Song #27: Wailing Wall (1988) + BONUS LIVE VIDEO VERSION

Before setting out on the path of revenge, first dig two graves.
-Chinese proverb

The conflict in the Middle East has been raging for as long as I can remember, and certainly hasn't changed much since 1988 when Teddy and I wrote this song. The cycle of violence and counter-violence continues to this day, and our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the people of this troubled region.

Wailing Wall

deep in the hull of a gypsy plane

aloft in the mind of an airborne crane

onto Babylon

there's some Shiite to my right

on my left there's a man in flight

he just babbles on

meet my connection in Istanbul

where a two engine prop lays me down

to Jerusalem's soul

this ain't Berlin or the great great wall

but where prayers are answered

and I hear the call

I want to see what I believe

walking and a wailing

I want to be where I can feel

walking on a wailing wall

kneeling down three inches away

mumbling words I can't seem to say

it's the price you pay

make a wish and just jot it down

scroll it all up and consider it done

on a Saturday

I left my home my wife my son

searching for answers that might give 

of what's been going on

this ain't Berlin or the other one

but where prayers are answered

and I'm not just here for fun

I want to see what I believe

walking and a wailing

I want to be where I can see

walking on a wailing wall

all alone on this pilgrimage

walking and a wailing

on the verge of a single edge

walking on the wailing wall

that's all

the air is filled with a shofar sound

bringing together the lost and found

i hope it's not too late

divvy the world up in old and new

translate the words from Muslim to Jew 

at the mercy gate

I fought and lost my own six day war

liberated from the inner claw

on a see-saw

pull out the bench lay down the cards

it's time to head home

where ever you are in the end

Britt Bacon: vocals, piano

Alan Morse: guitars, bgs

Teddy Zambetti: drums, bgs

Ritt Henn: bass

Written by Britt Bacon and Teddy Zambetti

©1988

Source: 1/4" analogue tape 30ips

BONUS! 

Here is a live version from 1991. This was the opening song of our set.

Britt Bacon: vocals, guitar

Richy Stano: guitar

Teddy Zambetti: drums

Rick Geragi: percussion

Michael Parnell: bass

Michael Lington: sax

Helena Buscema: bgs

video filmed by Sara Bacon

Song #26: Card Fever Strikes (1983) + BONUS TRACK

The sound you hear at the very beginning of this song is a manual credit card imprint machine.
Until about 20 years ago, this machine was commonly used by vendors when you "paid" for something with a credit card.

I recorded it using my Sony Walkman. 
I remember asking a gas station attendant if I could record the sound of the machine, and he kindly complied; "Like this?",  he said. I said, "uh huh".

Time flies even if you're not having fun.  All this seems like it just happened yesterday.

But don't worry kids; in the not too distant future we'll be embarrassed at how crappy our iPhone 5s' were, and reminisce about how we used to drive cars.

One thing that won't go out of style is debt; PIN numbers will just be replaced by DNA markers.

Card Fever Strikes

I was the first one on my block

They said I was worth a million

I got a plastic piece of the rock

The postman said "spend the money"

I'll spend the money

I'm just a normal kind of guy

And there were some things I needed

I bought a Vett to catch her eye

And I'm starting to get conceited

Card fever strikes

Sign your name and you're good as gold

Card fever strikes

Push the limit 'til there's nothing you don't own

Card fever strikes

We flew to lunch in Barbados

And ordered Jamaican bananas

Then caught a late show back on the coast

Next day déjeuner in Atlanta

Card fever strikes

Sign your name and you're good as gold

Card fever strikes

Push the limit 'til there's nothing you don't own

Card fever strikes

Use the phone and you won't leave home

Card fever strikes  

Air card

Rent a card

Gas card

Eat card

Store card

Hotel card

Bank card

Phone card

"Excuse me sir

But I've got to check and see if you card is lost stolen or invalid"

Now I'm on everybody's list

I guess I'm a shinning example

They'll sell me anything I've missed

And there's never a charge for a sample

Britt Bacon: vocals
Ira Ingber: guitars, bass, bgs
Mark Morgan: synths
Pat Mastelotto: drums
Danny Jacob: bgs, guitar
Amy Smith: voiceover

Written by Britt Bacon and Ira Ingber
© 1983

Source: 1/4" analogue tape 30ips


BONUS TRACK!

I came home last year to hear a strange message on my voice-mail, and I couldn't resist putting it to music...

© 2012