Black Jack

Bonus Track By  Wahray and Soul

Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 5:03
Listen to the Song:
[audio:WAS/55-BlackJack.mp3]
1991
Lyrics
Don’t think about tomorrow, today is the perfect time
What do you think our your chances at love?
Are you willing to bet they’re fine?

I’m alone inside my own protective shell
Waiting for you to come and set me free
I’m willing to make a gamble on you
Will you take a chance on me?

And after all these good intentions
It all connects when we hope to hit “21”
Will we do it for fame or fortune or greed
Or will we just do it fun?

Black jack , trying to win our losings back
Never really get the knack, hoping we don’t lose
Longing for acceptance and belonging
It’s a new day dawning, now we have to choose

Some will believe, some will deceive
Want to play the game? Got to lose the shame
Get up and go, give us your show
A contradiction, a polite fiction

Do we do it for fame or fortune or greed
Or do we just do it fun?

Black jack , trying to win our losings back
Never really get the knack, hoping we don’t lose
Longing for acceptance and belonging
It’s a new day dawning, now we have to choose

Someone believes, some will deceive
Want to play the game? Got to lose the shame
Get up and go, give us your show
A contradiction of a polite friction

Don’t think about tomorrow, today is the perfect time
What do you think our your chances at life?
Are you willing to bet they’re fine?

Composition © 1991, 1993 Ric Albano
Publication © 2012 Jeremiah Dylan Cook

Song Info
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Composed on December 26, 1991
Recorded December 1991 / November 1993
at Rathole Studios, Hazleton, PA
Mixed in 2003 & Mastered in 2011
at Cygnus Wave Studios

Performers
Ric Albano
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A very good song which was nearly left off this album because of bad mixing and a sub-par vocal performance. I did reconsider, however because it was such a pinnacle composition during the disparate and extended period stretching from late ’91 until late ’93.

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Green Dog

Bonus Track By  Wahray and Soul

Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 2:35
Listen to the Song:
[audio:WAS/54-GreenDog.mp3]
1991
Lyrics

~ Instrumental ~

Composition © 1991 Ric Albano
Publication © 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Composed on October 20, 1991
Recorded October 1991
at Rathole Studios, Hazleton, PA
Mixed in 2003 & Mastered in 2011
at Cygnus Wave Studios

Performers
Ric Albano
Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: The second “lost” instrumental piece, which was discovered in 2003 along with its counterpart, now called Blue Dog. The titles were chosen, in part, because the “album” being worked on in 1991 was called “Green and Blue”.

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End Result the Same

Bonus Track By  Wahray and Soul

Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:32
Listen to the Song:
[audio:WAS/50-EndResultTheSame.mp3]
1991
Lyrics
Now, I was so sure that I had it right I nearly bet my life
The end result, as always, was the same
Luckily I held back some, it is over now
I need to find some sorry sould to blame
From the outside looking in, it’s the Cardinal of all sins, it’s a shame

Don’t deny what you feel inside, I’ve got to find it

I was so sure that it was a fool-proof plan
I don’t understand how results keep ending up the same
Luckily there’s a trap door here, to escape my fears
But first I need a reason for this pain

Don’t deny what you feel inside, I’ve got to find it right now

Composition © 1991 Ric Albano
Publication © 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Composed on October 1, 1991
Recorded October 1991
at Rathole Studios, Hazleton, PA
Mixed in 2003 & Mastered in 2011
at Cygnus Wave Studios

Performers
Ric Albano
Electric Guitars, Bass Guitar, Drums, Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A simple but catchy song that makes heavy use of the flange on both the electric guitar and drums. This same method was attempted (but with less success) on the song Rabbit Food two years earlier.

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Alright!

Bonus Track By  Wahray and Soul

Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:01
Listen to the Song:
[audio:WAS/49-Alright!.mp3]
1991
Lyrics
Alright!

How you seem to sleep through all in your life
It makes me, shakes me, lakes, trees, all is alright
It’s alright, It’s alright

Sunshine, moonshine, cheap wine, summer nights
Drunk bums, hoods, scums from the slums, all is alright
It’s alright, It’s alright

Hard time, jail, crime, beer slime, switchblade fights
They don’t scare me, alright?
It’s alright, It’s alright

So alright, let me go, it’s my life, I should know
Let me ask, who are you to tell me what to do?
It’s not your ass on the line, so let me do my crime

Alright! Alright?
They don’t scare me, tear me
It’s my life, alright?

Composition © 1991 Ric Albano
Publication © 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Composed on September 30, 1991
Recorded September-October 1991
at Rathole Studios, Hazleton, PA
Mixed in 2003 & Mastered in 2011
at Cygnus Wave Studios

Performers
Ric Albano
Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Drums, Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: The beginning of the synth-dominated era. This cheesy, carnival-like song was an experiment into newer and zanier sounds and, obviously, lyrics were not a high priority.

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Heart

Bonus Track By  Wahray and Soul

Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:01
Listen to the Song:
[audio:WAS/46-Heart.mp3]
1991
Lyrics
Old is my heart which is trying to make a new start
You should know by now
I drown in your eyes, and soon I realize
What you should know by now

I’m trying to be smart
Trying not to listen to my heart
But this feeling just drags me down
I know it is not what I seek
But when I see you, inside I get weak
With this feeling while you are around

Save some love, your prince is on his way
Accept him when he arrives
‘Cause I understand every word that you say
I know your heart and mind

I’ve got a burning desire
And I just can’t quench the fire
This pretty young blonde-haired girl is all that I want

When you smile, I lose my head for a while
I wonder if you know that affect you have on me

I’ve got a burning desire
And I just can’t quench the fire
This pretty young blonde-haired girl is all that I need

So it is told, my heart no longer feels old
You should know by now
I wonder if you can see a future with you and me
I can see it now

Composition © 1991, 2003 Ric Albano
Publication © 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Composed on April 25, 1991
Recorded April-May 1991
at Rathole Studios, Hazleton, PA
Mixed in 2003 & Mastered in 2011
at Cygnus Wave Studios

Performers
Ric Albano
Harpsichord, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A simple love song, written on the ole’ harpsichord. The song has a nice, solid bass and drum beat while the vocals are just a tad off tune. Updated lyrics were written for this tune in 2003, but never recorded.

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