studio.soundground.com

DOWN LIKE YOU

Gary Ogan

Hey little darlin’ one so fair

Got the sunlight dancin’ in your hair

You tell me what was I gonna do?

I was bound to learn a lesson from you

Never seen such a beautiful sight

Looked to easy, felt so right

Sad but true – I wish I had it down like you

Can’t remember losin’ my mind

One in a million standin’ in a line

But you don’t know what you put me through

I was home just waitin’ on you

And it ain’t nothin’ that I’m up all night

Down on my knees hopin’ that you might come through

I wish I had it down like you

Chorus

I wish I had it down

I wish I had it down like you

I tell you baby, it’s right on the line

You make your lovin’ till the sun don’t shine

And I saved a place in my heart for you – for you

Stone cold fade to black

You found my weakness, you’ve got the knack child

I took a dive somewhere down below

Come on and tell me somethin’ I don’t know

You’ve got me missin’ sweet misery

You don’t seem to want to talk to me

The things you do – I wish I had it down like you

Chorus X 3

GRACE OF LOVE

Gary Ogan

She said, “Don’t leave now”

And it froze you there in time

Things ain’t been the same somehow

Was it a bona-fide crime that you’re happily resigned to love?

She’s got everything for you

You’ve got everything for her

The best things in life she’ll always bring to you

And somethin’ deep within you stirs, long before you’ve said a word of love

All of the pieces fall into place

And all of the rest just vanishes into space

When it’s a case of love

By the grace of love

She will write a song for you

Just to say it one more way

The girl she can do no wrong by you

And y ou can see it on her face

A most powerful grace of love

Grace of love – like magic over me

Grace of love – set me free

Days become sweeter, sweeter with time

And everything’s kissed with something so sublime

When it’s a case of love, you get the grace of love

With every case, and every case, each and every case of love

You get the grace of love

He said don’t leave now,

When it came her time to go

Things ain’t gonna be the same somehow

but I’ll tell you what I’ll do

just for you I’ll pull through my love

By the grace of love that washes over me

Grace of love, set me free

Grace of love, like magic over me

Grace of love, set me free

PICTURE OF YOU

Gary Ogan

No I really didn’t think you’d be so hard to find

I had a mission on my mind

So I followed you around this sleepy little town

Until I figured I was found

Now I’ve got your number

And I know your name

And I’ll be the keeper of this flame

Seein’s believin’, and I saw you

I took a picture too

I took a picture of you

So you take it up another notch just cause you can

You’re playin’ army in the sand

Crank it out another day, and make them pay for you

It’s just hell in a bood-tube

And I say shame on you brother

And all that you do

No I wouldn’t want to be good like you

Someone’s believin’ – how about you

I know what we can do

Let’s get a picture of you

Bridge I

How much harm could it do, to get a picture of you

I’ll let you take one too, after we get one of you

Might catch a wrinkle or two, learn somethin’ we never knew

Yeah it’s long overdue, let’s get a picture of you

We follow the leader, and it all leads to you

Now there’s nothin’ much left we can do but get a picture of you

Bridge II

It’s the least you could do, for the ones who love you

It’s just a pose with a view, and sacrilegious to few

It’s just a moment or two, a stranger’s arm around you

A smile that says it’s true, yeah we got a picture of you

Bridge I

A DAY AND A LIFE

Gary Ogan

Pick any day and open your eyes

Shouldn’t you be glad to be alive?

But you’ve gone away, nobody knows where

And all you’ve got to say is you don’t care

When you’re torn and shattered

You find out what really matters, and what you’ll do for love

And it don’t take knowin’ much about what’s goin’ on

To see the world needs healin’

CHORUS I

Every time I look up, and I’m feelin’ good

I thank my lucky stars, and I knock on wood

For just another day in the life

For every fall I must take I surely know

We learn the hard way, but then we’re all set, and we’re good to go

On any day of our lives

It’s a day and a life – that’s all, just a day and a life

He settles in, another night alone

He’s too afraid to trust when it’s all a danger zone

And the years roll right by, and hope wears thin

That he’ll ever have another life again

It’s a deep sad ocean, he’s got a life in slow motion

And it’s just tickin’ away

And it don’t help knowin’ when your life’s just blowin’ away

Day by day by day

CHORUS II

Every day I wake up, and within my sight

I see a miracle, and I know I’m right

Right in the middle of a day and a life

For every tear that falls I’m a lucky man

For every mystery I’ll never understand

It’s just a day and life – just a day and a life

CAN’T STOP THAT

Gary Ogan

Can’t stop that – can’t stop that

The early bird is gonna get that worm

You can’t stop that

And if you don’t get lucky, you live and learn

You can’t stop that

Mother nature’s got to have her way

And every dog has got to have his day

And man’s a lonely creature come what may

You can’t stop that

Can’t stop that – can’t stop that

There’s nothin’ doin’ on the front page news

You can’t stop that

But when you need answers you go lookin’ for clues

You can’t stop that

You’ve got your ticket to the rainbows end

You’ve got your honey and some money to spend

But till you get there it’s blowin’ in the wind

You can’t stop that

Can’t stop that – can’t stop that – can’t stop

That’s the way it goes, and the way it goes will make you cry

It’ll get you till you don’t know why – hey, hey, hey, yeah, yeah

You’re pushin’ buttons and you’re pullin’ strings

You can’t stop that

You like to hear it when the people sing

You can’t stop that

You’d like to think you’ve got it under control

And people tell you, “Babe you’re on a roll”

But till you get there you just don’t know

You can’t stop that

Can’t stop that – can’t stop that

NEW DYNAMIC

Gary Ogan

Chain the door, shut the lights

Keep the kids in tonight

Call your mom, say it’s no big deal

Close the blinds, no one home

No one walks around alone

Might sound crazy, it’s crazy but real

No don’t you panic, I’m your man

I seen it comin’, here’s the plan

I must leave but there’s a secret place for you

When the time comes, count the kids

Count the cats, don’t flip your lid

Hasten to that shangrila rescue

Yeah it’s down the hallway, take a right

Lift the latch and down the pipe

Is everything you’ll need for 50 years

Hey, it’s the best that I could do

I’ll be in touch in a year or two

Remember who loves you dears

Chorus

It’s the new dynamic

Everyone has it don’t you

Said the new dynamic

It’s ever so spastically true

And it’s guaranteed to get you through

If I could change, yes I would

But I know it ain’t no good

Daddy must’ve handed down this curse

Yeah, I’m only one but we’re all the same

Everybody wants to play this game

And everybody want to get there first

So what’s the meaning? Let me pose,

I ain’t here to wipe your nose

No I ain’t here to make everything right

So get a grip, shake a leg

Don’t expect no one to beg

Don’t expect the fish to bite

Cause they might be outta sight

Chorus

In case you missed it, what was hip

Became passe’, became a blip

On the radar of your mind

So, got to make it through somehow

Seen too much to turn back now

Hit the gas, and leave that past behind

Chorus

SECRET SONG #4

Gary Ogan

It’s just a left turn in the brain

You’ve got the power to break right through that chain

And shake off a sad, sad world

It’s only you that makes it so

You could be happy, instead you won’t let go

And you blame it on a sad, sad world

So what’cha gonna do about that?

I’ll bet you’ve got a plan of how you’re gonna stand your ground

But in the meantime, you’re lookin’ down

It’s like they say, it’s all in your mind

Got the technology to break the ties that bind

If you’re lookin’ for a beautiful world

You are the one that makes it real

Moment to moment it comes down to how you feel

And if you’re ready for a beautiful world

So what’s it gonna take for you

To get a lick o’ sense about the things that you can do?

We’ll keep it simple, and we’ll keep it true

You can make a mountain move, a grown man cry,

A baby laugh at the falling sky

Even if you don’t believe, it still comes true for you

It is the simplest thing for sure

Just to remember you’ve got that open door

In the face of a sad, sad world

You just take that left turn in your brain

You’ve got your ticket, and it’s all aboard that train

Hey, it’s headin’ for a beautiful world

So what’cha gonna do about that?

Now that you’ve drawn a line, what are you gonna stand behind?

Here’s the best thing you’ll ever find

It’s just a left turn

GLORIA SHIRAEF INTERVIEW

* Here is an interview I did for Gloria Shiraef a couple of years ago, about my time working and living with Leon and Mary Russell. In the middle somewhere, I mention being midway through the writing of the songs for the new cd. I'm sure I was on a crash-course to get the songs written, but I loved it that someone, somewhere was interested enough to ask about that particular chapter of Leon's and mine. The questions were presented in full, and before i was required to commit to the interview...Ii remember liking the questions.

G.S. / When did you first meet Leon, and how familiar were you with his work before you began working with him?

G.O. /i was dropped off at his house in encino by, diane sullivan. he answered the door, and i believe that was january/february 1977. before that i had become a fan with tightrope and the carney album. with carney, will o' the wisp, and the wedding album, i was getting it that leon was pulling off some adventurous stuff.... so by the time we met, i was very much in awe...still am...

G.S. / Did you enjoy working with him, or was he sometimes a challenge to get along with?

G.O. / leon was always a perfect gentleman. i enjoyed working with him immensely. he was never challenging, other than in the best possible ways. i love him dearly, and always have.

G.S. / Do you feel you learned anything from Leon while you worked with him?

G.O. / it's difficult to express how much leon impacted the 25 year-old kid i was. from the moment we met, i felt like we became great chums and ended up spending most of our time together as friends, musicians, writers, and studio hounds. he was always extremely open and giving of himself, so yeah, i feel like i learned a lot from him.

G.S. / How long did you tour with him, and did you continue to work on recordings with Leon after you were no longer part of the band?

G.O. / i toured with the leon and mary russell paradise roadshow for maybe 6 to 9 months, and we covered all the major market venues across the country. yes, my involvement and contributions to leon's studio work continued on what was to become the americana album.

G.S. / Do you think Mary was a good match with him musically?

G.O. / yes, absolutely....although on the other hand, he doesn't need anyone else.

G.S. / Did you get along well with Mary outside of your working relationship?

G.O. / yes.

G.S. / How did you and other band members handle it when Leon and/or Mary weren't having a good night at a gig?

G.O. / that never happened...the shows were always joyous affairs for everyone.

G.S. / What was the funniest thing that ever happened while you toured with Leon and Mary?

G.O. / watching leon get up in the middle of the night to take over driving the bus in his red pajamas, then listening as he would get on the cb radio as, "harry hippie", to do the late-night dj rap with the truckers.....very fond memories.

G.S. / Who in the band from that era do you stay in touch with?

G.O. / everyone...marty grebb (sax, guitar, percussion), mike meros (keyboards), joe chamey (bass), john woodhead (lead-guitar) and, brent nelson (drums).

G.S. / Who in the band did you most admire?

G.O. / no one...i dug and admired them all.

G.S. / What was it like backstage at a Leon and Mary show?

G.O. / happy, joyous, energetic events unto themselves.

G.S. / When was the last time you saw Leon or Mary?

G.O. / i'm in contact with leon presently and try to catch his show when he comes through portland. the last one was a couple of years ago though....i haven't seen mary since 1978. i called her once after moving back to portland when i was watching a young michael jackson wow me on tv and i thought of her...we had a wonderful talk, but that was the last time. not sure what she's up to either ...

G.S / What was it like working with Gary Busey?

G.O. / i didn't actually ever work with gary, as he was no longer drumming for leon when i arrived, but he was a wonderful guy to be around --- he and leon were still very tight pals...i found him a very open and giving guy...he had just finished the buddy holly story and was starting a movie with dustin hoffman when i arrived. he often had sunday afternoon bbq's at his place, and invite everyone. always the gracious host, and master of ceremonies. i found him endlessly charming, engaging, and delightful.

G.S. / Have you heard any of Leon's newest music? If so, what do you think of it?

G.O. / yes, i try to stay on top of what leon is putting out there. i always love anything he wants to do.

G.S. / What were your earliest musical influences, and how do you feel they helped shape your own work?

G.O. / perry como, elvis presley, dave brubeck, the beatles, and gustav mahler, all helped to shape my work by hopefully allowing me to steel profusely from each while cleverly disguising these moves as notions of my own.

G.S. / How old were you when you realized that you wanted a career in music?

G.O. / four

G.S. / When did you compose your first song, and how do you feel about it at the present time?

G.O. / fourteen years old. i still think it's a bitchin' song.

G.S. / If you weren't a musician, what would your second choice have been?

G.O. / quantum physics

G.S./ Do you read music, and has this hurt/helped you along the way?

G.O. / yes i read music, and the benefits of my choice to learn have helped me along my way.

G.S. / Name what instruments you play, and what you feel you are most accomplished with.

G.O. / drums, piano, guitar, and bass guitar. i humbly think i crush on each.

G.S. / Is there any instrument you wish you would have learned but never had the chance?

G.O. / ...sax, although i haven't been without a chance.

G.S. / What or whom are your sources for musical inspiration today?

G.O. / having a life, todd rundgren, darrell scott.

G.S. / What artists do you listen to at home?

G.O. / i've been listening through to everything in my home library, which includes a vast array of old and new artists.

G.S. / Who was/is the most exciting artist you've ever worked with?

it's a toss-up between, leon russell (then), darrell scott (now).

G.S. / What are your immediate and long-term goals at this stage of your career?

G.O. / finish a new batch of tunes that will comprise the material for my next home-studio project...i'm six tunes into it since starting in april...long range goals are to experience as much heaven on earth as i can possibly manifest...and perhaps more to the point, to continue writing, recording, and performing new music with those people who i love working with, and to continue nurturing my new music business venture in portland, oregon called, sound ground, www.soundground.com. also, right now darrell scott is a big part of my musical picture and i would expect and hope that this would be the case for some time to come. you can find his world at, www.darrellscott.com.

G.S. / What is your most treasured instrument, and why?

G.O. / my mom's violin, because it was my mom's violin, and i loved my mom.

G.S. / What do you think it would take to get the music industry back on its feet today?

G.O. / depending on how you want to look at it/who you talk to, you could say the music industry is fine, just certain folks in it are maybe freakin' out a little, as well they should perhaps, given the muck they decided they could create and call their calling. i choose to think everything's going to work out great, and that now more than ever aint a bad time to do some of one's own trailblazing on one's own behalf out there in the great new frontier.

G.S. / Do you have an opinion about the trend toward buying music online a song at a time?

G.O. / i think the more options the better. the buying public will decide what they want, and for those artists who deserve a broader platform from which to dispense their greatness, i believe the long-playing format will need to endure.

G.S. / How would you most like to be remembered as a person and a musician?

G.O. / as a god who walked among you, both as a person and a musician.

G.S. / Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?

G.O. / movie / help --- tv show / inside the actors studio

G.S. / A favorite food, or dinner out that you like to eat?

G.O. / sushi

G.S. / Tell us a little about your present band, if you would please.

G.O. / sure, thanks for asking...most recently i put together a trio with guitarist/vocalist, kit garoutte, who is currently signed as a writer/artist with my company, sound ground, and bassist/vocalist, denny bixby, who also currently tours with rodney crowell. i recorded the shows which happened in april...i will endeavor to add a drummer to this trio, and to play again soon...t'was phun...

G.S. / I know this question always gets asked in interviews like these, but what advice would you give to a young musician just getting started?

G.O. / ...make sure you really feel like there's nothing else you could do, you have to go after music....then, assuming you feel music in your bones, make sure it's always a fun experience, period.....it should always be fun, no matter what....no whiners...

thank you, it's been my pleasure to attend this interview.....gary