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Global Search Party

by Walter Ehresman

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1.
The Money People Ruin Everything 03:45
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The Money People Ruin Everything (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) Searchin’ for that chillin’ place to lay your head in righteous space; Soak it in—the price is right, the people nice—it’s paradise. Then one morning—what’s that sound? The spoilers have all come town! The money people ruin everything --Gonna rip up all the natural green; The money people ruin everything --Luxury condos for a gentry scene. Seems our life is chasing down these pockets greedheads haven’t found; But you sleep with one eye open, waiting for that shoe to drop; You could bust your gut from hopin’; developers—they will not stop! The money people ruin everything --Real estate vampires wall-to-wall; The money people ruin everything --Time to grease up another city hall. The money people ruin everything --Come on, brothers, let me hear you sing; The money people ruin everything --Swarm of locusts with their lame-ass bling.
2.
Sing Out for the Barnhouse Effect 04:51
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Sing Out for the Barnhouse Effect (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) If you’d told me 20 years back that I’d be on the run from each and every sack of crap with a gun, be they country or kin, I wouldn’t stare at you now like I’d stare at you then. Well, those generals got a lot more than they bargained for— with their off-book money and the 51 doors locked tight in the desert where you better not go, or you’ll be lab rattin’-sorry, swirling down the data hole. (desaparecido) You know that 90% that they say we don’t use? I’ve been working on that problem for a decade or two. I know all this killin’ is your idea of fun, but I’ll be sending all your weapons into the heart of the sun. And if you want to, baby, I can show you how it’s done; ‘cause someone’s got to mind the store long after I’m gone. It’s a chilling thing to see how mad they can get; But this global search party hasn’t found me yet. You and me can teach some others while we keep on the run; We gotta keep ourselves together, dodge the arrows and clubs. You know that 90% that they say we don’t use? I’ve been working on that problem for a decade or two. I know all this killin’ is your idea of fun, but I’m sending all your weapons into the heart of the sun. I know all this killin’ is your acme of fun, but I’m sending all your weapons into the heart of the sun; Forever sending all your weapons into the heart of the sun.
3.
Decisions I Can't Explain 02:13
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Decisions I Can’t Explain (© 2018 Walter Ehresman) Oh no, I know this feeling; All the holes in time concealing; Trying to find the point it went off the rails. Really thought this was all history; Better blueprints building a better me; Now I’ve got to check all the parts and the scale. Seems its happened again; The evidence is everywhere now; Gotta glue the pieces together, my friend. I can’t really complain, ‘cause no one else would have the know-how to make these decisions I just can’t explain. Cosmic rays or hypnotism; Mind control or magnetism; Trying to find a cause that could spare me the blame. But I know it’s all just futility; There really is no greater mystery, and there ain’t nobody or nothing that I can frame!
4.
Get On the Boat 05:20
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Get On the Boat (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) An ancient culture is looking at you; They play the long game, not “likes” and YouTube; Not chasing the West, but they’ll be the boss soon. Let’s go! The Orange Man likes the cut of their jib; No time for the tea leaves while flexing his fib; Throw out those human rights and that women’s lib; Let’s go! Get on the boat—we’ve seen the writing on the wall; Shack up with your Rosetta Stone—it’s time for deference, y’all; --Yes, it’s hierarchy time, with an Eastern flair; --The ripples are here if you don’t go there; --They’ve bought all our debt, and it’s laissez-faire; Let’s go! I see the signs, now, whatever I do; The sticks are all thrown—not auspicious for you; And that scar from ’02 now looks Chinese, too; Let’s go! Get on the boat—we’ve seen the writing on the wall; Shack up with your Rosetta Stone—it’s time for deference, y’all; --Yes, it’s hierarchy time, with an Eastern flair; --The ripples are here if you don’t go there; --They’ve bought all our debt, and it’s buyer beware; Let’s go!
5.
Well, I (Don't) Declare! 02:28
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Well, I (Don’t) Declare! (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) You wanna be all things to all men (you sell more stuff that way); But when you flatter every person you meet, we can’t believe a single word that you say; Oh, been a long time comin’--wasn’t feeling so well ‘bout this web of associations, and I think you can tell Battle lines need to form up, people; Gotta say that it’s way past time; Can’t afford those workin’ the middle— maximize the payday while you talk from both sides. You’re painting portraits of Reagan and Rand, then you whisper that it don’t mean a thing; But your blurbs praise ‘em high to the heavens with the sales-pitch that you loudly sing. Oh, I’m sure the money’s better doin’ business that way, but your soul’s in hock to your eyeballs, until you enter the fray. Big money is steady as poison— all those red hats (with some DINOs on the side); Way over here, we try to do what we can do; With two-faced schmoozers makin’ money on the ride.
6.
.........and here it comes again (Parts I & II) 05:23
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…..and here it comes again (Parts I & II) (© 2018 Walter Ehresman) Collective disassociation, baby—traumatize your mind; Population regression—separate the pulp from the rind (and here it comes again). Real receptor implosion--prioritize you blind; Herd behavior infection, baby—gonna scramble to your place in the line (and here it comes again). Authoritarian orgasm, baby—you feel it’s way past time; Moral annihilation—initiate the hate that festers inside (and here it comes again).
7.
Silent Crossings 05:39
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Silent Crossings (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) Rumbles, but no blast……it could be so many things; Accustomed to the klaxon when danger’s in the long grass; The years re-weight the scale…….put filters on reflection; But crossings of the paths unveil the wounds that last, and strip away the pearl of healing. Such a funny thing, this tangle of gray matter; A maze that pulses softly……we cannot see the pattern; Infinity of sparks relay—a lightning storm, to me opaque— I trace into a dead-end street, too proud today for my defeat; The universe ignores such clatter. Silent crossings……….no disturbance; Ripples will not cross the surface of the time so past between us; Underneath the underplay, now softly (just a vibration) will I say…….. We lock our eyes before the time of strangers meeting; Amidst the scrambled flash, I cannot read your face; The closing space demands decisions in the instant; Our lips, they make no sound……our eyes show words unfound of fear or of entreating.
8.
For the Sense of No Sense at All 03:28
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For the Sense of No Sense at All (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) The message said we were overrun; Falling back on all sides; The Barons’ men have us out-gunned; Leaflets fall from the sky. Communications are compromised— official lies on TV; All reserves have been mobilized— but will they answer our plea? We know we cannot surrender; We know some lines should not fall; But hold me tight, and we’ll dance through the night for the sense of no sense at all. A soldier cries that it’s no use, as they wheel him away; Another says they’ll be no truce, ‘cause money must get its way. But still we fight every morning; And we fight through the day; But deep in the night lies the warning of human nature’s true face.
9.
Now I Take My Leave 04:15
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Now I Take My Leave (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) I must take my leave of Eva— fallen some ways away from bottom lines and clean tomorrows. It’s so hard these days to see her; Anger boiling inside--digging holes away from good things she knows. Stolen promises—centuries and more; Hard eyes working ‘til they find you, taking all the things that make a home. So now I take my leave of Eva; One last look goodbye—a red mist rising from sea to shining sea. All those years I worked to save her— but it’s all that we can do, ‘til those working days are through.
10.
Songs For No One To Hear 04:16
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Songs For No One to Hear (© 2018 Walter Ehresman) Writing songs for no one to hear; In a soundless drop just deep enough to let no trace appear. You might say “the purpose seems unclear”; Writing songs for no one else to hear. Creating to survive the blows of life, and celebrate for those pure moments when the weight, it falls, and I can float again. In that sense, the world out there it has no place that I should care, but still I send them all up to the wind…… Writing songs for no one to hear; In a soundless drop just deep enough to vanish in thin air. You might say “don’t think in terms of ‘fair’”; When writing songs for no one else to hear. The work is done, the bells ring out; The hope of now, the past of doubt; ‘Cause no one like to feel the fool who fails to learn once again. Ignored into the same despair that every time awaits me there, until the day I slowly raise the pen……. Writing songs for no one to hear; In a soundless drop just deep enough to think there’s nothing there. You might see some kind of future where: Writing songs for someone else to hear; Writing songs for no one else to hear; Writing songs for only you to hear.
11.
Por Alma 03:53
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Por Alma (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) That smile, soon to come; Time ticks so slowly by— I can make it ring if I try tonight. My heart rolls the drum; Feel that quick step in my stride; A better feeling rising deep inside won’t hide. Your eyes chart my days; Waiting ain’t my finest skill— but for you I’ll make time stand still tonight. When I catch your gaze— a sharp current shoots through until a fine sensation that my heart is filled with light. And this day—friends all around you— celebrate ‘cause we love you so; Then steal a moment together; Let our eyes say all there is to know.
12.
Last Words 04:33
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Last Words (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) Last words—hard to plan; don’t know rate of sand; Not consulted when we go. Leaving something to carve on the stone-- steering how we’ll be known. Might be better living that way— reflected in anything we might say; Writing our epitaphs each day; Actions before we’ve gone away. Easier said than done; I’m not a special one— roll the rock right up that hill; Lifetime venture again every day— another chance to mold the clay. Legacy is not the driver, ‘cause when you’re gone, you’re gone; Ego is the snare that holds us—poisons our life song.
13.
BONUS TRACK: Now I Take My Leave--version #2 04:12
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Now I Take My Leave (© 2019 Walter Ehresman) I must take my leave of Eva— fallen some ways away from bottom lines and clean tomorrows. It’s so hard these days to see her; Anger boiling inside--digging holes away from good things she knows. Stolen promises—centuries and more; Hard eyes working ‘til they find you, taking all the things that make a home. So now I take my leave of Eva; One last look goodbye—a red mist rising from sea to shining sea. All those years I worked to save her— but it’s all that we can do, ‘til those working days are through.
14.
BONUS TRACK: The 34 Points of Worry (from the BBC memo to Monty Python in the later days of the series run) 04:44
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The 34 Points of Worry (from the BBC memo to Monty Python in the later days of the series run) (© 2019 Walter Ehresman)

about

(click on any song title to get more information on that song, and to download it individually)

--for a physical CD, contact the artist directly.

Global Search Party is the 18th solo album from ex-Austin, Texas musical adventurer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Walter Ehresman, and the third since his early 2015 move to San Miguel de Allende in Central Mexico. These three albums recorded in Mexico show more and more Latin music influences seeping into Ehresman's sound.

And, as is par for the course across his extensive discography, the new album features a wide diversity of styles--this time around, they range from funk to Latin rock to indie rock to classic rock (a'la Steely Dan) to psychedelia to Latin-tinged progressive post-rock to Spanish guitar and piano ballads to a little experimental Monty Python humor.

Lyrically, as has been the case since the very beginning, Ehresman takes a surgical scalpel to current events......coming from a definite Progressive outlook, he drills into the obvious targets (Trump & the whole Republican Party ; the military industrial complex) as well as those farther down the road (China's coming economic dominance). But just as much lyrical time is given to the inner turmoils and dilemmas we all share.....love, uncertainty, despair, pending mortality. The commonality in his songwriting is a deep love of what humanity can be, coupled with a deep disappointment when we don't live up to our better selves.

Plus, Ehresman's sardonic sense of humor remains intact.

The album's title comes from a lyric to the song "Sing Out For the Barnhouse Effect." Based on Ehresman-favorite Kurt Vonnegut's first published short story in 1950, the song chronicles the tribulations of one Dr. Barnhouse, who develops telekinesis but, instead of turning it over to the generals at Area 51, zaps all the world's weapons out of existence and goes into hiding.......at which point, all the governments of the world unite--for the first time in human history--to find Barnhouse and kill him so that weapons production can be cranked back up.

So, yeah......some of that sardonic humor there.

After many years of following his Todd Rundgren-inspired studio approach to playing damn near every instrument himself, Global Search Party shows a continuing development and expansion of those skills, including the album's production. The sonics are excellent here, with real attention to detail. Says Ehresman: "One goal I have is for people to hear something new every time they listen to one of my albums........I really encourage folks to download Global Search Party in .WAV format, for the best sound quality, and check it out at least once on headphones......this will be particularly worth it on the psychedelic material (Track #6)".

After so many solo and band albums, spanning decades, it's impressive to note that Ehresman is not repeating himself. Each release showcases new genres and hybrids taken on, new instruments brought to the fore and, most importantly, new things to say.

Ehresman leaves us with this: "I've been really fortunate that, over the years, I never seem to lack for new ideas for songs and recording experiments......and I sure don't take those flashes of inspiration for granted.......I think part of it is staying engaged with what's going on in the world....trying to figure out why these things happen.....why people do what they do......and that includes myself....I've always thought that we all have an obligation, to ourselves and those around us, to continually gauge our own behavior and gut check whether we're living up to our own standards of behavior.......and I suppose all this external and internal information gathering and analysis percolates in my brain in the night and leads to all these musical ideas bubbling up.......I write and record this stuff because I really feel compelled to do so, and my intention is to keep going until I keel over (hopefully falling on my back so the guitar isn't damaged)."

"I want to give special thanks to Rob, Mike, Ron and Don for lending their considerable musical talents to this record, and also to Ron for another great cover photo. You guys rock!"


Discography (most available on Bandcamp):

--solo albums: "Honor in the Swine?" ('89); "In the Path of the Cat Chasers" ('90); "Split Brain Theory" ('91); "The Blue Shoat Special" ('96); the spoken-word "The Rants" ('97); "Handwedge from the Trap" ('99); “Le Cafard“ (’01); "The Feral Rugby Team Must GO!" ('03); "No Unifying Theme" ('04); "March, Scream or Cry" ('07); "The ADG Project" ('07); "Monkey Paw Situation" ('09); “Well…..Let‘s Look at Your Track Record, Shall We?” (’10); “Life Outside the Tent“ (’12); “Blue-Eyed Devils” (’14); “Pinches Topes” (’16); "South of the Wall" ('18); and "Global Search Party" ('20).

--with Snipe Hunt: "We'll Be Right Back!" ('99); "Dirty Ditties and Cover Tunes" ('00); and "I Saw the Future (But the Damn Train Hit Me Just the Same)" ('02).

--with Los Platos: “Oh, No” EP (’08).

--with Delphi Rising: “For Granted” (‘10)

--covers compilation: "Walter's Cootie-Free COVID Covers, Vol. 1" ('20)

--compilations (various artists):
(with Swine Patrol) “The Austin Cassette Compendium” (‘86);
(solo) "Monkey Boy Sampler" ('01, '05); and "Several Famous Orchestras" ('03).

--Nine-volume “Best of……” series, celebrating 30 years of writing and recording (1987-2017): "The Best of.......Singer/Songwriter"; "The Best of........World Music"; "The Best of.......Party Mix"; "The Best of......Hard Rockers"; "The Best of.......Electronic Rockers"; "The Best of......Chill"; "The Best of.......Blue Mood"; "The Best of.......the Weird Ones"; and "The Best of......Songs of Possibilities".

credits

released May 20, 2020

Produced, engineered, written and performed by Walter Ehresman at Snipe Bog Studios, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Special guests: The Green Space Boys (Mike Duncan/Rob Ramsey/Ron Van Dyke)--background vocals (Track #1); Rob Ramsey--background vocals (Tracks #4, 9 & 13); and Don Forres--lap steel (Track #9, 13).

Mastered by Kurtis Machler, Million Dollar Sound, Austin, Tx.

Cover photography by Ron Van Dyke

p. 2020 Walter Ehresman

Snipe Bog Records. © as indicated at each work.

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Walter Ehresman San Miguel De Allende, Mexico

Called "the quintessential Austin DIY artist" by famed local disc jockey Charlie Martin , Walter Ehresman was an eccentric presence in the Austin music scene from the '80s until his 2015 move to Mexico. A prolific songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist...and a restless musical spirit, always looking for something new, expressed with fearlessly honest, socially-conscious lyrics. ... more

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