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Turn the Water on, Boy!

by The Coal Porters

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Rollo LaRue
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Alex Monroe
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1.
Final Wild Son 02:07
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Starting out from Ferraday like a runaway bus Moving north toward Memphis in a cloud of highway dust Rolling to the rhythm of a sound he never hears He's possessed by something which never comes quite clear Although it might be coming from above It always brings him down I'm sorry Mr. Phillips about Presley and the rest But as you know I'm Elmo's boy, I'm different from the rest From Tupelo to Natchez they all answer to my name Their belief in God above is driving them insane And if I die before I wake, there'll be no soul left to take Hellfire is a-callin' like a leper come a-crawlin' Kicking down the doors of your life Yeah, the women and the wine are just gigs you left behind They ain't gigs when they's your life Hellfire is a-bawlin' like some baby come a-crawlin' Kicking down the doors of your life Yeah, the women and the wine are just gigs you left behind They ain't gigs when they's your life
2.
Mr Guthrie 03:44
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Oh where would he be At home or across the sea Or sitting in a jailhouse all alone Ridin’ rails across the plains or singing down on Main This whole wide world was Mr. Guthrie’s home With Cisco by his side, full of Pampa pride Off he’d waltz hard travellin’ far and wide From San Diego shores to flophouse New York floors Woody rolled right out just like the tide He sang for the weary, the beaten down n’poor For the workers in the factory and fields For the broken hearted man who’s had all he can stand Woody gave him sword n’ gave him shield Oh where would he be At home or across the sea Or sitting in a jailhouse all alone Ridin’ rails across the plains or singing down on Main This whole wide world was Mr. Guthrie’s home A Communist they said, is better dead than Red Some folks found one under every bed So to make a great impression in the depths of the Depression Woody sang at union striker’s sessions Politicised he was when hiding from the fuzz He wrote of what he saw as his life story Of farms, small shops n’ towns, of people battered down You can read about it now in Bound For Glory Oh where would he be At home or across the sea Or sitting in a jailhouse all alone Ridin’ rails across the plains or singing down on Main This whole wide world was Mr. Guthrie’s home Struck down, still young by fate, his legend still grows great In a land that’s better off for knowing him Now playing in that band in God’s great eternal hand Woody Guthrie’s light will never dim So when you look around and start to feelin’ down Remember who has walked your road before With courage, heart and thought, he never once was bought And we’ll sing Woody’s songs for evermore Oh where would he be At home or across the sea Or sitting in a jailhouse all alone Ridin’ rails across the plains or singing down on Main This whole wide world was Mr. Guthrie’s home Oh where would he be At home or across the sea Or sitting in a jailhouse all alone Ridin’ rails across the plains or singing down on Main This whole wide world was Mr. Guthrie’s home We really mean it The whole wide world was Mr. Guthrie’s home
3.
The Sound Of Life 02:42
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It was born with a hammer and a loving touch Finished it off right about lunch Five strings sing like never before – June 25th 1934 When the banjo rang out it was the sound of life Treat the damn thing like his own sweet wife No one could touch him on the Opry stage Heard by millions in them early days No one played banjo like that before Made ‘im June 25th 1934 Gold pink worn hand stripped right back It was a right hand rolled round heart attack Five strings cuts to, to the core – June 25th 1934 When the banjo rang out it was the sound of life Treat the damn thing like his own sweet wife No one could touch him on the Opry stage Heard by millions in them early days No one played banjo like that before Made ‘im June 25th 1934 Darn thing you know played the damned thing too Swapping it round like crazy young fools A banjo is still a-ringing the day Listen a little close and you can hear it say: I was born with a loving touch Part of the music we all love Keep on playing ‘till Heaven’s door – June 25th 1934 When the banjo rang out it was the sound of life Treat the damn thing like his own sweet wife No one could touch him on the Opry stage Heard by millions in them early days No one played banjo like that before Made ‘im June 25th 1934
4.
Adam & Evil 06:20
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He was loud as Manhattan, as lonesome as the Cumberland Gap He walked like his Pappy they’s a lot more to him than that Wore a Stetson like a crown, tapped his cane with a rat-a-tat-tat He owned a Maryland mare he raced he called Sugar Shack Ate burgoo with the crew who hung around The Old Tin Hat Knew what to do, had a view, where he stood was always where it’s at Till one day he got waylaid by an old, cold, bold love rat Till one day he got waylaid by a stranger in The Old Tin Hat She was born Luella - her Momma called her Tiger Cat Referred to God’s word as the highway but not the map So the brothers Monticello stayed away from her honey trap But the Stetson with the crown felt the town was his and so he sat Cheap champagne ran like water running from a broken spout He found himself in her room and he noticed there was no door out Lord, she could kick like a mule - did her lovin’ like a sailor on leave Adam woke in the morning with no clothes, no hope and no keys It took an hour and a quarter and a grand and a diamond ring To push our hero toward zero at the start of a four day fling When Adam raises Cain Fate will likely raise the bar So that’s where he’s drinking till his memory only goes so far Now he still has the pony but in the saddle he don’t sit so tall And the talk on the street is the Devil never would play ball Luella married money and raised a son she called Bradley Jo But the rumor was his Daddy was someone from a long time ago When Adam n’ Evil rode they really did paint the town But that city ain’t so pretty so you needn’t wanna stick around Now Adam walks like his Mommy, got his Stetson set to the side You can always lose your money but you never wanna lose your pride Yeah, you can always lose your money but you never wanna lose your pride
5.
Behind My Eyes 03:49
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You always look like someone who’d fall in love You’ve got that disposition – fits like a glove And it suits you to fall through the clouds And smash down on top of me You say with each look there’s no time to be misunderstood It’s the way you look behind my eyes There’s not that much about me that can be seen I love the way you want me - say I’m a dream Don’t wear cool shades these next days Keep holding me right by your side You say let’s look and not pretend ‘cause it’s understood It’s the way you look behind my eyes I love the way you look behind my eyes If I were more romantic I’d get on one knee Ask how I came to meet you – I can’t believe So much longer and much more of me will fall for you each day I love your look - my eyes catch you each day I’m stuck It’s the way you look behind my eyes I love the way you look behind my eyes It’s the way you look behind my eyes
6.
Silver Raven 04:43
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Have you seen the silver raven she has wings and she can fly Far above the the darkened waters far above the troubled sky Have you seen the changing rivers now they wait their turn to die But they turn their tide upon you when the sea begins to cry Have you seen the changing windows Of the sea beyond the stars And the sky beyond the sunbeams and the world beyond your dreams Have you seen the old world dying Which was once what new worlds seem Have you seen the silver raven she has wings that barely gleam They barely gleam they barely glimmer As she circles past the sun And she tries to tell her sister that her trials have just begun Have you seen the silver raven she has wings and she can fly Far above the the darkened waters far above the troubled sky Have you seen the changing rivers now they wait their turn to die But they turn their tide upon you when the sea begins to cry
7.
Tea & Tobacco 03:24
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A tired man in sandals hauls clothes along my road Parks up in Holloway puts on his kettle and smokes Looks at his family photos, counts up the days in between Dover is stacking, some tea and tobacco to go A thousand miles is not so far, the music leads you there Trading cassettes and those rough cigarettes fill the air Is this what I wanted? I try to do right Burning diesel and tea and tobacco all night Burning diesel and tea and tobacco all night All I want is a place of my own Somewhere to belong My country was wild and my country was green Now it seems like this land of 18 wheels is all I’ve seen Small lights are burning next to Europe’s heart Windows and cigarettes glowing, fighting the dark These smoke stinging eyes keep me awake and alive Seems all I do is I brew and I burn and I drive Seems all I do is I brew and I burn and I drive All I want is a place of my own Somewhere to belong My country was wild and my country was green Now it seems like this land of 18 wheels is all I’ve seen My country was wild and my country was green Now it seems like this land of 18 wheels is all I’ve seen All I want is a place of my own All I want is a place of my own
8.
Butterfly Hearts 01:14
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Butterfly hearts, butterfly hearts You know we hold them You know we have them Butterfly hearts, butterfly hearts Don’t be sad when they up and leave Living, loving and sharing Sing above the life for you Since you’re never gonna be It is all that you want to do Set them free and see the Butterfly hearts, butterfly hearts Don’t be sad when they up and leave
9.
These Four Walls 02:48
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I’m confused, I couldn’t say What I did, I did that day It wasn’t me or was it me Sentences start with a frown Days get up they get me down I can’t hold on Oh God it’s wrong Where I live in these four walls Can’t you hear me call To where you live Oh don’t you cry each time we say goodbye These four walls are streaked with pain I’m tired but I want to live again But a second chance is cheap romance I’m so mixed up, your visit times They’re good, they’re bad, kind and unkind It’s close to hell, still not sublime Where I live in these four walls Can’t you hear me call To where you live Oh don’t you cry each time we say goodbye Now months have passed since your last call I don’t remember your voice at all It’s not a fear – you left me here Where I now live in these four walls You can hear me call To where you live I wonder do you cry now that we’ve said goodbye To where you live I wonder do you cry now that we’ve said goodbye
10.
Here In The Dock 02:39
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I am on trial each and every day Here in the dock believe me And I feel guilty in one thousand ways Here in the dock believe me Don’t bear false witness, you’ll tax your soul Here in the dock believe me Our friend Satan will then assume control Here in the dock believe me I’m here in the dock (Stand up) Stand up and raise your strong right hand Can’t just get by - you must testify Here in the dock believe me Here in the dock believe me Here in the dock (Stand up) Stand up and raise your strong right hand Can’t just get by you must testify Here in the dock believe me Here in the dock believe me A fiery hell may wait below Here in the dock believe me Yeah you slip up where you’re sure to go Here in the dock believe me A field of green will rest your bones Here in the dock believe me We’ll rent a summer unto the unknown Here in the dock believe me I’m here in the dock (Stand up) Stand up and raise your strong right hand Can’t just get by you must testify Here in the dock believe me Here in the dock believe me Here in the dock believe me Here in the dock believe me I’m here in the dock believe me
11.
Fox Ate My Shoe (instrumental) 00:57
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12.
A Light From The Mountains 05:03
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There’s a light shining from the mountains Shining from the mountains Driving me home A stranger, in a stranger land I lost my way, I lost her hand, I lost my way Darkness fell, long shadows grew, I cried over what to do ‘Cause I was all alone, so far from home Please take me down to the Hallowed Ground There’s a light shining from the mountains, Shining from the mountains Driving me home There’s a light shining from the mountains, Shining from the mountains Driving me home I said, “hey Mister, have you come for me? To walk the hill up to Calvary…up to Calvary?” Forsook my family, my bestest friend, Can you call me to the end? I’m all alone, far from home Show me that grace…in the sweetest place There’s a light shining from the mountains Shining from the mountains Driving me home There’s a light shining from the mountains Shining from the mountains Driving me home Sign me up to the Angel Band, in that cloudy land I’ll make a sound to rock the ages A full and ancient tone A song to call me home There’s a light shining from the mountains, Shining from the mountains Come to carry me home There’s a light shining from the mountains, Shining from the mountains Come to carry me home There’s a light, there’s a light, there’s a light Come to carry me home There’s a light, there’s a light, there’s a light Come to carry me home There’s a light, there’s a light, there’s a light Come to carry me home There’s a light, there’s a light, there’s a light Come to carry me home There’s a light, there’s a light, there’s a light Come to carry me home
13.
The Fallen Eagle (Live, Germany, July 2008) 01:50
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14.
Draft Morning (Live For Uncut Magazine) 03:15
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15.
Something About England 03:18
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about

The world now witnesses the birth of Alt-bluegrass!

Featuring new songs from the Coal Porters and a startling cover of Gene Clark’s Silver Raven the sales success of Turn The Water On, Boy! has shown the rave reviews it received in Uncut, Mojo, Word, Maverick and Q magazines were all quite correct.

Featuring ex-Byrd Chris Hillman on mandolin and mixed to a sonic sheen by Ed Stasium (Ramones, Smithereens, Belinda Carlisle, Jeff Healey Band) this album is a breakthrough in modern music as Sid & Co. continue to move forward artistically by reversing field.

This is bluegrass for both traditionalists and the Clash fan on your block.

credits

released July 2, 2020

Turn The Water On, Boy! - The Coal Porters

Produced by President James A Garfield (1831-1881)
Engineered by Joe Leach, Tim Burns, Neil Robert Herd, and Bob Hewitt
Recorded in London, England

Mixed & Mastered by Ed Stasium in Durango, Colorado, USA

Neil Robert Herd: guitar, vocals
Sid Griffin: mandolin, autoharp, bugle, vocals
Paul Sandy: double bass
Gemma White: fiddle, vocals
Hana Loftus: fiddle
Matt Woolvett: banjo, vocals

Special guests -
Chris Hillman: mandolin on Mr. Guthrie
(Chris Hillman appears courtesy Desert Rose Band)
Rick Townend: dobro on Here In The Dock
Esther Mae Griffin: lead vocal on Butterfly Hearts
Pat McGarvey: banjo, vocal


No varmits or critters were harmed in the making of this album.

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The Coal Porters London, UK

The Coal Porters claim to be the world’s first “alt-bluegrass” act, demonstrating the power of fiddle, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar and doghouse bass when matched with four-part harmonies and memorable melodies.

They have taken this sound around the world being featured on NPR’s Morning Edition in the USA and having recorded a live session for Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2. ... more

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