I love dogs. Always have, always will. They’re called man’s best friend for a reason.
This song has been kicking around for years and I’m glad I finally got around to recording it.

When I asked my multi-instrumentalist friend Fred Sokolow if he’d like to add something to the track he immediately said the dobro because, he said, it is often called the hound dog guitar for the mournful howl it can make (stick around to the end of the song and you’ll hear it..)

Pictured is my dog Sossy given to me and named by my amigo Peter Anlyan back in the day when friends would just give each other dogs! We were Jethro Tull fans and they had a song Sossity- You’re a Woman. Remember it?

She was one good dog.

MM- Guitar, bass, drums
Fred Sokolow- dobro and banjo
Mixed by Tony Phillips
Graphics by Kylie Monagan

VIDEO- I’d like to invite you to send me a photo of you and/or your dog to be part of a collage for a music video. I aim to match photos with what is being said in the lyrics.

For example: Your dog “cheering you up”, or your dog “NOT fetching” or your dog “going out in a storm”

Capiche?

“I’m Just a Dog”

I’m just a dog, they say I’m good for nothing
I just eat and sleep all the day
I’m just a dog, I don’t earn no money
I’m not smart or funny so they say

But tell me, who’ll run to you when no one wants to know you
And make you feel like king for a day
And tell me, who’ll go with you when the winter wind is blowing
And on your friends you can’t depend
Suddenly I am man’s best friend

I don’t chase the cat, I don’t bring your shoes
I don’t fetch the paper cause who wants to read bad news

But tell me who doesn’t care if your day has been a bummer
Cause every day is summer here with me
And tell me who’ll cheer you up when the world is on your shoulders
And you feel like you’re at wits end
Suddenly I am man’s best friend

This wedding song was written and recorded many years ago at Emitt Rhodes studio with Penny Nichols and Deborah McColl.

It’s languished for all these years because I could never seem to be able to get back into the studio to make a proper mix so with both Penny and Emitt gone I figured a rough mix will just have to do.

Scott Chambers on bass
Bill Elliott on electric piano.
Enhanced by Tony Phillips.
Graphics- Kylie Monagan

The photo was taken by Benedetta Falugi in Barolo Italy at Kylie and Iacopo’s wedding.

“Forever”

Watch him when he talks of her, see him smile
There’s a sparkle in his eye, and I know why, cause
He has searched a long, long time
And now he knows that he’s in love, forever

She can’t hide the way she feels, see her glow
There’s a lightness to her step, and I know why, cause
She has searched a long, long time
And now she knows that she’s in love, forever

River of love, runs deep and wide
River of love, knows the reason why

They have searched a long, long time
And now they know that they’re in love, forever
And ever, forever, together, forever

One day my daughter Maura asked why I didn’t perform my old song Keep on Walkin’ as it was one of her favorites and I said it was because I didn’t like the lyrics. She gave me a sideways look and said, “So, why don’t you write some new ones?” KIDS!! The gauntlet was thrown down so I did write some new ones and recorded a new version. MUCH improved.

Mixed by Tony Phillips

Photo- Gaili Schoen

Graphics- Kylie Monagan

“Keep on Walkin’”

Deception comes in many colors, it’s everywhere, like the air we breath
I’m overwhelmed with your litany of lies, so it’s time for me to take my leave
Stop right there, say no more. I’ll grab my coat and I’m out the door

I’m just gonna, keep on walkin, until I know I’m gone
Cause there’s been too much talkin and not enough done
I’m just gonna, keep on moving, like a slow, steady stream
Eyes wide open, chasin down a dream

I’ve tried and I’ve tried to understand you,
but I’ve come to believe that you just don’t care
You’re stuck in your own little world without a clue
so let me get out of your hair
No more drama, no more tears, I’ll pack my bag, and get outa here
Chorus

You can say I’m just running away but my mind’s about to explode
And I know I can clear my mind if I hit the road

That highway sound, the wind in my face, the open road is so damn pretty
I’m pointed north, with no regrets, my destination New York City
I know I’ll find her, somehow someday, hearts of passion always find a way
Chours

Yes, there is Zoom, and Skype, and FactTime, and they all DO bring us closer and are better than nothing but the human touch reigns supreme and is irreplaceable. The isolation that we have experienced these past few years has been crushing and we all long for skin to skin contact or at the very least a good, long hug. Whether you’re quarantined 10 feet away in the back bedroom or on the other side of the world- too far away is too far away..,

Bass- Gabe Davis
Mix- Tony Phillips
Graphics- Kylie Monagan

“Too Far Away”

Talkin on the phone won’t get me there,
I wanna run my fingers through your hair
I reach for you at night but you’re not there,
I wanna know what’s real

Are you even thinkin of me?,
Your face is not as clear as it used to be
I can control the things I see, but not the way I feel

Baby you’re too far, you’re too far,
You’re too far away, too far away

I try to do my job but I make a mess,
I try to sleep at night but I get no rest
I wanna lay my head down on your chest,
Baby please come home

I read your letters and look for signs,
And think about the meaning between the lines
It’s so lonely at supper time, just me and the telephone
(Chorus)

Time goes by and I’m left alone with this hunger
Time goes by and we’re not gettin any younger

The sun has set and it’s starting to rain,
It’s times like these I feel the pain
I can hear the sound of the evening train, carry through the night
Will we find peace, well I can’t say,
I’m livin my life from day to day
I’m in love from far away, hoping that I’m right
(Chorus)