• Ickmix

    Ickmix 3

    ickmix 3

    ‘Tis time for another Ickmix. This is my best one yet, if I may toot my own horn. Toot.

    Take a little trip with me, yah? Oh and check my fancy intro.

    Download Ickmix 3 (57MB, 41:38)

    Playlist after zee jump…

  • Jam,  Rock

    Jerry Joseph’s Panama

    Jackmormons

    Here’s one that’s quickly shaping up to be my favorite tune of the summer (right along side “Pay Me My Money Down”, which is undoubtedly my family song of the summer). Yeah I know, summer officially began on June 21st, but living in a place where it’s been over a hundred degrees for a month straight, summer kicks off a little early around here. When I walk outside in these sweet Arizona summer months, it often feels like Satan himself is holding a bus-sized blow dryer over my head, but hey, it’s still home, right? It’s not a complaint, just a fact. It’s worth living here for October through May.

    The song comes to us courtesy of Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. A previous post of mine featured “Climb to Safety”, a long, powerful jam with lyrics about the struggle of overcoming addiction. “Panama”, on the other hand, has a nice groove, a funky little guitar riff, and a definite summertime feel to it. I’ve got most of the lyrics pinned down (I can’t find them online, so I resorted to pen, paper, and a sensitive ear). Who can help me fill in the gaps?

    At least you’re tryin’
    everybody else down here keep buyin’
    whatever’s at the going rate today
    always gotta be about the chase.

    Well my friend Spike
    so sorry but it _________
    put it on the table here today
    So it’s gonna have to be okay.

    In Panama, Panama
    In Panama, Yeah
    It’s gonna have to be okay
    Baby gonna give it all away.

    At least you’re thinkin’
    everybody else here just keeps sinkin’
    sinking in a wave of regret
    and I don’t think the _______ is sinkin’ yet. [fin?]

    In the dancing hall
    Samy and Sandra Sandoval
    a finger on the heartbeat of it all
    _________ [spanish]

    In Panama, Panama
    In Panama, Yeah Yeah
    Gonna have to be okay
    Yeah they’re gonna love you more each day.

    And then the question come up
    are we wasting our time?
    Is this the presence of God
    or a presence of mind?

    In Panama, Panama
    In Panama, Yeah
    Gonna have to be okay
    gonna love you more each day.

    Hangin’ over
    Over and a hangin’ for a party [?]
    Flying season’s getting started
    You take it on a wing and get away.

    And at least you’re flyin’
    when everybody else down here just lyin’
    What you gotta love about the crocodile
    at least they gonna kill you with a smile.

    In Panama, Panama
    In Panama, Yeah
    It’s gonna have to be okay
    Yeah we’re gonna give it all away.

    In Panama, Panama
    In Panama, Yeah
    gonna have to be okay
    Yeah they’re gonna love you anyway.

    Can you figure out who the character in the song might be? From the bridge lyrics (“and then the question come up…”), it sounds like it might be from the perspective of a missionary. Jerry Joseph spent time living in both Utah and Central America, so this makes sense. And these lyrics: “What you gotta love about the crocodile, at least they gonna kill you with a smile.” Do lyrics get any cooler than this?

    Top to bottom, this is just a great song. I figure some people out there will enjoy it as much as I do.

    From ‘Into the Lovely’ [Buy on eMusic | Amazon]

  • Jam,  Rock

    Climbing with JJ and the Jackmormons

    File this one under Power Trio. Jerry Joseph on guitar. Junior Ruppel on bass. Brad Rosen on Drums. Together they are Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. Jerry used to front a reggae/rock band called Little Women in Boulder, Colorado through the 80’s and early 90’s. “Joseph continued to record before an oft-publicized drug addiction temporarily sidelined his career. The process of getting clean took Joseph to New York, Montana, Salt Lake City, where the Jackmormons were formed in 1996, and eventually to Portland.” [from JJ official web site]

    Joseph penned this tune to describe the hell of drug addiction. It’s a 15 minute journey powered by a driving rhythm section (a great bass line in particular) and Joseph’s wicked guitar. The louder the better folks.

    Check out Mouthful of Copper, the live double CD, on Amazon. Recorded live over 3 nights in Butte, Montana (from August 2002).