1. |
Sighing in Stereo
04:01
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"SIGHING IN STEREO"
Words and music by NewK (aka John Newcott)
May 2004
1st verse
There’s just no rest for all the dreamers – too busy dreaming all the time
Of grander plans and higher purpose – calling cards of the clueless and blind
The lines of conflict get too blurry – all too harsh and so unkind
The faint of heart just keep on longing – for what gets twisted in the mind
1st CHORUS
There’s only one thing that seems certain
That uncertainty abounds
And fuels anxiety and tension
Some hope of hope but on what grounds?
2nd verse
Precious memories to recover – suspend belief and give them a chance
There’s no escape from one another – cushion your fall from awkward circumstance
Tenderness can be misleading – sometimes it’s just another shield
So keep your guard up and remember – that no one else can make you yield
2nd CHORUS
And that same something still is certain
That confusion reigns supreme
Take a deep breath and grab a number
Will you be waking from this dream?
2004 Sean Francis
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2. |
Pals
04:19
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"Pals" (for Anita)
Words: August 14-21, 1980
Music: August 26, 1980
NewK (aka John Newcott)
There's a slew of indecisions, scattered loosely cross the boards
It's not how the wounds are opened, but how much blood one can afford
Another hand caught in the rockslide, another body bound to fall
There's someone drowning in this screaming, but no one seems to hear the call
Chorus:
So reward me for my patience, just toss your tokens to the wind
Walk away, you owe me nothing, it's just a sleight of hand again
Recognize the hollow laughter of some misery unseen
No matter what we might decipher, there's no clue to what it means
There's no turning back for comfort, the future prospects are too lean
But it doesn't halt our searchings, though we've picked the bones quite clean
Chorus
An endless series of demands, that no one intends to meet
A redundant set of odds, that no one ever cares to beat
Yet despite all these trials, and a smattering of fear
There's some bond that develops, though just why is still unclear
And it's carved out our fortunes, in glass and in steel
Chorus
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3. |
Madonna and Child
04:30
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“Madonna & Child”
(for Kathleen & Roseanna)
Words and Music by NewK (aka John Newcott)
July 1979
1st Verse:
She can’t find a handle to keep herself under
And I don’t know what I’m trying to sell
Refrain:
Well I know what I’m doing – but I don’t know if I’m doing it well
2nd Verse:
Wearing a sign that elicits false feelings
I’m afraid that it’s too early to tell
Refrain:
Well I know what I’m doing – but I don’t know if I’m doing it well
Bridge:
If there’d been a reason to have begged me to stay
The whole thing would have worked out so well
But in my blindest ambitions and to my selfish dismay
We were left with only hollow farewells
Chorus:
There’s only second motives on the firing line
And the rest is based on when it will end
Well I know it’s not fair, but it’s the grounds on which she waits to defend
She can’t control her feelings for her only child
And she’s struggling just to make her amends
Though I know she can make it
It still grieves me when she only pretends
3rd Verse:
No hint of direction in the sensitive blunders
And I wasn’t even there when she fell
(Refrain)
4th Verse:
The guilt and the shame can’t erase the contention
That I once was clearly wrapped in their spell
(Refrain)
2nd Bridge:
The Madonna and child were a moment away
From rekindling the love that escaped
But the pressures of failure were too much to bear
And it all fell together too late
(Chorus)
5th Verse:
Well it reached a condition where one only could wonder
If it ever had a chance left in hell
(Refrain)
6th Verse
The act of contrition which was left half unspoken
Was too painful and too fragile to tell
(Refrain)
Coda:
Don’t know – if I’ve been doing it well
Don’t know – if I’ve been doing it well
Don’t know
1979 Sean Francis
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4. |
Blood and Trust
05:51
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"Blood & Trust"
Words: October 1981 - November 1983
Music: November 1983
NewK (aka John Newcott)
All my emotional charges are loaded with blanks
There's no input forthcoming, no relief and no thanks
I'm wrecked and I'm ruined, left alone for half dead
Still got this dull straight edge razor, stashed away near my bed
Well, I still know how to use it, should the occasion arise
I'll rip some flesh if required, cut my fears down to size
I'm huddled up in a corner, half asleep and bone dry
My hands are still shaking, got this twitch in one eye
I'm just biding my time, my stare still fixed on the door
No wishful thinking or praying will get it back like before
With every ache that I've felt, for every nickel and dime
There's not one thing in my life, that I could ever call mine
1st Chorus:
There's this pain that cuts right through me, just how deep, I cannot tell
I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but you pulled it off so well
Fetch a pair of loaded dice now, cut a deck of well marked cards
I've gambled half my life away, I'll spend what's left with your regards
Caught someone strangling my dreams, while I was sleeping last night
A flash of flame near my face, a moment's loss of all sight
I stumbled round in the darkness, for some lost feeling of hope
But all I felt was the knife's edge, that certain burn of the rope
2nd Chorus:
I've passed the point of no return, have drawn the final straw
A renegade can't play the saint, if they live outside the law
Though all rhyme and no reason, means to forfeit the game
I'll throw away all my chances, sit here and lose just the same
Lose just the same
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5. |
FZ
02:54
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"FZ"
Words and music by NewK (aka John Newcott)
December 2001 - January 2003
How did it happen? – that your whole world seemed to turn to blue?
Where were you looking? – as those dreams began to fade from view?
Who were you seeking? – when the writing vanished from the wall?
Whose heart was beating? – as the guilty one’s about to be called?
Anticipating – all those fears you hoped would soon subside
Invigorating – was the rush you felt once you realized
All of the waiting – was a test to see how much you’d endure
That blinding vision – of that future of which you were so sure
But there’s no tomorrow – just an empty promise no one could keep
No pat solution – to these troubles that grow darker and deep
You needed guidance – to avoid the shallow traps that await
All of that hoping – made you stumble blindly into the gate
NO HOLDS BARRED – SEEKING ANSWERS – NO ONE CAN PROVIDE
2004 Sean Francis
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6. |
Interiors
05:51
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"Interiors"
Words & Music sometime in 1979
NewK (aka John Newcott)
Spun back in the whirlpool, caught in the freezing cold
Clutching at these swirling sands, feel like I'm losing hold
Keep confusing all these visions I see, can't determine which apply to me
Chorus:
Trying to recover, from what I'd thought I'd seen
Can't divert the power of, this darkness settling in
The light's tinged with grayness, the facts are still not clear
Is it some hope or illusion, or some much deeper fear
That there's no way to get a glimpse of my face
To sense which scars have blended in without trace
Chorus
The waves are pounding senselessly, upon this barren shore
Where once there was some semblance of life
That these same waters bore
Searching in vain for some lost part of myself
That keeps eluding me in everyone else
Chorus
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7. |
What Folk Are Sayin'
03:54
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WHAT FOLK ARE SAYIN’
Words originally written 1987, rewritten October 2007
Music October 2007
NewK (aka John Newcott)
(for Dalis Allen, Vince Bell, Doyle Cook and Skip Smith)
IST VERSE:
Sense is not a secret password – used to measure style or clout
Guided by some twisted logic – that alleviates all doubt
Sing a song of frightened children – cover ups and awkward leaks
All these wonders pass on by as – a fleeting ghost of godhood speaks
CHORUS:
Take another turn for freedom – the sad resolve in “so it seems”
Unload another well-worn burden – a step removed from what it means
Retreat into the heart of matters – the place where no one ever tells
About the nagging guilt and conscience – grand intentions won’t dispel
2ND VERSE :
Some twisted dream to be an outlaw – produced another failing saint
Posturing and attitude won’t – make you into what you ain’t
Let the chill of your indifference – put the wind back in those sails
Build a treasure chest for heroes – one that’s stronger but still fails
2nd CHORUS:
Defer to all those masks of childhood – that kept you safe from deeper fears
Research the lies that always followed – dismissal of those stifled tears And transcended all the shackles – the fear of night and sudden chill
That the unclean hands extended – were merely waiting for the kill
OUTRO:
Sense is not a secret password – used to measure style or clout
Guided by some twisted logic – that alleviates all doubt
Copyright 2007 SEAN FRANCIS
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8. |
Shot from the Heart
06:20
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"Shot from the Heart"
Words & Music: Nov. 29th - Dec. 1st, 1980
NewK (aka John Newcott)
Despite all the pivots, the twists and the turns
There's no trace of any single bridge left to burn
I'm left there screaming, this blazing torch in my hand
Not a thing left to claim, not a prayer or demand
Disregarding for now, all the litanies of praise
Avoiding the shadows of every question they raise
Chorus:
I'll disappear in the night, drop the barrel of the smoking gun
There's no denying you're right, but I still haven't anywhere left to run
Running in circles, desperately shaded in grey
Not much to offer, almost nothing to say
Virtually silent in the realms of the heart
Clumsily groping for some signal to start
Misreading the cues, the chances I've pissed away
Retreating to you and over running my stay
Chorus
Gnawing at dreams in the heat of the night
Bowing to fears that never did seem quite right
Confronting my choices, finding nothing is there
Just barely missing some passing whim in the air
No need is misused, they're merely read the wrong way
My hand is face down, I've nothing more to play
Chorus
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NewK Jersey City, New Jersey
Started writing music at age 13. In the early 70's, "opened" as a singer/songwriter for: Vince Bell; Guy Clark; Lightning
Hopkins; Willis Alan Ramsey.
Played in various jazz & rock bands, while working in multiple capacities in the theater. Writes both song form & instrumental works. In addition to my own work in the studio, Co-Produced the last 3 recordings by jazz pianist Michael Wolff.
... more
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