Trio

TRIO is the electro-acoustic record I've long wanted to make. My third studio effort also introduces two talented and versatile players, Sean Vinson on electric and acoustic bass and Kyle Owen on drums and percussion. Our musical guests include Bela Balogh (from 3 Leg Torso), violin; David Jacobs-Strain, slide guitar; Ramsey Embick, keyboards; Mieke Bruggeman, clarinet and alto sax; Farnell Newton, trumpet; Al Torres, trombone; Peter Zisa, classical guitar; John Hubbard, cello. TRIO was produced by John Dodge and Bob Stark (Esperanza Spaulding, Everclear, Missy Higgins, Edie Brickell), engineered by Bob Stark, Dave Friedlander and Steve Sundholm at Kung Fu Bakery Recording, Portland. The tunes: depending on how you define your genres, we have three rock tunes, three blues tunes, three jazz tunes, a couple of folk tunes and a pop tune. There are 11 originals, both vocal and instrumental, and the 12th, if you can believe the legend, written by Henry the 8th but rearranged by JD in Brubeck-style for a jazz quartet with violin. 1. Johnny on the Spot - the story of a bad boy doing his best to go straight. 2. Why Don't You Love Me? - a blues from a forlorn and clueless lover. 3. Odd Man Out - a New Country rocker about what else? Infidelity. 4. Retorno del Toro - a different take on the Spanish-influenced 'Toro Toro' from my last record, 'Greetings from Bridgetown.' 5. The Newlyweds - a wedding present for my daughter and her new husband. 6. What Five is This - Greensleeves done in 5/4 time with crazy Gypsy violin. 7. When the Levee Breaks-- a story of anger and frustration with the system. The Levee in this case is our patience. 8. Walk Down Mystery Street - in New Orleans late one night walking in the fog. 9. Play the Guitar or Grow Up - story of a young boy and his very concerned mother. 10. Sign Up - classic story of what you trade for what you get. 11. Simple Prayer - just what it is. 12. The Wild Australian - in the summer of 2012 I attended Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in southern Ohio with Tommy Emmanuel. At the end of four days together, our class gathered into a song circle. At the time this tune was a work in progress but Tommy liked it a lot and suggested that I do it for the group. Later on when it was finished, I named it for him. Sounds like galloping horseback across the Out Back to me.