...the words of Woody Guthrie. Performed by Erick Gohlke. (2nd track)"I recorded this track a few years ago, just noodling with ideas really. I had not and to this day have not heard any recorded version of this song or any of the others I recorded. Years back I was given an old  Woody songbook by a friend. It was a gift meant, I believe, to kindle some much needed inspiration. Thank you Dan Harvey... And it did. I found myself drawn to and into so much of what Woody was saying. I am half embarrassed to admit that the only song by him that I knew of was "This Land Is Your Land". But it was indeed that ignorance of his music that allowed me to be fully inspired by his lyric. Thank you Woody. Anyhow, I took off skimming through the pages of the songbook and when a particular song lyric grabbed me I dove in and played and sang in a whatever way I was inspired to by the lyric. A single mic in the open room of the cabin captured most of it"....   "...never meaning to see the light of day. I had instead intended to re-record everything once I had all my ideas together. There was a flurry of inspiration of which I believe 8 tracks were roughly recorded. Then the dust settled and time slipped away. I never re-recorded them as I had wished, so these spontaneously recorded demos are all that exist. I hope to one day finish my intention with them but for now... I'm OK with them being as they are. In fact very pleased with what they are. I will in time get try to get all 8 tracks uploaded here. I hope that you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed recording them. It is my greatest hope that you can in some way draw inspiration from them in the way that I was able to draw inspiration from Woody... God bless!  

Pastures Of Plenty (thanks Woody!)

				Four Seasons

It was early spring then, I turned afoot for a stroll
It was early spring when gone searching for my soul
Amongst the woods I did wander
Looking to the trees
But at last left lost, I had to wonder
Why I had no leaves

It was midsummer then, I turned afoot for a stroll...
It was midsummer when gone searching for my soul
Amongst the sky I did wander
With birds all together
But at last left lost, I had to wonder
Why I had no feather

It was late autumn then, I turned afoot for a stroll
It was late autumn when gone searching for my soul
Amongst the fields I did wander
In grains golden heed
But at last left lost, I had to wonder
Why I had no seed

It was dead winter now, I turned afoot for a stroll
It was dead winter how I'd finally found my soul
Amongst the spirits I did wander
Forever in the distant line
But no longer lost, I had to wonder
Why I had no time______

Erick P. Gohlke  12/1/11

(song recorded 1/25/15)

Four Seasons

Written in 2001 with the first recorded version  appearing on the "Twelve From Ninety-Nine" CD (2002). This song was revisited in my latest recording sessions, resulting in this 2015 version.

Blue & Red

It was 12 years ago when I wrote this song. I was twenty five and heart broken. A couple live acoustic versions of Last Love song have been the only existing recordings until now. I had always wanted to record this song in a way that would do it justice. I think now, that is accomplished...

Last Love Song

Ship Of The Line

I Leave For You

Reasons Being

E.P. Gohlkes 2009 album, "Palace Of Death", in its entirety. This album is a theatrical, musical and historical recount of the events that took place inside the Ohio Penitentary between 1885 and 1907  as documented in H.M. Fogle's book "Palace Of Death", printed in 1909... however, never released to the public.

"Truth is stranger than fiction... could not be more applicable than in the circumstances detailed in the book, the mere exsistance of the book itself and as well, how it came into my possesion and inspired or called me to it's duty. For 100 years, the stories and events of our humanity or lack there of, lay buried in the pages of this lost archive. After all the research involved in making this record, I found myself with more questions than answers, as the mystery grew deeper with every page. However, I realized that the author had accomplished his mission. To not leave behind answers, but rather leave in the minds of the readers, one simple question...Am I my brothers keeper? So for all the mystery of this little book, its purpose was clear. And now in my hands, I can only hope that my work is a fulfillment of that purpose....

This album is dedicated to all who gave there lives in the forging of this story so many years ago. To both the victims and murderers, the guilty and guiltless alike. For thier lives, however violently cut short at the hands of men, did not go without purpose. They did not live nor die in vain" - E.P. Gohlke

Palace Of Death - ENTIRE ALBUM MIX

I had written and recorded this track back in 2016, however never released it. At the time it was kind of an anomaly, musically speaking, relative to other songs I was working on. So, I think I just tucked it away. Anyhow, considering these strange times we are in, it seems as appropriate time as as any to put it out there. Stay safe in 2020 and enjoy!

Erick Paul Gohlke

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