Album Notes

Clifford Shooker has a multifaceted background as a musician. At the time of this recording he was a member of the classic rock band The Lost Cats, the jazz ensemble The Dora Music Project, and the world music group The SkyEarth Orchestra (www.reelsmusic.com/skyearth/skyearth.html). This background of styles is blended into these recordings. This solo project reflects years of playing; from Ocean Breeze, conceived sometime between 1987-9 as a guitar instrumental to In Your Face being born in August 2007. Originally a bassist, Shooker picked up the saxophone about 6 years ago. Vocals are a brand new endeavour for Shooker; longtime friend Mickey Carroll (see www.motherj.com)compared the vocal style to that of Lou Reed. With 18 years of background getting a doctorate in chiropractic, followed by board certification in neurology, Shooker wanted music to be right brained. The "what you feel" theme of the recording ranges from the heartfelt message of Alittle Becomes Alot to the satirical Only Locals Survive and is evident in the title Mourning the End. Shooker views art as a means of expressing emotion and endeavoured to do so through these recordings. The solo nature of the project was meant to reflect a very personal expression.