What makes this so tough is trying to think of all the unreleased songs that I've heard thru either the tape tree or at shows and prioritizing what has had the most affect on me...in no special order...

1. Road to Abilene (this is an obvious one)
2. Damocles (even more obvious!)
3. One Way to Go
4. Pauper's Sky
5. A Kind of Love Song (played in NYC in July 02; haven't heard since)
6. Over Before it Began (not sure if this is the official title; played in August 2001 in PA and not heard since)
7. Darkest Night of All
8. Grace of God
9. Smoke
10. Kung Fu Videos (only with Brian Fitzpatrick, preferably plugged rather than unplugged; otherwise I'm not much of a fan of when Michael has done this alone)
11. Angel from Montgomery (cover on one of the live tapes from '93 or thereabouts)
12. Can't Sleep Tonight

Bonus: Silent Will Soon Be Singing (Aug. 01 in PA; you would never know, after 9/11, that this was written before 9/11. Strangely enough, it's very appropriate and applicable)

That was a lot of work! But fun as well...!

Some notes to the songs you mentioned.

A Kind of Love Song was played a few times in mid and late 2002 and was written around the time that Oh Baby I was written.

Over Before It Even Began appeared in spring 2001 and was played on and off for most of that year.

Michael has covered Angel from Montogomery on and off over the years, and it appears on both the WMMS broadcasts from Cleveland in 93 and Unver Cover (it's the same performace on both CDs).

The Silent Will Soon Be Singing was written in April 2001 and made it's debut in June 2001 and was played for a while both solo and with the full band, but Michael said he lost interest in the song. One of the lines of that song found it's way into One Way To Go.


- Marshal

the line your referring to is: 'a voice from above had answered with love...' something to that extent.

so good.

I've never heard A Kind of Love Song or Over Before It Even Began, for which I consider myself unlucky. However, if I had heard these songs and since they ended up on some of your lists, perhaps I'm lucky. It might have made coming up with a "short-list" of fantasy CD songs much more difficult!

I think it was at one of the St. Paddy's day shows (2002) that michael said Silent Will Soon Be Singing became more "meaningful" (?) to him after 9-11. I wondered why this particular song took on newfound significance. Since, obviously, its appeal was short-lived for him. However, I was among those who got to hear "Silent" live (for the first time and only time)when he played in Minneapolis the summer of 2001. He debuted that to the Twin Cities contingent along with What You Think You Become. In talking with him afterward when he asked what I thought of the new songs, I clearly favored Silent. However, I really liked What You Think You Become as well. Silent, in my opinion, is truly beautiful (lyrically and musically)...I guess I view this as the "perfect mix" that Marshall believes he hears in Bourbon Blue. What You Think You Become is really catchy...at least that was my initial take on it and I think it has some legs in terms of radio play-ability.


Steph

The chorus of A Kind of Love Song is classic McD...

with the final line going something like..."all I think about is all that went wrong, and the things I'd give my life to do again..."

The final time he sings the chorus, it goes like this:

'...and things I'd give my life to do again...the things I'd give my life to do again...babe, for you I'd give my life...' he fades off and closes it out with some great work on the acoustic.

really nice...

Over Before It Began is about dating a married woman, as he put it when he introduced the song that night in '01.

Just for clarification, The Silent debuted June 22, 2001 in Dayton, OH. It was the name night that Neverending Hill debuted.

Over Before It Even Began has been introduced as the sequel to Junkie Girl, even though it, like other songs, isn't about just one person.

Lyrics for Over Before It Even Began:

We come from different places
From a cannon we were shot
Melt into each other
When the flames got too hot

Though I’m trying hard
To be a stronger man
It feels like it’s over
Before it even began

It’s a high wire act
And there’re mine fields above
There is no turning back
When you’re strung out on love

It’s a slippery slope
It’s a castle made of sand
Don’t it feel like it’s over
Before it even began

Excitement like wildfire
Is a dangerous seed
When two people collide
Two people in need

Like the magic that had fallen
But what I don’t understand
Is why it’s over
Before it even began

When you come to you senses
And awake from this dream
And your heart stops racing
You’ll see what I mean

We were floating high
But we had no place to land
That’s why this is over
Before it even began

So be careful of your footing
Because your heart might be wrong
You might make some mistakes
When you need to be strong

Cause I know we don’t
Even have the strength to stand
That’s why it’s over
Before it even began

--------

Interesting Brian that you mention Michael's guitar work in this song because I've heard an instrumental version of it and it was really cool.

The lyrics for A Kind of Love Song:

I'm sorry my sweet belle and my sweet lover
Things didn't work out as you planned
You know that I loved you like no other
With a love I couldn't even understand

My love is like a raging river
And it'll crash you upon the rocks
These nights alone I start to shake and shiver
Listening to the ticking of the clocks

I could blame it on everything around us
But I know that the blame rests with no one else
And the last thing she said, it just destroyed me…
She said, "Babe, I'm sorry, but I have to save myself"

I wish I could write you a kind of love song
That a better writer than I could pen
But all I think about is all that went wrong
And the things I'd give my life to do again

So listen hard and you will hear me singin'…
Singin' a song just for you
And every time your ears begin a-ringin'
Know that my love for you is true

And every time you see a leaf fallin'
Remember all the times we stood
And every time you hear a voice calling
Know that I'd be there if I could

I wish I could write you a kind of love song
That a better writer than I could pen
But all I think about is all that went wrong
And the things I'd give my life to do again…

Yeah, the things I 'd give my life to do again
Babe, for you I'd give my life…


- Marshal

Marshall,

I didn't mean to imply that Silent debuted here in the Twin Cities. The show here...shortly after June 22...was the first and only time I heard it played live. It struck a chord from the onset.

Wow...thanks for posting the lyrics to Over and Love Song (I'm too lazy and tired to type the entire titles!) Now I'm really bummed I never heard those songs live...and likely never will, unless these selections from the "fantasy" list become reality on the new CD. Lyrically, they seem really powerful.

And I agree. I think Michael weaves tales about many people into his songs. Just a guess.

Steph

The song also rang true with me from the beginning as well. While Michael may have tired of it, I sure haven't. It's one of my true favorites. In fact, I ask Michael about what happened to it so often, he's getting sick of me asking!! I know that it was recorded, but I'm not sure it'll ever make a record.

Digressing for a minute... Steph, I remember you mentioning your like of Peter Himmelman. I've recently gotten hold of a copy of his rare first CD, This Father's Day. The title cut is one of the most emotional songs I've ever heard recorded by anybody. Shoot me an e-mail if you want a copy of it. I can also get you a copy of Over Before It Evan Began if you want.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming. One more song that would make my CD, for sure, is Josiah's Prayer. It's only been played live twice (once in PA and once in NYC) and once during a sound check, but, man is that song something.


- Marshal

Josiah's Prayer was also played live here last November.

I'd love a copy of This Father's Day. I used to have it on tape, but never found the CD. I don't have your e-mail address Marshal, so please e-mail me at sduschene@aol.com

Steph

When was Josiah's Prayer played in PA and NYC? I've been to every show he's played in these two places since '99, except for last Memorial Day weekend when he played in PA. I had returned to NYC from Toronto that morning and was too tired to drive 3 more hours down to PA...

Do you have a timeframe?

Thanks!!

Josiah's Prayer was played in Philly at The Point on March 31, 2000. Of that I'm sure.

As for the NYC show, it was around that same time. Based on the dates listed on the website (which aren't necessarily complete or correct) that would make it the Bitter End February 3, 2000.


- Marshal

I remember that March 31 show as being the first time he headlined at The Point. I think I had class on Feb 3, 2000, so I don't think I made it to the bitter end.

But damn, I can't recall much from that Point show...The 2/4/00 show at The point is when the Fire Station across the street sounded its alarm in the middle of Whiskey and Water...that I remember!

Thanks much!

I actually recently got a copy of "Father's Day" as well, after hunting for several months ... So many good songs on there -- Eleventh Confession, Tremble (better on Stage Diving), Father's Day, Last Breath of Summer ...

Do either of you have either volume of the Himmelvaults series yet? How are they?

And ... Marshal, did I outbid you on a copy of Peter's "Musings of Someone" EP on Ebay awhile back? It looked like you were the other bidder. If you want a copy, I'd be glad to send you one -- email me.