I Coulda Been by The Summertime Blues Band

Following is a rundown of the songs:

Medicated Woman

Writer: Bill Kolter

Song Style: Upbeat shuffle

This song started out to be a comment on the ever-increasing dependence on pharmaceuticals to address everything from jumpy children to bad moods. About halfway through writing the song, we switched gears and broadened the character to be an all-out, "never-saw-a-substance-I-wouldn't-abuse" addict. Her long-suffering partner telling the story turns out to be almost as pathetic in his indecisive, frustrated attempts to deal with her. The bouncy tempo and joyful solos belie the serious issue, and emphasize that the narrator is really not dealing with it.

I Coulda Been

Writer: Zeek Bailey

Song Style: Mannish Boy with a mean streak

Zeek and Ted drive the CD's title song with a pounding, classic blues rhythm. The story could be the character's regrets about what he didn't do with his life....or it could be a warning about taking rides with strangers. Zeek's songs are always quirky and open to interpretation...

High Maintenance Woman

Writer: Bill Gieras

Song Style: Funky Blues

Ted and Zeek create a funky foundation for Big Willie's character to tell his story. The poor guy is frustruated with a woman whose uptown taste keeps him bustin' his hump to make ends meet. In the end, none of that matters because he's simply nuts about her. "Don't go changin' one damn thing, I love you just the way you are." Now there's a guy who sees the big picture. Ted stages a bass guitar clinic on this one, and his guitar leads burst forth with almost scary force. This is one of our best-received songs during live performances.

I Walk Kinda Funny

Writer: Zeek Bailey

Song Style: Rockin' Blues. "Crosscut Saw" meets Delbert McClinton

Ever have one of those days where absolutely everything went wrong, from your shoes not fitting to your car breaking down? The character in this song has one of those days, but enough presence to laugh at the situation. An irresistible finger-poppin' dance tune, driven by Zeek's smooth percussion.

Make These Blues Go Away

Writer: Ted Carter

Song Style: Country/Jazz flavored blues

A very pretty tune, with a simple story about just wishing that special someone was there to share. Ted's guitar and Willie's harp work together beautifully to lend a lot of atmosphere to this song. This song is dedicated to Ted's wife, Jan.

Slippin' Out of Town

Writer: Bill Kolter

Song Style: Straight-ahead blues with some Memphis r&b flavor tossed in.

This started out as two versions of one song, which we simply combined. The character did something he regrets, can't tell his partner, and would rather slip out of town than confront her with the truth. Pretty pathetic and cowardly. The guy's wracked with pain and has nobody to blame but himself.

Had the Nerve

Writer: Zeek Bailey

Song Style: Classic driving blues.

Here is one seriously ticked-off dude. The line that tells it all: "You had the nerve to tell me you never done me wrong. Certain friends of mine only visit when I'm gone."

Trouble

Writer: Bill Kolter

Song Style: Driving Blues Rock meets John Fogarty

Take a relentless rock rhythm and layer some swampy, spooky bayou flavors over the top, and you've got the mood set for a song about a desperate, haunted man. You can feel the song's character running from his demons, and knowing he'll never escape.

Burning Bridge

Writer: Bill Gieras

Song Style: Minor slow blues

Slow and soulful. The character is fighting to hold on to a relationship that his partner seems intent on throwing away. Albert King would be proud. Check out the tastefully restrained but ripping guitar fills....intense work by Ted!

Sixteen Years on Night Shift

Writer: Zeek Bailey

Song Style: Bo Diddley beat with big, sharp teeth.

This straight rocker has a driving backbeat, but the story is one of resignation. The character has labored on the graveyard shift for so long that he can't tell one day from the next, and has no prospects for change. Zeek's drumming will raise the hair on your forearms.

Love Gone Wild

Writer: Bill Gieras

Song Style: Grinding Blues Rock

Nothing subtle about this one: a song about couples who can't keep their hands off each other. Smoldering and nasty.

Chaindawg Blues

Writer: Ted Carter

Song Style: Classic slow blues

Ted's neighbor had a good ol' dog that was always chained up and howling for someone to take him for a walk. So Ted used to walk the poor pooch...until someone stole him, that is. This song simply tells the story of isolation from the dog's perspective. The sequel, of course, will be "Someone Done Stole My Chaindawg Blues." We think the dog's probably better off....Ted and Big Willie arranged the guitar and harmonica to howl...and the result is a couple of intense instrumental breaks that perfectly match the story and vocals.

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