Woke Up in Memphis

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Woke up in Memphis

14 new Al Basile songs in classic 60s Memphis style

3 time Blues Music Award nominee Al Basile's tenth solo release is a celebration of 15 years on his own Sweetspot label, produced by Duke Robillard with his band and Roomful of Blues alumni horns. It also features a duet with Sista Monica Parker.

Reviews

REFLECTIONS IN BLUE – MAY 2014

"A former member of Roomful of Blues, Al Basile enlists the aid of Duke Robillard on guitars throughout the album, a horn section that is untouchable, including Rich Lataille and Doug James, Mark Teixeira on drums, Bruce Bears on keyboards, Brad Hallen on bass and guest vocalist Sista Monica Parker. The new release, which features 14 new originals by Basile, backed by a killer band that has been there and done that so many times they could do it in their sleep, sounds as if they could have been recorded on Stax in the 1960s except for the fact that they have a contemporary vibe that puts them in the here and now. A top-notch musician, superb songwriter and great vocalist, Al Basile is at the top of his game, working his blend of blues Soul and R&B with a group of musicians he has worked with over the past 25 years. This kind of familiarity coupled with the band’s remarkable musical talents make for an album that can be nothing but incredible. Al Basile is a multi-talented individual, singer, songwriter, musician, poet, playwright, writer, coach, teacher and mentor to more than can be counted. What scares me most is that he is so very good in all that he does. Woke Up in Memphis is blues, soul and R&B in the old-school tradition. Drawing from experience for the material he writes and sings, Al’s work cuts straight through to the hearts of his audience who identify with his experiences as there is little that is not common to all men at one time or another. This is one of those albums that has a timeless quality. It will be just as powerful and relevant twenty years down the road as it is today. A master at what he does, Al Basile belts out his music with a passion that can only be obtained when one is willing and able to open himself up to his audience and pour it all out freely. On top of all his other talents, Basile is a storyteller. To say that this may well be his best work to date is tough given the scope of his accomplishments but, one thing I can say without reservation is that I felt better after listening to this album than I did before listening to it. Woke Up In Memphis could easily be considered a modern masterpiece. If you like blues and Memphis soul, this is a good album to add to your collection. This is one piece I could recommend to anyone and everyone without reservation. It doesn’t get much better than this." – Bill Wilson

Lyrics

1. Yesterday You Left, Today You Learn

You got it backwards, got it switched around

wore out your welcome before you hit this town

People you met already had you up to here

should have come around some other year

Got to that bridge in time to see it burn

Yesterday you left, today you learn

Things don't go the way they're supposed to go

you don't know the things you're supposed to know

What you do doesn't do you any good

nothing ever helps the way it should

Got to that bridge just in time to see it burn

Yesterday you left, today you learn

Your timing's off it seems – before you get to steal the beans

there's a giant at your back fe-fi-fo-fumming

Everything you do has a way of falling through

You'd think by now that you could see it coming

24 bars solo

Your timing's off it seems – before you get to steal the beans

there's a giant at your back fe-fi-fo-fumming

Everything you do has a way of falling through

You'd think by now that you could see it coming

But your life wasn't always like today

once upon a time things went your way

You had a wife and family, didn't you?

But you couldn't stand to have that dream come true

Got to that bridge in time to see it burn

Yesterday you left – today you learn

Yesterday you left – today you learn.

2. Don't Make Me Beg

Don't make me beg – you're the one to say when

at the end of the day you're gonna get your way

let me save a little face till then

ain't nothing funny 'bout a man on his knees

all I can say is please – don't make me beg

Don't make me plead – you know I need you to stay

I fell for your line and ever since that time

I really got nothing to say

you're gonna haunt me even though you lied

leave me the ghost of my pride – don't make me beg

When people see us together

they think that I'm in control

but they're just fooled about who's walking who

'cause you got a leash on my soul

Don't make me beg – this is all that I ask

take my advice, I can't say it twice

I'm really not up to the task

I'm just a man with his hat in his hand

leave me someplace to stand – don't make me beg

16 bars solo

When people see us together

they think that I'm in control

but they're just fooled about who's walking who

'cause you got a leash on my soul

Don't make me beg – this is all that I ask

take my advice, I can't say it twice

I'm really not up to the task

I'm just a man with his hat in his hand

leave me someplace to stand – don't make me beg

3. When Things Get Tough (The Tough Get Things)

When things get tough, the tough get things

when you're fit to be tied, you buy sump'n fit for kings

it's hard to make a marriage work, easy to buy the rings

When things get tough, the tough get things

When things go bad, the bad get going

you can see their backs, and their true colors showing

it's too hard for them to stay, but easy for you to know

When things go bad, ooh the bad get going

Sometimes life is gonna bring you the blues

so get out and bring home crocodile shoes

nothing makes people think that you're cool

like a house with a moat and a boat with a pool

8 bars solo

Sometimes life is gonna bring you the blues

so get out and bring home crocodile shoes

nothing makes people think that you're cool

like a house with a moat and a boat with a pool

When things get tough, the tough get things

they ain't gonna stop until the Fat Lady sings

so let's buy a Maserati, and see what tomorrow brings

When things get tough, ooh the tough get things

4. One More Stone in the Pitcher

One more stone in the pitcher

one more hide on the wall

if I didn't shout it

you wouldn't know about it at all

One more stone in the pitcher

one more notch on the gun

it bugged me at first

now my thirst don't matter none

Every day the water gets higher

gets a little closer to my tongue

there's gonna come a time when my heart's desire's

just a song I wrote that finally gets sung

One more stone in the pitcher

one more shot on the bar

you're the best one yet

but that ain't gonna get you far

16 bars solo

Every day the water gets higher

gets a little closer to my tongue

there's gonna come a time when my heart's desire's

just a song I wrote that finally got sung

One more stone in the pitcher

one more skin on the floor

once I pick up your track

I ain't coming back no more

5. I Woke Up in Memphis

I started out an empty-headed fool

never thought of what I had

didn't know what I was missing

until it all went bad

When my life got dark and empty

I saw I had lost my way

I put my two hands together

and I began to pray

I said put me on the road to heaven

cause I've been wasting my time

I'll be a better man tomorrow

Ooh Lord, if you show me a sign

And I woke up in Memphis

they were playing that old rock and roll

I woke up in Memphis

and that was good for my soul

16 bars solo

Now I've learned a hundred lessons

about the things that do me good

but even when I know better

I don't always do the things I should

When my life gets dark and empty

I know I have lost my way

I put my two hands together

and I begin to pray

I say put me on the road to heaven

oo-oo won't you show me the way

I'll be a happier man tomorrow

O Lord, than I am today

And I wake up in Memphis

they're singing that gospel and soul

I wake up in Memphis

and that makes me whole

I wake up in Memphis

they're singing that gospel and soul

I wake up in Memphis

and that makes me whole

6. Jimmy & Johnny

Jimmy James and Johnny Jones, they were the best of friends

they were traveling together down that road that never bends

and hurting one another they never could intend

Jimmy James he met a woman, drawing water from a well

she was sweet and kinda quiet, and she rang him just like a bell

but the woman had a secret, one that Johnny wouldn't tell

Johnny Jones said to the woman, “Ahh it was such a long time ago -

and I'm not the one to tell him, but don't you think he deserves to know?”

She only shook her head, that was a place she didn't want to go

12 bar solo

Jimmy James said to Johnny, I love that girl with all my heart

I'd do anything to keep her, she wants to make a brand new start

so I hope you understand now, why the two of us must part

Johnny looked off in the distance, down that road that never bends

the crows were circling slowly, and he saw the way things end

he said “best of luck to you Jimmy, I will always be your friend.”

7. Saved by the Blues

I was fresh out of luck

when the lightning struck

and it backed me up against the wall

People crowded all around me

I didn't have any place to fall

I was hemmed in tight by the failing light

didn't have a minute to lose

when just in time – I was saved by the blues

I guess I bought

everything I'd been taught

about the only way to be

but it didn't feel right to be acting

like anybody else but me

Still I kept on trying to step

in somebody else's shoes

then just in time – I was saved by the blues

**Saved by the Blues

it took me somewhere else

saved by the blues

it let me be myself

Well it's a long way down

when you start on the ground

I was hanging on for dear life

I had a little hope to guide me

but I was walking on the edge of a knife

Then I slipped and lost my grip

I was headed for tomorrow's bad news

when just in time – I was saved by the blues

16 bars solo

**Saved by the Blues

it took me somewhere else

saved by the blues

it let me be myself

Well it's a long way down

when you start on the ground

and I was hanging on for dear life

I had a little hope to guide me

but I was walking on the edge of a knife

Then I slipped and lost my grip

I was headed for tomorrow's bad news

when just in time – I was saved by the blues

8. Nibblin' Through the Fence

If I hada known the grass wasn't greener

then I mighta used just a little more sense

If I knew that the sun don't always shine

over there on the other side of the line

I might have been happy just nibblin' through the fence

If I hada known the rest of the story

I mighta thought twice of what I was up against

If I knew it would cost me so much more

soon as I set foot through that door

I might have been happy just nibblin' through the fence

Nothin's so good it can't go bad

I coulda thought about that before

but I didn't think much about what I had

I only knew I had to have more

I mighta known that the heat over yonder

was gonna turn out to be just-a too intense

But you never find out 'til it's too late

you can't finish everything on your plate

I shoulda been happy just nibblin' through the fence

16 bars solo

Nothin's so good it can't go bad

I coulda thought about that before

but I didn't think much about what I had

I only knew I had to have more

I mighta known that the heat over yonder

was gonna turn out to be just-a too intense

But you never find out 'til it's too late

you can't finish everything on your plate

I shoulda been happy just nibblin' through the fence

9. Make a Little Heaven

I was sorely oppressed for so very long

I cried out to the Lord “What must I do?”

He said “You know the difference between right and wrong.

It's your life, I'm leaving it up to you”

When there's not enough kindness (You've got to put some there) in the world

Don't wait for someone else to start (Oo oo oo you've got to)

When there's not enough faith (You've got to put some there) in the world

Make a little heaven right where you are

When the City of Refuge (hey) is just too far (You've got to)

and the weight of the world too much to bear (Oo oo oo you've got to mmmmm)

Make a little heaven right where you are

It's up to you to put it there just you, that's right...

When there's not enough mercy (You've got to put some there) in the world, mmmm

You're expected to do your part (you've you've you've got to)

When there's not enough hope (put – some - the-re) in the world

Make a little heaven right where you are

Make a little make a little

Make a little heaven right where you are... come on...

16 bars cornet solo, modulation to E

Awww, make a little heaven (You've got to put some there) right where you are

You've got to (Make a little heaven right where you are) -oo-oo-oo-

When the Gates of the Kingdom are just too far (You've got to)

Make a little heaven right where you are

Make a little heaven right where you are arrrrarrrr

Faith Kindness (Put some there, you've got to)

Hope Mercy (Oo oo oo you've got to)

Oh-hh Lo-ove Patience (Put some there)

Make a little heaven right where you are

Make a little make a little hey

Make a little heaven right where you are Ow, right now...

Truth Justice (Put some there, you've got to)

Trust Forgiveness (Oo oo oo you've got to)

Ohhh Joy Acceptance (Put some there) come on...

Make a little heaven right where you are [harmony]

Make a little heaven right where you are hey hey

aaaahhhhhh

Right now, don't wait, don't wait for... Hope Mercy

Owww, you've got to put some... Love Patience...come on...

make a little heaven right where you are [harmony]

make a little make a little hey

make a little heaven right where you are

aowwww Truth Justice

ahhhhh-uh-huanh.... Trust Forgiveness

put it, right now Jo-oy-hoy Acceptance

don't don't don't wait Make a Little Heaven right where you are

you got to you got to Aowwwwwwwwwwww...

hmmmmm-mmrrr-mmmm-mmmmm

10. Falling Stars

Stars that fall ain't stars at all

just a temporary light

They make a show, then they go

Real stars will keep on shining bright

Shooting stars ain't going far

Only burnin' up the night

They just streak on, then they're gone

Real stars will keep on shining bright

Shooting stars and falling stars

just chunks of rock in space

They light the sky and then they die

and nothing takes their place

Stars that stay don't run away

They were made to make things right

Every night for sure they'll be back for more

Real stars will keep on shining bright

16 bars solo

Shooting stars and falling stars

just chunks of rock in space

They light the sky and then they die

and nothing takes their place

Stars that stay don't run away

They were made to make things right

Every night for sure they'll be back for more

Real stars will keep on shinin'

ain't afraid to put the time in

Real stars will keep on shining bright

11. Too Tough

Too tough – you're too tough

they all try but they're never good enough

When the guys – gather round

they do their best but you put them all down

You smile while they try to tell you all those lies

you're just too tough for the average guys

but you ain't never gonna be – to-too tough for me

You got style – you got grace

you got dimples in the middle of your face

When you're sittin' – in a chair

you got legs that go from here to there

I know your mama must have put you wise

you're way too tough for those regular guys

but you ain't never gonna be – to-too tough for me

32 bars solo

You got brains – in your head

that tell you when to use your body instead

When you open – up your mouth

all the guys feel their minds goin' south

They trip and fall into those big brown eyes

you're just too tough for all those younger guys

but you ain't never gonna be – to-too tough for me.

12. Big Like Elvis

I'm gonna be big – like Elvis

just wait, it's gonna happen some day

I'm gonna be big – like Elvis

what's more I'm gonna do it my way, do it my way

I'm gonna give my friends all Cadillacs

then they'll see I'm a generous guy

I'm gonna have a house like Graceland

and it's gonna climb right up to the sky, ahhh up to the sky

I'm gonna be an icon – like Elvis

nobody will deny my fame

everybody's gonna wish they knew me

and get a little shiver just a-saying my name, saying my name

Everything about me is gonna be bigger

and a whole lot better than you think it should be

good-lookin' women's gonna wanta get closer

then every guy's gonna wish he was me, ahhh wish he was me

11 bars solo

I'm gonna be loved – like Elvis

them girls'll be waiting in line

they'll all try to feed me a story

but I won't be bothered to give 'em the time, I won't give 'em the time

They're gonna want to talk about High School

back then not a one of 'em would ever say yes

I'm gonna give 'em all what they gave me

a fake phone number and a phony address, a phony address

I'm gonna be a legend – like Elvis

legends live forever they say

then the folks back home will all have to love me

the ones who made fun of me every day, ahhh every day

There's a lot of people who never did like me

they tried to put roadblocks in my way

they think when I'm big I'll forget all about that

but I got a gun and I'll make 'em all pay, I'll make 'em all pay

I'm gonna be - big like Elvis

and be even bigger than him some day

I'm gonna show you all you were wrong about me

you'd better not get in my way, don't get in my way

More Reviews for Woke Up in Memphis...

BLUES IN BRITAIN

"If you have yet to discover Al Basile then this is as good a place as any to start – but beware … if you buy this you will be searching out its predecessors."

-- Mick Rainsford

BLUES BYTES

"Basile’s warm vocals are a great fit with this material and he’s as comfortable on the soul and R&B tracks as he is on the straight blues numbers. Each of his albums finds him trying new things and moving in different musical directions, absorbing the influences from his previous releases each time. This approach makes for some interesting and compelling listening. In my opinion, Woke Up In Memphis stands as his best release yet, and I eagerly await his next musical venture."

--Graham Clarke

CASHBOX

"Basile has always been a first-rate song writer and all tracks bear his signature. His lyrics are personal, incisive, and always interesting. The music has layers of textures and his use of horns provide a defining emphasis.

His new album, while grounded in the blues, travels in a number of directions as it incorporates elements of rock, jazz, and gospel. Guest vocalist Sista Monica Parker propels “Make A Little Heaven” into a gospel fused extravaganza. Add in “Saved By The Blues,” “Don’t Make Me Beg,” “One More Stone In The Pitcher,” and “Big Like Elvis,” and you have a nice selection of very listenable songs.

Al Basile has a lot of years and miles under his belt. Woke Up In Memphis is a fine addition to his legacy."

BLUES UNDERGROUND NETWORK

"With the release of "Woke Up In Memphis", once again, as always, Al Basile has managed to bring us another very enticing and entertaining set of Blues, R&B, Soul, and Gospel tunes with Vocals, Lyrics, and Musicianship, truly second to none, brought to the forefront with also a second to none group of exceptional artists.

I highly recommend "Woke Up In Memphis" for any lover of a infectious set of Blues, R&B, and Soul, cleverly and skillfully mixed with some really fine Gospel."

--John Vermilyea

LIVING BLUES

"Resilient and rubbery rhythms, with some of the breeziest horn accompaniments this century's side of Soulsville, Basile's Woke Up in Memphis is toe-tapping class all the way."

--Mark Uricheck

Al Basile

Woke Up in Memphis