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Molasses Soul (Ballad Of Rusty Strange)

from Bad Road, Good People by Boris McCutcheon

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about

Written about a hermit that lived in Quisset Harbor and built a flat bottom junk boat and live there for many many years and the seals a came up on the deck under the stars and he would go out and smoke a joint with them and I would come over and play music with him. He played lapsteel on Mother ditch. His name was Rusty Strange

lyrics

Ballad of Rusty Strange/ or Molasses Soul (Tune down guitar a whole step)

G C Am
Faded ember of an old Cape town.
G C Am
The harbor no longer wears his flat bottom crown,
G C Am
Jellyfish hula under the stars,
G F C D G
But not to Hawaiian, not to Hawaiian, not to Hawaiian slack key guitar.
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em
Well damper it down, let it burn slow,
Am Em Am G C Am
Speed is a vexation to my molasses soul, molasses soul.”
G C Am
“Molasses soul”
He said, You might lure me over that bridge,
If you promise that it won't be a rock and roll gig.
But when we got to drinkin the drummer and I,
We sped up Folsum Prison, sped up Folsum Prison,
Sped up Folsum Prison, a little too high.
Well damper it down, let it burn slow
Speed is a vexation to my molasses soul”.
Many a maiden swam past his door,
He loved them well and he loved them some more.
One couldn't fix an engine one couldn't hold an oar.
One didn't like it when he played,
Didn't like the sound he made,
Didn't like it when he played Hawaiian slack key guitar.
Well damper it down, let it burn slow
Speed is a vexation to my molasses soul.
I'd rather sleep alone with a warm soapstone.
Try coal fire mama, its good for your bones, good for your bones ,
Good for your bones.” Molasses Soul!

credits

from Bad Road, Good People, released January 1, 2008
2008 Bad Road Good People

1.The Ballad of Rusty Strange (Molasses Soul)-Drums: Jeff Berlin, Banjo: Brett Davis , Bass: Susan Holmes, Keys: Kevin Zoernig
2. Small Town Blues-Drums: Jeff , Bass: Susan electric guitar: Brett , keys: Kevin, mandolin and backing vocals: Sharon Gilchrist
3. Big Old World-Drums: Jeff, Bass: Susan, electric guitar: Brett , keys: Kevin , violin: Enion Pelta ) extra percussion: Jim Palmer backing vocals: Michelle Collins 2nd electric guitar: Bill Palmer
4. Working On A Sunday-drums: Jeff bass: Susan , electric guitar: Brett , mandolin: Sharon Gilchrist )
5. Waiting For The Demons To Die-drums: Jeff bass: Susan, lap steel: Brett , theremin: Kevin
6. Pony Ride-drums: Paul Groetzinger, bass: Susan, Banjo: Brett , keys: Kevin
7. Peace With The Pines-Drums: Jeff , bass: Susan , electric guitar: Brett , keys: Kevin , backing vox- Michelle Collins extra percussion: Jim Palmer
8. The Wicked Things-Drums: Jeff, bass: Susan, lap steel: Brett, keys: Kevin theremin: Kevin
9. The Ballad Of Natascha Kampusch-drums: Jeff bass: Susan, electric guitar: Brett 2%, violin and piano: Sharon Gilchrist
10. The Monster That Swam In Figure Eights-banjo: Brett , Keys: Kevin
11. I Long-bass: Bill Palmer, harmonica: Taj Mahal backing vox: Felecia Ford

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Boris McCutcheon image

Boris McCutcheon Dixon, New Mexico

Mother Ditch (2001) When We Were Big (2003) Turbulent Amusement (live) (2004) Cactusman vs the Blue Demon (2006) Lost Sessions and B-Sides (2006) Bad Road, Good People (2008) Wheel of Life (2010)Utrecht (live) (2011)Boris McCutcheon Sings the Songs of Townes Van Zandt (2012)Might Crash! (2013)I’m Here Let Me In (2017)• 2004 Boston Music Awards best male singer songwriter• 2004 ... more

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