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The Plaid Album came together over 1986-1990. I was writing and recording alot during that time on a four track cassette recorder, and throwing the daily work into a closet until one day I decided to dub it all on to a 2 track quarter inch deck, and then spent a month or two cutting up the tape and reassembling it until it was finished. WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE When hearts collide They make no sound You get disoriented just standing on the ground Expect a crazy feeling Deep down inside There's just no way to ignore it When hearts collide THIS SEAT'S TAKEN Whenever I climb down in the pit of despair I'm so surprised my good friends are already there This seat's taken Just like a dog that lies on the side of the street Waiting for cars to chase yeah but they'll never meet This seat's taken Show me a man who's lost all his humility I'll show you someone who looks exactly like me This seat's taken LET ME BE YOUR RHINO Deep in the jungle I search for food Travel miles of tundra When I'm in the mood The birds ride on my back And they tell me where to go But I'm heading straight ahead To your house 'cause I know You want me to charge through your front door I need to knock everything over for you Honk my horn and give me a bath please I'm just trying to eke out a living in this hostile place Don't you ever wonder why I sit down? It's because I'm armor plated Let me be your rhino I'm in love with you How the hell do I know Where the world is going to? I'M RIDING ON AIR I'm riding on air My children were just signed up for day care They'll love it there I'm much too busy these days Now they're out of my hair Here is summertime my friend I'll bake a cake to commemorate me No more distraction I'm finally free I'll take a course to improve my self-worth Why did I bother to even give birth? Was married to Sam But now I can really see who I am I'll take it all The world revolves around me Any idiot can see Wash my underwear on key I'll keep on taking as long as I can Living and breathing in fantasy land I will gain power and riches and fame Every psychiatrist will know my name LIKE A MAGNET Woke up this morning I was thinkin' 'bout you Like a magnet attracting me to All of the emotions that were buried so long Like a magnet so small and so strong How am I to resist Being with you just shouldn't be missed Don't try pulling away Wouldn't you rather stay? Gotta be careful 'cause I've seen this before So connected while living in war I try to run but it's all I can do Like a magnet I'm attracted to you How am I to resist Being with you just shouldn't be missed Don't try pulling away Wouldn't you rather stay? It doesn't matter what the outcome may be Just the feeling is freedom to me So go where you will go to do what you do Like a magnet I'm attracted to you WASHED AWAY It feels like it's been centuries That we've sat on the land There's far too much erosion Making mountains into sand I got a rock solid foundation Ever since that old big bang It's sad to see it crumble I'm sure gonna miss this gang It's hard It's all been washed away It's hard It's all been washed away I'D BE A FOOL TO TRY Once in a lifetime you see her The one with the innocent smile You think you've made a big hit But you're out by a mile She can't be wooed by your flowers Gets nauseous when you start to sing Why is she full of these powers? I'm cautious as anything I'm walking down the lonesome road How can I help but cry - Oh! Lickety split I'm back in the shit I'd be a fool to try I went to school for the summer to learn Patagonian law Had a big crush on the teacher And now it's all raw We spent our days at the ocean Then mystical nights at the sea I felt like Amos and Andy Whenever she smiled at me I'm walking down the lonesome road How can I help but cry - Oh! Lickety split I'm back in the shit I'd be a fool to try And now my days they are numbered I seem to have run out of words I gave the one with the innocent smile to the birds She joined a convent on thursday By friday night she balled the Pope Saturday she was found hanging From Bony Maroni's rope I'm walking down the lonesome road How can I help but cry - Oh! Lickety split I'm back in the shit I'd be a fool to try RUNNING FAR Did you ever break a promise? Well I did I said I loved her so but had to let her go and here I am Did you ever do somebody wrong? Well I did I told her I'd be true just like I'm tellin' you but I was gone I don't know what it is that moves me What made me leave her all alone I think if only she was in my arms We could find a way back home But I'm still runnin' As always What I sow I gotta reap And I ain't had no sleep in awhile Running far running far Running far running far LOOK AT THE RAIN Look at the rain Fallin' from the sky Look at the way That He's payin' attention Look at today The spirit is high Look at the rain It's beautiful I can't conceive that yesterday Was full of pain and so undeniably grey Look at the rain Lettin' me know I'm okay Hearing you laugh Makes me understand Seein' you smile I wanna shake your hand Go for a walk Breathin' in and out Bein' alive was never like this From where I stand the world is fine It's gettin' sweeter all the time Look at the rain Lettin' us know we're okay Look at the rain look at the rain look at the rain look at the rain BABY DON'T MAKE YOUR MIND UP SO FAST Baby don't make your mind up so fast or you might be sad Rushing into a new good thing ain't good if it drives you mad Take your time Listen to your heart Baby don't let our sweet love fall apart Are you moving toward the light that will not last? Baby don't make your mind up so fast Baby don't turn your back on me now please listen what I say Watchin' you run around like this just makes me want to hide away We can make it Make it if we try Baby don't pack it up and say goodbye I have known you - don't bring me down upon my knees Baby don't turn your back on me please I can't remember if you told me it was over Or where we were when the carousel came down I've been prayin' that that it's all just been a dream And you're still lovin' me You're still lovin' me Baby don't wrap your life up so tight gotta have a good time Do what you gotta do just know I want you to be all mine Because I love you So listen to your heart Baby don't let our sweet love fall apart We'll keep moving Toward the light that'll always last Baby don't make your mind up so fast James Q. Smith is added on Electric Guitar THE ONE I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE We used to sit in the park and drink wine Now I see you at the meetings all the time Isn't it a funny thing A direction that I thought I'd never go Is leading me to the one I always wanted to be? We used to swallow whatever went by Now we're carefull with what we take inside Isn't it a funny thing A direction that I thought I'd never go Is leading me to the one I always wanted to know? Instead of falling down you're fallin' in love Instead of jumping around We'll be standing tall We never thought we'd make it this long It doesn't matter in the spiritual world Isn't it a funny thing A direction that I thought I'd never go Is leading me to the one I always wanted to be? Lyrics and Music by Neil Rosengarden © 1990 published by Neil Rosengarden Music - BMI Printed by permission All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- March 3, 1990 I enjoyed your tape. Very good stuff, some in particular, and the tape should convince anyone that you are much more than competent in all of those bags. A nice collection. Sincerely, Dick Hyman ------------------------------------------------------------- 5/25/90 NARADA PRODUCTIONS, INC. Dear Friend: Thank you for sending Narada your demo material for review. Unfortunately, we are not able to use your music at this time. Although there is merit to your music, it is not what Narada is looking for at this time. As a growing record label, we are interested in long term devel- opment of musical talent. We will retain your demo on file for future reference. Again, thank you for your interest in Narada. Best regards, Richard Morton A&R Coordinator ------------------------------------------------------------- BMG Music Publishing July 2, 1990 Dear Neil, RE: THE PLAID ALBUM I'M INTRIGUED! THIS IS ALOT OF FUN, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO GET YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL. DID I NOTICE THAT YOU'RE PLAYING AROUND TOWN? IF SO, PLEASE INVITE ME TO A SHOW. OTHERWISE, KEEP ME INFORMED AS THINGS PROGRESS, I'M GOING TO HOLD ON TO THE LP, ALL THE BEST, NANCI M. WALKER DIRECTOR, TALENT ACQUISITION ------------------------------------------------------------- October 1990 HOME & STUDIO RECORDING - Reader's Tapes Reviews by Sis X. Where: At home What: 4-track recorder The Plaid Album is one of the most infectious and whimsical collections of music I've heard in a long time. Perhaps its appeal lies within the recording's structure - it is a cyclic stew of sly observations about modern life. There are many pop, jazz, and classical influences in this collection, not to mention the simple yet insightful lyrics. The pieces are tied together by their titles, rhythms, and keyboard riffs in a way that is reminiscent of the Beatles' White Album (a Latin-flavored version of Paperback Writer is even included on the B side) or some forms of twentieth century classical music. This is definitely not a commercial product out to make big bucks. Let me give you a lyrical example from "I'm Riding On Air." "I'm riding on air./ My children were just signed up for daycare. / They'll love it there." This song is sung from the point of view of a woman who is trapped in the slavery of her husband's laundry and the children she had with him. An ironic sense of humor is the lyrical rule he follows. Neil did everything himself on this album, from recording to producing to playing and singing. What is the most surprising is how good he is: a true musical "Renaissance man." But there are some weak spots in this Garden of Eden. The synth patches are repetitive and sometimes sound like an organist at the roller rink or Dodger Stadium. Also, the volume of the drum machine and vocals are inconsistent. Interesting lyrics do not benefit from a lack of volume. It seemed that the drums were dominant in the spots where the vocals should have been. Other than this, The Plaid Album is very smooth for a four-track recording. It just goes to show you that it's not the equipment. It's what you do with it. I believe this demo tape is now available at a few record stores in L.A. under the same title. By all means pick one up! ------------------------------------------------------------- LA X PRESS May 31, 1990 PIRATE A&R L.A. ROCK SCENE REPORT by JHA 385 Neil Rosengarden whose "The Plaid Album" on Banana Uggie Records (cassette only), found by direct mail, 1537 N. Laurel Ave. #106 LA, CA 90046, for $7.00 He has made record albums for Atlantic Records and RCA Records in the past. He has recorded with Aretha Franklin, Doug Sahm, John Prine, Brook Benton, Donny Hathaway, Bernard Purdy, Herbie Mann, etc. Has performed with Hall & Oates, Randy Newman, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, and Cab Calloway, and again etc. Maybe the reason for his prolific career as a sideman and session player is that he is an excellent musician and is versed on a number of musical instruments, including trumpet, bass, vibes, drums, guitar, and keyboards. Rosengarden, whose dad Bobby Rosengarden was a big band leader, who backed many of the great singer of his day, including Frank Sinatra, worked as Music Supervisor on ABC-TVs' General Hospital in 1986 and 1987, wrote a number of commercial jingles and songs for movie scores, for Broadway, and off-Broadway plays. He made his "The Plaid Album" entirely at home on 4-track cassette recorder over a 3 1/2 year period. It is a hilarious, 49-number, 72 minute trek through every aspect, mood and emotion modern music has to offer. Neil's musical comments are clear, forthright, and witty. Neil says, "I produced and released the record for the pure joy of doing so. If someone else enjoys it, that would be icing on the cake". ------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the artist's website: http://home.comcast.net/~nrosengarden/ Track List: 1. When Hearts Collide 2. Waltz 3. This Seat's Taken 4. 007 In The Mountains 5. Shuffle Funk 6. Let Me Be Your Rhino 7. I'm Riding On Air 8. I'm Young Again 9. Fish 10. Inga 11. Bubbles 12. Big Fanfare Ending 13. The Funky Watchmaker 14. Off The Spanish Coast 15. Modern Factory 16. Elegy 17. Lost In The Woods 18. Carnival Run 19. African Slide 20. Cuban Kindergarten 21. Instrumental 22. Samba II 23. La, La, La 24. Like A Magnet 25. Circus Of The Klutzes 26. 13/8 27. Washed Away 28. Cacophony 29. Martian Mancini 30. Understand What I'm Saying 31. Waiting For You 32. Song For Steve 33. Gothic Potatoes 34. I'd Be A Fool To Try 35. Latin Thing 36. Waitress From Versailles 37. Running Far 38. Salsoid Vamp 39. City Night 40. Spectorian Space Ballad 41. Monster Party 42. Medieval Fowl 43. Bouncing Pygmies 44. Madness 45. Look At The Rain 46. Baby Don't Make Your Mind Up So Fast 47. Paperback Writer (Lennon-McCartney) 48. Etude 49. The One I Always Wanted To Be Other Genres:
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