At The Helm

It has been brought to my attention that the At-The-Helm podcasts have been very slow to load for people these last several days. A review of the site seems to indicate that this is no longer the case and things are working properly now. If you’ve had any difficulty with this issue , please do try again to give a listen and thanks for your patience. Show # 7 is scheduled for July 1st release, also looking to have a few more “shorts” up to hear later this week. Meanwhile much work to do, more soon.

on this Fathers Day 2007. My best to all dads out there and a quick note that there’s a new short piece (minute and a half) up for listening now. The piece is titled “Cooloola”(circa 1988) and it comes from the upcoming Episode 8 of At-The-Helm. The local weather info says it’s 98 degrees F and it feels like it.

Much work to do this week including more music for podcasts so please do stay tuned for more updates and thanks for listening.

That’s right, Episode #06 of At-The-Helm is now ready to be heard by one and all.

This show features solo material from late 1986 and early 1987 recorded in California, and includes the following tracks:

•  Desert Aire   
•  India Street
•  Fixed Stare
•  From Here
•  Desert Kites
•  One In A Million
•  Tidal Pools

There’s a little bit of instrumental fun here for everyone, please do give it a listen and I think you’ll enjoy it when you do. Meanwhile much work to do, more soon. 

Looks as though there will be more before the day is done. Yesterday found me up on a ladder cleaning gutters from many months of elm deposits, today a free rinsing, that’s good timing for me. Work on flagstone pathways is about to commence for me(I’ll take a picture to share before and after). Show #6 will be up by Friday, working on #8 and final film music submissions also. Hope that you’ve had a chance to listen to some of At-The-Helm, if not please do. I have a couple of shorter pieces up( working on more) for those who just want a taste and don’t have much time. Meanwhile I’ve got work to do, thanks for reading and listening, more soon.

After a morning of surveying the debris field left from the strong winds of the past two days I’m happy to report no damage to any structures on properties I do landscaping work for. Any flimsy tree limbs are however now down for the count and headed for a roundup by the likes of me.

On the music front work continues on the score for Ian’s newest short film, final editing begins soon I’m told. As to the At-The-Helm podcast series, hopefully you’ve had a chance to listen in on show#5. Looking to post #6 midmonth here, which is where we’ll begin a look at a nine year period of work in southern California from 1986-1995. Solo, duet and trio configurations will be heard with acoustic and electric instruments and a growing amount of looping used amongst it all. We may also speak with old musical friends in lands far away about those days of yore in shows to come , so do please give it a listen and as always I welcome your comments. Have a good day!  

Here are the lyrics to “West of Kiddieland” by Bryan Helm and Marshal Black, music by Helm, Black & Buffer (Fez). As featured in Episode #4 of At-The-Helm. The events that inspired this bit of fun occurred at the Ohio State Fair in 1983.

“West of Kiddieland”

Staring at extremely yellow flowers

Electric giant condos for the cows

The chirping birdman whistles on for hours

Cannibal bugwoman on the prowl

You can ask a policeman for directions

But he just might tell you where to go

The jukebox always plays the same selection

The polka king will be the grandstand show

The vibrating pillows shake my spine, my wallet with the cost

The last thing I remember I was staring at some lambs ass now I’m lost

It’s your mistake to ride the nazi skyride

Or to drink water nine others have before

The parking lot is beautiful between tides

There’s cotton candy vomit on the shore

Headed to west of kiddieland

Searching for the promised helping hand

Hoping to finally understand

We are now alone to make this stand

Where the hell is kiddieland and how the hell do I get there from here

I’d trade my hot soft pretzel, my present,past and future for a beer

Headed to west of kiddieland

Searching for that promised helping hand

Hoping to finally understand

We are now alone to make this stand

Original recording from Jan.1985

Episode Five is now available.

It includes music from 1986 at the conclusion of the Ohio period.
Biker/Rocker pictured here circa 1986.

Its an entirely solo venture , except for Mr. Bob Kelley* on drums where noted.

• A Short Answer
• To Miles
• African Rain
• Canada
• Barney Hillage
• Quantum Jump II *
• ie