Cover of the Fun Section
(to the tune of "Cover of the Rolling Stone")
by Brian Andrews (1994)


The Story Behind the Music:

Storywood started out as a purely acoustic band and was featured in an article on "Unplugged" acts in Baton Rouge run by the entertainment section of the local newpaper, called the "Fun Section" of the Advocate. Our picture appeared on the cover of the Fun Section, and this parody sort of wrote itself about 30 minutes before our show on the day the article came out. Lyric sheets were distributed, but the band chose against performing it. After reviewing the words again, this was probably the best decision.


Different Directions
words and music by Brian Andrews (1988)
all rights reserved 
 


The Story Behind the Music:

It was written a long time ago. The divorce didn't happen, probably to some extent based on my trip to Wyoming. Probably a song in there, too. Anyway, it was a hard time, but I'm much better now...


Gypsy Lover
words and music by Brian Andrews (1997)
all rights reserved 



The Story Behind the Music:

This is a love song for my wife, Sharon, written over traditional blues. It celebrates the duality of her nature (or perhaps diagnoses a bi-polar condition), even though this duality sometimes creates great tension in our lives.

The first verse tells about New Orleans, the city where she was born and the place that defines her soul. The specific images are:

The next verse is about Sharon's love of San Francisco. The specific images are: The chorus includes all of the images that I love about Sharon. And, yes, she is a belly-dancer.

The final verses are about acceptance and hope.

- BA


Mama's Dating a Rich Man Now
words and music by Brian Andrews (1997)
all rights reserved 



The Story Behind the Music:

Most of my music has an autobiographical history or inspiration from one of my life experiences. Mama is an exception in that it is written about a completely fictional person in a completely contrived situation. The only part of the song that has any story about it is the title:

I was having lunch with a friend from work named Paul at a local music club/restaurant named M's Fine & Mellow Cafe (the old location for those of you familiar with downtown Baton Rouge). We were getting to know each other and he was telling me about his mother. At some point I asked Paul what his mother was up to these days. He started to answer, paused for a moment, and in an uncharacteristic manner said "Momma's dating a rich man now." Somehow, at that moment, that phase had a lyric quality to me and I scribbled it on a napkin so that I could work on it later. So often I come up with good song ideas or "hooks" but don't write them down and forget about them later. Fortunately, I did retrieve this one and turned it into a song.

Paul, an incredibly talented poet and lyricist himself, now lives in San Francisco in the Haight Asbury district.

- BA


Mirage on the Bayou
words and music by Brian Andrews (1994)
all rights reserved


The Story Behind the Music:

I love New Orleans. I love the old world charm of the city and the special places reserved for posterity. I was shocked when the plan to open the only land-based casino in the state was revealed, with its placement only a stone's throw from the French Quarter. I suppose there was some wisdom in this, but I felt it lacked vision of the long term effects to the city, particularly the Quarter. In addition, I felt that the projections were incredibly optimistic and that it would never work. This was my protest song.

P.S. As of early 1998, the casino still has not opened. Construction was halted after the developers filed for bankruptcy protection. Oh well...


Time To Heal
words and music by Brian Andrews (1997)
all rights reserved



The Story Behind the Music:

Give me some time - I'll tell the story later...


Touch of Clove
words and music by Brian Andrews (1998)
all rights reserved
 


The Story Behind the Music:

This song was inspired by and written in response to a poem by Sharon L. Williams Andrews, one of my favorite poets. Her poem was titled Menage and is presented below with permission of the author (with all rights reserved). My song is set in the bedroom that Sharon and I share.
 

Menage

On your face, fear frightens me: 
you love two people, and both live in my skin. 
One exhales clove-scented tears 
because it is dark and I have been reading poetry. 
This is the part of me you want 
to hate but cannot live without. 
I can’t, either. 
You inhale my smoke and breath, 
both bad for you 
and necessary. 
Now tears flow from my other self, cut into your hand, 
a thousand shards of broken mirror glass, 
reflections of a thousand mixed feelings. 

Sharon Williams Andrews 
October 1997