The Music of Le Masque by Christopher B McCarty

McCarty began this cross-country musical road trip to see some old friends and, hopefully, make some inspired music. His love of musical diversity and good times, and of recording with cats that just happen to be some of the finest musicians in America was reason enough to hit the road.

The journey began in Santa Fe, New Mexico. McCarty traveled east on I-40 into the panhandle of Texas, then down highway 287 just out of Amarillo. He merged onto I-35 at Ft. Worth and soon blew into Austin, Texas. He unpacked a bag and a couple of guitars in room 50 at the Hotel San Jose, and it wasn't long before he had some of Austin's finest musicians and singers over and making music. Over the next few weeks they recorded 'live' and with a whole lot of that 'Austin vibe' on recording gear snuck into the hotel room. The sultry late-night recordings, featuring McCarty and his loose affiliation of saints and sinners were nothing short of magical.

The next leg of the journey took McCarty back up to Dallas on I-35 and then north via I-30. Making really good time, he flew by Little Rock and headed east on I-40, stopping for a night of barbeque and some blues in Memphis. The next morning it was up to Nashville, where another series of remarkable recordings began at Mark Thompson's Forest Hills studio. Some very cool Nashville A-list session players dropped by and played "clean as country water."

McCarty was soon back behind the wheel again and headed way out west. I-40 would take him all the way to I-10 and onto the Pacific Coast Highway. Chris Jullian's hillside studio in Malibu, California was the place where some extremely mindful music was made. A stellar cast of West Coast musicians dropped by to play and sing and it was then back to New Mexico on I-40 and up I-20 and into Santa Fe.

McCarty finished his musical ramblings with some of Santa Fe's finest musicians at Jon Gagan's hacienda-styled studio. It was definitely a trip full of musical diversity, some really good times and some very fine recordings. His guest musicians are: Kenny Lee Lewis, Gary Mallaber, Michael Rhodes, Chad Cromwell, Jamie Haddad, Mark Thompson, JonathanYudkin, Paul Peterson, Jon Gagan, Pat Malone, Carolyn Wonderland, Malcolm 'Papa Mali' Welbourne, Gurf Morlix, Guy Forsyth, Eldridge Goins, Steve McCarty, Bradley Kopp, Chris Jullian, Jim Hoke, Maxine Waters & Family, Clea Rose, Busy McCarroll, Sharon Shaheen, Matthew Andrae, Michael & David Manzanares, Baird Banner, Camilo Quinones, Peter Giardina.

...some things people have written about Christopher B McCarty...

“You would think the man that helped Steve Miller write some of the best songs around, would be satisfied with his accomplishments. You would be thinking incorrectly. McCarty’s latest creation is nothing less than remarkable.” Michael Allison – (The Global Muse)

“Some friends dropped by Chris McCarty’s room at Austin’s boutique hotel one night and passed around guitars and wine...it was magic, so over the next few days recording equipment was sneaked past the cordial Hotel San Jose Staff and Room 50 was transformed into a recording studio...over three sessions, the likes of Carolyn Wonderland, Malcolm Welbourne (Papa Mali), Guy Forsyth, Gurf Morlix and Scrappy Jud Newcomb let the ambiance soak their songs and those of McCarty’s who could afford to stay at the San Jose for a month because he’s written hits for Steve Miller, including “Swingtown”...among the standouts are McCarty’s “Horse and Rider” from the belly of the groove...” Michael Corcoran (Music Editor – The Austin American Statesman)

“CB McCarty needs no introduction. Well, his songs don’t. Once you’ve been a half a minute into “Swingtown”, which Chris co-wrote with Steve Miller, you’ll realize who this man is...there is also his “Chinese Colors” which eases you into a magic feeling...” Ben Ohmart (Asst. Editor, Music Dish)

“This world is ripe with myth and mystery and this album is one of those enigmas...Christopher B McCarty is the award-winning, multi-platinum gold and platinum songwriter for the Steve Miller Band and others...this hit maker has been a recluse ever since he started in the music business...the singer has a sweet, yet gritty voice that melts butter on “Red Cherry Wine”...McCarty moves from one track to the next his voice casting shadows on the lyrics; causing translucence and depth...”Vincent Van Gogh With A Gun,” creates a sublime journey into a postulation of absinthe induced self-mutilation...” John Shelton Ivany (Top 21)

"The Music Of Le Masque" is an exceptional work, one of those rare albums that have been inside my CD player for a very long time and that I'd like to airing from the first to the last note! We are very lucky that this artist decided to record again because there is really something special in the way he writes and sings his songs. And in fact I immediately started playing "The Music Of Le Masque" in my radio show of American roots based music here at Radio Voce Spazio, as you can see from the playlist. "Chinese Colors" (that is one of my favorite track of the album) was the first song to be played but more music of Christopher will surely follow on air in the next weeks of course. "

Massimo Ferro

Radio Voce Spazio

P.O. Box 12

15040 San Michele (AL)

Italy

www.highway61.it

highway61@interfree.it

(14 Oct 2006)

Trivia:

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, by the Beatles, is widely regarded as the first concept album. Instead of an album being a collection of songs, the Beatles wrote the songs as if they were a different band, with different members and style. www.everything2.com

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