The song "Cocoa Butter" and an untitled instrumental are
unreleased from the recording sessions for TAKIN' IT EASY.

Produced by Louie Shelton, Oaktree Productions; recorded at Dawnbreaker Studio, San Fernando, CA; “Forever Like the Rose’ recorded at Sound Factory West, West Hollywood, CA; engineered by Joseph Bogan, Thom Wilson and George Belle; assistant engineer Gonzalo (Bino) Espinoza; mixed by Joseph Bogan, Barney Perkins and Larry Emerine; art concept Louie Shelton; lettering Mike Manoogian; art design and photography by Ed Caraeff Studio; photographed at Oak Valley Plantation on the Great River Road (north of New Orleans, West Bank) Vacherie, LA 70090; management – Marcia Day, Day 5 Productions; special thanks to Johnnie Holmes, Chris Schroeder, Sara Griggs, Ruth Caraeff, Oak Alley Plantation and Zeb Mayhew, Jr., and Miss Kavanaugh. [uncredited engineer: Doug Sclar].

01. Takin' It Easy
02. One More Time
03. Midnight Blue
04. You're the Love
05. Sunrise

06. Breaking In a Brand New Love
07. Magnolia Moon
08. Nobody Gets Over Lovin' You
09. Forever Like the Rose
10. A Tribute To Abdu'l-Bahá

TAKIN' IT EASY
(lyrics and music by Sean McLeod and Bob Phillips, 1977)
From the album TAKIN' IT EASY (1978).

Drums – Ralph Humphrey and Ron Krasinski; Bass – Dominic Genova; Guitars – Louie Shelton and Marty Walsh; Guitar Solos – Tony Peluso and Louie Shelton; Piano – Steven Olitsky; Background Vocals – Tony Peluso, Sean MacLeod and Bob Phillips; Arrangement – Tony Peluso and Louie Shelton.

Well I've driven half my life under the city lights. I'm gonna meet the San Jose Bay.
Workin' hard 'til the sunrise, I've been at it so long.
Got to pack my bags and get me away.

Now come on down, doo doo-yoo doo, takin' it easy.
Come on down, doo doo-yoo doo, everything nice and slow.
Doo doo-yoo doo, takin' it easy. Soon I'll be saying goodbye.

Well those foggy days and nights in San Francisco, got me feelin' so down.
Drivin' cabs for peanuts ain't my idea of livin'. I just got to get away from this town.

Now I'm lookin' for the sunshine, place where I can rest my mind.
Maybe down Mexico way.
There comes a time when for no reason or rhyme,
A man is bound to seek a sunnier day, bound to seek a sunnier day.
Now come on down. . .

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ONE MORE TIME
(lyrics and music by Lewis Anderson, 1975)
From the album TAKIN' IT EASY (1978).

Drums – Ralph Humphrey; Bass – Dennis Belfield; Guitars – Louie Shelton and Larry Rolando; Piano – Tom Hensley; Rhodes – Steven Olitsky; Background Vocals – Gary Sims, Doug Strawn and Tony Peluso; String Arrangements – Jimmie Haskell; Intro written and arranged by – Louie Shelton and Gary Sims; Arrangement – Tony Peluso, Gary Sims and Doug Strawn.

I'm goin' way down south to Louisiana tonight.
Well I'll just close my eyes and everything's all right.
And though I'm really far away, will I make my getaway.
And no one need know that I've been gone.

One more time, for the good times, that far outweigh the bad.
One more time, for the good times, when love was all we had.

I'm goin' way down south to Baton Rouge tonight.
Well I'll just close the door and turn off all the lights.
And though the images dance by, of those folks and friends who lie,
Down home where things are slow and easy goin'.

One more time, for the good times, that far outweigh the bad.
One more time, for the good times, when love was all, love was all, when love was all we had.
One more time, one more time, one more time.

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MIDNIGHT BLUE
(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1978)
From the album TAKIN' IT EASY (1978).

Tympani – Bob Zimmitti; Drums – Jon Kelmer; Bass – David Parlota; Electric Guitar – Louie Shelton; Acoustic Guitars – Jim Seals and Larry Rolando; Dobro – Dan Fergueson; Piano – David Foster; Harmonica – Danny Deardorff; Mandolin – Dash Crofts.

Ain't no sorrow for that woman. Ain't no pity for this fool.
She wrote her name upon my window, signed it "Gone, with love, Midnight Blue."

There's a story goin' 'round here, 'bout a woman dressed in black.
Spendin' money and drinkin' whiskey, drivin' 'round in my big black Cadillac.
There's a shanty down by the river. They say she went there to meet a friend.
They found his body beneath the willows. She signed it "Gone, with love, Midnight Blue."

There's a jailhouse down in this county, with its windows oh so high.
They're gonna hang me come Monday morning, write my soul, Midnight Blue, across the sky.
Now if I ever get to heaven, I'll look St. Peter in the eye.
And say don't you ever let that woman ever appear.
She's Satan's daughter, in shades of midnight blue.

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YOU'RE THE LOVE
(lyrics by David Batteau; music by David Batteau and Louie Shelton, 1978)
From the albums TAKIN' IT EASY (1978) and THE SEALS & CROFTS COLLECTION (1979).

Drums – Ralph Humphrey and Ron Krasinski; Bass – Dennis Belfield; Guitars – Louie Shelton and Larry Rolando; Piano – Tom Hensley; Electric Piano – Steven Olitsky; Basic Track Arrangement - Louie Shelton; String Arrangement – Gene Page.

Well love, you came to my rescue. I knew the moment I met you.
Lonely and I was cryin'. Hurtin', I felt like dyin'.

Oooo. You're the love, you're the love in my heart and soul.
You're the dream, you're the dream, you're the dream in my life.
You're the way, you're the way, you're the way that my feelings flow.
Oh, my love loves you, girl. You, ah ah. You, girl, girl. You.

Showed me that I was someone. Gave me the strength to go on.
Now that I'm flyin' and free. Thank you for what you gave me.

Oooo. You're the love, you're the love in my heart and soul.
You're the dream, you're the dream, you're the dream in my life.
You're the way, you're the way, you're the way that my feelings flow.
Oh, my love loves you, girl. You, ah ah. You, girl, girl. You.

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SUNRISE
(lyrics and music by Brian Whitcomb and Grant Gullickson, 1977)
From the albums TAKIN' IT EASY (1978), COLLECTUS INTERRUPTUS (1978)
and TODAY (1998).

Drums and Buchla Programming – James Divisek; Bass – Dennis Belfield; Electric Guitar – Louie Shelton; Electric and Acoustic Guitars – Tony Peluso; Electric mandolins – dash Crofts; Buchlas Synthesizer – Tony Peluso; Rhodes – Brian Whitcomb; Tenor Sax – Jim Seals; Strings Programming – Shaun Furlong; Arrangement – Tony Peluso and Bobbidazzler, Louie Shelton, Jim Seals and Dash Crofts.

Sunrise, warm in your eyes. Blue skies, far as you see.
One day, you'll know what the future means.
And carry your broken dreams through the valley. And rest in their peace.

One fine, beautiful day. You'll find, more than you need.
You'll see, the writing is on the wall. Plainly telling you
It's all waiting for you. It's all there for free.
It's all waiting for you. It's all there for free.
(repeat first verse)

It's all waiting for you. It's all there for free.
It's all waiting for you. It's all there for free.

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BREAKING IN A BRAND NEW LOVE
(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1978)
From the album TAKIN' IT EASY (1978).

Drums – James Divisek; Bass – Dennis Belfield; Guitars – Louie Shelton, Jim Seals and Larry Rolando; Piano – Tom Hensley; Rhodes – Brian Whitcomb; Arrangement – Louie Shelton.

Breakin' in a brand new love takes awhile. Those old memories have to die.
We're takin' in a brand new realm, that we've never ever had a chance to try.
Where all those dreams that you carry 'round can still be a possibility with me.
And you'll be free to just take it easy and then slowly you'll learn to live again.

Breakin' in a brand new love. Breakin' in a love's not easy, this I know.
It's heaven though. Breakin' in a brand new love.

When the rain stops fallin' and the storm is over.
And the teardrops you've been cryin' have all gone away.
You need somebody to pick up the pieces and erase all the negativity.
So that all those qualities of beauty that you are in your mirror.
Start reflecting like a star. And you are. This is us, it's the future.
Tell the past-times goodbye, and I know we can make it if we try.

Breakin' in a brand new love. Movin' in a brand new cycle.
Hold me close and tell me so. Let me know your love is new.
Breakin' in a brand new love. Breakin' in a love's a gamble, this I know.
I thrive on chances though. Breakin' in a brand new love.

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MAGNOLIA MOON
(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1978)
From the album TAKIN' IT EASY (1978).

Drums – Ralph Humphrey; Bass – Dennis Belfield; Guitar – Louie Shelton; Rhodes - Tom Hensley; Tenor Sax – Don Menza.

Magnolia moon in June, movin' through the trees over me.
Takes me back to the days when we were young again, remember when.
You were with me almost all the time, and you were always such a champion by my side.
Gone are the dawns as if they never came. The sandy lane keeps a-callin' just the same.
And your name is still remembered when the friends jubilee.
And you should see the sweet magnolias in the lane.

Magnolia moon will soon be shining one last time just for me.
Through the night like a beacon beyond the hill of time when you were mine.
And oh such a painting in southern skies, like the eyes of my darlin' in surprise.

Gone with the dawn, immortal face in time.
Like the blue-green of the bayou, you were mine.
And your shrine is with these people, they'll forever see your light.
And you should smell the sweet magnolias in the night.

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NOBODY GETS OVER LOVIN' YOU
(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1978)
From the album TAKIN' IT EASY (1978).

Drums – Ralph Humphrey and Ron Krasinski; Bass – Dennis Belfield; Guitars – Louie Shelton and Larry Rolando; Guitar Solo – Louie Shelton; Piano – Tom Hensley; Rhodes – Steven Olitsky; Vibes – Alan Estes; background Vocals: Tanya Tucker, Shirlie Matthews, James Gilstrap and Venetta Field; Horn Arrangement – Louie Shelton; Arrangement – Louie Shelton and Jim Seals.

Nobody gets over lovin' you. But if I do I'll never believe again, and
Nobody gets over lovin' you. But I'm going to and I'll never belong to anyone.

Ol' magic feelin' swept me off my feet.
You taught me the good times, baby. You brought me from the street.
You gave me a reason, sweet resurrection, to believe.
You were perfection. It was the times, sweet dissertation [?], I chose you.
Sweet degradation, I loved you so and

Nobody gets over lovin' you. But if I do I'll never believe again, and
Nobody gets over lovin' you. But I'm going to and I'll never belong to anyone.
Nobody gets over lovin' you, lovin' you. I thought it would be so easy, baby.
Nobody gets over lovin' you, lovin' you. Lovin' you, oooo.

(Sweet reservation, great expectation, without a protection).

A promise to be faithful was all the dreams we knew.
You told me that there'd be no other, although there'd been a few.
I saw you in innocence, and sweet reservation. And so I rushed in great expectation.
In your arms without a protection. I loved you without a direction. I worshipped you and

Nobody gets over lovin' you. But if I do I'll never believe again, and
Nobody gets over lovin' you. But I'm going to and I'll never belong to anyone.
Nobody gets over lovin' you, lovin' you. I thought it would be so easy, baby.
Nobody gets over lovin' you, lovin' you. Lovin' you, oooo.
Nobody gets over lovin' you, lovin' you. Nobody gets over lovin' you, lovin' you.

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FOREVER LIKE THE ROSE
(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1978)
From the albums TAKIN' IT EASY (1978) and THE SEALS & CROFTS COLLECTION (1979).

Drums – Ron Krasinski; Bass – Dominic Genova; Guitars – Louie Shelton, Marty Walsh and Jim Seals; Mandolin – Dash Crofts; Piano – Steben Olitsky; String Arrangement – Lee Holdridge.

Forever like the rose, I suppose that's the way to be.
Fresh and ever growing, always showing lots of beauty to the world.
I know it's not an easy task. All I ask is that you try.

Try for me, be like the flower, within its hour of final glory.
Open up and let the sunshine touch your heart. And show the world what you can be.
If you are free, free to grow, free to grow. Forever like the rose.

The rose is worn above the heart. The symbol of its love is showing.
Growing in the park, a secret for a lover's knowing.
The centerpiece of life will always be unfolding its cardinal petals
For the dew of children's tears. To grow a new rose.
Forever like the rose. Oh, forever like the rose.

Forever like the rose, I suppose that's the way to live.
Strong and ever giving, always living with a purpose and a goal.
To blossom day to day, then someday to fade away.
Forever like the rose.

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A TRIBUTE TO ABDU'L-BAHÁ
(introduction in Persian by Manoochehr Sadeghi is a poem that Abdu'l-Baha' wrote many
years ago to his father, Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha'i faith; lyrics by James
Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1978)
From the albums TAKIN' IT EASY (1978) and MUSIC OF THE SECOND BAHA'I CONGRESS (1994).

Guitar – Jim Seals; Mandolins – Dash Crofts; Santour - Manoochchr Sadeghi; Chanted persian Prayer - Manoochchr Sadeghi.

Tearfully I raise my hands, and supplicate unto thee in prayer.
Close my eyes and you're there again. It's not the end. You are with me always.
Abdu'l-Bahá, your footsteps are oh so hard to follow.
For a broken-winged bird whose flight is very slow, such a long, long way to go.

Hopefully, I turn my face to Thee, and ask forgiveness.
All my life I've been blind. Now I see.
Mankind is one, all religions agree.
Abdu'l-Bahá, the lessons of your life are here to follow.
Now this broken-winged bird, whose flight is very slow.
Has a way to go - home.

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