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Original Compositions...

Everywhere I go, folks ask me about my songwriting, so I finally decided to post some of my original compositions; stuff I recorded with my band The Heddy Brothers back in 2010 (or thereabouts), and stuff I recorded, or re-recorded solo-acoustic.  I've also added a bit of context for each tune. Send me an email, let me know what you think...JH

Song 1 - The Heddy Brothers
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Composed in 2009, this is the first song I ever sat down and wrote, start to finish. Recorded at the Warming Room Studio with The Heddy Borhters.

Churchbell Blues - The Heddy Brothers
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Another one from the Warming Room with Chris Dogias on lead guitar. Reflective, two-step, country-rock tune.

Churchbell Blues Acoustic Version - by John Hill
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Here's the solo-acoustic version...this was the second or maybe third song I wrote for the Songs About Life EP.  Re-recorded in 2018.

Nina's Song - by John Hill
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I got in touch with an old friend I've known since the 5th grade.  She asked me to write her a song...this one's for you Nina, wherever you are.

Finger for the Moon - by John Hill
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"Don't mistake the Finger for the Moon" is from a Zen Koan which for me is a reminder: rejoice in the truth, not the teacher.

Keeping the Dogs at Bay - by John Hill
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At some point I'll dig up The Heddy Brothers version of this tune which in my opinion is one of our most-rockin' tunes...here's the solo-acoustic version.

You Are What You're Trying to Find - by John Hill
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...or to put it another way, What's looking is what you're looking for. Another in my catalog of songs about spiritual awakening.

Dance with Me - The Heddy Brothers
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Always a favorite at The Heddy Bothers shows.  A fun song, intent on getting the crowd moving.

The Last Fighting Tommy - The Heddy Brothers
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Conceived as a anti-war folk song.  In WW I British Soldiers were known as "Fighting Tommy's".  Harry Patch was the last one, he died a pacifist in 2009.

Freeborn John - The Heddy Brothers
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A Punk Rock tune.  "Freeborn" John Lilburne was jailed in 1639 without due process, his imprisonment began the struggle for Miranda Rights.

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Do It For Yourself - The Heddy Brothers
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Take Me With You - The Heddy Brothers
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An autobiographical tale of unrequited  love; some of the lyrics were inspired by Peter Townshend and Abraham Lincoln. 

This one's a pop song based on a real conversation I had with a soon-to-be ex-girlfriend.  She took me with her but then she kicked me out.  

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It Doesn't Matter to the Universe - by John Hill
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The Clingy Type - The Heddy Brothers
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I went back to the Warming Room Studio after the Heddy Brothers broke apart and cut this nihilistic punk-folk tune. 

Blues tune based on a conversation I overheard at the Lark Tavern sometime in 2009.

Heddy Bros Black Dog Session November 20
Misspent Youth - by John Hill
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One of my personal favorites.  I think this folk song was recorded in 2010

at Black Dog Studio with Chris Dogias.

Heddy Bros Black Dog Session November 20
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 John Hill is an Albany NY Singer Songwriter performing throughout the upper Hudson Valley including Saratoga Springs, Windham, Woodstock, Cairo, Lake George and Lake Placid, as well as Vermont including Bennington, Manchester, Stratton and Bondville, as well as Cape Cod Ma. including Orleans, Harwich Port, Dennis and Wellfleet.

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