A piece from webisode 21 (April, 2011) of the Inverse Delirium podcast, my gentle spoof of life in this American Baltimore.

Inverse Delirium: Baltimore Essay from 2011

A silly ol' track I wrote in the 90s in between my "serious" songs. Heavily influenced by everything I ever listened to, with special nod to Sly & Robbie's Rhythm Killers album (the source of the "BASS: The Final Frontier" line), and also to Bootsy, Isley Brothers, B-52s, Kate Bush, and lotsa old-school hiphop, R&B, & funk.

BASS (The Final Frontier) [demo]

Once upon a time, my family left small-town New England to live for a year in Jamaica. I was six when we arrived, and was soon kitted out with a smart khaki uniform for school. And here's the song I wrote about it. Features Clyde Stubblefield drum loops, a couple horn loops, and me doing the guitars, bass, vox and keys.

We're Going To Jamaica (demo)

Doublestuff cover combining Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Future's So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades) by Timbuk 3. First combined these over 20 years ago when playing live, one of my "Montage-o-Medleys" that combines elements of different covers I like.

Future's So Green (Doublestuff Cover CCR & Timbuk 3)

Another rockin’ original from the long-ago. It's a celebration of music, groove, beat, all of it. Playing elec/acoustic guitars, basses (yes, two), and keys with drum loops.

Nothing Changes (Demo)

Hi, gang. This is a Beatles cover, I obviously do not own the song rights! TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS was the crescendo of my favorite Beatles album, REVOLVER. So ahead of its time.
Wanted to have guitars reproduce the sounds of the Beatles' various tape loops. Started with drum samples at 120 bpm, recorded two tracks of iTanpura app drone, then recorded bass, rhythm guitars, and the lead guitar section. After adding vocals I was pretty happy, but I did add few more samples on the outro (an echoey piano/keyboard, and a sequenced synth), and the pelican sound effect. (No actual pelicans were hurt in the creation of this track)

Tomorrow Never Knows (Beatles Cover)

A song I wrote about trips to a local reservoir when I was a kid, one of my Mum's favorite spots. Acoustic guitars, Hofner bass, some keyboards and percussion bits, over a great reggae one-drop beat purchased from PocketJams on bandcamp. Thanks for listening.

Reservoir Song (demo)

You Won't See Me (Lennon/McCartney) is a song I've played for decades, usually solo with acoustic guitar. Great track from RUBBER SOUL, mostly written by Paul McCartney, with fabulous vocal arrangment. . .but it always bothered me that it slowed down so dramatically.  Finally taking a stab at a full-band arrangement, incorporating a couple of fun ideas (alternate/dual melody! horns! 12-strings!).

You Won't See Me (Beatles cover)

In which we are introduced to the Reigning Lunatic and his staff. 

Thanks for listening to our medieval sitcom, written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with Executive Muse Betty Welchman. 

Featuring: 
Aaron Henkin (Announcer)
Kymm Zuckert (LaVerne)
Marc Hershon (Sir Gerald)
Betty Welchman (Rhonda)

Broken crown image by Vu Mai. 
Goblet image from the British Museum.

Royal Episode the First: Goblets

In which our esteemed Lunatic journeys to the Western Border to check on the aftermath of a fearsome dragon attack. Along the way he undertakes to poll a fair maiden, and ultimately enlists the help of a fearsome wizard!

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Muse, Betty Welchman.

Featuring: 
*  Aaron Henkin as the Royal Announcer
*  Kate Davison as the fair Ingenue, Griselda
*  Stephen Bitzelberger as the Foreman

Huzzah!

Royal Episode the Second: To the Wall!

Welcome listener-peasant! You've joined us in the midst of a painstaking search of the kingdom's northlands, as our Reigning Lunatic tries to ascertain the whereabouts of a rebellious faction: the Rebels of the Northlands!

With our special guests: 
* Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer)
* Kate Davidson (Barbra "Bar" Wench)
* Jud Niven (Frank Rebel)

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Muse Betty Welchman. Produced at Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore. 


Royal Episode the Thrid: Rebels of the Northlands!

Welcome listener-peasant!

Our Reigning Lunatic has returned to his castle
and immediately vents some spleen at the Royal Blogger!
Then, a Saying of the Sooth session with the Enchantress Morgana bogs down in a fearsome debate about gender politics in the world of sorcery.

Finally, the Foole is given his last chance to amuse.

With our special guests: 
* Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer)
* Patrick Flynn (Royal Blogger)
* Kate Davidson (Morgana)

With Betty Welchman as Rhonda.

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman,
with help from UnderSecretary of Amusement Betty Welchman.
Produced at Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.

Royal Episode the Four: The Royal Blogger

There's danger afoot for the Reigning Lunatic when his dreams are darkened by a fatherly warning. After a visit from famed prophet Nostradamus proves unobliging, the Captain of the Guards arrives with frightful news: the Royal Taste Tester is DEAD! Who is behind this fiendish duplicity? Is it Aesthethys, the monarch's brother? Or is it some other culinary culprit?

With:
* Aaron Henkin as the Royal Announcer
* Jud Niven as Nostradamus

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Humor Consultant Betty Welchman. 

This is a production of Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.

Royal Episode 5: Assassining!

The Reigning Lunatic demands an explanation of the original title, which was to be "The Case of the Exploding Pillow," but was changed to "Pillows" due to concerns about undercurrents of regicide. 

(and because it was too long)

The Royal Scriptwriters are forced to explain themselves, and in so doing, weave a dramatic scene with their winsome words.

Then comes more news of trouble for the Grand Border Wall!
Rebels attack the Eastern Border, leaving the Reigning Lunatic in a slough of despond, which is only lifted after a visit from the Learned Professor prompts a new and brilliant idea!

With:
* Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer)
* Courtney Calkins (Duke of Phlegmington)
* Kate Davidson (Lady Penny)
* Mark Miller (General Klang)

With Betty Welchman as "Royal Scriptwriter #1"

Produced by Geoffrey Welchman, 
co-written by GW with Jeanne Klingler and Betty Welchman!

This is a production of Poison Dart Studios (Baltimore). 

Royal Episode the 6: Pillows!

Our ornithological Reigning Lunatic turns his gaze to the heavens!

Yes, listener-peasant, the Royal Astronomer is called upon
to discuss the feasibility of certain space-weapons. And clearly, technology is at the center of it, as brief visits from Tech Support and a Foole attest.

But it is the discovery of "Obscure Matter" that really gets a response, although it wasn't the response the Royal Astronomer hoped for. 

Thence it is left to the Wizard of the Day to Say the Sooth.

With our special guests:
Aaron Henkin as the Royal Announcer
Kate Davidson as Morgana
Marc Hershon as the Royal Astronomer
Tina Rogers as Tech Support
Courtney Calkins as the Apprentice Foole
Monica Hamburg as Baba Yaga

With Betty Welchman as Rhonda

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman,
with help from Executive Interior Designer Betty Welchman.

This is a production of Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.

Royal Episode 7: Obscure Matter

Huzzah, listener-heretic! The EIGHTH episode is upon us!

The Reigning Lunatic meets a young scribe and makes light conversation until a CERTAIN SUBJECT is broached, whence the scribe is encouraged to a room in the dungeon.

Whereupon the sovereign is encouraged NOT to walk around the moat, and a magical solution to the vexing security problem is accomplished!

Finally, the fair Griselda re-appears, and is rewarded for her diligence.

With:
Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer)
Christina Nicholls (Scribe)
Kate Davidson (Griselda)

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman,
with help from Executive Comedy Consultant Betty Welchman.

This is a production of Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.

Royal Episode the 8: The MOAT

Huzzah, listener-heretic! The NINTH and FINAL episode of our medieval miniseries is upon us!

The Reigning Lunatic must endure the return of his accountant, and is cajoled into a public-relations-inspired Royal Visit.

There is much discussion and even some bonding between our sovereign and the humble Smithy, and a distinct lack of success in magical endeavors.

With:
Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer)
Grant Markham (Tin)
Davian Dent (Smithy)
Tina Rogers (Circe)
James Hatfield (Balar)

Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman,
with help from Executive Comedy Consultant Betty Welchman.

Thanks for listening, and thanks to all of our Guest Actors!

Royal Episode the Nine: Visit the Smithy

A reworking of the Buffalo Springfield classic "For What It's Worth (Stop Hey, What's That Sound)", recorded for our dear friend Henry Shaw. 

Acoustic guitars, electrics, bass, keys, and beats, with a mess o' vocals (including Betty)!

For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield Cover, For Henry)

Music and comedy written & produced at Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore. Songs that say "cover" are covers, the rest are original, with instruments and vocals performed by me.

The Reigning Lunatic podcast (2015-16) was a Parsec Award Finalist. A scripted sitcom in 9 episodes, set in a despotic medieval kingdom plagued by dragons, wizards, and dreadful wifi. Written by GW, created by GW & Betty Welchman, featuring a cast of several. 

The Inverse Delirium podcast (2010-14) was a short, sharp satire of public radio in this American Baltimore. Guests included Kevin Pollak, Lewis Black, Paula Poundstone, Wendy Lieberman, and more.

Geoffrey Welchman

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