CD ALBUM: “LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT” SONGS OF: RICHARD HOLLEY We know that: “It takes a village to raise a child”. Recently, I’ve also learned that it takes a global community to make a CD! So many dear friends representing cultures as diverse as European and Asian, African and Latino, joined to collaborate with me on this project which emanates from our beautiful, beloved, and hopeful “City of the United Nations”. New York is home to and for all people. It is a city in which we strive each day to live in peace and harmony. Our album expresses themes of Hope (“Leave the World a Little Better than You Found It”), Peace and Tolerance (“War-Torn Face”; and, “The Immigrant Song – Can I Count on You?”), Romantic Love (“I Love Your with All of My Heart”; and, “The Wedding Song – I’m Not Alone Anymore”); and Spiritual Love (“The Mary Magdalene Song – I Just Want to Stay with You, My Lord”), along with several other pop ballads, such as “Tenderly”; “If I Could”, and “Senorita Bailarina”, and a song I wrote for the birth of my grandson entitled:” Liam, Welcome to the Family”. ALBUM MUSICIANS, VOCALISTS, and ARTISTS Let me first thank a couple of stalwart, life-long friends, Kevin Kelly and Rob Napoli, both outstanding musicians, who were with me every step of the way in the creation of this CD. There would be no CD without them. Kevin Kelly - with his cool bass lines, interesting organ riffs, wonderful acoustic guitar pads, reggae “ska” guitar, and interesting synthesizer sounds - worked his magic on every track of the recording. Kevin did much of the studio engineering and post-production work, including the final mixing and mastering for the CD. Kevin is a faculty member of Nassau Community College, and is the sound engineer for a nationally-syndicated weekly entertainment show. Kevin is also responsible for somehow convincing his fantastically-talented singer/songwriter daughter, Rorie Kelly, (rorie@roriekelly.com) to sing the lead vocals for the Mary Magdalene song. Thanks, Kevin! Thanks, Rorie! Rob Napoli (robnap828@yahoo.com) - a human metronome - created and maintained the groove for the band. Back in the studio, he layered on additional Latin, reggae, and pop beats to add just the right flavor to each tune. As a founding member of the Sub-Mooks, Rob lent his expressive voice to the backing vocals of Leave the World a Little Better than You Found It. Thanks, Rob! John Campos. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest instrumentalists and vocalists. John Campos (pwrhseentgrp@aol.com), a great guitarist, recording engineer, and producer, contributed his outstanding lead guitar work on all of the tunes. He is a real-life Guitar Hero. Thanks, John! Joe LaPallo is a vocal Super-Star. Joe LaPallo (jlapallo@aol.com) created heart-felt and poignant lead vocals for over half of the tunes on the CD, including: Walk Away, I Love You With All of My Heart, Trouble in Paradise, If I Could, The Immigrant Song, War-Torn Face, and Portuguese Goddess. Joe also did the backing vocals to many of the other songs. Thanks for giving such beautiful and powerful voice to my songs, Joe! Delilah Finkley Acquaah is a dear friend and fellow musician who I’ve been blessed to know and hold in the highest esteem for many years. Delilah (goldentrenches7@yahoo.com), a singer/songwriter/producer in her own right, generously contributed her wonderful lead vocals to the title track: Leave the World a Little Better than You Found It. Thanks, Delilah! Roberto Vazquez (robvazquez@aol.com) is an Award-Winning singer/songwriter from Puerto Rico educated in romantic ballads. He has performed on legendary stages such as Carnegie Hall, Ed Sullivan Theatre, Merkin Concert Hall, and Manhattan Center. Roberto has won Top Finalist in several International Song Competitions. His appearances on the Telemundo and Univision Networks marked the start of his international success. Roberto was presented with the LATIN ACE AWARD for the “Best Local Artist of the Year” by the Association of Entertainment Critics. Roberto, along with Ayana Del Valle combined their fantastic voices in two duets on the album: Tenderly and Senorita Bailarina. Thanks, Roberto! Ayana Del Valle (scatalong@yahoo.com), a singer/songwriter/performer specializing in jazz, has the voice of an angel. Ayana soloed beautifully on: I’m Not Alone Anymore. Singing duets with Roberto Vazquez on Tenderly and Senorita Bailarina, she and Roberto brought their soulful, Latin flair to these tunes. Thanks, Ayana! Lori Corda (lcorda@cordabrothers.com) is a singer/songwriter with extensive theatrical experience including Broadway show tunes, rock, and pop. Lori sang the lead vocals to the ballad: I Can Feel You Leaving Me. Lori’s husband, Vinny Corda, (vcorda@cordabrothers.com) also a talented singer/songwriter/instrumentalist, engineer/producer, sang backing vocals to Lori on this tune. Thanks, Lori! Thanks, Vinny! George Fullan (generalstudios@gmail.com) was the original recording engineer for the CD project. George – we all loved your little “gummy worms” on the drum set!! Sorry I took so long to complete the project, George. Thank You! Robert Nester (rnester@globe.edu) is a dear friend, lyricist, and educator who wrote the lyrics to Senorita Bailarina. Without Robert this tune would not exist. Robert also added lyrics to I’m Not Alone Anymore. Thanks, Robert! Strings and Orchestration: Violinist Yi Bin Li (yibinviolin@gmail.com) and Cellist Sean Kazuyama, both Julliard-trained master musicians, gave heart-felt performances on the War-Torn Face song. I am in the debt of Yi Bin who convinced her friend and colleague, Bruce Donnelly (a two-time academy award nominee), to orchestrate the string section to War-Torn Face. Bruce added depth of beauty and pathos to this song that would certainly have been lacking but for his kindness, generosity and artistic talent. Thanks, Bin, Sean, and Bruce! Amanda Lanzone (mandylanzone@gmail.com) (amandalanzone.com) is an extremely gifted visual artist who collaborated with me to develop the beautiful and poignant cover art to this CD. Her piece which graces the cover of my CD truly reflects and represents women working together to leave the world a little better place for all of us. Amanda also was the Art Director for the project, working on the visual design and layout of the lyrics, credits, song titles, and jewel case enclosures. Thanks, Amanda! Richard Holley (rholley58@aol.com; rholley@foodforchildren.org) wrote the music for the songs and nearly all song lyrics, except for Senorita Bailarina (lyrics by Robert Nester), and I’m Not Alone Anymore (lyrics by Richard Holley and Robert Nester). Richard played piano for all tunes. Kevin would then cast a magic spell over the piano tracks until they’d come out right. Richard sang the lead vocal to Liam, Welcome to the Family. In 1979 (the International Year of the Child), Richard started a non-profit called Food For Children, which has a small internet presence, and to which he is still very much committed. Since it is an all-volunteer group, all funds received go to provide food, clothing, and education for children who need some help. For my Family: I thank each of you for your patience, love and support over the years and throughout this project. Maureen - thanks for always being the love of my life and my fellow-sojourner upon the earth. Monica and Chris, Liam and Holley – I love you with all of my heart. Mom – thanks for your great strength in protecting the less fortunate around you, for doing Right and seeking Truth. To the Holy One – Thank You, Lord, for all Goodness, Mercy, Kindness, and Love. Teach us to be your children. Help us to bring about profound and lasting PEACE upon the earth. Selected Song Lyrics 2. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART MUSIC AND LYRICS: RICHARD HOLLEY VOCALS: JOE LAPALLO I’M WALKING IN THE POURING RAIN WE BOTH WENT JUST A LITTLE INSANE FROM THE DAILY STRESS AND STRAIN THAT’S WHY WE MUST BE FIGHTING AGAIN THAT’S WHY WE MUST BE FIGHTING AGAIN I KNOW THAT WE WORK SO HARD TO PAY FOR THE RENT AND THE CAR OUR MONEY DOESN’T STRETCH THAT FAR BUT YOU SAY WE’RE FINE AND WE ARE YOU SAY WE’RE FINE AND WE ARE INSTEAD OF PULLING IN MY OWN DIRECTION I’VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO COMPROMISE IT ISN’T FAIR TO EXPECT PERFECTION SO MAY I PLEASE APOLOGIZE? BEFORE I WENT OUT, I WROTE YOU A LETTER SAID “I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART. UPON MY RETURN, I SWEAR I’LL DO MUCH BETTER I PROMISE TO DO MY PART, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART”. SOMETIMES I CAN BE SENTIMENTAL OTHER TIMES I’M AS COLD AS ICE I REALLY DON’T WANT TO BE JUDGMENTAL BUT LATELY IT’S A TOSS OF THE DICE BEFORE I WENT OUT, I WROTE YOU A LETTER SAID “I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART. UPON MY RETURN, I SWEAR I’LL DO MUCH BETTER I PROMISE TO DO MY PART, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART”. I WANT TO GIVE YOU EVERYTHING A HAPPY HOME AND A FANCY RING DON’T BE CONCERNED WHAT THE WORLD MAY BRING DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING PLEASE DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING INSTEAD OF PULLING IN MY OWN DIRECTION I’VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO COMPROMISE IT ISN’T FAIR TO EXPECT PERFECTION SO MAY I PLEASE APOLOGIZE? BEFORE I WENT OUT, I WROTE YOU A LETTER SAID “I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART. UPON MY RETURN,I SWEAR I’LL DO MUCH BETTER I PROMISE TO DO MY PART, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART”. YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU, WITH ALL OF MY HEART. I LOVE YOU, WITH ALL OF MY HEART, YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU, WITH ALL MY HEART SAID I LOVE YOU, GIRL, I LOVE YOU, YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU, GIRL, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART 4. LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT MUSIC AND LYRICS: RICHARD HOLLEY VOCALS: DELILAH FINKLEY ACQUAAH BACKING VOCALS: JOE LAPALLO, ROB NAPOLI AND THE SUB-MOOKS GIVE SOMEBODY A HELPING HAND SHARE SOME KINDNESS WHEN YOU CAN YOU SHOW WHAT MATTERS WHEN YOU DO THEN THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SMILE ON YOU LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE AND JOY AROUND IT SHOW SOMEONE YOU REALLY CARE, SHOULD TROUBLE COME YOU WILL BE THERE LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT YOU CAN DO IT, IF YOU TRY YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, SO DON’T BE SHY HELPING EACH OTHER JUST TO GET THROUGH EACH DAY IN THIS WORLD THERE CAN BE NO BETTER WAY SO DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOW YOUR LOVE LOVE IS SUCH A FINE GIFT FROM ABOVE THAT’S ALL THAT ANYONE REALLY NEEDS, OH YEAH, TO HAVE A HAPPY LIFE, TO SUCCEED. LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE AND JOY AROUND IT SHOW SOMEONE YOU REALLY CARE, SHOULD TROUBLE COME YOU WILL BE THERE LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT YOU CAN DO IT, IF YOU TRY YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, SO DON’T BE SHY HELPING EACH OTHER JUST TO GET THROUGH EACH DAY IN THIS WORLD THERE CAN BE NO BETTER WAY GIVE SOMEBODY A HELPING HAND SHARE SOME KINDNESS WHEN YOU CAN YOU SHOW WHAT MATTERS WHEN YOU DO, OH YEAH THEN THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SMILE ON YOU LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE AND JOY AROUND IT SHOW SOMEONE YOU REALLY CARE, SHOULD TROUBLE COME YOU WILL BE THERE LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT 6. CAN I COUNT ON YOU? THE IMMIGRANT SONG MUSIC AND LYRICS: RICHARD HOLLEY VOCALS: JOE LAPALLO BACKING VOCALS: AYANA DEL VALLE/ROBERTO VAZQUEZ I KISSED ALL MY FRIENDS, SAID “GOODBYE” TO MY WIFE I LEFT FULL OF ANTICIPATION CAME TO THIS LAND, TO START A NEW LIFE IN THE CITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS WILL I BE MISSED, OR WILL I BE FORGOTTEN? WHAT WILL BECOME OF ME? CAN I ASK YOU? CAN YOU HELP ME? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? ARRIVED ON THESE SHORES, WALKED THROUGH THESE DOORS NOBODY HERE TO MEET ME I’M ALL ALONE, SO FAR AWAY FROM HOME THERE’S NOBODY HERE TO GREET ME WILL I BE GLAD, OR WILL I BE SO LONELY? IF I COULD ONLY TELL. CAN I ASK YOU? CAN I TRUST YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? ACCEPTED OR REJECTED? REGARDED OR NEGLECTED? WILL I BE TREATED RIGHT OR TREATED WRONG? ABUSED OR RESPECTED? SUBJECTED OR PROTECTED? WILL I GROW WEAK OR WILL I STAY STRONG? WITHOUT A JOB, WITHOUT ANY LAND, WITHOUT THE WORDS THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND HERE UPON FAITH, THAT LIFE CAN BE BETTER I WRITE HER THESE WORDS WHEN I SEND HER A LETTER WILL THERE BE FRIENDS TO MAKE ME FEEL AT HOME HERE? WHO WILL BE KIND TO ME? CAN I ASK YOU? CAN I TRUST YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? WILL I STAND OUT, OR WILL I FIT IN? WILL I BE JUDGED FOR THE COLOR OF MY SKIN? HOW SHOULD I DRESS? WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? IF I AM DIFFERENT, WILL PEOPLE STARE? WILL I FIND HOPE OR TOTAL DESPERATION? WHO WILL STAND UP FOR ME? CAN I ASK YOU? CAN I TRUST YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? CAN I COUNT ON YOU? 8. WAR-TORN FACE MUSIC AND LYRICS: RICHARD HOLLEY VOCALS: JOE LAPALLO ORCHESTRATION: BRUCE DONNELLY VIOLINIST: YI BIN LI CELLIST: SEAN KAZUYAMA I SEE IT IN HER TEARFUL EYES I SEE IT IN HER WAR-TORN FACE I HEAR IT IN HER CHILDRENS’ CRIES MAMA, CAN’T WE GO TO SOMEPLACE SAFE? I SEE THE BOMBS FALLING FROM THE SKY I HEAR IT EVERY NIGHT ON THE NEWS I CAN’T IMAGINE THE REASON WHY THIS IS THE PATH OF DESTRUCTION WE CHOOSE HAVEN’T WE HAD ENOUGH BLOOD ON OUR HANDS? HAVEN’T WE SEEN ENOUGH SUFFERING? HAVEN’T WE GONE DOWN THE WRONG ROAD LONG ENOUGH? DON’T OUR CHILDREN DESERVE A WORLD FULL OF LOVE? I SEE IT IN MUSLIM EYES I HEAR AMERICAN VOICES TOO WE’RE ALL SO SICK OF THE HATRED AND LIES LET’S GET TOGETHER AND TRY SOMETHING NEW WHATEVER NAME YOU USE FOR GOD ALLAH, YAHWEH, OR SPIRIT TOO WE ALL PRAY TO THE VERY SAME GOD AND GOD LOVES MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN AND JEW ANOTHER WAR OR TWO, THERE’LL BE NO MORE TO DO EXCEPT TO WALK THROUGH THE RUIN NO MORE HUMANITY, NO MORE WORLD TO SEE THERE’LL BE NO HOPE FOR US SOON GIVE ME A CHANCE TO PLEAD TO MY OWN OUR SAVIOR TAUGHT US FORGIVENESS AND PEACE JESUS CHRIST REFUSED TO TAKE UP A STONE HE GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT HATRED MAY CEASE I SEE IT IN HER TEARFUL EYES I SEE IT IN HER WAR-TORN FACE I HEAR IT IN HER CHILDRENS’ CRIES MAMA, CAN’T WE GO TO SOMEPLACE SAFE? HAVEN’T WE HAD ENOUGH BLOOD ON OUR HANDS? HAVEN’T WE SEEN ENOUGH SUFFERING? HAVEN’T WE GONE DOWN THE WRONG ROAD LONG ENOUGH? DON’T OUR CHILDREN DESERVE A WORLD FULL OF LOVE? HAVEN’T WE HAD ENOUGH BLOOD ON OUR HANDS? HAVEN’T WE SEEN ENOUGH SUFFERING? HAVEN’T WE GONE DOWN THE WRONG ROAD LONG ENOUGH? DON’T OUR CHILDREN DESERVE A WORLD FULL OF LOVE? FULL OF LOVE? LOVE? LOVE? OO-OH, OH-HOO-OH, OH-WOE-OH 11. I’M NOT ALONE ANYMORE (THE WEDDING SONG) MUSIC: RICHARD HOLLEY LYRICS: RICHARD HOLLEY ROBERT NESTER VOCALS: AYANA DEL VALLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAVE FINALLY FOUND LOVE NO, IT’S NOT THE KIND THAT YOU USUALLY HEAR OF IT’S MORE THAN HOPE, IT’S MORE THAN DREAMS, SUPERNATURAL IT SEEMS, I’M NOT ALONE ANYMORE COUNTING THE HOURS UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN, WHEN I AM WITH YOU, BABY, I DON’T HAVE TO PRETEND, THAT I’M MORE THAN I AM, FOR THE TIME THAT WE SPEND I’M NOT ALONE ANYMORE SOMEONE LIKE YOU, TO LOVE ME MY WHOLE LIFE THROUGH MAKING THIS WORLD A BIT BRIGHTER YOU OPENED THE DOOR, TO THE LOVE I’VE WAITED FOR, I’M NOT ALONE ANYMORE, OOOH-WOOH-OOH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I HAVE FINALLY FOUND LOVE NO, IT’S NOT THE KIND THAT YOU USUALLY HEAR OF IT’S MORE THAN HOPE, IT’S MORE THAN DREAMS, SUPERNATURAL IT SEEMS, I’M NOT ALONE ANYMORE THE MOMENT WE MET, I KNOW WE'LL NEVER FORGET LET'S MAKE THAT MOMENT LAST A LIFETIME YOU OPENED THE DOOR, TO A JOY FOREVERMORE I'M NOT ALONE ANYMORE, OOOH-WOOH-WOOH-OH I WAS LOST, BUT NOW I'VE FOUND A SPECIAL LOVE I CAN SHARE I DON'T NEED TO PRETEND, YOU KNOW YOU'VE ANSWERED MY PRAYER. YOU'RE IN MY HEART, YOU'RE IN MY SOUL OUR LOVE WILL ALWAYS GROW I'M NOT ALONE ANY MORE, NOOOO I'M NOT ALONE ANY MORE, NO, NO, NO, NOOOO I'M NOT ALONE ......ANY MORE 14. LIAM WELCOME TO THE FAMILY (SONG FOR MY GRANDSON) MUSIC AND LYRICS: RICHARD HOLLEY VOCALS: RICHARD HOLLEY LIAM, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR YOU A CHILD OF GOD WE’RE SO GLAD TO SEE WE’VE GOT SO MANY PLANS FOR YOU YOUR MOM AND DAD WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFELY THROUGH THE NIGHT THEY’LL HELP YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD AND GOD WILL MAKE SURE YOU’RE ALRIGHT ‘CAUSE IT’S TRUE, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE’LL ALWAYS HELP YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE AND AS YOU GROW A LITTLE BIT OLDER WE’LL BE RIGHT THERE BY YOUR SIDE WHEN YOU’RE SAD, YOU CAN REST ON DAD’S SHOULDER YOUR MOM WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR GUIDE ‘CAUSE IT’S TRUE, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE’LL ALWAYS HELP YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE LIAM, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY SHALL WE GO TO THE ZOO? THERE’S A WHOLE BIG WORLD TO SEE WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO? YOUR MOM AND DAD WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFELY THROUGH THE NIGHT THEY’LL HELP YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD AND GOD WILL MAKE SURE YOU’RE ALRIGHT ‘CAUSE IT’S TRUE, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE’LL ALWAYS HELP YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE ONE DAY WHEN YOU BECOME A YOUNG MAN AND HAVE A FAMILY OF YOUR OWN WE’LL BE SO PROUD OF THIS YOUNG MAN FOR ALL THE LOVE THAT HE HAS SHOWN ‘CAUSE IT’S TRUE, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE’LL ALWAYS HELP YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE LIAM, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR YOU LIAM, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY (fade out…)