guitars, bass, brushes on a coaster, shoe tap, vocals

March, 2008
I used to watch "Meet the Press" with Tim Russert on Sunday mornings (it's not the same without Tim). Most of his guests were politicians who were happy to explain "the truth" of the matter - whatever the matter was. They shared a common set of phrases: "The fact is...", "When you get right down to it...", "It is clear that...", and my favorite, "The truth is..." It was a pretty sure bet that we were about to hear anything but "the truth".
Truth is a hard thing to come by.

synth, piano, bass, drums & percussion, chest thump, guitars, vocals & peepers

May, 2008
One of my most anticipated signs of spring in Maine is the first night I hear Spring Peepers. These tiny frogs are abundant in all places damp, and as evening approaches, their voices fill the cool air. Their communal song is irresistible. Anyone who has wintered in Maine knows the joy of being reawakened by these wonderful creatures and their announcement of springtime.

piano, bass, drums & percussion, guitars, vocals

March, 2008
This song is more about a vague, uneasy feeling than anything in particular. Images are plucked from reality, but it's the tone of the song that matters. Somebody's sneaking round the back. The train is jumping the track. Nobody knew that YOU were the thief in the yard.
My daughter would accurately describe it as angst.

piano, guitars, vocals

April, 2007
What started as a song about the wonderfulness of horses turned into a celebration of the untamed boldness of youth. I suppose it really doesn't matter whether it's about horses or people; new life is inspiring.

guitars, bass, drums, organ, piano, vocals

December, 2007
I like lyrics that are slightly suggestive. Birthdays are a special occasion. We celebrate someone important to us on a birthday. What better time to make some slightly suggestive suggestions?

guitar, piano, synth, vocal

August, 2008
Shortly after a reunion with long-lost college comrades, one of them died quite suddenly. I was annoyed with myself that we had not been in touch for so long - we could always do that tomorrow, next week, next year. Wrong. If something is important, we shouldn't tuck it away on a list for someday.

guitars, bass, drums, box thump, rhodes, synth, vocals

August, 2007
This song started simply enough. My wife was away for a weekend, and when I came home from work she had left a note on the table and keys by the door. The song didn't pop into mind, though, until I walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. It seemed suddenly odd to close a door in a house with no one else home.

guitars, brushes, bass, piano, vocal

October, 2007
So, you're lost in the desert, you're parched, you've been wandering for days. Would you get to a point where you would want no water? The character in this song alternates between wanting to live and wanting to die. Desperation can do that to you.

organ, piano, bass, drums, guitars, vocals

June, 2008
I imagine that there are times when soldiers are faced with the prospect that they may not make it home again. Maybe they're pinned down, maybe they're wounded. This song explores a soldier's emotions when the immediate future looks bleak, but not beyond hope. The counter theme "we are walking home" was a late addition that I think makes the song work. The voice of hope in dark times.

thank you nancy, ali & jon, my bros peter, chris & jay, peter smith & tom jewett,

hal, margot, earl & the restless natives,

bruce & don, danno & the gilbert e’s, my vball peeps, blta,

and dad