Carried Away

Awaken (Words and Vocals - Julie Helena)

This is my 3rd official EP. My main inspiration for this entirely acoustic album was actually to sort of dive into my roots and the vibe I started making music with back in 2015 and 2016.

Troubled Times

You Don't Have A Clue

Buy Troubled Times

number one

Thanks for checking out my songs of the week!

If last week's song asked, "Am I Alone?", this week's one says, "Yes." It's not true. My wonderful girlfriend Tracy and I just celebrated our first anniversary, and I have lots of loved ones, including you. But it certainly felt true in 1982 when I wrote "Alone" at age fourteen.

Reviving this song, I'm struck by how effective it seems. I think that's because it's musically and lyrically very basic, channeling something that not just sad teenagers can relate to. I should write more simple, emotional stuff like this.

I don't remember ever playing "Alone" for anyone, and I never recorded it. Yet I always heard a big production in my head. So for this sharing, I called again on the Spiked Frugals (my old band with Dan Seiden and Erik Pearson), and our friend Jonathan Feinberg. Thanksgiving delayed the recording, pushing it a bit out of alphabetical order.

Spiked Frugals + Feinberg.jpg
(Clockwise from top left: Erik, Dan, Jonathan, me)

We start with the original solo version—me on piano and voice. Then as each musician joins—Erik on bass and left guitar; Dan on right guitar; Jonathan on drums, guitar solo, background vocals, and synth—it grows, really achieving the fullness I envisioned. And as you listen to it now (ideally on earbuds, headphones, or a decent speaker), it becomes even less alone.

MP3 attached; lyrics below. Feel free to email me your impressions or join the Facebook conversation here.

Love and thanks,
Michael


ALONE

Alone, alone in my heart
Alone, alone from the start
Alone, alone in the dark
A candle without a spark

I always wanted something
Something to know
Someone to go with me places
And I only wanted some way
Not very much
Just a chance to touch one of those faces

Alone, all through the day
Alone, in somebody’s way
Alone, alone in the night
Alone, alone all my life

I only wanted someone
Someone to hold
When it gets cold cuz it’s winter
And I always wanted someone
Someone to kiss
Someone to miss when it’s over

Alone, alone on the street
Alone, with no one to meet
Alone, alone in a crowd
Alone, not making a sound

Oh I never asked for someone
Someone to sit
Just for a bit and tell me a story
And I never asked for no one
No one to stay
And later to say, “Look it’s morning!”

Alone, alone in my heart
Alone, alone in the dark
A candle without a spark
Alone, alone from the start

Alone

even if its a lie - cover

‘Tomorrow Is A Long Time,’ from the album SONGBOOK.
ffm.to/songbook

Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Found
V) Have you ever wished on a shooting star for someone to tell who you are, and who you could be..  
C) When I was lost.. and my world was down.. I looked to you.. and now I’m found.. oh I looked to you ..and now I’m found.. 

V) It's ok to say goodbye to those things that kept you down…. So just open your eyes and take a look around… then you can start this new life.. this new life you found

Instrumental

V) Don’t look back… it’s just a memory for you now … we’ll build our new life somewhere.. somehow
V) And wherever you may roam.. you’ll never be alone.. just listen to your heart.. when it’s calling you.. when it’s calling you.. back home 

C) When I was lost.. and my world was down.. I looked to you.. and now I’m found.. oh I looked to you ..and now I’m found..

Found

"I am so proud to present my first professionally produced song, 'Blue.' It is an old-school analog recording and production that boasts warmth and a fat sound. 'Blue' is a blend of old Southern Delta blues and traditional country music, making it a fun song!

The band comprises a group of international musicians from Italy, Japan, and the United States.

'Blue' is written and performed by me (Juan Carlos Hernandez) and produced by Michael Fogarty, the most talented musician I know and my friend.

If you just want to feel good about a song today, give 'Blue' a listen!"

Blue (why country singer sing about their dogs)

Slowdown (It's Never Too Late) (Drumless Edition)

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of "Ancient Whispers," a musical odyssey that weaves together the rich tapestry of Celtic, medieval, and folk traditions. This masterfully crafted album takes you on a spellbinding journey through time, where echoes of the past resonate with contemporary sensibilities.

From the mystical realms of "Avalon's Light" to the swashbuckling adventures of "The Ballad of Blackbeard," "Ancient Whispers" seamlessly blends genres, fusing traditional instrumentation with modern elements. The haunting melodies of "The Carnival's Magic" and the atmospheric ambiance of "The Veil of the Fog" transport you to realms where the veil between worlds grows thin.

Yet, amidst the enchantment, you'll find moments of uplifting joy and celebration, as evidenced in the infectious folk-pop of "The Wandering Minstrel's Song" and the empowering anthems of "We Find Our Way Back Home." This album is a tapestry woven with threads of introspection, nostalgia, and romance, inviting you to explore the depths of human emotion through the lens of timeless stories and melodies.

With a diverse array of influences ranging from medieval ballads and indie folk to alternative rock and dark cabaret, "Ancient Whispers" defies boundaries, captivating listeners of all ages and backgrounds. Prepare to be transported to a realm where the ancient and the modern converge, where whispers from the past echo through the present, and where music becomes a portal to worlds beyond imagination.

#MedievalFolk #LegendaryTales #HauntingMelodies #AmbientSoundscapes #FusionMusic #EmotiveNarratives #FantasyRealms

The Echoes Of The River

My music's in many different styles (some previously unheard of) so please sample a few selections!

Alone

Michael Holt