Ballad of a Miserable Man   lyric and music © June 2024 by Mike Dampf.  Mandolin: Becky Sora/ Bass: David Leadbitter/ Piano: Mike Ryan/ Special thanks to The Tequila Jam Singers on chorus!

I don't really know what I want
I don't really know who I am
everything I once believed lies
like a mirage on the sand

My life's become a time-share
geckos, cocktails and sun
poolside's reserved for the angels
who know how to please number 1

So judge me if you must
I'm just a miserable man
looking for some love and pleasure
here on God's lay-away plan

We paid for this sham paradise
let the lawnmowers keep it all trim
let the palm trees keep it all shady
and let Happy Hour begin

When the jet taxis out on the runway
and the steward greets you with Death's grin
then tighten your seatbelt my lovely
what a hell of a ride it's all been

Ballad of a Miserable Man

"You don't sound like anyone else," said Danny Thompson - renowned bass player for Nick Drake and Joe Strummer - about English musician Conil.

The GRAMMY-winning engineer for Tom Waits and Elvis Costello, Tchad Blake said: "Strange Part of the Country is an awesome album! I still listen to it."

Fleetwood Mac legend Peter Green liked Conil's music so much he stopped by Conil’s house to record with him. They recorded a version of Conil's homage to the jazz greats "Round Midnight". 

Strange Part of the Country never conformed to any current trends and has remained timeless. Now, people are discovering this album and it is becoming an all-time favourite. 

When the album was released in the UK, it received some amazing press. Britain's biggest selling music monthly Q magazine gave it: "Four stars - Q Recommends". Blues Matters magazine wrote: "One of the most original artists out there". In the next issue, Blues Matters put him on the front cover.

Conil left London after Strange Part of the Country was released and has spent the last ten years living in the United States and Europe - including New Orleans, New York City, and Berlin.

Snakepatch is an original band formed by Pete Rapetti and Paul Kraus with occasional guest Musicians. * Click on song picture to see track info.

Writing songs and kitchen party playing with my many musical friends ... pretty much sums it up.