NAMED ONE OF 17 BEST ALBUMS OF 2017 BY NJ.COM
High Beams - Stream the album on YouTube.
BUY YOUR COPY AT BANDCAMP
Written & Produced By Cranston Dean
copyright 2017
"TRACK LIST"
1. CROSS ON THE HIGHWAY
2. PUSH
3. I WANT YOU
4. FOG ON THE BAY
5. I GOT THE SHAKES
6. BROTHER, OH BROTHER
7. CRABAPPLE TREE
8. AMEN, AH MAN
9. ALBETA
10. JOHN & KATHY
11. NOVEMBER RAIN
12. GOODNIGHT DEAR, I AM DONE
13. CAN'T OUTSPEAK THEM ALL
Cranston Dean- Piano, Acoustic Guitar & Vox
Riley Schiro - Electric Guitar
Ike Gutierrez - Bass
David Hayes - Pedal Steel
Zach Jones - Drums
Rick Rein - Trumpet
Frank Rein - Trombone
Max Carmichael- Bouzouki Track 13
Nicole Scorzone - Violin
John Muccino - Piano & Strings on track 10
Horn arrangements on tracks 1& 8 by Rick Rein
Horn arrangements on tracks 5 & 11 by Frank Rein
Produced and Mixed by Pat Noon at Eightsixteen in Bayville, NJ
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music in New Windsor, MY
Album Art by Amy Beth Addison
Layout-Tyler Harrison
LYRICS
1. CROSS ON THE HIGHWAY
O, my god what have they done? Shooting did my Countryman
Hey eh eh
I'm lost in the highway
O, I know fee-fi-fo-fum
I smelled the blood
when it starts to run.
Hey-y eh
I'm just lost on the highway.
Yeah, oh nothing feels like home.
There's no place I can go
this is the only one that I've ever known.
Oh deer cross on the highway.
Ah, nothing lasts forever
Hoping that's the truth and not some rhetoric that I've been shown.
Deer cross on the highway.
Yeah we're all lost on the highway.
I'm a dog on the highway.
(break)
The more I live,
the less I learn.
Blood won't boil
it will start to burn.
Hey eh eh
Just lost on the highway.
Traffic stopped and winter cold.
Gone and perfed him full of holes.
Yeah watch for frost on the highway.
Oh, nothing feels like home.
There's no place I can go
this is the only one that I ever known.
Oh deer cross on the highway.
Yeah, o, nothing lasts forever
Hoping that's the truth and not some rhetoric that I've been shown.
Deer cross on the highway.
Father stays up for long nights.
Mother worries 'bout my long drive.
And I'll be gone for the week ends.
But I'll be back for the weekend.
And I'll be driving on my day off.
And I don't take a single day off.
I got love for the highway.
O, I got love for the highway.
O, nothing lasts forever
Hoping that's the truth and not some rhetoric that I've been shown.
O, deer cross on the highway.
O, nothing feels like home.
There's no place I can go
this is the only one that I ever known.
Oh deer cross on the highway.
We're all lost on the highway
Oh, I'm a dog on the highway.
Deer cross on the highway.
2. PUSH
The turning of the tides.
How many names
did I have to know?
Enough for it to show.
The glimmer in your eyes
How many games did you have to blow.
Enough for me to know.
I don't want to be the last
lonely leaf upon this tree.
Don't want a style that last
as long as there are flowers in the spring.
I need a truth to grasp
or else I'm cut out on the cold.
And I've only you to ask
the conversation's growing old.
Push me around again.
Don't want to hear it.
Don't care what day it is.
Don't care what day it is.
Push me around again
Don't want to hear it.
Don't care what day it is.
I don't know what day it is.
(break)
I simmered in your lies.
How many days,
I will never know.
Enough for me to grow.
And the glimmer in your eyes.
An actress,
you deserve a Golden Globe.
Ah, you stole the show.
I don't want to be the last
lonely leaf upon this tree.
Don't want a style that last
as long as there are flowers in the spring.
I need a truth to grasp
or else I'm cut out on the cold.
And I've only you to ask
the conversation's growing old.
Push me around again.
Don't want to hear it.
Don't care what day it is.
Don't care what day it is.
Push me around again
Don't want to hear it.
Don't care what day it is.
I don't know what day it is.
(break)
I don't want to be the last
lonely leaf upon this tree.
Don't want a style that last
as long as there are flowers in the spring.
I need a truth to grasp
or else I'm cut out on the cold.
And I've only you to ask
the conversation's growing old.
Push me around again.
I don't want to hear it.
I don't care what day it is.
Don't care what day it is.
Push me around again.
Don't want to hear it.
Don't care what day it is.
I don't care what day it is.
I don't care what day it is.
I don't know what day it is.
I don't care what day it is.
I don't know what day it is.
3. I WANT YOU
I start staring at a map
Each time I feel alone
There's a space and time
between the lines and the blacktop
And I just feel at home.
Coming down on empty
Pullin' over
and I'm looking for a friend.
Heading north to Old New England
one more time before the cold sets in.
Let me cut right through the night.
Want to drive away my pain.
I want miles beneath my tires.
Want to feel my engine Reign King.
Want to hold you through the night
Wanna laugh, wanna sing.
I want you
I want you to know
Nothing wrong with how you feel about me now
its just how you show it.
And I want you
I want you to see.
When you speak to me in jest
I think it's best we just let it be.
I start picking at the gaps.
Digging at the holes.
Like a mouse to scratch a trap to find out everything
he doesn't want to know.
Coming down forgive me if my voice is harsh and changes in its tone.
This isn't easy please believe me
I think it's best we just left it alone.
Let me cut right through the night.
Want to drive away my pain.
I want miles beneath my tires.
Want to feel my engine Reign King.
Want to hold you through the night
Wanna laugh, wanna sing.
And I want you
I want you to know
Nothing wrong with how you feel about me now, its just how you show it.
And I want you
I want you to see.
This has just as much to do with you
as it has got with me.
This has just as much to do with you
as it has got with me.
This has just as much to do with you
as it has got with me.
4. FOG ON THE BAY
There's a worried look on the fishermen
Brine upon the breeze
The wind is picking up
Birds are in the trees.
The evenings getting colder.
Shops are closing for the day.
My love is still out on the bay.
I can't reach my love on the water.
I can't reach my love on the waves.
Pray my love stay safe from the slaughter.
And return from the fog on the bay.
(break)
Wind is picking up
Church bells ringing 6
Due at home by noon
And I spent hours on this dock.
Way out on the water
I hear a helicopter's roar
What can I do
from the safety of the shore.
I can't reach my love on the water.
I can't reach my love on the waves.
Pray my love stay safe from the slaughter.
And return from the fog on the bay.
(break)
Worried look on the Reverend
Brine upon the breeze.
The wind is picking up
Birds are in the trees
Way out on the water
I hear a helicopter's roar
Can I do
from the safety of the shore.
Till I see my love on the water.
I can't see my love on the waves.
Pray my love stay safe from the slaughter.
And return from the fog on the bay.
I can't reach my love on the water.
I can't reach my love on the waves.
Pray my love stay safe from the slaughter.
And return from the fog on the bay.
And return from the fog on the bay.
And return from the fog on the bay.
5. I GOT THE SHAKES
I got the shakes
I got the shivers
And I'm heading downtown
And I'm hoping that I don't deliver.
I got the shakes
Yeah, I got the trembles.
Owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
Then it's just hollyhocks
And turpentine.
Hemlock in my brandywine.
Saint Peter said auf Wiedersehen.
I remember.
She's just a radiant patchwork architect
She won't give off her intellect.
Shady as hot noon ever gets,
but I love her.
I got the shakes
I got the shivers
And I'm heading downtown
And I'm hoping that I don't deliver.
I got the shakes
Yeah, I got the trembles.
Owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
Then I'll just Piedmont pick another tune.
On a red hawk feathered afternoon
There's flies in May
and bugs in June
But whatever
It's just a peck of pickled pep talks here.
In through one and out my other ear.
Where years and cheers
and fears and tears come together.
I got the shakes
I got the shivers
And I'm heading downtown
And I'm hoping that I don't deliver.
I got the shakes
Yeah, I got the trembles.
Owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
(break)
Well you can candy coat my cigarette
Configure it Confederate
The Ambrose Channel amulet
Through the winter.
Whether it's late July or February
It's a long long way to Tipperary
By plane by boat by bus by ferry
but whatever
I got the shakes
I got the shivers
And I'm heading downtown
And I'm hoping that I don't deliver.
I got the shakes
I got the trembles.
Owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
I got the shakes
I got the shivers
And I'm heading downtown
And I'm hoping that I don't deliver.
I got the shakes
I got the trembles.
Owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
Oh I owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
Oh I owe you a debt,
But I'm hoping that you don't remember.
vwo-vwoe-vwa-bop-bo
6. BROTHER, OH BROTHER
Brother, oh Brother
Where have you gone?
You are forgiven
All the things you have done.
Jump in the water.
I'll throw you a line.
Know that I'll pull you
in from the swallowing tide.
Sister, oh Sister
Did you search hard.
Does it go in your nose?
does it go in your arm?
Jump in the water.
No need to run.
Oh, you can't turn that needle
Right into a gun.
(break)
Brother, oh Brother
What have you learned
All the people who laughed
At the bridges you burned.
Jump in the water
And I'll throw you a line
Know that I'll pull you in from the swallowing tide.
Know that I'll pull you in from the swallowing tide.
Know that I'll pull you in from the swallowing tide.
7. CRABAPPLE TREE
Sour is the fruit
from the crabapple tree
In the place my family's forgotten.
Sweet is the breeze
that did rose from the marsh.
Looking out on the bonny big mountain.
Steady the stream
That rose from the woods.
Cool are the pools of her water.
I have spent many days
down by her banks.
Now to think of her
brings me great sorrow.
Sweet are the berries
Brush in the hill.
But for few fine weeks in August.
Who put a price on an acre of land
Tell me
Life, it is short.
Death, it is long.
It moves quick and swift
like a hammer.
But to think of this land
Sold without a flinch
It has caused my whole soul to tremor.
(break)
New cars in the driveway.
New name on the door.
The new paint on the barn is drying.
Down in the yard
'neath the crabapple tree
lies its bitter fruit rotting.
Life, it is short.
Death, it is long.
It moves quick and swift
like a hammer.
And I'll work everyday
My mortal life
but to see her again
I will never.
To see her again
I will never
To see her again
I will never
8. AMEN, AH MAN
Phantoms in the air.
Tarry through the garden there.
Won't leave me alone
Long enough to turn to stone.
O, to find we're all the same.
After all, we're not as small as we seem.
As is above
It is below
Amen. Ah, men.
(break)
There's magic in the air.
Hard to find it anywhere.
Won't leave me alone.
Long enough to turn to stone.
O, to find we're all the same.
You don't look like me,
You're my brother by name.
As is above
It is below
Amen. Ah, men.
(break)
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-amen
Ah, men.
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-amen
Ah, men.
(break)
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-amen
Ah, men.
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-amen
Ah, men.
(break)
I was in time
to find we're all the same.
You're not my blood.
But you're my brother by name.
As is above
It is below.
Amen. Amen. Ah, men.
9. ALBETA
An old woman
Waits for the doctor
She's playing with locks of
the last of her golden blond hair.
Next to her daughter
Like she's talking to the mirror.
Back when life was clearer
And dancing to the records
down the hall.
"Albeta, we're ready to see ya."
She rose from her chair.
Leaned right on the wall.
She heard, "Albeta, I can't wait to see you girl.
"Can you come out this weekend?
Help me make sense of the world?"
(break)
A young woman
Waits right acrossed her.
Legs layed a-crossed her
Beauty shines bright Into the world.
Next to her father
Doting the bothered
When he reads the words 'date night'
Seeing 'em fixed on the screen.
"Albeta, can't wait to see ya.
"Can you come out this weekend
Help me make sense of it all"?
"Albeta, we're ready to see ya."
Rose from her chair.
Leaned right on the wall.
Oh-o, Albeta!
(break)
She thinks of her mother
Said, "Don't ask your father.
Just go out and see him.
You'll never make sense of this world."
"Albeta, can't wait to see you.
Can ya come out this weekend?
Help me make sense of it all"
Oh, Albeta
"We're ready to see ya."
She Rose from her chair.
Lean right on the wall.
She heard, "Albeta,
can't wait to see you girl.
Come out this weekend
Help me make sense of the world."
Oh, Albeta
Rise from your chair
Shine bright for the world.
Oh, Albeta
Rise from your chair
Shine bright for the world.
10. JOHN & KATHY
John met Kathy
on the Jersey Shore.
June 1940,
right before the war.
He courted her proudly
before they shipped him off
in his uniform.
John promised Kathy
that he'd always write.
Thoughts of her would
keep him up at night.
No Army strong or ocean wide
would keep her from his sight.
He sang, "I love you.
I love you.
I love you till I'm old and gray."
War came to close.
Then the discharge papers.
Couple got married
then 9 months later.
The first of five
Rest his weary head
In an incubator.
John turn to Kathy on every night
Kissed her soft hair
'fore we hit the light.
Then he'd sing to her
with a smile so wide
He'd say, "My Life."
He sang,
"I love you.
I love you.
I love you till I'm old and gray."
He sang,
"I love you.
Ooo, I love you.
I'll love you till last breath I take."
Kids made it through college
In their gowns and caps.
Moved to the suburbs.
Never looking back.
Left their parents all alone
In their Brooklyn flat.
John said, "Kathy put on your shoes.
Hurry now woman.
We've no time to lose.
We're going to walk to the river
Like we did in '52."
Sing, "I love you.
I've loved you.
I love you till I'm old and gray."
'82 and '84 their health was fair.
One day John collapsed on the stairs.
Kathy kicked and screamed.
She pulled out her hair.
John died at the hospital.
Kathy moved into a nursing home.
She don't talk to no one
But at night just sits there all alone.
And sings, "I love you.
I loved you.
I've loved you till I'm old and gray.
Well, I love you.
Ooo, I love you.
Love you till last breath I take."
11. NOVEMBER RAIN
We give it.
We get it.
We live it.
We're in it.
And even if the plans of a stranger
fall flat in the face of
forgiveness.
November rain gonna to come.
November rain gonna to come
November rain gonna to come.
It's gonna get harder.
It's gonna get harder.
It's gonna get harder.
(break)
I make appearance.
I may not look good.
I keep on
appearing
And it's apparent
I'm addicted to the
people that I'm serving.
It's important.
Cause November rains
gonna come.
November rains
gonna come.
November rains
gonna come.
It's gonna get harder.
It's gonna get harder.
It's gonna get harder.
(break)
November rains
gonna come.
Poo, November rains
gonna come.
November rains
gonna come.
Ah, it's gonna get harder.
It's gonna get harder.
It's gonna get harder
12. GOODNIGHT DEAR, I AM DONE
An apartment
named after an activist
is actively seeking
it vacancies filled.
Past the point of extinctions.
Blink blank descriptions.
Not of the man who had done it,
But a man who stood still.
So I sat there
I held back my tongue.
Till she had finished
I swallowed my sound
like a man on the run.
She said I'm her bread.
I feel like a crumb.
So good night,
good night dear
I am done.
Good night,
good night dear
I am done.
All her past lovers
are presently planning
a future I can't predict.
Ah, but her in the morning.
And her in the evening.
And her in the yard
with the kids.
All I can do I have done
I've got my thumb on the hammer
Threw the round,
through the barrel of the gun.
I'm waiting for something
that just never comes.
Good night,
good night dear
I am done.
Good night,
good night dear
I am done.
(break)
An apartment
named after an activist
is actively seeking
it vacancies filled.
Past the point of extinctions.
Blink blank descriptions.
Not of the man who had done it,
But a man who stood still.
She begged me to bite back my tongue.
Till she had finished
I swallowed my sound
like a man on the run.
She said I'm the bread.
and I feel like a crumb.
Good night
good night dear
I am
Good night
good night dear
I am
Good night
good night dear
I am done.
13. CAN'T OUTSPEAK THEM ALL
I heard helicopters overhead
And I thought
Oh Imagine it
My family came to fight a crown
which the sun would not forget.
Now my face onto this world.
On to history commit.
I am an evil man
I am an evil man
Just look at my skin.
Judges gavel swiftly fall.
Stopping lives, like livestock now.
Smoke and mirrors
The illusion American Justice
buys us now.
And I made an orphan little child
In some place I can't pronounce
He lost his family to my War
What is he to do now?
Every moment of the day
Someone misrepresents my name
I'm a good man in America.
Swear to God that I'm ashamed.
Centuries come
and centuries go
I never learn from my mistakes.
Never know when to fold
Taking on aces with eights.
Every corner of the world
Empires rise and then they fall.
I made an enemy in every tongue
An I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.
(break)
I hear helicopters overhead
And I think
Oh imagine it
My family came to fight a crown
which the sun would not forget.
Now my face onto this world.
On to history commit.
I am an evil man
I am an evil man
Just look at my skin.
Judges gavel swiftly fall.
Stopping lives, like livestock now.
Smoke and mirrors
The illusion American Justice
buys us now.
I made an orphan little child
In some place I can't pronounce
He lost his family to my War
What is he to do now?
Every moment of the day
Someone misrepresents my name
I'm a good man in America.
Swear to God that I'm ashamed.
Centuries come
and centuries go
I never learn from my mistakes.
Never know when to fold
Taking on aces with eights.
All around the world
Empires rise and then they fall.
I made an enemy in every tongue
An I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.
I just can't up speak them all.