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The Purity of Habit and Home

by NewK

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1.
Crossing 03:41
“Crossing” (for David Crosby & James Raymond) Music & Lyrics: January to April, 2014 Words & Music by NewK (aka John Newcott) IST VERSE: The light trips fantastic – engulfs a starry sky Space between the raindrops – a void of chance gone by An unexpected snowfall – some sudden awkward sign All that soulful searching – for elusive peace of mind CHORUS: The gift in life we can’t get back is time Fleeting moments borrowed on An unforgiving dime 2ND VERSE : A tale not worth telling – a sight rarely seen The blink while you missed it – the “what could have been” The thing that never happened – a mumbled “never mind” A lifetime in an instant – the trace you’ll never find CHORUS: The gift in life we can’t get back is time Fleeting moments borrowed on An unforgiving – an unforgiving dime BRIDGE: The act of clutching at straws A constant slamming of doors CODA: The gift in life we can’t get back is time Copyright 2014 SEAN FRANCIS
2.
Faith 05:20
“Faith” (for Sean Caley Newcott) Music & Lyrics: April 28th – May 10, 2013 Words & Music by NewK (aka John Newcott) Ist Verse: Those finer lines though drawn in sand, are somehow etched in stone But sense has once again won out, though wilder seeds were sown Engagement with the darker side, a state of sad unrest No trace of where the future's gone, or who has passed the test Chorus: Faith is all that I might hold for you In solving puzzles steeped in facts with carefully hidden clues Faith is all that I might promise you A weathered heart that always will be true, because it beats for you 2ND Verse : Your star now shines more brightly, your mark more soundly felt The grace your presence brings to bear on stories yet to tell A magic box of artifacts will mark the passing time Your dream-like constellation set in verses free of rhyme Chorus: Faith is all that I might hold for you In solving puzzles steeped in facts with carefully hidden clues Faith is all that I might promise you A weathered heart that always will be true, because it beats for you Copyright 2013 Sean Francis
3.
Two Worlds 05:59
“TWO WORLDS” (for Erin & Leslie) Words & Music by NewK (aka John Newcott) November 4 – 12, 2001 1st verse Slow movement in shadow – still frozen in fear Deep longing for freedom – trapped in a tear No ploy of resistance – will extinguish the flames Hold tight to devotion – try to maintain 2nd half Somewhere in the distance – soft clarion call No telling where truth lies – after it falls 1st bridge No one knows which way the wind will blow and what might come down One quick glance at the sky confirms confusion abounds 1st chorus Night falls – swiftly – as we – can only cry 2nd verse Two sisters of mercy – sweet breath of surprise Moonlight in a bottle – stars in their eyes No semblance of pretense – grand smiles of delight Cool shadings of wisdom – bright colors of light 2nd half Somewhere in the distance – soft rustle of wings Such moments of grace – angels voices can bring 2nd bridge All that’s certain is somehow daylight will come back around Another morning on the threshold of something profound 2nd chorus Day breaks – brightly – and we – will surely smile c 2001 Sean Francis
4.
Aperture 05:29
"APERTURE" (for Henri Cartier Bresson & Alan Pasqua) Words & Music by NewK (aka John Newcott) Music: February 10 - March 19th, 2010 Lyrics: April 30, 2010 1st verse Beams of light – from who knows where / Tracing shapes – accepting dares Cast in shadow – pale and bare / to help expose - what is not there The landscape that no – one escapes 2nd verse Streams of light – from unknown source / the details lost – on us of course The poise and grace – of birds in flight / what's not okay - what seems alright The rain that falls – the sound it makes 1st refrain: Vistas grand – sights obscene / the faint of heart – in crowded scenes Ties that bind – tides that turn / what disappears - and what returns FIRST CHORUS That space in the mind – where memory's retained Recounting all that's lost – discounting what's been gained 3rd verse Drops of blood – soil morning snow / Mark the spots - where nothing's grown Reduced to tears by - what can't be shown 2nd refrain: Shards of glass – refract what's real / what strikes our eye – What makes us feel Ties that bind – tides that turn / what disappears - and what returns SECOND CHORUS Footsteps in the hall – A haunting refrain Twilight and discontent – Remembrance and shame Emerging with wits intact – On top of your game Enriched by the thrill of that - Though not quite the same As when you drew closer to - the dark side of the flame Releasing what's lost - Embracing what's gained © 2010 Sean Francis
5.
“ENOUGH ABOUT YOU" Words – June to July 2005 Music – May to July 2005 Words & Music by NewK (aka John Newcott) 1st verse Suffered all the lame objections – vain attempts at compromise A patchwork of deceptions – all you failed to realize Your not so sly inventions – based on what amounts to lies Ill conceived transgressions – mixed with half baked alibis 2rd verse And I curse the day I met you – wish it could be taken back Any kindness that’s been lost – can be traced to what you lack While the future lurches forward – all the precious time you took Can’t be replaced or re-invented – you might take another look CHORUS Re-invent the wheel as if it mattered You’ll still be fumbling in the dark These obsessions of the moment won’t amount to Anymore than another selfish lark Resilience is your overblown contention You haven’t the will to carry on It all boils down to what you’re really made of And in the end you’re heartless yearnings will be gone 3rd verse So ridiculous and petty – what’s this really all about? Did you store up your resentment – so you could take the crueler route? Was this all for your amusement? – or to fuel your growing doubt? A life devoid of truth or substance – all you’ll never figure out That these lines just get more blurry – and your needs will vanish too Because what really matters most – has not a thing to do with you (CHORUS) CODA: YOU’LL BE GONE ã 2005 Sean Francis
6.
"Light and Dark" (for Rebecca Martin) Words & Music by NewK (aka John Newcott) Music: September 3rd – 11th, 2010 Lyrics: September 3rd – October 11, 2010 1st verse Passed the point of no return – where one can’t see what gets thrown back Beyond the sky – behind what’s left – where nothing ever gets on track 2nd verse The mystery, some tangled web – the yarn’s already come undone It’s memory, not twist of fate – that covers up what’s said and done 1st refrain: Staring deeply into empty spaces – caught between what’s found and lost Knowing anything that might be gained – won’t come without great cost Chorus Life between the light and dark – a game where nothing ends – or starts 3rd verse Dark reflections ill defined – still cast strange shadows on the lake While a chill of marked indifference – informs the choices no one makes 2nd refrain: Left to face the great unknown – risks not taken – chances blown Chorus Life between the light and dark – a game where nothing ends – or starts © 2010 Sean Francis

about

“So impressed by your writing and beautiful singing and playing. I love your singing so much, your emotion and connection to the lyrics and stories. Love the dedications too.” – Luciana Souza

“This is really beautiful music. Great chord changes and melodies. Like the lyrics too. I’ve known NewK for over 10 years now and had no idea he was this kind of a musician. I’m very impressed.” – Jon Cowherd

“An artist who I have loved for a very long time has released a touching and wonderful new EP. NewK explores life and love through an astonishing array of melody, harmony and key changes that continually challenge, surprise and delight. John lives with sincerity which communicates in every moment of this music. Please take a quiet moment and listen to songs straight from a beautiful heart.” – Anita C. Smith: Denver, CO

credits

released June 17, 2018

NewK
The Purity of Habit and Home

1.) Crossing (for David Crosby & James Raymond)  3:39 
2.) Faith (for Sean Caley Newcott) 5:13
3.) Two Worlds (for Erin & Leslie) 5:55
4.) Aperture (for Henri Cartier Bresson & Alan Pasqua) 5:28
5.) Enough About You (for Elvis Costello) 4:53
6.) Light and Dark (for Rebecca Martin) 3:04

NewK: Vocals, guitars, piano

All music & lyrics by NewK (aka John Newcott)
(© Sean Francis / ASCAP 2018)

Produced by NewK & Blake Reynolds
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Blake Reynolds

All tracks recorded and mixed at Dinofarm Studios Goldens Bridge, NY
Additional recording on “Two Worlds” at NewK Studios Jersey City, NJ

P & © 2018 NewK All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Please visit www.newkisms.com

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about

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.
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