ten wheel drive

TWD SECRETS NOW SHOWING UP ON FACEBOOK

2010-07-10T15:12:00.002-04:00

Allen Herman: "Genya, I don't know about you but I once lit Dennis Parisi's hair on fire in the back row of our plane to FSU while doing a hit on a hash pipe."

Genya: "Oh my Goodness .what about Steve Sattan falling off the stage and continued playing like a bug on its back trying to get up...never dropped a beat.....hahahahha "

Genya: "And the Chambers gave me a hit of Angel Dust and you guys had to play the intro to Eye of The Needle' for twenty mintutes till Aram came over to me to give me my opening line.....the audience loved it, they knew I was stoned...."

A REVIEW FROM 2007

2010-07-06T23:16:00.001-04:00

Ten Wheel Drive was a band that formed after Genya Ravan's all-female band Goldie and the Gingerbreads broke up. Around the same time Michael Zager and Aram Schefrin were also looking for a band as well. After being introduced to each other by their managers and also after filling the entire brass section Ten Wheel Drive was officially born. The thing about Zager, Schefrin, and Ravan is that they all came from a different musical background, so they all had to find a way to mix and match these to create the best possible formula for Ten Wheel Drive, and they did an amazing job.
Their first big show was in 1969 at the Fillmore East in New York where halfway through the show Genya Ravan decided that her voice and the music behind it wasn't quite enough for the crowd so she decided to take off her vest and perform the last half of the show topless.
Ten Wheel Drive is some very, very intense psychedelic-afro funk/blues/soul music that is seemingly way ahead of its time. Genya Ravan's voice bears an uncanny resemblance to Janis Joplin's voice, but the band backing Genya makes this album so much more heavy than any of Joplin's records. The only time Joplin's music even came close to resembling this was at Woodstock when she had Kozmic Blues backing her, but the thing about that is that Ten Wheel Drive had already done that so to anyone who knew anything about would have known that it really wasn't that revolutionary. There is just so many different backing instruments playing that the music just becomes so intricate and elaborate that it fully separates itself from any genre or band of that time . Genya's voice can go from so soothing and smooth to just a "sharp as razor blades" screech that just makes you feel the soul in every single song. The brass and rhythm section backing also adds to the overall funk/soul sound of this album. You get this big-band-ish , psychedelic, funky, soul sound out of every song and you can sense each individual musicians different musical background as the ball all of them up to create an amazing album. There is just not a bad song on this album. Every song carries the same amount of absolute soul and this unique sound that you just can't find anywhere else.

Prove me wrong. Don't forget to comment.

Enjoy.

IS THIS TEN WHEEL DRIVE ... OR NOT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

2010-03-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

2010-02-06T12:40:00.000-05:00

NEW FIND BY GENYA - FILLMORE SCHEDULE

2010-02-05T18:49:00.000-05:00

2010-01-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

MORNING MUCH BETTER - TEN WHEEL DRIVE

2009-12-23T12:30:00.001-05:00

NEW STUFF

2009-09-25T15:44:00.000-04:00

Just completed a demo on the first new Ten Wheel Drive song since 1973.

AIRFARE

2009-09-23T15:19:00.001-04:00

They're playing "Eye of the Needle" on Airtran, Expressjet, Frontier and JetBlue.

NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO ON "EYE OF THE NEEDLE"

2009-09-18T13:28:00.002-04:00

A COMMENT ON YOUTUBE ON "SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE"

2009-09-17T01:28:00.001-04:00

God bless you for being part of, and contributing to, what may be the headiest and most intelligent period in post-rock Pop.

HELP!

2009-08-23T18:58:00.001-04:00

I have written a libretto based on Mary Todd Lincoln's incarceration in a mental hospital. I had a composer to set to score it, but he has gotten too busy. As it is some of my best work, I have posted it online here. If anyone knows a composer who would like to work with it, please let me know by commenting on this post.

THANKS, ANTHONY!

2009-08-23T17:16:00.000-04:00

Shootin' The Breeze, Ten Wheel Drive

I can't even begin to know how to thank you for you putting this song on Youtube. I'm an accomplished musican and back in the 70's I purchased the album and fell in love with this song so I had my bands play it. The musical agrrangment speaks for itself. In the 80's i lost the album when I moved to a new city. I have always had a special liking in my heart for this song and missed it so much through the years. My search for the recording thru the years has only been nothing but frustrating.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart, you have made my day!!

Anthony

NOW I KNOW

2009-08-09T17:26:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Steve Loeb, a great piano man who played on several "Peculiar Friends" cuts, I now know who the unidentified guy on the T W D cover is.

It's Joe Schick, who owned Blue Rock Studio on Greene Street in New York. Between the end of the band with Genya and the re-beginning with Annie, we played with the idea of putting together another sort of band. We did a bunch of demos at Blue Rock with Steve, Joe Beck, Russell George and a drummer I can't remember. When TWD came back together, Don Grolnick (who did piano work on the new album) decided not to stay with the band. So we were short one man for the album cover photo, and Joe very kindly agreed to stand in. Steve Robbins later took Grolnick's place.

2009-07-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

2009-07-30T16:09:00.000-04:00

2009-07-30T15:56:00.000-04:00

T W D NOW UP ON ITUNES

2009-07-28T23:31:00.002-04:00

The fourth Ten Wheel Drive album, T W D, featuring Ann E. Sutton on lead vocals, is not available for download at iTunes.

2009-07-28T12:57:00.000-04:00

TWD NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

2009-07-15T14:32:00.004-04:00

Ten Wheel Drive's fourth album, featuring Ann E. Sutton, is now available for download at Amazon.com.

CONSTRUCTION NO. 1 ON ITUNES

2009-07-14T17:47:00.002-04:00

Construction No. 1 is now available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, Lala, Napster and Rhapsody. The album now includes a never before released cut of Odetta and TWD live at the Bitter End.

BRIEF REPLIES ON ITUNES

2009-07-14T17:46:00.002-04:00

Brief Replies is now available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, Lala, Napster and Rhapsody.

PECULIAR FRIENDS ON ITUNES

2009-07-14T17:45:00.000-04:00

Peculiar Friends is now available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, Lala, Napster and Rhapsody.

2009-07-11T16:45:00.001-04:00

2009-07-11T16:39:00.001-04:00

The cast of characters shown here:

Top: Genya, Dave Liebman, Aram, John Gatchell, Mike, Steve Satten, Bobby Piazza
Bottom: Dennis Parisi, Allan Herman, John Eckert

2009-07-11T16:35:00.000-04:00

2009-07-11T16:31:00.000-04:00

2009-07-11T16:28:00.000-04:00

INCREDIBLE!

2009-07-08T13:46:00.001-04:00

BILLY FIELDS

2009-07-06T22:29:00.001-04:00

This is TWD's manager, Billy Fields, pointing to the TWD poster which I hope is still on the wall at The Bitter End.

THE CHRONICLES GOING UP FOR DOWNLOAD

2009-07-06T10:15:00.002-04:00

The first episode of the Ten Wheel Drive Chronicles is now available for mp3 download at Amazon. Cheap - $0.99! I will put more episodes up for download, but it ain't cheap to arrange that, so I'm going to go slow until I see how much interest there actually is.

Remembering the Atlanta International Pop Festival�|�Birmingham Weekly

2009-07-04T23:32:00.000-04:00

Remembering the Atlanta International Pop Festival�|�Birmingham Weekly

2009-07-02T22:51:00.002-04:00

2009-07-02T22:50:00.002-04:00

YEAH

2009-06-29T15:21:00.001-04:00

From Genya's Facebook page. I remember the night, but not the picture. That's Dave Williams behind her.

PECULIAR FRIENDS ON AMAZON

2009-06-29T09:58:00.002-04:00

Peculiar Friends is now available for digital download on Amazon, Lala, Napster and Rhapsody.

BRIEF REPLIES ON AMAZON

2009-06-29T09:57:00.002-04:00

Brief Replies is now available for digital download on Amazon, Lala, Napster and Rhapsody.

CONSTRUCTION NO. 1 ON AMAZON

2009-06-29T09:56:00.002-04:00

Construction No. 1 is now available for digital download on Amazon, Lala, Napster and Rhapsody. The album now includes a never before released cut of Odetta and TWD live at the Bitter End.

AVAILABLE SOON!

2009-06-26T12:06:00.001-04:00

I'm in the process of preparing all four TWD albums - plus a never before released live album! - for download at Amazon, iTunes and many other online music stores. So far I've uploaded "Brief Replies." It will be 4-6 weeks before they appear, so watch for them!

THE VERY BEGINNING

2009-05-05T13:57:00.003-04:00

These are diary entries having to do with the creation of Ten Wheel Drive:

10/19/68 - Joe Zito (?) wants to hear the band for complete management-recording package. I called RCA and Elektra. Wouldn't give me an appointment. RCA didn't even want the tape.

10/20/68 - Long talk with Roger (?) about managing the group. Lot of questions about what he could accomplish.

10/25/68 - picked up tapes from studio and delivered one to Elektra. Gave one to Carolyn for Bell.

10/28/68 - Carolyn called, said her company and she thought the record was terrible. Didn't like Vi (lead singer at the time) and thought it was unprofessional.

10/29/68 - saw Mike Chechik at Vanguard. Very good conversation. He didn't like Vi either - felt the music was "ahead of its time" and unsaleable. He might put the band together with one of his singers, like Corey Braverman, and put some money in it.

10/30/68 - I saw Charlie Fach at Mercury. He didn't like Vi but liked the material. We are set for a demo session. It all hangs on Vi - if she can sell herself we have a good chance.

10/31/68 - Bob Ranier (trombone) gave Mike trouble. Wants money - absurd. Earl Sachis is willing to replace Bob. I am to meet Vi tomorrow at Theatre de Lys with lyrics.

11/4/68 - I called Mike Chechik. He put me onto Irma Router, who is recording for MGM. She is interest and I will try to meet with her at Vanguard. He also suggested Anne Tansey, Abe Kesh, Lou Reisner, Myland Melvin at Mercury.

11/6/68 - Nixon won. Worked on arrangements.

11/7/68 - Rehearsed band. Lots of drive. Joe Zito called tape "interesting."

11/8/68 - recorded at Mercury. The studio wasn't big enough to record the whole band, so we did rhythm first. On the whole okay. The board kept failing - the engineer, Jack McMahon, was good and furious about the problems. But when we put it all together it grooved. We didn't get to Vi - she sat around all day.

11/11/68 - we put Vi on the tape. For the first time she really let something out - I know there is even more inside, but we were cramped for time.

11/15/68 - mixed at Mercury. Very complicated, long job. We heard a million mistakes we hadn't picked up before. Jack McMahon thinks we will have a good chance, but doesn't like Vi. I think we're in trouble.

11/22/68 - Jack McMahon called, said Charlie Fach heard the dub and said "Sounds very good." He is taking same home for weekend. So we sweat out another Monday. So far no objection to Vi. Jack played me tape of two girls he wants to match us up with - I was not impressed. We started work on "I Am A Want Ad" - nice riff in groove.

11/26/68 - saw Chechik. He had some good comments - doesn't like Vi, says we are still searching for a concept, identity as a group. Says we need a company to bankroll us, Vanguard won't do it. Mercury is big on that. Introduced us to Irma Router, who merits no further discussion because she obviously wants us to back her. Chechik doesn't want to let go of what he thinks will be a good thing - but knows that the good thing will die without company help. So unless we rethink what we are doing, we go nowhere with them.

12/4/68 - Kenny Martel has two girls who he will hear tomorrow, or talk to, then meet us. Lee has a girl, Adrian Artz, who we will meet tomorrow. Mike talked to the manager of the two girls Jack was pushing - no go, they are too independent and also lousy.

12/5/68 - Saw Adrian Artz, possible singer through Lee. She is terrific girl, very into what we are doing, thinks we are geniuses. I gave her tape and band track, she will call.

12/9/68 - spoke to Adrian. She says she is memorizing lyrics - she's really into this. I dig her tremendously. I hope to hell she can sing.

12/10/68 - Adrienne - I was not overwhelmed. She has power, personality, range - but I'm not yet sure her voice is that good. She is definitely beautiful person, however. Heard Diane Jenkins - too jazzy. Everything is down at Merc.

12/12/68 - spent afternoon with Adrienne. She is not going to make it. Her pitch and quality is not top notch. She is going to Merc Monday but I have no hopes.

12/13/68 - I called Art D'Lugoff - he has no singer but he wants to hearl the group.

12/16/68 - recorded Adrienne. Pitch and quality no good. I hadn't the heart to tell her, so I stalled her off, but day is coming.

12/19/68 - Jack has girl from Good + Plenty. I bought her album, she is OK, not fantastic.

12/23/68 - auditioned Darlene Rubin. She stinks. We are becoming very discouraged. Jack is losing interest.

12/29/68 - Adrienne keeps calling me. She thinks she's going to make it. How do I tell her no?

1/3/69 - saw Premier Talent, Dick Freedberg. He is definitely interested, going to put out major search for girl. Martel has a girl - Goldie somebody, he says she is fantastic. She will be in his office Monday. I called Adrienne off. She was upset, but what could I do.

1/6/69 - Martel came up with Genya. Goldie. She digs the group. Martel says she is great.

1/8/69 - heard Nora Fields. OK, will do in a pinch, but range troubles and minimal understanding of emotions.

1/9/69 - Heard Genya Ravan. She has a very individual voice, thin and harsh, load of soul. I don't know if she can manage the ballads, but she sure can do the up stuff. Mike is convinced she's right, I'm not so sure.

1/10/69 - Martel says Genya wants a contract which will permit her to split at any time. Absolutely not. Went to club to see her. Dynamite. I finally heard her low range - good. So now I only have to worry about keeping her.

1/18/69 - Thursday we recorded Genya. She was tight and tired but it worked out well. She is disturbing in that she hadn't studied the stuff at all. We proceeded to question her sincerity. Billy Fields was there who seemed to dig it. Her boyfriend Les, she said, liked the material but not the arrangements.

1/21/69 - saw Genya. We are on great terms and I am confident she will not screw us. She suggested she and I go to Atlantic. Gerry's man wants to take us to MGM and WB. Bert Obrentz has an opening to Dot. Genya is starving, wants us to put a band together for her for work til we get started. Everybody is up.

1/22/69 - Fach liked the dub. Genya is excited.

1/23/69 - Jack says Fach liked it very much but doesn't know how to handle it. So he is going to plkay it for somebody. Jack is very depressed - says if he takes it to Ann Tansey we are dead.

1/25/69 - Gerry saw Brian Rohan. He will negotiate contract for us, and he took tape to California, will go to Columbia.

1/28/69 - Mike spoke to Colpix, said they are very interested. We have appointment tomorrow. Martel called - wants to promote a singles deal on "Polar Bear Rug." I think we should hold off. Considering Billy Fields as manager.

1/30/69 - saw Billy Fields. He didn't like the group, didn't come off as brilliant manager. I don't think he could help us.

2/3/69 - Martel is out. Is not interested in doing anything. Fach is supposed to decide by Friday

2/5/69 - saw Screen Gems, Lester Sills. He seemed dull. He doesn't understand music and didn't seem to know why we were there.

2/6/69 - Paramount - they liked the material and Genya but felt the band needed work, said no company would finance it. Suggested we get a manager. Obrentz is getting in touch with someone at MGM who will refer us to his brother who manages Steve & Eydie. Went to Bell. They flipped out over band and Genya, didn't think it was hit material. Saw Billy Fielods. He will manage group. I think he liked all lyrics. But he wants to see band first.

2/7/69 - Fach stalled to Monday, Bell didn't call.

2/11/69 - Nadelman put us through to APA. They think it's great - want to see band and want bios on everybody.

2/12/69 - Kenny called, said he could put through immediate single. We said go ahead. Then Mercury called, it appears they will do an album and finance the band. Jerry is to talk to Fach Friday, expects to make a deal.

2/13/69 - David Upright is getting in touch with Bennett Glitzberg, manager of BS&T, to ask him if he will manage us. Meanwhile, Genya is definitely to be managed by Billy Fields, and I'm not sure I like his attitude toward this project. What it definitely means is that we will have to contract with Genya somehow, and must talk to Fields to see what he will plan for her.

2/14/69 - Genya came out. It now stands that we must put it together this week or die. So we start arranging. She will leave otherwise.

2/16/69 - saw Fields. He wants immediate rehearsals at Bitter End. Still arranging. We replaced four musicians who didn't want to rehearse for no breadh.

2/17/69 - rehearsal. A gas. Really great. No sound system, so we couldn't hear Genya. Fields was there, went wild. Bill Takas is giving up his gig with Theo Bickel to take bass chair.

2/27/69 - now we have full band with Leon Rix in as drummer. But it becomes increasingly apparent that we are not going to be ready without rehearsal bread. William Morris and APA are flipped over it, and the word is out all over the industry. Sid Bernstein dug it. But wouldn't put up the money. Showcase cancelled. Negotiated contract with Billy. Three possible names for band: Demolition Derby, Maiden Voyage, Testing Ground. Billy to choose.

3/2/69 - rehearsed Genya. She is beginning to get things down.

3/3/69 - rehearsed Genya. New musicians - 2 new trumpets, new trombone.

3/4/69 - rehearsal. Full band, getting tight. Wm Morris was there, may put up $2,000, NMI offered $2500. Billy now talking about long showcasing period - 10 weeks. This is absurd. This band must work immediately. Richie Meisterman's name - Avalanche - we may be using it.

3/7/69 - Lou Hoff is set for Monday. APA will be there, possibly ASCAP. Showcase date is definitely 3/26. Billy said BMI and William Morris got toether and will not offer unless both do. He is not optimistic.

3/10/69 - rehearsal - outtasight! Everything is jellimg. APA was there but forgot to bring their money man, and ASCAP couldn't hear the lyrics because the sound system stank, so we still don't know where we're at.

3/11/69 - we are pretty well squared away on the tunes we have. Billy wants us to replace all musicians who do not look the part.

3/12/69 - we still need a trumpet. Found out that the posters have been printed with the name as The Great Train Robbery. Somebody else has the name.

3/18/69 - Genya now ready to cop out. She says the band is not blues oriented enough for her. Maybe - my analysis is she is scared shitless of making mistakes. The posters went up - everyone was excited. Good rehearsal.

3/19/69 - Ashley Famous down yesterday, dug it all. Also Billy heard from Joe Glazer, who heard the band was out of sight and will be down to the showcase. We are closing show - should go on maybe 10:15, The sound system will be installed tomorrow - six mikes. Hoff will have two charts ready tomorrow, maybe Leon's (Tightrope).

OTHER TWD LIVE DATES

2009-05-05T13:10:00.003-04:00

I found some old paperwork which showed TWD at the following live dates:

March, 1969 The Bitter End
April, 1969 Ungano's
Cafe au Go Go
May, 1969 The Scene
June, 1969 Felt Forum
Bitter End
July, 1969 Village Gate
Atlanta International Pop Festival
August, 1969 Electric Circus - Enchanted Forest, Raven, Voices of East Harlem
Bitter End with McKendree Spring - Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell there
Factory East
8/29/69 - Interesting note: "Genya and we came to agreement to dump all trumpet players and Takas"
9/1/69 University of West Virginia
9/2/69 - Interesting notes: "Randy Brecker will join us in October. Richie called, said horns threaten to quit if Leon and Takas not fired."
9/17/69 Seton Hall
9/18/69 Saratoga
9/25/69 New Paltz
9/26/69 Monmouth College
10/3/69 Album release: Construction No. 1
10/9/69 Providence, RI
10/10/69 Atlantic Community College
10/11/69 Brooklyn
10/12/69 St. John's
10/15-20/69 Bitter End
10/25/69 Suffolk College
11/7/69 Hamilton, NY
11/8/69 Adelphi
11/9/69 Electric Circus
December, 1969 Grande Ballroom, Detroit
Boston Tea Party
January, 1970 Whiskey A Go Go
Della Reese Show
Fillmore West
April, 1970 Carnegie Hall
May, 1970 Gainesville, FL
December, 1970 Fillmore East
6/3-4/71 Loews 46th St Theatre
6/15/71 Huntington Theatre
6/21-22/71 Electric Circus
6/24/71 Terrace on Park
6/29/71 Kingsbridge Armory
6/14-15/73 The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pa,
6/27-28/73 Bananafish Park, Brooklyn
7/1/73 The Tradewinds, Seagirt, NJ
7/10/73 WLIR live broadcast
July 13-15/73 My Father's Place
8/16-18/73 Hotlanta with Ballin'jack and Scorpion
8/19/73 Peace Palace
8/29-9/3/73 Bitter End
8/30/73 Saratoga Performing Arts Center with Three Dog Night, Isis
9/6/73 Mr. D's, New Jersey
9/7/73 WWCO, Waterbury CT
9/15/73 Richmond, Va with Cannonball Adderley
9/17/73 Agora, Cleveland
9/19/73 Agora, Columbus
9/20/73 Draft House, Akron
9/21/73 Agora, Toledo
9/22/73 Bangor, ME with Canned Heat and Mike Bloomfield
9/25-26/73 Boston Club
10/5/73 Omaha Music Hall with Sons of Champlin
10/6/73 Sioux Falls Arena with Three Dog Night
10/7/73 Duluth Arena with Three Dog Night
12/9/73 Coventry

2009-04-22T15:05:00.001-04:00

AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN

2009-04-09T08:49:00.001-04:00

I can see you baby
Lookin' wild and lookin' tired
And lookin' for me
Bustin' in the door
And workin' on fever hard
To score me
Wishin' that our lovin'
Could go on for a year
Just so you can hear me
Screamin' hard in your ear
Baby, baby
That's what I see
I know you could satisfy me
But it ain't gonna happen

I can see you thinkin'
Through the day about the night
You're gonna give me
Worryin' at midnight
About the chance
You might outlive me
I can see you hangin'
On the edge of the bed
Leavin' me a place
For restin' my head
There ain't nothing
I wouldn't do
I can see me worshipping you
But it ain't gonna happen

I can see me lovin' you
Without any strings
I don't ask for promises
Or none of those things
Baby, baby
That's where I am
But I can see you don't give a damn
It ain't gonna happen

Copyright 1969 Aram Schefrin and Michael Zager

BYE LIGHT OF DAY

2009-04-08T08:40:00.001-04:00

I'm shakin' in my boots
He turns his lens on me and shoots
And I am caught
He turns the floodlights down
And prints it up in antique brown
All right - now what?
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

The moving finger writes
And pauses in the movie lights
To take a bow
The message comes in clear
It's like a whisper in my ear
All right - what now?
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Bye light of day
Put your things away
But don't forget to say
Goodnight, light

A half a cup of milk
A dress carved up of Chinese silk
And second sight
Well, that's not half so bad
And that's not all that Annie's had
What, now? All right
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Bye light of day
I'm gonna pass away
But I won't forget to say
Goodnight, light

After I am gone
Please don't describe me on my stone
What could you say?
I want my epitaph
To make you stop, and read, and laugh
You'll find a way
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la

Copyright 1973 Aram Schefrin and Michael Zager

LAPIDARY

2009-04-07T07:49:00.001-04:00

I am a diamond set in tin

I am the ruby's unknown twin

I am precious jade

Hidden in the shade

I am a sapphire underground

I am the opal no one's found

Satiny brocade

For the carriage trade

Opal fire

Sapphire star

Diamond shine

Here you are

Golden pin

Silver man

Yes I will

Yes you can

I am the coral in the sea

Nobody ever looks for me

I'm waiting for the king

To wear me in his ring

DOWN IN THE COLD

2009-04-06T07:39:00.001-04:00

Come out of the blizzard

Visit with the wizard

No one's gonna burn you

I can't wait to turn you upside down

Get you down in the cold

Down in the cold

Lookin' for fun

You smile

Showin' your style for everyone

Down in the cold

Hold my hand

Stop cryin'

Make out the sign and understand

I may be gone tomorrow

That's time enough to cry

Meantime meet the season

There's a red

Featherdown bed

We got to try

Come out of the blizzard

Visit with the wizard

No one's gonna burn you

I can't wait to turn you upside down

Get you down in the cold

Out in the street

Life is hard

You find

Losin' your mind can get you tired

You're feelin' beat

And gettin' old

And life ain't

All of as quaint as you been told

But nothing's all that tragic

You can let it slide

I can give you magic

If it's love

You're thinking of

Come on inside

HOW LONG BEFORE I'M GONE

2009-04-05T07:29:00.001-04:00

I keep lookin' for a way to travel

A wider road or a wilder guess

Tempted by every witches' sabbath

Lookin' for a taste of saintliness

We can take it

We can make it

Hold on

Just hold on

How long before I'm gone?

Cold on a red-hot southwind morning

I shared my shade with a man in drag

After we saw some things together

He gave me some wine in a paper bag

We can make it

We can take it

Hold on

Just hold on

How long before I'm gone?

Last time someone in the garden upset me

Last time how easily he came to forget me

And I've reached a sensitive stage

And I feel the coming of age

Next time I could be expected to see things

Next time I may have to show I can be things

And I just can't know in advance

What's the feel of the dance

Next time

Yes, didn't we do it this time

Didn't we sit on the edge again

They got to know there's a fire burnin'

Cookin' the red sky

Yes, we're gettin' our pipes together

Gettin' the mood and the acid pen

Give us a chance, we'll take our chances

Blow 'em all sky high

Got my eye on some lizard slippers

Supposed to take my feet away

Supposed to take my time out shoppin'

But I can't write no checks today

We can make it

We can take it

Hold on

Just hold on

How long before I'm gone?

EZRA

2009-04-04T07:11:00.001-04:00

Ezra climbed a mountain of words

To wait for the commandments

Or just some good advice

He stepped among the beautiful birds

And called upon the lightning

To take his sacrifice

Ezra walked with a delicate touch

His eyes were on the heavens

Or else upon the ground

He knew he wasn't saying too much

But said it very bravely

To win the world with sound

Who am I?

What am I doing here?

His brother's gone down the very same path

And he's come up with nothing

So that's what he's become

He came to me for my advice

But he refused to listen

Though I did offer some

Who am I?

What am I doing here?

God did explain to Moses

What he had to do

But I don't think it's likely

God plans to talk to you

Who am I?

What am I doing here?

I told him to do whatever might come

Take it all inside him

And set himself a task

You can build a mountain of words

And never know the answer

Until you cease to ask

Who am I?

What am I doing here?

MONSOON RAIN

2009-04-03T08:57:00.001-04:00

Darling, the river

Is starting to rise

The air's getting heavy

And so are your eyes

Whistling wind in the

Sweet sugar cane

Believe it is time for the monsoon

Monsoon rain

It'll soften the day

And brighten the night

You've never seen

Such a beautiful sight

It'll soothe your soul

And wash away pain

A year's not a year til the monsoon

Monsoon rain

Um-hm

The rain is coming

I hear it humming

But it's all right

It's all right

Baby, everything is all right

You don't have to worry

Just lay yourself down

And ride it along

And I'll bring you mangos

And sing you a song

I've tied up the door

With a moonblossom chain

We'll wait for the end of the monsoon

Monsoon rain

Um hm

The rain is flying

I hear it sighing

But it's all right

It's all right

Baby, everything is all right

I'm so glad you waited

For the monsoon

Monsoon rain

FOURTEENTH STREET

2009-04-02T02:11:00.001-04:00

I left with all of my friends

Making proper amends

To concentrate on the ends, you know

But I can't get together

I'm so untied

I feel wrong inside

So I put myself in a hole

Looking down in my soul

For a nice emotional dole, you know

But I can't get together

I'm on the rack

And I can't get back

Oh, I keep thinking of time going by on me

And I know I have little to show

For day by day

All of my friends keep getting high on me

But there ain't no one of them

Knows the way

So I left my people behind

To concentrate on my mind

Seek out what I could find, you know

But I can't get together

How can I be it

If I can't see it?

Really feeling the heat

Got to get on my feet

Reach out for love in the street, you know

But I can't get together

I wish I could

But it don't look good

After Saturday comes

Dancing down with the drums

I retire with the crumbs, you know

I can't get together

It's a brand new day

In the same old way

There ain't that much to do

I think I been misread to

And what can I ask of you?

What in the hell can I ask of you?

JUST PLAIN LOVE

2009-04-01T09:06:00.001-04:00

Some folks need a mirror

To watch what's going down

Or oils, spices

Raspberry ices

Helps them go to town

Some are prone to pretzels

Some are prone to prone

Some folks'd rather gather

Some like to be alone

I don't need no Crisco

Or what you're talkin' of

I want just plain love

Some folks like the table

There's some that like the floor

Or little boys

Or rubber toys

Makes them moan for more

Some folks like the lights on

Some dig spikes and chains

Some folks want a witness

Some folks go to pains

I don't need no gadgets

Or no black leather glove

I want just plain love

Some folks look for danger

Some look for a wedding ring

Lord, there's lots of versions

And it's such a simple thing

I just want my baby

To come see me every night

So he can take me gently

For a ride in his Bentley

Treat this woman right

I don't need no story lines

I don't need no props

I just wanna be sure this river

Never never never stops

Take me back to basics

Honey, I don't need a shove

I want just plain love

WHY AM I SO EASY TO LEAVE?

2009-03-31T01:19:00.001-04:00

He asked me

Why am I so easy to leave behind?

Haven't I led the way for you

When we've been blind?

And when you tried to say goodbye

Wasn't I the first to cry?

Tell me

Why am I so easy to leave behind?

Why am I so easy to leave?

Why are you so eager to run away?

Haven't you loved the silences

Of every day

That hung like sunburn in the air

And did I once call you unfair?

Tell me

Why are you so eager to run away?

Why are you so eager to run?

It was you, he said

You made these things

The way they are

I would have wanted

To be so much more

But I love you, you know, so much

That it was worth waiting for

Why am I so easy to leave behind?

Couldn't I be whatever

You still try to find?

Then I turned to him

And let him win

I said "It's I who hasn't been,

And you are not so easy to leave behind

You are not so easy to leave"

TAP WATER

2009-03-30T04:02:00.001-04:00

I was minding my own business

When two men came my way

The big one was a traveling man

The other a gourmet

They sat down at my table

And laid these thoughts on me

Don't eat Rosie's hamburgers

And don't drink nothing free

Tap water tastes bad

And irritates the skin

You wouldn't drink that water, my son

If you knew where it had been

The traveler talked about New York

The last town he'd been through

Where dawn comes up like thunder

But never gets to you

And into your bedroom window

New Jersey softly steals

Eternity is a stairway

And life is a banana peel

Tap water, store food

Can lay you out stone dead

You wouldn't eat that chicken, my son

If you know what she'd been fed

The gourmet said, as he swallowed a snail

In Rosie's hotel bar

I'm afraid that evolution

Has gone a bit too far

I believe we'd all have been better off

With big long monkey tails

Monkeys don't get no pornographic

Pictures in the mail

Tap water, knock wood

Bang on your cardboard walls

Lock yourself in your shower, my son

Scream til your city falls

SLAIN MAN'S WIDOW

2009-03-29T03:28:00.000-04:00

Locked in the stocks on All Soul's Eve

The guilty root

Beneath his boot

They piled large stones on his satin chest

Still I think it was for the best

But I don't know why

For I am the slain man's widow

I saw him die

Lost in the crowd on the night I wed

Was the marriage pact

In silver tracked

On parchment made for his own small uses

Signed by me with my finger's juices

I don't know why

I am the slain man's widow

I saw him die

Lord, he could dance

His feet were a blur

I swear they were

He danced a ring

A five-pointed star

It took him far, far away

The heelmarks stay

Now he's gone

Someone looks down on me at night

He gives me strength

At arm's length

I hear his feet on the rooftops curling

Hear the dust devils whisper whirling

I don't know why

I am the slain man's widow

I saw him die

LOVE ME

2009-03-28T03:03:00.000-04:00

Love me

I want you to love me

So bad

You don't ever say

How you feel today

I know you're down

But I don't know why

I can act so strange

And suddenly I'll change

And you go on like it all

Passed you by

I know you can be kind

And leave me things to find

But why must I always wonder

What's on your mind, and if you

Love me

Need me

I want you to need me

These changes drive me wild

I don't mind being your child

But not when you play with me

And then you put me away

You never help me climb

You say you don't have the time

There is so much more I could be

If you led the way

You tell me it's on you

And then you don't come through

Can't you see I need you

To lean on me, too

Need me

Love me

I HAD HIM DOWN

2009-03-27T00:47:00.000-04:00

I had him down

To mother's house last night

He traveled thirty miles

To talk to me

And found himself with not too much to say

Except to smile outside the candlelight

And when it all was done

He turned around

And left the way he came

When I had him down

I had him down

I knew his mind so well

He never took the time

To be strange to me

And when I tried to shut myself away

I would have liked to find him parallel

And as I knew he would

He turned around

And left with all I had

When I had him down

I don't have it in me

To try to help when I am winning

And I often confuse

The end with the beginning

I had him down

He was so close to tears

Though I have never said

I would still be there

But something in his nature led me on

To make him understand my many years

And when it all was done

I turned around

And let him walk away

When I had him down

CLOSE UP THE CHEESE

2009-03-26T07:14:00.000-04:00

Lord Lord Lord Lord

Close up the cheese

Put the cap on the mustard

We've all had enough today

Cork up the wine

Or we'll all get plastered

Close up the cheese

Please

Get down on your knees

And pray

Sister Mary Peter

Got married yesterday

We all went down to watch

Her tearful dad give her away

The priest bestowed the blessing

And a hush fell on the room

She took the cup and plate

And drank and ate the groom

Lord Lord Lord Lord

Close up the cheese

Put the cap on the mustard

We've all had enough today

Cork up the wine

Or we'll all get plastered

Close up the cheese

Please

Get down on your knees

And pray

There was roast beef, there was cabbage

There were hot dogs on a tray

There were lots of tasty wafers

And the band played Kyrie

To the lady from the paper

She cheerfully confessed

"I saw him in my dreams

"I really was impressed"

Lord Lord Lord Lord

Close up the cheese

Put the cap on the mustard

We've all had enough today

Cork up the wine

Or we'll all get plastered

Close up the cheese

Please

Get down on your knees

And pray

The priest put on the wedding ring

Her forehead touched the floor

She rose and kissed his hand and split

And we won't see her no more

They say she's in this little room

Along a marble hall

She's kneeling by her bed

Waiting for his call

Lord Lord Lord Lord

Close up the cheese

Put the cap on the mustard

We've all had enough today

Cork up the wine

Or we'll all get plastered

Close up the cheese

Please

Get down on your knees

And pray

SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE

2009-03-25T06:17:00.001-04:00

Yes, I have tried hard to hold you, baby

Calling you out of the morning dew

Tugging your sleeve

Baby, don't leave

No chance of retrieving you

So I will be walking on Pinetop Mountain

Panning for gold in a silver stream

Sifting the sand

If you lend a hand

We might understand our dream

Please stay

Bring me a flower

Let's spend an hour

Shootin' the breeze

No way I'd ever leave you

I will receive you

Under the trees

After a year of unsettled weather

Give us a moment of sweet repose

Let us be still

Oh, until
Back to the hill you go

Give us the sunlight to talk together

Oh, you know there's a lot to say

I wouldn't mind

Looking behind

But I'd rather find today

Please stay

Bring me a flower

Let's spend an hour

Shootin' the breeze

THE NIGHT I GOT OUT OF JAIL

2009-03-24T05:56:00.002-04:00

Five long years I've been locked up
I feel like a dog with an iron bone
Been surrounded by love life
Half the time I've been half alone
I been keeping alive through dreaming
And reading your mail
I come looking for what you promised, baby
The night I got out of jail

Five long days I've been workin'
Cutting the bars of another life
Stealing the keys to the midnight
Killing time with a butcher knife
If I got myself out of prison
You said we couldn't fail
I come looking for you on the roadway, honey
The night I got out of jail

Here comes Saturday evening
I'm all ready to make my move
Everybody is sleeping
I put it away and I'm in the groove
If I get myself caught in the parlor
I get a ride out of town on a rail
So I busted out through the window, honey
The night I got out of jail

Now I find myself running
Leaving behind me the hue and cry
Feeling some reservations
I'm feeling alone and I don't know why
I came looking but you were long gone
And I'm watching the night turn pale
I think you left me to suffer freedom, baby
The night I got out of jail

Copyright 1971 Aram Schefrin and Michael Zager

LAST OF THE LINE

2009-03-23T09:16:00.001-04:00

I made love in Texas

I was reconciled

When I got to Cleveland

I had a strong boychild

He wasn't born of passion

He just had to be

I was touched by something

His father said to me

He said:

I'm the last of the line

I'm the last branch of the tree

That will die with me

He was born of good folk

Was the only son

Every day he'd worry

Watching his line run

I don't claim perfection

I ain't choked with pride

But he had to have something

That would survive the tide

I'm the last of the line

I'm the last branch of the tree

That will die with me

He said

Baby, I don't love you

But I've got to do

I would sure be grateful

To have a child by you

I have had my learning

I knew what I should say

But he would never settle down

There was no other way

I'm the last of the line

I'm the last branch of the tree

That will die with me

I CAN STILL SEE YOU TO LOVE

2009-03-22T08:42:00.000-04:00

Today I haven't finished
What I had in mind to do
I look at the sleeping city,
Wonder where I've gotten to
Tomorrow I must get to
What I should have done today
And brush aside the cobwebs
And clear myself a way
Clear myself a way

Whenever I was tired
And feeling closed inside
I laid it on your shoulders
Though I couldn't watch you cry
But now, though I can't see through
All the things I'm thinking of,
I find that in my blindness
I can still see you to love
I can still see you to love
See you to love

There's a light
And it's shining from your face
It's a peaceful light
That shines the state of grace
Somehow it always seems
To shine down into my dreams
And carry me home
Carry me home

If I straighten up my living
And earn a small release
We'll ride away in a sleeping car
For a wistful week of peace
And lay in a sea-strewn passage
With ginger eaves above
I'll hold you right beside me
So I can still see you to love
I can still see you to love
See you to love

Copyright 1973 Aram Schefrin and Michael Zager

MORNING MUCH BETTER

2009-03-21T08:50:00.002-04:00

How many times have I told you, baby

That I'd do anything you say

But listen here daddy, I got feelin's

And you can't do me this way

Ain't said no to your lovin', never did

And never do plan to do

But if you want to keep me happy, babe,

You better hear what I'm sayin' to you

Comin' to nighttime I dig bein' up

Sorta floatin' around on a cloud

Watching the people walk past my window

And playin' my music out loud

Comin' to noon I can't think about nothin'

With the daylight blazin' through

And the afternoon is no 'ccount time

'Cause I got my business to do

I could probably function

For a little conjunction

But I usually like it in the morning much better, yeah

Most people think that the midnight trip

Is the proper kind of a scene

But I come on feelin' very foggy

And I never can cut it too clean

Most people think they're at the top of their form

After stayin' up half of the night

But I know after a good night's sleep

I can get it on all right

I ain't never resisted

When you have insisted

But I usually like it in the morning much better, yeah

Early in the morning with the sun just up

And the air so fresh and sweet

People just gettin' their boots pulled on

And stragglin' out to the street

Takin' it very easy a while

Before they start in to cuttin' their wood

I don't know just what it is, baby

But that's when I feel good

With seven behind me

You better come find me

'Cause I usually like it in the morning much better, yeah

BRIEF REPLIES

2009-03-20T17:05:00.000-04:00

I'm by the mirror perfecting my hair

Wondering what innocent costume to wear

As for the question that hangs in the air

I don't think you'll like my answer ...

In a year, when I know more of myself

Maybe then I could tell you

What you want to know

There's no way,

When I don't know my mind,

To give you

Something to rely on ...

You've always been loved by children

And dogs hold you in awe

You got to be really down and out

To understand the flaw

Well, I don't care what you say

I don't care what you want

I don't care what you do

I don't

No no no

You and I have got to split

And go our separate ways

You can take your rightful place

In a world of Dorian Grays

You don't know what you say

You don't know what you want

And I don't care where you go

I don't

You'd like to be remembered

When you were in your prime

But you could never handle more

Than one friend at a time

You just want me to pay

And that is all you want

Well, I don't care who you are

I don't

No no no

EYE OF THE NEEDLE

2009-03-19T07:51:00.000-04:00

Sharp-edged summertime sits on my shoulder

Cutting deeply into my skin

I've been ending for so long

I can't remember what it's like to begin

I've been wasting my time

I've been trying to climb

Through the eye of the needle

Dog-eared pages of phone books and diaries

Look me over up in my room

Dusty leftover pieces of failures

Slither smiling under my broom

And they're feeding the fire

That keeps driving me higher

Through the eye of the needle

Watch the shadows circle

Watch them circle 'round the ceiling

Waiting for conclusion's sake

Without a trace of feeling

Waiting for the sun to slip

And tumble into China

Long years wasted in closets and corners

Looking for a future to wear

Been through hell looking so hard for heaven

Who knows what I'll find if it's there?

And I know I should quit

But I still try to fit

Through the eye of the needle

Kiss of the twilight

I have felt it, baby

Taking the last light down

To melt it, baby

Somebody's talking to me

Through the eye of the needle

THERE AIN'T GONNA BE NO NEXT TIME

2009-03-18T19:45:00.000-04:00

The earth is moody and soaked with rain

We're together and feel no pain

We've been drinking so much wine

We can hardly cast a line

And tomorrow is up and waiting

I will tell you of all my fears

Gathered up through all my years

I'm afraid of the night

And the morning is too bright

Honey, I'm sick of hating

Come to me slowly

I'm feeling so lowly

And you're so complete

Give me a minute

For gettin' back in it

Oh yeah

There ain't gonna be no next time

Honey, remember

Oh, it's been so long

Honey, be near me

I want you to hear me

Running down my song

There ain't gonna be no next time

We walk out on the tall red rocks

Talk of taverns and speak of clocks

With the fog closing in

Giving comfort to my skin

The latest is passed between us

Too much wine and my tongue gets slow

We remember it's time to go

And the curtain descends

On these old peculiar friends

But I'm hoping somebody's seen us

Come to me slowly

I'm feeling so lowly

And you're so complete

Give me a minute

For gettin' back in it

Oh yeah

There ain't gonna be no next time

Honey, remember

Oh, it's been so long

Honey, be near me

I want you to hear me

Running down my song

There ain't gonna be no next time

LOVE THIS EMAIL THROUGH YOUTUBE

2009-03-04T22:06:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a treat to be able to write to you! I saw your band at the first Atlanta Pop Festival in 1969. I was one year out of high school in Alabama and rode over with friends to go to the festival. I remember Crystal Blue Persuasion, Spirit, I'm your Captain, Jimmy Page fiddle-sticking his guitar, naked guy getting tossed back into the crowd during Led Zeppelin and them playing For What It's Worth, seeing first public nudity, and Genya in a tee shirt with no bra. I just remember loving the Ten Wheel Drive horns and Genya wailing. Soon after that I bought my first TWD album, Brief Replies. I would listen with my headphones on and my absolute favorite from that record was/is Interlude: A View Of Soft, and when Genya sang "yes" it was true magic for me! That song is a major part of the soundtrack of my life, at least one of my top ten all time favorites.
I still have the record, packed in a box somewhere, I think, but threw away the turntable back in Napster days, thinking I would never take time to cue a record up with mp3 so easy to cue. Sorry I did that. I can sort of play the first part of the song on piano but had to make up the second part because I guess the second part was too much for me but I love playing it, in my quite basic ability.
Anyway, in my book, Interlude is one of the best songs ever written.
Didn't you write it? Thank you for some of the most wonderful music of my life!
Best Wishes to you!
Rick

SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE ON YOUTUBE

2009-02-10T10:56:00.001-05:00

NO NEXT TIME ON YOUTUBE

2009-02-10T10:54:00.000-05:00

GOOD PRESS

2009-01-06T11:09:00.000-05:00

Here's an index of articles about TWD.

TWD ON IMEEM

2009-01-06T11:08:00.001-05:00

Click here.

URBAN DICTIONARY

2009-01-06T11:06:00.001-05:00

Finally made it.

2009-01-06T11:03:00.001-05:00

Go here and vote us into the Hall of Fame!

A LETTER

2008-12-17T11:29:00.002-05:00

Aram – I was noodling around the Web and came across the TWD blog that you initiated. Thanks for the info – as a long time TWD and Genya Ravan fan, I appreciate the different point of view and the “inside” stories of the bands.

I saw TWD at the Fillmore East, opening for Steppenwolf. Can’t remember why I wanted to see Steppenwolf, but I do remember how you guys blew me away and that I wanted more TWD and less John Kay.

I was a freshman in college at the time, listening to Zappa (have every album), Doors, Maynard Ferguson, Don Ellis Orchestra, Moby Grape, Cream, Hendrix, Beatles, Coltrane, Monk, and some Parker. I still am an eclectic listener and find it interesting to follow the career paths of musicians and who they play with, and then follow the offshoots.

I remember that night at the Fillmore – had no idea who you guys were, but I went out and bought Construction #1 the next day. I have all 3 TWD albums and am probably one of the few people in the world to still own the 4th record with Annie Sutton. I found it in a back bin in a record store in Midtown Manhattan way back when. I think I paid an exorbitant $2.

As an aspiring drummer, I would practice for hours, playing the 3 records, forming my own TWD concert list and beating the shit out of the skins. The power of those horns driven by the drums, coupled with Genya’s vocals - in my opinion – you were a great band and should have gotten more recognition. The music still sounds fresh and contemporary, 35 years later, which is the mark of great music.

I have corresponded with Genya (I still have all her solo albums) a few times via email. I’m glad she’s back on her feet and doing better. I wish that she had recorded more as I really enjoy her vocals. Of course, I wish that TWD had more published music too.

It was interesting to find out that you were trained by Sondheim. I had always felt that your music had a Broadway “feel” and should be scored/ arranged for a Broadway musical – sort of a story of a R&R band start up to break up.

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for providing the wonderful music you wrote. I’m sure those were exciting times – they must have been – to produce such exciting music.

If you ever decide to get those tapes made from Videofeex, please let me know as I would love to have a dvd.

Thanks again, take care and be well,

Ed

Ed Pietzak, RPA, FMA, CEOE

HOFSTRA 1971

2008-08-29T16:07:00.002-04:00

Here's a link to eBay on the program from a TWD concert with Mandrill at Hofstra in 1971. Another gig I didn't remember. (Thanks to Bill Janowski, who found this.)

SOUTH MOUNTAIN ARENA

2008-05-30T21:48:00.000-04:00

Here's a blog about a concert we did in 1969 with Steppenwolf.

TEN WHEEL DRIVE VIDEOS

2008-05-09T13:57:00.000-04:00

The Video Data Bank of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has four videos of TWD live performances. I inquired about getting them. Here's the answer I got:

Hi Aram,

Thanks for the email. I wish I had better news, or news that would be less costly. Quoted just below is the information on the Videofreex archive from our website:

The archival collection of Videofreex titles consists of around 1400 videotapes on a variety of formats. Most of these formats are obsolete (1/2 ² open reel, 3/4 ² Umatic, 1 ² open reel, etc.) They are also quite old for videotapes, and often require cleaning or other special handling before they can be re-mastered to modern formats, or be made available digitally. This is usually an expensive process, and there are currently not enough funds to preserve the entire
collection.

We prioritize titles for preservation based on written information sources (titles, notes on the tapes, etc.), dialogue with the Videofreex, and other research. If you are interested in a specific tape that has not been preserved, you can help out by paying for its preservation. This usually costs $400, and you will receive a DVD of the title for personal or educational use. Additional rights for footage use can be negotiated. It should be noted that the results of the preservation are not guaranteed, it is possible that the tape has been damaged during its lifespan, or has degraded due to storage conditions. Most of our results however have been positive.

As it stands the Ten Wheel Drive titles are not near enough to the top of the priority list that they would be preserved any time soon. You do have the option of paying for the preservation, and receiving the DVD copy of any or all of the four titles we have (Ten Wheel Drive I, II, III or Ten Wheel Drive: Harrisburg I). This does get costly, however- roughly $400 per title.

We would, of course, greatly appreciate any help with the preservation, so please do let us know if this is a route in which you might be interested.

We may go ahead and do this with one of these videos. No promises as to quality, apparently, or even if the videos are reproducible. However, anyone who kicks in $25 to pay for this will get a DVD of whatever we get back.

If you're interested, comment on this post or email me at arslaw@comcast.net.

CRIS WILLIAMSON

2008-04-29T15:26:00.004-04:00

You can find a cut I played on, arranged and wrote (with Mike Zager) on this Cris Williamson album - which I had completely forgotten about. The song is "Last Sweet Hour" - but you have to click on "A Village Tale" to hear it - and then only 29 seconds of it.

ANNIE SUTTON

2008-04-23T16:02:00.003-04:00

After years of my wondering where Annie Sutton was, Bill Janowski found her on the web as follows:

Ann E. Sutton

Annie Sutton was born in Pittsburgh, PA on April Fool's Day, 1946. She reportedly came out wailing and has done her best to continue doing so through out her singing career. Annie learned barbershop harmony and old standards by listening to her Dad sing around the house. She started singing professionally with a jazz piano trio but soon found herself belting out Blues, Rock and R&B with one of Pittsburgh's better-known bar bands of the 1960's, The Groove U, which featured Jimmy Beaumont and Robert Peckman. In 1971, Annie got a call to audition for The Rascals band in New York City.

The audition went very well, indeed, and Annie soon found herself living in the Rascals brownstone house in the Kips Bay section of Manhattan. She lived in NYC for 25 years and, in addition to the Rascals, Annie recorded and toured with White Elephant, Ten Wheel Drive, Gregg Allman, Robert Palmer, and Irene Cara. Annie was no stranger to the studio scene and has been heard on many radio and television commercials including Diet Coke, Chevrolet, and AT&T.

After moving back to Pittsburgh in 2001, Annie met Jeff Ingersoll (the one and only Bone Daddy) through her cousin Mike Sweeny, one of Pittsburgh's better known songwriters and a fine bass player as well. Jeff and Annie hit it off musically and are currently collaborating on recording a cd at Jeff's Boneyard Studios in McKeesport.

Here's a quote from Pittsburgh Blues legend Billy Price about one of Annie's recent appearances:

The high point of the night for me was Annie Sutton's amazing version of the Jerry Ragovoy song "You Don't Know Nothing About Love." I had never heard Annie before, but she is amazing (she did at least one LP with Felix Cavaliere and the Young Rascals). One of these days, after I stop monopolizing all the time at the studio, maybe Jeff will finish a CD with Annie-- I guarantee you it will be good.

And so do I.

SPIRITLAND: THE FUNK AND SOUL OF BLUE-EYED ROCK

2008-04-16T10:47:00.004-04:00

"Tightrope" appears on this compilation album. Wonder who's getting these royalties?

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd

THE ALBERT

2008-04-10T10:30:00.003-04:00

I knew that after they left Ten Wheel Drive, Richie Meisterman and Jay Silva went to a band called The Albert - but I didn't realize Barry Lazarowitz had been in that band. Amazing what a tight circle we were. The Albert, if I remember right, was either a hotel or a notable coop building in New York.

1973 REVIEWS OF THE TWD ALBUM WITH ANNIE SUTTON

2008-03-09T21:00:00.003-04:00

DOWNBEAT - 4 1/2 stars .. All the soloists are topnotch .. Ann E. Sutton (is) a much more personal and warm singer than Genta Ravan, yet with enough of the old ball of fire style in her voice to satisfy fans of the old Ten Wheel Drive .. the band is tight and clean ...

ROLLING STONE - Ann's voice is sweet, natural and feminine ... she comes across extremely well. On "Why Am I So Easy To Leave" and "Monsoon Rain" ... she is perfect .. The band's second plus is the songwriting team of Aram Schefrin and Michael Zager ... their songs exhibit maturity, professionalism and a strong sense of musicality .. The whole thing is backed up by a band ... whose credits run the gamut from Mingus to Connie Francis. They are all super-competent ...

THE SUNDAY RECORD - There have been those who were wondering who would - or could - replace departed singer Genya Ravan. The answer is Ann E. Sutton .. and her performance is brilliant ... The band is as powerful as ever ..

CASHBOX - Ms. Sutton contributes a unique versatility in her vocals .. She is musically volatile and capable of expressing an enormous amount of emotion .. The scope of the entire performance has broadened ... Both melodically and lyrically, the writing team of Michael Zager and Aram Schefrin has vastly matured ...

VARIETY - A solid jazz and blues-rock dectet that overpowers with performance, not volume.

BILLBOARD - An exceptionally versatile big horn aggregation.

PERFORMANCE REPORTS - Famed New York supergroup Ten Wheel Drive is back in action .. It's obvious that a two year respite has brought them back stronger than before.

THE PITT NEWS - A horn section that blew like old Birdland on a Saturday night, a funky tunk rhythm, the leaders trading tasteful leads, subtle electric piano smoothing things out and on top of it all a woman whose voice and energy sent chills down my spine.

NEW YORK TIMES - Ms. Sutton is a pretty, classically ecstatic-looking young woman with a husky, throbbing rock soprano.

FM GUIDE - TWD has fenced in (bless them) much of the pastureland where meandering instrumental solos customarily stretch out and graze .. The musical credentials of each member are studded with names like Woody Herman, Doc Severinson, Herbie Mann, and many more of that magnitude, but the true worth of all these associations is for the ear to recognize as exceptional taste, restraint and discipline.

TEN WHEEL DRIVE AND NIAGARA FALLS

2008-02-17T22:19:00.004-05:00

Can't believe I found this on The Lakeshore Guardian, written by Al Eicher:

My next experience with Niagara Falls occurred in the summer of 1969. At this time I was in the creative department of the Campbell Ewald Advertising agency in Detroit. The department turned out at least 200 television commercials a year, mostly for the Chevrolet and Delco division of General Motors. We created commercials for the Bonanza show, Bewitched, My 3 Sons, Route 66 and NBC Nightly News. I submitted two ideas for commercials on the introduction of the Delco Energizer battery. One of the commercials called for the shooting location at Niagara Falls.

At this time, in the summer of 1969, the American Falls were shut off as engineers were studying the possibilities of removing tons and tons of broken rocks at the bottom of the Falls. They wanted to make the American side of the Falls look more attractive. It was determined after many months that the removal of the giant boulders would be too expensive a task.

To get the TV commercial project started I did a preproduction survey on the Canadian side of the Falls and received total cooperation from the Canadian government. We received a permit to spend three days at the Falls with a crew of about 20 people. To demonstrate the power of the Delco battery I had done some tests with audio power amplifiers connected to musical instruments including an electronic keyboard. We hired a rock group called "The Ten Wheel Drive"…today some of the members are part of the group called "Blood Sweat and Tears".

If you have ever been to the Falls and taken the elevator to the tunnels near the bottom of the Falls, you know of the thunderous sound. Since I was the production engineer, I used one Delco 12-volt battery to power an array of power amplifiers and huge speakers. Each of the 10 musical instruments would be mixed and fed to the amplifiers, all powered by one battery. The big problem was getting all this equipment down to an area near the Falls by the lower river bank.

To make the commercial interesting we needed the Falls in the background with the musical group in the foreground. Getting the equipment to the site and the musicians was a big challenge. We used one of the tunnels to get our equipment to the tunnel opening by the Falls. Our shooting location was 150 feet below. We used ropes to lower the film cameras and the audio systems down the steep slope into the gorge. On my first trip down, carrying the Delco Energizer battery with one arm and the holding the rope in the other hand, I saw and disturbed about nine or 10 green snakes embedded in the moss-covered rocks. My movement on the rocks also started some small rock slides. Others coming down the slope, on a different rope line, encountered a similar snake population. We were told by the park ranger that they were harmless. The first day we set up the equipment and got everything working, which was not easy due to the very misty and sometimes rainy conditions. The second day we had bright sun and light mist. The big challenge was getting the 10 musicians and a girl singer down the ropes of the 150-foot slope. A lot of rocks came tumbling down with all that foot traffic.

All of the equipment was covered with tarps after the first day of set-up. I didn't know about the singer in the group, so I had to get her hooked up to a mike. The musicians wore yellow rubber jackets and pants to stay dry. After a couple hours of sound checks and rehearsals, we cranked up the volume and this rock group was heard a half a mile away from the Falls. We were amazed and heard from a number of tourists the next day as we hauled all the gear out of the gorge. The Delco Energizer was powerful enough to overcome the roaring sounds of Niagara Falls. In a later commercial the Energizer powered a Lighthouse Beacon. Power was always the theme in the Delco commercials…And That's the Way It Was…At Niagara Falls.

FISHER QUAD TEST?

2008-02-17T21:34:00.002-05:00

Man, I do not remember this at all.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd,

SAMPLES

2008-02-08T18:06:00.001-05:00

Jay-Z sampled "Ain't Gonna Happen" from Construction #1 for "1-900-Hustler."

Very weird. But thanks for the checks.

Black Moon sampled "Come Live With Me" from Brief Replies for "I Gotcha Opin."

Even weirder. And no checks!

50 Cent sampled "How Long Before I'm Gone" for "I'm A Rida" which he used on the soundtrack of his video game Bulletproof.

That one we got paid for. Sort of.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, i gotcha opin, jay z, 1-900-hustler, 50 cent, black moon, i'm a rida, bulletproof

HONORED

2008-02-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

I guess I'm honored when a Ten Wheel Drive cut is put up for free download on a hip hop site. Just the attention, you know ...

Tags: aram, schefrin, the tenth cow, novel, novelist,writer, fiction,historical fiction, book, books, audiobook, podcast, mp3, music, rock,jazz, jazz/rock, ten wheel drive, cd, itunes, disco, d.c. larue, marwan, consider the elephant, john wilkes booth, little big horn, mobipocket, kindle, amazon.com, polo, cathedrals, palm beach premium, 3 a.m., tea dance, star baby, jay z, ten wheel drive chronicles, peculiar friends, genya ravan, TWD, ten wheel drive, sufjan stevens, robert wilson

MIKE ON ARRANGING

2008-02-06T19:51:00.000-05:00

Mike Zager told me a few weeks ago that until recently he had been embarrassed by the quality of the arranging we did for TWD. He has just realized that, only because we had no idea what the hell we were doing, we came up with TWD's unique sound. And he thinks that if he had had more formal training back then, TWD would not have been what it was.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd

MOUNTAIN & TWD

2008-02-06T17:56:00.000-05:00

The tour archive for Leslie West's Mountain has us playing the following date with them:

10/2/70 - University of South Carolina Coliseum, Columbia, SC.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd

FILLMORE EAST

2008-02-06T17:46:00.000-05:00

Found a list of performances at the Fillmore East. These are ours:

05 February 1971 Steppenwolf, Ten Wheel Drive w, Genya Ravan, Luther Allison

06 February 1971 Steppenwolf, Ten Wheel Drive w, Genya Ravan, Luther Allison

There are some missing. We were there twice - the second time maybe with Rare Earth, maybe with the Allmans.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd,

DON MCLEAN & TWD

2008-02-06T17:14:00.000-05:00

We appeared with him at the Bitter End. I'm trying to remember the other acts we shared a bill with. Dave Van Ronk, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and Jose Feliciano come to mind. I'll work on coming up with others.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd,

VIDEOFREEX HAS TEN WHEEL DRIVE

2008-02-06T17:06:00.001-05:00

According to Videofreex, they have four videos of Ten Wheel Drive performances in September-October 1970 at Harrisburg, Pa. and elsewhere.

And here's another source for TWD videos.

I don't have to tell you what I would give to see those.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, videofreex

ALICE COOPER & TWD

2008-02-06T16:53:00.001-05:00

According to an Alice Cooper website, we did the following gigs with them:

June 6-7th `69 New York, NY Felt Forum(w/ The Platters, The McCoys, Ten Wheel Drive)(Tour itinerary, advert)(Me Alice)

June 30th `69 - July 6th `69 Youth Expo - (w/ Ike And Tina Turner, Wilson Picket, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, J. F. Murphy Scott, Powerhouse, Madrigals, Illusion, Moby Grape, Voices Of East Harlem, 30 Days Out, Ten Wheel Drive, Kate Taylor) (poster)

I only remember one gig at the Felt Forum. I think we headlined, so it wouldn't be this one. Whenever that was, Genya called the audience up to the stage and we had 100 dancers on our "Eye of the Needle" closer. Just incredible.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd,

RHINOCEROS AND TWD

2008-02-06T16:39:00.000-05:00

And more! Rhinoceros - the first "supergroup" - was managed by Sid Bernstein and Billy Fields, who managed us. We did a lot of dates with them. This is the one listed on their history website:

April (19), 1970 Carnegie Hall, New York

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, rhinoceros, carnegie hall

POCO AND TWD

2008-02-06T16:14:00.000-05:00

This is getting really interesting. On Poco's website I discover that we were with them in 1970 as follows:

June 22 Simsbury High School, Simsbury, CT

August 6 Peace Festival, Shea Stadium, Flushing Meadows, NY with CCR, Rascals, Paul Simon, Steppenwolf, Dione Warwick, Al Kooper, Richie Havens, Sha-Na-Na, Miles Davis. The Rascals remember that gig as including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, Miles Davis, Delany and Bonnie, Richie Havens, the cast of Hair, Judy Collins, Janis Joplin, Country Joe, Dionne Warwick, Big Brother, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Al Cooper, The James Gang, Mother Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Tom Paxton, Poco, John B. Sebastian, Sha-Na-Na, Paul Simon, Staple Singers, Ten Wheel Drive.

October 23 Syracuse War Memorial, Syracuse, NY

After all this time, I am starting to miss those days.

ags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, poco

BOSTON TEA PARTY

2008-02-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

Well, now I know where I was on December 11-13, 1969

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, boston tea party, johnny winter, sons of champlin

FILLMORE WEST

2008-02-05T13:10:00.000-05:00

And on January 29, 1970

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, fillmore west, steve miller band, sha na na

FILLMORE EAST WITH STEPPENWOLF

2008-02-04T13:12:00.000-05:00

And in February, 1971

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, fillmore east, steppenwolf

AMAZON.COM REVIEWS OF THE "BEST OF" CD

2008-02-03T17:30:00.000-05:00

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best bands you've never heard, November 7, 2003
By B. McEwan "yellokat" (Brooklyn, NY USA)

In 1970, Janis Joplin died and, while I knew there would never be another Janis, I was desperate to find a female vocalist whose voice had at least some guts and grit to it. Enter Genya Ravan and the Ten Wheel Drive with their album, Brief Replies. Genya could belt out the notes and she had tunes that made me laugh as well as rock. Morning Much Better was one of them, as was my all-time favorite Ten Wheel Drive song, No Next Time, from their album, Peculiar Friends. Sadly, I don't believe either of those records is available on CD. I still have my vinyl copies, but if you don't and you'd like to sample the Great Genya, then pick up this "best of" compliation and discover what you've been missing. Five stars all the way.

5.0 out of 5 stars A TRUE ORIGINAL, September 28, 2004
By Bobby Bones (NY USA)

This is at the moment the only cd of this great band. It is out of print so go to your on line sellers. But lets update a bit. Genya ia alive well & living in NYC. Her New book Lollipop Lounge is available now on Amazon. This book will blow you away! I didnt expect the intense story. Also Genya's Urban Desire & And I Mean It are in print for the first time in years. She considers theses cd's to be her best. Go to www.hip-oselect.com This is the only way to get these. Also go to www.genyaravan.com foe all the latest news gig's total overview of her career.

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS CD IS AWESOME, March 15, 2004
By A Customer
Ordered this CD for a significant other. The ABSOLUTE BEST CD I have ever heard!!!! This CD is a kepper (and so is he). 10 stars for this one - especially Stay With Me. Best 49.95 I EVER EVER spent!!!!

3.0 out of 5 stars WHAT??? "PULSE" not included?, May 4, 2005
By M. Kelley "Jazznik" (Memphis)

I can't stand it when record companies put together a compilation and HAVE NO IDEA...what the good songs are! The fact that "PULSE" was left off of this cd is UN-BELIEVABLE!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Things, you never heard of..., September 30, 2003
By Jim Smith (Oakland, CA United States)

Somewhere in the late 1970's, I found myself in a quandry... I was exploring jazz, and disenchanted with the direction that CHICAGO and TOWER OF POWER were headed in... too dammed commercial. I've always been a lyrics guy, and one for a great horn section. I love STEELY DAN.
It was into this void that TEN WHEEL DRIVE came into my life. Like most things, it was an accident of fate... just me thumbing through a stack of forgotten albums (prior to the concept of CD's)at a music store in Berkeley.
At first, it was their arrangements, a complex musical working and working... then Genya Raven and that oddly melodious voice of hers... the one on "House in Central Park". It was slightly subterranian, slightly reality. THEN... they cranked up the score and the horns came in!!! There was a "smartness" to their sound, a maturity.
I loaned my albums to a FM disk jockey and never saw them again... my fault.
There are many songs not included but, considering how forgotten much of this music is... I'll take it.

Jim Smith
TRAVEN8@HOTMAIL.COM

5.0 out of 5 stars Driving Rock Fusion with Genya Ravan, June 28, 2007
By gassy goon "cass" (buffalo, ny)

A collection of most of their best songs from the 3 albums that TEN WHEEL DRIVE Featuring GENYA RAVAN released between 1969 - 1971. These songs sound so clear & fresh on CD. The voice of Genya Ravan fronting a jazz/rock band with a heavy dose of r&b and blues influences is amazing to hear now all these many years later.

TIGHTROPE is just power at it's zenith, with Genya's high octane vocals & the bands fusion of rock with horns. Wait until you hear the end of this song! That's POWERFUL music. MORNING MUCH BETTER is a short blast of energy that was a Top 100 hit in 1970. Labelle covered it soon after on their 1971 debut album. SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE is a beatiful song & gentle performance by Genya that should have been a single, and a big hit. One of their best, understated songs. Likewise, I HAD HIM DOWN is another softer song that features a winsome sound that showed another side of this band. There's no shortage of great music & powerful performances on this CD! HOW LONG BEFORE I'M GONE has so many influences & changes in it, it's a non-stop tour-de-force. True, PULSE from their 2nd album should have been on it, but other than that no complaints.

This band should have been as big as the other ' horn' bands of the late 60's/early 70's , like Blood Sweat & Tears or Chicago. The sound is rich, powerful, riveting. Genya Ravan would record many more albums as a solo artist, and cover a lot of ground on her later works. Here, hear her roar at the height of her vocal powers backed by an astounding band of musicians. Timeless music , great vocalist.

Thanks to all of you.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd,

1969 ATLANTA POP FESTIVAL

2008-02-01T17:22:00.000-05:00

Here's the short story on the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival. You can buy reprint posters for the festival here.

And here are some great pictures by Phillip Rauls from the festival - none of us, unfortunately. Here's a story on the light show - which I don't remember.

Tags: ten wheel drive, genya ravan, aram schefrin, music, rock, jazz/rock, horn band, michael zager, construction #1, brief replies, peculiar friends, twd, atlanta pop festival

ten wheel drive

TWD SECRETS NOW SHOWING UP ON FACEBOOK

A REVIEW FROM 2007

IS THIS TEN WHEEL DRIVE ... OR NOT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

NEW FIND BY GENYA - FILLMORE SCHEDULE

RECENT COMMENTS ON YOUTUBE

MORNING MUCH BETTER - TEN WHEEL DRIVE

NEW STUFF

AIRFARE

NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO ON "EYE OF THE NEEDLE"

A COMMENT ON YOUTUBE ON "SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE"

HELP!

THANKS, ANTHONY!

NOW I KNOW

T W D NOW UP ON ITUNES

TWD NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

CONSTRUCTION NO. 1 ON ITUNES

BRIEF REPLIES ON ITUNES

PECULIAR FRIENDS ON ITUNES

INCREDIBLE!

BILLY FIELDS

THE CHRONICLES GOING UP FOR DOWNLOAD

Remembering the Atlanta International Pop Festival�|�Birmingham Weekly

YEAH

PECULIAR FRIENDS ON AMAZON

BRIEF REPLIES ON AMAZON

CONSTRUCTION NO. 1 ON AMAZON

AVAILABLE SOON!

THE VERY BEGINNING

OTHER TWD LIVE DATES

AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN

BYE LIGHT OF DAY

LAPIDARY

DOWN IN THE COLD

HOW LONG BEFORE I'M GONE

EZRA

MONSOON RAIN

FOURTEENTH STREET

JUST PLAIN LOVE

WHY AM I SO EASY TO LEAVE?

TAP WATER

SLAIN MAN'S WIDOW

LOVE ME

I HAD HIM DOWN

CLOSE UP THE CHEESE

SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE

THE NIGHT I GOT OUT OF JAIL

LAST OF THE LINE

I CAN STILL SEE YOU TO LOVE

MORNING MUCH BETTER

BRIEF REPLIES

EYE OF THE NEEDLE

THERE AIN'T GONNA BE NO NEXT TIME

LOVE THIS EMAIL THROUGH YOUTUBE

SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE ON YOUTUBE

NO NEXT TIME ON YOUTUBE

GOOD PRESS

TWD ON IMEEM

URBAN DICTIONARY

A LETTER

HOFSTRA 1971

SOUTH MOUNTAIN ARENA

TEN WHEEL DRIVE VIDEOS

CRIS WILLIAMSON

ANNIE SUTTON

SPIRITLAND: THE FUNK AND SOUL OF BLUE-EYED ROCK

THE ALBERT

1973 REVIEWS OF THE TWD ALBUM WITH ANNIE SUTTON

TEN WHEEL DRIVE AND NIAGARA FALLS

FISHER QUAD TEST?

SAMPLES

HONORED

MIKE ON ARRANGING

MOUNTAIN & TWD

FILLMORE EAST

DON MCLEAN & TWD

VIDEOFREEX HAS TEN WHEEL DRIVE

ALICE COOPER & TWD

RHINOCEROS AND TWD

POCO AND TWD