MUSICIANS
Mike Blankenship - keys, piano, programming, hammond B3
Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - bass
Sundra Manning - keys, programming
Lynette Williams - keys, hammond B3
Errol Cooney - guitar
Cedricke Dennis - guitar
Chris Johnson - drums
Artis "AJ" Joyce - bass
Ronnie Smith - drums
Joel Behrman - trumpet, trombone
Howard Wiley - sax
Thomas "Tasche" Cryer II - keys
Fiachna O'Braonain - guitar
Leah Tysse - lead & background vocals, percussion, ukulele
Recording Engineers: Steve Savage, Ben Kane, Adam Muñoz, Leah Tysse, Eric "Pikfunk" Smith, Chris Cobb & Ari Rios
Recording Studios: Fantasy Studios, Berekely, CA; Laughing Tiger, San Rafael, CA; The Ice House, San Rafael, CA; Live Oak, Berkeley, CA; Pacifica Studios, Pacifica, CA; The Zoo, Oakland, CA
Mixed By: Nelson Braxton, San Francisco, CA
Mastered By: Ken Lee Mastering, Oakland, CA
Background Vocal Arrangements: Leah Tysse
Horn Arrangements: Mike Blankenship, Howard Wiley & Joel Behrman
Photography: Jan Stürmann, Albinocrow.com, Berkeley, CA
Graphic Design: Rebecca Cross, San Francisco, CA
Web Design: Charlie Teall
Executive Producer: Leah Tysse
Unauthorized duplication of music is a violation of applicable laws.
© Leah Tysse/Blue Juno Music, All Rights Reserved.
HOPE IS RISING
© 2011 Written & Produced by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP) & Sundra Manning (Pink Piano Publishing, ASCAP). Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals. Sundra Manning - Clav, Wurlitzer, Drum Programming & Group Vocals. Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - Bass & Group Vocals. Cedricke Dennis - Guitar. Lynette Williams - Group Vocals. Ronnie Smith - Group Vocals.
The sun is shining
The clouds have gone
Hope is rising so let's get it on
Dry your eyes 'cause we all gotta help out
Lift your head cause love is what it's all about
It's a brand new day and we're here to say
That we'll take it back and get back on track
Nothing can stop us from loving each other
You are my neighbor
Let's get it right
The sun is shining
The clouds have gone
Hope is rising so let's get it on
Hope is bigger than the words of just one man
We gotta own it and do all we can
These are trying times but it's gonna be fine
Might have to skip those rims and eat your dinner in
Nothing can stop us from loving each other
You are my neighbor
Let's get it right
The sun is shining the clouds have gone
Hope is rising so let's get it on
It wasn't easy to get where we're at now
And if we stop working it could all fall apart
We've waited so long
But now we got our hope back
Let's not give it up now
LET HIM FLY
© Written by Patty Griffin (One Big Love Music/Chrome Dog Music, ASCAP). Arranged by Mike Blankenship. Produced by Mike Blankenship, Leah Tysse & Eric "Pikfunk" Smith. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals & Programming. Mike Blankenship - Keyboards. Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - Bass. Chris Johnson - Drums. Errol Cooney - Acoustic Guitar. Cedricke Dennis - Lead Guitar.
LOVE AGAIN
© 2011 Written by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP), James Harvey Moore (ASCAP) & Mike Blankenship (JAB Step Music, BMI). Produced by Mike Blankenship & Leah Tysse. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals. Mike Blankenship - Keyboards & Piano. Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - Bass. Chris Johnson - Drums. Errol Cooney - Acoustic Guitar.
So many moons have come and gone
So many times I tried to write this song
But my hand won't let the paper touch the pen
If you won't come back again
Maybe I should leave you alone
Give up this madness and take myself home
But I can't let go of that deep thing we got
Like it or not
After all these years have gone by
Counting all the tears that I cried
Although I tried I just can't seem to resist
Your kiss
I know you're scared to let me back in
And I am fearful too
But if God has kept this feeling so strong
What else can we do but love again
I DO
© 2011 Written by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP), Mike Blankenship (JAB Step Music, BMI) & Sundra Manning (Pink Piano Publishing, ASCAP). Produced by Mike Blankenship & Leah Tysse. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals, Ukulele & Chimes. Mike Blankenship - Piano, Strings & Drum Programming.
When I first laid eyes on you
I got goosebumps on my neck
I knew you were different
Some how separate from the rest
It's a long time I been waiting to feel this way
It's a long time I been waiting to say, to say, to say
I do, I do, I do to you
I do, I do, I do just for you
You sent me flowers
And you opened up your heart
You showed me the inside
How your heart was torn apart
It's a long time I been waiting to feel this way
It's a long time I been waiting to say, to say, to say
I do, I do, I do to you
I do, I do, I do just for you
Together we'll love our way through this life
Holding each other up as husband and wife
'Til the end, the end, the end
You let me fix your heart
Like a broken piece of glass
We glued it together
Into something that would last
It's a long time I been waiting to feel this way
It's a long time I been waiting to say, to say, to say
I do, I do, I do to you
I do, I do, I do just for you
It's a long time I been waiting...
ONLY SO MUCH OIL IN THE GROUND
© Written by S. Kupka & E. Castillo (Bob-a-lew Songs/Stephen Kupka Songs, ASCAP). Produced & Arranged by Mike Blankenship. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals. Mike Blankenship - Rhodes. Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - Bass. Errol Cooney - Guitar. Lynette Williams - Hammond B3. Ronnie Smith - Drums. Joel Behrman - Trumpet. Howard Wiley - Sax.
STEP OUT
© 2011 Written by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP) & Lynette Williams (BMI). Produced by Leah Tysse, Lynette Williams, Mike Blankenship & Eric "Pikfunk" Smith. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals & Percussion. Lynette Williams - Hammond B3. Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - Bass. Errol Cooney - Guitar. Chris Johnson - Drums. Mike Blankenship - Keyboards. Joel Behrman - Trumpet. Howard Wiley - Sax.
Step out of your body
Step into your mind
Take your spirit elsewhere
To a place that they can't find
Well they can pass legislation to make you less of a person
And make sure that the TV shapes your sense of perception
They can work you 'til your hungry make you hungry so you'll work
And if you wanna buy your own house make you pay until it hurts
They can spread you out like butter on a never-ending path
Til you melt into the crevices and slip through the cracks
They can fill you with diseases in the name of nutrition
And satisfy your intellect with superstition
(But if you) Step out of your body
Step into your mind
Take your spirit elsewhere (You got a sanctuary)
To a place that they can't find (Inside your mind, yeah)
Step out of your body
Step into your mind (You got a refuge waiting for you)
Take your spirit elsewhere (Just jump inside)
To a place that they can't find (they'll never find you there)
Verse
Think of the girl who is enslaved
How does she get through
She knows that there's a better place
And there's one for you
Step out of your body
Step into your mind
Take your spirit elsewhere
To a place that they can't find
REAL
© 2011 Written by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP) & Lynette Williams (BMI). Produced by Leah Tysse, Lynette Williams & Mike Blankenship. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals & Drum Programming. Lynette Williams - Rhodes & Hammond B3. Mike Blankenship - Synth, Key Bass & Drum Programming. Errol Cooney - Guitar. Ronnie Smith - Drums.
I have flaws
I make mistakes
I do stupid things
But my love is real
If you wanna know if my love is real
Baby tell me how does it make you feel
When I tell you that I see my forever
I see my forever in your eyes
And I wanna lace up the tie that binds
And I promise that I will leave you never
I have flaw
I make mistakes
I do stupid things
But my love is real
It's real, it's real, it's real, it's real
My love for you is real
You don't have to worry
'Cause my love is real
If you wanna know where to find my love
It's in the snow that falls from above
It's in the center of every raindrop
Every raindrop that falls from the sky
Isn't perfect but knows how to fly
Down to the ground and my love into your heart
You know they say what's meant to be will be
And in time we'll find if that is good for you and me
And even though we hurt each other so bad
You are still the best I've ever had
I have flaw
I make mistakes
I do stupid things
But my love is real
It's real, it's real, it's real, it's real
My love for you is real
TENDER RAIN
© Written by S. Carson & R. Armstrong (LP Productions, ASCAP). Produced by Leah Tysse & Rich Armstrong. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals & Ukulele. Fiachna O'Braonain - Acoustic Guitar. Thomas "Tasche" Cryer II - Rhodes.
It's raining hard now like it's been all day
Like the night I met you when you went away
As I lay beneath my skylight and listen to its drum
It's the sound that launched a string of words
Someday they'll be a song
And the water washes over me
Another night as such
If I didn't know what it was like
I wouldn't mind so much
Oh, the water washes over me
Another night without your touch
If I didn't know what it was like
I wouldn't mind so much
An open heart is dangerous
But I felt that it was right
Opened up my rigid cage
So my little bird took flight
And the water washes over me
Another night as such
If I didn't know what it was like
I wouldn't mind so much
Oh, the water washes over me
Another night without your touch
If I didn't know what it was like
I wouldn't mind so much
Imagine you were here now
Standing naked before a flame
And all the things I'd do to you
To make you cry my name
Imagine you were here with me
But this time you'd stay
Think of how my lips would move
And all the things we'd say
WRITE ONE THIS WAY
© Written by Tommy Sims (Universal Music - MGB Songs, ASCAP). Produced & Arranged by Mike Blankenship. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals. Mike Blankenship - Hammond B3 & Wurlitzer. Eric "Pikfunk" Smith - Bass, Errol Cooney - Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Ronnie Smith - Drums, Cedricke Dennis - Guitar Ad Libs, Lynette Williams - Rhodes on Outro, Howard Wiley - Sax, Joel Behrman - Trumpet & Trombone.
DON'T WAKE ME UP
© Written by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP) & Lynette Williams (BMI). Produced by Lynette Williams & Leah Tysse. Leah Tysse - Lead & Background Vocals & Percussion. Lynette Williams - Rhodes. Mike Blankenship - Strings & Synth. Artis "AJ" Joyce - Bass. Ronnie Smith - Drums. Cedricke Dennis - Counter-rhythm Guitar. Errol Cooney - Rhythm Guitar.
Don't wake me up
I don't wanna wake up
Let me sleep
Let me believe
In my dreams we are still together
In my dreams you're always by my side
So I don't wanna wake up in this world without you
Cause in my dreams our love is still alive
I spend everyday waiting for it to end
So I can pray and get back into bed
I close my eyes and it always seems
Like time flies 'til I'm back in a dream
Don't wake me up
I don't wanna wake up
Let me sleep
Let me believe
When I'm in line waiting for my coffee
And time is moving way too slow
I think of all the times that you sought me
With the lights out asleep and out cold
If you can't love me with your eyes wide open
On this planet for everyone to see
Then I'll walk around everyday hoping
That I'll see you in my dreams
Don't wake me up
I don't wanna wake up
Let me sleep
Let me believe
That's when I see you waiting there for me (you're waiting for)
A kiss to resume where we let it be (the night before)
That's when see you have not forgotten me
No, no, no, no, no, no
Don't wake me up
I don't wanna wake up
Let me sleep
Let me believe
Don't wake me up
DON'T WAKE ME UP REPRISE
© Written by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP) & Lynette Williams (BMI). Produced by Lynette Williams & Mike Blankenship. Lynette Williams - Synth Lead Line & Hammond B3, Mike Blankenship - Rhodes. Artis "AJ" Joyce - Bass. Ronnie Smith - Drums, Errol Cooney - Rhythm Guitar. Cedricke Dennis - Lead Guitar.
FROM THE START
© Written and Produced by Leah Tysse (Blue Juno Music, ASCAP). Leah Tysse - Vocals. Mike Blankenship - Piano.
Right now on the other side of town
I know your heart is in pain
Things ain't right and I know I let you down
You say you won't see me again
How could I let and old feeling hang on to the thread
That connects my heart and my mind
When the king of blessings had been laid before me
Why couldn't I open my eyes
Don't give up on this soul
Cause you are my heart
Let's give this one more go
Right from the start
Like a child who's never been hurt before
You took it again and again
I don't know what I was lying for
It only brought tears in the end
Baby please forgive me, I set a place at my table
With enough food for us to survive
My lens is focused on you, I promise that it won't move
I'm ready to give you my life
Don't give up on this soul
'Cause you are my heart
Let's give this one more go
Right from the start
Don't give up on this soul
'Cause you're all I see
Let's give this one more go
For eternity
From the first day we met I had to reconsider
The myth of love at first sight
Although I felt it that moment it took me months to own it
And break out my heart from the ice
Don't give up on this soul
'Cause you are my heart
Let's give this one more go
Right from the start
Don't give up on this soul
'Cause you're all I see
Let's give this one more go
For eternity
Right now on the other side of town
I know your heart is in pain
ALBUM THANK YOUS
First I give thanks to God who makes all things possible and who constantly humbles me by making a way out of no way. Thanks also to my Mom, Harry & Grandma Breen for their unconditional love & support; to the memory of my Grandpa Breen; to Dad, Della, Lizzie & Garret; to the memory of my Grandma & Grandpa Tysse; to the memory of Linda & Gary Dingeldein; to Shallah & Charlie; Ted Stancliff; Jennifer, Will & Sophia Hammond; Dara, Jan & Torin Roberts/Stürmann; Aireene Espiritu; Kimberly Evans; Ellen Honert; Karen Goodman; Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco; Laura, Erin, Amy, Andrea, Kate, Dana, & Monica; Charlie Teall; Thom Myers; Janet MacLeod; Jack Cohen; Norman DeVasure & all my friends & fans for your steadfast support.
Special thanks to all the musicians for your ridiculous talent, humor & musical contributions. I'm especially grateful to my co-songwriters & co-producers: Mike Blankenship, Lynette Williams, Sundra Manning, Jim Moore & Erik "Pikfunk" Smith. Thank you for hooking me up when I needed it most, keeping me on task & believing in me. There's no way I could have made this album without you.
