Imagine a Better World has been involved with
many different types of artistic expression through the years. Now, as
part of our 23 Year Anniversary we have compiled some for you. I like
to call them ”Musics”. Musics because these tracks are fundamentally
different than a lot of what gets put out. In Producing them I left any
marketing, “Music Business” criteria of sales and success out of the
work. I wished to create a pure human artistic expression. Because of
this, you may find some of the tracks quite unusual and that’s why I
love them. The stories as to how they came about, “the tales behind the
songs” the truth is stranger than fiction. The Chinese brother and
sister who came to Angel’s Ranch for a weekend to record “Go”, the Art
of Recording classes that produced such gems as “Wayne” and “Funky”
featuring world class Bass Player B6. Even the visit from musicians
from the Boyz to Men Band who joined in to create “Save the World” for
the Denver at the Apollo project. For me, the love of music is
discovering the Gems and rarities that are captured and recorded. After
all, what is it but a “Recording” an historical record of what happened. Below is a few with many more to come. The
great Jazz master Eric Dolphy said, “When you hear music, it’s gone in
the air. You can never catch it again!” That is true and still in a
most humble way we have caught some of that magical music and are
pleased to share it with you, all re-mastered and sounding fantastic!
Lon Van Eaton
Ballad of the Crypts and Bloods
We were doing the Denver at the Apollo project sanctioned by Mayor Wellington Webb. We went to schools and auditioned over 2000 kids who performed and were judged by their classmates. This was a good idea, staying out of the selections. We rehearsed and culminated the Awards by staging Denver at the Apollo at the Paramount Theatre. It was well attended and quite a nice show. Even Chauncey Billups was an Apollo kid! One hundred and five performed from ages 5 to 35! Coors got interested in taking the program national and we had several high level meetings before they opted for Midnight Basketball. True. Consti sold a house to help finance this and Steven Zapiler chipped in a lot. Thanks to all. This track features a live voice over by Butch Johnson, former NFL receiver and a kid recorded in jail.
Near
our residence was the little BP gas station and convenience store.
Behind the counter was Kim Duncan who mentioned once in conversation
that she wrote and performed songs. We invited her over. A few weeks
later she rang up and arrived. She laid her song down, song a rough
scratch vocal and left. We never saw her again. Kim where are you?
They
were called Lonz Neyburz. They were exactly that. Professionals in
the HiTech corporate world who met and practiced, wrote and performed
as a musical group. Roxy and Gerry Frederickson, Dillan, Bill, Frank… I
love theme all and I even sat in a couple of times at rehearsals. We
did one session late one night for fun and this is Dillan’s song. I have
one of Bill’s as well. They were very instrumental in assisting me with
“Black & White”. Playing on it, and financially supporting it’s
coming into being. Since, they have changed their name to Strange
Neyburz and have a CD out. Roxy has a
non-profit organization at www.roxyrhythm.com and all are doing great
work because they ARE GREAT!
I
have been honoured to teach The Art of Recording classes in association with
Arapahoe Community College. Students sign up and come to my studio and
we interact and challenge ourselves to write, record, produce, mix and
master one song for a CD. For this class, I suggested we write
something for Imagine a Better World and the collaboration astonishes
me!
George
McCaffrey would play Lenny Kravitz track over and over. During the
Denver at the Apollo era it happened that we did a re-make with Dionne and
Melody.
Michael Rube came to class with his song idea. We had fun, giving it that old country flavour as if we were producing a song for a TV Western. Paladin, Bonanza and now Dead Man’s Walk!
I'm posting this with many thanks to Lon for a wonderful workshop and to you both for use of your home, and to you for enduring at times that not especially beautiful sounds were eminating from the studio. While my intent was to take the course on the basis of its technical merits, I have been touched to a greater extent by both your philosophies of music and life.
In the early 1980's I participated a workshop that was led by Sondra Ray. Among many of its memorable experiences was that "all thought is creative." Positive thinking and perspective leads to positive outcomes. I feel that you and Lon have adopted this philosophy.
Lon refers to himself as lucky. I think a lot of this luck is believing in yourself. At what point did Lon "discover" his luck--was at Berkelee, was it in London? Is it karmic or is it nurturing the mind to appropriately take on risks and adeptly handle the challenges? Many musicians get "breaks" but a few years later have crashed. The music business is unforgiving and chaotic. To maintain positive thinking throughout the journeys you have traveled is a indeed a gift to be savored.
Posted by Paul Petersky
Recording at Angels Ranch is one of the most exhilarating, fun and motivating experiences of my life. Lon and Constance combine professionalism and love to make it a truly rewarding experience. It's evolved in me a passion to sing that I never before would have taken seriously.
Mindy Vickers
Energy
Anthony
Gorman. Tony was a frequent visitor to Angel’s Ranch, a poet,
songwriter and evolved human being. He devoted his time with helping at
the various 12 and 13 step organizations around downtown Denver and had
lived a most wondrous and exciting life. He smiled mostly and when
questioned would point out a line from a song or poem giving the
feeling that he had already explained and answered. He died just before
the release of Lon & Derrek’s “Black & White” CD on which he
had the title cut. "Gringoland" and "In Easy Chairs" are more of Tony’s gems. His book of
songs should all be recorded. I am doing my part to keep the memory of
this Saint alive.
Ron
Buckner, aka B6, is the hottest Bassist in Denver and came to a class.
I turned it over to him to lead and we all learned lots! Ron has been
the preferred Bass Player in this town since forever. Definitely my
choice. We had fun with this groove. We jammed and Joe Reinhard rapped. All around that
sweet Bass of Mr. Six! I think it’s 81 Hertz!
The
Hu’s brother and Sister from China found us on the web. They spent a
glorious weekend recording their song. It was a joy to work with them. Love the CDs!! "Go" sounds great with the new strings arrangement.
Enda Hu
Recording at Angels Ranch was a great experience that I will not forget. It
was awesome being at angels ranch, so peaceful away from the busy
world. Recording at Angels Ranch was a great experience that I will not
forget. I miss Angels Ranch already! i woke up this morning
wondering why i was in my bed at home! I think Enda's inspired to write
more songs now, he really enjoyed the weekend.
College
kids from Boulder. Rainbow Bridge. A drummer polishing his cymbals, a 5
string Bassist, Daren the Guitarist and an American Indian on vocals.
They played beyond the abilities of most musicians. The time signature
on this one is 11/4 for awhile. Dedicated and surely an exclusive
invitation.
Madeleine
a 14 year old class attendee wrote this hit! Curtis Cheatwood, who also
wrote the rap for Ah! The Dance of Life contributed the male part. It
was a fun class!
A
Tony Gorman song performed the immitigable Matt Hurwitz journalist
extraordinaire. He suggested we do “Black & White”. That Medonite
from FATE is on piano and did the track and backing vocals. I love
doing these true lyrics and artful music. Harry Nilsson told me to
always use Buckminster Fuller’s three prong criteria for (whatever you
fill in) So for a song… 1. Degree of Difficulty, 2. Public Acceptance,
and 3. Longevity.
Katie
Wieland, never really wanted to do a CD favouring more to be a Musical
performer, singing, dancing and acting. Her CD is great and this track
was left off at her request because at the at 14 it was a bit
suggestive.
A
classmember., no names without permission. He sadly spoke when everyone
was introducing themselves that he had just his Mom. He had this song.
We spent the time putting some variety in the track and he sang it in
one take. Chills!
Doing
a fund raiser for National Jewish meant having to have entertainment on
a blocked off Larimer Street for 3 straight days 10 am to 10 pm. Many
thanks for all the artists who contributed their time and talent. A
friend was touring with Muungano, the National Choir of Kenya and
brought them to this event. Subsequently, we recorded them at Bethany
Lutheran Church. Amazing!
My
good friend Jerry O’Neil bought a keyboard. His wife Kathy teased him
about his song which he played over and over. Consti wrote and sang the lyric and
melody.
A
group of kids from Alternative Homes for Youth came and did this.
Excellent. The organization offers a place for these kids when they
have no place to go.
A brilliant and early class. Randy and the rest. I got to produce 2 CDs for Christy and Randy. Denny and Vegas and Matt. Matt came a week early for class and slept sometimes in class. That word he says is backwords.
Misty Agee John Alvardo Brad (Lisa) Anderson Andy Ard Sean Barela Pam Beets David Bilek Nathan Bilo Manfred Boak Randy Burkes William Burnside James Campbell Curtis Cherwood Phil Choquette Darrell Collett Art Conrad Frank D'Agnillo John D'Agostino Robert Danford Jon Darling Bobby Dartt Paul Davies Terry Lynn De Bell Terry Debell Konstantino Dikeou Navarro Dorsett Steve Edmonson James Fallon Dan Feeley Rob Fleming John Gallion Michael Garvin Jeff Graves Ron Strat Hall Jerree Harris Mike Heath Calvin Heath Elias Peter Henrie Calvin Hicks Steve Howard StephanHoward Michalene Jensen Scott Johnson Molly Kayser Mark Keefer Jason Kruske Tony Laguardia Linnae Lange Diedre & Daniel Larsen Deidre Larsen Ken Lee Rhonda Lewis Rodger Mathena Craig Meadows Michael Medina Gaven Riley Memmen Howard Mendelson Mike Metcalf Michael Milanowski Wade Morris Terry (Vicky Morrison John O'Rourke Jacob Ortiz Leroy Owens Jerry Palmer Steven Peck Leopardi Perez Paul Petersky Jim Plummer John Poppleton Mark Powell Spencer Pyne Josef Reinhard Lance Ritchlin Edward Lance Ritchlin Jordan Rivas Chris Robisch Michael J. Rube Dave Samuelson Jim Schwartz Brian Sills Dean Stanberry Russell Thomas Bill & Wes Threlkeld John Timmons Julie Van Lith Leith Waldrop Randy Waldrop Cathie Walker Jason Waller James Webb Dexter Williams Dennis Wittmeyer Luther Zachary
