The System

from 3200 W 22nd Court by Mike Lawson & Friends

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Ever Trust a Prankster?, Lay It All Down, 3200 W 22nd Court, More Wonders of the Visible World, Evidence Concerning Apparitions, Some Songs in the Key of Poe, Outtakes and Oddities, and Ticket to Fly. , and , .

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about

One more Merl Saunders song, also a co-write with Pam Carrier. The System aka The Funky System, was one I played with Merl a lot when I got to perform with him, though he never did it like this original version. This is some slow, grooving, dirty, greasy 70s funk. Another collaboration with Marley and Montague, then also off to Guberman for his keyboard magic, and Denise for her soulful Black gospel goosebump-making vocals. But it needed flute, like the late great Martin Fierro played on the original, so I turned to Donota Greco, from Italy. She let loose and nailed it.

lyrics

Who will you murder
For democracy
Who's next to be slain

People wait to be
Sucked up
By your genocide campaign

Murdered for
Technology
Natural resources too

While earth faces extinction
You say prayers on the moon

I'm talkin', talkin' about the system (system)
Said I'm talkin', talkin' about the system (system)
I said the funky, funky system (system)
I said the funky, funky system(system)

Promote sociology
Equality of life
We'll only save ourselves
By lessening human strife

Still the system
Stalks the land
And with death goes
Hand in hand

Talking 'bout the system
The funky, funky system (system)
The funky, funky system (system)
The funky, funky system (system)

credits

from 3200 W 22nd Court, released December 21, 2021
Mike Lawson - Guitar, Vocals
Scott Guberman - Hammond
Joe Montague - Drums, Percussion
Jeff Marley - Bass
Donota Greco – Flute
Denise Stewart Bates - Backing Vocals

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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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