Guitar-based folk-n-roll that knows the blues and loves to swing--13 smart original songs, in arrangements featuring eight outstanding Twin Cities musicians.

13 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Americana, ROCK: Folk Rock



Details:
These are songs that, in some cases, I have lived with for a long time--others are quite new.

The songs are eclectic--Check out Mark Nelson's fabulous jazz-inflected soprano sax work on "Roll That Stone Away, "A Gracing Maze," (none of Mark's searing solo appears on the 2-minute mp3 clip, unfortunately) and "The American Way" (soprano sax and harmonica duet, anyone?). "Roll That Stone Away" also is underpinned by Uli Koester's cello line--the sound is as mysterious as the question posed in the song. "A Gracing Maze" and "The American Way" have rock aspirations that counterpoint the sax work. "A Gracing Maze" acknowledges dark nights of the soul; "The American Way" tells a tale of unequal educational and economic opportunity. Dave Michel's bass lines are in both of these are of special note, whether for their melodic sense in the former or their rhythmic pulse in the latter.

For straight ahead rock-n-roll, listen to "TV Weatherman" or "Finite Pie." (The former features Mark Nelson's tenor and alto sax; in the latter, his down-and-dirtiest tenor punctuates the economic disequilibrium of free-market forces).

Linda Breitag's fiddle duets with Mark's alto sax on "(I Didn't Know) I Had a Hero," a reflection on the untimely loss of Paul and Sheila Wellstone and others. Linda's fiddle also figures prominently in "I Always Find You" (and the mp3 clip actually let you hear some of it) as well as my diatribe against the Protestant work ethic, "Circles Around the Sun."

Mark Kreitzer's fiddle graces the folk and country-folk of "We Could Go to Denmark," (cut short on the 2-minute mp3, unfortunately) and "Homeward." Hear more of Mark's multi-instrumental talents with the Middle Spunk Creek Boys, available elsewhere on cdbaby.com

If you lean toward acoustic folk rock, take a listen to "The Itinerary" (Matthew Zimmerman and Bob Smithson build up the layers of percussion; Ray Makeever swings low on the flute), the instrumental "Clearwater," or "Heading for Obscurity."
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"Turn It Around" references the changes brought by loss, political change, changes in the weather, changes of scenery, and musical changes. Metamorphosis, metanoia, metaphor.

Just like it takes readers to complete a book, it takes listeners to complete a recording. I had a great time making this cd, with amazing contributions from fabulous musician friends. I hope you enjoy completing the collaborative circle as a listener.

Tim/Gus