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Signs Of Life

by Neil Porter

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  • Streaming + Download

    Immediate download of 15-track album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

    Includes bonus tracks "Down That Street" (my most popular track so far with over 6,500 plays so far) and "Under My Skin" and a full PDF Booklet containing all lyrics and complete song notes. Also includes the "make your own CD kit" - high quality jpegs of the double sided insert, tray card and CD face for you to make your own copy of the CD at home.

    All of these tracks have been completely re-mixed from the original masters.

    100% of money received comes to me - there are no "middle men (er ....... persons)" - and I'll be using any money made to upgrade my studio gear so I can record more young local artists.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A round silvery thingy you can play on your stereo or in your car.

    This package contains the "Signs Of Life" CD with a double sided insert. There are 13 songs on the CD including three previously unreleased tracks which are not available anywhere else.

    Also includes: immediate download of 15 track album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire and; a complete PDF booklet of song lyrics, song notes and song art.

    There is no middle man, company or manager involved - all funds come directly to me and will be used to better my studio setup.
    ships out within 3 days
    edition of 100 
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    6
    releases

    Get all 6 Neil Porter releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of THE DISAPPEARING MAN, Looking Like The Real Thing, Into The Blue, Life On The Trapeze, Signs Of Life, and jiguma dreaming. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $21 USD or more (50% OFF)

     

  • T-shirts, caps, bags and stuff
1.
Amsterdam - 2022 remix/remaster 04:33
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AMSTERDAM ©2010 Neil Porter I don’t think I told you about Amsterdam I’m not talking about girls in the night You can lose yourself in Amsterdam It’s a city with beautiful light We can meet at that bruin in Jordaan We can drink one to interesting times You know I’ll get back to Amsterdam I’ll be crossing some Amsterdam lines Living in Amsterdam Losing in Amsterdam Winning in Amsterdam I’ll be crossing some Amsterdam lines Get out of my depth in Haarlem Sweep me out in a parallel stream The invisible man in Amsterdam I’ll be living a parallel dream We could meet like spies in Centraal Feel alive, getting ready to roll Find some signs of life in Amsterdam We’ll be singing some Amsterdam soul Living in Amsterdam Losing in Amsterdam Winning in Amsterdam I’ll be crossing some Amsterdam lines Living in Amsterdam Crossing some Amsterdam lines Losing in Amsterdam Crossing some Amsterdam lines Winning in Amsterdam Crossing some Amsterdam lines
2.
Somewhere Deep 04:18
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Somewhere Deep © 2007 Neil Porter Don’t feel like staying home tonight Just feel I want to drift away And if I’m wrong or if I’m right That’s for me to learn, not you to say You’re telling me I have to change You’re giving me no choices when you do You wonder why I’m acting strange You wonder if I’m getting over you You feel they make it tough on you They make you want to run away But please be careful if you do And please be careful what you say They’re telling you “you have to change” They’re giving you no choices when they do They wonder why you’re acting strange You wonder why they’re getting mad at you You can’t ever put things right You’re the ones that made things like they are I’m leaving on a midnight flight I’m going to travel wide and travel far I’m going to do my best to get some midnight sleep I’m going to send my demons far away I’m going swimming somewhere deep I’m going to do things my own way
3.
Walk Away 05:07
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Walk Away © Neil Porter 11/2007 I can’t do this any more I can’t sell my restless soul this way Just need to mend my breaking heart I need to walk away I need to walk away Walk away Just need to mend my breaking heart I need to walk away I’ve been down this road so many times It seems to have a hold on me Just a little longer out of water And then I’ll walk away And then I’ll walk away Walk away Just a little longer out of water And then I’ll walk away Look at me I’m back on the road again Same old sleepy country towns Same old empty sky Looking in my rear-view mirror again Trying to catch the warning signs That have passed me by In my broken bower once again I listen to my beating heart Nothing ventured, nothing gained I have to walk away I have to walk away Walk away Nothing ventured, nothing gained I have to walk away If I had my time again I might not sell my soul I’ve got this terminal reprise And then I’ll walk away And then I’ll walk away Walk away I’ve got this terminal reprise And then I’ll walk away
4.
Close Your Eyes 04:25
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Close Your Eyes © 2008 Words Neil Porter (inspired by Lisa Purdy) /Music Neil Porter I admit it I’ve got something in my head That’s messing with my brain I’m not sure about tomorrow Might be up Or might be down again Close your eyes I don’t want you seeing me this way And if I cry I don’t mean to be like this I don’t mean to be like this I might try to read tomorrow And hope the flying words Stay near the page Will the strings on my guitar Make sweet music Or steel bars on my cage? Just close your eyes I don’t want you seeing me this way And if I cry I don’t mean to be like this I don’t mean to be like this If I keep taking little pills The doctor says My blues will go away Now I’m seeing less Of my black dog That used to visit every day Just close your eyes I don’t want you seeing me this way And if I cry I don’t mean to be like this I don’t mean to be like this
5.
I Don't Want To Talk About It 03:44
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Don’t Want to Talk About It ©2009 Neil Porter Why can’t you say what you mean? Why don’t you mean what you say? Can’t you just say how things seem? Such stupid games that you play I don’t want to talk about it I don’t want to say goodbye I don’t want to talk about it It’s just gonna make me cry Don’t know where I stand anymore Couldn’t you say from the start? Couldn’t believe what I saw You put this pain in my heart I don’t want to talk about it I don’t want to say goodbye I don’t want to talk about it It’s just gonna make me cry You say you’ve got no regrets I say I’ve got quite a few This is as good as it gets I’ve learnt too much about you I don’t want to talk about it I don’t want to say goodbye I don’t want to talk about it It’s just gonna make me cry
6.
Feel The Beat 04:04
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Feel The Beat © 2009 Neil Porter You want to do it, you try so hard Want things to come naturally Turn up the radio Put on a CD You can get there just feel the beat Close your eyes Feel the beat Move your body ‘til the groove locks in yeah Clap your hands Move your feet When this song ends you can do it all again You can’t write it on a sheet of paper Don’t have to read it from a cold white page Just listen closely let the music take you Take a chance, leave your cage It’s time to let your heart take over The muse is calling, you can tag along Close your eyes don’t run for cover Lose yourself in every song Don’t start out with inhibitions Leave your left brain at the door Loosen up Move with the music Slide and sway and let the good times roll Grab the moment Take a chance Kick off your shoes, get up and dance Don’t stop moving Wait and see Close your eyes and feel the beat
7.
The Thin Man Dreams 03:50
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The Thin Man Dreams © 2005 Neil Porter Heading down the Oatley stairs The thin man waits, enjoys a cup of tea Hanging out in rattan chairs Musicians smoking, talking aimlessly Mid summer sun has left the small Verandah as the band begins to play The thin man takes his Gibson And it shimmers in the middle of the day A gentle man He stayed serene A subtle hand The thin man in a dream The thin man closes happy eyes He smiles and lets the rhythm have its way He weaves a tingling tapestry Floats unsuspected notes above the fray Session over, vibe is up The thin man’s smile's engraved upon his face As he prepares another cup a happy thin man Glides about the place A gentle man He stayed serene A subtle hand The thin man in a dream Heading up the Oatley stairs The thin man waves, enjoys a cup of tea
8.
Photographs 04:53
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Photographs ©2009 Neil Porter I still see you sitting there On that rocky beach near Agadir Baking in the morning sun Got your message loud Got your best smile on I was your suburban boy You always were the girl of my dreams I turn the page you’re looking fine Dressed up like you’re off to school “April Sun In Cuba”’s in the air Kids must have thought you were so damn cool I was your suburban boy You always were the girl of my dreams I saw it in a photograph of you I guess somehow that kind of makes it true Looking through my photographs I still can’t believe it turned out me and you Found the page I was looking for Summer dress against the sun Summer nights and summer sighs I knew you’d be my only one I was your suburban boy You always were the girl of my dreams Throw some pictures on the wall There’s you and me and whatsisname This could have been a different story We could have played a different game But I was your suburban boy You always were the girl of my dreams I saw it in a photograph of you I guess somehow that kind of makes it true Looking through my photographs I still can’t believe it turned out me and you I still see you on that beach I see you’re still looking fine You seemed so far out of reach I’m so glad that you are mine But I was your suburban boy You always were the girl of my dreams I saw it in a photograph of you I guess somehow that kind of makes it true Looking through my photographs I still can’t believe it turned out me and you
9.
Lost In Translation 04:39
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Lost In Translation © 2009 Neil Porter I’m thinking in tongues That I don’t understand I’m speaking in some of them too Do I offer my cheek? Do I offer my hand? I’m lost in translation If I get in your way I’m just chasing some dreams I’ve caught up with some of them In perpetual motion Life’s perpetual change I get lost in translation We might just be looking for clues Out and about and avoiding the blues Might just be searching, Looking for some signs of life I’ve done this before And I’ll do it again I’ll never get tired of this Like my father before me I come back to this land To get lost in translation You want clarification It’s not in my game I like dealing in tangents and dreams Without plans or proposals Like to follow the wind I get lost in translation We might just be waiting for clues Out and about and avoiding the blues Might just be searching, Looking for some signs of life You might come here to wonder At mountains and streams For the cafés and nightlife and bars But when I step off the plane I'm just longing to be Lost in translation I’m lost in translation Lost in translation Lost in translation Lost in translation Lost in translation etc
10.
Too Many Ghosts 06:04
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Too Many Ghosts © 2006 Neil Porter There are times I sift through memories There are some I fear, so I put them to one side I put them down and leave them there I shut the drawer and leave them there The world is full of mysteries There are some to fear, but no need to run and hide Some deep unspoken mysteries Just close the door and leave them there We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: We are the movers and shakers Of the world forever, it seems. My photo box is tempting me The moments there are etched into my mind I take good care of thoughts from there Feels safe here in my easy chair I’ve seen too many yesterdays Too many ghosts that live inside my head I think about my younger days The good times and those younger days We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: We are the movers and shakers Of the world forever, it seems. We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: We are the movers and shakers Of the world forever, it seems. I saw Black Jack just yesterday He was standing there in a corner of my room “It’s time to come away” he said I follow and he leads me there It’s time to go away from here I follow and he leads me there
11.
Take Me To Heart 04:59
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Take Me To Heart © 2009 Neil Porter Take me to heart Just don't take me for granted Tear me apart But don't leave me that way Where do we start Now that it's over Take me to heart When we first met You got just what you wanted Time and again You got your own way Where do we start Now that it's over Take me to heart Stop me if I've said Something that doesn't need saying Stop me if I've said Something wrong Tell me if this Is just some kind of game you're playing And I'll be gone SOLOS Stop me if I've said Something that doesn't need saying Stop me if I've said Something wrong Tell me if this Is just some kind of game you're playing And I'll be gone Got this thing in my head That you'll set me free was it something I said I just can't let it be Where do we start Now that it's over Take me to heart Hope you have some regrets When you walk out that door But I'll get back my heart Pick myself off the floor Where do we start Now that it's over Take me to heart
12.
Signs Of Life 04:00
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Looking For Signs Of Life ©2009 Neil Porter There’s this place I know They got fields of impossible green Across the valley The mountains touch the sky, they touch the sky It’s more than skin and bone That keeps you moving Keeps you moving Looking for signs of life Upturn every stone You don’t know what you might find Round every corner Shadows slip away, they slip away It’s more than skin and bone That keeps you moving Keeps you moving Looking for signs of life Wrap yourself in the smiles of strangers Lose yourself in a land of other ways Take a chance with the stones of ages Keep on looking, looking for signs of life INSTRUMENTAL Man on a mission Become a full time seeker, a real life keeper of dreams Chasing visions, Chasing shades of light, shades of light It’s more than skin and bone That keeps you moving Keeps you moving Looking for signs of life Wrap yourself in the smiles of strangers Lose yourself in a land of other ways Take a chance with the stones of ages Keep on looking, looking for signs of life I hear you saying “You’ve got too much, too much, too much time on your hands” Tread too softly And time just slips away, it slips away It’s more than skin and bone That keeps you moving Keeps you moving Looking for signs of life
13.
Waiting (For The Rain To Fall) 06:04
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Haven’t had a night like this in so many years Head keeps buzzing, doesn’t stop Door keeps banging with the wind Air con dripping, so damn hot I got your face in my head Got my head on your pillow And I’m waiting for the rain to fall Losing my sleep, losing my battle Seems like years you’ve been gone Losing my mind, can’t get back in the saddle Think I’m finding myself then I’m gone I got your face in my head Got my head on your pillow And I’m waiting for the rain to fall Fields of green and days of rain Maybe I’ll see you sometimes Kids in the yard You’d make me happy Days of hope and days of rain Days of knowing who I am Days of peace When the rain starts to fall I’m changing my mind like I’m changing the channel Head in my hands, hands are filling with tears I’ve been hitting rock bottom, deep as the ocean I’ve been giving in to all of my fears I got your face in my head Got my head on your pillow And I’m waiting for the rain to fall
14.
Under My Skin - Bonus Download Track 04:04
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Under My Skin © Neil Porter 2009 You’ve been sitting in your room somewhere You’ve been up all night But you’re getting nowhere You’ve been trying to get under my skin Well I just won’t give up Well you can’t come in You’ve been trying to get under my skin You’ve been trying to get under my skin You’ve been trying to get under my skin Well I just won’t give up Well you can’t come in Do you have another life somewhere? Are you all alone? Do you hate it there? You’ve been trying to get under my skin Well I just won’t give up Well you can’t come in Maybe you dabble in deception Could be you travel in disguise It seems you’re after some attention Maybe there’s just no reason why You’ve been slipping on the slide these days You can’t let go You can’t keep away You’ve been trying to get under my skin Well I just won’t give up Well you can’t come in You’ve been waiting ‘til I drop my guard You’re awake all night And you take it hard You’ve been trying to get under my skin Well I just won’t give up Well you can’t come in
15.
Down That Street - Bonus Download Track 06:41
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Down That Street © 2009 Neil Porter When I first saw you walking down the street You were tall and dark and cool and dressed just right You had a lovely girl on either arm You didn’t get them just with charm When I first saw you walking down the street You were tall and dark and dressed to kill You were coming side by side When I first saw you walking down that street You were tall and dark with looks to kill The path wasn’t that wide When I first saw you walking down that street As you got closer I could see you smile Diamond studs and shoes that said “I got some style” Heaps of gold that that showed your class Clothes were sharp, shades as black as night You kept on coming walking down the street Cars to my left, ten metres to the water on my right And something told me there was more To your story than I saw Seemed a good time for me to be discreet With lowered eyes I stepped out on the road I guess I knew that you were sharp and dressed to kill I heard you say “merci monsieur” You smiled a friendly smile at me As I was standing out there in the road Ad lib outro: When I first saw you walking down that street I saw you truckin’ down that street When I first saw you walking down that street Truckin’ down that street Those ladies looked real good but I Couldn’t look ‘em in the eye When I first saw you walking down that street I thought if I looked too close I could really really die When I first saw you walking down that street

about

"Signs Of Life" is my second CD - the songs were written in Australia and Switzerland and recorded at Pambula Beach over the past 18 months. I am indebted to Thor Oliversen, Mike Watkins, Lisa Purdy, Anne Cozean, Jim Bouchard, Alf Solti and John Libby for their fantastic musical contributions. Special thanks to my wife Jan for bgv on "Amsterdam" and for putting up with the endless hours I spend creating music in my studio and with the band. Thanks to the guys from PBGB - Peter, Gus, John and Chris (plus Bill, PB and Warren) - for helping me brush up my live vocal and guitar skills.

There are three songs (three of my best yet I think) on the CD - "Photographs", "Amsterdam" and "Waiting (For The Rain To Fall)" which haven't even been released at MacJams yet.

credits

released April 19, 2010

All instruments and vocals by Neil Porter, with additional contributions as listed below.

Lost In Translation: Drums - Mike Watkins
Take Me To Heart: guitar - Thor Oliversen, Drums - Mike Watkins, Keys: Alf Solti
Close Your Eyes: Vocals - Lisa Purdy, Lap Steel Guitar - Jim Bouchard
Waiting For The Rain To Fall: Drums - Mike Watkins,
Amsterdam - Keys - John Libby, Backing Vox - Jan Porter
Feel The Beat: Backing Vox - Anne Cozean

Cover photo of our grand-daughter Aja taken by her uncle Nathan Watson. Cover design and art work - Neil Porter.

All songs written and produced by Neil Porter at jigumastudio in Pambula Beach NSW Australia.

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Neil Porter Pambula Beach, Australia

Singer songwriter from Pambula Beach in Australia.

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