http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTypzOJfuAY

go in peace, grasshopper, bound for glory...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT4Q1jwvEJQ

rock art ( ted quinn, anthony scott mason, amritakripa, patti hood, robbi robb) at blak box theatre, joshua tree, winter solstice 2008. video by krissie gregory. song by ted quinn and robert a. floyd 1989.

WINDS OF CHANGE
Say Goodbye to ’68
Through all the trials you had to wait
To remember to love and not surrender to hate
This is your time to celebrate
Break the noose from the weeping tre
Shake it loose
Don’t weep for me
They’re singing our song
I hear it echoing from the mountaintop
“Let freedom ring”
A new day has begun
A new day has begun
Winds of change are coming on strong
Feels so strange to have waited so long
They’re bringing some rain but I feel the sun
Is gonna shine before the day is done
A new day has begun
A new day has begun
(copyright Ted Quinn 2009)

 A gift of love from RockArt of JoshuaTree

guitars: robbi robb, tony mason, ted quinn
keyboards; amritakripa, jeremy gilien
harp: patti hood
bass: tony mason
drums: richard stuverud
vocals; all
recorded and mixed by robbi & tony
















It wasn’t even my intention to write a song about Barack Obama, or his inspiring run for President, or the sweetness of his victory. I came home on election night thinking the victory belonged to everyone I know who didn’t give up after the assassinations of ’63 and ’68. It was shared by everyone who believed in the ideals set forth by Dr. King, and in the words of John Lennon’s song, Imagine, through all the dark days of the past forty plus years when it seemed that the forces of war and division had won the battle for our nation’s soul.

The song came out in a few minutes and I didn’t work on it any more. I thought I might at the time, but it didn’t happen. No revisions, no additional verses written later, just a simple song to celebrate the moment.

Tony Mason and I started recording it at his home in Joshua Tree.
Our longtime mate Jeremy Gilien, visiting from Miracle Mile L.A. - added some keyboards to my skeleton guitar and vocal. Tony played some bass guitar.

Next, the song crossed town to the home of Robbi Robb – a son of Africa – and his partner, Amritakripa – a Newcastle “Jeordie” known for Kirtan singing, devotional Hindu chants. Robbi added his guitar and Kripa her keyboards. Then, Patti Hood laid down her angelic classical harp. Bobby Furgo contributed some violin and, finally,  Richard Stuverud - all the way from Philadelphia) put on some drums. Later, we all sang the lyrics in unison, and added a few words from Barack Obama himself, taken from a stop on his historic train ride to Washington DC.

On Sunday, the 18th of January, Robbi and Tony perfected the mix and handed the finished piece to me, which we share with you today, with all the love that we put in to this recording. It’s not a song that will change the world, but one that marks this time, when it looks like the transformation we’ve dreamed of may actually be starting to come true.

It feels like the culmination of all of our dreams, all of our music, for all these years. As Tony pointed out, you can hear Fred Drake in there, singing, or playing a tremelo guitar; and Elia...I hear Wooden Nickel and even my old band Telekin; I hear a Dream Army. Children singing; Sage, Bella, Malia, Sasha; Your children, too! Whether you’re in the mix or not, it’s my feeling that your voice is in there.

Ted Quinn
Joshua Tree, CA
1/ 19/09

PS I’m honored that on this Martin Luther King Day of National Service, I got to accept the designation as Music Director for the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council.  I’m not exactly sure what all that entails, but I would like to re-dedicate myself to the informal ‘role’ I’ve had over the past ten years or so, of presenting music, organizing events and encouraging musicians of all kinds, especially the marginalized, and of all ages, to let those voices be heard. Thank you for the opportunity, MBCAC!

hi you all-

i am so excited, as the great day approaches!!
in addition to the super ruby tuesday inaugural ball at jt saloon we'll be counting down the last days of bushcheneyco at pappy's on monday night. remember, a song is like a shoe if thrown properly!!
i really appreciate everyone offering to help. i know our sound man bob wade will be setting up before 7pm.
the saloon serves food so potluck probably won't work, although a cake or  some dessert would be ok. also, if anyone has the capability of burning a CD i was thinking it would be net to have a sample of obaama's favorites, from his ipod, which includes coltrane, dylan, stevie, etc. the list can be found online by gogle searching 'obama ipod'. otherwise, just show up and prepare to celebrate. we've got some great bands and solo performers, cable tv's, wireless internet (bring your lap top!).

thank you again!!
ted

ps somehow i signed up this event twice so it's listed twice at move-on.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SUPER RUBY TUESDAY INAUGURAL BALL

Where: Joshua Tree Saloon
61835 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Joshua Tree CA
When: Tuesday, January 20th 7:30 pm
Who: RockArt of Joshua Tree, Honky Tonk Train, Cactus Pricks,
Shari Elf & Johnny Ray Martin

In Celebration of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States
Barack Obama

Super Ruby Tuesday at the Joshua Tree Saloon presents
the Official Move-On Inaugural Event for Joshua Tree

The Other Inaugural Ball

Tuesday January 20th 7pm until ?

with
 
The great punk rock cover band comprised of legendary Rock Climbers:
The Cactus Pricks
7:30-8pm

Forcing Goodness Upon this Historic Occasion:
Shari Elf
8:15-8:30pm

Jane & Bill's rockabilly harmonies and pedal to the floor pedal steel guitar:
Honky Tonk Train
8:45-9:15pm

Appalachian autoharp from the star of Shadow Mountain:
Johnny Ray Martin
9:30-9:45

and in their world debut:

Purveyors of the psychedelic desert experience:
RockArt of JoshuaTree
featuring Ted Quinn, Amritakripa, Anthony Scott Mason, Patti Hood, Robbi Robb
10pm

Open Super Jam to follow.

THE PARTY WON'T STOP UNTIL WELL AFTER SASHA & MALIA
ARE FAST ASLEEP IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

ALSO on january 20th, RockArt will celebrate the historic occasion by releasing
their brand new track, 'WINDS OF CHANGE,' as an MP3, direct to your email box.

"a new day has begun"
 

DESERTED SESSIONS is a very limited edition CD i compiled with Tony Mason of songs i recorded with him and Fred Drake at the Rancho de la Luna, from 1995 through 2004. the CD has 17 songs, including an alternate version of 'Death of Cool,' and the previously unreleased 'my sister's getting married' (NO ON H8!!), and 15 other tracks from Dig Your Own Cactus' 'Design,' and "Postcards from Joshua Tree'; 'Help Wanted', and 'Dog Years' ; and 'Canvas'. other artists who contributed voices and/or instruments include Elia Arce, Billy Bizeau, David Catching, Joe City Garcia, Digital d, Wooden Nickel, Johnny Vargas, Ray Woods, Victoria Williams. the CD is availavble in Joshua Tree at JT Health Food, Ricochet and in Yucca Valley at Jesse's World. i will have a few copies on hand at tonight's New Reality Show and tomorrow night's Super Ruby Tuesday or by contacting me here. the price is $10.



this photo was taken of me, fred and tony. mocking the U2 pose on display in the lobby of the harmony motel, by debbie hotchkiss. just minutes before discovering rancho de la luna for the first time in the spring of 2003.

song list:

pilgrim
warrior
power struggle
death of cool
apocalypse no
29 palms
wild west ballet
desert to the sea
crow
tar beach
my sister's getting married
i dream of sleeping (peacefully)
if u do
baby steps
orphanage of souls
tolerancia
love on

"all you need is love" is the gospel i believe in.

i had the great fortune of seeing john lennon in person two - or maybe three - times in my life.

once, as a small child, when my dad took all the kids to see the beatles at the hollywood bowl.

THANKS DAD!

it was john lennon's voice that struck me, even as a kid. twist and shout - especially the 'shout' part - had undefinable meaning that would stay with me to this day. that voice, on early beatles recordings: ask me why; i'll be back; anna (go to him); there's a place; misery; baby it's you; it won't be long; all i've got to do; little child; not a second time; please, please me; and money (that's what i want); nothing i've heard since has improved on the emotion i hear in those songs.

then, in high school, during john lennon's 'lost weekend' in l.a. (a fruitful period beginning with mind games and ending with rock n roll, walls and bridges, harry nilson's pussycats) a group of friends ditched school to watch lennon enter the radio station khj in hollywood, where he sat in as dj, spinning everything from his early heroes jerry lee lewis and chuck berry to his new pals david bowie and elton john. he even took requests from us kids, calling in from the phone booth outside. at the time, he was battling nixon's government for the right to stay in the US.

the third time, i couldn't be sure. it was a few months before he and yoko came out of 'retirement' with double fantasy. somewhere along the sunset strip, i caught a glimpse of a couple in a station wagon, his hair and beard were long , looking like the john lennon of 'abbey road' and 'give peace a chance.' it couldn't be john and yoko driving a station wagon, i thought. still, i knew it was them. then, after he died and we got to read about the months before his 'return' to the public eye, there was a story about the two of them driving across country, incognito, with their little boy sean, in a station wagon.

i feel so blessed to have seen john lennon. but even if i'd never seen him in person, his influence on me and on the world was profound. you just don't see people of that magnitude talent-wise, fame-wise, offering themselves up for the cause of peace. when you do, it's a result of the groundwork that he and yoko laid. in cynical times, it's easy to think of his contribution as naive and quaint, but i still feel it deeply.

thank you john.

"bless you, where ever you are..."

hi folks-

this holiday season it feels like there's a lot to celebrate. a month after the election, i'm still pinching myself. but i'm not dreaming. 45 years after jfk, we finally have a youthful, confident, intelligent president with an inclusive vision.

this year has seen some losses, in the great odetta, yma sumac, mitch mitchell, jimmy carl black, bo diddley, and personally for me, my beloved uncle bob and my dear loyal friend and companion, negra.

at the same time, sage turned three and his growing vocabulary for the way he sees this wonder called life is a daily source of inspiration, like none i've ever experienced.

in a couple of weeks, it will officially be winter. sunday, december 21st at 7pm, i will be joined for an evening concert at the black box theatre in joshua tree by my friends robbi robb and kripa, my longtime collaborator tony mason and our new friend, the classical harp player, patti hood - in a benefit for the playhouse and the moringo basin arts council. we've been working to make it a show worthy of the season. it's a small thank you to the musical and artistic community which becomes more vibrant every year.

meanwhile, i'm hosting monday night at pappy's. nearly two years in to it, the new reality show has become a great night of music. this week, bluesman jimmy king will do a featured set, in addition to the regulars and whatever other surprises show up with a couple songs to play. last week it was such a treat to see gene evaro and his whole family out on the town for one of the first times since the tragic loss of their beautiful sister. (you guys are always welcome and you know where you can find a lot of love and support.)

tuesday night at the joshua tree saloon is a new show we call super ruby tuesday. fortuitously debuted on the historic election night of '08, SRT is another great outlet for the many brilliant musicians in the area. this week, the great band, honky tonk train will be doing a set. bill, jane and i first played the saloon at gram fest in 2001, in the weeks after 9/11 - and again on election night, making a full circle from the darkest time to the brightest day in our recent history.

we still need to find a venue for wednesday nights, for the kids who have nowhere to perform since the beatnik closed down. all ideas are welcome.

thanks for all the great music. see you at one or more of the upcoming events.

peace,

ted

Dear friends-
As I recently turned fifty, I was especially interested to hear one of my favorite artists and philosophers, Brian Eno, state "This I Believe: Singing is the Key to A Long Life" on NPR this morning.
Inspired (yet again) by Eno, I would like to propose a High Desert A'Capella Club and intend to introduce the concept at the New Reality Show tomorrow evening, Monday Nov 24, at Pappy and Harriet's, around 9pm. If Pioneertown is too far for you to travel , please start your own auxiliary branch. There can never be too much singing. We'll pick a song everybody knows more or less, singers and non-singers are invited to participate, for a weekly (or more often; spontaneous a'capella singing is encouraged!) group sing-along, sans other instruments.
Enjoy Eno's essay and join me in song. To a long life!!
TQ
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97320958
ps
on another note, my friend LOVEY sent me a link to a lovely documentary this morning about the Obama's four days in Denver for the DNC. i immediately noticed that the music for the film was composed by an old friend, greg kuehn, who i haven't seen inclose to 20 years. at that time, fred drake was house sitting for greg, while writing and recording on greg's gear. fred and i wrote "little blue" there, fred wrote "please" and, while tripping on some nice acid, and gazing at a 8 by 10 of LOVEY, wrote his gorgeous ambient piece, "goodnight i love you." six degrees of separation or less...

hi folks-
it's been hard for me to decide whether to celebrate out loud or to to just sort of let this one go by: this coming wednesday, i'm turning fifty. i like to think of myself as proof that one can remain a teen ager in spirit no matter one's age. i remember feeling like i was a hundred years old when i was 16. age is such a funny thing. our cells, our dna, are billions of years old and yet we differentiate so much based on years spent alive on earth. i look at my boy, growing up so fast, at 3 years and three months. i see my father, 82 years old; my mother, 80. whatdoes any of it mean? have i gained some insight and wisdom as a function of my chronology? was i born with something, like sage, that gets whittled down until one fits in with 'society'? as a father, i feel like my biggest job (next to making sure he eats, sleeps, reads, plays, etc.) is to protect his innocence, his instinctive knowledge. i've spent fifty years trying to return to that. this week, there is so much to celebrate, and still there is so much work ahead. still, a huge weight has been lifted from me as i look upon our new president (the first one who is actually younger than me!) and see that our lives were shaped by some of the same events. namely, the assasinations of the kennedy's, the example of martin luther king, the liberating sound of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul music. the youth culture which took forty five years to come to power in the person of barack obama. i remember when a child of mixed race was called mulatto. now we call him mister president. the world changed, or shifted upward, this week. i couldn't ask for a better gift as i turn 50. (the setback against gay marriage is temporary, i firmly believe, and will be overturned soon. inequality like that just doesn't have a chance of surviving in the long run.) four years ago, i was almost to the point of giving up. the second stolen bush election left me depleted. then, the miraculous news that i would be a father. that began the change in my world that this weeks election pushed forward. i dream of a better world for sage, and now i think it's possible. as sharron says,
"give peace MORE OF A CHANCE." the weight of the past is crumbling and i look forward to the next fifty years. this is the century when equality, respect for the earth, peaceful resolution of differences becomes the standard. i'm happy to stand here, at this midway point, looking out to a more perfect world. i'm celebrating on monday at pappy's and tuesday at the joshua tree saloon. everyone is invited. on my actual birthday, wednesday, i'mm thinking of sushi. your'e all welcome to join me for that as well. at fifty, i still believe in "all you need is love." returning to the person i was at birth...with a lot of wonderful people surrounding me, in this amazing community where i landed, joshua tree, a citizen of the world, at last.
my goal is to finish my record with robbi and kripa, get it out there to the world, get radio free joshua tree going, finish my 'pre sage' autobiography so my son can know me better when he wants to know himself better...asking not what i want from the world, but what the world wants from me...