Song Notes
Out of the Gray
A new solo CD of instrumental compositions
By Kelly Mulhollan (2020)
1 - Taylor’s Suite – Written when I was 17. Besides the quartet of instruments listed above, I play mandolin, tenor ukulele, Syrian darbuka, and cymbal. Donna Mulhollan plays violin.
2 - Estey’s Carousel – Written on my ESTEY pump organ. Different groupings of instruments take turns jumping on the carrousel for a few rounds. Mandolin, ukulele, and banjo join the quartet.
3 - Homage to Claudio Monteverdi - My favorite composer, Monteverdi (1567- 1643) was a major force in pushing the Renaissance into the Baroque. I use a melody and chords from the 3rd act of his opera, Orfeo, stated three times in different voices. Beyond the quartet are mandolin, percussion (Syrian darbuka, snare, and cymbal). Donna plays violin.
4 - Miniature #1 – – I scattered short pieces amidst the more dense composition’s in an attempt to cleanse the palate. This is a tiny waltz for tenor ukulele, upright bass, and bell.
5 - Homage to Charles Ives – Far ahead of his time and working in isolation, Ives (1874-1954) invented modern tonality. My hero. I use sounds and melodies inspired by his Housatonic at Stockbridge, the third movement of Three Places in New England. Guitar, upright bass, pump organ, banjo, mandolin, toy piano, auto harp, melodica, bells, and a recording I made 40 years ago of rain dripping on pots and pans.
6 - Miniature #2 -- Upright bass, banjo, ukulele.
7 - Gray Day (for Gray Hale) - Guitar, bowed and plucked bass, percussion (cajon).
8 - Homage to Erik Satie–Ever-quirky cubist of composers (1866-1925). A modernist, also ahead of his time. Guitar, bowed and plucked bass.
9 - Forest Dance - Guitar, mandolin, pump organ, tenor, alto, and soprano recorders, percussion (tambourine, bell set, Syrian darbuka, and cymbal).
10 - Miniature #3 - Guitar, upright bass, tenor recorder, banjo, mandolin.
11 - Homage to Jean Philippe Rameau - Often overshadowed by his contemporary, J.S. Bach, Rameau (1683-1764) was a French master of the Baroque period and possessed a superb flair for melody. I use quotes from Rameau's trio, Pieces de Clavecin en Concerts, but in essence, this is a Charles Ives inspired deconstruction of Rameau’s melodic language. My trio consists of guitar, pump organ, and tenor recorder.
12 - Miniature #4 – Prelude to The Fate of Sisyphus. Guitar, upright bass, bells.
13 - The Fate of Sisyphus – Given its name by our dear friend, Jack Williams. I borrowed a unique chord maneuver from the opening of the 4th movement of Charles Ives 2nd Symphony (midway and at the very end). Guitar, bowed and plucked bass, pump organ, autoharp, and bass drum.
14 - Going Home - Guitar, mandolin, banjo, tenor ukulele, tenor recorders.
15 - Miniature #5 –Collage of a collection of decrepit coin operated mechanical musical contraptions I recorded in 1980 at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Charles Ives would have loved these instruments!
16 - Busker’s Waltz – Folksy street waltz for guitar, pump organ, upright bass, balalaika, tenor and soprano recorders and charango. Donna on violin, Stephen Coger on trumpet.
Out of the Gray was recorded at our home during the pandemic winter of 2020-2021. Graphic design and cover art by Greg Moore. Produced by Kelly Mulhollan and Gray Hale. Engineered and mastered by Kelly Mulhollan. All music by Kelly Mulhollan, Copywrite 2021.