Brilliant song. Plaintiff and yet soaring - can hear a full band arrangement on this!

Incredible take on the prompt, James. I'm getting some "One Song Glory" vibes (a la RENT) on this one. And your performance feels so stripped down and intimate. Really great work.

Lovely opening lines take it back change the facts

Very intimate feel both to the lyrics and the performance. Really great song, James! Well done!

Beautiful!!!  Compelling and emotive and powerful.  Also, I really enjoyed the chords and melody in the bridge.

Love the emotion in the lyrics and the vocal performance. Wonderful song!

This coulda been a Throwing Copper song. Great writing and expression, James. This is one you should simultaneously pitch and also never let go of.

Was It Worth it Interlude

"Top Of The List" (#428, 210104)

Quiet all along the highway
Sun peeking over the trees
Wind picked up but I wore my coat
And it feels alright to me

Come out here every morning
Sit quiet and listen clear
Blue crayon and a piece of paper
And I watch these lines appear

Some people seek salvation in heaven
Other folks build it here on earth
Me I'm just lucky to count my blessings
Anytime I can find the words
Younger self well I never woulda' guessed
What's always on the top of the list

Get an early start tomorrow
Pack a little bag to bring
Blanket and a pair of mittens
Winter's gonna' turn to spring

Week 01 - Top Of The List (210104)

I wrote this about a month ago and hesitated on posting. It didn't feel like it was my place to write. But on my mind today so tweaked and finished-ished.

Old Glory - Song a Week 2021, Week 1

A Capella cover of "Stand in that River" by Moira Smiley
Performed by Jordie K.

*daughter-mama duet cover coming soon*

Come and stand in that river
Current gentle and slow 
Send your troubles down water
Down on that water flow

When you stand in that river
Angels sing in your head
Secrets beyond any worry
Dreams beyond any dread

Tell me sister, brother,
Where does that river flow?
It flows down to that great water
Where soon my people will go

Come and stand in that river
Current gentle and slow 
Send your troubles down water
Down on that water flow

Stand In That River (a capella cover by Jordie K)

First recording in 18 months. Hoping that Song-a-week 2021 will get me going again.

Music and image Copyright © Claes Akerblom

Solitude(demo)

Mercy Mile (#429, 210109)

 * Photo credit maciel_aaron * 
 * www.zedge.net/wallpaper/0d218178-ee8c-39b4-b7ec-e7aa63a199d6 * 

I can't take it back
I can't change the facts
I can't make the past be something else

I can't get too close
I can't let you go
I can't dream of loving someone else

One more touch one more embrace
Please don't leave me now
There must be some saving grace
To rise about the doubt

Go the distance take my hand
Lead me like a child
One last night baby one more stand
Just one more mercy mile

I can't be so cold
I can't see the road
I can't draw the blinds or shut the door

I can't seem to say
I can't walk away
I can't live without you anymore

It's too late it's not too late
All I need is you to stay

Week 02 - Mercy Mile (210109)

Hundred times I've been here
Each time I forget
Doesn't make me stronger 
But it hasn't killed me yet
It's just a fear - it's just a fear

Starts out sweet and loving
I'm like a little boy,
pushing comes to shoving
She'll hate me and destroy me
That's the fear - it's just a fear

But it lingers like a gho-o-ost - just like a giant ghost
And it rises over and over, like a giant ghost

fading with the winter, 
a familiar story starts
“It’s more than I can handle
And they’ll hate me if    I can’t”
It’s just a fear - it’s just a fear
But it hovers behind me like a ghost
And it rises - rises behind me just like a ghost

But Tiger, Tiger, I know you know it isn’t true
That’s not how they talk to you anymore
Pants on fire - that ghost’s a liar you know
& Tiger, Tiger, you’re the one burning bright
In the forests in the night
Shine a light and all those old shadows go away

Hundred times I've been here
But each time i forget
Doesn't make me stronger 
But it hasn't killed me yet
It's just a fear - it's just a fear
It's just a fear - it's just a fear

Fear

the weeks theme is optional, whatever seems most impossible, whatever pass as irrational
thats the theme this week

weak theme is optional, trash  clash at the capitol, police greased by politicals
thats our c-u-n-try

the weak's theme is optional, assemble their own obstacles, social synapse collapsable
thats the regime of the week

weak theme is optional, casual irresponsible, spectacle reprehensible, thats the theme this week

theme of the week.....
greed  fear violence shame.....

the weak's theme is optional, refuse as a collectible, overcooked like a vegetable
return without a receipt

the weeks theme is optional, money makes the oath most corruptable, corruption unconscionable
thats the theme of the weak
its the theme of the week

theme of the week is optional

Mercy Mile

Waking from the same repeating dream
Breaking out of lifelong lies and schemes
All my foolish ways now be made wise
Walking down the narrow mercy mile

Taking every step that I regret
Making every play all to forget
Nothing more can heal my hearts desire
Walking down the mercy mercy mile

Walking down the mercy mile
see our spirits soar and rise
leaving all the world behind
Walking down the mercy mercy mile

Leaving all the comfort I have known
Living in the moment far from home
Freedom can be found in rain and shine
Walking down the mercy mercy mile



Come and sit and wait with me awhile
Feel the heavy weight the mud and mire 
Tho we walk together through the fire
We are not alone on the mercy mile

mercymile SAW2021 wk 2

A Cup Of Cold Coffee

Week 4 #songaweek2021. Photo is from a walk with my kids on a woodsy bluff trail overlooking downtown Saint Paul. Feeling very "meh" about this song and life in general today so just made a quick phone recording to git 'er done for another week :)

I’m walking on winter’s water
Skating on thick ice
No fear of drowning
In this frozen paradise

I’m standing in silent snow light
under a full moon
shadows of tree branches
brush the drifts with deep dark hues

Januaerial view
icicle dreams come true

I’m listening to birds and breezes
in the winter woods
bright songs and deep sighs
whispering a world of good

i’m sleeping through winter’s long night
warmed with gentle fire,
soft quilts and old stories
of worlds beyond my cozy shire

Januaerial View

Nashville songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Godin Guitars Official Artist and Founder of www.songaweek.org.

His catalog of 500+ titles includes collaborations with hit writers Mark Narmore, Elliott Park, Steve Dean, and Pete & Pat Luboff, among others internationally from England to Australia.

Redding's music has landed cuts by numerous recording artists including Dan Whitehouse, Emma Gale, and David Easterling.

Week 02 - Mercy Mile (210109)

JamesTristanRedding

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