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1 My World (1.1 MB)
O.K. I know it's really not my world.... but the idea for this
piece, and for the album in
general, was to reflect all of the things musical, and otherwise,
that help to define what
I do. The challenge, of course, was to make music that didn't
sound like a bunch of styles
forced together and to let my own musical personality shine
through. I think "My World"
does just that. There's lots of improv, percolating worldbeat
percussion, a bridge section
with some folk/roots rock electric guitar and an overall upbeat
feel to the track. The sample
is from the first improv section leading into the bridge.
2 This Is It (1.2 MB)
Overall, "This Is It" is one of the darker, and more dramatic,
compositions on the record,
and I felt it was a good contrast after "My World". I've been
slowly introducing some heavier
guitar textures on my albums and "This Is It" probably has the
edgiest sound I've ever used.
I particularly like the solo in this sample -- emotional and
well-paced. This section is from
the last chorus into the final improv section.
3 '73 (1.1 MB)
One of my friends asked me if I named this piece "'73" because
of the Hammond organ
sound that's similar to tones you hear on older Deep Purple
records. And the answer is
partly yes! But it's also one of Sonya's favourite years...
so it really had to be "'73". This
tune is a lot of fun to play live and I essentially perform
it verbatim -- no improv at all. I
was initially trying to have more of a reggae feel to the track,
but it morphed into it's
current incarnation. This sample is from the second verse, chorus
and into the
first bridge.
4 If This Is Love (1.3
MB)
I've played in different bands with Ron off and on for
about 15 years. I've always loved his
voice and writing. So when I started to think about adding some
vocals to my music, he
was the first person I thought of. Ron wrote "If This Is Love"
a couple years ago and after
the first time I heard it, I knew it was a piece that I could
relate to. I wanted a big, lush
sound for this track and I think Sonya's keyboard playing was
fantastic -- added just the
right feel. Of course, this track is really about Ron's great
voice and the fabulous piece
he wrote. Thanks to Ron for letting me have first crack at recording
it! This sample is
from the second verse, chorus and bridge, leading into the middle
guitar solo.
5 Looking In (1.1 MB)
This is one of my favourite pieces on the record. In many ways,
the solo in this sample
is the closest to me as an artist. It truly expresses myself
-- emotionally. I wanted an
almost cinematic sound and feel to the track -- I think it would
work great in a movie....
any movie producers out there.... This sample is from the final
chorus leading into the
second solo section.
6 Wiggle (1.1 MB)
Well, there's a naughty meaning to this title and since this
is a PG rated web site, I won't
say exactly what it is.... "Wiggle" is the most guitar-oriented
track on the record and has
the longest solo I've done on any of my discs. This tune is
SO much fun to play live.... lots
of energy and an in-the-pocket rock feel! This sample is taken
from the final solo section.
7 Third Time (1 MB)
Truly, everything about this piece has something to do with
three. Three times re-writing
it.... three times re-recording.... three times re-mixing it....not
to mention the piece has
a three feel to it.... how could I not name it "Third Time"?
There are so many different
layers to this piece, I don't know where to start. There's the
Byrds/Chris Issak-like electric
guitar parts, the floating high synth, the ambient pad and a
whole lot more. Probably best
just to listen! The sample is taken from the solo section.
8 Nights
On Broadway (Unfortunately,
I've been unable to get clearance to host a sample
of this track on my site... but, you can listen to a lofi sample from my CD Baby page.
Hopefully, I'll have a better quality sample up soon!)
Just about every time I'm drinking my favourite scotch (the
Macallan) I'll throw on the Bee
Gees "Nights On Broadway". Just a great, classic track with
a phenomenal drum part!
When I started thinking about My World, the album,
I just knew I had to include some
music that showed a side of me that I had never shown before.
I wanted Ron to sing the
piece, but to keep his own sound -- smoky and darker in nature.
BTW, Ron did the b
acking vocals too....
I started this track before Maurice passed away, so I now feel
this piece is both a tribute
to his great work with the Bee Gees and to how amazing a composition
"Nights On
Broadway" is. The sample is taken from the second verse, pre-chorus,
chorus and
into the guitar solo.
9 What I Never Said (1.3
MB)
In many ways, this piece echoes back to my first album -- the
ambient feel, the worldbeat
percussion and the poignant melodic guitar were all elements
that I used on my first record.
I think those characteristics are still in my music, although
they've been updated somewhat.
I wanted "What I Never Said" to have a greater sense of dynamics
than I've used in the past
-- to really open up in the choruses and I used a fantastic
drum loop to help me create that
texture. This sample is taken from the solo section.
10 Centre Tone (1.3 MB)
Groovy! I love the way this track turned out -- I had so much fun recording it. Shelley did
an amazing job capturing the vibe of the tune and matching my
guitar playing. This tune
was meant to be about having fun and I think we nailed it. I
particularly like the feel of the
out chorus and second solo, which is where this sample is taken
from. To me, it sounds
like being out on the street during a big party -- fireworks
included!
11 Waiting For Winter (1.2
MB)
Peter and I started recording this tune over a year ago.... I was
going to suggest we call
it "Waiting for Jamie to Finish the Album", but "Waiting For
Winter" really is a better title.
Peter's work on this piece is just stellar and I thought the
feel of the track was the perfect
closer for the record. The sample is taken from my solo section
into Peter's solo.
Firelight
Moonlight, Peter's latest record, was nominated in the
first round for the 2004
Grammy Awards for Best New Age Album and Best Engineered Album! Way to go Peter!!
If you'd like to take a look at the nominating letter, click
here
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