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Evidence Concerning Apparitions

by Mike Lawson & Friends

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1.
The Thrill is Gone 07:10 video
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The thrill is gone
 The thrill is gone away
 The thrill is gone 
The thrill is gone away
 You know you done me wrong And you'll be sorry someday The thrill is gone 
It's gone away from me
 The thrill is gone The thrill is gone away from me
 Although I'll still live on
 But so lonely I'll be The thrill is gone 
It's gone away for good
 The thrill is gone It's gone away for good
 Someday I know I'll be over it all baby
 Just like I know a good man should You know I'm free, free now baby 
I'm free from your spell
 I'm free, free now 
I'm free from your spell
 Now that it's over
 All I can do is wish you well Now that it's over
 All I can do is wish you well Now that it's over
 All I can do is wish you well Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins Universal Music-Careers
2.
Breaking Down 04:00 video
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Yesterday she was standing there with her hair of gold blowing through the air As the sun shone upon her face she was tumbling down falling far from grace And I… Couldn’t help but see something on her mind and it wasn’t me And she… Looked at me and said “If you can’t find love you’d be better off dead” Breaking down… Breaking down down down Breaking down Breaking down down down Breaking down Tomorrow night she’ll be going out looking for the things that she’s done without And she… Looking for to fill all the emptiness that’s inside her still And I… will be waiting here hoping she’ll understand that I hold her dear In my heart… Where she just won’t go and when she walks away I just feel so low Breaking down… Breaking down down down Breaking down Breaking down down down Breaking down She’s the one… Lord I love her so, but a foolish heart with no let her know I’m the one… That she really needs, does she really not know it’s my heart that bleed When she… Goes out to find true love while I’m praying here to the Lord above Does He hear… A single word I pray, why do I always have to feel this way Breaking down… Breaking down down down Breaking down Breaking down down down Breaking down Words and Music by Mike Lawson © 2020 Psychotronic Music - BMI
3.
The Crippled Lion 03:28
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Slowly I walk through the gently falling rain I know that I will never pass this way again Never wondering why Teardrops chafing my eyes Longing to be where the noted kisses fall Lingering and still, while quietly they tell their all Blue is the color of the sun And nothing stops when everything is done Now my whole world opens up in different rhymes and tunes With highways making up the verse And then suddenly I see the light of something called the moon And though my path is planned, it's not rehearsed So I move along to the next thing on the list Knowing full-well that some of them just don't exist But I am finally alone And where my foot steps down is where it's home So I move along to the next thing on the list Knowing full-well that some of them just don't exist But I am finally alone And where my foot steps down is where it's home And where my foot steps down is where it's home Robert M Nesmith Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.
4.
A Beautiful Harmony 03:37 video
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I been drinking and it got me started thinking 'bout the way I been really glad Yeah I been knowing 'bout the way things is going and baby that ain't too bad You I been showing that the knowing is growing that the way that it ought to be Cuz I aint' stress 'bout the way you been messing but baby how you blessing me Right now we got the when and how Even if a bit off key Hey, wow! We got the here and now and it's a beautiful harmony We been kicking it and even chicken picking in and throwing up a real big fuss Working hard 'til Friday, raising hell Saturday, Sunday morning just for us Now we done spent it all, what the hell we had a ball, that's the way that it ought to be Cuz we ain't confessing to the way we been messing but baby how you blessing me Right now we got the when and how Even if a bit off key Hey, wow! We got the here and now and it's a beautiful harmony I been working it, and you be just a little bit It's getting kind of out of hand But you been remaking me and even overtaking me Heading to the promised land And we start to glowing when the loving is a flowing That's the way that it ought to be Then you start undressing and I start confessing oh baby how you blessing me Right now we got the when and how Even if a bit off key Hey, wow! We got the here and now and it's a beautiful harmony Words/Music Mike Lawson Psychotronic Music – BMI
5.
Seeds and Stems Again Blues 03:58 video
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I'm sittin alone, Saturday night, Watching the Late Late Show. A bottle of wine, some cigarettes, I got no place to go. Well, I saw your other man today; He was wearing my brand new shoes, And I'm down to seeds and stems again, too. Well, I met my old friend Bob today From up in Bowling Green; He had the prettiest little gal That I'd ever seen. But I couldn't hide my tears at all, Cause she looked just like you, And I'm down to seeds and stems again, too. Now everybody tells me There's other ways to get high. They don't seem to understand I'm too far gone to try. Now these lonely memories, They're all I can't lose, And I'm down to seeds and stems again, too. Well my dog died just yesterday And left me all alone. The finance company dropped by today And repossessed my home. But that's just a drop in the bucket Compared to losing you, And I'm down to seeds and stems again, too. Got the Down to Seeds an Stems again Blues. Songwriters: Billy Farlow / George Frayne Seeds and Stems (Again) lyrics © Ozone Music, Ozone Music Pub Co
6.
Let My Love Shine (Always Over You) 03:56 video
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Till the end of time I'll be there for you Don't care where you wander Don't care what you do I'll be there beside you Though your hardest day I will never leave you Tomorrow or today Anytime you need me When you lose your way When you think of me When you call my name You will know I love you Always feel the same Let my love shine always over you Let my love shine always over you When you're sad or lonely When you're feeling low When you're out of time When you're running slow You don't need to worry You don't need to fear When you call my name I am always near I'm forever with you Always by your side Even when you're frightened Even when you hide Let my love shine always over you Let my love shine always over you Let my love shine always over you Let my love shine always over you Let my love shine always over you Let my love shine always over you Words/Music Mike Lawson Psychotronic Music – BMI
7.
Wild Horses 06:17
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Childhood living Is easy to do The things you wanted I bought them for you Graceless lady You know who I am You know I can't let you Slide through my hands Wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses Couldn't drag me away I watched you suffer A dull aching pain Now you've decided To show me the same No sweeping exit Or offstage lines Could make me feel bitter Or treat you unkind Wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses Couldn't drag me away I know I've dreamed you A sin and a lie I have my freedom But I don't have much time Faith has been broken Tears must be cried Let's do some living After we die Wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses Couldn't drag me away Keith Richards / Mick Jagger © Abkco Music Inc.
8.
Two Ships 04:08
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She said, “You’re so nice. You just can’t be real. I never thought I’d meet anyone who makes me feel…..” “Easy and free, allowed to be me, I’ve been hurt before now I’m trying so hard just to learn how to be.” “Alone here with me, waiting to see. I’m still afraid that what we could have never can be.” I said, “My worst fear, in letting you near, is putting you close to my heart from the start and then you disappear.” “Into the night, me here alone, wondering waiting, and sitting down here on my own with the phone.” “But it doesn’t ring, you never call, and once again I will lose in the end and prepare for a fall” We’re two sailing ships that survived wicked weather, sailing the ocean alone to safe harbor now we’re docked together. Two different journeys that led us to here, now the storms have all calmed is there nothing to fear? She said, “I’m afraid. I’m waiting to see. If you turn out to be somebody else than who you want to be.” “What if I find, you’re really not kind? Am I really ready to risk going out of mind?” “If you’re not true, if you’re not real. I never thought that I’d meet anyone who’d make me feel…..” I said, “I know. It hurt to let go. Walking away from a past that’s been all that you know.” “We can move slow, see where we go. We’re in no hurry so we shouldn’t worry on things we can’t know.” We’re two sailing ships that survived wicked weather, sailing the ocean alone to safe harbor now we’re docked together. Two different journeys that led us to here, now the storms have all calmed is there nothing to fear? “So let’s try and see, come on with me. Both holding hands as we’re walking along all alone you and me.” Into the night…..
9.
Win Like This Again 03:58
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Well some men bet on ponies some be playing football pools Blackjack poker slot machines a bunch of gambling fools The puit all on even odd or put it red or black Chasing down them tumbling dice they never get it back This here man is smart enough to quit when he's ahead Ain't no woman like my woman don't you be mislead It's just a waste of time and there ain't no use to buy No scratch off tickets from the liquor store that's right near buy No point in wishbone breaking, even wishing on a star Ain't going on the TV try to win no brand new car Cuz she's the best thing in my life I ever hope to win And I ain't gonna push my luck won't win like this again Hey baby don't you take this wrong but I know that my luck has just run out Cash my chips in now cuz I know what the game of love is all about And I ain't bluffing holding her I got a royal flush right in my hand I just hit the jackpot I'm the world's very richest lucky man My woman she's so wonderful she's everything my all Save my money now ain't wasting none on powerball Oh the way she love me it's too much for me to say Don't read my fortune man I love it ever single day Cuz she's the best thing in my life I ever hope to win And I ain't gonna push my luck won't win like this again Win like this again Win like this again Win like this again Win like this again Win like this again Words/Music Mike Lawson Psychotronic Music – BMI
10.
Morning Dew 06:42
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Take me for a walk in the morning dew, my honey. Take me for a walk me in the morning dew, my love. You can't go walking in the morning dew today. You can't go walking in the morning dew today. But listen! I hear a man moaning, "Lord." I know I hear a man moaning, "Lord." You didn't hear a man moan at all. You didn't hear a man moan at all. Yes I know I hear my baby crying, "Mama!" Yes, I know I hear my baby crying, Mama!" You'll never hear your baby cry again. You'll never hear your baby cry again. Oh, where have all the people gone? Won't you tell me where have all the people gone? Don't you worry about those people anymore. Don't you worry about those people anymore. Take me for a walk in the morning dew, my honey. Take me for a walk me in the morning dew, my love. You can't go walking in the morning dew today. You can't go walking in the morning dew today. You can't go walking in the morning dew today. Bonnie Dobson and Tim Rose Warner-Tamerlane Pub. Corp.
11.
Golden Future Time (Beasts of England) 05:07 video
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Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland Beasts of every land and clime Hearken to my joyful tidings Of the golden future time Soon or late the day is coming Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown And the fruitful fields of England Shall be trod by beasts alone Rings shall vanish from our noses And the harness from our back Bit and spur shall rust forever Cruel whips no more shall crack Riches more than mind can picture Wheat and barley, oats and hay Clover, beans, and mangel-wurzels Shall be ours upon that day On that day On that day Purer shall its waters be Sweeter yet the blowing breeze On the day that sets us free For that day we all must labour Though we die before it break Cows and horses, geese and turkeys All must toil for freedom's sake Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland Beasts of every land and clime Hearken well and spread my tidings Of the golden future time Golden future time Golden future time On that day On that day Purer shall its waters be Sweeter yet the blowing breeze On the day that sets us free Purer shall its waters be Sweeter yet the blowing breeze On the day that sets us free Purer shall its waters be Sweeter yet the blowing breeze On the day that sets us free Purer shall its waters be Sweeter yet the blowing breeze On the day that sets us free Words/Music Mike Lawson Psychotronic Music – BMI
12.
Like a Road Leading Home 09:39 video
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When the road gets too long And you run all out of song The pain gets too much For you to bear Turn around, turn around Turn around and I'll be there Like a road, like a road leading home When the gray clouds start to blow You need some place to go When you want some company That really cares Turn around, turn around Turn around and I'll be there Like a road, like a road leading home When the rain is past and gone And the road you're traveling on Doesn't seem to be going anywhere Turn around, turn around Turn around and I'll be there Like a road, like a road leading home Like a road, like a road leading home When the road gets too long And you run all out of song And the pain it's too much For you to bear Turn around, turn around Turn around, I'll be there Like a road, like a road leading home Like a road, like a road leading home Dan Penn and Don Nix Dan Penn Music – BMI Don Nix – Irving Music – BMI

about

Literally, it is “proof of ghosts,” or to me, things that have or will likely always haunt me in some way.

The title of the album’s origin is a shortened version of the book: “Saducismus triumphatus or, Full and Plain Evidence Concerning Witches and Apparitions. In two parts. The first treating of their possibility. The second of their real existence.”

This is a book on witchcraft by Joseph Glanvill, published posthumously in England in 1681. The book sought to affirm the existence of witches with malignant supernatural powers of magic, and attacked skepticism concerning their abilities. Glanvill likened these skeptics to the Sadducees, members of a Jewish sect from around the time of Jesus who were said to have denied the immortality of the soul.

The impetus for that work was the dawning age of “the enlightenment” when people were beginning to put their faith and understanding into rational thought, reason and science. The clergy greatly feared this newfound age of scientific research and rational non-religious thought would lead people to no longer believe in the superstitions and religious ideals or even a God.

In this I saw allegories to modern times: people willing to believe and propagate absurd conspiracies over facts, magical thinking, science deniers, people shunning vaccines, denying environmental changes, embracing demagogues, while living under threat of a new viral plague – convinced of the underlying premise of this book by Glanvill which most have not heard of. These purveyors of modern evangelical Christianity have so bastardized its original intent as to make it unrecognizable, leaving me to adopt a somewhat Jeffersonian view of the religion, admiring the morals and red letters, but disdainfully skeptical of the fan-club.

The cover features a biblical wood carving from the book wherein King Saul, who had banished witches, sought the witch of Endor, who summoned the ghost of the prophet Samuel. Samuel’s ghost warned him of a pending battle which he would lose, along with his life. He in the end regrets his decisions to seek help from dark sources.

In this I found personal allegories, seeing loved ones and friends turning to superstition, conspiracies, propaganda, delusions, horoscopes, tarot cards, abandoning rational for magical thinking, It some cases it ruined relationships, in my case sending me on a new journey to where my life is today.

The thrill is gone from my previous life. It was breaking down. Quincy Jones once said to me “I feel your Leo soul,” but what he saw was now the crippled lion’s soul.

I sought a new life, found a wonderful loving new wife, but still managed my wounds, battling memories, while hyper vigilante to be a good father to my autistic adult daughter and hoping she could understand and let my love shine over her. Commitment to my new reality sets in, wild horses couldn’t drag me from it. I needed a beautiful harmony. I start to see the rough waters calm for two people adrift like two ships at sea. I knew I was a lucky man; I couldn’t win like this again.

Then the world is hit with Covid-19, and tens of thousands were dying, with no end in sight, robbing them from walking in the morning dew, wondering where everyone has gone. People left needing hope the world over, a golden future time to look forward to, but worried that even in that happening, some will still be more equal than others.

I look around at all I have, and it comes into focus. I have to be like a road leading home for those who love and need me. No superstition, no evidence for it, or ghosts. There is only what I make of love and life.

Two dozen musicians from across the USA, Argentina, England, Palestine, Spain, and Brazil participated in making this album. I hope you enjoy it. – ml

credits

released May 1, 2020

Track Musicians and Writer Credits:

The Thrill is Gone
Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins
Universal Music-Careers

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals, Percussion
Mike Cleveland – Fiddle, Mandolin
Melisa Dopazo – Bass

Breaking Down
Words/Music Mike Lawson
Psychotronic Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals, Banjos
Mike Cleveland – Fiddle, Mandlin
Noah Wall – Backing Vocals
Pete Klarman – Drums
Fred Bogert – Bass

The Crippled Lion
Robert M Nesmith
Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals
Lejoe B Young – Drums
Travis Collinsworth – Bass
Dave Beth – Electric Guitar
Ashley Beth – Backing Vocals
Brett Crisp – Pedal Steel Guitar

A Beautiful Harmony
Words/Music Mike Lawson
Psychotronic Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Piano, Vocals
Richard McCready – Percussive Spoons
Hugo Iglesias Olmos – String Bass
Tyra Juliette – Backing Vocals

Seeds and Stems Again Blues
Billy C. Farlow and George Frayne
Ozone Music

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals, Drums
Will Kimbrough – Slide Guitar, Backing Vocals
Noah Wall – Backing Vocals
Gavin Tabone – Piano

Let My Love Shine (Always Over You)
Words/Music Mike Lawson
Psychotronic Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Mellotron, Piano
Brandon Estelle – Drums
Steve Burdette – Hammond B3
Tyra Juliette – Backing Vocals
Steve Giddings – Session Guitarist – Slide Guitar

Wild Horses
Keith Richards and Michael Jagger
Abkco Music Inc.

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals, Percussion
Tommy Norris – Mandolin
Noah Wall – Backing Vocals
Melisa Dopazo – Bass
A.S. Thompson – Backing Vocals
Ricky Mier – Banjo

Two Ships
Words/Music Mike Lawson
Psychotronic Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitar, Vocals, Flute
Mohammad Jamal Rjoub – String Arrangements, Violins, Violas
Noah Wall – Backing Vocals
Fred Bogert – Piano, Bassoon, Oboe
Charlot Rivero – Cello
Hugo Iglesias Olmos – String Bass

Win Like This Again
Words/Music Mike Lawson
Psychotronic Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Steve Burdette – Hammond B3
Brandon Estelle – Drums
Tyra Juliette – Backing Vocals
Mark Shenkel – Saxophone

Morning Dew
Bonnie Dobson and Tim Rose
Warner-Tamerlane Pub. Corp.

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals, Bass, Flute
Noah Wall – Backing Vocals
Albert Margolis – Piano

Golden Future Time (Beasts of England)
Words/Music Mike Lawson
Psychotronic Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals, Piano, Mellotron, Percussion, Drums
Andrea Perry – Bass
Tyra Juliette – Backing Vocals
Annie Leeth – Violins
Charlot Rivero – Cello
Richard McCready – Narration

Like a Road Leading Home
Dan Penn and Don Nix
Dan Penn Music – BMI
Don Nix – Irving Music – BMI

Mike Lawson – Guitars, Vocals
Tyra Juliette – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Brandon Estelle – Drums
Joe Bidewell – Hammond M3, Piano
Travis Collinsworth – Bass
Bobby Cochran – Guitars/Lead Guitar

Producer/Engineer Mike Lawson – AP Studios , Fairview, TN

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Mike Lawson & Friends Nashville, Tennessee

Mike Lawson has, over 30 years, recorded and/or performed together with Merl Saunders, Vince Welnick, Vassar Clements, Pete Sears, Gary Talley, John McEuen, Bob Welch, Dennis Robbins, Joe Louis Walker, Jorma Kaukonen, Phil Keaggy, Jack Casady, Scott Guberman, Dianne Davidson, Noah Wall, Tyra Juliette, Bill Vitt, Rob Wasserman, Michael Cleveland, Phil Madeira, and a host of other amazing friends. ... more

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