Limbic System

Tim Reynolds has released a rare solo-acoustic double CD of original music, entitled The Limbic System. One disc is entirely instrumental, the other with vocals. Named after the primitive part of the brain responsible for memories and pleasure, The Limbic System is a bit mysterious and the songs draw their inspiration from Reynolds' wide-ranging interests. Most of the music was recorded in 2007, at Reynolds' former home and studio in Santa Fe, NM. The space of my old studio was a really inspirational place for me, where the music I wrote and played, just naturally flowed out of me. He had every good intention of releasing the material earlier, but wasn't able to find the time until now. Life got really busy. First I was touring solo, then I put together a new version of my electric band, TR3, and we started touring. After that, I ended up gigging with DMB fulltime, says Tim. It was great to go back and listen to the acoustic tracks. I'd forgotten that I'd even recorded some of these songs. The idea for the song Che came while Reynolds, a prolific reader, was reading the Che Guevara Reader, a book of Guevara's letters to his family and friends. Guevara was smart and got things done. Although his name was Ernesto, his nickname was 'Che' which means friend. I just took it from there. Hands Full comes from Reynolds' political bent. I wrote it when Bush was President, but I still find it relevant for today with everything that is going on in the world, and what Obama is dealing with. During this time, Reynolds was listening to Son House and Robert Johnson to educate himself on old, acoustic delta blues, as well as listening to his longtime favorites, Yes and Genesis. I was trying to figure out how these acoustic Blues Artists' sang and played the way they did. I tried to duplicate their vocal styles in 'Old Bones Rolling,' but I only have one vocal cord, so I improvised, of course. Old Bones Rolling and South Fork Mud are two of Reynolds' songs that evoke the rawness of the delta blues, however, a progressive influence can definitely be found on other tracks, and in the forms the music takes. Although lately he's been surrounded by electric guitars, Reynolds always keeps an acoustic guitar close by, even when he's on the road with DMB or TR3. When I play on my acoustic guitar, I find that more original music develops and unfolds. It's good for me spiritually, as my body naturally has a desire to keep playing.