A Tale of Two Brothers
Lost In The Wax, featuring Mikle Krizanovski, is done!
Well, everyone, you've probably heard me talk about my younger Russian brother, Mikle Krizanovski. You may also have heard the rumors that we were collaborating on something special. Well, those rumors were true. I pulled a 35-year old recording off the shelf and gave it to Mikle to complete.
Written in 1974, this song was originally recorded with Kevin Sterner on bass and Joe Hogan on drums that same year. At the time, I sought to include a particular style of lead guitar that just wasn't available, so I shelved the piece.
Some months ago I first heard Mikle and was blown away by his originality. Instantly I knew this stylist offered exactly what I had in mind for Lost in the Wax. As you may know, Mikle won first place in OurStage's January 2009 Guitar Solo and May 2009 Guitar Solo competitions. He combines the science of music from his professional musical training, his vision and passion to innovate. I liken his music to a thunderous white water rafting experiencepowerful and rapid current with sudden surprises throughout the journey.
This is a very special collaboration in many ways. History paved the way for this experience. The competition sparked first in 1954 by Russia's successful launch of the Sputnik led to the U.S. development of computer networking. The Berlin Wall came down and the Internet came up. Two composers, two countries, two languages, have subsequently found it possible to create this music without ever having sat in the same room. History bore us the digital age, where we can revisit the old in new ways and reinvent.
What you will hear is a painstakingly, digitally-enhanced recording with new tracks laid down by Mikle on lead and myself on rhythm, along with a new vocal overlay. It's so strange to take a recording this old and complete it now with the contribution of someone half way around the world--almost surreal.
Have a listen, if you will. Leave a comment, good or bad--we can't learn from our mistakes if we don't know what they are! If you have questions about the process in making this piece, please don't hesitate to ask.
To hear Lost In The Wax:
http://www.ourstage.com/play/track/OWUYGDDMKWQL-lost-in-the-wax
Learn more about this talented lead guitarist Mikle Krizanovski at:
http://www.ourstage.com/fanclub/miklekrizanovski Trabue
Too many times
We repeat the same old lines
And expect them all to listen
Who expect the words to glisten
With excitement
And revelation
Like a friend who should receive you
Turns his back and then deceives you
And is gone
Once again
In the wax
Now you know
It's time to go
And remember all the words
In songs by the Byrds
Of many years ago
You should be proud
When you sing your songs so loud
That you make them all forget
All the things we all regret
Such as sorrow
And the weakness
Like a friend who would defend you
Turns his back and then befriends you
And is gone
Once again
In the wax
Now you see
We've got to be
Stronger than the ones
Who have put us on the run
From what we used to be