Of all the genres of music that I love and enjoy playing, nothing moves me or feels so much like home as the blues. It’s been that way since, at age 11, I first heard The Paul Butterfield Blues Band album East-West. I can’t remember exactly when I wrote Take A Chance, but I’m thinking somewhere around 1984. So, after 36 years, I’m very happy to finally have a fully-realized rendition to share. The fact that it was produced during the pandemic, when the participating musicians could not gather together in the studio, makes it that much sweeter — and proves that music will find a way to get made. Take A Chance was produced by Michael Harmon at Wachusett Recording Company in Princeton, Mass. I’m extremely grateful to Michael, not only for his tremendous technical skills and keen ear, but especially for his “hell-yes-let’s-have-at-it!” sense of musical adventure. I know many musicians in the region share my feelings about Michael. And, of course, thank you to my intrepid musical collaborators on Take A Chance: Kent Byron, drums; Bill Fisher, bass; Mike Gianfriddo, lead guitar; Brooks Milgate, organ; and Jim and John Russo, horns. I’m looking forward to the day, hopefully soon, when Mike G. takes the helm again at the fabulous Sunday blues jam. And I’m especially grateful to the great Russo brothers for their killer horn arrangement. I contributed rhythm and lead guitars, percussion, and vocals.

Take A Chance

Starz Coliseum Rock Radio Ad 1979

A true story. Thanks to Brendan Keenan (mandolin), and Michael Harmon (bass, producer at Wachusett Recording Company, Princeton, Mass.) for helping me realize this song that's been kicking around for almost 40 years.

Water On A Stone V3 (Master)

Recorded but never released, this is the bands take on this incredible song by The Beatles. www.thecurtainsociety.com

Across The Universe (The Beatles)

Written by Mike Ladd; performed at The Coffee Kingdom in Worcester, MA.  This song is a warning against complacency - oh well...

Break The Things That Won't Bend  (Live at Coffee Kingdom)

SOMETIMES I GET MAD AND OTHER TIMES I GET SAD ITS JUST TOO FAST IN BETWEEN

BIPOLAR - STEEZ

Living Room Recordings 2019
lyrics,  music  written by Keri Lee Anderson
Guitar - Keri Lee Anderson
Vocals - Keri Lee Anderson

Love Is A Stranger

Written by Mike Ladd.  Performed at Mary's Place Coffeehouse in 1991 with Joe Miglionico on fretless bass.

That Man - Mike Ladd (live At Mary's Place 1991)

Like Mike

Clubhouse

Apparently, I might be Buddhist. I’m not sure. When Tim Bowles was in the studio to record his pedal steel part for Middle of this Mess, he said he thought the theme of the song reflected the “Middle Path” philosophy of Buddhism. Perhaps. The song was written for my daughter who, at that time and at that age, tended to see and experience the world in very black and white terms. Things were good, or they were awful. Something was right and fair, or completely and totally wrong. I tried to get her to see and understand that two things could be true at the same time. That how we perceive things and whether or not we judge them to be right or wrong, or fair or unfair, shape our emotions and how we relate to the world and to others. I’ve been carrying this song around in my head for many years and I am thrilled to have now recorded it with the help of good friends and long-time musical collaborators. The pandemic may have precluded us from working in the studio at the same time, but it has also inspired loads of creativity. Music will find a way to be made. In this case, Michael Harmon, owner of Wachusett Recording Company in Princeton, Mass., produced this song from individual tracks from: Tim Bowles, pedal steel; Lynne Feldman, bass and harmony vocals; Sten Gustavson, piano; Michael Harmon; drums; Bob Sarkala, lead guitar; Arny Spielberg; rhythm guitars and lead vocals. I want to thank all of talented folks for the generous spirit and energy they brought to this project. "Just take a big breath my love and jump in the middle of this mess." We hope you enjoy.

That Man - Mike Ladd (live At Mary's Place 1991)

Mike Ladd 1

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