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Animal Cities

by Jesse Witney

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1.
Mumma 05:31
Mumma If I could see things just like my mumma Like telling the truth because you want to Blessings and knowledge for my Karma If I could see things just like my mumma You give me inspiration When my whole world is crumbling You’ve known the hard times and the good From high, I feel your love transcend All of the rules that confine the modern man There’s no confusion, or illusion, That you get something for nothing yeah If I could see things just like my mumma Like telling the truth because you want to Blessings and knowledge for my Karma If I could see things just like my mumma Things just like my Mumma Mumma taught me son Be an honest man Make a living where you can For you have my love and support Go wherever you feel the call But most of all Trust your instincts more Than what others say Cos in the end You’ve only got yourself Which knows the way If I could see things just like my mumma Like telling the truth because you wanna The blessings and knowledge for my Karma For my Karma If I could see things just like my mumma You fill me up You order the best You know your self worth To god you confess All your wrongdoings and mess Standing solid Holding that weight within your chest If I could see things just like my mumma Like telling the truth because you wanna The blessings and knowledge for my Karma For my Karma If I could see things just like my mumma
2.
The Darkness 04:09
The Darkness Jesse Witney The rain it falls at any given moment the rain it falls it can drench you to the core Love lost In the deepest Ocean of your heart There ain't no potion For the emotion That breaks your pillars fast You cannot run from the darkness Only wait it out for the dawn So hold me like a baby Hold me in your arms This spell it is abrasive Coat me with your love You cannot run from the darkness Only wait it out for the dawn Only wait it out for the dawn You cannot run from the darkness Only wait it out for the dawn Only wait it out for the dawn Despair not or be lonely Your friends and family’s love you keep This time it is worth knowing I know you feel the pressure deep You wonder where we're going But ain't that just humanity To rip and claw at wanting more Not understanding nature's law Patience now it won't be long The sun is on the rise It's on the rise The sun is on the rise it's on the rise
3.
Teresa, Teresinha Lyrics written by Jesse Witney & Teresa Bertoni Um dia eu acordei cedo Pensando em minha vida Senti que eu preciso De um tempo Que me guia Souor pingando mesmo Entre meus olhos pretos Essa cidade é uma loucura E eu não sou o filho dela (One day I work up early, thinking about my life, I felt I needed some time To guide me, Sweat dripping between My black eyes, This city is a crazy thing, And I’m not her son) Teresa Teresinha Vamos á floresta Fazendo o caminho Aprender contigo (Teresa little Teresa let’s go to the forest make a walk I learn with you) Lalayalalaya La vida tiene que ser linda El cielo es bajo y el sol arriba No me perguntas que yo ago Todavia estoy feliz En el camino por Santiago Vas sentir se relajado Porque la vida es un regalo Y bien major quando disfrutar-lo (Life has got to be beautiful The sky is low and The sun above Don’t ask me what I do I’m still happy, On the walk to Santiago You will feel yourself relaxed Because life is a present And much better when You appreciate it) Teresa Teresinha Vamos á floresta Fazendo o caminho Vou aprender contigo
4.
There’ll be days There’ll be days That you feel like crying There’ll be days That you feel so cold In all of the ways That we’re always striving Can you take Take a little time Time out for your soul We’re gonna take a stroll Down to the seaside We will take the road Along the cobbleheaded way We’re gonna take our time Cos our time is so golden And so we roll With the highest hopes Of the decisions That we made So let’s go wild To somewhere sacred And there we can unwind From all the things that lock the time And we’re gonna free ourselves From our very own minds No more dismay All of our worries Washed away There’ll be days That you want to stop trying And there’ll be days That everything is rubbing up gold In all of the ways That we’re always striving, striving Can you take Take a little time Time out for your soul
5.
Mama Maya 05:12
Mama Maya All the way down To the sea Let the water Be your remedy From the canopy I look down To the sea It’s calling me Saying come and take me home Like an illusion of the desert Like a mirage Temptation manifest herself So you gotta know your path Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Waterfalls wash over Purify electrify me Got no doubt no worry Like rivers running endlessly I’ve been feeling freedom Now it’s here it’s calling me It’s more important to listen Ride the flow Feel free to take your time And now that I’m open To her wisdom Hey hey, She helps me choose what’s right Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Give it up give it up to Mama Maya Mother nature Just respect her Our behavior To the pain We’ve become So very numb
6.
Ao Seu Redor 03:43
Ao Seu Redor Lyrics Amanhecer O di te chama Cê não que ver A lembrança Vai permanecer Leva um pouco De mim contigo As vezes é bom Se revelar A luz pra você Talvez pareça parada Mas está sempre contigo Lá na tua estrada Oi amor Você não está só O sol brilhante Ilumina ao seu redor Oi amor Você não está só O sol brilhante Ilumina ao seu redor Pássaro do mundo Não quer ficar Em caixa Igual teu coração Que quer voar Entrada comprada O som da rua É lembrança Tua vida passada Daqui pra frente Não desiste Vai sempre ser Amada Oi amor Você não está só O sol brilhante Ilumina ao seu redor Oi amor Você não está só O sol brilhante Ilumina ao seu redor
7.
The Captain 05:27
The Captain Close your eyes look inside fight the fear don’t hide you made a choice to be the best that you can be Have faith in your way rocky times you’re gonna face but there ain’t nothing your mind cannot achieve You hear the see calling honour your gift it’s time to cast your sails out into the wind Cos I am the captain you are the captain hear the sea roar man but don’t get distracted I am the captain you are the captain A time to reap a time to sow a time to stop a time to go a time to let all of the growing happen slow Spirituality, god almighty or whatever you may consider that to be I pray for peace but if there’s war you must understand what you’re fighting for not be deluded by the greed or the insane Cos I am the captain you are the captain hear the sea roar man but don’t get distracted I am the captain you are the captain If you feel your ship’s in danger grab onto the rail the storm erupts a mighty wave that crashes on the bow The sails are beating mastery it calls to your avail Find the courage to keep an even keel and sail another day another day Cos I am the captain you are the captain hear the sea roar man but don’t get distracted I am the captain you are the captain
8.
The System 03:54
The System This train is bound for crash We’re all aware of that A blind eye turns to black And we all go to Heaven A temple rings the bell Ceremony Sunday’s tell Uniforms they fit you well What’s it take to break the spell? Needing a new System Not a profit or religion Unified mass commitment To avoid crash course collision I don’t wanna burn more fuel Don’t wanna fire more gas I don’t need more of this Let alone more of that What I want is energy Clean renewable chemistry I don’t wanna buy more things That I really don’t need When all I need is love Unconditionally What I want is energy Clean renewables Needing a new System A non-capitalistic rhythm Democracy’s lost it’s wisdom And what we need is long term vision I don’t wanna burn more fuel Don’t wanna fire more gas I don’t need more of this Let alone more of that What I want is energy Clean renewable chemistry I don’t wanna buy more things That I really don’t need When all I need is love Unconditionally What I want is energy Clean renewables Needing a new System What I’m needing is a new System Are you needing a new System? To avoid crash course collision
9.
Apple of my Eye Lyrics by Jesse Witney Where did you go? I wish to know Like the fishes of the ocean Going with the flow Going with the flow Lady of the sea Are you going to drift away? To a place that ain’t got me Is that how it’s gonna be? So long lady I’m not gonna lie Baby you’re the apple of my eye You be like some kind of Bird in the breeze Soaring endlessly Don’t know why It’s so hard So hard to see the light Day or night What is really right? Is it to tie you up in chains, Or let you break away? You know that lately I’ve been thinking I don’t know if I wanna lose you Just like the stars up in the sky I want you always there by my side So long lady I’m not gonna lie Baby you’re the apple of my eye Tell me why we got to say goodbye
10.
You’re the only one Sometimes you’ll feel blue Sometimes you’ll feel low Sometimes there is nothing You can do Until you Let it Go I’ve been Growing so much That I can no longer hide All of the marks On my skin From growing From growing Into the man I’m knowing Let’s take a chance on me Did you see I was a cannonball coming Rolling down the hill To the sounds of thunder Plummeting Smashing through the roof Ending right next to The place where I was When I was slumbering Out on the verandah To the sounds of Some kind of nature You’re the only one for me You’re the only one for me You’re the only one So I’m taking it slow Building my bones Consulting the omens On which direction to go Building this castle From the inside out Not worried about the future Because I’m here right now Which is why I be placing One brick after the other To show the universe That I be a steady lover Building this home As a beautiful gift Not only for myself But for all of my friends You’re the only one for me You’re the only one for me You’re the only one But I got your back Yeah I got your back Got your back Baby I got ya Got ya I got your back Yeah I got your back Got your back Cos you got mine Got mine All these moments drifting by All these days are mixing Into the sweetest time Of undeniable wealth And life gets by And I’ll go cruising with you Just my baby blue and me Oh can’t you see That it’s not your hairstyle Though it’s good It’s not the way you look Though damn you’re beautiful Oh baby it’s the way that You make me feel I can’t deny it’s real Cannot deny it In any way You’re the only one for me You’re the only one for me You’re the only one
11.
Trees 01:50
Trees Trees are the most Majestic things Their branches Reaching skyward Filtering the breeze My god I love trees They feed the bees They make me weak In the knees When I smell Bloodwood flowers It is heaven In a scent Transports me somewhere else Before I remember Who I am Or where I went For I’ve always been Fond of trees The way they Fill the horizon And feed countless wildlife One’s that qwuark And Squawk Pitter patter And glide Sharing their dinner With the ground When they poo Making more trees That I love And I hope You do too I cannot imagine A world Without you You are me Eternally No, I could never Be without you And I hope Nor you me When I come back Next Life I wanna be a tree
12.
O Milagre 05:54
O Milagre Imagina vida sem o sol nascendo Nadando escuridão Procurando seu lar Nada além dum coração batendo Esperando o milagre chegar Esperando o milagre chegar O que faz um diferente do outro? Dizem que todos nós nascemos iguais Mas eu vejo incontáveis seres sofrendo Esperando o milagre chegar Esperando o milagre chegar O que você chama milagre? Uma mão para tirar-lo Da confusão Será que deus é algo Em que você acredita Talvez ele aguarda Tua oração O milagre chegar O matadouro continuará matando E o gado, nunca vê o seu vilão Tudo vai bem se tem cerveja gelada Enquanto esperamos o milagre chegar Esperando o milagre chegar
13.
14.

about

Jesse Witney’s debut album Animal Cities was recorded between Estúdio Carolina in Rio de Janeiro, incorporating the skills of some of Brazil’s finest musicians and Bighouse Sound Studio in Melbourne, Australia. With world rhythms, Brazilian influences, jazzy chords, quality song writing, catchy melodies and a magnetic charisma, Jesse Witney sets off to carve his own niche into the musical landscape as a Brazilian infused world-roots artist, inspired by ‘Música Popular Brasiliera’ with its eclectic rhythms and romantic vocals, made famous in the 1970's with artists such as the revered Jorge Ben Jor and Vinicus de Moraes.

Animal Cities presents original compositions, including the album focus track the eminently catchy, ‘Teresa Teresinha’, which sounds like a retro Brazilian samba folk song. Sun drenched, beachy and laid back, the listener is transported to a beach in Rio, sipping a chilled Caipirinha. It’s gloriously nostalgic and seductive. Witney’s sweet voice lays right back off the vocal with relaxed authenticity and the earworm chorus is sure to hook you.

Teresa Teresinha, was originally penned walking the pilgrimage of Camino de Santiago, through northern Spain in 2016. A chance encounter with a musical and enthusiastic Italian girl, sparked an immediate friendship, and not long after walking together, they started jamming on Brazilian influenced melodies. Teresa sang ‘la la ya la la ya la la ya la la ya’, to which Jesse immediately recorded lyrics into his ipod, and later that day, on the rustic acoustic guitar he had bought in Toulouse, he wrote the harmony and remaining melodies for the song. He also twisted the arm of Teresa to write a verse in Spanish, and by the end of the day, the song had been written.

Previous singles lifted from this long-player are ‘The Darkness’ & ‘Mumma’. The latter dropped just prior to the album release.

Musically, the song is in the style of Samba, however there are other Latin elements, like congas and percussive guitar rhythm, which lend themselves to other genres such as Rumba and Son. Instrumentally, the song has Nylon string guitar, Clarinet, Bandolim (Brazilian Mandolin), Lead and Backing vocals in Portuguese and Spanish, and a range of percussion, including Pandeiro, Cowbell, Congas, Repique, Surdo and Tamborim. The lead vocals were recorded in the same take as the Bandolim, and were sung into an Sm57 as a guide track. It was virtually impossible to capture the same energy and magic as that take, so they were chosen as the final vocal.

Witney also sings in English, entering the realm of DanceHall Roots Reggae with a heart-felt ode to Mother Earth, Mumma. The Darkness and The System show Witney pushing into 1970’s Prog-Rock territory, with driving rhythms, and the rarest of commodities in today's pop market – guitar solos – drenched in 1970’s treatments that conjure early Pink Floyd. There’ll be Days, and The Captain reveals Witney’s talent for simple acoustic songs, lyrically disarming, here he resembles Cat Stevens or Ben Harper, but with an undeniable ache in his vocal that draws in the listener and at times feels powerfully intimate. Witney has a dynamic vocal range and a powerful singing style that brings to mind the melodic soul of Jeff Buckley. He can hold the space between frailty and power, breaking your heart one moment and mending it the next.

“Recording in Brazil was a huge bucket list moment for me. It was an empowering experience; something that I’d wanted to do for a long time. I’m grateful for my supporters and backers, and also for my Brazilian producer, Marcelo Müller, who made the whole thing seamless, and most importantly, sound amazing”, says Witney.

credits

released March 2, 2023

Executive Producer: Robyn Hicks

Tracks
1. Mumma
3. Teresa Teresinha
5. Mama Maya
6. Ao Seu Redor
12. O Milagre

Produced by Marcelo Müller, Thomas Mitchell & Jesse Witney. Recorded in Rio De Janeiro, at Estúdio Carolina in October 2018.

Tracks
2. The Darkness
4. There’ll be days
8. The System
9. Apple of my eye
10. You’re the only one

Produced by Thomas Mitchell and Jesse Witney. Recorded at Bighouse Sound Studio in Coburg North, Melbourne in 2018, 2019 and 2020. There’ll be days Piano accordion recorded in Brazil and arranged by Marcelo Müller.

Track
7. The Captain
11. Trees

Produced by Jesse Witney. String arrangement on The Captain by Marcelo Müller.

All songs written by Jesse Witney, apart from;

Teresa Teresinha – Jesse Witney & Teresa Bertoni
Mama Maya – Jesse Witney, Jaspar Gubbay, Hal Strewe & Thomas Mitchell
O Milagre – Jesse Witney & Marcelo Garcia

Recording Credits:

Mumma –

Guitar & Vocals – Jesse Witney
Drums – Thomas Mitchell
Bass – Marcelo Müller
Wurlitzer – Pedro Guinu
Baritone Saxophone – Henrique Band
Trombone – Antonio Moraes Neves
Trumpet – Aquiles Moraes
Horn Arrangement – Marcelo Müller
Mix – Nick Herrera
Master - King Willy

The Darkness -

Tenor Ukelele, Slide Guitar & Vocals – Jesse Witney
Drums – Nick Martyn
Bass – Jules Pascoe
Synth – Thomas Mitchell
Mix – Scott French
Master – King Willy

Teresa Teresinha –

Nylon String Guitar & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Percussion – Bernardo Aguiar
Bandolim – Pedro Franco
Clarinet – Lucas Brito
Cavaquinho – Gabriel Menezes
Spanish Vocals – Paulina Viroga
Backing Vocals – Ellen Burbidge
Arrangement – Marcelo Müller
Mix – Tércio Marques
Master – King Willy

There’ll be days –

Nylon String Guitar & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Piano Accordion – Marcelo Caldi
Double Bass – Jordan Tarento
Percussion – Bernardo Aguiar
Trumpet – Nic Ryan-Glenie
Tenor Saxophone – Sam Boon
Trombone – Conor McIndoe
Mix – Tércio Marques
Master – King Willy

Mama Maya –

Nylon/Electric Guitar & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Backing Vocals – Juman
Bass Guitar – Marcelo Müller
Rhodes & Wurlitzer – Pedro Guinu
Drums – Thomas Mitchell
Percussion – Bernardo Aguiar
Mix – Tércio Marques
Master – King Willy

Ao Seu Redor –

Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Lead & Backing Vocals – Jesse Witney
Electronic Samples – Thomas Mitchell
Bass Guitar – Marcelo Müller
Drums – Thomas Mitchell
Synth & Rhodes – Pedro Guinu
Mix – Tércio Marques
Master – King Willy

The Captain –

Acoustic Guitar & Vocals – Jesse Witney
1st & 2nd Violin – Ayran Nicodemo
Viola – Daniel Albuquerque
Cello - Maria Clara Valle
Mix – Nick Herrera
Master – King Willy

The System –

Electric Guitar & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Drums – Nick Martyn
Percussion – Thomas Mitchell
Bass – Jules Pascoe
BV’s – Hannah Macklin
Trumpet – Nic Ryan-Glenie
Tenor Saxophone – Sam Boon
Trombone – Conor McIndoe
Mix – James Chandler
Master – King Willy

Apple of my eye –

Electric Guitar/Synth/Percussion & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Drums – Nick Martyn
Bass – Jules Pascoe
Mix – Tércio Marques & Thomas Mitchell
Master – King Willy

You’re the only one –

Electric Guitar & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Drums – Nick Martyn
Percussion – Thomas Mitchell
Mix – Tércio Marques
Master – King Willy

Trees –

Nature Sounds – Upper Main Arm
Words – Jesse Witney
Mix – Jesse Witney
Master – King Willy

O Milagre –

Nylon Guitar & Lead Vocals – Jesse Witney
Cavaquinho – Gabriel Menezes
Percussion – Bernardo Aguiar
Backing Vocals – Juman
Synth Bass – Pedro Guinu
Flute – Lucas Brito
Mix – Tércio Marques
Master – King Willy

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Jesse Witney Australia

Jesse Witney is an independent artist who weaves Soul, Brazilian and Roots styles into uniquely Australian music. His thirst for exploration and love of world music have seen him journey abroad to share his music in the UK, Brazil, Germany and Hawaii.

Splendour in the Grass, Woodford, Island Vibe and The National folk festival are just some of festivals that Jesse has performed at in Australia.
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