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“Good to Go?” is a Robert Lamm lyric I received back in November 2012. Our recent communication about continued musical experiments together – (post “Living Proof” -Robert’s recent solo album) have proven fruitful.
After playing around with some chord changes on my digital audio workstation, I realized what I wanted to do –play some trombone! Yes, something to fill my addiction to brass instruments while I worked on parts of a separate, ambitious prog piece which will soon follow this one.
I liked his lyric line “What you see depends on –where you’re standing” and “What you see depends on if you’re listening”. Within an evening, I created a BASIC piano sketch of the tune, beginning to end, as it exists now. I was happy about that. I spent the holidays filling in keys, drums, bass, a bit of guitar and dusted off the old Bach 16 sewer pipe to chase that brass dragon. Instead of writing parts down though, at least initially, I just played what I felt and left it alone. It needed the upper octave bad, but I decided to come back to it as the production got closer.
Anyone following Magellan since 1991 must wonder about our end game, especially after unceremonious exits from both previous labels. I was determined that in this song, having some fun was -objective one. Keep it raw, don’t over think it, and invite someone outside Magellan to participate. Well, it doesn’t take a large leap in imagination to wonder who the first call trumpet player might be given the lyricist! My friend Lee Loughnane, also co-founder of the legendary band Chicago.
As anyone who has listened to him over the Last 4 decades can attest, he is still getting better! Wow. He shreds on heavy classical, strength and breathing exercises constantly, which makes the relentless demands on his embouchure during world tours much easier. His tone is heaven for my ear drums. Scary to someone like me who hates actual practice (against my religion). The reality is Lee has put in the work. He can now reap the sonic benefits, right along with Chicago fans. I am looking forward to some of his solo works that will come as well. I have heard some of his new song ideas and he has an “entertainer’s sensibility” about his work. I would buy it in a second! What a band he is in –the depth there is insane.
Robert Lamm has been an amazing collaborator and mentor because unlike others I have worked with, he is OK letting me “being myself and running off in extended prog directions”. Even releasing my versions is cool with him. That shows a lot of confidence and maturity I rarely see. The last time I saw that attribute was in Steve Walsh when we worked on “Glossolalia” (the Kansas front man’s) solo effort together.
With every piece of music I submit to Robert, he always makes excellent suggestions and even sends me edited arrangement alternatives which I love receiving. Last summer, one of these submissions (current working title, “Shades of Grey”) got a “this could potentially be a C. song” response. That of course would be a thrill for me, but only time will tell as there are so many complex factors that allow any musical idea to survive long enough to make it onto a commercial recording.
Speaking of commercial recordings, with regard to Magellan, I have found myself in an interesting position. Magellan fans might think I am not busy enough producing prog music or being engaged in musical pursuits full time…. their theory as to why I have not released a full length Magellan album since 2007. Let’s clarify.
The fact is that I am involved in intense musical undertakings that may (or may not) ever be released. I operate as an independent producer and collaborator under a pseudonym on various music… and music business projects. Magellan is my personal musical experiment that continues. When (and if) it ever makes sense to release a full album in the new music market, I’ve got HOURS of material to draw from. It will happen.
For now, I am happy to release singles, which make MUCH more business sense, at least for me. By the way, the “Better Suite” (with Keith Howland from Chicago) will clock in around 8:30, so I am very excited about where things are going for the Magellan faithful. Big “Impending Ascension” style prog.
And before I digress too far, “Good to Go?” does have a question mark in the title on purpose. Robert’s main idea has plenty of meat on the bone, so to speak. It's all there in the art, but try to avoid the common colloquialisms for the phrase –you’ll be getting much warmer. By the way, that's one big canary atop the ladder –mmm, either some sort of scaling/perspective issue or perhaps nothing at all. Welcome to his rock house of contemplation on the back 40.
Trent
P.S. meant to be played above 90db…
Good To Go?
what you see depends on where you’re standing
way up high, where the four winds blow
what you see depends on where you’re standing
so keep your eyes on what you know -Good To Go?
peekin’ round the corner
down the block, or down below
lost now in the thunder
rolling every minute -its all you brother
got to take some initiative
what you get and what you give
don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate
let yourself go before it’s too late
what you hear depends on if you’re listening
like the tree that falls down in the wood
what you hear depends on if you’re listening
..and be still now, there’s a message in her whisper
Good to Go?
What more can I say?
Its all up to you
so come on take it
Are you good to Go?
Are you good? Good To Go?
What you see is believable
Wait it out -the impossible
Where you're standing now
tell me - are you good to go?
So tell me true -Good To Go?
Copyright 2013 Robert Lamm and Trent Gardner
Lyrics: Robert Lamm
Music: Trent Gardner / performed by Magellan
Trumpet: Lee Loughnane
Trombone/Vocals/Keys: Trent Gardner
Soul Of The Sasquatch Music (BMI)
Primary Wave Lamm (ASCAP)
All rights reserved 2013
DNA Mastering
After playing around with some chord changes on my digital audio workstation, I realized what I wanted to do –play some trombone! Yes, something to fill my addiction to brass instruments while I worked on parts of a separate, ambitious prog piece which will soon follow this one.
I liked his lyric line “What you see depends on –where you’re standing” and “What you see depends on if you’re listening”. Within an evening, I created a BASIC piano sketch of the tune, beginning to end, as it exists now. I was happy about that. I spent the holidays filling in keys, drums, bass, a bit of guitar and dusted off the old Bach 16 sewer pipe to chase that brass dragon. Instead of writing parts down though, at least initially, I just played what I felt and left it alone. It needed the upper octave bad, but I decided to come back to it as the production got closer.
Anyone following Magellan since 1991 must wonder about our end game, especially after unceremonious exits from both previous labels. I was determined that in this song, having some fun was -objective one. Keep it raw, don’t over think it, and invite someone outside Magellan to participate. Well, it doesn’t take a large leap in imagination to wonder who the first call trumpet player might be given the lyricist! My friend Lee Loughnane, also co-founder of the legendary band Chicago.
As anyone who has listened to him over the Last 4 decades can attest, he is still getting better! Wow. He shreds on heavy classical, strength and breathing exercises constantly, which makes the relentless demands on his embouchure during world tours much easier. His tone is heaven for my ear drums. Scary to someone like me who hates actual practice (against my religion). The reality is Lee has put in the work. He can now reap the sonic benefits, right along with Chicago fans. I am looking forward to some of his solo works that will come as well. I have heard some of his new song ideas and he has an “entertainer’s sensibility” about his work. I would buy it in a second! What a band he is in –the depth there is insane.
Robert Lamm has been an amazing collaborator and mentor because unlike others I have worked with, he is OK letting me “being myself and running off in extended prog directions”. Even releasing my versions is cool with him. That shows a lot of confidence and maturity I rarely see. The last time I saw that attribute was in Steve Walsh when we worked on “Glossolalia” (the Kansas front man’s) solo effort together.
With every piece of music I submit to Robert, he always makes excellent suggestions and even sends me edited arrangement alternatives which I love receiving. Last summer, one of these submissions (current working title, “Shades of Grey”) got a “this could potentially be a C. song” response. That of course would be a thrill for me, but only time will tell as there are so many complex factors that allow any musical idea to survive long enough to make it onto a commercial recording.
Speaking of commercial recordings, with regard to Magellan, I have found myself in an interesting position. Magellan fans might think I am not busy enough producing prog music or being engaged in musical pursuits full time…. their theory as to why I have not released a full length Magellan album since 2007. Let’s clarify.
The fact is that I am involved in intense musical undertakings that may (or may not) ever be released. I operate as an independent producer and collaborator under a pseudonym on various music… and music business projects. Magellan is my personal musical experiment that continues. When (and if) it ever makes sense to release a full album in the new music market, I’ve got HOURS of material to draw from. It will happen.
For now, I am happy to release singles, which make MUCH more business sense, at least for me. By the way, the “Better Suite” (with Keith Howland from Chicago) will clock in around 8:30, so I am very excited about where things are going for the Magellan faithful. Big “Impending Ascension” style prog.
And before I digress too far, “Good to Go?” does have a question mark in the title on purpose. Robert’s main idea has plenty of meat on the bone, so to speak. It's all there in the art, but try to avoid the common colloquialisms for the phrase –you’ll be getting much warmer. By the way, that's one big canary atop the ladder –mmm, either some sort of scaling/perspective issue or perhaps nothing at all. Welcome to his rock house of contemplation on the back 40.
Trent
P.S. meant to be played above 90db…
Good To Go?
what you see depends on where you’re standing
way up high, where the four winds blow
what you see depends on where you’re standing
so keep your eyes on what you know -Good To Go?
peekin’ round the corner
down the block, or down below
lost now in the thunder
rolling every minute -its all you brother
got to take some initiative
what you get and what you give
don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate
let yourself go before it’s too late
what you hear depends on if you’re listening
like the tree that falls down in the wood
what you hear depends on if you’re listening
..and be still now, there’s a message in her whisper
Good to Go?
What more can I say?
Its all up to you
so come on take it
Are you good to Go?
Are you good? Good To Go?
What you see is believable
Wait it out -the impossible
Where you're standing now
tell me - are you good to go?
So tell me true -Good To Go?
Copyright 2013 Robert Lamm and Trent Gardner
Lyrics: Robert Lamm
Music: Trent Gardner / performed by Magellan
Trumpet: Lee Loughnane
Trombone/Vocals/Keys: Trent Gardner
Soul Of The Sasquatch Music (BMI)
Primary Wave Lamm (ASCAP)
All rights reserved 2013
DNA Mastering
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