THE UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH by Reid Jamieson – (2004) Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | Google Play | CDBaby
This second full solo album showcases Reid’s choirboy ways, therapeutic lyrics and alt-country-flavoured pop hooks. The Unavoidable Truth was recorded in Guelph, Ontario with the legendary Lewis Melville and producer Josh Finlayson (Gord Downie, Skydiggers) featuring the stellar talents of Sarah Harmer, Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco), Peter Elkas, John Southworth,Jayme Stone, the lovely Mia Sheard and more. Piano, banjo, accordion and pedal steel make for a robust recording. His stylized guitar playing and breathtaking harmonies will do wonders for the long drive to the cottage. Let the truth set you free…
CREDITS
All songs by Reid Jamieson. SOCAN 2004. Except * by Josh Finlayson & Reid, ** by Carolyn V. Mill & Reid, *** by Josh, CVM & Reid. Produced by Josh Finlayson. All bed tracks Recorded by Lewis Melville at the Sound Emporium in Guelph, Ontario. Except ‘Starting To Learn’ Recorded in The Baby’s Room & Produced by Carlos Gouveia. All lead vocals and instrumental overdubs recorded by Reid at Elmarush Music in Toronto. All background vocals recorded by Reid in the Baby’s room, Toronto. All tracks mixed at the Sound Emporium, by Lewis Melville. Mastered at Umbrella Sound by Greg O’Shea. Executive Producer, CD artwork, Web Site Design & Management: Carolyn Victoria Mill. Photography: Jason Raposo.
This recording would not have been possible without the support of the Ontario Arts Council.
1. Last Day Of The Year (2:48) Time often spends itself with no concern for mental health. Care how you expend your wealth the last day of the year. Longing and looking back, major change there is no lack, of sacred blessings, heart attacks, the last day of the year. Three cheers it’s coming closer, The new beginning You’ve been yearning. Forward, keep falling forward. The timing’s right, you shouldn’t fight it, just be delighted. Leave room for little doubt, a lesson’s learned, a whisper shouted. Turn your mistakes inside out the last day of the year. Three cheers we made it this far, it’s all brand new, this point of view. Heartstrings are played at midnight; they’re picked apart, in tune or off key. It’s clear can you see? Push hard with all your might. Our resolution starts tonight, to find out where self-pity hides. The last day of the year. The last night of the year. The last breath of the year.
– Written by Reid Jamieson RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic guitar Michael Johnston: Piano – Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar Dave Clark: Drums – Karen Graves: Violin Dave Celia: B/G vocal
2. Grass & Dirt (2:20) I’m not used to the sun. I’m not used to the grass and dirt. When I’m covered by all these things. You may hear that my heart it sings. Not a word but a sound, not a thought but a feeling deep. No concern for the lack of walls. Or a ceiling to stop this warm air. Rising, feelings come, clear your mind. Share your thoughts, and I will share mine. I’m not used to a life where the truth isn’t hard to say. Until now its come and gone like a heart beating next to mine. In the dark, in the light, (in the dawn, in the night). In the days, in the weeks ahead. I’ll be waiting for you, And together we’ll make some sense of time, All our disasters fade. Fear not. Share your thoughts. And I will share my love
– Written by Reid Jamieson RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic/electric guitar Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar – Dave Clark: Drums Jayme Stone: Banjo – Bob Egan: Pedal steel guitar Mia Sheard: B/G vocal – CVM: B/G Vocal
3. Holding Out (3:07) You called to reconcile. The time that’s passed us by again. Although I’m not on trial. I’ve missed your laughing smile. The years have been unkind. The loneliness of being wrong. And with this loss of time. A voice broke into song… If holding out means no one wins. Then hanging on is where we’ll begin again. This sorrow weighs me down. The loss of friends, the loss of life. Can it be turned around? Can we make good in time? If holding out means no one wins Then hanging on is where we’ll begin. The love we gave, the faith we lost. In time we’ll learn how much it cost us. Now. If leaving is all we have. I’d go given half the chance Only to run right out of room…
– Written by Reid Jamieson & Josh Finlayson RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic guitar Michael Johnston: Piano, organ Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar, electric guitar Dave Clark: Drums – Bob Egan: Pedal steel guitar Sarah Harmer: B/G vocal
4. The Unavoidable Truth (3:23) I’ve been hearing voices speak inside my head for years on end. Calling out the right and wrong, the black and white, the where and when. All my fear and insecurity take over me. Decide on this; decide on that, the voices ask. Let the obvious through. Let it soak your conscience and make aware. The unavoidable truth will be waiting for you. No matter when or where you wake up. Don’t discourage all your past regrets but keep them at your side. Wishful thinking never ceases to amaze and hypnotize. All the weight can spread out evenly and set you free. Before the chance is gone for good, don’t hold your breath. Let the obvious through, When the only option is running from the unavoidable truth. Will be waiting for you no matter when or where you wake up. We live our lives like they may never end. As the feelings deep down are crying out let the moment begin. To become your savior and be you’re self: Mean whatever you say. You’ll be left surrounded, supported by the unavoidable truth. Will been waiting for you through thick and thin. Through love and sin, no matter when or where you wake up.
– Written by Reid Jamieson, Carolyn V. Mill RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic/electric guitar Michael Johnston: Piano – Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar Dave Clark: Drums – Bob Egan: Pedal steel guitar Mia Sheard: B/G vocal- Dave Celia: B/G vocal Jayme Stone: Banjo
5. Another Kind Of Man (3:04) Memories set in stone for years. Chisel out the minerals of morals buried deep. Unlearning takes a yearning heart. Perfect is a feeling that I hope to give to you. So open up your wounds to me, challenging as it may be. I’ll be trying harder than I ever have before. Put to rest your weathered fears, clean the dirt with honest tears. Build together trust, I’ll show you what I am, I can. Another kind of man. You deserve what’s never been, a spirit bursting at the seams. Listening and learning in the language that you know. Growing up but not inside, the fate of common man. In spite of this I’ll show you something. That I hope you’ll understand. Another kind of man. Another kind of man
– Written by Reid Jamieson & Carolyn V. Mill RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic/electric guitar Michael Johnston: Piano – Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar Dave Clark: Drums – Mia Sheard: B/G vocal Karen Graves: Violin – Kevin Manaugh: Electric guitar
6. Starting To Learn (2:58) Tell me, how to understand it. Feelings, that come to stay sometimes inside. The places I never seem to know enough about. But I’m starting to learn somehow. Fail me, it wouldn’t be the first time. Promises turned into maybe knots. But the knowledge that maybe it’s not under my control. And I’m starting to learn somehow. Anything stings my heart, in wintertime, or anytime. Pardon my shameless words. They speak what seems to be true. Now how could it be true? Where is the proof? It’s under our control. It’s under our… Tell me how you felt before I. Let my heart bleed onto your path again. Cause I’ve been waiting, what seems forever, Time and I have fought. But I’m starting to learn somehow To learn somehow. To learn… –
Written by Reid Jamieson RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic guitar (also available on The Noise In My Chest EP 2003)
7. The Sum Of Your Parts (3:43) I’ve been shining the flashlight of doubt, Been hiding my questions all in the dark. The batteries are almost used up, I’m anxious for daylight to come. And burn away the night’s despair. Grow fairytales from dark nightmares. Woken up by the sound of your voice. Woken up by the wisdom you proudly share. Selfless and selfish at once. All the needs, all the wants, all the cares. I’m lazy but I’m learning how to let go of my tongue. And tell you how… I’ve been adding up the sum of your parts. And the total is a full flavored heart. And I’m ready now to take on the world. It’s simple now a boy and girl. I’m sorry that it’s taken years, But aren’t their years to come? To tell you how… I’ve been adding up the sum of your parts. And the total is a good place to start. And I’m ready now to take on the world. It’s simple now a boy and girl make all the pleasure in the world. Turn all your worries into plans and never let go of my hand.
– Written by Reid Jamieson RJ: Lead/B/G vocals and acoustic/electric guitar Michael: Piano – Josh: Bass – Dave: Drums/percussion Jayme Stone: Banjo – Sarah Mcelcheran: Trumpet – Pete Elkas: B/G vocal
8. Common Problems (3:11) We spend ourselves learning to speak. The silent movie of the weak. A quiet tongue betrays, belies, and grows in size. Have patterns melted all the words so often said but rarely heard. The inner wealth, the outer shell, to break this spell we change ourselves. Throw away all your defenses. Talk them out these common problems. Tear them down these walls and fences. Smaller than you think they are. You can’t belittle the unknown, a work of art without a home. Habits in place, a mood enslaved, a passive face… And stubborn pride will always fail and lead to silence untold tales. Believe the smallest words can change, Turn blinded ways to brighter days. Throw away all your defenses. Talk them out these common problems. Tear them down these walls and fences. Smaller than you think they are. Half as anguished and half as far. A shared disaster teaches when an open mind and mouth begin.
– Written by Reid Jamieson & Carolyn V. Mill RJ: Lead vocal, B/G vocal and acoustic guitar Michael: Piano – Josh: Bass – Dave: Drums – Mia: B/G vocal Sarah Mcelcheran: Trumpet – Bob Egan: Pedal Steel
9. Paperback Fantasy (3:45) Here is a story that I used to know. It’s filled with a sorrow but will rise above any ill feelings. It started and ended and it taught me well. How many pages went by wishing they. Were not unconscious or unclear, I lost my count. All this truth, just a fairytale in paperback. I’ll speak to you slowly, I’ll pronounce my doubts. Listen for hopefulness in the grammar and proofread my folly. Tenderly press back on my dog-eared page. Words can only hope. To express the ageless wisdom printed on my face, It’s hidden well. All this truth, just a fairytale. In paperback. So you can fit it in your pocket. Where did I lose you? Maybe chapter one? It’s only in hindsight. Should have kept our reading glasses on. The pages blur. We lost our count. All this truth. Just a fairytale. In paperback. So you can fit it in your pocket, Change the picture in your locket. The ending came and made no sense at all. That was a story, that I used to love.
– Written by Reid Jamieson RJ, Lead vocal and acoustic/electric guitar Michael, Piano, accordion – Josh, Bass Dave, Drums Jayme Stone, Banjo – Karen Graves, Violin – Mia, B/G vocal
10. End Of The World Small Talk (1:53) A crowded room, a crowded head, Amidst the frowns I smile instead, But no one understands what I say It may be black, it could be blue, It may come from the heart of you, But no one understands what you say Please don’t ignore your pain, Please put it on your face, so I can kiss it away I don’t know you very well, But you’ve got secrets I can tell, Your eyes are searching for an exit All the treasure in the world, Couldn’t keep your flag unfurled, And we’re still standing in the darkness Please don’t ignore your pain, Please put it on your face, so I can kiss it , So I can kiss it, so I can kiss it away
– Written by Reid Jamieson RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic guitar Michael Johnston: Piano – Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar Dave Clark: Drums – John Southworth: B/G vocal Mia Sheard: B/G vocal – Jayme Stone: Banjo
11. Orange & Red (3:00) (for Poppy) With orange and red in the sky, And the coming of the night, You were standing In your Sunday best, Leave all your worries for the rest Of this small town That’s big enough to fit all your troubled times When your struggling is done, Will you meet me over by the river? That runs behind your home, The one I grew up always knowing Would protect me Moonlit backyard fire, And the laughter of the night Taken for granted I never got to say that I felt your love Though no words were there, I hope understanding reached you somehow You remind me of someone from 1951 I hear them singing In my head, my heart, I hope to never be apart From this feeling That you brought to the world, Such a gentle way And a family who loved You till the very last day you had
– Written by Reid Jamieson & Josh Finlayson RJ: Lead vocal and acoustic guitar Michael Johnston: Piano – Josh Finlayson: Bass guitar Dave Clark: Drums – Jayme Stone: Banjo – Gilbert Jamieson: B/G vocal
Thank you
Love & Thanks to: CVM, Molly Johnson, Carlos Gouveia, Lewis Melville & Tannis Slimmon, Josh Finlayson & Family, Dave Clark, Andy Maize, Michael Johnston, Earl Rosen, All the amazing folks at the Rivoli, the fine crew at MapleMusic, Davis, Daddy-O & Willy, Mumsy & the Mill girls, David Celia, Jason Raposo, Greg O’Shea, my peeps at Chapters, Keiko Ota, Lori Cullen, Kurt Swinghammer, Paul Thorpe, Rhonda Batson, Lois Gehan, Blue Rodeo, Gord Downie, Kerry Doole, Hillside, Boy & Jay, Hazlon, El Hausners, Midtown Repro, ‘Uncle’ Nick Lowe & Juniper. A round of applause for all the talented Artists who appear on this album, and to kind audiences everywhere, thank you for listening. Generous support from the Ontario Arts Council made this and many other fine recordings possible and I am grateful. Making music makes me happy.