MP3 Laughing Bird - Anthology, The First 20 Years

Husband and wife duo featuring soaring harmony vocals, strong songwriting with mature themes, and professional arrangements in the folk-rock, new-country, acoustic-rock vein.

21 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, COUNTRY: Country Rock



Details:
Laughing Bird's "Anthology - The First 20 Years" is a collection of 21 original songs. It's a compilation album of selected cuts from our first two studio albums, "Reach Out" and "Tisra Til II" plus other new songs. Lots of love songs, and other songs of the heart. Here's a look at the depth and variety of this "feel-good" CD:

1. "Roots and Boots" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 4:22

Style: Country Folk

Description: We all begin our lives standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. To take a moment to try to understand what they saw, and feel what they felt can help to make our own view just a little bit clearer.

Lyric Excerpt:

Whenever I see those old movies, of cowboys and women of the west,
It makes me remember my family tree, and those kind of roots grow the best,
Cause Grandpa, he was a cowboy . . . the genuine article kind,
And Dad rode the rail, that Rock Island Line . . . and their blood's a lot like mine.

2. "Caribbean Rum" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 3:39

Style: Reggae Country Rock / Island Feel

Description: The perspective of "the morning after" can sometimes be a real eye-opener. Sometimes not. Regardless, the real value is in the experience, and whatever is learned from it, if anything. Here's a party-on drinking song with a twist.

Lyric Excerpt:

Can't help but wonder how I got there and how I returned,
And how I got laid so low, and how I got burned,
And how in the world did I end up there flat on my back,
I remember distinctly thinking, "I can do better than that!"

Caribbean Rum, Caribbean Rum, Whoa-oh, chalk it all up to Caribbean Rum.

3. "Go Slow" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 3:52

Style: Contemporary Folk Reggae / Island Feel

Description: Experiencing the pace of life in a different culture helps to illustrate just how frantic the western pace really is. Faster doesn't necessarily mean more or better. What's the big hurry? Go slow.

Lyric Excerpt:

And ain't it funny how "slow" is an insult almost anywhere else in the world,
Where they're always in a hurry, God knows where they're going,
Spinning around in a whirl,
And ain't it sad to see, yeah it's a tragedy, rushing around and around,
But hurrying so fast, life just doesn't last,
But it could if we would slow down.

4. "Stuff Stuff Stuff Stuff" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 4:16

Style: Country Folk

Description: Here's a look at our life-long love affair with our stuff . . . especially the kind of stuff that accumulates in the bottom drawers, up in the attic, down in the cellar, and behind the barn. You know the kind . . . this is about all the stuff you've been keeping that's not good enough to actually use, but it's way too good to throw away.

Lyric Excerpt:

Our lives are stuffed full from cradle to grave,
With stuff we should buy and stuff we should save,
But the stuff we take with us, we rarely put first,
Have you seen a luggage rack up on a hearse?
Stuff stuff stuff stuff, stuff stuff stuff stuff, stuff stuff stuff stuff . . . stuff.

5. "When Our Ship Comes In" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 2:26

Style: Contemporary Folk / Bluegrass

Description: Even if your ship does finally come in, it won't do you a bit of good if you are at the bus station. Keep checking. Never give up, and be clear on exactly what kind of ship you are interested in . . . here and now.

Lyric Excerpt:

What would you like to do?
I don't care, how 'bout you?
Feel free to mention what you're leanin' to.
I'm tired of waiting . . . anticipating,
Let's check again, maybe our ship's come in.

6. "Fires and Stars / Home is Where" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 3:42

Style: Contemporary Country Folk

Description: "Fires and Stars" is a mellow instrumental piece featuring 12-string guitar, mandolin and hammered dulcimer. A harmonica bridge leads into "Home is Where". It's interesting that the feeling of home is such a universal idea, and it's a concept that can be so diverse, at the same time. For travelers, home is where we're from . . . as well as an attitude; an easy-going state of mind that we take with us, wherever we go.

Lyric Excerpt:

Home is where you rest your bones, and dream a cracklin' fire . . . while you roam,
Home is where you hang your hat . . . a rocking chair, and a lazy cat.
And home is where you stretch and grow . . . grow, and build a life of your own,
Home is where your heart is at . . . but while you roam, home is where you're at.

7. "The One" written by Janey Kenyon - 2:50

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: When you finally find the right one, you just know.

Lyric Excerpt:

Now that I found the one, what kind of words do I say,
To let him know I found the one . . . to say I'll never stray,
Yeah, now that I found the one, my home is in his arms,
I'm gonna stay by him, my love will never end, I'm gonna stay by him.

8. "Colours of the Rainbow" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 3:07

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: Sometimes, the right combination of husband and wife equals much more than merely one plus one. The team working together becomes even stronger than the combined strength of the individual players. "Anyone can talk about it, but you're the one who knows."

Lyric Excerpt:

When a life is lived together, together man and wife,
The give and take becomes a loving, giving, sharing life,
Cause all the love you give is greater than the love you hold,
My love for you is just as bright as the colours of the rainbow.

9. "Hawaiian Shirt" written by Janey Kenyon - 2:57

Style: Contemporary Folk / Island Feel

Description: A refreshing flight of fancy can be sparked by most anything, as long as you are willing to allow your imagination free rein. Have you ever experienced a tropical vacation simply by enjoying the motion and art of an Aloha shirt?

Lyric Excerpt:

Would you take a look at what walked in,
A man real tall, but a bit too thin,
But I ain't lookin' at his smile or him,
It's that ocean paradise that he's wearin'.

10: "Grow into a Song" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 5:17

Style: Light Rock

Description: We have all felt that longing to share feelings and thoughts that matter with people who care. Companionship, one of life's sweetest treasures. To be inspired, entertained, nurtured and cherished by someone you admire and respect is an amazing gift that makes a previously full life suddenly become complete.

Lyric Excerpt:

Every time that we have the chance, it never happens cause of circumstance,
Yeah, it's so hard to find the time.
"Just so busy" is an old cliché', for "Gee, I'd really like to go . . . but not today",
You see I'm running way behind.
And I'll be running down this river, just as fast as I can lope along,
And if you'd add your touch, it would help so much,
For the melody to grow into a song.
You know, we knew that it could all along.

11. "Preacher and the Bear" ... public domain, with additional lyrics added by Randy Sparks - (P) 1960 - Cherry Bell Music - arranged by Laughing Bird - 2:40

Style: Contemporary Folk / Bluegrass

Description: This song was sung to Janey's mom by her great grandad in the 1920's. Originally written in 1904, this great story was brought up-to-date in 1960 by Randy Sparks (of The New Christy Minstrels). Randy added the story elements of the tree and the punch line at the end - the baptism of the bear makes this song - thanks Randy! Besides being a fun and entertaining story for kids of all ages, I always appreciated the refreshing attitude of faith coupled with a healthy attitude of self-reliance demonstrated by this adventurous preacher's style of prayer.

Lyric Excerpt:

Hey Lord, you delivered ol' Daniel from the bottom of the lion's den,
You delivered ol' Jonah from the belly of a whale, and then,
The Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, so the good books do declare,
Hey Lord . . . if you can't help me, for goodness sake, don't you help that bear!

12. "Lovers of the Heart" written by Janey Kenyon - 3:42

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: Isn't it interesting that lovers feel even closer together sometimes when they are apart. How many times throughout history do you suppose lovers have stared at the moon at the same time, from different locations, with their hearts overflowing for their beloved?

Lyric Excerpt:

Cause your touch will last through days alone,
The night still brings you flying, flying,
Home to me, then I can see,
Your face burning in the dark, yes we are lovers of the heart.

13. "Amanda Monique" written by Janey Kenyon - 2:40

Style: Country Swing

Description: First, you are the center of the universe. Then, you grow up to realize that you are just one among many. Then, you mature into the realization that you had it right the first time.

Lyric Excerpt:

She struts into a room, just like it's center stage,
She sways, they're watching her, she's the latest rage,
She looks right in the eye of an unsuspecting boy,
Says in a voice as smooth as silk, wanna play with my toys?

14. "Ten Purdy Word Song" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 4:12

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: In the "Book of Lists", there is a list of the ten most beautiful words in the English language, according to Wilfred J. Funk (of Funk and Wagnel's dictionary fame). Although the two verses were written a few years apart, each of them uses all ten of these "purdy" words. The style and mood of the song matches the flow of the words themselves, painting a colorful word picture that is easy on the ears.

Lyric Excerpt:

On a golden, misty morning . . . not just another dawn,
I almost heard the tranquil hush of lullabies long gone,
A wispy dream of melodies . . . murmuring like chimes,
The light and sound of morning draws nearer all the time.

15. "Olde-Time Movie" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 4:01

Style: Light Rock

Description: Falling in love and living happily ever after. Is it just another fairy tale? Or is it something that can be attracted by passionate intent? "You can see the magic twinkle in their eyes. They know."

Lyric Excerpt:

Happily ever after . . . isn't that hard to believe?
Maybe I'm just old fashioned, to believe it could happen to me,
But if it ever happens to anyone, you can bet it's one or two at a time,
You know, I think I might be stubborn enough, to make it happen this time,
Where everything turns out groovy . . . like they'd show you in an olde-time movie.

16. "Hell or a Whole Lotta Fun" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 4:22

Style: Uptempo Country / Bluegrass

Description: Did you ever feel like there's nothing to do? How about too much to do? Our attitude seems to make the difference. When we're in the zone, work is love we can see.

Lyric Excerpt:

And I ain't afraid to get things done,
and I ain't about to run
And it's not at all that there's nothing to do,
or too much to be done
But the way that you choose to take it into view
makes it hell or a whole lotta fun

17. "Mile 50 Breeze" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 3:13

Style: Country folk instrumental

Description: Featuring acoustic guitar fingerpicking with mandolin and bongos, this spirited instrumental is good for bringing a smile to your face and a tap to your toe.

18. "Sing You a Love Song" written by Janey Kenyon - 2:33

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: Previous lovers make better stepping stones than stumbling blocks. Past lovers helped create the stage for the lover of a lifetime to walk onto. All previous lovers helped nurture the person you fell in love with. And when the time is right, a true and simple love song, like no other will be heard and felt, "because they never sang you a love song quite like mine."

Lyric Excerpt:

An' though my love is flowin', since you're by my side,
Through the years it's growin', now it just can't hide,
Now I'm gonna sing you a love song, love's flowin' from the heart strong,
Never heard a love song quite like mine.

19. "Rainbows" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 4:10

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: When the right one comes around, it's not always announced with fanfare and fireworks. Sometimes, it's a little more organic . . . like with rainbows. Whenever you feel this way, don't keep it a secret. Express what you feel, and allow it to grow and blossom.

Lyric Excerpt:

All I gotta do, is be away from you for just a little while,
And when I talk to you, the first thing you do's give me a little smile,
And it grows and it grows ever wider,
And nobody knows such a delighter,
You brighten my horizon when the clouds cover the sun,
And then the rainbows start arriving and I know that you're the one.

20. "Take My Hand" written by Tupelo Kenyon

Style: Contemporary Folk / New Country

Description: Just because it's not forever doesn't make it any less real or less important. Companionship and the sharing of love is the thing, whether it lasts a moment or a lifetime.

Lyric Excerpt:

Well, take my hand . . . we'll walk along together
Far as we can . . . we'll make it so much better,
So nice to share . . . some of the things that matter,
So many don't care . . . their dreams are torn and scattered.

21. "You Gotta Have Fun" written by Tupelo Kenyon - 3:50

Style: Contemporary Folk

Description: The moments of our lives are fleeting. And they are finite. Too few to squander on "bad news". It's up to each of us to steer our attention deliberately in order to attract the kind of life we were born to live.

Lyric Excerpt:

Eighty thousand seconds in a day, you can't borrow what you can't repay,
When your time is spent, you might wonder where it went,
And wonder why you spent it on the run . . .
While the earth is turning, and all your time is burning,
I hope that you are learning . . .
That you are the only one who can take your time, and have yourself some fun.

You gotta have fun, or it ain't worth it,
Yeah, you gotta have fun, and like what you do,
Yeah, you gotta have fun, or you will curse the time invested,
and find that you've been tested . . . in time to make your move . . .
Yeah, you gotta have fun!

Laughing Bird is Janey & Tupelo Kenyon.
Janey: Vocals, dulcimer, percussion, spoons.
Tupelo: Vocals, 6 & 12-string Taylor guitars, mandolin,
electric guitar, banjo, bass, harmonica, percussion.

All songs written by Tupelo Kenyon except âThe Oneâ, âHawaiian Shirtâ, âLovers of the Heartâ and âAmanda Moniqueâ, which were written by Janey Kenyon. ©PMM Tupelo or Janey Kenyon. Arctic Rose Records. BMI. All rights reserved. âPreacher and the Bearâ is public domain, adapted by Randy Sparks & Laughing Bird. Graphic design and digitally mastered (AAD) by Tupelo and Janey at Riversong Studio in Story, Wyoming.

Laughing Bird has recorded several other CDs and many are available here through CDbaby. Search for Laughing Bird, and also search for Tupelo Kenyon. Thanks for listening and thank you for buying our music. Yours for a song, Tupelo and Janey Kenyon â Laughing Bird.