Class around the piano.
* Lon enjoys producing solo artists and groups.
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In the Beatle days, when I came up, we didn’t have all the many new genres. What genre are Beatle songs? Each was a creative expression. Now writers and musicians work within the framework of the genres they target. I wouldn't know how.
I let the spirit of the Muses come through.
Is it Luck or the Power of Creative Thinking?
Posted by Paul Petersky
I'm posting this with many thanks to Lon for a wonderful workshop and to you both for use of your home, and to you for enduring at times that not especially beautiful sounds were emanating from the studio. While my intent was to take the course on the basis of its technical merits, I have been touched to a greater extent by both your philosophies of music and life.
In the early 1980's I participated a workshop that was led by Sondra Ray. Among many of its memorable experiences was that "all thought is creative." Positive thinking and perspective leads to positive outcomes. I feel that you and Lon have adopted this philosophy.
Lon refers to himself as lucky. I think a lot of this luck is believing in yourself. At what point did Lon "discover" his luck--was at Berkelee, was it in London? Is it karmic or is it nurturing the mind to appropriately take on risks and adeptly handle the challenges? Many musicians get "breaks" but a few years later have crashed. The music business is unforgiving and chaotic. To maintain positive thinking throughout the journeys you have traveled is a indeed a gift to be savored.
Posted by Mindy Vickers
Recording at Angels Ranch is one of the most exhilarating, fun and motivating experiences of my life. Lon and Constance combine professionalism and love to make it a truly rewarding experience. It’s evolved in me a passion to sing that I never before would have taken seriously.
Our 23 year anniversary was in 2008. Now, in 2024, 39 years, we are doing our best to carry on without our most important person... Consti.
We have compiled some recordings for you. I like to call them ”Musix”. Musix because these tracks are fundamentally magic!
Imagine a Better World has been involved with many different types of artistic expression through the years. In producing them I left any marketing, “Music Business” criteria of sales and success out of the work. I wished to capture pure human artistic expression. Because of this, you may find some of the tracks quite unusual and that’s why I love them. The stories as to how they came about, “the tales behind the songs” is fun - truth is stranger than fiction. The Chinese brother and sister who came to Angel’s Ranch for a weekend to record “Go”, the Art of Recording classes that produced such gems as “Wayne” and “Funky B6” featuring world class Bass Player B6. Even the visit from musicians from the Boyz to Men Band who joined in to create “Save the World” for the Denver at the Apollo Project.
For me, the love of music is discovering the gems and rarities that are captured and recorded.
After all, what is it but a “Recording” an historical record of what happened.
The great Jazz master Eric Dolphy once said, “When you hear music, it’s gone in the air. You can never catch it again!” In a most humble way we have caught some magical Musix and are pleased to share them with you, all re-mastered and sounding fantastic!
BP Blues
Near our residence was the little BP gas station and convenience store. Behind the counter was Kin Duncan who mentioned once in conversation that she wrote and performed songs. We invited her over. A few weeks later she rang up and arrived. She laid her song down, song a rough scratch vocal and left. We never saw her again. Kim where are you?
Building from the Ground Up
They were called Lonz Neighbours. They were exactly that. Professionals in the HiTech corporate world who met and practiced, wrote and performed as a musical group. Roxy and Gerry Frederickson, Dylan, Bill, Frank… I love theme all and I even sat in a couple of times at rehearsals. We did one session late one night for fun and this is Dylan’s song. I have one of Bill’s as well. They were very instrumental in assisting me with “Black & White”. Playing on it, and financially supporting it’s coming into being. Since, they have changed their name to Strange Neyburz and have a CD out. I like what we did a lot more. Roxy has a non-profit organization called Rhythm FILL IN and all are doing great cuz they ARE GREAT!
Change Your Heart
I have been honoured to teach The Art of Recording in association with Arapahoe Community College. Students sign up and come to my studio and we interact and challenge ourselves to write, record, produce, mix and master one song for a CD.
For this class, I suggested we write something for Imagine a Better World and the collaboration astonishes me!
What Goes Around Comes Around
George McCaffrey would play this Lenny Kravitz track over and over.
During the Denver at the Apollo years it happened we did a re-make with Nichol and Melanie.
Dead Man’s Walk
Michael Rube came to class with his song idea. We had fun, giving it that old country
flavour as if we were producing a song for a TV Western. Paladin, Bonanza and now Dead Man’s Walk!
Did They
Melanie Stuempke was the winner of the songwriter category at the Denver at the Apollo awards show. She is short and deep. Her songs are moving, thoughtful and yes deep. This one with the ghostlike voices was a favorite. She also is a singer on What Comes Around Goes Around. He art has influenced me more than I can ever repay.
Energy
Anthony Gorman. Tony was a frequent visitor to Angel’s Ranch, a poet, songwriter and evolved human being. He devoted his time with helping at the various 12 and 13 step organizations around downtown Denver and had lived a most wondrous and exciting life. He smiled mostly and when questioned would point out a line from a song or poem giving the feeling that he had already explained and answered. He died just before the release of Lon & Derrek’s “Black & White” CD on which he had the title cut. "Gringoland" is another of Tony’s gems. His book of songs should all be recorded. I am doing my part to keep the memory of this Saint alive.
Funky B6
Ron Buckner of Buckminster fuller the hottest band in Denver came to a class. I turned it over to him to lead and we all learned lots! Ron has been the preferred Bass Player in this town since forever. Definitely my choice. We had fun with this groove. NAME?? Wrote and rapped the guitar player NAME chimed in there’s the scratcher. All around that sweet Bass of Mr. Six! I think it’s 81 Hertz!
Go
The Hu’s brother and Sister from China found us on the web. They spent a glorious weekend recording their song. It was a joy to work with them.
Love the CDs!! "Go" sounds great with the new strings arrangement.
Enda Hu
Recording at Angels Ranch was a great experience that I will not forget.
It was awesome being at Angels Ranch, so peaceful away from the busy world.
I miss Angels Ranch already! i woke up this morning wondering why I was in my bed at home!
I think Enda's inspired to write more songs now, he really enjoyed the weekend
Go There
College kids from Boulder. Rainbow Bridge. A drummer polishing his cymbals, a 5 string Bassist, Daren the Guitarist and an American Indian on vocals. They played beyond the abilities of most musicians. The time signature on this one is 11/4 for awhile. Dedicated and surely an exclusive invitation.
Goodbye
Madeleine a 14 year old class attendee wrote this hit! Curtis Cheatwood, who also wrote the rap for "Within" for the "Juggling Bubbles" LIVIES™ show contributed the male part. It was a fun class!
Gringoland
A Tony Gorman song performed the immitigable Matt Hurwitz journalist extraordinaire. He suggested we do “Black & White”. That Mennonite from FATE is on piano and did the track and backing vocals. I love doing these true lyrics and artful music. Harry Nilsson told me to always use Buckminster Fuller’s three prong criteria for (whatever you fill in) So for a song…
1. Degree of Difficulty,
2. Public Acceptance, and
3. Longevity.
This meets those for sure except for maybe Public Acceptance. If I were more like Paul McCartney and others who promote themselves so well.
Of course Paul is amazing but if think if people had a chance to hear this stuff they’d enjoy it.
In Easy Chairs
My brother Derrek is so great as you can hear on this lovely Tony Gorman tune.
Johnny
Katie Wieland, never really wanted to do a CD favoring more to perform in Musical Theatre.
Johnny is the "James Dean" for the new Teens. Her CD is great !
Momma Gone Down by the River
Adam came to class. He sadly spoke when everyone was introducing themselves that he had just lost his Mom.
He had this little song. We spent the time putting some variety in the track and he sang it in one take. Chills.
Money
Yvonne was an artist I decided to produce. She is a tremendous writer and singer. She sang and I did the backing.
Muungano
Doing a fund raiser for National Jewish meant having to have entertainment on a blocked off Larimer Street for 3 straight days 10 am to 10 pm. Many thanks for all the artists who contributed their time and talent. A friend was touring with Muungano, the National Choir of Kenya and brought them to this event. Subsequently, we recorded them at Bethany Lutheran Church. Amazing!
Nowhere
Jerry O’Neil bought a keyboard. His wife Kathy teased him about his song which he played over and over. Consti wrote a lyric and melody.
Our Father
A group of Denver at the Apollo project kids came up with this. We put it together in one afternoon. Such talent these kids have when given a chance.
Pulling Strings
The various styles of these class members were shown in a positive light when we tackled the idea of who is pulling the strings. Included are:
PuppetMaster
I just realized that this is the same theme as Pulling Strings in a way.
Rainbow
A Yvonne original. How could one not record it and why isn’t it played everywhere?
Rescue Me
A group of kids from Alternative Homes for Youth came and did this. Excellent.
The organization offers a place for these kids when they have no place to go.
Save the World
Apollo Kids, Freddie and a few members of the band that tours with Boyz to Men, notice Dave Foreman’s cool Bass line.
Those Were the Days
I came up with this and I never thought she wanted to sing it. She did a great job anyway.
Turtle Love
A brilliant and early class. Randy and the rest. I get to produce 2 CDs for Christy and Randy.
Wayne
Experimental and interesting.
What is a Song For
Molly Weaver is a pro!
Whip Me
Who wrote this? Came from years ago in LA. Fun!
Whisper
Apollo Boys written and sang. I love it!
Window
I offered to an elementary school a donation of doing a track. Love this lyric from these “Dream Girlz" 12 year olds.
Would You Love Me
Cassie Brown quit music to have a family. Bless her.
Write Me a Song
Bless her again!
for everyone is fighti
MARIANNE SPEISER
Wonderful heart and writer from the heart.
JOHN BRAYTENBAH
I am so sorry John. From the Trees to keyboards around the world. He was the best!
MOM & DAD
She was an Italian
Opera singer and he
played fabulous guitar. Always music in our home!