I think that on these tunes I was able to capture the immediacy and personality that are an essential part of the live performance experience, but can be elusive in the recording process. It doesn’t represent everything I’m able to do musically, much less the full range my aspirations, but listening to this collection I am pleased with how much of my pretty eclectic sensibility shows up in one way or another.
The songs and a bit of commentary on each:
Dance You A Story--The most recently-written song in the bunch--just a couple of months old at the time of recording--and probably my current favorite in my repertoire. Setting my sights and staking my claim for what I’m trying to do with my music.
Room For Cream--Characters in a coffee shop, at the tables, behind the counter, maybe even in the corner trying to make some kind of connection through music. A very in-the-moment, improvised groove on this one.
Unchallenged Echoes--An old song (late 80’s!) that I still enjoy doing because 1) it’s fun, 2) I get to do my power-strumming thing--and it’s short enough I can keep it up the whole tune, 3) it keeps me from taking myself too seriously --“just to watch this mind at work has got to be a thrill!” and 4) it’s got a great whistle-along section--what more could you want?
When The Phone Rings--A rather desperate narrator waits through the night for a life-changing phone call. I enjoy doing this one because I still don’t know what’s going on in his/her life--I’m exploring and trying to sort things out just as much as my listeners, yet I can’t deny that the emotions sure feel distressingly familiar. (This is undoubtedly the one that led my daughter to suggest a long list of possible CD titles along the lines of "The Mysterious Black Phone Of Death". Lest you think living with me and my music has made my kids excessively morbid, note that my three-and-a-half year-old son’s suggestions included such cheerier alternatives as "The Purple Oxen.")
Long Shot--Yes, this one’s pretty sad, too--what can I say?
A single mom minimum-wage convenience store clerk and a crusty
old customer throwing away money on the lottery--interaction,
but no connection. On the bright side, there are some jokes along
the way...
Run With The Saints--Late 1980's again. This was a breakthrough song
for me as it was the first time I really took on the voice of a character
in a song--particularly one I didn't agree with. I found it quite a
freeing approach. It's a rather peppy little tune besides.
Another
Season--This was the last song to make the list for this project, but is a
tune that goes back quite a ways. One of those songs that takes on different
meanings for me at different stages of my life. If it can do the same for
others, that would be wonderful, so I'll let you find your own way into this
one.
Mercy Is The Blood Of God
--A short-story approach to songwriting, all dialogue and scene-setting.
I'm trying to leave lots of room for the listener to make the connections.
The little recurring interlude melody and harmony were inspired by all
the wonderful Antonio Carlos Jobim tunes I used to play, though I'm
guessing the influence sounds pretty veiled. The Visitor--Like the previous song, this one was
written in 1993-1994. An energetic version that is a good example
of why I sometimes think a lot of what I play on guitar is inspired
more by drummers and percussionists than fellow guitarists.
The Name On The Stone
--Probably the most personal song on the whole project, though it didn't
start out being about me at all (funny how that works). It really has a
lot of meaning for me in the context of getting this project out there.
So there it is--ten tunes in all. I had six ready for release a
while back, but when I had some more time to think about it due to
production setbacks, I decided to record four more to make it a full-length
release. I'm quite pleased with what I ended up with.
I hope you will be too.