Insight into a few of my Tunes...

Sample One is from a CD I recorded for my God-Daughter Jessie after I found out she was going to have a baby. Joy and concern were inter-mingled as I just let the Music pour out. I could almost see myself running from house to house shouting ,”She’s going to have a baby!!”, throughout this entire CD.

Sample Two is also from Jessie’s CD. The Cycle of Life is an awesome thing deserving of Respect and worth Celebrating. I think it would be a wonderful thing if this young woman didn’t have to worry about $$$, and only had to think about the needs of the new family she is a part of. Please consider buying a bunch of her CDs to give away to friends and family who you think would enjoy the Music, as well as, being a part of this process.

Sample Three is from a CD called “Electrified”. Using an analog to digital interface, I recorded directly into my computer. With this process, the wah pedal is generally used in a stationary fashion. As two previously recorded tracks were playing back, I was trying to adjust the setting when I noticed by moving the cursor with my right hand, while doing a series of Trills and Hammer-Ons with my left, I got an unusually authentic wah sound. Had I pre-planned this I would have picked a shorter song to try it on. Just remember, this was one pass purely as an experiment and not one note with a wah sound was plucked by the right hand. WHEW!!

Sample Four is from “Spirit”, the 1st of a Trilogy of CDs I recorded for “J & L” entitled “A Trilogy: Spirit, Mind & Body”. In every room of my home there is evidence of their Kindness. Even though they have no immediate needs that I know of, I am certain any benefit they receive will somehow turn into something that will be a blessing to someone else.

Sample Five is from “Spirit” as well. It’s worth mentioning that the Classical Guitar I am playing was a gift from “J & L”. Their encouragement has been and is a big part of why I play the way I do. These CDs are just my way of saying “Thanks”...

Sample Six is one more piece from “Electrified”. It was only my 2nd attempt at using multi-track software! The 3 tracks you are listening to were recorded in succession, one immediately after the other with minimal fixing it in the mix. The processing you hear was recorded onto the tracks. I set the pan, adjusted the volume and let it roll...

Sample Seven is a piece from “Mercy”. On one of the Pages I mention an Experience I had with a fever. “Mercy” is the 1st CD I recorded after that Event. It is indeed fitting that this CD would be the opener to the “For My Benefit” Series. Every time I listen to it I am amazed at the range of Emotions and Styles that are captured on this Disk!

Sample Eight is another selection off of “Mercy”. I am truly grateful for the Wellspring of Life and Music that just keeps bubbling up and overflowing every time I follow my Heart. I do Believe that any Higher Purpose I am to fulfill is somehow connected to what comes out of my hands when I play a Guitar.

Sample Nine is from “Electrified”. Two tracks in about 20 minutes sure can add up to some Wonderful Music! I still find it hard to Believe that I’m the one who gets to play this stuff. I just try to follow the bouncing ball or in my case the lights that seem to dance on my Guitar’s fretboard. It’s not a perfect process since I’m not perfect, but it works for me. I do my best to follow the Muse and at times I really feel that I am part of a Bigger Picture. I only get the briefest glimpse of what is possible.

Sample Ten is from a disk I recorded for a friend after attending his 50th birthday celebration. He is one of the most Inspiring Musicians I have had the honor of Jamming with on a regular basis. Here’s to another 50 “J”.

Sample Twelve “Even Tho There Are Still Times I Miss You...” is yet another piece from “Electrified “ and a prime example of why I Love playing Guitar. Very few instruments capture what the player is trying to communicate to the listener as effectively as a Guitar. Whether Sadness or Joy, or both at the same time, when the connection between the Heart and fingers manifests, every note holds within itself the possibility of Magic and Majesty...

Sample Eleven is from a disk I recorded for a certain Fiddle Player. It troubles me that so many Gifted Musicians are separated from the thing they Love because they can’t survive on what many Venues consider fair pay. Forced to earn their living in some other field, they rarely realize their potential, except for those special times when the Music is flowing free and gloriously lifts them to the Higher Ground they deserve to tread upon. Maybe someday “L” will be able to Rise to the Rhythm...

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