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Ghosts of the American Road

by Ghosts of the American Road

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1.
"Comes to Light" Good days, numbered and packed away Gracious and unafraid We've come to let go Place and faces, they shape us Show us another way To look at this life we've made So far from home Even though you might not believe in ghosts Sometimes when we leave good souls They haunt us for miles Behold, sweet trailing wisps of smoke A specter of love America Welcome us home Roll on, onward and thru the dawn Comes to light as we chase our hearts Down the American road.
2.
Bittersweet 04:56
"Bittersweet" Making my way down through South Louisiana, watching that sugar cane burn. Sometimes you've gotta take the bitter with the sweet when there's a lesson to be learned. Met a dirt farmer, a down-to-earth philosopher, leaning on his fence. He said, "this country with all it's wealth and potential seems to be lacking in common sense." We've got to get up, get up, get up, get up, get up Get out from under this... This life is bittersweet. "We can't keep living like this", she said, "we can't do this anymore. You working three jobs, me going to school and the landlord at our door." As the thunder rolled we pulled down the bottle we'd been saving for this day, And we smashed it into pieces and made that money rain. We've got to get up, get up, get up, get up, get up Get out from under this. It’s all we've ever known, it’s always been a hard road For everyday heroes who shoulder our share of the load, It’s all we’ve ever known. Together, we are strong enough, together we will rise. Cause there ain't no one gonna come and bail us out. Our dignity is not for sale, our hearts are much to big to fail And we'll keep getting up when we get knocked down. I gave my best years to the company and they gave me my steady pay. Shrinking my department made the shareholders happy, so they thanked me with walking papers. That night I walked through my front door like I'd been doing all these years, And I sank down into my easy chair as my wife fought back the tears. We're going to get up, get up, get up, get up, get up Get out from under this. It’s all we've ever known, it’s always been a hard road for everyday heroes who shoulder our share of the load. This life is bittersweet.
3.
Honor 03:21
"Honor " I came across a photograph I had never seen before of the the young man who became my Dad the day he went to war. Beneath his youthful swagger there was something in his eyes like he'd summoned up the courage that would bring him back alive. Though he seldom talked about it, when I thanked him for his service he would reply, "As long as Old Glory flies in American skies we must honor our soldiers who've died." I remember one night Dad came home, he didn't look quite right, There was whiskey on his breath There were tears in his eyes. "Son, the reason I am standing here, the reason you were born was a damn fine soldier who saved my life, we laid to rest this morning." Though he seldom talked about it, when I thank him for his service he only sighed. "As long as Old Glory flies in American skies we must honor our soldiers who've died." Here's to those who never came home to this country they so loved, Here's to those who lived in silence with the horror and the blood. When Dad was in his last days, he said defiantly, "We were the greatest fighting force this world has ever seen." Though he seldom talked about it I thanked him for his service as I cried, As long as Old Glory flies in American skies I will honor this soldier who died. As long as Old Glory flies in American skies we must honor our soldiers who've died.
4.
"Monroe County" The old Canal slips lazily beneath the willow trees Where the fields are green all summer and the corn grows oh-so-sweet Now I am returning to the house my Grandpa built Why was I so far away the summer he fell ill? Some other life, some other time across the Monroe County Line. It’s often said if walls could talk, what stories they could tell Standing in his kitchen, I recall them all so well The two of us enjoying lunch with the lilacs all in bloom I'd share with him my hopes and dreams, he'd say, "Don't grow up too soon." But I was born with wanderlust, I had to go out in the world He said, "wherever this life takes you, you’ll always be my little girl. "May these cornfields always whisper, 'welcome home, welcome home...'" Kneeling by his graveside, I weep for that dear man For buried here beneath me now, my roots are in this land. Some other life, some other time, beyond the Monroe County Line (Hold me, Monroe County, just once more before I go. The only one who knows me doesn't live here anymore.) Some other life, some other time...
5.
"One Good Heart" It's hard not to love you the way that I do. I'm doing the best that I can. There's a heart that's half-empty, and a heart that's half full, And, maybe that's the best we can do. So, hold out your hand and I'll give you my heart, and we'll make us one good heart from two. There's a truck on the highway, it's calling your name. I've seen that faraway look in your eyes. There's a half finished romance, in this half finished house. Don't let the truth tie you down. Hold out your hand, and I'll give you the keys to go where your heart tells you to. From spirits we've broken and dreams we've turned loose, we'll make us one good heart from two. If rain were forgiveness, we both could come clean. There's a dark cloud that follows us now. There's a heart that's half-empty With a heart that's half full, And, maybe that's the best we can do. So, hold out your hands, feel the rain falling down, We'll weather this storm blowing thru. We'll pick up the pieces and build something new. And make us one good heart from two. We'll make us one good heart from two.
6.
Haunted 02:48
"Haunted" Lord, take my hand, and lead me to hope. Where have all my angels gone? Lost my religion, And, I don't know where to go. Why does redemption take so damn long? (take so long?) I've been to New England, And down through the South. The Great Lakes, The Great Plains, The Great Smokey Mountains. And, now I feel haunted By this land that I love, given to dust. I've looked in every corner, Coast to coast. And, it seems every time I get close, My dreams, they all go up in smoke. Please bring me my heavenly host, Cause I keep seeing ghosts.
7.
"Ghosts of the American Road" Stateside, this is all I know. Where the engine of the working class meets the rigors of the road. I have moved for lack of money, I’ve been moved for lack of love, To contribute to the greater good, still ain’t good enough. Out here there are no guardrails, there are only mileposts, Falling by the wayside with the... Ghosts of the American Road. Hang tough, children...here we go again, Once you’ve been uprooted you’re at the mercy of the wind. I've been blown away by beauty from this paint-by-numbers life. But, even the "road less travelled" has got billboards and traffic lights. Drifting by unnoticed by all the mirrors and the smoke, Whistling past the graveyard go the... Ghosts of the American Road. There's still a long way to go. I’ve been to New England and down through the South, The Midwest, the Rust Belt, the old Western towns. I have looked in every corner, coast to coast , ...and I keep seeing ghosts. At a rest area on Route 66, I saw a kid in the back of an old Pontiac. With his whole life before him and a couple million miles to go, He smiled and waved, then he faded to grey. Now, I’m not focused on illusions, I am not lost in the past, I’m just driving across America on a half a tank of gas. The things that come to haunt us are the things we've come to know. Kindred spirits, restless souls. A disembodied voice on the phone. If seeing is believing, we are... Ghosts of the American Road There's still a long way to go. Someday I’ll find my way home.
8.
"Late Bloomers" Another endless summer Living on the streets of Shakeytown We're among the undiscovered, Not the underground. In the shadow of the 101, Looking for that Sunset smile. Don't you ever get that sinking feeling time ain't on our side? Ain't never seen an overnight sensation Coming from a grab-bag situation I love you from the bottom of my heart. Baby, can't you feel my heart, it's racing. We are the phantom generation Still taking chances...reaching for the stars. Ooh...late bloomers that we are. Meet me down in Playa del Rey We'll sit and watch the jet-set fly away, Maybe someday ain't so far away as yesterday. It's like we're sitting in the cheap seats, And we're bleeding Dodger Blue. You can't win 'em all, but we are bound to win a few. Anything good takes time and patience, Anything that's true is worth the waiting, So, come here, baby, fall into my arms. Baby, can't you feel my heart, it's racing, We are the phantom generation, Still taking chances...reaching for the stars. Ooh...late bloomers that we are.
9.
10.
First of May 04:28
"First of May" Hey...feels like the first of May Not a cloud in the sky, Not a cloud in my mind. Blue, big beautiful blue The sun's shining bright, So bright that we'll find your shine. Cool breeze rushes over the fields Fledglings are flying, New foals are galloping free. You smile...and your smile says it all... The world is in motion, we're all in the flow Where life sends us, Heaven only knows. But, Heaven knows where we are. Daydream by a clear running stream Rushing over the stones, Smoothing over our souls. Let's run...let the joy fill our lungs. Run until we collapse, Laughing in the tall grass. And, so...as the hills turn to gold You tell me you love me As we turn for home, sweet home. Someday, we'll look back and say, "Remember that moment? Remember that day? We really blossomed that first day of May." Everything's all right...everything flows And, where life sends us, Heaven only knows. Heaven knows where we are.
11.
Lullabye 03:29
"Lullabye" Twilight suits you well Shadows and pastels Violet blends with indigo and slowly starts to melt. There goes the horizon Here comes Jupiter A moment of perfection in this less-than-perfect world When I was holding on Holding on... to you. Moonlight soft and pale Stars peek through the veil A ship floats in the harbor Can you see it's flowing sails? It's setting off for Dreamland You'd best get underway Please carry my love with you Upon God's celestial waves And I'll be holding on Holding on... to you. Always know my love will find you, You are tethered to my heart. I will never let you go. Even if a bitter wind leaves you scared and cold, you're not alone. In the morning when you rise May morning birds stop by And perch outside your window Serenade you for awhile. Dress yourself in happiness, Set out with a smile, Remember I am with you Every moment, every mile. And I'll keep holding on Holding on... I'll be holding on Holding on... to you.
12.
There You Go 04:48
"There You Go" There is always something better waiting just up around the bend. It might take all day for us to get there, but there you are... and there you go again, bargaining with the wind and going around the bend. It's all what you believe, babe, It's the wind, it's the road, it's the ride. And, in that sacred in-between place, We're gonna leave all your worries behind. There is always something better waiting just up around the bend There is always something better...there you go again. Take the Great Ascension Freeway That's a fine way to see your life... Rolling by. Tune out that cynical DJ, cut the marionette strings. Love will set you free, babe Love will give us wings. Everybody wants some love, Everybody wants some love Everybody wants some love Everybody wants some love to pass along It just goes on and on, so on we go further up the road. There is always something better waiting just up around the bend It might take all day just to get there, but there you are... There you go again. There is always something better.
13.
"There's No Place Like Home" To catch a flight of fancy beneath a consequential sky And blend into the landscape of the heartland countryside Some old couple's on their front porch sipping lemonade She rolls down the window to return a friendly wave And we keep rolling on... Tomorrow we'll be drifting through the Appalachian mist By nightfall we'll be having supper with my cousins and their kids Henry knows these mountains, says “if you come here seeking peace... Don't hold back the river, let it flow, just let it be...” And it keeps rolling on... They say “there's no place like home.” They say that everywhere I go. We followed that Old Post Road up the rocky coast of Maine, Captain Mac's gonna take his lobster boat out into Frenchman's Bay. We'll be eating good tonight, at that house tucked in the woods. She tells me, “Maybe we could stay here.” I tell her, “Baby, I wish we could.” And, we keep rolling on... With the sunlight spraying diamonds, we ferry across Champlain, By the time we got to Spencerport Tears were streaming down her face. She ran into her mother's arms, just like a little kid Sometimes we go out of our way for a moment just like this. They say “there's no place like home”. They say this everywhere we go. In a dream state she retraces all the places left behind. She'd asked if I would wake her when we cross the Texas line. So, I gently pressed her hand, she began to stir I said, “We're almost home.” She said, “I always thought we were.” To catch a flight of fancy beneath a consequential sky and blend into the landscape of the heartland countryside Some old couple's on the front porch sipping lemonade Waving at young lovers as the years just roll away. They roll away. And we keep rolling on....rolling home. There's no place like home.
14.
Afterglow 02:43
"Afterglow" We are all just passing through. We share our shelter, share our food. We turn to face the setting sun, Grateful for all that we've become. We are family. I will see you in the Afterglow, We'll share a smile, and say a toast "To friends... 'til we meet again."

about

People across America are saying this emerging duo's music is "good medicine" and makes them feel as if they've "just read a great book."

credits

released February 9, 2015

Recorded at The Aerie, Austin, TX
Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Mark Addison
Co-Produced by Kevin Higgins
Mastered at Terra Nova Digital Audio by Jerry Tubb, Austin, TX

All Songs Written and Arranged by Kevin Higgins (White Spur Music) ASCAP

"Monroe County" written by K. Higgins & B. Malteze (US2 Music) ASCAP

Lyrics can be found here: www.GhostsoftheAmericanRoad.band


Musicians:

Kevin Higgins: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Bouzouki

Barbara Malteze: Vocals, Piano, Wurly, Air Organ, Mellotron, Percussion

Mark Addison: Lead Guitar ("Late Bloomers"), Hammond B3 ("Bittersweet" & "Haunted")

Billy Masters: Electric Guitar

John Gammill: Bass Guitar

Clay Bielman: Drums

Dony Wynn: Drums ("Monroe County" & "Honor")



Photography (c) Kevin Higgins

For Booking inquiries: barbara.maltese.ny@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ghosts.of.the.american.road
Follow us on Twitter: @HigginsMalteze

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Ghosts of the American Road San Antonio, Texas

"You two are like the coolest '70's band we never heard of!" gushed a fan after one of Ghosts of the American Road's many performances. "And, your CD is like a 'concept album.' “

"It's actually the people of America who wrote these songs," said Kevin Higgins, the duo's main songwriter. "They told us their stories and we listened."
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