Morning

Album notes:
These are some songs I wrote after the demise of the previous band I was in, Nickel. The songs were recorded at different times on different media and with different personnel. There's a "demo" quality to the recordings, but I'm happy with them and the songs in general...some ups and downs, but generally pretty even. Hope you enjoy it, thanks.

Song Notes:
1. Neither – I like the simple form of the song, and I especially like the recording, Fab’s drumming in particular (1).
2. Jonathan – I’m trying to say something in this song, not sure if it comes across. (1).
3. The Little Hoodlums – Goofy little song; still thinking of expanding it with another verse and chorus(1).
4. Morning – I like the sentiment of the lyrics, and the little bass run at the end of the last bridge (2).
5. Aim Slowly and Calmly – My favorite lyrics of the set...struggled a bit with the form, but eventually worked it out (2).
6. Come Around Again – Tom’s keyboard and cello arrangements make the song (3).
7. Always – Not sure where this one came from, but I know I was a shoe salesman at the time I wrote it. Great cello work again by Tom (3).
8. Two Shells – First song Tom and I recorded on the new medium, “the computer”. My wife makes fun of the lyrics whenever she hears it.
9. My Instincts Are All Wrong – Feeling sorry for myself…I must have written it upon discovering that I was going to have to work for a living. Nice harmonica, though (4).

Recording Notes (vocals, guitar, harmonica and bass are all me, other instruments as noted):
(1) These songs were recorded at Fabrizio Munoz’ house in Glendale, in his back room, on my Tascam 38 8-track machine, nicknamed “The Beast” because it was so damned heavy. Fab also played drums on all the tracks and did a great job, considering he basically learned the songs that day.
(2) Drums and some guitar recorded by Tom Ackerman at a rehearsal studio somewhere in L.A. on ADAT; the rest recorded on my computer at the apartment Jen and I rented in Montrose when we first got married. Ackerman played drums and also did a fantastic job.
(3) Recorded by Tom Hite and myself (using the band name "Sunrise, Sundown") on Tom’s computer (which probably couldn’t handle Farmville nowadays) in our apartment on Tabor Street in Palms. Tom played cello and keyboards, writing the parts for each. His arrangements absolutely improved all the songs, and may have saved one of them.
(4) Recorded at the apartment in Montrose on “The Beast”. Drums by the Alesis SR-16.

Artwork notes:
Cover artwork by Rita McDermott