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The Trick Is To Breathe

by Sid Griffin

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1.
Ode To Bobbie Gentry 04:56 video
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It was the 3rd of July, another droopy, sultry Vegas day Rehearsals were starting & I knew I wouldn’t get my way my band took five & I walked back to my dressing room The director shouted Girl, better be back soon He said the union was not happy with the lights in here I knew my last performance was drawing near my manager said don’t listen to a thing they say most of its bluster & I promise that you'll get your way 5 more rehearsals... you'll be ready come the opening night my heart danced a beat, yet something wasn’t feelin’ right it seems like no one ever comes to no good in the showbiz world I miss the Mississippi & me laughing as a little girl Wardrobe said "you remember back in 67?" you's Chickasaw County thinking this town is Heaven Yeah, I wuz hoping to God I’d turn out like Miss Fancy somehow look at me, I got it all, but oh Lord what now? When u get what u wish for, you'd better not complain success is awfully costly but surely it oughta hide my pain my manager said what's happened to your appetite? Catering cook your favorites & U haven't even touched a bite That nice Billboard writer man, he dropped by today Said u might get the cover, oh by the way Said he saw u early on & knew you'd rise to the top But sometimes u rise too high, & just can’t stop Christmas Night in '78 was my last gig it was walk away softly or Stay until I flipped my Wig left the stage, the lights, & the headlines & the limousines too Now time is my time, I do what I wanna do Seems I spend a lot of time picking flowers below Choctaw Ridge & laugh the reflection in the water underneath the bridge (repeat this line again)
2.
Blue Yodel no.12 & 35 02:41
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3.
Circle Bar 03:18
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I'm circling round the Circle Bar I'm circling for a name I'm circling round the Circle Bar can't remember why I came Can't remember things we said but remember when & how I'll circle round the Circle Bar not knowing why right now We danced till dizzy way past dawn & spoke of plans we made Our fireworks dazzled every eye we searched but found shade Past cobblestones & broken homes & sinners on parade I'll circle round the the Circle Bar not knowing why I stayed. in Algiers cross the wayer and once in Jackson Square I kissed you when we said goodbye you laughed and then I sweared then you walked up Decatur as wind blew back your hair I watched you as you strolled to work & said a silent prayer Beignets in cafe du monde coffee strong & black We watched a steamboat turn upstream & you never did come back Then one Sunday morning across a market floor I saw you walking hand in hand & felt alone once more I'm circling round the Circle Bar remembering why I came My endless youth is ended no these new days seem so tame Can't remember things we said but I know I miss you now I'll circle round the Circle Bar hope we meet again somehow I'll circle round the Circle Bar hope we meet again somehow
4.
Between The General & The Grave 05:17
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We settled down for evening, sleepin on our feet Packed as close as if in moats, we shook before our leaving No one slept a moment, the smoked what they had saved Counting down the hours, between the General & the grave at 4am the cannon roared awakening the Devil at 6am dawn had come the killing fields now level I lit a final cigarette our line stretched like a wave listening for a whistle 'tween the General & the grave one hand on the ladder the other on my gun first we climb and then we charge I prayed I would not run fast & forward quickly as a soldier does behave waiting for a moment 'tween the General & the grave the General, he's behind the lines scented down in the dew in the rear where brass doth clang far from cannon view there they draw the master plan here we stand as slaves miles away this front line 'tween the General & the grave in life I am courageous to take a patriot's stand in death I am heroic and cradled in God's hand but this dawn finds me lonely as if sealed within a cave surrounded by my comrades 'tween the General & the grave over the top & out to run the razor wire is cut I hear the click & then the crack a warmth within my gut blown into a shell hole where I pray that I was brave so far from my homeland 'tween the General & the grave the Mayor speaks, a piper squeaks the flag held in the wind a bouquet lain for the newly slain the Fallen without sin I'd cry if I could manage but no tears did I save I wept them all the day I lay 'tween the General & the grave
5.
Elvis Presley Calls His Mother After The Ed Sullivan Show 02:49
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Mama I guess they really loved yr boy today Mama I guess they really dug th things I say Mr. Sullivan said I was knockin' em dead Mr. Sullivan said I's cool Mama I guess they really loved yr boy today Mama, I hope you're really truly proud of me Mama, I know you worry but can you see? My life is changing it seems so strange, when So many people love me Mama, I hope you're really truly proud of me A newspaper said, it's all gone to my head My wigglin' makes em dizzy to see In pink white & black I'm like a heart attack But I'm a Tupelo boy set free Mama! Mama, you know you mean so much to me Mama, you and Daddy will one day be In the biggest home in west Tennessee With servants, a car, and a pool Mama, you know you mean so much to me Running out of time wanna say these words Things move so fast and test my nerve But I'll still be your son when all is done & to your waiting arms is where I'll run Mama, they're now calling for me to go Mama, there's a party after the show Yes, I'll be good but I'm thinking I should Remind u I love you so Mama, now they're calling for me to go Mama, they're now calling for me to go
6.
Everywhere 05:41
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Dig in boys for an extended stay Those were the final orders to come down that day Waitin' to be saved in the Phillippines You wait forever in the young Marines Now I believe to be here is right But I have to say that I'm scared tonight Crouching in this hole with a mouth full of sand What comes first, the country or the man? Look at those slanted eyes They're coming up over the hill Catching us by surprise It's time to kill or be killed Over here over there It's the same everywhere A young boy cries out for his Momma Before he dies for his home All my life I have wanted to be As clever and strong as my best friend Lee Now we grew up together along Half Moon Bay Lee was Japanese: born in the U.S.A. Tommy is fighting Jerry along the River Seine You know that me and Lee wanted to do the same But then they bombed Pearl Harbour at the break of day And I was headed for these islands and Lee was hauled away Why look at those slanted eyes You're all guilty as guilty can be They're sent here as enemy spies To overthrow the land of the free Over here over there It's the same everywhere A young boy cries out for his Momma Before he dies for his home I never got home, my platoon was never saved That little foxhole became my island grave And Lee got out of jail but a prisoner he remained Until he ended his own life to lose that ball and chain Oh, Mr Slanted eyes Can't you forgive and forget? And Lee said "Oh Mr Holy Ghost, Can you catch water in a net?" Over here over there It's the same everywhere A young boy cries out for his Momma Before he dies for his home A young boy cries out for his Momma Before he dies for his home A young boy cries out for his Momma Before he dies for his home
7.
Get Together 03:21
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Love is but a song we sing And fear's the way we die You can make the mountains ring Or make the angels cry Though the bird is on the wing And you may not know why Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together Try to love one another right now Some will come & some will go We shall surely pass When the one that left us here Returns for us at last We are but a moment's sunlight Fading in the grass Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together Try to love one another right now If you hear the song I sing You will understand You hold the key to love & fear In your trembling hand Just one key unlocks them both It's there at your command Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together Try to love one another right now
8.
Front Porch Fandango 01:22
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9.
Punk Rock Club 02:12
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Why is the singer so angry? Why is the singer so angry? Does he not have a home to go to Does he not have a friend to hang out with Does he not have a family which loves him most of all Why is the singer so dissatisfied? Why is the singer so dissatisfied? Does she not have a homeland Does she not have a lover for true love Does she not have society around her for her needs Why does the drummer hit so hard? Why does the drummer hit so hard? Will skin sound any better hit so hard with wood Will his skins then sound like he means business... or is he mean? Will his pounding sound like the war he hears in his head Will his pounding sound like the war he hears in his head Or what he fears in his heart when the beat is softer and sadder The guitar is so loud & distorted The guitar is so loud & distorted Is it still beautiful? Is it not still beautiful? - Where is Segovia’s woman? A guitar is like a woman - caress her gently, and she makes beautiful music. - Where is Segovia’s woman? - Where is Segovia’s woman? A guitar is like a woman - caress her gently, and she makes beautiful music. -Where is Segovia’s woman? The punk rock club shakes with emotion The punk rock club shakes with human spirit The punk rock club shakes till it collapses into cacophony It is always thus For I am the bass player
10.
Who’s Got A Broken Heart 03:54
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who sits alone must pay the piper who has a tongue sharp like a viper Who, who’s got a broken heart who dines alone with no partner who finds easy getting harder Who, who’s got a broken heart Who works away a silent hour who tastes sweet yet seems so sour Who, who’s got a broken heart Whose got a broken heart Who said we'd never part? Why is this for the best? What is there to confess Should I confess that I needed You The good... which should be in goodbye is summoned by the softest sigh Now who, who’s got a broken heart A conversation less in words thinking bout what we once heard Now who, who’s got a broken heart The bad, seems so bad somehow revisits in the here & now Now who, who’s got a broken heart Whose got a broken heart who said we’d never part Why is this for the best? What is there to confess I confess I thought you loved me too The sands of time rest on their beach blown away, they will not preach To who, who hides a broken heart A wound so new it cannot heal till time, in time, creates a seal To hide, to hide a broken heart To hide, who’s got a broken heart Whenever asked I speak so warmly behind the mask which now adorns me Here, take my broken heart I pray the Lord my soul to take to some warm home where it will not break Here, here's my broken heart Who, who’s got a broken heart Who, who’s got a broken heart
11.
We've Run Out Of Road 04:22
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our trips been travelled, our journey's adjourned We've burned all the firewood but what have we learned? I loved you once twice but I love you no more No reason to weep as I reach for the door the edge of our map tells a story so old we've come to the end, dear we've run out of road the line in the sand which we drew was then crossed Souting out orders yet neither the boss I loved you once twice but I love you no more No reason to speak those soft words anymore The blurred tattered line is a promise foretold we've come to the end, dear we've run out of road Our red state reaction is straight from the news We should’ve been laughing not lighting a fuse The older we get seems the better we were We're roaring like lions where we used to purr There's No reason for reason at this point I’m told we've come to the end, dear we've run out of road A road leads away from all that we've known A road leads away from the spot we called home A road leads away from all that we've seen It was Life, it was love, it was us, not a dream The sun’s slowly setting its set in its ways The heat fails to warm us though we're caught in its gaze Remember when love taught us each how to say This moment of evening’s the best part of day No reason a season should keep us from cold we've come to the end, dear we've run out of road A road leads away from all that we've known A road leads away from the spot we called home A road leads away from all that we've seen It was Life, it was love, it was us, not a dream That mark on the cross was a curse that was cast Both winners now shall later be last Our chapters now written on a yellowing page & yet without passion its still all the rage the last of our novel tells a story so old we’ve come to the end dear, we've run out of road the quiet arrives with a peace set in stone United We Stand is now two folks alone With one headed north, the other turns south So sad in the eyes & so down in the mouth The end of this tale tells a story so old this is our ending, we've run out of road we've come to the end, dear we've run out of road
12.
I'll Forget You Very Well 02:17
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I'll forget you very well I'll forget you very well the butcher the baker the candlestick maker ‘tis the tail no tongue will tell I'll forget you very well I'll forget you very well hey diddle diddle, your cat on my fiddle your cow can jump over my moon walking through the woods one day I found myself alone a wise man said “no direction home" all who wander are not lost but sometimes there's a little cost sorry love, | gotta say shalom I'll forget u very well I'll forget u very well the downtrodden lass, the intern kissing ass Each with their tale to tell waking down a city street I saw her standing there that's a Beatles song... Yes, It Is winning love was so much fun but seems you found another one Love which was mine, is now his I'll forget you very well I'll forget you very well when I'm drinking, I'm thinking why I am I sinking? no wonder some call love Hell I'll forget you very well I'll forget you very well for better or worse, like the last verse I'll forget you very well for better or worse, just like the last verse I'll forget you very well
13.
Right 'Round The Bend 02:54
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14.
Four Winters Away 02:51
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15.
Human Spirit 04:01
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16.
Thought Talk 01:21
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17.
Older Guys (Live, Purple Weekend Festival, 2016) 02:51
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about

The Trick Is To Breathe is Sid Griffin’s first solo album in a decade. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at the home studio of Thomm Lutz in February 2014 it was a joyous, easy and (almost) carefree session, the entire album completed in four days.

“Before Christmas I had sent some Nashville friends acoustic demos of my songs and of my new arrangement of a version of The Youngbloods’ great Get Together. These men and women had learned the songs off my demos and most of the songs we recorded were second takes…in fact these players are so accomplished I don’t think any track was recorded in more than four takes,” recalls Griffin.

Sid played mandolin on two tracks, guitar on about six more, but the core of the band was Mark Fain from Ricky Skagg’s Kentucky Thunder outfit on bass, the great virtuoso Sierra Hull on mandolin, Paul Griffith on drums, Thomm Jutz on guitar, Justin Moses on banjo, fiddle and dobro, and gospel legend James T. Brown on backing vocals. Other than Thomm Jutz and Paul Griffith none had met Sid before the sessions began.

credits

released July 2, 2020

Produced by Thomm Jutz & Sid Griffin
Recorded at T.J. Tunes in Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Engineered & Mixed by Thomm Jutz
Mastered by Alex McCullough at Yes, Master in Nashville, Tennessee

Sid Griffin: vocals, 12 & 6 string guitar acoustic guitar, mandolin on Between The General & The Grave and Front Porch Fandango
Sierra Hull: mandolin
Justin Moses: banjo, fiddle, dobro
Mark Fain: doghouse bass
Paul Griffith: drums, percussion
Thomm Jutz: acoustic guitar
James T. Brown: backing vocals

String arrangement & Strings on Who’s Got A Broken Heart by David Henry

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

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Sid Griffin London, UK

Yep, I'm the guy from the Americana founders the Long Ryders in 1980s L.A. & the guy in the first ever alt-bluegrass act, the Coal Porters, recently out of London. You bet make solo albums & perform singer-songwriter gigs, I’ve toured solo from London to Los Angeles to Sydney to Hong Kong to Helsinki too. Million Dollar Bash is my well-received book on The Basement Tapes and I've never met Dylan. ... more

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