Tongue & Strings 7

Rub me the wrong way 
And you’ll see 
Rub me the wrong way 
And you’ll see 

The bad side 
I didn’t know I had it but 
It’s a bad side 
Better watch out 

I thought I was mellowing out 
But I don’t know 

The bad side 
I didn’t know I had it but 
It’s a bad side 
Better watch out

The Bad Side

This song is about the war in Israel, from the time a soldier is called-up for duty to protect his land, and him paying the ultimate price for his/her service. It's also a song about those who are affected by the loss of the solider who is not coming home. Produced/Arranged by Steve Duffie, John M Horner. Performed by Khalednk, and Phil Farrott I hope 'I Saw The Fire' strikes a nerve within you. Also, thanks to Rohma S. who provided the LP Cover.

I Saw The Fire

Columbia Cold(prod.doozy99)

Still Close (Prod. neverforever )

Hold me so close, don't you ever let go.
We both knew this ship had been loaded too low.
There's a sign somewhere saying we entered here at our own risk.
Oh, hold me, but let out the rope.
Just holding back from abysses and lows.
I'll keep you away from the things that I see when I'm down...

Shoulders upright, as the world hacks away, at my roots as I stumble and fall along the way.
Who's to pick me up off of the floor at the end of the night.
I'll face up to forever and go.
Out in the world full of confidence, knowing.
Always some hole I can crawl into when I'm back down....

All complicit, at the end of the day.
So easy to chase.
It's hard to admit that I'm wrong.
When I'm wrong.
The tossing and turning of turbulent night.
We all start to swing when we're losing the fight, and we're wrong.
And we're wrong...

Hold me so close, don't you ever let go.
The winter winds bite and the shadows they grow.
The walls that we build up will flatten the bridges we mend.
So just kiss me and never let go.
I'll hold your head when you're laid in the snow.
You just ignore anything I say when I get down...

Eternity hits at the end of the day.
There's more than one way.
It's hard to admit that I'm wrong.
When I'm wrong.
The fire still burns through the un-ending night.
It's tempting swing when you're losing the fight, and you're wrong.
And you're wrong...

The redemption just takes the pleasure away.
No endless debates.
It's hard to admit that I'm wrong.
When I'm wrong.
The fire still burns and competes with the night.
So easy to swing when you're losing the fight and you're wrong.
And you're wrong...

Hold me so close, don't you ever let go.
We both know this ship had been loaded too low.
There's a sign somewhere saying, we entered here at our own risk.
So just kiss me and never let go.
I'll hold back you from the demons below.
I'll keep myself to myself when I feel a bit down...

Let Go

Lean On

"Don't Turn out the Lights" is the debut single from “Alex in Wonderland” by American songwriter, ALEX KAUTZ.

Released March 21, 2019. 

© Haus of Kautz

Alex in Wonderland

Don't Turn out the Lights

The Nashville troubadour takes listeners on a journey to the heart of American music.

Mark Henes has spent years performing around Nashville’s music scene, cultivating a loyal following with his genre hopping, Americana influenced sound.  Now he is finally ready to formally introduce himself to the world with the release of his debut album “Crystallized Reflections,” which features thirteen stellar tracks that touch on everything from country and soul to punk.  

Lead single “Ghost Train” kicks things off.  A haunted ode to lost love, the song takes its influence from the outlaw country of the seventies, with a hard edged sound held together by Henes’ booming baritone.  Mark immediately starts to show his versatility as he switches gears on album highlight “I Pray, I Pray,” in which he is backed by a soulful horn section.  The acoustic guitar driven “The Underground” channels Johnny Cash.  “I am traveling to the north country,” he sings mournfully, as a string section sets the mood behind him.

There are many artists out there who can play multiple genres, but very few who can do it as convincingly as Henes.  This is best exemplified by “Strip Me Down,” in which the young songwriter shows off a completely different side of his artistry.  An energetic pop punk song that would sound right at home on the Warped Tour, it shows Mark at his most confrontational, with a hook that gets stuck in your head right away and stays there for weeks.

Across thirteen songs, Mark rarely repeats himself stylistically, but the entire album is held together by his commanding voice and thematic consistency.  On “Arm Full Of Roses,” he slows things down again, with a comforting ballad that might have sounded at home on vintage FM radio in the sixties.  The reverb heavy guitars and doo wop harmonies enhance the retro magic of the production, before giving way to chugging blues rock of “Death Was The Penalty,” in which Mark plays the role of convicted criminal as a wall of guitars provides the soundtrack for his getaway.

By the time Henes gets to album closer “Tennessee Hills,” with its old time fiddles and banjos, the listener gets the sense they’ve spent the past hour or so driving slowly across the middle of the country, exchanging stories and songs with a childhood friend.  “Crystallized Reflections” is a truly one of a kind album from an artist who is just getting started on his musical journey.  

“Crystallized Reflections” is available everywhere Oct 30, 2020

Crystallized Reflections

Goodbye

Hi! I'm a Singer-Songwriter, Guitarist and Producer from Oxford, England. My influences are Rock, Folk, Jazz, Funk, Blues as well as Electronic Dance Music. I collaborate with other musicians and also work on solo projects.

Tongue & Strings 7

johngoldrust2000.com