1914 Ghost Bridge

While I can’t make any sense of this Russian Invasion (or any other war), I can at least think about my parents and grandparents who were part of the two World Wars. My grandfather fought for the Germans in WWI – but was a pacifist and refused to shoot and kill anyone. My father landed on the beach in Normandy in WWII fighting for…

Le ROI Est Mort

The King is Dead He won’t be missedLet’s dance on his graveBorn unto privilegeDied deep in debtHe couldn’t be savedOnly a mortalChoked during dinnerOn his silver spoonRushed to the doctorIt was too lateFor fat old King BuffoonChorusJustice ain’t justBut Karma sure isOur Wannabe KingHas bitten the dust in a nutshell All kings die, eventually Dictators and kings never last long Its amazing how much…

Weaklings

There may be many anti war protest songs, but one thing that is clear is that the aggressor is usually afraid of something. The US in Vietnam was afraid of Communism, Bush was afraid of what 9/11 looked like – so he went after a bad guy – but a guy who had nothing to do with 9/11. Putin must be afraid of his…

Ode to Emperor Norton I

I need to re-record the Cello and use it as a bass – no bowing and use a high pass filter to get rid of the low frequency boom. Born in KentOf London townSan Francisco’sRoyal ClownColorful 9erWealthy manSpeculatorLost all he hadMade decreesRattled a sabreGentle sortBeloved neighborSome say madSome say smartEntertainerPlayed his partHad a visionTunnel and bridgeOther thingsSeemed unhingedEccentric yesCrazy noEndearing manFantastic showChorusEmperor Norton49erLeague of…

Shanghai Kelly

San Francisco1870First flesh peddlerShanghai KellyBarkeep KellyDrugged his patronsOpium BourbonStrong oblationSet up phonyFree Booze CruisesLured his victimsWith Toxic juicesOffered womanTo Sucker sapsWhen they woke They were trappedNo free womanOnly boozeKnocked them outKidnapped foolsTrapped aboardA sailing shipTo ShanghaiUnwanted TripChorusFirst head hunterCalled a CrimpShanghai KellySailor Pimp in a nutshell James Kelly was a kidnapper – but he kidnapped grown men sailors You could say he started a…

Firebelle Lil

Smoked cigarsWore men’s pantsDrank and gambledLived in France Adventurous girlTravelled farLoved her CityWith Cable CarsStation mascotKnickerbocker 5Fireman’s friendFull of lifeNapa ValleyPlanted vinesVintage LillieMade White wineCrazy cousinTried to kill herBusiness manBullet diverterFled to ParisTo get away20 years passedReturned one dayChorusSan FranciscoFirebelle LilBuilt Coit TowerOn Telegraph Hill in a nutshell Lillie Hitchcock Coit was the first female volunteer fire department member She gave a good portion…

Radio Poseur

I am loving writing songs that are stories about American Oddballs . . . . Lee de ForestRadio hucksterCircuit breakerLegal muckerCopycat makerLegal loserCopyright fakerSelf promoterMade the triodeAccidental hackerTweaked a diodeRadio QuackerOpportunistCo-operatorMinor playerGrand paraderSome folk doWhile Others talkSome skip stepsBut doers walkLet us raiseOur glasses highFor the doersOn Radio KRYChorusRadio QuackerSelf promoterLegal muckerRadio poseur in a nutshell Lee deForest accidentally invented the Triode – adding…

Ode to Arthur Fellig

Here is the song on the Volt 276 with EQ and effects: And here it is on the Volt 276 without EQ or effects (but with its onboard “vintage” mode): They called him WeegeeThe name of his gameWas Street PhotographyYou really should see itHigh societyGala affairsScandal sheetsDevil may careLowbrow BoweryGypsies, Tramps and thievesReal life capturedBeyond beliefFact or fictionIs it really realScenes on filmHistory sealedAnother…

Ode to Carrie A. Nation

This was done on the SSL2 interface – with EQ and effects: Here is the song using the SSL2 interface with no EQ or Effects: She stood about 6 feet tallShe had an axe to grindSmashing bottles in public housesTried to save mankindShe had rocks and called them smashersShe threw them at pubs and barsYelling “Repent ye soul destroyers!”Marched on to KiowaWomans Christian Temperance…

Its Time to KRY

The sound of pathosOn Radio KRYWhere empathy shedsA tear stained eyeThe sound of careFor those in needRadio KRYA dying breedIn old daysWhen people caredNo need to KRYNo need for fearIt used to beWe got alongOn Radio KRYWe play your songsHate is inLove dismissedOn Radio KRYWe PersistWe’re holding outFor better timesWe still have hopeOn Radio KRYChorusYes we careWe’re hear for youOn Radio KRYLove still rules…