Check out this video of Tracy Weinberg performing four recent songs at SWRFA (Southwest Regional Folk Alliance).
It has been said that what goes up must come down; this song, Never Coming Down, refutes that idea, even though the song is not about gravity. It's about being joyful, hopeful, and open-minded.
A fun animated video created by my Canadian friend, Ron Beer, for my light-hearted song, Crustacean Station. Be sure to check out his animated eBooks and his music at www.ronbeer.com.
House on Fire is a song about home, but not a very happy one. This is a cautionary tale about what happens when someone does take care about what they say and do. Better be a bit more cautious next time! This lyric came from a song prompt given by my Canadian buddy, Denis Bastarache.
The Status Quo Blues is a commentary on the 2020 election, and several before that, too. It seems that so many incumbents are continually re-elected that creating change is nearly impossible. Combine that with the inability for the political parties to compromise on most any topic. As I write in this song, "the more things change, the more they stay the same."
The Gift of Song follows a piece of advice I have read and been told frequently - write about what you know. Well, songwriting is something I know about. "The Gift of Song" was inspired by a song challenge to write a song using the idea of "gift" or "giving." So I chose this familiar topic that's very important to me. I hope it translates well to all who enjoy the music of singer-songwriters.
Famous People I Never Met was inspired by a post by my friend, Lisa Fancher, a hilarious commentary from her mother about "famous people she almost met." I was unable to write that song, but it morphed into this. Hope you enjoy it.
Crustacean Station It's a revelation! After 5 months of topical songs, this song that has nothing to do with COVID-19, the president, protest movements, or anything important. It's just a fun song! Even in troubling times, it's okay to laugh and enjoy yourself. This is a co-write with my friend and musical collaborator, Gretchen McMahon. Her two-word phrase that is the title inspired me to write the remainder of a song that was begging to be written. Enjoy!!!
Bring Home the Bacon began as an attempt to write a deep and meaningful song about home and the many blessings that a comfortable place gives us. I was unable to do that, so my second (and often default) option was to play with words. "Bring Home the Bacon" is the result, and it's a lighthearted tune that is about home, in some roundabout and twisted way.
It Never Happened was influenced by my years as a history teacher. I often reflect upon the past to help understand the present and to project into the future. But what if history was forgotten? That troubling thought is the genesis of this song. Let's hope it never comes to pass.
You Take the Blame is a quick study of a man who has a hard time seeing beyond himself. I suspect most of us have known someone like this. A serious topic but in a somewhat lighthearted fashion. Hope you enjoy it.
This classic song, What a Wonderful World, remains one of my favorites to sing and perform; I almost always end my live shows with it. And in troubling times, it's nice to sing an optimistic tune.
Looking Forward to Looking Back takes a look at two very topical issues: the Covid-19 virus and the protests revolving around police brutality. Somehow I hope we can weather these twin storms and create a better, more just country for all who dwell here.
Time In Our Hands was not written specifically about the pandemic, but it does reflect our current state of affairs. Time is something which we seem to have more of (or less things occupying it) in the past few months.
I wrote Person of Interest in March 2020 as an attempt to explore an opposing perspective than I hold about politics and the fear of people different than oneself. After watching with horror the casually cruel death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, I find this song is all too relevant, timely, and sad.
This songs asks what may be an important question during the pandemic: Can a Quarantine Mend a Broken Heart?
As the title may suggest, Eye of the Beholder is a song about beauty and how it is perceived. It's a bit of a change of style for me.
I'm Forever Dreaming may be a lighthearted song, but that doesn't mean that it's any less true! I think this is one of my favorite songs that I have written. Hope you enjoy it, too.
Better Than Truth is a rather political song. It does so without specific names or incidents mentioned, but feel free to draw your own conclusions about its inspiration and genesis.
You Don't Need to Call is a great song written by my friend, Alice Hesselrode, of Windsor, Ontario. It sounds like a torch song from the 1930's, but it was written only a few years ago. I think it's a very cool tune and I hope I do it justice.
Jamming on my original song, Blindspot at Cobbleheads in Brownsville on May 27, 2018. Featuring Albert Besteiro on guitar, Rolanda Guajardo on harmonica, Emilio Crixall on bass, Carlo Tamayo on drums, and Joe Pino on percussion. What fun!
Jamming on a classic blues, Stormy Monday at Cobbleheads in Brownsville on May 27, 2018. Featuring Albert Besteiro on guitar, Rolanda Guajardo on harmonica, Emilio Crixall on bass, Carlo Tamayo on drums, and Joe Pino on percussion. What fun!
Tracy Weinberg and Friends recorded live at Tantra Coffeehouse, San Marcos, TX on June 3, 2018. It was a HOT day; we were cooking, both musically and literally! Devil in the Middle was an appropriate song for the weather; even the devil might have been sweating that day!
Tracy Weinberg and Friends recorded live at Tantra Coffeehouse, San Marcos, on June 3, 2018. It was a HOT day; we were cooking, both musically and literally! I could listen to Julie Prejean sing Still Got the Blues all day long!
Tracy Weinberg and Friends recorded live at Tantra Coffeehouse, San Marcos, TX on June 3, 2018. It was a HOT day; we were cooking, both musically and literally! Most appropriately, here is the song Summertime.
Tracy Weinberg and Friends recorded live at Tantra Coffeehouse, San Marcos, TX on June 3, 2018. It was a HOT day; we were cooking, both musically and literally! Here is a version of the classic song, Why Don't You Do Right?
Tracy Weinberg and Friends recorded live at Tantra Coffeehouse, San Marcos, TX on June 3, 2018. It was a HOT day; we were cooking, both musically and literally, when we covered Wicked Games.
A compilation of live performances by an earlier incarnation of Tracy Weinberg and Friends, featuring Julie Prejean on vocals, Chad Glass on bass, and Brian Green on suitcase percussion. Thanks to Julie Prejean for putting this together for your viewing and listening pleasure.
A joyous recording of Here to Stay. None of these folks had ever heard this song before! Grateful thanks to my "old" friend, Jack McCabe, for filming and singing, and my new friends, Isaiah Sebastian and Michael Comeau for the guitar work, John M McIntyre on upright bass, and Kelany Brent and Kayleigh Ariana Soukup for the doo-wops and finger snapping.
Swapping songs with my good friend and songwriting mentor, Aaron Allan, at Desiderata Wine Estates in Lockhart, TX on New Years Day, 1-1-17. Thanks to Jack McCabe for filming.
Performing one of my favorite cover songs, Looking for Trouble, written by Steve Goodman. Playing with my harmonica buddy, Michael D'Eath, at Kerrville Folk Festival; filmed by Chuck Miller.
Playing with my dear friend, Gary Lynn Williams - RIP. Looking for Trouble was one of our favorite songs to perform together. Nice to have this memory of our duo.
Another favorite to perform with Gary Lynn Williams, was my original tune, Here to Stay. I'm sure Gary is jamming in the afterlife, wherever he may be.