What to do when you're in Mexico with crashing waves, tropical winds, wine and doobies? Write a song of course! A few years back, we escaped to Cancun to get away from the ice and snow. It was the weirdest place - they had no idea what 'all-inclusive' meant. There was zero entertainment, total restriction on food and booze and they played the same CD at breakfast, at the pool, then again at suppertime. Fed up, we performed twice (for free) on the dinner deck, practicing our Christmas set list for the tiny audience. https://twistedgitarco.wixsite.com/smokeywine
Our concierge, named Moose, promised so much but delivered so little. We literally had to beg for a bottle of cheap wine, it took them two days to find a glass of real milk and we were served the same food day after day... There were old, dead pianos everywhere we weren't allowed to play and lots of nude paintings and sculptures. Mark enjoyed that. We had plenty of special moments as well: watching the pelicans, iguanas and other interesting birds.
We pampered ourselves with massages at the spa. (one small room on the beach) The lady was so lovely, I gave her my toe ring and Mark spoiled her with a face massage. The day before we left, I went back again, feeling sorry for her because the hotel was so empty, we were her only customers. We also fudged on the receipt so she could get more money.
Releasing the baby turtles into the ocean was very exciting. When we first arrived, they showed us a bucket of sand and turtle eggs about ready to hatch. I was thrilled at the thought of it because I had always wanted to participate in this ritual. A few days later, late at night, after drinking all day, our bartender grabbed us and said it was time to set them free. Here is the evidence!By the way, Mark still has that shoe that went for a swim with the turtles.
Three other 'bucket list' items got checked off on this vacation with a day trip to the Mayan ruins in Tulum, a triple zipline in the jungle, snorkeling in an above ground cenote and a private tour through an underground cenote. Super scary, with only a little hand light, we worked our way through dark waters full of stalactites, stalagmites, strange spiders, bats and blind fish. When our guide told us to turn off our lights and sit in the darkest black ever where natives had made human sacrifices, I got goosies. Our first time ziplining was a blast; not a super tall tree to climb, but high enough to get my heart racing. The awesome day finished with a beautiful lunch in Playa de Carmen. Our cabbie earned his pesos that day!
The 'Casa Turquesa' was called a 'Boutique Hotel' because of all the quaint art hanging about. I got hooked into buying the vacation from a random phone call which included a mandatory timeshare visit that took way too long and in the end, offered expensive excursions that we couldn't afford. We got nervous after reading the fine print that stated people like Mark, born in Quebec were ineligible. Too late! We were already there. He showed them his drivers license instead of the passport and they bought it, we were safe! It was tragically funny; we laughed at each debacle and somehow found a way to enjoy the trip and make the best of what we had.
The handful of guests in the hotel went to bed early and by nine there was nothing to do but entertain ourselves. This folk/blues tune came from us jamming in our room, looking out at the ocean, complaining about our aches and pains. At home, I added bass and a hand drum to round it out. The talented Gerry Potter channeled Gerry Rafferty in the fantastic sax solo and Mark Sheldan played his hundred year old mandolin to add that sea shanty feeling we were going for. (marksheldan.com) He also sang echo tracks on the chorus to give it a chain gang vibe. (see photo at bottom of page)
Perhaps, you can look at it as an advice column for those who struggle with pain and suffering. Or, you could call it a beach party, take a fuckitall and forget about it. In any case, there's a sweetness to this song which carries a clear, strong message with tons of layered harmonies.
Thanks for going down memory lane with me today and please keep supporting organic, homegrown music and local artists. We love you for listening. Your comments are welcome and appreciated. Until next time, Love, Laugh and Dance. ~*.*~ Lea Sheldan
#LoveLaughDance #YearOfTheGreatRelease #ListenToThis #LeaSheldanBlog #KeepAwayThePain #VacationSongs #BeachParty #SingerSongwriter #FolkBlues #GerryRaffertySax #HomegrownMusic
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Sing along with the lyrics below:
Keep Away The Pain
Smoke another doobie, take another pill
Drink another whiskey and wine if you will
Jump into the water to cleanse away the stain
Keep away the pain boys, keep away the pain
Keep away
Fill your heart with laughter and love will come your way
And the morning after it’s sunshine when it rains
Do what you must do boy and do it once again
To keep away the pain boy, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Smoke another doobie, take another pill
Drink another whiskey and wine if you will
Jump into the water to cleanse away the stain
Keep away the pain boys, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Keep away, keep away, keep away the pain
Written by Lea and Mark Sheldan
copyright 2016 Socan
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