Tag: Erik Trabert on Guitars

Deuce

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 5:29
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:Deuce.mp3]
Lyrics
I still remember how she chased me around
The first time that I walked across her floor
And I ran and I ran but she persisted behind
Until I could not run no more

Cool and serene she did preen but on a dime she turned mean
Catch the double-headed tiger by the tail
Disregarding albatross, she charged forward, fingers crossed
It was a plan destined to fail

But what more could she expect from angels with linguine necks…
Who would never dare to tell her what to do?
Give a zealous girl such power and sooner or later it turns sour
As darker demons are let loose, between reposeful sips of juice

Every once in a while you can see through her smile
That some innocence remains there too
But then where is the justice for Sinclair Soul?
What was the man supposed to do?
What was the man supposed to do?

She often spoke of irksome days when she would bounce from shore to shore
On an everlasting quest to find some truth
Until that afternoon in May when she opened up that door
And felt reality’s sharp tooth

Now all that she could do to keep her head on fire
Is to conjure up a bigger dose
And then she’ll doll up her walls and draw her plans in the sands
Until the tide gets much too close, the wrath of some deep-sea ghost

Every once in a while you catch a sense of her style
Like a new species signing up for the zoo
Until Old Man Soul could burn his hands on her wire
What was the man supposed to do?
What was the man supposed to do?
Born to be a poor, pathetic fool, just what is a man supposed to do?

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on August 25, 2006
Recorded starting on August 10, 2009
at Saturation Acres (II), DuPont, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Electric Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums and Percussion

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A driving, 1970s style song with wild drums, and early synth lead and a later majestic guitar lead through the coda, “Deuce” is a cool jam song which makes Imaginary Lines feel like a real band.

Song Trivia
This song was entitled “Deuce” simply becaue it was originally intended to be the closing song on Imaginary Lines II.

Please offer your own analysis of Deuce by leaving a comment in the box below.

Twilight of Innocence

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 7:02
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TwilightOfInnocence.mp3]
Lyrics
Early on a Friday in May, dancing on a crest of a wave
I could feel the sudden crashing of cold water rush upon my shore
In the twilight of innocence, with curiosity pushed to turbulence
I’m bewildered by your passive hints
That soon you may not need me anymore

I shouldn’t anything distract me from anything
That’s going on this perfect day of leisure and play
These truly are the best of times, dream-scaped array
For five years we have built these stories brick day by day
Don’t let this end, don’t let it end

You may be the follower but you’ve got your own great mind
Open up your eyes and cherish
Everything that you will surely find
In a year or twelve you may not remember this quite the way that I do
But I’ll always remember you

You shouldn’t let anything distract you from everything
That’s going on this perfect day of bliss and fun
These truly are the best of times, cannot be out-done
Please don’t allow the trite to ever grow into distraction
To what you’ve got, you’ve got a lot

We left the beach as the dark patches advanced to hide the sun
Ran to the verge so we could witness this meteorological phenomenon
Caught two rainbows in a jaunty dance beneath the haunting clouds
In turn they tapped the gray water on either side
Like Heaven’s arms outstretched and grasping at the tide
Seagulls a-blaze in the bent light, a truly mystical sight
The night arrived with such harmony, embroiled forever in my memory

Later on the beach that day, I wondered just what you would say
If you could reflect back on this time right now along with us four
It is such a system we possess, the turning over of the vines
Although the world is a bit of a mess
Perhaps your judgement will be better than mine

Would you tell me that everything is a segue to everything?
That’s going on, that’s in our song
It’s what you’ve got, ready or not!

Heaven’s ambience is the crashing of the tide
Fades and echoes to the past as we commence our return ride
The day expired with such harmony, embroiled forever in my memory

It’s what I see when I retreat into the halls of my memory

Composition © 2004 Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on May 19, 1997
Recorded starting on September 10, 2004
at Silver Spring Subterranean
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Guitars

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A song approached in a very unique fashion, with lyrics written in one afternoon on the beach in Virginia and music composed over several years on a living room piano. The song suffers from a bit from rough recording and untimely ending, as it originally went directly t the follow-up “Dawning of Decadence”. Still it posseses a unique charm.

Song Trivia
“Twilight of Innocence” is the oldest song in the Imaginary Lines collection both in composition date (05/19/97) and recording date (09/10/04), yet it was not officially released until the most recent Imaginary Lines album in 2009.
This song was originally intended to be the second part of a four part, 16 minute “Ocean Suite”, along with “The Old Man In the Sea”, “Dawning of Decadence”, and “Here On the Beach”. All but “Dawning of Decadence” were included as individual tracks on Imaginary Lines 33.
This is the only song on Imaginary Lines 33 written in the 20th century.

Please offer your own analysis of Twilight of Innocence by leaving a comment in the box below.

The Old Man In the Sea

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Written by Sue Kovaleski & Ric Albano Song Length: 3:54
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TheOldManInTheSea.mp3]
Lyrics
Another time, another place, geo-era so sincere
The perfect rhyme, the sweetest taste, another summertime is here
And we would go sailing into the ocean

From near and far our sundry clan would congregate upon these shores
And at our heart there was one man who gave us all and so much more
And he would go sailing into the sea

So deep, so dark, yet able to fathom
So many of life’s unpredictable tides
The sailor’s heart helped us navigate her labyrinth
And we’d never run aground with him by our side
He gave us time…

He marked the time with his routines and let us know that we each had
A quite distinguished ardency to heaven’s character he’ll add
Now that he is the current of the sea

Now that he’s gone she will never be the same
Although to her we’ll return to reflect on the bliss
To listen to her tide whisper his unique name
Reassures us someday we will witness
Another time…

Another time, another place, all destinations lead to here
The endless prime, the smoothest pace
The endless summertime, it’s clear
That he is now sailing upon this ocean

Composition © 2006 Sue Kovaleski & Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on March 17, 2006
Recorded starting on October 5, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Janet Rains
Lead Vocals
Ric Albano
Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: Janet Rains takes lead vocals for much of this song, which includes a simple melody and arrangement and a nice outtro guitar, with a unique fading mix.

Song Trivia
“He Was the Ocean” was a poem written by Sue Kovaleski about her grandfather, Paul Heckman. It inspired this song as was its original title.

Please offer your own analysis of The Old Man In the Sea by leaving a comment in the box below.

33 Shots at Louis

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:07
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:33ShotsAtLouis.mp3]
Lyrics
Stay away from my front door
I’m sick-n-tired of you crawlin’ across my hardwood floor
I’ve got no dinner for you, Louis

I used to believe that you had my back
But now I can see that you’re nothing but a two-bit, no good quack
I’ve got no further business with you, Louis

We caught you grinning while singing the blues
Hand constantly out above open-toed sandal shoes
Why couldn’t you just walk more block –
In your dreadlocks and bloody socks – to an inn?

We heard you bitchin’ that night at the ball
Lips stiff yet bent and uptight in the dancing hall
Why couldn’t you just sit this one out?
You’ve done enough damage to your kin!

We saw you shakin’ it out at the bar
So stoned that you couldn’t recite who your children are
How could you now bathe in such shame?
Was all that moral rabble just your game?

So stay away from my back yard
If the summer’s too humid for you or you’ve lost playing your last card
I can’t pick a winner for you, I’ve got my own live to live
Get out on your own!

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on September 26, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Electric Piano, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Electric Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: Almost the reciprical of the deep and emotional 33 Flames for Mary, this ia an upbeat, fun and frivolous song. It is one the few to feature a piano lead by Ric Albano, which trades riffs with the fantastic guitar work of Erik Trabert.

Song Trivia
This song was originally a pure instrumental titled “I Kicked a Dog”.

Please offer your own analysis of 33 Shots at Louis by leaving a comment in the box below.

You Sure Were Fun

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:16
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:YouSureWereFun.mp3]
Lyrics
Wanton and wayward, you slipped off your sly boots
Threw the left one through the shower glass, used the right to kick the truth
And started to sob and weakly tried to explain where you had been
Where have you been?

Off the cusp of the road beneath the solitary pine
On the solitary hillside, logging “solitary” time
You assured me that this was just a phase, for you were still young
And you sure were fun

We drifted together into this new grown-up world
I’d play the cool, grown-up guy, you’d play the lewd, grown-up girl
Not that your unchaste demeanor would be the worst thing that you’d ever do
Though that you’d do!

It was your devoted eminence of those derogatory “friends”
With their derogatory means towards derogatory ends
And your near-quantum failure to ever grasp just where I was coming from
But you sure were fun

It’s the biggest blast, wooded beer barrel bash in at least five years
And you declare that you got to be there
Despite your legal age, these are neo teenage peers
But you can’t see that you’re just a washed-up fool
Some amusement, not the party legend you think
So you proceed with this inane masquerade
And wash away your soul with every arduous drink

With every arduous drink, you’ve left no margin to think
As you slowly inch to the brink
The brink, it’s buffer is starting to shrink
It’s incense is starting to stink
And you really need to get out – Get out!

You launch some deaf appeals that you’ve got no wheels
And you really feel the need to steal some

Drunk and diluted you lifted some keys
Purged yourself of some fluids, groped your way through the trees
And climbed in that pickup for one final, truncated joy ride
Enjoy the ride!

Soon you flew off the road towards some stationary rocks
Impending your future is stationary in a box
Had you ever conceived of such atonement for the way your life was run?
But you sure were fun, yeah, you sure were fun

Composition © 2005 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on December 19, 2005
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Guitars
Ron Simasek
Percussion

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: This is a unique, bluesy song with a fine hook and an intresting deviation during the middle bridge section. Some of the guitar sound is less-than-par as noise was a factor and much editing was needed to remedy.

Song Trivia
“You Sure Wer Fun” was the most difficult song to record of any on Imaginary Lines 33 as it was done in three seperate, distinct sections with special cues and timings laborously worked out between Ric Albano and Ron Simasek.

Please offer your own analysis of You Sure Were Fun by leaving a comment in the box below.