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Valleywood

by Dan Parsons

supported by
Brett Wood
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Brett Wood Dan Parsons is a storyteller. It's what he does best in the tradition of Those great American west coast artists of the 1970s and this record is a collection of stories that hook you in and not just by the narrative but through the chords, melody and rhythm. It's a crime that this troubadour isn't a household name. He damn well should be.
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1.
Now, if you want, we can drive into town. Maybe pick up the drugs cause' your prescription ran out. It's no secret that you defend your means when they're at odd with your ends. I'll pick you up when you're down with the pharmacy; You can take the back seat if you need to sleep. We can go anywhere you want just stick with me. Once we spoke of love inside a taxicab, With chewing gum stuck to the back of my leg. Now something evil is going down as the lights ahead turn red on the way, downtown. I'll pick you up when you're down with the pharmacy; You can take the back seat if you need to sleep. We can go anywhere you want just stick with me. Cause' I know you better than you think I do, Maybe I got what you need just to see it through; Whatever it is, don't be afraid to. Let me say it straight and you can hold me to this. Don't confuse this pain with another man's bliss. Cause' it's getting harder watching from outside. If you want it badly I know for sure you'll try. I'll pick you up when you're down with the pharmacy; You can take the back seat if you need to sleep. We can go anywhere you want just stick with me. Cause' I know you better than you think I do, Maybe I got what you need just to see it through; Whatever it is, don't be afraid to.
2.
Angry Waltz 03:25
Excuse me kind stranger, lead me astray- Down to the square, so I can sell you my soul. See, I'm so tired of leading the virtuous life, It's all heat and no fire and I'm turning so cold. So, draw up your contracts and I'll come prepared to die by the nib of your fountain pen. Roll it in glitter, bathe me in style; Send up the script then tear me up like barbed wire. Yeah I'm on my way, I'm your shooting star- But it won't be too long until I finally expire. Then they'd lay out my frame and you'd bring in the hordes and charge $25 a piece on the door. Excuse me kind stranger, take all of my art- and then pass it around to some folks with esteem. And when it is clear I'm no longer worthwhile, You can say that you tried and I'll have my release. And if I had a dollar for each discontent, I'm sure you'd still take your 20 percent.
3.
It took twenty two years for life to begin, When they poured me all into the cleanest of skins. It's either fifteen past or three quarters to, Except the hour doesn't count, I'm only counting on you. Baby wants to hold my hand and that's alright. Baby wants to hold my hand. Now I'm going all in, it's a lover's leap, I kinda got the feeling we were playing for keeps. I got my fingers crossed, my mind made up for two, But I will not do the things I think they think I should do. Baby wants to hold my hand and that's alright. Baby wants to hold my hand. Left to my own devices, which vice would end up tightening? There's no easy way to keep the thunder from the lightning. Here I go again, round and round and over, So pass me up a shot of that famous Monkey Shoulder I love. Baby wants to hold my hand and that's alright. Baby wants to hold my hand.
4.
He says that he can walk on water, Says he turn water to wine. There's only one sign of forewarning- 'You got to bring an open mind'. Your number rang out this evening, This irony a cold hard fact. See, I've wanted to speak for two year and eight weeks, But I don't think I'll call you back. Cause' it's so hard to listen to you, Telling me I've got it all wrong. When they broke you down into pieces, And you sold them all for a song. You said you wanted nothing between us, You were working on a heart to heart. You said you wanted nothing between us, And now that's exactly what we've got. You're just another traveling salesman; Selling people dreams for free. You can crash and then burn, no such things as wrong turns When you don't have a place to be. And it's so hard to listen to you, Telling me I've got it all wrong. When they broke you down into pieces, And you sold them all for a song. You traded all your love in for a hollow vow. And so begins your pain, they applaud you while you slowly drown. Yeah, it's so hard to listen to you, Telling me I've got it all wrong. When they broke you down into pieces, And you sold them all for a song.
5.
Mama 03:29
Look who it is walking through the door, Fancy rags and jazz wax. So discreet, L'Esprit D'Armour; Both your feet in concrete. You want a certain of woman to placate your soul, Teach you all the things you think you need to know. She's not your mama, your mama, your mama. Look who it is out up on the street, Drinking on the corner. I knew that guy once upon a time, We used to have so much in common. But now you wanna tell me where I'm going wrong, Where I should be going, then push me along. But you're not my mama, my mama, my mama. Nobody ain't but one. I'm not your mama, your mama, your mama.
6.
Where do we go with the knowledge we learn? My silver ship has the electrics all burnt. New words drag painful like gravel rash, I ain't been the same since my heart attack. No, it's not like I need somebody's help. I do not show what you think I might show. I won't control what I cannot control. Just stop, baby won't you let down your face? It takes more muscles to smile anyway. No, it's not like I need somebody's help.
7.
You got that look so pretty and free, But we both got lovers waiting patiently. And I know that you're a lot older than me. Ill live and I'll die with that possibility. I often wonder when I look at you, If you're thinking what I'm thinking even though it's taboo. I know it's wrong but I feel it so true. So, I'll live and I'll die and you won't have a clue. Yeah smile at me baby even though it might hurt, But it's better than stealing another mans girl. Oh, dance for me darlin' but don't punish me much, Cause' I'll live and I'll die and ain't that enough? Clinging to hope is a dangerous game, But I got it covered I'm walking away. Then I'm reminded of things that you say. So, I'll live and I'll die with it all in my brain. Now, I got these words and you got your man. If I cannot have you I guess I'll pretend. They tell me I'm happy; 'don't fuck with the plan'. So, I'll live and I'l die and we'll try to be friends. Yeah smile at me baby even though it might hurt, But it's better than stealing another mans girl. Oh, dance for me darlin' but don't punish me much, Cause' I'll live and I'll die and ain't that enough?
8.
Big Sky 03:03
I can't forget the night before you went away from me. I never thought I'd be that guy to ask you where you'd been. Thread me back into myself, what have I gone and done? Selling you a poor excuse for a man who's said too much. Let the Big Sky take us there and we'll be gone. Let me say my lover's prayer and I'll hold on. Another night, another day I lived to tell our tale. Watch out for that creepy guy who likes to read your mail. There are other things you wish to hold, you might not let me know, And if you believe in diamond rings, we might as well let go. Let the Big Sky take us there and we'll be gone. Let me say my lover's prayer and I'll hold on.
9.
There's no easy passage as far as I can tell; And I have no more fancy answers. My fears are still just questions disguised a bit too well; Sitting down here at the base of the hill. Sitting down here at the base of the hill. Now, I believe in romance but I'm not the romantic kind. But that don't count for nothing. And I've always been suspicious when the bells begin to chime. Sitting down here at the base of the hill. Sitting down here at the base of the hill. It's hard to tell the difference from what it means and what it says. So, I guess I have to live it. I'm just so tired of seeing it through this pixellated lens; Sitting down here at the base of the hill. Sitting down here at the base of the hill.
10.
Take it from me as a traveling man, Still doing the things you can't understand. I've been walking around with our love in mind, And every thought leaves unsatisfied. You're still chasing the house with the picket fence; While I go to sleep on an asphalt bed. A river of fears, concerns so deep. A thrift store love, sold downstream. If it's a joke it's wearing thin, I know you hate my friends. But if I started in on that, would you understand me? Would you understand? Could it be too late to change my plan? To steal that silver ring right back off your hand. We're closer apart and we're blessed and cursed. We promised the best but we lied in the church. If it's a joke it's wearing thin, I know you hate my friends. But if I started in on that, would you understand me? I never cared to call your bluff, which was punishment enough; But if I started in on that, would you understand me? Would you understand?

credits

released October 20, 2015

Recorded September 2014 - June 2015

Produced by Dan Parsons and Robin Waters
Recorded and mixed by Robin Waters at Glamour Trowel.
Mastered by Matt Redlich at Massive Masters.

Guitars, Bass, Pedal Steel and Drums - Dan Parsons
Bass- Alex O'Gorman and Craig Kelly
Drums- Chris Pickering
Trumpet- Raphael Hammond
Trombone- Jonathan James
Organ and Piano- Robin Waters
Harmonies- Jackie Marshall, Tracy McNeil and Daniel Watkins
Acoustic Guitar- Steve Grady
Electric Guitar- Rohin Power

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Dan Parsons Melbourne, Australia

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