Long List of Priors
(Credits & Lyrics)
Recorded by Chris Allen at Sear Sound, NYC
February – September 2015 & January 2016
Assisted by Grant Valentine & Owen Mulholland
Additional Recording: Andy Taub at Brooklyn Recording
Additional Engineering: John Squicciarino & Dave Westner
Mixed by Ben Wisch at Bailey Building & Loan, Ridgewood, NJ
Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering, NYC
All songs written by Kenny White © Mup Music, ASCAP
(p) & © 2016 Mup Music
Cover photo by Sandrine Lee
Lyrics
1. Road Less Traveled
looks like we may have finally hit a dry spell
if i’d any sense i’d tell you we’re sinking like a stone.
it’s never fun when only one can feel the distance
and the path of least resistance is worn and overgrown
the heart is a living, breathing contradiction
it gets cooler with friction, warm with a gentle touch
i heard a line about the heart once, now i’m gonna steal it
when it’s full you hardly feel it, when it’s empty it weighs so much
day by day, all through the night it’s all about who’s wrong, who’s right
i’m getting tired of the endless battle. . .i’m just looking for a road less traveled
operators are assisting other people at this time
hang up, you’ll lose your place in line, this music’s driving me insane
you said my call was important to you
i don’t know if that’s true. . .hey, where’d you go? disconnected again
you appreciate my patience but your public relations skills
cause me palpitations, can you answer me at all?
if my meter’s in the basement and my bank is right nearby
why am I talking to Mumbai? i’d like to escalate this call
blood’s warm but the trail’s gone cold, have I grown up or just grown old
my hand is steady but my faith is rattled
and I’m just looking for a road less traveled.
I’m torn between desire and the will to be released
do i need a locksmith or a priest? i’m just a mess of crossed wires
my reputation’s painted on every wall in town
the past is gonna hunt me down. . . i’ve got a long list of priors
they say that money’s wasted on the wealthy
youth is wasted on the young but i don’t fall among
that kind of chatter
all you’re given at the start is a target and some darts
you collect the other parts and then
you try to make ’em matter
take your place in the New Frontier
man, i hope you’re happy here
the poet’s dead and the song’s unravelled and
i’m just looking for a road. . .
i’m no beacon, i’m no saint
i’m a canvas allergic to paint
the light fades with every swing of the gavel
i’m just looking for a road less traveled
david crosby – harmony vocal
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – ac & resophonic guitar, mandola
larry campbell – fiddle
kw – vocal, piano, B3
2. Che Guevara
che guevara’s not fashionable anymore
i’ve searched in every NY clothing store
the once proud bohemian is lying in the discount bin
che guevara’s not fashionable anymore
nowadays, nothing’s built to last
we’ve learned to pull our heroes from the past
whatever it is you lack, you’re bound to find it on the rack
when you don’t like it, you just take it back
che guevara’s not fashionable anymore
i don’t see him as often as before
a troubled man with a violent streak
suddenly, a hip mystique
silk-screened on the brooklyn chic
from iconic emissary to ironic, temporary
here’s to the sons of glory, reborn as inventory
che guevara’s not fashionable anymore
this time, a victim of the style war
the face of the proletariat and you wouldn’t know without his hat
che guevara’s not fashionable anymore
che guevara’s not fashionable anymore
shawn pelton – drums, drum programming
marty ballou – bass
duke levine – el guitar
antoine silverman – string arrangement
kw – vocal, piano
amy helm, catherine russell – backing vocals
antoine silverman – violin
sean carney – violin
emily yarbrough – violin
sylvia d’avanzo – violin
jonathon dinklage – viola
chris cardona – viola
anja wood – cello
emily brausa – cello
3. Another Bell Unanswered
tried hard to be strong for you so your path was clear.
all i did was long for you, and wish you’d come back here
each morning sun would promise hope; to me it said, okay
get up, time for your heart to start to break again today
somewhere along the line your love divided into two
a match between desire and what you thought was right to do
is mercury in retrograde, did the stars fall out of line?
I need a better reason than it just was not our time.
now you turn the page and you send your best to me
was it a momentary journey or a broken destiny?
another bell unanswered, another unplayed song
if our fate was in the heavens,
this time the heavens got it wrong.
who knows where we’ll be standing a couple years from now
my boyish looks long abandoned, though i still pretend somehow
the day always seems to come when hope no longer springs
and all those lovely notes must then return to their strings
but every now and then, clear out of the blue
something will remind you how much more there was to do
might be out there in the shadows, as you pull the evening blinds
you’ll wonder where he is and if you ever cross his mind.
now the gray geese call, and winter finds it’s voice
and the leaves will fall as if they had a choice
just another bell unanswered, another unplayed song
if our fate was in the heavens,
this time the heavens got it wrong.
david crosby – harmony vocal
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – ac guitar
larry campbell – el guitar
john “scrapper” sneider – trumpet
dan block – clarinet, bass clarinet
wayne goodman – trombone
kw – vocal, piano
4. Cyberspace
i learned about a wedding, crashed by rebels in New Delhi
i learned about a guy who stashed three kilos in his belly
i learned Amelia Earhart may, in fact, still be alive
and that killer bees in Sicily are learning how to drive
i learned my friends are 2 dimensional, every secret written
you don’t need to tap their phones, there’s nothing left that’s hidden
i learned that cats are cute unless you happen to be a mouse
i learned it only takes a suit to be elected to the House
i spent the day in cyberspace. . . contagious insanity
as goes the human touch, so goes humanity
i learned the world’s a lovely mystery, i’m just glad to tag along
as soon as someone’s sure they’re right, that’s when I’m sure they’re wrong
i learned that it’s a better thing to build a bridge than burn it
i learned that people taught to turn the other cheek won’t turn it
and that evidence and science now at that we thumb our noses
the mention of a dying earth. . . the conversation closes
but pitchforks and street of gold, that we’re gonna swallow
well, i learned not to judge but pardon me if i don’t follow
you can spend half your life tossing hopes into the air
two hands engaged in labor do more than a thousand clasped in prayer
i spent the day in cyberspace. . . contagious insanity
as goes the human touch, so goes humanity
i learned that looking good may have a lot to do with lighting
i learned about a war or two we had no business fighting
i learned that the highest judges in the land can still be bought
i learned that if you play footsie with the next stall you’ll be caught
and that you can repent once, but the second time you’re toast
i learned the ones most guilty are the ones that yell the most
i learned that people cite the constitution ’til they’re blue
when the only amendmentthat they know is number two
some try to save the unborn through their righteous megaphone
but god help you after the first breath you take on your own
i spent the day in cyberspace. . . contagious insanity
here’s to the human race and all of it’s vanity
i learned that people swallow metal things more often than i’d guess
i learned that less is more and that i’m sure of, more or less
i learned that even when you think you are, you’re not alone
i learned that Walmart shoppers are a breed unto their own
i learned that music i detest has other people smitten
the only time i have agreed was, ‘worst lyric ever written’
Horse with no Name
plants and birds and rocks and things
i learned the body politic is now severely broken
i learned the best opinions are the ones that stay unspoken
but still i sing this song to you, despite my own advice
believe me, soon it will be over and i’ll sing something nice
i learned we’ve got a stack of bills and nothing left to pay ’em
no more things to say and now a hundred ways to say ’em
i learned all this in an hour here at laptop college
so much information, so little knowledge
I learned we need to make time for our husbands and our wives
and that we’re driftingfar from what’s important in our lives
not you and me, I’ll make your motor run, don’t you ever doubt it
but baby, hurry up and come, so I can tweet about it.
i spent the day in cyberspace. . . contagious insanity
as goes the human touch, so goes humanity
i spent the day in cyberspace. . . contagious insanity
as goes the human touch, so goes humanity
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – el guitar
kw – vocal, piano
amy helm, catherine russell – backing vocals
5. The Other Shore
there’s a time, early evening
the city shows it’s mercy
lines are cast through the river glass
as the sun sinks into Jersey
on my left, the lady glints
the copper torch of liberty
on my right, the faded prints
of where you stood so near to me
through window panes as thin as prayer
you can hear the peals of thunder
i’ve spent hours sitting there
confusing love with hunger
today my longing knows no limits
i’m held by what i cannot hold
stay with me for just these few more minutes
keep me from the cold
soon the car will come and take you
and i will have to let go
for just one more chance to make you laugh
i’d give the world, you know
i haven’t always shown my best
i’ve wounded those i most adore
but all is well, safely rest
i will meet you on the other shore
kw – vocal, piano
antoine silverman – string arrangement
antoine silverman – violin
entcho todorov – violin
emily yarbrough – violin
sylvia d’avanzo – violin
matt lehmann – violin
jonathon dinklage – viola
chris cardona – viola
anja wood – cello
amy ralske – cello
pete donovan – contrabass
john “scrapper” sneider – trumpet
dylan schwab – flugelhorn
eric davis – french horn
keith o’quinn – trombone
andrew sterman – bass clarinet
6. Glad-handed
choked up from the depths of indigestion
an aging, hard of hearing bottle blonde
who knows too much to ever ask a question
just happy swimming in her little pond
but if you want to make your mark, get busy
you believe it, then you gotta take your stand
you’re sitting on the wrong side of sixty
and your hourglass is running out of sand
glad-handed backroom deals, pinning hopes on spinning wheels
one minute, riding high then down you go
c’mon, absolutely, yeah, can’t wait, most likely, well see,
sorry, i don’t think so, no.
you said, ‘i love you but i can’t pick up the phone, dear’
you said, ‘i love you, because i got the sense i should.
i’d tell you what i think but i’m alone here.
i gotta wait for someone else to say it’s good.’
when it somes to taste, you’re undernourished
and when it comes to style, you’re overfed
when it comes to choose, you got no courage
and when it comes to know the differences, you’re dead.
glad-handed backroom deals, pinning hopes on spinning wheels
one minute, riding high then down you go
c’mon, absolutely, yeah, most likely, well see,
sorry, i don’t think so, no.
i can’t believe what has you so excited
if you like that i hope you don’t like me
i used to be among the few invited
now i’m tearing up my RSVP
i thought my road was paved with good intentions
i’m not sure i can say it after all
i aimed for the stars and revved my engines
instead, i found out how far i could fall
you wake up feeling like a lonesome prisoner
and you realize all that glitters isn’t gold
it’s true, your words might never find a listener
but that doesn’t mean the story can’t be told
glad-handed backroom deals, pinning hopes, spinning wheels. . .
glad-handed backroom deals, pinning hopes on spinning wheels
one minute, riding high then down you go
they say absolutely, yeah, can’t wait, most likely, well see,
sorry, doubtful, i don’t think so
c’mon, absolutely, yeah, can’t wait, most likely, sorry, doubtful, i don’t think so. . .
c’mon, wait a minute. . . have we met? oh, you must be kidding. . . no.
peter wolf – duet vocal, harmonica
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – el guitar
larry campbell – el guitar
kw – vocal, piano, B3, percussion
amy helm, catherine russell – backing vocals
7. Lights Over Broadway
the siren crawls past shop displays
still none of the cars get out of the way
the building tops are swallowed by gray
oh, how it’s raining in new york today
midtown color carnival show
is it day? is it night? no way to know
i’m flashing back to the sweet glory days
soldiers returning to a feverish haze
when the band would call the tune
sinatra flew to the moon
the lights over broadway never so bright
madame z will read your palm
cigarette dangling, beads on her arm
the f.b.i. tried to put her away
but the charges were dropped and she’s open today
you wouldn’t recognize this place
all of the excess, none of the grace
there was a time we lit up cigars
the city was swinging on moonbeams and stars
all those days on the brink
sound and picture out of sync
you grabbed your girl and held her tight
sax and trumpets blew all night
nothing else mattered. . . everything right
all those days on the brink
the sound and picture out of sync
now you could feel the raindrops again
you grabbed your girl and held her tight
sax and trumpets blew all night
nothing else mattered. . . everything alright
a melody, a turn of phrase
notes were jumping off the page
dance floor, dizzy on champagne
spinning ’round like the wheels of a fast train
and the band would call the tune
sinatra flew to the moon
everything just right
the lights over broadway never so bright
kw – vocal, piano
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – el guitar
john “scrapper” sneider – trumpet
antoine silverman – string arrangement
amy helm, catherine russell, angela reed – backing vocals
antoine silverman – violin
sean carney – violin
emily yarbrough – violin
sylvia d’avanzo – violin
jonathon dinklage – viola
chris cardona – viola
anja wood – cello
emily brausa – cello
8. Charleston
I heard the words coming from my radio
singing, “If you’re ready, (come go with me)”
the pulse was steady and the rhythm slow
Mavis, tearing up the melody
Then the news broke my reverie
and turned the summer heat to frost
with words I’ve heard too frequently;
nine good people paid the cost.
you brought me water when I needed to drink
you held out a net when I was near the brink
you covered me up when I thought I might freeze
now they’ve taken you, and left me on my knees
who are these devils with hearts of coal
and empty rooms behind their eyes
how many bells still need to toll
how many suns still need to rise
and my blood sped up and my body shivered
for the angels lining up at Heaven’s Gate
when nine in Charleston were hand delivered
by the cold fingerprints of hate
this peaceful house has lifted souls
by teaching how to rise above
now each and every bullet hole
shall be filled with grace and sealed with love
I’ve raised this voice for all these years
been rewarded for the sound it makes
it won’t mean a thing if I can’t dry the tears
when the gun shot rings and the levee breaks
and my blood sped up and my body shivered
for the angels lining up at Heaven’s Gate
when nine in Charleston were hand delivered
by the cold fingerprints of hate
200 summers’ healing hands
200 winters’ open door
200 autumns, and may you stand
for at least 200 more
ada dyer – duet vocal
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – bass
duke levine – el guitar
kw – vocal, piano, B3
john “scrapper” sneider – trumpet
joel frahm – trombone
any helm, angela reed, catherine russell, james d-train williams, kw – backing vocals
9. The Moon Is Low
i’ve never been too good at this
chatting up bar-stool potentials
the prelude to an empty kiss
stories and jokes, the essentials
all the voices turned up loud
the deejay’s artillery fire
i scan the faces in the crowd
mine is the one that’s most tired
one more dip into the well
before i leave these neophytes
to duke it out among themselves
for some company tonight
i’m drawn less to the flame of love
more to the anticipation
and i wish to god it was enough
but i’m scared to death of salvation
it all starts as a one-night stand
until that one perfect memory lingers
after that, you’re holding sand
too tight and it slips through your fingers
it’s time to throw these letters out
where i sent my kisses and sealed them
in pages filled with dreams and doubts
when you made it safe to reveal them
then i’ll pick up tomorrow’s Times
a couple of bucks and a smile
the moon is low and about to climb
i’m just gonna walk for awhile
kw – vocal, piano
10. West L.A.
i really wanted her to stay
i’m never gonna get my way
so i’m moving out to west l.a.
me. yeah, me.
everyone tan and fit
don’t need no sarcastic wit
leave all that back in new york cit. . . y
underneath an auburn haze
sitting on the 405 for days
and while you wait you pretend to conversate
with a girl in the next lane
“i will know you horizontally
it’ll stay between just you and me
we’ll ride this town convertibly
you’ll see.”
and we won’t feel any guilt here
’cause that’s not how we are built here
y’know, the roses never wilt here, honestly.
(west l.a.) a cure for the weakened heart
and when you finally land that speaking part
she’ll suffer the effects of this painful separation
at least that’ll be your interpretation
so there’s no need to tear up
this traffic’s starting to clear up
it’s time for you to cheer up
in west l.a. west l.a. west l.a. west l.a.
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – el guitar
dan block – clarinet
john “scrapper” sneider – trumpet
wayne goodman – trombone, tuba
kw – vocal, piano
angela reed – harmony vocal
amy helm, catherine russell – backing vocals
11. Color of the Sky
i wish i could stay. i wish i could find a way
to fix it so you would be with me everyday
and each day could last forever
i don’t want to go. i don’t want to end the show
and have to find my way back in the dark
left to wonder if i’ll ever
feel you or hear you, know you, or hold you again
the color of the sky is not the one that i remember
now the summer doesn’t feel as warm
knowing that somebody else can
have you and hold you, kiss you and love you
again and again and again and again and again
shawn pelton – drums, drum programming
marty ballou – bass
duke levine – ac guitar
larry campbell – el guitar
dan block – clarinet
kw – vocals, piano
12. 4000 Reasons to Run
carrilon bells chime in the mist
you want to give in but you need to resist
still you open the latch in case love shows up
one strike of the match and the whole thing goes up
you weep like a willow, you move like a cat
you’re gonna put someone’s heart out playing like that
yesterday’s kiss makes me shiver tonight
something so crazy and perfectly right,
and the jukebox is telling me i am just one in a line-up. . .
“where do i sign up?”
this bar’s full of sad sacks, dogs on the loose
beer guts and bad backs from years of abuse,
“hey now, don’t take your freedom for granted”
this song, these hats, the attitudes. . . man, i can’t stand it
she and adonis surrounded by water,
i’m holding the lifeline but it keeps getting shorter
look in this picture, the camera has caught her
one foot in paradise. . . one, only sorta
i’m self-medicating and skating up hills,
this wine is misleading, i brought the wrong pills
the piano won’t give me a thing that i need today, it’s got a mind of it’s own
either i bleed, or it’s gonna play all the same crap that we’ve heard before
and we really don’t need to hear anymore
you haven’t cut me up bad enough yet, i’ve got one or two veins that haven’t been let
it’s a prizefight i barely can stand this, i’m still on my feet in the 10th
on my way to the canvas
i knock on the door, wait ’til you pull me in
your hand tactily reading my skin.
i could count to infinity before i’d retire
this unholy trinity: you, me, and hell’s fire
i’m staring at four kings and still want to fold
i’ve got so much to look at and nothing to hold
i’m not gonna fight you if that’s what you came for, you know how i feel so
if it’s not the same for you go now, cause love never wavers, if you don’t see that
don’t do me any favors. i wish i liked whiskey more than i do
it sure would help soften the volume of you
and i might’ve seen the clues from day one
when you gave me your heart and 4000 reasons to run
shawn pelton – drums
marty ballou – ac bass
duke levine – el guitar, dobro, ac guitar
kw – vocals, piano, B3
13. The Olives & The Grapes
the sun made good time today, broke the long night’s tension
it skied along the cloud tops, ’til it lit the starboard engine
doesn’t matter how the coin lands, heads or tails,
with paradise dissolving into vapor trails
up here, you’d think we’d be much closer to the spot where heaven waits
no that’s down there, somewhere among the olives and the grapes
lost under fedoras, dead smokes and worn out skin
the men stand at the bar and nod to every person that walks in
already on their 4th cup, the fraternity is clear
as they laugh at the same jokes they’ve told for 40 years
i’m leaving with a missing part, the story’s incomplete
so i’ll make up an ending with fewer bruises and scrapes,
‘the boy who traded in the blacktop for the olives and the grapes’
war has knocked on doors here, spilled it’s venom in the streets
and history’s been laid low between enemy drumbeats
a young girl sits by the water, like so many have before her
imagining a life that reaches way beyond her border
i know that she has planned at least a hundred great escapes
but she belongs right there among them
belongs right there among them
she belongs right there among the olives and the grapes
kw – vocal, piano
antoine silverman – string arrangement
gary schreiner – accordion
marty ballou – bass
antoine silverman – violin
entcho todorov – violin
jonathan dinklage – viola
anja wood – cello
For All Inquiries
Sandy Goldfarb
12741 Pacific Ave, #8
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 391-3139
(310) 386-4449 cell