A Tribute Song to Lou Reed

Written by Joseph Arthur

Happy Birthday Lou

2013-11-09 
Gleis22 , Münster - Germany
with Rene Lopez (bass and backing vocals) & Bill Dobrow (drums)

King of Cleveland
Still Life Honey Rose
The Ballad of Boogie Christ
Saint of Impossible Causes
I Used to Know How to Walk on Water
Black Flowers
I Miss the Zoo
A Smile That Explodes
Chicago
In the Sun
Travel as Equals
Blue Lights in the Rear View
I Am the Witness
Honey and the Moon
Black Lexus
Akron Skies
It's OK to be Young/Gone
Currency of Love 

In the Sun

Honey and the Moon

View the video here: http://youtu.be/MBCEL2Bj9n0

Words and Music by Joseph Arthur 
August 12th, 2014

You started out on Ork
A cosmic jet fueled dork
And I would love it when you 
Visited us on happy days
Only you could know
The witness of your show
A brain made up of sadness
And electric rays
Good morning Vietnam
Must've been your truest song
For in you was a war you'd always wage
The hunting of good will
The laughs would never fill
Your hunger for the dream
To turn the page

Oh Robin you flew
And now robin you fly
To places we can't see or yet conceive 
The joy that you gave
We know now was brave
To be free and yet 
remain still a slave

The fisher king was you
Those of us never knew
That your demons hadn't yet been tamed
You hid in the storm
Of laughter so warm
Hard to see that the source
Was still maimed 
Awakenings will come
But the sadness goes on
And age will come down on us all
The dead poets you loved
Wrote of it as they shoved
Light into the darkness of the fall

Oh Robin you flew
And now robin you fly
To places we can't see or yet conceive 
The joy that you gave
We know now was brave
To be free and yet remain 
still a slave

Robin (A Tribute to Robin Williams 1951-2014)

Words and Music by Joseph Arthur

Where Is Our Freedom

The cops in Missouri
Are in a fury
They shot a teenager
Who wasn't  breaking the law
Dressed like the army
Someone better warn me
Waging a war
On the streets of America

Where is our freedom
Who can we trust
When the police
We pay for protection
Are turning their guns
Back on us
Where is our freedom
Who's protecting the law
When the cops are the thugs
We need to escape from
When the night falls

The people all riot
Cops come in droves
Shooting gas at our own
While wearing military clothes
Reporters arrested
For reporting the truth
Big brother is hiding
And destroying the proof

Where is our freedom
Who can we trust
When the police
We pay for protection
Are turning their guns
Back on us
Where is our freedom
Who's protecting the law
When the cops are the thugs
We need to escape from
When the night falls

In America

Where Is Our Freedom

Kanye

Artistry is subjective,
Depending on,
your own perspective. 
Drum machines 
and production teams
Versus,
Acoustic rides
And single strides. 

Both are art
So let's restart. 

What the heck!
Don't pick on Beck!
That little dude
Has helped our mood
And made his art 
both big and smart
(And likes you to
Even tho you're rude.)

Of course I like 
Beyoncé too,
She can sing
for me and you,
And she can dance,
and she can move,
And doesn't need 
your point to prove. 
So don't get mad 
when nothing's left,
Don a leotard,  
WWF!
WTF 
why the spite?
We're all dreamers
In one long night. 
We make our songs
And put them forth,
Like our children,
Like your North. 
So don't get violent
On mine or his
Or create battles
Where none exist. 
You're a genius
So be gentle man
And become
A gentleman. 
Pick your battles
The demons real
The oppressors
Who never feel
They look normal
don't look like Shrek
But still don't take it
Out on Beck!
Or on Picasso
Or on Matisse 
Or other artists
Protect the freaks!
We're together
Against the man,
Against the grain,
And in the sand. 
The landscapes bleak
It's a desert world,
So don't descend
Upon the pearls,
Being thrown 
before the swine,
Have you lost
All of your mind?

And what the heck
Don't pick on Beck!

There's only dreams
And nothing more,
Artistry,
A revolving door,
All who knock
Can come inside,
And reveal
The way they hide. 
Might be with 
a drum machine,
A dancing beat,
A euphoric scream. 
Might be with
Nylon guitars,
Weaving out
Of falling stars. 
Both we need,
Both are true,
There is no better,
Just me and you. 
Art is not a relay race,
Or about who has
A pretty face. 
Art connects 
a man to God,
Broken open 
spirit bod. 
It's not of football
Or a boxing match,
Root for no one,
Enjoy the catch. 
It's probably all 
some PR move,
But you don't have 
Much else to prove. 
You've rocked the world 
And won respect
So what the heck!
Don't pick on Beck. 

Hey Kanye

RISE

RISE (Radio Edit)

Iron Man Made Of Glass

In this world where everything sometimes seems to be nothing but darkness, it is music that heals and saves. It's interesting that this attack happened in a venue whose soul purpose is to bring forth that light. And those that were attacked were simply trying to celebrate love of life and rock n roll. I think it was no accident that those forces of evil chose that type of place and event.  A place of expression and freedom. A place designed to allow people to worship (in a way) spirit. When you think about it, places like this are churches in a way. And for all of us (and there are many) who are saved by music, a dark cloud has descended. 
It's design is to keep us locked in and afraid and away from the music. I think we all feel somewhat helpless in these situations. I know I do. But I do have music to offer. A little more light coming up against the dark. In that spirit here's my song In The Sun recorded as a duet with Michael Stipe. It originally was part of an EP he made to help New Orleans during Katrina. 
Hope it someway it helps and that none of us cave into fear.  Sending all my love to Paris. Photo by Bill Dobrow taken last time we were in Paris. Where I found a door and was inspired to paint it in my hotel room by the endless voices of freedom, rebellion and creation that always echoes off the street there. 

- Joseph Arthur
Nov. 14, 2015



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