Album Notes

With SO MANY CDs out there, it’s amazing how rare it is to find one you will love to listen to over and over again for years to come. The five people who heard advance copies of this CD as of this writing all said exactly the same thing: This is great! I like everything about it!

Many of the songs are about issues—some timeless and some as current as tomorrow’s headlines. Each one, however, is completely different from the ones before it. There are story songs so vivid that you feel like you just came out of the movies after hearing a four minute ballad. There are songs so outrageous in shining a comic light on matters of real public concern that you can’t wait to start running the punch lines to your friends. And when you least expect to hear them, there are a couple of very moving romantic ballads that draw you in and leave the politics a distant blur. In all, the CD features professional studio recordings of fourteen original songs.

Beyond the lyrics, the CD offers catchy melodies, complex vocal harmonies, a variety of instrumental solos and consistent musicianship on a big variety of musical instruments—guitar, flute, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer, cello, bass, drums, percussion and banjo. Each musician on this CD has had a distinguished career with impressive recording and performing credits. They have toured extensively, entertaining diverse audiences around the US and internationally.

The CD leads off with “Fragile Planet,” giving a big clue about the band’s attitude: If I want to stay up and sing until dawn, tell me why that’s not all right. The title song, “A Little Too Much Sunshine,” could have resulted from Tom Lehrer teaming up with John Prine to sound the alarm about climate change with happy music while calling out some of the primary offenders along the way! “Water –The Song,” originally performed on a worldwide internet/TV broadcast to celebrate the UN’s commitment to addressing the growing crisis in the availability of drinking water, hits the issue compellingly beginning with this description: One step then another, she moves with such grace. The water jar is heavy, but that won’t show on her face. Her children must have water in the village far away so it’s one step, then another, each and every day.

In case you are not yet convinced to give this CD a try, here are some random lyrics from some of the other songs.

From “Sing Like Pete” (Seeger): Just pick some words people can repeat. To add some rhythm, tap your feet. Find a part that makes your voice sound sweet. Now sing, sing like Pete!

From “The Cost of Freedom”: No super heroes need apply. The work belongs to you and me. If we don’t try, the dream will die. It’s the cost of freedom.

From “Rotten to the Root”: My job blew away. I can’t work or retire. My pension account burned up in the fire. So I called my congressman and here’s what he thought we could do: Give a bailout to the bankers. Can’t leave them destitute. Give each CEO a bonus and a golden parachute. That’ll fix the system unless it’s rotten to the root.

From “The Turning of the Years”: You stood there after so many years, I hoped that you misread my stare. It was still you, but faded somehow, and where was your shining blond hair? The image I carried all these years of you never considered the wear. But as you spoke and smiled at me I put away my tears. I felt the richness life had brought with the turning of the years.

Just as this CD features songs respectful of the environment, it is completely packaged in recycled cardboard with vegetable inks. The package contains a booklet including all of the song lyrics and there are lots of photos of the band (and their musical friends like Pete Seeger) reaching out with music to inspire and support people in the struggle for a better world.