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Looking For The Great Unseen

by Christopher Sleightholm

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  • Cassette + Digital Album

    This cassette features Looking For The Great Unseen and 2022’s The River Flew Right Past. This version contains full artwork for each album, with a reversible cover.

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1.
The snow is coming down under the light electric blue. I see a twig curved like your eyebrow and I remember I forgot you. Back then the weekends felt like they would last all night. I put my hands in my pocket, keep walking and I thank the light. Don’t know what I’m going through, And I forgot to remember you. Now you’re gone and I am too, And I forgot to remember you. We were a stain on each other’s memories. I don’t think about you now that I’ve been released. CS: vocals, electric 12 & 6 string guitars, acoustic 12 string Andy Beisel: bass, vocals Marshall Burns: acoustic guitar Ian Cameron: drums, tambourine Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar
2.
I’ve been driving so long, I got someplace to be. Regina in the rearview, the prairie sage dithers. The lights on the dashboard dance to Ian & Sylvia. I’ve been trying to tell you, but I got nothing to say. Vancouver didn’t do it, Calgary blew it, Meadow Lake’s so far away from me. A road that goes on and on and on and on. Don’t know if I’ll make it to you tonight. I would but I’m quickly losing the light. I want to see you, that is true. I hope this road leads back to you. I’ve been flying solo, going from A to B. ’78 Plymouth burns up gas like air Especially getting up the height of land in winter. I’ve been driving so long, nowhere else to be. You see the lights then they disappear Beneath the horizon of jack pine trees. CS: vocals, electric 12 & 6 string guitars, shaker Andy Beisel: bass, vocals Marshall Burns: acoustic guitar, vocals Piper Burns: cowbell Ian Cameron: drums, tambourine Devon Floyd: vocals Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar
3.
Birdie, go slowly and with your song, And me with my feet below me I’ll sing along, Though I jostle to be free, I can be no one else but me. Try to say things, that rarely come out as planned, There are things about me even I don’t understand. Let the records tell a story. They hint toward little bits of me. I rhyme words that I like, Cloak their meaning in twangy psych, And I play in a ton of bands, Yet there are things about me even I don’t understand. Birdie, I’m trying to stay real with you. If we keep flying it’ll be an easy thing to do. Sometimes I’ll probably go quiet, That’s my own nature that I fight. Take the reverb from my voice and remove the pan. There are things about me even I don’t understand. CS: vocals, acoustic 12 string guitar, tambourine Ian Cameron: pedal steel guitar Lucas Goetz: drums Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar Lenore Maier: vocals Chris Mason: bass
4.
Sour cherry moonshine Jane, she’ll drink up the whole damn plain. Let her roam lose for she can’t be tamed, She’s sour cherry moonshine Jane. You won’t forget her name. She’s sour cherry moonshine Jane, she knows if she’ll be staying On a blanket on the beach listening to Sade. She’s sour cherry moonshine Jane. You won’t forget her name, she’s sour cherry moonshine Jane. She’s sour cherry moonshine Jane, purple lips and tongue wine-stained. She spills the jar of booze again, she’s sour cherry moonshine Jane. You won’t forget her name, she’s sour cherry moonshine Jane. CS: vocals, electric 12 & 6 string guitars, drum machine, keyboard Andy Beisel: bass Marshall Burns: acoustic guitar Ian Cameron: drums, pedal steel guitar Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar Amber Pb: viola
5.
I won’t sit here and pretend that coming from Saskatchewan Doesn’t mean different things to different people. There’s beards in trucks; hats and sunglasses vaping down a bumpy highway. Chris asks if we wanna stay and see how the other side lives, boys See how the other side lives All the Chads call their partners woman and knock down fifteen shots In as many minutes, I guess that makes them feel they’re men. It’s like my friend Tim says, “we’re living in the new Sask.” Marshall asks if we wanna stay and see how the other side lives, boys See how the other side lives. Saskatchewan got a shoutout on Lou Reed’s “Stupid Man,” And in The Sopranos first season. The references are great but it doesn’t highlight the fact that Buffy’s from here. Piper asks if we wanna stay and see how the other side lives, boys See how the other side lives. I hate topical songs, they sound too preachy, And they always age terribly. In this song I fear that I sound like a late-period Neil Young. Chris asks if we wanna stay and see how the other side lives, boys See how the other side lives. CS: vocals, electric 12 & 6 string acoustic guitars, organ, shaker Ian Cameron: tambourine Lucas Goetz: drums, organ Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar Chris Mason: bass
6.
You’re leaving shadows strewn across the floor, Something where you once were. Is it a feeling, or just a closing door? Am I somewhat sure? The floorboards creak and moan Out your name, An echo, a silent refrain, A shadow and nothing more. You’re leaving shadows across the windowpane, When I look its disappeared. I hear your footsteps gingerly walk away. I stare back at myself in the mirror. The domestic world is a blank canvas To be sketched upon, On the bedspread where you used to lay But forgot to stay. I’m leaving shadows effortlessly, Forgetting where I’ve been. Sometimes it’s like you’ve gotten into me, The moments I’m still captured in. The fridge still hums and the furnace drones, Though you wouldn’t remember them. You’re leaving shadows in my home I wish that you’d be going. I never even think of you, you know So why are you still leaving shadows? CS: vocals, acoustic & electric 6 string guitars, sleigh bells, synth Vanessa Benson: vocals Lucas Goetz: drums, organ Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar Chris Mason: bass
7.
Blue City 02:57
I don’t know what I’m gonna do, Got something that I wanted to say to you. Don’t know if I should say it Because I might regret it, I always do. I’ll just wait a couple weeks, And hope that you will too Because I’m bored and indifferent without you, Lost and lonely in a city that is blue Blue city I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I got a new song but I wouldn’t want to sing it to you. You don’t say much I don’t say anything, You wouldn’t hear it it’s the same as anything I always do, And when the weather turns and the wind doesn’t burn I’ll bored and indifferent without you Lost and lonely in a city that is blue. Blue city And when the weather turns I hope I will too. I’ll bored and indifferent without you. Lost and lonely in a city that is blue. Blue city CS: vocals, electric 6 string guitar, piano Andy Beisel: bass, vocals Marshall Burns: acoustic guitar, vocals Ian Cameron: drums, tambourine Devon Floyd: vocals Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar
8.
Waking every morning and wanting to stay at home. All roads lead me back to my own front door. Living is nothing if working’s your only friend. Hallelujah, it’s quitting time again. I only work for the money and that doesn’t come free. Let me go back to where someone waits for me. 4:00 is too far, but I’ll be here until then. Hallelujah, it’s quitting time again. Don’t make work until I die with my glasses covered in paint. Hallelujah, it’s quitting time again. It doesn’t make much sense to leave everything you love for the day, To change the colours of rooms from Monday to Friday. And I wonder what I’d be doing if I wasn’t here. Hallelujah, it’s quitting time again CS: vocals, electric 12 string guitar Andy Beisel: bass, vocals Marshall Burns: acoustic guitar, vocals Ian Cameron: drums, pedal steel guitar, tambourine
9.
You can’t speak with a mouth full of wine. Words won’t form and if they could you would be lying. Run, woman, run stay away from him. You can’t speak with a mouth full of wine. You can’t think right with a head full of beer. Even tomorrow his thoughts still won’t be clear. Don’t listen to him or try to make sense. You can’t think right with a head full of beer. When his mouth is full you can take that as a sign. He can hardly verbalize between swallows, that lonesome whine. His actions never match the things he says he’ll change. You can’t speak with a mouth full of wine. CS: vocals, electric 6 string guitars Andy Beisel: bass Marshall Burns: acoustic & electric 6 string guitars Piper Burns: cowbell Ian Cameron: drums, shaker Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar Lenore Maier: vocals Amber Pb: viola
10.
I got drunk and it lasted for days. There’s crust in my eyes and holes in my brain. And I don’t even know what is today. I’m driving fast going north on the #16 highway. Looking for the great unseen. The highway’s a blur and there’s sweat on my head. It’s still hot as shit even though the sun’s going down up ahead. The stereo’s playing Peter Rowan’s “Panama Red.” I’m out here trying to recapture something that’s definitely dead. Looking for the great unseen. Rolling through the valley, through the fog and losing light. I only got two cigarettes left, and Lord, that ain’t right. Saskatoon is up ahead, the gilded palace of night. I bet if I saw myself now I’d go home, well I still just might. Looking for the great unseen. CS: vocals, electric 6 string guitar Andy Beisel: bass, pedal steel guitar Marshall Burns: acoustic guitar Ian Cameron: drums, shaker Clayton Linthicum: electric 6 string guitar
11.
Lilacs are blooming, all aflame. Lavender daydream we are the same, But I can’t stare at the sun. Your anthers quiver and I’ve none. But I’ve been dreaming since I met you. Lilacs are flaming, all abloom. Petals prance past peculiarly. Love’s lost leaving longingly. I have stared into the dark Corridors of my heart. If you want to leave, please come back, We can bloom again if we look into the sun. CS: vocals, electric 12 & acoustic guitars, drums, bass, synth, piano, tambourine
12.
I was a sailor on a choppy sea, Until the tide brought you to me. I was descending into the sound, Water lapped starboard then I ran aground. The crow is cawing, but not for me. The trees are budding with brand new leaves. Love is here and we are in tune, So let’s sit here baby, beneath the psychedelic moon. We walk the streets and stay on dry land. In the lunar light I held your hand. The solstice comes but it won’t stay, But I will for at least another day. CS: vocals, electric & acoustic 12 string & baritone guitars, synth, keyboards, drum machine, bass, drums Lenore Maier: vocals

credits

released November 3, 2023

Produced, mixed and recorded by: Christopher Sleightholm @ Song Has No End Studio June - August 2023
Mastered by: Orion Paradis @ SoulSound Studio
Images by: Jane McCreight
Layout & design by: Mason Pitzel

Extra special thanks to all the humans who played and sang on this album. Their talents are truly special and made these songs what they are.

All songs by: Christopher Sleightholm
Except "Sour Cherry Moonshine Jane” by: Jane McCreight and Christopher Sleightholm

The Beautiful Band:
Andy Beisel - bass, pedal steel, vocals
Vanessa Benson - vocals
Marshall Burns - acoustic and electric guitars, vocals
Piper Burns - percussion
Ian Cameron - drums, pedal steel, percussion
Devon Floyd -vocals
Lucas Goetz - drums, organ
Clayton Linthicum - electric guitars
Chris Mason - bass
Lenore Maier - vocals
Amber Pb - viola
Christopher Sleightholm - acoustic and electric guitars, vocals, keyboards, drums, percussion

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Snake River regina, Saskatchewan

Music inspired by the residents of Snake River Mountain & Mr. McKruski.

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