Album Notes

"I never really thought about getting on this far
Considering the way I was, was wishing on a star..."

>> Comments by Spen:
Ever since about 2000, we've been planning to build a CD around the song "Witness Tree". The project was to focus on a more poetic side of the State Of Enchantment life, and in this I think we've succeeded. I have always loved prose and poetry, and might well have tried to be a writer if I hadn't loved music more. Here are some bits of background information:

I'm a Mover - written way back in the '70's, a California power trio tune I well remember first playing at a houseparty at our house near the beach. We had a wall of amps stacked higher than the door. It was a different band then, but I'm very glad that some of the that old gang is still around sharing this latest S*O*E ride. Welcome to this time capsule peek at my world 3 decades ago...

Witness Tree, Last Sunrise - as I've been able in recent years to express my personal experience, people seem to have responded better to the sound of my voice. Perhaps I'm on to something there. Witness Tree has waited all these years since I wrote it in 1998, to finally be recorded and find itself. Last Sunrise rose in 1999, from conversations with my talented and thoughtful bandmate Brian, to whom I dedicate the song.

God Won, Keeping My Feet On The Ground - both written this year, 2006. The latter written for Ernie, my great friend and musical accomplice for more than 30 years (say it ain't so!).

Camelot - written in 1999, it has that troubadour's ballad style of Dylan's post-acoustic Nashville period (Highway 61, Blonde On Blonde, Nashville Skyline). That's Ernie playing the solo - one of the very last recordings made at The Mink Farm/Sanctuary Studio in Emmaus PA.

Going to See the Angels, On My Own - these were both written waiting for Thanksgiving 1997 dinner to be ready. They express the difficulty I think we all have felt at times, in moving between the phases our lives.

Butterfly - written while on a camping trip in 2002, it was first performed just 2 days later at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport PA.

Love.