This recorded work is a collection of songs that were written outside of the usual boundaries of The Porkroll Project; the blues band I have the pleasure to be associated with. The guys were kind enough to indulge me, and their help in bringing this project to completion was invaluable. Thanks Porkroll guys! Credits: All songs by Neil Taylor except “When Johnny Comes Home”, Neil Taylor and Buddy Cleveland. Recorded at Noisy Little Critter Studios, Thorndale, PA Co-produced: Neil Taylor and Mike Bardzik Engineered and mixed; Mike Bardzik Mastered: Tom Volpicelli, The Mastering House Photographs: Stringer Photography and various. Mike Farris appears courtesy of Compass Records. Vanessa Collier appears courtesy of Phenix Fire Records. Neil Porkroll Taylor: Electric and acoustic guitars, dobro, mandolin, vibraslap, lead (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7.) and BG vocals ...and Friends: Walter Runge Hammond B3, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano (tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9) Joey Stout Hammond B3, congas (tracks 8, 6, 10) Ed Young Bass, (tracks 1, 2, 8, 10) Rick Prince Bass, (tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9) Chuck Treece Drums, (tracks 1, 2, 8, 10) Dave Renz Tenor sax and horn arr. (track 6) Andrew Whisler Trombone, (track 6) Andy Haley Drums, (tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9) Buddy Cleveland Harmonica, (tracks 3, 9) Willie Thornton Harmonica, (tracks 1, 2, 4) Paul Matecki Lead vocals, (tracks 3, 6, 8, 10) Mike Farris Lead Vocals, (track 8) April Young Lead Vocals (Duet on track 10) The $1.98 Trio Vocals: Paul Matecki, Buddy Cleveland, and Neil Taylor (track 9) BG Vocals Vanessa Collier, Paul Matecki, Neil Taylor, Buddy Cleveland (track 6) Song Notes: 1. Some Kinda Evil. I’ve always joked that being with me is a punishment for some evil my wife was involved in, whether in this life or an earlier one… 2. Ain’t Got Time. I was in my studio writing when my oldest son came up to say goodbye, as he was on his way to work. I don’t know why, but he had a mischievous look in his eye and I said, “Josh, you look like you’re up to no good.” His reply, “Dad, I ain’t got time for ‘up to no good!’” The song wrote itself in 10 minutes. 3. Old Aunt Leaire. She was Smith Island’s version of the boogey man. Many a child heard the incantation, “Old Aunt Leaire is gonna get Boggs after ya!” On stormy nights, my older cousin Brenda would tell the story of Aunt Leaire shedding her skin and flying through the marshland as just a skeleton, and we little one’s wouldn’t sleep a wink that night! 4. Sweet Union. When I was just a boy, I spent three months out of every year living on Smith Island, an island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, on the MD/VA border. It was a magical place; a little boy’s dream, where folks worked hard and enjoyed each other’s company and the simple things in life. 5. Johnny Comes Home. I was watching television one Saturday morning, (I’m a sucker for reruns of The Rifleman) and a commercial for the Wounded Warrior Project came busting in on my consciousness. The plight of wounded soldiers cut deep into my soul, and this song came out of that flood of emotion. Men and women of our military; from the depths of my heart, thank you for your service. 6. Deadly Poison. The inspiration for this song was a quote from Nelson Mandela, “Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill your enemies.” I am in awe that after all he suffered at the hands of the racist apartheid government of South Africa; he possessed the grace and mercy to forgive! 7. Either Way. When my wife and I were dating I would sometimes ask what she saw in me. The most popular answer, “You amuse me!” Hey, I’ll take what I can get. Laugh with me or laugh at me, whatever it takes… 8. Been There, Done That. Gospel music runs deep in my past, and this is homage to that tradition. I grew up listening to gospel, and when I was a mere boy of 7, I got chance to see the Speer Family perform live. It was the first time I saw an electric guitar up close, and I said to myself, “I’m gonna get me one of those someday!” Later on in my life, I got turned back on to this tradition by Grammy winner, Mike Farris. It’s only fitting that he agreed to sing this one. He took time out of his touring schedule, popped into the studio, and knocked it out of the park! Thanks Mike! 9. Shot of Texas. OK, from the sacred to the slightly profane; someone introduced me to Tito’s Handcrafted Vodka, and after my first sip, I became a believer, and never touched another drop of Grey Goose! “Gimme a shot of Texas!” soon became a cheer and a song title, and turned itself into a dedication to many of my inspirational music heroes from the Lone Star State. 10. Let’s Keep on Dancin’. My wife, Tammy once gave me an anniversary card that read, “I’m not lettin’ go…Ever!” This song is my reply. When I wrote the chorus, I jumped in the car, began singing it to her, and backed into a parked car. She laughed. The guy in the other car was less than amused, but it was a low speed collision, and he sustained no appreciable damage. After that episode, I’m surprised I finished the song… Acknowledgements: I would like to thank each and every musician who put their time, energy, and heart into this project. Your encouragement and dedication was an inspiration to me. On more than one occasion I came close to giving up, and y’all kept after me. I’d like to especially thank my co-producer and engineer on the project; Mike Bardzik. I could not have done this without his skill, his expertise, and his honest ear. When I might have settled for, “That’s probably good enough”, he refused to let me off the hook. A few catch phrases emerged from the sessions such as, “I like what you’re trying to do there”, and “I know there’s a better one in you somewhere…” Special thanks must go to my wife, who was the inspiration for many of the songs, (no, not Old Aunt Leare!) She also had to endure my constant babbling about the ups and downs of the project, and she always had kind and encouraging words. Most of all she just listened. Big thanks to Buddy Cleveland for the great graphics. I am visually challenged from an artistic point of view, so to have someone like Buddy to help out is a huge blessing. He also plays a mean harmonica. Lastly and most importantly, thanks to God, giver of two of our greatest gifts: music and friendship! Good friends are pure gold, and I am rich beyond my dreams!