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The Best of the Polar Vortex Sessions Vol. 2

by Jonathon Ferris

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1.
Until I'm Free 03:04
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Until I’m Free - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 7/19/2014 V1 Things were looking good Life was looking grand But this morning I don’t know where I stand I was flying straight was about to soar Now I’m like the bird who broke his neck on the glass door Chorus: You can say any metaphor For a man down on his luck I’d probably nod my head and agree But I’m going to press on not let myself get stuck I’ll fight until I am free V2 Bill piling up cars breaking down I’m dragging problems all over town Learning the system Aiming to please and getting cut off at the knees Chorus V3 Don’t call me Job Not a pariah still I’ll bang that drum like a man on fire I’m gonna beat the system I’m gonna win the game gonna take it to the man ‘till I’m insane Chorus 2x ad lib Outro
2.
We'll Be Alright 02:26
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We’ll Be Alright - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 8/4/2014 V1 “Lovers in a dangerous time” was written for times like this Seems like I run out before I complete my list Chorus But I’ll get up tomorrow and continue the fight as long as you tell me “honey we’ll be alright” V2 We scrap tooth and nail for every inch we gain but lurking in the dark things that want to sweep it away Chorus Bridge Tote that barge, lift that bail hands to the plow Blood in my mouth, tears on your cheek sweat on our brows Outro But we’ll get up tomorrow and continue to fight try to straighten things out try to make it right screw the bulb in the socket turn on the lights as long as you tell me “honey we’ll be alright” ad libbing
3.
I'm Leaving Town 02:09
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I’m Leaving Town - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 8/17/2014 V1 Spare me all the details, it’ll only bring me down It’s enough to know that it’s all over town I guess that I won’t be hanging around But they’ll never hear my side of the tale I’ll be leaving town as soon as I make bail V2 Used to be in the know, had the word on the street now my friends talk to me like a stranger they just meet It’s a short trip from a throne to the hot seat And they won’t listen ‘cause they hold a grudge I’ll be leaving after I tell it to the judge Chorus I’ve never changed my story, I’ve never bent the truth But everyone is treating me like I stole their loot No sense in sticking ‘round, I’m lacing up my boots I think I’ve had all that I can take All this town offers is heartbreak V3 Used to walk down the lane, like a man with a plan only plan I got now is dodging all that hit the fan When you do one thing wrong it makes all your good look bad They won’t remember ‘till I leave this place I’m going home and packing up my case Bridge Outro
4.
Cold World 03:46
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Cold World Words: Jonathon Ferris 9/17/2014 Music: Jonathon Ferris 9/21/2014 V1 Don’t tell me what I don’t need This cold world doesn't care if I bleed It’s main concern is if I drip blood on the rug It’s so hard to keep a straight face With everybody stepping on their shoelace Griping about falling in the hole they dug V2 And they’ll act like it’s my fault that they live their lives in a vault while I’m running around light and free Everything that I’ve said has to pass their litmus test is it blue or red, before they’ll agree Chorus: We have cameras scanning every face That feel more alone (in) every place and grows bored with the best technology While good vibes are pushed across the dial A quiet hatred is running wild willing to silence others, but we won’t speak V3 Our priorities are jacked up maybe it’s time we backed up and took a long hard look before we act Check your head and your mind should this really go on-line ‘cause once it’s out, it’s so hard to retract Chorus V4 The tired world drones along growing tired of the same six songs that they ripped off from the pirate bay for free Downloading tons of phone apps that serve nothing but to distract our attentions from a world unraveling Chorus
5.
Our Story's not Over Yet 03:24
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Our Story’s Not Over Yet - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 9/21/2014 V1 When I took your hand for richer of poorer I was aiming for wealth When I took your hand in sickness and wellness I was hoping for health V2 In the spring of thirty five Putting my shoulder to the plow Couldn’t plant anything in the dust The bank man came, said get out now Chorus Might not have gold, may not have jewels hanging ‘round our necks Just give me love, I will stay true Our story’s not done yet V3 Loaded up our kids and whatever stuff that Model-T would hold Went north on route eighty five took a left on the mother road Chorus V4 Made it to the Napa Valley picking grapes from the vine those grapes went back to the bank man in a nice bottle of wine Chorus 2x
6.
(we got) Each Others Backs 02:18
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(we have) Each Others Backs Words by: Jonathon Ferris 10/1/2014 Music by: Jonathon Ferris 10/2/2014 V1 You’re the Gracie Allen to my George Burns delivering the punch line to the straight line serve You’re my Mona Lisa with that sly smile that tells me I’ve never had you fooled all the while You’re shotgun when I’m driving, the Bonnie to my Clyde blazing a trail across the country side Yeah you make up for so much that I lack It’s sure good to know that you’ve got my back Chorus The tone in my guitar, the tension in my strings the only one for whom I do so many things The fuel in your tank, the tea in your cup The only one who got this grunge kid to grow up Holding the cards for what the other hands lack Knowing that we have each others backs V2 I’m the beatnik poet in your square world I’m the soldier that salutes when your flag is unfurled The wild Irish man, who’s loyal to the core working night and day because you deserve more Artistic free thinker, mechanical man whose gears keep turning, ‘till he can’t stand I make up for the little that you lack Just want you to know that I got your back Chorus Tag
7.
Exactly What You Meant 03:24
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Exactly What You Meant - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 10/2/2014 V1 When you gave me that compliment in front of your friends It turned out to be an inside joke When you accidentally burned my steak it was meant to make me choke Chorus 1 All these things I thought were simple mistakes Were done with full intent All those times I thought we had our wires crossed That’s exactly what you meant V2 When you said you’d see your mom for the weekend I should have guessed you meant the week You said you wanted to go down river then you sent me up a creek Chorus 1 V3 You introduced me to your father and he punched me in the mouth You said hey let’s stop by the depot and got a train heading south Chorus 2 Oh but I finally got one up on you I saw the tickets laying round and I changed the round trip to a one way fair I don’t want to see you in my town Outro When you gave me that compliment in front of your friends Turns out I was the inside joke
8.
Let it Roll 02:53
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Let it Roll - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 10/15/2014 V1 He saw her in the head lights On a cold and wet night Now he’s stopped at the red light he just wants to let roll V2 They’re shooting dice down the dead end betting money that was stolen yelling at the guy that’s throwin’ “Now let it roll” Chorus It’s hard times in a shut down factory city The rust belt has it a choker hold None of the options look to pretty When going gets though, the tough they let it roll Now let it roll V3 There’s lots of groping in the bed sheets Trying to take what they can’t keep Feeling more incomplete Still they let it roll V4 The baby’s crying for his bottle Though he already has a belly full He shakes and throws his rattle and let’s it roll Chorus V5 He’s sittin’ at the red light Now he just can’t stand the sight He finally gets a green light and let’s it roll Chorus Outro
9.
Loraine, Loraine 02:18
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Loraine, Loraine Words: Jonathon Ferris 10/18/2014 Music: Jonathon Ferris 10/19/2014 Chorus 1 Loraine, Loraine, why you treatin’ me this way? Loraine, Loraine, you’re ‘bout to drive me insane V1 I’ve always treated you good Never left you wanting more So why did I come to your house and another man opened the door Chorus V2 You could grab cash from my hip pocket I never slapped your hand away Things were going so good last night how could they be that bad today? Chorus 1 Bridge Everybody knows that I love you that’s why they can’t understand why a woman so fine as you would mistreat a good man Chorus 2 Loraine, Loraine Loraine, Loraine V3 If you come right back and say your sorry I’ll forgive you in a flash Without your love I’m a wandering fool just a matter of time till I crash Chorus 1 Chorus 2
10.
Train Leaving Tomorrow 02:40
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Train Leaving Tomorrow Words & Music - Jonathon Ferris 11/18/2014 V1 You can rearrange the pieces reshuffle the deck but in the end it still looks like a wreck don’t know what you think you’ll gain by moving me around There’s a train leaving tomorrow and I’m not the one leaving town V2 Looking over my shoulder can you see alright? It would be a shame if spying strained your sight What kind of dirt do you think you’re gonna find There’s a train leaving tomorrow and the empty seat is not mine V3 You try and tighten the screws on my thumbs that’s what will happen to you and the horse you rode in on I’m not the kind of man that throws the first punch There’s a train leaving tomorrow and you’d better pack a lunch V4 Trying to save your house by tearing my down but over looking the whole thing is the new sheriff in town and he doesn’t care who was on the old sheriff’s coat tails There’s a train leaving tomorrow and I’m not the one leaving on the rail
11.
Home Stretch 02:40
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Home Stretch - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 12/06/2014 V1 We’ve been filling the hole for so long we’ve forgotten how deep it was at the start We have paid through our nose, through our teeth can’t believe the weight that’s been on our hearts Chorus But now we’re in home stretch though it still feels so far to go When finally catch our breath Will we have something for our work to show V2 We’ve been drilling the tunnel under he hill praying it won’t collapse on our heads Every time we get a sense of fresh air we’re reminded not to take off our safety hats Chorus V3 We’ve been driving down this washed out road trying to get back to the highway We push through night, dodging left and right, praying for the break of day Chorus 2x
12.
Practice Makes Perfect 02:04
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Practice Makes Perfect - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 12/27/2014 V1 One more time I think that I’ve got the hang of this One more time and I’ll hit it more than I’ll miss Chorus They say that practice makes perfect but it seems such a hard row to hoe They say that practice makes perfect but you don’t know ‘till it’s time for the show V2 One more try just so I can hit these notes One more try for the best line I ever wrote Chorus Bridge All that practice, was it sufficient everyone wants to hear what you got will it get you through the evening every night you play… is your only shot Chorus Outro over Verse
13.
The Back Cover 02:18
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The Back Cover - Words & Music: Jonathon Ferris 12/27/2014 V1 Can this be? Could it be true? Fifty two short chapters and the story’s all through? Can’t leave me hanging, can’t end this way You twisted the plot and then walked away Chorus (but) the back cover tells me we’re done There’s no defined ending, no setting sun the back cover tells me we’re done no one in the grave, no battle won V2 Kept me enthralled, with every page ‘till something went awry about half way got back on track, they made it to town you threw in more plot points, then put the pen down Chorus V3 Nothing concluded, nothing resolved the symbology never emerged from the fog took that book, threw it across the room at least I got a song our of your volume Chorus Outro over chorus

about

This is the better half of the second half of a year long songwriting challenge Jonathon took part in 2014. As part of the "Polar Vortex Songwriting Challenge" he had to write a new song, record it, and post it on-line... Every Week. Most songs had to include a challenge phrase or word incorporated into the song at some point. The rest were simply an open challenge to write anything.

A limited amount of hard copies (only 35) were made, and now they being made available here exclusively on Bandcamp.

"The second half is where this really became a challenge; and it was more from the stand point of having come this far, you have to finish it." Once again it was a hard time thinning down the list to make this second "best of" installment. Some songs still went from concept to finish product in as little as three hours, though sometimes it was driven by pure desperation and a relentless drive to see this to the end. To add to this, week 1 of the challenge didn't happen until almost mid January. Those who still remained in the challenge however didn't want to have the 52nd song be in 2015. So at a certain point all the remaining weekly challenges were posted at once, and a mad dash ensued. This furthered the whole raw, urgent feel that had been present from the beginning. Perhaps in the next year or two (after more of these have been road tested) the list will be further distilled down, rerecorded, and fleshed out into a real fantastic album, but to hear these songs now, in their infancy is a glimpse into a process that is not widely distributed to masses.

Most tracks in the challenge were kept simple: one guitar, one voice. However on some nights when there was more time and the inspiration was flowing, Ferris pushed himself to add more tracks: Electric Guitars, harmony vocals, hand percussion, etc.

credits

released July 1, 2015

As with Volume one, Jonathon Ferris did everything on this album, Every-freaking-detail-thing.

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Jonathon Ferris Detroit, Michigan

Americana-Folk put through a great lakes industrial complex filter: you would think Jonathon Ferris did his writing sitting in a coffee shop on the edge of Detroit, looking across the street at an old barn on the verge of collapse. Down to earth, but street smart, a small town boy who loves the big city, he can spot a Packard at 100 yards, and tell you what's growing in that farmers field. ... more

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