Constructed of a never-ending variety of colors, moods, and rhythms. Wise & witty. Highly recommended by Jimmy Roberts, Composer of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" Off-Broadway's longest running revue in NY theater history

49 MP3 Songs
POP: Quirky, POP: with Electronic Production



Details:
The Plaid Album came together over 1986-1990. I was writing and recording alot during that time on a four track cassette recorder, and throwing the daily work into a closet until one day I decided to dub it all on to a 2 track quarter inch deck, and then spent a month or two cutting up the tape and reassembling it until it was finished.

WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE

When hearts collide
They make no sound
You get disoriented just standing on the ground
Expect a crazy feeling
Deep down inside
There's just no way to ignore it
When hearts collide


THIS SEAT'S TAKEN

Whenever I climb down in the pit of despair
I'm so surprised my good friends are already there
This seat's taken
Just like a dog that lies on the side of the street
Waiting for cars to chase yeah but they'll never meet
This seat's taken
Show me a man who's lost all his humility
I'll show you someone who looks exactly like me
This seat's taken


LET ME BE YOUR RHINO

Deep in the jungle
I search for food
Travel miles of tundra
When I'm in the mood
The birds ride on my back
And they tell me where to go
But I'm heading straight ahead
To your house 'cause I know
You want me to charge through your front door
I need to knock everything over for you
Honk my horn and give me a bath please
I'm just trying to eke out a living in this hostile place
Don't you ever wonder why I sit down?
It's because I'm armor plated

Let me be your rhino
I'm in love with you
How the hell do I know
Where the world is going to?


I'M RIDING ON AIR

I'm riding on air
My children were just signed up for day care
They'll love it there
I'm much too busy these days
Now they're out of my hair
Here is summertime my friend
I'll bake a cake to commemorate me
No more distraction I'm finally free
I'll take a course to improve my self-worth
Why did I bother to even give birth?

Was married to Sam
But now I can really see who I am
I'll take it all
The world revolves around me
Any idiot can see
Wash my underwear on key
I'll keep on taking as long as I can
Living and breathing in fantasy land
I will gain power and riches and fame
Every psychiatrist will know my name


LIKE A MAGNET

Woke up this morning I was thinkin' 'bout you
Like a magnet attracting me to
All of the emotions that were buried so long
Like a magnet so small and so strong

How am I to resist
Being with you just shouldn't be missed
Don't try pulling away
Wouldn't you rather stay?

Gotta be careful 'cause I've seen this before
So connected while living in war
I try to run but it's all I can do
Like a magnet I'm attracted to you

How am I to resist
Being with you just shouldn't be missed
Don't try pulling away
Wouldn't you rather stay?

It doesn't matter what the outcome may be
Just the feeling is freedom to me
So go where you will go to do what you do
Like a magnet I'm attracted to you


WASHED AWAY

It feels like it's been centuries
That we've sat on the land
There's far too much erosion
Making mountains into sand
I got a rock solid foundation
Ever since that old big bang
It's sad to see it crumble
I'm sure gonna miss this gang

It's hard
It's all been washed away
It's hard
It's all been washed away


I'D BE A FOOL TO TRY

Once in a lifetime you see her
The one with the innocent smile
You think you've made a big hit
But you're out by a mile
She can't be wooed by your flowers
Gets nauseous when you start to sing
Why is she full of these powers?
I'm cautious as anything

I'm walking down the lonesome road
How can I help but cry - Oh!
Lickety split I'm back in the shit
I'd be a fool to try

I went to school for the summer
to learn Patagonian law
Had a big crush on the teacher
And now it's all raw
We spent our days at the ocean
Then mystical nights at the sea
I felt like Amos and Andy
Whenever she smiled at me

I'm walking down the lonesome road
How can I help but cry - Oh!
Lickety split I'm back in the shit
I'd be a fool to try

And now my days they are numbered
I seem to have run out of words
I gave the one with the innocent smile to the birds
She joined a convent on thursday
By friday night she balled the Pope
Saturday she was found hanging
From Bony Maroni's rope

I'm walking down the lonesome road
How can I help but cry - Oh!
Lickety split I'm back in the shit
I'd be a fool to try


RUNNING FAR

Did you ever break a promise?
Well I did
I said I loved her so but had to let her go and here I am
Did you ever do somebody wrong?
Well I did
I told her I'd be true just like I'm tellin' you but I was gone

I don't know what it is that moves me
What made me leave her all alone
I think if only she was in my arms
We could find a way back home
But I'm still runnin'
As always
What I sow I gotta reap
And I ain't had no sleep in awhile

Running far running far
Running far running far


LOOK AT THE RAIN

Look at the rain
Fallin' from the sky
Look at the way
That He's payin' attention
Look at today
The spirit is high
Look at the rain
It's beautiful
I can't conceive that yesterday
Was full of pain and so undeniably grey
Look at the rain
Lettin' me know I'm okay

Hearing you laugh
Makes me understand
Seein' you smile
I wanna shake your hand
Go for a walk
Breathin' in and out
Bein' alive was never like this
From where I stand the world is fine
It's gettin' sweeter all the time
Look at the rain
Lettin' us know we're okay
Look at the rain look at the rain look at the rain look at the rain


BABY DON'T MAKE YOUR MIND UP SO FAST

Baby don't make your mind up so fast or you might be sad
Rushing into a new good thing ain't good if it drives you mad
Take your time
Listen to your heart
Baby don't let our sweet love fall apart
Are you moving toward the light that will not last?
Baby don't make your mind up so fast

Baby don't turn your back on me now please listen what I say
Watchin' you run around like this just makes me want to hide away
We can make it
Make it if we try
Baby don't pack it up and say goodbye
I have known you - don't bring me down upon my knees
Baby don't turn your back on me please

I can't remember if you told me it was over
Or where we were when the carousel came down
I've been prayin' that that it's all just been a dream
And you're still lovin' me
You're still lovin' me

Baby don't wrap your life up so tight gotta have a good time
Do what you gotta do just know I want you to be all mine
Because I love you
So listen to your heart
Baby don't let our sweet love fall apart
We'll keep moving
Toward the light that'll always last
Baby don't make your mind up so fast

James Q. Smith is added on Electric Guitar


THE ONE I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE

We used to sit in the park and drink wine
Now I see you at the meetings all the time
Isn't it a funny thing
A direction that I thought I'd never go
Is leading me to the one I always wanted to be?

We used to swallow whatever went by
Now we're carefull with what we take inside
Isn't it a funny thing
A direction that I thought I'd never go
Is leading me to the one I always wanted to know?

Instead of falling down you're fallin' in love
Instead of jumping around
We'll be standing tall

We never thought we'd make it this long
It doesn't matter in the spiritual world
Isn't it a funny thing
A direction that I thought I'd never go
Is leading me to the one I always wanted to be?

Lyrics and Music by Neil Rosengarden
© 1990 published by Neil Rosengarden Music - BMI
Printed by permission All Rights Reserved

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March 3, 1990
I enjoyed your tape. Very good stuff, some in particular, and the tape should convince anyone that you are much more than competent in all of those bags. A nice collection.
Sincerely,
Dick Hyman

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5/25/90
NARADA PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Dear Friend:

Thank you for sending Narada your demo material for review.
Unfortunately, we are not able to use your music at this time.
Although there is merit to your music, it is not what Narada is
looking for at this time.

As a growing record label, we are interested in long term devel-
opment of musical talent. We will retain your demo on file for
future reference.

Again, thank you for your interest in Narada.

Best regards,

Richard Morton
A&R Coordinator

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BMG Music Publishing
July 2, 1990

Dear Neil,

RE: THE PLAID ALBUM

I'M INTRIGUED! THIS IS ALOT OF FUN, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO GET YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

DID I NOTICE THAT YOU'RE PLAYING AROUND TOWN? IF SO, PLEASE INVITE ME TO A SHOW.

OTHERWISE, KEEP ME INFORMED AS THINGS PROGRESS,

I'M GOING TO HOLD ON TO THE LP,

ALL THE BEST,

NANCI M. WALKER
DIRECTOR, TALENT ACQUISITION

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October 1990
HOME & STUDIO RECORDING - Reader's Tapes
Reviews by Sis X.

Where: At home
What: 4-track recorder

The Plaid Album is one of the most infectious and whimsical collections of music I've heard in a long time. Perhaps its appeal lies within the recording's structure - it is a cyclic stew of sly observations about modern life. There are many pop, jazz, and classical influences in this collection, not to mention the simple yet insightful lyrics.
The pieces are tied together by their titles, rhythms, and keyboard riffs in a way that is reminiscent of the Beatles' White Album (a Latin-flavored version of Paperback Writer is even included on the B side) or some forms of twentieth century classical music. This is definitely not a commercial product out to make big bucks. Let me give you a lyrical example from "I'm Riding On Air." "I'm riding on air./ My children were just signed up for daycare. / They'll love it there." This song is sung from the point of view of a woman who is trapped in the slavery of her husband's laundry and the children she had with him. An ironic sense of humor is the lyrical rule he follows.
Neil did everything himself on this album, from recording to producing to playing and singing. What is the most surprising is how good he is: a true musical "Renaissance man." But there are some weak spots in this Garden of Eden. The synth patches are repetitive and sometimes sound like an organist at the roller rink or Dodger Stadium. Also, the volume of the drum machine and vocals are inconsistent. Interesting lyrics do not benefit from a lack of volume. It seemed that the drums were dominant in the spots where the vocals should have been. Other than this, The Plaid Album is very smooth for a four-track recording. It just goes to show you that it's not the equipment. It's what you do with it.
I believe this demo tape is now available at a few record stores in L.A. under the same title. By all means pick one up!

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LA X PRESS May 31, 1990
PIRATE A&R L.A. ROCK SCENE REPORT by JHA 385

Neil Rosengarden whose "The Plaid Album" on Banana Uggie Records (cassette only), found by direct mail, 1537 N. Laurel Ave. #106 LA, CA 90046, for $7.00 He has made record albums for Atlantic Records and RCA Records in the past. He has recorded with Aretha Franklin, Doug Sahm, John Prine, Brook Benton, Donny Hathaway, Bernard Purdy, Herbie Mann, etc. Has performed with Hall & Oates, Randy Newman, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, and Cab Calloway, and again etc. Maybe the reason for his prolific career as a sideman and session player is that he is an excellent musician and is versed on a number of musical instruments, including trumpet, bass, vibes, drums, guitar, and keyboards.
Rosengarden, whose dad Bobby Rosengarden was a big band leader, who backed many of the great singer of his day, including Frank Sinatra, worked as Music Supervisor on ABC-TVs' General Hospital in 1986 and 1987, wrote a number of commercial jingles and songs for movie scores, for Broadway, and off-Broadway plays. He made his "The Plaid Album" entirely at home on 4-track cassette recorder over a 3 1/2 year period. It is a hilarious, 49-number, 72 minute trek through every aspect, mood and emotion modern music has to offer. Neil's musical comments are clear, forthright, and witty.
Neil says, "I produced and released the record for the pure joy of doing so. If someone else enjoys it, that would be icing on the cake".

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