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Devil On The Wall

by Manitoba Hal

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    All orders will receive a documentary video recorded in October 2012 featuring early performances of some of the music from this CD along with short interview segments with Manitoba Hal.
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1.
.44 02:01
.44 © Hal Brolund (SOCAN) 2012 There's a body in the walls of this old hotel Nobody would notice the smell There's a hobo dancing in the old grave yard Nobody'd be gone that long. Two times, two times four When I left I slammed that door And all I could think of was Be careful what you wish for (chorus) You don't let a black cat cross your path If you love your momma don't step on a crack Pride goes before that fall Don't paint the devil upon that wall I closed that wall, I slammed that door I shot him with my .44, In the hallway past that bullet hole Nobody'd be gone that long Two times, two times four I ran until I couldn't run anymore My heart was pounding Be careful what you wish for (chorus) You don't let a black cat cross your path If you love your momma don't step on a crack Pride goes before that fall Don't paint the devil upon that wall After all was said and done I never should have bought that gun They caught up with me as I was leaving town The black and whites they threw me down There's a hobo dancing in the old graveyard Nobody'd be gone that long Two times, two times four I'm in this jail for forty four The judge he said Be careful what you wish for (chorus) You don't let a black cat cross your path If you love your momma don't step on a crack Pride goes before that fall Don't paint the devil upon that wall You don't let a black cat cross your path If you love your momma don't step on a crack Pride goes before that fall Don't paint the devil Don't paint the devil Don't paint the devil Upon that wall
2.
Love Sign 02:18
Love Sign © Hal Brolund (SOCAN) 2012 I've got an old piece of wood, I'll make you a sign I've got an old piece of wood, I'll make you a sign Let you know I love you, let you know you're mine The sign will say I love you, it's gonna have my name The sign will say I love you, it's gonna have my name So if you forget me now, you only have yourself to blame I will take that sign and place it by your door I'll take that sign and I'll place it by your door So your neighbors will know you're not single anymore I'll take that sign and stake it in the ground I'll take that sign and I'm gonna stake it in the ground So you'll always know I love you when you finally come around I've got an old piece of wood, I'll make you a sign I've got an old piece of wood, I'll make you a sign Let you know I love you, let you know you're mine
3.
Titanic Blues by Hi Henry Brown Early one morning, it was about four o'clock Early one morning, it was about four o'clock That old Titanic began to reel and rock Captain Smith took his glass and he walked right up to the front Captain Smith took his glass and he walked right up to the front Saw that iceberg, oh lord we're gonna bump Some folks were crying and some folks were playing cards Some folks were drinking and some folks were playing cards Some were in the corner, praying to their god Children were crying mama mama what shall we do? Children were crying mama mama what shall we do? Captain Smith said child I'll take care of you The Titanic went down, went down in that deep blue sea The Titanic went down, went down in that deep blue sea The band was playing nearer my God to thee Early one morning, it was about four o'clock Early one morning, it was about four o'clock That old Titanic began to reel and rock
4.
5.
Smile 02:38
Smile © Hal Brolund (SOCAN) 2012 You can tell I love you honey by the way I smile You can tell I love you honey by the way I smile And if that don't prove it just take a good look in my eyes You can tell I love you honey by the way I walk You can tell I love you honey by the way I walk You can tell what I'm saying by all this little baby talk You know I love you honey, that's a natural fact You know I love you honey, that's a natural fact A love like this you just cannot take it back (it's got a no refund policy) Everyday, everyday I pray you will be mine Everyday, everyday I pray you will be mine And I will love you until the very end of time You can tell I love you honey by the way I smile You can tell I love you honey by the way I smile And if that don't prove it just take a good look in my eyes
6.
Daylight 03:19
Daylight © Hal Brolund (SOCAN) 2012 This is a song for those who've lost their way A simple lyric for those lost in the fray Daylights coming, it's gonna be a brand new day You've got to hold onto to hope, hold onto joy Grab that feeling like a child grabs a brand new toy Daylights coming, it's gonna be a brand new day They say the nights always darkest just before the dawn And that pale moonlight will soon be gone But you can make it through the night It's just a little while before daylight So this is for those who need a little bit of light And for those who need help in the middle of the night Daylights coming, it's gonna be alright Daylights coming, it's gonna be alright Daylights coming, it's gonna be alright
7.
Love Carries On © Hal Brolund (2005) I said to the wind I heard blowing It's time that I was moving on I hear the whistle blow, I see the train coming Woman I'll be gone before the dawn I know all about your other lovers I've seen you wait to call until after I've gone You can save all those tired stories This time I'm moving It's no surprise that you got lonely After all the time I've been gone I chose this life and I guess I should be grateful But it's a hard life for two to travel on When you wake up in that morning glory And you find the note I left there by your door You should know that I hold you blameless And I'll go but my love carries on I'll go but my love carries on I'll go by my love carries on
8.
Bonnie & Clyde © Hal Brolund (SOCAN) 2012 I like it when we're driving with the top let down The wind in our hair, blowing all around We're living on the edge, reckless and wild We'll run rom the law like Bonnie & Clyde We'll take it to a hundred on the quarter mile Run like the devil for the county line Outlaws of love is the game we'll play And they're not gonna catch us today We're Bonnie & Clyde Now those old folks say it just ain't right That boy's a little reckless and the girls a little wild They don't understand Bonnie & Clyde Those outlaws of love are the luckiest kind I know what you're thinking about that night Those two met their end in a hell of fight Living fast and free has got it's price But let me tell you baby it's a hell of ride When you're Bonnie & Clyde If I had to steal one kiss I would want it just like this Soft and wet, reckless and wild Like Bonnie & Clyde I like it when we're driving with the top let down The wind in our hair, blowing all around We're living on the edge, reckless and free We'll blow them all away.... You and me
9.
Tom & Huck 03:05

about

"Devil on the Wall is a very bluesy album. A couple of fine covers of blues standards appear amongst the rollicking original tunes. Manitoba Hal may have set his ukelele aside for much of the album, but there is no denying that the man knows his way around a blues guitar. With a sweetly vulnerable cry in his naturally authoritative voice, the prairie boy turned blue-noser leaves no doubt that he has mastered the feel-good heartbreak that defines a really good blues tune.
Devil on the Wall is a fairly short album, only nine tracks, but it proves the adage that good things come in small packages. Do yourself a favour and check this one out." - No Depression Review


Nine bullets of pure blues triggered by Manitoba Hal’s reunion with his resonator guitar fly with precision on his twelfth recording, “Devil On The Wall”. Every note is right on target as this ‘Ukulele Bluesman’ demonstrates his marksmanship on both four and six strings, as well as his artistry as a vocalist and songwriter.

Omens of warning and signs of hope appear as Hal reveals the radiance hidden in the darkest of HOURS while reminding his fated fugitives, restless HEARTS, and lost travelers that even their brightest intentions can cast foreboding shadows. “Devil On The Wall” opens with it’s title track “.44”; an ominous tale of murder, escape and capture inspired by an urban myth about a dead body encased in the walls of an old hotel. The album’s drive follows the solid groove of Australian drummer Jonathon Barbagallo with, “Love Sign” a bold profession of love as yet unrequited. Penned by elusive bluesman Hi-Henry Brown, Hal includes “Titanic Blues”, a voice and resonator blues offering Captain Smith’s assurances for his unsinkable ship’s doomed passengers. Also included is the classic “Sweet Home Chicago” with Hal’s enthusiastic invitation to join him on a journey to the heart of the blues. “Smile” returns to the full electric blues sound with keys provided by the album’s producer, David Findlay and upright bass by T. B. Player. Hal creates a warm trio of voice, ukulele and resonator guitar on “Daylight” as the sun rises on a new day dawning the second half of the record. “Love Carries On” shares a daybreak departure taking to the unending road alone, leaving love behind. Manitoba Hal concludes "Devil On The Wall" with two songs about outlaws and outcasts; as lovers compare themselves with the heated passion of partners in crime in "Bonnie & Clyde", driving full throttle into reckless love. "Tom & Huck" is Hal's rambling resonator instrumental sailing the listener off to further mischievous adventures.

Tom Sawyer’s adventures accompanied Manitoba Hal on his writing retreat at an isolated solar powered cottage near Fort Coulange Quebec in October of 2012, where he crafted all nine songs on “Devil On The Wall”. His first guitar-based album since 2006’s “Come The Ruination”, Hal plays a one of a kind hand-built Arvey resonator built by Thunder Bay luthier Richard Harvey. Spending most of the last seven years performing mainly on ukulele, Hal’s love for the guitar never faded as he returned to it at home in Shelburne, Nova Scotia between his relentless tours across Canada, the U.K. and Australia. “Devil On The Wall” was recorded at Hal’s home studio and at David Findlay’s studio in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

credits

released April 1, 2013

Produced by Hal Brolund & David Findlay
Recorded at
Hal's Kitchen - Shelburne Nova Scotia
Otitis Media - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Manitoba Hal - guitar, ukulele, vocals
David Findlay - Keyboard, piano, vocals
T. B. Player - upright bass
Jonathon Barbagallo - drums

All Songs © Hal Brolund (SOCAN) 2013 except
Sweet Home Chicago (PD) by Robert Johnson
Titanic Blues (PD) by Hi Henry Brown

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Manitoba Hal Shelburne, Nova Scotia

Canadian blues artist Manitoba Hal is a ukulele master and singer-songwriter. He is known for his expressive voice and mastery of his instrument; his trusty baritone ukulele; His original songs have become modern classics and his take on standards and popular blues songs of the past have brought him to festival stages worldwide. ... more

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