Feeling Bad Blues (Cover)

Photo by Kate Simon, 2008

Two years ago today I found out my friend and, mentor in many ways, Steve Paul, had passed away. This was less than a week before hurricane Sandy hit and I was caught up in a crazy period of my life at work fighting the effects of that storm. 

I was a personal assistant for Steve from 2002 to 2005, and he and I had become good friends. He taught me a lot about theater, photography, arts, and a little bit about show business. Mostly he taught me about New York, and fighting to get things done. He was a sharp mind, a master wit, and he took no breaks from reminding you. He thickens your skin like a Kung Fu master.

He was also obsessed with the color blue. Steve had wild blue eyes, and throughout his life he hoarded anything fantastic, exquisite, and blue. 

At his memorial, a friend of his spoke of the years before I knew him when he was on top of the world. In those days he was doing quite well for himself and had  a blue mansion, blue jukebox, and even a blue Mercedes. Now Steve does not drive, but when I heard that I just pictured him riding shotgun in his blue car, driving way to fast down a windy California road over looking a big blue ocean. So I wrote this song with that in my mind, but I will leave your minds to paint their own pictures.
-Jeff
RIP Steve Paul

Dan Greenwood: Mandolin, Penny Whistle, Harmonica, Gut Banjo, Uke, Percussion, Guitars, Slide, Washboards

Jeff Burns: Writing, Banjo, Bass, Percussion

Learn more about the wonders of Steve Paul
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/nyregion/steve-paul-owner-of-the-former-scene-nightclub-dies-at-71.html?_r=0

Blue Mercedes (in memory of Steve Paul)

Devil Water (© 2014)

On the Trail

Future In Bleak Format

Fear Of Falling

Snow Day

But I Know

A cover of a Newgrass tune from Tony Rice. Featuring David Series on Electric guitar, Tom Gibbs on Accordion and John Allan on everything else.

Port Tobacco

Looking for some collaborators on this one. Anyone care for putting some mandolin, fiddle, dobro. Im going to lay down some upright bass on it later. Also be good to get an acoustic guitar solo on it, not happy with my own playing on this one. Please get in touch if interested! Cheers John

On the Trail

Miller Smith Jr.