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In a North Coast Town

by Luke Vassella

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1.
Summerland 04:23
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Summerland - words & music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2013 In the summerland, the eternal sun Shines a light on everyone The good and bad, the old and young Puts a nameless thirst upon every tongue In a land once marked for timber, for cattle and for cane There's a memory of Eden, we'll never see again And secrets held in the palm of every hand Don't let us take for granted what we have, in the summerland In the summerland, I'm watching the dolphins play While the end of the world waits for one more day Best keep your treasure stored where no one can steal your joy Where no thief gonna break in and destroy And don't always go gentle into that good night my friend You speak the truth placed on your heart, seek justice till the end Though our greatest deeds are only castles in the sand Don't let us take for granted what we have in the summerland O what a beautiful light, I reach up with an open hand Let there be no secrets tonight, let there be peace on the summerland My friend we'll make of it the best we can Lord help us tread light, as we walk on the summerland
2.
Casino 03:28
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Casino - words & music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2013 Casino queen you've been a sweetheart to me But I know you've had a hard time lately I'm always passing through, never stay too long Let me give my regards, I'll sing you a song It's true I got a picture of you, sundown gold in the cornflower blue Let the sky open wide, let the planets turn, let the stars collide Oh there's a place I know, the road unwinds and the Richmond flows To a town where I'm bound to go And there's some friends of mine out in Casino I see the cattle grazing by the railway line The train's in the station and the weather's fine Darlin' cook me up that country hospitality Good times and good company It's true I got a picture of you, soft cotton clouds the sun shines through Let the sky open wide, let the planets turn, let the stars collide Oh there's a place I know, the valley's green and the clear winds blow To a town, where I'm bound to go And there's some friends of mine in Casino Cos we always had a good time In Casino, it's the memories you make with the people you know Oh there's a place I know, there's pastures-a-plenty where the cattle grow It's a town where I'm bound to go So let the whip birds call from the Cambridge Plateau Love shine on it all in Casino Casino queen you've been a sweetheart to me.
3.
Mountain Blue 04:18
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Mountain Blue - words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2014 There's a mountain ridge where a giant is sleeping Head in the clouds, forever dreaming High on a mountain blue There's a red dirt farm full of blueberry rows On the Alstonville Plateau where everything grows And they call it Mountain Blue And the songbirds sing in the summer Right through spring like they always do Mountain blue, you've got me eatin' the blues Mountain blue, love has paid my dues I'm high on a mountain blue There's a fellowship down at the Winsome Hotel They're not just friends, they're family as well Cos where there is love all things are made new And though this world is crippled by fear and danger There is a light and a place for a stranger And tonight there's a prayer for healing too Let the pub with no beer sing, let St Andrews church bells ring clear and true Mountain blue, you've got me eatin' the blues Mountain blue, love has paid my dues Taste and see it's true, I'm high on a mountain blue It's true, where could I go but you… And there's a hill near Wyralla where the eucalypts grow Around an old circle of earth where the songbird's go To find shade, to rest and renew Beneath a concrete cross at Bexhill I kneel to the Saviour O Spirit transform our human behaviour And I'm high on a mountain blue
4.
Keep It Hot 02:49
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Keep It Hot - words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2015 Well it's a Lismore Car Boot Market Day, I got my guitar, I'm ready to play It's Sunday morning I'm still comin' down, from the party last night on the edge of town Well it's the simple things that I need the most, like the cherry jam on my hot buttered toast But the best remedy for a weary man, is a cuppa' fresh coffee from Alan and Jan I said keep it hot, and keep it comin', kick start my motor runnin' See I got in late from the gig last night, I'm a little bit dazed but I'm doin' alright I confess my sins every time I play, beside that Repentance Creek cafe Well the coffee's good and the market's hummin', Wooh! keep it hot and keep it comin' There's familiar faces everywhere, Stu's here and Greg's over there There's friends and neighbours all sayin' hello, man I got so many friends that I don't even know Well the wife and kids have gone to church you see, I sure hope they're saying' a prayer for me Seems I'll be forever here payin' my dues, but with a bottomless cup, man I just can't lose I said keep it hot and keep it comin', kick start my motor runnin' See I got in late from the gig last night, I'm a little bit dazed but I'm doin' alright I confess my sins every time I play, beside that Repentance Creek cafe Well the coffee's good and the market's hummin', keep it hot and keep it comin' Well Marny look's happy 'cos the market's hummin', keep it hot and keep it comin' And my wife's smilin' at me, well this could be somethin', keep it hot and baby keep it comin'
5.
Paradise 03:01
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Paradise - words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2015 I heard they were playing the best music of all time on Paradise Fm 101.9 I'm riding a bike along the Richmond River Where the Ballina breeze will always deliver I got my darling wife and three kid's in tow We're tuned into Paradise Radio Doo doo doo, doo doo doo! And I heard that Warwick's been playing my song Teaching all of Ballina to sing along Paradise is on my mind, paradise ain't hard to find They're playing the best music of all time, on community radio 101.9 I'm smiling at the girl cooking fish and chips She's shaking the salt, and shaking her hips While the kid's shuffle the chairs and shift their feet To the sweet sound coming out of Cherry St Doo doo doo, doo doo doo! Sometimes I got nothing but a burning light A little bit of Paradise sounds alright! Paradise is on my mind, paradise ain't hard to find From Woodburn all the way to Bangalow I'm tuned into Paradise Radio Paradise is on my mind, paradise ain't hard to find Out on Angel's Beach where the four winds blow I'm tuned into Paradise Radio I'm rolling on a river over Bundjalung ground Tuned into the paradise sound At the twilight markets where the weather's fine Tuned to 101.9 Paradise is on my mind
6.
In a North Coast Town 04:11
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In A North Coast Town - words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2015 What can you do? I had a friend, he had a dream in a North Coast town A beautiful woman, some healthy children, and a piece of ground I know it's hard to keep on the road when you've blown a tyre I know it's hard to help a drowning man when he's on fire Sometimes a dream gets lost in the flood of a North Coast town God in His mercy will lift you up, and sometimes bring you down I had a friend, he wouldn't move, though the water rose higher How can you help a drowning man when he's on fire? What can you do? When the sky falls in on you What can you do? When the earth starts moving too What can you do? You burn so bright, the dark night still surrounds you. Some men become bitter, some the salt of the earth in a North Coast town Some know the flavour and the fragrance of life, others just muck around It's hard to make sense when unforeseen events conspire Do what you can for a drowning man on fire 'Cause my friend, in the end we're all drowning men Full of fear, and burning with desire What can you do? I had a friend, and she had a dream In A North Coast Town…
7.
Lismore Girl 03:03
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Lismore Girl- words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2003 Well, I'm driving home along the North Coast shore Home sweet home to Lismore Where life's a simple luxury For a Lismore girl and me The sun's coming up, the river's gone down It's a good day in our river town We love the company My Lismore girl and me Where two rivers meet That's Lismore town, that's where our hearts beat I've seen the rainbow in the sky Shine its colour over you and I Well they used to log the cedar you know Now we're happy just to watch them grow We got the forest, we got the sea Darlin' we got it all, yeah we're gasfield free So if you're looking for me around Lismore Try the coffee shop or the music store That's probably where I'll be With my friends, holding up the cafe economy Where two rivers meet That's Lismore, Livemore, Lovemore town, that's where our hearts beat I've seen that rainbow in the sky Shine it's colour over you and I Oh what a beautiful city How about that Lismore city, Hallelu Yeah the rich and poor are welcome in the city Young and old are welcome in the city Weak and strong are welcome in the city That's Lismore city, Hallelu My Lismore girl and me
8.
Gently Bentley 02:33
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Gently Bentley- words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2014 Let's walk gently on the hallowed ground at Bentley Let's stand arm in arm for our neighbour's farm Advance Australia Fair, her land, her water and air For a change to come, a future for everyone Yes we walked gently on that hallowed ground at Bentley Yes we shared our peace with the New South Wales police Advance Australia Fair, her land, her water and air For a change to come, a future for everyone It's our responsibility to humanity
9.
Three Strands 04:16
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Three Strands- words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2016 The thin blue line of the atmosphere breathes life abundantly So my love draws me in, like gravity When I see nowhere to go and I'm all at sea When I look for a light in the heavens, my love is watching me Like the colour in the wildflowers, my love surprises me Like the riches in the rainbow over that hallowed hill at Bentley Whisper to me darling, my ear is open to you You speak a better word, my love is true When I wonder what a man's got to do to get any peace in this world When there's all kinds of damaged people, with all kinds of pain getting hurled My love don't wrap me up in synthetic cotton wool My love is good to me. My joy is full. In our Northern Rivers garden, where we surrender To the generous life, to the spirit of grace, to the author of love, we remember When this world tries to turn us around, gives us nothing but a thorny crown My love is always singing, a heavenly sound So I sing a love song, 16 years down the road To say I'm eternally grateful you have shared my load Oh but pray for me my darling, and I'll pray for you Cos a cord of three strands wrapped together has got to be stronger than two Yeah a cord of three strands wrapped together, got to be stronger than two
10.
Floodtown 03:39
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Floodtown- words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2004 Once it comes over the bank of the river you can't hold it back It slowly floods every corner, covers every track Makes a canal out of Ballina Road, puddles turn into lakes Before you know it the cricket's been cancelled, and shop keepers are moving all they can take See it rising and rising, see it coming Kids splashing playing about, storm drains are rushing When you're living in a floodtown, things go under when the rain comes down When you're living in a floodtown, it ain't easy to find high ground Someone's driving a boat up and down Molesworth Street There's a crowd at the lookout, old friends and neighbours meet The SES man said it's going to rise a little more That doesn't really matter that much, it's already come through the front door It keeps on rising and rising, it keeps on coming The carpet's swamped, and the sink won't drain, downpipes are gushing Living in a floodtown, things go under when the rain comes down When you're living in a floodtown, it's not easy to find high ground I just heard the news, it caught me by surprise I thought I knew what was going on, there's a lot I didn't realise In a floodtown, things go under when the rain comes down When you're living in a floodtown, it's not easy to find high ground
11.
Noodling 01:17
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12.
Born On Bundjalung Country 03:56
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Born On Bundjalung Country- words and music by Luke Vassella Copyright 2013 My beautiful boy, born on Bundjalung country May the Lord bless and keep you, shine His face upon you My wonderful boy, born on wonderful country I pray that grace surrounds you, that love abounds in you To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God Speak with kindness, love with blindness Son, delight in the truth all the days of your life My beautiful boy, born on God's own country Take care to respect this place, see a brother in a stranger's face My pride and my joy, oh this is the wonderful country The Lord be gracious to you, look with favour upon you As you act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God Speak with kindness, love with blindness Son, delight in the truth all the days of your life Oh come all without, come all within I've not seen nothing in this world like my Clancy Quinn Come all without, come all within I've not seen nothing in this sweet old world like him Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

about

‘In a North Coast Town' is Luke Vassella's triumphant ninth album, celebrating a love of people and places in Far North Coast NSW. 
This album is generous in its praise, yet bold in its honesty. 
It's twelve tracks were recorded live in halls surrounding Lismore during February and March 2016. 
This record speaks to the heart of people from the North Coast and acknowledges a diverse spectrum of community, narrating tales of a summerland where the sun shines. These songs linger in the air like incense, arousing the senses with affirmations of hope and faith, while bearing witness to the historical landscape.
Sustained by a reputation for quality live performance, Vassella's persistence as a songwriter is rewarded in this collection of insightful songs.
He observes from a perspective that is unique yet familiar, offering a luminous vision of abundant life 'In a North Coast Town'.

credits

released June 24, 2016

In A North Coast Town…

I've lived in Lismore since 1995, so this is a 21st anniversary album. The North Coast has been a dreaming place for me and I gratefully acknowledge it's people and places, through these songs. The past few years have been enlightening & challenging, so it's with a sense of triumph that I write at the completion of this particular project.
There's a lot of friends that have helped shape the work you hold in your hands, "so many friends that I don't even know", and some that I do. Special thanks go to my Cloudcatcher Media friends Eve and David for being around, taking pictures/video, providing feedback and ideas, bringing food and drinks, and generally helping me kick the can along. You guys made the process more of a joy than it would have been.
Thank you Eve for the pictures/layout.
Thank you to all the generous people whose weddings/functions I've played at since the last time I said thank you. It is these people and events that have financially kept the boat afloat for me.
Thank you also to the North Coast Markets for fostering local free enterprise, culture and community. I especially thank Marny at Lismore Car Boot Market, where I've played regularly since 1997, also Steve at Ballina Twilight market (where the weather's fine!), Kim at Coffs Harbourside, among others over the years.
Thank you Pauline, John & Jen at Wrightway Products, Danny, Judi.
Thank you Ridley & Mika for the blueberries. Thank you Alan & Jan for the coffee. Greg & Marg for the burgers. Thank you Alan for my seat. To all those who've thrown money into my case, said an encouraging word, blessed me with a bag full of fresh North Coast produce; thank you.
I thank the friends I met at Bentley Blockade, thankyou Jim, Ian, everyone.
Thank you to these folks who gave ear to early drafts/mixes; lunch with my dear friends John & Chris, red wine and soup with Jane, David and Eve, balcony beer and sunshine with Justin, Tim, and Sam. Thanks Nick at 'The Audio Room' for impressively demonstrating whatever that new UK made bookshelf sound thing was.
Thank you to the folks at Paradise FM, and other radio stations for playing my songs.
Thank you to my friends/family at Centrechurch, our NET group, 'One In Christ' fellowship, volunteers and supporters of The Winsome Soup Kitchen, and Ballina Lighthouse Club.
Thank you to my closest little tribe; Lee, Rosie, Lauren and Clancy.

The general idea of this album has been incubating for a few years; to capture the feel and flavour of a North Coast singer, singing about life in a North Coast town, in an iconic North Coast hall. This proved difficult, given the amount of co-ordination involved with mic placement, computer operating, knob twiddling, heat, rain, noise, etc. and then attempting to actually play. So this album has been recorded many, many times over. Some of the best takes aren't on here, for different technical reasons, but I think the process has refined and informed the final result.
These songs were recorded at Keerong hall, Tullera hall, Wrightway Products Factory South Lismore, Whian Whian hall & Hanging Rock hall between 5/2/16-14/3/16.


Summerland- vocal from Sth Lismore, guitars reverb from Hanging Rock & Keerong

Casino- vocal/guitar from Whian Whian, reverb from Hanging Rock.

Mountain Blue - vocal from Hanging Rock, guitars/reverb Tullera, Sth Lismore & Keerong
Keep It Hot - vocal/guitar from Whian Whian, vocal edit/reverb Hanging Rock

Paradise - Vocal/guitar from Keerong, overdubs at The Space Cave, Lismore Heights

In A North Coast Town - Vocal from Hanging Rock, guitar/reverb Tullera & Keerong

Lismore Girl - vocal/guitar Sth Lismore, reverb Hanging Rock

Gently Bentley - Vocal/guitar Tullera, guitar/reverb Hanging Rock & Keerong

Three Strands - Piano/vocal/guitar/reverb Hanging Rock

Floodtown - guitar/vocal Hanging Rock(Viking Room), reverb Hanging Rock main hall

Noodling - combination stereo room mic tracks from all hall spaces

Born On Bundjalung Country - Vocal/guitar Tullera, reverb Keerong & Hanging Rock


All Words & Music written by Luke Vassella Copyright 2016.
Mixed & Produced by Luke Vassella at The Space Cave, Lismore Heights.

Photography & Layout Eve Jeffery & David Lowe www.cloudcatchermedia.com

Contact Luke mb:0416369583 info@lukevassella.com
www.lukevassella.com

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Luke Vassella Lismore, Australia

Luke is well known on the NSW North Coast and beyond as an inspirational performer.

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