Hello Brooklyn
The Homeless House Band
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Producers: Vinnie Nappi/Michael Puccio
Engineer: Vinnie Nappi
Assistant Junior Producer First Class: Joseph Pisano
Assistant Junior Producer Second Class: Nancy Levinson
All tracks recorded at Hard Drive Studio, North Bellmore, New York
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Salutations/Hello Brooklyn
(Ed Costello/Michael J. Puccio)
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HELLO BROOKLYN!
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Walking these streets of this broken land
Collecting shells on Coney Island’s sand
Down and dirty but oh so grand
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn….hello
Crossing the bridge just for a lark
Counting the kites at Prospect Park
Streets coming alive after dark
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn…hello
Boats bobbing on Sheepshead Bay
Some accent from Canar-say
Jog the promenade on a hazy day
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn… hello
(What do I say)
About the ways you always brighten up my days
(What do I say)
About your 'tude that’s always kind and never rude
(What do I say)
Your smile is bright and keeps you in my thoughts at night
(What do I say)
About your kindness and the fact you’re never mindless
(What do I say)
You’re positive and never ever negative
(What do I say)
Your mind is right and keeps you in my thoughts at night
(What do I say)
The way you play you make me feel okay
(What do I say)
And when I’m wrong you find a way to make me strong
(What do I say)
About our talks and long and lovely walks
(What do I say)
The special ways you hold me down and make my day
(What do I, what do I say)
You are the one that I adore and we’ll be together forever more
(What do I, what do I say)
You are the one and we’ll be together forever more
(What do I, what do I say)
For sure, for sure, for sure, for sure
Our team played at Ebbet’s Field
Back when the game was for real
Fuggetabout it that’s all I feel
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn hello
Hello Brooklyn… hello
Neil Diamond
Barbra Streisand
Woody Allen
All from Brooklyn
David Geffen
Mike Tyson
Buddy Hackett
All from Brooklyn
Joan Rivers
Marissa Tomei
Bugsy Siegal
All from Brooklyn
Gil Hodges
Duke Snider
Carl Furillo
Played for Brooklyn
Jeremy Lin
D’Angelo Russell
Spencer Dinwiddie
Played for Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Bridge
Billy Brooklyn
The Friggin’ Cyclone
Named for Brooklyn
Juniors
The Paramount
Sunset Park
All in Brooklyn
The Eiffel Tower Mount Rushmore
The Dodgers
Not in Brooklyn
The Bronx Zoo
Citifield
Madison Square
Wanna be in Brooklyn
Donald Trump
He’s from Queens!
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Salutations
Rich Aebly/Marcelo Bancalari/Dave Brenner/Nathan Comens/Edward Costello/Pamela Costello/Tom Doodian/Matt Dorsi/Michael Draper/Glen Goldman/Chris Halka/Michael Hutt/Kenny Kaplan/Paul Karekinian/Scott Kletzkin/Joe Leoce/Nancy Levinson/Dori Lewis/Charles Massaro/Nikki Mathew/Shawn Mathew/John Merritt/Vinnie Nappi/Joe Pisano/Freddie Prinz/Joseph Puccio/Michael Puccio/Renee Puccio/Craig Renfrow/Jeff Rosenberg/John Satir/Jay Schwally/David Scharf/Rob Trietsch
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Hello Brooklyn
Marcelo Bacalari: Lead Guitar
David Brenner: Bass
Nathan Comes: Drums
Ed “Elvis” Costello: Vocals
Nancy Levinson: Back Up Vocals/Tambourine
John Merritt: Keyboard (Organ)
Joe Pisano: Rhythm Guitar/Back Up Vocals
Michael Puccio: Keyboard (Organ)/Guitar/Vocals
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You’re the Reason
(Michael J. Puccio)
You’re the reason I smiled today
Why I smiled yesterday
The reason for tomorrow’s smiles
You’re the reason all the while
You’re the reason for my sunrise
The reason for my sunny skies
The reason for why I breathe
You’re the reason you’re all I need
You don’t need a wise man to see these things
Just a good loving woman and all she’ll bring
It’s not the time of the year nor time of the season
But always remember you are the reason
You’re the reason I smiled today
Why I smiled yesterday
The reason for tomorrow’s smiles
You’re the reason all the while
You’re the reason I have my soul
You’re the reason I rock and roll
You’re the reason for the song I sing
You’re the reason for everything
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David Brenner: Bass
Pamela Costello: Vocals
Vinnie Nappi: Drums
Joe Pisano: Acoustic Guitar
Michael Puccio: Acoustic Guitar/Lead Guitar/Vocal
Craing Renfrow: Piano
Jay Schwally: Trumpet
Rob Trietsch: Accordion
Nameless Lady
(Steve Picca/Michael J. Puccio)
At the party you wouldn’t tell me your name
I asked where you from before you disappeared
Please won’t you tell me, what is your game
All you would say is don’t worry soon I’m outta here
Danced the night away till the sun rose
Elegant dress draping your delicate frame
I said I love you, you said oh you’re one of those
Making it clear that’s not why you came
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the train barrels down the track
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the first train barrels down the track
Early in the morning we made love in the tall grass
Kissing afterwards my soul could not get through
Nameless lady said don’t worry this will pass
Layed together exhausted in the dew
Offering my ring I said please be my bride
You said oh lord use your brain
I tried that once I cried and cried and cried
No way I’m going through that again
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the train barrels down the track
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the first train barrels down the track
Whatever happens I’ll take the blame
Stay with me forever don’t you dare run away
Asking you again why can’t you tell me your name
Cause if I told you well then I’d have to stay
We wandered into the old church marble and gold everywhere
The silence overwhelmed us so we sat in the pew
Solemnly you whispered if there’s really someone up there
He knows my name that’s gonna have to do
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the train barrels down the track
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the first train barrels down the track
At the station you were all style and grace
Looking like an angel, yeah all aglow
A veil of tears covering my face
With no explanation as to why you had to go
Boarding the train you said now love is all in the past
But I knew you were just testing me
Souls together what we had was meant to last
Born to live our lives together happy and carefree
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the train barrels down the track
Nameless lady I’ll be here when you come back
Crack of dawn when the first train barrels down the track
It’s the morning train come barreling down the track
Today’s the day you’re gonna tell me your name
Here’s the morning train come barreling down the track
Today’s the day you’re gonna tell me your name
Trains’ in the station ain’t no one getting off
True to your word you didn’t come back
I can’t see anyone getting off the train
True to your word you didn’t come back
I will never know your name
I don’t ever want to know your name
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Dave Brenner: Bass/Piano
Will Lane: Drums
Paul Karekinian: Slide Guitar
Nancy Levinson: Back Up Vocals
Joe Pisano: Back Up Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Michael Puccio: Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals
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Circle M
(Michael J. Puccio)
It’s often been said but seldom done
You wait all your moments for that single one
Out to them salutations you’ll send
I shall meet you down at the Circle M
I never remember all that I got
I never remember that which I forgot
And hardly ever but now and again
I stand alone and rejoice at the Circle M
You often get drawn to those in need
And are surprised to be brought to your knees
And I will admonish you to remember when
We bared it all and broke bread down at Circle M
It all gets lost in retrospect
The important things and what we’ll neglect
All forgotten forgiven we will say
But did it really happen that way?
There comes a day when it ends as it has begun
You shiver and shake in July sun
A role you play where you just pretend
Somehow somewhere down at Circle M
Take care of those things which you may say
For they will return to you one day
I’ll brush your hair and you’ll comprehend
You quietly slipped out back of the Circle M
Promises broken you did keep none
Lost in that moment yes that single one
You need to find those who’re genuine
Stumble out in the daylight at Circle M
It all gets lost in retrospect
The important things and what we’ll neglect
All forgotten forgiven we will say
But did it really happen that way?
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Rich Aebly: Harmonica/Back Up Vocals
Nathan Comens: Drums
David Brenner: Bass
Chris Halka: Lead Guitar
Nancy Levinson: Cowbell
Joe Pisano: Rhythm Guitar
Michael Puccio: Vocal
Craing Renfrow: Drawbar Organ
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My Friends Say
(Richard Feit/Michael J. Puccio)
I’ve seen the sun come up at night
I’ve seen the sun come up at night
My friends they all think
My friends they all say
I’m not seeing things right
Oh no…
I feel the breeze upon my skin
I feel the breeze upon my skin
My friends they all think
My friends they all say
That I’ll never catch the wind
My friends need to step back
Not be so uptight
My friends need to relax
Not be so uptight
Gonna be all right
Gonna be all right
Oh no…
I hear the buzz in my ear
I hear the buzz in my ear
My friends they all think
My friends they all say
It’s the passing of the years
My friends need to step back
Not be so uptight
My friends need to relax
Not be so uptight
Gonna be all right
Gonna be all right
…all right…
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My Friends Say
(Richard Feit/Michae J. Puccio)
Mike Draper: Drums
Chris Halka: Backup Vocals
Nancy Levinson: Backup Vocals/Claves
Freddie Prinze: Maracas/Tambourine
Joe Pisano: Rhythm Guitar
Michael Puccio: Bass/Brass Section (Keyboard)/Lead Guitar//Vocals
Billie
(Michael J. Puccio)
Billie was a southern girl
Raised with a certain grace
Soft in her manners and voice
Soft in her face
There were years of neglect
None of it was pretty
She left her Kentucky home for the bright lights of the city
And the Cavalier leaves nothing up to fate
And he knows good things come to those who wait
And the Cavalier knows what is right
Just remember his bark is no worse than his bite
She took up with the Cavalier
With him she did live
And he returned her smile
With the love he did give
He revived the beauty
Restored her southern grace
Soft in her manners and voice, soft in her face
And the Cavalier leaves nothing up to fate
And he knows good things come to those who wait
And the Cavalier knows what is right
Just remember his bark is no worse than his bite
She danced around him
His love was her life
And she returned his smile
Was never far from sight
But Billie slipped away
One mid summer’s day
She did not want to leave but she could not stay
And the Cavalier is now resigned to his fate
And he knows good things come to those who wait
And the Cavalier does not know if he was right
But never again will he bark or bite
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Kenny Kaplan: Acoustic Guitars
Nancy Levinson: Tambourine
Vinnie Nappi: Wave Drum
Joe Pisano: Cabasa/Maracas/Triangle
Michael Puccio: Vocals
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Nobody’s Girl
(Michael J. Puccio)
Met you walking down our block did not know what was in store
Chatted for a moment and left my baggage at your door
You opened the curtains turned on the lights so I could see
Chatted for a moment and in the end we did agree
Now we spend the days together alone just drifting
We make a cute couple but you do the heavy lifting
There are so many issues in life to worry you girl
Let’s just enjoy our little corner of the world
(Best thing)
The best thing
to hold on to
(Best thing)
The best thing
to hold on to
Is you…. it’s you
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is the wind and the waves
The sky and the sea
Anything she wants to be
She’s the earth and the sand
As far as I can see
Anything she wants to be
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
Someday I will ask why you settled on me
I know you will answer you saw the joie de vivre
I fall for you every time that I see you smile
Just so dazzled by my Lily of the Nile
(Best thing)
The best thing
to hold on to
(Best thing)
The best thing
to hold on to
Is you…. it’s you
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
She is nobody’s girl
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Tom Doodian: Lead Guitar
Mike Hutt: Piano
Shawn Matthew: Backup Vocals
Joe Pisano: Backup Vocals/Bass
Michael Puccio: Claves/Rhythm Guitar/Tambourine/Vocals
John Satir: Tenor Sax
David Scharf: Drums
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Different Time, Different Place
(Michael J. Puccio)
She woke up this morning it was a long time coming but she knew she was wrong
He tossed that night got out of bed and tried to finish that song
She looked in the mirror and thought when did I get these lines on my face
He stared at the ceiling and wondered how did I end up in this place
She was touched by love and he saw her breath was like poetry
He heard her lonely words and thought this just can’t be
Her song was unfinished she just needed someone to sing back
He struggled with the lyrics but could not listen to the playback
Every heart has a song
It waits for its whispered rhyme
In a different place and a different time
It might have turned out ok
Every heart has a song
It waits for its whispered rhyme
In a different place, and a different time
It might have turned out ok
He tossed that night – it was a long time coming but he knew he was wrong
She woke up that morning got out of bed and tried to listen to that song
He looked in the mirror and thought when did I get these lines on my face
She stared at the ceiling and wondered how did I end up in this place
Every heart has a song
It waits for its whispered rhyme
In a different place, and a different time
It might have turned out ok
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Scott Kletzkin: Bass
Joe Leoce: Rhythm Guitar
Nancy Levinson: Maracas
Dori Lewis: Back Up Vocals
John Merritt: Lead Guitar
Vinnie Nappi: Drums
Michael Puccio: Guitar/Vocal
Right Now (World Poetry Day)
(Nancy Myers Levinson/Michael J. Puccio)
Right now when I think of you
It makes me feel
Awakens something new
Something real
To open up and let you in
To feel my heart, to begin
Right Now (Right Now)
Right now when we’re apart
I call your name
Right now you’re in my heart
I’ll never be the same
I’m ready I’m willing
A feeling so thrilling
Right Now (Right Now)
Where did you come from?
I know, I know
There’s something magic about you baby
That stirs me so
You called from inside me
I didn’t know who or what you’d be
Right now as you can see
I’ve lost control
Right now the universe
Heard my soul
We play a game that we choose
A game we just can’t lose
Right Now (Right Now)
Right now you’re everything
I can’t pretend
Right now the song we sing
It has no end
To open up and let you in
To feel my heart, to give in
Right Now (Right Now)
Where did you come from?
I know, I know
There’s something magic about you baby
That stirs my soul
You called from inside me
Didn’t know who or what you’d be
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Joe Pisano: Backup Vocals/Bass/Guiro
Nancy Levinson: Lead Vocal/Piano
Charles Massaro: Acoustic Guitar
Vinnie Nappi: Drums
Michael Puccio: Backup Vocals/Celestial (Keyboards)/Rhythm Guitar
Craig Renfrow: Piano
Jeff Rosenberg: Lead Guitar
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Run From the Rhythm
(Michael J. Puccio)
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You can take my lead out
Tonight I don’t need to shine
In a quiet moment
I will keep what’s mine all mine
Can’t stop the tick tock
Time marches on and on
In a quiet moment
I truly wish that rhythm gone
Run from the rhythm
(It’s time to leave)
It’s time to leave
(Just can’t breathe)
Run from the rhythm
(All you need)
It’s all I need
(all you need)
(It’s time to leave)
(Just can’t breathe)
(All you need)
(All you need)
More than a time line
More than I can see
In a quiet moment
Cursed with a good memory
Run from the rhythm
(It’s time to leave)
It’s time to leave
(Just can’t breathe)
Run from the rhythm
(All you need)
It’s all I need
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Michael Draper; Drums
Vinnie Nappi: Steel Drums
Joe Pisano: Lead Guitar
Michael Puccio: Bass/Choir (Keyboards)/Electric Pianos/Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
John Satir: Flute
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Funk 62
(Michael J. Puccio)
Born in a magical time in a mythical place
I took it all in man before it was laid to waste
What is now retro was once cutting edge
I heard the charges and you know they’re all alleged
Down a dark lonely path to see where it lead
Backrooms and alleys all made up in my head
Dizzy and loopy nothing more than vertigo
Trying to remember things I just don’t know
You know your smile is just like a beacon
No one is laughing no one is speaking
And in the end there’s nothing much to do
Just gotta deal with a case of funk 62
Funk 62
Funk 62
Talking about Funk 62
Gotta deal with a case of Funk 62
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Ed “Elvis” Costello: Cowbell/Triangle
Michael Draper; Drums
Michael Hutt: Lead Guitar
Nancy Levinson: Backup Vocals/Guiro/Kabasa/School Bell/Tambourine
Nikki Mathew:Backup Vocals
Vinnie Nappi: Double Congas
Joe Pisano: Bass/Back Up Vocals
Michael Puccio: Farfisa Organ (Keyboards)/Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
John Satir: Tenor Sax
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Musical Consigliere: Joe “Joey Pals” Pisano
Shih Tzus are the official AKC Breed of the Homeless House Band
Craig Renfrow appears courtesy of Asylum Records.
Ed “Elvis” Costello appears courtesy of Rapsheet Records.
Album Cover: Michael Puccio
Back Album Cover: Michael Puccio
Mango Records Label Art: Chris Chapman
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The Homeless House Band gratefully acknowledges Vinnie Nappi’s contribution, dedication and passion in the making of Hello Brooklyn. Pitch and beat! Nothing matters but pitch and beat!
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Dedicated to the memory Edward D. Wood, Jr. Eddie this is the one I will be remembered for.