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1.
Guitar and
Feathers
This tune, like many of the originals on this
album, came together out of musical bits and pieces that I have
carried around and played for years, until they formed themselves
into a more or less homogeneous composition. I hope the glue joints
don't show.
2. Seneca
Rag
One of the nice things about writing instrumental music is that
you can name it anything you want, and until it's published, change
the name as often as you like.This rag had numerous titles over
the years, including "What,This Old Rag? I've Been Playing
It For Years", and others, even less dignified. The current
name comes from Seneca Rocks in West Virginia, where the rock
is as ragged as the rhythm. Really.
3. Spanish
Eyes
One of my favorite melodies of all time, played in (what else?)
Spanish tuning, also one of my favorites. The low E and A strings
are dropped a whole step, to give that nice I-V combination that's
so easy to play over because you can just set it in motion and
forget about it.
4. Deer
Tracks
This is the first instrumental I ever wrote, and like most things,
has changed quite a bit over the years. The name came from a poem,
although the title and the poet are long forgotten. It seems to
me it had to do with being out in the woods with your sweetheart,
under the pretext of looking at nature...
5. Hot
Springs Sojourn
Another tune long played and frequently titled. This name came
from a back-packing trip to New Mexico, where the trails may be
long, hot and dusty, but the sights and sounds of the trip make
it all worthwhile. May you feel the same way when you're done
listening.
6. Deep
Blue Shuffle
What can I say? This is a blues, and in the tradition of the blues,
shamelessly stolen from those who went before me. It goes on longer
than it should, just because I don't know when enough is enough.
7. Everybody
Knows the Trouble I've Been
Contrary to the title, this one pretty much wrote itself, and
hasn't changed much since. It sort of lopes along, following it's
own path, and I haven't had any reason to argue with it so far.
It was one of the easiest to record, too, requiring only a couple
of takes. Adding to the contradiction, the title was the first
one that came to mind. Hmmm...
8. Greensleeves
An ancient tune, with impeccable credentials. This wasn't even
supposed to be on the album; I played it as a warm-up, and liked
the way it came out. Probably the only Christmas song that's appropriate
anytime.
9. Triggerfingers
I always have fun with this one, but if I play it too fast, I
get thrown off. I believe I was in Philly when I wrote the main
part of this; the mayor liked it, but it would behoove you not
to trot it out too often.
10. Nimbus
Parts of this tune drifted around my head for years before it
began to take shape. I probably worked harder composing this than
on any other, but now when I play it, it just seems to float by,
hence the name. If it makes you think of laying in the grass,
looking up at the sky and being lazy, it will have been worth
the effort.
All
tunes written by Kerry Kean except Spanish Eyes
(Kaempfert, Snyder and Singleton), and Greensleeves
(Public Domain), arranged by Kerry Kean
© 1995, 2005
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