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18 Carat Garbage

by Billie Ray Martin

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Gareth Barton
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Gareth Barton I like to think of this track as a continuation of Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves when Annie and Aretha walked out the kitchen never to return. Favorite track: Eighteen Carat Garbage (with Ann Peebles).
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  • 13 tracks original CD [SREC104]
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Billie Ray Martin's second solo album recorded in Memphis with members of Aretha's band, comes in a plastic jewel case for the joy of true collectors.

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  • Eighteen Carat Garbage (Toilet Edition)
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    For those of you still after the original (later ditched) sleeve with the toilet scenario. 2 of the CD"s are in PVC sleeves, one is in the Plastic Box. All with orig. booklet.

    Includes unlimited streaming of 18 Carat Garbage via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.
Captain Drag 06:58
give me a story (tale of a lifetime) give me a story (tale of a lifetime) (tale) (tale) he was a sailor he was captain of his ship and his arms were painted and strong he had his work and he had his friends there was only one thing that was wrong well, he had a change of mind he could no longer use what he knew he didn't choose well, he had a change of body and that's all that he wants you to know give me a story a reason to tell a tale of a lifetime something that is real give me a story like a long lost friend cause that's all he ever wanted and that's all he ever did now he's a woman he thought life could go on but his ship was taken away, hm (tale) he's still a captain and his arms are still strong but they don't like the dress that he wears oh yes, they had a change of mind they could no longer know how the wind was gonna blow he had a change of body and that's all he ever wanted to be, oh give me a story a reason to tell a tale of a lifetime something I can feel I've often wondered what these things are for on a cold night by the harbour life in a bottle, well well was never so hard, oh no it never was, mm-hm all the waves of his passion had to break out from under the glass, oh with all of the pressure oh well give me a story a reason to tell tale of a lifetime something that is real, yes give me a story no beginning and no end cause that's all he ever wanted and that's all he ever did and that's all he ever wanted, well well and that's all he ever did, hm-mm and that's all he ever wanted and that's all he ever did
2.
it was a different face and a different smile then in a lover's land where lovers kiss, mm it was another place and another time then but the same old plans and promises somewhere I don't know where there's a place for lost time I know I shouldn't go there but I I wanna be where fools rush in I wanna fall in love again I wanna go back to the place where I believe in lost words I wanna lay my soul bare knowing it leads to nowhere and when it's over will there be a next chance, be a next chance looking back to where the end of time ends never knowing what was really there, mm where every end is like a blast of silence (yes it is) that's defeating me from there to here sometime I don't know when I will claim what is mine and I won't be denied when I say I wanna be where fools rush in I wanna fall in love again I wanna run back to the place where I believe in lost words I wanna lay my soul bare knowing it leads to nowhere and when it's over will there be a next chance, be a next chance though love is lonely I'm a fool on lover's lane though it's hurtin' me so bad, only here will I be safe (hey) I wanna be where fools rush in I wanna fall in love again I wanna go back to the place where I believe in lost words I wanna lay my soul bare knowing it leads to nowhere and when it's over will there be a next chance (the next chance) be a next chance I wanna be where fools rush in I wanna fall in love again I wanna run back to the place where I believe in lost words I wanna stand in the door there knowing it leads to nowhere and when it's all over will there be a next chance (the next chance) be a next chance mm, give me one more chance oh yes, one more chance mm.. give me, give me I wanna sing a song about pride I wanna sing a song about pride I wanna sing a song about pride, hey I wanna sing a song about pride I wanna sing a song about pride I wanna sing a song about pride I wanna sing a song about pride, hey I wanna sing a song about pride I wanna sing a song about pride
3.
I saw my face in the paper today it said hello to the face that i saw at home then I read a tale of a girl with my name it was not the one that I know, no you shook my hand and you said you understand and you said that you know where I'm coming from but the only place that I've ever been is far, far from known what you say about me stabs me in the heart what you read about me is a shot in the dark I've never been to Memphis I've never seen my good-luck star I've never seen Las Vegas lights laughing at the dark I've never dragged the train of my dress down Elvis Presley Boulevard I've never been to Memphis cross my heart, hm I want to see my name in neon lights cause the words that you write they don't last, my friends they only shine a day at a time and leave stains on my hands, well so what's the use in rolling the dice when you already know how it's gonna fall you think that if you play your cards right you might deal with us all what're gonna do when a seven falls will the rolling thunder scatter all of your cards I've never been to Memphis, no I've never seen my good-luck star I've never seen Las Vegas lights laughing at the dark I've never dragged the train of my dress down Elvis Presley Boulevard I've never been to Memphis cross my heart, cross my heart ooh yes believe me I've never been to Memphis, no no I've never seen my good-luck star, baby I wanna see Las Vegas lights, yeah laughing at the dark I've never dragged the train of my dress down Elvis Presley Boulevard I've never been to Memphis cross my heart, cross my heart I've never been to Memphis, no no no I've never seen my good-luck star, yeah I've never seen Las Vegas lights, yeah laughing at the dark I've never dragged the train of my dress down Elvis Presley Boulevard (yeah) I've never been to Memphis cross my heart, yeah I've never been to Memphis, no no I've never seen my good-luck star (no no) I've never seen Las Vegas lights, yeah laughing at the dark I've never dragged a train of my dress through the Nevada desert sand I've never been to Memphis raise my hand, raise my hand, baby, yeah tell it how it is, c'mon on whoo! cross my heart whow! that's the one - that was the one
4.
here I sit in silent wonder while you set the scene submitting to your private torture of the first degree here I am anticipating a healthy act of sin, oh I tell you that flattery won't get you nowhere your hands have not yet been baby are you ready for the other side of me call it a prevention of a crime of passion honey after all the films that you and I have seen I wouldn't push me to the edge of your obsession, no no through the hell of your rejections I was held on call, oh you can't tell me you don't notice the torture of it all, oh yeah through the maze of strange reactions I guessed my way in, oh but I was outside your sense of sane encounter and your politics of sin oh baby are you ready for the other side of me call it a prevention of a crime of passion honey after all the films that you and I have seen I wouldn't push me to the edge of your obsession, no no I don't know if this is madness and I don't really wanna know it every trap you open for me I'm not gonna fall for it every time you kiss me baby it feels like the day of the dead put your loving arms around me and I might take a bite out of it baby are you ready for the other side of me call it a prevention of a crime of passion honey after all the films that you and I have seen I wouldn't push me to the edge of your obsession hey baby are you ready for the other side of me call it a prevention of a crime of passion oh honey after all the films that you and I have seen I wouldn't push me to the edge of your obsession
5.
I don't know how long I've been alone now oh and I I don't know, oh no how it ended up this way oh and I I don't care who will break my heart the next time around oh and all I can say is that this loneliness makes me scared anyone will do for a heartache, hm and if it's not you let it be anyone but you anyone will do fine for a heartache, yeah and if it's not you let it be someone, anyone but you I don't see (I don't see) oh no no what becomes of the broken hearted (no no) no and I I don't see (sometimes I don't see) see them walking down the same old dead end street as me, no oh and I I'm so tired (I'm so tired) just to wallow around in all of this sorrow oh and all, all this time (all this time) ain't enough time (no no no no) to ease the pain anyone will do, oh for a heartache, mm and if it's not you (if it's not you) let it be anyone, anyone but you anyone will do, oh for a heartache, mm and if it's not you (if it's not you) let it be someone, anyone, anyone oh, no time waits for anyone no it won't wait for anyone (no no no...) who waits in vain anyone will do, oh, for a heartache (for a heartache) baby and if it's not you (hm) let it be anyone, oh anyone but you anyone will do, yes! for a heartache and if it's not you (if it's not you) let it be someone (someone) anyone, anyone let it be someone, anyone (someone), anyone (anyone) but you (hm)
6.
I don't like your party dress cause this ain't no party you're falling around as if you you know where the ground is you've seen me a thousand times and you know what my name is but if you were in my shoes you'd know what the price of fame is so I wait outside to see what I can see and I follow you in through the blinds until you're part of me and I'm waiting yes I'm waiting I'm eighteen carat garbage parked outside your door won't you recognize my face you've seen me here before I'm eighteen carat garbage won't you hear me out don't wanna be living a lie don't slam the door I won't take a photograph cause nothing would be on it and there ain't a dime store novel that I could write from it and I don't wanna sound insane and I don't know what your game is I just wanna seize your brain and see where LA is so lock the house, burn it but save the silver tray but please give daddy that knife back and please throw the gun away I'm eighteen carat garbage parked outside your door won't you recognize my face you've seen me here before I'm eighteen carat garbage won't you hear me out don't wanna be living a lie don't slam the door there are hollow sounds in the hall of fame and they're haunting me I like people yeah I like people when they're on tv I'm eighteen carat garbage parked outside your door won't you recognize my face you've seen me here before I'm eighteen carat garbage, yeah won't you hear me out don't wanna be living a lie don't slam the door I'm eighteen carat garbage parked outside your door won't you recognize my face you've seen me here before I'm eighteen carat garbage won't you hear me out don't wanna be living a lie don't slam the door because I'm eighteen carat garbage parked outside your door won't you recognize me you've seen me here before I'm eighteen carat garbage won't you hear me out don't wanna be living a lie don't slam the door I'm eighteen carat garbage parked outside your door won't you recognize my face you've seen me here before I'm eighteen carat garbage won't you hear me out don't wanna be living a lie
7.
hello! why are there footprints on the wall and w-oh hello! tissues and tears on the floor and why does the sun hang so low in the sky it pries through the blinds and the walls have long shadows hold on! there's no spirit in your sadness hold on! there is method in your madness and no honey, you're not insane just Jackson Pollock in your brain so come on hold on to your madness too hello! you need a script just to talk and w-oh hello! there ain't a bomb you won't drop but you're not the only one who will stalk his own mind the blind lead the blind and the gods have long faces hold on! there's no spirit in your sadness hold on! there is method in your madness and now that you stand accused there's only you and Howard Hughes so come on hold on to your madness too oh you you are the soul of the asylum celebrate your creation come on hold on! there's no spirit in your sadness hold on! there is method in your madness and now that you stand accused there's only you and Howard Hughes so come on hold on to your madness hold on! there's no spirit in your sadness hold on, yeah! there is method in your madness and no honey you're not insane, ha ha! just Jackson Pollock in your brain so come on hold on to your madness too
8.
myself myself myself myself myself myself myself myself myself (bring all the peace) myself (bring all the peace) myself (bring all the peace) myself (bring all the peace) myself, bring all the power (that love commands) bring all the peace bring all the peace bring all the peace (bring all the power) bring all the peace bring all the peace bring all the peace (bring all the power) bring all the peace bring all the peace bring all the peace (bring all the power) bring all the peace bring all the peace bring all the peace (bring all the power) bring all the peace bring all the --
9.
I've been misplaced and I've been mislead and I've been lost to myself for so long I am undone and I am untouched and I've been unmoved by this game for so long, oh Lord I am discolored and I am diluted and I've been dissolved into nothing for so long, oh Lord and I've been so caught up that I didn't notice that I know a change is gonna come (come) I've been withdrawn (withdrawn) I've been withheld and I've been put on the shelf for so long (so long, I have) oh yes I have I am disjointed and I am discouraged, oh yes and I've been holding my breath for so long, oh Lord, yeah I've been so ready (so ready yeah) so way ahead of myself that I didn't see a change is gonna come (come) (oh yes it will) to my mind bring all the peace you can find to my hands bring all the power that love commands cause I've been keeping (I've been keeping) my soul from receiving (my soul from receiving) oh yeah and oh Lord I've been helpless for so long, oh yes I have, oh yeah so let me go now (let me go now) cause I should know now (baby) that I know (I know) a change (mm-hm) is gonna come (come) (yes it's coming, yes it is) oh yes
10.
you sit like a shadow inside a shadow, TV kills another soul you don't know why the phone never rings on Sundays the walls are alive from the light outside, it's like a film inside a film the city's gonna teach you the part one day and you shield your weakness, hey but they know your secret still I feel like dancing with you in systems of silence we turn in a secret ballet all around and between the sounds and the sights the fears will be fading away in systems of silence I just wanna dance all the way right down to the core of the black and the white you live for this city, breeding its illusions with your hands against the wall another day has coached you into surrender you're bleeding its emotions, walking its desires like a dance you can't perform the city's gonna teach you the steps one day, yeah and we've lost our senses, hey but I'll take my chances still I feel like dancing with you in systems of silence we turn in a secret ballet all around and between the sounds and the sights the fears will be fading away in systems of silence I just wanna dance all the way right down to the core of the black and the white and you freeze like they told you and you give yourself up and you reel spread-eagled (hey) still I feel like dancing with you in systems of silence we turn in a secret ballet all around and between the sounds and the sights the fears will be fading away in systems of silence I just wanna dance all the way right down to the core of the black and the white still I feel like dancing with you in systems of silence we turn in a secret ballet all around and between the sounds and the sights the fears will be fading away in systems of silence I just wanna dance all the way right down to the core of the black and the white (systems of silence) oh yeah
11.
as the lights grow dim at midnight things take on a rapid pace the bed is racing up the wall and the lamp becomes a speck in space and as you stare the sweat is pouring from you and it falls away like rain, yeah and you wouldn't wanna be in your shoes or sit inside your seat, eh when the ground that you've been standing on fades beneath your feet, mm and as the audience moves in you you wouldn't leave here if you could your eyes become like teeth, you're ready it's 'hurrah for Hollywood', yeah and there's so many people in you fighting for a seat, well and you wouldn't wanna be in your shoes or sit inside your seat, yeah when the ground that you've been standing on fades beneath your feet, well and you wouldn't wanna be in your shoes or sit inside your seat, hey, yeah when the ground that you've been standing on fades beneath your feet, yeah well and you wouldn't wanna be in your shoes or sit inside your seat, yeah when the ground that you've been standing on fades beneath your feet, oh yeah who would wanna be in your shoes or sit inside your seat, oh, yeah and you wonder if you'll ever meet with the ground beneath your feet, yes with the ground beneath your feet, oh yeah with the ground beneath your feet, come on
12.
rats in the basement the family upstairs grow, grow tall as can be for the family on the fourth floor, oh everyone here will have love for sale today the stars are on the ground the girl is on the game if she don't get a job she won't be back to play rats in the basement the family upstairs food on the table and strangers that swear doves in the attic and dogs on the stairs legends that die and live again wait, see peroxide and pearls oh they come and go a knock on the door, oh-hoh who is outside is the dog all right dad's on the floor, these crumbling stairs are no solid ground heroes never fall legends never found the rats in the basement the family upstairs food on the table and strangers that swear doves in the attic and dogs on the stairs legends that die and live again won't you come back again and take her hand won't you come back again and take her hand help them to understand what makes a man and if they don't mind tell them to find rats in the basement the family upstairs food on the table and strangers that swear doves in the attic and dogs on the stairs legends that die and live again rats in the basement the family upstairs food on the table and strangers that swear doves in the attic and dogs on the stairs legends that die and live again they live again
13.
wait wait wait wait wait wait wait wait outside ss..side ss..side ss..side outside ss..side ss..side ss..side
14.
And now I know Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say I thought I knew But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City Until you've seen this trash can dream come true You stand at the edge while people run you through And I thank the Lord there's people out there like you I thank the Lord there's people out there like you While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers Turn around and say good morning to the night For unless they see the sky But they can't and that is why They know not if it's dark outside or light This Broadway's got It's got a lot of songs to sing If I knew the tunes I might join in I'll go my way alone Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown in New York City Subway's no way for a good man to go down Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown And I thank the Lord for the people I have found I thank the Lord for the people I have found

about

This album was recorded in Memphis, shortly after I had moved to Hamburg from New York. I met Michael Huber in Hamburg, a friend of a friend, and shared my vision with him of going to Memphis to work with Ann Peebles and the Hi Records guys. Michael immediately agreed to finance the album.
I had been in Memphis before and had met with Ann and the Hi records musician Teenie Hodges, and they had been most kind. Willie Mitchell and James Mitchell too had showed me around the studio and had discussed options with me.
They later told me that, when i first called up from London years prior to us meeting and had asked if they would work with me, and had sent them some music, they though i was black and that i was putting them on when i said I wasn't. They told me that they sat there laughing like crazy, saying: 'She's putting us on, she has to be black.' My memories of the actual time when i recorded the album could fill a small book. Things didn't go quite as planned but took another turn and some different musicians than the ones i originall expected to work with stepped in to lend their magic. Also Carla Thomas showing up to sing for the first time with Ann...for MY album, was a gift that couldn't be greater. Here's more:

Recorded in Memphis with members of Aretha's band, Billie was able to realise her dream of "Memphis meets Deutschland", with experimental electronics added respectfully afterwards by Hamburg's Felix Huber. Most notably apparent on this album is the ease with which Memphis soul influences and electronics blend seamlessly into a flowing whole. Co-producer Felix Huber (Plexiq), was instrumental in making this possible with his radical approach. A timely reminder that Billie Ray Martin has for some years now produced some truly unique and timeless work.

credits

released April 21, 2014

Written by:
01, 06, 13: Martin/Tiven/Tiven
02: Martin/Vero/Donato
03: Martin/Tschanz
04, 11: Martin/Vero/Lee
05: Martin/Mole
07: Martin/Mackendricks/Cole
08, 09: Martin/Fryer/Conolly
10: Martin/Jorio
12: Martin/Mackendricks
14: Elton John/Bernie Taupin

Published by:
01, 06, 13: Touch Tones Music / Jon Tiven Music, BMI / Sally Tiven Music, ASCAP,
02: Touch Tones Music / So Hip It Hurts Publishing, ASCAP / unknown,
03: Touch Tones Music / EMI Music Publishing,
04, 11: Touch Tones Music / So Hip It Hurts Publishing, ASCAP / Third Nature, ASCAP,
05: Touch Tones Music / Warner Chappell Music Ltd.,
07: Touch Tones Music / Copyright Control, PRS / Universal Music,
08, 09: Touch Tones Music / Running House Music, PRS / Warner Chappell Music Ltd.,
10: Touch Tones Music / unknown,
12: Touch Tones Music / Running House Music, PRS,
14: Dick James Music Ltd. [original publisher]

02: 'I wanna sing a song about pride' recreated from the announcement to the song 'Tear It On Down' written by Ashford And Simpson / Jobete Music Co. Inc.

Produced and arranged by Felix Huber and Billie Ray Martin, except:
01: produced by Lunatek and Billie Ray Martin,
08, 13: produced by Lunatek.
Mixed by Mike Nielsen at Soundgarden, Hamburg, except
02: mixed by Chris von Rautenkranz at Soundgarden.

Performing on all songs, except 02, 04, 10, 11, The Memphis Rhythm Section:
organ: Marvell Thomas,
drums: Steve Potts,
bass: Jimmi Kinard,
guitar: Willie M. Toles III.
Recorded at House Of Blues Studios, Memphis.
Recording engineer: William C Brown III.

Backing vocals performed by Ann Peebles, Carla Thomas and Billie Ray Martin.
Additional lead vocals: Ann Peebles.
Ann Peebles' and Carla Thomas' vocals recorded at By Faith Studio, Memphis.
Vocal recording engineer: Paul Brown.

Piano, additional keyboards & programming: Felix Huber.
Additional recording at White Noise and Luna Studios, Hamburg.

Design: Sean Delaney.
Photo: Karin Kohlberg.
Add. photo editing: Sally Johnson.
All concepts: Billie Ray Martin.
Any leather worn is imitation, except some vintage leather shoes are worn.

Thank you:
Michael Huber for this album and for putting me back on track,
Felix Huber for everything and the toilet idea and my favourite bit of tacky piano ever on 'Fools'
Frank Heuck,
Ann Peebles and Carla Thomas for the magic and the spirit,
Don Bryant,
Paul Brown,
Marvell Thomas,
everyone at House Of Blues Studios for your help and support,
Ivo at Luna and Joszi at White Noise,
Henry Miles,
Noel Wallace for garbage and dime store novels,
Sean Delaney,
Henrik Lundstrom.

Thank you Elton John and Bernie Taupin for writing songs like Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters
and thank you Caroline Mackendricks for lending your voice, hands and heart on this song.

I thank every person who spends their time and energy working for the welfare and protection of animals. We all owe you for your courage to continually face this impossible situation.

www.billieraymartin.com

In memory of James Mitchell

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Billie Ray Martin Berlin, Germany

"Billie Ray Martin is one of the living legends in modern music history and one of the best voices on planet earth."
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"Billie Ray Martin is an absolute revelation."
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Billie Ray Martin: "I'm a kid from Hamburg’s red-light district, who wanted to be a soul singer, but ended up playing repetitive machine music, while still trying to be a soul singer"
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