We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Waitin' for Payday

by Whelan

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $9.99 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    8 Original songs from the Shady side of the street to the Sunny side of the Street. Co-produced by Lora-Faye (Arthur Moon). Hi-Gloss Sleeve with Artwork by Andrew Sheron. Photos by J. Henry Fair and Sid Whelan.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Waitin' for Payday via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    edition of 80 
    Purchasable with gift card

      $12 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 3 Whelan releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Waitin' for Payday, The Story of Ike Dupree, and Flood Waters Rising. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $20.79 USD or more (35% OFF)

     

1.
Nina Simone c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan I might sing like a golden sparrow I might sing like a rusty wheel barrow I might sing like a knife being honed But could I sing like Nina Simone? I might sing like a harp made of gold I might moan like a man being sold I might ring like a bell made of stone But could I sing like Nina Simone? She walked from daylight into darkness We all cross that street I guess. But her path was blessed and sometimes cursed By everyone she’d ever met All those Devils, they pursued her while Swaying in the choir that loved her so. And if they weren't all after her How would she really know? Could I sing, oh could I Could I sing like Nina Simone? She walked from daylight into darkness We all cross that street I guess. But her path was blessed and sometimes cursed By everyone she’d ever met All those Devils, they pursued her while Swaying in the choir that loved her so. And if they weren't all after her How would she really know? Could she ever know? If I sang in gilded prose And sang the notes only an angel knows If I sang the blues all alone Then would I sing like Nina Simone? #
2.
Love Me Right c. 2013 Sidney S. Whelan Love Love should Love should give me Calm Love Love could Love could make me Strong Love could make me strong If you would love me right Not only for one day Not only for one night Oh baby love me right I I would I would come Along I would come along If you would love me right Not only for one day Not only for one night Oh baby love me right I will Encourage you You’ll find The courage in you Love Love will Love will give us Calm Love will make us strong So baby love me right Not only for today Not only for tonight Oh baby love me right
3.
Make Some Time c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan We leave for the job before we are awake. Runnin' hard all day long. There's a lot at stake. When did we last have a day together? In the past we made memories forever. But this is here and now and memories aren't tomorrow. And I just want to know how I can beg, steal or borrow Some time with you oh baby Let’s make some time. There's nothin' like the two of us darlin’. When it's just you and I. So many valleys to cross, so many peaks to climb I got to have some time with you girl. Let's make some time Some couples don't make it. Happens all the time Lost in doubt; can't shake it. Lost the rhythm and rhyme. No one gets together thinkin’ "it will come to this." But they hit stormy weather; well, you get the gist. There's always ups and downs; livin' through the joys and sorrows. So I just want to know how I can beg steal or borrow Some time with you baby Let’s make some time There's nothin' like the two of us darlin’. When it's just you and I. So many valleys to cross, so many peaks to climb I got to have some time with you girl. Let's make some time I ain’t complaining about makin’ a living Cause I recall when we had nothin’ But when I get some time with you baby I'm gonna turn it into something. Somethin’ like some of your lovin’ Oh baby hold me tight, let’s make some time tonight. I got to have some time with you baby Let’s make some time There's nothin' like the two of us darlin’. When it's just you and I. So many valleys to cross, so many peaks to climb I got to have some time with you girl. Let's make some time #
4.
Midnight in the Country c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan It’s midnight in the country No one else around It’s midnight in the country No one else around I step out in the moonlight Only hear Nature’s sound I think on where you are Where you might a been I think on where you are Where you might a been Expect you’re going far In a different kind a scene You know what you’re missing So far away from this You know you know what you’re missing So far away from this 1000 Miles of midnight Starlight and a kiss #
5.
Legba Ain’t no Devil (Crossroads Blues Pt. 2) c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan Legba ain't no Devil He's just misunderstood. He deals with the people Who don't mean me no good. He's waitin' at the crossroad For when I'm in need. He'll take up my load And do my dirty deeds. Legba ain't no Devil He's just misunderstood. You might need his counsel Between the cops and the hoods Go on up to Four Corners When they're doin' you too bad. Legba in your corner is The best friend you ever had. Cause some things need doin' That Saints will never do. You shouldn't even ask them If you know what's good for you. No, he don't want your soul, He don't ask much in return. Just like in the days of old. Bring him an offering to burn. Legba ain't no Devil Just so you understand. When you have debts to settle And the bastards force your hand. Make tracks for the crossroad Some value in your hand Down in the bottom dark and cold He'll help you make your stand. Cause some things need doin' That Saints will never do. You shouldn't even ask them If you know what's good for you. No, he don't want your soul, He don't ask much in return. Just like in the days of old. Bring him an offering to burn. Talkin bout Legba now Talkin bout Legba ya'll Talkin bout Legba now Talkin bout Legba ya'll He ain't no devil. He ain't no saint. I don't know who he is but I sure know who he ain't. You ain't no devil. You ain't no saint. You'd best call his name before you put on your war paint. #
6.
The Promise You are the promise I'm gonna break A warranty I signed by mistake You send me a message; ask me to call I'll call next Spring or the following Fall Or maybe just procrastinate My stomach in knots, not from what I ate You grab for everything I have at stake, All I have left that you still want to take. You're the promise I'm gonna break. You are the problem I can't solve A cipher I stared at scrawled on the wall You sing me a song that you think you wrote My mind's ear heard you steal every note. It's beyond me; I haven't the time To slip down your slope is no victimless crime. Knowing full well I can't get involved You flash me a smile to tempt my resolve. You're the problem I can't solve. Remember when I couldn't say no Again and again Nowhere else to go I was all for one You were none for all When you were done We both took the fall.   You are the word I can't keep A midnight guard who fell asleep. You took what you could then went to ground. I got it together once you weren't around. Now you think I'm within your reach That I might walk your one way street. You stole my dreams when I could not sleep. Counting the cash while I counted sheep. You're the word I can't keep. The warranty I signed by mistake The promise I'm gonna break.
7.
Waitin’ for Payday c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan Hey there babe, how’re you today? What do I hear, what’s that you say’? Off to JFK to get on a plane? Flyin’ to Vegas for your friend’s wedding day? Your old handbag is played and used You’re planning vacation – a Caribbean cruise? Well listen here hon, I’ve got bad news I’ve got those waitin’ for payday blues I’m waitin’ for payday. I’m waitin’ for payday Not much else I can tell you honey I’m sittin’ right here waitin’ on my money. If there’s one thing I know how to do It’s sing those wait for payday blues. Hey lil’ one, what’s that you say? Two friends have Bat Mitzvahs, three have birthdays… Got to buy gifts in the worst kinda way. (Back in the day we had the lay-away.) You need a Winter coat, a new pair of shoes The deadline is here for those Summer school dues? Well listen here hon, I’ve got bad news I’ve got those waitin’ for payday blues I’m waitin’ for payday. I’m waitin’ for payday Not much else I can tell you honey I’m sittin’ right here waitin’ on my money. If there’s one thing I know how to do It’s sing those wait for payday blues. “Checks in the mail.” I’ve heard that before. At the speed of a snail It’s approaching my door Feels like forever With each “past due” date. At least it’s not never At least it’s just late! Hey ya’ll come gather around Looks like the Benjamins coming to town. Clear up your scowl, Clean up that frown We’re back in funds no excuse to be down. Time to have some fun, whatever we choose We got a stack of greenbacks and nothin’ to lose. Hey everyone start spreadin’ the news Let’s chase away those payday blues. ‘Cause it’s payday, yeah it’s payday. Come on kids, come on honey. Let’s roll on out and spend some money If there’s one thing we know how to do It’s to chase away those payday blues Forget all about those payday blues Chase away – Chase away – Chase away – Yeah chase away those payday blues!
8.
Break it Down c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan We gon' fight we start tonight Redefine what's wrong and right We gonna break it, break it on down We made the call we want it all We gonna re-write all the laws We gonna break it, break it on down Break it down to the ground Til there's no one else around What we say is we won't pay But we gon' take what's at stake. We Just gonna break, break it on down We're in the news we got our views We don't care what we lose We gonna break it, break it on down We don't care we won't share We just want you outta our hair We gonna break it, break it on down Break it down to the ground Til there's no one else around What we say is we won't pay But we gon' take what's at stake. We Just gonna break, break it on down. Truth is we know Tear-down is fast Build-up is slow And we won't let you build to last. We gon' strike who we don't like Conflict's gonna spike We gonna break it hey break it on down. Mind what we said, nothin's sacred Don't care if you call it hatred We gon' break it hey break it on down Break it down to the ground Til there's no one else around What we say is we won't pay But we gon' take what's at stake. We Just gonna break, break it on down. #

about

For this, his third self-produced album since returning to music from a decade-long hiatus in 2013, songwriter, guitarist, singer & bandleader Sid Whelan has re-united with producer/musician Lora-Faye Åshuvud (Arthur Moon) for ‘Waitin’ for Payday,’ an eight-song collection that runs the Americana road from African-influenced blues to bright soul-pop. A songwriting student of Grammy-winners Steve Earle and Chely Wright, Sid has been earning respect for his rich guitar voicings and well-crafted, compelling lyrics. Sid says: “Half of the songs on this album represent a new outward-facing direction from me. When I started back up in 2013 for obvious reasons I was mostly in my own bubble. Since then I’ve been in front of audiences constantly and the dialogue with them about their passions, preference, enthusiasms and lives has affected both my lyrical themes and my melodic development. You’ll hear even more of that on whatever my fourth record turns out to be.”

Never one to dominate an album with binary love songs (though there are two of those on this collection: ‘Love Me Right,’ ‘Make Some Time’ as well as one non-bitter breakup blues ‘Midnight in the Country), on this collection Sid ruminates on (s)heroes such as Nina Simone, Robert Johnson and Al Green as well as on the seductive nature of extremism in ‘Break it Down;’ the vagaries of getting paid as a contract/creative or commission worker in the title track and the need to break one’s word when it has been given to a toxic person in ‘The Promise.’

It’s not widely known in Sid’s current foray in what he calls “Dark Blue Americana,” but Sid spent a decade making music as a guitarist in the USA with a variety of musicians from Nigeria, Liberia, (then) Zaire, South Africa, Cameroon, Zambia and Zimbabwe. His love for African music resurfaces on this album with star percussionist Valerie Naranjo playing the Dagomba Gyil (a member of the xylophone instrument family) as well as congas and a variety of percussion. Also appearing is an ensemble playing the Yoruba/Lucumi Bata drums featuring Richard Huntley, David J D’Ambrosio and Jimmy Greenfield. It’s unlikely that either sound has appeared on this type of recording frequently if at all before now.

Additionally Sid returned to Horn arranging for the first time in decades, writing four charts for a 3-piece section comprising Ron Horton (trpt); Art Baron (‘Bone) and Michael Lee Breaux (Reeds).

Other musicians include the great vocalist Darry Tookes (Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin. Luther Vandross); keyboard prodigy Matthew Whittaker on Hammond B3; vocalists Ariel Guidry and Christian Tookes; kit drummers Robert Weiss and Richard Huntley and bassist Trevor ‘Bridges’ Bridgewater.

credits

released July 15, 2019

Produced by Lora-Faye Åshuvud and Sid Whelan
Recorded at Peter Karl Studios and Douglass Street Recordings in Brooklyn NY by Peter Karl.
Mixed by Eli Crews at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn NY
Mastered by Nicholas Ciavatta at Friggin’ Fabulous Productions in Jersey City NJ
Photography by J. Henry Fair and Sid Whelan
Graphics Design by Andrew Sheron

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Whelan New York, New York

Sid Whelan is a veteran singer-songwriter with an unapologetically old-school vibe. He has released three solo albums on Bandcamp. He calls his Music "Dark Blue Americana" and has studied songwriting with Chely Wright and Steve Earle. He has also studied guitar with Woody Mann & Howard Morgen. ... more

contact / help

Contact Whelan

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Whelan recommends:

If you like Whelan, you may also like: