Concrete Paradise
ZoDog Records
2020
John’s sixth cd is an eclectic, genre busting multi-genre mix of styles, but at the heart of it all are 12 new songs born of John’s imagination and real life experiences.
Musicians on this recording:
John Bunzow: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars (All electric guitar solos).Brad Jones: Upright and electric basses, keyboards, xylophone, acoustic guitars, electric mandolin.
Jim Hoke: Steel guitar, clarinet, flute, keyboards.
Pat Buchanan: Electric guitars (wah wah guitar solo on Devil Wind).
James “Hags” Haggerty: Electric basses.
Steve Conn: Hammond B3 organ, accordion.
Jody Nardone: Hammond B3 organ.
Kenneth Blevins: Drums, percussion.
John Radford: Drums, percussion.
Josh Hunt: Drums, percussion.
Tammy Rogers-King: Violins, mandolin.
Carey Kotsionis: Background vocals.
Anthony Crawford: Background vocals.
Recorded and mixed by Brad Jones at Alex The Great Studios Nashville, TN January 27-31, 2020.
Co-Producers: Brad Jones and John Bunzow
Horn and string arrangements: Brad Jones
Assistant Engineer: Boone Wallace
Mastered by Urie Tropets at Sherrett Studios Gresham, Oregon
Graphic Design: Fred Ingram
Photography: Owen Carey (Front cover) Debra Penk (Back cover)
Artist Management: Shelley Garrett
Executive Producers: Scotty Ferrari and Betsy Rickles
All songs written by John Bunzow except Devil Wind written by John Bunzow and Tammy Rogers-King. You Can’t Kill Me written by John Bunzow and Brad Jones.
Heartfelt thanks to all the gifted musicians whose talents helped make these songs come alive!
Akron Ohio
(John Bunzow)
Visions of Johanna
Playin’ in this coffee shop
All these surfers and seekers
Are gettin’ messages from Bob
Steam rises up
From my double cappuccino
I’m lookin’ for something real here in Akron Ohio
Pretty girl next to me
A dove flies from her pocket
Her words bounce upon the tabletop
Sparks shoot from the socket
She’s wearin’ dime store pearls
Got a Grateful Dead tattoo
A rattlesnake is coiled
Upon her cowboy boots
Well she looks a little dusty
Just rode in from Arizona
A marching band welcomes her
Right outside the window
Here in Akron Ohio
Gypsy woman speed dial on her telephone
Reciting yesterday’s horoscope
Spirits are dancin’ across the floor
We got ballerinas and zydeco
Here in Akron Ohio
She’s got a photo of her cat
That she named Fidel Castro
And strapped upon her back
Is a Fender Telecaster
Needin’ practical advice
Well she’s got all the answers
And if a tree falls in the woods
She’ll be there to catch it
Here in Akron Ohio
Gypsy woman speed dial on her telephone
Reciting yesterday’s horoscope
Spirits are dancin’ across the floor
We got ballerinas and zydeco
Here in Akron Ohio
A Simple Twist of Fate
Is playin’ in this coffee shop
Hope she hangs around awhile
And I sure need what she’s got
Here in Akron Ohio
Here in Akron Ohio
(John Bunzow)
My dreams they all got washed out in this cold grey
heartbreak town
Rains came down like a tidal wave
The next thing I knew I was lyin’ face down
So let some silver wings deliver me to where the sky is clear all day
Need a southbound one-way ticket to get me outta this rain
Yes I know there’s sunshine somewhere
I can see it on my TV screen
I can almost feel its warm glow
Lookin’ at some travel magazine
Yes I know there’s sunshine somewhere
It’s burned into my memory
There was sunshine somewhere
Every day she was with me
Hello operator won’t you help connect this call
Not sure if I got her number or if she’s even there at all
I think she’s out in California
Got a postcard back in two thousand nine
Where the sky was on fire with the sun so bright
Melted my cold heart in the blink of an eye
Yes I know there’s sunshine somewhere
I can see it on my TV screen
I can almost feel its warm glow
Lookin’ at some travel magazine
Yes I know there’s sunshine somewhere
It’s burned into my memory
There was sunshine somewhere
Every day she was with me
I see a new horizon
It’s been there all along
Somethin’ in the atmosphere
That’s singin’ you this song
Yes I know there’s sunshine somewhere
It’s burned into my memory
There was sunshine somewhere
Every day she was with me
There was sunshine somewhere
Every day she was with me
(John Bunzow)
(In Memory of Norm Rickles)
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
You Shall Be Released
To Strawberry Fields Forever
Your love is all we need
Julian he just spoke his first words
Liz and Alejandro can’t believe their ears
Betsy and Emma share your laughter
They know you are still here
Silver light shines upon the Sisters
The snow sparkles on a tree
The sun lies down on a crimson sky
You appear in all these things
Your family is at the table
Your life it is living there
Your song is alive within us all
It sounds so sweet so clear
You are still here
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
You Shall Be Released
To Strawberry Fields Forever
Your love is all we need
Tupelo Honey and Turn Turn Turn
You are still here
You are still here
(John Bunzow, Tammy Rogers-King)
The storm is howlin’ that song
Shake rattle and roll
Walkin’ down some alleyway
How I got here I don’t know
The sky is breathin’ fire and
I’m crawlin’ outta my skin
Flames swirlin’ all around me
It’s that devil wind
Gabriel is blowin’ his horn
Well that ain’t gonna make me stay
Gideon’s bible
Won’t show me the way
Gettin’ me a taste
Of every evil desire
Can’t help myself in this sinners’ paradise
Angels up on high
Beggin’ me to turnaround
That wicked road you walk
Well it’s gonna drag you down
It’s not too late to turn back now
The fire is ragin’
I’m the flame that’s burnin’
In that devil wind
The storm is howlin’ that song
Shake rattle and roll
Walkin’ down some alleyway
How I got here I don’t know
The sky is breathin’ fire
I’m crawlin’ outta my skin
Flames swirlin’ all around me
It’s that devil wind
Angels up on high
Beggin’ me to turnaround
That wicked road you walk
Well it’s gonna drag you down
It’s not too late to turn back now
The fire is ragin’
In that devil in that devil
In that devil wind
(John Bunzow)
The man there on the corner
Sells me what I need to get by
A twenty bill delivers me
Beyond the dark clouds in my mind
These streets will turn into the yellow brick road
Pinwheels spinning so bright
Shooting stars and halos
Light up this concrete paradise
No I won’t fall down any further
If I can’t stand up
Lyin’ on this cold cold ground
Pretendin’ I’m the man I was
When I got back here stateside
My wife she was long gone
Couldn’t keep a job
Barely hangin’ on
Now these streets they are my home
The shame that I’ve been feelin’
Sure cuts me to the core
Hoped someday I’d bleed out
Wake up alive just like before
No I won’t fall down any further
If I can’t stand up
Lyin’ on this cold cold ground
Pretendin’ I ain’t had enough
No I won’t fall down any further
If I can’t stand up
Lyin’ on this cold cold ground
Pretendin’ I’m the man I was
The man there on the corner
Sells me what I need to get by
A twenty bill delivers me
Into this concrete paradise
On this warm December evenin’
In this concrete paradise
(John Bunzow)
The streets of heaven
Are paved with gold
So I’ve been told
I’ve been told
Ain’t been there yet
Don’t know if that’s true
All I know is I love you
Had a dream last night
Woke up all confused
Is a dream just a dream
Or a message comin’ through
Sure makes you wonder
But I ain’t gotta clue
All I know is I love you
Rain comes down
It tastes so sweet
Washing over you and me
Wind and rain
They are so real and true
This I know I love you
Rain comes down
It tastes so sweet
Washing over you and me
Wind and rain
They are so real and true
The sun always shines
When skies are blue
This I know
This I know I love you
The universe
Is a mystery
Planets spinnin’
Through galaxies
They say there’s billions of stars
And water on the moon
But all I know is I love you
All I know is I love you
(John Bunzow)
Your footsteps in the hallway
Always lifted me higher
Knowin’ soon I’d be holding you close
Now silence echoes so resoundingly
And our room is so empty and cold
We had forever in our hearts
Such a sweet connection
Love was so easy and carefree
Now there’s only tears and sad words unspoken
Let’s say goodbye and just let it be
‘Cause what are we doin’
What are we doin’ here
We can’t resurrect our love
‘Cause it’s gone gone gone
Let’s face the sorrow and the tears
And ask ourselves what’s really goin’ on
Honey what are we doin’
What are we doin’ here
When there is doubt there is worry
And our hearts can’t carry
Such a heavy heavy heavy load
Our love just crumbled and scattered in pieces
Let’s say goodbye forever more
We can’t resurrect our love
‘Cause it’s gone gone gone
Let’s face the sorrow and the tears
And ask ourselves what’s really goin’ on
Honey what are we doin’
What are we doin’ here
We can’t resurrect our love
‘Cause it’s gone gone gone
Let’s face the sorrow and the tears
And ask ourselves what’s really goin’ on
Honey what are we doin’
What are we doin’ here
What are we doin’ here
(John Bunzow, Brad Jones)
This is Satan’s Playground
Honey you’re his whore
And all you wanna do
Is even the score
You been pimpin’ his gospel
Since the day I left
Bullets in the chamber
Meant for my head
Bullets in my head
But you can’t kill me
Cause I’m already dead
Well I scorned you woman
Got a pretty young girl
To rotate my tires and change my oil
Woke up one day read her letter goodbye
Did not care if I lived or died
I did not care
No you can’t kill me
Cause I’m already dead
Woman you’re speakin’ in tongues
Want to get medieval
Got a ballpeen hammer
A blade and a chisel
A chainsaw nicely lubricated
Want to splatter my blood
But I ain’t participatin’
Got a ballpeen hammer
No you can’t kill me
Cause I’m already dead
No you can’t kill me
Cause I’m already dead
You’re speakin’ in tongues
Want to get medieval
Got a ballpeen hammer
A blade and chisel
Chainsaw nicely lubricated
Wanna splatter my blood
But I ain’t participatin’
(John Bunzow)
When did mercy come undone
Good intentions right now ain’t good enough
Pick up the shield pick up the sword
Carry their burden as if it was your own
Rio Grande River overflows with tears
Journeys of hope ending in a cage down here
Broken dreams in the Promised Land
Families lookin’ for a second chance
When did mercy come undone
Good intentions right now ain’t good enough
Pick up the hammer pick up the spike
Tear down the walls and shatter the locks
Unseen people strugglin’ everyday
Tryin’ to hold on and somehow find their way
Do they see us as the invisible ones
Hidin’ in our cars and shoutin’ on the television
When did mercy come undone
Good intentions right now ain’t good enough
Pick up the hammer pick up the spike
Tear down the walls and shatter the locks
People denied people alone
Walk in their shoes in your heart and soul
Say a prayer say hello
Stop and listen to their stories untold
(John Bunzow)
Cops are lightin’ up this town
Like a Christmas tree
Blue and red
Ain’t nothin’ I wanna see
People say I did it
But I’m an innocent man
And I will be damned I will be damned
My baby kicked me out
Just about a month ago
Ashes in the fireplace
She burned everythin’ I own
All I got is time and trouble
And a desperate master plan
And I will be damned
I will be damned
I owe a lotta people money
They sure wanna see me bleed
Buzzards huntin’ road kill
They wanna start peckin’ on me
I once lived the high life
One-carat diamond on both hands
Now I’m hiding in this alleyway
With a pistol in my hand
And I will be damned I will be damned
I will be damned
(John Bunzow)
Where did you come from
And how did you know
Just what my heart’s been longin’ for
It’s the feelin’ I get when you walk through my door
Hey baby I want some more
Just about the time
That I lost all faith
You said the words I needed somebody to say
Your whisper echoes deep inside of my soul
Hey baby I want some more
Maybe a little bit just might do
I just can’t get enough of you
Each taste is sweeter than the one before
Hey baby I want some more
All my yesterdays
They were lonely and blue
Now I just can’t wait to come on home to you
Come lay down with me and let’s take it real slow
‘Cause hey darlin’ I want some more
Maybe a little bit just might do
I just can’t get enough of you
Each taste is sweeter than the one before
Hey baby I want some more
Hey darlin’ I want some more
I want some more
(John Bunzow)
Oh Savannah prettiest girl that I ever did see
Oh Savannah you’re the only woman that I will ever need
Gonna walk through this life with Savannah right here next to me next to me
She’s a Georgia peach sweetest one on the tree
Just one taste sure got to me
I can’t believe my heart feels like this
It happened that day with one little kiss
Oh Savannah prettiest girl that I ever did see
Oh Savannah you’re the only woman that I will ever need
Gonna walk through this life with Savannah right here next to me next to me
The gate swings open on the picket fence
My heart skips a beat hearing your footsteps
The clock it don’t tic toc anymore
Time stands still when you walk through that door
Oh Savannah prettiest girl that I ever did see
Oh Savannah you’re the only woman that I will ever need
Gonna walk through this life with Savannah right here next to me next to me
Look into our eyes
There’s no secrets no lies
Just honest emotions
True love and devotion
Oh Savannah prettiest girl that I ever did see
Oh Savannah you’re the only woman that I will ever need
Gonna walk through this life with Savannah right here next to me next to me next to me
“John Bunzow’s latest disc, “Concrete Paradise,” has elements of blues, country, rock, and even jazz. You can call it Americana, or you can call it roots music. It may, for example, bring to mind songwriters and artists like Steve Earle, John Hiatt, or maybe Dave Alvin. Those are righteous comparisons because John’s talents are definitely on par alongside those well-known musicians. But however it may come across to you, there is only one word that is most fitting for a true description, and that word is wow!”
“This is definitely one of those “wow” recordings, filled with stories within the songs that you’re going to want to be told repeatedly. Recorded in Nashville with “friends and friends of friends” it delves into personal experiences, both true and from his own imagination as a writer. From tracks like “What Are We Doing Here,” “Mercy Undone,” “I Will Be Damned” and the title track “Concrete Paradise”, there’s a lot of depth to be found here and it’s all great — not just those mentioned, but every number included.”
“Personally, “Concrete Paradise,” is a disc that I cannot stop listening too. Everything about it in my mind is pure perfection, from the lyrics to the instrumentation to the overall delivery. This is a master go-to recording from a master musician. Recommended? Hell yes!”
Greg Johnson
President, Cascade Blues Association
