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Circumstance

by Alice Howe

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1.
I walked out in a storm the other night I walked out into the river as it raged above its banks the other night I was sure the current would part around my waist But I reached out for your hand, I admit I was afraid Strong swimmer though I know myself to be CHORUS Hey darlin’ you’ve been away so long Hey darlin’ you’ve been away so long See how the trees have grown since you been gone I went down, I went down to the water’s edge I went down to the water as the sun sank low behind the ridge The last deep breath of summer lies blazing in the sky One step toward those mountains and I’d grow the wings to fly Every whisper of the waves upon the shore tells me so CHORUS Hey darlin’ you’ve been away so long Hey darlin’ you’ve been away so long See how my garden’s grown since you been gone Looking back, looking back on all these years It plays out like a movie and somehow in a blink it disappears When you’re in the moment it’s so hard to read the signs You just need that perspective that you only gain in time I’m just trying to build a life that lets me follow who I am CHORUS Hey darlin’ you’ve been away so long Hey darlin’ you’ve been away so long See how the trees have grown since you been gone
2.
You told me you’re seein’ somebody I was stunned into silence with no right to be Nobody seemed too surprised I shoulda known that the joke was on me CHORUS Somethin’ inside of me changed Maybe you’ll thank me some day But I got to believe it somehow You’re somebody’s new lover now I couldn’t quite make up my mind To run for my life or just wait by the door You must think you’re better off You won’t have to be dragged by my chain anymore CHORUS Somethin’ inside of me changed Maybe you’ll thank me some day But I got to believe it somehow You’re somebody’s new lover now BRIDGE And I need you to know That I did all I could Still it all fell apart I never dreamed it would I caught a glimpse of the world Up in the clouds and I couldn’t come down Now I want a taste of it all And it’s nobody’s fault I can’t stay on the ground CHORUS Somethin’ inside of me changed Maybe you’ll thank me some day But I got to believe it somehow You’re somebody’s new lover now
3.
Let Go 03:58
The day after Christmas I’m headed down south on a plane All alone in my seat and I’m watching the cold morning rain Hazel said, “Come to the island to settle your heart” She said, “Peace will not come in a day but you may as well start” After all, there’s one thing I know That you got to be strong to let go Let go For a year I was living in fear, I was out of my mind ‘Cause I’d gather up my resolution and lose it each time Night after night he is asking me, what can I say Yeah it kills me, it’s breaking my heart, but there’s no other way After all, there’s one thing I know That you got to be strong to let go Let go Let go and don’t be afraid It’s never too late I got to be brave And believe that our story’s not done That the answers will come Though for now there are none I told her I couldn’t believe it was time to move on She told me, “With all due respect, you are already gone” So we walked on the beach and we sent out a prayer to be free To the palms and the waves and the foam and the sand and the sea After all, there’s one thing I know That you got to be strong to let go Let go
4.
June is a dream I’ve had it before Sweet summer breeze comin’ through my screen door Don’t wake me up I’ll be beggin’ for more I’ll always let you in Pieces of fate fall into my hands What we did at night wasn’t part of my plans Hard to accept when you don’t understand But I learned not to feel ashamed You can run, you can hide But you can’t live your life in disguise You can call me a happy fool But love has no rules I didn’t know I needed you this bad Wasn’t fully aware of the thirst I had But now that I know can’t go back I’ll never be the same You can run, you can hide But you can’t live your life in disguise You can call me a happy fool But love has no rules It’s a chance that we take It’s a choice that we make And I know I’ll find my way Let it go and come what may There’s nothing to prove And love has no rules I know that one day we’ll be out of time I could count what’s left before the goodbye Nobody knows it better than I But I don’t want to live that way You can run, you can hide But you can’t live your life in disguise You can call me a happy fool But love has no rules
5.
It’s all quiet now at the end of the day I unpacked my suitcase and put the dishes away It’s not hard to stay busy, I got so much to do If I stop I’ll get caught with the things that I’m not saying to you I heard you been travelin’ heard you’re doin’ all right That you got some new girlfriend, moving on with your life But I’m still full of questions do you wonder too Do you still save a spot for the things that I’m not saying to you I block it out, I play pretend I write you letters that I can’t send I get so tired of doing what’s right I don’t wanna be tongue-tied the rest of my life I bought a new car and I moved to LA There’s just something about it, I don’t care what they say I can walk in the sunshine on the days I feel blue It’s the best place I got to escape what I’m not saying to you I block it out, I play pretend I write you letters that I can’t send I still know your number, this could be the night But I don’t want to be tongue-tied the rest of my life I needed to fly and I needed to grow I ain’t tellin’ you nothin’ you don’t already know But I still keep you with me - we both know it’s true No I haven’t forgot all the things that I’m not saying to you No I haven’t forgot all the things that I’m not saying to you
6.
I’ve been feelin’ kinda lonely lately Eyes open for a soul in line with mine I’ve been fooled by first impressions But I’m hopin’ that I might be right this time I’m picturin’ a rainy Sunday Playin’ old records all afternoon With somebody who loves me through and through What about you? I’m thinkin’ we should take off somewhere I’m lookin’ for a place to ease my mind These streets are lookin’ too familiar I’m ready to leave them all behind I see a California sunset You know it’s just another deja vu I want someone to go there with me too What about you? I’m lookin’ for somebody who Is lookin’ for somebody too I’m headed in a new direction I’m open to my imperfections now Let’s abandon our hesitation If you’re ready then I can show you how I’m dreamin’ of a soul connection I’m not afraid to see it through I got a feelin’ we could make this dream come true I been thinkin’ ‘bout all that we could do What about you? Tell me what about you? What about you? I know what I wanna do - what about you?
7.
Long ago, another time In a life I left behind I was drawn into the night I don’t know why it felt so right In the dark I disappeared All alone, I had no fear When I hear that fallin’ rain It calls to mind this old refrain The sound brings back a memory Raindrops echo in a dream It’s an invitation and a dare Something calls to me out there What I feel can’t be defined I’ve been here a thousand times Can’t deny my destiny I hear it crying out to me The sound brings back a memory Raindrops echo in a dream It’s an invitation and a dare Something calls to me out there Morning comes and breaks the spell Where I’ve been no tongue can tell But when the rain begins to fall I know that I will heed that call The sound brings back a memory Raindrops echo in a dream It’s an invitation and a dare Something calls to me out there
8.
With you by my side I can do no wrong You make it easy your love keeps me strong Baby I know you show me the way When you take my hand believe what I say There is no mountain, there is no tide That can change the way I feel with you by my side Beauty and grace that’s what I see Your heart is so strong you let me be free I feel the power when love’s in control You know I surrender body and soul With you by my side I can do no wrong You make it easy your love keeps me strong Baby I know you show me the way When you take my hand believe what I say There is no mountain, there is no tide That can change the way I feel with you by my side You fill me up I’m beggin’ for more In some other life I knew you before I see the light it’s here in your eyes There’s nothin’ to fear there’s nothin’ to hide With you by my side Wherever I go I know I feel understood This is a dream it seems, how’d it get so good? With you by my side I can do no wrong You make it easy your love keeps me strong Baby I know you show me the way When you take my hand believe what I say There is no mountain, there is no tide That can change the way I feel with you by my side
9.
Line By Line 04:18
I wouldn’t call it early but it’s not too late I played my hand I gotta leave the rest to fate I could lie here cryin’ or try to understand My chips are gone I can’t make no more demands Well it’s hard to face it I let it get so bad I stuck a knife into the life I had Nobody made me do it and I blame myself I wouldn’t give that power to no one else I’m guilty I got nothin’ more to say I’m not a bad girl I’m just used to gettin’ my way I got a dreamin’ soul from another time A willin’ heart and an open mind If you should care to find you can read me line by line My daddy left me I got a broken heart It’s a good excuse or it’s a place to start I loved him dearly and I watched him die But I caught his spirit I keep it safe inside I’m guilty I got nothin’ more to say I’m not a bad girl I’m just used to gettin’ my way I got a dreamin’ soul from another time A willin’ heart and an open mind If you should care to find you can read me line by line I know you tried but it wasn’t enough I had a hungry soul boy I ate you up Deal another while the flames are high There’s no use waiting baby watch me fly I’m guilty I got nothin’ more to say I’m not a bad girl I’m just used to gettin’ my way I got a dreamin’ soul from another time A willin’ heart and an open mind If you should care to find you can read me line by line
10.
I am a travelin’ soul With a brand new set of wheels They ask me how I do it I said I like the way it feels This is the life I chose Seekin’ truth along this road Well it’s easy to be runnin’ But so hard to stay behind I have to keep in motion To ease my worried mind But the more I see The more I fear just what I’ll find It’s the same old two-lane highway And the same old moon above A world of contradictions And the longin’ to be loved I am a travelin’ soul Seekin’ truth along this road Well the towns that pass my windows They all start to look the same Overrun by corporate greed Disguised as household names I am a travelin’ soul Seekin’ truth along this road It’s a bitter pill to swallow The country that you love Has a history of violence That is written out in blood I am a travelin’ soul Seekin’ truth along this road It’s the same old two-lane highway And the same old moon above We’re a world of contradictions And the longin’ to be loved I am a travelin’ soul Seekin’ truth along this road I could drive all night On this brand-new set of wheels They ask me how I do it I said I like the way it feels This is the life I chose Seekin’ truth along this road It’s the same old two-lane highway And the same old moon above I’m a world of contradictions But I’m longin’ to be loved I am a travelin’ soul Seekin’ truth along this road I am a travelin’ soul Seekin’ truth along this road
11.
When we dance, that’s when I remember All the ways you can spin me around It’s not your skill or your style Or your gaze or your smile It’s how you hold me, how you’re holding me now You hold me strong and tender Like it would hurt you to let me fall down Like I’m precious and wild Like I’m a newborn child It’s how you hold me, how you’re holding me now And when I’m blue, that’s when I remember To be grateful for what I have found Though your words, god, they move me They comfort and soothe It’s how you hold me, how you’re holding me now You hold me strong and tender Like it would hurt you to let me fall down Like I’m precious and wild Like I’m a newborn child It’s how you hold me, how you’re holding me now When we make love, that’s when I remember That we’re dancing on god’s holy ground More than your body’s fine grace Or your beautiful face It’s how you hold me, how you’re holding me now You hold me strong and tender Like it would hurt you to let me fall down Like I’m precious and wild Like I’m a newborn child It’s how you hold me, how you’re holding me now

about

To hear Alice Howe sing is to be enraptured by the natural, unaffected beauty of her voice. There’s no artifice, no histrionics — just honest, authentic, emotionally resonant singing in the tradition of the roots music that shaped her.

Recorded in two sessions at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where the voices of icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Otis Redding once shook the walls, Circumstance channels their spirits with 11 stirring tracks that pull no punches diving into the vagaries of the heart and her own personal journey. As an old soul inside a 30-something millennial, the golden-voiced Howe puts her stamp on Americana’s venerable strands with 10 standout originals evoking both the classic singer-songwriters and the seminal music that once filled airwaves, roadhouses, and juke joints.

credits

released April 21, 2023

Produced by Freebo
Co-Produced by Alice Howe

Engineered by John Gifford III
FAME Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals, AL

Mixed by Brian Boozer
Aum Studio Productions, Bakersfield, CA

Mastered by Chris Pelonis
Beyond The Rabbit Hole Studio, Central Coast, CA

Alice Howe - lead and harmony vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
Freebo - fretless bass, acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
Jeff Fielder - electric guitar, slide guitar, harmony vocals
Will McFarlane - electric guitar
Clayton Ivey - Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano
Mark Jordan - acoustic and electric piano (tracks 3, 10, and 11)
Justin Holder - drums, percussion
Marie Lewey & Cindy Walden - background vocals (tracks 4, 7, and 8)
Vinnie Ciesielski - trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks 5 and 8)
Mike Guinn - tenor and baritone saxophones (tracks 5 and 8)

Photography and Art Direction by Jim Shea
Design by John Sellards

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Alice Howe Boston, Massachusetts

To hear Alice Howe sing is to be enraptured by the natural, unaffected beauty of her voice. There’s no artifice, no histrionics — just honest, authentic, emotionally resonant singing in the tradition of the roots music that shaped her.

Her second and latest album, Circumstance, was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals and produced by her creative partner Freebo (Bonnie Raitt).
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