Go Back Jack

Hi Everyone,

I've spent a lifetime "going back Jack" to research and investigate a lifetime that has haunted me throughout this one.

Born in 1952, in 1972 I experienced a flood of memories of a past life as a black, American male musician who lived and died between the years 1920 and 1943, "rode the rods" during the Great Depression and played "boogie-woogie blues" when music was King and Swing was the thing.

Sitting down to the piano in 1972 all of the songs that I had played as a black blues pianist came flooding back to me and I recorded songs about places that I'd never been to and experiences that I'd never had (as a Caucasian Canadian woman).

Flying to the U.S.A. to search for evidence, I found myself walking the same path that I'd experienced in the previous lifetime, encountering similar situations - I found myself invited the very first day to play piano in a band in San Francisco, hours after getting off the plane!

Returning from the journey I wrote a manuscript that I converted to a moviescript in 2005 and have been in the process of pitching it to Hollywood since then. I was able to incorporate the songs that I remembered from this past life into the movie so the movie would have an original soundtrack.

Reincarnation memories are an emotional experience. I'm glad to have found a forum where I can share this with you.

"Boogie Woogie Blues"
Well I pulled into Frisco on the eight o'clock train
I was kinda lookin' forward see my baby again
Well I turned the block to the "Watermain Line"
Don't you know man, I was feelin' real fine

I got the boogie woogie blues man
The boogie woogie blues
All because my baby and me are through
You know she was the only one
The only one for me
And now I'm just as, now I'm just as sad as can be

Well I asks at the club, you seen my baby today?
They says. hey man, your baby, she just went to L.A.
Don't ya know that everytime your spirits are high
Along come the boogie woogie blues and you cry.


Ministargazer

Ministargazer said:

Sitting down to the piano in 1972 all of the songs that I had played as a black blues pianist came flooding back to me and I recorded songs about places that I'd never been to and experiences that I'd never had (as a Caucasian Canadian woman).

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Hi Ministargazer! And, warm welcome to the Forum!


Your story is amazing, and I hope that you have documented every step of your path, because everyone is going to have a lot of questions, including how you ended up in a 'Frisco Blues Band so quickly after getting off the plane. There is so much that has happened between 1972 and now; so, I hope that you'll want to share it with all of us. Thanks for paying us a visit, and please come back for more of our hospitality.

Hello Ministargazer, welcome to the forum


That was fascinating, thanks for sharing your experience, I have a couple of questions


You mentioned that all of the songs you remembered came back to you when you were about 20. Did you have an 'urge' to play the piano at a very young age, and did you find, while learning to play, that it all came to you very naturally?


Also, just from reading your post, it's clear that you are fortunate to have plenty of information to research, have you managed to pinpoint any particular band or artist that you could have been? or belonged to? Just by Googling the song that you've quoted, I came across an artist called Count Basie, although he lived until 1984, but have you found any similar artists from that era that have "struck a chord" with you (pardon the pun)


And the lyrics you've quoted, are they from a song that you've heard and recognized? Or did you actually remember those lyrics first from memory, and then later verify them through research? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just interested and curious.


I hope you enjoy your time here, and thanks again for sharing.


Chris

Ministargazer, Hi There and Welcome to the Forum! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to what else you have to share with us here.


This all looks interesting. Now am interested in what you felt and sensed when you were in the same places and situations as you were before. And do wonder if you have had any racial or gender issues in this life from being a Black Male to a White Canadian Woman. I ask this because in the last life I seemingly was a Northern Cheyenne Native American and this present life am white. But in this life am personally soooo addicted to all things Native American so to speak it seems. So how were you in life when you were young and how did this in being a different race before in your last life come into your present life now?


Wishing You the Best!

Going Back Jack/Black to White


Thanks all of you,


For being so interested in my story. I wonder if you would like to see the movie if it ever gets made?


The racial issue - Yes, it was drastic one, from a poor, black Southern family in the U.S.A. to a white, middle-class Canadian family.


I always felt uncomfortable surrounded by wealth and used to ask to visit my grandparents who were a poor farming family who had an old log farmhouse with a piano in the parlour. It was there that I felt more at ease.


I would sit at the piano at age four and start to play by ear - any song that I heard once or twice I could repeat the basic melody of. No one could understand why I was so musical but that piano was given to me after my grandparents died.


A fascination for trains. I would cut classes from school just to walk the railway tracks and I didn't know why I was so fond of trains. It gave me a real comfortable feeling to walk the ties, mile after mile in the summer sunshine, often singing to myself. I sometimes still do that.


My father used to say that I was "good for nothing except playing the piano" and they gave me lessons but my teacher said that my "ear" was too strong and I'd better play my own way. Classical piano was not for me.


In 1973 I was fortunate enough to meet Daniel Lanois who later became the producer for the band U2 who recorded my songs but he didn't know and probably still doesn't, that those songs were remembered spontaneously from my past life as Nick Jackson, a poor black boy from near New Orleans.


In 1984 I moved to Western Canada and started auditioning for bands. I played in more than a dozen - everything from country to blues, sitting in and jamming with the Chicago boys who were visiting from the U.S.A. - B.B. Jones and Sam Lay. I talked to Buddy Guy. I felt most comfortable with the black blues bands and worked on my skills a bit more on keyboards, some on harp, some vocals. The band that invited me to play in Frisco, first day after getting off the plane was called Point Blank.


ChrisR


There are parts of old letters that came to me spontaneously - I wrote "Peterson running Santana now, we closed last night. We don't draw the crowds you did .... Patsy Pero and Fats Domino, Georgia Street Band and Watermain Line, Cocomo Road and Shuebey Street Combo".


If anyone can help me out with details about any of the above please let me know. The time period 1935-1943.


I am still searching for details of Nick Jackson's life near New Orleans and am planning a trip to my place of birth in that life, this year. Have always been a bit scared to going back "home" because so much happened there, poverty and hard time in the Depression. Those memories stay with you lifetime to lifetime.


I've moved on, have a good job working with children but my heart will always be down South.


The last song of Nick's that came to me about 2007 was Catfish Stew. By the way, I have never had Catfish Stew but it sounds delicious.


Catfish Stew

Got a rumblin' in my tummy
Just won't go away
Got no food in the cupboard
Since my daddy went away
Goin' down to the pond
With a pole and a hook
Gonna catch me a catfish
Oh Lordie take a look
See the little stump frogs
Sittin' on a log
Lordie catch the froggie
Fore he jumps into the bog
Catfish Stew, catfish stew
Gonna make up some
Catfish stew for you
Flies buzzin' through the old screen door
Daddys who don't come home no more
Mama sittin' in the parlor lost in despair
Cryin' over money that she knew was never there
Goin' down to the pond with a pole and a hook
Gonna catch me a catfish
Oh Lordy take a look
See the little stump frogs
Sittin' on the log
Lordie catch the froggie
Fore he jumps into the bog
Catfish stew, catfish stew
Gonna make up some catfish stew
For you.

Stargazer

Hi Ministargazer!


Thank you so much for sharing! I find your story immensely fascinating. Not only does your past life sound intriguing, the way it has impacted your present life, influenced your choices and given you, I assume, unforgettable experiences - that's amazing.


I hope you will share more details of Nick Jackson :thumbsup:

Combined Lifetimes


Hi Sunniva,


Thanks for your interest in Nick Jackson. The memories have followed me throughout this lifetime. In my case I was able to combine his life with mine, use his talents and make the best of both lifetimes. The memories did not fade, only bubbled to the surface periodically, always swept with emotions whenever they appeared. When I travelled to the U.S.A. on the journey in 1973 I used the name Nicki instead of my own and seem to become him. At times I lapsed into a Southern dialect and people would ask me if I was from the South.


I recaptured memories that he had played music in Jamaica but I was unable to visit Jamaica. Returning to Canada I found myself swept up in a crowd of Jamaican friends in Hamilton, Ontario and submerged into the Jamaican culture for a year.


Capturing the music was important, the lyrics and melodies. I was able to go back on stage on piano in this lifetime and sing some of them once more. That was a fantastic experience. Of course, other people may have thought the songs were mine but they couldn't know that I was singing about places I'd never visited, experiences I'd never had.


Cocomo Road
Cocomo Road is the pack on my back
Cocomo Road is in my brain
Cocomo Road is home to me babe
I see it through the rain
Ten blocks west of Darby Ave.
Turn left, two down on the right
Cocomo Road is home to me
I'm going home tonite
Many traveller's gone the route
Many a nite cab rider
A billy, a bo or a billy-jack
A down and out, outsider
Where are you headin'
Where have you gone
How can you know how
To catch the dawn


I've never heard the term "billy bo" or "billy jack" and I've searched on the internet but I think it has something to do with hobo life.


I was stumped at trying to figure out what Cocomo Road was and where Darby Ave. was. I searched in San Francisco but there was no Darby Ave. I did however, find a Darby Street in Los Angeles and it was located close to what used to be an old railway station, now part of the extended subway system. Then I realized that he was talking about Cocomo Road as being "the rails", not any particular place but "on the road" and ten blocks west of Darby Ave., turn left, two down on the right was where the old railway station was located. I've been able to research this info but haven't yet visited the spot which I also intend to do in the near future.


Stargazer

I suspect billy and billy jack may have been terms for hobo life in that era. Maybe they refer to fellow hobos.


I did find, Bo


Bo, boes - A slang term used to describe an experienced hobo. A term for a pal, "Hey, bo" Originally meant a natural exclamation intended to surprise or frighten.


Also, I am a little confused on the train station. I know of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, but don't know of any Darby St. near by. Do you have a little more detail?

Old Train Stations


Research has turned up that "in the late 1930's Reseda was a foremost producer of lettuce in the U.S.A. The Southern Pacific Railroad came up the middle of Sherman Way to pick up freight cars of lettuce from the packing shed on Darby Ave. south of Sherman Way, on a daily basis". Reseda Chamber of Commerce. That would seem a likely spot to get on board ...


Northridge had a main street, now Reseda Blvd. -- a train depot on the Southern Pacific coastline -- Kevin Roderick


Not much information on that train station but in the past I came across photos - am trying to relocate them.


Stargazer

Fats Domino


Hello Chris R,


You asked me about a band that Nick Jackson might have belonged to or another musician that he might have worked with and something keeps ticking at the corner of my mind ... part of an old letter the was recaptured through an occult technique called automatic writing back in 1972.


Nick writes ... "Patsy" Pero and Fats Domino, Georgia Street Band and "Watermain Line", Cocomo Road, Shubey Street Combo ...


Fats Domino was also a boogie-woogie musician and on the scene early in life. He made a success of it and became a celebrity. Theres quite a bit of similarity between Nick's music and Fats early pieces.


As I understand it, Fats Domino is still alive although quite elderly (about age 82?) and has spent most of his in or near New Orleans which is the area that Nick came from. It seems likely that the two knew each other back in the early 1940's although Fats would have been younger than Nick. Do you think there's any way I could contact Fats Domino to ask him about Nick Jackson and how would I do this?


Stargazer

Catfish Stew Live


Hi Everyone,


If you'd like to tune into http://www.youtube.com/ministargazer111 you can hear me playing Nick's song "Catfish Stew" live on guitar and "Morning Train" on piano.


These are songs (and lyrics) captured spontaneously by memory and later recorded. Let me know what you think.


Stargazer:laugh:

Ministargazer said:

Research has turned up that "in the late 1930's Reseda was a foremost producer of lettuce in the U.S.A. The Southern Pacific Railroad came up the middle of Sherman Way to pick up freight cars of lettuce from the packing shed on Darby Ave. south of Sherman Way, on a daily basis". Reseda Chamber of Commerce. That would seem a likely spot to get on board ...
Northridge had a main street, now Reseda Blvd. -- a train depot on the Southern Pacific coastline -- Kevin Roderick


Not much information on that train station but in the past I came across photos - am trying to relocate them.


Stargazer

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That makes more sense. I know of Darby St or Ave in both Northridge and Reseda. I was asking cause I live in Los Angeles County but have had and visited friends in those areas.

Hello Everyone,

Those of you who have been following my posts about "Go Back Jack" and my past life search for a life lived as a black, blues musician who lived during the Great Depression and "rode the rods" across the U.S.A. might be interested to know that my book was published this year (2018) and is available through Amazon.com as a paperback and through Kindle as an e book.

I am looking for readers to read and review this book on Amazon for me. I can supply you with a free e book version with full colour original photos taken during the journey (1972-73). Please contact me at ministargazer@hotmail.com if you are interested.

Last year I went into the studio to professionally record one of Nick's last songs - "Mississippi Lights". In 2013 I was finally able to travel to New Orleans and visit the city where I spent my childhood in that past life. I took my guitar along with me and sang the blues once more. The song "Ten Miles West of New Orleans" on You Tube has captured the feeling of that wandering life and alienation from home that marked that lifetime. .

Most recently I am remembering "A Lazy Summer Day in St. Louis" in 2018. It seems to be in a sort of Billie Holiday style. I have never been to St. Louis but will keep you posted and when both "Mississippi Lights" and this song appear on You Tube I'll upload them here.

Into Merida
A bus ride by night in Mexico land
Along a paved road, I lie sleeping
Semi-consciously, between midnight and dawn
Morning wakes me to view in passing
A white, square adobe window
Mexican lying in his hammock watching TV
South by southwest past mango trees
Swamps and jungle
Past the hidden pyramids of the Yucatan
Progresso beach shaded by coconut trees
On the Gulf of Mexico
Stout Indian peasant women
In chattering groups wave
As we roll on into Merida.
(March 1973)

"Go Back Jack" lives on in the songs that I play with my friend in the local LRT train stations busking in public as we were doing in 2018 in Calgary, Alberta. There they get to hear these songs for the first time and enjoy them with their families and if they want to read the story, the book is also for sale. Seeing children dance in front of my keyboard and guitar to "Mississippi Lights" has been the greatest reward of all and uses the best of the creativity of that lifetime for everyone. And who knows, maybe the script will someday become a movie and entertain a wider audience.

Ministargazer,
Just heard your music. You are really good!!! I love to listen to it.

fireflydancing said:

Ministargazer,
Just heard your music. You are really good!!! I love to listen to it.

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Thanks so much for the encouragement fireflydancing! Positive reviews for "Go Back Jack" are starting to roll in and also for the music. I'm beginning to get recognition for the talents of that short past lifetime and given another chance in this lifetime to bring it before the public. Let's get this New Age started! I'd like to see other members writing books about their own reincarnation experiences and begin a new wave of hope for humanity - one in which we realize that we are the only ones responsible for all that we do and we can see the results of our efforts from lifetime to lifetime. Let's get the answers to all of our unanswered questions and the explanation in detail, of the karmic patterns, as we have the right to know as co-creators with God instead of blaming Him and feeling that we are passive victims in this movie we call Life. I'm sure our Creator would approve and is eagerly waiting for us to catch up with Him!

My girlfriend and I were interviewed and photographed by a local newspaper in November and an article highlighted our busking in the LRT train stations here. What wasn't mentioned was the fact that some of the songs that I play on keyboards and guitar are "Go Back Jack" originals. The press has a way of skipping around the issue of reincarnation although I would think that it would make a hot topic the public would enjoy reading about. The nice side of all of this however was the attention focused on our musical talent and a brief moment in the spotlight.

My reincarnation book, "Go Back Jack" now has a five star rating and several positive reviews on Amazon. I'd like to see some of you writing true story reincarnation books also - spread the word and open some minds. It's time friends.

Working as a street musician (busking) throughout Calgary, Alberta - Canada this summer 2019 singing the songs from my past life and selling the book - "Go Back Jack". It's a wonderful way to spread the word about reincarnation. How about you? Available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca as well as a Kindle e book with color photos. Released through Total Recall Press 2018 - Go Back Jack by Maureen Kellar-Kirby. I have registered with bandcamp.com and the songs (under Go Back Jack - artist) are just starting to go up for sale for those of you interested in listening to the music.

Ministargazer said:

My reincarnation book, "Go Back Jack" now has a five star rating and several positive reviews on Amazon. I'd like to see some of you writing true story reincarnation books also - spread the word and open some minds. It's time friends.

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I’ve written a book too based on my past life memories of a Queen in Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately though, because I haven’t promoted it enough, it has seen not much foot traffic. Also it is in dire need of a rewrite AND an editor.

Also am in the process of writing my past life memories of WWII into a 3-4 book series as there is so much I returned to write about. Effectively, writing it IS my life’s purpose.

I quite agree with you saying that it is time to open minds about this - this thing we call reincarnation. I quite believe (though this is my own personal opinion), that in some way or a another we all have stories to tell and write. It’s good to see someone other than myself writing books about their past lives.

Do you have the links to your books? I’d be interested in looking at them. Do you write to tell the truth about an event that happened in your past lives or just to open people’s minds?

Eva x

I came across this poem written several decades ago describing my past life experience in New York City as the blues musician who died in New York City of a drug overdose. Poetry is the memory of the soul.

Haunted in New York
New York, New York, your night lights glow
they haunt my memory still
the Brooklyn Bridge, it's skyline
will stir my heart until
I see again
the dusty dime stores of the Bronx
and shadow people on the steps
faded ghosts, fine images traced
beyond the womb
and I review "The People's Code"
the grapevine knows it all
I tremble inside by needle park
because it was my fall
with street dust in my nostrils
and bad water in my veins
I see the brownstone where I lived
which I must see again
the mattress in the corner
the kettle on the plate
months of days went by
before I noticed what I ate
so why should I return
to relive my awful fate
New York will taunt my inner ear
my rescue came too late.

Eva1942 said:

I’ve written a book too based on my past life memories of a Queen in Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately though, because I haven’t promoted it enough, it has seen not much foot traffic. Also it is in dire need of a rewrite AND an editor.

Also am in the process of writing my past life memories of WWII into a 3-4 book series as there is so much I returned to write about. Effectively, writing it IS my life’s purpose.

I quite agree with you saying that it is time to open minds about this - this thing we call reincarnation. I quite believe (though this is my own personal opinion), that in some way or a another we all have stories to tell and write. It’s good to see someone other than myself writing books about their past lives.

Do you have the links to your books? I’d be interested in looking at them. Do you write to tell the truth about an event that happened in your past lives or just to open people’s minds?

Eva x

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Yes Eva,
Nice to touch base with another writer who has recorded her reincarnation experience.

All of these are memories, simply so. The songs, I do not know where they come from, the poems and stories, the journeys, the experiences. I write to record this and to encourage people to think.

Please see attached the front cover of "Go Back Jack" available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca under author Maureen Kellar-Kirby and also as a Kindle e book with original colour photos. Publisher - Total Recall Press - Texas, U.S.A.

Ministargazer said:

Yes Eva,
Nice to touch base with another writer who has recorded her reincarnation experience.

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Yes, I recorded my reincarnation experience. I made it into a series - one written from my Jewish lady’s POV, one from my now self’s point of view of discovering it and another one.

I have been working on these books for the past 3.5 years. Will have to check out the link for your book

Eva x