ALBUM OF THE MONTH! "DOOR IN THE WATER"

A New Wave concept album

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: DOOR IN THE WATER

This is the recording that opened doors for my career, so to speak; my first full-length album—then described as “a New Wave concept album.” Topically, it was inspired by a San Francisco fellowship of friends, expressed in metaphors of doors and water.

The LP was loosely formatted after “concept albums” like PET SOUNDS (Beach Boys), LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY (Genesis), and the PRESERVATION ACT series by The Kinks. It was started in San Francisco and finished in the hilly, hipster city of Knoxville TN at a studio that The Jacksons used for a rehearsal space (they let me use their Yamaha DX7 keyboards). The album was released in 1985 by a record label that did near-to-nothing to promote it, nor did they provide tour support. However, who knew this record would reach people across the oceans and “open doors” I couldn’t foresee? For that I am grateful.

The opening song “Welcome to the Open Door” bursts out with the recurring metaphorical themes of water and doors. It’s a song about being “in the present” and not tripping on the past or being anxious about the future. I look at my bad choices and experiences, then realize that I learned some things—that which harmed me is no longer with me and never served me; That which was a good lesson is still with me and still serves me. Musically, I refashioned the major 7th keyboard riffs from “Wild Honey” by The Beach Boys, with an influence from the pop sides of Genesis and Yes + a quote from John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels.”

“Please Don’t Wait Too Long” still gets a great reception. On a cosmic jukebox, this affecting pop song would play next to The Beach Boys and Todd Rundgren. The lyrics are about a conversation between a man and a woman that seems romantic, but they’re actually on to bigger, more everlasting matters. Back in the 80s I pitched the song to (now Sir) Cliff Richard, who wrote me a touching letter asking me to send him more of my tunes. My friend Davy Jones (Monkees) was also a fan of this song, and I’m told it was covered by a British pub band. Here’s a video from a TV show:

The song radio DJ’s airplay the most was “One Planet One Utopia One Helmet.” It’s my depiction of the streets of San Francisco, where a day doesn’t go by without a protest march or some other hub-bub. It’s as close to a political bumper sticker as I get. The lyrics were prompted by San Francisco mayoral elections in which punk rocker/poet Jello Biafra (of The Dead Kennedys) came in 5th in the vote count-off.

Other lyrics allude to St. Paul’s visit to the Areopogus as well as assasinations of world leaders and famous pop stars--not that I’m encouraging anyone to assasinate anyone (instead, do an entomylogical study of the word “assassin”—the source of that word is fascinating). On a cosmic jukebox this song would play next to ZIGGY-era David Bowie, The Who SELL OUT, and (especially) The Kinks katalogue cirka PRESERVATION ACT II and SOAP OPERA (deep-Davies fans will catch the neologisms). Here’s a recently made music video for the song:

Other highlights include the funky epistle “Ya Gotta Care,” co-written with my mentor and friend Jeff Lloyd, and the Mike Oldfield-influenced instrumental “The Compleat Angler” (inspired by the Isaak Walton book). Watch here:

DOOR IN THE WATER was remastered in 2010 by Scott Francis. We added bonus material to the download version: Live takes of my band October w/Ron Davis, Chris Haggerty, Bridget Purifoy, Anna Valdez, and Victor Valverde

+ a cover of “Spirit” (Waterboys) + a quirky sequel track featuring Jonny Vee (Social Spit).

I recently found vinyl copies and am signing them as people buy them. Please enjoy music that has withstood the tides of time:

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