1. |
Russian Caravan
03:59
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All the most wonderful pleasures in life
Seem strange - even frightening - at first
So don’t be afraid to try something new
When you want to quench your thirst
She was working as a waitress in a teahouse
She asked me, what was my brew?
But she laughed at me when I asked for coffee - and said, “I’ll choose for you!”
Our eyes met through the steam of the samovar
Ochi Chornya had me under her spell
And that taste, at first so unfamiliar - now the taste I love so well
It's Orange Pekoe (at first I didn’t like it)
It's China Keemun (now it’s just my cup)
It's Lapsang Souchong (now I love it)
It's Formosa Oolong (can’t get enough)
6000 miles across snow-covered steppes
Through Mongolia and Uzbekistan
Gave a taste as dark as her eyes to that Russian Caravan
My fate was written in the tea leaves
When I laid down in her velvet den
Once you drink from that cup - you’re never the same again!
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2. |
Dead Man Calypso
03:39
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My man died last night, my heart is broken in two
Now they’re coming for me so please hear what I’m telling you
Wasn’t cold-blooded murder, ‘cause I loved him so
In the heat of passion I knew that I couldn’t let him go
My man died last night, my heart is broken in two
Now they’re coming for me so please hear what I’m telling you
Wasn’t cold-blooded murder, ‘cause I loved him to death
Wrapped my hair round his throat, watched him draw his last breath
I know my soul cannot be saved
Putting that man in his grave
But it’s love, love alone told my head and my hand to behave
My man died last night, now I’ll never be free
When he’s under the soil, what will become of me?
Wasn’t cold-blooded murder, ‘cause I loved that man
Soon we’ll be together, this silver dagger just fits my hand
I know my soul cannot be saved
Putting that man in his grave
But it’s love, love alone told my head and my hand to behave
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3. |
Graveyard Shift
04:36
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When night falls
I’m alone with the bones
Creeping
Creeping in the dark around the tombstones
When the moon gets high
I’m ready to dig down low
When I hear the ringing of the bell
With my spade by my side
I’m ready to dig down deep
‘Cos here in this boneyard
Some are dead dead dead and some are just asleep
When they open their eyes
They’ll get a nasty surprise
That’s when they’ll start ringing the bell
Every lover lost
Might be a lover found
They took away my love
They laid him in the cold cold ground
So I’ll wait right here
Til I hear that sound
‘Cos tonight he might be ringing that bell
Whoa-ho. Whoa-ha-ho-ho
Workin’ on the graveyard shift
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4. |
Big Big Man
04:00
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I just want your attention, want y’all to look at me
I’m the greatest - I’m the richest - everyone agrees
So let me get on top - to where a rich old white man should be
‘Cos I’m a big big man
Might have tiny little paws but I’ve got great big hair
And I’ve got it where it counts, that’s why there’s room to spare
In my great big suits - might not be debonaire
But I’m a big big man
You can see that California orange is my preferred hue
So I don’t care about skin colour, ‘long as you bleed red white and blue
‘Cos if you love your country, you must love me - that’ll do
For this big big man
When it’s cold in the night, when I turn out the light
I think of my big papa bear
Wish he could see what I’ve done, see what I’ve become
Wish I knew my daddy cared
Don’t listen to those nasty women, putting me down
Sayin’ I’m stupid, pig-headed, a narcissist, a clown
They’re only jealous and bitter ‘cos I’m wearing the crown
And I’m the big big man
Gold, silver, cars, houses, diamond rings
Even jobs and security, I’ll promise you anything
You can have whatever you want if you’ll just let me play king
And be the big big man
Hell, I don’t care about your issues, I just want your praise
Want you to shower me with it like golden rain
But if you try to criticise me, let me warn you again
I’m the big big man
When it’s cold in the night, when I turn out the light
I think of my big papa bear
Wish he could see what I’ve done, see what I’ve become
Wish I knew my daddy cared
When the other men come face me, I’ll just puff up my chest
I’m in charge here, don’t you know I won this contest?
You put my finger on your button, why shouldn’t I press?
I’m the big big man
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5. |
Yes She Do, No She Don't
03:34
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Well she ain't got no (yes she does)
Oh no she don't (yes she does)
I'm satisfied with my girl
And she don't wear no (yes she does)
Oh no she don't (yes she does)
I'm satisfied with my girl
She got big blue eyes, ruby lips
And a dimple chin
Golden hair, lovely shape
Oh what a darlin’ she has been
Will she let me (no she won't)
Yes she will (no she won't)
I'm satisfied with my girl
Well she ain't got no (yes she does)
Oh no she don't (yes she does)
I'm satisfied with my girl
And she don't wear no (yes she does)
Oh no she don't (yes she does)
I'm satisfied with my girl
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6. |
Picture Message Blues
03:30
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When we first got talkin’, we seemed to get along just fine
When we first got talkin’, we seemed to get along just fine
So when you asked for my number I thought you’d like a piece of my mind
Oh but wait a minute baby, what’s this you’re sendin’ me?
Excuse me fella, but what’s this you’re sendin’ me?
That’s a low resolution and that sure ain’t your face I see
Got those picture message blues
Baby where’s the harm?
A picture’s worth a thousand words
Usually works a charm...
Thought you’d get lucky but now your chance is sunk
Had high hopes about you but now your chance is sunk
Call me old-fashioned but I ain’t ready to see your junk
So if I’ve only just met you, don’t misread my signs
If we just got acquainted, don’t misread those signs
Don’t show me yours or you sure as hell ain’t gonna see mine!
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7. |
Ain't It Hard
06:30
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Ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard?
Ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard?
Ain’t it hard when you love somebody who don’t love you?
Tell me baby, what a man to do?
Some folk say, watch out for yourself
Some say, have a drink, it’s good for your health
Some say, you got to go out, and use someone else
Ain’t it a mean old world to live in by yourself?
Some folk say, gotta go down the railroad track
Some say, you gotta move on, don’t never turn back
Well I see, I see my 2:19 train, comin’ smokin’ black
And I don’t know whether to take a step forward or take one back
(let’s take a walk now)
Well you never miss your water till your well run dry
Well you never miss your water till your well run dry
Well I never missed that woman till the day she made me cry
And I’m gonna love her, till the day I die
Oh brothers, won’t you listen to me?
Oh brothers, won’t you listen to me?
I’m as down, down, as a downbound man can be
If you think you love a woman, you better let her be
Ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard?
Ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard, ain’t it hard?
Ain’t it hard, when you love, somebody who don’t love you?
Tell me baby, what a man to do?
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8. |
One In A Million
04:28
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Won’t let you be left there, pulling your curls
Watching the boys… asking all of the girls
Climb on my shoes, we’ll take over the floor
If you stop loving yourself I’ll love you more
Can’t point your toes, or flick your hair
Don’t do what the others do, I don’t care
The world is my oyster
And you are my pearl
Don’t care for the others, ‘cause you’re my girl
Don’t need to sit with those who don’t make room
Their moment in the sun, will be gone soon
Your light will outshine theirs, of that I’m sure
If you stop loving yourself I’ll love you more
Don’t paint your nails, or dye your hair
You’re not like the other girls and I don’t care
The world is my oyster
And you are my pearl
You’re one in a million, ‘cause you’re my girl
Stand out, you stand alone, might not seem fair
It’s hard to learn... it’s hard to bear
But to me you’re everything, the rest I can ignore
If you stop loving yourself I’ll love you more
Your eyes aren’t blue, your skin ain’t fair
Don’t look like the other girls, I don’t care
The world is my oyster
And you are my pearl
You’re one in a million
… worth more than a million
You’re one in a million
And you’re my girl
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9. |
Tell Liza 'bout Me
04:12
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Tell Liza ‘bout me
But honey don’t be truthful
Oh tell her I’m youthful
Handsome and wise
What Liza don’t know
Can’t hurt her none
So don’t mention the bourbon
And my wand’rin’ eyes
I want that gal to know ‘bout my dreams, hopes and fears
I just don’t think she needs to know where I’ve been these last few years
Tell Liza ‘bout me
Don’t mention my affliction
Make it a fine work of fiction
Tell Liza ‘bout me
Tell Liza ‘bout me
And the message you’re sendin’
Can have a fairytale ending
If you make it so
Take a few things out
Keep a little bit of mystery
A little rewrite of history
Is all she needs to know
Want that gal to know that my feelings are sincere
So just tell her the story that we both want her to hear
Tell Liza ‘bout me
And it might turn out well
Only time will tell
Tell Liza ‘bout me
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10. |
Viper Mad
05:10
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Just viper mad, must have my fun
I'm never sad, it can’t be done
The people are talking, but I don’t care
I'm twenty one, far from done, I’ve just begun
So wrap your chops ‘round this stick of tea
Come on blow this gage and get high with me
Good tea is my weakness, I know it's bad
It sends me gate and I can’t wait, I'm viper mad
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11. |
Showgirl
04:17
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She was a shy girl… But she was beautiful
And he wanted to show her off
He bought her dresses… Bought her high-heeled shoes
‘Cause he loved to see her take them off
You’ve got talent he told her, as he was kissing her shoulder
You shouldn’t waste it all on me
You could be up on a stage, with your name in lights
You are something the world should see
Go girl, become a showgirl, oh girl don’t say no
Go girl, become a showgirl, what girl could say no
She was a hit. Became a pin-up. With a devoted legion of fans
Poor boys and princes and playboys and priests
But she had eyes for just one man
Every night when he knew that he was taking her home
He was the envy of all his friends
But deep down inside she knew that it wasn’t right
She vowed that she would make amends
He found out too late, when he found that note
She hated what she had become
Gonna give myself to God, the only man I can trust
I have to pay for what I’ve done
Go girl, you’re still a showgirl, oh girl don’t say no
Oh girl, you ain’t a showgirl, so girl just say no
The sisters took her in, she repented her sins
No more would she be part of the world of men
But the next little girl had wandered into his world
He would start all over again
Go girl, become a showgirl, oh girl don’t say no
Go girl, become a showgirl, what girl could say no
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12. |
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Come on honey let’s go
Come on honey let’s go
If you treat me right we’ll swing all night
But baby don’t you tear my clothes
Baby let’s break em down
Baby let’s break em down
We’ll get drunk and clown and truck on down
But baby don’t you tear my clothes
Baby you can hear my cry
Baby you can hear my plea
We can push and pull, all night long
But baby don’t you tear my clothes
Baby you can wear my pants
Wear my shoes and hose
You can strut your stuff, ‘cause everything goes
But baby don’t you tear my clothes
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13. |
Weed Smoker's Dream
07:36
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Sittin on a million
Sittin on it every day
Can’t make no money givin’ your stuff away
Why don’t you do now
Like those millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too
Fay’s a betting woman
She bets on every hand
She’s trickin’ mother for you everywhere she lands
Why don’t you do now
Like the millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too
May’s a good-lookin’ frail
She lives out by the jail
On her back, you know she got hot stuff for sale
Why don’t you do now
Like the millionaires do
Put your stuff on the market and make a million too
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House of the Black Gardenia Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Viper jazz, dirty blues and infectious swing rhythms more potent than a bathtub full of bootleg gin. Born of the desire to get their city's dancefloors swinging to the lesser-known roots music of the 1920s and '30s, House of the Black Gardenia brings together the new generation of Newcastle's jazz, blues and swing scene for a raucous revival of old-fashioned good times. ... more
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