The Hazel Project

It was 1995. The year we recorded the Fellini’s Raincoat CD for Treehouse Records. We tracked at NWN on the first hard drive recording system in Jackson, Mississippi. It barely worked. We were able to record 12 tracks there; however, only 10 of the 12 made it to the CD. “Hiding Place” was one of those tracks that got left behind; yet it was one of our earliest songs as a 5 piece band. Also, it was the only song FR played that was written by Beth Jones & Richie Wicker. I think it was the first lyrics Beth ever wrote. Even so, Marty sang lead and Beth sang the backup vocals.

Orginally, we intended to let “Hiding Place” open the CD; however, there was drama surrounding it and ultimately it was cut. I must confess the drama was partly of my own making due to the recording process, and partly to the band’s communication dynamic; specifically between Marty and myself. For this, I owe Beth a much overdue apology.

Beth was (is) a super talented singer and had much to contribute to FR. Even at that time I knew Beth needed more room for creative expression than she was ever allowed. She needed the space to do what she did best; sing as much as possible; continue to bring lyrics to the band; and play bass, (because she always knew where the ‘1′ was!)

As I listen back for the first time in 10 years; it dawns on me that the sound we were looking for as a 5 piece pop band came through in this song. The harmonies were in the vein of The Story, and the music in the vein of The Sundays and The Innocence Mission.

I know now the strength of Fellini’s Raincoat was Marty’s and Beth’s vocals- TOGETHER. Beth’s vocals needed to be featured in every song; and more than a supportive role, which sadly, is what they became.

Even if the song sounds dated and the recording is a compressed, warbly mess; what I hear today is evidence of what Richie recently told me; the vocal parts of “Hiding Place” were the best Marty and Beth had to offer each other.

Richie, Tim, and I are aware that “Hiding Place” reveals itself as one of our earliest songs; but it is within that space of vlunerability that we found, as Richie said, “the right process, the right openness to one another.”

I completely agree and its with warm memory and gratefulness to share it now.

“Hiding Place”

Thanks for checking in

Stephen A. Thomas

The Asherby’s taught me this phrase. And it particiularly applies to this week as we had a series of Fires in SOuthern California. Most notably in Griffith Park where the observataory and the Hollywood sign live. The following is part of an e-mail I wrote to the Asherby’s
in response to the fires.

Yeah, as I crested the top of the Santa Clarita Valley coming home Tuesday
night. I saw an eerie orange glow and gray cloud. That was a good 25 milesaway. At first I thought it was Burbank on fire because as I got closer the 5 bent around and the fire was to my left. Then I saw the radio tower and thought “OH NO THAT’S GRIFFITH PARK!” I’ve actually been to a house in Griffith Park (songs for autistic kids), very close to the Greek Theater. I’d be nervous too if that were my house. They had shut down the Los Feliz exit from the 5 and I thought at first traffic would be insane but it went smooth. My heart sank as I got closer and saw patches of orange all over the back side of Griffith Park. Smoke was getting thick so I could only imagine what the Los Feliz & Hollywood sides looked like. By the time I got to Echo Park smoke was everwhere, I could smell it on sunset. I tried to get a view from Elysian Park but all I saw was smoke andhelicopters. I slept with my windows shut for the first time in 4 months.

The Lady I rent a room from excitedly told me her daughter is
moving to Israel. She has family there which makes sense.Turns out, during Passover, she met a
guy at a Kosher El Pollo Loco restaurant, fell in love, and now is moving to be closer. He’s from Morroco. That’s my ‘never a dull moment’ story of the week.

Love at the Kosher Crazy Chicken. Why am I surprised at this ?

Thanks for checking in

Stephen A. Thomas
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It’s been a fortunate month job wise.

Saturday’s I take care of a kid with autism who is signed up to play little league. Tough call because he’s 12 and the other 12 year old teams are very athletic and unforgiving according to his mom. Fotunately she found a team of 10 year olds with an incredible coach who would work on integrating him into the team.

He plays for “The Rockies”.

The first couple of practices went scary wrong. The kid hates being touched and when he got tagged, completely melted down; screaming, gnashing of teeth, meltdown. Including throwing his helmet and running away. My job is to make sure he’s safe and that the other kids safe. Clear bats away and stuff like that. Then find him and redirect again and again.

It was a beautiful day Saturday morning; cloudless blue sky, Southern California sun beaming down on the baseball field; there I am, and a bunch of 10 year olds.

So far they’ve refrained from asking what I’m doing out there with the kid. But they’re figuring it out.

They let me have a glove for protection in case I’m talking to my kid and end up standing under a fly ball.

Last Saturday they let me warm up with them and gave me pointers on how to throw better! At times I felt more like Billy Madison than an adult on job duty. Then it becomes a chance to practice letting go of my self conciousness. I find myself actually having fun and forget what it is I’m doing there in the first place!

My kid did very well last Saturday. Getting a base hit. Making a run. AND actually had a chance to pitch! He struck a player out before the coach brought in relief.

The rockies ended up winning 15-5. Guess who got to take home the game ball?

Thanks for checking in

Stephen A. Thomas

Someone told me recently to give away any music I was holding on to.

This is the first installment of that.

I’m starting off with other Sapphire Facets. These were improvisations all recorded in late 2005. I felt there were too many problems with them especially in context with flow of the CD tracks I posted earlier.

Sapphire Facet #1 was almost included but then I realized the lead synthesizer “reverb” track was not recorded. So it really jumps out front. But it’s short! You’re in and out of there in less than 4 minutes!

Sapphire Facet #2 was an experiment with a synthseizer I no longer have. I was experimenting with converting the drone to a pulse.
Sapphire Facet #4 was originally called “house…” and It was an experiment in incorporating ‘granular synthesis” into a drone piece. it starts out okay but I had problems with the lead synth later in the piece. A little thing called a “pitch e.g.” was kicking my butt!
Sapphire Facet #5 was an experiment I tried with the minimoog. Trying to breathe the phrases into a microphone while I played them on the minimoog. I had this idea of using something as subtle as breath to see how much “life” I could extract from the phrases. What you’ll hear though is me hitting the microphone stand with my head. And minimoog keys clicking.

There’s more. I’ve decided music is only as good as it gets to be shared with others. My dad found some old four track tapes that date back 25 years. Expect a deluge!
Thanks for checking in

Stephen A. Thomas