A Young Person's Guide To The Grooves

AT THE END OF MY DAY - A song from times gone by, this chorale invocation by the fabulous a cappella BOZO allegro horns sets a deceptively introspective introductory mood.

HONEYPUNK - A welcome rude interruption, and we're off to the races with an interesting form - instead of the traditional jazz A-B-A (head-solos-head), this one transmogrifies organically as A-A (solo)-B-C-A-B (solo)-C (solo)-A-B. Cool. I wish I could write 'em like this a little bit more often.

BREATHLESS MORNINGS - A latin-rock paean to the pleasures of carnal pursuits before noon. Mucho gracias, Señor McD, por la introducción de riff.

VERTICAL SMILES - Another song about sex (please pen your own lyrics), this time with a stylistic tip of the hat to that infectious-reggae-shuffle jones of Walter and Donald.

SUITE CANDLIN - Our first dedication of the evening: For the ever lovely Ms. Dobbs.

a) AUGUST 23, 1996 - A little bit o' thrash, a little bit o' funk...ah, what a night it was!

b) JOE BEAM'S SAMBA SENSUAL - Saluting the lady's love of the Brazilian boys, especially Antonio Carlos. The band struggled with the feel for this one until someone in the rhythm section had a bright idea - "Maybe we should actually try and play it as a samba..." (Duh.)

c) THE CELEBRATORY LIFE - I'm living mine with the blessing of the love of the lass. Here's hoping that everybody finds theirs...it's the best way to be here now.

COREATOWN - This one's for Chick.

RISE AND FALL OF THE GLASS REICH - A minimalist bow towards Philip and Steve. I play the piano part just because I can. KI KI SO SO! to the Twin Cities Shambhala Center for the use of the gong. And those tributes, they just keep on a-comin'!

LOYOLITA - Sort of a funky hip-hop shuffle, with a chunk of swing for the old folks.

SONNY SMILES - Every composer has his regrets, and one of mine is that Mr. Rollins wrote "St. Thomas" when I was only three years old, thus denying me the chance to beat him to it. However, I got to channel this gem in tribute both to him and the calypso in his soul, all in a rush one hot summer night . G'bless TSR, long may he reign!