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About the Songs
of Four To The Bar
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1.Tenor Madness (Sonny Rollins). A classic jazz-blues from the
great saxophonist, Sonny Rollins. I'm proud to say that my 14-year old son,
Jaji, plays alto sax on the head of this tune. Way to go!
2. Yardbird Suite (Charlie Parker). One of the greatest tunes
from master bebopper, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker.
I think it lays so well on steel, that I'm surprised that one
of the great steel masters hasn't recorded it earlier.
3. Love Has No Pride (Kaz/Titus). I loved Linda Ronstadt's
version of this beautiful ballad in the 1970s, and carried the tune in
my head ever since. I'm pleased to have a chance to bring it to light again,
this time as a steel guitar instrumental.
4. Au Privave (Charlie Parker). Another classic bebop tune from
Charlie Parker. My thanks to Jim Stahlhut for lending me the octavizer
pedal that makes the steel guitar sound so, well... weird!
5. Night in White Satin (Justin Haywood). My favorite Moody Blues
song of all time! I'm so fortunate to have had producer Dan Kleiman
to help me bring this piece to fruition.
Extra thanks to Berklee guitarist Mike Ihde for a killer guitar solo!
And, in case, you're wondering, yes that is me doing the singing
on the last verse.
6. Different Drum (Mike Nesmith) This one was Linda Ronstadt's
first hit song, written by former-Monkee, Mike Nesmith.
I've always loved this tune, and I think its simple melody works well
to "cleanse the palate" after the more intense flavors of the preceding tune.
Hope you agree! Special thanks to Beth Meade for the banjo!
7. Icarus (Ralph Towner). This song was the theme for the
Paul Winter Consort for many years. I had the privilege of participating
in a few workshops with Winter and his cellist, David Darling, back in the 1970s,
and this song has stayed with me ever since. I love its anthemic quality.
8. Cherokee (Noble/Davis). Buddy Emmons recorded this song on
steel guitar in the 1960s but I thought it was time for a new treatment;
half latin, half swing!
9. Surfer Girl (Brian Wilson). This is a ballad that I find
very soothing to play. It comes, of course, from the pen of the great
Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, and takes me back to a simpler time when
we focused on things like cars, surf, and California girls.
10. Four (Miles Davis). From the pen of the great trumpeter,
Miles Davis. Special thanks to tenor saxman Chris Farr, trumpeter John Swana,
and guitarist Mike Ihde for killer solos.
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