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Bare Branches, Blue Skies

by Willie Rusert

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1.
Bare Branches, Blue Skies 03:15
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When I think of all the times I could be gone I know that yesterday had its place but a ghost has no home in tomorrow bare branches against blue skies So how about you let me stay at your place for a while
2.
Outta Dodge (When I Go) 01:58
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This town can bring you down, I know when you listen to the sound of the planes above & the streets below no one can tell you what you don't already know but I'll take you with me when I go Here's the tallest glass of gin here's the cheapest jungle gym here's that hole you're buried in here's a burning house of cards here's the sweetest puppy dog take him with you when you go Shade those eyes one hand in mine Keep those things but what I have is mine We'll watch the rivers run below blue birds sing & branches blow & hear the hush of fallen snow no one can tell you what you don't already know but I'll take you with me when I go
3.
Maria 04:18
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Tonight Maria's wearing white behold the happy hush as the bride & groom unite & children fall asleep while their mothers start to weep & the best man's words are slurred as he stumbles through his speech Maria speak to me, won't you please Maria speak to me, won't you please Before we get older, throw out a line to me & I'm here but I don't know no one here I've made my rounds around congratulating hens & hounds & there's no more drink tickets so now it's time to kick it those faces turning red as the petals on her bed Maria speak to me, won't you please Maria speak to me, won't you please Before we get older, throw out a line to me Is it you that I see Is it you? & now this man stumbles out the can he's three sheets to the wind & he wants to be your friend tells you that he's ready to start going steady his hands & lips are bound but she will always be around Maria speak to me, won't you please Maria speak to me, won't you please Before we get older, throw out a line to me Before we get older, throw out a line to me Before we get older, throw out a line to me
4.
Coasters 02:23
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You're cuter than a bug you're brighter than a diamond stud you would be lovely to love come on by & kiss the sky with me You're crazy as a bat you're sweeter than a shit-house rat you would be wicked to love cross your toes & hang your clothes with me once I heard it told when you drink slow it's better for you to taste the one you love Put it on a coaster You're bluer than a whale you're holier than Liza's pail you would be wicked to love come on by & cut the tie with me
5.
Chopping Up Clouds 03:48
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I am chopping up clouds & it's all for you because you're my pal A cry you hear late at night-- oh what could it be? You look up at me but it's all in your head In a long black dress she scratches her neck you stand on the deck you plan your defense What did she say? do you remember? oh, what could it be? You look up at me but it's all in your head I'm chopping up clouds as the rear view allows a rider of death's chariot & you pick up the check you review the deck your arms & your legs feel like lead but it's all in your head My, my my Old habits die easy I'm your wishing well-- cast a stone into the soft pools of my eyes A shame you won't see me through Was it all that bad? I threw out your plan I drove a wedge into your evil itch but it's all in your head I'm chopping up clouds as the rear view allows, a rider of death's chariot & you pick up the check you review the deck, your arms & your legs feel like lead I've run my race well If I lost I can't tell This ocean tastes like lemonade I need you like a pocket of rain It's all in your head
6.
Neighbors 05:22
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so stuck in my world when living day by day it's hard to realize the people on the next floor are doing just the same oblivious of mine & as it struck twelve, twelve at night, turn off the light our lives used to be so different, you & me still I hoped that it would change now that I'm alone I always check my phone for a voice so far away & as it struck one, they laugh in fun, they laugh in fun & as it struck two, the noise it grew, the noise it grew I can't tell you if it's right, this love I can't tell you if it's right, this love Pick up the pieces don't worry my love tomorrow's just another day Listen to the bells their soft sounds will tell of a time so far away & as it struck three, fall asleep, fall asleep & as it struck four, walk the floor, walk the floor
7.
Wicked Bad 02:49
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I'm searching for a lone star city I know it's a pity but I can't find the one I want I'm cracking like a deep-sea kraken, I know I'm looking through the trashiest book & I know it's crooked but I can't seem to put it down I'm sinking like a four-star drinking gourd Can't you see that I would lose my shit wicked bad for you I'm searching for a lone star city I know it's a pity but I can't find the one I want running water with a rustic overtone I'll pick a little sunshine pork-rind telephone land mine coming down on your head Jersey Joe's got his ducks all in a row Can't you see that I would lose my shit wicked bad for you
8.
Choice 04:30
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looking at a choice speaking in your voice smiling all the while cruising down the aisle life upon a limb saving it for him speaking in your voice looking at a choice who told you you could get ahead by laughing off the steam until you're turning red? looking at a choice speaking in your voice walking down the road mickey a la mode inside yourself a future grows nurtured by the choice that you will have to choose the choice you make today is all you have to pave the muddy road of time the stuff you call your life I know that anyone can lie about what he has done but not what he will do such a choice is all you have sometimes
9.
Good To You 01:49
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If I was a cook I would spoil the soup & if I was a kite I would fly in a loop & if I was a fish I would bloopity-bloop oh you know I would If I was a coat I would probably leak & if I was a cat I would scratch up your feet & when it's time to stand I would take my seat oh you know I would How can I be anything but good to you? If I was a ring I would probably roll & if I was a king I would probably snore & if I was hungry I would ask for more oh you know I would How can I be anything but good to you?
10.
Burning Ice Cream Cone 02:06
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Love what's best of me take what's left of me know you're getting the scraps Pick a bunch so you can be upset when the flowers turn into dust Your love is a burning ice cream cone your love is a fiery fountain your love is the racing horse's rush your love is the moon on the mountains roam from town to town throw your burden down a novel written on rags Honey I'm just a man I'll love you when I can see your train roll around Your love is a burning ice cream cone your love is a fiery fountain your love is the racing horse's rush your love is the moon on the mountains mountains Take another taste Don't let love go to waste but don't burn you tongue Watch those roses grow cuz you have come back home & our love has turned to the sun Your love is a burning ice cream cone your love is a fiery fountain your love is the racing horse's rush your love is the moon on the mountains, mountains, your love
11.
Ticking Time Bomb 04:12
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Be can't you be what you seem you're hiding in the trees you got me you got dreams you've got fire in your heart flames of yesterday fueled by some lover's praise burn into a bright tomorrow take your black cat bones take your bag of tricks & go I'm a ticking time bomb in your mind you've got your fingers on the line well, I've got mine so sweet am I but I've got the devil in my eyes & I can't tell you when the spring of love begin I saw you go before you got here & I see you coming back before you even left the track Dry & spinning nine I climb the vine the whispered voice is mine the flesh is twine the blood is wine there's no rhyme or reason here life is much too long to justify the song bleed yourself the rolling stone & time is ticking down till I know you'll come around Readers of the Rolling Stone
12.
Dimwit 03:20
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On a late night hung my head in remorse for what I did you did it right is what I said but I can't fool me nor the rest piling in those yellow cabs driving through the black eye of the city's face & Chinese newsweeks blowing past the sleeping bags of men in rags a dreamer with a bottle by his side I take the time to talk to you to tell you yesterday's tomorrows taboos Hear the screams of UFCs the battles on the mat of dreams and one more smoke before I go soon enough I will not dwell on things that would have not gone well had I been a desperate man more desperate than I am I'd rather be a pauper than a prince with crowns of my own fashion fabricated from the dreams of dolls I take the time to talk to you to touch up yesterday's tomorrow's tattoos
13.
Turn Off The Lights 05:17
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No more money in the bank no more candles on the cake what to do about it? Turn off the lights & go to sleep No more papers left to read no more babies left to feed what to do about it? Turn off the lights & go to sleep No more dishes in the sink nothing left for us to drink what to do about it? Turn off the lights & go to sleep.

about

Willie Rusert can turn a melodic phrase like no one’s business. His songs Coasters and Good to You are proof of that fact. But there’s a lot more to explore than just the catchy numbers in Bare Branches, Blue Skies - there’s psychedelic rock, fast country, and dubbed-out soul. Like finding a box of old photos in your attic, you’ll get lost and found in the stories behind these songs.

credits

released January 24, 2015

Willie Rusert: voice, piano, keyboard & guitar
Alex Nitta: bass & guitar
Nathaniel Welch: drums & percussion
Nate Brown: drums
Nathan Bryant: violin

Recorded at Bump in the Night Studio B, Daly City, CA
Engineered by Willie Rusert & Alex Nitta
Mastered by Cian Riordan
Artwork by Alex Nitta

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Willie Rusert San Francisco, California

Willie Rusert is a singer/songwriter from California. He grew up in the foggy seaside town of Fort Bragg, listening to old radio dramas and watching Yellow Submarine, the Beatles movie. Piano is his first instrument, and he also plays guitar, mandolin and banjo on his latest album, titled Bare Branches, Blue Skies. ... more

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