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Here’s a sort-of love song – “3 Words” – I recorded with John Girton (Dan Hicks, Maria Muldaur) that’s scheduled for release to streaming on Friday, February 28. John and I have played together since the 1980s. He remains one of the tastiest guitar players on the planet.
I wrote “3 Words” in Pennsylvania with my accomplices Mountain John Hilligoss and Moe Dixon. We got together for a week each year to write songs. I’d go out with my morning coffee and sit on a little foot bridge over a beautiful creek. I believe Tom Waits once said that writing songs is like fishing – to catch the big ones you have to be real quiet. That morning I was ruminating on a conversation I’d had with a young friend. Her best friend had fallen in love and the object of their desire had said “I love you.” That nailed it… Three words.
In my ruminations I recalled Carol King and Jerry Goffin’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” – their first hit song recorded by the Shirelles in 1960. The bridge of that song always bugged me. Come on… “words unspoken”? (Jerry gets the blame for that – he wrote the words. Carol wrote the music.) The song got done quick with a little R&B ballad thing going on.
I worked it up with John Girton and Joe Craven for a show we did last year at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City, California. We got a good recording (thanks to Felton Pruitt!) and listening back I realized that John’s guitar part had totally stuck in my head. I had finished a studio recording and was just about to release it when I realized I needed to get John to add that. His playing consistently knocks me out. Love it. Secret sauce.
Enjoy! (Click, Like, Stream, Share, Forward, Etc.)
Footnote: The last album I released was in 2012 and since then the music business has completely morphed. In my studies to learn how to release music in 2025 I’ve learned that (deeply flawed) Spotify has pretty much won the battle of the streaming services. As the winner, it’s robots are the current gatekeepers. Those robots really wake up if a new release gets more than 1000 streams on release day – for 3 Words that’s this Friday 2/28. Your cooperation and support this Friday 2/28 will be greatly appreciated.
“A cozy blend of blues, jazz, and soul, think John Mayer’s smoky guitar licks, Ray Charles’ timeless phrasing, and Leon Bridges’ rich storytelling. ” – Oghamyst Music
“A strong, personal blues and even jazz inflected pop performance. A unique and accessible lead vocal, great backing vocals and excellent guitar playing.” – Brooklyn Music Experience
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On another note
I’ve discovered Substack – a semi-swamp-free social media platform with thoughtful writing and commentary and NO commercials. I’m just beginning to figure out how it works but I’ve put up a couple of stories. Check it out. Subscribe!
