Copyright © 2012 – Reid Genauer and The Assembly of Dust
Some Assembly Required
Released 2009
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Each of Assembly of Dust's songs are realized with an ace band – Genauer on vocals and rhythm guitar, lead guitarist Adam Terrell, bassist John Leccese and drummer Andy Herrick – and a diverse collection of collaborators (including Béla Fleck, David Grisman, John Scofield, Mike Gordon, Richie Havens, and Martin Sexton). Highlights include: opener “All That I am Now,” with Genauer trading verses with Havens over a galloping, insistent beat and swirls of psychedelic guitar, the “Strawberry Fields”-esque “Arc of the Sun,” the aching beauty of “Light Blue Lover” with Genauer backed by the supple harmonies of Grace Potter and the guitar work of Tony Rice, and the country shuffle of “Leadbelly,” enhanced by the masterful pedal steel of Jerry Douglas.
CLICK SONG TITLES TO VIEW LYRICS
01. All That I Am Now 03:38
featuring Richie Havens
Genauer
I was born in a dusty cloud • Fragile and frayed at the edge of sound • And that's all that I am now • I was raised in a great expanse • Cradled and kept by an old tree branch • And that's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • An escapade in blue • More false than true • You can cut me down but don't cut me out • Good men labor in the noon day dance • Blistered and broken by circumstance • And that's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • So I passed • With a passing age • Most were lost but some were saved • And that's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • An escapade in blue • More false than true • You can cut me down but don't cut me out • That's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • All that I am now
02. Pedal Down 03:50
featuring Zach and Andrew Gabbard (Buffalo Killers)I was born in a dusty cloud • Fragile and frayed at the edge of sound • And that's all that I am now • I was raised in a great expanse • Cradled and kept by an old tree branch • And that's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • An escapade in blue • More false than true • You can cut me down but don't cut me out • Good men labor in the noon day dance • Blistered and broken by circumstance • And that's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • So I passed • With a passing age • Most were lost but some were saved • And that's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • An escapade in blue • More false than true • You can cut me down but don't cut me out • That's all that I am now • That's all that I am now • All that I am now
Genauer
A whole world of people caught a ride • And simply stated they were faded for a humbling surprise • I feel so helpless in my car • I put the pedal down and travel down connected tar • I set the dial but I wake before it rings • I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing • A foul voice was speaking on the tide • So tie your courage to a stake and hope the water subsides • I hope the water subsides • I set the dial but I wake before it rings • I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing • Nothing's for free so you better not lend it • Nothing's for free, it will break if you bend it, it will break if it bends • I feel so helpless in my house • I pull the shutters closed and shuttle all these words from my mouth • I set the dial but I wake before it rings • I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing • In the day or the night time no one's steering this thing • Mother of Christ no one's steering this thing • Hold on tightly no one's steering this thing
03. Cold Coffee 03:41
featuring David GrismanA whole world of people caught a ride • And simply stated they were faded for a humbling surprise • I feel so helpless in my car • I put the pedal down and travel down connected tar • I set the dial but I wake before it rings • I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing • A foul voice was speaking on the tide • So tie your courage to a stake and hope the water subsides • I hope the water subsides • I set the dial but I wake before it rings • I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing • Nothing's for free so you better not lend it • Nothing's for free, it will break if you bend it, it will break if it bends • I feel so helpless in my house • I pull the shutters closed and shuttle all these words from my mouth • I set the dial but I wake before it rings • I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing • In the day or the night time no one's steering this thing • Mother of Christ no one's steering this thing • Hold on tightly no one's steering this thing
Genauer
Cold coffee and a couple of bucks come the morning commute • I collect myself as I collect my change • Just south of Fordham station I locked eyes with a stranger • She shunned my gaze but shared my pain • I can't wake another morning, no • Just to fake it one more day or two • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • I walk the shining staircase • Tooth colored cascade • And count the ways that I intersect • Daylight and dollar signs and soft depression • The pastel shades my face reflects • I can't wake another morning, no • Just to fake it one more day or two • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • My dear I fear I have to concede • I might I might I might not succeed • I can't wake another morning, no • Just to fake it one more day or two • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • My head on straight a half an inch so I can get home to you
04. Arc of the Sun 05:13
featuring Mike Gordon (Phish)Cold coffee and a couple of bucks come the morning commute • I collect myself as I collect my change • Just south of Fordham station I locked eyes with a stranger • She shunned my gaze but shared my pain • I can't wake another morning, no • Just to fake it one more day or two • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • I walk the shining staircase • Tooth colored cascade • And count the ways that I intersect • Daylight and dollar signs and soft depression • The pastel shades my face reflects • I can't wake another morning, no • Just to fake it one more day or two • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • My dear I fear I have to concede • I might I might I might not succeed • I can't wake another morning, no • Just to fake it one more day or two • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through • My head on straight a half an inch so I can get home to you
Genauer
Make yourself at home we've been expecting you, we've been waiting for you to arrive • Black and white images encircling you and tracking the light from your eyes • Raising you high like the arc of the sun • You have arrived, you have begun • Language is blue and lavender days and decades pass with dazzling speed • The sun has come with blossom red clouds and almond shaped eyes from the seed • Raising you high like the arc of the sun • You have arrived, you have begun • You have just begun • We've been expecting • You have just begun • Shake from your ankles and summon your voice and introduce the trickle of time • Everything's new and turning afresh and everything is always divine • Raising you high like the arc of the sun • You have arrived, you have begun • You have just begun • We've been expecting, we've been expecting • You have just begun • We've been expecting • You have just begun • Arc of the sun • Arc of the sun
05. The Second Song 04:11
featuring Keller WilliamsMake yourself at home we've been expecting you, we've been waiting for you to arrive • Black and white images encircling you and tracking the light from your eyes • Raising you high like the arc of the sun • You have arrived, you have begun • Language is blue and lavender days and decades pass with dazzling speed • The sun has come with blossom red clouds and almond shaped eyes from the seed • Raising you high like the arc of the sun • You have arrived, you have begun • You have just begun • We've been expecting • You have just begun • Shake from your ankles and summon your voice and introduce the trickle of time • Everything's new and turning afresh and everything is always divine • Raising you high like the arc of the sun • You have arrived, you have begun • You have just begun • We've been expecting, we've been expecting • You have just begun • We've been expecting • You have just begun • Arc of the sun • Arc of the sun
Genauer / Wilson
The second song came softly • He heard it seeping through the vent • The notes were long and languished • They described their circumstance • The rent was halfway spent • The day was peeling hot • She asked can we leave this place? He answered probably not • They had less than they guessed but more than they knew • That second song was the best they could do • And all of the while there were two: one eyed green and one eyed blue • They came from somewhere simple • A place too plain to be described • She found her own dimensions • Ran like the color of her eyes • She looked with one eye green • And one eye cobalt blue • He looked right back at them • And shivered through and through • They had less than they guessed but more than they knew • That second song was the best they could do • And all of the while there were two: one eyed green and one eyed blue • He heard his name ring hollow as it sputtered from her mouth • He heard the door frame shudder as she shuttled from the house • She left one green eyed child and one with cobalt blue • He held them close at hand and wondered what he would do • They had less than they guessed but more than they knew • That second song was the best they could do • And all of the while there were two: one eyed green and one eyed blue
06. Light Blue Lover 05:03
featuring Grace Potter and Tony RiceThe second song came softly • He heard it seeping through the vent • The notes were long and languished • They described their circumstance • The rent was halfway spent • The day was peeling hot • She asked can we leave this place? He answered probably not • They had less than they guessed but more than they knew • That second song was the best they could do • And all of the while there were two: one eyed green and one eyed blue • They came from somewhere simple • A place too plain to be described • She found her own dimensions • Ran like the color of her eyes • She looked with one eye green • And one eye cobalt blue • He looked right back at them • And shivered through and through • They had less than they guessed but more than they knew • That second song was the best they could do • And all of the while there were two: one eyed green and one eyed blue • He heard his name ring hollow as it sputtered from her mouth • He heard the door frame shudder as she shuttled from the house • She left one green eyed child and one with cobalt blue • He held them close at hand and wondered what he would do • They had less than they guessed but more than they knew • That second song was the best they could do • And all of the while there were two: one eyed green and one eyed blue
Genauer
Who left this light blue lover lying in the cave of my chest • Who left me holding silence even though it might have been best • No way, no one, no where could ever confess • To've known such pleasure in such plural excess • I hope that one day I might catch my breath • But I gotta let her go I guess • My shadow aches and itches it's a sentiment my silence permits • I walk through foggy feelings with punctuated pain when it hits • No way, no one, no where could ever express • The way her body met the hem of her dress • I hope that someday I might churn with her flesh • But I gotta let her go I guess • There's no light, there's just night • I hope to rest but I gotta let her go I guess • I gotta let her go I guess • Light blue lover in my chest • I gotta let her go I guess • Light blue lover in my chest
07. Edges 04:52
featuring Béla FleckWho left this light blue lover lying in the cave of my chest • Who left me holding silence even though it might have been best • No way, no one, no where could ever confess • To've known such pleasure in such plural excess • I hope that one day I might catch my breath • But I gotta let her go I guess • My shadow aches and itches it's a sentiment my silence permits • I walk through foggy feelings with punctuated pain when it hits • No way, no one, no where could ever express • The way her body met the hem of her dress • I hope that someday I might churn with her flesh • But I gotta let her go I guess • There's no light, there's just night • I hope to rest but I gotta let her go I guess • I gotta let her go I guess • Light blue lover in my chest • I gotta let her go I guess • Light blue lover in my chest
Genauer
Old man at the edge of the park and everybody knows him • Everyone is heavy of heart but nobody shows him • On their way downtown • Wearing paper crowns • They wear crowns • Only the edges are real • Colors come cracking and peeled • You purposely push what you feel away • Black dog day • Falling from the edge of his hand comes an empty question • It registers with both of your eyes and lodges a suggestion • Just a matter of degree • Separates that man from me • That man from me • Only the edges are real • Colors come cracking and peeled • You purposely push what you feel away • Black dog day • Old man at the edge of the park with an empty grey expression • You oscillate between steel blue and muddy brown depression • Trading shades of light and dark • Some men end where others start • Where others start • Only the edges are real • Colors come cracking and peeled • You purposely push what you feel away • Black dog away, away • Black dog day
08. Leadbelly 04:17
featuring Jerry DouglasOld man at the edge of the park and everybody knows him • Everyone is heavy of heart but nobody shows him • On their way downtown • Wearing paper crowns • They wear crowns • Only the edges are real • Colors come cracking and peeled • You purposely push what you feel away • Black dog day • Falling from the edge of his hand comes an empty question • It registers with both of your eyes and lodges a suggestion • Just a matter of degree • Separates that man from me • That man from me • Only the edges are real • Colors come cracking and peeled • You purposely push what you feel away • Black dog day • Old man at the edge of the park with an empty grey expression • You oscillate between steel blue and muddy brown depression • Trading shades of light and dark • Some men end where others start • Where others start • Only the edges are real • Colors come cracking and peeled • You purposely push what you feel away • Black dog away, away • Black dog day
Genauer / Wilson
In the echo hall • Stood the prisoner of a cold cell • A man of any age filled the sunlit cage • Dead or living you could hardly tell • He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang • Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang • He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept • But when he played his song men laughed and children wept • Leadbelly you had better find a song to say you're true • Because the wardens come and you won't see the sun tomorrow, unless you do • He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang • Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang • He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept • But when he played his song men laughed and children wept • In the echo hall • Stood the prisoner of a cold cell • He had killed a man - son of the bottom land • Dead or living you could hardly tell • He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang • Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang • He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept • But when he played his song men laughed and children wept • Leadbelly you had better find a song to say you're true • Leadbelly live forever in these tortured jailhouse blues
09. Borrowed Feet 03:41
featuring John ScofieldIn the echo hall • Stood the prisoner of a cold cell • A man of any age filled the sunlit cage • Dead or living you could hardly tell • He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang • Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang • He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept • But when he played his song men laughed and children wept • Leadbelly you had better find a song to say you're true • Because the wardens come and you won't see the sun tomorrow, unless you do • He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang • Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang • He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept • But when he played his song men laughed and children wept • In the echo hall • Stood the prisoner of a cold cell • He had killed a man - son of the bottom land • Dead or living you could hardly tell • He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang • Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang • He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept • But when he played his song men laughed and children wept • Leadbelly you had better find a song to say you're true • Leadbelly live forever in these tortured jailhouse blues
Genauer
Well we spilled out into the street • There was stolen cars but ours were borrowed feet • There was a break in the morning and I was alone • With myself in the middle of the street • And I felt tired, just like I was • Just in case you're wondering so was I • How's a body find some piece of mind • There was a sign at the time that I understood • Not a word of it a lie • And gods will cry, just like I was • Now more than ever I'm almost old • I almost made it on time • Now more than ever a long eye I look behind • Release the hounds, keep them coming • Replay the sounds, like a second coming • You can fill me up, fool me now, tell me everything's OK • I wanna feel high, just like I was • Now more than ever I'm almost old • I almost made it on time • Now more than ever a long eye I look behind • She got borrowed feet • She got borrowed feet
10. Revelry 04:41
featuring Martin Sexton and Tony RiceWell we spilled out into the street • There was stolen cars but ours were borrowed feet • There was a break in the morning and I was alone • With myself in the middle of the street • And I felt tired, just like I was • Just in case you're wondering so was I • How's a body find some piece of mind • There was a sign at the time that I understood • Not a word of it a lie • And gods will cry, just like I was • Now more than ever I'm almost old • I almost made it on time • Now more than ever a long eye I look behind • Release the hounds, keep them coming • Replay the sounds, like a second coming • You can fill me up, fool me now, tell me everything's OK • I wanna feel high, just like I was • Now more than ever I'm almost old • I almost made it on time • Now more than ever a long eye I look behind • She got borrowed feet • She got borrowed feet
Genauer / Wilson
Solutions arise in a curious way • Cruel but clear like death on a dying day • I follow the groove of a chosen course • The wheels are in motion with a notion of deafening force • And the way that the skeleton speaks • Makes me weak at my knees • Just like I am my father's son • I'm afraid of myself but I'm scared of no one • All that I am is all that I long to be • Revelry send for me cause my day has become overwhelmed • Revelry sing to me cause I just need to rest for a spell • Revelry speak to me, sing to me lyrically, sing to me so I can breathe • I wanna live deep, I wanna live high • Sometimes it finds me, mainly it passes me by • The tension arrives, like a purposeful noose • I struggle to free myself, struggle to get myself loose • And the way that the skeleton speaks • Makes me weak at my knees • Dance with a dervish, move with a rapture • All that she is and all that she captures • All that I am and all that I long to be • Revelry sing to me cause my day has become overwhelmed • Revelry send to me cause I just need to rest for a spell • Revelry speak to me, send to me lyrically, sing to me so I can breathe • And the way that the skeleton speaks • Makes me weak at my knees • Rest assured I will make it alright • If it costs me in blood, if it costs me my life • All that I am is all that I long to be • Revelry, revelry, revelry • Send for me, sing to me, speak to me • Revelry, revelry, revelry • Send for me, sing to me, speak to me so I can breathe
11. Straight 03:38
featuring Theresa AnderssonSolutions arise in a curious way • Cruel but clear like death on a dying day • I follow the groove of a chosen course • The wheels are in motion with a notion of deafening force • And the way that the skeleton speaks • Makes me weak at my knees • Just like I am my father's son • I'm afraid of myself but I'm scared of no one • All that I am is all that I long to be • Revelry send for me cause my day has become overwhelmed • Revelry sing to me cause I just need to rest for a spell • Revelry speak to me, sing to me lyrically, sing to me so I can breathe • I wanna live deep, I wanna live high • Sometimes it finds me, mainly it passes me by • The tension arrives, like a purposeful noose • I struggle to free myself, struggle to get myself loose • And the way that the skeleton speaks • Makes me weak at my knees • Dance with a dervish, move with a rapture • All that she is and all that she captures • All that I am and all that I long to be • Revelry sing to me cause my day has become overwhelmed • Revelry send to me cause I just need to rest for a spell • Revelry speak to me, send to me lyrically, sing to me so I can breathe • And the way that the skeleton speaks • Makes me weak at my knees • Rest assured I will make it alright • If it costs me in blood, if it costs me my life • All that I am is all that I long to be • Revelry, revelry, revelry • Send for me, sing to me, speak to me • Revelry, revelry, revelry • Send for me, sing to me, speak to me so I can breathe
Genauer / Wilson
I am all that a man can be • Muscle, bone, and insecurity • I reassess the reference points I use • Some of them are modest and some are huge • If you asked my lovers what I am • They would tell you I'm a complex man • I rendezvous with women who agree • To promenade my passion and let me be • Cool water and cold disdain • Keep me standing sturdy and straight • I know I could have been something more • But it strikes me as a pointless debate • I'm a man with a broad-based view • Deep pessimism and a love of few • I quantify the qualities I prize • Reassess your meaning and read your eyes • Cool water and cold disdain • Keep me standing sturdy and straight • I know I could have been something more • But it strikes me as a pointless debate • Cool water and clean cocaine • Keep me standing sturdy and straight • I know I could have been something more • But it strikes me as a pointless debate • Strikes me as a little too late
12. High Brow 04:23
featuring Al Schnier (moe.)I am all that a man can be • Muscle, bone, and insecurity • I reassess the reference points I use • Some of them are modest and some are huge • If you asked my lovers what I am • They would tell you I'm a complex man • I rendezvous with women who agree • To promenade my passion and let me be • Cool water and cold disdain • Keep me standing sturdy and straight • I know I could have been something more • But it strikes me as a pointless debate • I'm a man with a broad-based view • Deep pessimism and a love of few • I quantify the qualities I prize • Reassess your meaning and read your eyes • Cool water and cold disdain • Keep me standing sturdy and straight • I know I could have been something more • But it strikes me as a pointless debate • Cool water and clean cocaine • Keep me standing sturdy and straight • I know I could have been something more • But it strikes me as a pointless debate • Strikes me as a little too late
Genauer
In the good town of Memphis there's an ebony temptress • She'll sit with you high brow and confound your senses • They come to her needy • They come to her pained • She was gifted with good looks but she took her own name • For 18 hours in a row • I catalogued everyone I know • Two poets, one prophet and a priest • All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves • The voices are leaky, they drain from your soul • Eyes are all seeking, they reveal young from old • Rosetta was timeless • Her cheek bones rose high • It wasn't a good life but it wasn't a lie • For 18 hours in a row • I catalogued everyone I know • Two poets, one prophet and a priest • All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves • For 18 hours in a row • I catalogued everyone I know • Two poets, one prophet and a priest • All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves • They were thieves • They were thieves
13. You Lay the Dust 03:19
featuring Jeff PevarIn the good town of Memphis there's an ebony temptress • She'll sit with you high brow and confound your senses • They come to her needy • They come to her pained • She was gifted with good looks but she took her own name • For 18 hours in a row • I catalogued everyone I know • Two poets, one prophet and a priest • All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves • The voices are leaky, they drain from your soul • Eyes are all seeking, they reveal young from old • Rosetta was timeless • Her cheek bones rose high • It wasn't a good life but it wasn't a lie • For 18 hours in a row • I catalogued everyone I know • Two poets, one prophet and a priest • All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves • For 18 hours in a row • I catalogued everyone I know • Two poets, one prophet and a priest • All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves • They were thieves • They were thieves
Genauer
When I'm cracked and I'm dried out and I haven't slept in days • When I'm looking through granite eyes with an antique kind of gaze • You lay the dust, amen • You lay the dust, amen • Your bones are like branches of the willow tree you love • Your voice is like liquor and it's coursing through my blood • And you lay the dust, amen • You lay the dust, amen • I'm gonna raise you up with both of my hands • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I'm washed in your breath and lost in your shape • I watch you when you're getting dressed • And I'm saved in the movements you make • Because you lay the dust, amen • You lay the dust, amen • I'm gonna raise you up with both of my hands • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I'm gonna raise you up with all of my might • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright
When I'm cracked and I'm dried out and I haven't slept in days • When I'm looking through granite eyes with an antique kind of gaze • You lay the dust, amen • You lay the dust, amen • Your bones are like branches of the willow tree you love • Your voice is like liquor and it's coursing through my blood • And you lay the dust, amen • You lay the dust, amen • I'm gonna raise you up with both of my hands • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I'm washed in your breath and lost in your shape • I watch you when you're getting dressed • And I'm saved in the movements you make • Because you lay the dust, amen • You lay the dust, amen • I'm gonna raise you up with both of my hands • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I'm gonna raise you up with all of my might • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright • I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright