REMEMBER GUYS - THESE WERE RECORDED IN MY LIVING ROOM! - NOT EASY WITH THE HEAVIER MATERIAL FROM MY BAND "STRANGE NEIGHBOUHOOD"
Songs below written & recorded by myself in my living room with a used Fostex X15 4-track. All parts (including Roland 707 drum machine or "Gravis Sound Card drums" in computer) programmed & played by myself. A Roland FP8 electronic piano, and Oberheim Matrix 6 were used exclusively. Guitar players and vocalists as noted. Debbie Saunders was the vocalist for all of the 'Strange Neighbourhood' Material.
Played together in one take after a little practice. Amy Brown needed a song for her high-school talent show. I could not be present, so we made a tape of piano & background vocals. AMY SANG IT LIVE on stage, backed with the tape. So sorry Amy - I forgot!!! But still, I do deserve a little shyte for this oversight, yes. Everyone who's heard it just loves your voice!!! And of course you can use my music anywhere you want! (Amy's been on quite an interesting vacation out East, and e-mailed me about this error just today......)
Amy Brown - Foolish Games
Recorded late 80's: An experiment in jazz / fusion. When completed, I had a friend bring his synth down and do the first 32 bars of the synth solo followed by my own synth solo for the next 32! His keyboard sounded great for the solo in this tune. I was indeed jealous. First synth solo played by: Luc Zoccollillo
Doug Callowhill - The Strawberry Patch
Played on an old Roland JX3P non touch-sensitive keyboard. First song I ever recorded on my 'new used' Fostex X15. Guitar: Kyle Pacey.
Jim Kajura - Losing My Touch
One of my favourite songs, unfortunately recorded during my echo & delay days. Brilliant guitar work: Kyle Pacey.
Strange Neighbourhood - And How the Night Cries
Another heavy & saucy rock song recorded in `87. Again - loaded with way too much echo!! Guitar: Kyle Pacey
Strange Neighbourhood - Break That Routine
Yet another heavy tune with some Matthew Fisher influenced licks (organist for Procol Harum) played on an Oberheim Matrix 6 featuring a "Moog" sound with plenty of portamento. Again - loaded with way too much echo!! Absolutely brilliant guitar: Kyle Pacey
Strange Neighbourhood - If It Ain't Real
This is an 'almost' complete song, with guitar and guitar solo. Unfortunately, owing to some serious health problems with the singer, the final vocal track was never added, nor the melodic changes that I had intended. One can tell the melody needs changes in many places, especially in the first verses. I do love the fade out harmonies that Amy Brown did on her own! Brilliant guitar work: John Razniewski
Amy Brown - Proud
This was my most blatant attempt to write a three-minute commercial tune. Note the extra half bar of drumming here and there courtesty the "Barry Wilson" school of drumming (late drummer for Procol Harum - the band that influenced my writing and playing more than any other - ah hell they influenced my whole life!) Brilliant guitar work: Kyle Pacey
Strange Neighbourhood - Living On Luck
Amy Brown - It's Not My Nature
Amy only got to sing this song a few times, each time incorporating new melodic changes. More changes in melody are definitely necessary where the word 'be' is stretched over the three ascending notes..... also, the strings should have been louder in the "B" section and vocals tend to distort here since no compression was used. Amy was unavailable to finish this song or 'Proud', but we're going to get it done yet, says she! Yes, and hopefully with all new equipment, now 11 years later!!