Bassman's Holiday
BASSMAN'S HOLIDAY
The album features 14 songs, stylistically covering a wide range of musical influences including country, bluegrass, jazz, blues, gospel, folk, Steely Dan, Little Feat and Frank Zappa. You could say that this album resembles what would be my favourite radio show.
Three songs were recorded at home with me playing all the instruments, six were recorded at home with lots of help from some of my favourite musicians (Chris Barchet, drums; Frido ter Beek and Arjen van El, saxophones; Peter Kalisvaart, percussion; Erik Rutjes, guitar; Jolien van Sleen and Kerstin Venhuizen, vocals; Xandra Zijlstra, trumpet and trombone), and five were recorded live in a recording studio in Amsterdam with a bunch of musicians (Peter van den Bos, violin; Steve Grams, bass and vocals; Dicky Greenwood, guitar and vocals; Inigo Grimbergen, drums; Wouter Kiers, saxophone; Danny Krieger, guitar and vocals; Harriet Middelhoek, vocals; Eric-Jan Overbeek, piano and vocals) who recorded this batch in a single afternoon session without any rehearsal. The result is an album that isn't intended to be a showcase of technical perfection, but rather a document of musicians having a good time in their living room.
BASSMAN'S HOLIDAY
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: bass
SHE'S LOOKING FOR ME
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, pedal steel, vocals; DANNY KRIEGER: slide guitar; PETER VAN DEN BOS: violin; DICKY GREENWOOD: electric guitar; INIGO GRIMBERGEN: drums; ERIC-JAN OVERBEEK & STEVE GRAMS: backing vocals
Standing at the station watching the trains roll in
Lookin' at all the faces, hopin' she'll see me again
She's callin' on my friends and waitin' outside my door
How long can this go on, I can't take it anymore
It's a strange situation that never seems to go away
I've made a big mistake, now I'm gonna have to pay
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone (OH)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone
She's a pretty little devil, such a lovely sight to see
She's a hot little mama but she's just not right for me
She knows what she wants but she ain't my heart's desire
I keep burnin' my fingers everytime that I play with fire
It's a strange situation that never seems to go away
I've made a big mistake, now I'm gonna have to pay
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone (OH)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone
I NEED HELP
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
DANNY KRIEGER: lead vocals; DICKY GREENWOOD: electric guitar; ERIC-JAN OVERBEEK: piano; HARM VAN SLEEN: acoustic bass; INIGO GRIMBERGEN: drums; WOUTER KIERS: tenor sax
It seems like a spell has come over me
I see a funny world that I never used to see
I'm doing weird stuff I never thought I'd do
I'm doing crazy things like runnin' after you
I need help, oh baby I need help
I need help
My dirty filthy mouth suddenly sounds so sweet
I watch the stuff I'm drinkin', watch the stuff I eat
Try to look attractive, gallant as a knight
Try to make a good impression and you know it don't feel right
I need help, oh baby I need help
I need help, professional help
UNDER CONTROL
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: electric bass, electric piano, clavinette, electric guitar, vocals; ERIK RUTJES: electric guitar; CHRIS BARCHET: drums; PETER KALISVAART: conga; HARRIET MIDDELHOEK: backing vocals
Dirt on the window, dirt on the wall
Two days ago you had it all
Phone in the bedroom can bring bad news
We try to help but you refuse
Under control, rockets to the moon
Under control, tomorrow comes too soon
Under control, you're keeping everything
Under control, but fate don't play along
Your life insurance, what is it worth
When they drop your coffin in the earth
You had your future all figured out
Beyond the shadow of a doubt
Under control, rockets to the moon
Under control, tomorrow comes too soon
Under control, you're keeping everything
Under control, but fate don't play along
HUNTING FOR LOVE
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: electric bass, fretless bass, electric piano, clavinette, synth, vocals; CHRIS BARCHET: drums; PETER KALISVAART: conga, chimes; ARJEN VAN EL: alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax; XANDRA ZIJLSTRA: trumpet, trombone
Looking all around, looking up and down
Gonna smell the country, gonna paint the town
Looking to the left, looking to the right
Hunting every day, hunting every night
Looking high, looking low
Inside I hear a voice I don't wanna now
I deal in love, I deal in pain
Pleasure's short but the pain remains
I'm hunting for love
Tonight you're gonna be my game
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting for love
Girl walks up, she likes my style
We sit and rap for a little while
Then she makes a move, ready for the kill
I'm gonna respond, yes I know I will
Feeling high, feeling low
She says the words I don't wanna know
I deal in lust, I deal in pain
Pleasure's short but the pain remains
I'm hunting for love
Tonight it's gonna be my game
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting for love
Gotta succeed, gotta catch my prey
Don't let it be another losing day
Gotta give in 'coz I can't say no
I can never leave when it's time to go
I deal in love, I deal in pain
Pleasure's short but the pain remains
I'm hunting for love
Tonight you're gonna be my game
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting for love
LITTLE GIRL
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: electric bass, piano, organ, vocals; ERIK RUTJES: electric guitar; CHRIS BARCHET: drums; PETER KALISVAART: tambourine; HARRIET MIDDELHOEK: backing vocals
Little girl
My precious little girl
In a confusing world you shine your light
I'm amazed
I see things in different ways
It's all so clear today what is right
Still you don't see
All that you do for me
I'm learning to forgive, to let things be
It is strange
How my perceptions all have changed
Values are rearranged, little girl
HEY MARYLOU
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: vocals; DANNY KRIEGER: electric guitar; DICKY GREENWOOD: electric guitar; ERIC-JAN OVERBEEK: piano; STEVE GRAMS: acoustic bass; INIGO GRIMBERGEN: drums; WOUTER KIERS: tenor sax
Hey Marylou, why don't you tell me why you feel so blue?
Hey Marylou, is life getting harder to bear?
Hey Marylou, why is it so hard to get through to you?
I want to let you know that I really care
Hey Marylou, I still remember the days when the sun would shine
Hey Marylou, we used to be close for a while
Hey Marylou, once everything was super, sweeter than wine
It's been too many years since I've seen you smile
Hey Marylou, in pictures I see sadness in your eyes
Hey Marylou, it's in every memory of you
Hey Marylou, is it too late to apologize
I just couldn't figure out what I had to do
BROWN PAPER BAG
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: acoustic guitar, slide guitar, acoustic bass, harmonica, vocals
Softly she washes her paws and her fur
I stroke it gently, she starts to purr
She follows my footsteps, touches my legs
I produce a tin can from a brown paper bag
She knew what would happen, it's a daily routine
We were happy to be where we'd already been
No need for surprises, life was no drag
We got along fine with our brown paper bag
Life had its moments, they were not meant to last
Memories remind me of what happened to fast
Now you can find me downtown, dressed in rags
All that is left is in my brown paper bag
IF YOU SEE ME WALKING
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, pedal steel, vocals; DANNY KRIEGER: electric guitar, vocal; DICKY GREENWOOD: electric guitar, vocal; ERIC-JAN OVERBEEK: piano, vocal; STEVE GRAMS: vocal; INIGO GRIMBERGEN: drums; PETER VAN DEN BOS: violin; PETER KALISVAART: bongos
If you see me walking, down the street today (3x)
You can tell I'm comin'your way
If you see me walking, all dressed in blue (3x)
You can tell I'm comin' back to you
If you see me walking, all dressed in white (3x)
You can tell I intend to spend the night
If you see me walking, all dressed in brown (3x)
You know I've been playing around
If you see me walking, all dressed in red (3x)
You will know for certain that I'm dead
If you see me hanging, from yonder tree (3x)
You can tell that someone was mad at me
If you see me walking, all dressed in black (3x)
I might be a ghost just comin' back
I WANT TO BELIEVE
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: piano, organ, electric bass, vocals; FRIDO TER BEEK: soprano sax, baritone sax; CHRIS BARCHET: drums
We can't understand a thing
Yet we try so hard
We want to control the game
But we don't deal the cards
We're following a path
Destination unclear
I often stop and wonder why I'm here
Got no reason to complain
I'm a fortunate man
Are the homeless and the hungry
Part of the plan?
Cruelty, injustice
Things I can't comprehend
Misery and pain that never ends
I want to believe
There's a reason and a rhyme
That it all has a purpose in the end
The good should be rewarded
The bad should be punished for their crimes
Oh Lord, I've got to understand
Random misfortune
Cuts into your soul
Money may fool you
But you're not in control
Is there a reason why
Fate's treating some of us so bad?
Maybe we'll find out when we're dead?
HAPPY SONG
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: electric bass, electric guitar, vocal; KERSTIN VENHUIZEN: clarinet, vocal; JOLIEN VAN SLEEN: vocal; CHRIS BARCHET: drums; PETER KALISVAART: bongos, guiro
Why are you whining?
There's something wrong with you
The sun is shining
The sky is clear and blue
The birds are singing in the trees
Summer's not the season to feel bad
I'm not denying
Your pain and misery
But are you crying
For what may never be?
So what if yesterday was dull?
Nobody can tell what lies ahead
Sometimes I'm sunk in gloom
Obsessed with doom
Such a negative attitude!
But the I see your eyes
I realize
All I need's a change of mood
When you are hurting
When you're about to die
When you are certain
You really ought to try
You still may feel the urge to laugh
I wish I could be laughing till I'm dead
OH WHAT A FEELING
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: electric bass, piano, synth, vocals; ERIK RUTJES: electric guitar; CHRIS BARCHET: drums; PETER KALISVAART: conga, shaker, chimes, triangle; HARRIET MIDDELHOEK: backing vocals
Once I was lonesome, I was feeling so blue
But then I found out I was just waiting for you
Suddenly a sun lights up the sky
And you, only you are the reason why
Oh what a feeling to know there's more to life than this
Oh what a feeling, that first magic kiss
Oh what a feeling to fall in love with you
These days I feel compassion for everyone I used to hate
I'm not so scared anymore, I put my confidence in fate
Suddenly a smile filled my heart with delight
And I knew, I just knew you'd put everything right
Oh what a feeling to know there's more to life than this
Oh what a feeling, that first magic kiss
Oh what a feeling to fall in love with you
Now that I found true love I can handle any pain
As long as I know I don't love you in vain
Oh what a feeling to know there's more to life than this
Oh what a feeling, that first magic kiss
Oh what a feeling to fall in love with you
DUTCH BLUES
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
DICKY GREENWOOD: electric guitar, vocal; DANNY KRIEGER: electric guitar, backing vocal; STEVE GRAMS: acoustic bass, backing vocal; INIGO GRIMBERGEN: drums; HARM VAN SLEEN: backing vocal
I'm a little bread rooster, I can toast all night long
I'm a little bread rooster, I can toast all night long
You can hang me from the cap stick, if you think I'm wrong
I can talk like Bridgeman, if you let me go my gang
I can talk like Bridgeman, if you let me go my gang
I can sing a Dutch blues, hoor, if you let me do my thang
European white boy blues from Holland
European white boy blues from Holland
You can do that - you can sing the blues
HOT SUMMER EVENING
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words & music: Harm van Sleen
HARM VAN SLEEN: acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, piano, pedal steel, vocals
Driving down a dirt road to a place you'll never know
Following the footsteps of Stanley and Livingstone
Red dust in our eyebrows, flies inside the car
Headed for the last stretch where they'd covered the road with tar
We were quite wealthy then, but luxuries were few
Our house was slightly ragged, we were only passing through
Poison snakes, mad dogs, were among the daily thrills
But I felt safe and happy in our house up on the hill
On a hot summer evening I still walk that dusty road
On a hot summer evening I'm still there
Something takes me back to way back when
And I'm just a little boy again
So much has changed forever, we've burned the bridge and locked the door
People I used to know back then don't live there anymore
The country's just a mess today, its future's grim and black
But on a hot summer evening something always takes me back