This was written with the same chord progression from We Three Kings. I honestly do believe that we should be investing more resources into the Near-Earth Object Program, and encourage amateur monitoring by everyone. Mandatory.
Jonathan Hughes: Moog Bass David Mussen: Keyboards Robots: Vocals
This was the first song that I wrote for Robot Holiday [the original version was recorded in 2005], and may be my favorite. I think the acid test for a good song is if it can be played as a Bossa nova. I had been carrying around the image of sculptures made by the wind since I was sixteen years old, so I was glad to find it a home.
Jonathan Hughes: Bass, Organ, Guitar Alex Lynne: Vocals Joe Rozler: Electric Piano
The older I get, the more I’m able to look back at the hard lessons with gratitude instead of sorrow. “Old joy taught me to laugh, and it taught me to weep.” The lyrics are a combination of two of my poems (written 15 years ago), a short journal entry from the water color artist Charles Burchfield (I recalled something he wrote about curling up under two pine trees), and a little bit of wisdom. “All this snow piled out the door/ you did what you knew/ now you know right.” Jim Whitford once again helped me to carry this song off the page — his vocals and guitar playing add such a richness to the lyrics. “Warm winter in my heart….old joy of mine.”
This song is about Wilson Bentley one of the first snow flake photographers. There is something quite beautiful about his calling, and his dedication to his craft.
Sally Fehskens: Background Vocals Jonathan Hughes: Bass, Keyboards, Guitar Alex Lynne: Vocals Rob Lynch: Drums, Percussion David Mussen: Guitar Naryan Padmanabha: Tambourine
This was the second song I wrote for Robot Holiday [the original version was recorded in 2005]. The lyrics were originally written for an entirely different song. When Jonathan asked (berated) me to try to come up with something for 2005 I went back to this song, but couldn’t find the music, so I took the lyrics and re-wrote the song.
Dee Adams: Background Vocals Jonathan Hughes: Bass Ray Hangen: Drums Joelle Labert: Vocals Katy Miner: Background Vocals David Mussen: Acoustic Guitar Joe Rozler: Piano Jim Whitford: Electric Guitar
by Jim Whitford Cathy Carfagna: Background Vocals Lisa Forrest: CB Talk Jonathan Hughes: Bass Bob Kozak: Background Vocals Rob Lynch: Drums Dave Meinzer: Background Vocals Jim Whitford: Guitars, Vocals
I would really like to be able to write a great RnB tune someday. I don’t think I’m there yet but the band, and especially Dee make up for what the song might lack. The protagonist wants the person to come on over and play board games.
Dee Adams: Vocals Cathy Carfagna: Keyboards Jonathan Hughes: Bass Rob Lynch: Drums David Mussen: Electric Guitar Naryan Padmanabha: Tambourine Joe Tosto: Lead Guitar
based on a traditional song, arranged by Shady Grove
Shady Grove sisters, Nikki Carroll, Sally Fehskens, and Lisa Forrest, brought a cover of the folk song “Bright Morning Stars are Rising” to Jonathan Hughes for his pre-approval into the 2012 mix. Jonathan thought it needed a little more “robot holiday” in order to make the cut, so the girls had to winterize the lyrics a bit (it IS a folk song after all). Once the vocals and basic guitar were recorded, Jonathan worked his Robot Holiday wizardry. Although the band had officially split in 2010, Shady Grove reunited to perform the song live for the 2012 show at Larkin Square (despite Forrest being rather pregnant AGAIN.)
Nikki Carroll: Vocals, Handclappin’ Sally Fehskens: Vocals, Handclappin’ Lisa Forrest: Vocals Jonathan Hughes: Instruments
What else but to craft an artful solution out of a difficult situation? A definite Bacharach influence on the ending horn line and odd meter, as Burt is my hero.
Jonathan Hughes: Bass Rob Lynch: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
