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Diamond in the Rough - Original Cast Recording

by Chasing Shadows Productions

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Shaun Bloom
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fanmomsar
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Will Gillespie
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1.
Diamond in the Rough Part of Town 02:19
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Neil: Ay - ay - ay - ay - ay - ay! Di - ay - ay - ay - aimond! This old neighbourhood is not doing so good they want to tear it all down I know if they could they would This part of town was once the heart of town, now look around! Every business is closed Boarding up their windows Not a soul around for five blocks They’re rolling up the sidewalks Get in now before they tear it down, before it’s gone! But there’s a dove among the pigeons, a rose among the thorns… A diamond in the rough part of town! Diamond in the rough part of town! Diamond in the rough part of town! Diamond in the rough part of town! When you walk down this street Although you may get cold feet Listen to your heart-beat! You don’t know who you could meet A flower grows between the sidewalk cracks! And she’s a dove among the pigeons, a rose among the thorns… A diamond in the rough part of town! Diamond in the rough part of town! Diamond in the rough part of town! Diamond in the rough part of town!
2.
Far Away 02:16
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Neil: I walk the streets. I stroll along the highway. On tired feet. The sidewalks and the skyway. I can’t compete. I could have had it my way. I’ve never been so far away from home. I thought I’d make a really good contender. That’s my mistake. I never should have sent her away. And now I wake alone somewhere new. I’ve never been so far away from you, Babe! So far away…. Oh, Love is a two-way street A boulevard where two hearts can meet And they can start to feel complete Just like we used to do… My bags are packed. The plane is on the runway. I can’t go back. This road I’m on is one-way. I only hope that one day soon I’ll never be so far away from you. So far away… From you… So far away from home.
3.
Welcome to Big Shotz 03:05
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Bartender: There’s a bar I know in this neighbourhood It’s the only place to go And the wings are surprisingly good. With everything you want to do Sports on TV, darts and pool, Cards and karaoke too - at Big Shotz Chorus: Welcome to Big Shotz! Bartender: We serve only the freshest wine Chorus: Welcome to Big Shotz! Bartender: Where it’s happy hour all the time. Cause we’re all big shots here at Big Shotz We’re all big shots here - at Big Shotz Find a friendly face each and every day It’s that kind of place. Big Shotz won’t turn you away. Dennis: When I first came here I used a fake ID Back in 1983 The old bartender sold it to me - at Big Shotz Chorus: Welcome to Big Shotz! Patron: (enters) The paper towel’s stuck Chorus: Welcome to Big Shotz! Dennis: Still get drunk for twenty bucks ‘Cause we’re all big shots here at Big Shotz We’re all big shots here - at Big Shotz (Whistle solo) - Bartender: (Spoken) Sounds like you need to whet your whistle. Here at Big Shotz bar you are not alone. Everyone is welcome Everybody feels at home The bartenders will drink with you Bring your pets and outside food Get comfortable, take off your shoes… Chorus: This is everybody’s rec room This is everybody’s rec room Bartender: at Big Shotz Chorus: Welcome to Big Shotz! Bartender: Now we have both kinds of beer Chorus: Welcome to Big Shotz! Bartender: Passed our health inspection, we’re in the clear and we’re all big shots here at Big Shotz We’re all big shots here - at Big Shotz B - I - G - S - H - O - T - Chorus: Zed! Bartender: B - I - G - S - H - O - T - Chorus: Zed! Bartender: B - I - G - S - H - O - T - All: … Zed …
4.
On the Prowl 02:59
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Patron: Call her a cougar, she is a Tiger-Cat On the hunt for a good time Alone at the bar she sat She said: “Hey, Baby can you give me a light?” Yeah, maybe. What you doin’ tonight? Where she goes is where the action’s at. Tiger-stripe tube-top, tight leather pants She got up to dance… ON THE PROWL… Everybody had to stop, look up and glance Taking a big chance, she’s ON THE PROWL… There’s nothing that you can do When she gets her claws in you. Sally: (spoken) Hey! How you doin’, Sailor? Come here often? Got a light there, Stranger? Wanna buy a girl a drink? Patron: And she rolls up a number and she goes to the alley. Shows you why she’s known as Back-Alley Sally She can give you something that just might make your night. Tiger-stripe tube-top, tight leather pants She got up to dance… ON THE PROWL… Everybody had to stop, look up and glance Taking a big chance, she’s ON THE PROWL… There’s nothing that you can do When she gets her claws in you.
5.
Singin' a Song 02:40
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Neil: The thing about singin’ a song It isn’t very hard and it don’t take long, come on… All you really need is a tune and a couple of words that you can croon along to Next thing you know you gotcha a Song and everybody’s singing along, come on, come on… Come one, come all! La la la - I can’t hear you! - La la la - I can’t hear ya! - La la la - I can’t hear you… - La la la la la la la Yeah! (crowd cheers) Yeah! (cheering again) Yeah!!! (Charge!!!) Singin’ a Song! It doesn’t matter what it’s about. And if you can’t sing, maybe you can shout, come on… All you really need is a tune and a couple of words that you can croon along to Next thing you know you gotcha a Song and everybody’s singing along, come on, come on… Come one, come all! La la la - I can’t hear you! - La la la - I can’t hear ya! - La la la - I can’t hear you… - La la la la la la la Yeah! (crowd cheers) Yeah! (cheering again) Yeah!!! (Charge!!!) Singin’ a Song! Singin’ a song.. Si-i-i-i-i-ing!
6.
More Than a Game 03:01
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Patron: A little boy straps on his skates He says “Come outside, Daddy. I just can’t wait.” His Daddy tells him he’ll be right along, But he’s wrong. Got tired of waiting So he just kept on skating… It’s more than a game to him It’s one place he knows he can win. The pride of a nation Shared between generations It’s more than a game to him. When the puck drops… When he’s on a breakaway… When the crowd. Goes. Wild… It doesn’t matter whoever you are Watching the game beside him at the bar. ‘Cause when the team’s winning he’s buying the rounds Whenever they lose he’s trying to drown his sorrows He’ll be back here tomorrow It’s more than a game to him He’s with them whenever they win He scores when they score He can’t play anymore It’s more than a game to him. It’s more than a game to him It’s one place he knows he can win. The pride of a nation Shared between generations It’s more than a game to him. It’s more than a game To him.
7.
I Have a Name 02:24
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Neil: Everybody has a story. Everybody has a dream. One shining moment bathed in glory. There’s more to them than it may seem. There’s more to one than you may picture. Can’t get it all in just one glance. Everyone deserves a future. Can’t you give them one more chance? I have a name (snore…) There’s more to me (snore…) I’m not the same (snore…) As what you think you see (snore…) We all come from somewhere… I have a name. Sometimes everyone gets lonely, Sometimes everyone gets scared. You may think that you’re the only one Who’s always unprepared Everyone is full of doubts We all have something to be proud of Everybody screams and shouts And sings about these things out loud Oh, Love… (cast yawns big harmony) I have a name. I have a name (snore…) There’s more to me (snore…) I’m not the same (snore…) As what you think you see (snore…) We all come from somewhere… I have a name. I have a life. I have a name.
8.
Smoking Gun 03:04
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Neil: I looked at my woman the other night I could tell something was not exactly right I asked her what was wrong She looked away and sighed… Must be something she was trying to hide. What can I do without you After all we’ve been through? What have you done, my only one? Where do you go to when you run? I cannot believe So suddenly you want to leave… Silence hanging like a smoking gun. What can I do without you After all we’ve been through? You are all I know I don’t want to let you go. I will if you say so… What can I do without you After all we’ve been through? Silence hanging like a smoking gun…
9.
Take Your Shot 03:34
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Sally: It was five thousand dollars. My entire life savings. He said he was an agent and he would need it up front. So I moved to the city. They took a few pictures, Went to a few parties, never called me back once. I was young and alone. I was broke. I was broken. But, oh, what I could have been… If those were not lies that he told me But that guy only sold me a dream. It doesn’t matter if you make it or not You just have to take a shot Whether you make it or not You just have to take a shot. (Her spotlight goes out. Dennis’ comes on.) Dennis: I was a fighter. And I’m still undefeated. I put on my skates, and threw down my gloves. Sometimes that’s what it takes to be a team player. So I gave my body to this game that I love. When I got injured I knew it was over. That’s okay. You can’t win if you don’t play. It doesn’t matter if you make it or not You just have to take a shot Whether you make it or not You just have to take a shot. Some people think that I made a mistake. This drink is the only shot that I take now But you have to take it whether you make it or not. Sally: Some people think that I made a mistake This drink is the only shot that I take now You have to take it whether you make it or not Dennis: It doesn’t matter if you - Sally: If you - Both/Duet: Make it or not You just have to take a shot Whether you make it or not You just have to take a shot Whether you make it or not You just have to take a shot…
10.
All Dressed Up 02:09
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Sally: All dressed up with nowhere to go I don’t know what to do I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go anymore It feels like there is no hope at all. Don’t tell me it’s really over Please don’t say that this time it really is last call… Chorus: All dressed up with nowhere to go All dressed up with nowhere to go Sally: Don’t tell me it’s really over Please don’t say that this time Chorus: It really is last call It really is last call…
11.
Take Your Shot - Reprise 02:31
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Bartender: So I guess that it’s over. I wish I was sober. So I could remember. Maybe even understand. Nothing I can do now. I’ll deal with it later. Maybe thoughts like that are how it got so out of hand. It’s not my fault. I just ended up here. Then I got used to it. Just when I started to let myself like it Someone came in and decided to throw it away It doesn’t matter if you make it or not You just have to take a shot Whether you make it or not You just have to take a shot Some people think that I made a mistake. This drink is the only shot that I take now But you have to take it whether you make it or not. (with Chorus): Some people think that we made a mistake A drink is the only shot you can take nowadays But whether you make it or not… It doesn’t matter if you make it or not You just have to take a shot Whether you make it or not You just have to take a shot So go ahead and take it Go out and take a shot.
12.
Remember the Good Times 02:27
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Neil: Has it been so long? Sometimes I wonder Were we ever so young? Carefree and wild… How did it happen? You’re barely a child. I have to smile when I remember The good times that we had together Here with your friends Remember the good times again. Chorus: Those were the good old days… Neil: They’re not coming back. We have to make new ones Both happy and blue ones Remember the good times again. Bartender: (spoken) What was her name? Oh, wait, don’t tell me Yeah, I can see her again... I’d like to go back. Is that place even still there? It can all change like that. Neil: I have to smile when I remember The good times that we had together Here with your friends. Remember the good times again. Chorus: Those were the good old days… Neil: They’re not coming back. We have to make new ones Both happy and blue ones Chorus: Remember the good times again.
13.
Let's Go Back to My Place 02:24
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Sally: ... Uh? ...Yeah! ... Huh? ...Yeah! Let's go back to my place... Let's go back to my place... Come on, everybody! Let's go back to my place! What are you up to later tonight? Let’s go back to my place. Whenever you want to it’s alright I’d like to see your face. Won’t you come by with a bottle of wine? Don’t you want to be a friend of mine? Won’t you come by my place tonight? We’ll have a real good time. We were just starting to have fun. Let’s go back to my place. The real party hasn’t even begun. Don’t tell me it’s too late. Won’t you come by with a bottle of gin? The real fun is about to begin. See what kind of trouble we can get in. Let’s go back to my place. I’m here for a good time every night. Let’s go back to my place. Keep it alive ’til the morning light. All you have to do is stay awake. I can be good company if you give me a shot Closer to you than family Depending on what you’ve got. (conga break) ... Ugh! ... Hey! ... Ha! ... Ole! What are you up to later tonight? Let’s go back to my place. Whenever you want to it’s alright I’d like to see your face. Won’t you come by with a bottle of wine? Don’t you want to be a friend of mine? Won’t you come by my place tonight? We’ll have a real good time. -Ugh!- Won’t you come by with a bottle of wine? Don’t you want to be a friend of mine? Won’t you come by my place tonight? We’ll have a real good time. Won’t you come by my place tonight? We’ll have a real good time. We’ll have a real good time. ... Ugh! ... Hey! ... Ha! ... Ole!
14.
We Are Going to Be Alright 03:11
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Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Bartender: We are going to be right here all night! We’ll keep the party going 'til the morning light. Neil: All night long. Right or wrong… We’re going to be alright! We’re going to be alright now. We’re going to be alright. Sally: There is nothing better than when we get together now I wish we could be this way forever now Neil: If I could… Yeah, I would… We’re going to be alright! We’re going to be alright now. We’re going to be alright. You and me - are going to be - alright We’re going to be alright now Baby, it’s alright. Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Dennis: Now is the time. This is the place. We can't let it go to waste. Neil: Here and now... I know somehow… We’re going to be alright! We’re going to be alright now. We’re going to be alright! You and me - are going to be - alright We’re going to be alright now Baby, it’s alright. Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba All: We! are! going! to! be! alright! We! are! going! to! be! alright! We! are! going! to! be! alright! We! are! going! to! be! alright! Neil: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da ba Chorus: Bap ba ba, bap bap ba da - Neil: Alright!
15.
Singin' a Song - Reprise 02:09
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Chorus: (singing bass line) Do do do do do do do do do do, do do do do do do… Neil: The thing about singin’ a song: It isn’t very hard and it don’t take long, come on… Patron: All you really need is a tune and a couple of words that you can croon along to… (bows) Bartender: Next thing you know you gotcha a song, And everybody’s singin’ along, come on, come on… (bows) Neil: Come one, come all! Dennis: It doesn’t matter what it’s about. And if you can’t sing, maybe you can shout, come on… (bows) Sally: Next thing you know you gotcha a song And everybody’s singing along, come on come on… (bows) Neil: Come one, come all! Chorus: La la la… Neil: I can’t hear you. Chorus: La la la… Neil: I can’t hear ya! All: La la la, la la la la - Yeah!…Yeah!…Yeah!!! Neil: Singin’ a song Chorus: (singing bass line) Do do do do do do do do do do, do do do do do do… Neil: Singin’ a song… Sing!!! Chorus: (angelic harmonies) Aaaahhhh!!! (Blackout at last shot of music)

about

Songs from the play "Diamond in the Rough"
Written and directed by Will Gillespie
Produced by Susan Robinson/Chasing Shadows Productions

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released July 5, 2019

Written, produced, mixed, edited and designed by Will Gillespie.
Chris Cracknell on accordion, organ and piano.
Photo by Darryl Gold.
"Hamilton Skyline" illustration by Susan Robinson.

with
Michelle La Haise as "Back-Alley Sally",
Chris Cracknell as "Day-Drinkin' Dennis",
Leonard Cain as "Bar Patron",
Susan Robinson as "the Bartender"
and Will Gillespie as Neil.

Word & Music © 2019 William James Gillespie, SOCAN.

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Will Gillespie Hamilton, Ontario

Will Gillespie is an award-winning singer-songwriter and playwright in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

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