Marvelville lyrics and personnel
gravity
a light-hearted romp through the world of Newtonian physics
Do you find that you’ve resigned yourself to loneliness?
Could it be we’ve been drawn together?
It’s a mystery
They say opposites attract It’s an undisputed fact
Could be dumb luck could be gravity.
What’s the chance that circumstance could end this loneliness?
Maybe it’s true that me and you were
Always meant to be
So reach out to me and set my spirit free
Wrest me from the grip of gravity
Sun keeps burnin’ ’til the day we all melt down
World keeps turnin’
Spinning ‘round and ‘round holding us down
Some day we may say we’ve found happiness
And joyfully be one forever
Guess we’ll wait and see
I can’t help but wonder
What kind of spell we’re under
Could it be love?
If we could ask Sir Isaac
I’m sure he would agree
Could be love but could be gravity
Peter and Michael
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar, background vocal
Dave Poulin-bass
Peter Beaudoin-drums
René Fortier-Latin percussion
Mark Ferguson-keys
René Lavoie-alto saxophone
Brian Asselin-tenor saxophone
Nick Dyson- trumpet
Elise Letourneau-background vocal
Ann Downey-background vocal
n’importe quoi [n’importe quand]
a mix of funk and latin jazz featuring solos by René Lavoie [flute] and Peter Beaudoin [drums]
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar, background vocal
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Tom McMahon-bass
René Fortier-congas
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Lavoie-flute
Mike Tremblay-tenor saxophone
Dave Poulin-background vocal
Sherri Harding-background vocal
Dave Arthur-background vocal
Pete Beaudoin
I sang “My Cherie Amour” in a bar in Montreal
And it called her like the siren’s song
Our odyssey began as we tenderly held hands
And we’d never let go
One moment can change a life forever
One moment can fill an empty heart
I will always adore you
N’importe quoi n’importe quand
And I’ll always be there for you
N’importe quoi n’importe quand
We came to the shelter and I paused at the door
Thinking I could never see this through
When I tried to put him down he wrapped his hand around my finger
And he would not let go
One moment can change a life forever
One moment can fill an empty heart
I will always love you
N’importe quoi n’importe quand
And I’m so proud of you
N’importe quoi n’importe quand
I panic sometimes thinkin’ ‘bout the future
Worryin’ ‘bout this world we live in
But it’s joy I find when I turn my mind
To the blessings I’ve been given
One moment can change a life forever
One moment can fill an empty heart
I will always love you
N’importe quoi n’importequand
And I’m so proud of you
N’importe quoi n’importe quoi
I will always adore you
N’importe quoi n’importe quand
And I’ll always be there for you
N’importe quoi n’importe quand
color me gone
inspired by a great musician and a dear friend, Jack Bangrazi
keys solo by Mark Ferguson
Color me lonely color me blue color me tired of waitin’ on you
Your true colors are shinin’ through color me gone
I don’t need an explanation don’t want to hear a lame excuse
So bye bye baby maybe it’s time to cut you loose
Color me gone, gone, gone, color me gone
Color us history life goes on
I’ve worn these chains so long color me right color you wrong
Color me down color me out color me gone
I’ve worn these chains so long color me right color you wrong
Color me down color me out color me gone
Color my heart color it black how do I look with your knife in my back
Got my ticket my bags are packed color me gone
You don’t seem to care that we once shared a sweet romance
Better face the facts I can’t turn back I’ve made my travel plans
Color me gone, gone, gone, color me gone
Color us history life goes on
I’ve worn these chains so long color me right color you wrong
Color me down color me out color me gone
Dave Arthur
Mark Ferguson
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar, background vocal
Dave Poulin-bass, background vocal
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Lavoie-alto saxophone
Mike Tremblay-tenor saxophone
Sherri Harding-background vocal
Dave Arthur-background vocal
coffee and conversation
featuring the voice of Michael Curtis Hanna
a blues-gospel-jazz ballad with choir, string quartet and a soulful tenor sax solo by René Lavoie
Michael Curtis Hanna
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar
Dave Poulin-bass
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Mark Ferguson-keys
René Lavoie-tenor saxophone
Ioan Harea-violin
Cendrine Despax-violin
Lisa Moody-viola
Valérie Despax-cello
The Smith Road Eternal Damnation Choir:
Rebecca Noelle, Sherri Harding. Dave Poulin, Peter Forêt
René Lavoie
It’s gettin’ late but this place is open
And in a booth by the waitress station
I’ll assess my dire situation
And try to find my way
I guess I ought to order something
From that pretty girl over there and I’m aware that
She caught me staring
And now she’s coming this way
I don’t want her number but if she’d spare a little time
Some coffee and conversation would be just fine
Good evening darlin’
And, no, I’ve not decided yet
It’s sure been a long night to forget
But for your pretty eyes
I’ve been sittin’ here thinkin’ about
Just what in the world I’m gonna do, is it true that
Maybe you’d have a thought or two
I could try on for size
Undying devotion is not what I have in mind
But coffee and conversation would be just fine
No good man should be cast away on an island in the middle of the sea
And watch his dreams sink like a stone
No good man should be locked away in a prison high atop a hill
Destined to live out his years alone
Wait, don’t go yet
I’ll have what he’s having over there
Won’t you please pull up a chair
And share your tender smile
I’ve been sittin’ here worryin’ about
What the future may bring
And I was just wondering, wondering
Can we talk awhile?
No ulterior motive, no funny business, no stupid line
Just coffee and conversation, coffee and conversation,
Coffee and conversation would be just fine
i do
originally written in the late 1980’s, the idea occurring on a late-night ride home from a gig
over the years multiple versions were recorded, lyrics and melodies altered and chords changed
i think we’ve almost got it now
How you gonna choose whose ring to wear?
What’cha lookin’ for?
Those two clowns are layin’ in wait just
Outside your door
“One”’s gonna take his best shot
Tryin’ to impress you with what he’s got
It really don’t mean a lot
Just empty words, empty words
How you gonna know whose promises
Will be realized
Those two morons will disappear
Right before your eyes
“Two” promises the world and more
Like he’s done a dozen times before
But it isn’t worth waiting for
Just empty words
Do they think the world of you
And swear to always love you
I do I do
When you gonna end this stupid game
Such a waste of time
Those two slobs are here and interfering
With my grand design
Don’t fall for the games they play
Don’t listen to the things they say
I’m tellin’ you, anyway,
They’re empty words
Do they think the world of you
And swear to always love you
I do I do
This I promise you
I do I do
Dave Poulin
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar, background vocal
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Dave Poulin-bass
Mark Ferguson-keys
René Fortier-percussion
René Lavoie-alto saxophone
Brian Asselin-tenor saxophone
Ed Lister-trumpet
Paula Rich-McGowan-background vocal
Sherri Harding-background vocal
Cendrine Despax-violin
Natalie Deschênes-violin
Hillary Fay-viola
Valérie Despax-cello
kiss me you fool
i sat down one day to write a latin/jazz arrangement of “good lovin” by the Young Rascals and “kiss me you fool” happened instead
but i felt my horn arrangement was lacking so I asked Mark Ferguson to write the chart
featuring the voice of Rebecca Noelle
Rebecca Noelle
Rebecca Noelle-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar, background vocal
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Dave Poulin-bass, background vocal
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Fortier-percussion
René Lavoie-tenor saxophone
Mike Tremblay-alto saxophone
Nick Dyson-trumpet
Ed Lister-trumpet
Sherri Harding-background vocal
I am often accused of naiveté
In matters of seduction
Call me clumsy call me shy
But at the end of the day
What matters is production
And you’ve got me working overtime
I can’t stop thinking of you
I can’t stop thinking of you
No more calm no more cool
Kiss me you fool
Break some hearts break some rules
Kiss me you fool
Am I guilty of apathy
In matters of emotion?
I don’t know and I don’t care
Maybe some empathy
Would set the wheels in motion
And this could lead to anywhere
Don’t make me wait forever
Don’t want to wait forever
No more calm no more cool
Kiss me you fool
Break some hearts break some rules
Kiss me you fool
found a love
A reggae song of spiritual discovery – Michael Curtis Hanna sings, trumpet solo by Ed Lister.
Found a love, a love I need, total satisfaction guaranteed
Found a love, true love
Found a love, a love sublime, love to think about it all the time
Found a love, true love
I’m a nomad in the desert
Just tryin’ to find my way
It appeared to me one day
Found a love so bright, bright enough to light my darkest night
Found a love, true love
Found a love so sweet, sweet enough to sweep me off my feet
Found a love, true love
When a secret in a bottle
At the bottom of the sea
Revealed itself to me
Everybody needs a reason to live
Nobody more than me
Fly too close to passion aflame
You’ll never be the same
Found a love, found the key, found a way to end my misery
Found a love, true love
There’s a fool high on the mountain
As happy as can be
Took a fool to set my soul free
A star on the horizon
Ignites a brand new day
Somewhere far, far away
René Fortier
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar, background vocal
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Dave Poulin-bass, background vocal
Mark Ferguson-keys
René Fortier-Latin percussion
Brian Asselin-tenor saxophone
Richard Page-baritone saxophone
Ed Lister-trumpet
Sherri Harding-background vocal
Rebecca Noelle-background vocal
the chill
a roots-y, New Orleans-style funk-rock tune a la Little Feat or the Meters
the vocal arrangement on this one was a group effort [Michael Curtis Hanna, Dave Poulin, Sherri Harding and Dave Arthur], and, as i think you’ll hear, they had a blast singing it
and check out the unique drum groove by Peter Beaudoin
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Dave Poulin-bass, background vocal
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Lavoie-alto saxophone
Mike Tremblay-tenor saxophone
Sherri Harding-background vocal
Dave Arthur-background vocal
Peter Beaudoin
Here comes the chill I can feel it in the air
Soon she’ll be givin’ me the cold shoulder and the awe-inspiring icy stare
Standin’ alone in the danger zone braced for the blame
Accused, tried, crucified it’s a cryin’ shame
No sober man could stand it so pass me my liquor and pills
They help me cope whenever I feel the chill
It starts in the chromosome move to the backbone make me shiver and shake
Up to the lip down the hip to the fingertip watch me quiver and quake
Down to the knees and I’m freezin’ she’s so cold I’m turnin’ blue
I can’t feel my toes they must be froze the chill fill me through and through
No mortal man can withstand it the symptoms persist until
I say I’m sorry and maybe survive the chill
Here come the chill and I’ll never say a word
I’ll never raise an eye and never ask why these episodes occurred
You gotta let it go, try to lay low live to fight another day
‘Cause there’s no magical potion or medicinal lotion to wash that chill away
No sane man could understand her except maybe Dr. Phil and he says
“Tell her you love her whenever you feel the chill”
Now I admit I don’t get it but I love her still
And that’s what I tell her whenever I feel the chill
trail of tears
featuring the voice of Sherri Harding
latin-jazz-rock fusion [it’s a cha cha, actually]
René Lavoie on flute
The moment you said “it’s over” the sun refused to shine
Those words weighed heavy on my mind
If you come my way I’m goin’
You stay there I’ll stay here
If you want to find me follow the trail of tears
The moment you said “it’s over” the sky began to rain
I promised myself I’d never be fooled again
If you’re seekin’ I’m hidin’
If you’re cloudy then I’m clear
If you want to find me follow the trail of tears
Trail of tears trail of tears
If you want to find me follow the trail of tears
The moment I knew it’s over it tore me up inside
No where to run to nowhere to hide
If you’re ice I must be fire
If you’re far I must be near
If you want to find me just follow the trail of tears
Trail of tears trail of tears
If you want to find me follow the trail of tears
Trail of tears trail of tears
If you want to find me follow the trail of tears
Sherri Harding
Sherri Harding-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Dave Poulin-bass
René Fortier- percussion
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Lavoie-flute
Mike Tremblay-tenor saxophone
Nick Dyson-lead trumpet
Ed Lister-trumpet
love hate thing
reminiscent of Steely Dan
from the “Purdie Shuffle” groove, to the “mu major” chord voicings in the chorus, even the dark lyrics….
and a trombone solo from Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson, Mike Tremblay
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar
Dave Poulin-bass, background vocal
Rebecca Noelle-background vocal
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Fortier-percussion
René Lavoie-tenor saxophone
Mike Tremblay-alto saxophone
Ed Lister-trumpet
Nick Dyson-trumpet
First we suffer through the pleasure
Then we revel in the pain
Seeking shelter from the gentle sun
And basking in the rain
A classic confrontation
So step into the ring
Of a love hate thing
In a battle of wits or a test of will
The rules don’t apply
As the mercury rises you can’t disguise
The fire in your eyes
Extend your other finger
And I’ll replace your ring
With a love hate thing
Between love and hate is a razor’s edge
And there are no shades of gray
And if I find that you crossed the line
It won’t scare me away
Some come on over baby
Let’s see what you can bring
To our love hate thing
give it all up
a Motown-ish groove and vocal arrangement, and a 3-piece horn section reminiscent of Chicago’s first 3 albums
It’s about a guy making promises he knows he can’t keep…
Michael Curtis Hanna sings lead
Got great legs and a fine bouquet
And I have a little taste this time every day
A blue movie day dream makes it that much more fun
So I sit here and let my imagination run
But I’d give it all up, I’d give it all up
I’d give it all up, I’d give it all up for you
I admit 2 or 3 girls I used to see
Still come to my mind occasionally
But I’d soon forget ‘em if only you’d say
C’mon baby carry me away
I’d give it all up, I’d give it all up
I’d give it all up, I’d give it all up for you
Ooh baby you thrill me it’s no secret what you do to me
C’mon baby fulfill me you stole my heart away
Game night at the bar little gamblin’ with friends
Talk, toke, drink and smoke ‘til the last game ends
But on bended knee I solemnly vow
I’d give it all up if you just kiss me now
I’d give it all up, I’d give it all up
I’d give it all up for you I’d give it all up just for you
I’d give it all up, I’d give it all up for you
Dave Poulin
Michael Curtis Hanna-lead vocal
Peter Forêt-guitar
Peter Beaudoin-drums
Mark Ferguson-keys, trombone
René Fortier-percussion
Tom McMahon-bass
René Lavoie-alto saxophone
Mike Tremblay-tenor
Dave Arthur, Sherri Harding, Dave Poulin-background vocals