Ray Brandes hardly needs a where-are-we-now introduction, considering the critical and popular acclaim his music has garnered over the years. But in the spirit of bringing our creative efforts into the 21st century, Ray has generously agreed to let me post a catchy and touching track from 2007’s smashing greatest-hits album, “A Matter of Time.”
“‘Welcome to the World’ was written after the birth of our son, and recorded a year or so later, in 2005,” Ray writes. “I wanted to write a song like “Kooks” from “Hunky Dory” that he could listen to when he got older. I stole some of the lyrics from William Blake’s ‘Auguries of Innocence’ and ‘Infant Sorrow.’ “
“It represents the last recording I’ve done. I’m all but retired now, somewhat by choice, somewhat by circumstance. Dave Klowden and I have been kicking around some ideas since the Tell-Tale Hearts reunion last year, but can find little time to get together. Releasing the CD compilation was a way for me to document a lot of the stuff I’ve done over the years and to leave something for Lucas to remember me by.
“The song features myself on acoustic guitar and piano, Rick Wilkins on lead guitar, Hector Peñalosa on the bass and Brian Clark (remember him?) on the drums.”
Ray, you sound better than ever. This is no time to retire, man!
I agree … Ray, you’re my current role model for keeping it real as I try to edge my way back into making music.
This song welcoming a new child into the family does raise all sorts of interesting questions about work-life balance when it comes to rockin’ and/or rollin’.
(It’s been difficult for me to get anything going since moving from SF, where I had enough old friends from before anybody called me Dad to put together something with minimal effort. Now it’s been a real struggle to make the time.)
Anyway, I do love this song — and William Blake kicks out the jams!
I thought it was great. I agree -- why retire?
What Ray said got me to thinking -- has anyone become MORE creative since the spawn came along? It’s hard to put a linear thought together once you have kids, but I didn’t start writing until my kids were about 7 and 4. Somehow, it never occurred to me to write anything, and before the kids came along, I probably wouldn’t have had anything to say. The first book I wrote was a story for them (totally crap and unpublishable and put away in a drawer forever), but it got me started down a fun path. Now I write mainly young adult books, even though my oldest is only 11. I guess I’m trying to stay ahead of the curve.
Sometimes having kids is inspiring as well as exhausting -- I’d bet money that the Wiggles were the brainchild of a new parent. Okay, maybe a bad example, but you get what I mean.
Now I have to go listen to Ray’s song again. I think it’s going to become an earworm.
I agree also…Ray this sounds absolutely great!!
This is such a classically catchy song, with lyrics that are heartfelt and resonate with the kind of optimism only experience can provide.
I wanna hear the album!
It is indeed harder to get musical things going now (talkin’ bout my generation, heh), but here is proof of the rewards that come from the effort!!….this doesn’t sound like somebody ready for retirement…it’s beautifully written and performed, you are in fine form!!
BTW Ray, I was just on your myspace and saw the TTH video -- when and were was that and how do I get on the mailing list for the next reunion? Totally made me feel all nostalgic.
Cyndie: Apparently, the Tell-Tell Hearts will be playing the Obama inauguration! 🙂
I’ve certainly become a more effective person in many ways since having kids … I’ve been able to lead more decisively and to focus in ways I couldn’t have before the birth of my children. To the extent that leading a team is my medium, I’m more creative now.
More literally, my wife Nancy Tobin’s art career has blossomed in recent years.
But for me, playing music has been tricky … Putting a band together and finding time to practice collaboratively takes some heavy-duty logistics I haven’t managed to muster. Now that the kids are bigger and more independent, I’m feeling considerably more latitude — but I’m still challenged by the notion of finding time to practice with a group, let alone play out.
Thank you all for the kind words. Perhaps “retired” is a bit melodramatic of a word choice. I do pick up a guitar from time to time, but more than anything else, it is a little difficult to find the time and resources to get anything going.
A few months ago, the San Diego Reader (which I loathe, by the way), did a cover story about a few people around town who are in their forties who still play rock and roll. It was incredibly patronizing and condescending. The whole piece carried with it an undercurrent of surprise that people of a certain age were still living, breathing, functioning members of society. My students, who will be juniors in high school next year love my music, but also seem a bit shocked that I still write and play music. A part of me fears staying a little too long a the party at times, you know what I’m sayin’?.
Anyone who’d like a copy of the CD, just drop me a line with your address and I’ll send you one.
I just listened to it. It was cool, it surely makes you think of your children.
I get the opposite, I catch crap all of the time for not playing anymore. I really have not played at all for over 20 years but probably could sit down and play a Morlock show tomorrow. It’s wierd, now days I think about it more, my kids are very currious and that’s cool.
Ray, I will send my address for a CD….As long as it does not have any proceeeds going to Obama………..HaHa…..Kidding…..Oh yeah it’s free
hey Mark. Good to hear from you.
Yeah, and good advice Mark, all of you get your asses out and start playing again. All of you! My wife wants me out of the house and back out on stage. She says I sit around complaining about the state of music too much, so I should get out there and show’em how it’s done. Ok.
So thoughtful though it makes me to wonder what is it that needs to be said by veterans that have been around a while. But I’m certain the answer can be found.
>>The San Diego Reader … did a cover story about a few people around town who are in their forties who still play rock and roll. It was incredibly patronizing and condescending.
Ray: There’s a whole segment of our town who play in something referred to as “dad bands” … Since it seems every other father was in a band as a kid, they get together and play — mostly covers, I think, and there are some school functions and stuff that end up becoming dad-band magnets.
There’s nothing wrong with it, but something in my soul just up and rebels at the prospect of being in a “dad band”! It’s a big part of my current mental block about playing with people. (Once a year, we have our block party, and I organize the dads into a combo that plays the event. But I’m damned if I’m going to dad-band beyond a small circle of friends on Euclid Ave.) 🙂
I did get some good family mileage out of going acoustic with the Amazons back in San Francisco. Jason and Todd could cruise over to my house, and my baby daughter could even nap while we were playing. But again, that involved entering the trust circle with guys I’d known for more than 20 years …
Maybe I can get Tom Ward and Cole Smithey to take the midtown direct out here to Jersey! Or we can all meet in Central Park once a week.
Cool song Ray. Keep rockin’ when you can.
This CD is full of great songs. Now I want to get the original ones. I love the lead guitar on this song. It reminds me of some of the leads the Pretenders did, in that it’s a clean, melodic style. In and out in four measures. It’s a wonderful song to give to your son Ray. I’m sure he’ll dig it when he gets older.
Geez you guys, that kind of disgusting. When I was 22, I never even questioned the relevancy of artists 20 or 30 years older than myself. Johnny Cash to John Lee Hooker…always as vital and relevant as anyone my own age, usually more so. Newspapers like the Reader generally have nothing to say, so they have to invent things.
As far as “dad bands” go…these were probably just guys who, at the most, played in cover bands at frat parties. Didnt relate to that kinda thing back then and I still dont.
I could only imagine what kind of response an interviewer would get if they asked a band like the Cramps how old they were.
Btw Ray, how can I get copies of the earlier CD’s? I tried to order Continental Drifter from KoolKatMusik and was told the CD had been removed from their site. An Amazon.com search comes up w/$40-70 copies of a Shambles CD and Snap! records seems to be nonexistent on on the web.
Thanks, Dave. Really though, the more people I hear tell me to play, the more it makes me want to strap on my guitar. We were not typical pop music fans, though--all of us had great taste in music as youngsters, and respect for not only the history of rock and roll, but for those who were still on the road, performing. One of my idols is Charlie Rich, who made what I consider to be his best album (Pictures and Paintings) at age 60.
My main point is, if you’re a hack at twenty, nobody notices, and when they do, they are much more forgiving of your hackery (hackishness?) I have always felt carried by the musicians with whom I’ve had the great fortune to play, yourself included. Solo, I’m much less confident going out these days.
One of the bands I am most proud of is the Town Criers, in all of its manifestations, but in particular the line up that played that big mod festival at Montezuma Hall with Dave Klowden playing brushes, you playing steel guitar, and Lefty on his mosrite. It felt like the Grand Old Opry. I’d kill to see a tape of that show.
What is really disgusting to me is the San Diego Reader, with its plastic surgery ads, small town gossip and personal ads, masquerading as journalism.
Paul,
I would be more than happy to burn you some copies. They were very limited pressings, and I only have one copy each myself of Continental Drifter and The Rise and Fall of Ray Brandes. I have a number of the Lonely Sock and can give you an original. Send me your info, otra vez.