 - CD Insert - Thank You's - Charity Information All music composed and performed by Gary Girouard Produced by: Gary Girouard Recorded live at Steinert Hall (Boston) on May 5th, 2004 Engineer: Patrick Keating Assistant Engineer: Rich Fell Piano Tuning & Regulation: Rich Fell Mastered by Patrick Keating Design by Abby Gettman of Nimbit Steinway photo courtesy of Steinway & Sons Photographs of Gary Girouard by Liz Linder Inside Photos by Russ Price |
The Naked Piano, Volume II (2006) Track 1 – The Thinker (Gary Girouard, 2005) As the Thinker sits, his mind is searching, pondering. He’s looking for answers, solutions. Aha! A “brainstorm” – a majestic breakthrough! What a wonderful thing is the human mind! Alas, the monumental thought is now eluding him and the Thinker goes back into deep thought waiting for his next inspiration… Track 2 – Gabriel (Gary Girouard, 2003) Gabriel – our little angel. As a small infant, his mother would sing a soothing lullaby. 1-2-3 go to sleep…precious little Gabriel. You are hope, you are potential, you are spirit, you are love. Track 3 – Prairie (Gary Girouard, 1996) It’s on a wide open prairie where horses run free and a young husband and wife begin their lives together. Written for my brother (Keith) and played at his wedding in 1996. Track 4 – The Ring (Gary Girouard, 2004) Originally, The Ring was an exercise piece that was used to practice creating melodies in all keys. It developed into a three-note melody that was created while performing a live concert in Southern Vermont. Jokingly, a member of the audience had asked for an improvisation on “Three Blind Mice” – and these three notes became the melody you hear repeated in The Ring. The melody keeps recurring, in different keys, never quite the same, but constantly connected. Track 5 – Sanctuary (Gary Girouard, 2004) Everyone needs a place to go where they can be alone with their thoughts, problems, hopes and dreams – Track 6 – Paragon (Gary Girouard, 2003) My grandmother used to take us to Nantasket Beach. She loved the beach. Nantasket had a real cool amusement center called “Paragon Park” where we played skee-ball and rode the huge wooden roller coaster. After winning stuffed animals, we’d hang out at the beach. We’d body-surf waves and make sandcastles until the sun went down. The sights, sounds and smells of those days are some of the best memories I have. The melody in Paragon is based on a tune by Enigma called “the dream of the dolphin”. Track 7 – Americana (Interlude) (Gary Girouard, 2005) While doing the recordings for this album, I was taking a “break” and just noodling around on the piano. I remember thinking about the current state of America (the Iraq war, the economy, global-terrorism, the environment) and how difficult it is to escape the negative influences of the media. This piece is meant to be a “breather”, a “calm in the storm”. Although the piece opens very calm, it deliberately ends in an un-settled state. America is a great country – but we’re not out of the storm yet. Track 8 – Siena (Gary Girouard, 2004) Our daughter Siena was born on February 04, 2004. She’s a beautiful little girl with big, smiling brown eyes and wavy brown hair. When she smiles, my heart skips a beat. Track 9 – Mountain Mist (Gary Girouard, 2004) My wife is from Northern Portugal (Atilho) – about 10 miles from the Spain border. This area is known as “Tras os Montes” – or “Behind the mountains”. While visiting in the Summer of 2004, we had come across a group of traveling musicians playing some traditional American Indian music. One of these melodies really resonated with me. It reminded me of the area around Atilho – rolling countrysides and lush glades opening up to rivers, valleys and mist covered mountains. Track 10 – Blue (Gary Girouard, 2005) I like to read and learn as much as I can. I had purchased a book called “Metaphors for the Musician” and one of the sections was talking about blues progressions. I am not a blues musician. I am intrigued as much about the color “blue” as I am the music style “blues”. In both cases, it’s all about expression. In any case, this piece is based on an F minor blues progression. Track 11 – Driftwood (Gary Girouard, 2004) Sometimes you just like to float along without any destination in mind. Track 12 – After the Rain (Gary Girouard, 2005) I like the rain. I especially like that calming time just after the rain has stopped – when plump rain drops parachute from the windowsill. There’s a soothing silence. I think it’s because your ears had become accustomed to the percussive sound of the rain – and now – silence. If you listen close to the middle of this piece, you’ll find this moment. Track 13 – Heritage (Gary Girouard, 2004) I’ve had the unique privilege to play regularly at a place called Heritage of Falmouth. This is an assisted living facility in my town. Getting to know these folks, I became extra appreciative of the history and experience they have to offer. Our elders have a unique and special story to tell – if we are able to slow down and listen. It’s not just wisdom – it’s heritage. Track 14 – Strollin (Gary Girouard, 2005) Have you ever taken a walk by yourself, in the woods, away from the noise of the city? At first, there’s a special feeling that time is moving slower – you have a new-found appreciation for nature! Your legs slowly warm up and your breathing becomes rhythmic. Soon your body is one with the woods and there’s a magical bounce in your step. You walk off into the sunset, whistling gently as all your cares melt away… |
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Thank you's Thanks to Rich Fell for helping me (once again) record a Naked Piano album. You’re a great friend and talented technician. Thanks to Patrick Keating for your professionalism and killer piano sound! Thanks to Jerome and Paul Murphy of Steinerts for your continued patronage and support Thanks to David Nevue for your expertise and consul – I truly value your input and appreciate your efforts in helping with the final Naked Piano II album. Thanks to Craig Najjar for your ongoing support and friendship Thanks to Abby and the folks at Nimbit – you guys are awesome! Thanks to Russ Price – maybe the next photo shoot will be in Italy! Special thanks to my parents – my greatest fans and best supporters – I love you Extra special thanks to my wife – Margarida – you provide me a nurturing relationship where I can truly shine! I love you. To my children – Gabriel & Siena – you make everything a little more – light is a little brighter, love is a little stronger and life is a whole lot “livelier”. To all of my friends and relatives – thank you for your support! To Gerald and Tim of Normsoft – thanks for all of your continued support! Pockettunes rocks in St. Croix! |
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Charity Information A good cause: A portion of each Naked Piano (vol. II) CD sale is donated to the Team Bryce Charity – benefiting special needs and severely challenged children. Visit www.teambrycefund.org for more information. A portion of each Naked Piano (vol. I) sale is donated to the Hole in the Wall Gang camp – a special place that provides a true camp experience for children with cancer and serious blood disorders. Visit www.holeinthewallgang.org for more information. |