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Godless Land

by The Lucky Losers

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    A one of a kind collector’s item, this T-shirt was designed by Grammy-nominated visual artist, John Seabury. This pre-punk icon appeared on hundreds of flyers for the late ‘70s noise-pop band Psycotic Pineapple. Educated at the San Francisco Art Institute, Seabury has created works for Kevin Gilbert, Moonalice, Radiohead, John Prine, George Clinton, Megadeth, Queens of the Stone Age, and more.

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    Nominated for FOUR 2021 Independent Blues Awards; Finalist 2020 International Songwriting Competition. A tour de force of blues, Jazz and Americana. The songs range from the topical to the traditional. This is the Lucky Losers at their very best. Since their inception vocalist Lemons has been consistently fine, their anchor. On “Godless Land” vocalist Berkowitz emerges with his finest performances. Andersen’s outstanding production results in one of the best contemporary blues albums of the year. (from Richard Ludmerer, Making A Scene).

    This vinyl album is made up of nine of the original songs.

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    Get all 6 The Lucky Losers releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Down in Memphis Town, May Every Day Be Christmas, Godless Land, Blind Spot, It Ain't Enough EP, and A Winning Hand. , and , .

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1.
Half a Nothing By Cathy Lemons/ BMI: Take No Prisoners © Cathy Lemons 1/21/2019, All Rights Reserved Half a nothin’ is nothing, y’all That's what I got Might say it again Half a nothin’ is nothing, y’all That's what we got Might say it again I see your pockets are full Well deal me in, I'll play the fool Sit down at your table, now Slap my leg up on the desk Just like the rest Now let's pretend That I matter, and ya wanna see me win Half a nothin’ is nothing, y’all That’s all we got Might as well, say it again Half a nothin’ is nothing, y’all That’s what we got might say it again Go ahead cut the cards And don't look so hard At my lousy hand Cheatin for you come natural But I'll shake your hand 'Cause I understand Gotta get paid , Mr. switchblade Gotta get paid Don't get in my way Hey, agh! The crime is Ain't that poor child stealing a car It's the fat man cooking the books Ain't the junkie on the street It's the bag man in the big house He's a crook Look at all that money you got But your eyes are red And a little bloodshot Movin’ up a little close Ya think I'm for sale Try to read my tell Now let's pretend In the laughter, that you’re gonna let me win AGH! Half a nothin’ just nothing y’all What we got Might as well say it again, oh lord Half a nothin’ just nothing y’all That’s all we got Might say it again I don’t mind that you got the money All I want, is to die in my boots Agh! Twist the grim smile, my way But I ain’t gonna play Less I get paid Half a nothin’ might be something When ya ain’t got nothing Don’t matter anyway (Mind over matter) Lord, twist the grim smile, baby (Mind over matter) Slap my leg up on your desk (Mind over matter) I can see ya coming, now Mind over matter Mind over matter
2.
Godless Land 06:57
Godless Land Lyrics/ Music, Cathy Lemons (BMI: Take No Prisoners), Kid Andersen, Music © Cathy Lemons 1/21/2019, All Rights Reserved I’m gonna tell ya’ll a little story, oh ya Out on that desert road And I believe, I might ‘a seen Jesus That’s right, come on, here we go, HA! Now listen! If Jesus came down from the starry night And saw the cars come flickering by If Jesus came down, I swear he would weep I pray my soul a heart to keep Watching a man walking in black I thought he was a ghost, but then he turned back Freezing cold, alone with no coat Wary of the air ‘bout to slit his throat Sign of the time, sign of the time We're Just mean and rotten No fruit on the vine Where is your heart, where is your hand Lost and forgotten in a godless land Back and forth alone he would walk Between an empty field and a mountain top No one seemed to notice, no one seemed to care Lord have mercy, if he'd freeze out there I seen him there four hours just before dawn No bed, no shelter, what is the man on Sign of the time, sign of the time We're Just mean and rotten No fruit on the vine Where is your heart, where is your hand Lost and forgotten in a godless land I said to myself better him than I Walkin’ on the edge of a deep black sky The land a grave if he just stands still The coiling cold ‘bout to make a kill I thought for a second maybe I should care But all I could do was watch him freeze out there I drove past the desert to the county road I didn’t do nothin’ to save my soul Sign of the time, sign of the time We're Just mean and rotten No fruit on the vine Where is your heart, where is your hand Lost and forgotten in a godless land Oh I wonder, sometimes, what’s wrong with me Oh I was the only car on the road that night And I looked out my window And I saw this man And he didn’t have no coat He didn’t have no hat He didn’t have nothin’ And he was walkin’ And there was snow And it was cold And he didn’t have nowhere to go Oh ya Ya see I coulda stopped my car And I could a helped him Because it was just me and him out there on that desert road And all you could see was a blanket of stars And he was kinda like walking on the sky like Jesus That’s what I was thinkin’ to myself What happens if this man was Jesus And we, we didn’t even see him Nobody stopped to help him Oh what’s the matter with us all now We’re just mean and rotten All Mean and rotten Lost and forgotten, ya It’s a godless land (godless land) I should care It’s godless land It’s godless land It’s godless land Sign of the time, sign of the time We’re just mean and rotten, no fruit on the vine Where is your heart, where is your hand Lost and forgotten in a godless land Lost and forgotten in a godless land Lost and forgotten in a godless land
3.
Mad Love is Good Love Written by Phil Berkowitz & Danny Caron/ BMI/ASCAP Nothing wrong with treading a dark path, baby As long as you ain’t blind Loneliness can give you the strength that you need To ease your worried mind Many mad moons, we spent doing time Nothin’ but time on a lonely ride Medication was the only way To kill that pain inside Mad love is good love, it fits like a new glove If it’s seen beyond a glimpse But my love is new love, as long as it’s true love No matter what anyone thinks Ra ra, hip hip hooray Baby just give me a try Did ya come to leave Or did ya come to stay Did you even ask yourself why So give it all ya got It’s worth a shot Then no one can take it away Dive into the deep end It’s worth it my friend There ain’t no other way Mad love is good love, it fits like a new glove If it’s seen beyond a glimpse But my love is new love, as long as it’s true love No matter what anyone thinks As I gaze out the window, at the smoky hills My memories fade, into space Days of wine and roses, and every cheap thrill Can’t ya see it on the lines of my face Mad love is good love, it fits like a new glove If it’s seen beyond a glimpse But my love is new love, as long as it’s true love No matter what anyone thinks Mad love is good love Mad love is good love Mad love is good love Mad love is good love Mad love Talkin’ ‘bout mad love, baby Come on! Give me that love! I can’t stand it, without your love Every night, every minute, every hour Come on baby! Give me that good love! Yaaaaaa!
4.
No Good Lover Written by Mickey Baker and Sylvia Vanderpool, BMI You’re a no good lover, and you know ya done me wrong You’re a no good lover, and ya know ya done me wrong Ah but one day baby, I know you’ll sing my song If you treated me right, I never would have roamed If you treated me right, I never would have roamed You can build me a mansion, baby, but I never will come back home You standing there Say ya won’ be back Took all a my money Bought a Cadillac I’m on my way On my way to stay Goodbye goodbye All I got to say You’re a no good lover and ya know ya done me wrong You’re a no good lover and ya know ya done me wrong Ah but one day baby I know you’ll sing my song Start singing! You start singing! Of all the things, I done for you Who’d think that you, would be untrue If I’m untrue, don’t blame poor me Cause it was you who made me see I had better start moving Move on down the line Better start moving Move on down the line That mean way of yours Drives me out of my mind Keep on moving Move on down the line Keep on moving Move on down the line That mean way of yours Drives me out of my mind Keep on moving Move on down the line That mean way of yours Drives me out of my mind
5.
Be You 04:48
BE YOU Written by Doc Pomus and Mack Rebennack I’ll be your imagination If you forget how to pretend And when you only got a beginning I’ll be your end When everything falls apart I’ll be your brand new start All you got to do, baby Is be you Be you All you got to do baby Is be you I’ll be your every kind of money When your down to last dime I’ll be your year or two When you’re runnin, out of time If you star don’t ever shine You’ll still be that little light of mine All you got to do, baby Is be you Be you All you got to do baby Is be you I’ll come up with something As long as you are somewhere No matter where or when you need me I’m gonna get it there I’ll be your granulated sugar When you’re craving something sweet If you’re out of synch I’ll get ya back on the beat You’re still my horse and case If you never ever win the race All you got to do, baby Is be you All you got to do, baby Is be you, now I’ll be your super-fast express When your train is running slow When the signs all stay stop I’ll make ‘em all say go And if your star don’t shine You’ll still be that little light of mine All you got to do, baby Is be you, now, be you All you got to do, baby Is be you, be you All you got to do, baby Just be you Be you
6.
CATCH DESIRE BY THE TAIL Written by Cathy Lemons (BMI: Take No Prisoners) & Phil Berkowitz (BMI) Catch desire by the tail Don't wait long to get it Here today, tomorrow gone So don’t you forget it. You drive me crazy like no other man I find you exquisite Come on baby and raise your hand I ain’t scared a bit Sure nuff, good stuff Pleases me, to a tea Can't live without it, so give it to me You’re my sugar baby, you’re my sugar baby, You got the curves that curl me up My spring is getting ready You got me spinnin’ like a top Sure ain't walkin’ steady You got me feeling l can do anything Yes you raise my spirit It’s time to grab that big brass ring So baby don’t you fear it I’m smooth (Phil) Well I’m rough (Cathy) I talk quiet (Phil) I talk tough (Cathy) But we got what it takes, and that’s enough (together) You’re my sugar baby, you’re my sugar baby! Don’t burn the candle down, too low Keep the fire burning flames ain’t for miss so and so I’m the one that’s yearnin’ I can't stand it when you say we're through I won't last a minute I’d be nothin’ without you Besides I’d throw a fit I’m calm (Phil) Well I’m a time bomb (Cathy) You say I’m green (Phil) I like to be mean (Cathy) But when we are together, it’s, like a dream (together) You’re my sugar baby, sugar baby Catch desire while you can Yes I’m in a hurry Come what may, I’ll be your man So baby, don’t you worry Come on baby, take a second chance I know you won’t regret it Luck might just save our romance If you’ll only let it I’m tall (Phil) Well I’m petite (Cathy) You a little bitter (Phil) But you sweet ( Cathy) Can't live without it, so give it to me (together) You’re my sugar baby, you’re my sugar baby We ain’t birds of a feather (Cathy) But we’ll stick together (Phil) In times of doubt (Cathy) We’ll work it out (Phil) Cuz your my sugar baby (Cathy) No you’re my sugar baby (Phil) And that’s how it’s gonna be! (together)
7.
LEAVE YOU ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD Written by Cathy Lemons, BMI: Take No Prisoners I been running all my life, even when I got the knife Seems I falter now, when I got the gun You have worn me down so long Kindness well it must be wrong Memphis is two hours from us now Heartbeat highway in my ear, dragging up a mighty fear Yes we really are so all alone Blackened pairing of a yellow line Running through me all the time A coward or a man, you let me know Leave you on the side of the road See that liar in the front, he tells me just what I want His girlfriend plays him, Lord, just like a bow Dancer whispers in his ear She squats down in my rearview mirror She's got a plot, and he will make it so Heartbeat highway in my ear, dragging up a mighty fear Yes we really are so all alone Blackened pairing of a yellow line Running through me all the time A coward or a man, you let me know Leave you on the side of the road You see me smile and pretend Surrounded by so many men It's little me that is your deadly foe Don't hear a sound, don't turn around Ya won't see me coming, now shove it down No mercy for a child that won't grow old Heartbeat highway in my ear, dragging up a mighty fear Yes we really are so all alone Blackened pairing of a yellow line Running through me all the time A coward or a man, you let me know Leave you on the side of the road I will Oh oh Mm (Leave you on the side of the road) On the side of the road, baby, right there See that motel, well you can check in right there We gonna gas up (Leave you on the side of the road) Get your stuff out of my van! Take it all! You can get your little white trash bag, and your guitar And tell your mama on the phone, it’s time to… (Leave you on the of the road) Oh ya (Leave you on the side) Oh look behind us boys (Leave you on the side) Ya see him (He’s on the side of the road) Ya see out there? Now we can breathe (Leave you on the side) Oh I will (Leave you on the side) Leave you on the side of the road Hey hey hey! Leave you on the side, Leave you on the side, Leave you on the side of the road
8.
CAN’T KEEP PRETENDING Written By Phil Berkowitz & Danny Caron, BMI/ASCAP I can’t believe I realize What lies within my soul Been a fool too many times Now it’s time to take control Perhaps I’m asking too much I don’t know what to think I feel so out of touch Should I go see another shrink If you can’t hear my song Then it’s time to move along Cuz I just can’t keep pretending…any more The things I intend to do Well they never turn out the same It is me or is it you well who else can I blame It’s time to pull up stakes And start all over again If we can’t learn from our mistakes Then our hearts will never mend Listen to my plea And come along with me Cause I just can’t keep pretending any more Can’t keep pretending Ooo Can’t keep pretending Ya! Somes ya gotta march to the beat, of a different drum Don't let what people say, get in the way of who you are, or what you can become! Went down to the marketplace To get some Wild Mountain Honey I’m at the wrong end of the race And I’m yet to make real money But time keeps marching on Busy bees keep a-buzzin’ Someday we’ll all be gone So give it that extra somethin’ Listen to my song And you know where we belong In a love that’s never ending Ever more Can’t keep pretending Anymore Can’t keep pretending Anymore
9.
MY ONE GOOD EYE Written by Cathy Lemons, BMI: Take No Prisoners With my one good eye I heard the knock on my door I thought I told ‘em Don't live here no more So I crept up close to the keyhole I didn’t see nothing But I seen ‘em all before When they come for you Lord knows, They come for us all That’s how it works Well a hush fell down Like a shadowed tree So I slipped through the back door Ran into the reeds I made a weave for the wood And the wind was high All the leaves were scratchin’ Against a clear glass sky When they come for you Lord knows, They come for us all That’s just how it works I got down to the river Then I froze like a stone I saw a man and a baby child Floating along They was face down still Near the muddy dirt Her tiny white hand caught Beneath her daddy’s black short They gonna bind your lips They gonna bind your eyes They gonna bind your wings So you can't fly They gonna track you down Shine a light in your face Ya can’t see nothin’ Lord, ‘cause there is no place When they come for you Lord knows, They come for us all That’s how it works They gonna bind your lips Gonna bind your hips They got ya moving slow Ya, with your head down low Somebody better look I said somebody better look Oh, Oh Somebody better look I said it’s not too late To save the plate
10.
WHAT MAKES YOU ACT LIKE Written by Lonnie Johnson, BMI You the only one I met Baby, that’s got something That I can’t get What Makes you act like that What Makes you act like that Ain’t no way to treat me What Make you act like that Every time, that I see you You got somethin’, else to do That make me act like that That’s why I act like that Ain’t no way to treat me That’s why I act like that Now you know just what I'm wild about Mama, you got it, but you just ain't puttin' out What makes you act like that? Oh, what makes you act like that? That ain't no way to treat me. What makes you act like that? Could be I'm not givin' away anything. [spoken words] I want some of that dough you got, but you say that you will not. That's why I act like that. That's what make me act like that That ain't no way to treat me. That's why I act like that. Now baby, you don't make the others pay But still you turn me down, each and every day Why do you act like that? Oh, what makes you act like that? It’s what I want. [spoken words] Ain't no way to treat me What makes you act like that Why do you keep on hangin' round When you know that I turned you down What makes you act like that? Why do you keep on actin' like that That ain't no way to treat me. What makes you act like that
11.
THE GOOD FIGHT Written by Phil Berkowitz & Danny Caron, BMI/ASCAP When I think of all the hurt and anger in this world It just makes me wanna run and hide Cuz every time I think I’ve found a new place to go It all still tears me up inside But you know I wanna fight, the good fight Lift things up and never tear them down In a moment’s notice from the heart, I’ll be waiting For something to bring me back around Can’t seem to find the beauty that I was searchin’ for Or how it felt so good to be alive I wasted all my time on what I thought was right or wrong I was standin’ still while life just passed me by But you know I wanna fight, the good fight That’s why I’m here, singin’ you this song It tapped me on the shoulder and it made me see the light Took me to the place where I belong If you need someone to talk to, I’ll be there If you need a helping hand, I’ll give you mine With no expectations or reservations I’ll surrender to the truth and I’ll be fine It’s all a game we play to keep the devil at bay A desert mirage in the sand that keeps us searchin’ in vain Cuz when you start that no one cares in the depths of your despair A new voice will shine through in the pouring rain So now we’re gonna learn to fight the good fight Let’s lay down the gloves where they belong Better take a standing eight What does not kill us, only makes us strong Oh Ya!
12.
THE RAGGED HEART Written by Cathy Lemons, BMI: Take No Prisoners The ragged heart With a razor's edge Still standing there On the ledge Ready to fly out My final cry I’m staring down into a city sky You get a ragged heart When you live too long You get a ragged heart That goes on beating And beating And beating You would never know I have such thoughts My face is calm Like a soft sea caught I have lived too long I have lost my way Contemplating murder In a quiet way You get a ragged heart When you live too long You get a ragged heart That goes on beating And beating And beating No needle now No flowing tears No safety pin To stitch the fear It’s a chance we take When we live too long We get a ragged heart Just goes along I got a ragged heart ‘Cause I lived too long I got a ragged heart That goes on beating And beating And beating And beating, and beating, just beating, and beating I’m Hangin’ on I’m Hangin’ on I’m Hangin’ on Just beating And beating And beating I’m beaten Beaten Still beating Beat

about

Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz are San Francisco’s dynamic duo The Lucky Losers. They and their band have released what I think is their best effort yet with Godless Land. Their third release Blind Spot was a good one, but to me this one takes the cake; their fourth effort mixes blues and funk and jazz and honky tonk and R&B for a fun ride through 12 original and very fine cuts. They wrote 9 of the tracks between them and 3 were written for their use here.

Whether they are commenting on the tragedy of what we call today or the tragedy of a love lost, these two really deliver the goods. The songs are tight, the music and lyrics are great, the performances are crisp and they sing with great emotion. I’ve listened to all their recordings and this really tops all their prior stuff and they’ve done some really good stuff before this. I was very impressed and highly recommend this one!

— Steve Jones, Blues Blast Magazine, August 6, 2020

credits

released August 14, 2020

The Lucky Losers with Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz

“Godless Land”

TRACK LISTING:
Tracks 1,2,7,9,12
Lemons/ BMI

Track 3,8,11
Berkowitz/Caron BMI/ASCAP

Track 6
Lemons/Berkowitz/ BMI

Track 4 Baker/Vanderpool /BMI
Track 5 Pomus/Rebennack/ BMI
Track 10 Johnson /BMI

Title: Godless Land
Label: Vizztone
Catalog: VT-LL-01
Genre: Blues, Soul, Americana
Packaging: Digipack: $14.99
UPC: 634457024007
Distributor: Redeye

All tracks are suitable for airplay according to FCC standards. Suggested tracks: 2,3,6.

San Francisco’s finest male/female duet fronted band, The Lucky Losers, established themselves as top tier performers with their album “Blind Spot” when they won a coveted 2019 Independent Blues Award for Best Blues-Soul Artist. Now Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz are back with their much-anticipated 4th album, “Godless Land” on Vizztone Records.” “Godless Land” features nine remarkably creative original compositions and three rare covers originally performed by Irma Thomas and Dr. John, Mickey & Sylvia, and Lonnie Johnson and Clara Smith. Their music is steeped in the blues tradition, yet it draws from a variety of American roots music genres that span from the jazzy blues of 1920’s up to the early soul & R&B of the 1970’s. No two songs are alike. While Lemons writes about present day events such as the drowning of a father and daughter along the US border (“My One Good Eye”) or our society’s callous treatment of the poor and homeless (“Godless Land”), Berkowitz delves into introspective topics about love and relationships (“Can’t Keep Pretending” and “The Good Fight”). A song they wrote together (“Catch Desire by The Tail”) shows just how these opposites attract, using both charm and humor. The musicianship on this album is superb, with Berkowitz blazing the trail with some of his finest harmonica playing to date. Multi-instrumentalist, Kid Andersen, plays seven instruments on this album, including an outstanding lap steel lead on the true story tale of road madness and mayhem in “Leave You On the Side of the Road”.


Produced by Kid Andersen

Recorded at Greaseland Studios, San Jose, CA
Mixing & Mastering (All tracks): Kid Andersen
Vocal Assistance: Raz Kennedy (3,5, 8, 11)
Vocal Assistance: Danny Caron (8); Ben Rice (11)
Vocal arrangements, Kid Andersen (2,6,7,8,12)

Horn arrangements: Michael Peloquin

Graphic Design: Maurice Tani
Photography: Myron Mu

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The Lucky Losers San Francisco, California

Winners of 5 Independent Blues Awards in 2021 for "Godless Land". Blues, soul, old school retro, genre bending sonic films with political and social subject matter as well as great male female lead singing with harmony.

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