Songs on this page: 9

Jazz and Latin-Style Songs

"Just Passin' Thru", version 3, 02/17/2008. This is a jazz-rock instrumental, in a high-energy, Johnny A. sort of style. It actually cames from a blues idea. I caught about 5 minutes of an SRV concert on the TV one night and they did a riff run at the beginning of a slow blues tune, where the whole band does the run together. That reminded me that I used to do that years ago but hadn't done it in probably 20 years now. So I wrote an intro using that technique that I thought would have some impact, and then grew the rest of the tune from there. The concept of the title is about how while I was playing on the road full time, I would come across these tiny little towns that time had forgotten. They were fascinating places to me. Those were the days before the internet came so they were relatively cut off from civilization in a sense. they tended to look like stepping into history of 20, 30, or 40 years before that time. Things were different in those days. But each time I would get used to the town and the buildings and the stores, and the people, then our week was up and it's back in the truck and heading on to the next town and the next gig. Almost every place I went, I felt like I wanted to plant roots and start a life there, but I was Just Passin' Thru. It made me feel as if I shouldn't connect with anyone too closely, so there was always a distance between us. We moved along quickly and so does this tune.

"Stealin' Time" version 3, 02/17/2008. Here we have an up-tempo instrumental tune. This came about because there was an interesting Johnny A tune that I was considering as a cover tune for my band to play. So I sat down to learn it, and when I learned most of it and was just polishing off the last few details, I noticed that it sounded very similar to my style on a number of tunes. In fact, often, when I have put one of his tunes on as a test of the sound system, people mistake it for one of my tunes. So I was starting to think that I could write something with a similar feel and probably close to the same quality, and then we'd have another original tune in the set list, and also I would have another tune for my latest album. Also, it occurred to me that whole purpose of putting in cover tunes in the setlist is to play things that people are familiar with. In the case of Johnny, he's a great guitarist, but most people would not recognize his music, so there was really no point in having the band spend the time in learning his tune, when they could simply spend the time learning a new one. So I wrote this one which is of course completely original, but it does have that guitar-oriented slant to it, and it does have a very up-tempo beat. It feels a bit like a Johnny A tune, so it has the same effect on the energy flow of a set that that one tune of his would have had. It's danceable.

"The Plains of Nazca", version 5, 12/18/05. South of Lima, Peru is a small town called Nazca (also spelled "Nasca") on the Pacific coast. Near this place are the Plains of Nazca where there are what appears to be ancient landing strips for aircraft, and also large ancient pictograms carved into the ground that are miles across and can only be viewed from the air. The general implications of this to many people are that this is evidence that thousands of years ago we were once visited by people who could fly. This one is about those aliens coming here to help us get started in our civilization, nurtured and encouraged us to progress, and then watch us with pride as we grow into the beings and the civilizations they were hoping for. They want us to get to the point where we are ready to meet with them again. This portrays this alien race as benevolent, harmless, custodial, helpful, almost parent-like in their feelings toward us. Drums and Percussion by Jason Christenson.

Just Before The Storm - I love that moment just before a storm comes. You can see it in the sky, and you can smell it on the air. The world is quiet with anticipation. This is a jazzt tune which I did with both lyrics and as an instrumental. The man and woman are trying to get home in that unnatural quiet. They are racing against time to get inside before the rains come....

To The Rescue - Picture a hero riding his horse to save the damsel in distress. Cape flying out behind him, he races to her side to stop the villain from carrying out his evil plans with her. This is one of those pieces that people tell me they get the melody in their head, and then hear it at other times. Very catchy melody.

Moonlight - Usually, I create songs that express some internal idea or concept or emotional panorama that I want to depict. This time I wanted to create a song that filled a need for other people. While writing it, I pictured a couple stepping out on to a patio on a warm clear night and dancing to soft music while looking up at the moon and the stars. Part of the backdrop for a romantic evening. Originally, this was called "On The Patio" but a friend who really likes this one suggested I make this the title song of the CD. He also wanted me to make it longer, but to do that I'd need to re-record it from scratch, and there is actually a lot of work in this one. You have to listen closely to tell, but there are many guitar tracks layered together and they are all playing jazz runs in synchronized and harmonic structures. Kind of complex. I'd not like to have to play this live.

Brazil - Picture an evening in Rio De Janeiro. People walking in the streets. Hot latin music for a hot latin night. You are driving with friends in an open car. You find a club and go in. It's all about atmosphere. It's about the moment. The memories of hot times with cool friends.

Driving With The Top Down - A pleasant latin-flavored drive through a gorgeous afternoon in an open convertible. Stopping for lunch in a garden café. Soaking in the ambiance of a relaxed afternoon, with not a care in the world. The work is done, all bills are paid, the house is clean, phone calls all returned, all debts are paid off, nothing is left half-finished. You've had plenty of sleep, you're healthy and comfortable, you're in a good mood, and there's nothing left but to drive through the world and speculate philosophically about your place in it. Enjoy the fantasy - the real world will return soon enough.

The Dance of the Shakti - Shakti is the Goddess spouse of Shiva. She is a sex goddess. This song is a slow, sensual strip tease/dance by a woman who is imbued with the spirit of a sex goddess. From time to time, all women have been in this spirit. All women have it within them to be this sex goddess. To touch this immortal power, and to weild it.