Lyr Req: songs by Willie P. Bennett

Subject: Willie P. Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 09:27 PM

I saw no notification here about Willie P.'s troubles.

He suffered a heart attack back in late May, while on stage with Fred Eaglesmith & band. Recovering now, but there is a benefit concert being organized in a couple of weeks to aid him financially during his convalescence.

If you know who Willie P. is, you KNOW who he is.

If you don't, you SHOULD.

Willie P. Bennett's website.

For a quick taste of him musically, Willie P. on YouTube.

Willie P. Bennett is an enormous talent, a living Canadian folk icon, a hero to many of us and one hell of a nice guy.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:21 AM

Cluin, thanks. I didn't know about him and really enjoyed the video. Of the CDs which are available which one would you recommend first?

Oh, and here's the info for the concert:

Willie P. Bennefitt
Heartstrings: A Concert of Support for Willie P. Bennett
Featuring Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Fred Eaglesmith and Friends

Friday, July 27, 2007
Market Hall
336 George St North
Peterborough, ON
Tel: [phone]

I hope it does well and he continues to recover and be patient with himself.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:33 AM

Well, you could start with Hobo's Taunt and move down the years and get `em all (or at least the 5 mentioned on the site; there are others). Or if you just wanted one, get the 1999 Juno Award winning "Heartstrings"... the late great Rick Fielding did some backup work on it.

I have a great compilation CD of his earlier songs called "Collectibles" that I picked up at a Willie concert several years ago, back before his early albums were rereleased on CD. I don't know if it's still in print, but that would be my No. 1 recommendation. "Take My Own Advice" was another good one.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:37 AM

Thanks. The one with Rick would be great.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHITE LINE (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:44 AM

White Line
Words and music by Willie P. Bennett 1975

Cold and lonely on the road
Lord, I wish I had a hole to climb in
Summer's warm rain sure ain't comin'
So it seems to me I'm thumbin' once again

   Standing by a midnight highway
   Excuse me sir, are you goin' my way?
   On and on, the endless white line goes

Tired and hungry once again
This sleet keeps comin' down on top of me
All the time I keep wishing I had me
A warm coat and hat so I could see

   Standing by a midnight highway
   Excuse me sir, are you goin' my way?
   On and on, the endless white line goes

You know that could have been me you're listening to on the radio
I could be warm inside of someplace
Instead of standing here in the snow

Sunny days are what I pray for
Golden sunshine on my skin
Head on south to the Teton Mountains
Lord it seems to me I'm thumbin' once again

   Standing by a midnight highway
   Excuse me sir, are you goin' my way?
   On and on, the endless white line goes

You know that could have been me you're listening to on the radio
I could be warm inside of someplace
Instead of standing here in the snow

   On and on, the endless white line goes
   On and on, the endless white line goes
   On and on, the endless white line goes

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 01:42 PM

rise up!

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 01:33 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 02:07 PM

Heartstrings has some great artists, Bruce Cockburn, Amos Garret, Members of Prairie Oyster, Daisy Debolt, the late Graham Townsend... adding their considerable talents to Willie's. It also shows his scope as a songwriter.
Early albums, like Trying To Start Out Clean, are also of interest. On this album Willie plays guitar and sings. The mandolin is played by Randy Hill and the mouth harp by Chris Whiteley. Nowadays Willie is known for his back-up vocals, mouth harp and mandolin skills in Fred's Band.
Cluin didn't mention this, but Willie finished the set AND drove himself to the hospital after the show in Midland.
I love Willie's shows and, though he adds a great deal to Fred's shows, his talents are wasted there. The super group Blackie And The Rodeo Kings, was formed as a Willie P.Bennett tribute band. Although they play other people's songs (and their own) now, I've never seen them do a show without some Willie songs.

Subject: Lyr Add: COUNTRY SQUALL (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 07:56 PM

Cluin-

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I only heard Willie P. sing once at a Canadian festival 20 years ago but I can still hear the lines from his "Country Squall":

COUNTRY SQUALL
(By Willie P. Bennett © with some minor word changes through the years by Charlie Ipcar)


Baby, if I'd been a gambler,
I'd have turned out a different way;
But lately, everywhere I go,
It's the same highway;
And if I were born some time else
This could be a different day;
Like the rise and fall of a country squall,
Getting' ready to fade away.

Sometimes I feel like
I should be in a different place,
With somebody else's mind
And somebody else's face;
'Cause lately, I've been feelin' low,
With nothing to do and no place to go;
Like the rise and fall of a country squall,
Getting' ready to fade away.

Leanin' on a birch tree,
Starin' up at a winter sky;
Listenin' to the black birds calling,
There's no tears left to cry;
And no reasons that I can find
Why I should run this race;
Like the rise and fall of a country squall,
Getting' ready to fade away.

I wish him well.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Inukshuk
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:08 PM

In the old days we used to go to New Dundee to hear Willie play with the Dixie Flyers.
God bless him.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: Beer
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:29 PM

Cluin.
I'm going to assume here that you are somewhere in Ontario. Probably South Western. Correct me if I'm wrong but did Willie P. live up over a tavern in London Ont. at one time? And don't get me wrong it doesn't matter if he did or not. It's just I remember one time somewhere on the streets of London a friend saying to me "Willie lives up there", as he pointed.

Willie is a well kept secret. A secret that should be revealed and spoken about as much as possible.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: Lyr Add: BLOOD BROTHER (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:57 PM

I'm in Ontario, but not around London, Beer. I'm in Northern Ontario. Willie P. (both with and without Fred J.) has played here numerous times and has friends and fans here . And all over.

Don't know about the living "up over a tavern" tale, but I wouldn't doubt it. You could always ask him yourself; there's a "Contact Willie" link on his website.

Another one from Willie:

Blood Brother
Willie P. Bennett 1993

Whatever happened to peace?
How come it looks so close?
And then there's war in the Middle East
From Thunder Bay to Oka
We can't agree on a language
We can't agree on the truth
We can't agree on anything

You say you won't cut trees
But you want the lumber
You can't take the heat
But you deal in thunder
You wanna go somewhere
Well, you just start your car
But it's runnin' on

It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother

Whoever thought of this language
Of politics and bribes?
Of guilty `til you're innocent?
Of showing foolish pride?
Well, murder don't solve nothin'
It's in the courts every day
Profess the sixth commandment
`Til they blow you away

I really hope somebody sees this
In a hundred years or so
And gets some kind of amusement
From the trouble and the woe
I guess I'll never get comfortable
With greed disguised as war
`Cause it's runnin' on

It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother

Everybody's got some
Hate harboured deep inside
Man, woman, army, Indian
No one can decide
Everybody's part of something
But some are far apart
Searching for a way of life
Where fighting's not allowed

I really hope somebody sees this
In a hundred years or so
And gets some kind of amusement
From the trouble and the woe
I know I'll never get comfortable
With greed disguised as war
`Cause it's runnin' on

It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
It's runnin' on the blood of your brother
Running on...

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: Beer
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 11:16 PM

Thanks Cluin I'll drop a note.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: C. Ham
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 09:17 AM

Stan Rogers used to tell a story about Willie living in a closet in an apartment he shared with some other guys in the early days.

I'd have to agree with Jim that Willie's been wasting his talents playing backup to Fred Eaglesmith. Fred's a good songwriter and a very good entertainer, but, frankly, he's not in Willie's class as a songwriter.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 11:06 AM

Beer - Willie now lives in a second floor flat in Peterborough, easy walking distance from his friends Washboard Hank, who played with him in Fred's band and Joe Hall (of The Continental Drift fame).


C.Ham - I didn't mean to put down Fred's songwriting. I love Fred's work, but I think that Willie should be more than a sideman.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: C. Ham
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 02:41 PM

I think Fred's good; Willie's better.

Subject: Lyr Add: HAS ANYONE SEEN MY BABY HERE TONIGHT
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 06:38 PM

Yep, but Willie's happy enough playing with Fred. They are good friends, most of the time. Fred certainly gives him enough work and is smart enough to know he's got a good thing with Willie in the band.

Another Wille P. gem:

Has Anyone Seen My Baby Here Tonight?
Willie P. Bennett 1978

There's a storm raging over the city
Lightnin' flashing, cars racing everywhere
In the distance, you can hear the sirens screaming
And the thunder'll wake a dead man with its blare
Someone said it's none of your business
She's a big girl and can care for herself alright
I know she's a woman for sure
And a big girl too
But has anyone seen my baby here tonight?

Sometimes we play a foolish game
Trying to see who can hurt who the most
It's a foolish game at best
But she plays better than the rest
And I guess I won this foolish game tonight
Before I knew what had happened, she was out the back door
With no coat and tears in her eyes
Now the storm is raging so loud
And I don't feel so proud
Tell me, has anyone seen my baby here tonight?

Subject: Lyr Add: COME ON TRAIN (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 02:00 PM

A Willie P. classic:

Come On Train
Willie P. Bennett 1977

Turn my back on no man's gun
Likewise with anyone
It's not so dangerous
It's not a smart thing to do
But if I had my choice
I'd take away his voice
Tell him I might be a clown
But I sure ain't no fool

Everyone seems to be waiting
For some deep thought or emotion
For someone with gifted devotion
To what they do
But they don't understand
That when you find that man
He'll be doin' it for himself
He ain't doin' it for you

   So, come on, train!
   Can't you see I'm waiting here?
   Come on train!
   Come on train!
   Can't you see I'm freezing here?
   Come on train!

Three is one too many
One is one too few
Two just makes me lonely
`Cause I can't get along with you
Man standing by a highway
Lonely as can be
Man standing by a boxcar
Looks a lot like me

   (chorus)

Fearless of flying
But I'm tired of climbing
And this time I've got to go
All the way
And if I don't make it
You can't say I faked it
Or that it didn't matter
What I say

   (chorus)

Subject: Lyr Add: LACE AND PRETTY FLOWERS (Wilie P. Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 12:10 PM

Lace and Pretty Flowers
Willie P. Bennett 1977

If you've got lace and pretty flowers
To give your baby; get her under your powers
If you got silks and sweet perfume
You know she might come, she might come up to your room

   But if you've got soul
   You know she's going to bowl you over
   And when my baby rolls me over
   I feel like I want to fly
   I feel
   Like I want to fly

If you got satins and lots of money
Diamond rings and such things to trap your honey
You got big black cars; you want to let her ride
You give it all to her, she might come over to your side

   But if you got love
   And a deep devotion
   It gets just as deep as the ocean
   With just you two inside
   Ah!
   Just you two inside

If you've got a house: a mansion in the country
You give it all to her; she could still be empty
You could be the richest man in the world
But there's nothing I know of
That'll buy you the heart of a girl

   But if you got love
   And a deep devotion
   It gets just as deep as the ocean
   With just you two inside
   Just you two inside

Subject: Lyr Add: JUKEBOX (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 02:44 PM

Willie's version of the old story also told in Jay & The Americans' "Come A Little Bit Closer" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Three Steps"...



Jukebox
Willie P. Bennett 1993

We met across a barroom
Twenty years ago, by chance
She bummed a smoke; she called a round
She said she'd love to dance
Well, what can you do when your heart's in your mouth
But you've still got something to say?
You jerk your tie; you check your breath
Maybe look the other way

Trouble comes
Trouble goes
Trouble's never far away
So kick in the jukebox
Turn up the Love light
Honey, everything will be alright

Come on, baby and take a chance
What could be the harm in this one little dance?
My boyfriend's on the other side
Knocked out drunk with some friends of mine
I decided that she was right
What could be the harm in trippin' the moonlight?
All I could do was stand and deliver
`Cause Love was a gift and she was a giver

Trouble comes
Trouble goes
Trouble's never far away
So kick in the jukebox
Turn up the Love light
Honey, everything will be alright

Trouble comes, trouble goes
Troubles worry me
Now and then, trouble comes
And tries to set me free
What should happen then? Come around the corner
But her big drunk boyfriend and his big dumb owner
How was I to know the Circus was in town?
This was a fine young contortionist I had found

Trouble comes
Trouble goes
Trouble's never far away
So kick in the jukebox
Turn up the Love light
Honey, everything will be alright

Trouble comes, trouble goes
Troubles worry me
Now and then, the troubles come
And try to set me free
But I don't shake; I don't shiver
I don't move at all
I trust and thank the Lord above
For standin' here at all

Trouble comes
Trouble goes
Trouble's never far away
So kick in the jukebox
Turn up the Love light
Honey, everything will be alright
Kick in the jukebox
Turn up the Love light
Honey, everything will be alright

Subject: Lyr Add: TAKE MY OWN ADVICE (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Jul 07 - 02:42 PM

A good old country hurtin' song by Willie P.


(If I Could) Take My Own Advice
Willie P. Bennett 1979

You told me yesterday that I've been on your mind
You call me on the telephone to tell me that you're fine
And still you'd like to cheat on me, whenever you find time
It wouldn't be this way if I could take my own advice

Now, all the people in this town, they stare and laugh at me
And joke about our kind of love: it's anything but free
For who should know this better than the ones who pay the price?
It wouldn't be this way if I could take my own advice

I never thought that lovin' you would cause me so much pain
But every time I ask myself, I find I love you more again

No one enjoys a broken heart but you mend it so damn nice
It wouldn't be this way if I could take my own advice

I never thought that lovin' you would cause me so much pain
But every time I ask myself, I find I love you more again

No one enjoys a broken heart but you mend it so damn nice
It wouldn't be this way if I could take my own advice
It wouldn't be this way if I could take my own advice

Subject: Lyr Add: L.A.D.T (LIVIN' IN A DIRTY TOWN) (Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 07:55 PM

Could be any large city, but it's probably L.A.

L.A.D.T (LIVIN' IN A DIRTY TOWN)
Willie P. Bennett 1993

In this world of human schemes
False prophets, and troubled dreams
Witless wise men, idiot savants
People making promises they never meant
The check-out maiden's private hell
What about her broken dreams and mending spells?
All that spare change and fancy cars
`Til she goes home to dream of cinema stars

Up and down, up and down her street all night
Who wants to buy? Whose sins are righteous?
Who wants to fight? Whose god is right?
Who's got the blues tonight?

I can't move; I'm glued to my chair
Too manic to sleep; too tired to care
Gin-soaked Jenny knows it well
You gotta keep movin' on
The wind is restless; all the trees are bent
What about those broken dreams that came and went?
If I was a sailor, I'd circumnavigate
Just to keep movin' on like a double E freight

Down here there's dyin', dealin' and cryin'
And pissin' in the wind
Tornadoes and twisters and brothers and sisters
No such thing as original sin
Up and down your streets, everybody's out there
Scratchin' for a buck
You know there's the pros and cons
And people runnin' out of luck

Sleight of hand or magic cures
So much medicine, the doctor's obscure
There's good or bad and there's fact or opinion
There's abscessed egos in your obsessed religions
The wind is restless; all the trees are bent
What about those broken dreams that came and went?
Junkie Johnny died of fright
He got caught; the dirty face was right
Gotta keep movin' on, movin' on
Gotta keep movin' on, movin' on

Up and down the streets all night
Who wants to buy? Whose sins are righteous?
Who wants to fight? And whose god is right?
And who's got the blues tonight?

Livin' in a dirty town
Livin' in a dirty town
Livin' in a dirty town

Down here there's dyin', dealin' and cryin'
And pissin' in the wind
Tornadoes and twisters and brothers and sisters
No such thing as original sin
Up and down your streets, everybody's out there
Scratchin' for a buck
And you know there's the pros and cons
And people that's gonna get hurt

Well, dance your little sidewalk dance
Here's to the dreamers that can advance
Dance your little sidewalk dance
Here's to the dreamers that can advance

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:29 AM

Here's an artical by Peterborough musician/journalist Dennis O'Toole about the Willie P. Benifit in Willie's hometown of Peterborough this Friday:

I met with Willie P. Bennett Sunday past to discuss music and life in general, and his music and life in particular, in relation to the upcoming 'Heartstrings' benefit to be held in his honour and on his behalf this friday night (July 27th) at the Market Hall. The event, hosted by Willie's long-time musical partner Fred Eaglesmith, will feature Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (BARK) as well as Eaglesmith's current touring outfit and lots of Willie's songs sung by friends and fans, the two terms being interchangeable for all intents and purposes. A self professed 'grouchy old man'; Bennett seemed hale and hearty and in characteristic good humour as he settled into an ancient rocking chair for our interview.Bennett seems an intensely private man for such a legendary passionate performer, and though obviously honoured by the efforts of his cohorts one senses he is humbled as well; and his forced sabbatical is likely to garner him ample time for introspection. The tape machine seemed intrusive, and our conversation flowed from a few notes, prepared and taken.   Asked about early musical influences WPB cited Hank Williams and Al Jolson as remembered coming from the family console, and it was the lyrical pull of Paul Simon's 'The Boxer' and his first record bought (Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde) that drove Willie to ask for and receive his first guitar (a Sears item, purchased through Eaton's), and this box accompanied him west and back, thumbing his way, writing the classic 'White Lines' stranded outside of Thunder Bay ('cold and hungry; on the road....Lord I wish I had me a hole to hide in.....') one of his first songs, covered by David Wiffen on his timeless lp 'Coast to Coast Fever'. Willie's muse led him to London, Ontario, where he 'sat in' with the Dixie Flyers, learning to play harmonica onstage at their weekly jams though he maintains 'it was a year before they gave me a microphone'. A stint with the Bone China Band brought Willie through Peterborough to the Tudor room of the old Trent Inn, where his reputation as a fiery performer and writer of mighty tunes preceeded him. Three impressive albums on David Essig's Woodshed label(Tryin' to Start Out Clean, Hobo's Taunt, Blackie and The Rodeo King) and countless festival and concert appearances cemented Willie P. Bennett's place in Canadian folk music, and it became as common for any young guitar picker to have a couple of Willie's tunes up his sleeve as it was mandatory to have Lightfoot, Cohen, Dylan, Prine. Willie maintains he is comfortable with the 'folksinger' label, all these years into it: " people say 'folksinger' and they think of a guy with a guitar and a harmonica...well, that's who I am...." That, and a whole lot more. Willie's desire to be able to transcend the 'man in the middle' approach ('to the star making machinery behind the popular song...')has led him to pursue and master harmony vocals, harmonica and the mandolin, which he has piloted to the outer edge of any traditional concept of the instrument and beyond. Willie's exceptional ensemble efforts have been the driving wheel behind Fred J. Eaglesmith's locomotive success over these past 25 years, and Bennett is quick to give credit to Fred's relentless work ethic and respect for his audience: "you'll see Fred there by the merchandise table after every show; and he's not just signing autographs and selling records...he's shaking hands and gathering faces and stories....'more grist for the mill that keeps churning out little vignettes of real people leading real lives.    It's hard to put into perspective, as a friend and fan, that we should have a songwriter of such international stature laying low here in the 'Patch; but friday night will be an opportunity to give a little credit where it's due, and to help Willie take the time off he needs to regroup and recoup; to take a little road trip out to Picture Butte, Alberta, where his sister and mom live side by side. Willie says he wants to be able to give them the 'living proof' that he is well and truly recovered, and is looking forward to being away from the centre of attention that the whole 'Heartstrings' Benefit has generated.He is, after all; an intensely private man. For those that might not be able to attend, and particularly those that have not yet become acquainted with the gems and jewels that are Willie P. Bennett's songs; may I reccomend any and all of his recordings and any of the fine 'covers' that have been generated by a roster of predominately Canadian artists (Colleen Peterson's rendition of 'Music in your Eyes' and the Blackie and the Rodeo Kings first effort in it's entirety are Willie's favourites). 'Collectibles' is a great 'best of' attempt and of course 'Heartstrings' pretty much says it all. You won't hear them on the mainstream radio (much) but Willie's music turns up on CBC pretty regularly, and from coast to coast to coast at song 'pulls', on concert stages and festival parking lot pickin' parties and campfire singalongs, the songs of Willie P. Bennett ring loud and true, delivered with the same proud and passionate power with which they were first given breath, whoever takes the melody line. It's enough to tug your heartstrings.

Subject: Lyr Add: PUSH ON (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:33 PM

Thanks, Jim, for that article.

Push On
Willie P. Bennett 1993

Three in the morning, the midst of a full moon
The feelings were crazy and blue
The wages of sin is trouble again
But still our actions rang true

She said you hear so many stories
`Bout the fools lost out on the road
Driftin' from town to town
And from young to old
I guess a rambler is hard to hang on to
But love is harder to hold

Push on, push on
Push on, you weary soul
If you got trouble
Or trouble has got you
There's only one thing you can do
For love or money, see it through
Push on, push on, push on

I said if I'd known it was gonna come to this
I'd've wrote down every word I said
I'd have memorized it most carefully
And practised in my head

But, if you're going to follow your own path
To come out right
If you get down on the street
You better come up tight
She said that love was an answer
But some love to fight
I love to feel alright

Push on, push on
Push on, you weary soul
If you got trouble
Or trouble has got you
There's only one thing you can do
For love or money, see it through
Push on, push on, push on

Starin' up through the palm trees at midnight
Searchin' for the one true lover
Tryin' to find a star in this night city sky
Like lookin' for love in the whorehouse, brother

If you're going to follow your own path
To come out right
When you get down on the streets
You better come up tight
She said that love was an answer
Some love to fight
I love to feel alright

Push on, push on
Push on, you weary soul
If you got trouble
Or trouble has got you
There's only one thing you can do
For love or money, see it through
Push on, push on, push on

Come on, this ain't no dream you're livin' in
If it's on your mind, then it's under your skin
Get your feet back down on the ground; that's a good place to begin
And push on, push on, push on

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 07:20 PM

Cluin was good about sharing a number of Willie P. lyrics. If he got you interested, check out this site, which will also give you some MP3 links, plus almost all of the lyrics from Hobo's Taunt, Tryin' To Start Out Clean, Blackie and The Rodeo King and Heartstrings. http://www.williepbennett.com/lyricsindex.html

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 07:22 PM

http://www.williepbennett.com/lyricsindex.html

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 07:32 PM

FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN FEARING BY JEFFERY PEPPER ROGERS IN ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE:

Would you talk a little about Willie P. Bennett and the songs that Blackie started with?

Fearing We got together when I first moved to Ontario from British Columbia. I phoned up Colin Linden because I had this idea in the back of my head: to record a tribute album to Willie P. Bennett. Willie P. Bennett is a contemporary of Bruce Cockburn and Stan Rogers and those guys; he's very unknown even in Canada, and yet his work is known to a certain degree. Willie is in Fred Eaglesmith's band and has been for years. But he is a great songwriter in his own right and probably has influenced Fred as much as anyone. We felt that his music was underappreciated. It was at a time—seven or eight years ago—when the tribute album was at its height. We didn't want to do a tribute record that was like all the others, where you get 12 artists together to do 12 songs. We wanted to be a cover band that did Willie P. Bennett. Colin felt that we needed one more voice to adequately cover the material, which gives you a sense of the breadth of Willie's stuff, and Tom Wilson came in. What started as a one-of deal; make an album of Willie's music and that's it, no touring plans, nothing; just grew and grew and grew. The chemistry between the three of us was very strong.

We named the band after one of Willie's songs,"Blackie and the Rodeo King," and the sound we make comes from congregating around his music, which is hard to pigeonhole. It is quintessentially Ontario music, in the same way that you can identify singer-songwriter stuff from Texas. It's very Canadian, because it's not country only and it's not folk only but it taps into all these things.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:13 PM

The unique thing about the first BARK album (High or Hurtin') is it's the only "tribute" album I know of where the guy being tributed actually sings and plays on it. Willie P. was in the studio doing back-up on a number of the song.

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:19 PM

And I sent a txt file with lyrics, track listing and other particulars of a 1993 album of Willie P. Bennett's called "Take My Own Advice" along with a jpg of the cover to the webmaster of Willie P.'s official site that GUEST,Jim link to above, because that album wasn't listed on the site. Dom, the webmaster thanked me and said he'd store the info for now because that album and one other ("The Lucky Ones") were not technically Willie P. Bennett's property so they couldn't include the info on the site right now.

Fucked-up, or what?

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 10:39 AM

Until recently, the same was true of Fred Eaglesmith's Paradise Motel.

Subject: Lyr Add: BREAKING THE SILENCE (WIllie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:44 AM

Breaking the Silence
Willie P. Bennett 1993

Laying awake at night
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
And the creak on the third step
From the top
And the light from the hallway, leaking under my eyelids
As he opened the door to my room
Hand under the covers
Never breaking the silence

One hand on my mouth
The other where no hand should be
Whiskey words and a secret
Not meant for me
No hint of love as he wet the sheets
No words of compassion that might set me free
Of this quiet violence
And never breaking the silence

All this time spent wondering
Why I thought I had nothing to say
Of never feeling too much
And liking it that way

I'm not gonna waste my life
Being afraid like everybody else
Always avoiding dark places
Especially inside myself
I know two wrongs don't make it right
And I feel the answer's out here tonight
And I can't go on
Without breaking the silence

All this time spent wondering
Why I thought I had nothing to say
And never feeling too much
And liking it that way

I'm not gonna waste my life
Being afraid like everybody else
Always avoiding dark places
Especially inside myself
I know two wrongs don't make it right
And I feel the answer's out here tonight
And I can't go on
Without breaking the silence

Subject: Lyr Add: STEP AWAY (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 06:26 PM

Step Away
Willie P. Bennett 1993

I'm just a step away
Turn around, see where I'm standin'
I'm a step away
From your heart
I'm just a step away
I might stand here forever
I'm a step away
From your heart

Some people act kind; some people act cruel
Some people act blind when they see the Golden Rule
If you ask me, I'd say you're a nervous wreck
I've got me to share if that's what it takes to get

Just a step away
Turn around, see where I'm standin'
I'm a step away
From your heart
I'm just a step away
I might stand here forever
I'm a step away
From your heart

Reelin' from a brand new lost love affair
You weren't so lucky this time; somebody got scared
Maybe you're like me and you can't be nobody's pet
I've got love to share if that's what it takes to get

Just a step away
Turn around, see where I'm standin'
I'm a step away
From your heart
I'm just a step away
I might stand here forever
I'm a step away
From your heart

I'm just a step away
Turn around, see where I'm standin'
I'm a step away
From your heart
I'm just a step away
I might stand here forever I'm a step away
From your heart

A step away (step away)
A step away
Just a step away

Subject: Lyr Add: MUSIC IN YOUR EYES (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 08:35 PM

Music In Your Eyes
Willie P. Bennett 1975

When I was younger, in the days of my youth
I used to sit down and watch the river go down
Send my dreams there around the bend
Hopin' they'd come back again

But now long times go by, at least once a day
I sit and think about when you were holy
And eager to see what you could find
It's funny how we lost the time

You wonder why I lay awake at night
Well, I just can't get to sleep
It's not the devils or the feelin's inside
It's the peace of mind I seek
And you stand there, staring
And I'm standing, laughing
I've come all this way
And all you ever said was
That's okay

Music in your eyes
I can tell by your surprise
Now, you've been doing fine
So don't give me no more lies
We'll understand it all in time

Music in your eyes
God, I love to watch you dance
Now don't be feeling shy
I know you know how
And you're not sleeping now

When I came into this town
I knew my hands were bound
They say you've got to pay for your ways
Or else go underground
But I said

Music in your eyes
I can tell by your surprise
Now you've been doing fine
So don't give me no more lies
We'1l understand it all in time

Don't place me in a hole
'Cause that's not the way to do it
I have to keep on changing my face
Until I can quit being confused

By music in your eyes
I can tell by your surprise
You've been doing fine
So don't give me no more lies
We'1l understand it all in time
We'll understand it all in time
Yes, we'll understand all in time

Subject: Lyr Add: FOR THE SAKE OF A DOLLAR (Willie Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 10:15 PM

For The Sake Of A Dollar
Willie P. Bennett 1979

Once there was a miner who held down his job
`Til one day he died from the fate of his God
Now his wife, she did mourn him 'til the collectors came `round
And they stole all his possessions before they'd bury him down

Now his wife and his children
Pay the rent with their tears
They live alone with one another
Wake late at night with their fears
'Cause the money ain't nothing
to the rich man in town
But for the sake of a dollar
They let the whole family drown

Now the old man had wrote out all the things he had saved
He said he'd saved them a gold mine, but it was all in his head
And one solemn child, who had been born that year
He was brought up with the memories of the feelings and the fears

And now his wife and his children
Pay the rent with their tears
They live alone with one another
Wake late at night with their fears
'Cause the money ain't nothing
to the rich man in town
But for the sake of a dollar
They let the whole family drown

The bartender's arm shook as he poured one more round
He said he'd heard many stories, and was I long in the town
Well I paid up my dollar and I laughed as I did
I said I'm one of the family 'though I long kept it hid

And now I'm older and tired now
And I've travelled around
I've slept in many dark cities
I've been jailed in small towns
And my father would tell you
If he'd lived 'til this day
That if life be a gamble
Let blood be the stake

Subject: RE: Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Daniel via Hal
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 12:02 PM

In [e-mail], "Daniel" wrote:
>
> It was great meeting some familiar folks in Peterborough and also
> adding some unfamiliar folks to the familiar folks list. What a
> wonderful event it was too and what a nice surprise it was to
> discover that Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are really, really good!
> Their all-Willie headlining set was my first exposure to them. Ain't
> that something. I keep going places to see Fred and end up having to
> explore the CD catalogs of other artists on the bill. Happens all the
> time.
>
> Washboard Hank is just so cool. His show-opening set featured the
> smile generating "Chompy The Head Biter Offer" and a few other
> wonderfully bizarre numbers.
>
> The Brock Zeman and Dan Walsh performance caused me to dip into the
> CD purchasing fund too. Dan's guitar was very familiar, but Brock was
> new to me. It's a good combo.
>
> The Fred and band set was short, but superb. It opened with "18
> Wheels" and ended with the grand Willie/Hank/Dan reunion on an
> extended-jam version of "Sharecroppin'" followed by "49 Tons". In
> between was "I Like Trains" and 3 of the new gospely-soundin' songs.
> Since Fred was out introducing other artists and telling stories all
> evening, my Fred-content requirements were met.
>
> I've posted some of my photos of that Market Hall show in the Port
> Putley photo bin under "a Willie P. Benefit - 7/27/07"

Subject: Lyr Add: SOMETIMES IT COMES SO EASY (W.P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 02:53 AM

Sometimes It Comes So Easy
Willie P. Bennett 1993

Sometimes it comes so easy
When you don't have to think about where you're goin'
Sometimes I feel so free, Lord
When I have the chance to be alone
But lately I've been feelin'
Like a king who has been dethroned

Some people say a man can't feel nothin'
`Til he's died and reborn every day
Still some other people say you can't see nothin'
Until you cry; well, go on, cry, cry
But tonight, I wonder
Just where the answer lies, lies

Du du...

But I got this feelin
And it's down in my bones
This Great God feelin'
That some day, some day, I will be home
Though I might linger, and I might fall
I got this feelin' that some day everything is gonna be alright

Du du...

Subject: RE: Songs by Willie P. Bennett
From: open mike
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 01:27 AM

WEll, Willie HAS gone home, he passed away recently.
here is his OBIT thread here on Mudcat http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=108691&messages=42

Subject: Lyr Add: DRIFTIN' SNOW (Willie P. Bennett)
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 09:41 PM

An early but fairly timely one....:


Driftin' Snow
Willie P. Bennett 1975

I came down from Thessalon; Toronto's not my home
I miss the north country so much; no longer will I roam

Driftin' snow around my window
Driftin' snow around my door
Driftin' snow around my brains, Lord
Won't be no driftin' anymore

I'm sitting here waiting for the winter to die
Well, sometimes I hope I never make it through
And the things that I believe aren't about to fight
With the things that I know inside are true

All the friends that I have had or misplaced along the way
No amount of energy could ever bring them back
It weighs down on me like a ton; it never was no fun
But I never meant to do any harm

Driftin' snow around my window
Driftin' snow around my door
Driftin' snow around my brains, Lord
Won't be no driftin' anymore

Well I'm running as silent as a sleeping train
Hey moon, hey moon, won't you shine down on me
I need your light to give me direction
The further off I get the better off I'Il be

All the time that I have spent or misplaced along the way
No amount of energy could ever bring it back
It weighs down on me like a ton; it never was no fun
But I never meant to do any harm

Driftin' snow around my window
Driftin' snow around my door
Driftin' snow around my brains, Lord
Won't be no driftin' anymore

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by Willie P. Bennett
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 10:02 PM

A Willie P. song I covered and uploaded last fall.

Me and Molly