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Music Box Orphans

by John Tabacco

supported by
Eric Block
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1.
My Friends Have Left Me / Hedge Don't Give Yourself The Finger 02:53
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MY FRIENDS HAVE LEFT ME / HEDGE DON’T GIVE YOURSELF THE FINGER My friends have left me My friends s have quietly slipped away My friends have left me No goodbyes for us to say I’m worthless trash from nowhere My friends have left me My friends have all been driven home My friends have left me I’m such a fool I never phoned Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Hedge Don’t Give Yourself The Finger Hedge Don’t Give Yourself The Finger Hedge You may not be a swinger But there’s a joint I know where you’d belong It’s a little box I’ve got on my front lawn Hedge Say now Hedge Hedge? Hedge Don’t Give Yourself The Finger Hedge Don’t Give Yourself The Finger Hedge You may not be a swinger Or something anyone could understand But even a box is worth a second hand In this universal plan Hedge Don’t Give Yourself The Finger Give yourself a wrench Hedge Don’t Give Yourself The Finger Give yourself a wrench Give yourself some hedge...hedge... hedge
2.
Bleaker and Bleaker 03:47
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BLEAKER AND BLEAKER I used to be one to complain If it's not one thing it's the another A broken record told my story Bleaker - and getting bleaker Putting up with someone's crap Well it never made me a martyr I tried to take a stand and fight back But the forces of dark hit back harder It's not that way for every kid But destiny is unforgiving If misery is your companion Then misery is your companion The flowers bloom the ivy grows - they shoot up all around me Makes a pretty picture to cover up the fact I'm a loser in this life And just when I think I'm in the clear thing get Bleaker - and bleaker One day I just dropped my sorrow had some fun in the sun Stopped living in fear of tomorrow where I felt the worse was yet to come I used to be the one to complain But slowly I couldn't be bothered Let this misery consume me Bleaker and bleaker Resigned to the fact and shrugging it off...
3.
No Use Waiting Around 04:30
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NO USE WAITING AROUND Well I used to spend a lot of time Being patient - hoping my dreams would come true That magic moment never did arrive I was just getting older and lazy There’s no use waiting around I’ve been through this film before When the world starts holding me down I am up and out the door I took a chance the day I saw her face Right there and then I just knew I shouldn’t resist It seemed so perfect and she said so too But in my space she just kept on teasing There’s no use waiting around I’ve been through this film before When the world starts holding me down I am up and out the door There’s no use waiting around You can wait all your life - for the right person You can wait all your life - for the right reason Or you can spend living life like it’s the last day you’re breathing Like it’s the last day you’re singing Don’t catch yourself waiting around That’s such a waste of time - such a waste of time And time you can never get back A sketchy line is not so hard to paint But you erased me before the lines were drawn I don’t know why but I can hear a voice It is laughing and telling me deeply... There’s no use waiting around You’ve been through this film before When the world starts holding you down You can climb another floor There’s no use waiting around
4.
Dexter Goes Animal 04:09
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5.
Suicide By Snake (Pomes version) 04:28
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SUICIDE BY SNAKE Gather ‘round - Gather ’round Hear a story ‘bout a desert queen Cleopatra – passion brought her to her knees You know what I mean Julius Caesar – he could please her His empire was wide and long He came, he saw, he conquered And when he was gone - She was gone Suicide by Snake Just one hot night in the garden And you’ll crave that cool, smooth skin Maybe cobra - Maybe asp Depends on the mood you’re in It feels all right - It feels all right ‘till you feel the bite Suicide by snake Baby – you’re suicide Can’t get your fangs outta my veins No matter what I try, you got me crawlin’ on my hands and knees ‘round the temple like Indiana Jones “Snakes, why’d it have to be snakes?” It feels all right - It feels all right ‘till you feel the bite Suicide by snake Slither ‘round – slither ‘round Hear a story ‘bout a girl named Eve Tell me you love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, You know I’ll believe I’ll take that bait, take a bite of that apple I love what you do Slither over my shoe I won’t even get a little nervous when you say: “Trust me.” Suicide by snake! Suicide by snake! Suicide by snake!
6.
Where Is It Safe? 02:54
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The original version had lyrics. Something about a girl named Elliptical Katie. That version is on a cassette somewhere in the ether. Paul Michael Barkan says this piece reminds him of a tune the Allman Brothers would do because of the harmony guitar line. I’m not an Allman Brothers fanatic so I don’t know. It's origins actually stem from a strange sci- fi 50's tune I wrote called "I Am A Drill" (an Akai recording later redone in the 90’s and used for background music under the dialog Nick DiMauro and I do just before the song I Remember Easter). The vocals in the intro were inspired by Nick DiMauro’s piece "Sections of Eight". The guitar used was my way out of tune Washburn. (How I wish I were a decent guitar player.) The second half of this piece had vocals with bizarre lyrics about some sexy woman named “Elliptical Katy” but when I laid the drum machine pattern to tape I didn't put enough measures in, so it ended abruptly. It’s the “We Believe It So Well” syndrome again. Note : Some of the chord progression in this tune inspired the 50's tune I wrote with Peter Kearns in 2013, entitled "The Drive In 's On Fire"
7.
I Don't Need Heaven 05:52
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I DON'T NEED HEAVEN I never felt the tinge of the jealous quiver Never saw a shallow wave in your eye Never had the need to pursue your secrets Never thought you had something to hide You're the kind of friend who puts me up and on a limb But only to redeem my sense of worth You're the kind of friend who makes the devil wear a grin But only when you wanna make a pleasure out of sin That's why, I don't need heaven at all Since I found you in my soul Don't need no heaven at all Only you to keep me whole I don't need heaven at all Found myself a better dream Don't need no heaven at all Only you to fill the seams No heaven Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Never had the urge to deny your freedom Never tried to force you in my shoes Never felt the threat after disagreements Never cherished one so heavenly true You're the kind of friend who puts me up and on a limb But only to reveal the gifts of life You're the kind of friend who makes the devil wear a grin But only when you wanna make a pleasure out of sin That's why, I don't need heaven at all Since I found you in my soul Don't need no heaven at all Only you to keep me whole I don't need heaven at all Found myself a better dream Don't need no heaven at all Only you to fill the seams Then you showed me why to live You showed me why And how to give You're the kind of friend who puts me up and on a limb But only to reveal the gifts of life You're the kind of friend who makes the devil wear a grin But only when you wanna make a pleasure out of sin That's why, I don't need heaven at all Since I found you in my soul Don't need no heaven at all Only you to keep me whole I don't need heaven at all Found myself a better dream Don't need no heaven at all Only you to fill the seams I don't need heaven at all Found myself a better dream Don't need no heaven at all Only you to fill the seams And that's the way the song ends...
8.
I've Got Other Plans 03:37
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I'VE GOT OTHER PLANS IN MY MIND It's alright It's alright I've got other plans in my mind I can hear the sound of your photograph crackling inside the fireplace Thoughts of living a perfect life seem some where far out in space It's alright It's alright If you won't see me tonight It's alright It's alright If you won't see me tonight There's a blade of steel in a paper fight And a prison without a cell Deep emotions in candle light Well maybe this is the perfect hell But I know that I can be saved “If an I” take the road that's already paved My subconscious can lead me clear When I'm goin' down and trouble's in the way It's alright babe it's alright If you won’t see me tonight ‘Cause I know that I can be saved “If an I” take the road that's already paved My subconscious can lead me clear When I'm goin' down and trouble's in the way It's alright It's alright If you won't see me tonight It's alright Babe, it's alright I've got other plans in my mind It's alright It's alright If you won't see me tonight It's alright Babe, it's alright I've got other dreams in my mind
9.
Don't Look Back 04:48
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DON'T LOOK BACK When the weather's right Senses unfurl bringing back a picture Of another place Not a happy world but one that really hurt you It's enough to make you crash And it's hard to let it be It's enough to make you crash yeah... And spread that hurt to me SO DON'T LOOK BACK LIVIN' IS WASTED WHEN YOU DWELL IN THE PAST DON'T LOOK BACK CARRY THE GOOD TIMES SO THE FUTURE CAN LAST DON'T LOOK BACK (If only for good times...) Now if you spend your nights Thinkin' of what was and how you could have changed it And it's like a crime Just lettin' out a laugh when homages are spoken Better take a look around There's a future fun and free Better take a look around yeah... And share that fun with me SO DON'T LOOK BACK LIVIN' IS WASTED WHEN YOU DWELL IN THE PAST DON'T LOOK BACK CARRY THE GOOD TIMES SO THE FUTURE CAN LAST DON'T LOOK BACK Just blow out the candles Bury the scandals There's only room for NOW DON'T LOOK BACK (scat verse) SO DON'T LOOK BACK LIVIN' IS WASTED WHEN YOU DWELL IN THE PAST DON'T LOOK BACK GOTTA CARRY THE GOOD TIMES SO THE FUTURE CAN LAST DON'T LOOK BACK
10.
Time For Tea In My Hole 02:23
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TIME FOR TEA IN MY HOLE Shake out your spinal fluid Wake Up, the calcium's gone Get lost you homely druid Steam tax you hairy Carbon is an ugly sight What you look like can't be right Step aside you're in my light I can't bare your ugly face Market your name tag pencils (RENDA!) Park it - your jaded ties Lock it - your sinned utensils Hock it - you nasty... Blacken teeth chew blacken meat Slacken mind eat acid rain Broken back there's no receipt Crack my skull I own no brain Take my wife please Keep her bottom warm Hold her tight - soft squeeze Before she takes away my form I hope she wouldn't do that to me No! Time for tea in my hole Time for tea in my hole Time for tea in my hole In my hole...
11.
Cacaphony Jones 01:29
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CACAPHONY JONES Narrator: Little Bungy was walking back home from his chicken pox lessons one day. It was a beautiful day. The bees were humming. The sun was heavin'. Peacocks were bloomin' and tulips perfusin'... When suddenly it occurred to him: Bungy: Damn, I got me a serious CACAPHONY JONES! (CACAPHONY plays...) Bungy: That was somethin'. Narrator: He relfected. (More intense CACAPHONY plays...) Bungy: I've had just about enough of this!! Narrator: Bungy said. And he started weezin' and sheman, spranten and cravin' and facing off with the all star hockey team that had haunted him since childhood. And from that pedestrionic event little Bungy learned that there's no stoppin' a CACAPHONY !
12.
Dalai Lama Town (Stripped) 05:07
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DALAI LAMA TOWN Wait around for years or search a lifetime
 The perfect punch line may never hit you back
 The joke is that each moment is for living
 Until the writer types “fade to black” 

 From sun to moon
 The sky is there
It never takes a bow
 From night to noon
 The big affair
Is rockin’ whether you are around

 Movin’ down thru Dalai Lama Town
 (Dalai Lama Town)
 Hoping to find my reality way beyond the clouds
 Movin’ down – my last decision – leave my past behind
 Sikh in Dalai Lama Town
 Dalai Lama town 

To question is the best of all religions
 Surprised as pigeons when they finally hit the fan
 That’s when we need a dose of Instant Karma 
To free the farmer from a field of sand 

 From sun to moon
The sky is there 
It never takes a bow
 From night to noon
 The whole affair
Is rockin’ whether you are around

 Movin’ down thru Dalai Lama Town
 (Dalai Lama Town )
Hoping to find my reality way beyond the clouds
 Movin’ down – my last decision – leave my past behind 
Sikh in Dalai Lama Town
 Or some exotic phrase that means the same

 Crush all boxes 
 Don’t play the fool
 Everything you think – you "am" 
 Tell the bastard trying to keep you a slave
 That you’ve got other plans From sun to moon
 The sky is there
 It never takes a bow
 From night to noon
 The whole affair
Is rockin’ whether you are around
 

Movin’ down thru Dalai Lama Town
 (Dalai Lama Town) 
Hoping to find my reality way beyond the ground 
Movin’ down – my last decision – leave my past behind 
Sikh in Dalai Lama Town
 Where dunderheads and wise men pray in line
 They say it makes a difference when ya die 

That remains to be seen
 That remains to be seen 
That remains to be seen 
That remains to be seen
 That remains to be seen

 

 


13.
Only In A Dream 05:37
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ONLY IN A DREAM Come to me in a dream Or is this reality? Wordless pictures sung in a song They seek to touch me To breathe the breath I drink Explore the inner walls of my society It's hard to sleep at night The fear of transportation keeps me clinging to The bed The Earth The womb It's hard to speak about When I myself have questioned the actuality of what I think is real What is the distinction on which I've based my life My own reflection Is this what I must be? IT'S ONLY IN A DREAM ALL THESE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING ME IT'S ONLY IN A DREAM WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES I CAN HEAR THAT VOICE WITHIN I cannot speak with them They only speak to me I don't recall their words Their signs Their dreams Their songs But every time they come for me I recognize their faces And then the light grows dim And I know that they will return Sometimes they sing to me as I fade away What's their reality? Do I reflect their needs? IT'S ONLY IN A DREAM ALL THESE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING ME IT'S ONLY IN A DREAM ALL THESE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING ME IT'S ONLY IN A DREAM WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES I CAN HEAR A VOICE FROM WITHIN CLOSE MY EYES I CAN HEAR A VOICE FROM WITHIN They come to me in a dream Or is this reality? Wordless pictures sung in a song They seek to touch me To breathe the breath I drink Explore the inner walls of my society Explore the inner walls of my society Explore the inner walls of my society
14.
Cilla-Sigh-Been-Gum Piano 02:20
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CILLA-SIGH-BEEN-GUM-PIANO V.C. : So this devil goes around... He looks big and bad - urrrr - He's got the - urrrrrrr... But my god, he's got no teeth. The worst thing he could do is gum you to death!
15.
Letting Go Of You 04:03
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16.
Exploding Nuts 01:10
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Y : I’ve got a story. X : Go. Y : Well you know back when I was a newlywed...This was back in the late 40s, I was working as a telephone operator at a factory that made different colored pens for each holiday. You know like a green pen for St. Paddy’s day. Red for Christmas. Orange for Easter. Well, that was just a cover. What they primarily produced were deadly plastic nuts. X : Deadly plastic nuts? Y : Yeah, underground they had a plant that made like umm, toy acorns, walnuts, cashews with lethal explosives in them. Basically, they were a military decoy sort of thing they tried to use to fool the Nazis during World War Two. You could throw a dozen under a tree and poof goes the unsuspecting Nazi. X : This is news to me. Y : Yeah. Well, it didn’t work out and they swept the whole operation under the rug. You see, the army didn’t account for the massive squirrel population in Germany. Soon there were these exploding tree rodents everywhere. The squirrel remains eventually spread disease to just about anyone. Rabies and all sorts of foul sicknesses infecting millions, with no discrimination. But I digress.
17.
Born An American 03:36
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BORN AN AMERICAN My daddy worked his whole life in a coal mine I watched him wipe his sweat from his brow My mama worked all day and then she raised her kids They had no time to sit back and be proud And now I ask myself - well, how can I convince them? Well, I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child Well, I've got room in my heart to give to all the children of the world That's the way of the red, white and blue I said my grand dad sailed across from a distant land He only had his spirit and his cross He sailed across with others who were different faiths They all were searching for a common cause And now he looks at me and he can't understand I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child Yeah, I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child But I've got room in my heart to give to all the children of the world That's the way of the red, white and blue We have our differences but together we must stand I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child Yeah, I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child Yeah, I was born an American And I'm proud to be their Proud to be their child I was born an American I was born an American I was born an American And I'm proud to be their child! I was born an American I was born an American I was born an American I was born an American I was born an American I was born an American
18.
Rabbits Don't Know What They Are 00:50
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RABBITS DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE Rabbits don’t know what they are Hop hop hop hop Ya can’t teach one to play guitar Ah ah ah ah They don’t care about 7 sharp 9 chords They don’t care unless ya play one pretty loud They don’t care about 7 sharp 9 chords They get scared when ya dump’em in a crowd Rabbits don’t know what they are Hop hop hop hop Ya can’t teach one to be a Czar Ah ah ah ah Rabbits don’t know what they are And maybe for the better. Rabbit’s foot in your car A wasted good luck Rabbits don’t know what they are And maybe for the better. Gotta rabbit’s foot in your car Easter Bunny Blues!
19.
Kookaburra Jamboree 02:44
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Kookaburra Jamboree The kookaburra bird in the coolabah tree Watching Captain Kangeroo on an DVD Wants to know can ya go to a koo kookaburra jamboree You’ll go higher than kite on a flying trapeze hanging upside down with the chimpanzees Go ahead flip your pip at the a koo - kookaburra jamboree We’ll chew blackjack bubble gum and crackers and cheese With the jumpin kangaroos and aborigines Going ish on a fish to the koo - kookaburra jamboree We can take you far away To the land out back where the alligators play Where the natives say have a good day mate Can you sail away on this green eyed whale Come on let’s celebrate in the land down under You can jump up and down on an alligator’s tail And we’ll go for a sail on a green eye’d whale Make a splash at the bash of the koo - kookaburra jamboree The kookaburra bird in the koolabah tree Watching Captain Kangeroo on an DVD Wants to know can ya go to a koo - kookaburra jamboree Kookaburra, Kookaburra jamboree Kookaburra, Kookaburra jamboree Kookaburra, Kookaburra jamboree Kookaburra, Kookaburra jamboree
20.
Hedge's Dark Cloud Appendage 03:12
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HEDGE'S DARK CLOUD APPENDAGE Hedge... Mark Clouds he's a Novocaine. He can rust your slacks Mark Clouds watch his acid rain eat through your favorite trout Mark Clouds he's a Novocaine. He can rust your slacks Mark Clouds watch his acid rain eat through your favorite trout Mark Clouds he's a Novocaine. He can rust your slacks Hedge... I say, Hedge don't eat that trout! Don't give yourself the finger! Mark Clouds : Now! Phillip : Hahahahah Mark Clouds : Hey, give me back my bobo chute! Phillip : Hahahahah Mark Clouds : Give it back now! Phillip : No! Mark Clouds : You bastard! Phillip : Ahhhhhh Mark Clouds : Gimmie that! Phillip : No! Mark Clouds : Ehh! The Priest : Alright, what's going on? Who took out all the... Who's behind the altar over there? -Phillip laughs - (sync tone screams) The Priest : It's like the bug from Wiliamsburg or something. What, what's going on?
21.
A Happy Birthday Song 03:02
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG Happy Birthday Another orbit ‘round the sun Happy Birthday I hope you’re having lots of fun Well, I remember when you were a teenager (a groovy lunatic) I see that nothing has changed Happy birthday you made it and you’re still deranged Happy Birthday You’re closer to the exit door Happy Birthday A little wiser than the year before Well, if I should depart from here (leave this mortal coil) Before I have the chance to say “bye”… Happy Birthday Those wrinkles do not lie It seems the time goes by much faster the older we get The memories get dimmer along with the regrets It’s easier to let things go Just blow out the candles Some say we’re just a program running through a trillion motions that make up this thing we call life But it’s your Birthday - who cares? I’m glad that you’re alive (that’s all that matters) Happy Birthday Your new year has arrived and I love ya
22.
Nobody Mattered 05:41
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NOBODY MATTERED So a voice is crying below a shattered dome And oh, there’s no denying An open wound is waiting to be sewn Who knows what pain we’re feeling Can’t tell, the nerves are gone So fast, the end is nearing As the film rewinds and medics leave the show The sand on the hill top is falling The sand on the hill top is God the sand on our shoes are recalling The greatest thrill we’ve ever known Nobody mattered We all went together I saw the flash in the sky Xmas was fun but next one will be better No second guess (I’m not depressed) Next one will be better So, the earth is slowing And so, the sun will roar Above, a star is calling But sorry we don’t live here anymore The sand on the hill top is falling The sand on the hill top is God the sand on our shoes are recalling The greatest lie we’ve ever known Well, nobody mattered We all went together I saw the flash in the sky Xmas was fun but next one will be better No second guess (No, I’m not depressed) Next one will be better
23.
When The Iceman -A- Cometh 01:06
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WHEN THE ICEMAN-A-COMETH When the Iceman -a-cometh it's a very strange day Leaves a trail of sparkles in the sky It conjures up confusion in a buzz kill way "Invitation only" won't apply When the Iceman -a-cometh it's a very sad day Remnants from our past will be hard to fine But Lucy, Desi, Fred and Ethyl might tell'em who we were Just a little blue watering hole Third planet from a star

about

This CD is a collection of songs that never made their way to a "proper" album. They were just "one offs". In some cases there was not enough available space on a single CD to include them. Some pieces just had to be cut. Could have been a mistake. I can't be objective. In any event, they make interesting bedfellows here.

credits

released July 24, 2016

JT : Lead vocal, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Programming, Recordist, Mixing
Jim Dexter : Guitars on "Dexter Goes Animal", "Born An American"
Meryl Mathews : Keyboard on "Dexter Goes Animal"
Marci Geller : Lead Vocal on "Only In A Dream" and "Born An American"
Gian DiMauro : Lead vocal and keyboard on "Downtime No.1, Voice on "Only In A Dream"
Programming on "No Use Waiting Around"
Nick DiMauro : Back up on "No Use Waiting Around"
Anthony Pomes : Lead guitar on "Downtime #1", Bass and Guitar on Dali Lama Town (Stripped), Guitar and vocal on "Suicide By Snake"
Peter Kearns : Vocals on Dali Lama Town (Stripped)
MIke Keneally : Guitar on "It's Just A Black Guitar"
Gerry Palisi : Guitar on "It's Just A Black Guitar"
Mr. Caroleo : Voice on "Cilla-Sigh-Been-Gum Piano"

Recorded at Suburban Hermit Studios 1, St. James, NY
Suburban Hermit Studios 2, Stony Brook, NY
21 Millbrook Ave, Stony Brook
Backdoor Studios, Huntington Station, NY
Sonic Underground Studios, Stony Brook, NY
Sa3 Mastering
Design : Farben Fosfeen Art Werks

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John Tabacco image

John Tabacco Stony Brook, New York

John Tabacco is a composer, singer-songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and visual artist.

Like an unfolding musical diary / puzzle, Tabacco’s music and art are constantly being re-worked, juxtaposed and intertwined.

For more info : www.johntabacco.net ... more

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