Barry Oreck
BACK COVER
Barry’s initial self-titled album features 10 original songs and a lineup of great musicians. From the rocking cajun Chicken Little to the celtic influenced Love and Misunderstanding to the bluesy Gloryland the album reflects a wide range of styles, topics and sounds. 5 songs are co-written with Larry Stallman whose unique takes on the world and ironic humor are well-represented here in songs like Drink at 4, We’ll Never Change and Baby Boomer.
Amazing collaborators Rob Ickes, dobro; Michael Ronstadt, cello; Kevin Garcia, percussion; J Granelli, bass and Bob Harris, guitar (and everything else) grace the album.
Song Samples
Credits
Chicken Little (Barry Oreck and Larry Stallman)
Fiddle and Electric Guitar: Gary Oleyar
Electric guitar and Mandolin: Bob Harris
Accordion: Bob Telson
Bass: Rusty Holloway
Percussion: Kevin GarciaHarder Days (Barry Oreck)
Dobro: Rob Ickes
Rhythm Guitar: Bob Harris
Fiddle: Suzanne Davenport
Percussion: Kevin GarciaLove and Misunderstanding (Barry Oreck and Jessica Nicoll)
Fiddle: Rima Fand
Lead Guitar: Bob Harris
Bass: J Granelli
Percussion: Kevin GarciaI Can’t Believe It’s True (Barry Oreck and Larry Stallman)
Banjo: Paul Prestopino
Mandolin: Bob Harris
Harmony vocals: Lucy Clark and Debra Griner
Bass: J GranelliDon’t Take the Road (Barry Oreck)
Mandolin: Anthony Hannigan
Slide Guitar: Bob Harris
Bass: Rusty Holloway
Percussion: Kevin GarciaDrink At Four (Barry Oreck and Larry Stallman)
Cello: Michael Rondstadt
Piano, Mandolin, Lead Guitar: Bob HarrisGrunt Factor (Barry Oreck)
Cello: Michael Ronstadt
Mandolin: Anthony Hannigan
Bass: Bob Harris
Percussion: Kevin GarciaBaby Boomer (Barry Oreck and Larry Stallman)
Dobro: Rob Ickes
Mandolin: Anthony Hannigan
Lead Guitar: Bob Harris
Bass: Rusty HollowayWe’ll Never Change (Barry Oreck and Larry Stallman)
Dobro: Rob IckesGlory Land (Barry Oreck)
Cello: Michael Rondstadt
Mandolin: Anthony Hannigan
Harmony vocals: Lucy Clark and Debra Griner
Bass: Bob Harris
Guitar and Vocals: Barry Oreck
Produced by Barry Oreck and Bob Harris
Mixed and mastered by Bob Harris and Barry Oreck at Ampersand Records USA
Lyrics
Chicken Little Lyrics by Larry Stallman, Music by Barry Oreck
I banged my head and I had a dream;
‘Bout a fire and a kettle and a cloud of steam;
I gazed into the cloud and I rubbed my eyes.
There was Chicken Little in a pig disguise.
I looked through the mask and saw her eyes were red;
She said, “I’m really very worried that I’ll soon be dead;”
“I was wrong about the sky, but I know I’m going to die.
The sky’s not falling but I know I’m gonna die.”
Chorus
You know some day we’ll all be gone little Chicken
It’s sadly true my friend
So rock and roll while your heart’s still tickin’
Boogie woogie ‘till the very end.
I said, “I feel your pain my sweet Little Chick
But I spoke to the doctor, and you're not even sick.”
She said, “Why do I worry when I know I'm not sick?”
I said, “It’s just your nature, baby, it’s your Chicken Little schtick.”
You know you don’t have to worry, though you can if you choose;
You can also get lost in a quart of booze;
You can lie on the couch and take a life-long snooze;
Or keep walkin’ ‘round in this silly pig ruse;
Chorus
Maybe you could stare at a flock of crows;
Or paint a tattoo on the tip of your nose;
You could pray to all the logos on your fancy new clothes;
Or climb up a weather vane and see which way your mind blows.
My personal suggestion is to dance ‘till you laugh;
And then ask the drummer for his autograph;
Give the guitar guy a hug and a kiss;
And stroll with the bass man into the mist.
Let’s dance little chicken, ‘till the cows come home;
Let’s boogie all night on the road to Rome;
Let’s tell the whole story in an epic poem;
Let’s float to the sky or we’ll sink like a stone”
Chorus
Harder Days Lyrics and Music by Barry Oreck
I walked the dog I washed the car I watched the game
Read the paper, mowed the lawn about the same
And I wonder what will become of me, Livin in this economy
I see harder days comin down the road, Harder days comin down the road
I once had dreams I once had schemes I had some fun
Grabbed my share of cool clear air, I gave it a run
But it doesn’t pay to think too much, I’ll just get my ticket punched
I see harder days comin down the road, Yes I see harder days comin down the road
Don’t throw out the camera without developing the film
The good old days aren’t so far away but the next groups comin’ in
We once made promises about the world we’d leave our kids
But now I’m glad I won’t be here cause that’s not what we did
We played our hand, we scraped the land, we overdrew
We ate what’s good, we took what we could, we drank the brew,
The bill comes due with interest high, I’ll wish you luck and say goodbye
I see harder days comin down the road, Harder days comin down the road
No second chances, you just live once
Can’t stop the world from spinning round or water where it runs
It’s been a good life, and I knew it couldn’t last
Let’s hope the future’s more forgiving than the past
They say buy more, I say “what store?” I do my share
But I burn my waste in the fireplace, not like I don’t care
But now I see its it don’t help a bit, To burn my way through useless shit
I see harder days comin down the road,
yes, I see harder days comin down the road, whoa, harder
Gonna be harder, comin’ down the road
Love and Misunderstanding Music by Barry Oreck, Lyrics by Barry Oreck and Jessica Nicoll
Oh, you lovers crying in vain
Did you think now that you found the one you’re free from the pain
For the words they will pierce you, the looks they will bruise
It will never be so easy when you’ve got so much to lose
Your dreams have spoiled you, perfection you can’t find
There will never be a real thing like the person in your mind
Take a sweet bite of apple a sour one of lime
Reaching for the branches you’ve just begun to climb
Love and misunderstanding, never far apart
Asking for, then demanding, I thought you knew my heart
Innocent confusion of the simplest kind
Shatters the illusion that he can read her mind
He was plucking roses in bloom by the front gate
She was in the honeysuckles wondering why he was late
But lovely roses can prick you, sweet smelling honeysuckle overwhelms
Will they make it through the underbrush or will it drag them in again?
Thrashing cuts them deeper, shouting no one hears
They meet in chance encounters they touch each other’s fears
Love and misunderstanding, never far apart
Asking for, then demanding, I thought you knew my heart
Thought you knew, thought you knew my heart
All these stories I see them so clear
holding then breaking, distant while near
I look back in wonder and see loves first bloom
But I never let the tender blossoms weather winter’s dark gloom
My dreams they did spoil me, perfection I can never find
There can never be a real thing like the person in my mind.
Lost in this moment, we let down our guard
Falling’s so easy, the landing is so hard
Love and misunderstanding, never far apart
Asking for, then demanding, I thought you knew my heart
Thought you knew, thought you knew, I thought you knew my heart
Thought you knew, thought you knew, I thought you knew my heart
I Can’t Believe It's True Lyrics by Larry Stallman, Music by Barry Oreck
I once met a man who said the world was round; as round as round can be.
He said the world was like a peach
In its three dimensionality.
But I can't believe it's really true.
There’s the proof in front of you
Look at the line of brown and blue
It looks so flat to me.
Chorus
I just can't believe what I just can't believe
I can only believe what I see;
And I'll never believe that silly old lie,
That the truth will set me free.
I saw a tiger at the zoo, Blake's brilliant blazing beast;
A sign proclaimed that beautiful cat was soon to be extinct
But I can't believe it's really true; that there’s nothing you can do
For this creature so distinct, stared at me and blinked.
Chorus
I read it in the papers that the planet's getting hot; hotter every day.
That storms will twist and the seas will rise and the bees will fly away.
But I can't believe it's really true; there’s really nothing we can do
All the facts must be askew, 'cause it snowed the other day.
Chorus
I reread the letter she sent in the Spring when our love was as big as the sky;
In it she said with her heart and her soul she’d love me to the day I die
But here I am and all alone, though I didn’t see her go
It is clear that bird has flown
I believe that.
Chorus
Hey you just can't believe what you just can't believe
You can only believe what you see;
And don't ever believe that dirty old lie,
That the truth will set you.
The truth will upset you
Yes the truth will set you free
Don’t Take The Road Music and Lyrics by Barry Oreck
Don’t take the road take your foot off the gas
Don’t take the road you can find your own path
Don’t take the road Its too wide and too loud
You can get where you’re going without following the crowd
Don’t take the road no need to get there so fast
Don’t take the road get off of your ass
Don’t take the road There’s an opening there
And on your two feet you can go anywhere
Good rotation, beat stagnation Get your feet rolling one at a time
The more you trust your balance the steeper you’ll climb
Don’t take the road Take pride in your stride
Don’t take the road Your strength can’t be denied
Don’t take the road though connected its true
Once you take the entrance ramp your freedom is through
Don’t take the road Get some mud on your shoes
Don’t take the road You’ve got everything to lose
Don’t take the road Keep your eyes on the prize
And discover what you’ll find when you improvise
Big surprises could be over the horizon
But the big trucks rolling all over the place
Packs of stinking snowmobiles right in my face
And jet skis churning wheelies and starting to race
And I’m just trying to live without a trace
Don’t take the road It’s the easy way out
Don’t take the road Its not what you’re about
Don’t take the road You may wander alone
But at least your choices will be your own
If you drive the whole fleet on a slab of concrete
Pretty soon there won’t be room for a pair of bare feet
If the roar of the machine is never in retreat
and all we have to breath is what they excrete
you’ve just gotta get out of your seat
So don’t take the road (instrumental)
Don’t take the road If there’s another way
Don’t take the road There’s no turning back
If your headed to the top take the unbroken track
Six lane highway, or backwoods byway
Jump on the trail and off of the street
Crunch some leaves under your feet
Move your body, make your own heat]
It’ll pay you for the effort, make it feel so sweet (it all complete)
Out in the meadow, not the concrete ghetto
There must be a way to get away, There must be a way to get away
Drink At Four Music by Barry Oreck, Lyrics by Larry Stallman and Barry Oreck
She said she'd meet me for a drink at four;
I hope, please God, she isn’t angry anymore;
I knew she'll want to give it one more try;
I know it or I'll have to watch the sky fall into endless dark;
And take away the stars;
Take away all my hope; and take away my heart.
She said she'd meet me for a drink at five;
I'll seek her eyes so I will know I’m really here and still alive
I'll be forgiven and the choir will sing;
I'll give her back her smile; and it will shine upon me like the sun in spring;
And the terrors of my life; Will all melt away,
and the steeple bells will ring;
I can never bear the thought, I might have pushed her away
Was there something I could have done that would have made her stay
We can try once again, our love will find a way.
She said she'd meet me for a drink at six;
Waiting for a long time, I always thought I’d have the chance to fix
the damage that I did when we were so young;
Now the clock plays awful tricks, have I fooled myself again?
Now, perhaps, I'll never know; What her heart was saying
when I saw her last, some forty years ago.
She said she’d meet me for a drink at eight
Pour me another one, she must be running late
It's not that time means much to me,
It's just that when she comes I might be free To live my life again
To trust once more that I can be saved from this clutching pain;
Now the clock’s striking 12, there goes another day
I can never bear the thought, that I might have led her to stray
Was there something I could have done that would have made her say
All I have to do is love her well and she’ll stay.
The Grunt Factor Music and Lyrics by Barry Oreck
CHORUS
I’m the grunt factor (Ugh)
I measure the pleasure against the pain
I’m the grunt factor (Ugh)
You bask in the sunshine, I slog through the rain.
I live at the bottom and just near the top
I’m with you when you’re going, I’m with you when you stop
If you don’t want to know me you can just sit on the couch
but I’ll be waiting sure enough and I’ll bring along the ouch
CHORUS
Its always a balance, a negotiation
The more you go down you’ve got an up situation
Struggle and pleasure, Work and fun
how would you know you’re livin’ when the day is done
CHORUS
It don’t matter to me, how many days you trained, you still feel the pain
l get in your brain, and every step you take, makes you long to break
600 feet down making perfect tele turns
oh lets go 7 and feel the burn
Walk to that ridge, the next one’s even better
you could do it alone but I think we’ll do it together
CHORUS
You can put me in your pack, I’m not preferential
but to really get to know me you’ve got to get existential
Heaven is down and hell is up
you better love em both if you want to reach the top
CHORUS
You’ll forget about me, just the fun remains and the bold campaigns
But you never would gain without a dose of me that I guarantee
Grunt factor, grunt factor, grunt factor, grunt factor
Baby Boomer Music by Barry Oreck, Lyrics by Larry Stallman
I’m in love, I’m in love with a big baby boomer
Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
She stands six foot two in her naked feet;
A curvy two twenty with a padded seat;
Her eyes blink slowly and she talks so sweet;
Twice a day she’s crazy, and she never eats meat.
She’s my bouncin’ baby boomer
Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
She got her Ph.D. in Physics back in seventy three;
She was first in her class at M.I.T.;
She’s my queen of all matter and energy;
And when she gets physical I’m glad to be me;
She’s my atomic baby boomer;
Baby boom boom boom boom boom..
She keeps me in the attic of her creaky old house;
But when I start complainin’ she unbuttons her blouse;
There are plenty of guys who would call her a freak;
But they have no idea just how she makes my knees weak;
She’s my super baby boomer
Baby boom boom boom boomboom.
Her hips sway slowly when she crosses the room;
Makes my weary heart go boom boom boom;
But the sign says, “Stop,” you gotta keep off the grass;
The pope says pray, you gotta make it to mass;
The teacher says study or you ain’t gonna pass;
And all I can do is just admire her....class.
She’s my smokin’ baby boomer;
Baby boom boom boom.
It’s been two full decades since her periods quit;
Now she talks in run-on sentences that give me a fit;
I’ve tried to interrupt her when I’ve something to say;
But she shakes her hair and whispers, “Unh, unh, baby, no way.”
She's my rappin’, baby boomer,
Baby boom, boom, boom boom boom.
I get so crazy that I pull out my hair;
I whimper and I moan and I cry, "It ain't fair."
start to howl like a dog that the possum just treed;
Then she smiles and she winks gives me just what I need;
She’s my crazy baby boomer; Baby boom boom boom boom boom
She’s my luscious baby boomer; Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
She’s my dancin’ baby boomer; Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
She’s my dreamy baby boomer; Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
C’mon baby boomer; Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
You got me baby boomer; Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
You be sweet baby boomer Baby boom boom boom boom boom.
We’ll Never Change -- Music by Barry Oreck, Lyrics by Larry Stallman
The other day, she took off her sweet smelling blouse;
And dropped it on the bare wood floor;
I picked it up and brushed it off,
And opened up the closet door;
I found a hanger; And hung her shirt;
As neat as neat can be.
I would never try to change her; And she doesn’t try to change me.
In the morning I get up and have my oatmeal;
With a napkin on my knee; She grabs a beat up apple;
That fell off of our neighbor’s tree.
She pours a cup of day old coffee;
I have some fresh brewed tea.
I would never try to change her; And she doesn’t try to change me.
She turned on the tube to watch her hockey
And screamed when a goal was scored;
I sat down with a novel;
By a writer I’ve always adored.
She grabbed a beer and potato chips;
I had my wine and brie.
I would never try to change her; And she doesn’t try to change me.
Together now for a whole lot of years;
Lots of laughs and a couple of tears;
We’ve shared our hopes and we’ve shared our fears;
And our life’s just as happy as it appears;
If you’re wondering how we do it;
It’s as simple as simple can be:
I would never try to change her;
And she doesn’t try to change me No, no,no,no
I would never try to change her; And she doesn’t try to change me.
Glory Land Music and Lyrics by Barry Oreck
If you’re going to Glory Land
You can see it, you want it, give me you’re hand
just pull out your fiddle and join the band
We’ll be jamming in ol’ Glory Land
Leave your pain and misery
Give up your worries just let ‘em go
My soul got wet in the morning dew
But Gabriel dried me off when he blew
Take the keys to the highway put in gear
It’s a much better ride than you’re having down here
Some things you should know before you get there
Stock up on stogies and bring your own beer
CHORUS
Oh, oh Glory Land
OH, NO No, No its not what you planned
There’s a lot of people there you just couldn’t stand
Its for forever in Glory Land
Makes no difference what God you’re for
Take a number from the tumbler and wait by the door
They could upgrade the seating, improve the décor
Perhaps you were expecting more
Like an airport Hilton or Holiday Inn
Not any better than some places you’ve been
Nothing to watch on cable TV
Just the Tabernacle Choir singing Nearer My god to thee
There’s a light in the window to show you the way
You can be sure this is not your best day
When St. Peter appears and asks you to pray
You better have a good answer how you were led astray
CHORUS
You may have spent your life tempting fate
But you pray you can change it before its too late
Now its down to the wire, there’s no time to wait
To find the key to the pearly gates
Gonna chatter with the father argue with son
Tell em about the world you just came from
God forgives but some people don’t
It will be a long eternity if you won’t
You’ll see old aunt Shelby and step father Art
Some cousin you shunned and that’s just the start
You should think long and hard before you depart
Can you make some more room in that weary old heart
CHORUS