Best described as an EP with bonus track, the first two songs are protest songs in a rock vein. Songs 3 and 4 are love songs with a touch of the erotic, stopping well short of pornography. They are reminiscent of a Broadway show tune and a bebop blues. Song 5, the bonus track is an instrumental samba.

1. Thoughts And Prayers. 
This song is in response to a Facebook post that came up in the aftermath of one of the many American school mass shootings. It told the story of an eight year old girl in the USA who didn’t want to wear light up shoes to school for fear of being an easier target when someone comes to shoot up her school. 

2. Tommy The Boxer. 
My Maternal grandfather, Tommy actually boxed Golden Gloves; no mean feat for a bar fighting thug. He managed to keep his feet and knees to Queensbury requirements when he was in the ring. The family story is that he fought his brother for the title; such was the competition in Queensland back in those days.
    The story takes a sharp turn from reality early in to become a litany of alcohol and substance abuse, mining town fallout, broken family, prostitution and death. Had Tommy lived during these present times, this is the kind of guy he would have been. My homage to Lou Reed and Tom Waits.

3. So Glad To Be Here. 
Inspired by my inamorata, Mary, this song speaks for itself.
4. How Much? 
The first song with lyrics that I ever wrote; Mary gets the blame for this one too. Written in response to one of love’s unfair questions though I think I did pretty well with the answers.
5. Samba For Marita.
This instrumental was named for my friend Marita who rallied myself and two other musicians to play at a fundraising event. We cobbled together enough original material between the three of us to put together a satisfactory set of music. This tune was completed during the rehearsals for that show.

mick bryant

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