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Low Spirit

by Jack M. Senff

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    12" vinyl LP housed in a full color jacket. Includes lyric insert.

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1.
Low Spirit 05:28
I hear tolling bells in the valley I hear longing in the shadow around me I hear a scared boy, spitting in my face “Just because we’re rooted doesn’t mean we’re in place.” But I hear it gets easier Watching a good thing die— That’s time spilling through the cracks in my hand I’m a low spirit in a strange land Oh yeah In the morning I see righteous conviction That I am someone who someone should listen But by night I see a fool in the moon’s glow Another Day not playing on the radio... But I’ve seen what it means to be humbled To be no one, or nothing at all— That’s time spilling through the cracks in my hand I’m a low spirit in a strange land Oh yeah Then I smell blood hanging thick in the air I smell the shame & the anger we share I smell the sorrow rank & unrelating It’s been hard to watch the world as it’s ending Yeah it’s been hard to watch the world as it’s ending… & though there might be hope come tomorrow It’s always just out of reach in the moment— That’s time spilling through the cracks in my hand I’m a low spirit in a strange land Oh yeah Birds eye view, so weary, whiling/ Overwhelmed by darkness but I’m trying/ Sky above the sun’s resigning/ Overwhelmed by darkness but I’m trying— That’s time spilling through the cracks in my hand I’m a low spirit in a strange land
2.
Well you spend your whole life lookin’ For some bullshit Made-up purpose Mostly helpless But who can help it? We’re all chasing But who knows what after So much work for how little it seems to matter What’s the point? Of really anything When everything feels terrible What’s the point? Of moving forward When every road leads nowhere What’s the point? What’s the point? Of so much wonder When the watchtower’s view spans Forever… What’s the point? Of such abandon When the whole wide world feels abandoned… What’s the point? There is sadness & it’s infinite In the quiet space between Grains of sand in a glass A heaven so fragile Like gossamer thread unspooling What’s the point?
3.
Passing reflection The old man somber Sometimes forgets he’s a young man No longer Dropped bombs over Vietnam Tried to make good with God Sometimes forgets how quick Life keeps movin’ on Never had much money Just enough to get by What he wouldn’t give For another chance to fly All those flowers in Panama A cheap place to rent What he wouldn’t give To see blue sky again Always thought he’d be of August company Can’t recall where it all went wrong What it’s supposed to mean Who’s that man looking back in the window? Can’t be, he thinks No way that man is me Hand stretched to the sun, Like he almost had it But he traded his ambition for a killer habit Tracked down the devil Told him you can can have it Tastes sweet like honey The escape’s like magic Now he lives out his days at a coffee shop Oh, the best he was A man that time forgot (Chorus)
4.
When the well runs dry That’ll be the end of it That’ll be the catalyst For a long drive Or we could take a train Shouldn’t have to go too far Sorta starts to look the same The hills & the pines & the stars in the lake I heard a voice once say It gets easier Watching a good thing die Watching it pass you by I swore I heard a voice say You can watch it all collapse You can just sit back Let the thunder roll on We’re just dancing in the dark Maybe we should jump See where the river leads It’s only ever you & me Just you & me We could pack a bag Or we could leave it all behind With the rest of what we had The roots & the vines & the plans that we make I heard a voice once say It gets easier Watching a good thing die Watching it pass you by I swear I heard a voice say You can watch it all collapse You can just sit back Let the thunder roll on Roll on…
5.
Nowhere, OK 05:12
Somewhere off the highway In Nowhere, Oklahoma I can just make Texas As a line divides the sky That lonesome horizon of song & passerby— Someone call a tow truck I think the van might blow up I really want to get home I think I want to give up— So convinced I am dying Yes, as we speak Let me sell you my symptoms Well? What do you think? Am I dying? Is this where I go, On the side of the road In Nowhere, Oklahoma?
6.
Mick & Keith 04:36
Mother calling out for her young Had a daughter & a couple of sons Gone now a while But their ain’t no bond like blood Please I just need my kids Doesn’t matter what you think I did Come now running You don’t know the pain I live ‘Cuz in the back of her mind She’s out of time No telling when she’ll go Poor mother, alone C’mon honey just try What’s yours well, it outta be mine Besides, I just have to see Mick & Keith ‘Fore I die Please won’t you help me kid? Just forgive me of whatever my sin Come now running You don’t know the pain I live ‘Cuz in the back of her mind She’s out time No solace for the soul Poor mother, alone Crying now anger & tears Can’t remember what she did with the years Voice on the wire But there’s nobody left to hear A mother calling out for her young Sweet daughter & her beautiful sons Gone now a while But there ain’t no bond like blood
7.
No good vibrations A racked foundation Whole lot of anger Not really your nature… Got a rat in the silo You should set them free You’re not their’s to borrow They’re not yours to feed Tumbling helter-skelter Just have to find your shelter There is refuge in process— Say fuck ‘em, be honest Some people are garbage Really awful & rotten Don’t let your hurt be a harvest Don’t let your heart be an option No one can take That thing that makes you great What goes around, comes around Can’t let ‘em get you Down
8.
Girl on a park bench In a part of town she’s never been Casually leafing through a book on wild horses When a man sees her reading He says, “hello, may I ask what you’re reading?” & she says, “it’s a book on wild horses, from the thrift store on the avenue. Now tell me, how can I help you?” & he says “I couldn’t help but notice the sun through the trees, how it makes you glow, so I was wondering if I could, if I should, ask you your name?” & she says, “sorry I don’t think so… but I appreciate the gesture, maybe another time?” Then she offers a smile & he returns a frown “Another time, maybe,” he says & she turns her attention back To her book on wild horses As she thinks about the world & how fleeting it seems to be
9.
Sundown over providence The rolling hills & promises of life & love The way it was But it’s a bittersweet, hey, come on The way it was is gone Yeah it’s gone, gone, gone & it’s never coming back Our eyes are open wide— We’re running but there’s nowhere left to hide When everyday’s more the same Prophecy of fire & rain The pain so bad you can’t imagine— We have killers wearing badges Our humanity abandoned & a dollar let’s it happen God it feels so doomed But we’re all in this together We have to give it our best shot Let’s eat the rich & get those bastard cops ‘Cuz we’re all in this together Yeah we’re all in this together Poor children of the earth Watching as she dies Shouldering the burden of goodbye— Sundown over providence The rolling hills & promises of life & love The way it was But it’s a bittersweet, hey, come on The way it was is gone… But we’re all in this together Yeah we’re all in this tougher & maybe it’s not so bad Or maybe it’s just too late We’re all in this together either way Yeah we’re all in this together either way
10.
Little Light 04:30
Birds eye view So weary, whiling Overwhelmed by darkness But I’m trying A restless heart As I circle, wildly This almighty low I’ve been fighting Show me a path Give me sign this will pass A cold wind blows But how long can it last? Hope springs in season— I just need a little light to believe in It’s been valley upon valley I climb up then I come down You’d think that I’d be singin’ A different song by now But it’s all I have to hold & follow Where the river bends & swallows (Chorus) In the golden flood of the morning I see the mountain high as I’m soaring There is color still unfolding Just want to know where the hell I’m going Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah (Chorus)
11.
Mama, mercy, what are we do Such a mess that we’ve been living through Heavy on the mind Well, I’ll take what I can find When I’m walking ‘round with you Chewing on the why & the how Wondering what the hell this is about Working overtime just to meet a bottom line Well, I say send it, ‘cuz we’re only here now Sky above, our luck’s bound to change Let’s hurry home & make love After the rain Lately I’ve been underneath a weight Buried by the things I want to say I’ve known the dark before but I don’t need it anymore Will you tell me I’m gonna be okay? Low spirit, I just gotta be okay… ‘Cuz if I’m happy in the moment, Shining bright Ain’t that enough? Oh it would be something to forget! What I was dreaming of Dreaming of… Sky above, our luck’s bound to change Let’s hurry home & make love After the rain Heart of mine, this life is what we’ve made Let’s hurry home & make love After the rain

about

Northern Michigan songwriter Jack M. Senff has spent more than a decade quietly chasing down his version of the truth. From an auspicious start in cult-favorite screamo projects Merchant Ships and William Bonney, to the post-punk offerings of Knola or the indie-rock experiment Boy Rex, Senff has always traded in the immediacy of feeling and personal storytelling in pursuit of some universal connection to the world around us. His songs tend to exist in the insular moments between, informed by or immediately adjacent to the pendulum of everyday life.

Since embracing his given name in 2018, Senff has worked tirelessly to blend the languages of his various influence to find his own voice inside the modern Americana sound. Utilizing elements of 70’s folk rock (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt), 90’s singer-songwriter (Tracey Chapman, Marc Cohn, Sam Phillips), and modern day acts (Hiss Golden Messenger, Big Thief), his music is at once familiar and strange, decidedly moving to the rhythm of its own pulse.

With ‘Low Spirit’ Jack M. Senff continues building on the foundation laid out in 2020’s ‘These Northwood Blues,” expanding the sonic palette to create an immersive, dynamic experience. With the help of his Rolling Hill Band, Senff and co. take the listener on a rollercoaster journey into devastating valleys and soaring peaks, crafting a record in turns melancholy and joyous, reflective, bittersweet. Backed by an incredible group of friends and collaborators, ‘Low Spirit’ sees Senff reaching new heights, his music finally starting to align with the ragged ambition pulsing at the heart of all his work as he chases down, quietly, his version of the truth. And at least until the next one, this is as close as he’s ever gotten to finding it.

This record is a product of many helpful hands, and the compassionate, steadfast support of Sean & Mo Hermann.

My heartfelt thanks to the so-called Rolling Hill Band for contributing their time, their talent, and their patience.

We are indebted to our friend Vic for opening her home & swimming pool to us wily punks, and to Em for cooking us dinner every night during Summer Camp.

A thanks to Eric, Mason, Emma, Peggy, Sco, Dunker, Aunt Deb & Profpain45, Charli, Lev-iss, Rachel, Little King’s dad, Kelly & Scott, HL & B, my HG crew, all our Northern Michigan friends... more than a lot, the kindness & generosity of others lives deep in the foundation of this album.

A special thanks as well to Chuck for all the coffee, and to Jason at Common Good Bakery along with the various friends/family/strangers who helped raise a little extra money to make the dream come true.

My love & appreciation to all of you still rooting.

This one, as always, is for & because of Em Randall, light of my entire life.

credits

released June 3, 2022

PERSONNEL

Jack M. Senff - Singing, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Brian Morgante - Electric Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Organ, Singing
Austin Stawowczyk (“The Wizard”) - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, Banjo, Merlin, Piano, Organ, Bass, Singing
Austin Carter - Bass, Singing
Morgan Arrowood - Piano, Singing
Schyler Binkley - Drums, Percussion, Singing
Tyler Floyd - Singing, Misc. King work

CREDITS

All songs written by Jack M. Senff
Except “Thunder Roll On” written by Jack M. Senff & Em Randall
Produced by Jack M. Senff, Brian Morgante, and Tyler Floyd, with critical contribution from The Rolling Hill Band
Executive produced by Scott Senff (who did not play trumpet on this one…)
Engineering and mixing by Tyler Floyd
Mastering by Bill Henderson at Azimuth Mastering
Art direction & layout by Brian Morgante of Flesh & Bone Design
Photography by Harpe Star
Additional consultation by Em Randall

Arranged over the course of a week & against many odds at Vic’s house in Bear Lake, Michigan in the summer of 2021, then recorded the next week at Eureka Records in Wyandotte, Michigan.

Copyright 2022 Jack M. Senff, BMI

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Jack M. Senff Traverse City, Michigan

Jack M. Senff is a songwriter from Northern Michigan.

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