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AIR, RUNNING BACKWARDS
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Can't go much faster, can't make it right
Think of you and drive into the night
It's too hard to read a map, it tells too much
It's all paper, I want your touch
Touch my hand and touch my heart
Drop into my world on a feather dart
Made for two, just hang on and pull me up to you
Air, running backwards
More air, too late
Air, inside of you
Do you even know that you take mine away?
When will it fall in place, maybe it can't
Crazy to think it will when you hold out your hand
Touch my hand and touch my heart
Drop into my world on a feather dart
Made for two, just hang on and pull me up to you
Air, running backwards
More air, too late
Air, inside of you
Do you even know that you take mine away?
Can't go much faster, can't make it right
Think of you and drive into the night
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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2. |
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ALL IN A DAY
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Such a short time
Then such another one
No words can quite say what we see
All in a day
Never like this before
As you’re looking right back at me
Eyes that darted like birds might
Holding still like a tree
Finally seeing each other
Perfectly
Walking in rain
At night on the city streets
When that's the best place to be
Words that we said
Vanished into the air
Cut loose from all talk we're free
When the world is in silence
Quiet like it is now
Collapsing into forever
All in a life, all in the world
All in a day
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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3. |
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BABY COME GET YOUR CAT
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
I'm not a doctor
So don't show me your paw
You got me cornered
Up against the wall
And I don’t know how it got like that
Baby come get your cat
Don't look at me like that
It's time to hit the road
I get sick when you're around
I won't be your toad
And I don’t know how it got like that
Baby come get your cat
Sometimes I don't have a clue
About just what you mean
You're always boiling water
Just to watch the steam
And I don’t know how something so good
Turned to something so bad
Baby come get your cat
It's always raining somewhere
You can't pin that on me
We’ve gone from bad to worse
With nothing in between
And I don’t know how it got like that
Baby come get your cat
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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4. |
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I BIT THE HAND THAT FED MYSELF
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
I was barely looking
I am prone to wander
My mind on a trip all gone
I got out the bread and
I got out the toaster
That’s where everything went wrong
It went down like this:
Bit the hand that fed myself
It shocks me to tell:
Bit the hand that fed myself
I am so observant
When it comes to such things
But I missed this small detail
You can ask my friends and
You can ask my mom and
They’ll all say how much I care
It went down like this:
Bit the hand that fed myself
It shocks me to tell:
Bit the hand that fed myself
I bit the hand that was feeding myself
I overshot my own toast
I hold some regrets and
Some embarrassments and
This is surely one of those
I admit it here and
Do so one last time then
I bring this all to a close
It went down like this:
Bit the hand that fed myself
It shocks me to tell:
Bit the hand that fed myself
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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5. |
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BY THE WAY
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
By the way, I’ve got much to tell you
Like the way I was dreaming
By the way, the special things you do
Like the way you know my meaning
All the way, breakfast and the sky blue
By the way, time froze
Take away not one single moment
That's the way we chose
Tried to say how to slow the clock down
By the way, you were dreaming
On my way, nights turned into seconds
It's ok, we were sleeping
By the way, every star can find us
On our way, o bright
As the bay disappears behind us
Another day held tight
All the way, breakfast and the sky blue
By the way, time froze
As the bay disappears behind us
Another day held tight
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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6. |
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CALLING ME BACK HOME
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Sun comes up, sun goes down
And it's the same all around
A day ahead, a day behind
I'm losing track if you are mine
The cold winds blow, but I don't know
I've felt this all before
Here it is my rescue
You're always calling me back home
The bed is cold, this darkest night
No stars are out, but there's still light
I think of you and fall apart
Return me to your sleeping heart
How can it be a mystery
So thoroughly confused
Standing by for rescue
You're always calling me back home
Though I forget I do recall
You told me not to want it all
The hardest part of all of this
What I want most is what I missed
I'm learning but it's very late
And just might do me in
I'm dreaming of a rescue
You're always calling me back home
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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7. |
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THE CRUTCH OF MUSIC
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
The money doesn't jingle anymore
My hands fell fast asleep at the wheel
There’s a shiver with my name on it somewhere
Somebody scrubbed my deal, the deal is dead
Time to count up all my winnings
Where's my great big golden shiny bean?
I’ve been waiting but I’ve had it
You can keep this two-bit showbiz scene
Off I go in a cloud of dust
Waving high my crutch at the academy
Livin’ like I know I can
Wave my crutch while I’m standin’ up
I might be chewing and chomping at the bit
Their offer was a little unfriendly, clumsy at best
And the worst is way too glum to really dwell
I was told I'd love it, love it to death
Just a little bit of moonlight
Make it ten times stiller than a flash
That’s the kind of light to grow on
Look at it - louder than cash
Off I go in a cloud of dust
Waving high my crutch at the academy
Livin’ like I know I can
Wave my crutch while I’m sittin’ down
Wash their dishes with money, I'm doing mine in the creek
They think they dream up everything, but they miss their sleep
I don't want to watch the fat man swim laps in the pool
There’s always someplace else to go where I feel less of a fool
Ideas? I've got a headful of ’em
You can run them up your flagpole someday
It all comes out completely dreadful
But there’s some chance then they’ll go away
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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8. |
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GRACIOUSLY
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
I was up getting dressed
Putting on all these fine clothes
Goodness, yes
I almost missed the show
But I'm glad I got here
Now let's go
Soon there will be a chorus
So fine you will adore us
Graciously
Then you all on the dance floor
Will get everything you came for
Eventually
Fantastic full of pep
Makes my moves go crazy
Every step
The music suits you well
makes you stand a little taller
Truth to tell
Hey! Goodness me-oh-my-oh
Sing it loud and high-oh
Graciously
Hey! We'll sing that again-oh
That goodness me-oh-my-oh
Graciously
Call me a lucky guy
Fortunate and happy
All the time
Here comes my favorite part
You're really gonna love this
Cross my heart
Hey! Goodness me-oh-my-oh
Sing it loud and high-oh
Graciously
Hey! We'll sing that again-oh
That goodness me-oh-my-oh
Graciously
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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9. |
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I'LL WAIT
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Look, here's what I've got
It's a mind full of very lovely thoughts
Unannounced I know, but please just hear me out
She might need to know that I'm at her door
Please, give her a call
She'd vouch for me and I know invite me up
That's the way she is, or at least the way she was
Many years gone by, but I don't forget
She was my friend
That's no lie, I don't lie
If she's not here
Then won't you please
Let me in, please
I'll wait
Life gets out of hand
Once there was a girl who told me many things
Talk of mountain ranges all across the world
Haven't been there yet, but I know the way
I like the outdoors
That's why I'm still strong, or at least I try to be
All the things I know, they serve me pretty well
But I should have taken what she said to heart
She was my friend
That's no lie, I don't lie
If she's not here
Then won't you please
Let me in, please
I'll wait
I could leave a note
Or maybe I'll try back some other time.
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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10. |
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JANUARY
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Snow is on the ground and ice is on the walk
It happens every year
Please be extra careful going round the block
Though later it may clear
Ever since you slipped and fell and broke your arm
In Paris years ago
You’ve been seeing winter as potential harm
But really it’s much more
I’ll tell you why
Years goodbye filled and we still count them all, I will
Remember
We walked across the winter spring summer fall
Bye bye December, bye
January I get weak at the knees, because
You’re from there
I don’t miss a single leaf covered tree
When I am in your care
Thirty-one days standing in a single file
The sun is sitting low
Bundled up I’d gladly walk an extra mile
Wherever you may go
Won’t you hold my hand if I forget the way
As this may well occur
Voices growing fainter though I have to say
You are my only cure
I’ll tell you why
January I get weak at the knees, because
You’re from there
I don’t miss a single leaf covered tree
When I am in your care
Button up my darling, snow is everywhere
We'll walk, and then we’ll rest.
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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11. |
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MAKE THE SMALL THINGS PRETTY
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
She drives away, saddened by the things that won't stop falling down
Road’s turned to mud, barely still a road, at least it goes away
Hats never off, faded banners mark lost time going round and round
The glares, the growls, she doesn’t cower and she's never been afraid
Oh how she likes to let the big things slide, how nice
All covered up, make the small things pretty
Inside, outside, inside
What do they know, all those busybodies making everything such bother
She gets so mad, it saddens her when no one seems to right their wrongs
Can’t look away, she only looks closer so it looks like water
Put things away, she feels better when it’s all where it belongs
Oh how she likes to keep it all inside, how nice
All covered up, make the small things pretty
Look away, look away, look away
Lights flashing by, sweet sounds in the air that never catch her fancy
Distracted? No, she never falls for whistles and bells
Nothing can tempt, she shrugs off kisses, wine and candy
She knows her mind, keeps to herself, there’s no one that she needs to tell
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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12. |
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WHEN THE ROSES SHINE IN PICARDY
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
The Earth
Is wide
To hide
The moon
It covers up the sun
I’m sorry every day can’t be
A diamond
When the roses shine in Picardy
Your eyes
Are moist
They hoist
Me up
To see the sparkle
Oh darling can’t we remember
Anything
When the roses shine in Picardy
The roses are shining in Picardy
From the ocean to the sky
Walk with me and we’ll count each one
P-i-c-a-r-d-y
Those dreams
That bloom
And ruin
The view
Are only nightmares
Just lie still morning brings relief
Forever
When the roses shine in Picardy
The roses are shining in Picardy
From the ocean to the sky
Walk with me and we’ll count each one
P-i-c-a-r-d-y
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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13. |
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SHE LAUGHED
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
I put money in my pocket
Drew comb teeth through my hair
I felt like a lion
Stepping out of his lair
I checked the hour, checked the fuel
Buffed the car, my teeth and shoes
All systems said go, seemed no way I could lose
And she laughed; she laughed
Sure felt like I was aces
As I broke out from the pack
I had 'em up and roaring
As the dust flew off my back
I turned into a speeding blur as I shot around the curve
Won the race, checkered flag, time to test my nerve
And she laughed; and laughed
She laughed and laughed
I'm not a funny guy
And no one thinks I am, except for her
I'm not a funny guy
And no one thinks I am, except for her
You ought to hear her laugh
I opened up my wallet
And unfolded a large bill
Then I smoothed out all the wrinkles
For a little thrill
She reached into her travel bag
And drew back out her fist
Brought it to her mouth and blew
And gold dust filled the room
And she laughed; and laughed
She laughed and laughed
She laughed and laughed
She laughed and laughed
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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14. |
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THE STRONGMAN OF NORTH AMERICA
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Yelled at feet to wake them. that worked out fine
Trinkets dropped by pathways, found them every time
Down a long, tile hallway, little hand drops free
Barefoot as the waves are chased back out to sea
While I’m not the man I was, here I am because
I once was the Strongman of North America
Alphabet, new letters I made up for you
Riddles in a bottle, everything was new
Writing down the numbers as the clock tells
Watch the glowing stars fade, one by one they fell
While I’m not the man I was, here I am because
I once was the Strongman of North America
When you thought the chimney might be falling
So frightened
That’s when I stepped up into my calling
The strongman
When you let the world of love embrace you
Completely
Then was time to set aside my costume
You made me
The strongman
Retired
The strongman
for you
These things I remember to my last day
Nothing else has mattered, these thoughts never stray
Down a long, tile hallway little hand drops free
Barefoot as the waves are chased back out to sea
While I’m not the man I was, here I am because
I once was the Strongman of North America
Who would know a shortcut through a cornfield?
The strongman
I drove with both hands on the steering wheel
The strongman
I would like a glass of water please, and thank you
Barely like a strongman, I am weak
But you made me
The strongman
Retired
The strongman
For you
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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15. |
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TAKE ME WITH YOU
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Forgive my failing memory
Forget my falling days
Lift my spirits gently
With twilight ways
I meant to fix the front step
I meant to patch the wall
This will always be a dream house
Even when it’s about to fall
Take me with you
Take me with you
I wouldn’t leave you here
Some days are like eternity
Most are not too long
I hear the boy next door singing
Such a pretty song
He loves a pretty little girl
She’s blushing at his gaze
I’m falling down remembering
All your wondrous ways
Take me with you
Take me with you
I wouldn’t leave you here
Turn out the light
Sitting on the sofa
Let’s listen to the wind
Blankets wrapped around us
Your head under my chin
The room is cold, the windows tight
We’re falling tired too
You won’t wake, nor will I
At least I sleep with you
Take me with you
Take me with you
I wouldn’t leave you here
Turn out the light
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16. |
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THIS IS HOME
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Hello there
I know you
At least I guess I think I do
Perhaps you are a good friend of mine
Long ago?
Where you from?
Were we friends when we were young?
Tell me all you know, please tell me
What’s your name?
My old friend
Sit right down
I’m so glad you came to town
Excuse me, I just can’t place your name
See my friends
This is good
They’re all from my neighborhood
While I don’t know how we all got here,
This is home
How’s Dot?
How’s your mom?
The Oldsmobile, is it still running?
Sure is hot
That’s alright
Take it slow, must be August.
Thanks a lot
For what you brought
I’d put it away but I just don’t know where it goes
See, I tend
To my things
But there’s so few things to tend
I’ve got boxes of stuff somewhere else
Everywhere
That I see
Seems like someplace new to me
Everyone that comes in says hello
This is home
A family
In a frame
Don’t know any of their names
And I can’t find a way to recall
Photograph
From the past
They’re all flying by so fast
Everyone that comes in says hello
This is home
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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17. |
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TYPOS
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Screwed around around the lake
Drank more wine than she could take
Went to work but got there late
She's at her desk but not awake
And making typos
T-t-t-t-typos
Ever since she learned to spell
She knew better, she could tell
Teachers taught her very well
But she told them to go to hell
And started making typos
T-t-t-t-typos
What goes up must come down
She fell out of her evening gown
Took on strangers by the pound
'Til the words out ‘round the town
She's been making typos
T-t-t-t-typos
She had a guitar in her hand
Up the stairs onto the stand
"Name your key!" said the band
'Til she let some notes fly, less than grand
She was making typos
T-t-t-t-typos
Out past midnight every night
Looking for weaklings she can fight
Straight for the neck to plant a bite
Wailing screeches, such a frihgt
There goes another typo
T-t-t-t-typos
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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18. |
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WATERS OF THE WORLD
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Something always seems to cast a shadow on me
And you
Something makes the stairs and walkways dangerous to do
It's true
I’m sure, that I’d be blind if not for my loving you
I can pilot ships through seas and lakes
Only if your hand
Is hand in hand in hand in hand with mine
Help me navigate the waters of the world
I’d travel railways, airways, thruways, rivers, and roads
Go to
Wherever you are I am on my way to you now
I’d be
Stone still, locked and lost if not for my loving you
I can find my way through darkest night
Only if I am
Side by side by side with you
As the sun replaces moonless skies with light
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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(YOU AND ME) PUSHIN’ UP DAISIES
(lyrics: David Greenberger, music: Chandler Travis)
Hands full of wrinkles with knuckles grown large
Eyes open wide at the wheel of a car
Driving for pleasure, never for work
In casual dresses and casual shirts
We'll grow old by not being lazy
And our hearts will beat until they stop
Bury us close but leave room at the top
For you and me pushin’ up daisies
My chin will be double and your teeth will be few
My joints will have trouble and yours will too
My legs will grow tired and your hair will turn gray
We won't even see the changes as the time slips away
We'll grow old by not being lazy
And our hearts will beat until they stop
Bury us close but leave room at the top
For you and me pushin’ up daisies
I'll see you now, I'll see you then
There's never been a doubt
Eyes open wide, the light shines in
'Til the light goes out
The wine from our wedding past fifty years old
We'll drink it one winter when it’s snowing and cold
The ice on the lake, a half a foot thick
We'll cross it on skates and we'll never get sick
We'll grow old by not being lazy
And our hearts will beat until they stop
Bury us close but leave room at the top
For you and me pushin’ up daisies
(published by Modern Variety Music admin. by Bug-Farfy/BMI)
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The Chandler Travis Philharmonic has kept a low profile the past couple of years while Chandler has enjoyed developing two great new bands, the Catbirds and the Chandler Travis Three-O (the latter being a smaller, satellite version of the Philharmonic -both delivered critically acclaimed debut albums in 2013), but we're back with a vengeance in 2015, with two new albums: "Bocce & Bourbon: The Comfortable Songs of Chandler Travis & David Greenberger" coming in March; and "Waving Kissyface Vol. 1", coming this summer or so.
"Bocce & Bourbon" is, on the one hand, a compilation of 19 examples of Chandler's best work with his favorite lyricist, David Greenberger (also of Men & Volts and Duplex Planet fame), that spans more than three decades and includes both the Chandler Travis Philharmonic and Three-O as well as the Catbirds and the Incredible Casuals; but about half of it (nine new songs, plus a re-imagined alternate version) is brand new. The lyrics share compassion, warmth, and inventive imagery, echoed in music that is gently but firmly idiosyncratic, and the whole is surprisingly coherent -hard to catagorize, perhaps, but not hard to get.
We're very proud of this collection, and the CTP and 3 both plan on touring and spreading the word as extensively as possible for rest of 2015.
released March 4, 2015
all songs written by David Greenberger and Chandler Travis, published by Farfy / Modern Variety, admin. by Bug / Farfy / BMI
Sal Baglio - guitar & recording of said guitar (7)
Rikki Bates - drums (3, 5-14, 16)
Fred Boak - vocal (1, 2, 8-11, 14)
Matthias Bossi - drums (4)
Mark Chenevert - tenor saxophone, clarinet (6, 8, 9, 16)
Dinty Child - mandocello, mandolin, accordion, pump organ, violin, vocal (1, 3, 5-9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19)
John Clark - string bass (1, 2, 5, 6, 8-12, 14) vocal (10, 11)
Phil Clements - piano (6-8) clavinet (9)
Jay Cournoyer - vocal and timbales (3)
Tim Dickey - mandocello, guitar (19)
Jon Evans - bass (4)
Ken Field - alto sax (8) horn arrangement (16)
Dave Harris - trombone (8)
Keiichi Hashimoto - trumpet (16)
Carla Kihlstedt - vocal (4)
Steve LeFebvre - trumpet (8)
Berke McKelvey - saxophones, clarinets, keys, (1, 5, 9-12, 14, 18) vocal (11)
Mike Peipman - trumpet (2, 14)
Bob Pilkington - trombone (8, 9, 14, 16)
Aaron Spade - guitar (13, 15, 17) vocal, (13, 15)
Johnny Spampinato - guitar, vocal (13, 15, 17)
Cliff Spencer - keys (2, 5, 14)
Keith Spring - woodwind arrangement (12)
John Styklunas - string bass (3, 16)
Marybeth Travis - vocal (1)
Sam Wood - drums (1, 12)
Steve Wood - guitar (7)
Chandler Travis - the remainder
Rikki Bates - recording (13, 17) at Bay Farm and Vinny's
Chris Blood - recording (10-13, 15, 17) co-mixing (10, 13, 15, 17) at Trout Towers Casino
Ducky Carlisle - mastering, recording (1, 2, 14) recording & mixing (3, 5-9, 16) mixing (11) at Room Nine, Dimension, Rear Window, Ice Station Zebra
Joe Stewart - recording assist (2, 5, 14) at Dimension
Tom Tracy - piano recording (1) at Tom Tracy Music, Brewster, MA
Jon Evans - recording, co-mixing (4) at Brick Hill
Bill Scheniman - recording, mixing (19) at Berklee, Maclean Studio, Longview Farm
Chandler Travis - recording (on all except 3, 8, 16, 19) mixing (2, 12, 14, 18) co-mixing (4, 10, 13, 15, 17) at Kelp Manor
SPECIAL THANKS: Rikki Bates, Steve Berkowitz, Fred Boak, Chris Blood, Denise & Rich Borden, Gip Hoppe, Bruce Maclean, Nell Mulderry, Belinda Rawlins, and to all bands and humans involved, without whom these songs wouldn't sound so good
Jeff Towne - cover photo
Susan Fanjoy Leach - CT photo
Barbara Price - DG photo
David Greenberger - design
3, 16 from Let's Have a Pancake (1999)
6 from After She Left (2009)
7 from Catbirds Say Yeah (2012)
8 from The Chandler Travis Philharmonic Blows (2010)
10, 11 from This is What Bears Look Like Underwater (2012)
13, 17 from The Future Will Be Better Tomorrow (2000)
15 from It Is Balloon (1995)
19 from Ivan in Paris (1998)
remaining tracks previously unreleased
All albums containing the previously released tracks are available at
www.chandlertravis.com
I hate to admit it, and I'm only going to say it once, but all of my best songs were written by David Greenberger, who is also younger than me. He's been a constant annoyance for decades.