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.

Coyote Moon

by Frances Livings

supported by
mickylee
mickylee thumbnail
robert-kyle
robert-kyle thumbnail
/

about

Coyote Moon is a song with a strong narrative, allowing the listener to imagine leaving the crowded city for the peace of the pastoral beauty of the countryside, with the moon as a spiritual companion and protector. The American singer-songwriter Jerry Callier – a self-proclaimed “folk-jazz mystic” with a “small but fierce cult following” – recorded the original version for his album Timepeace, which was released by the UK label Verve in 1998. Stylistically, it is a typical for the genre Americana, an amalgam of folk, jazz and blues, which makes up the musical ethos of the United States.

Frances Livings’ rendition is – similar to its original – arranged in an understated acoustic way: The guitar has a transparent tone with silvery highs; the double bass supplies low realms of warmth and depth, and although the voice is embedded in a soft, golden space, it has presence, allowing Frances' vocal to shine. Picking up on both the mood of “Coyote Moon” and the first line of the lyrics, "Summer's finally over, autumn's in the air..." the artist consciously recorded and released the song in the autumn, swapping out the line, “when the fog rolls down the mountains” with “when the fall grows down the mountain” – alluding to the sight of the slow, beautiful change of green foliage to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and purples.

This mood is also reflected in the sparse cover design, depicting the softness of the golden tones of the fall and the expansive landscape, so longed for in the song and so often sung about and rejoiced in the tradition of Americana. This is exactly where the artist sees herself situated and her rendition of this song, as a tribute to the spirituality of both the moon and nature. Moreover, Coyote Moon mirrors the styles that are also such a formative element of her very own musical journey as a singer and songwriter and her personal spiritual aspirations, she often perceives embodied in the moon.

“’Coyote Moon’ captures an ethereal yet pastoral beauty best likened to extraterrestrial country music.” – Jason Ankeny in allmusic.com

lyrics

Summer's finally over, autumn's in the air
Stars are dressed in silver, it sure is nice out there
The city drives me crazy, so I'll be leaving soon
Do you have a place for me, Coyote Moon?

Coyote Moon, shine your light on me
Coyote Moon, set my spirit free
Coyote Moon, I need some company
Do you have a place for me, Coyote Moon?

When the fall grows down the mountain on the eastern wind
I'm just as lonely now as I have ever been
The city makes me crazy, there's no elbow room
Please save a place for me, Coyote Moon

Coyote Moon, shine your light on me
Coyote Moon, set my spirit free
Coyote Moon, I need some company
Save a place for me, Coyote Moon

There are voices in these canyons – voices in my mind
Please take me back to days gone by
When me and my companions would serenade the night
It was such a lonesome lullaby...

The city drives me crazy and I'll be leaving soon
Do you have a place for me, Coyote Moon?

Coyote Moon, shine your light on me...
Did you save a space for me, Coyote Moon?

credits

released November 18, 2022
* * *
* *
*
Credits:
Frances Livings - vocals
Greg Porée - guitar
Ken Wild - double bass

Produced by Frances Livings
for Moontraxx Records 2022
Recorded at Nolan Shaheed’s, Pasadena CA
Mixed & mastered by Björn Kempcke, Hamburg

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Frances Livings image

Frances Livings Los Angeles, California

The London-born artist Frances Livings can be heard on a variety of recordings. Besides music, she has worked as a designer, has earned a PhD in art history and is the founder of the music production company Moontraxx.
Drawing from these different life experiences has made her ability to both craft and tell a story very unique. ... more

contact / help

Contact Frances Livings

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Frances Livings, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now