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Those Who Drift Away

by Brigid Kaelin

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1.
Everywhere I look I see an empty plot of land Every time I turn around you’re telling me that it’s quicksand I need something I can dig my nails in deep down in the dirt And you’re standing over there wondering when I will get hurt. Well, I’d like to take the time to tell you that I’ll be just fine That despite what you may think I really haven’t lost my mind I’d like to let you criticize me let you rant until you’re through But there’s more I’ve got to do than sit and argue with you. I’ve gotta fill up all my notebooks with nonsense that rhymes I’ve gotta watch my garden grow parsley sage rosemary and thyme And have silent conversations with old Parisian mimes But I don’t gotta listen to you. No I don't gotta listen, i don't gotta listen, i don't gotta listen to you. You tell me that you think I’m smart and talented at that And ask me why I waste my time on all this sentimental crap You shower me with pity and advie that I won’t heed You’re spending too much precious time on all that I don’t need I’ve got to sit around for hours counting all my freckles Gotta memorize the entire works of karl marx and hegel Contemplate what lies within the eyes of tj eckleberg But I don’t gotta listen to you No I don't gotta listen, i don't gotta listen, i don't gotta listen to you. I’ve got to travel on blue highways writing nonsense singing songs Getting everyone I meet along the way to sing along Visit all the places where you say I don’t belong But I don’t gotta listen to you. No I don't gotta listen, i don't gotta listen, i don't gotta listen to you.
2.
Put something pretty on, twirly and give me one minute to grab my red boots The city’s been killin’ me, no longer fulfillin’ me at least that’s my latest excuse Let’s take a chance, take a pause for a dance, your boots look like they need breakin’ in. Hands on my shoulders, just listen, take hold of the banjos and old violins. I’ll take you home to Kentucky tonight We’ll dance and maybe get lucky tonight and we’ll think not a minute of trouble or plights we’re just Waltzing Kentucky tonight. Don’t need to leave the room, eyes and we’ll be there together we’ve got all we need songs made of mandolins, bluegrass, and good bourbon, playin’ for just you and me We’ll waltz through blue highways, dance backwards and sideways make up the words as we go dreamin’ of far away, back in the bluegrass state/ moonlight and ol’ bill monroe I’ll take you home to Kentucky tonight We’ll dance and maybe get lucky tonight and we’ll think not a minute of trouble or plights we’re just Waltzing Kentucky tonight. 


3.
Sparkles, lights, and cowboy boots, pretending you don't know me. Shaking hands and drinking late, but I'll never be lonely. At the end of the night, if you'll just do this one thing, turn your smile this way, and look at me like that Just give me one look, one look, half a smile, eyes that gleam, it's all I'll ever, ever need. One look, one look, and I'll know it's all for me. I can share you with a crowd and know that I'll survive the looks upon their faces when you sing about their lives tells me all I'll need to know and how much they love you too I don't need a back row seat because of that small thing you do You give me one look, one look, half a smile, eyes that gleam, it's all i'll ever, ever need. One look, one look, and i'll know it's all for me. I don't need, my own song to know that you love me The spotlight on you're smiling eyes, singing oh so sincerely And that one look, one look, half a smile, eyes that gleam, it's all i'll ever ever need One look, one look, half a smile, eyes that gleam, it's all i'll ever ever need One look. One look, one look, and i'll know it's all for me.
4.
The Jester 04:09
The jester was a quiet man, but every word he spoke was as cutting as a blade of grass He wasn’t used to the attention, but i looked him in the eyes he stared me down, poured me a glass of wine with his blue suede shoes and alabaster grin he lies back in his chair and laughs but i don’t care the king just sings and plays a few more tunes but i just watch the tapping of the jester’ blue suede shoes and he says that he’s from paris, but i don’t hear an accent but that’s a great line, i think i might use it he’s usually the odd one, but today i think it’s me he asks me how i do it and wonders cunningly with his blue suede shoes and alabaster grin he lies back in his chair and laughs but i don’t crae the king just sings and plays a few more tunes and everybody claps but i just watch the tapping of the jester’s blue suede shoes His eyes play melodies, they stare at me they stare at me and I’ve Never been so proud to sing along. the king he went home early, but the jester he played on shook all of our hands, outgoing but withdrawn he wonders how I do it, but it’s he who gets the prize mysterious and beautiful and transparent disguise with his blue suede shoes and alabaster grin he lies back in his chair and laughs but i don’t care the king just sings and plays a few more tunes enchanted and enraptured and everybody clap here but i just was the tapping of the jester’s blue suede shoes
5.
Big ol' house, 4 SUVs, 3.2 kids with a social disease 1 dog with 48 fleas, and it adds up to nothing at all. I'm on marriage number 3 and a half. This one is nice, but he looks like a giraffe I was looking for love, but i settled for a laugh now i've got nothing at all I've got nothing at all, and he's got nothing but you and probably, you've got nothing too but that's all right, we'll be ok I wouldn't have it any other way. Walking down 14th street in my $300 shoes tossing 25 cents to a man singing 12-bar blues I've seen 4 oceans and 7 seas, and i'm proud to drink $6 coffees i can't do the math without a machine, but they say i've got nothing at all.
6.
Get your hands, get your hands off my man Get your hands, get your hands off my man What you think he’s gonna do? Leave me for crazy you? Darlin, get a clue and get your hands off my man. Get your thoughts, get your thoughts off my man Get your thoughts, get your thoughts off my man I could write poetry, but I think it’s plain to see I’m beyond subtlety Get your hands off my hand. Get your plans, get your plans off my man Get your plans, get your plans off my man You may pretty lady, but I think you’re pretty crazy And me, I’m gonna have his baby, Get your hands off my man. Get your eyes, get your eyes off my man Get your eyes, get your eyes off my man I’ve been nice so far, darlin, but I’m really barely started You’ll end up brokenhearted, it’s high time you departed Thanks for playing, darlin, get your hands off my man.
7.
My Miss 03:39
It’s 9 in the morning, and i’m fixing breakfast just for one today and the country station’s playing some old tired song ‘bout a man who’s gone away but this time, boy, it’s me who’s gone and i’m sorry if you’re all alone but i just couldn’t stand it one more day you were sweet and you were fun and you were kind to everyone ‘xcept for me they loved you they adored you, they wonder why i left, but they just don’t see the way you loved so deeply, purely, wholely, loved yourself, that is so instead of being your Misses, i’m just my miss. you may be angry now, but i’m sure real soon you’re gonna be just fine and you’ll even find yourself a girl whose cooking is as good as mine then you can go back to that dirty old bar, and tell everyone there how much better off you are now that i’ve gone far away for good this time you were sweet and you were fun and you were kind to everyone ‘xcept for me they loved you they adored you, they wonder why i left, but they just don’t see the way you loved so deeply, purely, wholely, loved yourself, that is so instead of being your Misses, i’m just my miss. I'd rather be my own girl than be his.
8.
Annie Oakley 02:44
9.
Once I had a garden in Old Town, and a gate and bicycle too. And a cobblestone street and an old apple tree, once i had a friend in you. You stood up so straight in the spotlight, but hunched in the shadows and sang. And you touched my shoulder and said to remember that once i had everything once i had a slow french waltz and a single malt and a book of old Burns poetry And a Christmas card and a custom guitar Once I had a friend in thee. It's so nice to meet you, here's a key to my flat and a bottle of whisky, i heard you liked that I'll be just down the street for a stay with my mum, if you need anything, please give me a call. I've left you a slow french waltz and a single malt and a book of old Burns poetry And a welcome card and a custom guitar now I have a friend in thee. We waltzed in the back of the room to your song the boy he was only ten days young if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here so thanks for the music, the friends, and the cheers When i think of a slow french waltz, a single malt, and a book of old Burns poetry. I'll think of the songs, I'll toast to you, slainte. Glad I once had a friend in thee.
10.
Louisville 03:28
Big Town, Small City Don’t know which, take your pick Slow down, move quickly North or south, you sure are pretty Those who drift away always come back home somedau on a giant rubber band Stretched out as far as it can go Leading back to Louisville. Great place to be from That’s what they say, So proud of every one who left and made their name Those who drift away Always come back here someday like a giant rubber band stretched out as far as they can go leading back to Louisville you’re my home, you always will. Bluegrass, fried chicken Last call at 4am People still smile and say hello to strangers at the grocery store I drifted away But I’ll be back home someday On that giant rubber band that is stretched out as far as it can go, pulling back to Louisville.
11.
Woke up this morning like i do in every song went to brush my teeth and saw that there was something wrong that ain't water in the drain, and let me tell y'all that something that i smelled there was puregrain alcohol there's whisky in the faucet oh man, i thought i'd lost it that amber water flowing drop by drop so grab a mason jar, 'cause it's time to stock the bar, oh lord, oh please, don't ever let it stop i ran into the ktichen as fast as i could go checked the sink in there to see if it had the whisky flow much to my surprise it was flowing like a fountain this must be what they mean by the big rock candy mountain i called my firneds to spread the news, before ten minutes passed folks i didn't even know where holding out a glass lagavulin, talisker, laphroaig, mccallan, strathmill i didn't care how much they drink, my landlord pays the bills now me and all my friends, we just party until dark 'cause there ain't a chance in hell that we'll run out of highland park the only problem i can see that makes things kinda tricky you can't take a bath to hide the smell, when the pipes are flowing whisky
12.
We’ll make them all jealous They’ll never want to see us Holding hands and strolling down the boulevard Nothing lasts forever Except when we’re together Look me in the eyes and say you’re not in love. Together we’ll be more than you and me We’ll be the moon, the stars, the holy ghost Johnny and June, the dish and the spoon Like eggs and toast. Your sparkly blue eyes Your soft squishy thighs The way you look at me and everything is fine Never knew I’d be so glad for my life The two of us forever walking side by side.

about

Following the success of her first two studio albums, Kaelin spent several years playing all over America and Europe, living in Scotland, playing as a sideman in other bands, writing, having two babies, oversharing on her blog “The Red Accordion Diaries” and balancing musician-life with motherhood. Those Who Drift Away is the culmination of this balance — a studio record with optimism, sass, and the hint of irreverence that her audience loves.

Recorded mostly on Steve Cooley’s houseboat on the Ohio River — the vocals recorded literally the day before her second son was born — Those Who Drift Away features Kaelin’s trademark accordion, piano, and musical saw, but also shows off Grammy-nominated Steve Cooley’s incredible picking power from banjo to bass. Award winners Aaron Bibelhauser and Michael Cleveland lend steel guitar and fiddle, rounding out a more old-time country vibe than Kaelin’s previous recordings.

Musically, Kaelin remains a little alt-country and a little vaudeville, with the mysterious banjo/accordion/musical saw number “The Jester,” a song inspired by her first time sharing the stage with her keyboard-idol, Steve Nieve (with Elvis Costello & the Imposters). She also offers up some straightforward bluesy-rock with “Louisville,” a love-song to her hometown. As she sings in that song, “those who drift away always come back home someday,” — and that’s exactly what Kaelin has done with this strong return to the Louisville music scene.

A pre-sale campaign is available at PledgeMusic.com/brigidkaelin

“Genre-defying vaudeville rocker.” - A Prairie Home Companion

credits

released July 28, 2017

Brigid Kaelin: piano, accordion, organ, musical saw, vocals, background vocals
Steve Cooley: guitars, mandolin, banjo, bass, background vocals
Michael Cleveland: fiddle
Aaron Bibelhauser: steel guitar
Cathy Wilde: whistle on 9
David Caldwell: whistling on 12
Andy Brown: drums on 1,4,6,8,12
Jesse Hall: drums on 2,3,5,7,10

Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Steve Cooley at Steve’s on the River, Louisville, KY, 2015-2017
© 2017 Brigid Kaelin
Ⓟ 2017 Brigid Kaelin
All songs by Brigid Kaelin
“Annie Oakley” by Brigid Kaelin & Rebecca Renzi
Red Accordion Records, ASCAP
www.brigidkaelin.com @BrigidKaelin
Graphic Design by Alfred Moreschi

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Brigid Kaelin Louisville

A "plucky redhead," a "genre-defying vaudeville rocker," and an "amazing multi-instrumentalist," Brigid Kaelin is a full-on entertainer. You've read her blog, heard her on the BBC and on NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion," seen her play accordion with Elvis Costello, and laughed and cried at her original alt-country cabaret songs. Maybe it's time to buy her albums? ... more

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