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)

All vocals, guitar & hambone by Craig Durgy
Written by Craig Durgy copyright 2021

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

Feather Duster

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)

I decided to let loose with this crazy idea of stringing a bunch of very crude home recordings together, complete with all sorts of background noises and family banter. They were all recorded on my iPhone next to my kitchen where my wife and daughter sound like they must have been building a house! I also quickly added some rough harmonies to create some depth on the original recordings. These are some of my favorite country and country/folk songs of all time and I hope someone will enjoy taking this 16-minute journey with me, just sitting around the kitchen sharing some classic tunes. Each song covered is just a brief snippet of the original, usually no more than a minute each, and i took some liberties in how I sampled each one....

Country Kitchen Medley

I wrote this song as a tribute to love that endures beyond this world as we know it. My best friend lost his battle with cancer several years ago, but as I often think of him I have envisioned his parting moments with his dear wife by his side. This is just my thoughts on it, I won’t pretend to represent the actual intimacies that would possibly have transpired, but I do have a good idea of how much they cared for each other, and still do.

Craig Durgy (vocals & guitar)
Nat Daniels (piano, bass and production)

Lyrics:   Summer Rain by Craig Durgy

Time slowed down to greet me, to carry out my light
You caressed me sweetly, always there right by my side

And as my eyes conceded, that leaving you I must
Despite your tears that pleaded, I just rose out into dust

I became an angel, you held to my sleeve 
Now the summer rain will
Let you know I’ll never leave

Yes, I became an angel, the moment that we kissed
Through all the years of loving you
That brought me here like this

Now the dust has settled, life and love go on
Raindrops on a petal, and you know that I’m not gone

In this life we’re flowers, but it’s only life’s cocoon
As fresh as summer showers, forever love can bloom

And, I became an angel, you held to my sleeve 
Now the summer rain will
Let you know I’ll never leave

Summer Rain

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)

I had this idea to write and record something sort of reggae, yet keep it acoustic. This is a simple love song I'd been working on so here's the result. Mandolin with a vocal bass line and some guitar parts to round it out.

Better Than Him

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 was a basement tape recording from many years back and I decided to expose it to the unsuspecting masses. It’s a love song recorded fairly impromptu with simple words to deliver a simple message, “only you”. It’s lo-fi but has a certain desperate charm depending on your taste. It’s a solo effort so there’s no-one else to blame. Own Lee Me!

Own Lee Hue

Part of a 2008 session with my friends Mike Yarrish & Matt Sekel of Mittimus. They kindly let me join them to try my hand at electric guitar explorations in a free-form setting. It was very challenging as the results attest, yet I was pleased with the experience and chose a few tracks to present for the more venturesome, and open-minded of my music friends.

Objects Below

Beer Cookies

Noise

Bass Blow

Loop

Whatami Playing

Lanushka

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

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.

Keyser West Virginia

Just an old fashioned country/folk ballad with a bit of a bluegrass push that expresses love lost and a broken heart. Nothing new, so the age old lament gets a somewhat up tempo treatment, pressing onward and upward one hopes...

Lyrics:      Till You Made My Heart Break by Craig Durgy

 I held on till you made my heart break
 I saw it coming in your eyes
 We took as much as each one could take
 I had to fall, you had to rise. 

 I'd grown so use to how you made me whole
Your touch gave me balance in heart, mind and soul
But you had to grow and I just fell apart
For you it was freedom, for me half a heart
 (chorus)
 It seems you have shattered, the boundaries of love
Like something else mattered, beyond and above
And I see all around me the prison love makes
Defining me, binding me….. with a heart that just  breaks
  (chorus)
 It's final and tragic as a hole in the ground
Each breath is a labor with you not around
But I exhale with each shovelful of the dirt
Knowing you're not to blame, you're only the hurt. 

 I held on till you made my heart break
     (Held   on   till         my       heart     broke)
 I saw it coming in your eyes
      (I saw it coming in your eyes)
 We took as much as each one could take
           (Took   as   much   as   we   could   take)
 I had to fall, you had to rise. 
           (I had to fall - You had to rise)

Till You Made My Heart Break

A simple subject of feeling unable to get by after losing someone you loved. But the attempt here is to present some fun wordplay to provide a little comic relief in contrast to the otherwise pathetic self pity of dealing with relationship failures.

Without You

Another song I wrote in my younger years. I recorded it with more of a rock feel previously but wanted to try something more country/bluegrass, acoustic. The song describes a wonderland of love that leaves him just wandering, completely unsatisfied. Girls that will attach themselves without any notion of love.

Wanderland

This is a short story of a young boy whose grandmother has a flair for portraying her Irish roots whenever her grandson comes to visit. Although it's all just in fun, the boy grows up to remember fondly those days of singing and adoring her with every moment.

Beer Cans and Arrowheads

Grandma Toora by Craig Durgy

Just a simple song to try to reassure someone that was feeling like the world's weight was on their shoulders. Originally recorded live as a rough video on my i-phone, I later added a harmony track. 
2018 Update: With the help of my dear friend and musical cohort Nat Daniels added!

Craig Durgy: guitar & vocals
Nat Daniels: piano, bass & production

Music & lyrics by Craig Durgy

You’re getting caught in a yo-yo
You start so high and go so low
And here I am just standby-in’
Watching smiles turn to cryin’
Dangle-ing upon a string
I know it’s a terrible thing

How did it get so relentless
Up or down you’re defenseless
Some days life’s a romancer 
But mostly love’s not the answer
Dangle-ing upon a string
I know it’s a terrible thing

Oh, what is the matter, what made things shatter
You had the whole wide world on a string
What can I tell you, why can’t I help you
Feel the joy that every new day will bring, on a string (on a string)

This whole big world is a yo-yo 
Spinning ‘round going loco
Too many great expectations 
It just won’t wait and there’s so little patience
Dangle-ing upon a string
I know it’s a terrible thing

I’m getting caught in this yo-yo
I won’t just watch you go solo
Up or down, you know I’ll stay 
And love will lead to a brighter day
Dangle-ing upon a string
I know it’s a terrible thing

Oh, what is the matter, why can’t I flatter
You with love, because you blow me away
What can I tell you, this private hell you’ve
Been imprisoned in every day, on a string (on a string)

Repeat last verse

On A String

This is a bare bones country/folk ballad about lost love, about hurting.

Left Unsaid

Jenny

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.

That’s What Loving You Did

Dedicated to a friend who has struggled mightily and been through some very tough times. It's my attempt to empathize and relate to the deepest of personal despair in the hope that any support will help to tame the demons. To find a brighter place.

Lyrics:  Beggar’s Retreat by Craig Durgy
I’m so hungry, I’m so hungry

What does it really matter?
The table seems too tall
My heads been on a platter
Should I jump before I fall?

(Chorus)
Can’t feel the crackling of the leaves beneath my feet
This autumn air is there,
But not so much for me
My soul, that someone stole, 
Has left this hole you see
So, please excuse me as I quietly retreat

I’m so hungry

I know there is a harvest
That will nourish me and more
So why am I here starving
With my back against this door
There’s a window where I reach out
Though I seldom see the light
One grain of hope I seek out
Like a beggar in the night

(Chorus)

I’m so hungry

The daylight burns too shallow
I scurry for the dark
But here I shrink and wallow
And the truth is just too hard
I know this devil, anger
How he drags me to defeat
Love, she is a singer
And she sounded so damn sweet

(Chorus)
So please excuse me as I quietly…

Written and performed by Craig Durgy
Copyright 2018
Gentle Rain Records

A Beggar’s. Retreat

A Beggar’s Retreat

Here's another in the series of semi-live recordings with Nat Daniels. Nat took an ancient recording I did back in the 80's and salvaged it, embellished it into something that gave me a really pleasant surprise. The song delivers a simple message about overlooking the most important aspects of our time in this life, often too willing to fall into step with what everyone else seems to be doing. Don't lose sight of the true relationships, the true friends and the simple, real connections. My thanks to Nat for her usual abilities to transform anything into a special experience.

Craig Durgy: guitar & vocals
Nat Daniels: piano, bass, vocals & production

Music & Lyrics by Craig Durgy

You count your blessings, you count your years
And the day’s long gone
You start undressing as another day nears
And your mind turns on
All of a sudden as the light’s dying down
You see what you could not
Love took a little but love took a little a lot

You’re working steady, you’re on the go
And the week’s long gone
The feeling’s petty but it’s all that you know
And you can’t slow down
All of a sudden as you’re driving home 
You look at the home that you’ve got
Love took a little but love took a little a lot

The radio plays and a sentiment stays
There’s a face that you’ve looked at for years
You idle in lines of idling minds
That unwind in their own rear view mirrors
The face is one, and then another
And it hurts as each one disappears

You’ve got a husband, you’ve got a wife
You’ve got a lover and the best things in life
You heard a story, you made it stick
No need to worry cause you laid it thick

Then in a moment, it’s happened before
The eyes in the mirror look away
They turn to someone you loved so much more
And you know what they’re trying to say
Ignore the moments and just earn your pay
Then you’re dead and you’re starting to rot
Love took a little but love took a little a lot

Love Took A Little A Lot

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

Popular tracks by Durge