In the book Mindworker: Maybeck, I include fragments of songs from my published album, Mindworker. I’d like to give you a chance to hear what they sound like with a full musical production. I sang seven songs and David La Flamme sang two. The CD is available on cdbaby.com and Amazon.com.
I’m also presenting nine songs from my second CD, Welcome to Nevada City, God’s Country.
Mindworker: selected songs.
Mindworker. This song, sung by David La Flamme, is about an inner-city teacher coping with troubled students in and out of his classroom.
Big Max. Max is a politician who runs the world from his hot tub with his secret Tuesday night club. Prize winner, Music Factory Songwriting contest. 1981.
Grantwriter… has the solution but he can’t find the problem. Mrs. Grantreader won’t fund him.
Betty on the School Board. She saves the schools and balances the budget by sending 200 teachers to an economic execution.
Prolixin Shuffle. “Don’t drug the children for what they didn’t do.” Featured song, Madness Network News. 1981.
Rites of Spring. “The rites of spring are here again so I’ll sing my song my dear. The board of education’s financial catastrophe happens every year.”
The Cardboard Box Brigade. “If anything is simple, they make it complex. If anything is right, they make it a mess.”
One Time. “Children are the parents of grown-ups. Child is the father to the man… You only have one time being a child, one time.” My producer (Paul Chiten) told me that I had written such a beautiful song that he wasn’t going to let me sing it. Vocal by David La Flamme.
Welcome to Nevada City, God’s Country: selected songs. These are not school related.
Welcome to Nevada City, God’s Country. I’m biased. I moved up here in 2005. We’re above the fog and below the snow here in the Sierra foothills. Check out my music video: WelcomeToNevadaCity.com
Garbage. “Moldy mayonnaise, bacon grease, Coke bottle caps and beer can snaps.” Garbage. Recycle. Compost.
The Roundabout. Lizzie Glotzmier got stuck in the Grass Valley roundabout and never got out.
1-800-911-wife. “So, who do I call to save my life? 1-800-911-wife.”
Country Boy, City Blues. This is about a guy who grows up in the country but… “The city grew up all around me now I don’t know what to do.”
Pagan Baby. Most anyone who was at a Catholic school years ago would remember when their class “bought” an Asian orphan child. “Where is he, where is he, that Pagan Baby that we bought 20 years and one thousand nights ago?”
The Season of Blind Faith. “Don’t listen to the politicians falsify in your face. I don’t believe what they tell me anytime or any place.”
How Old are You, My Son? Spoiler alert. This song traces the birthdays of a young man until he’s 19. Then it has a sad ending.
The Ice Cream Truck Song. This novelty tune received national air play on Doctor Demento. Anti-tax advocates will enjoy the message.
Dear Friends,
There are several songs mentioned in the book that have not yet been recorded, such as: Psychology, Fat Lab Rat, High School Athlete and The A. F. U. C. These may be recorded in the future depending on my energy, money, time and motivation, all of which are in short supply after finishing Mindworker: Maybeck. Be patient with me. Thanks.