Wings into the Wind

“Wings into the Wind” is an original instrumental an a 1980s-ish jazz/pop fusion style. I think there is also some Allman Brothers/Southern Rock influence as well.

Samba for Manny

“Samba for Manny” is an jazz/bossa composition I wrote over forty years ago in 1979. I’ve been meaning to get back to it for quite a long time, and finally did. Manny was a Cocker Spaniel.

Theme from “A Night in Havana”

‘Theme from “A Night in Havana”‘ is an original instrumental. It is intended to sound similar in style to an early 1960s movie theme composed by Norrie Paramor and recorded by the Shadows.

Mission to Planet X

“Mission to Planet X” is an original instrumental intended to sound similar to one of my favorite guitar-rock sub-genres, “Space-Rock”. This style is exemplified by the Ventures 1964 album “Ventures in Space”, and features unusual chord changes and spacy sound effects.

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Can You See Tomorrow?

“Can You See Tomorrow?” is an original instrumental in a 1980s-ish “smooth jazz” style that is a bit of a mashup of several of my influences — Hank Marvin, Steely Dan, and Nokie Edwards among them.

Pasacalle

“Pasacalle” is an original instrumental. It is intended to sound similar in style to an early 1960s Shadows track that was composed and arranged by their producer, Norrie Paramor. Early Shadows albums or EPs often included one or two of these more heavily produced, classically influenced tracks — perhaps to appeal to a more “sophisticated” audience.

Ravin’ Blue

This is my cover of “Ravin’ Blue”, which was originally the 4th track on side two of the Ventures 1964 album, “The Fabulous Ventures”. The tune is an excellent example of a 12-bar-based “filler” track used to pad an album…and which often are more memorable and original that the “covers” used to sell the record.

Runnin’ Wild

This is my cover of “Runnin’ Wild”, which was originally the 2nd track on side one of the Ventures 1964 album, “The Fabulous Ventures”. The tune is an excellent example of a “filler” track used to pad an album…and which often are more memorable and original that the “covers” used to sell the record. Songwriting credit is shared by all four members of the group.

Walking with Pluto

This is my cover of “Walking with Pluto”, which was originally the 5th track on side two of the Ventures 1964 album, “The Fabulous Ventures”. The tune is an excellent example of a 12-bar-based “filler” track used to pad an album…and which often are more memorable and original that the “covers” used to sell the record.

When My Heart Is Free

“When My Heart Is Free” is an original instrumental ballad intended to sound similar to something the Shadows might have done in the 80s or 90s.

Steel Guitar Rag

This is my cover of “Steel Guitar Rag”. Written by Leon McAuliffe, it was first recorded by Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys in 1936. It is considered a seminal Western swing instrumental and is credited with popularizing the steel guitar as an integral instrument in a Country-Western band. It has been recorded by countless steel and conventional guitarists, and is equally popular as a guitar solo. The Ventures included a version on their 1963 album, “The Ventures Play the Country Classics”.

Lovesick Blues

This is my instrumental cover of “Lovesick Blues”. Written by Cliff Friend and Irving Mills in 1922, it was originally part of a musical titled “Oh Ernest”. In 1949, country music legend Hank Williams released a version that went to #1 on the country charts, establishing the song as a country classic. It has subsequently been recorded by countless artists. The Ventures included an instrumental version on their 1963 album, “The Ventures Play the Country Classics”.

Why Do I Care?

“Why Do I Care?” is an original instrumental with something of an ambient feel. The featured instruments are nylon string guitars.

Look to the Sky

…is an original instrumental intended to be similar in style to the Shadows.

Cheongdam Sunset ( 청담 석양 )

“Cheongdam Sunset” ( 청담 석양 ) is an original instrumental intended to be similar to the style of the material the Ventures wrote and recorded in the early 1970s primarily for the Japanese market. The Ventures were enormously popular in Japan in the 1960s and 70s, outselling all other foreign artists there, including the Beatles.