SONGS (and their stories!)
1. Behind Closed Doors (6:46)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
While on a concert tour in South America and in Buenos Aires, our band was invited to a Cabaret downtown to watch the local Tango Show. After the performance, we were invited as "special guests" to attend a midnight performance for invitees only. This show, was in the same Cabaret but behind a set of closed doors behind the stage. All the Tango dancers performed their improvised routines. It was MAGNIFICENT!
2. A Sea Apart (5:51)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
In the beginning of the relationship between my wife and me,
we lived in different countries, I in Canada and she in Poland. Separated by 10,000 miles, we both flew ourselves around
the world in order to meet and get to know each other. But no
matter where we went, at the end of our rendezvous, we had
to return home and were once again, a sea apart.
That is, until we married!
3. Medicine Man (6:32)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
It was such an interesting afternoon, before the concert in the Dominican Republic. Standing at the entrance to the outdoor
concert stage, was a very strange man dressed in old tattered
clothes. I couldn't help but notice him. I went over to greet him
and after saying hello, he simply smiled at me and then said
"let's talk". For the next two hours, he told me that he was
a Shaman and a 'healer" and had come to tell me things that
would be very important to me in the coming few years.
I'll never forget all that he said and even more, the funny little dance he had to his step when he walked. On a return visit, I found a painting by a local artist who had captured the essence of the local Shaman. I bought the painting and it is now hanging on my living room wall. Now I have the pictorial
image of the Shaman I met in the Dominican Republic.
The Medicine Man.
4. Di Trevi (5:07)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
Chance meetings became the norm with my 'other half' as we were often running into each other accidentally. Many of these 'accidental meetings' were in Rome. On one occasion after we had been dating for a while, we found ourselves once again walking the streets of the ancient city. I asked if she knew where the Trevi Fountain was as I had never seen it. She said that as a matter of fact, it was only a few blocks away. As we stood in front of the magnificent fountain, I asked my girl if she would "pretend" to be in love with me for 5 minutes as it was such a romantic atmosphere. She agreed to do this for me and we stood together, arm in arm, and listened to the sounds of the falling water. After a few moments, I turned to her and said "thank you for pretending to be in love with me".
She replied without hesitation, "Gary, I wasn't pretending".
And thus, we began our 'together journey".
5. The Liars Club (5:52)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
I've been asked a number of times to be a part of a game played in night clubs with audiences. It's an audience participation game which consists of a panel of people (usually entertainers of one kind or another) who are given words in the English language that are not well known
and rarely spoken. Words like "floccinaucinihilipilification"
(which means estimating that something is valueless), and Lamprophony - (meaning Loudness and clarity of voice).
Each member of the panel makes up a story definition for
the word, but only one member of the panel gives the correct answer. The audience, formed into groups, tries
to determine which of the members of the panel have
told the truth, and which have lied. The group that chooses
the most correctly, will win a prize and become honorary members of the august and elite society of "The Liars Club".
My mother taught me NEVER to lie, so I must admit that
I am not very good at playing this game!
6. Gentlemen's Playground (4:04)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
Brazil is an amazing place. With such rich and vibrant
culture, art and music, it's no wonder that Brazilian music
is popular the world over. I've been to Rio De Janiero twice during "Carnaval" season, it is true what they say about Brazilian 'Samba" it takes over your soul and moves you,
not only emotionally but physically! Most of the time there, I was unable to stand still. I simply started dancing! Samba somehow, took away all my inhibitions (did I have any in the first place?) and allowed me to simply feel the beat. It was such tremendous fun all the time! A Playground for gentlemen (and probably for the girls too!).
7. Sarah's Waltz (8:01)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
Most of us performers, at one time or another, reflect on those things in life that mean the most to us. Of course at the top of
our lists, is our family and in particular our children. I decided to dedicate a song to each of my beautiful kids both now adults
and well on their way in life This song, a waltz, describes
the complexities of woman as they grow from childhood. Having to much time watch my daughter grow into the incredibly special woman she is now, has been a joy.
Thus, I wrote a waltz for her.
8. Bajan Secret (6:10)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
The Caribbean Islands have been a favorite place of mine for years and in particular the beaches of Barbados. Having flown in and out of Barbados so many times, it's begun to feel like home. Except for the energyo f the people, the patois of the society. It carries many secrets of which few are told by locals.
The music is captivating and the beat of the Calypso is undeniable and I've often "sat-in" with Steel-drum and Calypso
bands. They traditionally don't have trumpets, but we all had tremendous fun together. The secret, is in the music of Barbados.
9. David's Dream (5:40)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
During the time I was composing the music for this CD, and having decided to dedicate a song to each of my children,
I had a chat with my son in which we talked about music in general and more specifically the kinds of music he likes and what connections he and I have with music. He's not necessarily the hugest fan of jazz music but I think has always appreciated his Dad's work and has often told me that he's proud of me. THAT, has alway made such a huge difference to me. I asked David, what kind of a song he'd like me to compose for him. Oddly enough, he said "hey Dad, why don't you write me a country song?". Well, I know David is NOT a fan of country music and I must admit that there aren't too many country CD's in my collection either. I thought originally that he was kidding, but on thinking about it a little longer, concluded that the challenge of combining country and jazz might be something I could meet.
David's Dream is mostly about his vision of the world having grown up with Autism.
10. Solar Eclipse (6:44)
Gary Guthman / Blast Productions
Composed/Arranged by: Gary Guthman
Entirely by accident, we found ourselves traversing Turkey.
Interesting that we didn't know of the oncoming cosmic experience. We had never seen this before and now we had the opportunity to do so unencumbered by skyscrapers
or mountains. It was as it has been described. A crescent sun ever increasing. Darkness defending,until the moment of the apex. Peering through the protective glasses, there
it was in all it's glory and magnificence. The Solar Eclipse.
- Gary Guthman
(August / 2011)
Pawel Panta - El. and Acoustic Bass
Oct/2010 - Jan/2011.
Blast Productions © 2011 All Rights Reserved.
