Desafinado

This is my cover of “Desafinado”, a bossa nova song composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim with lyrics (in Portuguese) by Newton Mendonça. It was originally a response to critics who claimed that bossa nova was a new genre for singers who can’t sing. The English language lyrics were written by Jon Hendricks.

It was first recorded by Joao Gilberto in 1959.

Desafinado is a Portuguese word usually rendered into English as “Out of Tune”, or as “Off Key”.

When Is the Time

“When Is the Time” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar in style to the Shadows.

Backwash

“Backwash” is an original instrumental intended to be in the style of early 60’s surf rock and/or the Ventures. The lead instrument is my baritone guitar.

Crunch Bird

“Crunch Bird” is an original instrumental in a “classic rock” style.

One Note Samba

This is my instrumental arrangement of “One Note Samba”, which was composed by the great Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was first recorded as a vocal by Joao Gilberto with Portuguese lyrics by Newton Mendonça for his 1960 album “in 1960 for his album O Amor, o Sorriso e a Flor“. The English lyrics were later written by Jon Hendricks.

It is considered a Jazz standard and has been recorded by countless vocalists and instrumentalists.

Bill’s Aged Blues

“Bill’s Aged Blues” is an original composition intended to be in the style of 1960s guitar instrumentals like the Ventures did. In particular, this one pays tribute to the 12-bar blues-based tracks frequently used to fill out albums.

On this track I play all the parts (except drums) on camera, and all are similarly styled, “Mary Kaye” instruments built by Nash Guitars.

Minha Musica

“Minha Musica” is one of the first “jazzy” songs I ever wrote. It dates from the late 1970s. I remember trying very hard to create interesting chord progressions, as I was very impressed with the changes in the bridge of Jobim’s “Girl from Ipanema”.

The feel is Bossa Nova.

Benny & Barney

“Benny & Barney” is an original composition intended to be in the style of 1960s guitar instrumentals like surf rock or the Ventures.

The Way of the Shadows

“The Way of the Shadows” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar in style to the Shadows.

Comin’ Home Baby

This is my cover of “Comin’ Home Baby”, which was the “B-side” to the Ventures 1966 single, “Blue Star”. The song was written by Ben Tucker and Robert Dorough. As far as I can determine, it was never released on any Ventures album in the 1960s. It has been included on a “collector” album released in Japan in 1980. The Ventures also included it in their live shows.

Forward Gears

“Forward Gears” is an original instrumental in a classic rock style, with some jazz elements as well. Likely you will hear the influence of Southern Rock and Santana.

Comp Canon Duo

“Comp Canon Duo” is an original instrumental composition intended to be similar in style to the Shadows.

Hey Paula

This is my instrumental cover of “Hey Paula“, originally recorded by the singing duo “Paul & Paula” in 1962. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week ending February 9, 1963 “Paul” was the song’s writer, Ray Hildebrand, a student at Texas’ Howard Payne University. “Paula” was Jill Jackson, the niece of the owner of the boarding house where Ray lived.

The Ventures have included the song on a number of albums since the late 1980s.

Move Along

“Move Along” is an instrumental track intended to evoke the style of an early 1960s album track by the Ventures.

Comp Canon

“Comp Canon” is an original instrumental intended to be in the style of the Shadows.