This whole music project was started modestly in 1993 as my Christmas presents to friends. I sat down, turned on my tape recorder and recorded pretty much everything on first take, on one November night. I made twenty copies on caseette tape. As words get around (even on Internet), I kept making copies. I've lost count long while ago but am certain more than four hundred tapes were made and given away.
In 1996, I transferred my tape to my computer and started making this in CD. Back then, that was an adventure! I also included "Canon in D (David Atkinson version)". I think I've burned a few hundred CDs?
And now, in 2006, I'm setting this up on Internet. I don't know if anybody is going to listen these tracks. What I know is that I am delighted that my music has been enjoyed by my friends, and my gratefulness extends to you, too.
Chief
Heart-felt Thanks to : Bob and Patti, Meg, Amy, Judy and Joel, Dave, Deannie, Ed and Kelli, Dan and Nancy, Rocky, Nancy, Dave, Chris.
In Memory of Michael Hedges (1953 ~ 1997) and my faithful dog, Mikke (1987 ~ 2001)
(The original liner notes is reproduced below)
Prelude in C : It's appropriate to begin the tape with a prelude, isn't it?
Desperado : I learned this from a book before I got to hear it on radio.
Carrickfergus ~ Si Bheg, Si Mhor : Van Morrison did the former. I think the best arrangement of the latter is by Ed Gerhard (mine is a lot simpler than his).
Both Sides Now : Randy Scruggs played this on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and I learned it from record when I was nineteen. My first exposure to non-standard tuning.
Thinking of You: This song just came to me when I tried and tried to call someone in vain. My study piece as a jazz tune, a new direction for me?
Canon in D : At a Christmas party, I got to play this a zillion times and it was still fun.
Train of Thought : Learned after five late nights learning this from CD.
Hope : Written about a friend of mine who is a human realization of hopes and dreams.
The Song for My Dog : Written about my dog running around and around....
The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter : My #2 Martin sounds so good when I play this tune on it.
Layover : Composed by my hero, Michael Hedges, who single-handedly changed the guitar world.
Moonlight Sonata : Learned this to torment my mother, a dedicated pianist.
The Long and Winding Road : Decided to work on this tune when my car got stuck in mud and my dog tried to tow it (didn't work).
Prelude and The Embryonic Journey : It's so different from the original by Jorma. Prelude results from my experiments on scales and modes.
Snow ~ Silent Night : Recorded using a high-strung guitar, inspired by Bill Mize and Ed Gerhard.
Echoes : After attending (and taking 360 pictures at) wedding of friends of mine, I felt so happy and transcended into a "creative" state, giving birth to this tune.
Amazing Grace : Another Randy Scruggs-inspired tune with special appearance by my dog.
Canon in D : After learning my version, David Atkinson came out with a very nice arrangement which is recorded here. Recorded June 1995 for rmmga Tape V.
About the Guitars and Equipment. Most of the original tracks were recorded using a 1989 Martin 00-45. Some are done on a 1989 Martin 000-28 Sing Out! special. I also used a 12-string Ovation and a Gallagher G-70 (1974) was used for high-strung. All tracks were recorded digitally using a pair of Shure SM-57 mics and a Mackie 1202 mixer into Tascam DA-30. On the bonus track, I used a pair of Neumann KM-184 mics.
Tunings etc:
Prelude in C : standard
Desperado : standard
Carrickfergus ~ Si Bheg, Si Mhor : drop D
Both Sides Now : open G6 (D G D G B E)
Thinking of You: standard
Canon in D : drop D
Train of Thought : Open D (D A D F# A D)
Hope : open G6 (D G D G B E)
The Song for My Dog : Open D (D A D F# A D) on 12 string
The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter : E A D G C F, capo 4 or 5?
Layover : D A C G C E
Moonlight Sonata : drop D
The Long and Winding Road : drop D
Prelude and The Embryonic Journey : drop D
Snow ~ Silent Night : standard, on a high-strung guitar
Echoes : E A D E A E
Amazing Grace : open G6 (D G D G B E)
Canon in D : drop D