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  • Streaming + Download

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, this CD is a four panel, eco wallet, with liner notes and credits for each song. Photography by John "Chico" Finn. Package design by Chris Bryson @Waxedpaperpress.

    Includes unlimited streaming of A Sign From God via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
How Did You Get To This Place? How Do You Light Up Your Space? It Don’t Matter As Long As It’s Cheap Burn That Coal In Some Other Place Anti Fracking Signs In My Face Just Not In My Backyard Chorus: Not In My Backyard Not In My Backyard Not In My Backyard Windfarms For Clean, Green Power RFK Is For The Towers Just Not In Nantucket Sound Burn That Coal To Feed The Grid Don’t Do What You Just Done, Did So Says Al From His 30,000 Foot Crib Chorus Hydrofracking Is A Swear Word Nuclear Power Is For The Birds Guess We Better Burn Some Trees How Did You Get To This Place? How Did You Light Up Your Space? It Don’t Matter As Long As It’s Cheap Chorus 2x
2.
Oradura 03:34
Oradura , I Barely Knew Ya Wiped From The Map That Day June, 10th 1944 Building Or Man Stood No More Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Wiped From The Map In One Single Day The Resistance Had Taken One Of Their Own The SS Were Not Likely To Soon Forget They Came Into Town On A One-Night Stand When The SS Left, No Man Or Building Would Stand Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Wiped From The Map In One Single Day Women And Children Gathered In The Church The Men And Boys Herded Into The Barn Shots Rang Out – Their Aim Was Low Meant To Wound So They Would All Die Slow Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Wiped From The Map In One Single Day Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Oradura, I Barely Knew Ya Wiped From The Map In One Single Day
3.
I Feel Good, I Feel Lucky I Feel Alright Tonight I Feel Good, I Feel Lucky I Feel Alright Tonight Livin’ High At The 109 - Don’t You Worry Girl You’ll Be Fine - You Got The Whole World, Baby In Front Of You I Feel Good, I Feel Lucky I Feel Alright Tonight I Feel Good, I Feel Lucky I Feel Alright Tonight Get A Beer, Grab A Shot We’re Headin To The Parking Lot And Oh No, It’s Just About Closing Time Bridge: Step In My Room – And Do It Soon Hope The Roof Hits You – Real Soon Then It’ll Be Alright – I’m Getting’ Lucky Tonight I Feel Bad, I Feel Unlucky I Don’t Feel Alright Tonight I Don’t Feel Good, I Feel Unlucky I Don’t Feel Alright Tonight Woke Up Don’t Recall A Thing - Now I’ve Got This Bad Feeling It’s Gonna Stay With Me, Baby For The Rest Of My Life The Rest Of My Life The Rest Of My Life The Rest Of My Life The Rest Of My Life Repeat….Out
4.
My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again Yes Indeed, She’s Wearing Them She’s At The Bar And Looks Like A Nine To Talk To Her I Had To Stand In Line She Liked My Smile And She Liked My Charm I Asked Her Out, She Said “What’s The Harm?” The Next Day I Knock On Her Door She Looked So Good, My Jaw Hit The Floor Went To Dinner All The Heads They Turned My Black Book I Just Burned, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again Yes Indeed, She’s Wearing Them Bridge: Fast Forward 20 Years Lots Of Fights And Lots Of Tears Watches Him Cheer On His Team And Wonders Why The Crops So Lean Wears Her Give Ups Instead Of Putting On Airs Now She Walks Around With No Cares My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again My Baby’s Wearin Give Ups Again Yes Indeed, She’s Wearing Them Yes Indeed, She’s Wearing Them
5.
1861 04:04
July 21st, 1861 Mcdowell’s Troops Crossed The Creek Of Bullrun The Line Was Eight Miles Long The Rebs Were Twenty-Two Thousand Strong Down From DC To See The Show Picnic Lunches And Children In Tow The Show Got Unruly, Had To Leave The Scene The Battle And Retreat Far From Serene Chorus: If You’re From The South – They Call It Manassas If You’re From The North – It’s The Battle Of Bullrun The Blood It Flowed As Thick As Molasses It’d Be Four Years Til The War Was Won Stonewall Jackson Stood His Ground Made The Virginians Very Proud The North Retreated In A Panic It Was Known As The Great Skedaddle States Rights, Rebels Unite States Rights, Preserve The Union Emancipation Proclamation It’d Be More Than A 90 Day Fight They Cried For Water And Their Mothers It Was Northern Brother Fighting Southern Brother Five Thousand Lay Dead On Both Sides The Victor Would Impact Future Black Lives If You’re From The South – They Call It Manassas If You’re From The North – It’s The Battle Of Bullrun The Blood It Flowed As Thick As Molasses It’d Be Four Years Til The War Was Won The Blood It Flowed As Thick As Molasses It’d Be Four Years Til The War Was Won
6.
Three Finger Joe – He Ran The Show As A Deputy Sheriff In Ohio – Three Finger Joe He Ran The Steel Mill Down In Rosedale He Knew Just How To Tell Tall Tales – Did Three Finger Joe He Drove Around Town To Make His Rounds The Black Men They All Looked Down When Three Finger Joe Came Around Cause Three Finger Joe – He Runs The Show Three Finger Joe – Don’t You Know….That He Runs The Show…Don’t You Know? Out To Dinner One Monday Night In Late January Martin Luther King’s Night When I Asked Three Finger Joe About The Holiday His Daughter Just Had And He Looked At Me And He Got Real Mad Did Three Finger Joe MLK Day Is No Holiday It’s Just A Day Off When The Teachers Get Paid Said Three Finger Joe Three Finger Joe – He Runs The Show Three Finger Joe – Don’t You Know….About Three Finger Joe? Don’t You Know? I Didn’t Say A Word, Though I Wished I Had Concerned For A Daughter With A Dad Like Three Finger Joe ‘Cause You Gotta Teach ‘Em Young To Learn This Stuff About Hatred And Racism Is Really Tough From A Guy Like Three Finger Joe Three Finger Joe – He Runs The Show Three Finger Joe – Don’t You Know….About Three Finger Joe? Don’t You Know? Don’t You Know….About Three Finger Joe?
7.
I Got These First World Problems Don’t Know How They Started First World Problems Don’t Know How I’ll Solve Them I Broke My Sunglasses Today Don’t Know The WIFI Password It’s Too Hot In Here Someone Stole My Massage Today My Team Came In Last Place Again Is This Gluten Free? Someone Stole My Iphone Now I Use A Flip Phone I Got These First World Problems – Don’t Know How They Started First World Problems – Don’t Know How I’ll Solve Them Got No Cell Service I Got To Sit In The Middle Seat What Do You Mean “My Room’s Not Ready”? They Don’t Take Reservations This Wine Doesn’t Taste Quite Right My Flight’s Been Delayed I Went To My Safety School Too Many Student Loans I Got These First World Problems – Don’t Know How They Started First World Problems – Don’t Know How I’ll Solve Them Spend Our Time Complaining About Things When We Should Be Rejoicing About Your Health, Your Mom And Dad Not The Things That We Wish We Had The In-Laws Are Coming To Visit Buggy Software Upgrades I Just Burned The Toast Bad Country On The Radio Someone’s In The Fast Lane Again Ah, This Coffee’s Not Hot Not Enough Selfie Likes I Missed My Stop! ….I Missed My Stop!......I Missed My Stop! I Got These First World Problems – Don’t Know How They Started First World Problems – Don’t Know How I’ll Solve Them I Got These First World Problems – Don’t Know How They Started First World Problems – Don’t Know How I’ll Solve Them
8.
What’s Your Problem? Maybe It’s Human Nature What’s Your Problem? Need To Look Down On Someone Else Gotta Keep Em Down To Improve Your Stature Or To Feel Better About Yourself, Its True So What’s Your Problem? You Got To Treat People So Mean What’s Your Problem? Scared Cause They’re Different Than You What’s Your Problem? What If The Foot Had The Other Shoe? Solo I Know You Weren’t Born This Way Your Parents Did A Real Number On You They Taught You About Jesus And What He Says Is True Do Unto To Others As They Would Unto You…. So What’s Your Problem? Hate A Man That Looks Different Than You What’s Your Problem? Ever Think About Your White Priviledge? What’s Your Problem? This Has Gone On Long Enough…. Bridge Gotta Break The Cycle, Enough’s Enough Teach Your Children Love And Respect Standing Up For What Is Right Shouldn’t Be That Tough Loving A Fellow Man Is A Novel Concept So What’s Your Problem What’s Your Problem? What’s Your Problem? Repeat….Out
9.
Two Stones 02:47
Two Stones, for every dirt Rise each Spring from the earth Three foot high stacked up off the ground Dry laid walls stand hard and fast Scars from the hard work past Boundary lines for the property Chorus: Two Stones for Every Dirt Rise each Spring from the earth 3 foot high stacked up off the ground Tenant Farmers cleared the land 3-foot-high walls built by hand walls to keep in the cows and the sheep Fallow Fields are laid with scars Deep in the hills and hollers Remind us now of times gone by Chorus Solo – 2X Today it is a paid craft Reminds us of times gone past Miles and miles and miles Chorus – out 2X
10.
Wait For Me 04:20
Wait For Me And I’ll Return Only Wait Very Hard Wait When You Are Filled With Sorrow As You Watch The Yellow Rain Wait When The Wind Sweep The Snow Drifts Wait In The Sweltering Heat Wait When Others Have Stopped Waiting Forgetting Their Yesterdays Wait Even When From Afar No Letters Come To You Wait Even When Others Are Tired Of Waiting Wait Even When My Mother And Son Think I Am No More When My Friends Sit Around The Fire Drinking To My Memory Wait And Do Not Hurry To Drink To My Memory Too Wait For I’ll Return, Defying Every Dead And Let Those Who Do Not Wait Say That I Was Lucky They Never Will Understand That In The Midst Of Death, You With Your Waiting Saved Me Only You And I Will Know How I Survived It’s Because You Waited As No One Else Did Saved Me …With Your Waiting Saved Me …With Your Waiting Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Because You Waited As No One Else Did Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Because You Waited As No One Else Did Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Because You Waited As No One Else Did Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Because You Waited As No One Else Did Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Because You Waited As No One Else Did Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Saved Me …With Your Waiting Because You Waited As No One Else Did Only You And I Will Know How I Survived Only You And I Will Know How I Survived

about

Once the reality of COVID 19 hit us on March 12, 2020, nobody knew what was going to happen and for how long our normal routines would be disrupted. Since I was homebound for the duration – I decided that I should get my home recording studio up and running again. After weeks of technical frustration– I was finally able to get my home setup cobbled together with a Universal Audio Apollo interface and my MacBook, using Protools recording software.

I called my friend and producer Eric “Roscoe” Ambel and consulted with him about how to set myself up with the various levels and microphone positioning, etc. On Friday, May 15, just as I was attempting to self-record the first take of the first song, an electrical storm blew through Bovina and knocked all the power out in the whole valley. As I sat there in complete darkness staring at my laptop with Protools open, waiting for the power to come back on so I could start on the first song of this new endeavor, I couldn’t help but hope that this wasn’t A Sign From God.

Not to be denied, I hooked up my recording rig to my solar-powered battery backup system and proceeded to record the scratch tracks on acoustic guitar with the vocals. I had accumulated a batch of new tunes since our last album – Canis Majoris, recorded in 2015.

Over the next several weeks and months, I recorded new tunes and sent them along to Roscoe. He, in turn, would get them out to each musician in the band, who would work with him from their discrete home recording setups. Keith Christopher on bass, Brian Shafer on guitar, Becca Frame on vocals and Matt Woodin on guitars and mandolin. Mike Ricciardi played the drums at NewClear Studios, with Jeff Stachyra engineering. Each of them played their parts remotely in an order that shaped the songs. A 70’s style overdub album – all done remotely, 2020 style.

Roscoe produced the tracks from his home studio, Evie’s Terrace in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, playing guitar and singing killer harmonies, while his wife Mary Lee joined us on key backing vocals.

We started recording the tracks on May 15. By the time everyone had pitched in and recorded their parts for Roscoe to wrangle, he and Mario Viele were doing the final mix (with the band sitting in on the session remotely in real time) the day before Thanksgiving – at Cowboy Technical Services. After we tweaked our sequence, Mario Viele mastered the album.

We saw each other once for an afternoon “pre-production” get-together on July 3. After that day, we never saw each other face-to-face. Everything was done remotely. And yet, Esquela has recorded its best album to date. A true Sign from God.


John “Chico” Finn – January 2021
Bovina Center, NY

credits

released June 25, 2021

Produced by Eric "Roscoe" Ambel
Mastered by Mario Viele @Cowboy Technical Services
Photography: John "Chico" Finn
Package Design: Chris Bryson @Waxedpaperpress

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Esquela Bovina Center, New York

Esquela was formed in 2008 by John "Chico" Finn and Keith Christopher. Together they wrote songs for their debut album, "The Owl Has Landed". Over the course of the next decade, Esquela has recorded five studio albums. Over the course of the next few months, Esquela will be releasing its back catalog on Bandcamp, building up to a June 25th release of their latest album, "A Sign From God". ... more

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