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Is What You Make It

by TaxiCab Verses

/
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1.
Zero to Hero 04:21
Zero to Hero It is good. It is bad. To be a man. Getting a wife is beyond human wisdom Be bold, don’t rush, and keep no regret Lover boy I am telling you, watch your step You must fear woman Woman are sweet yes not always They are a tender wonder Serious naked delight. Serious naked delight, good god Don’t worry be positive virgin boy Honest love will shower you with the blessings Of a true Casanova. From a zero to a hero you will be.
2.
Charlie Parker I want to tell you about Mr. Living, VIP, B Man, the director of Groove City. He is the turbo intercooler mainline Charlie. Big Chef. There is no shaking Mr. Him. The Bird.
3.
Step by Step 05:16
Step by Step I heard a poor man he never chop stone. That’s good I’m a solid rock. If you do good, that’s good thinking. I grew up at the Ache Hotel Step by step I became Chief, I am strong. I know the Secret. No food for you, lazy man You hit the road train, Mr. Road, Obey your good mother, you mother. The secret is Jesus and Jesus is mine. Jesus saved my cheeba, thank you Jesus.
4.
Be Wise, Think Twice Hey old friend keep cool good friend freedom bar has the booze man blues It’s nice to be nice go slow, yeah, cool Friends today hey oh by the way our untouchable world’s got no spare Think twice and be wise. The storm is over Free your voice this day at hand of back for good yes we can Angels on guard when hell come again Angels, they think after death when hell come again Angels, they'll take the world when hell come again
5.
Tug of War 05:25
[Instrumental]
6.
Boyz Boyz 03:42
Boyz Boyz I seek knock, two sisters Ah who is this It’s me Lilo Lilo and let me in Ah who is this I am determined Oh, yeah? Well, Put down your cowbell and have some fresh milk Boyz Boyz, Ah, no size Boyz Boyz, Ah, surprise Anything can happen sweet lilly, cause and effect I am younger and you are fabulous Respect what I am and not that I am I am a grown man and I still love you darling. Darling please let me in Ah who is this Ah please darling I am still the action Ah who is this Oh please darling let me be your mister Ah who is this Boyz Boyz, Ah, no size Boyz Boyz, Ah, surprise
7.
Ajenjua 04:04
[Instrumental]
8.
First Things First (Obama Obama) First things first Mr. White Thank you, senior man for stepping off the stone of justice Observers have been worried about your propaganda, Mr. White Oh friend why did you not spare the euro circus your special simple wisdom. This is serious. Say what you like, Mr. White Destiny’s foresight brings our first black president to the White House Obama Obama, keep the fire burning It is he who Jah bless Daddy rich, that’s you Mr. White Time is money and it is time See you, Mr. White
9.
Dunia 05:32
[Instrumental]
10.
Wazor 03:23
Wazor Home is home Where we travel we tour In a London made transport Where drivers are rulers You see and go What’s yours is yours where we are Home is home Where we travel we tour In a London made transport Drivers are rulers Time changes Futures My humble egg is a house of lace Strong like the elephant We are survivors of the dot dot dot Home is home Where we travel we tour In a London made transport Drivers are rulers Time changes Futures Home is where we are

about

TaxiCab Verses is a project that was created by Athens musician, Jim Wilson. It’s a genre-defying, world warping, international collaboration between TaxiCab Verses (Athens, GA) and Kofi Atentenben and the Warriors (Accra, Ghana).

“Some years ago, Jim told me about a trip to Ghana he was planning where he hoped to get deeply acquainted with the vast, local music scene there. He always had a deep interest in the music of West Africa and although his trip was initially to do field recordings of local musicians there, it soon morphed into an all-encompassing project with Jim taking phrases he saw on the backs of the various taxicabs he rode in like “Be Wise, Think Twice” and “First Things First,” then writing them down and turning them into the basis of a series of songs.”

“He then took his field recordings of Ghana’s extremely talented Kofi Atentenben and the Warriors and had the idea of cross-pollinating them with musicians from his Athens hometown. The results became the TaxiCab Verses.”
— Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)

credits

released October 20, 2023

TRACK LISTING
1 – Zero to Hero
2 – Charlie Parker
3 – Step by Step
4 – Be Wise, Think Twice
5 – Tug of War
6 – Boyz Boyz
7 – Ajenjua
8 – First Things First (Obama Obama)
9 - Dunia
10 - Wazor

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CREDITS

Athens Musicians:
Chuck Bradburn - bass, upright bass
Melissa Colbert - backing vocals
John Fernandes - bass clarinet, violin
Marc Gilley - alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones
Bryan J. Howard - bass
Chris Heron - bass
Craig Lieske - electric guitar
Paul McHugh - keys
Richard Mikulka - electric guitar
Jacob Morris - cello
Brad Morgan - drums
Mumbi Okundaye - backing vocals
Matt Stoessel - electric guitar
Jef Whatley - electric guitar
Trish Whatley - backing vocals
Marc Tissenbaum - acoustic guitar
James A. Wilson - vocals, drums

Ghana Musicians:
Adjetey Quarshie - atenteben flute, shaker
Kojo Boateng - gome
Emmanuel Yaw Mensah - djembe, bells
Michael Okai - djembe, African congas
Agbo Kofi - bells, rattle, gome
Francis Agbo - xylophone
Daniel Sanbo - vocals
Akwetteh Yartey - congas, bells, rattle
Okoe Yartey - djembe, gome, congas
Gidi Agbeko - xylophone

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All songs by James A. Wilson
Sun Snake Music (BMI)

Except for “Tug of War” - The Faces


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Produced by Drew Vandenberg and James A. Wilson
Recorded by Drew Vandenberg at Flicker Theatre and Bar and at Chase Park Transduction in Athens, GA
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in New York, NY


Photos by Louis Jouve, Drew Vandenberg, James A. Wilson, and Matt Stoessel
Artwork by Armageddon Studio and James A. Wilson
Layout by Tom Bejgrowicz for Man Alive Creative

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about

TaxiCab Verses Athens, Georgia

TaxiCab Verses is a project that was created by Athens musician, Jim Wilson. It’s a genre-defying, world warping, international collaboration between TaxiCab Verses (Athens, GA) and Kofi Atentenben and the Warriors (Accra, Ghana).

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