Back Porch Bloomington is underwritten in part by a grant from Cook Incorporated. Tired of living the
way I've been, gotta get back to my roots again. Blackboard house ain't a good use car, take me back
with a plainote saw.
and Jones and Johnson and Brown, a couple long moves that you can't pronounce. Welcome me back to the
neighborhood with a casserole dish and a neighbor cook. Folks next door, the kids grown up, inviting
me down to the Polish club. Drink a little beer, maybe play a little cards. Take me back where the plain
folks are.
12 on Friday night, Saturday morning head outside, paint the shutters, say mow the lawn, I say watch
a car with the radio on, any outside round 6 also for a home-cooked dinner then a TV show, back on the
front porch, stare at the stars, take me back where the plane folks are.
My eyes think what I've learned. Open them up and the calendar turn. Folks grow older, they move away.
Thinking about facts from day to day. So when I'm tired of the life I've lived. Sick of living inside
my head. You find me talking about a brand new start. Take me back where the plain folks are. Take me
back where the plain folks are.
Thank you. Raise this mic a bit so my posture is good. Sister Mary Evangelist would appreciate that.
I thought so. We don't play this tune very often because there are not many places we play that have
a nice, slightly out of tune piano like this one.
slightly out of tune being an absolute necessity if you're playing with us. And you're a piano. Yeah.
Nones taught me on one of these too. Ready. Dial that saxophone. One, two, a one, two, three, yeah.
to the deep light sequence. Whatever the good lights thirst. You know what sounds the right to dance.
It's here you determine they're worth. They got their ears on blue to the broadcast. They groove to
the static tones. They got a cause and a recognition as they're running to the telephone. Hear the footsteps
coming from the back of the room.
A dial that saxophone A dial that saxophone Now you've heard them blow slow on the radio A dial that
saxophone A dial that saxophone A dial that saxophone Now you've heard them blow slow on the radio A
dial that saxophone
light in an airless room from a building south of the bank town. It's a blinking light from a thousand
feet. A big song passing around. Their heads all shaking to the broadcast. They groove to the static
tone. They had a cold sweat of recognition as they're running to the telephone. They hear the boys keep
singing as the phones keep ringing.
A dial that's saxophone. A dial that's saxophone. I have heard him roll slow on the radio. Dial, dial,
dial, dial, dial, dial, dial. A dial that's saxophone. A dial that's saxophone. I have heard him roll
slow on the radio. A dial that's saxophone.
They are the cause for the recognition.
that was in one of the newspapers hidden on page three or four. Whenever it's sort of bad news about
the country, they put it in three and four. This particular piece of news was about what they expect
the workforce to be like. In the year 2000, not very good news, especially if you like benefits and
working full-time and working for more than four bucks an hour. Oh, by 2000, we'll probably be up to 550.
Anyway, I don't think it will affect your paper route, no. Well, this tune is entitled, I Need a Job,
and it's about crossing the strike line. One, two, one, two, three.
I left home to job last Friday night Where houses built for us ain't last Work 16 hours, get paid in
cash Work 24 hours, go home and strive Picking line was stretching long outside I need a job, but not that bad
People strike and they got no work. Poor families are the first ones hurt. Maybe better hours, or better
pay. Maybe it's the worse of any work. Now do I lose the only friends I have? I need a job, but not
time to time.
A job but not that bad, pal. Jump a vine and cop a gun to make me mad. So I stopped the car and I turned
around. I've gone to the engine, went back to town. It's another week without something, sure.
I don't want to work for no firm like that. I need a job and I've had it bad. Mark Robinson.
So I stopped the car and I turned around.
I want to work for no crime I'd like I need a job, but not bad, bad I need a job, but not bad, bad I
need a job, I need a job Yeah.
dedicated to Shirley Temple Black entitled Curly Little Shirley.
I've seen her in the movies, I've seen her in the magazine. I remember love eternal even when I work
a handheld dream. Well, she looks so good in lipstick and a strona pose. I was helpless as a baby when
she starts her pose.
She was frozen on a pussy, we'd grown up as a child, couldn't be. Well, I must have been a pal when
I was younger than this. The only thing I'm looking for is one little kiss. Sometimes she acts precocious,
I know she's just an average girl.
She might be six years out of diverse, but to me, she's still a bride to me. Well, I know that in the
40s, she'll mean nothing at all. By then, I'll probably graduate to law and book hall. Got cars born
in the spring and know my taste good.
I wish you were mine. I know she's just an average girl.
Thank you. Our guest for tonight, Mr. Art Heckman.
This is a song called Real.
doesn't care how you feel. It just stacks the deck. It doesn't deal. No, but it's real life. Real. I
was just a boy.
a bunch of other boys underneath the palm trees. We used to sit in the sand and speculate about the
real world waiting back in the states. And then we all went home to no applause.
Nobody cheers for a soldier in the lost cause. So welcome to the real world, but it ain't pretty, but
it's real. It may not be in your best interest, but it doesn't care how you feel. It just stacks the
deck, it doesn't feel.
free.
the Lord I found her. My day is not right if I can't put my arms around her. Still I lie awake at night,
trying to comprehend the worst dream I ever had. I'll never fall in love again. And I stay out late.
just to be alone. When the music stops, there's no place to go but home. Now that's real love. Well,
it ain't pretty, but it's real. May not be in your best interest. It doesn't care how you feel. It's
just actually there because you
as is he.
This next tune is definitely a song for this season. It took me a year, most of the year to write it,
through a wet spell, into a dry spell. It seemed like the completion was the essence of the song, and
it's called I Wish It Would Rain.
I wish it would rain just to wash the air I hate to complain but what else can I say When the blue sky
reminds me of blue wings
I wish the clouds would cover the skies And I wish it would rain I wish it would rain Just to wash away
my tears They're all that remain Of this sadness that appears When the sun shines
And all I can see is her face As I stare into space I wish it would rain With the sun bearing down A
shadow keeps following me But it would surely fade If a little rain could remain
I wish it would rain just to clear the air. They're set on the dust, stirred up by this last affair.
But it's so dry, sometimes it binds me with a catch in my throat. And I can't sing another note.
And I wish it
it would rain just to clear the air and settle the dust stirred up by this last affair cause it's so
dry sometimes it binds me with the catch in my throat and I can't sing another
I can't sing another note and I wish it would rain I can't sing another note and I wish it would rain
This next tune, it's one of my attempts at writing a Hoagy Carmichael tune
You can't do that anymore, of course, but you can't kill a man for trying. So this tune is called The
Street Sweeper Song.
Here come that old street sweeper Sweeping down the street He got a smile upon his face For all he means
People merely passing by He don't even know
always look them in the eye and smile and say hello. Sometimes he'd do a little dance, shuffling his
feet. And you can see the people, they're all laughing.
As the way he makes his living the whole day long Sang in that street sweeper's zone
little dance shuffling his feet and you can see the people they're all laughing as the way he makes
his living the whole day long singing that street
song.
It's called Will's King. Milton Brown and the Brownies. That's right. The tune's called Fanning, and
it's not inappropriate for this time of year.
If this song's too hot, cool it if you can. You better run out and get yourself a five cent. Fan it,
fan it. Fan it, fan it and cool it, honey, till the cows come home. I got myself a new gal, and her
name is Sue. She said to make me love you, honey, tell you what you do. You just fan it, fan it, fan it.
the cows come home. My mama's in the kitchen, just heard that back door slam. I'm out of that kitchen,
honey, quit your scorching that ham and just
I spent six months in jail, my back turned to the wall
What's the cause of it all? So just ban it, ban it, ban it and cool it, honey, till the cows come home.
I'm going to do a little hometown music. This is a tune I wrote with my good buddy Eric Rosser, sort
of over the telephone. It's the only song I ever collaborated with anybody with. I guess it takes that
much distance to do that.
This is the Bloomington song. Traveling on a bum or on a Queen Mary You're so very precariously far
from home Sleeping on the ground or in a Waldorf Astoria
You wonder what's in it for you when you're all alone You long for the glories, the stories, the quarries
Of a certain fair city Named in this little detail Oh, Bloomington, Bloomington Rocking chair and a
bottle of gin
Singing the blues in the moonlight on an old stone porch Taking a swim with your sweetie in the reservoir
And if you ever chance to roam Well you can ride to the place that you call home 47401 Indiana, USA
Lounging by a pool
Looking out on the ocean at the palm trees in motion from a tropic breeze. Eating papaya, drinking piña
colada, a resounding zanada puts your guests at ease. But your satisfaction with this action is merely
fractional compared to your best turn.
In a city midwestern, oh Bloomington, Bloomington Rocking chair and a bottle of gin Singing the blues
in the moonlight on that old stone porch Taking a swim with your sweetie in the reservoir And if you
ever chance to roam Then you can ride to the place we all call home
47401 Indiana 47401 Indiana USA
Thank you. Thank you. You're very kind. So if Kathy Norton and Yadio are around here, they could help
me do this next.
though I may try and try no one can satisfy this longing in me I'll never be free from your smile so
tender sweet surrender of your eyes how can I be free when I still
remember how you thrilled me with a sigh just like a chain bound to my heart. Your love remains when
we're apart. Each kiss I gave to you made me a slave to you. I'll never be
never be free from your smile so tender sweet surrender of your eyes how can I be free when I still
remember how you thrilled me with a sigh just like a chain bound to my heart your love remains
Each kiss I gave to you Made me a slave to you I'll never be free Each kiss I gave to you Made me a
slave to you I'll never be free
done with.
That was one of the questions. Will we be able to tell when I take Cathy's cord and plug it into mine?
You didn't notice, did you? This is a tune called Take It or Leave It.
Did you leave it be the way it was? You're taking my love with all your tongues I'm giving it up with
open arms Don't you mess with my love, did you leave it? Don't start what you can't finish, says my
mama Leave well enough alone, don't be a fool While you're making eyes at me, remember
My love is no exception to the rules. Well, now take it or leave it, just the way you found it. Take
it or leave it, be the way it was. Well, you've taken my love with all your charm. I'm giving it up
with open arms. Don't you mess with my love, take it or leave it.
Is it all a dream or am I falling? Head over heels in love with you Tell me I don't need to worry darling
Tell me that your love for me is true Take it or leave it just the way you found it Take it or leave
it be the way it was
my love with all you've done. You're giving it up with open arms. Don't you miss my love? If you're
gonna leave it, take it more.
Take it or leave it just the way you found it Take it or leave it be the way it was You've taken my
love with all your charms I've given it up with open arms Don't you mess with my love Take it or leave
it I said don't you mess with my love Take it or leave it Don't mess, don't mess with my love Take it
or leave it
Thank you. Thank you. This next tune, I wrote for some good friends of mine who were getting married
for both of them for the second time around. And you know, it's good to know when you get to be my age,
which isn't real old, you understand. Thanks, Lenny. I knew I could count on you.
I kept quiet, you notice that. It's just a little bit younger than you are, Lenny. Not much. That you
can still fall in love and still get swept off your feet. And this is what this is about. It's called
Never Have I Known a Love Like You.
Other times and other places have I lived before Other looks and other faces linger here no more But
there's no need for explanation
I managed to survive Playing parts and guessing answers Never knowing why You took the time to understand
me Your gentle love came through Never have I known a love like you
Your smile begins a melody Your touch completes so lovingly Your eyes reflect a part of me
playing parts and guessing answers never knowing why you took the time to understand me your gentle
love came through never have I known a love like you
like you. No, never have I known a friend
We've got one more tune for you. This is a tune that I co-wrote with a good friend of mine, David Frauman.
I have to give him half credit for this. It's a rock and roll tune called I'm Not in Love Anymore.
Thank you. Very pretty and talented, too. Kathy Spiaggia, Kathy Norton. We had a...
explain this little piece of hardware here on the piano. It's a bowling trophy, the American Legion
President's Award in 1985. And I'm ashamed to say I bought it at the Salvation Army for 75 cents. But
my bowling game ain't bad. It's genetic to Polish people that they can bowl halfway decently. I've got
a good hook.
put it up here for inspiration alright this tune is I bowl these games for you
You must know it's true. I love you, baby. You must know it's true. For over 15 years, I've only saved for you.
The TV set that matched the crystal set I want them all for you You spend those nights alone But ain't
it nice to know You helped to win them too I get scared when I told that lie
Think back on your sweet face. I feel fine. I love you, baby. You must know it's true.
I know this one. You know I can't be found I'm sitting here all alone
If you can't come around, at least on the telephone, now don't be cruel.
made you mad. A little something that I might have said. Oh, please let's forget the past. Because the
future looks bright ahead. Now don't be cruel.
way hard it's true
Oh, honeybunch. Yeah, honeybunch. Why don't you sell that joint and come away with me? Today you got
a phone call from that man downtown. He wrote that letter you threw away. It's Monday, 9 o'clock. He'll
tell you what they found. On it that his office made a year of taxes you haven't paid. Honeybunch. Yeah,
honeybunch.
Why do you do those things you do now the government's hounding you? Oh, honey bunch, yeah, oh,
honey bunch, why don't you sell that joint and come away with me? Back Porch Bloomington is underwritten
in part by a grant
from Cook Incorporated.