fugitive imagination

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Recorded in England in the summer of 1998, this CD marks the debut live performance of some of Paul’s original compositions. Using the acoustic guitar exclusively, the compositions take on a folk/world music sound. Augmenting the core guitar-bass-drums trio with violin and voice certainly takes the material out of the realm of traditional ‘jazz’. The listener is treated to a music heavy on improvisation, with moments of organization spread throughout. There are two solo pieces (one almost completely improvised), some hard-driving trio numbers, and a few more contemplative pieces with violin and voice added.

Recorded: June 1998
York, England

John Richards — fretless electric bass
Jamie Trowell — drums
Oliver Wilson-Dickson — violin
Jen Ord — voice

1. Intro>The Essentiality of Invisibility 7.16 (mp3, 128kbps, 6.8MB)
2. Don’t Knock On My Door 5.00 (mp3, 128kbps, 4.7MB)
3. Falling Into Flowers Part A 4.42
4. Far From Home 3.47
5. Song Of Forgiving 5.56
6. The Angels 8.29
7. 5 min. To Go 5.51

Liner Notes…

“…and for a brief moment, blinded by an intense light, all we had were our ears to guide us. We couldn’t help but go forward, to our unknown destination, and we were smiling all the way…”

“The Essentiality of Invisibility”: It was said to me once by pianist John Gittins: “the goal of studying music theory and practice is to make your instrument disappear.” In other words, to know your instrument and the various ways of approaching it’s playing so well that it ceases to be a hindrance to musical expression and fulfills its function as a tool through which to express.

“Don’t Knock On My Door”: Written as my friend Theo was in conversation with some Jehovah’s witness’ who came to my apartment in Toronto. I respect the position of religion in the world, but I don’t need to be converted, I won’t listen, so don’t knock on my door.

“Falling Into Flowers Part A”: The first section of a solo acoustic guitar improvisation I once did while longing for simpler times in Northern Ontario.

“Far From Home”: Written when I was just that. My parents came all the way to England to visit and see the concert where I debuted this song. I wrote it with the great Canadian guitarist Don Ross in mind who always makes me think of home when I hear his music.

“Song of Forgiving”: I have always been attracted to the compositions of Miles Davis and those of his mid-sixties quintet (Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock). This tune is “circular” being 21 bars in length. The commonality of tones between seemingly unrelated chords makes the progression very ‘forgiving’ when soloing. Also, this is a song about letting go, about forgiving, be it yourself or someone else. The act of forgiveness requires a strong heart and can often involve a great deal of pain. In the end though, we all feel better when we have forgiven or been forgiven.

“The Angels”: This song is written for a guardian angel who watches over a close friend of mine. Sometimes I think we all have one, how unlucky we would be to not.

“5 min. To Go”: Essentially a chance for the group to just jam. I checked my watch at some point during the tune and signaled to play it out, we made it with 40 seconds to spare or else I would’ve lost my deposit on the JLCH! The melody that occurs in the last few bars of the form is inspired by the North Indian “Mukhra”. The mukhra is the last melodic fragment of the first half (the “sthayi”) of a longer composition called a “gat”. In the performance of North Indian classical music the second half of the gat (the “antra”) is often omitted and only the mukhra is played to lead back to the beginning of the rhythmic cycle.

Thanks to…the fine musicians who played with me at this concert, all the English (you know who you are) for a wonderful year! Mum and Dad for coming all that way, Peter Grove, Theo Schachter, Jason Hochstenbach, Michael Tamasi, Michael Conway, Bryan Dochstader, Bryan Postlethwaite, Andy Nunn, Courtenay Ennis, Gaby Zezulka-Mailloux, Ben Kaplan, Liberation Symphony, The Bitter Blue, members past and present of Fly Fantastic, Brad Vanderzanden at SOCAN, Francis Newton for technical support, and to whoever put the tape in the machine to record this concert.

Don Ross, Michael Hedges, Ralph Towner, Pierre Bensusan, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, and John McLaughlin, each of whose music had a direct impact on the music for this concert.

Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Michel Cusson, Courtney Pine, Lorne Lofsky, Carlos Santana, Bruce Hornsby, Phish, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, both James Taylors, Jimi Hendrix, and Dimitri Shostakovich, each of whose music continuously inspires me. Finally, to you for listening to this music.

Cover drawing by Paul Aitken
Inside photographs by David Aitken
Outside photographs by Paul Aitken
Designed by Paul Aitken and Peter Grove
Recorded by ?
Engineered by Michael Tamasi, Peter Grove, Paul Aitken

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