NEW ALBUM!

Good Water Safe Camp

James Dean Cotton

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This album contains nearly four years of writing some of my most personal songs. Several are tributes to great people. Others, tributes to great memories. There's an environmental thread. There’s tragedy, travel, death, despair, love and hope and it won’t be long until they give way to updated versions and the things we so cherish simply become
This album contains nearly four years of writing some of my most personal songs. Several are tributes to great people. Others, tributes to great memories. There's an environmental thread. There’s tragedy, travel, death, despair, love and hope and it won’t be long until they give way to updated versions and the things we so cherish simply become The Faded Black and White. That’s how it’s always been.
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  1. 1
    The One Who Stayed (The Great Famine) 4:10
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  2. 2
    Bigfoot! 3:14
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  3. 3
    O Captain! My Captain! 3:39
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  4. 4
    Ballad of the Big Thompson Flood (See Her Run), 1976 4:45
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  5. 5
    Mothership 3:46
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  6. 6
    The Big Easy 4:00
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  7. 7
    Robin 4:05
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  8. 8
    The Faded Black & White 4:09
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  9. 9
    Dear John 3:44
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  10. 10
    Winter Road 3:50
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  11. 11
    Heroes 3:29
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  12. 12
    The Girl Wants a Love Song 3:56
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  13. 13
    Better Late 3:57
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  14. 14
    There Is A Bridge 3:00
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MORE Music!

Basement Songs (2019-2021)

James Dean Cotton

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"Basement Songs (2019-2021)" was recorded in my basement studio. These songs were written during isolation and cover a range of topics, from managing online excess to managing my own emotional state; from sadness to nostalgia to hope. See if they connect for you.
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  1. 1
    My Best Face 3:28
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  2. 2
    The Faraday Cage 6:24
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  3. 3
    Saturated 4:18
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  4. 4
    When The Sun Comes Up 2:44
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  5. 5
    Good Medicine 3:19
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  6. 6
    Praying For Rain 4:13
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  7. 7
    High On The Low Garden Wall 3:12
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  8. 8
    That's War 4:21
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  9. 9
    There Is A Bridge 3:36
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james dean (2020)

James Dean Cotton

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Picking up the pieces of the various single releases, this album has various themes, but maybe the most pervasive is SURVIVAL, and all the extremes we go to to ensure it.
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  1. 1
    Cold Crows 4:46
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  2. 2
    The New Normal 3:20
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  3. 3
    Skinny 3:48
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  4. 4
    Fort de la Chartreuse (feat. Lisette Lowe) 3:39
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  5. 5
    These Ancient Times 3:21
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  6. 6
    One World 3:48
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  7. 7
    Signs 3:34
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  8. 8
    The Final Commute 2:25
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Blue | Green (2018)

James Dean Cotton

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All songs were written while living in the Pacific Northwest, most within the past year, a couple many years ago. I enjoyed making this album so much. I hope you enjoy hearing it.
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  1. 1
    Songs 3:37
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  2. 2
    Goodbye to Love (A Forest Requiem) 5:01
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  3. 3
    As Bad As You 3:57
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  4. 4
    Tiny Houses 4:26
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  5. 5
    Insomnia 5:22
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  6. 6
    Song for Everyone 3:53
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  7. 7
    Faces on the Wall 3:35
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  8. 8
    This Line 4:01
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  9. 9
    Tongue-Tied 3:03
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  10. 10
    Life in Hawaii is a Song 4:28
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The Same Boat (remix2)

James Dean Cotton

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The original release was only vocals and piano, but this song needed to be bigger. Besides the solo vocals, this arrangement contains piano, two cellos, bass, acoustic guitar and drums. Just seems to fit better.
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  1. The Same Boat (remix2)

One Way Ticket Home

James Dean Cotton

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I started the lyrics for this song as I was packing to go home to Missouri to be with my dad during his last days. I didn't know how long I would be there, just that I'd be there to the end. And though I'd traveled a lot, I'd never bought a one way ticket. It felt so final.

I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to
I started the lyrics for this song as I was packing to go home to Missouri to be with my dad during his last days. I didn't know how long I would be there, just that I'd be there to the end. And though I'd traveled a lot, I'd never bought a one way ticket. It felt so final.

I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to him.
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  1. One Way Ticket Home

California Burning

James Dean Cotton

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The Camp Fire wildfire of 2018 devastated the California towns of Paradise, Magalia, Concow and several surrounding communities. This song was written in memory of the lives and homes lost, the bravery of the firefighters and front line personnel, and the survivors. Extreme wildfires have become the norm around the world, and demand attention.
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  1. California Burning

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About

Aside from a career as a materials scientist, Seattle-based singer/songwriter, James Dean Cotton, is best known for performances at local coffeeshops and participation in the Northwest Folklife Festival. He's also one half of the local neo-folk band, ZuCo. Originally from Missouri, his style draws heavily on the singer-songwriters of the 1970's, such as James Taylor, Neil Young and Paul Simon, fusing native bluegrass with country, rock, jazz and blues elements.  JD has several albums released and is always writing the next.

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Contact

 For bookings, licensing, sync placement and songwriting projects, contact JD at: jdcottonmusic@gmail.com