Music
From
the
Campfires
1998
Rainbow
Gathering
CD
Information.
Recorded
at
the
1998
National
Rainbow
Gathering
of
the
Tribes,
in
Arizona.
Notes from the Hawker's Nest:
After years of wishing I could capture all of
the wonderful music I was hearing at the Rainbow gatherings to bring home, I finally got
myself together enough to start recording at the Arizona National gathering.
Here is my first attempt. Even though I was learning a new art, struggling
with new equipment, batteries and basically learning a new craft, this
CD does manage to capture some wonderful performances. It isn't technically
perfect, but it captures my heart. I am proud to offer it to you,
my family as a gift of my love for Rainbow and the Music. To the
many artists who let me record them, thank you! I'm sorry if I got the
names of your songs wrong.
Teckie-notes:
This recording was made with a Shure
VP-88 Mid-Side microphone and suspension mount, recorded directly into
a Tascam DAP-1 portable DAT Deck at 48Khz. About 10 hours of DAT tapes
were made and culled though to create these 72 minutes. The recordings
were transferred into my computer via SPDIF and a Gina card.
Sample rate was then converted to 44.1KHz from 48KHz. Levels
were normalized, and some compression & limiting, when needed,
was used in the process using Sound Forge 4.0e. No EQ or other processing
was used. Compression to MP3 was done with the Telos/Fraunhofer codec in
the standard encoding mode. This was my first year getting used to
this equipment so these recordings were a learning experience to me.
While they are not perfect technically I feel they do give some idea of
the magic that can happen at the Rainbow campfires.
Hawker
February 3, March 23 & August 11,
1999
Song Information:
Here is a brief explanation of the songs
included on the CD.
To download any of these simply right
click over the song name and select "Save Link As".
To Play these songs you will need an MP3 player.
If anyone can tell me more about the
artists, songs, or correct me on a miss-titled song I would appreciate
it. You may contact me by e-mail at thehawker@earthlink.net.
Since I was very busy in ‘98, these songs are basically the sum total of
three recording sessions.
1 – Flute
by the River
This recording was made about 30 minuets
before we broke silence on the Fourth. I was walking to Main Circle from
Bliss and came across a brother sitting by the stream playing a PVC flute.
The entire camp was silent waiting for high noon, so the flute could be
heard reverberating throughout the camp, with the sound of the stream in
the background. Unfortunately, my DAT deck's batteries failed suddenly
which is why the piece fades off so quickly. The flute player's name is
unknown at this time.
2 – Standing
in the Need of Prayer
Recordings # 2-4 were made at the small fire
pit above and between Tea Time and Musical Veggie. There were about a half
dozen musicians and about the same number of listeners there at the time.
After a few songs, the musicians forgot about the microphone and magic
happened. This recording is one of my favorites on the CD. Unfortunately,
I do not know any of the musicians' names from this "session".
3 – No
Expectations
This one almost didn't make the cut. I'm glad
it did. It's an old Stones tune, I think. The more I listen to it, the
more I like it. I also do not know the musician's name here.
4 – Southern
Cross
This of course is the Crosby, Stills &
Nash Classic. Everyone joined in, and a good time was had by all. Musicians
quiz --- what are they waiting for before they can start the song together?
5 – (out
take #1)
Fun fillers I found whilst editing the masters.
I'll leave it up to you to form your own opinions.
6 – So
the Story Goes
Songs #6 - #10 were recorded at an AGR party
up at Bliss. I think we were all planing on a quick party and then going
elsewhere, then music happened. You can hear the propane lantern hissing
in the background during most of these songs creating the warm mood we
all felt that night. And of course, that's Scotty flapping his trap during
most of these songs. I don't think it's him singing, however.
7 – Operator
This song is the classic, Operator. This and
the next song are sung by Arjay Sutton, a frequent contributor to the Rainbow
news-group. I've enjoyed Arjay’s music since I first met him, I think at
the Missouri gathering. He has a way of belting it out and bringing us
all into his music like few others I know. Get him going and he keeps playing
and playing. I'm honored to have his music on this CD. If you see
him however point out that Arjay needs cue cards... perhaps we need a bumper
sticker.
8 – The
River's Song
This is one of Arjay’s songs. He said it was
written after the ‘93 gathering in Alabama. The song tells a great story
and I can see what the river has to say as he sings the song.
9 – Right
Now is My Home
These next two were sung by a wonderful musician
I know only as Alan. They are quite magical. He played this tune first
to capture us all and then laid the next one on us...........
10 – Amsterdam
This one captivated us all. By the time we
realized what was coming, it was too late. We had been captivated by its
spell. This was quite an amazing piece. Alan told me he felt good and wanted
to get his best song into my recording. I'm so pleased to share it with
ya’. By the way if any of you see Alan would you please teach him how to
pronounce gouda ("goo-dah").
11 – (out
take #2)
More out-takes for your pleasure. I'm sure
you can relate to this one.
12 – Goin’
Down the Mountain
This song should need no introduction. The
rest of these songs were recorded over two days at Lovin’ Ovens. I think
with all the hype surrounding the Rainbow movie recorded at Aloha that
year many of the musicians were looking for a new, lower key outlet. Lovin’
Ovens was that outlet this year. The Ovens are a great place to hang
out at night. There were three main fire pits where we sang, drank coffee
and ate fresh baked sticky buns, pizza, cookies and anything else that
came out of those barrels the folks at the Ovens baked in.
13 – Jump
for Joy
Tommy and his crew just kept the music
pouring all night, while the ovens kept our bellies full as well.
Sailor's has his own first hand account of how Lovin' Ovens ended up with
the best music, "....funny how that happened, we weren't getting
anything from supply because Gypsy thought we did our own supply.
Well we were down to 20# of flour, no food for the crew and about $20 in
our hat. So we put up a sign down by info that said Ovens declaring
bankruptcy -- to close tomorrow. Tommy saw it and thought it was
hilarious, said he'd come with a few friends and the shake the can for
us. They were really hot, had the joint rocking, took in over $200
the first night."
14 – White
Buffalo
After a few songs two sisters came out of nowhere
and took us all by storm. They sang for about an hour, spellbinding us,
and giving us these next two songs. I know not their names. I think one
was named Maria, then again, maybe I'm wrong. I understand that they were
both from Hawaii. Their music was wonderful however.
15 – Wash
Away the Great Pain
One more song from these two incredibly talented
sisters.
16 – Coming
in from the Cold
The music at Lovin’ Ovens was especially enjoyable.
The range of instruments, musicians and music folks brought to the place
was amazing. You can clearly hear the double bass one brother dragged up
that hill to 9000’ to entertain us all. What a night!
17 – I
Don't Want to Wait In Vain
Nothing better than listening to good musicians
play together. While this song was playing a "tourist" asked me the name
of the band. She didn't believe it was just friends jamming together. I
used to like taking the media to The Ovens during the day. It would blow
them away to get out in the woods and find this. As one journalist made
it to the top of The Ovens, her eyes widened in amazement as she exclaimed
"They're baking up here".
18 – Don't
Murder Me
Why stop a good thing. The music just kept
playing the band that night. We all just sat there clapping, dancing,
singing along and going along for the ride.
19 – (out
take #3)
Well that's all folks, hope you enjoyed this
as much as I did. It's your turn.
Last updated August 12, 1999
