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Ω 102: THROWBACK

by James Castelli / Omega

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1.
Price Of Admission 02:36
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Come see the new exhibition Just bring your good friends along That is the price of admission I hope we'll all get along I can't believe my eyes How can such fools be wise? Confetti and champagne Unused from your campaign You heard that right Recounting tonight Come see the new exhibition Just bring your good friends along That is the price of admission Come one, come all Your terms are zero derision No hate, no memes to find Okay, but just one condition Please keep an open mind Why generate the buzz For all the good it does? This choir, no preacher knows A chamber of echoes Agree to disagree Then you unfriend me, offend me (Don't forget to "like"!) How can you make a decision? Who knows what's going on? When lies can spread like religion And facts are gone. There's been a slight dereliction Let's get this show on the road If I might make a prediction Our plans get vetoed You've got to keep your suspicion No contradiction of rules Act like we're in competition Were there revisions to the clues? This is our price of admission This indecision's the blues
2.
The Summit (A Reckoning) 05:36
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Some win, some lose Some give, some take, some never choose But there it stands defying all who would dare climb it Just 'cause you can Perhaps, then, doesn't mean that you should The road is littered with all of those who tried/died (up so high) So far to fall, who wins them all? The summit is beckoning (up so high) First learn to crawl, you start out small This might be your reckoning I hate clichés But not as much as ricochets How many more close calls would you dare tempt fate? Would you prefer that we Awarded you some hollow victory? The snowy peak, the gravity you will rely/defy (up so high) So far to fall, who wins them all? The summit is beckoning (up so high) First learn to crawl, against the wall This might be your reckoning.... (up so high) So far to fall, who wins them all? The summit is beckoning (up so high) First learn to crawl, before you fall This might be your chance to prove to everyone that you're the best (up so high) So far to fall, who wins them all? The summit is beckoning (up so high) First learn to crawl, then show your gall This reckoning / This is your reckoning (very high) And if you don't return We never meet again Good luck, but next time (please) don't be so literal So close, so far (very far) Is this who you really are? So high, so low (this I know) Somehow, some day you'll get your reckoning Ooh-ooh-ooh
3.
I Never Knew [2017 remake of 1992 instrumental demo version] 05:02
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I've had enough I wanna go home Two hundred friends I'm still all a-lone Who are you? (I'd ask myself) No lover of mine A pretty face At the end of the line I made you smile, just for a while Stood by your side, but never inside I've been hurt before, decided: no more Only one friend remains in the end So, there you are, could 've gone far Now I can see, you're meant for me So all this time you could've been mine I guess I never knew Just like a cure That grows right outdoor Lost pair of shoes All this time on your floor Life I missed, those wast-ed years While dreaming of you It's my mistake Because I never knew I made you smile, just for a while Stood by your side, but never inside I've been hurt before, decided: no more Only one friend remains in the end So, there you are, could 've gone far Now I can see, you're meant for me So all this time you could've been mine I guess I never knew!
4.
Should've Seen This Coming (You're My Box Office Disaster) 06:06
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I should've seen it comin' Disaster and disarray ev'rywhere you go, ev'ry day I sympathize 'cause ev'rything you do goes wrong But when those bright lights all start flashin' You can't resist the latest fa-shion There ya' go again You smile for the camera, driving us crazy I never know what to say to you I should've seen you comin' The way you will boss around ev'ry one you know, ev'ry where I theorize you'll take whatever you can get. 'Cause when those bright lights all start flashin' You can't resist the latest fa-shion There ya' go again You pose for the director, driving him crazy He'll never know what to say to you White light night Tight sight sleight Bright might trite Fright flight spite It was a golden opportunity But you wasted it, you just could not succeed Critics destroyed you You thought it was good publicity Starting all over How come I still can't get through to to you? I should've seen it comin' The limos, the glam, Hollywood You're worse than unoriginal You're story doesn't make for an original song But when those lights dim, box office failure Doesn't diminish all this allure Bombed at your premier They laughed at your trailer, too You crave this attention? Will America ever tell the truth to you?
5.
Too Involved [2018 remake of the 1997 original version] 04:29
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The stain that's slowly spread-ing - her lover's blood It moves so slow - a rose in bloom The tear ducts run dry as passes time The melting snow revealed the knife The news hits the stands - the public feats And when they're done the real search has begun "I don't think we can win this one boys There'll be complications It's much too involved" � First, the clues were lacking - my men work hard "Oh no, not me!" "Who made this charge?" Seems someone dug deep - dug way beneath "That quote was out of context" - this he swore "I think that we've lost this one, boys We've encountered complications We're much too involved"
6.
The Long Haul 07:02
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Was there ever a time? A time for friends? A time for loving you? And as the days turned into years, into decades, too Ours was a very late start Catching up on so many things Each day's a new possibility But life can pile up so fast, easily You ought to know one thing's for sure, lest you ever doubt No matter the challenge, know I am in for the long haul All the things we said we'd do We'll do in time, 'cause [repeat] This promise is mine (Promise, mine) This promise, mine [echo] Was there ever a time? Nothing went wrong, there were no setbacks, too? A few close calls, we've dodged them all, yea, we muddled through Was the book thusly written? Or did we hear it through the vine? Some plans put on hold, some move ahead I guess it's just the same for everyone Don't give up now, we've just begun, so the saying goes Don't worry, never forget We are in for the long haul All the things we said we'd do We'll do in time, just [repeat] Believe me, 'cause we promised to. .....promised to.....
7.
Pie In The Face [2018 remake of the 1997 original version] 05:14
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RONALD REGAN: "I don't recall." Bozo was shaking as he entered the Big Top Hoping his nose would stay secured (Don't fall off!) Fell off his bike, then joined his flower in cryin' Bozo, you missed the fire engine GEORGE H. W. BUSH: “Read my lips: No new taxes!” BILL CLINTON: “It depends upon what the meaning of the word is… is.” DONALD TRUMP: “There was absolutely no collusion.” BILL CLINTON: “I didn’t inhale.” Cigar in hand he kissed the arm of his lady (*smooch*) Groucho was caught so unaware! RICHARD NIXON: “Well, I’m not a crook.” Up snuck one brother, then there stepped in another Each the same plan with pie in hand GERALD FORD: “A full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon.” Wit and humor, candidates for fodder Audience is watching, have you been rehearsing? JIMMY CARTER: “My name is Jimmy Carter.” It's just you who never see that it's coming JIMMY CARTER: “I’ll never tell a lie.” Shut your mouth, big baby, it washes off so easy! RONALD REAGAN: “I did not trade arms for hostages.” RONALD REAGAN: “I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead, make my day.” This isn't Broadway, but it sure is a nice day Here's your lunch, okay, take a hike! Hold my calls, please, (hope this won't give me disease) Caught in some scandal (what a tease!), pie in face (gotta sneeze) Of thee I sing, if you call this SINGING! Don, our Prez, keeps texting, we're waiting for the next thing DONALD TRUMP: “I know I have an IQ better than all of them." Wear a tie, still, it gets in your eye America will get it, a big pie in our face! GEORGE W. BUSH: “But I’m the decider.” 

GEORGE W. BUSH: “I think words mean different things to different people.”

 BARACK OBAMA: “And I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everyone.”

 BARACK OBAMA: “You didn’t build that! Somebody else made that happen!”

 DONALD TRUMP: “I know words, I have the best words.”

 DONALD TRUMP: “Fake news!”

 DONALD TRUMP: “You’re fired.” BARACK OBAMA: “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.” 

BILL CLINTON: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” 

DONALD TRUMP: “Make... America... great... again!” 

DONALD TRUMP: “Believe me, believe me, folks.”
8.
Existential Funk 03:35
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[as best as I can convey, omitting some of the difficult to spell vocal utterances and screeches!] Wow! Hey! (clears throat) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! How are you all doin'? Guess who's back?! Woah! Ooh! Existential Funk! Ha! ha! ha! Existential Funk! Woah! Wouldja b'lieve it? Existential Funk! Yea! Yea! Existential Funk! Ha! Woah! Ow! Existential Funk! Yea! Existential Funk! Uh-huh! Woah! Uh-uh! Existential Funk! Existential Funk! Yea... I want to thank you all for comin' here, mmm It's been a while, I know Ow! Hey! Lookin' good! Mmm-hmm (drinkin' wine...) Just let 'splaaaaaaaiiiiin somethin' to ya Man, I ain't 'propriatin' nuttin! 'Cept this here... NEBULA... It's got to be done! And most importantly, when your philosophy gets FUNKY, like me It's time for some: Woah! Ow! Existential Funk! Mmm-hmm-hmm! Existential Funk! Uh-huh! Woah! Ow! Existential Funk! Woo! Yea! Existential Funk! Uh-huh! Woah! Chicka-oh! Chicka-oh! Wow! Existential Funk! Yea! Existential Funk! Uh-huh! Woah! Uh! Existential Funk! Existential Funk! Mmm, Yea... Now, it's time to open the floor to some questions, Yes, you with that freaky pompadour Where've I been? Well, I've been traveling, ha! The FUNKY ASTRAL PLANE, that is, ah-ha-ha-ha! Now, ma'am, I can see AND smell that big, ol' hunk of ASIAGO I KNOW what you're thinkin', so FORGET about it! Now, I think I have time time to open ONE piece of fan mail... Ah, let's see, I have a request to speak in a FRENCH ACCENT (I dunno...) Now, let me impart to you some wisdom: Whenever life gets you down, just grab yourself some... EXISTENTIAL FUNK! That's right! You'll thank me! EXISTENTIAL FUNK! Wow! My alter ego wants to thank you for comin' from the bottom of his heart! Tip your waiters, drive safely, and good night! Ha-ha-heh! OW!
9.
As It Was, And Again [2018 remake of the 1990 instrumental demo version] 04:49
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We are changes, As for the future, There are no new beginnings, Though people like to say. Nothing really changes, It always stays the same. Trapped inside this existence, As it was, and again. Maybe there is a life, But we have not found it yet. Where is the inspiration? We've not received the gift; I fear it may all slip away. If music is all I'm made of (I am the music), Water surrounds, Inside's an ocean so deep (drown in my ocean). The painter's canvas is fading, All of the colors are melting away; This is my life, As it was, and again. We are renewed, As for the rest, We hope they'll find their answers. Are we better than they? Welcome to life so sweet, As it was, and again.
10.
Don't Forget That I Love You [2018 remake of the 1990 instrumental demo version] 06:29
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The long trip home begins today The quickest path's another way I'll not hitchhike nor sell my soul One step in time's my only goal Just lately no one has come around I haven't even heard a sound I'll tell you what, I've had better days I've taught a lot to many fools (I've taught a lot to fools) In iv'ry towers and in schools (in ivory towered schools) I doubt a lot and trust a few (I doubt a lot and trust a few) An open mind but cynical view (Open mind / cynical view) I've learned a lot but follow no crowd I walk alone and I feel proud I just hope that you're proud of me too Because I told you: "Don't forget that I love you." Yes, it's me who needs you, feeds you, helps to know I want to � hold you, just the way that I showed you That's my heart on my sleeve, don't leave Please don't go, oh, no, no Have you such thoughts? Do you despair? When I'm not around to prove I care? Say that when I come home you will be there. � We've tasted of another grape Not tempted, easily escaped With words like that, am I so wrong To want to rewrite this old song? Is this music from another score? I've had that sentiment before I'll bet it doesn't worry you at all. The heavens are above me (the cosmos is above) I live in curiosity (my life is curious) I chose to walk a dif'rent path (I chose to walk a dif'rent path) Please write that as my epitaph (Please remember this for me) These lyrics, nearly thirty years old And all that time remained untold With you, they have new meaning and an end Because I told you: "Don't forget that I love you." (I told you that I love you, my love) Yes, it's me who needs you, feeds you, helps to know (Yes, it's me who needs you, feeds you too, helps to know) I want to hold you, just the way that I showed you (I'll hold you like I showed you, my love) That's my heart on my sleeve, don't leave (That's my heart on my sleeve, never leave me) Please don't go, oh, no, no Have you such thoughts? Do you despair? When I'm not around to prove I care? (I'm not around to care?) Say that when I come home you'll still be there

about

May I present to you my 102nd (technically 103rd) album, "THROWBACK," released (officially) on the second anniversary of the previous album's release. I suppose a two year gap is a typical and respectable gap between releases, and certainly an improvement over the previous 8-year gap. But hey, as it is a month before my 46th birthday, why beat myself up about it or bore you with the trivia? Onto the music!

My aim - an aim I tried many times before - was to present as best I could a solid album of SONGS - pieces of music fashioned in the mold of pop, even if they wander esoterically on its fringes, complete with sung lyrics. I'm not sure I ever did this before though I came very close 12 years ago with Ω 98. No classical pieces, comedic skits, auditory experiments, drum solos, speeches or other flights of fancy, just 10 songs. Stylistically, I still manage to wander over a wider range than (commercially?) typical, but that is to be expected. "Something for everybody," as I see it. It may be my finest work.

If there is a "theme" to this album, it is contained entirely in it's title. Musically, because of my penchant for retro musical styles, sounds and vintage (or convincing facsimile) instruments, the album and music on it are themselves a throwback, much as I regard myself. The idea of remaking my own songs is not new, but the last time I did that was a three-song medley remake on my 10th anniversary album Ω LXXVII in 1995 (I'm not counting subsequent arrangements of songs for percussion ensemble or multiple live performances of the same piece). At first I thought I might do an entire album of remakes, or perhaps ease my audience into it with one remake of an old song; ultimately I decided to split the album: five new songs and 5 remakes, mostly heard in alternation. Ignoring (for now) the first five years in the 80's, I chose to select the material (from a much larger pile of candidates) from the time of my 51st album in 1990, when my songwriting chops seemed to noticeably mature, up until the late 90's just before my albums started containing fewer traditional songs that COULD be remade, a period which lasted until 2002 with the release of my 95th album, at which point the production values spiked near to present levels, and there wouldn't be much point in remaking such songs. So, it seemed a nostalgic trip into the 90's was how it was going to go. (I discuss each of these songs on their individual info pages.)

The cover art (still being created a bit late, as I write this) pokes fun at the concept with an unusually simplistic image that conveys a completely different meaning and double entendre/pun. A year ago I had thought of a few superior titles, but, failing to write any of them down, I've managed not to remember a single one of them.

Other than that, the album benefits from several other intentional factors - and my increasing experience - which contribute to the album also being my most highly and competently produced and sounding.

The first order of business - aside from actually writing the new songs, which began in early 2017, or possibly late 2016, and selecting the old ones I would remake - was rebuilding my studio after my previous laptop's untimely death. To complete my previous album, I had to use a trial version of Digital Performer on my new laptop once my trusty G-4 also bit the dust. I just made it before the free 30-day trial expired, and over a year passed without me updating this status. Late 2017, I properly purchased the latest version. Prior to that, I had been busily writing (in Finale) the sheet music for each song, so another milestone for this album is it is the first one to have a complete set of sheet music. I had also wanted to update my sounds, which until then were from my Proteus E-Mu 1000 (everything other than percussion, guitar and singing), and was beginning to sound dated. I got a hankering to get my hands on a vintage keyboard, like a Fender Rhodes, and in the end I settled on Keyscape, which offered very convincing samples of many such instruments, so, you will hopefully notice a new batch of yummy keyboard sounds and more realistic pianos. To use this, I had to reacquaint myself with MIDI, and in fact I required a new MIDI-to-USB cable, along with an external HD to store my new library of vintage instruments.

I picked up a few more items along the way: new shock cradles for my two main microphones and a much needed "pop" guard/screen. I restrung the electric guitar with strings that allowed for much easier bending, which I did a lot of on this album - my guitar playing in general is probably my best yet, or at least I make it seem that way. I also set the tone setting the complete opposite of what I normally do (darker), which seemed to unexpectedly improve the sound to my ears. The drums benefitted from a new crash cymbal my sweet wife found and surprised me with, and to that new sonic color I dug out an old crash I hadn't used in years (like I need more cymbals!). My mics and set-up were basically the same, as were the mixer settings, but I somehow managed to achieve a better bass drum sound than previously. I tuned my snare radically differently - not sure I'll do it again, as it unevenly puts pressure on the shell - but it provided a different quality to the snare. I tried to maintain a consistent drum sound throughout the album. I also finally got around to putting a new head on a bongo that had split (used on only two songs, briefly and sparingly) AND I bought a trumpet from my nephew and used it on one track.

In mixing, I tried to maintain the same EQ and effects settings for both drums and vocals as I used on the previous album. I continue to double track most of the vocals - including some harmonies, and apply a bit of (extremely tedious) manual pitch correction on some of the more offending moments. (Shhh!) Hey, people gotta listen to this stuff - including me - and it ain't easy being a one-man band.

I think I just wrote more than anyone cares to read, or that will be able to fit in the printed jewel case liner notes of any physical CDs I produce, so I think I'll stop here and let the music speak for itself.

Enjoy! JC

credits

released February 14, 2018

All songs written, arranged, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by James Castelli (except where indicated in individual track credits).

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James Castelli / Omega New Jersey

Omega (Ω) is the symbol chosen back in 1985 to catalogue any musical endeavor in which James Castelli participated that was recorded. The first 50 (low quality) albums were produced in the first five years and most of the next 50+ albums available here were made over the next 28 years. The styles range from pop to experimental to progressive to classical, with James Castelli the main composer. ... more

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