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By the River's Blue (album)

by Brian Campbell

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A professionally manufactured CD in a four-panel wallet with a 12-page booklet including all the lyrics and high-res photos.

    Includes unlimited streaming of By the River's Blue (album) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Don't forget to download the bonus song lyrics sheet!
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      $10 CAD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    14
    releases

    Get all 14 Brian Campbell releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of A Crystal Rim (EP), By the River's Blue (album), The Arrow (single), Let's Talk (single), By Heart By Hand (single), Comedy of Errors (single), On This Shore (EP), The Room (single), and 6 more. , and , .

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1.
Breezy Day 04:10
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BREEZY DAY It’s a breezy day Light wending in every way Morning sun on trees and on the street Today I’ve got some chores to do A book to read, some letters too Tonight we’re going out to see a play We have each other now Keeps the loneliness at bay We breathe we sleep we blend together This love helps in every way Oh it’s a breezy day Light wending every way Birds winging, singing in my bones In the noisy bric-a-brac of this old town Our upbeat counters every down Oh I wanna see it go on and on this way Oh I wanna see it go on and on this way And keep that old darkness at bay Keep those rising storms at bay We have each other now Keeps the loneliness at bay We breathe we sleep we blend together This love helps in every way Oh it’s a breezy day Lithe and wending in every way These bright colours I hope are here to stay In the noisy bric-a-brac of this old town Our upbeat counters every down And tonight we’re going out to see a play Tonight we’re going out to see a play Tonight we’re going out to be a play Our own play Our own play Our own play And keep that old darkness at bay Keep those rising storms at bay Keep that darkness at bay Oh it’s a breezy day Oh it’s a breezy day Oh it’s a breezy day
2.
Wild and Free 03:25
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WILD & FREE We met on a city street We dated in cafes Where we showed our stories and our poems We didn’t have much of anything In title or in name Most would have said our lives were pretty tame We were wild & free We were wild & free Though it just didn’t always seem so at the time We were wild & free We were wild & free Moments when just breathing was sublime We drank wine, make love When we were feeling tense Which was pretty well all the time We went to movies, restaurants Shared our books and songs Our ordinary, extraordinary lives We were wild & free We were wild & free Just didn’t always seem so at the time We were wild & free We were wild & free This world can open such a wondrous frontier City of brick and mortar, Horizons so clear — We’re so much older now Settled in our home We even take vacations to the south You could say now we’re slowing down, but we’re Faster in our minds And daily we give thanks for this time We’re wild & free We’re wild & free Just doesn’t always seem so at the time We’re wild and free We’re wild and free We’re wild & free We’re wild & free Just doesn’t always seem so at the time We’re wild and free We’re wild and free
3.
Jocelyne's Song 05:27
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JOCELYNE'S SONG So lonesome in that winter We came to need each other as more than friends So we took comfort in each other Now I'm so glad we're on speaking terms again And I say Things are getting better You're looking happier each day Now I hear you laugh out loud & I like to think I had some part to play As you lay your burden down Learn to lay your burden down Sky heavy with a sadness The world a lowered frown We've both known an inner darkness That can drag a whole body down That's why things are getting better Sorrow is a vulture you've turned into a dove Your smile it's getting sweeter And I swear your laughter it rings just like a bell And I don't know where this joy coming from But I'm so happy to see you doin' fine fine fine fine And I like to think I had my part to play In turning this night into day In turning this night into day As you lay your burden down Learn to lay your burden down Lay your burden down Learn to lay your burden down… So lonesome in that winter We came to need each other as more than friends So we took some comfort in each other Now I'm so glad we're on speaking terms again And I say Things are getting better We’re feeling happier each day And now when we make each other laugh out loud I like to think we had our parts to play I like to think we had our parts to play As we lay our burden down…
4.
Afternoon Delight 03:55
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AFTERNOON DELIGHT It’s so nice in the afternoon Here with you in my living room We’re doing nothing special Just reading and smoking and lyin’ around yeah We might make love yeah It’s not on our minds right now except for mine but I won’t admit it keep it to myself -- might just preclude an opportunity— It’s so nice in the afternoon Here with you in my living room The sky is an ashtray and the air outside cold as what’s behind my freezer door without you I’d be looking at the walls and thru the frost on my window sill But now I can look at youuuuuuuuuuu There’s a lightness in these lines But a darkness in between I can joke and a-make you laugh But all this could be a dream Here being with you It’s so nice in the afternoon Here with you in my living room Together we could fly through the sky to other planets beyond our sun where lotus blossoms rain like jewels over everyone where there’s no need for Buddha or Christ or Jain or anything like that where everything’s so amber warm inside and oh so good we could stay here forever, and I’m sure we will la-n’-dee-da-dum It’s so nice in the afternoon Here with you in my living room We’re doing nothing special Just reading and smoking and lyin’ around yeah We might make love yeah It’s not on our minds right now except for mine but I won’t admit it Why not admit it? Yeah! Let’s do it! It’s so nice in the afternoon Here with you in my living room...
5.
Day of Days 03:38
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DAY OF DAYS It’s a light new morning, the sun is shining bright Put away your sadness, dear, we’re going to have a right good time Coffee’s in the percolator, porridge on the stove Simple fruit, simple pleasure no need to rove for delight In this day of days In this day of days In this day of days In this day of days If you like we’ll go together into the staring town Gaze in shop windows, try to brighten any frowns around We’ll buy some yellow candles, mother-of-pearl and lace Rest in a cool shade, marvel at the human race In this day of days… And tonight why don’t we tear up this gratin’ town Dance till we drop and a world is spinning round And round and round and round…. Long after night is fallen, we’ll enter our shadow’s play By the warmth of our own sweet flame Celebrate the light that was this day In this day of days…
6.
By the River's Blue 03:09
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BY THE RIVER’S BLUE It’s so nice, bein’ here with you hand in hand by the river’s blue the leaves are changing, and we are too our lives are whirling, but shimmering through Could this be our moment of bliss this the time we’re gonna miss ooh, this is our moment of bliss come on, let’s savour what we’re sure to miss Glints in water, orange and green dabs of red from a Monet’s brush flashes of darkness, a swirling dream geese flying south – ah, what a rush! Could this be our moment of bliss these, the times we’re gonna miss ooh, this our moment of bliss ooh, let’s savour what we’re sure to miss... Could this be our moment of bliss rhis the time we’re gonna miss ooh, this is our moment of bliss ooh, let’s savour what we’re sure to miss It’s so nice bein’ here with you hand in hand by the river’s blue the leaves are changing, and we are too our lives are whirling, but shimmering through Could this be our moment of bliss this the time we’re gonna miss ooh, this is our moment of bliss ooh, let’s savour what we’re sure to miss ooh, let’s savour what we’re sure to miss ooh, this moment of bliss ooh, this moment of bliss
7.
A Quiet Place 05:05
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A QUIET PLACE It’s been a long, long time now we’ve been together Together far more than apart We’ve laughed we’ve cried, we’ve learned a lot in living together But this love still sings a warm song in my heart Things won’t always be so smooth Dark clouds ahead, that final news But let’s just live our lives A quiet place in the woods with a lake to swim in Cathedrals in a vase of flowers and stems A simple meal, some wine to toast this life together A warm bed to snuggle though the night Things won’t always be so smooth Dark days ahead, that final news But let’s just live our lives Our books, our paintings, our poems, our songs This tapestry we’re weaving of our lives The sights the sounds the dreams the memories No, we know this won’t last so very long It’s been a long, long time now we’ve been together Together far more than apart We’ll laugh we’ll cry, we’ll live and learn in living together But this love will always sing a warm song in my heart Let’s sing that song La la la la la Sing that song La la la la la etc.
8.
Summertime Blues 04:38
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SUMMERTIME BLUES What do you do when it's 92 Just sit on the balcony here And drink beer after beer And watch the world go by And watch the world go by When you're out of a job & you've got nothin' else to do Just take off most of your clothes And enjoy these summertime blues…yeah… You come by to talk, just to sit here by my side You say "Oh it's so hot" I can only reply Have a lemonade Go to the fridge babe, Somethin' real cool's waitin' for you But it's so hot my darlin’ I gotta put on ice My hots for you This ain't so very nice But let's laugh and enjoy These summertime blues…yeah… I'm so glad winter's over, We're floatin' in summer's boat But I'd love to be the ice cream In your ice cream float Melt inside of youuuuuu slither down your throat I’m no frosty fella But I'm a real cool dude And most of all I'd really enjoy with you These summertime blues… yeah… Summertime, and the livin' is easy Summertime, just the heat gets you high Summertime, go get a drink from the refrigerator, darlin’ And hush little baby Hush little baby Hush little baby Don't you cry
9.
Flight 04:38
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FLIGHT Gazing through this portal Sky wide below me Ribs of cloud, spreading green, Mountainsides in mist Maybe this is all there is Maybe this is all there is In the end Gazing into your eyes A dream of you before me Shades of sorrow, lost delight The wonder of we came to be Maybe this is all there is Maybe this is all there ever was To love Sailing through these halls of air Suspended in the blue On this transatlantic flight It’s as though I never knew you Or myself… Gazing into your eyes The dream of you before me Shades of sorrow, lost delight The wonder we came to be Maybe this is all there is Maybe this is all there all there ever was In the end In the end In the end In the end
10.
The Arrow 05:33
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The Arrow At first sight we did not fall (through the dizzying air) I saw you there if there was a spark it was mired in our own darkness A summer solstice party friends of friends (mingling on a lawn) We said I know not what but there we were, and something was revealed Now I see angel’s wings through holes in cloud, into the blue spreading wide and free When we met again You spoke of listlessness (need for a lowered dose) I of pain in every step years of idleness We’re a couple now Every moment’s ours Was that a Cupid’s arrow And now I’m sure it is Now I see angel’s wings through holes in cloud, into the blue sailing wide and free Angel’s wings through holes in cloud, into the blue sailing wide and free Angel’s wings o-o-oh angel’s wings, o-o-oh angel’s wings sailing wide and free
11.
All Alone This Christmas 03:31
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ALL ALONE THIS CHRISTMAS We’re all alone this Christmas No one’s dropping by We’re both feelin’ kinda lonesome In our hearts a sad little sigh But at least we have each other No matter how bad things’ll be We can curl up with each other And gaze into the lights of our li’l Christmas tree Outside now it’s raining There’s not much Christmas cheer But there’s no point in complaining Though we’ll have not a guest this year Neither friends nor family Except by zoom, two-dimensionally No hugs nor kisses A socially distanced enforced formality Instrumental break We’re all alone this Christmas Not a soul is dropping by We’re both feelin’ kinda lonesome In our hearts a sad little sigh But at least we have each other No matter how bad things’ll be We can curl up with each other By the lights of our li’l Christmas tree
12.
Lullaby for My Love 05:07
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LULLABY FOR MY LOVE Go to sleep, little darlin', take your rest, Tomorrow everything'll be just fine There's car doors slammin' And streetcars clatterin' But don't you pay them any mind Go to sleep, little darlin', let your cradle rock Tomorrow everything'll be just fine Go to sleep, little darlin’, hmm-mm-mm-mmm Hmmm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mmm-mmm Somewhere in our city Sirens are howlin' Someone's house is burning down Somewhere in a forest The trees, they’re all dying They're all being chopped down But let me think about all these things as you take your rest As this troubled world goes round (and round and round and round and round) Go to sleep, little darlin', take your rest, Everything'll be safe and sound . . . Go to sleep, little darlin', go to sleep my love Tomorrow everything'll be just fine Go to sleep, little darlin', go to sleep Tomorrow the sun will shine Tomorrow the sun will shine

about

By the River's Blue tells of a couple who do not fall in love so much as ascend together into love from their own dark places. A cycle of twelve songs, this album offers a series of contrasts that celebrate various moods and stages of a late season romance. Expressed here are hard realities as well as flashes of colour, whimsy and rapture.

credits

released July 13, 2022

Brian Campbell – music, lyrics, lead vocal, guitar.
Leesa Mackey – back vocal, tracks 2,4,5, 6, 7, 12
Ellwood Epps – trumpet, tracks 1, 8
Jeff Deeprose – fiddle, tracks 2, 5
Erich Kory – cello, track 3

Martin Bennett, Studio Loco, Montreal: arrangements,
virtual instruments, recording, mix, master
on all tracks except:
recording of Brian’s voice on Track 10;
Brian’s voice & guitar on track 11;
editing of cello and some voice/guitar editing on track 3
by Bernard Beninger, Studio Fast Forward, Montreal.
Recording of cello by Erich Kory at his studio,
Liberterre Farm, Stanstead, Quebec

Brian Campbell – photography & graphics

Jocelyne Dubois, yes, the leaves are changing, and we are too.
I love you so much xoxo
— Brian

campbellmuse.com

LISTENER COMMENTS:

Hi Brian. Well, I’m overwhelmed with thankfulness after hearing your music. There are so many levels here that I will have to have a second, and third listen soon. It's wonderful to see the world through your eyes when listening to By the River’s Blue. That song is my favorite, but they are all delightful in their own way. The musical contributions of those you chose to be on the CD with you are excellent in their own right. The music is diverse, and every new song brings with it a sense of excitement. It is very much a CD of poetry set to music and your guitar playing and vocals are thrilling. You may end up with a Grammy here: at least, it is at that level. You've got some Dylan in you when it comes to meaningful writing. Lots of emotion and feelings expressed. I'm diving in again to explore more. Some solid nuggets of gold here. Thank you so much again.

-Josh Roony, Santa Cruz, California


By the River's Blue — Congratulations — I feel this is your best work and compilation to date! A very mature package — and the collaborations did your creation justice. Some of my favorites — Wild and Free/ Summertime Blues/ and the Arrow (which I would have called Angel's Wings); the young woman on back vocals complements your voice very well; trumpet, cello and fiddle all very good in the mix; your lyrics well written and developed; your vocals strong — the theme is definitely for couples — assessing where they are in their personal growth together — I loved the beat and zaniness of the recording — plus dreaminess & whispery aspects in certain places— great balance & rhythmic quality all the way thru — enjoyed “All Alone This Christmas”, a possible new Xmas standard! — Photos all round well chosen — the graphics as well. — so whole product gets my A++. Keep at it my friend — a bientôt — SK, Montreal, Quebec

I'm listening to the album while writing you back. The first song is a joyous blast of a trumpet and catchy lyrics, and I am delighted to hear a playful fiddle in the second. The guitar playing on Jocelyne’s Song is gorgeous. Well recorded, too. Nice use of cello. Sparse where it needs to be, so that the emotions can pool. I really like your delivery, man. The laughter on 'Wild and Free’ adds texture, and the way you spit out "on speaking terms” on Jocelyne's song is PERFECT. Love the female choir in Afternoon Delight. Can't wait to hear more on my walk! "The sky is an ashtray." Great line, my friend.— Joshua L., Montreal, Quebec

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Brian Campbell Montreal, Québec

Brian Campbell is a song-poet, dexterous finger-stylist, and impassioned, heart-felt singer. A widely published poet, Campbell has several critically acclaimed collections to his name. On stage he is relaxed and natural, an entertaining storyteller who spellbinds with his songs. He performs regularly, mostly in the Montreal area. To learn more about him, see campbellmuse.com ... more

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