Dave Wilkins, Matt Cornell, Jeff Mcfadden, Bryan Davis, Joe Travers, Tony Brock,
Phil X, Leo Canneto, Anders Franssons, Jason Nesmith, Betsy Ullery, Adam Grace, Novi Novog, Peter Blyton, and several bartenders
My name is Michael Parker and I am an American songwriter. My primary medium is what used to be called rock and roll. God bless it.
From the brick red soil of my west Texas childhood to the grey/black pallet of concrete and tar in 21st century Los Angeles, I have followed the dream. The American Dream of the Golden West, Rock and Roll and freedom. Freedom to be myself fully, and to experience life on my own terms.
This album is the product of several years of writing a few hundred songs and picking the ones that most echoed the themes that were still boiling inside me, including my love for America, yet the disturbing lack of critical thought in the post 911 world, the mythology of Hollywood, our search for meaning,and the seeming acceleration of time and reality. The "Phantasmagloria". What will we do? We have so many possibilities...
The arranging, recording, and mixing/mastering of this album was an odyssey that took 2 years, 2 continents, almost a dozen musicians, hours of phone calls and scheduling, gallons of drink, and more emotional fortitude than I care to think about. It was recorded in Los Angeles, CA and Sydney, Australia in world class studios and in the valley in bedrooms and dens.
My musical partner and co producer was Dave Wilkins, a New South Wales born and bred, salt of the earth, singer songwriter. Dave had a couple of noteworthy bands of his own back home and during the making of this album he was coming off several years playing, writing, and recording with the Gladiator himself, Russell Crowe in their roots band, Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts. That can't be easy...
All of this was conjured and created without the interference (cough) i mean "assistance" of a recording label, major or otherwise, fancy management, plastic surgery, or corporate tie ins. I did this because I wanted to. And I wanted you to hear it, and feel it, and share it. So "hear" it is. The concept album where you decide the concept, "Phantasmagloria".
It's in your hands now... Just like the future.
Good night and good luck,
Michael Parker
Somewhere in the valley - Fall 2006
All songs Produced by Michael Parker and Dave Wilkins except ,
Phantasmagloria & Dead Roses In Bloom, Prod. by Michael Parker and Bryan Davis.
Michael,so great to hear from you!!, its been some time. I am planing a trip out your way in march next year. I should be playing a bit too, I miss our place in silverlake!!
love to anna and yourself, and the kids I've yet to meet
CHANNEL THREE BERLIN, Heaven and Earth ist ein Statement von uns - für Euch, für unsere Welt. conducted, composed and arranged by Frank von Falk ( Thutmosis III. ) Music by Gregorian/Enigma, All Rights Reserved 2009
