This Illustrated Life

by Michael Antony Austin

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1.
Valentine 04:01
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Valentine I was sitting with the Black Jack all alone Drowning out the Blues with a song of my own Feeling short changed, sober and cold I was hoping for the taste of some real home cooking When you stepped into the bar, everyone was looking at you Cupid struck my heart, if truth be told I know it’s late, but the night aint over I know it’s much too soon for closing time But before this night is through, for me and you I’m gonna make you mine, all mine My darling, Valentine... Well the juke box jives and keeps on a-rocking And the bar tender says “there’s gonna be a lock-in!” But I don’t wanna stay if you’re not staying too An´ my feet don’t dance but it’s worth a shot It don’t impress you much but it’s all I got Please don’t make me beg, I wanna kiss you I know it’s late, but the night aint over I know it’s much too soon for closing time But before this night is through, for me and you I’m gonna make you mine, all mine My darling, Valentine... All the stars are out but the sky is black An´ I feel like I’m having a heart attack When you cross the room and whisper in my ear An´ the room is on fire as you take my hand An´ we dance a slow dance to the Roadhouse Band Touching for the first time, oh you make it clear I know it’s late, but the night aint over I know it’s much too soon for closing time But before this night is through, for me and you I’m gonna make you mine, all mine My darling, Valentine...
2.
Comfort Zone 03:10
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Comfort Zone I’m sick and tired of all your empty promises and words But I know now that every dreamer gets what he deserves Nobody home in your comfort zone Don’t leave me alone in your comfort zone I should’ve seen it coming should have read the warning signs But I was much too busy having a real good time No one to phone in your comfort zone Don’t leave me alone … I thought that we could work it out just like that Beatles song But every time I try to hold your hand... I get it wrong This boy had grown in your comfort zone Don’t leave me alone in your comfort zone Don‘t leave me alone …
3.
100 Reasons To Love Country 03:29
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100 Reasons To Love Country Ever since I was a skinny teenage kid No matter where I went, no matter what I did I always had a little bit of music by my side From my Daddy’s LP’s to my MP3’s My old Walkman to my new CD’s There’s always been a style that really filled me up with pride You can keep your Blues and your Blue Suede Shoes You can keep your Rap and your Old Time Rock N Roll You can keep your Trance and your Drum & Bass Dance Cause there’s only one kind of music for my soul Turn on the KENNY R. let the CASH flow out VINCE GILL, WAYLON, & JACKSON BROWNE Turn up GARTH BROOKS an’ make some noise For MERLE, GEORGE STRAIT an’ ‘em good ol’ boys Oh WILLIE NELSON’S always on my mind … Ever since the time I first heard that sound No matter where I looked, no matter what I found It’s lifted me, an’ made me sing out loud An’ my ol’ blue jeans will be in cahoots With a rhinestone shirt an’ my crocodile boots That’s always been a style to stand out from the crowd You can keep your Punk and your Heavy Metal clunk You can keep your Jazz and your old Classical Gas You can keep your Hip Hop and your Disco Pop Cause there’s only one kind of music moves my ass Turn on the KENNY R. let the CASH flow out VINCE GILL, WAYLON, & JACKSON BROWNE Turn up GARTH BROOKS an’ make some noise For MERLE, GEORGE STRAIT an’ ‘em good ol’ boys Oh WILLIE NELSON’S always on my mind … Turn on the KENNY R. let the CASH flow out VINCE GILL, WAYLON, JACKSON BROWNE Turn up the GARTH BROOKS an’ then make some noise For MERLE, GEORGE STRAIT an’ them good ol’ boys Turn on the FAITH HILL for your country kicks ALISON KRAUSS and those DIXIE CHICKS Turn up SHANIA TWAIN an’ make some noise REBA still starts a fire in this boy And TAMMY’S always standing by her man … Charlie Rich, Charlie Pride, Hanks 1, 2, 3, Tim McGraw, Conway Twitty Emmylou, Loretta Lynn and LeAnne Rimes, ol’ Dolly P. and Patsy Cline Yeah, Patsy Cline
4.
Heart Of America 03:30
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Heart Of America Big John coming on strong Six gun slingers gonna right the wrong A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do Big John coming on strong Six gun slingers gonna right the wrong A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do So many different faces So many different roads To find the hidden places where the West was won Standing in the shadows trying to be a better man Saddle up and ride into the sun Looking for the heart of America The Heart of America Big John coming on strong Six gun slingers gonna right the wrong A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do Big John coming on strong Six gun slingers gonna right the wrong A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do So many different reasons So many different names To feel the changing seasons where the West was won Captured cool on celluloid - burn out not fade away Big Duke / Small Screen / A lost son… Ripped through the heart of America The Heart of America Bang Bang shoot them all down Bang Bang it’s time to leave town Into the Heart of America The Heart of America The Heart of America The Heart of America
5.
Memory Of Song 02:59
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Memory Of Song I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out To the rhythm of a drum To the rhythm of a drum Tell me there’s a reason why you walked away Say for you that there’s a bigger plan in store You refuse to compromise Delay the plans with alibis You tell me that you only wanted more As I lay here dreaming about you I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out To the rhythm of a drum To the rhythm of a drum I can feel the music play when you make a move Change the record start anew The drama of the moment really hits the groove The memory of song to pull me through As I lay here dreaming about you I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out To the rhythm of a drum To the rhythm of a drum All I wanted was you The beating of my heart so strong next to you All I wanted was you, you … I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out I can hear you calling out To the rhythm of a drum To the rhythm of a drum To the rhythm of a drum To the rhythm of a drum
6.
Red Shirt 04:50
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Red Shirt They used to say “never beam down in a red shirt” Now I know why - only the extras get hurt! One day I’d like to climb the ranks and be an Admiral Their role is small – but at least they’re not expendable My phaser never seems to work But the crew just don’t seem to care Every time there’s trouble on the surface I’m the one they send down there Hey Scotty get me out of here Sulu dude I’m feeling queer Uhura baby open up that hailing frequency Hey Chekov don’t you understand? Bones it’s getting out of hand Tell Mr. Spock to think about it logically I know you all think I’m a jerk That I don’t wanna go to work But, I don’t wanna be a hero like Captain Kirk They used to say “never beam down in a red shirt” Maybe T.N.G’s Picard can wear it like an expert Me? I’d like to learn how to make it to next week! But the producers they won’t even allow me to speak! My phaser never seems to work But the crew just don’t seem to care Every time there’s Tribble’ on the surface I’m the one they send down there Hey Scotty get me out of here Sulu dude I’m feeling queer Uhura baby open up that hailing frequency Hey Chekov don’t you understand? Bones it’s getting out of hand Tell Mr. Spock to think about it logically I know you all think I’m a jerk That I don’t wanna go to work But, I don’t wanna be a hero like Captain Kirk Hey Scotty work a miracle Sulu don’t be cynical Uhura do that thing you do oh so well Hey Chekov man what do you say? Bones please cure my rainy day Tell Mr. Spock to place me in a holding cell I know you all think I’m a jerk That I don’t wanna go to work But, I don’t wanna be a hero like Captain Kirk
7.
Laurel Canyon 04:38
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Laurel Canyon Each life touches so many others Each heart connects 1000 distant souls Each night brings out the best in lovers And that’s the way I roll… Your stories made you quite amusing For a guy from simple roots That’s the reason I’m a journeyman Walking in borrowed boots I had a dream that I woke up Living in Laurel Canyon The place where I heard your song The place where my faith was born Each life touches so many others Each heart connects 1000 distant souls Each night brings out the best in lovers And that’s the way I roll… Your voice made you faintly famous Easy come and easy go That’s the motive for my blind devotion A pilgrim on a path to grow I had a dream that I woke up Living in Laurel Canyon The place where I heard your song The place where my faith was born Each life touches so many others Each heart connects 1000 distant souls Each night brings out the best in lovers… I had a dream that I woke up Living in Laurel Canyon The place where I heard your song The place where my faith was born
8.
Saint Jude 03:43
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Saint Jude Saint Jude could you see me falling Saint Jude I was down without a plan Saint Jude I needed some assistance Saint Jude I was a broken man You rescued me from the bottom a glass Showed me love and forgiveness for my past Saved from the final bullet Saint Jude I was aching for a reason Saint Jude your chain around my heart Saint Jude you answered when I cried out Saint Jude a task to tear my world apart I painted murder like a mural on the wall You gave me strength to side-step from it all Saved me from the final bullet A wrath from the Testament of old Revenge is a dish best served cold Ice quenches fire I grasp the circle and hold it too my chest A piece I find as I take my last breath Saved me from the final bullet Saint Jude I can see the future Saint Jude you helped me understand Saint Jude you gave my life a meaning Saint Jude a saviour to this man A saviour to this man A saviour My Saint Jude My Saint Jude
9.
Ghosts (Everybody Knows) 04:31
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Ghosts (Everybody Knows) Everybody knows I’m a little bit crazy Everybody knows I’m a little insane Everybody knows … so everybody tells me Everybody knows I’m out of my brain But when I close my eyes they all come out to play When I close my eyes they just won’t go away (away) Ghosts in the kitchen Ghosts in the hall Ghosts in the cellar, coming through the walls Ghosts in the shower and on the telephone Ghosts everywhere the just wont leave me alone Everybody knows I’m walking a fine line Everybody knows I’m just cracking up Everybody knows I’m running in circles Everybody knows I’m running … out of luck But when I close my eyes the screaming starts to scare me When I close my eyes they just won’t let me be (No, No, No) Ghosts in the kitchen Ghosts in the hall Ghosts in the cellar, coming through the walls Ghosts in the shower and on the telephone Ghosts everywhere the just wont leave me alone Gho-o-osts!
10.
Life's Little Cure 04:18
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Life’s Little Cure They sing you a song when you’re born to the world They sing you a song when you’re leaving They sing you a song when you’re falling in love A song for whenever you’re grieving Though the beat keeps a changin’ to keep you on your toes And the words keep you're never quite sure Life is for living and songs are for singing When both are so simple and pure… music is life little cure They sing you a song when you march into war They sing your song when you’re scared They sing you a song when surrounded by friends A song for when nobody cared Though the beat keeps a changin’ to keep you on your toes And the words keep your never quite sure Life is for living and songs are for singing When both are so simple and pure… music is life little cure They sing you a song when you’re losing your grip They sing your song when you’ve scored They sing you a song for each day that you’re alive You just need to find the right chords Though the beat keeps a changin’ to keep you on your toes And the words keep your never quite sure Life is for living and songs are for singing When both are so simple and pure… music is life little cure
11.
Alice & Me 05:28
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Alice & Me Upon a dark night we searched for a light A way through the labyrinth of trees We slipped down a hole and started to fall So slow and spectacularly When finally the ground arrived without sound We looked all about for our fate Where a crack in the wall saw the Eggman did fall Enticing us over the gate How we laughed and we danced How we loved and romanced How fun Tweedle Dum Tweedle Dee How we were happy so far, far away in the dreaming Just Alice & Me … The Hatter was mad but the Dormouse was glad To finally have company As we played some roulette and we tried to forget Our miserable reality She’d stolen my heart just like all the tarts Sweetened like jam was her kiss And there in her eyes much to my surprise I found myself laying in bliss How we laughed and we danced How we loved and romanced How we took buttered bread with our tea How we were happy so far, far away in the dreaming Just Alice & Me … Came soldiers at dawn, as we lay on the lawn Avoiding the suns early shards Bound and arrested our patience was tested A carnival of playing cards With their Clubs and their Spades in varying shades Of White and Red and Black The Diamonds a-pointed our Hearts well anointed They lead us to Court up a track How we laughed and we danced How we loved and romanced How we longed to be naive and free How we were happy so far, far away in the dreaming Just Alice & Me … The Queen said in fear; “You’re not welcome here! Go back from to where you belong!” But the King was amused and he thought it a ruse, to sing us a whimsical song And the Lizard did jump and the Rabbit did prance It was such a jovial scene But the moment was broke and nobody spoke When” Off with their heads!” cried the Queen How we laughed and we danced How we loved and romanced How we longed to be dust on the breeze How we were happy so far, far away in the dreaming Just Alice & Me … How we laughed and we danced How we loved and romanced How we sailed upon magical seas How we were happy so far, far away in the dreaming Just Alice & Me …
12.
Selkie 02:56
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Selkie I’ll shed seven tears for a kiss from your lips I’d give up this land and my home If you will not come, then I shall to thee Enduring the brine and the foam Oh, lover come home from the sea To lay in this warm bed waiting for thee Oh, lover come home from the sea My soul, my sweetheart, my Selkie A slave to my heart thou shall never depart Your place by my side I implore Give in to desire; give your skin to the fire And stay with me here by the shore Oh, lover come home from the sea To lay in this warm bed waiting for thee Oh, lover come home from the sea My soul, my sweet heart, my Selkie Oh, lover come home from the sea To lay in this warm bed waiting for thee Oh, lover come home from the sea My soul, my sweet heart, my Selkie My soul, my sweet heart, my Selkie
13.
This Love 03:14
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This Love I heard you crying forget me not, forget me not Some day’s you feel like you’re all that you’ve got Just when it looks like the world’s closing in Just turn to me, and I’ll hold you again This love is thicker than blood To know you is to know that life can be good This love is thicker than blood This love This love This love This love This love From out the Fires of Hell burning hot Take a chance and trust me, just give it a shot Just when it seems, like it’s been, left to fate Just turn to me, and I’ll carry the weight This love is thicker than blood To know you is to know that life can be good This love is thicker than blood This love This love This love This Love This Love Any time you need me to chase those fears away Close your eyes, realise I’ll be the Devil’s attaché Make it right, out of sight I’ll be your go-to guy This love is ours to own from now until we die
14.
Alive Again (2013) 05:37
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Alive Again Thought I’d left you far behind me So long ago, another time, another place No matter where I go I find you Haunting every line upon my face I’m remembering the past I thought I’d laid it all to sleep You said my peace would never last You said my faith would never keep So I’ll take my car and drive To anywhere but here Leave behind my feelings My pain, my guilt, my fear I’ll drift on northern winds To sooth my tired feet Cradle mixed emotions Within a warm retreat Waiting somehow To come alive again Thought I’d given every reason For letting go of what I knew Now it all seems so unclear Of what became of me and you I’m recalling distant words To songs I wrote before Where the tunes were trapped in cages Confined - unsung - secure So I’ll take my car and drive To anywhere but here Leave behind my feelings My pain, my guilt, my fear I’ll drift on northern winds To sooth my tired feet Cradle mixed emotions Within a warm retreat Waiting somehow To come alive again

credits

released January 1, 2013

Michael Antony Austin / This Illustrated Life

Words & Music by Michael Antony Austin

Performed by
Michael Antony Austin / Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Penny Whistle, Keyboards & Hand Claps
with...
Olaf Jordan / Lead, Electric & Additional Acoustic Guitars, Piano & Organ
Olaf Lücke / Electric & Acoustic Bass
Drums, Percussion Loops & Keyboards / Jörg Schebaum

Except: Heart Of America, Saint Jude & Selkie Performed by Michael Antony Austin

Vocals, Acoustic Guitars & Hand Claps Recorded by Andy Brings @ Omium Studio, Mülheim a.d Ruhr, Germany
Drums, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Electric & Additional Acoustic Guitars Recorded by Jörg Schebaum @ Groovetop Studio, Herdecke, Germany
Kickin' Country Guitar on "Valentine" Performed & Recorded by Peter Fischer @ Red Room Studio, Mülheim a.d Ruhr, Germany

Mixed by Andy Brings
(Changed, re-arranged and mucked-about-with by Michael)
Mastered by Eroc @ Eroc's Mastering Ranch
Album Cover & Photos by Thorsten Brauer /Tbartpixx

BIG THANKS to: Olaf J., Olaf L., & Jörg S. for taking the trip through This Illustrated Life...
Claudia & Darleen for their continuous love and support of my restless musical spirit…
Andy Brings for bringing out the best in me, and not saying "no" when I said "yes"...
Gene Roddenberry, Vittel and Earl Grey (Hot)...

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Michael Antony Austin Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Tasty Country tinged Pop Rock and Folk from an ex-pat Geordie Singer/Songwriter residing in Germany!

Casual Crooner, part-time Popstar, hopeful Headbanger...!

For more Info, Photos & LIVE Dates go to:
www.michaelantonyaustin.com

Photos www.photographybymichealscott.co.uk ... more

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