The idea for Emerald Green Universe came about when I worked as a soundman and assistant to the incredible Roselyn Tureck (www.tureckbach.com) during a weekend music retreat in my hometown of Idyllwild, California. She described her life as a child-prodigy pianist in great detail and mentioned how she would drift into an 'alternate state of consciousness' sometimes when she performed. Upon completion of these programs she would 'wake up' to the applause.
All of us at the retreat listened in amazement as Madame Tureck told us, "I felt that I was going through a door to an infinite green universe and I was not going back through that door because my teacher thought it was impossible. So, I just stayed out there in space, this green infinite space, and continued the work. And that is the basis of my Bach playing."
Listening to Madame explain this flipped on a light in my head. It reminded me that sometimes, when I practice, perform, and compose music, I also seem to veer off into another universe. Later I 'wake up' and, looking at the clock, see that an hour or more has gone by.
Going back trough my tunes, I picked out ten I'd written as the result of that kind of experience, plus one that I always liked by a couple of friends. I located tapes of those I had previously recorded and relearned the songs, part by part. Working over several months, I recorded the project in my Idyllwild studio with the help of many outstanding musical friends who dropped in during the process.
I'm happy with the result and feel that Emerald Green Universe is very close to what I was after when I began.
Liner Notes:
Captive Dancer
Written in Lynwood, California 1972
Flute: Paul Carman
Percussion: Larry Vineyard
Bass, Guitars, Vocals: Joey Latimer
Califlower
Written in Princeville, Hawaii 1979
Violin: John King
Mandolin: Don Reed
Percussion: Larry Vineyard
Bass, Guitars, Vocals: Joey Latimer
The Things You Do
Written in Idyllwild, California 2004
Dedicated to the memory of Elliott Smith
Drums, Bass, Organ, Guitars, Vocals: Joey Latimer
Inge Railway
Written in Downey, California 1971
Flute: Paul Carman
Drums: Dave Hitchings
Percussion: Mark Simonian
Bass, Guitars, Vocals: Joey Latimer
I Look Around
Written in North Hollywood, California 1981
For the family of Lona Lynch
Bass, Guitars, Percussion, Vocals: Joey Latimer
Virgin Dream Song
Written in Downey, California 1971-1976
Guitars, Mandolin, Percussion, Vocals: Joey Latimer
I Might Like It Here
Written in Pa’ia and Huelo, Hawaii 1975
Drums: Scott Fulton
Bass, Guitars, Vocals: Joey Latimer
Background Vocals: Elaine Latimer, Joey Latimer
In Love
Written in Del Mar, California 1981
Percussion, Background Vocals: Larry Vineyard
Bass: Mark Erwin, Joey Latimer
Guitars, Background Vocals: Dennis Shore
Guitar, Vocals: Joey Latimer
Just The Same
Written in Port Townsend, Washington and Idyllwild, California 1995
Bass, Percussion, Guitars, Organ, Vocals: Joey Latimer
Audrey
Written in New York City and Idyllwild, California 1984
Dedicated to the memory of Barbara Bevan
Drums: Larry Vineyard
Bass, Guitars, Organ, Vocals: Joey Latimer
On The Borderline
Written in South Pasadena, California 1982
Drums, Bass, Guitars, Vocals: Joey Latimer
All songs ©1971-2004 by Joey Latimer, except In Love ©1981 by Dennis Shore and Mark Erwin, Tinkertunes ASCAP (used with permission.) Produced and recorded by Joey Latimer in Idyllwild, except In Love recorded at Fidelity Studios, Studio City, California by Larry Elliott and Joey Latimer and produced by Bill Tinker, Mark Erwin, and Joey Latimer. The analog to digital tape transfer of In Love was made by Steve Crimmel at Painted Sky Studios, Cambria, California.
Special thanks to Cleo, Warren, Robin, Erin, Cedar, Jackson, Elaine, and all the rest of my family and friends.
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