DISCOGRAPHY

A Sign From God

With Esquela’s fifth studio album release and first since 2017, the band has built on their song- writing skills to offer up a selection of songs inspired by the world around them. From the selfish and yet relatable anthem of “Not in My Backyard” to ripped-from-the-headline’s songs such as “Oradura” about the town of Oradour sur Glane, destroyed by the Nazis in 1944, Esquela digs deep into their creative well to craft meaningful tracks. The musicianship is outstanding in their latest release, and it illustrates Esquela’s evolution as a band that still has something to say to the world. The band did not let a good crisis go to waste during the pandemic and recorded their best album to date.

How did you get to this place?
How do you light up your space?
It don’t matter as long as it’s cheap

Burn that coal in some other place
Anti fracking signs in my face
Just not in my backyard

Chorus:
Not in my backyard
Not in my backyard
Not in my backyard

Windfarms for clean, green power
Rfk is for the towers
Just not in nantucket sound

Burn that coal to feed the grid
Don’t do what you just done, did
So says al from his 30,000 foot crib

Chorus

Hydrofracking is a swear word
Nuclear power is for the birds
Guess we better burn some trees

How did you get to this place?
How did you light up your space?
It don’t matter as long as it’s cheap

Chorus 2x

Oradura , I barely knew ya
Wiped from the map that day
June, 10th 1944
Building or man stood no more

Oradura, I barely knew ya
Oradura, I barely knew ya
Wiped from the map single day

The resistance had taken one of their own
The ss were not likely to soon forget
They came to town on a one-night stand
When the ss left, no man or building would stand

Oradura, I barely knew ya
Oradura, I barely knew ya
Wiped from the map single day

Women and children gathered in the church
The men and boys herded into the barn
Shots rang out – their aim was low
Meant to wound so they would die slow

Oradura, I barely knew ya
Oradura, I barely knew ya
Wiped from the map single day

Oradura, I barely knew ya
Oradura, I barely knew ya
Wiped from the map single day

I feel good
I feel lucky
I feel alright tonight

I feel good
I feel lucky
I feel alright tonight

Livin’ high at the 109 - Don’t you worry girl
You’ll be fine - You got the whole world, Baby in front of you

I feel good
I feel lucky
I feel alright tonight

I feel good
I feel lucky
I feel alright tonight

Get a beer, grab a shot
We’re headin to the parking lot
And oh no, it’s just about closing time

Bridge:

Step in my room – and do it soon
Hope the roof hits you – real soon
Then it’ll be alright – I’m getting’ lucky tonight

I feel bad
I feel unlucky
I don’t feel alright tonight

I don’t feel good
I feel unlucky
I don’t feel alright tonight

Woke up don’t recall a thing - Now I’ve got this bad feeling
It’s gonna stay with me, baby for the rest of my life

The rest of my life
The rest of my life…..repeat…

My baby’s wearin give ups again
My baby’s wearin give ups again
Yes indeed, she’s wearing them

She’s at the bar and looks like a nine
To talk to her I had to stand in line
She liked my smile and she liked my charm
I asked her out, she said “what’s the harm”?

Next day I knock on her door
She looked so good, my jaw hit the floor
Went to dinner all the heads turned
My black book I just burned

My baby’s wearin give ups again
My baby’s wearin give ups again
Yes indeed, she’s wearing them

Bridge:
Fast forward 20 years
Lots of fights and lots of tears
She watches him cheer on his team
And wonders why the crops so lean
Wears her give ups instead of putting on airs
Now she walks around with no cares

My baby’s wearin give ups again
My baby’s wearin give ups again
My baby’s wearin give ups again
My baby’s wearin give ups again
Yes indeed, she’s wearing them
Yes indeed, she’s wearing them

July 21st, 1861
McDowell’s troops crossed the creek of Bullrun
The line was eight miles long
The Rebs were twenty-two thousand strong

Down from DC to see the show
Picnic lunches and children in tow
The show got unruly, had to leave the scene
The battle and retreat far from serene

Chorus:
If you’re from the South – they call it Manassas
If you’re from the North – it’s the Battle of Bullrun
The blood it flowed as thick as molasses
It’d be four years til the war was won

Stonewall Jackson stood his ground
Made the Virginians very proud
The North retreated in a panic
Known as the great skedaddle

Chorus:
States rights, rebels unite
States rights, preserve the union
Emancipation proclamation
more than a 90 day fight

They cried for water and their mothers
It was Northern Brother fighting Southern Brother
Five thousand lay dead on both sides
The Victor would impact future black lives

Chorus
If you’re from the South – they call it Manassas
If you’re from the North – it’s the Battle of Bullrun
The blood it flowed as thick as molasses
It’d be four years til the war was won
The blood it flowed as thick as molasses
It’d be four years til the war was won

Three finger joe – he ran the show
As a deputy sheriff in ohio – three finger joe
He ran the steel mill down in rosedale
He knew just how to tell tall tales – did three finger joe
When he drove around town to make his rounds
The black men they all looked down at three finger joe

Chorus:
Three finger joe – he runs the show
Three finger joe – don’t you know….’bout
Three finger joe

Out to dinner one monday night
In late january martin luther king’s night
And I asked three finger joe
About the holiday his daughter just had
And he looked at me and got real mad

Mlk day is no holiday
Just a day off when the teachers get paid
Said three finger joe

Chorus

I didn’t say a word, but I wished I had
Concerned for a daughter with a dad
Like three finger joe

Cause you gotta teach ‘em young to learn this stuff
About hatred and racism is really tough
From a guy like three finger joe

Chorus

I’ve got these first world problems
Don’t know how they started
Got these first world problems
Don’t know how I’ll solve them

I broke my sunglasses today
Don’t know the wifi password
It’s too hot in here
Someone stole my massage today
My team came in last place again
Is this gluten free?
Someone stole my iphone
Now I use a flip phone

Chorus:
First world problems – don’t know how they started
First world problems – don’t know how I’ll solve them

I’ve got no cell service
I’ve got to sit in the middle seat -
What do you mean “my room’s not ready yet”?
They don’t take reservations
This wine doesn’t taste quite right
My flight’s been delayed
I went to my safety school
Too many student loans

Chorus…………solo

Spend our time complaining about things
When we should be rejoicing
About health and your mom and dad
Not the things we wish we had

The in-laws are coming to visit
Buggy software upgrades
I just burned the toast
Bad country on the radio
Someone’s in the fast lane again
This coffee is not hot
Not enough selfie likes
I missed my stop! ….I missed my stop!......I missed my stop!

Chorus – 2x out

What’s your problem? Maybe it’s human nature
What’s your problem? Need to look down on someone else
Gotta keep em down to improve your stature
Or to feel better about yourself, its true

So what’s your problem? You got to treat people so mean
What’s your problem? Scared cause they’re different than you
What’s your problem? What if the foot had the other shoe?

I know you weren’t born this way
Your parents did a real number on you
They taught you about jesus and what he says is true
Do unto to others as they would unto you….

So what’s your problem? Hate a man who looks different than you
What’s your problem? Ever think about your white priviledge?
What’s your problem? This has gone on long enough….

Bridge

Gotta break the cycle, enough’s enough
Teach your children love and respect
Standing up for what is right shouldn’t be that tough
Loving a fellow man is a novel concept

So what’s your problem
What’s your problem?
What’s your problem?
Repeat….Out

Two stones, for every dirt
Rise each spring from the earth
Three foot high stacked up off the ground

Dry laid walls stand hard and fast
Scars from the hard work past
Boundary lines for the property

Chorus:
Two stones for every dirt
Rise each spring from the earth

3 foot high stacked up off the ground

Tenant farmers cleared the land
3 foot high walls built by hand
Walls to keep in the cows and sheep

Fallow fields are laid with scars
Deep in the hills and hollers
Remind us now of times gone by

Chorus

Today it is a paid craft
Reminds us of times gone past
Miles and miles and miles

Chorus – out 2x

Wait for me and I’ll return
Only wait very hard
Wait when you are filled with sorrow
As you watch the yellow rain
Wait when the wind sweep the snow drifts
Wait in the sweltering heat
Wait when others have stopped waiting
Forgetting their yesterdays
Wait even when from afar no letters come to you
Wait even when others are tired of waiting
Wait even when my mother and son think I am no more
And when friends sit around the fire drinking to my memory
Wait and do not hurry to drink to my memory too
Wait for I’ll return, defying every dead
And let those who do not wait say that I was lucky
They never will understand that in the midst of death,
You with your waiting saved me You with your waiting save me….you saved me (jbf added this line)
Only you and I will know how I survived
It’s because you waited as no one else did
You with your waiting…you saved me …with your waiting (jbf added this line)
You with your waiting…you saved me …with your waiting (jbf added this line)

Esquela Song By Song Credits

All songs written by John “Chico” Finn, except “Wait For Me” – written by Konstantin Simonov – music by Becca Frame and Brian Shafer

Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Electric Guitars: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Lead Vocals: Becca Frame & John “Chico” Finn
Harmony Vocals: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Group Vocals: Mary Lee Kortes & Eric “Roscoe” Ambel

Oradura

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Electric Guitars: Brian Shafer & Matt Woodin
Guitar Solo: Brian Shafer
Vocals: Becca Frame & John “Chico” Finn

Rest Of My Life

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Electric Guitars: Brian Shafer & Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Guitar Solo: Brian Shafer
Vocals: Becca Frame & John “Chico” Finn
Harmony Vocal: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel

Give Ups

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitars: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel & Matt Woodin
Electric Guitars: Brian Shafer & Matt Woodin
1st Guitar Solo: Matt Woodin
2nd Guitar Solo: Brian Shafer
Lead Vocal: John “Chico” Finn
Harmony Vocals: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel

1861

Drums: Mike Ricciardi Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitars: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel & Matt Woodin
Electric Guitars: Brian Shafer
Guitar Solo: Brian Shafer
Lead Vocal: Becca Frame
Harmony Vocals: John “Chico” Finn & Eric “Roscoe” Ambel

3 Finger Joe

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitars: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel & Matt
Electric Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Lap Steel Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Harmonica: Andy York
Lead Vocal: John “Chico” Finn
Harmony Vocals: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel

First World Problems

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Electric Guitars: Brian Shafer
Electric Rhythm Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Vocals: Becca Frame & John “Chico” Finn

What’s Your Problem

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Electric Guitars: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Guitar Solo: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Hammond B3 Organ: Rob Arthur
Siren: Village of Delhi Police Department
Vocals: John “Chico” Finn

Two Stones

Drums: Mike Ricciardi
Bass: Keith Christopher
Acoustic Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Mandolin: Matt Woodin
Electric Guitars: Brian Shafer & Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Guitar Theme: Brian Shafer
Electric Slide Guitar & Slide Guitar Solo: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Handclaps: Matt Woodin & Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Lead Vocal: John “Chico” Finn
Harmony Vocal: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel

Wait For Me

Cajon & Percussion: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Upright Bass: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Electric & Acoustic Guitar: Brian Shafer
Acoustic 12 String Guitar: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Strings: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel
Lead Vocal: Becca Frame
Answer Vocals: John “Chico” Finn
Harmony Vocals: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, Brian Shafer, John “Chico” Finn & Becca Frame

(illustration by Kate Burrascano @crittercity)Esquela is an indie-roots-Americana band featuring amazing vocalist Rebecca Frame; who holds court with lead guitarist Brian Shafer; Chico Finn on acoustic and vocals; Matt Woodin on guitar, Keith Christopher on bass; and Mike Ricciardi on drums. Fun and festive, Esquela is loaded up with rich orchestration, layered harmonies, and soaked in rural sensibilities, all produced by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel.

(illustration by Kate Burrascano @crittercity)

Esquela is an indie-roots-Americana band featuring amazing vocalist Rebecca Frame; who holds court with lead guitarist Brian Shafer; Chico Finn on acoustic and vocals; Matt Woodin on guitar, Keith Christopher on bass; and Mike Ricciardi on drums. Fun and festive, Esquela is loaded up with rich orchestration, layered harmonies, and soaked in rural sensibilities, all produced by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel.