Raking The Mules (2007)

This August 2007 release is one of the coolest albums by The Mescaline Smugglers. It's maybe more country than the earlier albums, though jugband is still there (barely, the main difference being the lack of heavy blues as Davy was feeling more mellow during this period.) Davy really takes a stronger hold on his role of being the main writer of the band here as his pen produced all the songs apart from two trads and two cover versions (by Neil Young and Tom Waits)

Sad to say, the guys couldn't agree with the "final" mixes. So somewhere out there are two different versions of two of the tracks.

All tracks are recorded in Parola, Finland in Aug 2007
Mixed by Jore Heikkilä
Webdesign by Joonas & Jore Heikkilä

Tracks:

1. Cold Turkey (Mc Gowan)
The little classical piece at the start is taken from one of Jore’s Orvot Sekvenssit CD’s. I’m swearing at the start because the guitar was originally acoustic - but I didn’t think it was powerful enough, so I asked Jore to press the button and make the guitar sound electric - and I liked what I heard! Jore on banjo, Tuomas on piano and bass, me on drums, guitar and harmonica. From the lyrics I guess I was a bit pissed off when I wrote this. --davy
2. When We're Free (Mc Gowan)
Kinda gospel type song telling us how great it will be when we’re dead. Always amazes me that no one is too keen to shrug off this mortal coil in spite of the promise of lands of milk and honey in the hereafter - I guess most of them prefer this land of silk and money! I think all I did was play guitar and sing. Tuomas on deep backing vocals, me on high backing vocal. Jore on banjo, bass and whatever else is there. --davy
3. Country Boy (Mc Gowan)
Archetypal country song tale of women having affairs and their men killing them etc…. Me on slide guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonica. Jore on bass and mandolin I presume. --davy
4. When Sadness Comes (Mc Gowan)
I’ve forgotten what tunings most of these songs were written in - but this one’s in Open G. Tuomas on piano, Jore on bass. Me on guitar and vocals and bongos I think. A little nod to James Taylor’s ’You Got A Friend’ at the end. --davy
5. Don't Let It Bring You Down (Neil Young)
We did this because Cindy asked us to. I’m not a HUGE Neil Young fan but I like quite a few of his songs. This is a pretty depressing lyric but I’ve always felt there was a message of hope in chorus - so I try to exaggerate that by going into a ‘warm’ major 7th chord at the end and Tuomas plays a nice meditative solo then too. --davy
6. The Price of Love (Mc Gowan)
Another obscure guitar tuning - can’t remember what. The ‘Time is a’ lines came from a poem I wrote about umpteen years ago - and I added a few other words to it here. Great bass from Jore - who also does the percussion and the guitar at the end. I really liked the way this turned out. --davy
7. Michelle's Song (Johnson - McGowan)
Michelle sent Jore a very basic guitar melody about 2 years ago and we worked on it and I made a lyric and we sent her a copy - then forgot about it. But Jore remembered it was still there - so I think we added a little percussion and organ and stuck it on the CD this time around. I’m playing guitars, Jore on bass and percussion and Tuomas on organ. We just kept referring to it as ‘Michelle’s Song’ - so that name stuck. --davy
Actually Michelle sent the guitar chords... Davy added the tune and lyrics to it.. But Michelle is a co-writer, without her this song would've never been born. --jore
8. There Is a Time (Mc Gowan)
Fairly standard blues - but I like it. Me on guitars and harmonica. Tuomas on piano. Jore on drums? Or maybe me - Jore on bass. --davy
Is there a bass? I'm on shaker (I guess...) This just proves how useless/hopeless it is to trying to remember who plays what! Who cares? --jore
9. Atlantic City Blues (Heikkilä - McGowan)
This is a tune lifted straight from one of the tj band CD’s. It was called ‘Jore Boogie’ there - a truly appaling title that made me reach for a sick bag. I told him in 2002 - before I ever met him - it should be called Atlantic City Blues - and this time I wrote some lyrics for it. --davy
10. Going Up To Country (Mc Gowan)
I like to think this is a ‘cheery’ kind of song. Sometimes it’s easy to be lethargic and lazy and moan and groan and you just need someone to boot you up the arse to get something done. Me on guitars, Jore on Drums and mandolin and bass. Don’t think Tuomas is on this one.. --davy
11. Plastic Jesus (trad.)
I always thought Paul King (of Mungo Jerry) wrote this - but I found out it’s traditional when I decided I would like to record it. A bit of a dig at the ‘commercial’ aspects of the Christian story. I wrote a verse of my own about Sacramento because Greg & Lucy live there. I also mixed in the chorus of another traditional song ‘Take Me Back’ - in a subliminal message - it’s the guy in the confessional wanting back into the faith - but maybe I’m getting too deep here Ha! Ha! It was late and Tuomas and I were pretty drunk when we recorded this - but I think it worked out OK. Me on guitar and vocal, Jore on drums, bass? and banjo - Tuomas on backing vocals. --davy
Afterwards we wanted the drums off, but it was impossible because the session was taped live (on same mic). No one of us would blow zero on alcometer that night --jore
12. The Wench's Tale (Mc Gowan)
A Geoffrey Chaucer title for my idea of what an English ballad should be. Dark, gloomy, death, rape, pregnancy and ghost lovers…..It took me a while to get Tarja to agree to sing this - but I think the fragility and innocence of her voice is perfect here. Another strange guitar tuning - which I can no longer remember. Great bass from Jore. --davy
13. Zarathustra's Blues (Mc Gowan)
Apologies to old Fred Nietzsche - dunno why I decided it should be called Zarathustra’s Blues - though Fred’s ‘THUS SPOKE ZARATHUSTRA’ is one of my favourites. I’ve no idea what the lyric is about. I stole the ‘Jordan River in her hips’ line from an old blues song…I steal loads of stuff from wherever I can think of - I’m not proud. Jore on bass, percussion and the instrument at the end….mandolin? --davy
14. Blue Valentines (Tom Waits)
One of my favourite Tom Waits songs. Tuomas plays great piano - me on guitar and vocals. Jore on bass. Jore & Tuomas preferred another mix with 2 basses - but I preferred it with just the one. Daresay their copies of the CD have the 2 bass version. --davy
Yeah... well, I'm sorry but this version right here has 2 basses.. It was a tough 2-1 situation... --jore
15. Draw The Line (Mc Gowan)
Hey - I get to play piano! I wrote this on the piano - which is very unusual. It’s just a straightforward blues but somehow it worked out jazzy and different and…well, I just love it! Fantastic Hammond organ sound from Tuomas. I played guitars and I think Jore did bass and percussion. I wrote ‘It’s snowing in Buenos Aires…’ because I’d just seen it on the news that it WAS snowing there - for the first time since the 1920’s. --davy
16. Whippin' Boy (Mc Gowan)
I wrote this on the mandolin. Frank at the folk club showed me a new way to play the ‘A’ chord - and I ended up writing this. Great funky organ from Tuomas - who also plays accordian at the end. Jore on bass and guitar. I think I played drums. More misogynistic ramblings! --davy
17. Tamp That Thing (trad.)
An old Sleepy John Estes/Hammie Nixon jug band song that I heard John Sebastian doing a few years back. I think we did a pretty good job of it. --davy
18. Ball and Chain (Mc Gowan)
I wrote this on mandolin too - but ended up playing it on guitar. Pretty bleak lyric - but I only pluck them from the air - I don’t know what it’s all about - it’s a bit of a ’riddle’ song. Again great work from Tuomas on organ and Jore on bass, percussion and mandolin. --davy
This is one of the tracks that exist in two different mixings. I lost the voting 2-1 so here you have the second best mixing. Ha ha! --jore
19. Reflections (Mc Gowan)
A rather meditative title - and a meditative, wistful little song. I guess I must be getting old. Great piano from Tuomas. I was happy with the way this turned out. Jore on bass. Me on nylon string guitar and vocals. --davy

PREVIEW — LYRICS — DOWNLOAD — REVIEWS

1. Cold Turkey Cracks in the window, rain poring through Wondering what the hell in the world to do You can take it from me, you can take it as read That if I had the choice, well I’d be better off dead Someone’s walking the floor, someone’s ringing the bell I heard there’s old men dying by the wishing well It’s a hot little number but it’s cold turkey for me Sign of the Cross painted on the locked door I’m howling at the moon but I ain’t crying for more You know I walk on hot coals on the razor’s edge Been nothing but a sinner since I’ve taken the pledge Rats in the basement, bugs in my bed A- bombs exploding right inside my head It’s a hot little number but it’s cold turkey for me. (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 2. When We're Free Well I’ve done most things in life Mortgage, kids and a jet set wife Made mistakes along the way Almost every day I’ve been where the saints have trod Spoke to Satan and to God And I ain’t learned but one thing That’s the reason why I sing When we’re free, when we’re free We’ll all be given the golden key Free, when we’re free, when we’re free Satisfaction is a guarantee Free, when we’re free, when we’re free So many live from hand to mouth East and West and Noth and South Ain’t no Paradise found down here Just us crying in our beer There’ve been times I rolled a joint And lay there wondering what’s the point Of getting out of my bed That’s the reason why I said When we’re free, when we’re free We’ll all be given the golden key Free, when we’re free, when we’re free Satisfaction is a guarantee Free, when we’re free, when we’re free Davy McGowan 2007 3. Country Boy Troubles come and troubles go Troubles melt like the driftin’ snow But the drifin’ snow can drift for days Trouble sure find you in different ways I’m a country boy Just pickin’ away these blues I got home and I found my wife Living a lie and a secret life A Secret life and a life of sin God only knows the shape I’m in I’m a country boy Just pickin’ away these blues At four a.m. I heard the front door slam She ran away with another man Another mule kicking in my stall I got a 38 Special, gonna watch him fall. I’m a country boy Just pickin’ away these blues (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 4. When Sadness Comes When sadness comes God knows you’re gonna need a helping hand And sadness comes in oh so many ways But keep on keeping on Keep some laughter in your heart And time will melt the sadness all away And love will come In many shapes and forms And fill your heart with the words it will say And friends are always there To help you make it through the night Until the sunrise brings a bright new day (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 8. There Is a Time The woman that I love, she found another man Left me here with a pile of blues to carry if I can There’s a time If I found religion I tell you what I’d do I’d cuss the Good Lord every night for making me love you There’s a time Ain’t nothing to lose, ain’t no soul to save Cigarettes and whisky gonna put me in my grave There’s a time (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 10. Going Up To Country You might find you’re living in a one room run down shack And you might find your baby has cut out and won’t be back You might find religion in an empty whisky glass And you might what you need is a friend to come and kick you up the ass I’m going up the country, I’m going where the eagles soar I’m going up the country and I may not be back no more I’m going up the country, I’m going where the clouds are high I’m going up the country, gonna reach up and touch the sky You might find you’re living on junk food and TV And you might pass the mirror saying, ‘Christ - can that be me?’ And you might sit in solitude pondering your disgrace When all you need is a friend to come and slap you in your face. I’m going up the country, I’m going where the eagles soar I’m going up the country and I may not be back no more I’m going up the country, I’m going where the clouds are high I’m going up the country, gonna reach up and touch the sky (c) Davy McGowan 2007

12. The Wench's Tale As I roved out on a fine warm summer’s day And to the market hastened on my way I saw a man in uniform Come through the fields of corn He bid me stop and talk with him awhile And somewhere in his face I saw a smile We sat us down beneath a tree Twas only him and me He gently spoke and had a kindly eye And took my hand in his hand by and by And as the sun rose o’er the tree His hand was on my knee The linnet’s song was no sweeter than his But nothing was as sweet as love’s sweet kiss He laid me down, his lips on mine Sweeter than any wine And soon his tunic he had opened wide His uniform and mine lay cast aside Twas then upon his body bare I saw the blood run there The gaping wound passed straight into his heart ‘Oh sir,’ I cried ‘of this I want no part’ He gave a laugh that chilled my core I swooned and knew no more When I awoke I found myself alone With stars above and flesh as cold as stone And sick at heart in that green dell I cursed his soul to Hell Now three months found me growing pale and wan And six months found my apron strings undone I know not what my babe will be Nor shall I live to see (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 13. Zarathustra's Blues Walk on thin ice Pay whatever is the price Sing a few songs Bout paying the price for righting wrongs Hero’s might be Part of my philosophy I need some woman to come and rescue me Stoking it up Drinking from the loving cup Whisky and wine Never tasted half as fine Hero’s be damned Let’s go find the Promised Land I need some woman to come and rescue me I’ve been living hard, going down slow Trapped in a corner, nowhere to go It’s a crazy world, I never realised Jordan river’s in her hips and I’ve been baptised Later that night Out of mind and out of sight Thoughts of the past Speeding through my mind so fast Hero’s we are Don’t know how I got this far I need some woman to come and rescue me (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 16. Whippin' Boy She pawned my soul, sold me the blues Took my money on a riverboat cruise Left me here with no way home And not one goddamn thing to call my own Well I ain’t gonna be your whippin’ boy no more She took my silver, took my gold Gave me a smile then she cut me cold Left me naked in the pouring rain With the sound of darkness pounding in my brain Well I ain’t gonna be your whippin’ boy no more (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 18. Ball and Chain What ain’t right must be wrong If you can’t sing it can’t be no song Happy ain’t happy if it makes you sad Time don’t ask, time will tell Ain’t no heaven if there ain’t no hell Heart to heart, it’s all the same Whole word’s joined by the ball and chain One to the left, one to the right One in the middle and out of sight The good die young, or so they say But my old man don’t see it that way There’s so much gone, so much to be Like oranges growing on an apple tree There’s so much change, it’s all the same Whole world’s joined by the ball and chain (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007 19. Reflections The sun pours down Like honey from a never ending sky As I sit here In bittersweet reflections of my life A cigarette in my hand Music From Big Pink playing by The Band And time goes by The music stops and silence fills the space Between the world of sound And worlds inside my head As I lie down upon the bed And sigh for the life I wish I could have led How did we lose our way? And where can we find the road back home again? And as the sun Moves slowly through the sky I wonder why Should I be melancholy on this lovely day When everything’s going my way And nothing has changed but you and me and life. (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2007

PREVIEW — LYRICS — DOWNLOAD — REVIEWS

Good old Greg decided to give us a review

The album is delightful for its breadth of music, the increasing sophistication of the band’s vocal harmonies, the musical instrumentation which has gone off the charts and the amazing production values.

COLD TURKEY - Great start to the CD. The listener is startled first by the sound of classical music rudely interrupted by the needle scratch across the vinyl, the profane language and the 'take no prisoners' rusty rock tears right into you. This sure ain’t gonna be no folk album. What sounds like someone hammering on a steam radiator adds to the wonderful cacophony of sounds, great bluesy lyrics and the music as Tuomas' piano drives the guitar like a two fisted whiskey drinker driving an aqua velva Cadillac down the streets of Memphis. Great harmonies by all. More of this, please!

WHEN WE’RE FREE - I dunno when the Scots and the Finnish learned Gospel so well, but it’s evident in this song. Great lead banjo and steel drum sounds. The beginning instrumental is great, reminds me of our visit to the Music Museum in Carlsbad and the 200 Ukuleles exhibit.

COUNTRY BOY - Now if Country music sounded more like this foot tapper, I’d listen to more than Hank Williams III’s country punk. The two harmonicas and two guitars adds enough layers to be a whole country band. Too short by at least a minute!

WHEN SADNESS COMES - Nice Brazilian feel to this, jazzy, light, like a warm breeze and a Cuban sunset, Mojitos all around. The piano is absolutely beautiful on this.

DON’T LET IT BRING YOU DOWN - Very nice interpretation of this great Neil Young song, love the instrumental at the end. The piano solo raises the bar and takes the song to a whole nother level. Thanks to Cindy for the request.

THE PRICE OF LOVE - This feels like an old style shamanistic instruction song, rolling back the mists of time to when elders instructed youth by chanting stories and tales. The bass has a wonderful quality to it, connecting to the drum beats below the surface of the melody.

MICHELLE’S SONG - Great melody, with that delicious Brazilian feel again, fine keyboards with a wonderful guitar instrumental. Charming love lyrics.

THERE’S A TIME - The jams are being kicked out again. Roadhouse blues taken to another level by the guys, great jamming guitar and piano in this. I think I may steal this for my band.

ATLANTIC CITY BLUES - Lovely old timey song. You can tell it’s a Jore song right off, with that nostalgic, wistful dreamy feel…kind of like a dance hall still playing music in late September after all of the summer folks have left and gone.

GOING UP THE COUNTRY- I like this one, with that grab anything that’s not nailed down and hit the road for God knows where- you just gotta go sometime Besides bad women and cheap whiskey (or is it the other way around) one of my favorite themes in acoustic music.

PLASTIC JESUS - What a fantastic song! I didn’t realize how many people had covered this song was until I goggled it, looking for the lyrics Paul Newman sings it in COOL HAND LUKE with a banjo. This a great version with a very nice banjo lead which knocks me out. Us fans in the Sacramento area are beaming at the additional verse. I couldn’t help myself, I had to a drawing.

THE WENCH’S TALE - Just when I thought we weren’t going to hear any “traditional” type songs on MS albums, along comes this great little treasure. It’s a little bit of a bardic tale, true to the spirit of real folk music. Great vocals.

ZARATHUSTRA’S BLUES - I think I would have called this “Rescue Me” and then been sued by somebody. I love the theme in this, half arrogant Celtic bluesman and one half romantic love. Another one of those great traveling man songs, part of the longing that’s inside us on a molecular level, to hit the road when things get too hot in town for us, kind of like an anti-Lone Ranger. One of the best on the CD.

BLUE VALENTINE - Oh Gawd, do I love this! - Smokey Piano, soft strummed jazzy guitar, it’s 3:00 am again in a dark bar somewhere on the other side of the tracks. It’s hard to pull off a Tom Waits song, but Davy does an excellent job on this one.

DRAW THE LINE - Great little jazzy blues number. Love the way the instruments are added one by one. Tuomas on the Hammond Organ is outstanding on the instrumental. The lyrics are great but, actually, the whole song could have been great as an instrumental.

WHIPPING BOY -This is the very definition of a “foot tapper” And any song that starts out with mandolin is going to be all right with me. Could be a traditional song, but it’s a McGowan and it sounds damn fine!

TAMP THAT THING - This is traditional and gets back to wonderful, wonderful jug band sounds. Lord a-mighty this is great!

BALL AND CHAIN- The timing on this is amazing, organ is fantastic, guitar great and the vocal jumping and jiving all over. Really excellent.

REFLECTIONS - Nice mellow piece rounding out the album. A nice jazzy reflection song, with a really great lyric, carried off with two piano tracks and guitar weaving in and out of the fabric.