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MONS
GANAU (liner notes)
Mons
Ganau - We visited the Kennedy Space Center last
summer with the kids. I grew up enchanted with NASA and standing there
brought tears to my eyes. Floating in space is a childhood dream I will
never out grow. This is dedicated to all the men and women who risk it all
to realize my dreams.
Round
'n Round - I have been lucky enough to travel
all over the world because of music. I also have had the fortune to speak
fluently in three languages, and discovered that no matter where we go or
what language we speak we will do anything in the name of love. In a good
way, we just go Round 'n Round
Missin
You - My wife often teases me about all the
dating I did before I met her. The fact I was (am) a goofball only
increases the humor, and leaves us in amazement I was able to get a date at
all. But I spent time with some wonderful young ladies who were simply
incredible people (and obviously had a great deal of compassion for lost
causes like myself). I awoke one morning in tears from a dream I had about
one of those past relationships the dream wasn’t about regrets or what
could have been, rather that I missed a wonderful old friend. So this one
goes out to all the others
In Our
Eyes - I have several friends who pretty
much avoid me these days. I think they just find my expectations of whom I
believe they can be too difficult to deal with. This song doesn’t apologize
very well, but does attempt to explain a little of what I see in them. I
just wish they could see themselves through my eyes. Meanwhile I'll try and
be more patient. I promise.
The
Old Field - I thought I would be finishing a
pitching career in the majors right about now in my life. Music sidetracked
my throwing career (along with a certain lack of athletic talent, I’m
sure), but my love for Baseball, pure Baseball, the kind of Baseball kids
play when no one is watching, will never die. My personal mental happy
place is that little patch of grass just behind shortstop.
It
Never Ends - 15 years and counting. My wife says
she dated, and even married me in an effort to improve her charity skills.
I don’t think she had any idea that it would end up being a project for the
eternities. I am just so lucky she picked me and that it never ends.
Get it
Right - I love this world. I love all the
beauty it holds. I love the people in it. The whole package just amazes me.
But I am also amazed at how myopic we are at times, as we continually try
to make things better and end up making things worse. So this tune rings
with a little frustrated sarcasm
Hand
in Hand - We will all lose someone close
someday, if we haven’t already. I find great comfort believing that they
are never really far from us. Maybe as the whisper of a wind, or as tears
among raindrops, they are so very close. Thanks to my wife for helping pen
these lyrics.
One
More Time - Both my parents were raised on farms.
I spent many summers on Grandpa Ts farm with my cousins who were always
glad to see the city kid show up (I think it meant they could lighten up on
the chores for awhile). On the farm I idolized my Grandfather for every
fault he had, he seemed to have a thousand strengths. He seemed almost
super-human to me. But I am sure his strengths are shared among many men
who work like only a real farmer can.
Whachado - I would like to believe that we can find positive
in anything we deal with in life. But I have seen addictions (whatever the
type) ruin the lives of people I deeply care about. Clouds of lies and
denials hang around them like smog. Everything on the outside is lost to
the turmoil inside. And only the person can start the healing, so I ask
them, Whachado?
Watchin
the Weeds - This was the first tune I wrote and
recorded that really started me on this Acoustic-Folk-Pop road trip. It was
also the first song I had ever written that used an alternate guitar tuning
(DGDGBD instead of EADGBE) The song was released years ago on a DigiTech
Vocalist product demo CD. I had so many people comment that they would love
a full CD of this genre that I started writing (and trying other tunings)
for several years. Well, here it is!
Remember
Still - My Grandma T passed away after living
many years with Alzheimers. I remember visiting her with my father and she
didn’t recognize him, let alone me. We sat and reminisced and as we
remembered, she enjoyed the stories as she heard them for the first time at
the funeral, I heard so many similar experiences that I knew I had to write
about it
Drivin - I was sitting around one day listening to demos of
some songs I was working on. They were all so heavy (and therefore didn’t
make the final cut). I emailed my Dad and asked him if he had any fun song
ideas rolling around. 10 minutes later, he emailed me back this lyric. I
think I am going to have bug him more often for ideas!
This project completes
a very long journey. I bought my first acoustic guitar when I was 9 for
$1.00 from a 4th grade classmate. Although my music projects have been
varied over the years, the only music training I can recall came at the
feet of my father. I copied his fingers as he played old folk tunes, and I
listened to him sing. Years later I can’t help but long for the tones of an
acoustic guitar and a simple melody. I am most comfortable with music
written on the guitarI have been caught sleeping in a corner while still
picking away. So this project is dedicated to Mom and Dad for planting
those seeds.
Special thanks go
out to Bob Hildebrand for his incredible dedication to my MP3 music. Also
to Sherman Gardner for doing anything he can for my cause. I would also like
to thank Sam Cardon and Michael Dowdle for allowing me to be part of their
respective bands...it has been a wonderful boost to soul. My family always
gets the biggest thanks for letting me disappear into the studio. Luv ya
forever guys!
I need to throw a
shout of thanks to the staff at Mark of the Unicorn for their great
products. Especially to Dave who has taken care of me for many years
now...and always with a smile. Their products have allowed me to stay in a
creative mode longer, and not be distracted by technical issues. And as
always a heartfelt thanks goes out to dbx, Lexicon, Johnson Amplification,
and DigiTech for their support.
All songs written
by Randy Thorderson except
Hand in Hand -
Words by Amanda & Randy Thorderson, Music by Randy Thorderson
Drivin Words by J
Chad Thorderson, Music by Randy Thorderson
All Instruments and
Vocals arranged and performed by Randy Thorderson
MONS GANAU (journal
entry)
This project was
truly a labor of love. For many years, I have composed songs on my guitar
and have sung them for family and friends. My instrumental smooth jazz
efforts allowed me to create music for fun, but once one adds lyrics to
music it immediately becomes so much more personal. And it likewise exposes
me a little bit more than sometimes I would like...especially since I have
to uncover my own vocal talents (or lack of thereof) for the world to hear.
Part of the labor
occurred as a result of my changing recording systems, moving to recording
all my music with a computer instead of with tape. The learning curve was
so easy that I got a little hasty in my efforts. My haste cost me a great
deal of time and effort later as a truly had to fight with the mixes
several times over to correct my recording mistakes. I can't even tell if
the project sounds any good, I've worked on the mixes so often. But I
decided to stop worrying so much about perfecting the tonal quality of the
recording and let the songs stand as songs on their own...
Many of these songs
I have performed all over the world while traveling as DigiTech's resident
Vocalist Product Specialist. I remember once promising a guy in England
that a CD was on its way...that was years ago. I hope he finds me so he
knows I didn't break my promise...I was just a little slow. This project is
dedicated to all those who have encouraged me so often throughout the
years.
Mons Ganau? I
pronounce it moan-gah-no and it is a mountain on the moon. It became my
representation of a far off goal...a place far off where I could find peace
and a sense of completion. I hoped that completing this project would take
me there...and I think it has. But next time I am picking a symbolic goal
that is a little closer to home and won't take me so long to get there!
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