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American S​é​ance

by Ralph Waldo

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1.
Something on the other side knows me and I don't even know what it is Something on the other side calls me and I don't even know what it is Who would've known this bird had ever flown so low? I cry, "I don't wanna die. Oh no" Something on the other side calls me and I don't even know what it is Something on the other side knows me and I don't even know what it is Who would've known This bird had ever flown solo? I cry, "I don't wanna die. Oh no"
2.
The Storm 03:28
White-knuckled screaming Holding on to the bow Say, should we turn this boat around? But I was thrown, Nearly drowned When that wave came crashing down. I can hear you Louder than before I can see the storm coming down Someone's been putting you on Wether, ewe, or me That's no proper way of Counting sheep The vessel was lost Well, that's what they say But I remember the world in 300 million ways I can hear you Louder than before I can see the shore's foaming mouth
3.
Zion Hill 03:53
If I wait around for a while or two, Would that mean enough to see that side of you? Am I far along? Do I wanna know? From my depths, proceeds A different horrorshow Seems a certain type of sad in here To get us feeling so down Meet me on the steps of Zion Hill Throw our weight around Am I far along? Do I really even want to know? From my depths, recedes A different horrorshow Seems a certain type of sad in here To get us feeling so down Meet me on the steps of Zion Hill Throw our weight around Takes a certain type of soul sincere To get us feeling some way Meet me on the steps of Zion Hill Throw our lives away
4.
Thinking of tomorrow Looking at the weather And laugh It's overcast and raining No use complaining Oh. Far as anyone knows It just flows Should I reserve a space on your palm? Burn after reading And bury my name It bears no repeating I'm not the same And you're to blame I'm not the same. I'm not the same. It's summertime It's bad to be in bed What's in your head? Oh. Dreaming of snow, it's so... Should I dissolve on the tip of your tongue Burn after reading And bury my name It bears no repeating I'm not the same And you're to blame I'm not the same. I'm not the same At least play the game
5.
Mary Mine 04:44
Mary. Mary mine It's not all fine Just tell me, what's on your mind? Marry and bury mine It's not all fine Just tell me, what's on your mind? What's on your mind? I'm not going Leave without me I'm alright Going nowhere With Mary mine Is it true? Is it true? Is it true that it's you? What's on your mind? I'm not going around like some sad, sordid clown That I know I'm not proud of myself But there's nobody else I control Mary. Mary mine It's not all fine Just tell me, what's on your mind? What's on your perfect mind? I'm not going Leave without me I'm alright Going nowhere With Mary mine Is it true? Is it true? Is it true that it's you?

about

It all starts with a still space. Guitar noodling leads to mumbling, leads to lyrics, song structure, collaboration, arrangements, performance, and finally to the impression of an impermanent waveform on to the slightly-more-permanent medium of tape. A well-worn and learned chain of creative ritual that’s been around since long before we went to record in Providence that wintry week at the end of 2018. We walked into the space that is now Eyeland studios, which was, a century ago, the rehearsal space for the dance company of the reportedly haunted vaudeville-era Columbus Theatre.

There, we were surrounded by both the echoes of those long-forgotten dancers and the modern echoes of the dancers in the cars and buses going by outside. We were, ourselves, rehearsing a type of dance in the liminal space between. It was as if all these amazingly talented individuals sat around a table, and with open outstretched palms, huddling, shivering in the dark, summoned something from nothing. Each bringing their experience, sharing gifts of sound, swirling together, through alchemy, a perfectly imperfect portal to another world. Maybe it was true manifestation or maybe it was cheap parlor tricks.
Maybe there was “some magic in that old silk hat they found,” or maybe it’s best to “pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” All I know is, as in life, that an experience is there for those willing to surrender. Ralph Waldo is pleased to present American Séance.

credits

released August 7, 2020

Recorded by Jeff Prystowsky with Lily Porter Wright at Eyeland Studios in Providence, RI
Mixed by Elio DeLuca at The Soul Shop in Medford, MA
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
Album Art by Ophelia Deng
Cover Text by Nicole Mellor

Ben Kling (string arrangements, bass, piano)
Jon Blanchette (drums, bodhran)
Andrew Barry (electric guitar, ghosts)
Spencer Soucy (bass, vocals)
Cody Nilsen (pedal steel, baritone guitar)
Tyler Perry (acoustic guitar, vocals, songwriting)
Golden Scroll Soloists (violin, cello, viola)

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Ralph Waldo Rhode Island

Ralph Waldo is:
Tyler Perry
Ben Kling
Jon Blanchette
Andrew Barry
Spencer Soucy

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