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Devil Rail

by John Zipperer

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1.
Devil Rail 05:34
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Was a year without working Living my days mouth to hand Then that whistle came a calling And carried me across this land Devil Rail, once my savior Only seeks my soul to rend But this train keeps getting louder Will this railroad ever end All alone on our old homestead Sits my wife and child to be Will this wire from Western Union Be all my child knows of me Devil Rail, once my savior Only seeks my soul to rend But this train keeps getting louder Will this railroad ever end Oh Lord can you hear me In this darkness where I stand The light of hope only grows dimmer Is this hammer all I am Devil Rail, once my savior Only seeks my soul to rend But this train keeps getting louder Will this railroad ever end
2.
Everybody Sing 03:50
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It’s not inside you’re cupboard It’s not inside your fridge It’s not inside that bottle You hide under the bridge It’s not inside that bottle Or baked inside a cake It’s not even in those cookies Your momma used to make It’s not in Momma’s cookies Though she surely put it in It might be in this music So here’s where we begin Everybody sing everybody dance When it comes to love You got to take a chance Everybody swing everybody sway When it comes to life Let love get in the way You never know WHEN love is gonna LET cha You never know HOW love is gonna NET cha You never know WHERE love is gonna SET cha But you wanna be there you know I’ll bet-cha You can see it in a movie, but you cannot take it home You can watch it on your TV But you’re sitting there alone You can see it in a painting or hear it in a song It’s really all around you and It’s never ever wrong Everybody sing everybody dance When it comes to love You got to take a chance Everybody swing everybody sway When it comes to life Let love get in the way You never know WHEN love is gonna LET cha You never know HOW love is gonna NET cha You never know WHERE love is gonna SET cha But you wanna be there you know I’ll bet-cha Everybody sing everybody dance When it comes to love You got to take a chance Everybody swing everybody sway When it comes to life Let love get in the way You wouldn’t sail your boat on the dessert wouldn’t fly your plane on the see So to find a heart that is open you better go where one might be Everybody sing everybody dance When it comes to love You got to take a chance Everybody swing everybody sway When it comes to life Let love get in the way You never know WHEN love is gonna LET cha You never know HOW love is gonna NET cha You never know WHERE love is gonna SET cha But you wanna be there you know I’ll bet-cha It’s hiding inside people on the bus or at the shore Reach out you can feel it Put your hand against the door You can go out to a party or even take a class One thing that you must do is to get up of your Everybody sing everybody dance When it comes to love You got to take a chance Everybody swing everybody sway When it comes to life Let love get in the way You never know WHEN love is gonna LET cha You never know HOW love is gonna NET cha You never know WHERE love is gonna SET cha But you wanna be there you know I’ll bet-cha Everybody sing everybody dance When it comes to love You got to take a chance Everybody swing everybody sway When it comes to life Let love get in the way When it comes to Life let love get in the way.
3.
Here Comes That Rainbow Again 02:39
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The scene was a small roadside café The waitress was sweepin' the floor Two truck drivers drinkin' their coffee And two okie kids by the door "How much are them candies?" They asked her "How much have you got?" She replied "We've only a penny between us" "Them's two for a penny, " she lied And the daylight grew heavy with thunder With the smell of the rain on the wind Ain't it just like a human? Here comes that rainbow again One truck driver called to the waitress After the kids went outside "Them candies ain't two for a penny" "So what's it to you?" She replied In silence they finished their coffee Then got up and nodded goodbye She called, "Hey, you left too much money" "So what's it to you?" They replied And the daylight was heavy with thunder With the smell of the rain on the wind Ain't it just like a human? Here comes that rainbow again
4.
River and a Dirt Road 04:57
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What I wouldn’t give for a river right now Carry me away so far away from this crowd Might be up in Colorado might be down along the coast Might be small enough to wade across or big enough for a boat A river What I wouldn’t give for a dirt road right now Just a little ribbon of red clay headed south Might be back in old Virginia Might be down in Tennessee Won’t be nothin’ there to speak of Nothin’ there but me and that dirt road and baby that road would dance right along that river and I would take my sweet time walking it alone and no I would not need to know where I was going ‘cause that river and that red dirt road would lead me home. What I wouldn’t give for a river right now What I wouldn’t give for a dirt road (right now) headed south What I wouldn’t give for a river right now.
5.
When Rita Leaves 03:46
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She left a lipstick letter on the mirror Shattered on the bathroom floor All I could put back together was never see me no more Took all her clothes but one red dress the one she knew I like the best All I could do was clean up the mess and wonder where she had gone I had a sky blue rag-top Mustang nineteen sixty four She drove it off into the night ‘till it just wouldn’t go no more She caught a ride into town bought some gas and laid the top down Then she burned that pony to the ground on the dessert in New Mexico When Rita leaves Rita’s gone She gave me every chance a man could want I never knew a love so strong or so crazy when she’s been done wrong When Rita leaves Rita’s gone I put a call in to her mama Sita back in El Paso She said she got the story from Rita on her way to Mexico Her mama knew I was takin’ it hard said she was sorry about my car But I was lucky all she broke was my heart better just let her go When Rita leaves Rita’s gone She gave me every chance a man could want I never knew a love so strong or so crazy when she’s been done wrong When Rita leaves Rita’s gone
6.
OoLa 03:25
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She said she was no good for me She said you know it’s true She said boy what’s it gonna be She said voulez vous La La - La La La La - Oo La la La La - lalala lalala La Oo La She said there’s a cozy place by the bridge She said just over that ridge She said it’s where lovers meet She said can’t be seen from the street La La - La La La La - Oo La La La La - lalala lalala La Oo La Night stick clacking on steamy glass Cops outside my door This one time I’ll let it pass but Don’t come around here no more La La - La La La La - Oo La La La La - lalala lalala La Oo La She said you must be aware She said Life’s a truth or dare She said you can put your money on me She said or take it off La La - La La La La - Oo La la La La - lalala lalala La Oo La
7.
Lexi Dance 03:18
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I wrote this song It had a bouncy feel It wasn't a Jig, and it wasn’t a reel It wasn’t ‘bout love or true romance What it was the kind of thing that made Lexi dance Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance oh Lexi dance Spin around throwback your head and raise your hands You move so free like I wish I could Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance make us all feel good Then every time I went out to play Late at night or the break of day In my hometown or even Paris France What I’d play is the kind of thing that made Lexi dance Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance oh Lexi dance Spin around throwback your head and raise your hands You move so free like I wish I could Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance make us all feel good Came a time when she found her a man She didn’t know she was in my plan How could she see just from my glance I didn’t make a move I wouldn’t take a risk and I missed my chance If she ever came back, I know what to say I know what to sing I know what to play I’d sing about love and true romance But what I’d play is the kind of thing that makes Lexi dance Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance oh Lexi dance Spin around throwback your head and raise your hands You move so free like I wish I could Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance make us all feel good I wrote this song, it had a bouncy feel
8.
Come On Up To The House 05:15
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Well, the moon is broken And the sky is cracked Come on up to the house The only things that you can see Is all that you lack Come on up to the house All your cryin’ don't do no good Come on up to the house Come down off the cross We can use the wood You gotta come on up to the house Come on up to the house Come on up to the house The world is not my home I'm just a passin' thru Come on up to the house There's no light in the tunnel No irons in the fire Come on up to the house And your singin’ lead soprano in a junkman's choir You gotta come on up to the house Does life seem nasty, brutish and short Come on up to the house The seas are stormy and you can't find no port Got to come on up to the house There's nothin in the world That you can do You gotta come on up to the house And you been whipped by the forces That are inside you Gotta come on up to the house Well, you're high on top Of your mountain of woe Gotta come on up to the house Well, you know you should surrender But you can't let it go You gotta come on up to the house Gotta come on up to the house Gotta Come on up to the house The world is not my home I'm just a passin' thru You gotta come on up to the house You gotta come on up to the house You gotta come on up to the house
9.
We Walk Together 04:01
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Some days are so dark I think I can’t stand Some trials so deep no ladder at hand in the face of injustice my blood runs cold I reach out for something to have and to hold Some can be cruel oh they can be mean Blind to the suffering that others have seen It’s there we will find and where we must go Searching for those who still may not know (that) We walk together! We are our home We don’t have to weather these trials alone We’re here for each other And so it shall be I’ve no higher purpose than bringing you peace The struggle is hard it cuts to the bone It’s easy to feel you’re out there alone In strife we are tested and in life we must show In finding each other it’s God we will know (that) We walk together! We are our home We don’t have to weather these trials alone We’re here for each other And so it shall be I’ve no higher purpose than bringing you peace So do what you can give a brother a lift A pat on the back or your own special gift A smile to a stranger a hand to a friend For these are the things that count in the end We walk together! We are our home We don’t have to weather these trials alone We’re here for each other And so it shall be I’ve no higher purpose than bringing you peace
10.
This Song 04:53
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This Song Is not for the righteous This song is not for the few This song is not for the righteous This song is for ME and for YOU If you think you’re standing but you just kneel, and you know you’re loving but you can’t feel This song this song is for you If you feel you’re alone at the table and every face you see reflects another label but you know your own reflects a label or two this song this song is for you This Song Is not for the righteous This song is not for the few This song is not for the righteous This song is for ME and for YOU If you’re spending every day and all your might with the ill just getting through the night This song this song is for you If you flag and you flail when the clouds come and you’re looking for a way to make your mind numb But you fight once more to make the sunshine through This song this Song is for you if you feel you’re living in a strange land, and you fear there is nothing that you can do If you feel you’re living in a strange land, get up, stand up rise up This song is for you If you feel your line or religion is being threatened like a statue by a pigeon This song, this song is for you If you have a little something for your neighbor a little help a little hope a little labor And you don’t mind if your neighbor has nothing for you. This song this song is for you
11.
DeFuniak Springs 05:23
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I’m sitting in DeFuniak looking through my old backpack trying to find way to get back home But there is no nav or GPS or fancy map that can address a way to turn our house back to a home And it feels like a catastrophe that you’re not coming back to me and all I can do is pretend This book of jokes that is my life this wondering without a wife is ever really ever going to end. I’ve got to fly in my mind in my mind to the time spent with you I’ve got to go back in time cause that’s all I can do Well, I’m waiting here in Jacksonville trying to muster up the will to find the words to help me to atone But that train just keeps on clacking by no one even turns an eye to see the man who’ll always be alone. I can’t see any reason why I should get up or even try to find me a new lover or a friend I always thought we’d be together through love and life and all the weather that could bring our story to an end. I’ve got to fly in my mind in my mind to the time spent with you I’ve got to go back in time cause that’s all I can do I’m Hanging out In Orlando pickin’ on an old banjo playing outside the mousetrap for some dough It’s much too hot to stop and listen folks just walk on by and glisten I still can’t decide which way to go. I’ve got to find a new arrangement that defies our old estrangement and just might rearrange a life with you I’m thinking that I’m out of time and I can’t find a single rhyme suggesting what it is that I should do I’ve got to fly in my mind in my mind to the time spent with you I’ve got to go back in time cause that’s all I can do Sitting Here in Islamorada thinking that I really aught’a find a phone and get a hold of you But your voice keeps ringing in my ears with all the anger and the tears I know there’s only one thing I can do. So I sing this song again as if it were my only friend the only mark upon my rolling stone An all my words turn back on me with all the mediocrity that defines a man when he’s alone I’ve got to fly in my mind in my mind to the time spent with you I’ve got to go back in time to when our love was new I’ve got to fly in my mind to a love that was true I hope you don’t mind that I’m still loving you
12.
She Came 02:19
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She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart She was pretty as pretty can be said she wanted to marry me Moved into my house right away kicked me out the very next day OH She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart Went to the preacher man to set things right talked it over all through the night She said now I know what to do I think I’ll marry him not you OH She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart Gotta be careful when it comes to fast could be a sign that is just won’t last Take a deep breath before I make you mine, I only want to do this one more time I only wanna do this one more time I only wanna do this - one - more - time She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart You ask me why I bring this up well we just met, and you’re all fired up You want me to dance and sing when you could do the same damn thing OH She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart She Came and broke my heart broke my heart and tore it apart
13.
When The Muse Comes Out 04:43
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It’s a quiet room with a hard wood floor neon sign by the bar and a big brass bell on the door When the clock hits nine someone’s counting time There may be a reason and there may be a rhyme If you go where she goes then you know you will set yourself free When The Muse Comes Out When The Muse Comes Out When The Muse Comes Out and the Boys and the Girls they all play There’s a gentle roar from the house next door as you walk inside you hear people crying for more She might start slow with a healing touch Or come on strong like a teen in a rush when she’s done, everyone has begun to get what they need It could be any place at all in a tiny room or a great big hall All you need to do is answer her call You might feel alone like your life’s a dial tone And you don’t feel like knitting or sitting alone by the phone well, you don’t have to wait or stand by a gate and you’re never too old and it’s never too late you know if you go, she will show you the light of your soul When The Muse Comes Out When The Muse Comes Out When The Muse Comes Out and the Boys and the Girls they all play
14.
Lexi Dance Electric 03:19
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I wrote this song It had a bouncy feel It wasn't a Jig, and it wasn’t a reel It wasn’t ‘bout love or true romance What it was the kind of thing that made Lexi dance Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance oh Lexi dance Spin around throwback your head and raise your hands You move so free like I wish I could Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance make us all feel good Then every time I went out to play Late at night or the break of day In my hometown or even Paris France What I’d play is the kind of thing that made Lexi dance Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance oh Lexi dance Spin around throwback your head and raise your hands You move so free like I wish I could Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance make us all feel good Came a time when she found her a man She didn’t know she was in my plan How could she see just from my glance I didn’t make a move I wouldn’t take a risk and I missed my chance If she ever came back, I know what to say I know what to sing I know what to play I’d sing about love and true romance But what I’d play is the kind of thing that makes Lexi dance Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance oh Lexi dance Spin around throwback your head and raise your hands You move so free like I wish I could Oh, Lexi dance, dance, dance make us all feel good I wrote this song, it had a bouncy feel

about

John Zipperer’s bio reads a lot like his new album. Tales of highways, rivers, and rails. From New England to the Deep South, to the edge of Hollywood, John has lived life to its fullest and he has shared his visions with us on “Devil Rail”, his brilliant new CD that has been ten years in the making. These songs have been road-tested and honed through years of countless live performances in front of wildly appreciative audiences, like the highly enthusiastic, sold-out crowd recently celebrating its release at Santa Monica’s legendary venue, McCabe’s Guitar Shop. Kicking off with the driving blues of its title track, “Devil Rail” could be viewed as essentially a definition of Americana music. Whether it’s the swinging gypsy jazz of “OoLa”, a soulful gospel hymn of “We Walk Together”, the bouncy reggae of “This Song”, the blistering bluegrass of “She Came”, the straight-ahead rock of “When The Muse Comes Out”, or even some Folk Rap in “Everybody Sing”, John Zipperer draws inspiration by ALL the great forms of truly American musical traditions. With John’s incredibly moving vocals front and center, his dazzling instrumental skills and his amazing all-star band backing him up, the term “tour de force” hardly seems adequate!

credits

released March 22, 2024

Engineered by - Nick Kirgo, Dave Beyer, Nick Vincent, and Leslie Barker
Mixed by Nick Kirgo
Mastered by David Jones
Produced by Nick Kirgo
Co-produced by John Zipperer
Graphic design by Russell Paris
CD photo by Debbie Autrey
CD photo styling by Ron Sarfaty
THE PLAYERS:
• John Zipperer: vocals (all), acoustic guitar (1,2,5,6,7,8,10,12,13,14), harmony vocals (3,9), mandolin (12)
• Nick Kirgo: acoustic guitar (2,3,4,6,11) electric guitar (1,5,9,10,11,13,14), dobro (3,4,8)
vocals (5,13), piano (9), electric piano (10), bass (9,10)
• Gabe Witcher: fiddle (2,6,7)
• Tom Corbett: mandolin (7,12)
• Dave Sutton: bass (2,5,11)
• Mark “Pocket” Goldberg: bass (1,13)
• Hank Van Sickle: standup bass (3,6,8,14)
• Dave Beyer: drums (2,11,13,14)
• Lynn Coulter: drums (1)
• Nick Vincent: drums & percussion (10)
• Leslie Barker: Backup vocals ALL except ~ 3, 5, 11, 14
• Tara Sitser: Backup vocals ALL except ~ 3, 5, 11, 14

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John Zipperer Los Angeles, California

"The combination of songwriting, presentation, and raw energy makes a John Zipperer show as satisfying as a Thanksgiving dinner with your best friends." Art Podell (DJ KPFK & Singer-Songwriter)

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