Zytron
Handmade in Big Sur
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Zytron -
the Inner Galactic Music Family
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About Handmade in Big Sur
The band was ready to record, but needed an angel. Zitro went to Los Angeles, to look for an "L.A. lawyer with yellow shoes." What he came up with was Terry Steinhart, an L.A. lawyer with a license plate "MAYBE 7."
We moved to LA, spent a month rehearsing at the lawyer's house, and recorded the tracks in a few days at a small eight-track studio (at the time, a one-inch eight-track recorder was considered a good-sized device.) The music went down smoothly, and the album was ready to release, but the lawyer didn't come through, and we all moved back to Big Sur (except the second keyboardist, Michael Cohen, who chose to remain in LA. Dennis Parker moved to Mexico and became the Grammy-winning producer of El Haragan
About the Music
Big Tut
Big Tut is the 'street name' of one of Big Sur's fabled characters from the seventies. Large body, large heart, large personality, Tut was one of the honchos of the Big Sur scene and hosted many gatherings of the clan at his built-up collective near Bixby Creek. The song has words, though no one sings here. The rhythm is 14/4, divided 3/4/4/3.
Soft Morning
Soft Morning is just that, a slow, gentle, balladic exploration. Originally, there was a second part which was a hard-rock kicking 4/4/4/5 time frame, but the slow rhythm is 17/4, divided 6/6/5.
Transplacement of the Underbearing
Transplacement of the Underbearing wins the award as most rythmically complex song of the album.
About the Music - cont'd
Haiku
Haiku was originally recorded on a 4-track Tascam 3340 recorder in the band's house in Palo Colorado Canyon, Big Sur. There was a large, walk-in fireplace that provided a perfect reverb environment, and the recording came out really great. This version, recorded in the LA studio, does not convey the unique interest and complexity of the original, but it is nevertheless a very nice recording. Zitro overdubs and plays both parts.
Water's Edge
Water's Edge is designed as a follow-up to the previous piece,,, utilizing Wurlitzer electric piano, Echoplex and Hammond sustaining parts for a rich experience.
Reminiscence
Reminiscence is in 15/4, with a rubato intro. This has been recorded numerous times, and can be found in several versions on this site.
Flower Lady
Flower Lady, originally known as Zytron and the Flower Lady was written by James Zitro for Hannah, his lady of the era.
People's Republic
People's Republic utilizes a tortise shell for the primary rhythmic accompaniment.
Homage Á Zitro
Homage Á Zitro was written by the group's other keyboardist, Michael Cohen. A brilliant pianist he has performed with Zitro in the Charles Lloyd band.
Personnel
- Bert Wilson: Saxophones, Flute
- Robin Hough: Guitar
- Michael Cohen: Acoustic Piano
- David 'Dasher' Kempton: Keyboards
- Dennis Parker: Electric Bass
- James Zitro: Drums, Percussion
