Time: 34:37
Size: 79.3 MB
Styles: Classical contemporary
Year: 2009
Art: Front
[3:01] 1. Bouree Alla Polacca
[3:18] 2. Humoreske
[3:07] 3. Sacagawea
[3:41] 4. Passacaille
[2:44] 5. Texas Girl At The Funeral Of Her Father
[6:29] 6. Tango On Spanish Creek
[2:47] 7. Evening At The Village
[2:35] 8. Jefferson Waltz
[1:44] 9. Darkness
[2:58] 10. Walk Away
[2:09] 11. America The Beautiful
Many old theaters I have played in across the country share a remarkably common story - they have been saved from the wrecking ball by a few volunteers dedicated to preservation, and to bringing live entertainment back to their community. As compelling a story as that is, my fascination in these historic theaters was to discover what unique qualities they may offer as a recording space. My interest in producing another studio recording was all but gone when this theater recording project came to mind. I learned long ago that focusing on the sound coming off the guitar is not as important as listening to the room in which the guitar is being played. We may perform from stage, but our ears have to be in the house. The Fifth Row, to be precise. Each theater has its own unique sound quality, an acoustic fingerprint that, with careful microphone placement, can itself be captured and preserved.
Each selection on this album was recorded in a different historic theater throughout the Rocky Mountain Northwest. The theaters represented on this CD are in various states of revival. Some have undergone exquisite restoration, while others are searching for the financial means to pay for the expensive renovations. Their architectural styles vary as well, from 17th century European, to Art Deco; from Egyptian, to Swiss Chalet. Some are grand, some are humble, and all have a story to tell.
I limited my geographic scope to a five state area in the Rocky Mountain region. Here, the explosive growth of the late 19th century and early 20th century saw a crop of opera houses spring up to cater to the interests of citizens far removed from the cultural amenities of the Eastern states. In the “boom” half of the familiar cycle, these gems were the real gold mines. Unfortunately most of these original houses are gone, many to fire, others to neglect and hard times. A second surge of theater construction in the 1920’s was in direct response to the burgeoning movie craze. These palaces were often intended for multi use, able to accommodate the talkies, but also equipped with deep stages and towering flies to hoist sets for plays and musicals that traveled through town.
Another factor in my choosing the theaters of the Northern Rockies was purely logistical. I live in Montana, and the location recordings required a considerable amount of equipment, which meant driving. The long distances between these theaters gave me plenty of time to reflect. I was crossing the same ground that Vaudeville acts of 125 years ago traveled as they made the mining town circuit. The similarities don’t go much beyond that, however, since I am speeding down a modern highway in my air-conditioned Jeep, listening to a mix in surround sound. Yet there is a connection. My art is my work.
Each selection on this album was recorded in a different historic theater throughout the Rocky Mountain Northwest. The theaters represented on this CD are in various states of revival. Some have undergone exquisite restoration, while others are searching for the financial means to pay for the expensive renovations. Their architectural styles vary as well, from 17th century European, to Art Deco; from Egyptian, to Swiss Chalet. Some are grand, some are humble, and all have a story to tell.
I limited my geographic scope to a five state area in the Rocky Mountain region. Here, the explosive growth of the late 19th century and early 20th century saw a crop of opera houses spring up to cater to the interests of citizens far removed from the cultural amenities of the Eastern states. In the “boom” half of the familiar cycle, these gems were the real gold mines. Unfortunately most of these original houses are gone, many to fire, others to neglect and hard times. A second surge of theater construction in the 1920’s was in direct response to the burgeoning movie craze. These palaces were often intended for multi use, able to accommodate the talkies, but also equipped with deep stages and towering flies to hoist sets for plays and musicals that traveled through town.
Another factor in my choosing the theaters of the Northern Rockies was purely logistical. I live in Montana, and the location recordings required a considerable amount of equipment, which meant driving. The long distances between these theaters gave me plenty of time to reflect. I was crossing the same ground that Vaudeville acts of 125 years ago traveled as they made the mining town circuit. The similarities don’t go much beyond that, however, since I am speeding down a modern highway in my air-conditioned Jeep, listening to a mix in surround sound. Yet there is a connection. My art is my work.
The Fifth Row mc
The Fifth Row zippy