Album Notes

It is with great pleasure that I am finally able to release this my first CD. Although I have been a professional musician for over forty years, things never came together to produce a CD. Yet now they obviously have, and I am glad to offer these various tunes. While I sing, play bass, drums and keys, my first instrument is guitar. Although I am mostly know by musicains, I will leave it to the listener to determine whether or not I can be regarded a world-class guitarist. There are two types of tunes offerred here--vocal tunes which I played as a studio musician, playing guitars and bass, and my original instrumental tracks. With regard to the latter, to date I have won 15 awards in the prestigious international song competition held at Garageband.com, presided over by former Beatles producer, Sir George Martin. Here is a brief description of the tunes found on this CD: Struttin' A traditional blues with a customized progression that exploits the circle of minor thirds for the piano and guitar solos. Also, the "theme" features a descending harmony line. Struttin' won the Track of the Day award along with others from Garageband.com What's Goin' On This is the first of four tunes we call "Acid Lounge." It combines lounge vocals and piano with a contemporary rock sound. We think of it as music for white people. Winds of Change This was recorded originally to be a quick and dirty guitar demo. It features first takes from the keyboards and the guitar. I became convinced that I could release it as it was when it won "Track of the Day' from Garageband.com. She Haunts Me Still With this composition, I sought to express pain, restraint, desire, rage and hope. By the Time I Get to Phoenix More Acid Lounge, this time with Jimmy Webb's "lounge" classic about one way to break up. Trial and Error Interestingly, this highly theoretical piece sounds to me like programme music. You Don't Realize This soulful ballad was written by none other than the legendary Michael Bloomfield. Originally with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Bloomfield went on to form his own group he called, "The Electric Flag." Drummer Buddy Miles sang the vocals for the original track. It goes out to every woman who is trying to understand her man. Secret Agent Man Acid Lounge meets the spy movie. This rendition has a definite theatrical character. My arrangement seems to be somewhere between music and sound effects. A fun tune. Lullaby for No One (after Satie) I unconsciously adopted a classical piece by Eric Satie when I was composing this song. The verse is his and the rest is mine. It is a sad song that nevertheless offers hope. Walk on By Dionne Warwick's pop hit . . . with our particular twist.