So I was in my friend Garry's little home studio yesterday doing some more work on the upcoming james clark institute record, or as it has lovingly become known as 'The Liquid Paper Sessions". Garry has learned to write all of my track sheets in pencil since I am forever going over parts like some kind of tormented Brian Wilson wannabe. The differences being of course, Mr. Wilson was/is a musical genius. I am not. Brian's dad punched him in the ear once which resulted in Brian's loss of hearing. My dad used to just kick me in the ass. I can still hear just fine.

My good friend Dave who came to his senses a few years back and gave up on the 'music biz', was in with me adding some sweet harmony vocals to a song entitled 'Monstrous'. It's a very bare bones track featuring only acoustic guitar, vocals and either a harmonica or church organ solo. I haven't made up my mind yet which direction to take the solo section in. Should I go with 'Neil Young' or 'Kneel down'?

Here below are the lyrics to 'Monstrous'

MONSTROUS

The bees are bad this year. They buzz around my beer.
Making it hard to appear sincere but I am.
The stewardess was there. She let down her hair.
She was putting on airs though she was firmly on land.

Cindy Sherman’s ears must be burning.
This fairy tale’s turning monstrous.

In a cab on Williamson, it all came back with a grin.
While I was reaching in for $15.50.
‘Neil Young’s Greatest Hits’, and R.E.M. on cassette.
The soundtrack I won’t soon forget, to our movie.

Cindy Sherman’s ears must be burning,
This fairy tale’s turning monstrous

You share the same qualities as the damsel in distress.
I wear the same monogrammed handkerchief as Jesus, yeah.

Cindy Sherman’s ears must be burning.
This fairy tale’s turning monstrous.

Yesterday I sat in a Vaughn Road Laundromat,
Accepting that that is that and washing you away.

Cindy Sherman’s ears must be burning.
This fairy tale’s turning monstrous.
Monstrous….Monstrous.

(c) James Clark 2007.

Next week I head back in again to lay down drums for the last remaining songs that need 'em. Of course I will still have to narrow down the final song selection for the record. Here below is a list of all of the songs that have been recorded and lay thus far in various stages of completion:

Lake Monona Last Night

Sleeping In My favourite Shirt

Chalk Outline

Kangaroo

Bettie Page Rides Her Donkey

Box Of You

Big Shoes To Fill

Girl Heroine

Monstrous

Tonight I Wonder Where You Are Jenny R.

Nonetheless Happy

Out Of Your Hands

The World I Used To Live In

My Time Machine

Splinter In The Soul

A Terrible Beauty

Pretty Dexterity

Popularity Contest

False Hope

Jeeez, all this wallowing makes a guy sleepy.

Nighty night and stay tuned.

yer pal james clark

pssst.....welcome to my true confessions.

Hello friends and foes!

How do you like the brand new james clark institute blog? Pretty exciting, isn't it?This is the place to keep up to date with what exactly is going on around the ole institute. Be sure that I will be posting new confessions on a regular basis. Most likely between visits to my therapist.

For all of you who are wondering where this new record is that I have been talking about for oh so long, well....it is coming. Yes I did want the recording process to be wrapped up by the end of this past June but alas, here it is the middle of August and the torment continues. I refuse to announce anymore release dates because well, quite frankly I am so tired of looking like an ass. But!.....let me just say that I am personally really liking the way the record is sounding thus far.

For those of you who are not aware of the story behind this forthcoming collection of songs, let me shine a little light upon it for you. I began writing the songs in the fall of 2005 soon after a long term romance/friendship went south. Although a couple of the tunes had already been written previously, they fit in perfectly well with the concept. I think to this date I have recorded some 30 songs for this project. Yes, admittingly the majority of them are large pieces of poo. Mostly me just screaming obscenities at her. But the main purpose of writing the songs at the time was primarily for theraputic reasons. I truly feel that if I wasn't able to write about what was happening, I may very well not be here right now creating this fascinating piece of journalism. The final track listing for the record will probably number somewhere between 9 and 12 songs. No, this is certainly not an original concept for a record. Everybody's done it before me. From Dylan to Lennon to Sinatra to Beck, so I feel like I am in pretty darn good company. Yes, it won't be the most uplifting collection of songs, but at the same time I believe it will be entertaining. Afterall, someone else's pain is always entertaining, isn't it?

Stay tuned....

Yer pal,
james clark

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