The Ghost of the Kona Low

Bill Hartwell sang all lead vocals, played a few guitars and sang a few harmonies on some songs…

Wander Down This Road

Jim Soldi- All Guitars

Sharon Whyte-Piano

Doug Powell-Viola

Jim Reeves - Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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I got John Prine playing on my stereo

He’s hammerin the truth with every song

I'm out here wandering down life’s highway

Still trying to find the place where I belong

Got one foot in the world of suits and numbers

Where meaning is the measure of one’s gold

The rest of me is searching through the darkness

For the meaning that’s the measure of one’s soul

Oh Johnny, It’s those lies we tell ourselves that hurt the most

Oh Johnny, Sometimes the past will haunt you like a ghost…oh it haunts you like a ghost

The morning sky is color trapped in chaos

Angry red, yellow grey and blue

Your love has always been the constant

That guiding light that always pulls me through

Love lies in the passion of the moment

But it’s built upon a promise from the past

Only a fool would try to tell the future

But I always knew my love for you would last

Oh Johnny...Sometimes this big old goofy world can drag you down

Oh Johnny..It’s love that turns this world around…it turns the world around

So for every sun that sets there is a sunrise

Every ending is the start of something new

I may not know where I’m goin but thats all right

If I can wander down this road with you…

I want to wander down this road with you

Yeah wander, down this road, with you.

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Everyone but the Devil has got The Blues

Jim Soldi-Guitars

TJ Klay- Harp

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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My Friends and I, Don’t feel so good

The world ain’t working, like the world should

Misinformation, becomes a battle cry, the truth becomes a casualty of lie after lie

Every day the internet and TV tell me nothing but bad news

Seems like everyone but the devil has got the blues

The rich stay rich, and the poor stay poor

The one percent, gotta get a little more

So they use power, to legislate greed

The only thing that evil really needs

I’m frightened for the future when power is so easily abused..

Seems like everyone but the devil has got the blues

Screw you, I got mine, be like me or pay the fine

I hear em sayin

Believe what I believe, and if you’re down there on your knee,

You better be prayin

You say your God, is on your side

But it seems to me, that’s the devils best disguise

When you preach words, of hate and fear

It surely means the devil’s got your ear

The gates are swinging open, he’s waiting while you pay your dues

Seems like everyone but the devil has got the blues

Screw you, I got mine, be like me or pay the fine

I hear em sayin

Believe what I believe, and if you’re down there on your knee,

You better be prayin

Money & Power, don’t give you the right

To force another, to feed your appetite

The devil’s got, that special seat

Reserved for those who prey upon the weak

He’s got a lot of choices, a long list of names from which to choose

That’s why everyone but the devil has got the blues

Everyone but the devil has got the blues

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All That Love Can Do

Jim Soldi-Guitar, harmony vocals

Doug Powell -Viola

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When the weight of the world brings you down

And hope won’t pull you through

Take my hand, remember what we’ve found

In all that love can do

Your love, lets me be who I am

Love is real, love is true

I dream that someday all will understand

All that love can do

Love in all these smiling faces

Love is what amazing grace is

Perfect Moments are where love is found

In all those little things you do

And Love that is given, comes back around

Cause that’s what love can do

Love in all these smiling faces

Love is what amazing grace is

Sometimes life is hard, sometimes love is too

But it’s the best when I’m with you

With hearts and hands, we’ll pull each other through

And see what love can do

Today those we love will stand witness to

All that love can do

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My Home Now

Jim Soldi-Guitars, Piano

Doug Powell - Viola

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

Cathryn Beeks-Harmony vocals

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I was born in 1933, a little town in southern Germany

My family ran the local bakery, love and hallah everyday

By the time that I turned 5 years old, that cloud of hate had taken hold

My father sent us to America, the land of hope and dreams

He said I’ll join your there by summers end,

But I never heard his voice again

And I cried, but I also made a vow

This is my home now

CHORUS

So let the songs of freedom sing from me

Let the light of love shine on family

Give me hope for all I dream to be, my prayer I say out loud

Resist power without empathy, be the country we were meant to be

And throughout time, my light will shine

On my home now

This is my home now

Oh I don’t have any memories, just some stories mama told to me

How we came across the border, back in 1993

My family had no choices left, so they fled their home of fear and death

And brought us to America, the land of hope and dreams

They worked so hard to make this land their home

The only country I have ever known

But I cry when I hear, I don’t belong somehow

Cause this is my home now

Repeat CHORUS

My home now

This is my home now

This is my…home now

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Let it Ride

Jim Soldi - Guitars, organ, harmony vocals

Rick Schmitt -Pedal Steel guitar

Cathryn Beeks - Harmony vocals

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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Dropped my last hundred dollars, down at the local track

30 to 1 on the nose, of a horse called Never Look Back

Just like a bullet, shot from a gun

That horse ran and that horse won

Let it rock, let it roll…let it ride

So I raced down to the local casino, dropped it all on a little black square

That wheel went around and around and around, there was magic in the air

When that wheel stopped spinnin, I kept winnin

Lady luck was holding my hand

Let it rock, let it roll…let it ride

All my life, it’s been a rough, rough ride

Too many times I let my heart decide

Ahh You think I would have learned, from every time that I’ve been burned

But this time…it’s gonna be different

Cause there’s a voice inside my head, tellin me to cash it in

Take the money and run to the bank, and let the interest trickle on in

But I just got a call, from my good friend Paul

He’s got a a deal, he’s gonna cut me in

So Let it rock, let it roll…let it ride

Let it rock, let it roll…let it ride

All my life, it’s been a rough, rough ride

Too many times I let this old heart decide

Ahh You think I would have learned, from every time that I’ve been burned

But this time…it’s gonna be different…..

I guess the moral of my story, is that money’s never meant to last

And the heart really knows the answer once you learn the right questions to ask

Try kindness first, resist the worst

and always bet on love

And Let it rock, let it roll…let it ride

Let it rock, let it roll…let it ride

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Wasn’t It Just Yesterday

Sharon Whyte-Piano

Jim Soldi-Classical Guitar, Harmony Vocals

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Bass

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Wasn’t it just yesterday, that I held you in my arms

I’d start at you for hours, captivated by your charms

Through the years, through smiles and tears, Your eyes still have that shine

And it seems like only yesterday, sometimes

Wasn’t it just yesterday, I watched you stumble across the room

I watched you like the sunshine, watches springtime flowers bloom

And as you’ve grown the time has flown, with tomorrow on your mind

And it seems like only yesterday sometimes

Tomorrow often seems to be, so very far away

Suddenly, you turn around and find that it’s here today

Wasn’t it just yesterday, that a nightmare made you scream

Now here you are a woman, on the threshold of your dreams

As your dreams come true like real dreams do, someday you too will find

That it seems like only yesterday, sometimes.

As your dreams come true like real dreams do, someday you too will find

That it seems like only yesterday, sometimes

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Waving at the Moon

(* lyrics written by John Prine)

Jim Soldi-Guitars, Piano

Rick Schmitt -Pedal Steel Guitar

Cathryn Beeks - Background Vocals

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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*Oodles of light, What a beautiful sight

*Both of God’s eyes are shining tonight

A Father and Son, in the summer of ‘69

Lying on the lawn staring at the starry sky

Astronauts were walking on the moon that night

And a child’s love and wonder, was burning bright

Wave your hand you said, they just might see you

Who knows someday, that just might be you

In that moment, I believed it was true

Lying there with you, Waving at the moon

*Oodles of light, What a beautiful sight

*Both of God’s eyes are shining tonight

Good books and lifetimes, all have a final page

The curtain falls on every stage

The river of your love has spread into the sea

And Ill follow in that light, you’ve left for me

But it breaks my heart that I can’t look you in the eye

Cold machines and handheld screens, no way to say goodbye

I want to lie upon that summer lawn and stare up in the sky

And listen to your favorite tunes, while I’m waving at the moon

I’m going to listen to that John Prine tune, while I’m waving at the moon

*Oodles of light, What a beautiful sight

*Both of God’s eyes are shining tonight

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Jim Soldi - Guitars, Keybords, string arrangements

Rick Schmitt-Pedal Steel Guitar

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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He was a Haole from the mainland, full of arrogance and greed

His boat had every bell & whistle, the salesman said he’d need

I will conquer every ocean, I will tame the wild sea

There’s never been a sailing waterman as good as me

Then an old Hawaiian fisherman, stopped and looked him in the eye

Said any waterman would know you don’t sail into that sky

Kanaloa’s growing angry, he’s called the wind from down below

Never get caught in a Kona Low

That sailor smiled and said old man, I have sailed far and wide

I’ve never met a storm that could make me run and hide

The old man said it’s not the storm why I warn you not to go

It’s all about the Ghost of the Kona Low

CHORUS

The wind will howl, the surf will pound

Rivers will rise, head for higher ground

Angry, wet and heavy southern winds will blow

Sailors pray they’ll never meet the ghost…of the Kona Low

I don’t’ believe in ghosts or your Gods that rule the sea

I don’t believe in anything that I can not see

But I’ve got a little time before I have to set these sails

So tell me all about your Hawaiian, ghostly tale

She was a whaler from Lahaina, with a captain cruel and mean

With a crew of 20 men, she was a whale killing machine

Respect was never given to the kingdom of the sea

He took all that he could take, cruel was all he’d ever be

He set sail one stormy day, with evil his first mate

His mind was set for killin, but the ocean sealed his fate

As the wrath of Kanaloa released those southern winds

And that whaler from Lahaina was never seen again

That was 200 years ago, when she disappeared

Yet still today that whaler from Lahaina is still feared

For when a Kona Low is spinning, and southern winds will blow

Watch out for the ghost of the Kona Low

REPEAT CHORUS

That’s quite a tale old man, but now its time to go

I’ll be sure to keep a lookout for your Ghost of…I don’t know

As he sailed away , the forecast came across the radio

Looks like were in for a Kona Low

That night, the sailor’s Mayday on the Coast Guard radio

I’ve lost my mast, and I’m takin water on below

But I see a ship that just appeared, from where I don’t know

But they see me now, they’re all waving …they’re all shouting

‘Thar she blows!’

REPEAT CHORUS

Now every several years, when Kanaloa feels the pain

From all of those who disrespect the kingdom of his reign

He calls the southern winds up from somewhere way down below

And conjures up the Ghost…of the Kona Low

REPEAT CHORUS

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Hold On

Jim Soldi - Guitars, Piano, harmony vocals

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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I’ve seen beauty, in the colors of the morning sky

I’ve felt the pain in the whispered words or a last goodbye

I’ve seen the flame of hope return to pairs of hopeless eyes

I’ve seen life spring from the ashes of a forest fire

I’ve felt time fly, I’ve felt it standing still

I’ve felt the loss, as I watched my stone roll back down the hill

I’ve longed for love, that would never fade away

I had faith, that love like yours, would come my way

CHORUS

Hold On, Hold On

The winds of change will blow, this I’ve come to know

Hold on, Hold On

You’ve got my heart, and you know my soul, so take my hand

And Hold on

Everyday we write the history of our future lives

We will dream about that future, as long love and hope survives

And though the truth is sometimes lost, behind the lies

Know that love will always overcome what fear and hate divides

REPEAT CHORUS

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Round Peg

Jim Soldi- Guitars

Sharon Whyte-Piano

TJ Klay-Harp

Rick Schmitt-Pedal Steel Guitar

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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I believe my momma knew when I was 4 feet tall

Every year from every teacher, she’d get the same phone call

He’s not working up to his potential

He’s not doing work that is essential

I believe this boy don’t fit here in school at all

CHORUS

I was a Round Peg, in a square hole and the whole world’s swinging a hammer

I aint gonna fit, the harder you hit doesn’t matter

So why don’t you be you, let me be me

And we’ll all be what we can be

Round Peg in a Square hole, and the whole world’s swinging a hammer

So I fell into the river of the working man

A little cog in the wheel of some great big corporate plan

But every day I would get burned

From a rule I refused to learn

Another meeting with another boss, and a hammer in his hand

Repeat CHORUS

SOLO

BRIDGE

These days when I feel someone, trying to squeeze me where I don’t fit

I Say take your square peg, find some other hole…cause I don’t give a …

Repeat CHORUS

A Round Peg in a Square hole, and the whole world’s swinging a hammer

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Loving You

Sharon Whyte-Piano

Jim Soldi-Digitally sampled Cello

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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Here I stand, your hand in mine

Speaking words of endless time

And love I only hoped I’d find, I’ve found, in you

I feel something I’ve never known

I know this heart will never stand alone

My love for you each day has grown…stronger

CHORUS

When I dream, I’ll dream of you

When I need someone, I’ll reach for you

I’m gonna spend my whole life through, Loving you, Loving you

I’ll be loving you

Through those sudden winds and rising tides

We’ll take life’s troubles side by side

And share life’s roller coaster ride, together

And I know that if I searched the world each day

I could never find another way

To make me feel the way I feel today, with you

Repeat Chorus

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Don’t Blame it On Me

Jim Soldi-Guitars, intro Piano

Sharon Whyte-Piano

Cathryn Beeks-background/harmony vocals

Jim Reeves-Bass

Bob Sale-Drums

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Talk show on the radio says this world is a mess

All but 1% of us must learn to live with less

Evil non-believers ride their basket bound for hell

The guy that doesn’t look like you, probably heads a terror sell

Our way of life is under siege, an organized assault

What happened to the good old days, we must find out who’s at fault…

Blame it wealthy, blame it on the poor

Blame it on Jehovah’s Witness smiling at your door

Blame it on the left, blame it on the right

Blame it on those vampires only out at night

Blame it on Trump, Blame it on Obama

Blame it on you childhood or blame it on your momma

Blame it on the Internet, the movies or TV

Or those indoctrinating videos you watched when you were 3

CHORUS

Don’t Blame it on me,

Its not my fault,

I Don’t get involved until the problems solved

So don’t blame it on me

Blame it on the Pentagon, blame it on the hippies

Blame it on the 80’s or blame it on the 60’s

Blame it on the CEO’s flying in their jets

Or the single Mom trapped inside the safety net

Blame it on conspiracies hiding in the shadows,

Blame it on Fox, they all blame Rachel Maddow

Blame it on the truth that is trying to set us free

Blame it on those who sherk responsibility….

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE

What we do for wealth and power, often not our finest hour

Sometimes I look in the mirror and see, a stranger looking back at me

Blame it on the victims who probably had it comin

Or the NRA who’s lookin for a hand to put a gun in

Blame it on the CO2 were pumping in the air

Blame it on the apathetic, they won’t care

Blame it on the ones who don’t believe the way I do

If everyone believed like me our troubles would be through

Blame it on the lawyers, politicians or the banks

Blame it on the gasoline we put into our tanks

Blame it on the advertisers all up in my face

Blame it on developers who fill up open space

Blame it on the devil and his insurance companies

Blame it on them, whoever they might be….

REPEAT CHOURS

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Lonely for a While

*Written by Jesse Winchester

Jim Soldi-Baritone Guitar

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I guess I took an awful lot for granted

I thought everyone was on the square

I thought if you give love Then you get love in return

After all, that seems only fair

But you revolutionized my way of thinking

Now I have a whole new style

I don't burn with desire I don't go near the fire

I think I'll just be lonely for a while

I see the happy couple in the café

Doing like all happy couples do

I'd warn them if I could But it would do no good

Their world is only big enough for two

So let the lovebirds have their sweet illusions

It's best if I just walk on by and smile

I hope their love is real I miss the way they feel

But I think I'll just be lonely for a while

O so much for love I'm fine on my own

How'm I gonna miss Something I've never known?

I know, I know you never should say never

Cause who knows what tomorrow holds in store

One day love may find out where you're hiding

But you can't find what you're not looking for

So may I have a table in the corner

Or anywhere, just nowhere near the aisle

And yes, it's just myself No, there'll be no one else

I think I'll just be lonely for a while

I hope their love is real I miss the way they feel

But I think I'll just be lonely for a while