Tales from the Canyon is an all-original bluegrass CD performed by Rick Jamison $ Copper Canyon. The CD features 12 songs and instrumentals written by Rick Jamison and/or Phil Cornish.
The
CD is performed by Copper Canyon founding band members
Rick Jamison (guitar/vocals) Phil Cornish, (mandolin/vocals),
Pat Ickes (banjo/vocals), Megan Lynch (fiddle/vocals)
and Jerry Logan (bass).
"Bluegrass is intimately linked to tradition, but there's a movement afoot to infuse the medium with new material that reflects modern life while staying within the time honored framework of powerful instrumental work and tight vocals," said Tim Stafford of Blue Highway. "Rick Jamison and Copper Canyon definitely stakes a spot in that movement with this project, a fine all-original set that reflects the group's strengths and its heart to make music that hasn't been heard before."
Tales from the Canyon includes 9 vocal tracks and 3 instrumentals.
Tales from the Canyon: Liner Notes
1. Somethin'
He Done
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
A fellow musician recently told of a friend of his who is serving hard
time in prison. With unsubtle curiosity, I found myself asking, "What's
he in for?" The musician thought for a moment, took a deep breath
and responded, "For somethin' he done." A few simple words that
summed up an unfortunate story, bypassing a whole lot of specifics to
arrive at a profound bottom line. So it is with this song-more questions
than answers, but no mistaking the essentials.
2. Two
Hearts Broken
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This is a song for anyone who has ever been in a relationship that they
truly cherish, but who have spoken words they wish they'd never said in
a moment they wish had never happened. Ouch! Where's the reset button?
3. Snowfall
on Cedar
Music by Rick Jamison & Phil Cornish, BMI
A snowy winter's day. A young puppy named Cedar playing in the snow for
the first time. A warm fire inside with a window to watch a simple but
wonderful experience take place in the backyard. Such was the inspiration
for this three-part instrumental.
4. The
Changing Scene
Words
and Music by Phil Cornish, BMI
Six years ago, I attempted something for the first time... living with
a woman. Partly out ofnecessity, partly out of practicality, but mostly
out of love, Ivona and I decided to give it a shot. My decorations came
down off the walls of our Berkeley apartment, and though it was hard to
get used to, it was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me.
- PC
5. Round
the World
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
This song is dedicated to my wife, Tina, who first whispered the words,
"I love you 'round the world and back again" to her daughter,
Heather, over twenty years ago. She has since shared that tender phrase
with me more than a few times over the years, and this is my way of expressing
what it has come to mean to me.
6. Cornstalk
Hornpipe
Music by Phil Cornish (BMI)
I grew up listening to my dad practice fiddle tunes on his left-handed
fiddle. When I finally picked up the mandolin, after years of futile resistance,
it was easy to learn the songs because they were all swimming around in
my head. This song fits right in with all of them as it brings back happy
thoughts of the music I've always known. - PC
7. Somewhere
Bound
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
"I want to gaze upon the mountains one more time before I go…"
The truth is, there are a great many things that each of us holds dear.
This song is a tribute to every one of those things, large and small,
that holds meaning and contributes to making life so precious. For me,
it's also a reminder to be sure to smell the flowers along the way.
8. Time
Travels
Words and Music by Phil Cornish (BMI)
Science Fiction is not really a Bluegrass kind of topic, so this song
is intentionally mysterious. Without the title or an explanation, the
song would seem to be about a Guardian Angel. In fact it covers the subject
of Dean Koontz's novel, Lightening, in which a man from the past travels
through time to the future, falls in love with a woman unbeknownst to
her and then shows up at the major turning points in her life to make
sure she points in the right direction.
9. Pepper
Boy
Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Pepper was a neighborhood dog that adopted us several years ago. When
we first moved into our current home, Pepper introduced himself as the
local good will ambassador. A frequent visitor from that day forward,
he decided to move in with us permanently one stormy night when he hunkered
down on our back porch and refused to go home. We grew to love the little
guy with the heart of gold, and we always will. This song is for our boy
Pepper.
10. Left
Me All Alone
Words and Music by Phil Cornish (BMI)
There are many approaches to life. Some people choose to set goals and
work towards them, while others float with the breeze and just go with
the flow. This song is about someone who was pretty sure of where they
were heading until it all fell apart. I guess it's like the lawyers say,
don't ask the question unless you know what the answer will be.
11. Love
Letters and Pain
Words and Music by Phil Cornish and Eric Guest (BMI)
A classic case of "what you don't know, won't hurt you." Maybe
the guy in this tale shouldn't have been reading his wife's secret letters.
Then again, maybe she shouldn't have been sneaking around behind his back.
Either way, this relationship's over!
12. Wild
Winds
Words and Music by Rick Jamison (BMI)
Fond memories. Fun experiences. Ever-richer memories. This is a song that
conjures up the best of times from long ago, that celebrates passion for
the favorite pursuits of today and that acknowledges that, many years
down the road, those are the experiences that will someday become treasures
of the mind that will always endure.