MP3 Jesse Anderson - Never Said Goodbye

Dig deep into this offering to find eleven new compositions and two sensational covers that will end up in your list of all-time favorites - guaranteed! Genres include Pop/Soul, Folk/Rock, Native American, Latin and Traditional Country; so indulge.

14 MP3 Songs in this album (64:10) !
Related styles: Folk: Folk-Rock, Country: Contemporary Country, Solo Male Artist

People who are interested in No one else. should consider this download.


Details:
"Never Said Goodbye"
Foreword by J. Anderson

In August of 1956, two days before my 7th birthday, a policeman came to our home. Instinctively, I hid behind my grandfatherâs trailer as he knocked on our door. My grandmother answered and told the officer where he could find my mother. I heard the officerâs regret as he told her my dad was lost.

Lost? Where?

It was a closed casket and suddenly, he was gone. He never said goodbye, nor did I.

Fifty-five years later, every day as I drive to work, I pass his cemetery. I greet him every morning and again, on my return home. To this day, itâs still difficult to fathom how this came to be; this part of us, this father who once saved me from drowning in the Mississippi, who met his own fate by succumbing to the very threat he once saved me from.
I dedicate my music to you Dad. Iâm proud of my work. Iâm an older man now. I also became a father with two fine sons; one who bears your name. Iâm a musician and I was once a sailor, like you. Iâm proud to be part Cherokee as you and your mother were. And although we never said goodbye, I know in some great circle, weâll meet again.


"Cherokee Morning Song"
Traditional Cherokee Song

My paternal grandmother was Cherokee. She lived in Illinois; we lived in Minnesota. My memories of her are islands of recollections strung together, at best. But the images I have of her are those of a quiet spoken, dark skinned woman whose braided gray hair encircled the crown of her head like that of a tarnished silver halo. She would be up long before her family to make breakfast on a wood stove; a breakfast so large, you scarcely knew where to where to begin. During the day, sheâd quietly move about her garden, gathering whatever was ripe and ready for picking; holding the hem of her apron while using it as a hammock to cradle the bounty sheâd picked. Her gentle smile belied the hard life sheâd lived but her voice was comforting and soft. And her kindness was evident every Christmas when a box of presents would arrive, without fail; all neatly wrapped and bowed with our names affixed to each. I wished Iâd known her better as I wished Iâd known my father better. Iâd have learned much. This song is my only way of thanking her for the many ways she loved and graced us; the grandchildren she seldom saw but always loved.

"Cherokee Morning Song" (Translation: "I am of the Great Spirit, it is so.") (Lyrics)
Words and music based on original tribal song

We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya
We nâ de ya
Ho ho ho ho
He ya ho
He ya ho
Ya ya ya

We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya
We nâ de ya
Ho ho ho ho
He ya ho
He ya ho
Ya ya ya

We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya
We nâ de ya
Ho ho ho ho
He ya ho
He ya ho
Ya ya ya

We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya ho
We nâ de ya
We nâ de ya
Ho ho ho ho
He ya ho
He ya ho
Ya ya ya



"People Get Ready"
by Curtis Mayfield

Ok, so what made me think I could ever do this 1965 Curtis Mayfield composition justice? Itâs only been covered by the greatest contemporary vocalists of our time. In what parallel universe would I attempt to improve on the efforts of people like Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, John Denver, Phil Collins, Steve Perry, The Chambers Brothers, The Walker Brothers, or The Everly Brothers?
The answer is simple. Iâm not trying to improve perfection. This is an iconic example of when perfect lyrics meets perfect music. Itâs been stuck in my head for as long as I can remember and it just doesnât matter what company I choose to keep. Itâs simply a privilege to pay homage to Curtis Mayfield by performing my rendition of one of the documented top 10 songs of all time.

"People Get Ready" (Lyrics)
Written by Curtis Mayfield

People get ready thereâs a train a cominâ
You donât need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels humminâ
You donât need no ticket. You just thank the Lord

So people get ready for the train to Jordan
Pickinâ up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
Thereâs hope for all among those loved the most

There ainât no room for the hopeless sinner
Whom would hurt all mankind just to save his own
Have pity with those whose chances grow thinner
For thereâs no hiding place against the kingdomâs throne

So people get ready thereâs a train a cominâ
You donât need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels humminâ
You donât need no ticket. You just thank the Lord

Thereâs a train a cominâ
Just get on board
Hear the diesels humminâ
Just thank the Lord

Hear the diesels humminâ
Just thank the Lord

Thereâs a train a cominâ
Get on board
Hear the diesels humminâ
No ticket needed
Thank the Lord



"A Dozen Roses"
by J. Anderson

Iâm a fan of Guillermo Forchinoâs comic art sculptures; in particular, one entitled âLe Guitaristeâ. This particular piece reminds me of a character who once graced many a stage with me in bands past.

âA Dozen Rosesâ was written with Terry in mind. For him, even the simplest challenges in life became supremely complicated. He would endure any level of effort to solve a problem, oblivious to how simple the real solution really was. If only there were a âDummyâs Guideâ to life.
He had a hell of a good voice and I always smile and think of him whenever I look at the sculpture and listen to this song.

"A Dozen Roses" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Love should come with a bag of tools and a hard bound book with all the rules.
To a guy it ainât natural. Why canât it be plain and factual.
But oh no, here it comes again and I just canât hide;
and oh no, that queasiness that I feel inside tonight.

I stood at her door with my hat in my hand; a dozen roses and a wedding band.
Somethinâ inside said the time wasnât right. So all I gave her were the flowers that night.
And oh no, Iâm back at her door and Iâm startinâ to stress.
And oh no, I hope she loves me and she says yes tonight.

It seems to me, she takes a little glee
in whenever I stumble and fail at finding words to tell her
just how much I care and want for us to share
every little thing from now through ever-after.

So Iâm going back down to the heart of the city, where the lights are bright and busy;
knock on her door with my hat in my hand; a dozen roses and that wedding band tonight.

It seems to me sheâs takinâ excessive glee
in the way Iâm stumblinâ and failinâ at findinâ words to tell her
just how much I care and want for us to share
every little thing from now through ever-after.

So Iâm going back down to the heart of the city where the lights are bright and busy;
knock on her door with my hat in my hand; a dozen roses and that wedding band tonight.

Iâm going back down to the heart of the city where the lights are bright and busy;
knock on her door with my hat in my hand; a dozen roses and that wedding band tonight.


"Footprints"
by J. Anderson

Iâd always measured my life by the successes Iâd achieved; time spent looking back over my shoulder at the mile marks Iâd left behind.
â⦠and footprints only tell me where Iâve been.â After writing that line, I realized footprints, to the optimist, would be an indication of where one was headed. Musically speaking, Iâd been in a safe zone, where instrumental music left doors closed to exposing my lyrical expressions.
And before I knew it, âFootprintsâ led me to "Never Said Goodbye".

The percussion in this song was something Iâd previously avoided; after all, there wasnât a single drop of Latin blood coursing through these veins. What business did I have crossing that line of expression? Being Minnesotan, I not only had to ask myself that question, but in the quirkiest of all regional traits, I had to answer it as well. And to my recollection, it must have happened around 4:00 AM, after having a 5 hour energy shot. What the hell.

"Footprints" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Like everything else my plans are gettingâ sidetracked.
Livinâ by the paycheck has taken its toll.
Bills pilinâ up like traffic on the freeway;
the stress of it all; poison to the soul.

So I promised myself, with no procrastination,
that Iâd find a cure for the state that Iâm in;
starting with the fact, I answer for my actions
and footprints only tell me where Iâve been.

Iâm setting my sights on the expressway;
charting a course to reach a new goal;
leaving behind frustration and worry.
No one ever warned me âbout getting old.

So now when the music calls my spirit to action,
Iâll move with the groove and rock to the roll.
Thereâs no better place than where I am now.
And the people around me; more precious than gold.


"One & One"
by J. Anderson

General opinion has it; musicians are usually proficient in mathematics; for me, not so much. âOne and One makes Threeâ, really? Actually, this was my effort to combat the mushy math of becoming one with your soul mate. It seems you should never give up your individuality when committing to someone; you should become three â us, you and me. Un-romantic? Yup. Oh, and donât call me âYoursâ. Ugh!

"One & One" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

I know girl, youâre blaminâ me;
lifeâs not as simple as youâd like it to be.
But thereâs blame enough to spread around.
Youâre not the only one thatâs been let down.

Iâve got a life, itâs not all your way.
I donât need to cling to every word you say.
But girl you know I love you so.
You can keep me cominâ back if you just let go.

Loveâs not a mystery.
You just be you and let me be me.

You know me like the back of your hand.
You can play me girl, like your one man band.
But I donât mind that, from time to time.
It just drives me crazy when you say âYouâre mine!â

Loveâs not a mystery.
You just be you and let me be me.

You can play me girl, like your one man band.

Thereâs a part of me that lives in you
that makes us one in the things we do.
Oh, but one and one, it makes three;
thereâs us and you, and then thereâs me.

You can play me girl, like your one man band.
Oh, but girl you know I love you so.
You can keep me cominâ back if you just let go.

Oh, but one and one, it makes three;
thereâs us, thereâs you and then thereâs me.

Oh, but girl you know I love you so.
You can keep me cominâ back if you just let go.


"Donât You Want Somebody"
by J. Anderson

Ah! Single life; what could be better? Well, for most of us, the routine of âsingularityâ eventually evolves into monotony and isolation. One begins to ask if thereâs more. This song is how it plays out for a couple of âsinglesâ who are tired of being alone.

"Donât You Want Somebody" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Done with work jump in the car and set it on cruise;
unlock the door, let out the dog then kick off your shoes;
grab a glass, throw in some ice and fill it with booze;
turn on the TV and turn down the news.

Donât you want somebody to love you tonight.
Donât you feel the need to hold on tight.
When the bed is cold in the middle of the night,
donât you need somebody there to love you tonight.

Hear about how people live on reality TV;
how spoiled they are the bigger the star, they sure arenât like me.
All I want in life is for someone to be
sharing my day, hear what I say and love only me.

Donât you want somebody to love you tonight.
Donât you feel the need to hold on tight.
When the bed is empty and youâve turned out the light,
donât you need somebody there to love you tonight.

Lock the door, turn out the light and climb into bed;
two pillows in blue cases; one for her head.
She clutches the other tightly and thinks of him instead,
and hears him whisper in her ear the words he once said.

He said, âDonât you want somebody to love you tonight?
Donât you feel the need to hold on tight?
When the bed is empty in the middle of the night,
Donât you need somebody there to love you tonight?â

In her deepest dreams heâs on his way;
heâs packed his bags and tells her, âIâll be there today.â
So unplug the phone, turn out the lights and tell the world to go away.
And just before she wakes, she can hear him say,

âIâll be with you my darlinâ and love you tonight.
And whenever you want to, we can hold each other tight.
And Iâll be there to warm you in the middle of the night.
Iâll be home soon and love you tonight.â



"Nod Over Coffee"
by Mark Heard

Ever feel like the third wheel? Mark Heard, who wrote this beautifully introspective music, performed it with Pierce Pettis. And after Markâs untimely death, Pierce covered it as a tribute to his friend. Now, I go and stick my two cents worth in. I feel somewhat the intruder. Pierce has done justice in his acoustic rendition of Markâs insightful lyrics. But I am my own band and wanted to offer yet another perspective; another example of how tolerant and versatile this song can be. âNod Over Coffeeâ deserves to share equal recognition as a song worthy of being recognized as an outstanding example of an enduring standard. Thank you Mark and Pierce for the inspiration.

"Nod Over Coffee" (Lyrics)
Written by Mark Heard

All the unsaid words that I might be thinking
And all the little signs that I might give you
Well they would not be enough
They would not be enough

So we nod over coffee and say goodbye
Smile over coffee and turn to go
We know the drill and we do it well
We love it, we hate it
Ain't that life

Oh, ain't that the curse of the second hand
Oh, ain't that the way of the hour and the day

If I weren't so alone and afraid
They might pay me what I am worth
But it would not be enough
You deserve better

So we nod over coffee and say goodbye
Do whatever has to be done again today
Get in the traffic and time will fly
Look at the sun and pray for rain

Oh, ain't that the curse of the second hand
Oh, ain't that the way of the hour and the day

The dam of time cannot hold back
The dust that will surely come of these bones
Well I'm sure I will not have loved enough
Will not have loved enough

If we could see with wiser eyes
What is good and what is sad and what is true
Still it would not be enough
Could never be enough

So we nod over coffee and say goodbye
Bolt the door it's time to go
Into the car with the radio on
Roll down the window and blow the horn

Oh, ain't that the curse of the second hand
Oh, ain't that the way of the hour and the day

Oh, ain't that the curse of the second hand
Oh, ain't that the way of the hour and the day

Oh, ain't that the curse of the second hand
Oh, ain't that the way of the hour and the day

Oh, ain't that the curse of the second hand
Oh, ain't that the way of the hour and the day



"How Are You Tonight"
by J. Anderson

Sometimes it just feels good to be among friends. And nowhere was that more evident than at the release party for my last CD, âSpirits of the Boundaryâ. For those of you who were at The Seasons that evening, this is the song I promised would be in my next collection. First heard that warm August night, the words summed it up perfectly; â⦠every time I see you, you still make me smileâ.

"How Are You Tonight" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Itâs been a long time since I donât know when
All I know itâs good to see you again
So are you alright? Youâre such a damn good sight
My friend, we havenât talked for such a long while
But after all this time you still make me smile
So how are you tonight?

The bad times are tough, the good times are few
But when it gets me down I just think of you
You get me feelinâ alright, no need to be so uptight
Friends come and go but itâs all worthwhile,
Causeâ every time I see you, you still make me smile
So how are you tonight?

Itâs a shame we both have to go
But thereâs one thing I want you to know
Itâs been a real good night, youâre such a damn good sight
Youâve always been more than just a friend to me
No matter what the distance, you will always be
How are you tonight?

Friends come and go but itâs all worthwhile,
Causeâ every time I see you, you still make me smile
How are you tonight?



"Circles"
by J. Anderson

In all things of this world, there are circles; the circle of seasons, the sun, earth, moon, planets and stars, atoms, solar systems, galaxies, the circle of life and time; and on it goes. Circles have their place in Hinduism, Buddhism and in the beliefs of the Native American nations. And circles have their place in my beliefs as well. On the back of my CD, I have my rendition of a Cherokee Medicine Wheel. It is said, until one stands on every spoke of the wheel, you still have much to learn; and so I've discovered.

"Circles" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Hands moving round the clock
Time never slowing down
Itâs a circle that took me far from home
But brought me back to this old town

On summer nights I sit
And watch the Northern Star
Flying in circles through the night
Ending right back where we are

People come and go
Those we love will last
Their memories linger on inside of us
As circles of our past, we go in circles

So as we both grow old
Just know how much I cared
For the circle that brought you to me
And all the circles that we shared, we go in circles

And when our time is done
Remember as we part
Circles may take you far away
But will return you to my heart, we go in circles
They will return you, we go in circles
Circles may take you far away
But they return you to where you start, we go in circles
They will return you, circles



"A Night In Crown"
by J. Anderson

A night in the life of a 60âs bar band. Does it get any better than smoke so thick you canât see the pool table in the back of the bar; the smell of stale beer and a saw dust covered dance floor lit by neon beer signs hanging from every wall and packed with half snapped women, still drinking from their brown bottles as they undulate in their most provocative mini-skirts and nearly see-through blouses. The patrons are so familiar with one another that when fights break out, people stop to watch as the bouncer moves both drunken Neanderthals outside so it can continue to a point where they get so tired, they both give up and go back in to have yet another beer, together. Has it ever been better than that?

"A Night In Crowne" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Bud and Jay called the other day; got a job on Friday night.
Packed the car, itâs not that far, got a sound thatâs good and tight.
We set up four on the barroom floor, and Rick takes all the room.
But it donât mean a thing when we start to sing that first Van Morrison tune.

I work all week just to make ends meet but when the night time comes to call;
itâs the live guitar in a smoky bar and a Bud sign on the wall.
Never been that cute, just a substitute for that high-priced cover band;
no metro stars or limo cars or DJ in a can.

Not sure all of my dreams came true by playinâ in this band;
visions of women throwinâ hotel keys and notes from screaminâ fans;
never wanted more than a full dance floor when the music was rockinâ out.
So truth be told, youâre never too old to make âem scream and shout, scream and shout.

Hal and Merle never saw that girl with the low cut décolletage;
skirt high and tight, she danced all night; not a dream, but more a mirage.
Iâm not sure why, but the reason why I like playinâ in small town bars;
the drunken brawls in those beer soaked halls that spill out under the stars.

Not sure all of my dreams came true by playinâ in this band;
visions of women throwinâ hotel keys and notes from adorinâ fans;
never wanted more than a full dance floor when the music was rockinâ out.
So truth be told, youâre never too old to make âem scream and shout, scream and shout.

But as times have changed, there still remains a heartbeat and a soul
from that familiar sound you hear from Crowne we know as Rock and Roll.

Not sure all of my dreams came true by playinâ in this band;
visions of women throwinâ hotel keys and notes from screaminâ fans;
never wanted more than a full dance floor when the music was rockinâ out.
So truth be told, youâre never too old to make âem scream and shout, scream and shout.

Music rockinâ out,
Scream and shout,
Music rockinâ out,
Scream and shout,
Music rockinâ out.



"Yes We Know"
by J. Anderson

Against my better judgment, I attended my 20 year high school class reunion. My train of thought was that, certainly by now, adolescent cliquish behaviors must have given way to genuine mature conversations. My train jumped the track. The once cute âAâ team cheerleaders; resplendent in all their wrinkled, leathery-skinned glory, were still exclusively huddled with the now balding, pot-bellied jocks of yesteryear. My recollections of that evening left me with the lyrics for this song, and I dedicate it, thoughtfully, to them.

"Yes We Know" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

You and I, weâre better together and
You and I are more clever than ever
Though we lie with our eyes
They think weâre so into life
When the truth of it all
Cuts like a knife
We know
Yes we know

You and I weâre better together and
You and I are more clever together
Though we lie with our eyes
They think weâre so into life
When the truth of it all
Cuts like a knife
And we know
Yes we know

You and I are better together and
You and I are weâre more clever than ever
Yes we know
Yes we know

You and I weâre better together and
You and I know better than ever
They think weâre so into life
Though we lie with our eyes
And the truth of it all
It cut like a knife
And we know
Yes we know
Yes we know



"Seaview On Jax"
by J. Anderson

In 1970, as I served in the U.S. Navy, two shipmates and I formed a band. And in our free time, we played many local boardwalk bars.

We became dear friends.

One of the most memorable engagements, for me, was an outdoor booking we played on Jacksonville Beach, Florida for a bar called Seaview. Clint Wright, Bill LaComb and I played that day under a golden summer sun set against a cobalt blue sky; cool ocean breezes created by thermal currents lifted snow white gulls as they floated effortlessly for hours. Young women in their scant swimwear stopped by to listen and smile as Billâs already thinning hair was being tossed about by occasional light puffs of wind; grinning from ear to ear.

Bill passed away last year. And like my dad, he also left too soon. We never said goodbye either. So, my friend; until we meet again, please know how often I think of you and that summer day we shared on Jacksonville Beach.


"Sailor and The Sea"
by J. Anderson

The lyrics were written while serving aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, CVA-42. I'd spend countless hours sitting on the darkened deck, watching the stars and thinking about how old mariners could fall in love with the quiet moments they'd have; away from the noise and insanity that went on in the harbor towns that glittered out from the shoreline.

"Sailor & The Sea" (Lyrics)
by Jesse Anderson

Sail on
Dance âtill dawn

If I could have a dream come true
You know what it would be
Iâd dream about a sailor
And his marriage with The Sea

Iâd hear him talking to her
For no one else he knows
Would take the time to listen
As on through the night he goes

On by the shores of mad men
Heâd sail with her each night
To seek the freedom of their souls
And to dance âtill dawnâs delight

The moon upon her shimmers
As she calms his fears within
And rocks him as he rests his head
Upon her velvet skin

Iâd hear him talking to her
For no one else he knows
Would take the time to listen
As on through the night he goes

On by the shores of mad men
Heâd sail with her each night
To seek the freedom of their souls
And to dance âtill dawnâs delight

And when my dream was over
Iâd have one wish to be
That sailor dancing through the night
With his sweetheart called The Sea



"Minndelero"
by J. Anderson

My take on what a midwest styled Bandelero might sound like. Would someone please pass the Lutefisk and Lefse? And where are my Viking horns?