Album Notes

This is Sparky Grinstead and Eric Kampman's album, Winter Comes and Goes. Sparky wrote the songs, sings and plays guitar while Eric, provides vocals and keyboards and is the project's prodicer. The title comes from a favorite childhood book and the songs, described by the artists as “pure pop for the romantically unhinged”, are heartfelt, honest and often playful paeans to love in all of its many manifestations.

From 1979 to Sparky recorded and released 2 LPs, Won Out and FSGBOC, along with a handful of singles and cassettes on his label Sparlene Records. They were, to say the least, stylistically diverse, running the gamut from straight-ahead pop to a style Sparky dubbed “punk jazz”. Released in limited quantities, they are now much sought-after collector’s items. Most of his music was recently made available on CD on the Abominable label, but is now out of print. Sparky plans to make his music available again in the near future on Sparlene, including his “lost masterpiece” - the album Rodent to Rodent, which was recorded but never released back in 1984.

Eric's background is in progressive rock. A skilled engineer, arranger and keyboardist (unlike Sparky, he actually took lessons!), he has released two self-produced albums, 1999's highly regarded The Well, and its 2001 follow-up The Gate, which drew favorable comparisons to prog masters Gentle Giant and Yes. He also has an unreleased album, 2007's the Night, which, like Sparky's Rodent To Rodent, may yet see the light of day.

The two musicians met when Eric joined Sparky's band, the Backorders, in 2005. They began working on Winter Comes and Goes in late 2007, getting together at Eric's house whenever their schedules permitted. recording wrapped up at the end of 2008.

Sparky writes about love like no one else, with lyrics that are sometimes funny, sometimes a little disturbing, but never less than interesting.Two good examples of his unique style are the jaunty “Get In” which compares spouse-hunting to a trip to the grocery store and the slightly sinister “What An Actor” which tells the story of an obsessive one-sided romance. But whatever the subject matter, Sparky’s lyrics and melodies are always engaging and Eric’s production and arrangements suit the songs perfectly. Lead vocals are shared pretty much equally. Eric’s keyboards feature prominently, but Sparky steps forward on guitar a few times, most notably on the near-disco thumper “Breathe”

Winter Comes and Goes is a pop album with real heart – full of great melodies and remarkable arrangements – by two artists who continue to explore new ways to express themselves through music. "We learned a lot from each other", said Sparky, "Eric learned about playing a song under 3 minutes long and I learned about recording a song in more than one take."

Additionally, each CD purchased brings Sparky that much closer to his dream of owning the National Hotel in Jackson, California. Visit his website, www.normanfamous.com for more information.