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Old Shoes

by The Cucumbers

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1.
Oh take me back to the days and the nights we had all February Time on our hands and nothing much better to do You’ve gotta start somewhere And anywhere is everywhere Day after day of staying up way past midnight Drinking tequila and hoping for a little spark You say it’s not too late And everything else can wait Thoughts in my mind so much I didn’t tell you I couldn’t find the words I had to say Singing is believing And dreaming is sweetening You’ve got to start somewhere You may as well start there Oh take me back to the days and the nights we had all February Time on our hands and nothing much better to do You’ve gotta start somewhere And anywhere is everywhere Dreaming is believing You may as well start there
2.
Old Shoes 03:18
Some people let go of things I would never to any such thing I hold on and so do you A little bit worn it may be true We may not be beautiful but we're inseparable Just like a pair old shoes I don't mind it when you take me for granted In a certain way it's sort of romantic “Cause one of my greatest luxuries Is counting on your company So dependable and true Just like a pair of old shoes We've been through all kinds of weather Think of all the steps we've taken together I may not be shiny and new But I'm the one that fits you We polish up nice for a night on the town But we're both so happy just sticking around You're my lucky number my lucky star And my favorite place is wherever you are It's beautiful we're inseparable Just like a pair old shoes We've been through all kinds of weather Think of all the steps we've taken together I may not be shiny and new But I'm the one that fits you Some people let go of things I would never to any such thing I hold on and so do you A little bit worn it may be true But it's beautiful we're inseparable Just like a pair old shoes
3.
So I mixed my intuition With some numbers and a rabbit's foot or two How about you I made a big production From my imagination It's what I do How about you And when the night is over And I don't want it to be through I'm keeping my door open Oh won't you please keep on doing what you do Crazy eights and hearts and kisses You know I love what this is when you do How about you In your fields and in your flowers In your flying tender hours I'll be true How about you And when the night is over And I don't want it to be through I'm keeping my door open Oh won't you please keep on doing what you do Spring is coming And it’s time for me to get back to my roots How about you Some days are heavy lifting But the end is a beginning and it's new Isn't that true And when the night is over And I don't want it to be through I'm keeping my door open Oh won't you please keep on doing what you do Doing what you do Doing what you do Doing what you do
4.
Mr. Moon 04:02
Well hello there Mr. Moon Have you come to hang around I know you’re the kind of guy Who’d never let me down Looking good so big and so round In your golden dressing gown I want to kiss and hold you tight But you’re floating right up into the sky Mr Moon Moon Moon Moon even though you’re far away I love I love I love it when you shine your light my way And I ain’t saving up nothing for a rainy day Cause you’re just the guy to take my blues away Maybe I can hitch a ride on a kite If you’re really made of cheese I’d like to try a bite I’m going to bring a present for you On a sugar spoon Mr Moon Moon Moon Moon even though you’re far away I love I love I love it when you shine your light my way And I ain’t saving up nothing for a rainy day Cause you’re just the guy to take my blues away You’re up there with a halo of stars I’m down here in my dented old car Looking for a bridge or a road to where you are Mr Moon Moon Moon Moon even though you’re far away I love I love I love it when you shine your light my way And I ain’t saving up nothing for a rainy day Cause you’re just the guy to take my blues away You’re just the guy to take my blues away You’re just the guy to take my blues away
5.
Blue Guitar 02:46
Wishing on a star
 Hanging on a moon 
I’ll keep on waiting till my waiting days are through 

When I play my blue guitar 
When I dance from room to room
 And everything goes shimmering 
Dreaming of the night with you

 Got a crystal jar
 And a silver spoon
 When the light on them is sparkling 
It reminds me of you

 When I play my blue guitar 
When I dance from room to room
 And everything goes shimmering 
Dreaming of the night with you
 Dreaming of the night with you
 Dreaming of the night
6.
I'll get ready if you'll get ready And I'll be waiting for you I've been waiting and you've been waiting And we both know what to do We'll go across the river We'll go dancing in town I'm just waiting for you to come around I've been thinking and I've been sleeping And I've been dreaming of you You're so ready and you're so steady And you're so warm and true I'll be there in the morning I'll be waiting at noon Anytime you come a calling I'm ready for you Springtime is peaking round the bend And so is my long lost friend The stars may not align it's true But that's not stopping you If you are ready I'll get ready And I'll know what to do Just be steady not too heavy And send out a smile or two I'll be there in the morning I'll be waiting at noon Anytime you come a calling I'm ready for you I'm ready for you
7.
I felt my jealous Like a heart attack Everything was black I was an angry cat Got so mad I couldn't think Make a big loud stink When you didn't blink But I'm over that, I'm over that You can be the way you are If I'm not near, well then I'm far Far away as I can be And I'll just go and see somebody else And if there's nobody else Well, I'll just see myself Dressed myself up in an old torn shirt And I felt so hurt I was a lonely bird But I'm over that, I'm over that You can be the way you are If I'm not near, well then I'm far Far away as I can be And I'll just go and see somebody else And if there's nobody else Well, I'll just see myself I'll stand up straight I'll stay out late I'll fill my plate With figs and dates And I won't wait For you I'm over that I'm over that Oooh, mmmhmn, mmhmn… I'm over that, I'm over that I'm over that

about

"Old Shoes” is a collection of seven new songs by The Cucumbers.

Deena Shoshkes (guitar, vocals) and Jon Fried (banjo and vocals) are joined by their son, drummer Jamie Fried (re/Ly, Cait and the Marrow, The Jamie Fried Sextet)  and bassist Rick Wagner (Luther Black and the Cold Hard Facts, The Poor Man’s Opera.)

The Cucumbers were mainstays of the Hoboken jangle pop scene of the 80s, whose catchy, quirky, danceable songs brought them a burst of national attention and remain a vital part of their local music scene. “Old Shoes” is their first collection of new material in almost two decades, although Jon and Deena have released several albums and singles of new music in the interim - Deena as a solo artist, Jon and Deena together with The Campfire Flies.

The acoustic "mini" album is a departure from the band’s electric guitar-driven sound.  Throughout the pandemic Jon and Deena performed these songs as an acoustic duo live-streaming on the internet and in-person in outdoor settings.  

“I knew I wanted to make a recording to document the sound and arrangements Jon and I had developed over this unusual time,” says Deena.  “I also wanted to make sure these songs, some of my favorites, were produced and released into the world, but how?”

At one point, Jamie came home for several days to get some concentrated studying in for medical school exams.  “He heard us practicing for a performance  and sat in with us as we rehearsed, as a study break,” explains Deena.  “It was magic. Jamie grew up playing music with us and he knew exactly what to play. “

The solution to how to record was obvious - have Jamie play drums!  Rick Wagner, who had played on some of Deena’s solo recordings (Deena and The Poor Man’s Opera), joined on bass.

 The quirky guitar-banjo-bass-drums combo rocks in it’s own unadorned, live way. “It’s hand-made and homey,” says Jon “a blend of garage rock and back porch strumming.”

The title song “Old Shoes” is a bookend to The Cucumbers first song “My Boyfriend,” about a young couple starting to live together.  From the opening track “Gotta Start Somewhere” to the closer “I’m Over That” the songs reflect on love, longing, creativity, mysticism and time.

credits

released July 21, 2023

Deena Shoshkes - guitar, vocals
Jon Fried - banjo, vocals
Jamie Fried - drums
Rick Wagner - bass

Produced by Deena
Recorded at Magic Door Studios (Montclair, NJ) by Ray Ketchum
Additional recording at The J Club (Millburn, NJ) by Deena
Mixed at Little Life (NYC) by Rob Friedman
Mastered at Storybook Sound (Maplewood, NJ) by Scott Anthony
Cover art by Sherri Zuckerman
Arrangements by Jon and Deena

All songs written by Deena Shoshkes (ascap), (p)Verbena Music
"Mr. Moon" written by Deena Shoshkes (ascap) (p)Verbena Music and David Graham (ascap) (p) McTown Music

Dedicated with love in memory of David Young

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Deena/Jon/The Cucumbers & More New Jersey

Jon Fried & Deena Shoshkes started The Cucumbers and found a home in the 80's indie pop scene in Hoboken, NJ. They have created many varied musical projects, which are presented together, here. We hope you enjoy our new music, and newly re-mastered old recordings. ... more

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