Fortitude
by Ian Cooke
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… other than to say that cellists are becoming the new guitar heroes. The songs are idiosyncratic, the lyrics sometimes wayward ...
Favorite track: Bones.
aromajigs
Kris B
betes
ohlookaclue
michaeljking
Jack Rugile
Adam Singer
Aaron Martinez
maudlin magpie
svengaleekie
Dan Benenson
Matthew Clanahan
Erica Mulkey (Unwoman)
Ross Griebenow
MICHAEL MILLS
Corvus
Efoo
Matthew Lowe
bbarneoud
Danielle Ate the Sandwich
SGS
Bart Lantz
J2
Tara Rynders
Mitchell Franklin
tyerod
Erik E
Sean Joseph Klassen
peachygreen
suchaprince
mllocy
nathalan
sfurrer2501
nayked
soulfresh
vandsss
onelink
daveuk84
hoverboard
mslaraye
s_f_sculptor
gmgmgm
agavegirl
Jxidnsnufkdje
zzhandler
Koan Goedman
wthrak
salmonax
colinbane
sethabruce13
Gerry Grentz
cw
Andrea Costanzo
David Horowitz
Mike Martin
bree mckenna
Jane
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Record/Vinyl + Digital AlbumNew colors: cyan/white and translucent purple/white splatter. Includes immediate digital download from bandcamp.
Includes unlimited streaming of Fortitude via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 3 daysedition of 500$14 USD or more
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Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Also includes pdf of lyrics and credits.
All money and donations allow Ian Cooke to live, tour and record. THANK YOU!Purchasable with gift card$10 USD or more
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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album10 song CD in an origami jacket (with lyrics) designed by Ian Cooke.
Includes unlimited streaming of Fortitude via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 2 days$10 USD or more
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Record/Vinyl + Digital AlbumWhite vinyl in a 12" jacket. Painting by Ian Cooke. Lyrics on back. 10 songs. (Coke-bottle green is sold-out)
Includes unlimited streaming of Fortitude via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 2 daysedition of 500 16 remaining$14 USD or more
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1. |
A Reasonable Life
00:59
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One is not only just alive, healthy,
and not really lacking anything required to live a reasonable life.
Recommit to make the most of it
for the remainder of the hours allocated, permitted, or just taken.
Which depends on what is understood about one’s fate,
whether thought to be at work or not ever considered.
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2. |
The Towering Prince
05:29
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Remember when I stumbled in to send provisions to soak up and send out the toxins in my spine? The loneliness and lack and intimate collisions then were sentenced to decline. Oh, you stuck with me for eternity and then some. Upon returning several times I found you gone. I thought I'd never see your face or gain your wisdom. I stand corrected I was wrong.
The planet temporarily ceased to continue, revolving on the first night that we took the eyes. The oddness called encouraging to try to win you. Confidence is hard to come by but I wanted all the gods to know of my ambition. The thought of having found and taking on a find has brought me to an ancient and divine condition. Love is in the air tonight.
Please don't not put your hand on my back.
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3. |
Fortitude
04:19
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Heed the moves you know you need to make to get the
Leaves to grow so we can breathe. Don’t want the round to break.
The life to live is the kind in which you’re given what you give,
Filled with color and labor’s fruit to the brim.
Enough gut fire to persist without recoil,
No day will pass without victory.
Waking with immortal fortitude to toil,
the feeble sloth has been delivered a valedictory.
Tonight begins another cycle of the tide-master.
Mark where you are on the way to the summit. Log the climb.
Walk on the road. Walk faster.
Run to get the most out of the time.
Some days go by faster than we can seize and use them.
Try to not let this happen. It’s not good to lose them.
You aren’t a failure if you fall off of your horse.
No need to beat yourself up, you know.
Don’t get incapacitated with remorse.
Get on up, shake it off, pick up where you left off and go.
Make haste and get yourself resettled in the saddle.
Too long a respite will destroy any progress you have made.
Pace, pedal, pump or paddle.
Atrophy is tricky to evade.
Some days go by faster than we can seize and use them.
Try to not let this happen. It’s not good to lose them.
Heed the moves you know you need to make to get the
Leaves to grow so we can breathe. Don’t want the round to break.
The life to live is the kind in which you’re given what you give,
Filled with color and labor’s fruit to the brim.
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4. |
Cassowary & Fruit Bat
06:08
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Cassowary saw the fruit bat fly, flapped her wings one at a time, gave both a try. "Oh, what kind of bird am I?"
She kicked the dirt and cursed the stubs she thought she unfairly got. “They’re barely there!"
Pining for her little wing bones to grow long like a condor's - maybe even bigger than that.
"I could do with a little less leg bone too if sacrifices must be made.
Oh, my prime desire - the one thing that I want most in the world -
It is to be a flyer." The devastated feathered fated furled.
"I'd rather not live anymore if I'm never to leave the ground."
Bat, in a tree overhead overheard what the cassowary said - every word.
This inspired and idea that could win him the heart of that beautiful bird.
He'd never have a chance with her otherwise. The possibility gave him butterflies.
He turned to the sky and stared. "All thats's there will be hers.
I will give the cassowary flight and she will love me."
Bat got his wings wet, slapped them in the dirt - it was dry - and it hurt a bit, but then he had a pattern he could work with,
Laying down branches where the bones go, all the while scaling up proportions so he would know
the wings would be sufficient to support the heavy nine stoner body of the owner of his heart in flight.
Banana leaves are similar to leather so he sewed a bunch together; to the branches. So clever! He made them just right.
And then he brought them to her.
As soon as she saw them, she knew exactly what they were.
If love can be placed in a gift that is needed,
Surely, in putting it there, he'd succeeded,
For this was the day she'd been planning to end it all
And jump off the cliff to her death just to feel the fall.
Bat lead her up to the edge where she'd planned it.
He tied on the harness and she girded her loins for the joy that was in store.
"What bliss, fruit bat, darling!
Is it all a dream or is it happening?"
"No, my chickadee, you're not asleep.
You've got all your life to soar; you've got all my love to keep.”
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5. |
Rover
04:33
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I could have lived another day, it's good to be old. If we survive what is on it's way, it's gonna get cold. Nothing eradicates suffering, would you rather be tolled? Under the ashes and rubble we'll find things to have and to hold.
Losing it all and starting all over, I know how it feels. Calamity's rough but ensues for the lone sake of what it reveals. Before they're all gone they'll see where they went wrong building automobiles. The damage they've done to their planet is severe and I hope that it heals.
Call if you want to. Call when you think it's over. No one to run to or follow. Become a rover.
Doomsday's done. I'll walk back in time and show everyone the overlooked crime. Maybe their heirs will make great repairs and erase all of the grime.
Call if you want to. Call when you think it's over. No one to run to or follow. Become a rover.
This could all be for the best. Evolution can start with dismay, but it's too late to learn any better, so let them die out and decay. The looks that they had on their faces that day were a dead giveaway.
Of all the bad things that they thought of their traces but chose not to say...
It's better this way.
Call if you want to. Call when you think it's over. No one to run to or follow. Become a rover.
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6. |
The Kingdom
04:08
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One day within the head of a man, a kingdom was fabricated for the vision of a better version of himself.
In the kingdom, there is a version of you. You're living another life. Winner of the crown, you occupy the throne by mine.
Saddle our beloved quetzalcoatlus, witness badass cumulous clouds collect and tower in the sky.
Living in the kingdom gets me down. I never want to go anywhere else at all.
Oh boy, you really got in there good. We're darkening all the time. I never want to leave my head but now I've got a plan.
With two tiny hinges of titanium, I'll construct a doorway in my skull. That's when you evacuate my cranium to live out here with me. Although compared to kingdom life, it might be dull.
There is no preventing the happenings I'm not ready for but that's the lay of the land and further more, no way to force the ones I need.
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7. |
Bones
03:47
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Far from the place and time
We met without speaking and locked our eyes,
Effort was made and I’m
Not sure what caused him to realize:
No longer hiding were the tidings of a coveted kind
Half given up on, half still sitting in a corner in the back of my mind.
I’ll get my druthers. No others would ever be fit to bind.
And then in order to get what I wanted I cried and I prayed and I pined.
Set under spell, bound to love you like hell,
with all my bones forever.
When decision-making,
We certainly must take into account
Chance that the altered thing
Causes good outcome in great amount.
Another day that has come to knock me down on the floor.
And here, I thought I was done. I didn’t think I’d have to look anymore.
So, I play the game, play to win, play for the one keeping score.
All of a sudden I heard another one coming then the knock at the door.
Set under spell, bound to love you like hell,
With all my bones forever.
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8. |
American Girl
03:01
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In what is referred to as the grand scheme of things, I probably should've been a nice American girl.
I must've been standing with the phone on my chest for two hours thinking that you were listening to my heart love you, and beat.
I save all the voice mail messages that you leave so I can hear you talking to me anytime - and without bothering you.
I saw the western chord. I couldn't say what to do in time.
In what is referred to as the grand scheme of things, I probably should've been a nice American girl.
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9. |
Havoc
05:06
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As the ball of fire was swallowed by the sea, cast the anger I'd accumulated in to burn and drown. Promised nothing would rile to that degree. Set in stone so I'd remember why I'd came and how it felt to settle down.
Stop with the drop and all the obstacles on the path that we are walking on here. Haven't you got you kicks? Had your fill of watching everything fall apart in our hands? Lay off causing the havoc you're causing, lay off now.
Standing high above the land that meets the water. Demon turned to ask and then dissolve into a salty grave. Scattered filled space created by the slaughter. What they'd been through was a nightmare but they lived to see it pass and they are brave.
Stop with the drop and all the obstacles on the path we are walking on here. Haven't you got you kicks? Had your fill of watching everything fall apart in our hands? Lay off causing the havoc you're causing, causing, causing...
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10. |
Scaffolding
03:11
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I was so lucky to have made it out from underneath that scaffolding alive.
You are so nice to me. Everything was perfect that night.
Drinking like pirates, without fear that dawn would arrive.
My right hand in your left hand and your left in my right.
May everything stay like this for a long time. Here’s to the friends that we’ve made. To the ones who have stayed by our sides through it all, through the thick of it. Here’s to the comrades we have found, who can turn a day around, and drive the gloom into the ground.
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credits
released November 11, 2011
Ian Cooke - songwriting, voice, cello, piano, art design and painting.
Sean Merrell - drums.
Ian O'Dougherty - guitar, drum programming.
Whit Sibley - bass, voice on Kingdom.
with:
Shawn King - trumpet on Cassowary and The Towering Prince.
Julie Davis - voice of Cassowary, voice on Bones.
Joseph Pope III - voice of Fruit Bat.
Michael King - additional drum programming on Fortitude.
Produced by Ian O'Dougherty.
Recorded by Ian O'Dougherty at Popshop and Robert Ferbrache at Le Studio Absenta.
Mixed by Robert Ferbrache and band at Absenta -
except 'A Reasonable Life' & 'Fortitude' mixed by Ian O'Dougherty at Popshop.
Mastered by Chris Fogal at Black in Bluhm.
All Songs Copyright Ian Cooke 2011. All Rights Reserved.
links:
Ian Cooke, Ian O, and Whit also play in Uphollow: uphollow.bandcamp.com
Ian O and Sean play in Eolian: eolian.bandcamp.com
Sean also plays with A Shoreline Dream: www.ashorelinedream.com
Ian O also plays with Tauntaun: tauntaun.bandcamp.com
Shawn plays with Devotchka: devotchka.net
Julie and Joseph play with Fairchildren: fairchildren.bandcamp.com
Michael played with Ideal Fathers: idealfathers.com
Mastered by Black in Bluhm: www.blackinbluhm.com
Ian Cooke - songwriting, voice, cello, piano, art design and painting.
Sean Merrell - drums.
Ian O'Dougherty - guitar, drum programming.
Whit Sibley - bass, voice on Kingdom.
with:
Shawn King - trumpet on Cassowary and The Towering Prince.
Julie Davis - voice of Cassowary, voice on Bones.
Joseph Pope III - voice of Fruit Bat.
Michael King - additional drum programming on Fortitude.
Produced by Ian O'Dougherty.
Recorded by Ian O'Dougherty at Popshop and Robert Ferbrache at Le Studio Absenta.
Mixed by Robert Ferbrache and band at Absenta -
except 'A Reasonable Life' & 'Fortitude' mixed by Ian O'Dougherty at Popshop.
Mastered by Chris Fogal at Black in Bluhm.
All Songs Copyright Ian Cooke 2011. All Rights Reserved.
links:
Ian Cooke, Ian O, and Whit also play in Uphollow: uphollow.bandcamp.com
Ian O and Sean play in Eolian: eolian.bandcamp.com
Sean also plays with A Shoreline Dream: www.ashorelinedream.com
Ian O also plays with Tauntaun: tauntaun.bandcamp.com
Shawn plays with Devotchka: devotchka.net
Julie and Joseph play with Fairchildren: fairchildren.bandcamp.com
Michael played with Ideal Fathers: idealfathers.com
Mastered by Black in Bluhm: www.blackinbluhm.com
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Ian Cooke Denver, Colorado
Ian Cooke is a singer-songwriter who plays cello and piano. He often uses a loop pedal to layer his cello and voice. Over the past 20 years, he has developed a truly original style of music. His influences include classical, pop, film & TV scores, prog-rock, world music, musical theater, and jazz. He was born in Adelaide, Australia, and grew up in Greeley, CO. ... more
discography
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Oct 2017 -
Sep 2015 -
Nov 2011 -
Apr 2007 -
Oct 2013 -
Feb 2013 -
Mar 2013 -
May 2013 -
Oct 2011 -
Feb 2011 -
May 2013 -
May 2013
contact / help
Ian Cooke recommends:
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Denver band est. 1993, including Ian O'Dougherty, Ian Cooke, and Whit Sibley. Unreleased songs from 1993 - 2005, including "Criminal" from Ian Cooke.
go to album -
Eolian is a progressive rock band. Features Ian O'Dougherty and Sean Merrell from Ian Cooke's band and origami packaging from Ian Cooke. Recorded by Bob Ferbrache.
go to album -
Jackets For The Trip
by Uphollowincludes 5 Ian Cooke songs: Monster, Kudos, Wine & Honesty, Stay The Night, and Sleeping Bag. Uphollow includes Ian O'Dougherty, Ian Cooke, Justin Ferriera, and Whit Sibley.
go to album
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Songs for Pierre Chuvin
by the Mountain Goatssupported by 4 fans who also own “Fortitude”
Any given album from the Mountain Goats is a genuinely unique experience and this is certainly no exception. :)
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The eclectic influences of this California group shine through on these creeping tracks, full of dark electronics and intimate vocals.
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