Louis Rosen

DUST TO DUST BLUES 

14 songs 

Produced by Louis Rosen and Scott Lehrer

Music, Lyrics and Arrangements by Louis Rosen

(3 songs in collaboration with Thom Bishop)

 

"These two recordings, Dust to Dust Blues and Act One: Piano Music from the Theater, further solidify his outstanding reputation. Each is a considerable musical achievement and enters the literature of musical art with the fanfare and heraldry that accompanies important musical documents." (JazzdaGama)

"[In] the literate, sincere "Dust to Dust Blues", Rosen soulfully mines his past… “I seek out the holiness here in the wilderness..." which echoes like a classic, folk refrain...” (Cabaret Scenes/Broadwayworld.com).  

 "Thoughtful reflections...intimate, deep and penetrating. Vintage singer/songwriter." (Jazz Weekly Magazine) 

 

Now available for purchase and downloading at CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon.com, Louis' Store and most digital outlets.

 (Click on the store's name to be taken to its site.) 

Click on LR's JUKE BOX at the bottom right of this page to hear two songs from the album, "Dust to Dust Blues" and "Faith in Doubt."

 

In DUST TO DUST BLUES, Louis’ second solo album, a father/son Brooklyn to Chicago road trip sets off a 14-song meditation on the nature of memory, loss, home, commitment, family and the indefinite nature of time and faith. Backed by a stellar band of New York City musicians, the songs reflect the unique blend of American roots, jazz, blues, pop and classical influences that are the essence of Louis’s musical style. 

Recording and Mixing Engineer, Scott Lehrer

Additional Recording Engineer, Alex Vengeur

Recorded and Mixed at 2nd Story Sound, NYC

Mastering Engineer, Oscar Zambrano

Art Direction & Design by Derek Bishop

Thanks to all of the terrific musicians for bringing their brilliant and soulful musicianship to these songs; to Scott Lehrer for his splendid ear, judgement and patience on this and countless other recordings over the past twenty-eight years and counting; and to Stephen Sondheim, Thom Bishop, Jason Brett, Art Perlman, Charlotte Maier and Teddy Rosen for their generous and thoughtful listening as this recording followed its winding path to completion. An extra special thanks to the remarkable angel, Joan McKay, who's support made this recording possible; and to Jason Brett, Lauren Streicher, Marilyn Katz, George Petty, Susan Friedlander, Margaret Moore and Mary Ellen Geisser, generous patrons all. 

Much Love,

LR

SIDE ONE

1. DUST TO DUST BLUES (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocals & Guitars: Louis; Violin: Rob Moose; Trumpet & French Horn: CJ Camerieri; Bass Clarinet: Hideaki Aomori; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums & Percussion: Gary Seligson. Arrangement: Louis 

The road to Chicago · Eight Hundred miles and more · From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Indiana Skyway · This road takes me backwards to a life I lived before · And the distance can’t be measured by some highway

Dust to dust · I’ve been in the wilderness · Deep in the wilderness with mud on my shoes · Try as I must, I · Seek out the holiness · Here in the wilderness · Amidst the echo of these homegrown dust to dust blues

A young man rides beside me · His dreams are brave and bold · Like the road his future stretches out before him · His laughter is contagious · A beauty to behold · And I pray that great good fortune won’t ignore him

Dust to dust · I’ve been in the wilderness · Deep in the wilderness with · Mud on my shoes · Try as I must, I · Seek out the holiness · Here in the wilderness · Amidst the echo of these homegrown · Dust to dust blues

 By afternoon we’re cruisin’ through the Pennsylvania Hills · And further back my memories fly · Nightfall brings the smokestacks from the South Chicago mills · My need for distance disappears · When did all these years go by?

The road to Chicago · My hands upon the wheel · Soon time will claim the people I still know there · An orphan in a strange land · I believe that’s how I’ll feel · Come the day when there’s no reason left to go there

Dust to dust · I’ve been in the wilderness · Deep in the wilderness with · Mud on my shoes · Try as I must, I · Seek out the holiness · Here in the wilderness · Resist my faithlessness · Amidst the echo of these homegrown · Dust to dust blues · These homegrown · Dust to dust blues

 

2. I FOUND YOU (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocals &  Guitars: Louis; Violin: Max Moston; Viola: Alissa Smith; Cello: Clarice Jensen. Arrangement: Louis

I still replay that evening · Replay it in my head · This time I say I’m sorry · Say all I left unsaid ·

This time I hold my arms around you · Whisper, “How lucky that I found you”

Sometimes I’m blind and foolish · Too slow to say you’re right · Too proud to say I need you · Too quick to fuel the fight ·

This time I hold my arms around you · Whisper, “How lucky that I found you”

This time I hold my arms around you · Whisper, How lucky that I found you · I found you

I found you on the stage · I found you in my bed · I found you in the waking dreams that whistled in my head ·

I found that you were kind · I found that you were true · Looking for salvation for my soul and for myself · I found you · I found you

I found a brilliant work of art · I found you in the rhythm of the beating of my heart · I found you · I found you · You · I found You

 

3. FAITH IN DOUBT (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocals & Guitar: Louis; Lead Guitar: David Mansfield; Trumpet: C. J. Camerieri;Alto Saxophone: Hideaki Aomori; Baritone Saxophone: Alden Banta; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Sean McDaniels. Arrangement: Louis

The surer you are · The less you know · Faith in doubt · You gotta have faith in doubt · The surer you are · The slower you grow · Faith in doubt · You better have faith in doubt

Gotta wrap your arms around doubt like a lover · Use it, let it push you through your fear · Some days you will bleed and run for cover · Some days doors will open to a new frontier

The surer you are · The smaller the sky · Faith in doubt · You gotta have faith in doubt · The surer you are · The blinder you fly · Faith in doubt · You better have faith in doubt

Faith can be your ticket to salvation · Faith can be delusion in disguise · Too much doubt will cripple you and haunt you · Too much faith convinces you to shut your eyes

The surer you are · The more you deny · The surer you are · The less you ask why · As David slew Goliath · As Samson killed the beast · Assumptions must be questioned · From president to priest · And those who fear the most · Are those who doubt the least

Faith in doubt · You gotta have · Faith in doubt · Faith in doubt · You better have · Faith in doubt 

As David slew Goliath · As Samson killed the beast · Assumptions must be questioned · From president to priest 

Faith in doubt · You gotta have · Faith in doubt · Faith in doubt · Everybody · Faith · Doubt

 

4. I’VE SEEN THIS MOVIE (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocal & Guitar: Louis;Lead Guitar: David Mansfield; Bass: Dave Phillips. Arrangement: Louis & David Mansfield

I’ve seen this movie · I know how the story ends · I’ve seen this movie · I know how the story ends · No one is saved and no one makes amends

Pretty as an actress · She posed like a starlet on the stair · Her bridegroom there beside her · His mustache and hat, so debonair · A smile in their eyes · A dream song in the air

Years become a decade · The things you once loved become a chore · You’re tumbling in a riptide · The harder you fight, the farther from shore · An ache in your soul · You pray for something more

Soon the dog won’t bark · And the cat won’t purr · And the silence howls between him and her · The dog won’t bark and that angry cat won’t purr · They loathe who they are · Can’t remember who they were

It throbs like a migraine · Cold as a tear in the snow · Resentments and confusion · Forgetting what you reap is what you sow · When all is said and done · They’ve got nowhere to go

[INSTRUMENTAL]

The busboy cleared the table · The old man nursed his coffee cup · Cigarettes and small talk · “Waiter, please fill this coffee cup” · Then out of the blue he said, "Son, I’m all used up.”

"Forty years of marriage · So sad, there’s nothing else to say · Only insults and indifference press against the dying of the day · We’re too old to change · Too young to waste away”

I’ve seen this movie · I know how the story ends · I’ve seen the movie · I know how this story ends · No one is saved and · No one makes amends · No one is saved and no one makes amends

 

5. PEACE WITH YOU (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen & Thom Bishop)

Vocal & Guitar: Louis; Violin: Max Moston; Viola: Alissa Smith; Cello: Clarice Jensen. Arrangement: Louis

‘Till I make my peace with you · The need to controls me · ‘Till I see what peace can do · ‘Till I make my peace with you · Nothing could console me · ‘Till I make my breakthrough

Don’t know a soul in a mansion or a bread line · Who lives with no dream to pursue · Don’t know a goal that has realized its deadline · But I’ll see this through 'till I make my peace with you

'Till I make my peace with you · The need to will haunt me · ‘Till I see what peace can do · ‘Till I make my peace with you · The needing to will taunt me · ‘Till I make my breakthrough

Don’t have a friend whose bravado hasn’t crumbled · When fate’s played a sly trick or two · Seems in the end, we are bruised and we are humbled · But I’ll stumble through · ‘Till I make my peace with you

Don’t know a friend whose bravado hasn’t crumbled · When faced with some hard debt come due · Seems in the end, we are blessed as we are humbled · So, I stumble through · ‘Till I make my peace… · I’ll see this through · ‘Till I make my peace with you

 

6. EVERYTHING’S FOR SALE (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocal & Guitar: Louis; Violin: David Mansfield; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Sean McDaniels.

Arrangement: Louis & David Mansfield

 Whatta you know – · Everything’s for sale · Whatta you need? · Everything’s for sale · You can pay to board early on an aeroplane · You can pay to drive alone in a car-pool lane · For a hundred a day · You can upgrade your cell in jail · No doubt about it · Everything’s for sale

Whatta you got? · Everything’s for sale · Like it or not · Everything’s for sale · Now we privatize schools – think we’re doin’ good · We privatize police in the neighborhood · Soon we’ll privatize space · Privatize the U.S. Mail · Roll over Ben Franklin · Everything’s for sale

We hire mercenary armies to help us fight our war · At least they know exactly what they’re fighting for · Election laws are set up like casino games · All high-rollers welcome · No one’s naming names

Oh, I almost forgot – this song’s for sale · You had to see that comin’ – this song’s for sale · You can buy it on itunes for a buck a pop · Stop by my website if you like to shop · Send my video viral · That’s the virtual Holy Grail · Google knows best · And the markets never fail · Follow the money · Everything’s for sale · Hide the children · Everything’s for sale

Yes, hide your children · Hide your spouse · Disney better plan on hiding Mickey Mouse · Them that’s got shall get · Them that’s not shall work for scale · Gibraltar may crumble · But PayPal will prevail · Hard sell or soft sell · Everything’s for sale · Ready or not · Everything’s for sale

 

7. EVERY SOUL (The Circling Race) (Music & Lyric by Thom Bishop & Louis Rosen)

Vocals & Guitar: Louis; Lead Guitar: David Mansfield; Cello: Clarice Jensen; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Sean McDaniels. Arrangement: Louis & David Mansfield 

Some are called, but few are chosen · Some depart, but most remain · I feel altogether broken · Alive only in name

It’s the strangest contradiction · It’s the queerest way to feel · To be facing this condition · Like a dream, but all too real

I’ll be gone for the summer · I won’t be back ‘till fall · If I find my salvation · I won’t be back at all

I will wait along the canyon · In the evening’s deepest blue · If you feel you’ve been abandoned · I’ll be standing next to you

Every soul’s a circus · Every mind’s a tent · And every heart’s a sawdust ring · Where the circling race is spent*

I’ll be gone for the summer · I won’t be back ‘till fall · If I find my salvation · I won’t be back at all · I’ll be gone for the summer · I won’t be back ‘till fall · If I find my salvation · I won’t be back at all · I won’t be back at all · I won’t be back…

*This quatrain quotes the Vachel Lindsey poem, Every Soul is a Circus.

 

SIDE TWO

8. GARDEN DAYS (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocals & Guitar: Louis; Lead Guitar: David Mansfield; Trumpet: C. J. Camerieri;  Flute & Alto Saxophone: Hideaki Aomori; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums & Percussion: Sean McDaniels. Arrangement: Louis & David Mansfield

Summer nights at the King’s Café · Sing for drinks, swing the night away · An upright dive in an uptight town · Comes alive when the sun goes down

Junior Burke and his one-man crew · Wait backstage for their entrance cue · A kiss for luck and they’re on their way · The show is on at the King’s Café

Oh… those were garden days · Slow, smoky garden days · Plant seeds and pray for sun · Garden days · Never done

Mapo taps out our favorite beer · A shot or two, when the coast is clear · Feeds us well when we look too lean · A tattooed saint on this late-night scene

Junior Burke and his one-man crew · Play for keeps, play the whole night through · The midnight show at the King’s Café · Music flows, blows that crowd away

Oh… those were garden days · Sweet, salty hothouse days · Big dreams to build upon · Garden days · Never done · On and on

Oh… · Garden days · Slow · Hothouse days · Plant seeds and pray for sun · Garden days · Never done · Never done

Summer nights at the King’s Cafe

 

9. WHERE ARE THE TRACES? (Lyric by Thom Bishop, Music by Louis Rosen)

Vocal & Guitar: Louis; Violin: Max Moston; Viola: Alissa Smith; Cello: Clarice Jensen; Bass: Dave Phillips. Arrangement: Louis

I know a guy · He’s fought his whole life · Still feels most at home in the ring · A jab to the ribs · A cross to the heart · Can he take what those younger guys bring?

The hands of a clock · The eye of a needle · The legs of a table · The arms of a chair · You leave your impression on all that you touch · But where are the traces? · Were you even there? · Were you even there?

I know a guy · Enjoyed a charmed life · But that life didn’t end up so well · Alone in a room · A gun in his hand · Dead in some five-star hotel

The teeth of a comb · The mouth of a river · The spine of a book at the foot of the stair · You scatter your dust on all that you touch · But where are the traces? · Were you even there? · Were you even there?

I know a guy · He woke up today · His bones felt the weight of his past · He savored the tea that passed through his lips · Hoped he could make this one last….

The hands of a clock · The eye of a needle · The legs of a table · The arms of a chair · You leave your impression on all that you touch · But where are the traces? · Were you even there? · Were you even there?

The teeth of a comb · The mouth of a river · The spine of a book at the foot of the stair · You scatter your dust on all that you touch · But where are the traces? · Were you even there? · Were you even there?

 

10. THERE FOR YOU (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocal, Piano & Guitar: Louis; Trumpet & French Horn: C. J. Camerieri; Flute: Hideaki Aomori; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Gary Seligson. Arrangement: Louis

Whatever you need · I’ll be there for you · When you laugh or you bleed · I’ll be there for you ·

Dear boy · Don’t let life scare you, no · Dear boy · Don’t lose that light in your eyes · The best things in life always come by surprise

Any hour, every day · I’ll be there for you · It’s the oldest cliché · But I’m there for you ·

Take care · Work like the Devil, yes · But take care · Side with the angels each day · Your path will be sure and you’ll be on your way

Someday · Time will out run me, but · Someday · You’ll have a child of your own · The sweet things in life always come homegrown

I’ll say it again · There for you · Don’t even have to say when · I’m there for you · There for · There for you

 

11. IN HER QUIET WAY (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocals & Guitar: Louis; Violin & Lead Guitar: David Mansfield; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Sean McDaniels. Arrangement: Louis & David Mansfield

No sign on the road ahead · A shrouded night · Black as dead · No crumbs on the trail behind · Here and now · Undefined

But oh · She’s moving in a quiet flow · She don’t know where she is or where she’ll go · On her own · Moving toward a breaking day · All alone · Moving in her quiet way

Fly to Spain · Sail to France · Another land · Another chance · An open door · An empty space · A breath of air · A moment’s grace

And oh · She’s moving in a quiet flow · She don’t know where she is or where she’ll go · On her own · Moving with no debt to pay · All alone · Moving in her quiet way

You have no plan · You have no clue · Just your own voice guiding you · An empty stage · You play your role · Plant a seed and cede control

How long? · To what end? · Who can say? · Why pretend? · The snow will melt · The bells will chime · A battered heart · Will heal in time

And oh · She’s moving in a quiet flow · She don’t know where she is or where she’ll go · On her own · Moving toward a breaking day · All alone · Moving in her quiet way · On her own

Moving with no debt to pay · All alone · Moving in her quiet way · Moving in her quiet way · Moving in her quiet way

 

12. A SOFT PLACE TO FALL (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocal & Guitar: Louis; Nylon String Guitar: David Mansfield; Trumpet: C. J. Camerieri; Clarinet & Alto Saxophone: Hideaki Aomori; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Sean McDaniel. Arrangement: Louis

Hold my breath · ‘Till I’m blue · Still can’t stop · Loving you · Right on time · You knew I’d call · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall

Life is chance · Dust to dust · Love and lose · But love we must · Hopes don’t die · They just get small · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall

Like a game of dots, I’ve been connecting us · Rearranging and dissecting us · We’ve been over the moon and back, and yet somehow · Our story’s gonna have some new twists and turns · Once again · Right about now

Lovesick fool · Heart in hand · Here with you · My future’s planned · Time is cruel, and · Love is all · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall · Lookin’ for a soft place to fall

 

13. THE LEFT SIDE, NOT THE RIGHT (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocal & Guitar: Louis; Mandolin: David Mansfield; Bass: Dave Phillips; Drums: Sean McDaniels. Arrangement: Louis & David Mansfield

If you ask me friend what’s the key to my success · There’s lots of things I’d like to say · But the simple truth, nothing more and nothing less is a · Choice I made by chance one day

I started to part my hair on the left side, not the right, and · Holy smoke, my luck did change · I started to part my hair on the left side, not the right · From that day on the left was right

Maybe life’s a dream · Some say all you need is love · Could be life is pre-ordained · Maybe a God of Whimsy’s playing tricks there up above · And if you let him catch your eye you’ll be entertained

I started to part my hair, not the right side, but the left, and · Poof! The gods did smile on me · Started to part my hair, not the right side, but the left · That’s how capricious life can be

Sometimes a crossroad lies before you · No in-between, no middle road in sight · Then if the right ain’t right · The left’s what’s left · And left alone you know what’s right

Maybe a deeper truth’s lurking out there in the mist · Maybe all roads lead you home · Maybe in every lifetime that moment will exist · When you shake your head and pick up that comb…

I started to part my hair on the left side, not the right, and · Holy smoke, my luck did change · I started to part my hair on the left side, not the right · From that day on a spark did light · From that day on the left was right

 

14. SONG FOR CHARLOTTE (More Love) (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

Vocal & Piano: Louis; Trumpet: C. J. Camerieri; Electric Guitar: Rob Moose; Basses: Dave Phillips. Arrangement: Louis

I have less hair than I used to have · But now I’m much more vain · And I’m less wild than I used to be · But life seems more insane · As to future plans · I have less and less, it’s true · But I have more love for you

Oh, I show less temper than I used to show · But I still howl with rage · And I’m less fearless than I used to be · I guess that comes with age · In the search for truth · I have less and less a clue · But I have more love for you

I see wise compassion in your eyes · I see goodness on your face · So, we’ll mend what’s broken · We’ll improvise · And renew with hope the vows that grace us

We have less time than we used to have · And many miles to go · We have lost friends that we used to have · And we both miss them so · And from time to time · We will have to struggle through · But we’ll keep some dream in view · Oh, I know · Nothing less than a happy ending is due · And I have more love for you

 

All songs, Music and Lyrics © 2016 by Louis Rosen; Publisher: Lullwater Music, ASCAP; except “Peace With You” and “Every Soul” (The Circling Race), Music and Lyrics by Louis Rosen and Thom Bishop, © 1975, revised © 2016; and “Where Are the Traces?”, Lyric by Thom Bishop, Music by Louis Rosen, © 2016; Publishers: Lullwater Music, ASCAP and Wireless Music, BMI.

 

DT-230. © & P 2017 by Louis Rosen. Distribution by Di-tone Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Duplication is a violation of applicable law.