Chock-full of vibrant characters and compelling stories set to Stax-worthy soul, greasy Southern rock and funk and glorious ballads that stay with you long after the last notes fade. Gutsy vocals, rugged horns and muscular grooves come together to create a down-home musical celebration.
"Impassioned singing, riff-based Southern rock, cold-blooded swamp funk and sly Memphis soul" - The New York Times
You say your lady she's shady You can't trust her for a minute if your backs turned
I seem to remember some cheap hotel on your credit card bill That got your ass burned
You've wined and dined so many tricks at a time You couldn't keep up with all the little lies
And now your jealousy has got you crying to me So just stop.
Your lady, she's shady Ah but you the one running around town Acting like a dog in heat, in heat Your lady, she's shady Everybody seems to know it but you
You out there playing the field, dressing to kill While your lady's home working
She's watching the kids while you've been hitting the skins Somehow now it's got worrying
You think she's stepping out while you've been stepping in You say she don't care about the kids
Bitch please! Quit trying to squeeze Your big ass through the door of innocence
Your lady, she's shady Ah but you the one running around town Acting like a dog in heat in heat Your lady, she's shady Everybody seems to know it but you
Your lady, she's shady Ah but you the one messing around town Acting like a dog in heat in heat Your lady, she's shady All your dirty laundry in the street Trying to keep it clean but all the people see Your lady, she's shady Crying the blues now, Crying the blues now, Crying the blues now, Your lady, she's shady Everybody seems to know it but you
2.
Somebody Else
4:40
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
Some people say that I don't play They say I got a temper when I'm in that way But I don't know who that person is that acts like a fool That's somebody else Lord I swear it ain't me I guess I'm my own worst enemy Cause I don't know who I am when I am - that somebody else
I grab up the keys I fly out the gate The family is fighting I don't want to be late Cause I'm going to tell them all about my ass like I said that I would We're out in the yard yelling at each other Hate in my eyes sisters and brothers I don't know who I am when I am - that somebody else
The neighbors are watching cause its getting real loud But making my stand yo it makes me feel proud But I know tomorrow I'll feel the shame when I cool down Baring my fangs when I hear my niece Yell to the neighbors "Lord call the police" Cause I don't know who I am when I am - that somebody else
I can't hear the yelling no more My eyes glaze over as I reach for the door I grab my pistol time to show these fools what time it is Now I'm in jail for the rest of my life I can't see my kids Lord I can't see my wife Cause I don't know who I am when I am - that somebody else
3.
Tame A Wild One
4:21
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
There's never been a man To keep her underhand, or to hold her down Cause she's as wild as a raging sea and just as beautiful too
Oh what was it in her eyes that scared him so How come he felt so weak but tried look so strong
He tried to tame - tame a wild one He tried to make a woman do right till she wants to do wrong
She, she was content She loved to live each day as if another may never come
Ah but he He did is best to hold her down He built a cage a prison for the thing he loved most
He tried to tame - tame a wild one He tried to make a woman do right till she wants to do wrong He tried to tame - tame a wild one Ah love is as free as it gets but it ain't ever cheap
He, woke to an empty house Only the shell only the echo inside
He may never understand Just why she left But words can't build what's real Or pull the life from a breath
He tried to tame - tame a wild one He tried to make a woman do right till she wants to do wrong He tried to tame - tame a wild one Ah love is as free as it gets but it ain't ever cheap
4.
99 Shades Of Crazy
4:53
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
I can't agree to disagree Fighting like I'm fighting for life They're only words but they cut like a blade Swinging wide with all of my might
Ah yeah, I guess it's all of that coffee, that's got my mind in a whirl I'm still cussing and bitching and there ain't nobody here
Oh yeah, you don't have to holler I hear you I'm standing right here beside you Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Pour another drink, make it a double for me Maybe I can drink this away It's never fun when they pull out the gun Beat you black and blue, boy You gotta pay, you gotta pay
Oh, where the hell am I? I hope at least I had fun I'm stumbling through New Orleans oh, to the rising sun
Oh yeah, you don't have to holler I hear you I'm standing right here beside you Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Lord have mercy on me Noventa nueva tonos de loco
I need some peace, just some relief From this voice, killing me You stare at me, and you glare at me All this pain it's all the same, it's all insane (you see)
Is this really happening or did I make it all up? I'm bound for Chattahoochee on a turnip truck
Oh yeah, you don't have to holler I hear you I'm standing right here beside you Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Ah you're crazy you're crazy Hold my feet, feet to the fire You hold my feet to the fire I never said I was down with you
5.
The Ballad Of Larry Webb
4:54
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
He never missed a day of work, always had a kind word Four buttons on a worn out shirt, but neatly cleaned and pressed He couldn't read or write, but never failed to see a sight or hear a sound. A triumph in this life to watched it all go by - with a smile
All that is, all that will be, all we have is each other
His son died young his daughter as deaf as stone. His castle a shotgun house an easy chair his throne He'd work from day to night and in the evening he'd feel its bite of pain But every sunrise he'd greet it all with open arms and love - for all that is.
All that is, all that will be, all we have is each other
Many thought him simple but so few see the truth So loud we live that we can't feel the glory anymore And then I heard he died but all I could feel was the joy, oh the joy
All that is, all that has been, all we have is each other All that is, all that will be, all we have is each other
6.
Florabama
5:08
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
There's a place down on the coast Between Florida and Alabama Ah the women down there get a little, little too hot to handle The air so sweaty so sticky so tricky Trick or treat baby trick it on me Love on the beach sweet as peaches and cream
I can feel the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico Something in that salty air feels just right I can feel the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico Gonna be a party in Florabama tonight
Ah this blankets to small Going to get a little sandy Candied-lipped sweet tip, sweeter than cotton candy Ah a little sweat never hurt nobody, nobody, nobody at all Least of all me - baby can't you feel it now
I can feel the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico Something in that salty air feels just right I can feel the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico Gonna be a party in Florabama tonight
I can feel the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico Something in that salty air feels just right I can feel the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico Gonna be a party in Florabama tonight
7.
Standing On The Edge
5:02
Music & Lyrics Andrew Trube, Anthony Farrell
Time, has a way of rolling on And no matter how hard you try You can't seem to hold on
But maybe, we can hold onto one another Inside of our love For a little while
Why not, it's all up to us Here we are - standing on the edge of love
Tonight is a drop, in the ocean of eternity In all this current we flow, out into the open sea
Our destination is unknown But if we let our hearts choose the course One thing is for sure, we can get there together
Why not, it's all up to us Here we are - standing on the edge of love
8.
Write A Letter
5:20
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
Soft as a voice, spoken from heaven Honey for my ears, temper my soul The warmth in the rain, the green in the bottom The echo in the night when a train whistle blows
Holding up your arms, V is for Victory Power versus force, power wins Radiate the joy from deep in your essence It's always the beginning it's always the end
I write these words and I'm going to send them home to you
I'm going to write a letter, send it home First class, first class baby Let them know where I'm going to be I'm going to write a letter, send it home Just as fast, as fast as you can mister postman If you please
I've been waiting, been waiting, waiting so long Time ain't standing still, ain't standing still While I sing, sing this song
Holding up your arms, V is for Victory Power versus force, power wins Radiate the joy from deep in your essence It's always the beginning it's always the end
I write these words; someday I know I'll understand Ooh baby want you understand
I'm going to write a letter, send it home First class, first class baby Let them know where I'm going to be I'm going to write a letter, send it home Just as fast, as fast as you can mister postman If you please
9.
Harp & Drums
6:12
Music & Lyrics by JJ Grey
You know, you know, you know What I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
Beat your feet you find that you just don't shine it Knowing what you know but you just can't hide it Know what I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
You know, you know, you know What I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
Beat your feet you find that you just don't shine it Knowing what you know but you just can't hide it Know what I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
You know, you know, you know What I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
Beat your feet you find that you just don't shine it Knowing what you know but you just can't hide it Know what I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
You know, you know, you know, you know, You know, you know, you know, you know, Lord you know, you know, you know, you know You know, know
You know, you know, you know What I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
Beat your feet you find that you just don't shine it Knowing what you know but you just can't hide it Freedom, what you freed? But you feel like you're moving Nobody don't feel it when you feel like you grooving Know what I'm talking about Lord it feels so good deep inside you know what I'm talking about
10.
This River
5:20
music & lyrics by JJ Grey
I stare at a picture but there's nothing for it I pull on the bottle and watch this river roll on by Trying to find purpose trying to see meaning Trying to make sense of the nonsense that I've called my life
Cause only this river can bear me to safety Only this river can bear me away
See them all work and play there on the other bank Warm in their houses while I face my cold alone Guess I've been drinking away to keep the wolves of my mind at bay but if you run you die I'm just too tired to care
Cause only this river can bear me to safety Only this river can bear me away I feel Her flowing, flowing right through me I hear Her whispers drowning my words Only this river can save me from myself
Where did my soul go? Where did my spirit hide? Why won't they rescue me from the pain in my mind?
Only this river in all of Her glory Only this river can bear me away
Only this river
Produced by Dan Prothero and JJ Grey Executive Producer Jesse Aratow Recorded at Retrophonics Studio in Saint Augustine, Florida by Dan Prothero Additional recording at The Egg Room
Mixed by Dan Prothero at The Studio That Time Forgot in San Francisco, California Edited by Dan Prothero at Phantom Toll Booth Mastered by Ken Lee at Ken Lee Mastering Artwork by JJ Grey Studio photos by Dan Prothero
JJ Grey - Lead and Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Tambourine, Bass, Acoustic 6- and 12-String Guitar
Andrew Trube: Electric Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Anthony Farrell: Organ, Piano, Clavinet, Electric Guitar Todd Smallie: Bass Anthony Cole: Drums, Organ Art Edmaiston: Tenor and Baritone Saxophone Dennis Marion: Trumpet Special Guest Stan Lynch: Shaker
All songs written and arranged by JJ Grey Published by JJ Grey Music, BMI except Standing On The Edge written by Andrew Trube and Anthony Farrell Published by TrubeMusic, ASCAP / Parsley Bosworth, ASCAP
Wow! Never ceases to amaze me how much fun and how much work it can be making a record. I must be the luckiest person in the world to get to play and record with the people I do. I want to thank everyone who made this album possible and every album I've been a part of possible. I could have never done any of this without all the help from all my friends and family.
Thank you all.
Dan Prothero, Jesse Aratow, Daryl Hance, Cassie Siegel and everyone at Madison House, Jim and Nancy Devito, all the guys in my band, Stan Lynch, Spookie Daly, Rob "Daddy-O" Breitenfeld, Joshua Knight and Monterey International, Bruce Iglauer and the gang at Alligator Records, Neal O'Brien, Sue and Dave Williams, Chris Delucchi, Aaron Coteff, Colin Peterson, Danny Owen, Clay Daniel, Hal-Joe, The Hance Family, Mark Baxter, Suzi Matthews, John Schumm, Robbie Weitnauer and Elephant Trunk, Michael Waggoner at Gibson, Mark Baier at Victoria Amplifiers, Shane Smith and Bolt Amplifiers, Ted Webber and Webber Speakers and as always, my family.
THIS RIVER I stare at a picture but there's nothing for it I pull on the bottle and watch this river roll on by Trying to find purpose trying to see meaning Trying to make sense of the nonsense that I've called my life
Cause only this river can bear me to safety Only this river can bear me away
See them all work and play there on the other bank Warm in their houses while I face my cold alone Guess I've been drinking away to keep the wolves of my mind at bay but if you run you die I'm just too tired to care
Cause only this river can bear me to safety Only this river can bear me away I feel Her flowing, flowing right through me I hear Her whispers drowning my words Only this river can save me from myself
Where did my soul go? Where did my spirit hide? Why won't they rescue me from the pain in my mind?
Only this river in all of Her glory Only this river can bear me away
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