Album Notes

In March of 2008, I added an eight track recorder to my studio.I previously recorded direct to hard drive,four track digital, and four track analog. This new addition allows me to layer more sounds/instruments to my compositions. I also added some new devices to my instruments/ processing. One guitar has a tone styler control and lace alumitone pickups. The guitar produces a wider frequency response. Another guitar has a Stepmaxx
bridge added to it. This enables the guitar with the ability to do radical bends in pitch(similar to a slide trombone). I also wanted to have current themes. After the passing of Bo Diddley in June, I recorded two tributes: Eulogy to Bo D. and Duchess of Diddley. Bo Diddley pioneered the use of tremolo guitar. He also used a driving beat and loud maracas in his recordings. I used these elements in my tribute tunes. Two new devices I added to my studio are used on several songs. These devices are the Shape shifter and the Slicer. The Shape shifter effectively capture the heavy vibrato of Mr. Diddley's music.
I also wanted to incorporate the theme of metaphysics into my work. Art and music are important tools in communicating the understanding of metaphysics. The cover painting is thematically linked to songs. Though this is a small glipse into metaphysical thought- it is a beginning of a dialogue.
I recorded enough material for four CDs this year. Perhaps in time all the music will be released. I hope that listeners will hear something of a new adventure in these tracks. Peace be with you- Larry Smiley (November 1, 2008)