Best Of Samples


	Sample tracks from BEST OF You are listening to Stars & Water © 2006 Brian Frederick All Rights Reserved Please click on the song title to play the sample track. Cruising Lane This is the third version of the original song, and, in a radical departure, has the addition of a flute track. The title is a reference to driving on a fast expressway. The major key, breezy melody, and initially relaxed rhythm that becomes more energetic are reminiscent of passing cars and a fast, smooth ride. Wendy Herbener Mehne performs on the Brannen-Cooper flute. 2002 CRUISING LANE Roland XP-80 synthesizer Brannen-Cooper flute § Rhode Reverence - RHODE REVERENCE first appeared on the Cruising Lane CD. Its title came from the Rhodes 88 electric piano sound featured in the keyboard part and the reverent sound of the pipe organ heard at the end of the original song. On Lakeshore Nights, an electric lead guitar part was added in place of the cathedral pipe organ to create the "Heavenly" version. Replacing the organ part with an electric guitar rendered the "Reverence" theme moot, but the song title stuck. 2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, “Heavenly” guitar and drums Ode To Paul was written as a ballad to celebrate a life and is dedicated to a friend who died too young. ODE TO PAUL first appeared on the Lakeshore Nights CD. This second version adds two new parts¾flute and lead guitar. The flute is featured in the outer sections of the song, playing a Celtic-like tune in 3/4 meter. The middle section of the song features a blues/jazz guitar solo that creates an interesting contrast between two seemingly unrelated styles. x2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Ovation, rhythm and melody guitar Fender bass Brannen-Cooper flute § 4 O'clock opens with a short, repeated melodic figure imitative of a mechanical clock. After four repetitions of this figure, the guitar plays the chiming of the 4 o'clock bell to signal the end of the working day. The conversational style of this song contrasts a chorus played either in unison or octaves with the solo guitar verses. The opening melodic figure appears throughout the song, serving as the melody in the chorus sections and an accompaniment for the guitar solos. The melody guitar part is played on an Ovation guitar, "de-tuned" to D for a fuller sound. 2002 SHORT STORIES D-tuned Ovation guitar, clock and back-up guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, jazz drums Let's Go ! is a high-energy song that borrows the guitar sounds of the Allman Brothers Band. Written in a four-part rock format¾two guitars, bass and drums¾the lead guitar was played on a Fender Telecaster with lots of sustain and compression. The chorus of this song features two-part harmony between the lead and rhythm guitar parts. 2002 SHORT STORIES Fender Telecaster, lead and rhythm guitars Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, rock drum set Downwind Leg was inspired by the great feeling of sailing into homeport after a long time away. The major key, 4/4 meter, and rhythmic energy all contribute to the musical representation of this feeling. The song begins with a brief introduction followed by a chorus, verse, chorus, structure and ends with the music from the introduction. DOWNWIND LEG is one of several nautical references that appear in the artist’s song titles, a reflection of his love of sailing. 2002 SHORT STORIES Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Ovation, rhythm guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, orchestra and percussion East & West was written in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. This song combines the voices of East and West in a musical attempt to bridge differences between two extremes. The opening and closing improvisational sections represent the East. The West is represented by a rhythmic, Bach-like melody, subdivided in three, which is played on the guitar, flute and organ. The original version of East & West first appeared on the SHORT STORIES CD. This second version has the addition of a flute track. 2002 SHORT STORIES Ovation guitar, melody and harmony Roland XP-80 synthesizer, all winds except flute Brannen-Cooper flute § Hot Potatoe is a song that is just plain fun to play. This tune was written in a four-piece rock format using the Telecaster, drums, bass guitar and rhythm guitar. The melody from the opening chorus appears throughout the song serving as an accompaniment to several of the verses. One can hear the influence of both Larry Coryell and Jerry Garcia in the lead guitar lines. 2002 SHORT STORIES Fender Telecaster, lead and rhythm guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, drums Azalea a surf tune, named for a beautiful flower, may take you back to a Southern rock and roll tune of the 1960's. This song opens with a slow unaccompanied version of the chorus. The chorus itself is in a minor key and often played in unison. This alternates with solo verses, usually in a major key and played by the lead guitar. AZALEA features Fender jazz bass solo style inspired by Stanley Clark, who hit the fusion scene in the early 70’s. 2002 SHORT STORIES Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Fender jazz bass Ovation guitar Roland XP-80 synthesizer, drums Surfin' Turf another surf tune, this song feels like surfing on turf. With the drum shuffle and the 60's rock organ, SURFIN' TURF delivers a whimsical combination of surf/country/tex/blues/rock/carib styles¾it's a virtual musical potpourri! Turn the volume up on this tune to hear the steel drum and rattles. A striking B-flat9 chord separates the choruses from the verses. 2002 SHORT STORIES Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Ovation guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, brush drum set Sidewinder has a lot of coiling action, like the movement of a sidewinder--see if you can follow its progression. The minor key, use of a low “B” drone, the melody line played in unison with the bass, and the creative use of variation all contribute to the more exotic sound of this song. The great Larry Coryell influenced the lead guitar work. 2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Ovation, rhythm guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, pop drum set and “Sticky Rhodes” keyboard Lakeshore Nights was inspired by the sounds of cars cruising Chicago's Lake Shore Drive and the cool, fresh breeze at the edge of Lake Michigan after a hot, summer day. The guitar sound shows the influence of Wes Montgomery, who popularized the use of octave notes when playing the lead line. This signature style, along with the minor key, combination of instrumental tone colors, and bass solo help create the sultry atmosphere of this song. 2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Ovation, rhythm guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, drums Canal Ride was inspired by a visit to Amsterdam, where the first thing one should do is take a canal ride to get oriented to the city, and then go to Leidseplein to get disoriented. Canal boats negotiate the canal crossing from left and right. In CANAL RIDE the Fender Telecaster and Ovation imitate this type of criss-crossing by trading off the lead guitar lines. This song opens with two chords a note apart. This musical motive appears throughout CANAL RIDE as either the melody or accompaniment. 2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster Ovation Fender bass Drum sequencer Stars And Water represents the image of being out on the ocean far from landfall. At night, there are only stars and water. It is very peaceful and awe-inspiring. When sailing away from the coast, one acquires a keen appreciation for nature, its power and grace. The use of rhythm, simple chords, evocative tone color, and lyrical melody all contribute to the musical atmosphere of STARS AND WATER. 2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster, lead and rhythm guitar Fender bass Roland XP-80 synthesizer, orchestra Full Ahead is a nautical term for full thrust forward. Although this song is simple, the title also refers to the driving sound of the drums moving the tune "full ahead." This song, written for lead guitar, bass guitar, and drums, is another example of the artist's favorite rock format, this time in three parts. The song moves between major and minor and shows the influence of both Larry Coryell and Pat Metheny in the guitar work. 2004 LAKESHORE NIGHTS Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Fender bass Drum sequencer Oh! is a trumpet instrumental tune inspired by the sounds of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. This song came together very quickly and uses a drum sequencer. The drumbeat in combination with the trumpets was a surprise sound to the artist, thus the title, OH! This song features a detailed, active drum and bass line under long trumpet lines, as well as minimalist style, and the influence of Carlos Santana. 2005 HILL CLIMB Fender Telecaster Fender bass Drum sequencer, hip-hop drums Roland XP-80 synthesizer, trumpet Pom-Pom Girl was written about a hopeless longing for the high school pom-pom girl. Flying through the air, she was strong, fearless, and beautiful. She is a manslayer. The surf theme emerges in this song. The minor chorus erupts with brash chords backed by keyboard harmony and is contrasted with verses in a major key. POM-POM GIRL could have lyrics, but easily tells its story without words. 2005 HILL CLIMB Fender Telecaster, lead and rhythm guitar Roland XP-80 synthesizer, horns, bass and drums Sad And True Appropriately titled, it is sad and it is true. The slow tempo, low-key rhythm, unexpected use of a major key, and wistful melody pull at the emotions. The slide guitar adds a mournful bluegrass sound to this sad song. SAD AND TRUE is written in a four-part rock format. 2005 HILL CLIMB Fender Telecaster, lead guitar Fender bass Fender Telecaster, slide guitar played lap style Roland XP-80 synthesizer, Rhodes electric piano and drums Surf Street / Highwire is the newest song on the Best of CD. It is imitative of the circus band music that often accompanies the high-wire act. With each verse, an even more thrilling stunt is added. A simulation of the circus calliope is contrasted with the sultry, 60's "surf" sound of the lead guitar. The song opens with a tension-producing chord progression under a minor melody that is contrasted with a surf-influenced major section. An almost Spanish-sounding trombone melody appears in the opening with a bass solo featured later in the song. 2005 HILL CLIMB Gibson Les Paul, lead guitar Fender Telecaster, rhythm guitar Roland XP-80 synthesizer, trombone, steel strings, calliope Drum sequencer, percussion Egg shaker, hand percussion Order songs from CD BABY Order songs from iTunes - Apple Store