This is my tribute to those killed, wounded and all who were affected and forever changed by the tragedy of May 4th, 1970, and similar incidents of government oppression and brutality. I was inspired to write this song in 2014 as the 44th commemoration of the Kent State shootings approached. My mind and heart were, as usual, enveloped in the heaviness and sadness that always accompanies the memory of that time. It was a pivotal point in my life, where it seemed that the carefree illusion of my childhood (I was 12) was left behind, and I, like so many, was thrust forever into the cold, harsh awareness of how things really were (and are).
    Listening to music and singing songs others have written has always helped to somewhat ease the pain and lift me up and help me through the sadness, but for the longest time I felt like there was something that I needed to say. It only took 44 years for it to finally bubble to the surface.
   Over the years, I have gone to many of the memorials and have gotten to know some of the people involved with organizing the events, some of the people who were there, or related to folks who were there and had even participated in some capacity or another. This particular year, I was asked if could come and stand in support with members of Allison Krause's family, but unfortunately, I was not able to attend that year. My frustration at not being able to honor that request led me to want to do something that I could somehow contribute in my absence, and all of a sudden I just picked up my guitar and began to play...
    As if hand delivered by the angels, the song was suddenly there, filling my consciousness, and it took less than 20 minutes for me to channel what was being dictated. The words and the music all came at once. The chords I heard in my head played themselves out on the guitar, and  it seemed like the pen moved my hand. Before I knew it, the song was finished. It seemed like what had been pent up inside of me all those years had just spilled out, like air in a balloon, stuck by a pin. I was able to send it to The Krause Family that very day.
   It's not professionally recorded - just me and my guitar, recorded on my laptop, so please forgive the lo-fi, rough quality of it. I was later blessed to have my good friend, David Krauss add his beautiful harmonica playing to the track. I am humbly grateful to have found my own voice and expression, and I hope that it might somehow give some level of comfort and  aid in the healing of others, and that we will one day SOON realize full knowledge of the truth, and break down the walls of resistance to justice in this matter, and all instances of government brutality and abuse of power.
Thank you for listening...

Carlos Jones - May 4, 2019

Truth & Justice (Kent State)

OhFrankie

Ruminations on a Cloud

I listen 
to many sounds
the vibrations
form an aura
a shell
of protection
against
the White Noise
of daily existence
You musicians
are the magicians 
of alchemical
protection
like the wizards of old
you make magic
which shines in the dark
vibrations which snake
moving up my spine
a kundalini - a mark
bless you and
thank you
be free


Sent from my iPhone

RUMINATIONS on the Cloud

This song is about Allison Krause one of the 4 victims who were killed at Kent State...shot down by the National Guard for protesting the Vietnam war in 1970... and the family is still trying to get justice. The title comes from the now iconic line that she yelled out to the soldiers "what's the matter with peace and flowers are better than bullets".
Jeff Powers: Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar and Tambourine

Flowers Are Better Than Bullets© music/lyrics Jeff Powers

Chorus
Here's 15,000 dollars
And a statement of regret
Sorry we killed your daughter
But that's just the way it is
She said Flowers are better than bullets
And What's the matter with peace
The governor guard and the president
They just didn't agree

Verse
Sometimes it takes young people
To bring about the change we need
They still believe that dreams have wings
When the old guard join the machine
Heroes are hardly noticed
They stand up for what's right
The powers that be call them traitors
Might even end their life
Even when they don't fight

Chorus
Here's 15,000 dollars
And a statement of regret
Sorry we killed your daughter
But that's just the way it is
She said Flowers are better than bullets
And What's the matter with peace
The governor guard and the president
They just didn't agree

Bridge
The President called them bums
Governor thought they should be hung
The soldiers pointed their guns
And the school house beat the drums
She was someone's daughter
Sister lover and friend
But she came with a flower to the battle ground
And the soldiers did her in
Like Jesus met his end
Like Pontius Pilot's sin
They scattered the truth to the wind

Chorus/Outro
Here's 15,000 dollars
And a statement of regret
Sorry we killed your daughter
But that's just the way it is
She said Flowers are better than bullets
And What's the matter with peace
The governor guard and the president
They just didn't agree
She said flowers are better than bullets
And what's the matter with peace
So simple and beautiful
They shot her down it's hard to believe
She said flowers are better than bullets
And what's a matter with peace...

Flowers Are Better Than Bullets

Crystal and Leather

I see the rest of my life

Before your life is done
you'll find the one
who just takes your heart,
causing seas to part.

Deep from in the heat
two forces meet.
Needles off the chart.
Hearts beginning to start.

I feel the power
in this magic hour.
It carries me away.
Flush with desire.
I head toward the fire.
No words are left to say.

When it comes to you
I see it all.
What was once very small
is now there mountain tall.

Carried in the air
through auburn hair.
Your love pierces my soul.
Fills up this massive hole.

We've come together
like crystal and leather.
There's magic on display.
Transcending time,
life has turned on a dime
as Love carries us away.

Just know that

I see the rest of my life
in a moment with you.
Not a thing I can do.
Our love has taken to flight.
From the cold dark of night
to the warmth of its beckoning light.

Bow to the power.
All glory will shower.
No way to be explained.
Deep from the din
it crawls under your skin.
Ancient force won't be contained.

I can see it all.
I had to fall.
I can find no way past
since your shadow was cast.

It was always you.
That first day I knew.
Knocked me off of my feet
as my heart skipped a beat.

I'm getting closer.
See? Nobody knows her
at all.. the way I do.
Coming together
is crystal and leather.
Wrapped up in all that's you.

Just know that

I see the rest of my life
in an instant with you.
Not a thing I can do.
Our love has taken to flight.
From the cold dark of night
to the warmth of its beckoning light.

This hallowed moment
from God has been chosen.
Together shall we stay.
We built this fire
now we'll walk the wire
to keep it all this way.

Just know that

I see the rest of my life
in a moment with you.
Not a thing I can do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb_f4iGdXqw&t=32s

Crystal and Leather

WILD CHILD©2010 music/lyrics Jeff Powers

He was a son of a son of a bitch
He faked a life up until his death
A wild child schooled with a switch
Kicked round by a drunk Irish prick

Wild Child 
He was a Rock n Roll
Wild Child
The devil bought his soul 
Wild Child
He was king of the road
Wild Child
He was a (real) rolling stone

A 100 mile an hour on an open road
No brakes in the car, and he was singing out loud
He was a Helter Skelter, 56 Chevy out of control
Smokin' reefer and gettin' stoned

Wild Child 
He was a Rock n Roll
Wild Child
The devil bought his soul 
Wild Child
He was king of the road
Wild Child
He was a (real) rolling stone

Kicked in the teeth and spitting blood
Schooled real hard by that/an Irish drunk/punk 
He was meaner than shit and a lot of fun
He was a dog day afternoon, he was the alpha stud


Wild Child 
He was a Rock n Roll
Wild Child
The devil bought his soul 
Wild Child
He was king of the road
Wild Child
He was a (real) rolling stone

He pissed in the wind too many times
(Even) a cat only got nine lives
He lived a lot (more) in a real short life
You can't make a deal when it's your time to die

Wild Child 
He was a Rock n Roll
Wild Child
The devil bought his soul 
Wild Child
He was king of the road
Wild Child
He was a (real) rolling stone

He left his legacy crushed under his car
He was a true rebel without a cause
Crashed and burned like a shooting star
You know they had to scrape him up off the hot hot tar

Wild Child 
He was a Rock n Roll
Wild Child
The devil bought his soul
Wild Child
He was king of the road
Wild Child
He was a (real) rolling stone

Wild Child  (repeat)

Wild Child (The Ballad Of Brian)

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR © music/lyrics Jeff Powers 

Careful what you wish for you know it might come true
Careful what you wish for you know it might come true
She might not be what she seems and you just might be a fool

I used to love you baby But you never had a kind word to say
I used to love you baby But you never had a kind word to say
I gave you a piece of heaven and you gave me hell to pay

Careful what you wish for you know it might come true
Careful what you wish for you know it might come true
She might not be what she seems and you just might be a fool

I was always good to you baby you know nice guys finish last
I was always good to you baby you know nice guys finish last
I gave you everything I had and you gave nothing back

Careful what you wish for you know it might come true
Careful what you wish for you know it might come true
She might not be what she seems and you just might be a fool

Careful what you wish for 
Careful what you wish for 
Careful what you wish for 
Careful what you wish for 
Careful what you wish for 
You know it might come true

If It Ain't This It's That

Careful What You Wish For

A Year, A Week And A Day

“I've never met God, but I've heard the blues.” 
 David Mutti Clark

Me- Original Music, Guitar & Bass

Maggie's Blues

Billy takes a trip to Costa Rica where he meets a Shaman who guides him on an psychedelic trip through the cleansing chambers of the Universe with the magic of Ayahuasca. Billy decided not to have children and be stuck working just to keep up with the Jones' and have a cozy but boring life in Suburbia. So, he put on his raincoat and through the magic of music and song is giving advise to others to to put on their raincoats.

The Great Nardini

Put On My Raincoat (Ayahuasca)

One man band...Kicking a Drum (old Trunk) and Tambourine while singing and playing a Harmonica and Guitar...a garage rock Christmas song.


Very Merry Christmas© music/lyrics Jeff Powers

Very Merry Christmas
Happy new year
Here's wishing dreams come true
And bring you lots of cheer

Very Merry Christmas
Happy new year
You know you're looking good
And your future's better still
Very Merry Christmas Happy New Year 

Be good be kind all the time
New resolutions for the year
But tonight we're going to celebrate
With lots of wine and beer

Very Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Hope Santa's good to you
When he ride that ol' reindeer
Very Merry Christmas Happy New Year

Years will come and years will go
It's a long and winding road
Starting out this new year
Gonna live it large and bold

Very Merry Christmas
Happy new year
I hope all your dreams come true
And bring you lots of cheer
Very Merry Christmas Happy New Year

Very Merry Christmas
Happy new year
Very Merry Christmas
Happy new year
Very Merry Christmas Happy New Year

Very Merry Christmas

Playing a gut-bucket slide on his 3-string Cigar Box Guitar or banging out a song on a beat up guitar while singing and stomping on a tambourine and an old trunk (Songwriter) Jeff Powers creates his own “gumbo” styled brand of Roots, Blues and Americana. Sounds like Neil Young joined the Black Keys.

Jeff's latest CD has received rave reviews like:
“Jeff Powers is one of Rockwired's "25 Guitarists You Gotta Know"...his self-titled release is an engaging listen that will leave the listener amazed at the guitarist's musicality and virtuosity as well as his tremendous sense of songcraft. ”
—  Brian Lush, ROCKWIRED MAGAZINE

“There’s nothing like finding out about a little known but awesome talent and get to be the one telling the world about them. It doesn’t happen very often but, when it does, it’s a real personal treat. This is one of those cases. To put it short and sweet, Jeff Powers is awesome and his new, self-titled CD is an excellent showcase of his incredible talent.”
—  Randy Patterson, Boomerocity

Flowers Are Better Than Bullets

Jeff Powers 6

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