Acoustic fingerstyle guitar

13 MP3 Songs
NEW AGE: Ambient, FOLK: Fingerstyle

Details:
I began recording âScenes from the Observation Carâ in the fall of 2006. Earlier that year I had released my first CD, âOobooâs Pancake,â and was eager to start another project. After recording about 10 tracks, I took a break. Several weeks later, I listened to the songs with a critical ear and realized that quite a few needed tweaking: some needed a better performance, others needed to grow a bit more with changes to the arrangements or melodies. Some just didnât âcut it.â Over the next year I wrote new tunes and honed the best ones from the initial recordings, coming up with a mix of 13 compositions that would eventually become âScenes.â Two years in the making, this project combines stories, sketches and music to deliver a mood that will hopefully take listeners to a peaceful placeâone of respite from fast lanes, cell phones, text paging, and the daily grind of survival.
Iâve wanted to produce a project such as this since I fell in love with Harry Chapinâs âSniper,â an album from the 70s which combined music, lyrics and illustrations. Each song had an associated sketch beside the words, providing another dimension, taking one deeper into the track with each listen. Although the music on âScenesâ is instrumental, hopefully the short stories, sketches and melodies will provide an effect similar to Chapinâs.
From the poignant recollection in âJamestown Trainâ to the quirky sentiment of âFake Presents,â âScenes from the Observation Carâ represents special moments in my lifeâs journeyâfrom childhood to 50. I hope you will enjoy listening and reading.

There were four very important people involved in the making of âScenesâ:

First and foremost, I would not be making this CD if it werenât for the constant, unwavering support of my wife, Sandy. For 24 years, sheâs been my biggest fan, constructive critic and promoter.

My lifelong dear friend, Mark Stacy, mixed all the songs, taking basic guitar tracks and bringing them to life with his prowess of digital recording. The crisp, clean sounds on this CD are a testament to his talent, patience, and immaculate attention to detail.

For the short stories associated with the songs, Iâve worked with another close friend,
Winnie Star. She has been a wonderful partner in the creation and completion of the stories, and has also assisted with editing of my website. As Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, âEasy reading is damned hard writing.â Winnie made sure every word in each story was the right one, every sentence succinct, every message true and honest.

Maude Church has drawn 13 illustrations that truly complete this project. A Bay Area artist, Maude spent several months living with these stories, listening to the music, and creating a sketch to best fit the mood of the song. I think she hit the mark on every one. Please check out my website where I will be showcasing all of Maudeâs illustrations from âScenes.â

JR

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