Prodigal Son

Murphyland Records

Record Details

2017
Genre:
Rock
Elliott Murphy - Prodigal Son

Elliott’s most recent studio album.

Tracklist

  1. Chelsea Boots -:-- / 3:44
  2. Alone In My Chair -:-- / 3:19
  3. Hey Little Sister -:-- / 5:02
  4. Let Me In -:-- / 5:35
  5. The Prodigal Son -:-- / 5:59
  6. Karen Where Are You Going -:-- / 3:49
  7. Wit’s End -:-- / 6:05
  8. You’ll Come Back To Me -:-- / 3:42
  9. Absalom, Davy & Jackie O -:-- / 11:42

CHELSEA BOOTS

Today I bought a pair of boots
Color black for my funeral suit
Oh I won’t wreck ‘em in the rain
I put em back into their box
And take ‘em home again

If I could change my style – I’d change my look
I’d change my face oh if I could
And change the date of my birth
Give me twenty years more
Man that would work

Chelsea boots – Chelsea boots
It’s a long walk home when you got no roots
Chelsea boots – Chelsea boots
Wherever I go I’m coming back to you

No I don’t wear no shoes with laces
No time to lose when I got to go places
They get undone and then I get untied
Until I trip over my thoughts so unsatisfi ed

Chelsea boots – Chelsea boots
It’s a long walk home when you got no roots
Chelsea boots – Chelsea boots
Wherever I go I’m coming back to you

Grandfather clocks they are passing me by
Writing my name in the trails of the sky
You know the strange reason why

Chelsea boots – Chelsea boots

It’s a long walk home when you got no roots
Chelsea boots – Chelsea boots
Wherever I go I’m coming back to you

Coming back coming back
I’m coming back to you
I’m coming back – I’m coming back

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ALONE IN MY CHAIR

I was alone in my chair
Loose change floating through the air
Contemplating what’s left of my life
My fear so thick you cut it with a knife

But when I think of you
That’s what rings true
And I’m crossing the line
My love is breaking down
Those barriers of space and time

Well a full moon was rising today
And it made me kind of jittery in a way
Is that gravity just pulling on my brain
Next thing you know I’m joining club insane

But when I think of you
That’s what rings true
And I’m crossing the line
Breaking down the barriers of space and time

Scooting down a twisty road today
Must have been ten scooters in my way
I was lost and lonely in the zone
Trying to fi nd my way home

But when I think of you
That’s what rings true
And I’m crossing the line
My love is breaking down
Those barriers of space and time

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba …

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HEY LITTLE SISTER

Hey little sister – here comes a twister
Momma please tell her – get into the cellar
God’s wrath is planning – to blow my house away
Tractors are fl ying – baby brother’s crying
Preacher he’s gonna say – it’s just the lord’s way
To tell us we’re sinners – it seems extreme to me
What can you say

I think a mystery – is like that old oak tree
Where I kissed Bobby Jones – once when we were all alone
And ever since it happened – he can’t look me in the eye

But I’m at an age now – where I need some know how
I’m going with felicity – down to the university
They say they do things there – that are really bad … and fun
And I’m kind of impatient – what courses I’m taking
Literature could be one – and buying books on Amazon
Felicity got “shades of gray” – man that’s some strange book

I think a mystery – is like that old oak tree
Where I kissed Bobby Jones – once when we were all alone – and ever since it happened –
he can’t look me in the eye

Well it looks like the storm passed – the sky is so overcast
Mama says to stay down – in case that twister turns around
But it’s dark and it’s nice to sing songs by Taylor Swift
It’s been a year since daddy’s death
He got fooling with that crystal meth
When mama can’t stop crying – sometimes I hear her sighing
Henry oh Henry – it was your own damn fault

I think a mystery – is like that old oak tree
Where I kissed bobby jones – once when we were all alone
And ever since it happened – he can’t look me in the eye
With everything that’s happening – Sometimes I can’t take it in

A twister comes and I’m ok – my daddy threw his life away
If there’s some grand design – it’s way beyond me
And ever since it happened – he can’t look me in the eye
With everything that’s happening – Sometimes I can’t take it in

A twister comes and I’m ok – my daddy threw his life away
If there’s some grand design – it’s way beyond me
Mama says that pretty soon – there’s gonna be a full moon
Bobby says my name so soft – we’re lying in the hayloft
He says that he loves me – it’s a lie but it’s nice to hear

I think a mystery
Is what happened behind that oak tree
When I made love to Bobby Jones
Once when we were all alone
And ever since it happened
I can’t look him in the eye

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LET ME IN

Sometimes I see that you and me are worlds and worlds apart
Life moves so fast as we try to get past
The mountains in front of our heart
Oh and I’m behind you and you’re behind me
And we’re some kind of team now – in spite of what we see

So let me in when you’re happy – let me in when you’re sad
Let me in when you’re the best one – let me in when you’re bad
Let me in when I need you – let me in when you need me
Let’s find a way out of here – wherever here may be

You know you’ll always be my beauty and I’m your anxious man
And those wrinkles round your eyes there
Make me love you more – understand …
We made it this far down the road – so let’s walk a few more miles
Let’s take it to the limit – let’s get out of here with style

And let me in when you’re happy – let me in when you’re sad
Let me in when you’re the best one – and let me in when you’re bad
Let me in when I need you – let me in when you need me
Let’s fi nd a way out of here – wherever here may be

You Know I can feel so helpless – when I hold you in my arms
And I try to reassure you – that I’ll protect you from harm
But you know that I’m no superman – and no one really is
Life has got its own set of rules – it is what it is
But well love now that’s a different thing and that is ours alone
I love you as I love myself – when I’m with you I am home

So let me in when you’re happy – let me in when you’re sad
Let me in when you’re the best one – And let me in when you’re bad
Let me in when I need you – let me in when you need me
Let’s fi nd a way out of here – wherever here may be

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PRODIGAL SON

And every step of the way
You’ll have something to say
To justify your time
And save your place in line
An adolescent complaint
You think you are what you ain’t
Hold on to that thought
See what your God has wrought

You start a sentence with I
I yi yi yi
So get me out of this place
Back into the human race
Across the fi nish line
So many left behind
So many things undone
By the prodigal son

I got a new guitar
Its gonna take me far
Tear down this wall
Seven miles tall
The golden ratio
Go go go go go go go
No time to explain
I’m running from the pain

And you ‘re the reason I’m here
To do the things that I fear
I’m your mystery man
And you’re the queen of Siam
Tick a tock tick a tock
Three blind mice in a clock
Is that the way it goes
Am I getting close

And if I changed my mind
For the thousandth time
Then would it all make sense
Or give my brain another dent
I got a passionate side
I’m not trying to hide
So many stories to tell
You don’t like it – go to hell

Ah yi yi yi!

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KAREN WHERE ARE YOU GOING

Karen where are you going
With that personality all over your face
After swimming in such deep water
You left my arms in such great haste
You came into the city
Like a girl looking for God
But what you found was not so pretty
And I suspect it’s turned you hard

Say your prayers in the privacy of your home
Don’t be kneeling on Canal Street – All Alone

Well I remember Harry Truman
And I rode with the Cisco Kid
And when the oxygen tank caught fi re
Oh the heroic things we did
So who are they to tell us now
That we’re no longer relevant
That our opinion doesn’t matter
That we exist to pay the rent

Say your prayers in the privacy of your home
Don’t be kneeling on Canal Street – All Alone

Karen where are you going
With that personality all over your face
Yeah after swimming in such deep water
You left my arms in such great haste
You came into the city
Like a girl looking for God
And what you found was not so pretty
And I suspect it’s kept you hard

Say your prayers in the privacy of your home
Don’t be kneeling on Canal Street – All Alone

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WITS END

My ears are ringing – My head is pounding
I’m having trouble concentrating – On my own surroundings
Sweet harmonies – They’re avoiding me
Like I was heading to the end

The end of something – That I foolishly protect
As my imagination grows – So circumspect
Shuffl ing time – And rearranging space
Imagining I’d be content – In some distant place

A damaged man – And a lonely girl
Searching for love – In a stressed out world
I’m a believer – At least I hope I am
Need someone to count on – When I’m at wits end
At wits end

You take a little cup cake – You cut it in two
But what are we celebrating
Those times seem so few
Days I remember – On a higher plane
Those nights of passion – Let’s do it again

Chorus

And I’m thinking ahead – Yes its true
The golden years for us two – for us two
Thinking ahead – Lying in bed – Stuck in my head over you

Time goes one way – While my memory goes another
Sister, mother, father, brother
See you soon – Or never see you again
Just for tonight – I’d like a world without end

Chorus

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YOU’LL COME BACK TO ME

This has got to be – the dreariest day
That I have ever seen before
Skies so cloudy like the world has turned grey
I find I’m pacing back and forth

You’ll come back to me – this I know
But that won’t change a thing
‘Cause I’m as happy as I’ll ever show
And I’ll buy that diamond ring

There’s a reason why – we can’t accept
How infi nity can fi t in a vacant heart
And after all the things we work so hard to get
It was love that was free right from the start

You’ll come back to me – this I know
And that won’t change a thing
‘Cause I’m as happy as I’ll ever show
And I’ll buy that diamond ring

In the mystifying morning
Your crazy neighbor starts to laugh
When you know that he’s in mourning
For the life he let go past
While he was sitting on his ass

God gave man a brain – and a life
Enough worries so he’ll have something to say
When he comes home at night – to kiss his
pretty wife
And she asks him dear how was your day

You’ll come back to me – this I know
But that won’t change a thing
‘Cause I’m as happy as I’ll ever show
And I’ll buy that diamond ring
Yeah I’m as happy as I’ll ever show
And I’ll buy that Goddamn ring

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ABSALOM, DAVY & JACKIE O

Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Absalom and Davy – working on a ship
Shoveling coal – they didn’t give a shit
On the stormy Atlantic – or a Caribbean cruise
A prince and king with nothing left to lose
Up top walked the gangster – one eye patched in black
Shiny white loafers – by the name of Scratch
Once he was a button man – at Benny’s beck and call
But now he called the shots himself – not even fi ve foot tall
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Jackie O was a virgin – fi fteen years old
Big round shades – in Beirut she’d be sold
That bitch is my fortune – Scratch he remarked
While Jackie O’s tears stained the harbor sky dark
Davy heard the splash and he jumped in just in time
Jackie O hit the sea but then she changed her mind
Oh you’re my savior – my good king Davy
Keep this between us – what do you say my baby
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Now who could I tell – sweet mademoiselle
I’m a fallen king – I’m really living in hell
And my boy Absalom – he would never betray
His father’s trust – or what he saw today
Jackie O said you know – I’m old for my age
Jealousy might be green – but I’m here to stay
And my destiny – is so sad to see
And with a million-dollar smile – she gave Davy her key
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
She said by one or about – Scratch will be out
And I’ll be alone – why don’t you give me a shout
Clean that coal dust – off of your face
And I’ll cover you with kisses – all over the place
Down below Absalom – he shows no surprise
On Davy’s return – but he looks him in the eye
Throwing her a line – was that the smart thing to do
Must a king be reminded – that his reign is through

Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Well I remember Bathsheba – and that was enough
‘Caused plenty of trouble – for the both of us
Now don’t lecture me, son number three
To chill out and stay down below
But Scratch and Ben – they’re serious men
And if they fi nd you sneaking – into Jackie O’s den
They’re gonna cut you down – you won’t hear a sound
Trust me my daddy – you better stay down
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Someday we’ll get our kicks – on Route 66
But while I’m on this boat I will play
Because I learned a thing – when I was a king
And that’s to always seize the day
The thing that does your thinking hangs between your legs
Said Absalom with a laugh
And if you still had a kingdom – I hope you’d have the wisdom
To not throw it all away – for just a fi ne piece of ass
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
You’re playing with fi re Absalom continued
And dad you will get burned
I’m half on fi re already – and I don’t care about Freddy
I got a feeling – my bad luck has turned
But maybe it’s God – who’s got you in his sights
Absalom direly warned
Somebody said it’s just a test to show the rest that more is less
And he not busy dying by the way – is busy being born
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
I think you’d follow her smell – into the bowels of hell
If we weren’t working there already
And the head honcho is not Benny you know
It’s that Croatian dude – Fast Freddy
Croatian or Freemason, whatever you say
Won’t stop my pursuit of this virgin
Tonight’s the night – oh she’ll be so tight
It’s the right of a king – of that I’m dead certain

Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Clock struck one – and the poker game was done
Poor Scratch – he’d lost a bundle
We hit the road jack – or I’m hitting the sack
Who wants to row into town and go rumble
Count me out said Benny ‘cause I really doubt
There’s anything there worth fucking
Freddy purred and upped his nerve
Made a sound with his tongue – like a chicken clucking
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Fair gentlemen said Freddy – there’s action right here
And it’s sitting right under our eyes
That little sweet virgin – you call Jackie O
What are we waiting for – let’s give her a surprise
You better lay off that chick – said Scratch with a click
Of the hammer – of his gold plated gun
Don’t take it personal man – Freddy laughed
Come on little Scratch – We was just having fun
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
What Scratch had missed and it’s important this
Was Benny sneaking up from behind
And coldcocking him – and then his head began to spin
When he came to – he was tied in a bind
Now all of a sudden – Jackie O was letting
King Davy push open her door
But when he walked in – the surprise was for him
‘Cause Benny and Freddy – they were crouched on the floor
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Hey friend stevedore – before I get sore
You better get your ass back down below
We thought it was Scratch – turning that latch
And I’m relieved to see it isn’t so
King David I am – and I am not your friend
It’s you and your pal who better go
Because me and this maiden – we got a rendezvous
Benny scratched his head – a rendezvous with you
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Freddy laughed – do you believe this ass
I’ve half a mind just to blow him away
And guns were pulled – three men stood still
When Absalom walked in to say
Good God almighty – what are you doing here dad
Let’s get back down there shoveling coal

I’m not going anywhere – Davy had Benny in his stare
Thinking to himself – a king never grows old
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Absalom pulled his hand from within his coat
And a snub nose Colt followed it out
And Davy knew – what he had to do
Come on son he began to shout
A karate chop and a lead filled sock
And Benny was out for the count
But Freddy was fast – and moved his skinny ass
Grabbed Jackie O screaming – and he dragged her out
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Now leave us be – her and me
Or who knows how this could go
Absalom and King Davy
Whoever you may be – don’t be two fools you know
Davy began to sing and he twirled his ring
Said I – I wish I was king
Then he charged in style – as Freddy’s shots went wild
He was fast but not enough – and his shoulder got winged
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Jackie O was out the door and Freddy moving too
Absalom said to his dad – pride got the best of you
It’s nothing son – that man can’t handle a gun
You go get him now – I’ll be good as new
But as Absalom – went down the stairs
Wouldn’t you know – Scratch was waiting there
One bullet well placed – this time not shot in haste
And Absalom – he had blood in his hair
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
My God Absalom – what have I done
Cried Davy as he stroked his son’s hair
I wish it was me – I never wanted this to be
Oh lord life is so unfair
Jackie O said you know – I think I better go
Let you all stay and figure it out
It’s the oldest story – lust, pride and glory
And that will never, ever end – you can have no doubt
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom
Absalom oh Absalom – Absalom oh Absalom

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All Songs by Elliott Murphy ©2017
Lyrics reprinted by permission.

Prodigal Son
Murphyland
2017

Produced, Mixed and Arranged by Gaspard Murphy
All Songs written by Elliott Murphy © 2017
Recorded and Mixed at Question de Son, Paris, France
Engineer: Fred Vectol
Assistant: Julien Creus
Mastered by Raphael Jonin
Photographs by Laurent Bachet
Cover and back photos by Françoise Viallon-Murphy
Thanks to my musical partner of 20 years Olivier Durand, my fine drummer Alan Fatras, Philippe Almosnino, Laurent Bachet and Helen and Jordan & Fred at Question De Son
Stylist: Françoise Viallon-Murphy

“Chelsea Boots”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals, Harp, Acoustic Guitar & Electric Guitar
Olivier Durand: 12 String Guitar & Mandolin
Alan Fatras: Drums
Gaspard Murphy: Bass, Fender VI, Electric Guitar, Celeste & Percussion
Leo Cotton: Piano & B3 Organ
Melissa Cox: Violin & Viola
David Gaugué: Cello
Choir: Lisa Spada, Crystal Peit, Jean-Marc Reyno, Fabrice Clair

“Alone In My Chair”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals, Harp & Nylon Guitar
Olivier Durand: Slide Guitar
Tom Daveau: Drums
Gaspard Murphy: Bass, Electric Guitar & Percussion
Leo Cotton: Piano, Mellotron & B3 Organ

“Hey Little Sister”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals
Olivier Durand: Acoustic Guitar & Slide guitar
Alan Fatras: Drums
Laurent Pardo: Bass
Gaspard Murphy: Percussion, Fender VI & Acoustic guitar
Philippe Almosnino: Lap Steel
Leo Cotton: Piano, Organ
Melissa Cox: Violin & Viola
David Gaugué: Cello

“Let Me In”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals
Olivier Durand: Acoustic Guitar
Leo Cotton: Piano
Gaspard Murphy: Percussion, Bass Guitar & B3 Organ
Choir: Lisa Spada, Crystal Peit, Jean-Marc Reyno, Fabrice Clair

“Prodigal Son”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals, Nylon & Acoustic Guitar
Olivier Durand: Dobro & Slide Guitar
Alan Fatras: Drums
Laurent Pardo: Bass
Gaspard Murphy: Percussion, Bass, Fender VI & Synth
Leo Cotton: Piano
Choir: Lisa Spada, Crystal Peit, Jean-Marc Reyno, Fabrice Clair

“Karen Where Are You Going”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals & Harmonica
Gaspard Murphy: Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar & Backing Vocals
Leo Cotton: Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Farfi sa Organ & Piano

“Wits End”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Olivier Durand: Slide guitar
Alan Fatras: Drums
Laurent Pardo: Bass
Gaspard Murphy: Percussion, Fender VI & Electric guitar
Philippe Almosnino: Lap Steel
Melissa Cox: Violin & Viola
David Gagué: Cello
Leo Cotton: Piano& B3 Organ

“You’ll Come Back To Me”
Elliott Murphy: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Olivier Durand: Dobro & Slide Guitar
Alan Fatras: Drums
Laurent Pardo: Bass
Gaspard Murphy: 12 String Guitar & Backing Vocals
Philippe Almosnino: Lap Steel
Leo Cotton: Piano, B3 Organ

“Absalom, Davy & Jackie O”
Elliott Murphy: Vocal & Nylon Guitar
Olivier Durand: Slide Guitar
Alan Fatras: Drums
Laurent Pardo: Bass
Gaspard Murphy: Percussion
Leo Cotton: Piano
Melissa Cox: Violin
Philippe Almosnino: Lap Steel
Choir: Lisa Spada, Crystal Peit, Jean-Marc Reyno, Fabrice Clair

Record By Record, Murphy By Murphy: Prodigal Son

The last fully produced album of new songs at the time of this writing. I wanted a gospel choir and Gaspard found one in Paris. And the important discovery of Melissa Cox on violin thanks to my old pal Laurent Bachet who saw her playing in a little bar near Bastille. Now Melissa is a regular member of the band. Prodigal Son got incredible reviews (★★★★ in Rolling Stone) and it’s a difficult album to follow up. I’m still trying… It includes my longest song to date “Absalom, Davy & Jackie O” which is over 11 minutes long! I played it in concert twice.

Liner Notes

Like the story of the prodigal son in the Bible, these nine sacred songs took the extravagant way home. In fact, many of them were written before I changed course in mid-stream, having decided with Aquashow Deconstructed, to revisit my fi rst album. Surprisingly, when I returned, I found that the demos for these songs had aged better then I had any right to expect. But songs do have a life of their own, you know, and while I was away on my Proustian journey, these ditties seemed to have bonded with each other to the point of forming an extended musical family; creating some totality of tonality that was greater then the sum of the parts, that was both cinematic and intimate, as if you could put poetry on the big screen. They all became part of the same story. Thus from wobbly baby steps of arrangement and lyric revision to an eventual studio rally of time and space with basic tracks, overdubs and mixing, every enchanting musical element competing to come out on top, we eventually brought these nine home to completion, to a fully realized album. An album, just the word itself, once upon a time meant more then a mumbo-jumbo collection of tracks and rhymes. You better believe that every good album, every meaningful album, is a concept album by it’s very nature. At least that’s what I believe, because there is a fi ne invisible thread woven of soul, persistence and even a little madness that binds it all together into one coherent work, one book of songs, one album.

My thanks especially go out to my son and producer Gaspard Murphy who puts up with his Dad on almost a daily basis and at the same time seems to bring out the best in me.

And sadly, I must dedicate this album to the memory of Laurent Pardo, a fi ne bassist and a sensitive soul who shared my musical journey for nearly a decade. Au Revoir Laurent…

CDs

France:
Murphyland Records

Please note: If you have additions or corrections to this discography, please send them to the webmaster.