Self Preservation Release

After an almost six year hiatus, I look forward to finally sharing these songs with you in a live setting.

Just let me get moved first. ;0)

A very special "Thank you" goes out to John Baldwin, of Lubbock, Texas, for spending unimaginable amounts of time mastering this musical body of work. His tireless attention to even the smallest detail, without question, helped take this album to the next level.

Much more to follow (i.e. virtual liner notes about each song, concerts, etc.)

The work is currently available via Amazon.com & will be available at other online stores soon (itunes, napster, etc.) Also, a physical "CD on demand" purchase option will be available in the near future via Amazon, for those of you who want a physical copy.

Thank you for taking the time to read these words & for your support through the years it took to create this album. Hope you enjoy the music, come back often, & will share with others.

Much grace & peace,

cW

Both Sides Now

Bows & flows of angel hair & ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, i've looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain & snow on everyone.
So many things i would have done but clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up & down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions i recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moons & junes & ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; i've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
From give & take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions i recall.
I really don't know love at all.

Tears & fears & feeling proud to say "i love you" right out loud,
Dreams & schemes and circus crowds, i've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I've changed.
Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win & lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions i recall.
I really don't know life at all.

-J. Mitchell. For the album "Clouds" 1969.

In a week that has been eight years in the making, this tune speaks to my emotions at this time.

The Original Beach Peach. Since 2007

Main Entry: Kael

Pronunciation: \Kay-el\

Function: Proper Noun

Etymology: Irish. Form of Cael.

abundant, at ease, available, casual, comfortable, comfy, cushy, easygoing, effortless, elementary, facile, gentle, gradual, hands-down, leisurely, lenient, light, loose, painless, pleasing, prosperous, simple, simplified, smooth, soft, tardily, unchaste, uncomplicated, undemanding, unhurried, unproblematic, wanton, well-fixed, well-heeled, well-off, well-situated...except of course when he's not (as the above is usually completely negated just before nap time)! ;0)

Proper usage:

The Kael 's easygoing, casual personality won over his nursery colleagues in record time.

Gentle Kael simplified his closet space by leisurely donating his duplicate & even triplicate Happy Meal toys to the local Goodwill much to the delight of his parents.

Kael's light, soft & smooth skin was due to his unhurried shave from his manful Gillette Sensor Excell razor for men.

Kael's undemanding & lenient mood could only be explained by his deep slumber, or preoccupation with his vanilla milk shake from Sonic Drive-In.

Kael's early twentieth century jazz guitar solo was effortless & unhurried, & his interpretation on the musical body of work was most pleasing.

;0)

Happy Birthday Kael. We love you dearly.

Tuesdays At Jake's

They say nothing ever lasts forever. Whoever "They" is would be correct. I find myself no exception to this rule in my closing days as a South Houston resident. So lately I've been combating my anxiety by seeking out the familiar & routine I so desperately crave, since all of my normal surroundings continue to crumble around me (& then be promptly wrapped in newspaper & thrown in a box).

Which brings me to Jake's Grill, of Friendswood, Texas. Over the past several years I have spent many a Tuesday evening in this cordial eating establishment while gazing at the outside water fountain sparkling in the brilliant sunset, the massive amounts of old license plates clustered together on the wall that proudly form the familiar shape of Texas, & the arcade area that always seems to draw my sons in like flies to honey.

All the while Johny Cash's "Ring of Fire" & The Eagle's "Hotel California" boom softly in the background. In fact, it is only after we've heard these timeless classics that my wife & I feel we have sufficiently concluded our dining experience. No Cash? No Henley? No Exiting the premises! No exceptions! ;0)

But it's not even the relaxed atmosphere, the jumpin' juke box, or the best Chicken Fried steak with mashed potatoes & green beans this side of the Mississippi that make us repeat clientele.

It's the unpretentiousness. It's the great product in a timely manner at a can't beat price. But most importantly, it's the way we are greeted & treated during our visit.

In this age of plentiful heartless corporations, forgettable franchise burger joints every ten feet, & "Chotchkies" type restaurant chains that cult favorite "Office Space" so poignantly ridiculed, we seem to have lost the art of valuing & nurturing the customer to employee relationship.

We all know what it's like to have a pushy waiter smile through gritted teeth & assure us "Oh there's no hurry folks!" when nothing could be further from the truth. So when I stumble on a place that extends even the slightest amount of warmth & honesty to myself & family, well... I'm hooked.

So to all the exceptional employee's at Jake's Grill, in Friendswood, Texas, I say thank you for the wonderful service you have consistently given my family through these lean years of medical school. Rest assured our Tuesday evenings will never be the same. Dios está con usted hasta encuentra otra vez!

Anxiety's Moment

Awoke this morning to the cries of my oldest son's discomfort. He was doubled over in pain on our bathroom floor while trying to get ready for school. So a trip to the emergency room soon followed. Emotionally spent. It would appear the days of my life are spiraling out of control more quickly & erratically than I would prefer. Am certain I am not unique in that regard.

Sometimes I catch myself wondering if there are more days behind me now than in front of me because words like "mundane, routine, & placid" that were such a turn off in my youth, sound more & more attractive with the passing of each day. Those words will not apply to me anytime soon though. Days like today remind me of that old saying "A ship in harbor is safe-but that is not what ships are built for." As I write my son is on his way home now for which I am exceedingly grateful. Here's hoping for momentary calm seas.

Pictured: The bow of our sailing vessel from several years ago in the Bay of Galveston, TX. My two oldest even got to navigate! Sail boats are much quieter than motor boats which is an enormous plus in my book when trying to take in the natural beauty of the water & waves. Great memories.

Gimme Gimme

Well....I can't possibly acknowledge Champlin without giving homage to Lamm now can I? The Yin & the Yang that was Chicago for so many years. Gimme Gimme is a work from Lamm's wonderful cagey solo project entitled "Subtly & Passion". Plus where else are ya gonna find a chick jazz trombone player on the touring circuit? Chess King gives a resounding two thumbs up! Enjoy!

Robert Lamm's "Subtly & Passion" as well as Bill Champlin's newest solo album "No Place Left to Fall" is available at amazon.com

Please Hold On

Oh how I adore this song. From the hands down finest album ever produced: Chicago XVII. Thank you Bill Champlin for taking this song out on tour with you. Such wonderful memories. Such righteous vocals & delicious groove. You are the King of cool. There are no words. I'm getting all Verklempt now. Talk amongst yourselves... ;0)