Stations is the result of a one-month album writing project that took seven months to complete. It began with the decision to participate in FAWM (February Album Writing Month), an online activity conducted each February to give songwriters a challenge to help pass that dreary month: to write 14 songs in 28 days!
I had the specified 14 songs written by the middle of February, and I figured I would race through the recording phase so I could submit my album to the FAWM site by the end of the month. As I began to work on the recordings, though, I came to feel that the songs I had come up with were worth recording properly, rather than rushing through the process.
In the end, I gave the project the attention I felt it deserved. Most of the recording was completed by the end of May. The next several months were spent mixing and remixing each song to perfection. And, in the early days of September, my “February” album was finally declared finished.
This was not entirely a solo effort! I was lucky enough to have local legend John Boyd (a/k/a Johnny Ramble) on hand to contribute numerous guitar and vocal parts on various songs, as well as musician/producer extraordinaire Jack Burgess, whose piano part on “Veronica” and baritone guitar on “Crossroads” lie at the heart of those songs.
A further blessing was the presence of the talented Pam Beery, who not only played a beautiful flute part on “Veronica” that really sends the song into the stratosphere, but also wrote and performed the vocal interlude and harmony parts on “Twist Your Life Around” that make that song so special for me.
I had the specified 14 songs written by the middle of February, and I figured I would race through the recording phase so I could submit my album to the FAWM site by the end of the month. As I began to work on the recordings, though, I came to feel that the songs I had come up with were worth recording properly, rather than rushing through the process.
In the end, I gave the project the attention I felt it deserved. Most of the recording was completed by the end of May. The next several months were spent mixing and remixing each song to perfection. And, in the early days of September, my “February” album was finally declared finished.
This was not entirely a solo effort! I was lucky enough to have local legend John Boyd (a/k/a Johnny Ramble) on hand to contribute numerous guitar and vocal parts on various songs, as well as musician/producer extraordinaire Jack Burgess, whose piano part on “Veronica” and baritone guitar on “Crossroads” lie at the heart of those songs.
A further blessing was the presence of the talented Pam Beery, who not only played a beautiful flute part on “Veronica” that really sends the song into the stratosphere, but also wrote and performed the vocal interlude and harmony parts on “Twist Your Life Around” that make that song so special for me.
Stations
an album of new songs by Mark Bendig
an album of new songs by Mark Bendig
John
Jack
Pam
Stations Notes & Lyrics
(Lyrics for the songs can be viewed by clicking on the song title.)
1 Three Days
A basic rock song to kick things off.
2 Don’t Give Me That
This song was “assembled” from snippets of pre-recorded vocal and synth parts.
3 Feels Like the Devil
The ominous “devil voice” in this song is actually a woman talking about educational reform, slowed way down and played backward! Lots of cool guitar bits from John.
4 I Wanna Meet Your Mom
Basic rock & roll! What can I say?
5 Simon Says
This tune reminded me of a 45 rpm “single” from the early 60s, which is why it’s produced in mono (and has surface noise).
6 Veronica
This song is so pretty I’m surprised I’m the one who wrote it. Jack & Pam really soar on piano and flute.
7 Twist Your Life Around
This just might be my favorite song on the album! I’m totally indebted to Pam for transforming it from good to great with her vocal contributions.
8 The Sons Of Cyrus
Yes, this is me being Bob Dylan. I even bought a harmonica specifically to play on this song. How does it feeeel?
9 Falling Again
Many bits from John’s guitar playing were stacked over a piano to create a weird, disoriented,”falling” sort of mood.
10 Take My Shirt
Another pretty basic song. Acoustic, Mark singing.
11 Crossroads
This complex, “assembled” song is highlighted by Jack’s spaghetti-western baritone guitar. Thanks to John for the cool vocal in the prologue and the out-there guitar solo at the end.
12 Destination Unknown
This song was intended to be paired with the next one, serving as kind of an “intro”. The voice you hear was processed so that it sounds like someone talking, but you can’t quite make out what they’re saying.
13 Pull It Down
This is the most complex production on the album, with 42 separate recorded tracks (19 for vocals alone). It also took the longest to record and mix!
14 Gone Too Long
A lullaby to end the album. Sleep tight!
A basic rock song to kick things off.
2 Don’t Give Me That
This song was “assembled” from snippets of pre-
3 Feels Like the Devil
The ominous “devil voice” in this song is actually a woman talking about educational reform, slowed way down and played backward! Lots of cool guitar bits from John.
4 I Wanna Meet Your Mom
Basic rock & roll! What can I say?
5 Simon Says
This tune reminded me of a 45 rpm “single” from the early 60s, which is why it’s produced in mono (and has surface noise).
6 Veronica
This song is so pretty I’m surprised I’m the one who wrote it. Jack & Pam really soar on piano and flute.
7 Twist Your Life Around
This just might be my favorite song on the album! I’m totally indebted to Pam for transforming it from good to great with her vocal contributions.
8 The Sons Of Cyrus
Yes, this is me being Bob Dylan. I even bought a harmonica specifically to play on this song. How does it feeeel?
9 Falling Again
Many bits from John’s guitar playing were stacked over a piano to create a weird, disoriented,”falling” sort of mood.
10 Take My Shirt
Another pretty basic song. Acoustic, Mark singing.
11 Crossroads
This complex, “assembled” song is highlighted by Jack’s spaghetti-
12 Destination Unknown
This song was intended to be paired with the next one, serving as kind of an “intro”. The voice you hear was processed so that it sounds like someone talking, but you can’t quite make out what they’re saying.
13 Pull It Down
This is the most complex production on the album, with 42 separate recorded tracks (19 for vocals alone). It also took the longest to record and mix!
14 Gone Too Long
A lullaby to end the album. Sleep tight!
