The Vault

The Music Vault
The Music Vault contains .mp3 files of the various recording projects that have been discussed in the Offbeats Newsletter and on various pages on our web site. Well, enough talk already, now you can hear and download them, and we're not even going to charge! Keep in mind, we are in the business of writing songs for all types of artists so you're going to hear everything from a 1940's style ballad to a 1980's pop song. One thing we would appreciate . . . . if you listen or download, drop us an email at zacharyj67@nethere.com and tell us what you think. Then you can throw tomatoes! Each track will be accompanied by a brief paragraph detailing the particulars of that track.

Mr. Dieingly Sad

TRACE was a band I founded in Phoenix and fronted from 1972 to 1982. The first time we reunited in the studio after officially disbanding was during the spring of 2000. Since then there have been additional reunion sessions in 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008. They will all be explored here, but let's start with a song written by Don Ciccone for The Critters (his band), released on Kapp Records during 1966. As far as we know, it has never been succesfully covered by another pop band. That's a shame because it charted well the first time and it's a WONDERFUL song! This is the TRACE treatment, with just a hint of jazz. TRACE is Sandy Lamont - guitars, synths and vocals; Rick Grammatico - drums, percussion and John Hesterman - bass, piano, organ, synths and vocals.

Forever

"Forever" is a song written by my British publishing partner and songwriter, Ron Ryan, who wrote many hits for The Dave Clark Five during the '60's. It was recorded in my demo studio at home in a baroque style and is my favorite of several different solo versions I've done of this song during the last two years. If you listen closely, you will hear the ghost of "Because"! There is also a TRACE version of this song, which has a much grittier R & B arrangement.

'Tis The Season

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth (1967), my publishing and writing partner Steve Whitehurst (5 Grapes Music/The Grapes of Wrath) wrote a Christmas song called "Merry Christmas Baby." Nice tune, uninspired lyrics. In 1999, he told me about it, sent me a copy of the basic music tracks without vocals and asked me to write a new set of lyrics, which I did. I also added some additional music and a few colorful chords in the holiday tradition and "Tis The Season" was born. We did a "boy band" version and submited it to Justin Timberlake in 2000. He didn't have an interest and the song sat in the can until this year when we agreed we needed a demo with a more conservative approach. We thought about the GREAT male voices of Christmas . . . Nat 'King' Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sintatra, Tony Bennett . . . . and created a demo in that style. You hear Fred Binczewski of The Legends who played piano for Frank Sinatra on this cut and it's me on bass and vocals. I think it came out pretty nice for a demo. Hope you like it :-)

Criminal Intent

Here is a fun song! A very close friend of mine who lives in up state New York wrote this one and Andy Tirpak (The Offbeats, Laguna, Stars On The Water) and I knocked it off in my home studio in about 20 minutes! It's based on "Riot In Cell Block #9" and carries a strong message anyone who has ever had their heart broken can relate to. We laughed all the way through the session :-)

Anyone But You

Here's another one of Ron Ryan's songs. It's a straight forward love song with a strong hook and pleasing lyrics. It was recorded at the 2007 TRACE sessions. I borrowed the brief piano interlude style from George Martin, who borrowed it from Barclay Allen, a great British pianist :-)

Stay tuned, there are more tracks to come :-)

To throw tomatoes, click here.

Forever, Anyone But You and Criminal Intent are administered by RHM Music. 'Tis The Season is administered by 5 Grapes Music.

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