New Club EDA Downloads! From my personal Christmas playlist to yours...

Hi All,

     During the course of preparing the last two Club EDA downloads, I spent some time revisiting archive recordings that I made back in 1997.  While scouring around, I rediscovered two songs that I wanted to share with the founding EDAs way back when, but never quite got around to it.   I thought it would be fun to share both of them with you now as the holiday season approaches.  Neither recording has been heard before and both songs are seasonal, as in Christmas related.  Let me tell you a bit more about them...

   Jewel is not involved in either recording, but both songs were recorded during Jewel-related events and both are by songwriters that directly encouraged and inspired Jewel during her formative years on the San Diego coffeehouse circuit.  The two artists in question are Gregory Page and Steve Poltz, two prolific artists who, at the time Jewel first landed in San Diego, were working together in The Rugburns. By the time I made these 1997 recordings, Gregory and Steve were each pursuing individual paths, although those paths still occasionally cross from time to time. 

    The first song, “Tomorrow Is Found,” is a live recording I made of Gregory performing solo acoustic at Java Joe’s, when he concluded the first night of the Pajama Jam, a private EDA Foundation event that occurred on November 28th and 29th, 1997. Here's a photo of Gregory and Jewel singing together, shot earlier that very same night.

Until now, the only issued recording of “Tomorrow Is Found” was on an extremely difficult to find 91X local artists compilation, briefly available to listeners in the early 90’s. This incredible song is not available on any of Gregory’s albums.  There were a lot of outstanding performances during the two night event at Java Joe's and this song is definitely one of them.  Its also one of the saddest, most touching Christmas songs I’ve ever heard.  In early 1998, the 3rd volume of a free cassette series called “Future Folklore” contained highlights from this event and my only regret about it was that we didn’t include this song.  I think my reasoning at the time was that the levels were a little too hot, but in retrospect I wish we included it back then.  Nobody can evoke melancholia quite like Gregory Page and this song is a prime example. 

    With a diametrically opposite feel is the Steve Poltz ditty, “I Hate Christmas,” which although clearly dated by cultural references relevant to 1997 (like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!), is one of the funniest, most politically incorrect Christmas songs I’ve ever heard.  (Warning: This song is for adults only. If you are offended by the “F” word or are under the age of 12, you probably should not download this one!) 

      I recorded this hilarious number during Jewel’s 1997 Tiny Lights Tour, when the trio incarnation of The Rugburns opened for Jewel and served as her band.  This wasn’t from any of the concerts though, but rather from a soundcheck at New Haven’s Palace Theater on the afternoon of February 23, 1997, prior to Jewel’s arrival.  The configuration of The Rugburns heard on this recording features John Castro on bass and vocals, Steve Poltz on guitar and vocals, and Jeff "Stinky" Aafedt on snare drum and brushes, seen together so flatteringly here.

When I recorded this, there was no audience present, so it sounds like a studio demo, but its actually an impromptu live performance for their own amusement - and now yours, too...  I think you'll enjoy these unreleased recordings.

     You can find plenty more to listen to, watch and explore by visiting Gregory Page’s site. Be sure and check out his films, including his most recent one that features a brand spanking new recording of this great song (now titled "Grey Christmas"), located at:

    http://www.gregorypage.com/

You’ll also find a never ending stream of hilarity and an abundance of great music at Steve Poltz’s site. Steve is currently in the U.K. and you can follow his adventures at:

    http://www.poltz.com/

    Both are prolific songwriters with wide ranging material, which I know is a primary reason many of you appreciate Jewel. There's a lot to admire about each of them and I strongly encourage you to check them both out.  

    Big thanks to Gregory and Steve for allowing us to freely share these archive recordings with you.  So... without further ado, here is Gregory Page performing “Tomorrow Is Found” at The EDAFoundation Pajama Jam at Java Joe's on November 28, 1997 and The Rugburns running through “I Hate Christmas” on the afternoon of February 23, 1997. 
 

From my personal Christmas playlist to yours, enjoy these free downloads,

Alan