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Ancient Ruins

by Randy Kaplan

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Life Underwater Music
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1.
On a Plain (Nirvana) 03:51
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2.
Trapeze Artist 03:20
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"Trapeze Artist" by Randy Kaplan No one shows up like you Just handing out your think twice blues Have to tell myself what I thought I knew before You're the killer in my park And in my ocean you're the shark Just when I thought it was safe again you darken my door You do what you have to do To keep me far away from you But you do what you think you can To make me want to be with you again No one does what you do so well So long. What else is new? Try to tell myself what time's already told I'm just the point spread in your bet And in your circus I'm the net Just when I start to walk your feet get cold And you do what you have to do To keep me far away from you But you do what you think you can To make me want to be with you again You seem to know when I'm about to Be alright and okay without you You can't stand it, you can't take it But you don't want love and you can't fake it So you do what you have to do To keep me far away from you But you do what you think you can To make me want to be with you You make me want to be with you You make me want to be with you again
3.
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (Prince) 03:02
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4.
What Could Have Been 04:24
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"What Could Have Been" by Randy Kaplan Every dog here is on a leash Just like the part of you I tried to reach Were you afraid you'd bite off each of my hands? I was rising on a draft of heat I could see the ocean, I could see your street Now I'm sinking like both my feet in the sand What happened to the power I held? The scale tipped, the seesaw fell Time knows but it won't tell me Why you went from hot to cold When I raised why did you fold Or why you ran when you saw gold at your feet It could have been sweet It could have been sad It could have been the best thing we ever had I was not your first love but I thought I'd be your last I make my living living in the past Our love is lost and you hid it I need you to admit it Is your pride so acidic that you can't drink it down? No, I know you're just like me The mirrors that we've cracked agree You're in prison when you're always freedom bound I know you've heard it all before You always leave them wanting more But at this point I just can't take no for an answer You're exhausted? So am I I’m just wearing a better disguise There's too much here for just two eyes to take in What could have been It could have been sweet It could have been sad It could have been the best thing we ever had You were not my first love but I thought you’d be my last I make my living living in the past
5.
A Part of You 01:57
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"A Part of You" by Randy Kaplan A part of me loves a part of you Why should we care what the other parts do? In one sense you're my perfect love Sent to me from heaven above On one hand you fit like a glove What do you care what the other hand does? A part of me loves a part of you Why should we care what the other parts do? On one side we're in a heaven of bliss With every touch, with every kiss So flip the coin. Just take it in stride When you see who's on the other side You're already dreaming that we can fly So I won't try to sing you to sleep I sleep when I'm tired, I cave when you cry Making promises I know I’ll never keep In one respect you're all there is But you can't expect it to stay like this So flip the coin and watch it fly When it lands we'll see who's on whose side A part of me loves a part of you Why should we care what the other parts do? A part of you loves a part of me Why should we care who the other parts see? You're already dreaming that we can fly So I won't try to sing you to sleep
6.
Action Figure 03:10
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"Action Figure" by Randy Kaplan She told me not to come around I stayed far away and that let her down She wants to be disobeyed She wants to see flowers in her vase But there's a hand on my back and it says where I go A man like that has no control She's gonna wind up wanting someone bigger Than an action figure I’m drawn to her, she’s drawn to scale I tried to scale her wall But all I ever did was fail She wants a man of action who knows who he is Who takes matters into his own hands And takes her hands in his But there's a hand on my back and it says where I go A man like that has no control She's gonna wind up wanting someone bigger Than an action figure I want to see the loosing of these knots But I don't want to be something that I'm not I finally get the picture It's cold comfort to tell me that The next time I’ll get it quicker There's a hand on my back and it says where I go A man like that has no control She's gonna wind up wanting someone bigger Than an action figure
7.
Rusty & New 03:07
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"Rusty & New" by Randy Kaplan Being with you, babe, is better than nothing And nothing is better than being with you Can I buy you a drink again sometime or something? I need a couple. You need a few I was up against the wall Leaning so I wouldn't fall I drank to the brink of the very last drink And then I gave you a call ‘Cause talking to you, babe, is better than nothing And nothing is better than talking to you Won’t you speak to me again, my little dumpling? Who knows what talking might lead us to? I'm gonna kick these sad blues out I swear I'll stop looking down You need to be uplifted. And me? I've been grieving my way around But crying to you, babe, is better than nothing And nothing is better than crying to you Won't you wipe away my tears and call me “Pumpkin”? Who knows what crying might make you do? The Tin Man was misled By a very bad man who said, “What really counts is love in amounts.” I just want to wake up in your bed 'Cause sleeping with you, babe, is better than nothing And nothing is better than sleeping with you If we can't fall asleep we can just lie awake or something Who knows what just lying there might lead us to? Who knows what just lying there might make us do? We'll be a little bit rusty and a little bit new
8.
Alice Bonvicini 02:55
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"Alice Bonvicini" by Randy Kaplan Alice Bonvicini, turning and returning Carving and curving, Bonvicini Alice Bonvicini, I’ll be in your film I’ll be naked with a bedside of pills Alice Bonvicini, my dog, too Don’t make any promises unless you’re planning to pull through Alice Bonvicini, turning and returning Carving and curving, Bonvicini Good neighbor, all the way from Rome Pan d’oro, panatoni, amarone, annamo Alice Bonvicini, all your ancient ruins I am only an American Alice Bonvicini, turning and returning Carving and curving, Bonvicini Good neighbor, all the way from Rome Pan d’oro, panatoni, amarone, annamo
9.
Why the Angels Eat 03:31
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"Why the Angels Eat" by Randy Kaplan The French King Bridge is a wise one A very wise one to span Whether boot heels on its pavement Or steering wheel in your hands Maybe you're a crumb in a magazine But you'll flit across on flat tires Or maybe on your knees You'll flit across on your tires or your knees No way to get a ticket home or buy one cold If your brakes should fail you You'll fall from the fold You'll wonder, Are there humans On the other side? Will they speak my language Or in anguish will I die? Will they speak my language? Will they even try? Maybe you'll cross over The water with headstone hair Maybe you'll fall in love with the wind And the wind will blow you there Maybe the angels'll blame you For things you tried to waste But just tell them you know that when they eat They eat for taste When the angels eat they eat only for taste I wonder, Are there humans on the other side? Will you speak my language or in anguish will I die? Will you speak my language? Will you even try?
10.
Sanctuary Wreath 03:08
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"Sanctuary Wreath" by Randy Kaplan With her Spirograph in reach Her lips inched upwards less than an inch Soon she'll be a Star-bellied Sneetch And I promise and I make a wish For a rusting drawbridge and a rusty reef Stick and berry sanctuary wreath I was in the prism lights She was shier than she made me I escaped my prison nights To find her oceanside of me From the rusting drawbridge to the rusty reef Stick and berry sanctuary wreath With a title in her hand Her handwriting left behind Barefoot landslides in the sand Amber hair in my lifeline And a rusting drawbridge and a rusty reef Stick and berry sanctuary wreath
11.
The Message (Grandmaster Flash) 05:00
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12.
The Great Divide 04:16
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"The Great Divide" by Randy Kaplan I think I missed the boat with you You put out to sea I’m standing in the harbor’s mouth It’s whispering to me, Take a leap of faith Try to reach the other side Don’t just stand there on the ledge Trying to say goodbye Go flying by the seat of your soul You couldn’t find me in your pocket Or your pocketbook I told you there were other places You should probably look Like your pocket dictionary Whose writing was so small But it insisted there was no such thing as me at all I go flying by the seat of my soul Two boots on my doorstep walk deep into the wood I have been put out of doors I think this time for good And so I set out once again For the country and the towns You keep me afloat And I try not to bring you down I send to you a promise As I cross the Great Divide Peace will fall upon us all And our tormented lives We’ll go flying by the seat of our souls
13.
Deer Park Avenue 03:34
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"Deer Park Avenue" by Randy Kaplan It was a humid day with a rain delay How was I to know This was not supposed to be Something you outgrow? A body without a head One hanging from a rope No blood, no legs, no matter what You always had hope I came close more than once I came close and so did you You came close more than once With a stunt I forced you into Out on Deer Park Avenue And so what if it's true That the highlight of my life so far Was when you leaned forward Like a dog from the back seat of my car Idiotic, eastbound, Running out of gas? I put my gloves away but May Was running two weeks fast Running two weeks fast I came close more than once I came close and so did you We came close more than once With stunts they forced us into Out on Deer Park Avenue This story does not Have a sad end You are still a friend to me We both made it through Sometimes I want to Be like the one who's just like you Just like you Came close more than once You came close and I did, too You came close more than once With a stunt I forced you into Out on Deer Park Avenue

about

ANCIENT RUINS (2007) contains several bluegrass numbers—fiddle, banjo, guitar, upright bass and all—but there's also the trademark Kaplan unorthodox ballads and curiously anthemic rock songs. Along with his ten originals, Kaplan covers Nirvana's "On a Plain," Prince's "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man," and Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" (transforming this old school rap classic into a bluegrass barn burner).

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REVIEWS of Ancient Ruins:

"Randy Kaplan does amazing James Taylor–meets-banjo covers of Nirvana’s “On a Plain” and Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” on his Ancient Ruins. Nuff said; go check this guy out."
—TIME OUT NEW YORK

"Any record that opens up with its best song is risking being a victim of comparison to it. Yet, though "Ancient Ruins" kicks off with a powerful heartfelt, banjo-drive cover of Nirvana's "On a Plain," Randy Kaplan manages to keep you engaged and surprised throughout. His mix of folk/country melodies and pop harmonies are intimate and there is a ragged feel to this despite the smooth production.

"There are a couple other covers that will probably get a bit of attention, but originals like "A Part of You," "Action Figure" and "The Great Divide" ring truer and more memorably. Sure, a bluegrass take on Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" and an earnest take on Prince's "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man" have their moments of both genuine and snickering effects, but a few of Kaplan's own tacks are big slabs of soul that need to be the focus of any peek at this record.

"Kaplan has a nice ear for clear pop vocals and arrangements that compliment the more earthy stylings; the mix works, and Kaplan's lyrics ring true in that mix. His themes and tunes on "Ancient Ruins" build off the traditional, but he makes it obvious that the past is only a starting point for his own work.
—Mike Wood / MUSICEMISSIONS.com

"Ancient Ruins is (a) characterful, understated and charming collection of songs...The mix of styles and textures keeps things fresh throughout and some of the loveliest moments here are the slower numbers such as "Alice Bonvicini" and "Sanctuary Wreath"...The overall sound is nicely understated, which suits Kaplan's delivery perfectly, and the album works extremely well as a whole. Judging from Ancient Ruins Randy Kaplan has plenty to offer and should be around making good music for some time to come."
—Matt Hutchinson / AMERICANA-UK.com

"Kaplan's gentle, almost understated, approach to his art is silky, bright and very contagious. The guy just gets the job done, no fuss, no messin', no big ego - just a very mature, boy-next-door approach which is charming and accessible. Beautifully crafted, sympathetically produced and pleasingly packaged, 'Ancient Ruins' is the real deal!

"Kaplan's self-penned material is similarly seamless and refreshingly familiar but he's also not afraid to take another's material, turn it on its head, and make it his own. Kaplan sounds like he was born to do this, it all sounds so natural, unhurried and almost matter-of-fact. Now that's not a criticism it's praise! Kaplan's way is a rather unique way; he makes making music seem effortless - whether self-penned or covers Kaplan seems to be able to emote without makin' a fuss about it all. Kaplan's acoustic folk tends to border on nu-country but also addresses the need to be commercial; he injects just enough in the way of subtle hooks and singalongability to appeal to the 'pop' market without completely 'selling out'.

"'Ancient Ruins' is Americana through and through, of that you can sure; but Kaplan ensures that his music touches anybody, anywhere - Kaplan mixes seriously sensible with down-home funky and fun, social commentary with more personal observation - it all gets the slick Kaplan treatment and ends up being bloody good music, pure and simple. You don't need to be a nuclear scientist, a mathematician or Nobel Prize winner to get Kaplan's syncopated music, you just need to let yourself go with the flow, sit back, relax and enjoy. 'Ancient Ruins' by Randy Kaplan is a great piece of modern art-folk - nothing too stressful, nothing over-bearing, nothing pretentious, nothing self-indulgent. Kaplan's music, as shown in 'Ancient Ruins', is music for everyone, music for anytime, music for anywhere - beautifully chilled, wonderfully honest, a very tasty piece of middle America that should successfully reach out to touch audiences throughout the world."
—Peter J. Brown / TOXICPETE.co.uk

"(Kaplan) has chosen to open his new album with a rather nifty version of Nirvana’s “On A Plain”. He also includes covers of Prince’s “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” and Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” with some aplomb, particularly on his excellent version of the latter tune. But there’s a lot more to Kaplan than a few novelty covers... as the man clearly displays a clever ear for a decent tune with a number of his own compositions... (His) simple, strong, compelling songwriting carries these charming, wry, humorous songs... (Ancient Ruins) should please anyone either curious about (Kaplan's) covers or specifically interested in bluegrass music."
—Eddie Thomas / SUBBA-CULTCHA.com

credits

released March 24, 2008

Personnel:

Randy Kaplan: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
Mike West: Banjo, Mandolin, Electric Guitars, Nylon-String Guitar, Vocals, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar on "Rusty & New" and "Action Figure"
Katie Euliss: Upright Bass, Vocals, Percussion, Drums on "Deer Park Avenue" and "On a Plain"
Colin Mahoney: Drums
Bradford Hoopes: Piano, Organ, Keyboards, Percussion on "Deer Park Avenue"
Rev. Aaron Morris: Trumpet
Wallace Cochran: Vocals on "Action Figure" and "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
Josephine Michener: Fiddle

Produced & Recorded by Mike West at 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor in Lawrence, Kansas during the last week of July 2007.

Mixed and Mastered by Mike West in October, 2007.

Ancient Ruins p2007 Yellow Thing Records & Books. All songs ©2007 by Randall Leigh Kaplan / Treeleigh Music (ASCAP) except “On a Plain” ©1991 by Kurt Cobain & Nirvana / Primary Wave Tunes (BMI) & The End of Music (BMI), “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” ©1987 by Prince / Controversy Music (ASCAP), and “The Message” ©1982 by W. Fletcher, A. Robinson, C. Chase, & M. Glover / Sugar Hill Music (BMI)

www.randykaplan.com - www.myspace.com/randykaplan

Design: Laurent Rivelaygue
Photography: Laura Heffington

Special thanks to Judi & Marvin.

Thanks to Scott Bernstein for the revival of "What Could Have Been" & "Trapeze Artist."

Thanks to Mike, Katie, Sadie, Vega, and Julian for bed, board, hospitality, & general adventure.

Thanks to Colin, Lisa, Arthur, and Elliot for delaying the long drive east for my benefit at their expense.

Thanks to Eleni Mandell for close-to-home location scouting.

Thanks to Scott, Michelle & Joe, Gabriel, Graham & Alice, Gary & Carol, Samantha & Larry, Nina, Yasmina, Julie, Virginia Halfwolf, my family & my friends.

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Randy Kaplan Detroit, Michigan

ADULTS: Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance calls Randy “a master of old-time, Delta-influenced guitar,” and the Smoky Mountain Blues Society says he’s “an absolute ace guitarist, picker, and ragtime player.”

KIDS: Randy's blend of American Roots Music and Comedic Storytelling has inspired the likes of NPR and PEOPLE magazine to name Randy one of the nation’s top family entertainers. ... more

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