- album name
Beautiful Empty
- band name
by John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
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Download Album $9.99 USD
Immediate download of 12-track album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire. -
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1. |
Can You Hear Me
04:08
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2. |
Same Scar
04:40
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3. |
Wide Open World
03:57
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4. |
Good Heart
03:36
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5. |
In My Neighborhood
04:53
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6. |
Intermission
00:30
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7. |
Walter Whitman
04:17
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8. |
Love Is A Shark
03:50
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9. |
Turnaround
05:24
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10. |
Don't Follow Virginia
03:28
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11. |
The Man Who Could
03:24
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12. |
Thinking 'Bout God
05:21
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- about
- "Beautiful Empty showcases a songwriter of remarkable depth and maturity. The album’s rich textures, orchestral arrangements and Common’s weathered-yet-optimistic vocals deliver a package that is sophisticated without being too slick. It invites you to poke beneath the surface, and rewards you with soul, insight and some musical surprises." - Denver Post
"After nearly quitting music, John Common made the best record of his life. The first thing you notice about Beautiful Empty is its spaciousness: The voices of Common and DeNicola blend together seamlessly. The lyrics on Beautiful Empty are every bit as affecting as the instrumentation, and as varied." - Westword
"Beautiful Empty, with its lush and spare arrangements, demands a broad audience. It's one of the finest records out of Denver in years." - North Denver News
“A talent as real and rich as John Common’s deserves to be spoken about.” – BUCKETFUL OF BRAINS / UK
“I admit I’m a bit of a skeptic. When I hear or see a lot of buildup or hype over something, I usually get a little put off, because too many times the “something” doesn’t measure up to the hype. When John Common and Blinding Flashes of Light finally took the stage, my doubts faded away. By the third song, I was a fan. By the fifth song, I wanted to join the band. The music was very nearly flawless–great sound, great arrangements, great vocals, great musicianship. It was one of those “good for the soul” music moments for me.” – THE EXAMINER REVIEW OF LIVE SHOW
“John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light emerged through smoke dressed to kill in black and red and goggles. From the second they took the stage until the second they left it, they played with the sort of blind joy that will make you believe in whatever they're doing… DeNicola’s voice is an arrow, unmistakable and full of personality. Common's voice, by contrast, is steady and broad. It swallows you. His band, composed of his choice of local talent, is of unmistakable high caliber, each capable of holding a song by himself. But this is John Common's music -- it's pure passion and happiness.” -- WESTWORD REVIEW OF LIVE SHOW
BEAUTIFUL EMPTY
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light are releasing a new record in 2010 named Beautiful Empty. Written and directed by Common, it is a lushly orchestrated, lovingly crafted collection of ambitious, cinematic and honest pop songs. The words and music that fill up Beautiful Empty will pin you to the wall, break your heart and put a knowing look on your face.
Why call it Beautiful Empty? It has something to do with solitude – intentional space – and the kinds of things that tend to only happen in those places. The songs come from those stories and films that play in our head when we’re finally quiet and empty enough to pay attention.
AWARDS
2009 Westword Nominate Best Pop Artist
2009 Denver Music Scene Top 10 Songwriters
2008 Telluride Troubadour Finalist
2008 Westword Nominated Best Singer/Songwriter
2007 Lyons Folks Festival Finalist
2007 Mover and Shaker / Best Local Release -- Westword
2007 Best Local Release -- The Denver Post
2006 Most Intriguing Discs - The Onion
2006 Westword Nominated Best Singer/Songwriter - credits
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released 16 January 2010
BEAUTIFUL EMPTY by
JOHN COMMON & BLINDING FLASHES OF LIGHT
John Common :: voice, guitars, piano, rhodes, banjo, mandolin, toy piano
Jess DeNicola :: voice
Wesley Michaels :: cello, saxophones, mandolin
Car Sorensen: drums, percussion
Jimmy Stofer :: bass, voice
Jon Wirtz :: rhodes, piano, organ, glockenspiel
Produced by John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
Engineered by John Macy
Recorded at Macy Sound Studios, Cello Hill and Emmasaurus Sound
Mixed by John Macy
Mastered by Randy LeRoy at Final Stage Mastering
Design by Nick Jackson
Photography by Kelly Kievit
All songs written by John Common except ‘Can You Hear Me’, lyrics by John Common and Jess DeNicola
Copyright John Common Music / BMI
For lyrics, photos, films, stories and upcoming shows please visit johncommon.com - license
- All rights reserved
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discography
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Jan 2010 -
Jul 2007 -
Aug 2006 -
Jul 2002 -
Aug 1999
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- Track Name: Can You Hear Me
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CAN YOU HEAR ME
written by john common and jess de nicola
I am down
In a hole
Lost my way
Lost control
Woke up alone
Where'd you go
Scared and pleading
Barely breathing
Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Been down here
For so long
Can't recall
Where I'm from
I won't get out
On my own
Scared and pleading
Barely breathing
Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Can you hear me… oh
Can you hear me… oh
Can you hear me - Track Name: Same Scar
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SAME SCAR
written by john common
Hold on, your innocence
Is all you get to spend
It hurts just to see you blush
The universe waits for your touch
You're lovely and more than that
It'd break me into half
If any harm came to you
But I know it's coming, there's nothing we can do
Get ready, don't wither
I know where you've been
I know where you are
Get ready, don't wither
Coincidence
I have the same scar
The taxis are running
The TV's are humming
The camera loves to see skin
Hollywood is waiting to break you in
And it might be painful
And you might not know it
But you'll feel the cutting
When you're in the moment
The scarring helps you
'Cause it toughens you up
Oh no…
We got the same scar
Same scar
Get ready, don't wither
I know where you've been
I know where you are
Get ready, don't wither
I know where you've been
I know where you are
Get ready, don't wither
Coincidence, coincidence
Coincidence, coincidence
We got the same scar - Track Name: Wide Open World
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WIDE OPEN WORLD
written by john common
When you were a baby
You knew what you wanted
You kept it real simple
Didn't you?
Now your life is a puzzle
You keep digging the tunnel
Head down in the funnel
Of wandering
Wide open world
It's a wide open world
World
Liars love leavers
And losers leave lovers
We hurt one another
Without meaning to
Sad situation…
Blissful rejection…
Set free on the ocean
Of missing you
Wide open world
It's a wide open world
Wide open world
Wide open world
Wide open
Everyone, everyone, everyone one needs
Everyone, everyone, everyone one needs
Everyone, everyone, , everyone one needs
Everyone, everyone, everyone one need this world - Track Name: Good Heart
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GOOD HEART
written by john common
Good heart
I'm nothing without…
Good heart
But i've got my doubts
Good heart inside
Broken before
Told many lies
Pushed out the door
Good heart
I've always known
You had
A mind of your own
Find one who can love
Simple and true
But clever and carved
Enough to hold you
Oh what is it? Why are you down?
Baby I see you all over town
Staring at people in love
And they can see…
Your jealousy
Oh… good heart
Good heart
You're searching for one
Good heart
That won't ever run
Good heart inside
Bashful and still
Telling no lies
Having the will
To stay
And find a way…
Oh what is it? Why are you down?
Baby I see you all over town
Staring at people in love
And they can see…
Your jealousy
Oh…
Oh…
Good heart - Track Name: In My Neighborhood
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IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
written by john common
Mary loved Tony for 70 years
On the day that he died, no tears
He saw it comin', she saw it too
When it hurts that bad, cryin' won’t help you
In my neighborhood
In my neighborhood
Michael and Michelle were always in a fight
I could hear them yellin' through the window every night
But Michael found a job and they bought a little house
Nobody was fightin' on the day they moved out
In my neighborhood
In my neighborhood
Ramon and his family live across the street
He cooks at three restaurants to make ends meet
Says he always dreamed of runnin' his own place
I bet he's gonna do it, I can see it on his face
In my neighborhood
In my neighborhood
Pretty blonde lady about fourty-four
Decided that she could not wait any more
Her new dream man isn't tall, dark or handsome
But she knows when she needs him, he's gonna answer
Me on my porch, dreamin' up songs
Smoking, drinkin' coffee all day long
Everybody wonders will he get a real job
Maybe I will, when I finish this song
In my neighborhood
In my neighborhood
In my neighborhood
In my neighborhood - Track Name: Intermission
- this is an instrumental track
- Track Name: Walter Whitman
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WALTER WHITMAN
written by john common
When I'm old and the time I sold
Comes back to me in memory
All my gray hair turn me silver
Holding on to my rocking chair
I wonder what i'll want back
I wonder what i'll give back
But it doesn’t work that way
Walter Whitman
I want your wisdom now
Writing on my page
But my captain
Doesn't answer 'til
The ship is anchored safe
And the babies tucked away
Did you live right, did you love right
Did they hear your melody
Rise above the noisy city
Like a bird that's finally free
Now I see it
All together
We'll make it work this way
Walter Whitman
I want your wisdom now
Writing on my page
But my captain
Doesn't answer 'til
The ship is anchored safe
And the babies tucked away
Walter Whitman
Walter Whitman - Track Name: Love Is A Shark
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LOVE IS A SHARK
written by john common
Love is stalking you
It's parked at the end of your block
When you walk away from love
It loves the way you walk
Love is following you
It can swim faster than your car
You're getting drunk next to love, babe
It followed you in this bar
Love is creepy
Love is dark
Love is scary
'Cause love's a shark
It's gonna eat you, take you to the bottom
Of a deep dark hole
But it's the thing you need
You know you want to bleed
Baby, love's a shark
Baby, love's a shark
Love can swim through bedroom walls
It knows when you cry
You can curse and you can kick it
But you still can't make love die
Love didn’t crown you lonely
You did that on your own
But it'll be there waiting
When you come down off your throne
Love is creepy
Love is dark
Love is scary
'Cause love's a shark
It's gonna eat you, take you to the bottom
Of a deep dark hole
But it's the thing you need
You know you want to bleed
Baby, love's a shark
Baby, baby
Baby, baby
Baby, love's a shark - Track Name: Turnaround
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TURNAROUND
written by john common
No matter where you stand
This principle is true
No matter what the cost
It all comes back to you
When you've played your hand
And you've had your turn
All the matches gone
There's nothing left to burn
Where is your soul now
Where is your soul now
Where'd you see it last
Can you get it back
Where do you go
What do you say
When you're cornered good
And can't run away
When all that gold
Becomes a pile of trash
And in your dirty hands
Love turns to ash
Where is your soul now
Where is your soul now
Where'd you see it last
Can you get it back
Does it make you angry
Does it bring you down
Do you ever remember
Well then turnaround
Speak up…speak to me
Hold on… hold on to me
Or walk away and... Leave me alone
You felt pristine
Standing over there
Teeth wet and white
Ready to tear
Oh I'd bleed for you
Like I did before
But dramatic gestures
Never open doors
We never leave the room
We're always standing there
Naked and bruised
Hands in the air
Where is our soul now
Where is our soul now
Where'd we see it last
Can we get it back
Where is our soul now
Where is our soul now
Where'd we see it last
Can we get it back
Then turnaround, turnaround
Turnaround, turnaround - Track Name: Don't Follow Virginia
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DON'T FOLLOW VIRGINIA
written by john common
New York can treat you unkind
Make you believe you're falling behind
You moved there hoping to find
A new way to be…a new thing to try…
Don't follow Virginia
Down, down
I know that you love her
Down, down
Follow the river
Out and up…
The 9th ward, is covered in mud
You cry like a baby when you think of the Holy Cross
1200 miles to the north, you're walking through harlem
Taking things hard
Don't follow Virginia
Down, down
I know that you love her
Down, down
Follow the river out
I know that you love her, no
Don't follow Virginia
Down
I know that you love her
Down
Follow the river
Out and up - Track Name: The Man Who Could
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THE MAN WHO COULD
written by john common
The beautiful ones smoke along the banisters
Watching the mating dance swirl around you down below
I was just walking down the street
I wasn't planning to be
The man who could really, really love you
When the bars give out and lovers run into the street
I’ll be lost in a fitful sleep dreaming of you
You stood there like a jewel
While I acted like a reckless fool
Not the man who could really, really love you
So the next time you’re alone
And some nervous boy tries to say hello
Don't be surprised
When you look into his eyes
If you see the man who could really, really love you
He’s the man who could really, really love you - Track Name: Thinking 'Bout God
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THINKING 'BOUT GOD
written by john common
Thinking 'bout God
Thinking 'bout God
Thinking 'bout God
I wonder what he's thinking of me
Where do we go
Where do we go
Where do we go
Where do we go when we die?
I'm looking for comfort
Under the covers
Listen to the radio
Way down low
I'm hearing voices
Making my choices
I need an angel
To dance real slow
Thinking 'bout God
Thinking 'bout God
Thinking 'bout God
I wonder if he's really around
I hear that he died
Hear that he died
Hear that he died
I read it on the internet
I'm looking for comfort
Under the covers
Listen to the radio
Way down low
Jesus is bleeding
I saw it on TV
I need an angel
To dance real slow
I'm here
I'm here
I'm here… yeh
I'm looking for comfort
Under the covers
Listen to the radio
Way down low
I'm hearing voices
Making my choices
I need an angel
To dance real slow
I'm looking for comfort
I'm looking for comfort
Listen to the radio
Way down low
Jesus is bleeding
I saw it on TV
I need an angel
To dance real slow
I'm here