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Spruce Lawn Days Are Done

by Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large"

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about

This is a demo/rough draft of “Spruce Lawn Days,” a song I wrote about Davy Jones’s horse farm and home in the secluded hills of central Pennsylvania. In 1986 he was flush with Monkees tour money and bought this 14-acre 14-room mansion that became his getaway and creative space. He called the place Spruce Lawn, and I became quite familiar with it over the course of 20 years. The lyrics I wrote describe the animals and apparatus that were part of the daily scene. The song is intended for a “Davy Jones tribute” project I’ve had in the works since 2012. The project has been stop-&-go because of lack of funds, logistics with musicians and personnel I felt should be part of this, and/or being pulled away on pressing projects.

Meanwhile, despite COVID, some movement is happening on the “tribute,” which is entitled “Davy’s Unfinished Business.” It’s a collection of songs he was attached to in life as well as songs he and I wrote together (never recorded before). “Spruce Lawn Days” is my original. This demo has bass, drums, guitar, and one vocal. Some more work has to be done on it, but at least I can present the idea. Thanks for listening—feedback welcome. JJB

lyrics

SPRUCE LAWN DAYS ARE DONE song/lyrics © 2017-20 Johnny J. Blair publishing pending

Cat sleeping on the lawn
Another day’s begun
In iron green hills misting in the sun

Mansion, fourteen acres, wood
Calm and quiet do ya good
Ride horses, sing a song, and write a book

Piano in the den
Where time was so well spent
Listening to mixes, listening to you vent

Soccer game is on at nine
Tea drinking and unwind
You knew your place here would be so sublime

REFRAIN 1: Model T sits in the barn
Rolled out on special occasion
Every story and yarn
With a beginning and
Your harebrained ideas no end

They said you tempted fate
Fire burning in the grate
A restless man find peace, it’s not too late

Everything gets it’s run
Season’s change and now you’re gone
Let everyone know Spruce Lawn days are done

REFRAIN 2: Riding a carousel
Powered by an unseen hand
Every story to tell
With a beginning and
Your harebrained ideas no end

Cat’s vacated the lawn
Everyone has moved along
No choice because the Spruce Lawn days are done
Spruce Lawn days are gone
But your Spruce Lawn dream goes on

(Whistle/la la outro)

credits

released August 1, 2020
JJB: bass, drums, guitar, vocals
Chris von Sneidern: mixing

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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