It took a while, and, well... I'm sorry it did, but they have shipped.
So far I've received one from Artemis and one from Hussain Ali. If you've been waiting to receive mine before shipping yours to me, cool
If you don't receive yours in a week, email me.
Here's the track sheet breakdown. No track sheet has been shipped with the CD.
There is no actual theme here aside from the fact there are a lot of Cleveland artists represented here, mostly from the late 70's and early '80s. For those of you who like the new jack school, this might be something of a disappointment. I do hope you find something you like, however.
There are also tracks from bands with whom I worked or toured and they were added, mostly, because I really dig the song and/or it's rare or a hard to find remix.
I have used the audio editor Cool Edit to remaster and normalise all of the tracks so that they could have the most optimal audio quality I could give them. They were saved as .wav files from .mp3's before they were recorded.
May you find some listening pleasure somewhere in the music on the disc.
Thanks,
bunner
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01 - Aaron Copeland - Hoedown
A killer piece of classical from the premiere American composer. A brash, fun, piece that brings a whiff of saddle soap and gunpowder into the classical arena.
02 - American Noise - Got A Fix On You
Track two from a killer album from a band with whom I worked from '83 to '86 doing their lighting. They had one album on Planet Records. The album wasn't mixed terribly well, and their star faded before the band had a chance to get off of the ground. While this track doesn't do them justice, they could draw blood live. Ah well.
03 - Billy Sullivan - When Your Light's Turned On
Billy Sullivan's latest CD, "All American Popster" is a hearty serving af jangle-pop, ( a genre that's near and dear to my heart ) and he is also a Cleveland based artist. This track is an old Hollies cover and a rare one, to boot. Faithful and engaging.
04 - Emerson Drive - Fall Into Me
Found this on the Billboard Top 40 a month ago. Canadian band, Richard Marx produced. Perfect pop. A little saccharine? Yeah, but love songs are. I love this tune.
05 - Beau Coup - Sweet Rachel
Another Cleveland band. They were signed to Doc Serverinsen's Amherst Records in '84, I believe, and sales and performances for the band peaked in 85 when they opened for Nightranger's 7 Wishes Tour. More carefully crafted early '80s pop here, folks.
06 - The Hooters - Satellite
Great Philly band, also from the '80s era. Aside from being Cyndi Lauper's backup band, they had several hit singles including "And We Danced", "All You Zombies" and "Day By Day". This one didn't chart as high, but it's my favourite. It's about televangelists.
07 - 10,000 Maniacs - These Are The Days
A live track from the "VH-1 Unplugged" sessions. The band is in peak form and this song, delivered by a great band and Natalie's distinct, homegirl style just plain makes me melt. A great version of a huge hit.
08 - David Bowie - Let's Dance
The title cut from Bowie's breakthrough 1982 album. That album was the impetus for the legendary "Serious Moonlight" tour, in which I had a hand on the lighting crew. Had lunch with the guy. Brilliant, funny and very normal guy for a genius. :) This is a kiler remix. Nile Rogers producing.
09 - James Brown - Sex Machine (Get On Up)
James Brown is the fucking man, y'all. Classic track from a legend. "Hai!"
10 - The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
The masthead of the Motown sound in the '60s and '70s, they defined crossover black pop and R&B for their era, and are still at it and doing it the way it should be done. Lit some shows with them and the Four Tops in the '80s. Great guys who do it because they love the music. This is from their more experimental era in the '70s.
11 - The Michael Stanley Band - Midwest Midnight
This was recorded live at the legendary Cleveland Agora and released in '73. Cleveland's favourite sons, the Michael Stanley Band held attendance records for both the Richfield Coliseum and Akron's Blossom Music Center for years. Signed to MCA and three other major labels, they never quite took off west of the Mississippi.
12 - Paul Simon - Under African Skies
A beautiful piece of music from Paul Simon's breakthrough "Graceland" album featuring Linda Rondstat on harmonies. Just plain pretty.
13 - The La's - There She Goes
This track was covered by Sixpence None The Richer and this is the original version from quirky, jangle-pop meisters, The La's. Shimmery songs of romantic longing abound on this disc. This is a great one.
14 - The Websters - Kiss Me
A Cincinnati band that plays at the Round House Bar, where I am the house audio tech. This is one of the band's original works and was recorded off of a board tape that I made of the band, live at the Round House, in 2000. The band has lots heavier stuff, but this one sort of fits the disc.
15 - Poco - Good Feeling To Know
Poco was a band who's popularity waxed and waned several times between the '60s and the '80s. Their members lent their services to such outfits as the Souther Hillman Furay Band, Loggins and Messina and Buffalo Springfield. This was a minor hit from the '70s that just plain cooks in that alt.country vein. Did mop-up on their last major tour opening for Richard Marx in 1990. They are as honest as their music and were a pleasure to work with.
16 - The Waitresses - I Know What Boys Like
The acerbic writing style of Chris Butler was perfectly framed by the Waitresses, a new wave '80s band featuring Cleveland's own, the late Patty Donahue on vocals. If you get a kick out of this tune, they have made their mark.
17 - Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag
Funny, sexy, and a perfect paean to teenage awkwardness. This song not only makes you giggle, but it kicks like a fucking mule. Long live guitar rock.
18 - South Park Cast - Timmy! (My Name Is)
A great spoof on Eminem's "My Name Is" starring the whole cast and South Park's own rock star: TIMMAY!
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I wanted my half in the middle and I wound up on the edge.
