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Warmest regards and temperatures abound….

clouds in the skyon this Fathers Day 2007. My best to all dads out there and a quick note that there’s a new short piece (minute and a half) up for listening now. The piece is titled “Cooloola”(circa 1988) and it comes from the upcoming Episode 8 of At-The-Helm. The local weather info says it’s 98 degrees F and it feels like it.

Much work to do this week including more music for podcasts so please do stay tuned for more updates and thanks for listening.

Episode 06 of At-The-Helm now available.

That’s right, Episode #06 of At-The-Helm is now ready to be heard by one and all.

This show features solo material from late 1986 and early 1987 recorded in California, and includes the following tracks:

  • Desert Aire
  • India Street
  • Fixed Stare
  • From Here
  • Desert Kites
  • One In A Million
  • Tidal Pools

There’s a little bit of instrumental fun here for everyone, please do give it a listen and I think you’ll enjoy it when you do. Meanwhile much work to do, more soon.

A little rain to start the day here.

rivulet roadLooks as though there will be more before the day is done. Yesterday found me up on a ladder cleaning gutters from many months of elm deposits, today a free rinsing, that’s good timing for me. Work on flagstone pathways is about to commence for me(I’ll take a picture to share before and after). Show #6 will be up by Friday, working on #8 and final film music submissions also. Hope that you’ve had a chance to listen to some of At-The-Helm, if not please do. I have a couple of shorter pieces up( working on more) for those who just want a taste and don’t have much time. Meanwhile I’ve got work to do, thanks for reading and listening, more soon.

A couple of very windy days

field and skyAfter a morning of surveying the debris field left from the strong winds of the past two days I’m happy to report no damage to any structures on properties I do landscaping work for. Any flimsy tree limbs are however now down for the count and headed for a roundup by the likes of me.

On the music front work continues on the score for Ian’s newest short film, final editing begins soon I’m told. As to the At-The-Helm podcast series, hopefully you’ve had a chance to listen in on show#5. Looking to post #6 midmonth here, which is where we’ll begin a look at a nine year period of work in southern California from 1986-1995. Solo, duet and trio configurations will be heard with acoustic and electric instruments and a growing amount of looping used amongst it all. We may also speak with old musical friends in lands far away about those days of yore in shows to come , so do please give it a listen and as always I welcome your comments. Have a good day!  

Lyrics as promised

yellow flowerHere are the lyrics to “West of Kiddieland” by Bryan Helm and Marshal Black, music by Helm, Black & Buffer (Fez). As featured in Episode #4 of At-The-Helm. The events that inspired this bit of fun occurred at the Ohio State Fair in 1983.

“West of Kiddieland”

Staring at extremely yellow flowers

Electric giant condos for the cows

The chirping birdman whistles on for hours

Cannibal bugwoman on the prowl

You can ask a policeman for directions

But he just might tell you where to go

The jukebox always plays the same selection

The polka king will be the grandstand show

The vibrating pillows shake my spine, my wallet with the cost

The last thing I remember I was staring at some lambs ass now I’m lost

It’s your mistake to ride the nazi skyride

Or to drink water nine others have before

The parking lot is beautiful between tides

There’s cotton candy vomit on the shore

Headed to west of kiddieland

Searching for the promised helping hand

Hoping to finally understand

We are now alone to make this stand

Where the hell is kiddieland and how the hell do I get there from here

I’d trade my hot soft pretzel, my present,past and future for a beer

Headed to west of kiddieland

Searching for that promised helping hand

Hoping to finally understand

We are now alone to make this stand

Original recording from Jan.1985

Episode Five

Episode Five is now available.

It includes music from 1986 at the conclusion of the Ohio period.
Biker/Rocker pictured here circa 1986.

Its an entirely solo venture , except for Mr. Bob Kelley* on drums where noted.

  • A Short Answer
  • To Miles
  • African Rain
  • Canada
  • Barney Hillage
  • Quantum Jump II *
  • ie

Summer is in the air…..

Sandstone Ranch COand it’s a beautiful day here in Colorado a little windy but not too.

Just recorded episodes 6 and 7  yesterday with the help of Mr. Glenn Stebleton (who made the comment that started this whole podcast thing rolling for At-The-Helm). Many thanks due Glenn for his work on this project.

Speaking of the project I’ll be putting up show#5 tomorrow on the first of June. This will be the last of the Ohio period programs and I think you’ll enjoy the musical selections presented.  Meanwhile more yard work to do, back with a new show tomorrow, thanks for checking in.

Busy making progress……………

Inspiration PointA busy weekend working on finishing up the music for show#7 and looking at the rough first edit of the short film I’m scoring currently.

Between that , yardwork, petsitting, and dad’s taxi- a moment to blog.

Next post or two I’ll provide the lyrics to one of the songs from episode #4, for amusement purposes only, no wagering allowed, meanwhile thanks for reading and listening, please stay tuned.

Episode #4 of At-The-Helm Now Available

Fez

Welcome back folks and thanks for coming.
Episode #4 is up and available for your listening pleasure.

This one features tracks from 1979-1985 with four different groups:

Fukhedz, Ample Parking, Fez, and Nelson & Helm

  • Scared Fun- Fukhedz
  • Pop  –Ample Parking
  • Towing My Car Away-Ample Parking
  • Snorkles in Reverse-Fez
  • West of Kiddieland-Fez
  • Live Practice Excerpt-Nelson & Helm

Fukhedz:
Bryan Helm-Vocal
Mike Darrah-Guitar
Rick McCann-Drums

Ample Parking:
Bryan Helm-Lead Guitar, Vocal
Sarajane Helm-Keyboard
Jim Cunningham-Rhythm Guitar, Fretless Bass
Wally Mitchell-Percussion

Fez:
Bryan Helm-Guitar, Vocal
Marshal Black-Bass
Jeff Buffer- Drums

Nelson & Helm
Gerald Nelson- Synthesizer & Drum Machine Programming, Rhythm Guitar
Bryan Helm-Lead Guitar

FezWith the exception of the original live recording of Scared Fun and the practice excerpt from Nelson & Helm, all other tracks featured this show were originally engineered by Jim Cunningham at Local Sound Studio in Columbus Ohio (Fez) or at Appalachian Studios in southern Ohio (Ample Parking). Many thanks to Jim  and all the people who I was lucky enough to play music with during my time in Ohio.
Special note: The photos  above are of the original lineup of Fez which was a quartet…then with Mr. Mike Monett.


Nice weather……..

Ample Parking at Crazy Mama'sHowdy Folks and welcome back. It’s been a busy week, but a productive one. Episode #4 of At-The-Helm is ready to go up Wednesday May 15th. Episode #5 is also ready but won’t appear till June 1st. Show#4 is the Ohio period band show and features me with 4 different groups over a period of 6 years or so from 1979-1985. I think you’ll find some fun listening at hand. I’ve dug up some pics of some of the other players and myself so be prepared to be amused by period fashion and more as we continue to review my life in sound. After show #5 we’ll be off to California for new adventures so stay tuned and thanks for listening