I Still Believe (in Love)

This is the long dance version with even a longer intro… The handclaps on the last breakdown are Pam’s idea… As usual, she was awesome.

• By Carla Benson featuring Ron Kerber & The New MFSB and L.O.L. (Lots of Liberals)

Author’s notes:

This story begins in November of 2016 the night of the election. I knew that the unexpected (by many) results were going to change the face of American politics, culture and life very badly foe the next 4 years. I was despondent to say the least. I was determined that no matter how bad it was to become I would strive to keep love, hope and faith alive. So, in the next day or two I sat down with my guitar and wrote this song. I knew that if I was do it right, I must try as a producer to find the best way to realize it. I recorded myself on acoustic guitar as I do with everything I write and sent off a PA copyright. But then it was on to how to best record it. I first tried programming it with a student programming wiz after he had completed my class at Rowan University. That effort had its merits, and I was impressed with all that can be done “in the box” with all the digital tools now available to our industry.
However, I came to realize that the way I really wanted it to sound was more like all the great R&B songs I had recorded in the early days of my career at Sigma Sound Studios. And, of course, the best way that this song could end up like that was for it to be recorded with a Sound of Philly rhythm section in a real studio. Sadly, at three consecutive funerals for TSOP greats, Teddy Pendergrass, then Billy Paul and lastly Bunny Sigler I saw and spoke with the core of the very group of musicians that were the pros who played on “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”, “Used to Be My Girl” and who knows how many other hits: Keith (Lead-foot) Benson (drums), Jimmy Williams (bass) and Dennis Harris (guitar). I had asked them on all three occasions if they would be interested in playing for me on one of my songs. All three times they said, “Of course we would, Jim, just say when and where.” So, after the 3rd time I went to Jack Klotz and asked if over the summer break, I could use the studio at Temple where we teach recording classes. He said OK and I started calling people. First, I asked Joe Kraus if he would engineer for me as I hoped to play guitar with them while producing. Two hats were enough, and I had had Joe record tracks for me on previous CDs. He was in and thrilled to hear who we would be working with. Then I called Dennis, Keith, and Jimmy with some dates. We had to work around Jimmy playing on the road with the O’Jays, but we found a date, set it and then I called T. Life (guitar) and “Lambchop” Curry (piano), both writers and producers extraordinaire. They were in. Now I had to work with Carla Benson to be sure that we played it in the best key for her to sing it. She and I met at my home studio, and I gave her a demo to learn the melody and words after we determined the original key worked best.
Then the day came, July 24, 2018, and we gathered at Temple and recorded the tracks for this song and “You Take My Breath Away”. I had produced tracks (and played guitar) with MFSB that I had written! My God I was in heaven. I took the tracks back to my home studio and proceeded to record Carla. She of course was awesome as she always is. Also, on the advice of “Lambchop” I added Carla on tambourine. And she added some background tracks, but I said I had plans to add as many voices as possible including kids. She immediately helped me by providing about a dozen of her vocal students who came on another day and sang their hearts out. I began recording all my relatives, friends, musicians and singers who live near me as well. The final touches were adding Ron Kerber on sax on both songs. He was amazing as always as you can hear. Then “Lambchop” came over and added synth horns to this song and synth strings to the ballad. Listen to the horn parts that he added. He did them in one pass. I was astonished. His piano work on both songs is remarkable as well. I added my friend Liz Bressi-Stoppe on windchimes to the ballad and I was finished recording. So, now I had a record and I started to mix it at home where I am quite capable of finishing any record, however, that was not to be the end of the story.
In the fall of 2018, my wife Pam, and my daughter-in-law Vicki each were each celebrating a birthday with a zero on the end so we four went to London to celebrate. While there I arranged for a tour of Abbey Road Studios as I was in the process of producing an album and was using that as an excuse so my son, a huge fan of the Beatles and Pink Floyd etc. like myself, and our wives would get to see the fabled place. So, we did and as we were getting the tour, I saw the three new rooms that they had added since I last was there back in the 1990’s. Well, the new rooms were very interesting to me, one because it was small and reminded me of my own room at home except of course it had (albeit small) a Neve console and after all it was still an Abbey Road studio, that recently had been used by Nile Rodgers to record his latest CD. I knew I could mix the new songs easily in that room as I knew its capacity and my track requirements. Our trip to London was fantastic and on it my wife decided it was time for a career change that she had been thinking about. After we returned, I investigated what it would cost to use that room (The Gatehouse Studio) for a day and was pleasantly surprised. Pam had announced the decision to her company and her time there was winding down, as we were driving into the city together as we often did, she said. “Let’s do it, it’s our one and only life. Let’s go back to London and mix your song at Abbey Road.” I was shocked and thrilled so I looked at when I could go that did not conflict with my teaching schedule and it was the first weeks of January before classes began. I wrote the studio booked a Friday (1/11/2019) and then flights over on that Wednesday and back the following Monday and returned to teach class that Tuesday. The idea that I would ever work as a producer, be recorded, and mix in Abbey Road was not even on my bucket list. And in a matter of five months, it had become a reality. Not a dream. A reality. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did in making it.

Lyrics:

• Words and music by Jim Gallagher Copyright 2016

I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
The world, it seems, has gone astray. The dream has lost its way.
Everyone must rise and sing and drive the hate away!
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
It’s always hard to turn the tide. It’s not just: lose or win.
What counts is all your love inside. Don’t hold it locked within.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
It’s not just a song. It’s how your life you live.
So sing with me, yes, sing of all the love we give!
So join with me and set love free. It’s what makes this life so great.
Sing along! We’ll change the world! It never is too late!
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.

CREDITS:

• Written and Produced by Jim Gallagher
• Track Recorded in Temple University’s Studio “G” by Joe Kraus
• Vocals, Sax and Synths Recorded in The Vinyl Room Moorestown, NJ By Jim Gallagher
• Mixed by Jim Gallagher & Paul Prithard In the Gatehouse Studio at Abbey Road Studios London England 1/11/2019
• Mastered by Joe Kraus at The Bunker Mastering Studio, Phila. PA
• Lead Vocals: Carla Benson
• The New MFSB:
• Drums: Keith Benson
• Bass: Jimmy Williams
• Guitar: Dennis Harris
• Guitar: T. Life
• Piano and All Synths: Eugene “Lambchop” Curry
• Sax: Ron Kerber
• Tambourine: Carla Benson
• Guitar: Jim Gallagher
• Background Vocals: Carla Benson, Pam Mammarella, Susan Virginia Mammarella, Mary Mammarella, Frances Mammarella, Jessica Mammarella, Mike Cooper, Chris Pietrafitta, Danielle Campbell, Colleen Jacoby, Francesco Sgrazzutti, Meagan Debrito, Ghazal Lajevardi, Tom Spokas, Kate Shapero, Carolina Maugeri, Carl Johns, Emily Farrell, Neil Arot, Bob Wagner, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs), Jessica Carroll, Dennis DiBlasio, Anne DiBlasio, Ryan Vander Wielon, James Becker, Elizabeth Hahn, Jeff Otto (of Boris Garcia), Chuck McCrory
  & Jim Gallagher.
• Children’s background Vocals: Paloma Sappho Mammarella, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta, Laci Jacoby, Leila Jacoby, Cameron Campbell, Christopher Campbell, Aki Mir, Pearl Stokas, Dario Lajevardi Sgrazzutti, Amias Debrito Straub, Gabrielle Loren Watlington, Cameren Jade Morris, Jasmine Cherie Priestly, George Preston Watlington III, Cameron Joel Priestly, Bettyann Howard, Arthur Howard, Leah Howard & Penny Howard.
• Thanks to Jack Klotz Jr., Joe Kraus, Pam Mammarella, Jojo Arvanitis and all the friends and families who contributed their time and voices to this song.
• This song is dedicated to the late great Bassist extraordinaire and friend Jimmy Williams.
• The greatest proportion of any money generated by the sale of this song will be donated to Liberal causes.

**You Take my Breath Away

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

When I wrote this song many years ago, I played it on my acoustic guitar for my son Rustin and he said, “Dad, you must produce that on as a country song!” So, I did to show my versatility as a producer and that version appeared on my second CD. It is a love song that I have played many times in many places for Pam but in the back of my mind I always thought, “I wonder what this song would sound like if it was produced as an R&B song?” When I had the opportunity to record MFSB I found out. I played along with them in the studio as I produced the track but was unhappy with my performance so when I took the track to Abbey Road studios to mix it, I first replaced that guitar with a “Tele” provided by the studio recorded through a stereo Chorus effect box which I brought with me. One side went directly into the Neve console and the other side (at my suggestion) went out to an amp and had a mic on it. I was so concerned about my playing that I didn’t even look at which mic until after I had finished and the mic but been removed by an assistant already. So, I asked Paul Prithard the engineer I was working with there, “Hey, by the way, what mic did you use?” He told me but I just looked at him with wide eyes and he paused and then added nonchalantly, “Yea, it was one used to record the Beatles.” That was just another magic moment for me that day. You can hear that guitar pretty well in the intro and beginning of the song. As I played it Pam recorded it on her phone so I could believe it myself later…
In fact, the photo on the CD of me playing a guitar is a freeze frame from that video that Pam shot in Abbey Road at a moment that I looked at her.

Lyrics:

• Words and music by James P. Gallagher © 2001

You take my breath away.
You take my breath away.
Every night I have the strangest dream.
Nothing’s ever just quite what it seems.
All that I can see is your eyes
and they look through me, so deep inside. (‘cause)
You take my breath away.
You take my breath away.
It’s not like I could ever tell you. It’s not like words could ever say
just how much that I adore you and love you every day. (‘cause)
You take my breath away.
You take my breath away.
It’s not like you answer all the questions. It’s not like you open every door.
It’s not that I’d ever take possession. I’d just love you that much more. (‘cause)
You take my breath away.
You take my breath away.
You are heaven here beside me (now), with your love so true and rare
‘n’ I’ve got so much love inside me (now) I just had to make you aware that
You take my breath away.
You take my breath away.

CREDITS

• Written & Produced by Jim Gallagher
• Track Recorded in Temple University’s Studio “G” by Joe Kraus
• Vocals, Sax and Synths Recorded in The Vinyl Room Moorestown, NJ By Jim Gallagher
• Mixed by Paul Prithard & Jim Gallagher In the Gatehouse Studio at Abbey Road Studios London England 1/11/2019
• Mastered by Joe Kraus at The Bunker Mastering Studio, Phila. PA
• Lead & Background Vocals: Carla Benson & The New MFSB
• Drums: Keith Benson
• Bass: Jimmy Williams
• Guitar: Dennis Harris
• Guitar: T. Life
• Piano & All Synths: Eugene “Lambchop” Curry
• Sax: Ron Kerber
• Wind Chimes: Elizabeth Bressi-Stoppe
• Guitar: Jim Gallagher (Recorded in the Gatehouse Studio at Abbey Road Studios by Paul Prithard)

She is My Heart

Author’s notes:

I recorded this song entirely on the day I finished writing it, Memorial Day 2020. I played everything and only ever remixed it once a few days later. Previously released on Nova Nulla Vox, my COVID instrumental album. This is for Pam too.

CREDITS

• 12 String Acoustic Guitars: Jim Gallagher
• Bass: Jim Gallagher
• Keyboards: Jim Gallagher
• Electric Guitars: Jim Gallagher

“No More Empty Hours”

This is the long unedited version.

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

After recording this track, I spoke with my nephew Christian about who might sing it. He had introduced me to a friend from his high school Gisele Englehart whom had come to my studio and recorded some original material which was great, and she had a great voice as well. I asked Christian to ask Gisele if she would be interested in participating in my album. She agreed and played electric piano, sang Background vocals with Christian and me and Lead vocals. Not bad for a high school senior huh? I realized later that the song could be more effective if edited so I cut it down but also include the longer original version as well. I was complimented while recording the track by Bill Dorman who played on it and on a number of other songs on this album that he “always loved my chord changes”. He and my other nephew Jim Becker agreed, and I was very flattered. Thanks guys, that really means a lot to me coming from great musicians like yourselves.

Lyrics:

• Words Jim Gallagher
• Music by Jim Gallagher & Rustin Gallagher Copyright 2017

I thought my days were filled with empty hours because of time away from you,
but like the sunshine on the flowers, you have turned my grey skies blue.
No, no more empty hours
No, no more empty days
It’s not a new or different story. We all know how it comes and goes.
Love frees your world from sadness, ‘cause love lights up our souls.
No, no more empty hours
No, no more empty days
Some say the darkness never leaves them. Some say it chills their very hearts.
If they would only open up their eyes and see that love’s there from the start.
No, no more empty hours
No, no more empty days
It’s never easy to remember how your heart aches when love’s gone
But if to love you just surrender your joy will last a whole life long.
No, no more empty hours
No, no more empty days

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Gisele Englehart
• Background Vocals: Gisele Englehart, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta & Jim Gallagher
• Drums: Scott Rouba
• Electric Piano: Gisele Englehart
• Electric Guitar: Bill Dorman
• Electric Guitar & E-bow Guitar solo: Jim Becker
• Percussion: Liz Bressi-Stoppe
• Bass, 12 String Acoustic Guitar & Electric Guitar: Jim Gallagher

Faith

Author’s notes:

A song I wrote years ago that Bruce Hawes thought was good. I produced this version at Rowan in an upper-level production class. I’m glad it served a multipurpose role in educating great students and giving me this to include here.

Lyrics:

• Words by James P. Gallagher

Faith is such a mystery.
Faith is just a mystery.
Faith is just a mystery to me.
Some just take it on the “Word”.
Some just think, “it’s all absurd”.
Some just give a wink and nod
and some will question every god.
Faith is such a mystery.
Faith is just a mystery.
Faith is just a mystery to me.
When I was young I assessed it,
studied it ‘n’ seemed to best it.
But smashing someone else’s faith in
was my first and gravest sin.
Being is just being. Seeing’s only seeing. Believing’s just believing.
Some are praying in their churches.
Some’re still wondering jus’ who to worship.
Some’re crying ‘cause their lives are so hard,
some’re laughing at the graveyard.
Faith is such a mystery.
Faith is just a mystery.
Faith is just a mystery to me.

CREDITS

• Vocals and Guitar: Chad Miller
• Guitar: Mike Tedesco
• Keyboards: Aaron Fagerstorm
• Tambourine: Tyler Steinbronn
• Bass: Tanner Freeman
• Drums: John Kelly-Keifer

One Year Out

Author’s notes:

This is something I wrote and recorded after I lost Pam. I did it with Rustin on Lead Guitar as a simple, instrumental.

CREDITS

• Lead Electric Guitar: Rustin Gallagher
• All other instruments: Jim Gallagher

Let It Be Now

Author’s notes:

A duet that I wanted to sing with Pam from as soon as I wrote it. Pam only ever tried singing it once, but I was able to use her vocal as a background to mine…

Lyrics:

• Words by Jim Gallagher Music by Jim Gallagher & Jeff Otto

Love to watch you sway like the palms upon the beach
Be right here right now right within my reach.
Oh, let it be now, let’s fill our lives with love.
Let it be now, let’s fill the world with love.
Every time you call my name even on the phone,
You strike a chord inside my heart that tells me that I’m home.
Oh, let it be now, let’s fill our lives with love.
Let it be now, let’s fill the world with love.
This world can be a happy place, but for some it’s just an empty space.
Love can shine from within our hearts and light up every part of the world.
Every time that I see the warmth deep inside your eyes,
It makes me want to always be right there by your side.
Oh, let it be now, let’s fill our lives with love.
Let it be now, let’s fill the world with love.
This world can be a happy place, but for some it’s just an empty space.
Love can shine from within our hearts and light up every part of the world.
Love to watch you sway like the palms upon the beach
Be right here right now right within my reach.
Oh, let it be now, let’s fill our lives with love.
Let it be now, let’s fill the world with love.

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Jim Gallagher
• Background Vocal: Pam Mammarella
• Bass: Rustin Gallagher
• All other instruments: Jim Gallagher

“The Game”

This is the long unedited, Jack’s KILLER guitar solo version. Play Ball! And of course, Go Phillies!

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

I am a devout Phillies Phanatic as anyone who knows me will tell you. As I was thinking about making this album it occurred to me that I had over my life written about a lot of things in poetry and song lyrics, but I had never written about one of my greatest loves: baseball! So, I did. As opposed to just playing my guitar and/or being inspired by a phrase or an idea, I started by writing the chord changes which I thought were up-beat enough when, as I played them with my then 5-year-old great niece Paloma and she started dancing. Then I started thinking about all the cool things that can really excite us about the game and it sort of fell together rather quickly. I thought I would create 2 versions, one with all the corny SFX possible and one without but instead just a short and a long version with and without Jack’s killer solo. Asking all my friends who love the game and attend with me has been a challenge as there are only so many guitars that work on a record! Thanks to Scott Rouba as always for his great drumming, Rus for his always great bass, Liz (another true Phan) for percussion, Cal for his “Chuck Berry/Boogie-Woogie” style guitar, Jack Klotz for killing those lead and rhythm guitar tracks he cut despite COVID, and everybody else who joined in and made it a group sing. “Oh, how I love that game!”

Lyrics:

• The Game Words by Jim Gallagher and Pam Mammarella and Music by Jim Gallagher © 2023

Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, there’s nothing like watching the kids having fun.
Oh, there’s nothing like us all singing the anthem.
Oh, there’s nothing like ump yellin’, “yer out!”
Oh, there’s nothing like us all singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”.
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, there’s nothing like eating that ballpark food.
Oh, there’s nothing like the “Bigs” or your own Little League brood.
Oh, there’s nothing like when an ace is painting the corners tight.
Oh, there’s nothing like a perfect game. Hey, any game just might...
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, I’ve seen a no-hitter, seen my team go deep into the fall,
Known the agony of defeat and the thrill of winning it all!
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, there’s nothing like the sweet spot taking one deep.
Oh, there’s nothing like that crowd’s moan that makes you (wanna) weep.
Oh, there’s nothing like the sight of the well-turned double play.
Baseball, it’s our national pastime! It’s here to stay!
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Jim Gallagher, Pat McGrath, Rustin Gallagher, Chris Pietrafitta, Barbara Stoffa, Jeff Stoffa, Greg Stoffa, Mark Robert Jacoby, Paloma Sappho Mammarella, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs) & Bob Wagner
• Background Vocals & Cheers etc.: Pam Mammarella, Sue Mammarella, Jessica Mammarella, Fran Mammarella, Rustin Gallagher, Katie Gallagher, Ryan Gallagher, Vicki Gallagher, Joe Mammarella, Tony Mammarella, Paloma Sappho Mammarella, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta, Chris Pietrafitta, Wayne Urffer, Barbara Stoffa, Jeff Stoffa, Bill McCann, Maryann Coppa McCann, Bob Wagner, Jean Becker, Tim Doane, Jennifer Doane, Ethan Doane, Joshua Doane, Mark Edward Jacoby, Colleen Jacoby, Michael Jacoby, Leanna Jacoby, Mark Robert Jacoby, Greg Stoffa, Liz Bressi-Stoppe, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs), Scott Rouba, Donna Mingori-Leaf, Rob Brooks & Jim Gallagher
• Drums: Scott Rouba
• Bass: Rustin Gallagher
• Lead Guitar & Electric Guitar (Boogie-Woogie AKA Keith): Jack Klotz Jr.
• Electric Guitar (Woogie-Boogie AKA Ronnie): Cal Davies
• Electric Guitar: Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta
• Electric Guitar: Jim Becker
• Electric Guitar: Bill Dorman
• Ball Park Organ: Joe Fry
• Trumpet: Bill McCann
• Tambourine: Liz Bressi-Stoppe
• 12 String Acoustic Guitars: Jim Gallagher

This Christmas with You ++ (Long version)

This is the long version which speaks for itself: generations upon generations of love.

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

Thirty some years ago, I married into the Mammarella family. They have a tremendous Christmas tradition and unbelievably vast love of the season. I had not always had such a love. It has grown however so great because I have been a part of their Christmas Spirit all these years that I wrote this Christmas song. Of course, I had to get EVERYONE in on it and it has taken a long time to get it all together, but I think it was worth it!

Lyrics:

• Words by Jim Gallagher and Pam Mammarella Music by Jim Gallagher © 2023

Another year has come and gone. Some seem short and some seem long.
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
Mistletoe, trees, lights and toys, Christmas gives us all so much joy,
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
Some years race and fly away, and some seem just to stay and stay.
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
Merry Christmas to you!

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Sue Mammarella
• Background Vocals: Pam Mammarella, Sue Mammarella, Mary Mammarella & Jessica Mammarella.
• 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar & Synth: Jim Gallagher
• Lead Electric Guitar: Jim Becker
• Bass & Second Lead Electric Guitar: Rustin Gallagher
• Electric Piano: Sue Mammarella
• Electric Guitar: Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta
• Drums: Tony DiAnnuntis
• Jingle Bells (that have been in the Family for generations): T. J. Jacoby
• Sing-a-long Vocals: Pam Mammarella, Susan Virginia Mammarella, Mary Mammarella, Frances Mammarella, Jessica Mammarella, Mike Cooper, Chris Pietrafitta, Danielle Campbell, Mark Edward Jacoby, Colleen Jacoby, Michael Jacoby, Leanna Jacoby, Mark Robert Jacoby, James Becker, Elizabeth Hahn, Paloma Sappho Mammarella, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta, Laci Jacoby, Leila Jacoby, Cameron Campbell, Christopher Campbell, Barbara Stoffa, Jeff Stoffa, Greg Stoffa, Liz Bressi-Stoppe, Joe Mammarella, Rustin Gallagher, Katie Gallagher, Ryan Gallagher, Vicki Gallagher, Jean Becker, Tim Doane, Jennifer Doane, Ethan Doane, Joshua Doane, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs) & Jim Gallagher
• Jingle Bells and Vocals on intro: Paloma Sappho Mammarella age 5 & “Gamma” Sue Mammarella

Despite of All the Sadness++

Author’s notes:

The last song written for this album before I lost Pam.

Lyrics:

• Words by Jim Gallagher and Pam Mammarella & Music by Jim Gallagher - Copyright 2021

I cannot help but be, the child inside of me
but everything I do, I do it all for you
Despite of all the sadness, despite of all the madness.
Your heart has to know that love will surely grow
and by your side I will stay, every day, come what may.
Despite of all the sadness, despite of all the madness.
Underneath the darkest sky, hold your hopes way up high.
And if it seems that hope is gone, just hold on and carry on! Carry on!
Inside of every heart, whether close or far apart,
love always will remain and smooth your deepest pain.
Despite of all the sadness, despite of all the madness.
You have always been my life’s biggest win,
and anyone can see you’re everything to me.
Despite of all the sadness, despite of all the madness.
Despite of all the sadness, despite of all the sadness.

CREDITS

• Vocals:Jim Gallagher
• 12 & 6 String Acoustic Guitars:Jim Gallagher
• Bass: Jim Gallagher

Since I went Away

Author’s notes:

As noted, before this is maybe the first complete song I ever wrote. An ancient tape (listen to how young I am, as much as 50 years ago) with a cross fade in the middle to a contemporary recording on the very same 6 string nylon guitar (my first ever) that I still own and use (it’s also on “For Lady Jane and Cobbs” on my instrumental album NOVA NULLA VOX). The crossfade idea was Pam’s. She was brilliant in case you haven’t ever noticed.

Lyrics:

• Words and music by Jim Gallagher Copyright 2016

Since I went away I’ve been lonely.
Since I went away I’ve missed you.
I’ve missed you.
Now today I find I love you only.
Yes, I think you’ll find I’ll be true. I’ll be true.
All the days that I’ve been without you… All these days… Endless days.
Now I’m here and there’ll be just we two, just we two, me and you.
I vow to never leave you, nor ever to deceive you.
I vow we’ll be together every day.
Since I went away I’ve been lonely.
Since I went away I was blue. I was blue.
Now I know you’ll find I want you only.
Yes, I think you’ll find I love you.
I love you.

First song I ever wrote circa 1970

CREDITS

• Vocal :Jim Gallagher
• 6 String Acoustic Guitar: Jim Gallagher

In the Summer of Your Years

Author’s notes:

As the lyrics indicate, I wrote this 20 years ago after 10 years with Pam. I really do wish that everyone could have known her as I did.

Lyrics:

• Words & Music by James Gallagher © 1998

It’s been a decade since I’ve known you.
They’ve been the best years of my life.
I have only ever really been happy baby since you became my wife.
Because I’m lovin’ you in the summer of your years.
Yes, I’m lovin’ you in the summer of your years.
Oh, I am only just a page. It is you that has always been the story.
If I ever get to shine on any stage, it is you that is the glory.
Yes, I’ll be lovin’ you in the summer of your years.
That’s right, I’m lovin’ you in the summer of your years.
Oh, the road ain’t always so easy, but I know which way we’ll go
and my heart stays so light and breezy, ‘cause this much I’ll always know
that I’ll be lovin’ you in every season of your years.
That’s right, I’ll be lovin’ you in every season of your years.
How could those that’ve known you the longest, not see the truth so clear.
That your heart is by far the fondest and loves us all through joy and tears
and that’s why I’ll be lovin’ you in every season of your years.
That’s right, I’ll be lovin’ you in every season of your years.

CREDITS

• Vocal :Jim Gallagher
• 6 String Acoustic Guitar: Jim Gallagher

Needles

Author’s notes:

Audio collage created in 1971for a student film of the same name.
Created with Jimi Hendrix records a turntable and a ¼ track, ¼” tape recorder.
Jack insisted that there be a track to mirror the White album (second to last with tape loops etc.) this is it. By the way it is inserted in the SHT (secret hidden track or EE) too.
It was Jack’s idea to put something like this right here, get it?

CREDITS

• Audio collage created in 1971 For a student film of the same name.
• Created with Jimi Hendrix records, a turntable & a ¼ track, ¼” tape recorder. by Jim Gallagher

^^^Whispers in the Wind (Since You’ve Gone)

Author’s notes:

The first thing I wrote some time after I lost Pam. Rustin and Jack helped me make this wonderful and are co-writers. Rustin contributed so much and took such care to make it great he is a well-deserved co-producer as well. There are some who have heard this as it was being produced that believe that this is the best work I have ever done. As it says on the CD cover,
“Be sure to Listen to Whispers”! and check out the alternate versions!

Lyrics:

• Music by Jim Gallagher, Jack Klotz Jr. and Rustin Gallagher. Words by Jim Gallagher and Rustin Gallagher © 2023
  Co-produced by Rustin Gallagher and Jim Gallagher

Can you (still) hear the words we said? Spoken softly at night (into the night)
Taken by the wind (in)to the sky
Since you’re gone I’ve been searching, searching for what had been
But it’s like raindrops in the ocean, like whispers in the wind.
I whisper every morning, I whisper every night
When the whispers are answered everything will be alright
Time has surely taught us, to be here right now
With love all around us, all that life will allow
I see your face everywhere, but I can’t hear you anywhere,
(And) in the silence of the night, the words fly away, like whispers in the wind.
Since you’re gone I’ve been searching for what had been
But it’s like raindrops in the ocean, like whispers in the wind.
I can still remember how happy you made me.
And I must remember to share all the love that can be.
Love! Love! Love!

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Carla Benson
• Background Vocals: Skybox (Rustin Gallagher, Bob Calo, Chris Holland), Carla Benson & Sue Mammarella
• Soprano Acoustic Guitars: Jack Klotz Jr.
• Basses, Lead Electric Guitars,Electric Guitar & Keyboards: Rustin Gallagher
• Drums: Chris Holland
• Percussion: Scott Rouba
• Ocean Drum & Shakers: Liz Bressi-Stoppe
• 12 String Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitar & “D” Bass: Jim Gallagher

E E: Floating

Author’s notes:

Also recorded at Rowan in a class project. I always wanted to hear that song at that tempo, but the class had their own idea too. Hope you like it as much as I had fun doing it! Apologies to JH.

CREDITS

• Lead vocals: Tyler Sarfert & Sean McCall
• Background Voices: Sean McCall & Nate Rodriguez
• Electric Guitars & Marimba: Sal Mazzotta
• Bass: Nate Rodriguez
• Drums: Andrei Fritz
• Re-amped Wa-Wa pedal on Organ & Lead Guitar: Nate Rodriguez
• Organ solo: Tyler Steinbrown
• Percussion: Nate Rodriguez & Andrei Fritz
• Ending audio collage “Needles” by Jim Gallagher circa 1971