New news! My first cassette, BIO-NOTES: VERTEBRATE SONGS, is now available on CD. Since my new CD, NATURE'S WILD DANCE, is taking longer than expected, I've decided to reissue BIO-NOTES. As always, lyrics for BIO-NOTES: VERTEBRATE SONGS, are available at this site. To get a copy of BIO-NOTES: VERTEBRATE SONGS, please contact me by e-mail or phone. (see bottom of front page)

Now, some information about NATURE'S WILD DANCE. After years of work, the new CD is almost finished. The music is complete, but I'm not happy with some of the vocals. As soon as they are completed to my satisfaction, mastering will take place, then the master and artwork gets sent to the manufacturer. The cover art is complete. Most people will want the CD for the artwork alone. The cover is a beautiful water color painting by Darleen Hunt. I'm considering having t-shirts made. Here is a little information about each song. If you've visited this site before, you will now notice that I've increased the number of songs. A total of fourteen songs will be on NATURE'S WILD DANCE.

CYCLES

The CD begins with this short, quirky, funky sounding song. It's about cycles that are found in nature. Water, nitrogen, photosynthesis, carbon, cell, and life cycles all show up one way another in the song. The melody is a little different because the lyrics are sung as a counter-melody following the main theme played on synth. The final section is a wild guitar ride that builds and concludes with nature's frenzy.

NATURE'S WILD DANCE

This is another song that beckens back to my progressive, psychedelic, rock past. Prepare for several musical style changes when listening to this song. It begins with a steady drum beat which counts out the rock guitar, brass, and bass introduction. The verses have an eerie feel to them as the different animals attending Nature's Wild Dance party are introduced.

THE PINK PIG BLUES

Of all the songs on the CD, this is the one most people are waiting for. I guess you could say that this is the Mammal Jammin' of this release. A lot of folks have already heard this one, so my only description is it's blues with an attitude. What else can I say? ........ Oink! Oink! Oink!

SEA SHINING STAR

This is one of my favorite songs on the CD. It's a cute story about a young person having an unexpected conversation with a star fish. Musically, it's a very happy song. The harmonies in the chorus are quite strong. (If I can get them right!) One thing that is musically different about this song is the absence of electric guitar. Lyrics and melody are the focus here.

MOLLUSKS

This song has a jazzy feel to it. Each chorus sings about a different type of mollusk. Again, this is another song that of lot of you have already heard. "Soft-bodied Gastropods, Head-footed Cephalopods, To name a few bivalve means two, We're Mollusks how 'bout you?"

METAMORPHOSIS

I hope you're ready for some Southern Rock. At least the verses have this feel to them, complete with double lead guitar and a synth horn section. The chorus sounds more progressive and British. Lyrics address various organisms that undergo metamorphosis.

OH WHALE!

Another song performed recently at conferences and schools. The general idea is to teach about whales and some of their behaviors. The feel of the song is definitely sailing, water, and waves. I can imagine an old guy with a peg leg playing the fiddle solo. A crunchy electric guitar adds to the rawness of the sound. Nice sing-a-long chorus. Isn't that what you would expect from a whaling song? Unfortunately, the song touches on the mistreatment of whales. Kind of ironic. A whaling song that's in favor of whales.

ANT DANCE

I don't know what posessed me to include an instrumental song on this CD. The song is short and can be used for stretch breaks. Someone needs to come up with an "Ant Dance". Musically, the song is very down to earth. It begins with a fretless bass patch, then progresses to an instrumental passage that is full of layered harmonies. The name of the little flute sound escapes me right now, but it was decided towards the end of production to include it.

SPIDER

I've been performing this one for some time now. Live, it's a folky kind of song, but on this CD, it's a full blown symphonic rock piece. I try to play homage to some of my favorite progressive rock groups. I think I did a decent job. My keyboard abilities limit me a little, but remember, it's the concept-specific lyrics that are important. The wild ride at the end is a bonus. "Boy this is your lucky day! Hey! Hey!"

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

After the abrupt ending of Spider begins the gentle first chords of Photosynthesis. This song is definitely a change of pace. Just sit back and relax to this one. The electric guitar doesn't appear until the end, but it's a nice appearance.

NEW ADDITIONS:

PARASITES

A song about parasitic worms, etc. This song has a country music feel to it. I had to brush up on my country guitar licks for this one.

TREES

Another song I have performed for years. This version has psychedelic lead rides and a nice flowing feel to it.

ISOPODS (A SOW BUG'S LAMENT)

A funky sounding song. This song was previously released with difference lyrics.

OH LOVELY BUTTERFLY

For some reason I keep going back to this song. I'll probably tweak this one up to the last minute. For all of you mellotron freaks out there, enjoy the ending.