These tracks were recorded between 2007 and 2009. Due to a rich array of less than ideal variables they were never quite finished.

John Ross - Vocals, Instruments

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Almost Real

Not Even Real

Somewhat edited, somewhat developed vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on January 23, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The second guitar (side right) is a single first take (I touched up a few sour notes with a bit of copying and pasting). Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The backing vocals were added over the course of the next few days. The entire improvisation is about 25 minutes long. I removed some (often long) instrumental sections and a few bits here and there that I didn't much care for. In addition to the resulting 14 and a half minute edit, this playlist includes the 21 individual successive  parts that surfaced during the improvisation "session".

Work In Progress - Here I Am

Thanks For Listening is built upon an hour-long vocal and drum improv session I recorded in 2014 that produced 48 tracks.  As I developed the recording I whittled it down to 23 tracks. This is one of the few times I attempted a Goodness Knows Best inspired improv session playing a drum kit as opposed to lap "drums". The drums and most of the lead vocal parts are from the original improv (I re-sang most of the lead vocals, due to pitch issues associated with my playing drums and singing without any musical accompaniment). 

For those who might be curious, here's an exclusive soundcloud link to early vocal and drum only version with the original improvised lead vocal and several of the 25 songs that were cut from the final version... 

https://soundcloud.com/john-ross-chicago/thanks-for-listening-early-drum-and-improv-vocal-extended-version-01-19-14

Thanks For Listening

Somewhat edited, somewhat developed vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on August 6, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The additional guitar is an improvised first take. Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The largely improvised backing vocals were added over the course of the next few days.The entire improvisation is a little over 12 minutes long. I removed a four minute instrumental section and a few bits here and there that I didn't much care for. In addition to the 7 minute edit, this playlist also includes 4 individual successive parts/sections drawn from this edit.

Work in Progress - This Part is Real

From the unfinished, unreleased album Almost Real

Age Of Amazement

My Imagination

She's Almost Real

Come In And Look Around

Starting It Over

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Dissociative Reaction - Parts 1 & 2

Dissociative Reaction - Part 3

Almost Out of My Mind

It Takes a Long Time

Sweet Child Of Mercy

Rewinding (SCOM micro-single 2)

Please Wait (DR3 micro-single 2)

Here I Am (Here in My Head)

Count Your Blessings (With a Cherry on Top)

From the Monica's Interval LP (1987)

John Ross - vocals, occasional guitar 
David Zerlin - guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, programing, etc.

Monica's Interval

Medicine Ball

From the 2006 Reality Show demo CD

John Ross – vocals / lyrics
Jim Hewitt – instruments / music

Check out Jim's soundcloud page - @jimhewittmusic

Reality Show

The Sun is Gonna Shine

Vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on January 23, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The second guitar (side right) is a single first take. I touched up some sour notes with a bit of copying and pasting. Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The backing vocals were added over the course of the next few days.

Here I Am - January 23 Improv

From the album Some of the Hole (Volume Three)
A collection of home recordings 1989-1995

Some of the Hole (Volume Three)

September Rain

From the album Some of the Hole (Volume Two)
A collection of home recordings 1986-1988

Some of the Hole (Volume Two)

Only a Moment

My Love

Swimming

Part 1 of Here I Am (January 23, 2024 Improvisation). Check out the associated playlist for related information and access to the complete 14.5 minute Here I Am improvisation.

I Will Know What I Know When I Know What I Know - HIA Part 1

Part 2 of Here I Am (January 23, 2024 Improvisation). Check out the associated playlist for related information and access to the complete 14.5 minute Here I Am improvisation.

A Little Unclear - HIA Part 2

Part 3 of Here I Am (January 23, 2024 Improvisation). Check out the associated playlist for related information and access to the complete 14.5 minute Here I Am improvisation.

Never Enough...and More...and Then - HIA Part 3

Part 4 of Here I Am (January 23, 2024 Improvisation). Check out the associated playlist for related information and access to the complete 14.5 minute Here I Am improvisation.

I Want It All (and More) - HIA Part 4

From the album Some of the Hole (Volume One)
A collection of home recordings 1983-1985

Some of the Hole (Volume One)

Not the Same

Where Are My Colors?

Standing By the Door

Bird

Different Touch

Just You and Me

Window

Love Dream

Drive My Car

Unreleased unfinished track left off of the Dominions Peak Reserve album

I'm The One You Want To Be With (But Not Right Now)

From the album Thanks For Listening.

See playlist for more information.

John Ross - vocals, instruments

Mr. Gribbles

Everything Might Be

Don't Forget To Pay The Ferryman

Hey, You Know

Turn It Up

August 20 update of edited vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on August 6, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes (no cutting or pasting). The additional guitar is an improvised first take (wee bit of cutting and pasting). Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The largely improvised backing vocals were added over the course of the next several days.

This Part Is Real (08-20-24 Mix)

Part 1 of This Part is Real. August 20 update of vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on August 6, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The additional guitar is an improvised first take. Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The largely improvised backing vocals were added over the course of the next several days.

Here I Am (in Mind) - (This Part Is Real - Part 1)

Part 2 of This Part is Real. August 20 update of vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on August 6, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The additional guitar is an improvised first take. Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The largely improvised backing vocals were added over the course of the next several days.

Putting it Togther - (This Part Is Real - Part 2)

Part 3 of This Part is Real. August 20 update of vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on August 6, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The additional guitar is an improvised first take. Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The largely improvised backing vocals were added over the course of the next several days.

A Little More Out of My Mnd - (This Part Is Real - Part 3)

Part 4 of This Part is Real. August 20 update of vocal and guitar improvisation recorded on August 6, 2024. The lead vocal and main guitar are on the fly first takes. The additional guitar is an improvised first take. Much of the bass guitar is also first take improvisation. The largely improvised backing vocals were added over the course of the next several days.

This Part Is Real - (This Part is Real - Part 4)

From the 1986 cassette release Goodbye Judy

Goodbye Judy

Upside Down

From the 1994 cassette release The Little Cat is a Brain Surgeon.

The Little Cat is a Brain Surgeon

Easier

From the 1994 Cassette release The Little Brain is a Cat Surgeon.

The Brain is a Cat Surgeon

Back Down (Demo)

From the 1984 cassette Everybody's Wrong.

Everybody's Wrong

Mezzanine

Love Parade

What Does Baby Mean?

Tonight

Not in Vain

Living Alone  

No Tomorrow

From the 1984 cassette The Songs of John - Volume Two.

The Songs of John - Volume Two

When Trees Seem Very Small

From the 1983 cassette The Songs of John - Volume One.

The Songs of John - Volume One

Frozen Sun

My Eyes

Cold Streets

Tell Me Why

Chester II

Another Blue Commentary

The Green Song

Victory

Mobygratis Collaboration

Vocals/Lyrics - John Ross
Music: Age provided by mobygratis

05-18-25 mix

John Ross

Pinned to spotlight

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