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.

Dreams Are Strange

by The Carnivaleros

/

  • Streaming + Download

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

      $12 USD  or more

     

1.
Hesitation Bridge 04:26
lyrics
buy track
Some folks born to follow some folks born to lead Some folks live on nothing' while others live on greed All those things that you call yours aren't really yours at all We're all in this together with our backs against the wall It's hard to let your hair down cast your doubts over the ridge Until you've walked a mile across the hesitation bridge The taps are flowing freely folks are stamping on the floor The band is bringing down the house they're tight and that's for sure If you really listen to the beating of your heart All those preconceptions will start to fall apart It's hard to let your hair down cast your doubts over the ridge Until you've walked a mile across the hesitation bridge No reason to feel guilty ‘bout the choices that you make Tend to your own business give back more than you take Some folks keep on hating there’s not much that can be done Their confusion just keeps getting passed from father down to son It's hard to let your hair down cast your doubts over the ridge Until you've walked a mile across the hesitation bridge
2.
Dreams Are Strange 05:02
lyrics
buy track
Dreamt I won a raffle Got a Winnebago Insurance was killin' me Sold it for a Volvo Drove across Nebraska Lost control, slammed into a tree Had no health insurance Bought an airline ticket Flew south to the City of Belize Headed down to Queen Street Found old Mama Chen's Got the guesthouse overrun with fleas Dreams are strange Dreams are no small change Dreams can make you whole Dreams can save your soul Ran back to the airport Couldn't find my passport Policia threw me in a tiny room Stole my clothes and toothbrush Naked with six strangers Gin rummy was the last thing on their minds So I flew out through the window On wings of Chinese cardboard Soaring high above the Gulf of Mexico Landed in Beatrice What used to be my front yard Head first in over three feet of snow Dreams are strange Dreams are no small change Dreams can make you whole Dreams can save your soul
3.
The Chestnut Oak 01:43
info
buy track
4.
Gonna Jump In A Hole 03:29
lyrics
buy track
My baby keeps a-spending all my money, all my money As she sidles up to me and whispers honey bunny I tell her that I'm broke now and you know that that ain't funny As my disposition sinks to the other side of sunny Gonna jump in a hole Nowhere else to go And I'm losin' control This girl is taking a toll She drops me a text wants my credit card number Ran into some bargains on the other side of town She said she'll pay me back when she cashes her next paycheck In the meantime has the need to throw a few dollars down Gonna jump in a lake That girls' on the make Now's the time to break I've had all I can take Later in the evening get a call on my cell phone My baby tells me that she needs some money for bail There was a misunderstanding at a box store on the east side Bring a bucket of cash and get me out of this jail Gonna jump in a hole This girl is taking a toll Gonna jump in a lake I've had all I can take Nowhere else to go I'm off to Mexico
5.
Mamie Eisenhower 03:16
lyrics
buy track
Midwestern girl of privilege was, Mamie Eisenhower Wore pretty clothes with little gloves, Mamie Eisenhower Sent to Wolcott's Finishing School, Mamie Eisenhower Attended church, played by the rules, Mamie Her father packed Meat Her sisters were sweet The family Doud Were mighty proud, Mamie Married that Kansas boy Dwight, Mamie Eisenhower Called him Ike, seemed just right, Mamie Eisenhower They hitched up after she left school, Mamie Eisenhower Showed she was nobody's fool, Mamie Climbed up the ladder with her man, Mamie Eisenhower First lady of our glorious land, Mamie She became FLOTUS He became POTUS A vote for Ike What's not to like She became FLOTUS Mamie
6.
Tumacacori 03:44
info
buy track
7.
Who's To Say 03:30
lyrics
buy track
Well if I think I was a-gonna then I'd already been If I did what I was spose-ta wouldn't have to ask when I know there's something must've mattered seeped right outta my brain I'll put it off until mañana my loss might be your gain Who's to say Well I might've said something caused some minor dismay I've got a knack for flippant verbiage so some of you say Some day I'll think before the logorrhea causes disdain But I don't remember yesterday my loss might be your gain Who's to say Well the whiskey's talkin' for me didn't mean what I said The lampshade didn't fit me was too small for my head I swear I'm done a-talkin' I might be a bit vain Walkin' right out the door now my loss might be your gain Who's to say
8.
Moving On 03:55
lyrics
buy track
The time has come, the weather's turned Cashing in on what you've earned Leaving town tomorrow's train Our time together all in vain I knew that it would come to this Not ready for that one last kiss Moving On, moving on Moving On, moving on One more night to while away Preparing for the coming day Talk is cheap or so I've heard The last few weeks in my mind blurred This won't hurt you one damn bit Living on your charm and wit While I slowly fade away Every day a bit more grey Moving On, moving on Moving On, moving on
9.
The Red Maple 01:27
info
buy track
10.
Wore Out My Welcome 03:31
lyrics
buy track
Raised in Black Canyon City By my ma and sisters three Married my childhood sweetheart Meant to start a family Instead I joined the army To protect our way of life While I was playing soldier boy A man done stole my wife I wore out my welcome, I wore out my clothes I wore out the feelings from my head to my toes Some say that there are better days ahead before I'm done In the meantime nurse this whiskey in a bar in Winkelman Now I'm working the night shift Selling gasoline and beer Today is just like yesterday Tomorrow looming near I can't take back the things I've done Just step ahead in time Try to keep my feet on solid ground This lonely life of mine Now I am an old man I've seen folks come and go Somehow I am still alive My family's all below The grass ain't getting greener On this side of the hill As I rest my feet 'til my next shift Got a few years in me still I wore out my welcome, I wore out my clothes I wore out the feelings from my head to my toes Some say that there are better days ahead before I'm done In the meantime nurse this whiskey in a bar in Winkelman
11.
Donna's Song 03:56
info
buy track
12.
Psychic Mary 03:48
lyrics
buy track
Old Mary had the ESP It seemed to run in the family Passed down from old granny Sue Who knew exactly just what to do With a parlor right down on Main Psychic Mary on the window pane Digging deep in the human soul Talking folks down the rabbit hole Velvet curtains hung up on the walls Bathroom shelves all lined with dolls Hundreds of candles burning in the room Old souls risen from their tomb Psychic Mary Came from Tucumcari For ten dollars she'll read your palm Conversate with your long gone mom Up in the sky she's doing fine With the cards gives you a sign On a cloud with your family tree All are perched on God's bended knee Someday soon Mary said to me You'll be together for eternity Psychic Mary Came from Tucumcari
13.
Time Traveling 03:33
info
buy track
14.
High Speed Yard Sale 03:19
info
buy track

about

Combining moody Eastern European motifs, Western Movie Themes, with Zydeco rhythms, Tex-Mex Polkas, and Swing, the band’s fifth CD is comprised of equal parts Lyrical Stories of American Gothic Characters of Fiction, and Cinematic Instrumentals.

credits

released March 29, 2016

Gary Mackender composed the songs and played accordion, drums, piano, organ, banjo, and sang the songs; Karl Hoffmann plays bass, sang some background vocals, played some guitars; Joe Fanning did most of the guitar and baritone work; other musicians include Heather Hardy on violin and background vocals, Chris Giambelluca on banjo, double bass, and some background vocals, Greg Mackender on vibes, and Rebecca Carlson on background vocals.

"Dreams are Strange is the band’s fifth release, and every Carnivaleros CD is excellent, that much goes without saying, an intoxicating mixture of roots musics of all brands: zydeco, folk, Appalachian, Tex-Mex, swing, and, yep, even waltzes, though Big Louie and the Versailles Court would never recognize the lattermost incarnation here, I’m pretty damn sure. More, each disc is better than what preceded it. That alone should supply the band with ample reason to…cut it the hell out!! This is Earth, we’re allowed only just so much above our station, and then have to shuffle off the coil, so don’t force the envelope! The listener is advised to afterwards listen to The Osmonds, The Archies, or The Bangles as penance for having tasted of Eden and the apple."
Mark S. Tucker, VERITAS VAMPIRUS, Issue 1,196, April, 2016

"There are many things I like about The Carnivaleros' latest album, Dreams are Strange. The entire album has an earthy, raw quality with whimsical undertones that are at the core of what makes this such a unique and fun record to listen to. If I were to describe what the record's genre was, I would probably tell a friend: "It's like Accordion fueled carnival folk fusion" as there are so many elements at play. Bluegrass, Folk, New Orleans, all contribute to the uniqueness of the work. Along with the catchy, upbeat songs are very moving and thoughtful numbers like "Tumacacori" that transport you to the deserts of southern Arizona from where the Carnivaleros hail. Among the many great performances on this record, songwriter, singer and multiple intrumentalist Gary Mackender's performance on accordion effortlessly moves from style to style with a subtle mastery. Nice job, Carnivaleros."
Alex Flores
Ronstadt Record Company

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

The Carnivaleros image

The Carnivaleros Tucson, Arizona

My songs contain elements of blues, tango, zydeco, cajun, country, rock, and yes, polka (of course!). I see my songs as mini- movies, novellas put to music. If you are one of Those About To Rock or a firm traditionalist, my music is not for you. “A guaranteed party starter that hails from Tucson but extends its sonic tendrils to New Orleans and Beyond.” – Fred Mills, Blurt Online, 2018 ... more

contact / help

Contact The Carnivaleros

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like The Carnivaleros, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now