Wrote this for my daughter to be played at her wedding this year. Self-explanatory. Many thanks to my friend and music partner Nat Daniels for adding her talents on piano, bass and the drum track.

Written and performed by Craig Durgy (Guitar and vocals)
Production, mixing, piano, bass and drum track by Nat Daniels 
Lyrics: see below

I Came Running by Craig Durgy                         

Doctors and nurses and Mom and me
We all were waiting to see, the little girl that would be
You came into view, and I came running to you

So many nights that were sleepless then
And I’d come running when, you cried and I came in, and through 
Every tear as you grew, came running to you

Such a scary world, for such a little girl
And Daddy needs to come through
There to save the day, love makes a daddy brave
And there’s no greater than you
No greater than you, no, no

But little girls don’t stay little long
You’d chase me room to room, those bedtime stories soon
Drifted off like a dream, still there, but not to be seen

We always knew that there’d come a day
Spring flowers never stay, and I’ll give you away
To dream with somebody new, 
Someone who’s wonderful too

Such a scary world, for such a little girl
And Daddy needs to come through
There to save the day, love makes a daddy brave
And there’s no greater than you
No greater than you, no, no

So, on this day, let me see you smile
You’ve made it here so well, no one might ever tell
You fell now and then, black and blue, 
When I came running to you 
I’ll always come running to you / Bye-Bye, Miss American pie
We sang dirges in the dark…..ahhhh ahhhhh ahhhh

I Came Running

Like so many others out there, I'm a huge fan of Tom Waits for his songwriting and performances. And this song is one of his earlier beauties, simple and direct. Such a story teller, a scene painter and the master of the story within the story, the acceptance and resignation. The lover of pretty things in a shadowy world. I recorded this quick and dirty on my iPhone, no mic, just the basic song...because I love singling it.

I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You (Tom Waits cover) Live

This is an original song that laments the days when life was full of excitement, surprises, drama and wild emotions. When I was with you... (fill in the blank)

Craig Durgy:  vocals, guitar &wooden spoons
Nat Daniels:  bass
Written by Craig Durgy copyright 2021
Gentle Rain Records 

Feather Duster by Craig Durgy 

When I was young, well I could wing it
If a song was sung, well I could sing it
If the game was on, then I could bring it
When a tempest blew, well the feathers flew
   
That’s how I started, not how I end
Those days departed, I learned to bend
And heavy hearted, I remember when
When I was with you, and our feathers flew
   
Laughter was so easy, 
Shouting down the voice of reason
Love is true in its season
And the feathers just, sweep away the dust

So, if I’m tired, I’ll close my eyes
What I once desired, like time just flies
But what you inspired, well it never dies
When I was with you, and our feathers flew

When The Feathers Flew

A folkie take on Del Amitri’s “Tell Her This” written by Justin Currie & Iain Harvie. I wasn’t aware of this Scottish band during their initial popularity but even their pop hits have some impressive writing behind them and I came to really admire this globally successful band. This song especially touched me with its insightful words which I’ve taken here and done in stripped down folk fashion.
Cover art is a painting by my friend, Mark Omasta circa 1987.

Tell Her This (cover)

This is another “folk" approach to a cover song, in this case an all-time Motown favorite originally popularized by a 1968 collaboration of the Supremes and the Temptations (written by Gamble & Huff and Jerry Ross). Hard to match the vocal excellence of those two awesome groups but I just put a spin on it to channel the awesome emotive nature of the song. Got a little out of my comfort zone but for a base file done on my iPhone and with some grand help from my partner in music, Nat Daniels (piano & bass & production), I like the outcome.

I’m Gonna Make You Love Me (Motown cover)

This is an acoustic cover of the Moody Blues' 1967 song which was featured on their 1968 album Days of Future Passed. Like most of their music, it was kind of unique I always thought, and I got the urge to try my hand at my usual stripped down version. Written by band member Justin Hayward.

Nights in White Satin (cover)

This is my simple cover of the 1968 Dion song written by Dick Holler and well known for its socio-political message. Thanks again to my dear friend Nat Daniels for kindly adding her standup bass and tasteful production to my rough iPhone recording. The memories and message live on and we hope the lessons will guide future generations forever.

Abraham, Martin & John (cover)

Martin (@martin-hirsch-656665916) provided this original, inspirational, classic rock ballad instrumental track along with a song title and invited me to craft lyrics, melody and vocals to create a team effort. I was thrilled to do so and, with much appreciated production help from my eternal musical partner Nat Daniels (@natdaniels) this track was the happy outcome. Thanks to Martin and Nat for making this a very fulfilling project! May we all be dreamers....

Dreamer

Dreamer (collaboration w/Martin Hirsch)

Perhaps best known by Roberta Flack’s beautiful recording, this song was written by Irishman Ewan MacColl back in the 50’s. I recorded this on my iPhone VoiceMemos and simply added a harmony later. It’s a straight forward, simple acoustic interpretation of these lovely lyrics of love.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ewan MacColl cover)

This is an original love song that recalls such a vivid passion that he temps fate by dare asking if all these years later it could be reignited. Despite all odds, he ponders the seemingly impossible.

Lyrics:    Like We Could by Craig Durgy

I’m sure we can’t recall, the name of that motel
Where we parked our cars and hugged so hard we, 
Nearly fell
Like first time teenage fool-arounds we, 
Unlocked that door
And our summer duds went flying to the floor

And I loved you like no other, ‘cause I could
Never love another, the way we would
And I’d go back to that day with you, when it felt so good
Would you kiss me now, as if we really could
Can you understand, what we understood
And felt so good, like we could

The sun just melted all our cares, that distant day
But the bluegrass bands, like sonic fans just, 
Blew the sweat away
And I held you by your cut-off jeans like, 
Somewhere deep I knew
That loving you was too good to be true

And I loved you like no other, ‘cause I could
Never love another, the way we would
And I’d go back to that day with you, when it felt so good
Would you kiss me now, as if you really could
Can you understand, what we understood
And felt so good, like we could

Like We Could

Odd background here, something I came up with probably 40 years ago where I made an initial recording and just made up words off the cuff to record the song idea. Having listened to it all these years without ever crafting some more thought out lyrics, (I did an earlier version using the original base track here on SC about 9 years ago) I sort of got used to it and have grown to embrace the words as they came out. Somehow there is meaning to them I can relate to as I recall the time frame. So recently I did this version, sticking with the lyrics and adding some harmonies and simple mandolin accents. Hopefully some folks will relate.
Credit for the cover photo go to Jack Winbow (Pexels) Many thanks!

Hole In My Eyes

Written by Gary Zekley & Mitchell Bottler and recorded famously by one of my favorite bands of the 60s/70s (The Grass Roots), "Wait A Million Years” has lingered in my teenage memory and finally gets a quick treatment here. Once again I did a first pass test on my iPhone and grew attached to its raw simplicity despite the rough recording. I subsequently added a vocal harmony and some harmonica accents. Then my Daniels & Durgy partner, Nat Daniels, got her hands on it to lend a hand with some bass, percussion and other editing improvements so that I might offer it here without too much embarrassment! I'm pleased with the results but welcome any comments on this considerable twist on the original Grass Roots version. My great thanks to Nat for her invaluable assistance on this solo track.
Cover art photo provided by Ralf Rosenberg from Pixels. Thanks Ralf!

Wait A Million Years (cover)

Here’s a classic Kris Kristofferson song that I always recall from the Ray Price #1 hit recording in 1970. It’s another of my rough recordings done off my iPhone just to try it out. I decided to just add some harmonies and leave it as is for the general idea, complete with background noise for some added personality.

For The Good Times  (Kris Kristofferson cover)

Sometimes our hearts look to someone who is not so easy a fit, someone who is not physically near or isn’t embraced by friends and family, or some such tabu. We wrestle with what doesn’t come easy yet seems so right and natural. In the end the heart should always win. This original song is another one of my raw “live” iPhone recordings with an added vocal harmony. Bare bones, just like the sentiment.

"So Far" by Craig Durgy

So many years before you found me
And yet there’s nowhere here to stay
Reaching beyond most every boundary
Close never felt so far away

Shouldn’t I shout like Christmas morning
So the whole wide world would know
That my heart is finally soaring
Like it never has before

But what have we done, 
What have we gained 
Why does the song just fade away in a refrain
Gone are the leaves, we are the trees 
And naked to the world I freeze  
Love is such a cold disease, but you
You are like a gentle summer rain

But as I shout, so many doubt me
They want the fettered man they knew
They’d have to face themselves without me
They’d rather look for faults in you

And for a moment I was hopeless 
Thinking that love could never be
But in your smile I finally focused 
On believing you love me

But what have we done, 
What have we gained 
Why does the song just fade away in a refrain
Gone are the leaves, we are the trees 
And naked to the world I freeze  
Love is such a cold disease, but you
You are like a gentle summer rain

So Far

An original song inspired by the Christmas spirit and recorded, as I often do, with my i-Phone Voice Memos. Added some harmonies and a bit of harmonica but it’s an unpolished recording that expresses the simple and wonderful peace that comes with God’s love. Perhaps Daniels & Durgy will make something more of it down the road.

Lyrics: I Will Always Know by Craig Durgy

Winds blow, December snow
Outside my window glass
The tree, inside with me
Aglow with Christmas past

Songs tell, of each Noel
And quiet down my soul
I am, a wayward lamb
But God is still my home

I will always know, He loves me even though
Sometimes my love doesn’t show
Christmas comes and goes
And I will always know
I will always know

The chill, of winter’s will
Just melts with Silent Night
Warms me to know that we
Are precious in His sight

This time, can be sublime
And it can break your heart
God’s here, throughout the year
And has loved me from the start

I will always know, He loves me even though
Sometimes my love doesn’t show
Christmas comes and goes
And I will always know
I will always know

I Will Always Know

A simple message for the fast approaching Christmas Day, taking the time honored classic tune and adding a few other familiar elements to this folky, upbeat rendition. I want to dedicate this Christmas wish to all my SoundCloud friends but most especially my dear friend and awesome partner in musical crime, Nat Daniels. This one is a solo effort but it goes out to Nat. 
Merry Christmas!!!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

This song came about in a rather odd way, in pieces at first. Somewhere this phrase came out and I went with it as an expression of the often heartless way of corporate business life. Trying to get ahead but losing track of yourself and your real values along the way. My humble attempt to pay tribute to Pete Seeger or Phil Ochs perhaps😁. Special thanks to Hamilton Belk for his beautiful dobro playing on this recording, and to Nat Daniels for her wonderful work in remixing and producing the final outcome, vastly improving on the original version I did some years ago.

All music and lyrics written by Craig Durgy
Craig Durgy: vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica
Hamilton Belk: dobro
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records
Copyright 2023
Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics: The Cuttin’ Way by Craig Durgy

Found my way, beyond this cuttin’ way
This hustlin’, bustlin’ way of life
That’s cut me like a knife

Starts today, leaving that cuttin’ way
That blood for nothin’ way of life
I’m cuttin’ out of sight

Ohhh, where did I go
Why did I follow, didn’t I know?
Ohh, hear the wind blow
Lay down your burden and let…the rope go

I saw daylight through windows and doors
Working my way up through so many floors
Never arriving, no slowing down
Leaving my soul at the floor, on the ground

Found my way, beyond this cuttin’ way
This hustlin’, bustlin’ way of life
That’s cut me like a knife

Starts today, leaving that cuttin’ way
That blood for nothin’ way of life
I’m cuttin’ out of sight

Never arriving, no slowing down
Leaving my soul at the floor, on the ground

The Cuttin’ Way

The Cuttin' Way

This is a toe-tapping sort of song combining amplified and acoustic instruments. A simple, fun love song about a guy who lost the love of his life for years and contented himself with doing "nothin' special"...until he and the girl randomly run into each other again. The flame is rekindled into "somethin' special”. This release is even more special as it is a remake of a previous recording that I entrusted to my "Daniels & Durgy" partner, Nat Daniels (Gentle Rain Records), to remix and produce. Nat cleaned up so much along with adding her piano and bass skills to really make this meet my original expectations. Thanks Nat! (banner artwork by StockSnap/Pixababy)

All music and lyrics written by Craig Durgy
Craig Durgy: vocals, guitar, banjo
Nat Daniels: piano & bass
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records
Copyright 2024
Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics: Special by Craig Durgy

Nothin’ special, no, nothin’ special
Ain’t nothin’ special, never nothin’ special to do
Till I ran into you

No way of knowing that you’d be showing up here
You’re eyes are glowing, there’s somethin’ going on here
Somethin’ special my dear

I guess there’s no understanding, just why we drifted apart
But we were young and just looking for a brand new start
Your smile reveals what I’m feelin’, and I ain’t gonna be shy
I’m not letting my something special pass by

But there was nothin’ special, no, nothin’ special
Nothin’ special, that’s especially true
Compared to being with you

Now I can tell you, girl just how well you
Look and smell too, it must compel you to be
Feelin’ special for me

Nothin’ special for so long, guess I was waiting on you
And now I know that you were long lost lovin’ me too
Now you can hear when I say it, that I love you so true
Girl, there ain’t nothin’ more special than you

When I told you I loved you, you weren’t around to reply
And all these years I just wound up wondering why
Now you can hear when I say it, that I love you so true
Girl, there ain’t nothin’ more special than you

Nothin’ more special, there ain’t nothin’
No, no nothin’, nothin’ more special than you
Now that you’re lovin’ me too!

Special

This is an original tune that is somewhat inspired by my own experience as a salesman. It relates the empty feeling of being holed up in a hotel/motel with a "tomb of a hotel room" and needing to find a local bar to settle into for a little fun. The nightlife traveling from town to town and a new bar every stop along the way becomes a sort of comforting home away from home. It doesn't have to be anything more than your typical neighborhood hole in the wall bar as long as it has cold beer, music and TV...and an open barstool!
Special thanks to my Daniels & Durgy partner, Nat Daniels, for her huge help in updating this older recording of mine. Her production skills and mixing really made this shine so much brighter, along with the addition of the talented Dakota Holden on pedal steel.

All music and lyrics written by Craig Durgy
Craig Durgy: vocals, guitar, lap steel guitar
Dakota Holden: pedal steel guitar
Nat Daniels: bass
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records
Copyright 2024
Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:   Barstool by Craig Durgy

I’ve been all across this land
I’m what ya call a travelin’ man
Each day I work from town to town
On the road is where I’m bound

Every day it’s something new
Earning my pay the way I do
And when my 9 to 5 is through
I need my dinner and some brew

(chorus) This tomb of a hotel room just ain’t no home to me
Set my sights on those party lights
The first bar that I see
They’re in all shapes and sizes, but each one hypnotizes
Cold beer, music and TV
If a barstool’s open then it’s good enough for me

Shaking off another day
The dust and dirt along the way
I did my work, it’s time to play
I’ve got a thirst I must obey

Plop down that coaster and a glass
Cause I’ve just plum run out of gas
Pick me up, lighten my load
By break of day I hit the road

(chorus)

I won’t know anyone around
But I know that jukebox sound
I recognize that Miller sign
And everyone I love is on my mind

Cause when you pull up to that bar
And that bartender fills your jar
You might be wishing on a star
It don’t matter where you are

(chorus)

Barstool

This was perhaps an over-ambitious project to screw with one very iconic pop-folk song of the 60’s, one that is emblazoned in my elementary school head and heart. As with most cover song attempts, I wanted to interpret the song differently from the amazing original recording (of which there were actually several) so I tried to pick up the pace a bit and I modified the chord structure here and there. I was struggling to feel content with it until Nat Daniels came in to contribute mightily to the overall production. I’m now glad for the endeavor though I expect many may disagree...

Music & lyrics by Paul Simon w/musical adaptations by Craig Durgy
Craig Durgy: guitar, harmonica & vocals
Nat Daniels: all production, tambourine & heavenly chorus background vocals
Cover art taken from work by Enrique (ELG21)
Gentle Rain Records

The Sound Of Silence (Paul Simon cover)

This is a song that has great meaning to me. My mother suffered with dementia for most of the last 7 or 8 years of her life, and as her only child I became like her parent. Having watched this strange and difficult process, and lived through it with her, I began to write this song. I've tried to capture the emptiness and despair of what dementia, or Alzheimer's, causes its victims. At the same time I wanted to express my vision of her ultimate release from suffering. I hope it offers some comfort and hope for others who have had, or are having such experiences. This release is actually a somewhat updated version of the track I had previously released on SoundCloud.

Lyrics: Wisconsin Shoreline by Craig Durgy

What you gonna do when the words are hard to find
And your busy world escapes your dizzy mind
What you gonna do when you can’t tell dusk from dawn
When your son’s your dad and your friends are just plain gone

Where you gonna go when you don’t know where you’ve been
And you lose your keys and your dignity again and again
Where you gonna go when the door is so unsure
And the doctor seems so certain there’s no cure

Oh, Wisconsin shoreline that’s my home, it comes back to me
How did I get here, so alone, so unhappy to be
Did you happen to see…what has happened to me?

How you gonna feel when your reasons let you down
And their reasonable decisions push you around
How you gonna feel when New England gets so cold
Where your husband died and left you to get old

Who you gonna turn to, what’s the name?
Why is this happening, who’s to blame?
Where is this place I shouldn’t be?
When can I leave what’s come of me?

(chorus)

Close your eyes and rest,
And soon you’ll realize your life’s been blessed
Those clouds will fall away, and the light will come I pray
And I know you will recall, they will be there one and all
Quiet and so still, sitting by your final battle of the will
And I know as you move on, I’ve got you back now Mom
Now put your best dress on, they’ll be waiting, everyone
(chorus)

Wisconsin Shoreline

Wisconsin Shorline

This song tells the tale of a young man that grew up without his father. Raised by his mother in the vicinity of the Rock Mountains, the father abandoned his wife to become a mountain man. But nobody ever knew for certain what became of him. The son is driven to seek him out now that he's come of age, much to his mother's distress.

All music and lyrics written by Craig Durgy
Craig Durgy: lead & harmony vocals, guitar & mandolin
Nat Daniels: bass & background vocals
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records
Copyright 2024
Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:      Avery by Craig Durgy

Twenty years ago in June, you're daddy went away
And with a baby coming soon, I begged for him to stay
He said he needed time alone, away from folks and telephones
He promised to return a better man
But as he grabbed his rifle, his backpack and a knife, well
I could see he had his freedom in his hand  
 
Avery oh Avery, stubborn as a man can be
Avery, those Rocky Mountains set your daddy free.
Oh Avery, following the footsteps of your dad
Will leave me sad, in misery

The days grew long that he had gone and then the baby came
All the other folks in town just said it was a shame
And as the baby grew the father that it never knew
Would never even send a letter in the mail
Perhaps the Rockies swallowed him and all the fears that followed him
Perhaps he made his life out on the trail   

Avery oh Avery, stubborn as a man can be
Avery, those Rocky Mountains set your daddy free.
Oh Avery, following the footsteps of your dad
Will leave me sad, in misery

Avery, a mother sees, it in her baby’s eyes
That’s the look your father took, when we said our goodbyes
So as you head out of that door, unsure of what you’re looking for
I know that mountain air is calling you
And even if you never find, the ghost of being left behind
I know you’re doing what you have to do   

Avery oh Avery, stubborn as a man can be
Avery, those Rocky Mountains set your daddy free.
Oh Avery, following the footsteps of your dad
Will leave me sad, in misery
Following the footsteps of your dad
Leaves momma sad, in misery…Oh Avery

Forgotten Country

Avery

This song describes a person who has spent his entire life in the same town, enjoying friends and all the comforts of familiar places and people. But as the years advance he becomes more fixated on the increasing number of friends that have passed on, leaving him to contemplate his approaching fate. He determines that he has to leave his home town to escape the unnerving confines and find renewed hope for his future.

All music and lyrics written and performed by Craig Durgy
Copyright 2024 Gentle Rain Records
(thanks to Brett Styles for the cover photo)

Lyrics:     So Long by Craig Durgy

There’s too many gravestones here for me to hang around
I see them grow from row to row
Like weeds up from the ground
They used to be all faceless, a place to calm me down
But the start of each new row 
Was the end of folks I know 
I’ve been too long saying so long in this town

There ain’t much to be said, that ain’t been said a lot before 
And nothing changes anything, it’s either less or more
Less familiar faces, more stones to gather for
If I stay here for too long, then
I will surely be among them
I’ve been too long saying so long in this town

The setting sun’s long shadows come, and slowly form a wall
And I can’t ignore the call to look away
If tomorrow ever comes again it comes again for me, 
It’s gotta be, where I can breathe, 
A brand new day, I cannot stay

If I head down to Allentown and find a fair-haired lass
And settle in till I begin to lose track of the past
We’ll go to malls and carnivals, we’ll ride the coaster fast
It has its ups and downs
But it always comes back round
I’ve been too long saying so long in this town
I’ve been too long saying so long to this town

So Long

A somewhat eclectic folksy tune that demonstrates a man's frustration with a partner that just doesn't communicate. A little mandolin, guitar, harmonica, mouth harp... a bit of fun.This is another rejuvenation job by Nat Daniels/Gentle Rain Records to improve upon my original recording. Thanks to Nat for her intuitive and compassionate assistance!

All music and lyrics written by Craig Durgy
Craig Durgy: vocals, guitar, harmonica & mandolin
Nat Daniels: piano & bass
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records
Copyright 2024
Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:
Left Unsaid by Craig Durgy

On the phone with Cousin Linda, she got you to laugh so hard
Caught you talkin’ to the window, watching squirrels play in the yard
You said something to the mirror, as you put your makeup on
Then you stopped as I got nearer, you and the grocery list were gone
You make comments to the TV, but you never talk to me

Tell me how you feel, think we need some conversation
Tell me how you feel, seems like something’s been unsaid
Tell me how you feel, need to check our respiration
Before we leave this thing for dead

Guess you kinda like your pillow, ‘cause you’ve been talking in your sleep
Sometimes you’re weepin’ like a willow, while I just lie there countin’ sheep
Heard you speaking to the fire, something ‘bout how love’s a joke
But you’re just preachin’ to the choir, through the chimney, up in smoke
I hear nothins and they ain’t sweet, but you never talk to me

Tell me how you feel, think we need some conversation
Tell me how you feel, seems like something’s been unsaid
Tell me how you feel, need to check our respiration, desperation darling
Before we leave this thing for dead
Left unsaid…Left unsaid…Left unsaid

Left Unsaid

Primarily a fun song that takes a bit of humor from the experience of a guy who tried so hard to be a good husband, a good guy, but ultimately loses out. Bemoans all the sacrifices he made, yet he could never please his wife.   

My special thanks to Nat Daniels for stepping in to add some critical new pieces to my old recording, including some great production work!

Craig Durgy: vocals, mandolin & bass
Nat Daniels: organ, background vocals (mixing & production)
©Gentle Rain Records 2024

Thanks to haim_charbit for the banner art!

Lyrics:
You made my mind up, you turned my head around
You said my time was up, it’s time to settle down
You bought your wedding gown

I tried to follow, I thought I loved you so
So much to swallow, you said I had to grow
I tried it even though...

I didn’t think that I was, all that bad a guy but,
I listened to your kissin’ girl
I just killed myself to go on living

Now you want to, pick up with someone new
Now that I blew, my soul away for you
The things you put me through

You got your lawyer, to take my house from me
Last time I saw ya, you had my LTD
You wouldn’t stop for me

I didn’t think that I was, all that bad a guy but,
I listened to your kissin’ girl
I just killed myself to go on living

You got my toaster, you got my bowlin’ night
You weren’t supposed to, just disappear from sight
It just isn’t right

You got my hair changed, you made me chew my food
You made me sleep strange, just cause it felt so good
I gave you all I could

I didn’t think that I was, all that bad a guy but,
I listened to your kissin’ girl
I just killed myself to go on living
Just to go on living, just to go on living, just to go on living
I gave you all I could

(Rap section)
Didn’t think, didn’t think now
Never thought, I never ever thought how
Didn’t think that I could live without you
Everything about me was about you
I can tell I’m living by myself to go on living

I Gave You All I Could

Live performance of "She's Alright" from the Xmas In July show at The Heirloom Arts Theater in Danbury, CT presented by Chowdahouse, Inc. on 7/10/11.

She's Alright

This song opens the emotions from someone in a long-standing relationship that has grown hopeless. Clearly it’s time to let it go. 
My thanks to Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records for her remixing and other production work to help revive and improve the quality of my original recording.

Craig Durgy: lead & harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin
Nat Daniels: bass, percussion, chimes, background vocals
Music & lyrics by Craig Durgy copyright 2024
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records

Take It All Away

This is an original song that recounts a sort of secret childhood sanctuary that was a simple ravine behind my grandparents’ home on Rowan Street in Danbury Connecticut. It bottomed out in a grove of maple trees that provided a shady canopy for a lazy little brook that ran between Rowan Street homes and the old Wooster Cemetery. The area was dark and cool, the ground all around was a thick mud that my friends and I pretended was life threatening quicksand. Like most favorite play areas for kids in that time, it was nothing spectacular, if not downright uninviting, but it was unforgettable as I look back with this simple song. Another recording taken right off my iPhone with some added harmonies and a touch of harmonica.

All music written and performed by Craig Durgy
©2024 Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics: Padanaram

Padanaram, lazy summer afternoon
Grandma calls me in too soon 
Mud on my britches

Padanaram, such a quiet little brook
But my fancy you just took
Like moonlight wishes
 
When I fell down, that ravine and tumbled to your tiny shore
You just laid there, in those shadows like I’d 
Knocked on Heaven’s door
The shade fell cool around me
Like I’d never felt before. 

Through the maples, in the distance sunlight shone
On a hillside lined with stones 
Wooster, Cemetery

Like a cradle, I could shut my eyes to dream
There within the shaded green
Like a monastery. 

Those were days that, were filled with baseball cards and bikes and toys
When thunder storms, and ice cream trucks were such a joyful noise
And Padanaram, your still water
Was a church for summer boys

Padanaram

When my best friend moved back to West Virginia when I was still in elementary school, I knew I had to go visit the Mountain State that I had heard so much about. After several summer visits with my family I quickly found a sort of second home away from Connecticut where I've lived my entire life. The images of the town of Keyser, the people, the vast woodlands and easy going way of life really hit me and has never left. Since those early days I've returned with my own kids and they too got an idea of how I felt about "The Friendliest Town In The USA" as the sign plainly states as you drive into town on Route 220. This song is dedicated to Margaret and Richard Campbell, my friend's parents who are no longer with us, but have made a lasting impression of kindness, family values, tough love, backwoods wisdom and southern hospitality.

Update (2023): Many thanks to my esteemed music partner and friend, Nat Daniels, for re-mastering and producing the updated track for this song.

Lyrics:  
Keyser West Virginia by Craig Durgy

If you’re out some Sunday and you check your map
Headin’ south through Maryland and the Cumberland Gap
On Route 220 where the valley comes to view

You can smell that paper mill, miles away
As the road descends into the Mountain State
Past a parkin’ lot full of cars at the Chat n’ Chew

When you cross that bridge where the North Branch flows
And you see that sign that everyone knows
There ain’t no doubt it’s Keyser, and it’s true

That it’s the, friendliest town in the, friendliest town in the,
Friendliest town…in, Keyser West Virginia,
In the whole U.S.A. 

You can ride on down along New Creek Drive
Or take a golf cart ride at the Polish Pines
And on Green Mountain someone’s huntin’ for deer 

On Friday nights in the early fall
The Golden Tornado gonna move that ball
On Saturday they say how 'bout them 'eers!

Green tomatoes in a frying pan
String beans, bacon and chicken, man!
Or try some Stray Cat wings with a couple of beers. 

That it’s the, friendliest town in the, friendliest town in the,
Friendliest town…in, Keyser West Virginia,
In the whole U.S.A. 

Here in West Virginia, Lord you know I love this mountain state
Allegheny air gets in ya, 
And man those pines at Dolly Sods look great 

Some folks work at the ABL
West Vaco also pays pretty well
And Pot State College has lots to offer too

You can be a local or from out of town
Maybe up from Dallas or from Boston down
You'll get a wave from a lotta folks that ya never knew

And if you get the urge and the highway calls
Take a day trip down to Blackwater Falls
It’s West-By-God-Virginia, through and through!

That it’s the, friendliest town in the, friendliest town in the,
Friendliest town…in, Keyser West Virginia,
In the whole U.S.A.

Keyser West Virginia

This is a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Badlands", a song I've loved since I was in a band that covered it briefly back around 1980. My usual approach to cover songs is to try to change it up considerably from the original version, and here I was hoping to come out with something very bluegrass, including various modifications to the tune within reason. But two things happened. First, other than the acoustic instrumentation, I didn't really capture anything highly bluegrassy, and second, I had a hard time diverting too much from Bruce's original interpretation of his song. Try as I might, I just love singing it pretty much as he intended. However, I did somehow decide to mix in numerous references to Buddy Holly's "Words of Love" which can be heard throughout the song. It sort of blends the rough edged "Badlands" with the childlike simplicity of Buddy's "Words". Two iconic rock artists. Works for me...

Badlands (Bruce Springsteen Cover)

The first record I ever bought for myself was The Rolling Stones' 45 with "As Tears Go By" by Mick Jagger ("Gotta Get Away" was the "A" side I believe). Simple but it always impressed me with the strings and melancholy sound. Marianne Faithful did a terrific version of it as have others. No need to rehash the original version which was done so well back in the 60's so I came up with this up tempo, slightly "bluegrassy" interpretation that some Stones fans will find annoying but hopefully others will enjoy.

As Tears Go By (cover)

This is a bit of a hybrid that combines mostly acoustic instruments with a pop/rock sort of treatment including a distorted electric guitar break. The song relates the history of young love, college age, still kids, that eventually gives way to growth which ultimately brings the passion to an end. Recalling how they both provided security and understanding at the volatile time when kids evolve into adults, until, for one of them, it was no longer needed.

My thanks again to Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records for her wonderful production work to help clean up the old base tracks I had created some years ago.

All music written and performed by Craig Durgy with contributions from Nat Daniels (background vocals, revamping the bass)
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records
Copyright 2024
Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:
Those were the stormy days, uncertain, lonely phase
Feeling misunderstood, missed the old neighborhood
Parents that just don’t see, the things we really need
But in one passing glance, love gave us helping hands

I saw you cry and I touched your face
Your tears would dry within my embrace
You and I were just kids, but that’s what loving you did

The moonlight on your breast, my heart leaped through my chest
Lying there by the shore, needing you more and more
But when the dawn came through I saw a brighter you
Much stronger and content, left watching as you went

I saw you cry and I touched your face
Your tears would dry within my embrace
You and I were just kids, but that’s what loving you did

Those were such nascent times, songs of love and easy rhymes
You were fresh and flesh supreme, I was so green
Does that change anything right now, does it solve my heart
Sweat that drips from my brow, passion torn apart

I saw you cry and I touched your face
Your tears would dry within my embrace
You and I were just kids, but that’s what loving you did
We were only kids, but that’s what loving you did
We were only kids, but that’s what loving you did

That’s What Loving You Did

A very old track I made for this long time favorite cover tune from the 60's. I did this when I was first learning the basics for home recording so it's very crude but hopefully captures a bit of my love for the song as the Left Bank recorded it way back in my teenage years. Some is cringe worthy though, I know.

So Little Time...

Walk Away Renee (Left Banke cover)

Singer/Songwriter concentrating on traditional country, folk and pop rock. Working as part of the duo Daniels & Durgy; https://soundcloud.com/danielsdurgy

Durge

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