Whats Up

"I am playing OHO's song, "Eros Is a Verb" from a recent Oasis Acoustic compilation. In fact I'm moving it to heavy rotation. I have played tracks from UP in years past and post our Troubadour 1700 AM play list on Folk DJ. If you would like to send me the full CD, here is the address." -Jeffrey Gill

Radio Transamerica FM 103.5 features Osmane Ribiero's weekly progressive music radio program in Brazil. Mr. Ribiero has also requested a play copy of Bricolage be sent to the station for airplay consideration.

Expose editor, Pete Thelem, after a long pause, has resumed communications as regards a feature story he has planned on OHO for a future issue of this quarterly. Mr. Thelem also plans a review of Martini Henry's End of the Beginning CD for the next issue and remarked upon stumbling across the Food for Worms anthology, The Ultimate Diet, another essential piece in assembling the historical musical puzzle that is ultimately OHO.

During a phone conversation with Jay last weekend, Progression editor, John Collinge, hinted at the interest of the progressive Kinesis label carrying and/or distributing Bricolage.

OHO logo plectrums (guitar picks) are in and are soon to be offered for sale at our Shop ($1.00 each or 6 plectrums for $5.00). These 0.8 mm gauge picks, sporting Jon Considine's OHO logo and our web address in black ink on a semi-translucent buff-colored standard shaped guitar pick, are made from ultem, a revolutionary "space age" material. Ultem plectrums closely resemble tortoise shell in sound, feel and color, making them durable and a decent value. Ultem produces a clear crisp tone with limited flex and will not fracture.

Vocalist and bassist, Frank Murphy, has become an honorary member of the OHO team. Notwithstanding Frank's considerable performing abilities, his facile transposition of OHO songs to and from female to male-appropriate musical keys & then back again (when required), coupled with his enthusiasm to play our material (i.e. he shows up), has secured his position in the current line-up.

Dave and Jay are expanding OHO's performance repertoire by including arrangements of OHO songs (e.g. "Lost & Found," "Eros Is A Verb," & "S/he") that formerly precluded Jay from singing them in keys appropriate to his voice. Performing them on a Steinberger Trans-Trem guitar has partially solved this problem by extending the guitar's range 2 semitones downward (from the standard "E" to "D"). This remarkable guitar also features a built in capo that can travel up the neck as far as the 7th fret, even further extending its range. This is just far enough so that Jay can play these songs with his accustomed fingerings and without straining his voice unnecessarily to reach certain notes. And..it stays in tune! Now to practice, practice, practice.

"Imagine the world as if its being and inner character were derived from a supreme mind. The weight of the world is dissolved and the spirit freed...not from anything, but for something fresh and new, a spontaneous act.

"We are to enter the play-sphere of the festival, acquiescing in a game of belief, where fun, joy, and rapture rule in ascending series. We are to carry the POV and spirit of the player (homo ludens) back into life: as in the play of children, where, undaunted by the banal actualities of life's meager possibilities, the spontaneous impulse of the spirit to identify itself with something other than itself, for the sheer delight of play, transubstantiates the world." -Joseph Campbell (The Mythic Dimension)

"Enigmatic band OHO is back with this ambitious housecleaning of previously unreleased material from 1989-2005. The CD comprises 20 reworked/embellished tracks in the three-to-five-minute range--all very melodic and featuring seven different female singers who never met (!), yet can be heard harmonizing and accompanying one another via the miracle of recording technology.

"The songs are alternately charming and exuberant, emphasizing acoustic textures bolstered by keyboards, electric guitars and percussion, sax, flute, violin, harmonica, mandolin etc. The most striking aspect of Bricolage is the sheer abundance of hook-laden melody, more than can be found on most albums regardless of genre. It's almost unfair to pick highlights (there are so many), but I defy anyone to get "Angels" out of their head after one listen.

"The 12-track DVD shares only three songs with the CD and is a treat, including live and video tracks from 1988-'92 heavily featuring singers Grace Hearn and Mary O'Connor. There's an MTV clip, and the closing rendition of "The Secret" performed for school kids is precious as can be." --John Collinge

The team would like to once again say "Thanks" to everyone who attended our CD/DVD release party in March. It was such a success on so many levels and we remain moved by your encouragement both by your showing up and through your investing in our creative endeavors.

For those who were unable to attend be it due to distance or prior commitments, we are posting this reminder that our new 2 disc (CD/DVD) set, Bricolage, is available both from this site (www.ohomusic.com) and from www.cdbaby.com securely and at a reasonable price.

Besides the 20 track CD and a DVD that features 12 videos, it is a beautiful set to behold sporting, as it does, the colorful illustrations of Connell Byrne and a chalk pastel by a former OHO vocalist (these images graced a hand-made condolence card she sent to Jay upon the untimely passing of his brother and former OHO drummer, Jeffrey, back in the fall of 1987).

Today's downloading technology, while extremely convenient and instantaneously gratifying, cannot compete with holding a package such as Bricolage in one's hand. (FYI: Bricolage remains available in downloadable form from www.cdbaby.com) In many ways this set encapsulates an entire era: the 2 lifetimes of the remaining core members specifically as well as branching out tangentially in myriad directions in a "net of gems" reflecting and including the lives, not only of the 30+ contributors but also YOU, our audience.

"CAS (Complex Adaptive Systems) are systems that have emergent properties, that is, self-organizing features arising in response to competitive pressures. They form gestalts in which the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts." -J. Cambray (2002)

Again, this album took 18 years (on and off) to realize and was no cakewalk. We hesitate to estimate the total (wo)man-hours of work that went into this project but believe us when we say, "it was made with love."

So...please consider purchasing our new CD. Those who buy it from our site will receive a "Connell" autographed 11" x 17" print of the cover art and an "UP" poster (while they last).

The New Wave Singers of Baltimore, B-more's premier GLBTS chorus for over 20 years, held their spring "On The Road Again" Concert & Silent auction at Govans Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Jay was the sound man that evening and, in addition to singing tenor parts with the chorus during the 1st set, he and son Matt Graboski performed their "Arclight" instrumental during the "cabaret" portion of the show. Later in the evening Lisa "Close But No Cigar" Griffee joined Matt and Jay in a performance of the OHO staple, "Out of Thin Air" before an assembly of 200 audients. It was a blast and the event showcased not only the chorus, but the considerable individual talents of many chorus members.

David, Frank Murphy and Jay have been rehearsing a set of Beatles covers & OHO material (sorry...the ladies are either otherwise occupied or have not responded to our invitations) and will be performing it as part of the entertainment celebrating the nuptials of our friend, Jeff Pivec and fiance, Debra Wade Heyman scheduled to take place on June 14th at an informal "shorts-and-flip-flops" ceremony during the afternoon. (Jeff introduced the guys to Grace Hearn way back in the spring of 1985 and as such may be considered the "midwife" of the OHO epoch that began that year, recently arriving at its conclusion with the release of Bricolage 23 years later.)

Matt and Jay will DJ, spinning everything from classical wedding tracks to soft jazz to trance and dance music. Son Matt will also perform his looper version of "Canon In D." Debbie's brother, John Wade, is also scheduled to perform in his sister's and brother's-in-law honor. There may even be some other musical surprises (perhaps Jay singing his karaoke version of Englebert Humperdinck's "After the Lovin"). Please join us in wishing the couple good fortune and every happiness.

One of the more pleasant challenges of an early retirement is arriving at new ways to amuse oneself. In many ways it is acting like a kid again (i.e. spontaneously), only now filtered through the matrix of who one has become through experience and the knowledge gained from this acceptance of one's personal history. In Guitar Craft this is called "the assumption of innocence in the field of experience."

Baldus weekly jams continue and have sparked a decision by Matt Graboski to book recording time early this month at The Bratt Studio to begin recording his 2nd solo album. The core team will be Matt, Steve Sroka, Bill Pratt and Jay. David Reeve is "at the ready" having also offered his services as both a percussionist and engineer.

Tentatively titled Graboskification, Matt has often expressed an interest in recording a version of 70s OHO epic, "The Plague." Abortive attempts at reconstructing the arrangement have occurred sporadically over the past 5 or so years. It wasn't until May 28th (2008) that Jay arrived at a solution that could fulfill his son's desire in a way that satisfies all three of his arbitrarily established "fun, easy & cool" criteria.

Having located the original 16-track, 2" master tape, Jay called DDAI in Pittsburgh where these tapes are to be "baked" (much of the magnetic recording tape from the 70s was defective and prematurely disintegrated--the oxides becoming loose and therefore significantly diminishing the tape's fidelity). The "baking" process (in a "convection" oven, no less) temporarily restores the tape's integrity. The tape is then Dolby A decoded and played on a 2" multi-track recorder. The individual tracks are then dumped into a computer and digitally transferred to a CD as WAV files. These CD's containing the individual and now isolated original 16 tracks, will be sent to Jay who will have an engineer load them into Bill's and/or David's DAWs (digital audio work stations) for embellishment (ala Bricolage).

The intention is to keep as many of the original tracks, recorded as they were at Sheffield Studios in Timonium, MD in 1975. Matt & Jay will likely replace the acoustic guitar and vocal sections. Matt will likely sing the lead and Jay is contemplating harmony and all sorts of addenda and adjustments in order to, we hope, arrive at an updated mix of one of 70s OHO's most powerful and memorable songs.

While on the topic of 70s OHO, please visit www.planetmellotron.com, click "Reviews" hyperlink, click on the letter "O," then click again on number "1" (OHO-Orange Wedge). Go to the last paragraph and click on the word "here" (highlighted in yellow). Peruse mellotron-based reviews of two unreleased OHO albums (both available only as FREE MP3 downloads from the OHO vault), Crucifixion Lust and Dream of the Ridiculous Band.

"Harpists (may we substitute 'guitarists'?) spend half their life tuning and the other half playing out of tune." --Anonymous

Erratum to last month's entry concerning the recent passing of Mike Smith: the dimpled Dennis Payton played sax for the DC5, not Lenny Davidson (guitar).

A bit tardy with this month's update, we apologize as April and the 1st weekend in May were taken up largely with mostly fun excursions to beaches (OC & Myrtle, SC) but with music always looming in the subtext as Jay carried his Martin "backpacker" with him from state to state as did David with his portable electronic percussion arsenal.

Devon Howard's CD compilation, Voices United for Charity, was released in April and features OHO's "S/he" (no, it's not a song about a "tranny"). Also of note: included in the release are 2 songs by Bill Pratt's group, B'LUE, among a program that boasts 12 very strong (mostly R&B) tunes (Bill is OHO's co-producer & engineer for Bricolage). 100% of the proceeds from CD sales go to the child centered and family focused Second Home Inc. These funds along with government grants fund an Outreach Center for teenagers and young adults who are homeless. Purchase the compilation and find out more by emailing Devon at Devonhoward1000@yahoo.com. More info at http://myspace.com/secondhomeforkids.

Also released this April & exclusively to over 600 independent radio stations was Volume VIII, #6 of the Oasis Radio Sampler that includes OHO's "Eros Is a Verb." Additionally the sampler goes to "a fantastic secret list of industry insiders who may contact you if they like your track." This is one big bonus feature, specific to Oasis Disc Manufacturing, that separates this company from the pack and stands as one of the many strong reasons OHO chose Oasis to manufacture the Bricolage CD/DVD set.

OHO (Jay, Lisa Griffee, Frank Murphy & David Reeve) played the Boultin Street block party in Highlandtown during the afternoon of May 3rd w/the team moving the operation to Fallston, MD that evening to participate in the 2nd BSA CD showcase, this time hosted by the Unitarian Universalist complex there. 16 mini-sets by performers each playing 2 songs, one of which was to be their song featured on the BSA compilation CD, Songs From a Charmed City. OHO performed "Blue Fix" and "Close But No Cigar." David not only played with OHO but sat in on Joe Spatarella"s set. It was a very special and entertaining evening at a beautifully intimate venue with snacks and the camaraderie of a fairly large assemblage of BSA singer-songwriters and their friends/family.

Besides the BSA Open Mic and a random solo acoustic appearance at Leadbetter's last month, Jay has joined local jam band, Baldus, Jay, Matt Graboski and Steve Sroka (Matt & Steve have recently had very close haircuts; Jay is merely bald, haircut or no). In an abandoned office/warehouse complex located in Howard County MD, the trio have met (3x so far) for their weekly Sunday AM jams beginning at 8:00 AM. So far the trio rotate among a new Maple Works (tartan Scotch plaid) drum kit, a G&L bass guitar (an instrument that Jay has come to love) and Matt's rack of 6 and 8 string acoustic and electric guitars filtered through a pedal board of effects into an Orange "stack" and a SWR California Blond acoustic amp. Recording devices are usually running, & there's no restrictions on the volume (Jay doing his best to approximate that '72-'74 slightly distorted bass tone that John Wetton acquired in his days with KC through an Ampeg SVT). Carpal tunnel, soaked tees and bloodied fingers aside, Jay hasn't experienced this kind of musical abandon since his "jam" days with 70s OHO at Dick Grey's rehearsal space on Harford Rd. in Hamilton (please visit the OHO Vault to hear Crucifixion Lust that features "Nazi Dog Jam," a highlight of these 70s improvisational sessions).

Concerts attended include Elbow at the Historic Synagogue at 6th and "I" streets in DC and the "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" Electric Prunes reunion at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, both alternately inspiring and nostalgic.

"There is no smaller package in the world than someone who is all wrapped up in himself."

"Who gains promotions, boons, appointments, but the person in whose life they are seen to play the part of live hypotheses? "One's faith acts on the powers above as a claim, and creates its own verification." -William James

"We live in all we seek. The hidden...lives captive on the face of the obvious. Holiness lies spread and borne over the surface of time and stuff like color." -Annie Dillard

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." -Billy (age 4)

David and Jay send their gratitude to everyone who made the 03/22/08 OHO Bricolage CD/DVD release/listening party a resounding success...especially the audience members (including some of the CD's guest performers, e.g. 90's OHO drummer, Harry Maben, vocalist/bassist Frank Murphy and CTS/Expensive Hobby keyboardist, Glenn Workman).

Our guests relieved us of all our OHO t-shirts and a large quantity of digipaks w/their accompanying bonus autographed posters. And we concur with Keith Jarrett's observation that "the audience doesn't realize how much in control of the situation they are." (Keyboard, 10/06)

Our special thanks to Gallery G owner Nancy Graboski who provided the band with a glorious venue, to Day Watts, long-time Gallery G employee who worked with us in getting the space ready for the event and in hanging with us during the clean-up process at the end of the evening; and to Gallery G intern, Chris, who brewed a selection of robust complimentary java. & thanks to attendees Pam & her Gonzo spouse/pianist, Ray Jozwiak, w/whom Jay & David played with the Late Jeffrey Graboski and Greg Marsh in Ful Treatment during the late 70's.

Of course, we can't forget Connell who (with the help of spouse, Carol) set up his portable art show that included a number of the original paintings that have graced the covers many OHO Music releases over the years & who autographed hundreds of posters.

Thanks to the singers and musicians who volunteered & performed with us during the live segment of the evening: Johnny Cochran (bass), and vocalists Lisa Griffee (vocals on "Close But No Cigar" & "Out of Thin Air," Jay's (& Joan's) son, Matt Graboski ("Arclight" guitar instrumental duet w/Jay), Kelly Grochmal (vocals on "Moon Draw Your Curtain" & "S/he") and to Jeniye Luckhart (vocals for "Shouts in the Street," "Burning Grey" & "Plowing the Sea"). And we could not have put on the performance save for the generosity of The New Wave Singers of Baltimore, Charm(?) City's premier GLBTS chorus for over 20 years, an organization that graciously lent OHO their new Fender Passport PA system.

Oh yeah and let's not forget Rocktronics co-producer, Ty Ford's percussives and Mike O'Beirne's tasty tambourine accents on "Thank You for This Day." We tip our hats, bowing with respect to these generous ladies & gentlemen whose rare enthusiasm moved them to step up to the plate, executing courageous acts w/o which might likely have resulted in a party suspiciously bereft of any performance dimension.

Thanks also to Jay's spouse, Joan, & family including sisters Andrea Marie and Gail Jordan (claiming to be OHO's longest lasting & most enthusiastic fan) for her veggie tray, to Marty Reeve (for Chex Mix & who also expedited the clean-up and who lovingly prepared many gourmet meals as David & Jay toiled in the Blue Ball Road studio in Stewartsown, PA) & Lisa Griffee for a calcium-rich cheese tray.

& special thanks to David's co-workers from CIC Inc., to the extended Reeve family members and to Jay's 2nd cousin David Flitt who brought octogenarian and 1st cousin Elaine (who grew up with Jay's mother, Clara, and to whose memory and to the memory of David's mom, Dawn, our work in this project is dedicated) for attending, participating as audience members, witnessing and lending credence to the festivities.

Thanks to Lisa's partner, Lisa, for taking photos, apparently arranging herself next to partner Lisa, placing them both in harm's way as a PA speaker mysteriously vibrated off the gallery's piano plunging into David's "Radio Shack" electronic drum kit (known as Mr. Reeve is for his ability in commanding an audience's attention).

& thanks to the CD's co-producer, Bill Pratt, co-engineers Steve Carr, David Kelly & especially to Bennett Davis whose post-production & graphic work for the CD/DVD facilitated David's premiering the DVD projected onto one of the gallery walls throughout the course of the evening. Thanks also to Ben's spouse, Chada, who allowed Jay to invade her home (& make himself "at home" there) intermittently for over a year during the DVD authoring/digipak graphicking processes.

& finally thanks to David's son, Cameron Reeve, for lending us his Acoustic combo bass amplifier and for being available to help in any capacity he was asked; & to Jay's niece, Anna Dunkes, who served liquid refreshments to our guests. These wonderful people saw what was necessary & addressed the tasks, dispatching them expeditiously & with aplomb.

"(the star child) waited, marshaling his thoughts and brooding over his still untested powers. For though he was master of the world, he was not quite sure what to do next. But he would think of something." -Arthur C. Clarke

The progressive musical press, Progression and Expose have already contacted us, the former to alert us to a review in the forthcoming Spring/Summer issue; the latter to begin an interview via email that covers the band's entire history. Meanwhile the independent press both paper and electronic are to be sent review copies and the expensive, time-consuming task of servicing independent radio stations worldwide awaits. Oh yes, & we must send "Arclight" to Sue Tice to see if it inspires her to pick up her fiddle and create a part that will propel this baby into the stratosphere of quality, instrumental acoustic music.

More heartening news: DGM has sold out of the UP CD for the 2nd time. All Jay has left is 1 (one) personal copy of the 2003 digipak. Perhaps we're finally learning a bit about marketing?

Mike Smith, front man/vocalist extraordinaire/Vox Continental organ player for The Dave Clark 5 has died. Jay remembers:

"The 1st rock LP I ever owned was Glad All Over by the DC5 & there wasn't even a turntable at that time in our home; I was taping all the British Invasion songs off the radio with my Dad's Voice of Music reel-to-reel tape recorder, placing the microphones up to the speaker of a small transistor radio (FYI: after the yellow vinyl 7" 78 rpm record of 'The Ballad of Davy Crockett,' the 1st 45 rpm rock? record I ever purchased was "16 Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford). Still, I had to possess the DC5 album, trusting that there would soon be a turntable that accommodated 12" records in our future. Ah, the power of a firm & committed resolution.

"Other than my Dad taking me to see Joe & "There's a Meetin' Here Tonight" Eddie at the Purple Onion in LA in the 'Hootenanny' early 60's (a real epiphany as regards finding out what I wanted to do with my spare time), the first arena rock concert I ever attended was at the Civic Center in Baltimore in the summer of 1965 and the featured act was The Dave Clark 5. Yes, that 'Tottenham (as opposed to Liverpool) Sound.' & yes, yes I know they wore those twee doctor shirts (like the one George Harrison so entertainingly makes fun of in A Hard Day's Night). But man, were they gear, tight & how they rocked!

"By then the DC5 had released a successful string of wall-of-sound, power pop hits: "Bits & Pieces," "Can't You See That She's Mine," the driving "Anyway You Want It," & the poignant "Because." They performed on the Ed Sullivan Show a number of times, sported the highest Cuban heels of any band I had ever seen (w/the exception perhaps of The Gauchos on Shindig) and were one of the few British Invasion acts powered by a driving rhythm section (Dave Clark & Rick Huxley) that bolstered their bottom with a tenor saxophone. Lenny Davidson was likely the model for Springsteen's decision to have Clarence Clemons reprise & expand upon that archetypal role in the E Street Band. Then there were the incredible vocals, bluesy keyboard skills & the wry smile of Mike Smith.

"As you may know, the DC5 were finally inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame this year, an honor that's been a long time coming. Mike suffered a strange fall a few years back and was paralyzed from the chest down, a condition that can severely compromise one's living processes. Of course, these sad events remind us (as if we need to be reminded) of the challenge to be present in our own lives and to negotiate the challenges that our individual paths present us with. RIP, Mike, & we'll catch up with you when we can."

Please heed this urging from astrologer, Rob Brezny: "Seek silk and cashmere intervention in the midst of a secret test. Drum up feral breakfast conundrums with wicked, lickable angels. Welcome violins and snakes at the heart of the cool mistake. Scribble treasure maps on naked promises. Search for messages from the future in the warm glow of yesterday's shock."

Catonsville based progressive folk rock outfit OHO in collaboration with Gallery G At the Beveled Edge (The Rotunda, 711 W. 40th St., Balto., MD 21211 410-235-9060 www.thebevelededge.com) will host a release/listening party for the band's new CD/DVD digipak, Bricolage, at the gallery from 7:00-9:30ish PM on Saturday March 22, 2008. Admission is free w/complimentary snacks, light beverages and live acoustic performances of a number of CD tracks. OHO CD/DVD's, Connell Byrne autographed posters sporting his wonderful CD cover art and a limited supply of OHO tee-shirts will be on offer at special rates. Any purchase entitles the buyer to a free copy of Matt Graboski's acclaimed End of the Beginning CD, as recorded by Martini Henry. Come one. Come all!

The following article by David Sattler is reprinted from the March 2008 issue of The View (Vol. 10 No. 6):

If your hobby brought you to the brink of success repeatedly, but never quite made the leap; combined joy with betrayal and bitterness, and it has been one step forward, two steps back financially, what would YOU do?

You'd throw a party! Well you would if you were David Reeve & Jay Graboski, your hobby and repeatedly potential livelihood was music, and you had gathered up the detritus and gems of decades and put them together with some integrity into one CD/DVD combination.

And you'd call it Bricolage, a French word that means "something made using whatever materials are available." You'll think that this is a fine bricolage if your a fan of OHO, a 35-year-old, mostly progressive folk-rock outfit whose only constant(s) have been Jay Graboski, followed by multi-instrumentalist, David Reeve, joining in late 1976. Maybe a 2nd constant has been repeated brushes with fame.

The current version of OHO will host a free CD release & listening party at Gallery G At the Beveled Edge in The Rotunda, 711 W. 40th St. in Baltimore, March 22 from 7 to 9:30 PM.

The event will be the culmination of over 18 years of work, piecing together bits (binary digits) of audio and assorted videos, transferring analog to digital, combining old tracks with new and, in general, proceeding under the definition of bricolage.

For example the band's video of their 09/89 Star Search audition was an appearance by the band "that had live vocals" but a pre-recorded instrumental track to which the band mimed. Graboski found engineer/co-producer, Steve Carr's original stereo DAT tape edit that was actually played at the '89 taping and mixed this high fidelity version in with the original mono VHS soundtrack during Bennett Davis' DVD authoring process. Grace's and Angie's vocals were so "on top" of the mix that this was simply a matter of lining up the new tracks with the existing audio and voila... an overall audio improvement of about 80%.

Simple to describe, hours in the editing suite to accomplish. Older analog recordings don't sound the same as more modern, digital recordings, and making the bits and pieces sound good together--sound, in fact, as if they belonged together--took a lot of time. No matter. "There was an unspoken mandate to do this," Graboski said.

Slightly more than half of the songs on the CD were pieced together, beginning in earnest and with intention in the fall of 2003, using recordings that date as far back as 1989, and songs that date as far back as 1983 (e.g. "Angels"). None show their age sonically, but many are of a time and style--progressive mostly--that hearkens to older groups such as Yes, Renaissance and many of the folks Robert Fripp has played with throughout his career. Both Graboski and his son, Matthew, also an accomplished guitarist, have studied guitar craft with Fripp, also the leader of King Crimson.

Graboski's wry observations add a "Mystery Science Theater 3000" like flavor to the music. He comments on his rock and roll motivations and his run-ins with some of his favorite musicians.

But don't musicians always want to move on to something new? Aren't they always searching for the next sound, the next big thing? Not always. "We did not finish what we began, and people of character complete what they begin," Graboski said. "This process was cathartic, dispatching with aplomb, many of the unresolved conflicts of that OHO era (1988-1992)."

Sometimes things were finished for the band. During an interview before a concert sponsored by Yamaha at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood, keyboardist Glenn Workman commented, "No one in Baltimore knows we're here." A Star Search audition in Philadelphia didn't lead to stardom. The band's 5 nominations for Wammies, sponsored by the Washington Area Music Association, had the misfortune of happening in the same year that country star and Washington, D.C. native, Mary Chapin Carpenter, burst onto the scene and, as Graboski noted, "she swept everything."

But there is one video that might be construed as the opposite of stardom: Graboski on guitar and singer Mary O'Connor dueting on OHO's "The Secret" at the 2nd English Lutheran Day Care in the spring of 1991. The preschoolers provide a rapt audience, and the pair get some hugs afterward. Perhaps not the same thrill as the time they opened for Cheap Trick, returning a lost T.J. Hooker script to Heather Locklear backstage. Neither Cheap Trick nor Heather (darn it) offered any hugs, so there are compensations.

After the CD/DVD listening viewing party, David and Jay have plans. "Now we have to promote the digipak." To that end, before the CD and DVD were manufactured Jay approached select players, some of whom he hadn't seen in months or years, and asked, "Are you in for the tour?" Most said yes even though, as Jay admitted, "There is no tour." Yet.

But Graboski has the time to organize a tour and promote OHO's music though, as he noted, the lure of retirement is powerful. "I've never had so much fun doing the nothing that I do."

That nothing involves a suite he's writing, currently 23+ minutes long and titled "NST Suite #1" as well as another 7 tunes almost ready for the studio; and David has at least 2 originals waiting in the wings for further processing. NST stands for new standard tuning and Graboski has long explored this tuning since it was revealed to him at the first Guitar Craft course he attended in 11/85. He and his son, Matt (recently returned from a stint playing his own music in southern California), have already recorded "Arclight," a Matt-me-&-the-NST instrumental collaboration between the father and son. David is currently working with the rhythmelodic deployment on this one. The future is wide open...

February 2008

"Faith is the power to stand up to the madness and chaos of the physical world while holding the position that nothing external has any authority over what heaven has in mind for you." --Caroline Myss

"Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Capitalize on a refusal you've had to endure; create a masterpiece in rebellion against a repudiation you've experienced, make at thing of beauty to compensate for being shunned or ignored." --Rob Brezny

"The right sound reaches its hand out and finds its way. So much of what I do is just being present and listening for that right sound."

--Rick Rubin

Herren und damen: The team have sent off the Bricolage audio master, Bennett Davis' art files that include the Connell Byrne poster design, & the Jon Considine logo design (for theT-shirts--noticing also that all 3 of Jon's logo designs can be found throughout the package) to Oasis to begin the CD/DVD manufacturing process. We are happy to report the DVD master, after repeated successful viewings and the testing of its functions on a variety of DVD players, is likely to follow shortly with our blessings.. Jay & David have no complaints...only praise to a superlative degree.

Bill Pratt (who has taken the time to audition the CD on an assortment of car stereos and boom boxes) & Mr. Davis have gone way beyond their purview in ensuring our 78+ minute audio and 54+ minute DVD programs are rich, clear and reflect the current state-of-the-art-basement-technology. Sure, some of the video used for the DVD is grainy as 4 of the 12 selections existed only on VHS tape (& believe it, we searched far and queried many in search of better editions). But as a documentation and encapsulation of the OHO period of 1988-1992, this DVD reflects the best of what we found.

Orchids as well to videographer, Ken Birnie, who filmed over 2/3 of the material (& that includes producing 3 of the 4 "scripted" videos featured in our program. Birnie was awarded a "Vollie" for his production of "Danger & Play" in 1990, Jay & Mary, another for their "On Camera Talent" performance as a duo in Ken's 1991 video, OHO School, from which "The Secret" is an excerpt); and to sidekick/partner-in-crime, Greg Whitehair, who generously enhanced all footage digitally prior to handing it over to Bennett Davis for post production and DVD authoring. You'll just have to see it to believe it.

Besides, we can all see the inconsistent quality of what's available on YouTube while we simultaneously witness the slow degeneration of high fidelity. In the MP3 Age sound quality is now worse than ever, akin to listening to a transistor radio in the '60s. The good news must be that "content is king" and the Bricolage package is rife with it.

The CD stretches in time backward to 1983, when "Angels" was written, and forward through January 2008 when Jay wrapped his thumb around the graphite-coated neck of his Steinberger Synapse TranScale (tuned as it is, 2 semitones down to "D") manifesting the solo for "Dream Lifted Up" (conveniently in the key of D minor so Jay could again rely on an a reconfigured amalgam of all his hackneyed guitar tricks, many that fly in the face of every known Guitar Craft principle save the unspoken one urging that one's solo sound awesomely) sending his string vibrations through Bennett Davis' hand-made octave/distortion box. (Bill Phelan's comment on this specific solo: "Randy California rides again, indeed.") This act finally brings the band up to date, having directed lovingly every OHO song heretofore unfinished (over a period just shy of 18 years, and through the painstaking efforts of many contributors from many disciplines) unto sparkling realization and to their sweet fruition/completion.

Hard-copy art proofs have arrived & been approved. Now the team awaits the success of the glass mastering process. We should be on schedule to have the goodies in hand sometime prior to March 22, the date when we plan to hold our OHO CD release/listening party:

OHO in conjunction with Gallery G At the Beveled Edge will host a CD/DVD release & listening party at the gallery from 7:00-9:30 PM on Holy Saturday March 22,2008. Cover artist, Connell Byrne, will display his traveling art show. Admission is free. There will be complimentary snacks & light beverages on offer. CD/DVD packages that include t-shirts & (autographed?) Connell Byrne posters will be available at special rates. All purchases entitle every buyer to a complimentary copy of Matt Graboski's highly touted Martini Henry CD, End of the Beginning. Come one, come all! (Gallery g/The Rotunda/711 West 40th St/Baltimore, MD 21211/410-235-9060

www.thebevelededge.com).

01/30/08: David Sattler, editor of the Catonsville/Arbutus/Relay monthly newsletter, The View, has requested advance copies of the CD/DVD and will interview Jay 02/01/08 for a column in the March '08 edition.

01/09/08: Oft-time OHO bassist/keyboardist, Johnny Cochran, rang us up recently presenting the news that Baltimore Sounds author, Joe Vaccarino, is planning a follow-up book to cover the time period 1980-to-the-present as it pertains to our local music scene. John, also an armchair (& published) local music critic/historian in his own write (sic), will collaborate with Joe in negotiating this onerous task. John is detail oriented and so we predict the next volume to be even more accurate and comprehensive than the 1st.

Jay is honored to provide the space where Joe & John will meet, where this material is to be assembled and in his capacity as host, promises to loom over the guys' shoulders interjecting his $0.02. After all, Catonsville is "Music City, MD." *

*This "distinction" might be qualified in the respect that while one can readily be liberated from the tyranny of one's disposable income in purchasing a musical instrument at one of the many music stores in Catonsville, the opportunities for actually playing a musical instrument before an audience there are scarce. Even the exceptions to this, most notably Morseberger's Tavern or rehearsals/jams taking place in certain Catonsville basements and garages, the latter are under siege from one especially pestiferous member of the local gentry. Prior to having the Graboski family phone number unlisted, Jay's spouse had received a number of hostile anonymous phone calls, and Jay and son Matt, actual visits from a spokesperson for this "disturbed" neighbor. Once SHE actually queried, "Don't you know what time it is?" Upon consultation with his timepiece oriented to Greenwich mean time, Jay noted that it was 7:00 PM. You know, like in the middle of the friggin' night, right? We do, however, "Mrs-Coward-who-presents-a-totally-different-face-at-neighborhood-social-functions," know who you are. We have "Caller ID." You've heard of the Patriot Act, haven't you? Music City, MD? Give us a break!

01/12/08 reception for photographer Howard Korn at Gallery G: music was provided by the OHO Duo, Gonzo pianist Ray Jozwiak and Matt Graboski who "wowd the crowd" with his nimble guitarism, smart originals and choice cover tunes. We were gladdened and surprised by a visit from the spouse and strapping younger son of a former colleague, one who has vowed never to speak to Jay again. And as Jay reiterates, "This decision was his greatest gift to me, and I continue to reap its benefits."

Opening reception for watercolor artist, Ken Karlic, and ceramic artist, Myung Rye Kim for a show that runs through 02/29/08, will feature singer/songwriters Norm Hogeland, Matt & Jay Graboski and Tim Yungwirth. Matt & Tim will perform the 1st set as Steakhouse in the "Wiggle Room" performance space. Norm follows, then Matt, Tim & Jay perform the last set there in a sort of "round-robin." We always have a great time. There are complimentary refreshments on offer, beautiful art to peruse/behold/purchase and a bunch of interesting people to meet and converse with. At Gallery G at The Beveled Edge, Saturday February 2, 2008 between 6:00-8:00 PM.

(BTW "Ground Control," the cafe wing of Gallery G, is now OPEN. The java and liquid chocolate are good and are able to be delivered in a variety of hot, though not scalding, eye-opening configurations. The limited menu gradually expands towards limitlessness w/the passing of each day. In fact, Jay recently sampled one of the cafe's tasty wraps...both thumbs point to the sky.)

01/21/08: BSA Open Mic night at Gallery G. Big turn out of performers for this one (Russ Haire, Ken Gutberlet, Spice, Ty Ford, Karyn Oliver, Ellice Brahms, & Claudia Sans Soucie among others) as Larry Perl, editor for Baltimore Messenger, interviewed just about everyone including Gallery G owner, Nancy Graboski, for a feature on this and other art-related happenings held there. Will someone let someone know when this story (with pix as there was a messenger staff photographer milling about snapping them) manifests in print? Next BSA Open Mic at Gallery G is scheduled for Monday 02/18/08 w/a 6:30 PM sign up.

Finally, in order to encourage a Valentine's Day meditation on the nature of love, we offer these words from Norah Vincent:

"Each of us comes of age expectant, inculcated in the baroque masochism of Eros, waiting for that decidedly pagan euphoria to overcome and inhabit us like the flu.

"And inevitably it does, transforming us utterly, and leaving us crushed in its wake. How could it be otherwise? Hallucinatory dreamscapes degrade of necessity. Whenever people exchange illusions, however strong and pleasurable, the transaction is, of course, empty.

"True love, even romantic love, is what you do, not what you feel. That is why, when we pledge ourselves to another we say 'I do,' not 'I feel.' Conceived in this way, love is not subject to what Hamlet called outrageous fortune. When embarked upon with the committed resolve of an Olympic athlete rather than the fuddled abjection of a drug addict, love has the best chance of weathering the vicissitudes of life.

"The rub, of course, is that we must come to terms with the colossal disappointment that love is what we sing about, but happiness is what we must settle for. Not such a bad bargain, really, if you give it a chance." (Sunday Sun, December 10, 2000)

Happy Valentine's Day! Now to try and get our wives to give us a bunch of little kisses.

OHO & out.

January 2008

Happy New Year! May your 2008 be even more uncertain than 2007. That being said we offer a quick OHO-related review of the past 12 months.

www.OHOmusic.com registered an additional 3221 hits in '07 (true that several hundred of those are ours, unable to resist succumbing to the temptation to gaze self-lovingly at our own minuscule accomplishments--we hope our readership can forgive this weakness in our character).

The team participated in 31 total sessions (16 at the Bratt Studio, 7 at Blue Ball Rd, & 8 working on the DVD at Chez Bennett) & these do not include the additional work the production team accomplished working on their own.

BTW David has uploaded both the Ken Bernie 1990 video of "Danger & Play" and the band's 09/89 Star Search audition performance of "Scared Money" at www.YouTube.com. Key in "OHO music," scroll down to the appropriate thumbnail, click on it and view.

We are happy to report Bricolage (both the CD and the DVD) are nearly finished, the team having most recently mixed "Dream Lifted Up," the last of the 20 sonic selections for the CD. Bennett Davis' graphics for the digipak and his post production work on the DVD material are stellar. Maybe David can facilitate a peek at the digipak art for you right here:

Jay and/or David performed 30x in '07 everywhere from The Walters Art Gallery, to Gallery G, to Borders Books, to the Gay Pride Festival; at Daedelus Books, at Leadbetter's, at Morseberger's in Catonsville, at Joanne Jordan's wake, at the New Wave Singers' annual Cabaret, for PFLAGS in Columbia, and most recently w/son Matt at Tim Yungwirth's Fells Point New Year's party (12/27), at the12/30 Religious Science Celebration (w/"Close But No Cigar" vocalist, Lisa Griffee) and Christmas day on the back porch of the Graboski residence where Jay's extended family sang holiday favorites, mesmerizing the youngest and most recent additions to our family, Jenna and Ashton. What follows is a pic of Matt and Jay performing their debut of "Arclight" at the 12/08 Gallery G artist reception:

Bill Pratt, an important member of the Bricolage production team, spent a significant portion of December keeping vigil with his beloved spouse, Sue, who recently successfully (as it turned out) underwent surgery to repair a brain aneurysm. Jay lost his brother-in-law, Gerard, to a similar malady last June. Sue still suffers from double vision, a temporary (lasting sometimes up to 3 months) and usual side effect of this kind of surgery. Please send your prayers and good intentions in Sue's and Bill's direction. They have been through much. Those of us who serve the "hobby" of releasing independent music count heavily on the expertise of engineers like Bill in bringing our dreams to life, so we can share them w/OTHER PEOPLE, securely and at a very reasonable cost. It's at these stressful times when we can no longer take his talents for granted, that we see more clearly the true value and far reaching extent of the contributions he makes to our divinely superfluous work.

As a challenge to prepare for the OHO-related work that lies ahead for the team (beyond Bricolage), Jay has decided to take advantage of the opportunities on offer at the Gallery G artist receptions to negotiate one entire, 3-set evening (w/& w/o David): one set consisting of the NST OHO songs within his vocal range, another featuring a blend of covers and OST originals (e.g. "Lost & Found"), and a third, more ambitious undertaking of performing an instrumental set of OHO music, either out of his vocal range (& not conducive to effective capo-ing) or not-yet-having-been-assigned any lyrics, arranged as a medley ala the recent Steakhouse reunion performance set list. The latter set would include "NST Suite #1", currently clocking in at about 20+ minutes, new songs "3-2-1 East of the Sun," "Denial," "Chakra 5," "Never the Same" (written by Jay, Bennett Davis, the late Jim Gomez with the Level 1 team from the March/April Lebanon, NJ Guitar Craft course); as well as instrumental versions of OHO favorites "Under Covers," "Burning Grey," "P.S.," "Burning Grey," "The Great Attractor" and "Peradam."

This challenge will subject Jay to merciless & humiliating exposure before an audience of friends, art aficionados and other poseurs, providing the ultimate benefit of better familiarity with this new (and old) OHO music, much needed performance practice, and the opportunity to experiment w/various arrangements, audio effects and treatments. All this in anticipation of recording this musicking for the next OHO release, tentatively titled Ahora! (Now!)...a tip of the hat to that fascinating Fandangos in Space 70's outfit, Carmen, and to Jay's GC compadre, Columbia-born Daniel Reyes.

The challenge, aside from the actual performance itself, is approaching it in such a way that the work meets the FUN/COOL/EASY criteria established by Jay's own laziness in the early 00's. One must apply a combination of the GC principle of "turning disadvantage into advantage" coupled with Joe Campbell's nirvanic directive (where the psychological stance suggested is one of indifference to, in this case, the inconvenience level) to "go forth and joyfully participate in the sorrows of your life." If one finds one's luck occurring "when preparation meets opportunity," then this challenge may be appropriately on time.

Anyway, we're fairly excited about the potential expansion of our performance expertise, & the widening of the range of OHO's music that we suspect is inherent in accepting this work honorably.

Next Gallery G artist reception is scheduled to occur between 6:00 and 8:00 PM on Saturday, January 12, 2008. So far, it's Gonzo pianist Ray Jozwiak and Jay (maybe David will play this one too). Next BSA Open Mic is Monday, January 21, 2008 (Martin Luther King day) w/a 6:30 PM sign-up. Be there.

(Gallery G at the Beveled Edge/The Rotunda/711 West 40th Street/Baltimore, MD 21211/410-235-9060/www.thebevelededge.com)

December 2008

"Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels sing their joyful song."

"The child becomes symbolic of the coordination of the opposites, male and female. Of course, this is the real meaning of the Virgin Birth. It represents the woman receiving inspiration for the new life through a divine visitation. Make your god transparent to the transcendent, & it doesn't matter what his/her name is." -Joseph Campbell

Jay shared the Timonium, MD Borders performance space with BSA members Joe Spatarella, Ken Gutberlet and Russ Haire on Thursday 11/15 and performed 7 OHO originals during 2 short sets singing and strumming/cross-picking his Martin "Backpacker." This guitar is basically a "travel-size" guitar within which luthier, John Thurston, installed a passive "thin-line" pickup. Next was to test this diminutive "axe" at the Borders showcase and at the BSA Open Mic "Wiggle Room" performance environment. In its technical aspect, it was the hit of both evenings as audients commented on the guitar's amplified tone which, considering the guitar's size and price is remarkable. One doesn't have to lug their favorite dreadnought around and into the elements. The "Backpacker's" gig bag is basically a rucksack, easily concealable, convenient, and the guitar itself honorably holds the tension of the NST. Now Jay has NO excuses to prevent him NOT taking advantage of any random performance opportunities that may arise during his travels, having now a guitar almost always within reach.

OHO landed a spot on the BSA's first "juried" CD, Songs From a Charmed City, with their "Spin the Blue Fix." Jay & David attended the CD Release Concert at the Patterson Theater on 11/24/07 which simultaneously celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Baltimore Songwriters Association. Many of the BSA members who scored tracks on the compilation performed and the sound crew, headed by our friend (& Rocktronics co-producer), Ty Ford, did an outstanding job in presenting the members' sonic wares in a clear and faithful-to-the-actual-performance manner. For more information, song and production credits as well as purchasing details, please visit www.baltimoresongwriters.org.

Spent 11/04 in graphic design mode at chez Bennett working on the CD/DVD digipak artwork. The decision has been made NOT to pollute Connell Byrne's original "Spring" illustration with any text. There will be a sticker on the removable shrink wrap only.

Back panel is a pastel chalk original sketch of a heart/funeral pyre (volcano?)/spiral (a sort of Valentine to those family, friends & "enemies" we have loved & lost) by Grace Hearn from her hand-made condolence card (a survivor of the purificational purge-by-fire of '97) sent to Jay at the time of our brother's (Jeffrey Jay's) untimely departure from the worldly realm in September 1987. Both the DVD and audio CD tracks/times will be printed upon a tasteful screen of this illustration.

Panel 2 is Connell's "Plowing the Sea" painting (this will have some general credit-based-and-cascading-from-right-to-left text over it, directing one to find the extensive song-specific credits and lyrics in a "special feature" chapter of the DVD). On-DVD art is the full color cartoon of the Audition cover. Audio CD will reprise the front cover in full color; and this disc will rest in a clear tray. Underneath this tray is the 3rd panel featuring Jon Considine's photo of a full moon w/beam at night over the Atlantic taken during an abortive Ocean City, MD weekend OHO tour in March 1975. On each side of the moonbeam: framed photo's of the children Jay and David paired in a Madonna w/child motif aside or lapped with their respective, late mothers, Clara Elizabeth & Dawn Elizabeth. This package is being dedicated with our respect & love to their memories.

Simple, colorful...yet powerful. Many thanks to Ben Davis for his keen eye, ability to arrange seemingly disparate elements with integrity, high level of computer literacy and his attention to detail. Not only has he saved us a bunch of $$$ but he has arrived at a presentation that realizes our intentions in an arresting way and in pristine focus.

Jay and Bill Pratt have entered into the assembly/mastering phase, and this despite the fact "Dream Lifted Up" is not yet finished. David promises to deliver his completed work on this by mid-month and we're asking Crack The Sky keyboardist, Glenn Workman, to give us his best Benmont Tench/Roy Bittan treatment on his Kurzweil for "Dream."

As far as song order, we resorted to employing the "by order of faveness" method for the new material and the "by ascending pitch" method for the 8 bonus tracks, marking completion of the 20 song program with the "button" ending of "Angels." Amen.

Thanks to Nancy Graboski's generous offer to allow us to hold a CD release/listening party at her Gallery G At The Beveled Edge on the first Saturday (March 22) of spring 2008 (to coincide with the original theme of Connell's cover illustration), we've ordered posters (graced w/Connell's cover art) and OHO t-shirts sporting Jon Considine's OHO logo specifically for this celebration. Matt Graboski has donated a box of the acclaimed Martini Henry CD's, one to be given as a bonus with every OHO CD that is purchased. There will complimentary munchies and light beverages. Put this on next year's calendar now! Admission is free and we're hoping many of the guest artists and technical people who made this release "so" will be in attendance to help us celebrate and get the word out on Bricolage. Currently the affair is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM and go as late as 9:30 (for you youngins & partyers who have other places to go and OTHER PEOPLE to see).

Connell Byrne has agreed to set up his portable, traveling art show at the celebration. So, I can't imagine a better or more convenient way to celebrate the release of Bricolage. David is envisioning a simultaneous Pod-cast of the event for our out-of-state/country fans; and lastly, we'll run the muted DVD video on a CRT so as not to interfere with the audition of the 80 minute CD that will provide the sonic background for the gathering.

While we're keying on the Gallery G, please consider attending the NEW WORK reception featuring paintings by David Simon on Saturday December 8, 2007. Performers scheduled to perform from 6:00-8:00 PM that evening are singer/songwriter Matt Graboski (Jay is asking Matt to debut their duet of Jay's new NST instrumental, "Arclight," at this event), guitarist Mike Freedman (who we gather will be performing some seasonal music throughout his set) & the ambient sonic musings of bassist/luthier, John Thurston. Gallery g At the Beveled Edge/711 W. 40th St./The Rotunda/Baltimore,MD 21211/410-235-9060/ www.thebevelededge.com

And don't forget to attend or sign up to perform at the final BSA Open Mic Night for 2007 on Monday December 18 also at the above Gallery G (sign up 6:30, performance 7-10:00 PM).

Finally, Jay performs seasonal choral music with the New Wave Singers at Daedelus Books at Belvedere Square (at the corner of York Rd.& Belvedere Ave.) Saturday December 8th at 2:00 PM with an encore performance at 3:15 PM. So before heading down to Gallery G later that evening, please stop by Daedelus Books and listen to our unusual holiday music selections while browsing the bibliophilistic wonders on offer at perhaps the best discount book outlet in our region. Admission is free.

Happy Holidays! OHO and out.

Many of these notes being scribbled on the date of this year's autumnal equinox, we mark the first day of the season of autumn when night and day are nearly the same length and our Sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward (the converse being true in the southern hemisphere).

A brief review of summer '07 revealed what might be termed (in SSA parlance) "a regular mix" of experiences, running the gamut from birth to death & punctuated by a smattering/sampling of many of the "in-between" things: from the sudden passing of a brother-in-law in June, on into a "Yankee-doodle" July, to an August/September where we languished as the surf-green sea foam lapped at the soles of our feet: soft crabs, chilled beverage, Van Gogh Double Espresso, colorful grilled veggies and Johnsonville brauts (smacking of a May memory of a journey to visit an old friend in Chi-town), DUI's, "sweet dreams & flying machines in pieces on the ground"...redemption(?) "Nothing is innocent now"...whew...let's begin again.

On the other hand, there were the lone bicycle rides from Bethany to the O.C. inlet (& back), and from Bethany to Rehoboth as the late summer sunsets manifested in all their majesty bay side. There were the roasted chickens, (more & various) sea foods, steamed blue crabs, sizzling T-bones, re-heated ranch fries smothered in melted sharp cheddar cheeses, scallions, bacon bits flavored with dollops of fresh & sour creams--washed down with a cheap blended scotch (appropriate to one on a fixed income and w/o very discriminatory taste buds) & a Dogfish Head "Raison d'etre" (8%)...not all that shoddy despite the "reality" of the historical backdrop Managing to survive another sultry summer, we stand "at the ready" before the potentialities inherent in the butternut-squashness of a nigh fall and with a rich tan than may last until November.

Although David's 50th birthday occurred in April, the actual celebration wasn't held until mid-September. The fete was well-attended by his immediate and extended family members, friends, illustrator Connell Byrne, producer/engineer Bill Pratt (accompanied by his wife, Sue) and even a TV celebrity (one of David's PA neighbors) who gifted the birthday man with her beautiful water color painting of chez Reeve, capturing the very essence & soul of the family residence.

Connell & Jay presented David with one of Connell's original paintings, "Plowing the Sea," inspired, as it was, by an OHO tune of identical title. Framed in a shadow box motif, the unveiling resulted in the inevitable "oohs" and "aahs" Mr. Byrne's work often elicit. Jay witnessed the "aesthetic arrest" of more than one onlooker. The painting will hang in David's studio to provide inspiration and a scan of the work is intended to grace one panel of OHO's forthcoming Bricolage CD.

Gourmet snacks accompanied with potent and varied libations, prepared and served by spouse Marty, were offered to the gods in supplication for a rich and vibrant for-us-all-middle-age (whichever gods these might be, with classical persons typically expecting a life of about 40 years...50 at that time was already 1/4 of the way into another lifetime, at least from the POV of a BCer). & as David and his contemporaries may generally expect to tack on at least another 25 years, we all may look forward to more of his intriguing & productive rhythmelodic deployments in the songs, years and decades to follow.

In an attempt to transfer our work from Blue Ball Studio's Microsoft applications to the OS-10 Apple system at The Bratt Studio in Woodlawn, MD, we have fumbled with our wav files and the problems arising from our attempts to make the transfer. These problems are being addressed. Jay "champs at the bit" to begin mixing "Close But No Cigar," the penultimate selection for the about-to-become-realized CD. We have saved the multi-track version of "Dream Lifted Up" for last. Realistically and in terms as to how our production schedule has been running, we anticipate a probable release date to occur before the winter of '08 turns into spring, appropriately, as luck would have it, as our cover art is Connell's stunning "Spring" illustration.

We finished our first attempt at mixing "Close But No Cigar" at the Bratt Studio in late September...we are very close but "no cigar" quite yet. Still some tweaking to be done; but definitely "getting there."

On August 30th we were notified that OHO's "Blue Fix" was chosen as one of 20 selections to appear on an upcoming BSA (Baltimore Songwriters Association) sampler CD: "Songs From a Charmed City," scheduled for release in late 2007. Selections this time around were made by a "jury," with the jurors charged with the "extremely difficult task" of tallying points by applying myriad tenets. Songs with the 20 highest scores were those selected for inclusion on the compilation.

Our main criteria for submitting "Blue Fix" aside from it sounding so damn good, were the contributions of a total of 9 players, including vintage sound bytes of wind-chime and (Arp Odyssey) "wind," the former played by Tom Apple (70s OHO manager), the latter synthesized by Mark O'Connor, pilfered as they were from 70s OHO song, "Snow Lady Pt. 2."

Distinguishing attributes from "typical" OHO songs of the 00's are the penny whistle and pedal steel guitar parts played by Bill Phelan and the alternating and thus shared vocals of both Liz Murphy & Kelly Grochmal.

We'll advise as to availability when we have the cds in hand. One pundit, Sunday Morning's Bill Flanagan postulated (on The Charlie Rose Show last week), that "we're going back to the days of the'single'." Perhaps we'll see evidence in the near future of this trend from our music being available on over 30 digital distribution services worldwide. Otherwise...August revealed itself to us as a pregnant "pause".

Vacations and the demands of secular life limited David's ability to work on OHO music to moments stolen here and there. The demise of Jay's hard drive (luckily still under warranty) sent him to compute at the Catonsville library & these notes were 1st written in cursive long-hand on his back deck, under an umbrella during the cooler hours of a few August mornings, with the background strains from the new Pentangle box set, "The Time Has Come" wafting through the late summer air. These reminded him of the Armenian aphorism, "Everything has its time." But as Pete Paphides writes in the forward of the set's accompanying booklet, "Your life doesn't always get around to making a legend of you." Nevertheless, Pentangle music provides an appropriate sonic backdrop to writing our current impressions about the "under-construction" music of the OHO band, the current configuration of which has been described by at least one musical journalist as "an elegant descendent of the progressive, folk-rock tradition."

As a result of this "pause," (when we are doing "doing nothing" & simultaneously engaging in tending to details, allowing ourselves to muse unencumbered) and as we whittle away at the final 2 songs intended for inclusion on the follow-up to UP, we resort to a meditation/recapitulation of our way of working, the process known as "bricolage," as described by others, most likely much smarter than ourselves, whose rhetoric expresses more succinctly what we inherently believe about this process.

"The magic art of bricolage: new stories crafted out of recycled pieces of old stories." -Source unknown

"Bricolage stresses activity that is both rational and improvisatory. This involves construction through whatever happens to be 'lying around'." -Michael Dyson

"To restructure my difficult memories, I half-burn & cut up old photographs, then collage the fragments into new arrangements." -Rob Brezny

"Often the most memorable art develops over years, not months, of reflection or unconscious musings." -Source unknown

"Revisioning is survival; trying to stay alive in history; improvising a raft after shipwreck, out of whatever materials are available: bits (read: binary digits), the fragments we shore up against our ruin. One has no choice: one must keep blundering ahead." -Norman O. Brown

"The bricoleur is adept at performing a great number of diverse tasks; but unlike the engineer, he does not subordinate each of them to the availability of raw materials and tools, conceptualized and procured specifically for this project; his instrumental universe is closed, and the rule of his game is to make due with the means at hand." -Claude Levi-Strauss

So...while David toys with "Close But No Cigar," moving about the bass parts of 4 different players, Jay works on the CD credits which as of this writing will be available to peruse as a "special feature" on the accompanying DVD. Aside from crediting the 30 odd additional players who made themselves available to help us realize this music, these notes will include quotes from Jay's "Handbook of Profound Collected Advice." While not intended to supplant any meanings the lyrics may have for each listener (referencing them, as we would hope, against their own experiences and beyond into the realm of the collective), they are supplied to provide a vague flavor of what the songwriters themselves believe the salient issues of each of the songs to be.

One caveat: unaware exactly of what Grace Hearn's lyrics are about ("Time," "Under Covers," "The Great Attractor," and "Painted Stars"), we humbly offer our impress as to what they may suggest to us. Using quotes to express our responses to our own music, we intend to extend the "bricolage" concept even as far as the credits and liner notes.

As "dogged" as the days of August have been, Jay managed to share the Wiggle Room performance space at Gallery G with singer/songwriter, Geoffrey Welchman. Both performers provided entertainment for the 2+ hour August 18th reception celebrating the opening of the "Guided Spirits" show, featuring vibrant paintings by Hunt Slonen & the hand-fashioned, original jewelry of Phil & Sandye Jurus. Jay's set, of course, was sprinkled with a sampling of OHO originals both old and new. As always, these multi-media events turn out to be well-attended & a lot of fun for patrons and performers alike. The show runs through September 29th at Gallery G, 711 W. 40th St., The Rotunda, Baltimore, MD 21211. Be sure to check it out; you'll walk away inspired.

The BSA "Open Mic" for August (remember every 3rd Monday of each month), also held in the Wiggle Room at Gallery G, was attended by only a handful of signees due, we imagine, to the stormy weather of the 20th, and to late summer sluggishness with its attendant meagre levels of enthusiasm. The party went on, nonetheless, in the form of a "round robin" as suggested by singer/songwriter, Spice. Due to the small number of players (5 or so--1/2 the number of the usual suspects), we dispensed with the 3 song limit and everyone ended up playing 2 somewhat longer sets, stretching the evening through 2 1/2 hours.

This was the 1st time in our experience when the OM turned into more of a "jam session" than a showcase with the participants and audients accompanying each other on stage (and from there seats) with noodling guitar riffs, spontaneous piano flourishes and/or vocal accompaniment, usually at the choruses: a fair example of the "crafty" method of "turning disadvantage into advantage". Thanks to everyone, including our hostesses for the evening, Nancy and Kristen Graboski, who provided nourishment & libations, thus contributing to making the evening an uplifting event for all.

Artist/illustrator/creator of inspirational installations as well as all-around great & generous guy, Connell Byrne, stopped by for a spell as did guitarist, Dale German, who Jay had not seen since Joni Flitt-Cooke's memorial service in the fall of '03. Dale, unaware that this opportunity is offered monthly and in his own "back yard", promised to attend and perform at a future OM. Jay and Dale, along with bassist, Bob Funk and the late Don Henritz, played together in Grok "back in the day" (1972-73). It was refreshing and heartening to renew these acquaintances.

The next BSA Open Mic at Gallery G is scheduled for Monday 09/17. Again, sign-up begins circa 6:30 PM with performances beginning around 7:00; and we go as late 10:00 PM, depending on the number of acts and other unpredictable & variable parameters. Don't fret if you're late in arriving, we will make every effort to accomodate you.

The BSA OM is just that--OPEN. One need not be a BSA member to perform and everyone is welcome. Many performers have subsequently been invited to perform at Gallery G receptions (as described above) occurring on average, every month. Both are opportunities to perform your original music in a clean environment surrounded by beautiful paintings and art objects, to an enthusiastic audience in a smoke-free atmosphere.

Mark your calendars now for the October 6th "New Work" reception, showing the paintings of Deborah Patterson. Those scheduled to perform between 6:00 and 8:00 PM are Trio Novo (bossa nova), Matt Graboski (progressive acoustics), and the fusion sounds of Cunniff-Thurston.

"Art is an arrangement of forms that will show that divine presence which is in all things through themselves. The radiance of art is the fascination of self-recognition in others.": -Joseph Campbell