Album Notes

Originally released in 1990 as a cassette album, “Stalkin’ A Country Smile” is now re-mixed and digitally mastered for CD – with the addition of one new song – “Blue Texas Moon”. (See note below on the limited time 30% discount) This album features several brilliant musicians recording with Chris in England and leans towards positive country with an eclectic mix of stylistic influences and rhythms. His voice is as gorgeous and melodic as ever! (I’m rightfully biased! - JVC) Relationship issues – what our life (and the world) is made of! As a songwriter, Chris has a truly unique ability of capturing in song the various joys, trials, and challenges that are part of the human journey. A couple stories: “Have you ever had the phone hung up on you? Don’t marry a singer-songwriter or your personal “tiffs” get shared with the world! Early on in our relationship, I was working alone late at the office and, being over-tired as close to midnight, I misinterpreted part of his phone call from home and finally, exasperated, hung up on him. On returning home, I found the living room lights dimmed and his lyric book strategically turned towards the door – “Just Don’t Hang Up” was written that night. The last verse soothed away all frustrations, leaving that warm fuzzy feeling in its place – hope it can help you too!” Talented singer-songwriter Peter Mason (one time member of the Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich band in the UK, and of Peter Mason Music publishing) became a good friend of ours in England. On one of our visits to his home in Salisbury, he shared the music to a song he had written that he didn’t have lyrics for. Chris left with a copy of the music and a few weeks later, on a train journey to the south west of England, the words to “Every Now and Then” came through. Tragically, about six months later, Chris’ brother committed suicide in the States, and the words had more personal meaning than he could ever have imagined when originally writing them. (See also lyrics to “Afterglow” which he specifically wrote afterwards for his brother at: http://www.chrisvancleavemusic.com/lyrics/home.htm#suicide ) Our interest in ecological issues led him to research information through the Friends of the Earth and Green Peace organizations. The song “Destiny” (along with a couple of others) came into being at this time. Sixteen years later, his lines in this song “Sand shifting down through the hourglass of Now, Marking time before all souls bow” are even more relevant today with all the major catastrophes and wars that are happening world-wide. On a more cheerful note! There are many uplifting songs on this album - the playfully suggestive “Laugh With You” or the song encouraging you to “Hold On To Your Dreams”. The avid "punner" will enjoy his tongue-in-cheek use of lyrics “One Way Street” and many stand alone as insightful poetry – “Still Ringing True”. One of my all time favorites to mellow out to is “Seeing Your Life Through a Song”, graced with the help of several outstanding musicians including master flautist Tim Wheater. To look through the lyrics of any of the songs on this album, please visit his website at www.chrisvancleavemusic.com. Recorded, mixed and produced by Chris in England, the talented musicians who perform on this album include: NIGEL BAGGE: Electric slide guitar ROGER CAREY: Bass TONY COLLINS: Electric slide guitar CHRIS KISBEE: Harmonica DEDI MADDEN: Electric guitar FRANK MEAD: Saxophone JEREMY OWEN: Drums IAIN RAE: Keyboards SHIRLIE RODEN: Harmony vocal BRADY ROGERS: Congas TIM WHEATER: Flute DISCOUNT!! Take advantage of this short time discount of 30% off this album if you buy more than one!! Stock up for Christmas presents, or even buy a few dozen/hundred, sell them to your friends and made some money for yourself!! There are seven other country songs he’s written since releasing this album that he’d love to get recorded. Let us know what you think, we’d love to hear from you. Judith VC ___ STALKIN A COUNTRY SMILE Album Review (1990) “With timelessly crafted songs as powerfully emotive as "Laugh With You" and "Simply Love" and a voice that simultaneously encompasses the power of Scott Walker with the tenderness of Jackson Browne, Van Cleave would be rubbing shoulders with Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett if justice and talent were the deciding factor in the music business.” Johnny Black, music journalist (Q Magazine, Insight, Hi Fi News)