Brooklyn Bastards

Les Donkees
(2014)

BROOKLYN BASTARDS

Album Notes: 
Les Donkees debut album, Brooklyn Bastards, was recorded in Louie's Brooklyn studio. After a few rehearsals, the band came up with basic arrangements. We recorded the basic skeletons of all the songs live. Then the vocals, horns, guitars, and keyboards were arranged further and recorded over the basic drum and bass tracks. Mixing began soon after with Anne Pope at the controls. It took about two years.

Original artwork was created by the brilliant Brooklyn artist Erica Harris. http://www.ericaharris.org
Erica's original cover art Erica's original cover art
Keka Marzagao, assisted by Anne Pope, shot the Kickstarter video and Mary Rhymer animated and edited it. Mastering was done by Alan Douches of West Westside Music.
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Who's in Les Donkees?

Canelle Boughton (sax): The VA native moved to the Big Apple shortly after college due to her love of jazz. Since then, her love has grown to include various other art forms and styles, including the theater and jamming with Les Donkees.

Travis Calvert (sax): Originally from FLA and NC, Travis is a Brooklyn-based saxophone player who enjoys rock and roll, rock climbing, and cocktails in rocks glasses.

Doug Fischer (trombone): Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Doug Fischer is a deeply soulful individual just trying to make it in this world.

Louie Fleck (guitar, vocals, producer): The NYC native escaped Manhattan sadness to find Brooklyn madness. Now every moment of goodness and badness is filled with gladness.

Max Letaconnoux (bass, ukulele): Max met Louie and the gang as in intern at BAM in the spring of 2012. After attending several of Louie's popular Friday night reggae jam sessions, Max was asked by Louie to join his new group, Les Donkees. Max is currently writing music for commercials and short films in New York City.

Granville Mullings, Jr. (drums, percussion): Granville is from Mt. Vernon, NY and is a man of few words. In his free time... what free time?!

Andrew Van Dusen (guitar): Andrew grew up in Kentucky on Soul Train, Hee-Haw! and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. He is a veteran of Midwestern punk bands and NYC avant garde theater.

Robert Wood (organ, banjo, melodica): Robert grew up in Texas, where horses outnumber donkeys by a considerable margin. He enjoys crossing streets at a brisk pace, tuna, and thinking up really stupid things to make with origami. 
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This group came together because we were all in the same place at right time. With a band comprised of 8 members, there are often 8 different opinions about how any particular aspect of recording should be done. On my previous projects, I would make most of the decisions about song choice, tempo, and arrangement. In this project, I made a concerted effort to go with the band members opinions on almost every part. This resulted in better arrangements and performances than I could ever imagine! The people in this group came up with so many great ideas and we had so much fun while we were in the middle of it. We can't wait for you to hear the album and judge for yourself! (Louie)


BROOKLYN BASTARDS (2014)
Les Donkees

LES DONKEES: BROOKLYN BASTARDS lyrics

Good Idea  

I wish I could say I didn’t feel this way

For every mistake (I’ve made), I wish I had a dime

But, it’s only fair (you know), we both we there (you know)

And it seemed like a good idea at the time

And it seemed like a good idea at the time

 

Like a prison cell, there’s a world of Hell

There’s no turning back for us from a life of crime

But, (you know) one part is true, it was always you (you know)

And it seemed like a good idea at the time

And it seemed like a good idea at the time

 

To say I love you (to say I need you) I would never think twice

What would it take for me now, to break this wall of ice?

 

I wish I could say,   nothing got in the way

Now I can’t wash away the pain and the grime

But, it’s a two way street, (you know)   still the memory is sweet (you know)

And it seemed like a good idea at the time

 

How Come?

It started off slow, it started off sweet, I used to think my life was complete

Our romance took off with a shot, but there’s trouble in paradise,

that’s what we’ve got.

 

How come (how come) I don’t turn you on?     

How come (how come) in the morning you’re gone?

How come (how come) you’ve got me thinking?  

How come you only love me when you’re drinking?

 

Ain’t it a bitch? Ain’t it a shame?

I almost wish I had someone to blame

Our romance was strong, it was fine…

As long as we had an open bottle of wine

 

How come (how come) you wake up and cry?  

How come (how come) when the bottle is dry

How come (how come) it feels like we’re sinking?

How come you only love me when you’re drinking?

 

Did I do something wrong? Is there somebody new?  

Are you plagued by demons inside of you?

Tell me, where does it hurt? What should we do?

 

Ain’t it the truth? Ain’t it a crime? Salt and tequila goes better with lime.

Our romance used to be nice, when happy hour ends you turn into ice  

Ain’t it a curse? Ain’t it a lie? I’m still not ready to tell you good bye

Our romance could still be a dream with a steady supply of Kahlua and cream

 

How come (how come) the rules are reversed?  

How come (how come) you’ve got such a thirst?

How come (how come) you totaled the Lincoln?  

How come you only love me when you’re drinking?  

How come (how come) it’s lonely and dark?     

How come (how come) we lost that old spark?

How come (how come) our future is shrinking?

How come you only love me when you’re drinking?

 

Cut The Crap

From the day that we met   it was never the same

But you keep changing the rules of the game

I wouldn’t mind, but time is so rare

And I know that you know that I know… how much you care

 

I was alone, and you set the trap

I should have known you’d never draw me a map

Hang up the phone   Let’s call it a wrap

Cut the crap, cut the crap, cut the crap and tell me you love me.

 

You’ve been hard to find since you disappeared

You’ve been blowing smoke rings in my mind by acting so weird

What can I do to make you come around?

I know that you know that I know… what was lost can be found   (CH)

 

I see the sky, I see the sun, I know that we have only begun

I see the moon, I see the trees, I see that you have brought me to my knees

 

Why waste the time, why waste your breath?

Every day we waste away a little closer to death

Since I found you I’ve been living the dream

You know that I know that you know we make an excellent team

 

I was alone, and you set the trap

You’re out of the zone, no need to recap

No need to atone, but you could mind the gap

Throw me a bone, don’t make a flap

Cut the crap, cut the crap, cut the crap and tell me you love me.

 

Let’s Make A Deal

It comes from out of nowhere, I am shocked but not surprised

Could it be my vindication or a new plot you’ve devised?

I’d say it is unlikely to leave here smelling like a rose

More like the stink of history or battle, I suppose

Should I be protective of my old heart from new harm?

But when you dangle new beginnings, I am bound to bet the farm

 

Should I accept your invitation… to slip on this banana peel?

So commence negotiations… let’s make a deal

 

I need to leave the bargain basement,

You won’t believe what I’ve been through

It’s surprising me to find, we could find anything that’s new

While I am running out of options, there’s no tricks up my sleeve

I still have some possessions, I never wanted you to leave

We can visit all the landmarks, take some time to clear the air

Sign off on the final details and resume with the affair

 

I must learn to hold my tongue, before it all becomes too real

Say there’s a limit on the offer?   OK honey, let’s make a deal

 

Still it seems that time hasn’t dimed the fire

Could it be that I’m the only one you desire?

 

My good good friends have warned me to leave the past behind

But when if comes to you, I never seem to mind

Is it hopeless or romantic? I can feel the first incision

The small print says no refunds, once you’ve paid the price of omission

I’ve been waiting in the wings, ever since the curtain fell

Still got some self-esteem to burn, soon you’ll hear the closing bell

 

I’ve been waiting for this call, there’s not much left to steal

Maybe I’m heading for a fall or simply tryin’ to cop a feel

I can be your Monty Hall, baby, you can spin the wheel

Sign upon the dotted line… OK honey, let’s make a deal

 

Home By Now

Yes, I want to make love, you said that you’ve got to go

I’m wishing you wanted to stay, but, still your answer is no

I’m trying to make it clear in any way I know how

My dear, if you lived here… well, you’d be home by now

 

 

Oh, baby, these are the facts, your shoulders are tense

You know it’s time to relax… It’s the only thing that makes any sense

I’m trying to make it clear in any way I know how

My dear, if you lived here… then you’d be home by now

(you’d be home by now)

 

I think I’m ready to yield, I’m through with playing the field

You hear me singing this song  

Let’s see if cats and dogs can find a way to get along…

 

You’ve got a smooth way with words, I love the shape of your nose

I’ve got an extra key, sure there’s space for your clothes

I’m trying to make it clear in every way that I know how

My dear, if you lived here you’d be home by now

My dear, if you lived here you’d be home by now

You’d be home by now, home by now, home by now.

 

Baby, We're Cool 

I got a five dollar bill on a Saturday night

I know it ain't much, but we can make it all right

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool

 

I got a little bit of bait hanging on a string

If the big one comes along, I know that I can reel it in

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool (we're cool)

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool

 

I got a shitty little job, in a horrible place

If I can make it to the bell, then I get to see your face

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool

I got a fragment of a tune that could turn into a song

If I can find the chords, then you can sing along

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool (we're cool)

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool

 

But that darkness is almost everywhere  

It feeds on hope and leaves behind despair

I can't explain how you banish pain

I reach for you and you are there

 

I got a five dollar bill on a Saturday night

I know it ain't much, but we can make it all right

As long as you say: O.K., baby we're cool

 

This Brooklyn Bastard  

 

This Brooklyn bastard's coming out of his shell   

This Brooklyn bastard is as stubborn as all hell     

This Brooklyn bastard used to think he had the power to choose

This Brooklyn bastard... looks like he’s blowing a fuse

 

This Brooklyn bastard's been washing out the stains

This Brooklyn bastard’s got ice cubes in his veins

This Brooklyn bastard's got a big ass case of the blues      

This Brooklyn bastard... Well, he's got nothing to lose 

 

After the romance of a life time made shrapnel of his heart   

Someone sold the donkey and held onto the cart

I guess you could say they kind of drifted apart   

And now he's got to hang his head down low 

 

This Brooklyn bastard's got away with not caring   

This Brooklyn bastard's got a mouth made for swearing

This Brooklyn bastard's got nerves made of steel   

This Brooklyn bastard... he has planned his final meal 

 

After the sentence of a lifetime, there appeared no hope for bail

It was the price he had to pay and now, the check is in the mail

I guess you could say it was a fool who told the tale,

And now he's got to lay his head down low 

 

This Brooklyn bastard... doesn’t know quite what to do

This Brooklyn bastard’s gonna ride the whole night through

This Brooklyn bastard... when you wake up you will be o.k.   

This Brooklyn bastard...  will be many miles away (3X)

 

The Power Of Love

She cut off my arms and legs and she left me there

She poked out both my eyes and chopped off my hair

She tripped me and I fell, to the darkest part of Hell

It’s a drag and it’s a shame, but I won’t despair

 

Because… I believe in the power of love     

I believe in the power of love

 

The sheriff found me again with my paws in the pot

The judge said, “This time, boy, you’re gonna rot.”

“There’s no tale you can tell, and its off with you to your cell.”

The jailer took my stash, and asked me if that’s all I’ve got.

 

I said… I believe in the power of love     

I believe in the power of love

 

She tried to crush my will, she tried to sap my strength

She stuck me with the bill,   she went to every length

She left the house in flames,    but that’s not the worst part

She even called me names and Mama, she tried to break my heart…

 

I went to the local church to conjure up the lord

His man told me, “In this life, there is no reward.”

He said, “Let us get down and pray.” I pushed the Monsignor away

I can’t buy what you can’t sell, and no man can afford.

 

Nonetheless… I believe in the power of love     

I believe in the power of love

I believe in the power of love        

I believe in the power of love

 

Maggie

Maggie, would you give me a second chance?

Why has it been so long?

Aside from a few small disasters I don’t know what I done wrong

Maggie, would you give me a second chance?

Why must you play it cool?

Give a little water to a drowning man

Yes, I know I’ve been a fool, I know I’ve been a fool

 

Maggie, would you give me a second chance?

I could crawl around your floor

I’ll be coming in through the window unless you open up the door

Maggie, would you give me a second chance?

You would think by now I’ve learned

I know we’re playing with fire here…

You can see every bridge I’ve burned, see every bridge I burned

 

There’s no face I’d rather see, there’s no one I’d rather know

There’s no place I’d rather be, besides I got nowhere to go

 

Maggie, would you give me a second chance?

Is it time to be on my way?

I could take a hitch with my rider or come back on another day

Maggie, would you give me a second chance?

Or release me from your spell

You got some powerful juju here and I’ve done my time in Hell,    

I’ve done my time in Hell

 

Against The Wall   

I’m throwing myself up against the wall, against the wall, against the wall

I’m looking for a way to break my fall, break my fall, and that’s not all

There was a time when time moved slow              

But, we’re out of time, there is no time,

I’ve told you everything, so now you know, now you know, now you know…

 

I’m looking for a place to place my dreams, to hold my dreams, to stow my dreams

I’m washing my hands of all those dreams, my foolish schemes, bye bye dreams, bye, bye dreams

I’m looking for a place to make my bed, to bake some bread, to lay my head

Looking for a place to lay my head, lay my head, and that’s not all…                 

There was a time when time moved fast     

Deep inside, now worlds collide and so it seems, that time has passed,   time has passed, the time has passed…

I’m bringing myself up to the ledge, up to the ledge, right near the edge

I feel like I could disappear, disappear, disappear… but it’s not clear…

I wonder what is left that I can

When I said the words I said, I believed it all was true        

I can’t get through… what’s left to do?

I’m throwing myself up against the wall.

 

Edge Of The Night

Well, the doctor sauntered in and said the patient is so ill

It is nothing I can fix with a potion or a pill

I have not seen a case like this since the inmates were released

From the asylum on the hill, maybe you should call a priest

 

In the darkness there is light, in the blindness there is sight

Now I see eternity, at the edge of the night

 

Well the captain took the helm and he called his mate aside

He whispered in his ear about the turning of the tide

He said the wind and the stars are clearly beyond my command

There will be a mutiny if we don’t find dry land

 

Well the corporal grabbed his gun and counted up the rounds

The news was mighty grim when he knew he heard the sounds

Of the enemy advancing on his sorry little cave

Counting minutes, counting seconds, until it became his grave

 

But the morning is for dreaming, you lose track of the day

But there’s no way avoiding… when the future fades away

 

Well the lawyer told his client, I have plum run out of tricks

He said: the jury screamed for blood, you are in the deepest fix

The governor is sleeping,, the press has gone away

The sands are running out, anything you’d care to say?

 

Well, I guess you made it clear – that our time is done

Truth be told, I always thought – you would be the only one

Despite the way you slammed the door, despite the tears and pain,

You always were so good with words, and despite that I remain

 

Bring Out Your Dead   

First the fever came and went, wish I never left the bed

Every dime and nickel spent, the cart is here, bring out your dead

Burn the sheets, burn the clothes, purge the urge, then someone said…

Worst of times? Well, I suppose… the cart is here, bring out your dead

 

As I replay the haunted scenes, hard to say what it all means

Way back in the good old days, distant, soft and vague

Long before this modern rage, long before we reached this page

Way back in the good old days… Right before the plague

 

Now I know, I should have tied her to a stake and painted red

It’s not enough to have tried, so take a break, bring out your dead

 

As I replay the haunted scenes, hard to say what it all means

Way back in the good old days, right before the plague

 

Despite the tears and best of times, whoever meant a word they said

Rewrite the top ten list of crimes, the cart is here, bring out your dead

Bring out your dead, bring out your dead, A E I O U and sometimes Y.