The cover image for the Blue Ajay album, Bloody Wonderful
The cover image for the Blue Ajay album, Bloody Wonderful
In anticipation of the forthcoming relocation to Denton, Texas, 2018 was dedicated to the recording of the Naked Acre Compound Studio’s final album.
Blue had spent more than twenty years in the Naked Acre Compound Studio, tweaking, twiddling and refining the sonic capabilities of the space.
Bloody Wonderful features a collection of old and new songs.
Half of the songs are brand new, while the rest are staples of Blue’s live repertoire that had yet to receive the fully-arranged studio recording treatment.
Half of the album’s songs are Trixie-centric - songs played with a slide on Blue’s National Resophonic, Trixie.
After finishing the recording and mixing of Bloody Wonderful, Blue packed away the recordings for later manufacture in Texas and the studio was dismantled.
Not… quite… yet…
There is a music video for “My Baby gone to Raleigh” in Blue Ajay’s 15 minute Show Episode One.
I got nothing to sing
I got nothing to sing
Got no position
I’m just gonna let my guitar ring
Don’t wear no ribbon or ring
Got no opinion to sing
No slogan on the banner
I’m just gonna let my guitar ring
I thought I had a thought on a thing
I thought I had a thought on a thing
My ideas they were flying
But now I’m seeing flames on the wing
Don’t wear no ribbon or ring
Got no opinion to sing
No slogan on the banner
I’m just gonna let my guitar ring
No slogan on the banner
I’m just gonna let this Gypsy sing
No slogan on the banner
I’m just hoping that I don’t break a string
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written 11 October 2017 11AM
© ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
The cats are rockin’ right tonight
I say, A-OK and outta sight
The volume’s up, the drums are tight
I say the Cats are Rockin’ Right Tonight
The guitars are up and there’s a slammin’ beat
that Memphis lag is oh so sweet
The party’s movin’ into the street
the Slick Cat’s drivin’ up the heat
The cats are rockin’ right tonight
I say, A-OK and outta sight
The volume’s up, the drums are tight
I say the Cats are Rockin’ Right Tonight
We’ve got Billy Lee Riley on the guitar leads
when he plays you know that hunk a wood it sings to me
The bass is thumpin and the drums are there
and everybody’s screamin’ just a fills the air
The cats are rockin’ right to night
I say, A-OK and outta sight
The volume’s up, the drums are tight
I say the Cats are Rockin’ Right Tonight
Go Billy!
The cats are rockin’ right tonight
I say, A-OK and outta sight
The volume’s up, the drums are tight
I say the Cats are Rockin’ Right Tonight
I say the Cats are Rockin’ Right Tonight
I say the Cats are Rockin’ Right Tonight
Words and music by Blue Ajay
© 1994 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
I got a call from the preacher man
he said Blue how come you never clasp your hands
I said sir I appreciate your sense of contentment
but nothin’ ever happened for me with outside Involvement
especially from somethin’ that I cannot see
he said son the source of your torment
will never let you be
Chorus:
he said son you’re always runnin’ oh yeah
runnin’ against the wind
I said thank you sir for your concern
but please don’t call me son again
police man he pulled me over and started frownin’ at me
I said sIr your disapproval It does not bother me
he said son you’ve got a bad a bad attitude
I said just because we disagree that does not make me rude
chorus
solo
teacher started tellin’ me the books I should not read
I said teacher when I’m done I’ll decide If I agree
she said son you gotta think this way If you are to succeed
I said teacher thinkin’ Is the only thing left that is free
chorus
Words and music by Blue Ajay
© 1995 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
Lipstick in the rearview’s what I see
when I look behind – 2x
got a barrel in the back of my skull
& I don’t mind
the hottie with the hardware has
got me under her spell – 2x
she’s hijacked my ride & I’m
driving us straight to hell
the lights they are a flashin’ &
the blockade’s just up ahead – 2x
the flash of her thigh &
I’m already dead
She lives for the thrill she
got no plans to survive – 2x
the last thing I see will be the
twinkle in her eye
the last thing I see is the twinkle
in her eye
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written Monday 10 March 2014
© ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
So much sadness, this is my brave face
So much madness, this is my brave face
So much darkness, the lights keep going out
So much starkness, the color’s draining out
the color’s draining out
So much sadness, this is my brave face
So much madness, this is my brave face
this is my brave face
So much darkness, it just keeps creeping up
this break-my-heart-mess, aw now I’m choking up
now I’m choking up
now I’m choking up
This too shall pass
what’s dead may never die
Rather self-evident
but it’s good to be alive
Memento mori
alive must die
That’s why it’s precious
& I choose to thrive
Gotta share the spark, that burns inside
Cuz’ that’s the moon, that moves the shadow’s tide
Gotta free the light, come from inside – 2x
Gotta free the light, this is my brave face – 2x
this is my brave face, this is my brave face…
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written 3 October 2017
© ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
I’d like to re-map
the world’s palette of colors
if only just for one day
The sky would be green
as an ocean of clovers
and I’ve always been
partial to grey
I’d like to name
a drink after Socrates
This would surely
provide me a grin
I march with pride
in Irony’s parade
and next annum
I will do so again
I’d like to freeze
a single icicle
from the branch
on the tree by my home
they always arrive
in cluttered battalions
and I’ve seldom
ever seen one alone
I’d like to
preserve this moment
as the flame
it reflects in your eyes
an instant of joy
soon to be lost
in a world
of sadness and lies
I’d like to re-map
the world’s palette of colors
I think the clouds
would look fine in beige
I would paint the sun
just a little less harsh
you know
I’ve always been
partial to grey
Words and music by Blue Ajay
© 1995 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
I’m gonna play my guitar
I’m gonna kick my heels and sing
I’m gonna open up these pipes
and let these hollers ring
I’m gonna pack my day away
greet my evening, namaste
Buddha via Sasquatch, Hey!
It’s the Appalachian way
I ply my trade, I stake my claim
all engaged with truest aim
the fire ring gonna melt the day away
I’ve tired feet and a quiet mind
Yesterday’s done gone behind
The fire ring gonna melt the day away
There’s sunlight on the suffix of
the next breeze come our way
The fire ring gonna melt the day away – 2x
I ply my trade, I stake my claim
all engaged with truest aim
the fire ring gonna melt the day away
I’ve tired feet and a quiet mind
Yesterday’s done gone behind
The fire ring gonna melt the day away
There’s sunlight on the suffix of
the next breeze come our way
The fire ring gonna melt the day away
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written 2 May 2017
© ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
Aces and Eights, Hearts and Spades
I was born with a dead man’s hand
Aces and Eights, Hearts and Spades
I was born with a dead man’s hand
Since I was born, first day on earth
I’ve lived the life of a dying man
The moon was full, the clouds were sparse
There seemed to be too many stars
The moon was full, the clouds were sparse
Seemed like there were too many stars
A coyote howled, somewhere in the dark
As the midwife witch she dealt the cards
Chorus:
I was born without karma
Well no, none to speak of
And so I spit in the Reaper’s eye
The cards that were dealt me
They weren’t worth a damn
I’ll load my sleeve until I die
The thunder was rolling, though the night it was clear
The ground all around it seemed to shake
The thunder was rolling though the night it was clear
The ground all around it did seem to shake
The midwife sighed, my mother cried
The night itself seemed to seal my fate
Ashes to ashes and sand to sand
I’ll see your bid and raise you ten
Ashes to ashes and sand to sand
I’ll see your bid and I’ll raise you ten
I’ve nothing to lose, and I love to play
I’ll take your cash and we’ll play again
Words and music by Blue Ajay
© 2003 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
She left in the morning South on I-95
North Carolina border called & said she was alive
Heard her voice at sunset on my mind upon my rise
I’m just grinding time until my love arrives
My baby gone to Raleigh
I am strumming here alone
I’m just grinding time until
My baby comes back home
This old dog is busy here
Just worrying this bone
My baby’s gone to Raleigh
& I’m wishing she were home
The grass it is still growing but the growing it is slowing
And the leaves are just now falling to the ground
It’s glory time in mid-Atlantic Appalachia
And I’m wishing that my baby were around
She should be home before first snow
Unless winter jumps the starter gun
Make no mistake, I can’t be facing winter
Without my baby here to keep me warm
I guess I’ll dance to music heretofore just in my head
Because time just grinds until she’s back in my bed
Time just grinds time just grinds
Until my baby’s back, home in her bed
Time just grinds time just grinds
Until my baby’s back home in our bed
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written Thursday 13 October 2016
(the day after Christina departed for a 30 day deployment to NC)
© ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
I’m an old soul baby, I have been since day one
I’m an old soul baby, I have been since day one
I seem to age in dog years, My day starts with a setting sun
I’m an old soul baby, I been old since I was young
I’m an old soul baby, I been old since I was young
Been tired since I woke up, my song’s already been sung
I’m an old soul baby with truth behind the eyes
I’m an old soul baby, there’s truth behind these eyes
Experience and wisdom, they mile-mark these cries
solo
I’m an old soul baby with a fresh new set of toys
I’m an old soul baby with a fresh new set of toys
The questions are familiar, the answer’s in the noise.
I’m an old soul baby, I have been since day one
I’m an old soul baby, I’ve been old since I was young
I seem to age in dog years, my song’s already been sung
Words and music by Blue Ajay
© 2002 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
Gimme my pistol baby
& gimme my bullets too
Gimme my pistol baby
& gimme my bullets too
Rest in peace knowing that
I’ll surely hang for
What I’m about to do
I’ve been weighing options baby
action versus cost
I’ve been weighing options baby
my actions versus cost
The things I am about to lose
don’t hold a candle to
The things I’ve lost
You can get down on your knees
and grovel all you like
You can get down on your knees
and grovel all you like
Your motives they are clearly selfish
this last ditch effort will not suffice.
I’ve had it with all of your cheatin’
I’ve had it with all of your lies
I’ve had it with your deceiving
You’ve laughed while I’ve cried
I’m through makin’ up with you
No need to apologize
This sucker’s through being suckered
I’m gonna watch you die
I see you looking up at me
with pleadin’ big brown eyes
I see you looking up at me
with pleadin’ big brown eyes
They look just like the ones I
fell in love with but now
I see only lies.
Repeat 1st Verse with altered last line:
Rest in peace knowing that
I’ll surely hang
for what I’m about to do to you
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written June 2002.
© 2003 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
I was working my way through the bar
Climbing right up the shelf
I’d drank just about every kinda drink
I was looking for something else
So I took myself on safari
Looking for a brand new booze
I took along a flask and some munchies and
My guitar so I could play me some blues
I was dancing down a path in the jungle
Whistling some Albert King
When up in the trees there was
a terrible commotion
& I saw myself the darnedest thing
a monkey with a shaker & some glassware
Swung down to me on a vine
He stirred some martinis
with two olives each
And hit me with the coolest line
Chorus:
He said I’m Boozey the monkey
Often drunk and always funky
You can call me Boozey for short
He handed me a cocktail glass with a grin
And said Buddy lets hold us a court
Well now the first thing that
I’ve got to tell you
Is that monkey mixed a damn fine drink
I said Boozey little buddy
we are certainly soul mates
Well at least you know
that’s what I think
He readily concurred and
then did something absurd
you know He wasn’t
overflowing with couth
He pointed to my guitar case
there beside me and
insisted that I play some tunes
So I whipped out a little bit of
Howlin’ Wolf and then
I played him one of mine
He mixed us both another soup & salad
And hit me with the coolest line
CHORUS
So here we are singing his gospel &
Believe me this ain’t no myth
The jungle is home to a Dean Martin monkey
That swings around saying this:
CHORUS
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written 16 August 2002 3:50PM
© 2003 ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
The back cover album art for Blue Ajay's, Bloody Wonderful.
Bloody Wonderful All songs written, arranged, performed, produced, engineered & recorded by Blue Ajay at the Naked Acre Compound Studio, Boyce Virginia. © ℗ 2019 Sanity Check Musec, Inc. ASCAP Lyrics reprinted with permission All rights reserved