1. A
Bank Too Far
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This is a song about the total astonishment Jesse James must have felt on the day his outlaw winning streak came to an abrupt and bitter end in Northfield, Minnesota. He pushed his luck too hard, and Jesse and the rest of the James gang experienced a cataclysmic result beyond their imaginations on the day they tried to rob a bank too far.
2. Abilene
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Abilene might be a special place, or maybe a special person. Or maybe
a little of both. "I never should have left you-now I'm headed back
to Abilene" expresses a desire to re-connect with something special
and an intention to take it for granted no more.
3. The
Magic Hour
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
There's a shift that happens when the doings of the day yield to whatever
good things the evening has in store. There's no better time to hook up
with your partner, ease into a couple of lawn chairs, kick back and enjoy
the sounds of an outdoor concert as twilight soothes the day.
4. In
From the Cold
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
(Note: Erik Thomas sings the lead vocal part on this track)
Falling in love is a mysterious experience. There you are drifting along
your merry way and suddenly, wham, you're not in Kansas anymore. Whether
or not you see it coming, once Cupid's arrow finds its mark, the truth
becomes undeniable. That's the time to come in from the cold.
5. What
She Had To Do
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This song tells the story of a journey from hard times and living life
on autopilot to stepping up to follow a dream. The lyrics describe a transformation
from everyday powerlessness (what she had to do to get by) to a personal
imperative to reach for the essence of life itself (what she had to do
to live life to its fullest).
6. Lady
Luck
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Irony in the Wild West… Rod Serling-style. Listen as the seconds
of one man's life tick away in the midst of a fabulous run of good luck
at the card table. The trouble is that the best luck of his lifetime turns
out to be the worst luck he'll ever have.
7. Bugged
and Bothered
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Lighthearted and quirky, the fellow in this song has more than his share
of petty annoyances to nudge his life out of sorts. Or maybe it's because
the girl he loves doesn't feel the same way about him that has this hapless
chap feeling so bugged and bothered?
8. The
Best in Me
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
"I believe in you" is one of the most powerful and evocative
sentiments one person can express to another. Especially in times of doubt,
uncertainty, rejection or fear, those simple words can inspire profound
hope, determination and a sense of renewal when that is what's needed
most. I dedicate this song to the person who inspired me to write it:
my wife, Bettina.
9. Home
to You
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
"No one knows what I've been through, miles from home and missing
you," says a wanderer who's just decided that it's time to set out
on a one-way mission back to the lovin' arms of his sweetheart. High roads,
low roads or no roads at all, it's a bluesy ride to a happy destination.
10. Crunch
Time
Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This one gives the crew a chance to air it out and take a ride on an up-tempo
instrumental. "Crunch time" means "Time to deliver"
and this melody provides the context for a delightful tour-de-force by
the incredible artists who came together for this project.
11. Time
for Goodbye
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
The netherworld that exists between where love ends and the final goodbye
is an emotion-filled place punctuated by broken dreams and aching hearts.
The inevitable decision to stick it out or call it a day is the only way
forward, and this song speaks to that bittersweet crossroad.
12. Not
Tonight
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
A to-do list a mile long. Chores galore, bills to pay and plenty more
growing up to do. But hey, the weekend is here and this dude's best pals
are on their way over. He tells himself that someday he's bound to straighten
up and get his act together. But maybe mañana-certainly not tonight.
13. These
Walls
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
There's a guy sitting in a jail cell right now where he's been stuck for
a long, long time. He's going kind of nuts, so to help quiet his mind
he's dreaming and scheming about every way possible to escape his unbearable
circumstances and get beyond "These Walls."
14. Saddle
Up
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
The inspiration for this song was a poster I saw years ago that included
the phrase "The dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on." Here's
a fun interpretation about a caravan of Calistoga wagons that has to make
a mighty effort each day to keep its motley members heading west.
15. Time
Marches On
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
How many times have you participated in a special event only to later
feel like it all came and went too quickly? If only we could slow it all
down to savor the best moments for just a little longer. At least we have
the ability to take a deep breath and smell the roses while they are here.
16. Cedars
and the Pines
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This song is a daydream about doing one of my favorite things: walking
amid the beauty and serenity of nature, breathing fresh air, looking for
the next scenic spot to throw a fishing line or enjoy an afternoon picnic-if
only in my mind. Here's to the daydreams of your own that give you happiness
and life!
1. Somethin'
He Done
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
A fellow musician recently told of a friend of his who is serving hard
time in prison. With unsubtle curiosity, I found myself asking, "What's
he in for?" The musician thought for a moment, took a deep breath
and responded, "For somethin' he done." A few simple words that
summed up an unfortunate story, bypassing a whole lot of specifics to
arrive at a profound bottom line. So it is with this song-more questions
than answers, but no mistaking the essentials.
2. Two
Hearts Broken
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This is a song for anyone who has ever been in a relationship that they
truly cherish, but who have spoken words they wish they'd never said in
a moment they wish had never happened. Ouch! Where's the reset button?
3. Snowfall
on Cedar
Music by Rick Jamison & Phil Cornish, BMI
A snowy winter's day. A young puppy named Cedar playing in the snow for
the first time. A warm fire inside with a window to watch a simple but
wonderful experience take place in the backyard. Such was the inspiration
for this three-part instrumental.
4. The
Changing Scene
Words
and Music by Phil Cornish, BMI
Six years ago, I attempted something for the first time... living with
a woman. Partly out ofnecessity, partly out of practicality, but mostly
out of love, Ivona and I decided to give it a shot. My decorations came
down off the walls of our Berkeley apartment, and though it was hard to
get used to, it was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me.
- PC
5. Round
the World
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This song is dedicated to my wife, Tina, who first whispered the words,
"I love you 'round the world and back again" to her daughter,
Heather, over twenty years ago. She has since shared that tender phrase
with me more than a few times over the years, and this is my way of expressing
what it has come to mean to me.
6. Cornstalk
Hornpipe
Music by Phil Cornish (BMI)
I grew up listening to my dad practice fiddle tunes on his left-handed
fiddle. When I finally picked up the mandolin, after years of futile resistance,
it was easy to learn the songs because they were all swimming around in
my head. This song fits right in with all of them as it brings back happy
thoughts of the music I've always known. - PC
7. Somewhere
Bound
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
"I want to gaze upon the mountains one more time before I go…"
The truth is, there are a great many things that each of us holds dear.
This song is a tribute to every one of those things, large and small,
that holds meaning and contributes to making life so precious. For me,
it's also a reminder to be sure to smell the flowers along the way.
8. Time
Travels
Words and Music by Phil Cornish (BMI)
Science Fiction is not really a Bluegrass kind of topic, so this song
is intentionally mysterious. Without the title or an explanation, the
song would seem to be about a Guardian Angel. In fact it covers the subject
of Dean Koontz's novel, Lightening, in which a man from the past travels
through time to the future, falls in love with a woman unbeknownst to
her and then shows up at the major turning points in her life to make
sure she points in the right direction.
9. Pepper
Boy
Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Pepper was a neighborhood dog that adopted us several years ago. When
we first moved into our current home, Pepper introduced himself as the
local good will ambassador. A frequent visitor from that day forward,
he decided to move in with us permanently one stormy night when he hunkered
down on our back porch and refused to go home. We grew to love the little
guy with the heart of gold, and we always will. This song is for our boy
Pepper.
10. Left
Me All Alone
Words and Music by Phil Cornish (BMI)
There are many approaches to life. Some people choose to set goals and
work towards them, while others float with the breeze and just go with
the flow. This song is about someone who was pretty sure of where they
were heading until it all fell apart. I guess it's like the lawyers say,
don't ask the question unless you know what the answer will be.
11. Love
Letters and Pain
Words and Music by Phil Cornish and Eric Guest (BMI)
A classic case of "what you don't know, won't hurt you." Maybe
the guy in this tale shouldn't have been reading his wife's secret letters.
Then again, maybe she shouldn't have been sneaking around behind his back.
Either way, this relationship's over!
12. Wild
Winds
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Fond memories. Fun experiences. Ever-richer memories. This is a song that
conjures up the best of times from long ago, that celebrates passion for
the favorite pursuits of today and that acknowledges that, many years
down the road, those are the experiences that will someday become treasures
of the mind that will always endure.
1.
Wind River Breakdown
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
The Wind River Mountains of Wyoming is where this CD project began. I was up at Big Sandy painting with Scott Christensen and a group of artists when Scott asked if I'd ever considered recording some of my music. That simple question got the wheels turning, and here is the result. I wrote this song the week I returned home in honor of my artist friends who offered me so much encouragement during that special time together.
2.
Where Peaceful Waters Flow
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
I have always stood in awe of the enormous power of the ocean. When I read the book A Perfect Storm, I was deeply moved by the tragedy of the Andrea Gail and her crew, too far at sea and too far from home under the worst of circumstances. The title of this song stands in stark contrast to those storm-ravaged waters, yet I imagine the bottom of the ocean as a place of eternal peace.
3.
Hilltop Rambler
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
Tina and I live on Hilltop Circle, so it was just a matter of time before "Hilltop" found its way into the title of one of my songs. I was working out the nuances of this tune on the front porch at my in-laws house when I heard Tina's Dad say, "Wow man, I really dig that tune" from the hot tub where he was relaxing. I guess this was just the right melody to send wafting across the yard that afternoon.
4.
Morning in Marin
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
This is a tune I wrote many years ago when I first moved to Northern California. Imagine a crisp, fresh morning with a panoramic view of Richardson Bay, a hot cup of coffee and the time to soak it all in. A peaceful moment to inspire a simple melody. Forever more when I play this tune, I'll think of my good friends Dave and Tina and Dil and Jina, and remember the things that matter the most.
5.
Time Again to Go
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
I've always loved a road trip. Pack a few things, saddle up and go. I wrote this song while on a long distance motorcycle ride in my twenties, but I dedicate it to every kindred spirit who has savored the freedom of the open highway, explored the far reaches of our country just for the heck of it or indulged the insatiable curiosity to go and see what's over that next hill.
6.
Copper Moon
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
Traveling to bluegrass festivals with our Airstream is a big part of every summer for us. Throughout the winter, we look forward to kicking off the "bluegrass season" with Fred and Melinda who bring a bunch of our favorite musicians together each spring for a week-long pickin' party. I wrote this tune during one such gathering while watching the moonrise over their homestead in Copperopolis.
7.
A New Path
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
This melody is about newfound freedom, about making choices that honor one's spirit and about, well, having the courage to set off on a new path when the old path keeps leading to dead ends. That's what I had in mind the day these notes first poured out of my guitar, and I offer it here to anyone contemplating a new path of his or her own.
8.
Cattle in the Cane
(Traditional, arranged by Rick Jamison)
I think of traditional music as a massive quilt that weaves together the lives of musicians and listeners alike. Age-old melodies like this one seem to always be in the air, drifting on the breeze like the aroma of home cookin'. Finding a unique expression of a familiar melody while preserving the integrity of the original composition is a fun way to keep the music fresh and new.
9.
Freight Train Boogie
(Traditional, arranged by Rick Jamison)
Although I started playing the guitar when I was 9 years old, I didn't discover acoustic music until a friend turned me on to a Doc Watson record during my college years. I had a chance to sit with Doc himself in a motel room in Alexandria, VA during that era. He showed me how he liked to play the bass line in the chorus of this traditional favorite, and I've been trying to pick it "Doc-style" ever since.
10.
Old Joe Clark
(Traditional, arranged by Rick Jamison)
This is the kind of traditional fiddle tune that every bluegrass player loves to "take a ride" on—the faster, the better. This performance is dedicated to all of my bluegrass friends, wherever you are. Here's to late nights, great jams and the special camaraderie that comes with tuning up, settling in and finding the groove.
11.
Higher Ground
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
When people ask, "How do you like living out in the middle of nowhere?" this song sums up the answer rather well. Although I continue to make my living in Silicon Valley and I love my job, there's nothing like leaving those bumper-to-bumper diamond lanes behind to savor home sweet home in the mountains.
12.
Sonora Pass
(Written and arranged by Rick Jamison)
Our favorite route through the Sierras is the Sonora Pass. We enjoy traveling this narrow, winding alpine road to visit with our country neighbors Peter and Sandy in Markleeville. The road dips and rises and twists its way through some beautiful country, and I wrote this tune to try to capture the feeling I get while ambling along this lightly traveled byway.