In 2024, we traveled in the United States throughout the South-East: the cradle of the blues, bluegrass, country (and soul, rock ’n’ roll, country-rock etc ;-). The numerous talents and live performances there, inspired me - as well as let me down quite a bit. Much is alike; formula songs following simple formats. ‘Well, heck y’all, I can do that too!’, I thought. Here are the results. Enjoy.
Note: for some songs I have used Sound ID Voice AI: my voice is transformed with an AI-filter. Sounds better that way... When so, the ‘singer’ is mentioned. All songs are written and performed by me, except for Maggot Joe and At this marble bench - these lyrics are mine and the music is from Suno.
Tale of tears I was moved by Arthur Japin’s book The Surrender about the Parker family of colonists in the mid-19th century. In the USA I found another book, The Empire of the Summer Moon, about the same story but in a wider perspective. Quanah Parker was the last Comanche chief. I also made a video with this historic song. Country - feat. Tyler AI
This Southern boy (at Graceland) Of course we visited Graceland and I read Elvis’s biography. Fame comes with a price: from the day he became a world star, he was surrounded by family and so called friends - who didn’t really care for him. Country / rock ‘n‘ roll - feat Simon AI and various backing vocals - for the Paul Simon parts :-)
Room with a view We saw a lot of country-singers perform in Nashville. Sliding their capo’s up and down the guitar neck, playing the same chords over and over. This song is criticizing the format of many contemporary country songs - at the same time using it. Country
Maggot Joe A satirical song from a mid-western dumbass who voted for Trump and swears by his guns. He probably was in the White House at the 6th of January too... Bluegrass, folky, country.
How can it be? Addressing a number of problems in the world, from the point of view of an American that gets some insights. I finished this track on the day that James Earl Jones died. He would have been the perfect voice for this... Now I used the AI voice Tyler, partly added to my voice. Folk / spoken word.
Gotta get me a gal A cowboy living without women for longer periods of time could easily turn to fellow cowboys or even animals. A topic not often heard of in country songs - but here’s one though :-). Tex Mex
We may go again From the point of view of a mid-West American, the religious and Trump-voting type who thinks he’s doing well. Some people shouldn’t have been born.... Tex Mex / Bluegrass - first song with my new banjo :-)
Out of the blue A darker song, about being unexpectedly rescued by a new love. And an attempt to add steel guitar :-). The idea rose at the island of Tybee. Blues - feat. Tyler AI
At this marble bench Sitting at the Mississippi shore with my love, on a historic place in Natchez. Country / blues / folk - Lyrics JosH, song by Suno
Wet ’n’ wild are water parks in the USA. I visited one in 1988 in Las Vegas. Combined with the pool I built in our garden ánd the name of my wife, it led to this song. Pop-rock feat. Simon (and Pat backing vocals).
On the run Starts as a trucker song, but seems a cowboy on his horse, on the highway, pursued by bounty hunters. About the outlaw type they are proud of. Because of the yodel-sob-and-jippyaajeeie I couldn’t use an ai-voice here. Country
Blondbeard We passed Tybee Island and Savannah, the homes of pirates like Blackbeard, Redbeard and Bluebeard. Only Blondbeard never made it to the pirate’s top... This songs explains why :-). Folk - feat. Tyler AI
Happy with a song About being satisfied with a simple life, an often recurring theme in Southern songs. My first use of the ukelele - as well as trying to get a country violin in. That didn’t work too well :-) Country / Bluegrass
Album 11
Scroll to below the player for short descriptions of each song and style.