Album Notes

The first time I heard of Don Reed we were both living in Los Angeles, in the early seventies. He and I were both going to Los Angeles City College and he was well on his way to becoming a "star". I think he was signed to MCA at the time and was playing Judas in the LA production of Jesus Christ Superstar (at the Universal Amphitheatre) and performing solo - just his incredible voice and his equally incredible guitar. You could often hear Don performing at Baha'i functions throughout Southern California, including Feasts, Holy Days, coffee shops, firesides and public meetings. We were friends and hung with the same groups of people, but I also admired his ability and talent as a singer, songwriter and guitar player.

Shortly after I left LA in 75 I ran into Don in the Central California mountains near Bass Lake - a part of this little planet that Don fell in love with. Shortly after that Don and his young wife, Melody moved their baby son onto a piece of land in the California mountains just outside the tiny, red-neck town of Raymond. There, from simple beginnings living in a tent on their property, the Reeds (eventually two sons and a daughter) literally built their own future - including the buildings and many of their furnishings.

Although Don pursued other avenues of expression and developed incredible programs to deal with youth, leadership and racial issues that are used in schools throughout California, he never put down his guitar. In fact, in many ways, Don remained the consummate professional musician, regardless of what he was doing. He has continued to perform in venues throughout the mountains above Fresno, continues to bring his guitar to any Bahá'í gathering needing his special talents and has contributed to a number of projects.

Several years ago, when I moved back to Central California, I began encouraging my old friend to return to the studio and record some new tracks. When radioNUR became a reality I rounded up every track of Don's that I could find, to get him back in front of the public. It is from those tracks that this compilation was born. Some of these tracks were recorded simply, with just guitar and a single vocal track. Others have the benefit of additional sweetening. These tracks were recorded over the course of thirty years under a variety of conditions and circumstances and are collected here, for the first time, for all of Don's new and old fans to pick up, in one place.

My biggest hope is that we'll be able to get Don back into the studio, following the release of this CD, with a solid band and modern production techniques and produce new recordings for all to enjoy...

Michael Eissinger
General Manager
radioNUR, Inc.