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From 1996-97 on I have remained steadfast in working solo, and not involving myself in any side projects. As such, I've worked solo in Calif, Arizona, and Texas , primarily with a 5 month interlude in 1999 to Beautiful New Zealand { where they filmed "Lord of the Rings"-during my
visit}
{ Recordings }
A Historical Retrospective:
Very few of my recordings ever saw the light of day.
The attempts were numerous however and consistent over a long period of time beginning as far back as 1966 -with "The Lighthouse"
It is really a shame so much music was lost due to lack of technology, or funding , or the right engineer, or co-operation... or personal know how... you name it.
Most of my home recordings ,that I would spend endless hours on , were of terrible recording quality that only I could stand to listen to, but yielded up some startlingly fresh performances and some brilliant { now forgotten ] songs that sit among the 100-90 minute cassettes of recorded archive that no one will ever hear. For me it's sad because that music is so raw and honest and true to the moment, but we live in a world that demands high quality recordings { ironically, even in the lo-fi realm}.
The saddest truth of all is that I'm no longer the person who made those recordings. You can never "go back" and recreate the magic of that period.Maybe someday, if I ever get popular enough where there is a "fan base demand" These recordings will be packaged as a gift to the fans of my present music, primarily as a Retrospective of 38 years of gigging.
I can tell you though , even if edited like crazy, it would take more than a dozen volumes to cover all this "lost music". The recordings I love the most actually are of Live gigs with various bands in which I played electric lead /Rhythm Guitar, playing blues or jazz behind someone else as a sideman.
Some of the recordings that DID make it out there ever so briefly include the following:
1976
A. " Song of Love"- A "single 45 rpm "
B. "Words of my Mouth"
{ I still have a few copies around. Neil Young has a copy. I gave it to him personally when he showed up at my gig at the Moss Beach Distillery in 1976! Recently he came out with a song { no resemblance at all} called "Song of Love". I'd like to think my little record was staring down at him from a wall somewhere -influencing him.
The record features Jerry Logan on Dobro. Years later Jerry would go on to play bass for Laurie Lewis, and Peter Rowans' Free Mexican Airforce.
1984
A. "Salvadoran Refugees"
Originally featured horn parts by Tom Politzer of "Tower of Power"
B. " El Salvador"
Written for the Sanctuary movement in those times, the song was played on C.B.S, N.B.C., and A.B.C. news as the theme song for a news segment they did at STANFORD UNIVERSITY in which the dean threatened to expel an entire senior fraternity for housing a Salvadoran refugee as political asylum.
After the news segment/protest- the dean backed down.
I wrote the song however as a promise to LUISA , a refugee I'd met with and interviewed at a local convent , where she was staying.
It cost me a girlfriend, a year, a day job, and $1,500.00 out my own pocket to see the project through to completion. it was played twice on the air at KPFA in berkeley, Ca. then "mysteriously" was yanked ...
The song featured Queen Ida and her Bon Ton Zydeco bands' original rhythm section { Chris Stefanetti on bass, Jimmy Sanchez on Drums} and featured Hubert Tubbs on Vocals{ lead singer for Tower of Power}
It also featured 3 background singers, two hammond organ parts, 4 guitar parts { me] and 4 horns!] it rocked, but it's political nature ensured it's swift death in the marketplace.
The ORIGINAL attempt at basic tracks on this song- were actually recorded with Sandy McKee {r.i.p.} of Cold Blood {drums} and Tim Sheridan {Eddie Money- "Two Tickets to Paradise} { bass} but never gelled and was scrapped.
1989 March of the Drum Spirits" - An instrumental "New Age" album released as a cassette, sold for a time in Book stores, well recorded in a 24 track digital studio in Phoenix AZ.
Recently we've remastered the dat onto C.D and I'm considering re- releasing it on the net. THIS is really a beautiful album , but I always felt it wasn't finished. When and if I arrive at "Finished to satisfaction "I will definitely re- release it with several new "lost cuts".
1997 "Free Tibet" This song never was actually released but
is noteworthy because it was written in 1994, after spending many years in Tibetan Buddhist studies as a Dancer of Tibetan Lama Dances.
It has won two songwriting competitions and resulted in a studio recording of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger" { on the "12 Degrees C.D.} which features Karen Bentley on violin, former soloist with the New York Philharmonic Orch. , Alex Baum on bass of Dan Hicks and the Acoustic Warriors, Jan Emerson background vocals , of Maria Muldaurs' band, and Kent Bryson, of Leon Redbone and was produced by Grammy nominated producer- Warren Dennis Khan at Banquet Sound Studios in Santa Rosa, Calif.} as the prize, and was instrumental in landing me in the Movie "Have you seen Clem? while winning one of those contests at FAT TUESDAY in Austin Tx.}
1997- Sage Gentle-Wing "Twilight Language" { out of print}
A c.d. that sold for a while off the bandstand including a version of "Free Tibet" produced by Richard Salem in Tempe ,Az.
A modest but upgraded recording of various songs I was singing at the time. "Curse of Budapest" and "Reach for the Magic" on 12 Degrees were lifted from this recording. { seven cuts}
1998 "Portrait of the Artist as a Complete Unknown" [ out of print}Actually never was pressed and never sold. Just a few copies made although "Cry Baby Cry", and "Deva" {on "12 degrees"} were lifted from THIS recording.
Produced at home by Larry Andes in Phoenix, AZ. [ 21 cuts}
1999 "12 Degrees of the Heart".
12 songs recorded over several years' time in three different statesCalif, Arizona, and Austin Tx. Pressed and released in New Zealand sold exclusively off the bandstand, now sold out.
I consider this one to be my first "actual releases" or legit recordings although probably that won't really be true until I'm signed to at least some legit distribution / label/ management that is handling all that on a national level.
"Roadside Revelations" - 2007
My current release produced by Terry Garvin - Phoenix AZ
Features 13 pop oriented songs rendered in a "full band" format, multitrack.
A decent recording, a good representation of arrangements. This record continues to sell well at gigs and has garnered several accolades from my peers and the press. It is available online at iTunes and cdbaby.com.
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