Mebop (cont.)

Had a great crowd—and a tremendous response—at the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard. I was in the super-swank Foundation Room, with Matt Yeakley on guitar and Bill Markus on bass, and we did ourselves some serious swinging. Here's a video (very much bootleg) of my take on Thelonious Monk's "Ba-lue Bolivar Blues"—which I've retitled "Poppa's Resolution"—followed by my lyrics.

The clouds rollin’ in, the tide’s rollin’ out

But Poppa been standin’ still

You know you can’t win, you know it’s a rout

If you don’t climb up that hill

I’m through playin’ games, I’m taking down names

I’m stakin’ my claims, James

The wind’s comin’ up, the shit’s goin’ down

But Poppa been cool as ice

If you don’t stand up, can’t make it your town

Ain’t nobody tell you twice

I’m ending the wait, it’s never too late

I’m filling my plate, Nate

The band’s playin’ on, the crowd’s getting’ off

But Poppa been sailin’ through

You can’t throw no shade, got no right to scoff

If you ain’t done somethin’ new

I’m fillin’ my tank, I’m pullin’ my rank

I’m betting the bank, Frank

I'm hoping to bring the show to a New York venue next. In the meantime, I'm working on new material—writing lyrics to additional bebop classics by composers I haven't yet taken on—and with a little luck I'll be able to keep doing this for some time to come. Meantime, I am havin' me some righteous good times.