and place and you need to know when to leave the race I got lost, tried to find on the way I got lost Dreaming 'bout you all the time yeah every day, the one that got away Yeah I think about you all the time every day, the one that got away I can't get you back.. And you are like a dream to me now Jimmy Leahey: Guitars and stuff Al Greene: Piano and Bass Mr. drum machine on drums That Guy (Leon/Greene) (I wrote these lyrics driving home from a gig I did with my friend Sandy at a disgusting cigar bar. All references are true) Who's the guy shouting "Can you play one for me" talking louder than my microphone at 100 db's Who's the guy dancing round touching himself... I think he's turning me on. That guy Who's the guy who says I can kick your a** on guitar. Hey Mr. Big I ask you this... "Where's your gig?" There's a million reasons why There's a million reasons why you don't want to be... That guy You know your chance has passed you by. There won't be no jacuzzi time. You've got to get out, gotta get out, gotta get out of my personal space. There's a million reasons why you don't want to be That guy Jimmy Leahey: Guitar Al Greene: Bass and Drums I'd be Bad (Leon/Leahey) (I imagined what it would be like to be married to the same grumpy old man for 40 years and here's what I came up with... This song features Laura Oatts on violin. Hauntingly beautiful...) I just saw you walk into this empty room. I knew from that moment I'd settled too soon. I looked at my old hands then looked at your young face. It gave me no comfort to think that I had been like you once. I'm not so sure that I'm happy to say I always kept temptation away. 4o years faithful, I dreamed I could hold someone else. If I could go back I'd be bad... The sun sets another night. Nothing about it feels right. Now that I know how it feels to yearn, feel my heart burn. I would give everything up in my life to be bad. Everything just to be bad. Me: Piano Al Greene: Acoustic bass Laura Oatts: Violin Boy like you (Leon/Shewell) (I fell in love with these lyrics and wrote this melody and and feel to fit Eryns soulful voice.) Sulking in his misery playing in that smoky bar. I must have heard his inner plea through the melody of his guitar. I could love a boy like you We talked for hours of music's power til the whiskey slurred our words and stirred desire. He moved in closer, I was toast in his toaster and he whispered in my ear.... I could love a girl like girl like you... If only in this moment could be true...You know I would really fall for you... Lead Vox: Eryn Shewell Bkgrds: Me Acoustic guitar: Pat Ruh Guitar solo: Jimmy Leahey Bass and shaker: Al Greene Train home from New Orleans (Leon/ Shewell) (This was the first collaboration with Eryn. These lyrics were so powerful and I knew I needed to write this. Eryn and I sat next to each other in my studio and sang this duet in one take. We had a blast recording while our kids were playing upstairs. Al did an amazing job making his drums sound like a train) The wheels thump as my suitcase rolls to the train home from New Orleans. Cross the platform to the silver car torpid from the storm. Emmy and Me are headed home. Struggled through the aisles found our seats. Emmy fell asleep. With all that I've seen I could not bear to eat so I headed straight to the bar. Once such a powerful place I am lost in it's scene on the train home from New Orleans. Paneled windows and abandoned lots roll on by. Orange x's marking sorrows courtesy of Katrina's line...Oh and the music plays on. The wheels thump as my suitcase rolls from the train. Emmy and me are headed home... Me and Eryn singing Me on piano Al Greene: bass and drums Shy Girl (Leon/Shewell) (When Eryn sent me these lyrics they resonated with me completely. I , too have always been shy and accused of being a snob or a witch. Not true!) I heard through the grapevine just a couple of times. Exactly what's being said, exactly what's being spread. You say I'm a snob that I'm a stuck up witch. If I'm in a bad mood I'll blow you off in a twitch. It's not that I care so much...I just want you to know... That I'm a shy girl, shy girl.I don't know what to say girl say girl. Sometimes on stage girl, I try not to hurl when strangers come my way. I'm get so shy. I really try to hold up, every day is a break through. But sometimes I still freeze up like an old gray statue. (like a rock). So maybe next time you'll understand if I seem so mean to you. The only thing that's really true is I don't mean to be rude. That I'm a shy girl, shy girl.I don't know what to say girl say girl. Sometimes on stage girl, my heart beats so fast, my head begins to twirl. I get so shy... Pat Ruh: Acoustic guitar Al Greene: Bass and drums Exit 162 (Leon/Leahey) ( I actually scribbled these lyrics on a piece of paper swerving down the Parkway. Al has never gotten over the fact that there is no exit 162 on the Garden State...) Swerving down the parkway in the rain near exit 162, putting my makeup on in the rearview. All at once in a flash oh I believe I just might crash. That's the time I start praying to you. Give me some hope, give me some love give me space, give me time I'll give you my heart along with my soul, I will change my ways. I will work hard so give me a sign and while you're at it...give me a kiss for luck. I try so hard to walk the line, but the straight and narrow way just seems to confine me. You know that faith is a struggle... two steps forward and 11 steps back, but still I try to believe. We all need a little correction, some direction, maybe a resurrection in this life. Gonna stop just making motions and show some real devotion and try not to waste more time... Swerving down the parkway in the rain near exit 162, I think I see you in my rearview.... Jimmy Leahey: Guitars and stuff Al Greene: Bass and Drums Gig at the Insane Asylum (Me) (One night I found myself sitting alone at a deserted bar having a conversation with the only other patron who was telling me about his gig at an insane asylum. I said ...aren't they all?) Come up to me and see if I am real or am I just another voice in your head. You are invisible as far as I can see. I guess there's something that we share. It's like staring at the sun, the party's just begun at the insane asylum. An adjective like crazy doesn't go so far. Rock and roll in here is rock and roll. Yeah lock and load... Me on piano Al Greene: Bass and drums Mothers Day (Leon Leahey) (When Jimmy gave me this piece of music, my son Eli was still very young and I envisioned our life together. I even cried writing it.) Oh baby you arrived today. So tiny and perfect and squirming away and I hold you for the first time. You’re so amazing, now what can I say And we’re tossing and turning and getting no sleep, rocking and rolling, trying to get you to eat. And I’m singing you love songs I’d forgotten for years. I know it’s your day, but it’s my day too...Happy Mothers Day Come on in now it’s getting dark Why? Cause I said so, now don’t be so smart. Then you’re on my back and I’m down on all fours and we’re laughing and singing and sharing the chores. There’s heartaches and headaches and worries and pain along with the dancing and splashing in the rain. It’s a life that is full, one that I’d never trade. If one thing is true, I simply love you... And this is Mothers Day Oh even when you’re all grown this love will be my own through happy and sad, good times and bad. For now it’s my turn to watch your life unfurl wind blowing through your golden curls... I’m at your graduation and you’re soon leaving home. It’s all that I’d hoped for but I’m not ready at all. And you smile and say “thanks Mom” and I’m flooded with tears. Feels like a day, not so many years and I call up my Mother and cried on the phone, tell her I’m sad and I feel so alone. She listens a while says you now understand. This is your day and it’s my day too... Happy Mothers Day I say, yeah...Happy Mothers Day Jimmy Leahey: Guitars and stuff Al Greene: Bass and drums Tree Grows in NYC (Leon/Leahey) (I saw a tree growing in the middle of Manhatten and wondered how it could be there amidst the cars and building and crowds. Felt it was a great metaphor for a girl unlucky in love...) Love is passing by so fast I'm wondering if this one will last. Fall has come, Winter's ahead. Looking for a sign that's not already red. If a tree can grow in NYC than I know there's hope for you and me. If a tree grows in NYC than I know there's hope for you and me. I keep hearing we all make our bed. I'm so tired, I just need a little luck instead. Rules keep changing, I do my best. Is this heart strong enough to take this test? Sometimes all I see seems hopeless though I know hope is the key... Jimmy Leahey: Guitars and dobro Al Greene: Bass and Drums Happiness is a warm gun (Lennon/McCartney) Anyone who knows me, know I'm a huge Beatle head. This is a song that I felt I could do justice. It seemed like a song about a women being abused and it resonated with me in that way. Turned out Eryn loved it as well...so everyone followed my crazy train and here it is... Me on piano and organ Eryn: Vocals Pat Ruh: whale sounds Jimmy Leahey: Guitars & strings Al Greene: Bass Jake O'Handley: Drums