What incredible work to achieve this result and this POWERFUL rock song! Awesome vocal from Terry! Just want add. "MAISON!"

You've got a full house with this one, love the lyrics! Probably won't even be a pension when i get there, so where's all that bloody national insurance they took from me:(

(Written by Terry Reeves, 23.6.21)
Terry Reeves:  Lead Vocals
Hans Albers:  All instruments, Arrangement & Production

image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackbird_Silhouette_(150819537).jpeg

You might imagine that this song is very much influenced by Paul McCartney’s classic but although it certainly covers similar ground, the route via which it came to be has a genesis all it’s own.

Some months ago, Barbara Browning & Imre Lodbrog covered one of my songs, ‘Who’s Gonna Be My King’ (https://soundcloud.com/barbarabrowning/whos-gonna-be-my-king?si=e95c961d64c34c798ce64a06d2c3c767).  One of the many delights of hearing it was that, from their garden, you can clearly hear a blackbird singing, almost as if he or she were somehow joining in with them. I’d written the original as a lament to my late brother Bri and every element of Barbara & Imre's version resonated so deeply that it stuck in my mind for quite some time. 

In the early Summer, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement was beginning to receive some rather  negative press reaction, something that was, to me, entirely and unforgivably misplaced.  Whenever I listened to B & I's version of ‘King', the feelings I still harboured about how unfair and undeserved Bri’s death had been somehow became intertwined with those I was having about the criticism the ‘BLM’ movement was receiving. 

So that was how this song came to be written.  I realise it’s just a cathartic exercise, one that isn’t going to change the world, merely being something I felt needed saying.  What I do know is that it’s a song that I love to sing because I mean every word.

It has been said so many times in these descriptions just how amazing a musician Hans Albers is and with this song he surpassed himself by producing four different versions from the demo I’d sent, all different and all completely wonderful.  Hans had written a tune called ‘Werewolf’ some years before which had a very similar chord structure and he  experimented to see if the two would fit together.  As things turned out, they were a perfect match, which is why we chose to post the version we have.  We hope you enjoy it.  (Terry Reeves)

A mirror image of many things seen before 
Reflecting faces behind slow closing doors
Asking questions to those who lived before
To those who lived before

Time to move forward and statues to ignore 
Duplications of fears hoping to leave all behind
No more chains, No more chains, No more chains 
To holdback opinions of kind 

I heard The Blackbird sing (x 4)

A birthplace of distance not to forget in mind
Born on one planet to help one planet rewind
Change of scenery distance and hopeful contrast 
The reality of truth in time can never be too fast 

No secret should be held of any slavery plan
Celebrating in marble supporting political scams
Family riches remain controlled in Buckingham 
No apologies given rejecting any honest exam

I hear The Blackbird sing (x 4)

What happens when clones repeat living past
Historical opinions keep a discriminating cast
Change of scenery distance and hopeful contrast 
The reality of truth in time can never be too fast

I hear The Blackbird sing (x 4)

BLACKBIRD SING (Feat. The Werewolf Orchestra) - CRIPPLE CLUB & HANS ALBERS

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves:  Lead Vocal
Hans Albers:  All instruments, Arrangement & Production

When a long-term relationship comes to an end, there is almost inevitably a lot of bitterness, anger, upset and regret.  But as time moves along, in my experience at least, these are replaced by a gratitude that you were able to share precious moments with your partner and remember the everyday things that you will always treasure.

Last year, Terry and myself fell into a conversation about my marriage break-up - some eight years ago now - and for some reason I started to share with him all of the little things that made being with my ex-partner so special.  They weren’t earth shattering, just times when we did something ordinary, like cooking a really nice meal together or watching a movie we’d seen many times before and knew we would enjoy.

Sometimes, I’d lay in her lap as we watched.  She’d gently stroke my head and very often I’d fall into the deepest, most relaxing of sleeps.  All the cares of the outside world just drifted away, until it felt as as if we were the only two people in the world.  I’ve never known a feeling like it.  It was sheer and utter heaven.

When we split, she tried to make me understand that it was the right and proper thing to do and, although I went through all of the negative emotions described above, she was absolutely right.  The good times had gone and they were never coming back. That’s just the way life is sometimes.  

So this is the song that Tel wrote about the things I told him.  A sad song yes but tinged with the warm glow of great times shared.  It really is better to have loved and lost...

As always, with Tel’s wonderfully apposite lyrics to guide him, Hans understood exactly what the song was all about and the arrangement he put together sums up my feelings so much better than the words I’ve used here to describe them.  My deepest thanks to he and Terry for telling the story with such truth, compassion and intensity.  (Gary Reeves) 

Can there be just one more moment? 
A lovers dream to touch a single breath
Giving a lifetime to love just one more second 
One thousand heartbeats to stop the thought of death

I remember curling tightly on the sofa
I remember protection from the outside world
I remember feeling arms around my shoulders
I remember it so warm and tender not growing old
Not growing old

A book of moments can’t change an indiscretion 
The best there is seems to haunt the past
Deep depression equals every slice of laughter 
As a memory tries to make the good bits last
               
        CHORUS                 Middle

Hiding from the progress but avoiding backward steps
No comprehension why standing still can’t be the best
Every calculated journey causes fractures to the health 
Looking fine and healthy but not up to living like the rest

                          CHORUS

Looking at the mirror screwed tightly on the wall
No reflection of a happy face but the screws stopping the fall
Eyes fixed on the reason that seems to change all sounds
As the wrinkles prevent the facial skin slipping to the ground 

                          CHORUS X 2
Not growing old
Not growing old
Not growing old

I REMEMBER - CRIPPLE CLUB & HANS ALBERS

© Joe liberty 2022. All rights reserved.

OhMyLove

Witless wonder, born a new
Gasping for first breath of truth
Sunlit days with no cares
Ending with ones lot to bare

Guiding hands, that hold down
Seeking smiles, finding frowns
Sacrifice for you
I do my love
Oh my love

Triumphs fade to despair 
Kind regards and empty stares
Make the grade, glimpsed at last
Sooner still becomes the past

Feel the hunger, clawing so
Set your sights now go man go
Sacrifice for you
I do my love
Oh my love…

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Solo¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

All I have
I give 
to you
All I need
Is to be
With you please…

Watch the years slip like sand
Through the fingers of your hand
See the sparks flash and die
Like the shooting stars at night

Rise above till the  fall
Answer last clarion call
Sacrifice for you
I do my love
Oh my love
Oh my love
Oh my love

OhMyLove

The picture shows:
„Medusa“ (1596), paintings by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)

A Big Thank You to The Neighbor for the wonderful solo guitar


One Might See

1
Now that one has woken up
After such a long long dream
Things seem to be clearing up
And one is touched by a beam…

ref
One doesn’t want to see it
But one just cannot look away
And even doesn’t want to read and hear about it
What’s the escaping plan for today ?

2
Now the worlds are crushing into each other, 
Once they are no longer separate
One does not really want to see it 
But for that it is now far too late

A Dante-like image that is 
Captivating with one feature:
It is mainly creating pictures 
That are depicting creatures

ref
One doesn’t want to see it
But one just cannot look away
And even doesn’t want to read and hear about it no more
What’s the escaping plan for today ?
What’s the escaping plan for today ?


3
But - one won’t really get away
Realities have overtaken everything
One has lost his mouth and speech
One has lost his tongue and words to sing

One may say it is the eternal return of evil
One would like to make the order „finer“
One can say it’s an end to all the means
One might say it's the age of the borderliner

ref 
One still doesn’t want to see it
But one just cannot look away
One’s even not in the mood to write and sing about it 
What’s the escaping plan for today ?
What’s the escaping plan for today ?

out
Tell you a secret, 
There is none
It just won’t go away, 
One might say:
One cannot close one's eyes to what is taking place right in front of them today !

One Might See (ft The Neighbor)

℗ © Copyright Ian Stokes. All Rights Reserved
Recorded and mixed using Logic. Mastered in Soundcloud
Guitar played: Taylor 714CE in standard tuning (all tuned down 3 semitones)
Photography: Thanks go to Nigel and Libby Hume at Hume Photography.
LYRICS:
Wake up wake up
The day is going by
The sun may not be here for too long
Wake up wake up
Pull back those blinds
Who knows what will be before the day is gone 

Sun comes up 
Sun goes down
And the years go drifting by
Sun comes up
Sun goes down
One day at a time 

Wake up wake up
A train is coming in
It won’t be long before that whistle blows
Wake up wake up
Stay or get on board
There’s only so much time 
Before it goes

Sun comes up 
Sun goes down
And the years go drifting by
Sun comes up
Sun goes down
One day at a time

Mmmm mmmm ……………….
Sun comes up … Sun goes down
Sun comes up … Sun goes down 
Mmmm mmmm ………………

One Day at a Time

One Day At A Time

℗ © Copyright Ian Stokes. All Rights Reserved
Recorded and mixed using Logic. Mastered in Soundcloud
Guitar played: Taylor 714CE tuned B F♯ B E G♯ B
Photography: Thanks go to Nigel and Libby Hume at Hume Photography.
LYRICS:
In the cool of the Arizona morning
There are no words to say
The sun lights up
The eastern sky
At the dawn…….
Of a brand new day

The tumbleweed is turning
Looking to put down some roots
Maybe it’s just my calling
To have dust ……
All over my boots 

I don’t see all there is to see
I don’t hear all there is to hear
There’s light and there’s shade and something in-between
And the distance …………drawing near

I’ve got dust all over my boots
I’ve got dust all over my boots
I’ve got dust all over my boots
I’ve got dust  …………. all over my boots

The slow and steady beat
Of these hooves upon the ground
Horse and rider as one
And at peace ………
With that sound

I don’t see all there is to see
I don’t hear all there is to hear
There’s light and there’s shade and something in-between
And the distance …………drawing near 

I’ve got dust all over my boots
I’ve got dust all over my boots
I’ve got dust all over my boots
I’ve got dust  …………. all over my boots

Dust All Over My Boots

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves: Vocals
Hans Albers: All instruments, Arrangement & production

From the age of 15 when I first stepped into the world of employment I was told it would be a major advantage to get a job that lasted through to the State retirement age of 65. At the time I'll admit it was not something I took at all seriously.  When you’re that age, the last thing on your mind is bloody retirement.   

However, by the time I reached my early 50’s and had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, my mind became a little more concentrated on reaching what might now  conceivably prove to be an eminently missable target.  In the interim, the UK government decided that, given the population was living considerably longer than it once had, they would incrementally be raising the retirement age, meaning that mine now became 66. 

Our dear old Nan was a dedicated Bingo player and knew that number callers used particular phrases for certain numbers, one of the best known being 66, known as  ‘Clickety Click’.  So reaching pensionable age became inextricably linked to Bingo, hence the title and subject matter of this song.   

The number one - ‘Kelly’s Eye’ - seemed a good place to start and having done some fascinating research, I worked my way through the Bingo calls, choosing the ones whose scansion worked best, until I reached the magic ‘Clickety Click'.  

As the chorus explains, there were no guarantees I’d actually get there, it was just a target.  But I did get there and this song celebrates the fact.  

The song ends with the traditional exclamation of the player who has won the game, being either ‘House!’ or ‘Bingo!’.  When I was recording the vocals, my constant and beautiful companion Marvin (it is he who is pictured in the cover art) reacted to my shouts with a loud bark, perfectly in time, so we decided to keep it in.  Marv is with me at 99% of the recordings and enjoys being involved when the opportunity presents.

As always, huge thanks to the wonderful Hans Albers for another brilliant backing track which is, as I think you’ll agree, perfect for the song.  That man is a genius.
Thanks so much for listening.   (Terry Reeves)


It all started with Ned Kelly’s eye (1)
A cup of tea (3) to stop going dry
Tom Mix (6) wearing hat, riding fast
Monkey’s cousin (12) hanging, trying to last
Key of the door (21), two little ducks (22)
Paid half a crown (26), keep up the luck
In a state (28), rise and shine (29) but alive
One dirty knee (33) to help jump and jive (35)

Sixty six not to preconceive
Sixty six, a target to achieve

Half way to laugh, more than eleven (37)
As life begins (40), time for fun (41) isn’t heaven
Up to tricks (46) towards four dozen (48)
Five-0, Five-0, it’s off to work (50) with percussion
Danny la Rue (52), a man at the door (54)
The snakes are alive (55) but don’t wriggle more
Shotts bus (56) to Scotland, check the sign
Variety of Heinz (57) to the Brighton Line (59)

Sixty six not to preconceive
Sixty six a target to achieve

A baker’s bun (61) all tickety boo (62)
Tickle me (63), almost retired (64) laughing too
Retirement age(65), it should have been fun
Clickety click (66), getting paid
Take the money and run  
Route 66, nearly there
Clickety click, the sound of my wheelchair

CLICKETY CLICK - CRIPPLE CLUB & HANS ALBERS

Forcément je ressors cette chanson vu que tout le monde n'a pas compris....

Re voici SuperMegalo!
(Translated in english below)
-----

Je vis en haut
D'un monde tout en couleur
Dans un réseau
Mais c'est sans l'ascenseur

Dieu que c'est beau
Tout pousse comme des fleurs
Dans des enclos
On fait gober des leurres

Rien n'est trop gros
Quand ça passe au 20h
Je fais l'info
En dépit des valeurs

Parfois c'est chaud
De leur faire croire au bonheur
Mais c'est mon lot :
Je suis un bienfaiteur

Pour lever les foules,
Flattez tous ces fous
Désignez l'ennemi,
Et divisez,
Et divisez,
Et recommencer

L'autre et le déni
Comme unique cri
Tout pour éviter
De changer tout,
De changer nous,
De vivre autrement

We talk about the real world
It's not a dream road
And you and I both know
That's just the way it is now

J'ai fait du fric
Mais ça ne m'amuse plus
La politique
C'est bien au dessus

Le réchauffement,
Je le tourne en ridicule
Les immigrants,
C'est bon, j'ai la formule

J'ai l'attention
On reprend tous mes tweets
Quelle jubilation
D'enchaîner les hits !

Je crache du sang
A des foules en délire
Montrer les dents
C'est le truc pour me faire élire

L'autre et le déni
Comme unique cri
Tout pour éviter
De changer tout,
De changer nous,
De vivre autrement

We talk about the real world
It's not a dream road
And you and I both know
That's just the way it is now
We talk about the real world
It's not a dream road
We talk about a real world
It's not a dream road

-----

I live on top
Of a colourful world
In a network
But it's without the lift

God it's beautiful
Everything grows like flowers
In enclosures
We make them swallow lures

Nothing is too big
When it's on the evening show
I make the news
In spite of the values

Sometimes it's hard
To make them believe in happiness
But that's my lot:
I'm a benefactor

To lift the crowds,
Flatter all those fools
Point out the enemy,
And divide,
And divide,
And do it again

The other and the denial
As the only speech
Anything to avoid
To change everything,
To change ourselves,
To live differently

We talk about the real world
It's not a dream road
And you and I both know
That's just the way it is now

I've made money
But I'm not having fun anymore
Politics
It's way above

Global warming,
I make a mockery of it
Immigrants,
I've got the formula

I've got the attention
All my tweets are repeated
What a thrill it is
To have a string of hits!

I spit blood
To crowds of people going wild
Showing my teeth
That's the trick to getting elected

Le Bienfaiteur

Clear And Present
Lillithe : music  and production
IPG1 : Verses
https://soundcloud.com/ipg1
https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/clear-and-present-vox-97-bpm-1
Clear And Present
Chorus I’m on a mission—— so hold tight and feel the vibe  A new direction——- but still Going to keep it live  And if you’re itching —-to turn up the volume fine  Crank it and listen ——-cause I’m about to blow your mind

Verse1 No mistakes —-never hesitate  No glory—— no prize—— no lives at stake  I’m gonna keep the faith no matter what it takes  and it’s peace over war—— so I stay awake
—-🎵Watch every step I take ——plan every move I make  I was built for love—— and not the hate 🎵 I go hard ——-so why hesitate  this is the winning team ——time to elevate —-Got The mindset ——let’s negotiate  games Tight—-that’s right ——it’s Make or break  follow me into the light ——time to elevate another day another night —-nah—-it’s never too late  to create —-understand and fascinate  eat it up ——ask for more ——tasty—— scrape your plate  is gravy to me—— I’mer keep it straight  everything else ——is a piece of cake
Answer the calls—— from the voices inside of me  follow the signs ——-that lead to my destiny  it might take some time ——for all to see  Fluorescent writing on the wall—-like graffiti  infusing the track with—- positive energy  once of paper——— it’s vocal currency  skill level ——Stone Cold —-A—-prodigy ——- that’s my legacy——- building a dynasty

Chorus
Never walk the straight narrow —-choose the rules that I obey forgive and forget (ha—-)that might happen someday  don’t follow the crowd —-and needless to say  I try not to —-let my ego ——get in the way  I’m thankful although—-I don’t kneel and pray  And I’m truly blessed —-y’all know I’m set in my ways  but thank you Lord —-for another blessing today  in the meantime ——-please try to meet me halfway  please try to meet me halfway

Clear And Present  IPG1 & Lillithe

℗ © Copyright Ian Stokes. All Rights Reserved
Recorded and mixed using Logic. Mastered in Soundcloud
Guitars played: Morris Nylon String in standard tuning
Photography: Thanks go to Nigel and Libby Hume at Hume Photography.
I thought it was time to start writing and recording some new songs, with a view to putting together a new solo album over the winter. For this song I have returned to my nylon string Morris guitar. Hope you like it!
LYRICS:
Sitting…. In my rocking chair
Rollin…….. with the beat
Pickin …..out a tune
Keeping time… tapping my feet

Maybe I’m getting old 
Maybe I’m getting slow 
Maybe things don’t seem like they used to do
Maybe, maybe not…. I don’t know 

Sitting….. in my rocking chair 
Close my eyes and see
All the places I have been
Just rollin … with the beat

Maybe I’m getting old 
Maybe I’m getting slow 
Maybe things don’t seem like they used to do
Maybe, maybe not…. I don’t know

My Rocking Chair

Saturn aligned. This is so fine.
I have in sight the Moon this time.
Quiet and still, I feel fulfilled.
No one could harm my serenity.

Once in a month, the truce is signed
It lasts few days then fades away.
I don't know why it goes this way. 
And I don't mind. I feel happy.

These last few days were a mayhem indeed.
I was close to sink then I got retrieved.
I can't explain this sudden change.
The sun appeared and dried out the rain.

Once in a month, the truce is signed
It lasts few days then fades away.
I don't know why it goes this way. 
And I don't mind. I feel happy.

I ruin my life most of the days 
Let me enjoy this felicity
Saturn aligned. The Moon in sight.
I’m just right now. No other way

Saturn Aligned (Joy Division Shameless Copy)

**PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION WITH THIS SONG**
https://on.soundcloud.com/fJitR

Mountain Songs is a project dedicated to my brother Brian Reeves (aka Rocky Mountain, 1948–2012), an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and arranger.  He was the creative force behind so many of the songs on this page.  If you have time, please click for lyrics and track history. 
This is for you Bri, with love and thanks from us all.   We miss you. (Gary Reeves)

My brother Terry's songs can also be heard on https://soundcloud.com/crippleclub  and https://soundcloud.com/rootdivision

CLICKETY CLICK - CRIPPLE CLUB & HANS ALBERS

Mountain Songs

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