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The TakeAway

by Tad Wise

supported by
Lili Wise
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Jeff Keithline
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1.
My Bride To Be 03:41
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My Bride To Be Words & Music Tad Wise You know when something's collared you...and it won't let go. It's like when someone's following you... But they won't show themselves--not yet, no. Well, for me it was worse. The walls were closing in. I'd already run. I was just about...done in. And I'd almost stopped believing in myself . I thought I must have mistaken me for someone else. Almost let my enemy deny All that was still left of me. I scraped up the last bet. He said, "Pot's shy." Til the cavalry kickin' up a duststorm appeared on the horizon Just in time. And that was you...my baby. That was you--bringer of twin destiny. That was you...my darling. That was you. My Bride To Be. When a set of eyes are burning you alive And you're not even sure whose head they burn from. You're not safe alone. But you shouldn't really leave home. Yet around friends you're poison. For me it was worse. The walls were closing in. I'd already run. I was just about...done in. And I'd almost stopped believing in what had been foretold. I almost stopped believing in the oracle of old. Almost let my enemy deny... What little was left of me. He said I was deluded before my family-- There I draw the line. But I couldn't fight back yet 'cuz I didn't yet have my...true ally. And that was you...my baby. That was you--bringer of twin destiny. That was you...my darling. That was you. My Bride To Be. Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
2.
The Soul Never Knows 02:33
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The Soul Never Knows Words & Music by Tad Wise The Soul never knows how ...but it shows up somehow. Flows up from down south-- From way down...somehow. But once it shows up It just won't shut up. Plays quite the cut-up. Non-stop. Bebopalooba! But don't you take it for granted. Gather some gold against the frantic Day clouds come your way And the panic'd heart Begs for some magic. The Soul forgets it lives As the moon forgets the sun is... The source of its gorgeousness-- Shining thru the darkness. So we live double lives. Profound and contrived-- Buzzing like busy bees in the hive overlooking the honey. If it weren't so sad it be funny! So when the sun finally shines... No don't you take it for granted. Gather some gold against the frantic. Yes be prepared for life's sorrow-- Some of this brimming cup borrow. And if you think that it's too late... A prayer on your knees wouldn't hurt, babe, Ask for the strength to hold on... How do you think I was given this --Don't forget it was a---Song! Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
3.
Maps 03:26
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Maps Words and Music by Tad Wise There's a map of the stars in the night sky. And a map of our scars milky way of wondering why... Why did I fall and not die? Why did I glimpse it all only to crawl away and cry? "Not your time yet, child." "I'm no child." "To your Mother you're a child-- Forever...meek and mild." There's a map of our screams in our throats. And a map of our dreams in the ripped out lining of our coats. Wondering: Why can I swim but not fly? Why did I fall and not die? "Not your time yet child... You think you're wild... To your Mother forever a... Meek & mild child." Solo There's a map of your life in your palm. But don't go lookin' there unless prepared To sing your own book of Psalms-- Of your beginning and your end. And the between-- "Oh, you mean right here, right now, friend?" "You're not my friend." "Every teacher is a friend. Though some play the contrarian... 'Til at the last Truth overwhelms them!" Second Solo and Star Trek Close Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
4.
All The Rage 04:48
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All The Rage Words and Music by Tad Wise You're repellant and irresistible. How'd you manage that? You Mephisto you... Taunting contradiction in the dark... How is it you tenderize my heart? Why I should ask this I can't explain. Because it is and is not a game. And why it should be...all that remains. Of my life on the stage--all the rage. All The Rage. You can't sell it but you're irreplaceable. No one can tell you why. At least not to your face, no sir. Haunting contradiction in the dark... And still you have tenderized this heart. Why I confess this I can't explain Because it is and is not a game. And why it should be...all that remains Of my life on the stage--all the rage. All The Rage. Solo You're the last tentacle of the octopus. Eight arms once held me fast-- Escape quite impossible. Courting contradiction in the dark... Don't you ever tire of the part?! Why I should ask this is finally plain. Because it is and is not a game. And so it must be...all that remains Of us charging 'round youth's stage-- All the vain pain. All The Rage. ("Two, Three, And...") All the rage... All the rage. Do you remember when, remember when We were all the rage, babe? All the rage! All the--all the--all the rage. 'Feeling, we were feeling. We were feeling... All The Rage. We were feeling, we were feeling. We were feeling... ALL THE RAGE! Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
5.
How It Was [For Tina Turner] 03:37
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How It Was [For Tina Turner] Words & Music by Tad Wise She tells us how it is When a woman is enslaved And her slave driver becomes her master. She pulls no punches ‘Cuz in this tightlipped biz Who knows after the show what goes down… In the Shadow of Disaster? She tells us how it is. She reveals her scars. We can feel her bruises She tells us why because… She told us How It Was. She coulda’ done herself in…like her nearest of kin. But once the sobbing was over—really? Who’d have been the wiser? Instead she risked it all… Hurrying on down the hall With pocket change and a gas card clipped… From Ike’s Caddie’s visor. She tells us how it is. She reveals her scars. We can feel her bruises She tells us why because… She told us How It Was. She gave the desk clerk her name— Tears flowin’ down like hard summer rain. This star is eclipsed… A legend desperate…beyond pain. Chanting on her breath Those syllables saving her from a living death, She clawed her way up and out of misery-city. But how many still haunt its streets Beaten if they miss their cue on the beat Reduced to a piece of sizzling meat in a satin negligee? She tells us how it is. She reveals her scars. We can feel her bruises She tells us why because… She told us How It Was. Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
6.
Christ vs The Vampire 03:25
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Christ vs The Vampire Words & Music: Tad Wise with apologies to W B Yeats Finally Christ rose to challenge the god of blood. But no, it was not the other way 'round. The occasion was The Last Supper on Earth When The Nazarine finally stole that long-coveted crown. For when Christ said: "This is my flesh-- Eat of it. And drink of my blood for thine own soul's immortal sake!"-- He defied, mocked, and defiled ancient ritual... That theft of human blood to quench a thirst none would ever slake! And so when Christ and The Vampire went to war that night-- A war which has raged in secret ever since-- Except that it has finally broken free of such secrecy: The blood-guzzler freely feeding on the ignorant. What rude beast his hour come round at last Slouches rich, feasting fat on the unborn...? What tide of blood does he ride and to which side, Exactly what hinge has he ripped from what door? Yes and but The Vampire no longer hunts the living For they slice their own throats and kneel for his suck. Nothing they possess is not gladly given. And they would kill any who dare call their lord..."Corrupt!" And so The Vampire finally emerges from those entertainments Thru which for centuries he's slept in coffins and bared fangs. None of that is necessary anymore For the guards who today guard his door Are among the best-trained agents of this Earth's most powerful land! What rude beast his hour come round at last Slouches rich, feasting fat on the unborn...? What tide of blood does he ride and to what side, Exactly what hinge has he ripped from what ancient door? Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
7.
Into Your Heart 03:23
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Into Your Heart Words and Music by Tad Wise It's so sad but I feel so glad... Don't know exactly where to start. All those years I wrote alone in my room 'Til at last one tune it Found it's way into your heart. Into Your Heart. Into Your Heart. But was I proud? Oh, for crying out loud... This king without a crown was playing a part, pretending-- It meant nothing to me if my lady didn't see me clearly 'Til at last one melody found its way into your heart. Into Your Heart. Into Your Heart. Into Your Heart. Into Your Heart. Then the world it caved in. Oh but I did not. Because I was reigned in. When "we" replaced "me" that's what I got. But I knew it was my last shot. Solo Into Your Heart. Into Your Heart. Into Your...Into Your Heart. Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
8.
Niagara Falls 04:19
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Niagara Falls Words and Music by Tad Wise The worse it gets out there The better I love it Alone in this one room with you. I send in my words Obeying commands to Abandon my own point of view. But it perseveres When you dream of it too... Niagara Falls... Why not us too? The thunder under Love's tender tune. The vaulted halls... The velvet walls... The roaring calling of... Niagara Falls. The honeymoon... At last is here. The wrenching joy of... mist-mingling tears. Niagara calls... It's vaulted halls... The velvet walls of... Niagara Falls. At last I'm ready to take the plunge. Never been scared or so thrilled Never had such fun. Solo Niagara Falls... Why not us too? The thunder under Love's tender tune. The vaulted halls... The velvet walls... The roaring calling of it all... Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls. Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
9.
Triumphant 05:36
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Triumphant Words and Music by Tad Wise Finally came home. You’ve been gone so long. Course, I began anew without you. Here where you said: I’m done. But we began here 40 years ago… Stumbling on a shared obsession. You to make these six strings sing. Me to shape them into a--a chorded confession. We found me an electric. From Leo Fender’s second company. You said I never learned to respect it. (And you were right.) But your advice back then was Greek to me. I wrote ten songs to your one. Downed seven drinks to your six. Became prisoner of my own band. And living proof of my own doomed lyrics… And poof! We were done. But what we had will never come again. Tho I’m better now then I ever was then. Still I’ll never hear your gentle charging in As when you finally break thru and lead us…to the end. Solo You’ve got a wife and kids and a band they say... over in Ireland. ‘N you too gave up the drink—hooray! Something like that path is where I stand today. But it’s never quite like what they think or say. As ever I change every…five minutes. Yet it seems I never really change at all. Songs-pour out oc me yet—the bull still kicking down its stall. But what we had will never come again. Tho I’m better now then I ever was then. Still I’ll never hear your gentle charging in As when you final-lee break thru and lead us…to the end— Triumphant. Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023
10.
His Young Life's Song 05:18
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His Young Life's Song Words and Music by Tad Wise Barrel-chested even as a kid. His head bigger still with the college cap his Dad put on it. Apple of his eye 'til little brother came along. Adding the first strain of dissonance To His Young Life's Song. Made man of the house at twelve, the day his Daddy died. More father than brother, now Terry showed his sweetest side. Role model, daring Tim to sneak back what he stole. And how famously they got along, singing Their Young Life's-- Singing Their Young Life's Song. Both had luck and pluck, Terry with his movie-star good looks. Yet Tim pulled out ahead 'Til to the bottle he was the first hooked. Their mother sold Christmas cards door to door. Neither of her boys could ever do wrong. Especially while they were singing their, Their young lives'... While singing their young lives' song. The rest of the story you won't hear here. I'll set it to a different melody but will I hold it as dear? I'm the only one left to sing it now-- The older bother's first born son. And I'm almost done telling you about HIs young life's...Terry and Tim Wise... Their young life's song. Song. His Young Life's Song.
11.
The TakeAway 04:05
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The TakeAway Words & Music by Tad Wise Finally found that love to stay To brighten my darkest day Too bad that's what's 'round the corner. Can't be put off any longer. That's The TakeAway. Devastation had a plan, Awaited my ring on her hand but At last here's this tender mercy Against pain too intense to name Save in "The TakeAway." It's The TakeAway, ah The TakeAway. As if it weren't enough to be Caught up in one tragedy, Whoever does the comforting Must soon be robbed of the same dearest thing. That's The TakeAway. Finally we have found each other Just in time to each lose our mother. That's The TakeAway. The TakeAway. Years roll by slowly surely Steeped in vows we'd taken early Profound joy and wrenching grief Married us on that shipwrecked beach called The TakeAway. That's The TakeAway. That's The TakeAway. Please take away The TakeAway. Grand Adventure Music BMI 2023

about

I’ve written songs compulsively since I was a kid because life feels empty if I don’t. Eventually I gave up the idea of “a band” or even solo performances since I’d need to rehearse old songs instead of writing new ones. The result? Until Covid hit I was a hopeless song-chaser. Then Tony Levin’s world tour got cancelled, Jerry Marotta’s Dreamland studio stood empty, and the famous duo agreed to back me on what became “For The Record.” The following year I released ten new songs on “Mind’s Eye.” Now another year has rolled by and here are eleven more—a few of them—Startlers! Old as well as new friends have stepped up to help but most of all I’ve come to depend on Tony, who could follow me in his sleep. No doubt that’s partly the reason “The TakeAway” feels like a dream come true.

I send special thanks out to Jeff Keithline, a most talented new friend and cohort; to Dan Weiss who becomes more important to my music with every record; Mikhail Glabets for generous use of his photographs; to drummers: Jerry M, Eric & Nick P, Dan H, and Harvey S for putting up with my shit. To Lucy Ballantine, sister, steadfast supporter and fan (Jenny Blackman, Miranda Wise, Cynthia Alcott, Molly Farley, Melinda Parke, Orin Dunigan, and Sharon Breslau, too! Yes, and thank you All Kovalencik and Frank Spinelli.) To my oldest friend, Kenny Wapner, for his honesty and encouragement. To Tony Levin for welcoming my songs into the coatroom of his magnificent music's mansion. To Lowell M and Jack B for sound advice and Bill Flanagan whose one-liners have never steered me wrong. To Mark Dann whose grinch-like genius can't hide his elfin smile. To Tim Carbone who will be back on the train next time. To the memory of Stuart Bragg who kept producing remarkable covers without letting on the seriousness of his condition. Rest in Peace, brother! To JoAnn Chamberlain who has jumped in so skillfully to fill the void. To Dave Scheider for his great guitar. And finally to the light of my life, my wife, lover, best friend, advisor and muse, Lili, without whose encouragement I'd have let the pricks win.
This album is dedicated to the memory of Eva Ballantine: 1926-2022
and to Carol Cunningham born in 1933: who has somehow defied each and every dire prognosis.

credits

released November 18, 2023

Tad Wise: all guitars*, all lead vocals**, blues harp on "How It Was"
(**except for) Alexis P. Suter: lead vocal on "How It Was"
Tony Levin: primary bassist; cellos on "His Young Life's Song"
Other bassists: Jeff Keithline "All The Rage";"C vs V"; Mark Dann: "Soul"
Daniel A Weiss: all keyboards & background vocals; synth bass & drums; Producer:"The TakeAway"; engineer, mixer & co-producer: "How It Was"
Julie Last: Producer of "His Young Life's Song"
Drummers: (as they appear) Jerry Marotta, Nick Parker, Dan Hickey,
Eric Parker, Harvey Sorgen
Graham Blackburn: soprano sax on "Triumphant"
(*except for) Ben Prevo: slide guitar on "Triumphant"
Mark Dann: chief engineer, primary mixer & all mastering
Other Engineers: Ariel Sharif, Daniel A Weiss, Julie Last, Chris Andersen, Peter Caigan.
Graphic Designers: Stuart Bragg (RIP), JoAnn Chamberlain
Photographer: Mikhail Glabets
All Songs by and (except where stated) Produced by Tad Wise

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Tad Wise Woodstock, New York

Tad Wise started writing songs at ten, while raking Bob Dylan’s leaves. He was discovered by John Hall in 2000 who promptly produced Wise’s first CD. Twenty years later Wise returned. First with "For The Record," with Tony Levin & Jerry Marotta. Then with "Mind's Eye." In 2023 he'll release
"The TakeAway," starting with the title track...right now. ... more

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