Partyin' Up in Downtown Kent

No. 1 - Hal's First Original Song

Hi! Welcome to “A Body of Work.” It’s the every other Tuesday space here on “Living in a Body” where I dig deep into Hal history and pull out some musical gems. Don’t miss the Soundcloud link below. Thank you! Hal

Thank you for choosing to read here in DARK MODE, the intended optimal experience that I’ve created for you. Enjoy.

Partyin’ Up in Downtown Kent

I finally got around to buying that cassette to USB machine that I’ve been thinking about for so long. I’m glad to say that it works beautifully. When I plugged it into the MacBook Pro, Ableton Live recognized it immediately. Within minutes, I had an .mp3 file of the old classic song by Hal Walker and Geoff Feinberg, “Partyin’ Up in Downtown Kent.”

My new tape to USB player.

A little over two months ago, I sort of crash-landed into my current bedroom and I never really got around to moving in properly. Yesterday, Arnel (my full-time caretaker) and I moved some furniture and created a much more livable space. Now, the little couch and the lamp are right next to the new cassette player. I have many hours of listening ahead of me. I’m so glad you’re joining me on this historical journey. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead…

Tapes from the Attic: hours and hours of listening

It’s appropriate that we’re starting the “Body of Work” series with “Partyin’ Up in Downtown Kent”. This was the first song that I ever wrote (co-written with Geoff Feinberg) and the first original song that I ever recorded. It happened in the mid to late 80’s at Geoff’s West Main St. apartment in Kent. I’m pretty sure it was this house.

The birthplace of a song.

By the mid-80s, Geoff Feinberg had become an accomplished writer and producer using a 4-track recorder. He had played in some legendary Kent, Ohio bands. One called Attic Tragedy was with Sam Ludwig and some of the guys who went on to be in Dink. He also played in a less serious project called Fishing With Elvis with some old friends of mine, Joe Culley and the Zaynor brothers. Geoff was really the master-mind behind our song, but it was the two of us working together that made the magic happen.

If you know anything about my song portfolio, you’ll know that I’ve written some songs that make Ohio sound like a pretty special place. Home in Ohio, My State, Ohio and That’s Kent, to name a few. “Partyin’ Up…” is one more Ohio lovers song for you. Geoff and I wrote the song about the simpler days of meeting friends down at the Kent waterfall and playing quarters over at Pete Coogan’s house. It’s true. “We sang our own song.” And it’s also true. “The years keep comin’ on.” (I’m getting a little emotional right now. See next Saturday’s Substack, “I Love Crying.”)

I’m enjoying hearing the harmonica riffs that I play in this recording. I’ve been playing those same riffs for more than 35 years. If you know anything about harmonica playing, you can definitely tell it’s Hal Walker playing here. Those are my signature riffs.

Feel free to sing along.

They called me up last night, I said alright.
My blood and love were feeling alright.
Met ‘em down by the waterfall.
We talked and laughed and had ourselves a ball (a good time that is).

Chorus
Here in this town where I grew strong
I had friends that sang their own song.
I remember the nights we spent
Partyin’ up in downtown Kent.

Swing on through to get a six pack
Cause tonight we’re gonna just kick back.
Down by the trestle or back at Pete’s
In the park or out in the street. (chorus)

Well the years keep comin’ on,
But this bond’s still growin’ strong,
Talkin’ about time well spent,
Kickin’ back in our town Kent. (chorus)

Thank you for reading this. Thank you for listening. It means a lot to me. As usual, I’ll be back on Saturday. I’ve got a real uplifting one for you this week. It’s called “I Love Crying.” That’s all I’ll say for now. Have a great Tuesday. I love you. ❤️ Hal

Partyin’ up in downtown Kent.