One last time while it's still winter...John Previti on bass


Alleluiah(1)

During long, dreamy night drives with my parents in Illinois and Indiana, I would often hear music in my head as a boy.  This song came with a vivid and emotional memory, which is a good place to start writing.

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Restless Heart

Very rough version of a new song that I wanted to just share with a few friends until I got a better recording and practiced some more, because I don't play piano but it's not a guitar song. I realized that this is how it is meant to be though. Sloppy and dark and raw and sad and mad. I spent 5 years writing it. It's about messy messy things. All my love to the families and friends of the murdered and the many people fighting everyday for Black Lives and to end police brutality. 

LYRICS on Tumblr: http://kimyadawson.tumblr.com/post/127014339125/


Black Youth Project:
website http://byp100.org/about/
donate https://www.kintera.org/site/c.mjJXJ7MLIsE/b.8729691/k.4248/Make_A_Gift__Black_Youth_Project

At The Seams

From After the Flood's self-titled first Album.

After The Flood

Mama

Fearless Songwriter Challenge Day 7. Prompt was High Crimes and Misdemeanors by Katryna Neilds
I decided to go crazy and try something completely out of my comfort zone. Hello EMD...
NEW AMERICA
Words and music by Marci Geller 
I.
E					 F#	G
There’s an outbreak of a dangerous infection.
E				F#	G
Masses follow a leader with no direction.
C		          A
No more science in public schools.
C		                           A
God will saves us, that’s the new gold rule.
C		              A
Fall in line or they’ll come for you.
C		                                    B
That’s what they’re saying in the fake news . . .

Chorus
G			B        G		          B
Welcome to new America, former home of the free.
G			B        G		     B
Welcome to new America. Bye bye to liberties.

II.
E			       F#	G
A systematic dismantling of ethics.
E				           F#	   G
They will feed you with lies that’s the latest method.
C		              A
Better hide if your skin is brown
C		              A
Or while praying your head touched the ground.
C		              A
Hold your tongue if you’re not a man.
TC		                     B
hey keep telling us they got a plan . . . it’s gonna be great!


Bridge (Spoken) E / D / |F / / /  |
I had a dream. They came barreling into our neighborhood with tanks and spoke through a megaphone. “Vacate the premises, only take what is absolutely necessary. You have 15 minutes.”

We frantically threw essentials into bags and heard this crushing sound. We watched as our neighbors home was bulldozed over with this giant machine. Men dressed in army green charged up our driveway and screamed for us to get out of the way. I watched in horror as they mowed over our home like a it was a paper doll house. I cried out “You can’t do this. This is our home!!” And then I saw him. This giant beast who threw his head back and laughed at me. “We just did . . .”

Chorus

Fearless Songwriter February 2017

New America-Demo

Fearless Songwriter August 2017 Day 2. The prompt was a sculpture that is unnamed. Limbs entwined it, it evoked thoughts of people suffering in Texas and how we can put our differences aside and come together to help those in need.
Lyrics:
TOGETHER AS ONE
Words and music by Marci Geller
Chorus
		      A		E			Bm	
	When it all goes down we come together as one.
A		        E		    D
Stripped of our sides and ideals.
	Bm		  E		       F#m
Remember our humanity and the goodness within
	D		   E		     A
That connects us, revives us and heals.

I.	      Bm	  E		    F#m
	Today I will only see your heart.
		D		E	    A
Your eyes tell me you see mine.
	        Bm      E  		  F#m
I’ll offer a hand, and ask nothing in return.
		 D		   E		    A
I’ll be strong as we stand still in time.

Chorus

II.	      Bm	  E	   F#m
	Today I release my anger.
		     D		                E	    	       A
You’re a new friend who’s in desperate need.
        Bm              E  		  F#m
As I set myself free, I unshackle my soul.
		     D		     E		       A
For the first time in months I can breathe.

Chorus

III.          Bm	            E	                      F#m
	Today I am smarter than the ruler
	  	D      E	      A
	Who fuels chaos that divides us.
	 Bm              E  		F#m
At the end of the day I choose love over hate
	          D	         E		               A
And weather this storm joined in chorus.	
© Copyright 8-28-17 by M. Geller/Paisley Saucers Music SESAC

Fearless Songwriter August 2017

Together As One-Demo Fearless Songwriter Day 2

Fearless Songwriter (Day 2)

Prompt:
the picture in the song posting

=====
Notes:

Super rough recording. Just the internal mic on the Apogee ONE.
Wrote this minutes before recording. One take. ZERO production.

=====

Lyrics:

Verse:
Engulf me
Don't release me
Give me shelter through the storm
Our hearts beat as one together
While the city is, around us, torn

Better days, I know we've seen em
But here, as one, we will transform
We'll make it through together
Press your body to mine, make me warm

Chorus:
My body
Your arms
Pull me in and wrap around
My body
Your arms

Verse:
Hold close, I'll keep ya though
Safe from the waves and the rain from the ocean
Your heart beating like a drum
Listen to my breathing bring ya back home

Chorus

=====

Chords:
Am / G

Your Arms (rough demo)

Deliver Us From The Gathering Storm - Far Distant Shore

John is a songwriter, singer and guitar teacher, based in Washington, DC.  He performs as a solo act and also with the Americana trio, After the Flood.  He teaches guitar and ukulele at Middle C Music in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington.  

John's music has been described as songs for "sinners and everyday angels," drawing deeply on the folk traditions of storytelling and social justice, with soulful melodic turns and surprising wit.

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John Linn Music

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