Self-Titled Album
1975 Capitol Records
"I had plans for all these quotes from Dylan and Tim Hardin, how Black Sheep made the choice to stay free, rock and roll outlaws and all; but listening to the album for the first time makes it all unnecessary. Everything that has to be said, has been said by Black Sheep on this album. It's all in the grooves. Black Sheep are friends, they make good music and that's all you really need. Good Friends. Good music. Black Sheep. Thank you."
-- JIM SOTET,
Program Director, WCMF Radio Rochester
Black Sheep are:
Louis Grammatico - vocals
Bruce Turgon - bass
Larry Crozier - keyboards
Donald Mancuso - guitar
Ron Rocco - drums
Copyright 1975 Capitol Records
Produced by: Stuart Alan Love for Open Love Productions, Inc.
Arranged by: Stuart Alan Love/Black Sheep
(All Tunes Open Love Music ASCAP except "Woman" which is Irving Music BMI)
Recorded at The Record Plant Studios, New York
Engineered by: Ed Sprigg
Re-Mix Engineers: Ed Sprigg, Stuart Love
Assistant Engineers: Corky Stasiak, Dave Thoener, Howie Lindeman, Kevin Herron
Mastered at The Cutting Room, New York by: Tom Rastenek and Gregg Calbi
PAYIN' YER DUES
Music by: Rocco, Mancuso, Crozier 4:08
Lyrics by: Grammatico
Morning - sunlight rips open my eyes
To desolation - a roomful of spiders and flies
I think I'm melting - it must be 110
I can't believe it - tonight I will sleep here again
Is this payin' yer dues?
How long can I take it?
I got holes in my shoes
Evening - tonight I can sing all my songs
They bring a feeling - a feeling that rights all the wrongs,
But we need money - to Iive we must see that green
It's just one thing - Black Sheep just hasn't seen
Is this payin' yer dues?
How long can I take it?
I got holes in my shoes,
in my shoes,
in my shoes
Dizzy - dizzy around my head
I been groping - groping my way to my bed
I know one thing - I surely am going insane
But tomorrow - I'll start it all over again.
Is this payin' yer dues?
How long can I take it?
I got holes in my shoes
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
How long can I stay?
BROKEN PROMISES
Music by: Crozier, Turgon 5:43
Lyrics by: Grammatico
Monday, same as Sunday
It's all just one day
Am I wasting my time?
I get promises, more broken promises
Ask a simple question
Get a complicated lie
Get a complicated lie
Get a complicated lie
Get a complicated lie
I don't care no more
I won't paint my face
to get my foot in the door
If you don't dig my music
don't you listen no more
I really don't give a damn
I really don't give a damn
Clappin', you've got to get the people clappin'
Make your music happen
Everybody's high
We're just feeling
just emotion and feeling
Some hot and some healing
Can the people cry?
Can the people cry?
Can the people cry?
Can the people cry?
I don't care no more
I won't paint my face
to get my foot in the door
If you don't dig my music
don't you listen no more
I really don't give a damn
I really don't give a damn
Depression, musical suppression
Creates the wrong impression
I'll be true to me
me and my feeling
My emotion and feelings
They're heavy but they're healing
Won't you let me be
Let my music be ...
Let the people see ...
Let me be ...
I don't care no more
I won't paint my face
to get my foot in the door
If you don't dig my music
don't you listen no more
I really don't give a damn
WOMAN BACK HOME
Music by: Turgon 3:20
Lyrics by: Grammatico, Turgon
Road ladies been 'round my door
I ain't got to ask - they're there for the taking
Lonely nights when the wind blows cold
Lovely babes are there for the making
But I got my woman waiting back home
I still got my woman waiting back home
Lonely Iadies been waitin' for me
in the night - There the ones keepin'
me sane and warm - I never said
I thought it was right
But I, now, I got my woman waiting back home
I still got my woman waiting back home
Listen
She knows just how to move me
She knows my style
She knows just how to groove me
I'll make it worth my baby's while
Now I got my woman waiting back home
I still got my woman waiting back home
I'm comin' home
I'm comin' home
I'm comin' home
I'm comin' home
LET ME STAY
Music by: Turgon 7:15
Lyrics by: Turgon, Grammatico
(Piano prelude by Larry Crozier - 1:04)
Standing close but reaching far
Feelings leaving scars
Wanting things I'm sure to lack
Still no thoughts of turning back
I face a new dawn
Let me stay
In my world where nothing lasts
Dimming future, my darkened past
You've become my burning sun
Caress my soul when day is done
I face a new dawn
Let me stay
I see no reason to run
With you beside me
My face turned into the sun
There's no, no, no chance in hiding
No, no chance in hiding
This love I bring is all I own
My words can't say, it must be shown
I've been lost, show me the way
Just say farewell or let me stay
I face a new dawn
Let me stay
Let me stay
I want to stay
Let me stay
POWER TO HEAL
Music by: Turgon 3:19
Lyrics by: Turgon, Grammatico
If you been clinging to yesterday
You better open your mind to the words I say
I been doin' some travelin' these past few years
I done a lot more living than anyone here
I know you been running through time and space
Searching for a place to hide
Ain't no need in hiding show your face
Tell the world what you feel inside
Hold on to the love you've got
If your sure that's the way you feel
'Cause I know in this world your gonna find
Love's got the power to heal
Being a loner was once my game
I was breaking hearts with style
I had no conscience - felt no shame.
Couldn't find a woman worth-while
The emptiness inside me I couldn't stand
I wondered if life was worth living
Then she came along and took my hand
Showed me a new way of giving
Hold on to the love you got
If you're sure that's the way you feel
'Cause I know in this world you're gonna find...
Love's got the power to heal
Love's got the power to heal
Hold on to the love you've got
If your sure that's the way you feel
'Cause I know in this world your gonna find
Power to heal
Power to heal
Power to heal
FAR SIDE OF THE SUN
Music by: Rocco, Mancuso 6:56
Lyrics by: Grammatico
Stranger in a strange world
Ten billion miles I've hurled
Your planet although young in years
Its story is told in blood and tears
Brothers and sisters
Your life here is done
Come home with me now
to the far side of the sun
I've heard you cry out for freedom
Then you lie to me straight faced
Now I'm gonna show your world a freedom
A heaven for this whole human race
A heaven for this whole human race
You were planted, just like a seed in the earth
The heavens rejoiced at your birth
Love hung ... hung in balance with hate
Mistrust tipped the scales, sealed your fate
Get your things
We're on our way
Now brothers and sisters
Your life here is done
Come home with me now
to the far side of the sun
Life's just a shooting star
Come so far
So far
On our way
On our way
LITTLE OR A LOT
Music by: Mancuso, Turgon 3:34
Lyrics by: Grammatico, Turgon
I just can't explain, the way that I feel
If I got some time for you baby, I'll show you my love is real
Come on over, I'll give you what I got
I'll give you some good lovin' just a little or a lot
Baby, won't you squeeze me
just a little
Mama, won't ya squeeze me
such a lot
You're lookin' so down, it appears to be true
You say you're in love, I'm afraid to ask with who
Talk to me baby, tonight's your only shot
Give me some good lovin' just a little or a lot
Baby, won't you squeeze me
just a little
Mama, won't ya squeeze me
such a lot
Give me just a little
Give me just a little
Give me just a little
or a lot
FREIGHT TRAIN
Music by. Mancuso, Rocco 3:00
Lyrics by: Grammatico
It wasn't such a good day
Rain pelted my face
I knew today was my day
The day I'm gonna leave this place
Tried to board the sky plane
But they had no room for me
I won't catch the sea ship
Sailin' ain't no way to see
I want to catch the next train
I want to catch the next train
Let it rain - nothing's gonna stop
my freight train
Let it rain - Let it rain - Let it rain
If seeing is believing
I know today I'll be leaving
I can't find my way here
I know I can't stay here
Tried to board the sky plane
But they had no room for me
I won't catch the sea ship
Sailin' ain't no way to see.
I'm gonna catch the next train
I'm gonna catch the next train
Let it rain - nothing's gonna stop
my freight train
Let it rain - nothing's gonna stop
my freight train
Let it rain - Let it rain - Let it rain
Nothing's gonna stop my freight train
Nothing's gonna stop my freight train
Nothing's gonna stop my freight train
WOMAN
By: A Fraser-P. Rodgers 8:19
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Encouraging Words
1975 Capitol Records
Black Sheep are: Louis Grammatico - vocals
Bruce Turgon - bass
Larry Crozier - keyboards
Donald Mancuso - guitar
Mike Bonafede - drums
Copyright 1975 Capitol Records, Inc.
Produced by Stuart Alan Love for Open Love Productions, Inc.
Arranged by Black Sheep and Stuart Alan Love
All selections published by Warner Bros. Music/Open Love Music/ASCAP
Recorded at The Hit Factory, New York
Engineer: Ed Sprigg
Assistant Engineer: Howie Lindemann
Mastered at the Capitol Mastering Room, Los Angeles, by Wally Traugott
This album was recorded, mixed and mastered at 30 I.P.S.
HALFWAY HOME
(By B. Turgon-L. Grammatico) 4:19
I see it now it's all very clear
It was year ago today
The innocent look I've seen before
Ya thought it might blow me away
So I walks up, cream ale in hand
Says do you always hang alone
You slipped me the key, room 133
I knew I was halfway home
Halfway home, yeah I'm almost there
Halfway home, I ain't going nowhere
I went and stayed for days and days
I didn't want to leave
How was I suppose to know
What you had up your sleeve
You laid your plans late one night
While you were all alone
Ya said to yourself, with a shit eating grin
Baby I'm halfway home
Halfway home, I'm almost there
Halfway Home, I ain't going nowhere
I strolled in late one night, cocky as you please
Till her dad, a gun and a preacher man
Brought me to my knees
I had to escape this fate worse than death
People got to let you know
I crashed through the window
And was gone in a flash
Makin' tracks for home
Halfway home, yeah I'm almost there
Halfway Home, ain't going nowhere
Halfway Home, ain't going nowhere
Halfway Home, still without
ENCOURAGING WORDS
(By Mancuso-Turgon-Grammatico) 5:27
There've been times when Iım feeling so tall
I can look anybody right in the eye
But I won't forget my friends
They helped me when I fall
When I was wondering how I'd ever get by
without encouraging words
Everybody needs 'em
Encouraging words
Just count on me
Now you're much too fine to see ya spend the night alone
Is there a reason, a reason you're so shy
I won't play games with you woman
Just want to take you home
So lets get movin' before the sun lights the morning sky
Just give me one encouraging word
One's all I need
Encouraging words just count on me
Now I won't get you in trouble
But if your daddy gets crazy
I be gone on the double
But I'll leave you with a feeling
That's got to hold true
And that's encouraging words
Can make a man like me
Fall in love with a woman like you
Yeah a woman like you
Now I won't get you in trouble
But if your daddy gets crazy
I be gone on the double
I'm gonna leave you with a feeling
That's got to hold true
And that's encouraging words
Can make a man like me
Fall in love with a woman like you
Encouraging words, encouraging words
A woman like you
A woman like you
A woman like you
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
(By L. Crozier-L. Grammatico) 3:51
Take a worthless piece of paper
Roll a joint and let it burn
As of now I'm in no hurry
To whom it may concern
There's a winding road you must travel
Disappointment greets every turn
Take in stride the luck you've been havin'
To whom it may concern
One bad day can put you on a down
It's not as though you've been deserted
Through the years life's become
Such an up-tempo race
Slow down you'll find
You can set your own pace
In a given situation
First impressions are unjust
Experience is the teacher
In whom you place your trust
If you show a little insight
It's amazing what you can learn
I don't waste my time on airheads
And whom they may concern
One bad day can put you on a down
It's not as though you've been deserted
Through the years life's become
Such an up-tempo race
Slow down you'll find
You can set your own pace
You can set your own pace
You can set your own pace
You can set your own pace
NO WORRY, NO PAIN
(By B. Turgon-L. Grammatico) 4:11
There's a way
I'll work it out in my own time
If not today
Then tomorrow will be just fine
Leave me alone
I'll get by on my own
Stand in my way, how much more must I pay
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
My destiny if it pleases me
I can crush with my own hands
Thru sweat and strife I pledge my life
To the fortunes of a rock 'n' roll band
Fortune I say, but misfortune I mean
Bad booze, bad women
Youıre livin' in a dream
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
My destiny if it pleases me
I can crush with my own hands
Thru sweat and strife I pledge my life
To the fortunes of a rock 'n' roll band
Fortune I say, but misfortune I mean
Bad booze, bad women
You're livin' in a dream
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
I don't need the worry
I don't need the pain
WHEN IT ALL MAKES SENSE
(By L. Crozier-L. Grammatico) 4:24
Alright for the good times
The few I can recall
I weathered the bad times
Can't count them all
For pain and for pleasure
I found out neither lasts
My song for good measure
I'll try and make it fast
When the moon is alone in the sky and weeping
And the one you love lies beside you sleeping
That's when it all makes sense
I know what you're thinking
The expression on your face
You say this boy's lost his mind
He's given up the chase
When the moon is alone in the sky and weeping
And the one you love lies beside you sleeping
It's when it all makes sense
THE CHANGE
(By Bruce Turgon) 5:13
I remember a time in my life
When I learned to be alone
Loneliness, no one needing no one
I look upon this time in my life
And the scar still shows
A shadow of a man trying to hold on
I feel you touching my hand, my soul
I feel you holding me near
Just one kiss and you rule my heart
The change in me is near
The change in me is near
The night wind chilled me to the bone
And the days held no meaning
My heart turned to stone
I stop needing
I closed my eyes to the light
Ignored what was pleasing
Stop seeking love, started dreaming
It's when I feel you touching my hand, my soul
I feel you holding me near
Just one kiss and you rule my heart
The change in me is near
The change in me is near
I feel you touching my hand, my soul
I feel you holding me near
Just one kiss and you rule my heart
The change in me is near
I feel you touching my hand, my soul
I feel you holding me near
When I see myself in your sad eyes
I know the change in me is near
The change in me is near
ALL I AM
(By Bruce Turgon) 3:35
Self-assured I thought I found
The way to ease my mind
Took all I could get from you
Then left you far behind
But now I'm lost, it just ain't right
A longing in my heart
To feel you next to me tonight
Would be the perfect start
All I am or hope to be
Depends on you, help this blind man see
All I am or hope to be
Donıt hold back, stay one with me
Think back all too frequently
To the times I done you wrong
Abused the love you offered
Leading you along
With years I added wisdom
I learned to be a man
Now I stand before you
I'm calling out again
Cause all I am or hope to be
Depends on you, help this blind man see
All I am or hope to be
Don't hold back, stay one with me
All I am or hope to be
Depends on you, help this blind man see
All I am or hope to be
Don't hold back, stay one with me
SHAUNA
(By D. Mancuso-L. Grammatico) 3:44
Shauna, remember when
Once we were lovers, now just friends
Shauna, one year it's been
Have you returned to hurt me again
I feel the rush of days gone by
The burnin' love I hoped might die
Shauna, you're so unkind
You broke my heart slowly
I gave you the time
Shauna girl, you hurt the one that needed you
Shauna girl, you hurt the one that needed you
I feel the rush of days gone by
Just light the light of love I know it's still alive
CHAIN ON ME
(By D. Mancuso-L. Grammatico) 4:21
I say it with a whisper
But I feel it with a shout
Want you to know what I'm talkin' about
Summer's comin' on and I need to be free
From the locks, the bonds, the chain on me
Oh yeah
Chain on me,
Help me with the chain on me
Yeah the chain on me
Wish I could shed this chain on me
Canıt do nothin' for the pain I see
Canıt say where I'm goin' but
I know where I've been
I was born to move and move again
Chain on me
Help me with the chain on me
Yeah the chain on me
The chain on me
Shake, shake, shakin' this chain
Chain on me
You can't tell me it's not bringing you down
Chain on me
Oh I got to shake this chain
Shakin' this chain
Shakin' this chain
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