I'm posting this demo yet again because--in addition to featuring a female vocalist as originally intended(in this case, Cecelia Tepping Goldschmidt)--it includes a couple of new keyboard tracks; and another rhythm guitar track. This is the moment in Croquet during which Alice is speaking to the caterpillar. She is trying to remember who she is after sipping from the "Drink me" bottle.

©1993 music; ©2005 lyrics

I Hardly Know Me (2021 mix)

Here's an instrumental that I recorded in the 80s on a cassette 4-track. I remastered it and am considering including it on my forthcoming CD. How about a fan vote...should I include it on the release?

All the Answers (Remastered)

This song is derived from the opening of an original short story titled "Threads," which I plan to eventually work into a concept album. The haunting vocals are performed by one of my favorite singers...Lily Frost.

Personnel (in alphabetical order):

Vaughan Burton: guitar, bass, theremin, keyboards, flute
Lily Frost: vocals
Ben Kaplan: additional percussion
Eric Willhelm: percussion

© 2021 Written by Vaughan Burton and Lindsey Davis

Apparition (Dream of Maya special preview)

Here is a special preview of "Drink Me," one of my favorite tracks from my rock opera, Croquet (which is based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). This new version of the song features a very special guest on drums and backing vocals: Albert Bouchard of Blue Öyster Cult, The Brain Surgeons, Blue Coupe, and The Dictators. Also performing on the song are Lisa Miller Armstrong (violin) and Ben Kaplan (chimes). I play guitars, keys, theremin, and sing. Produced by Steve Hardy. The forthcoming Dream of Maya CD will include a "suite" of songs from Croquet, under the concept's original title, "Curiouser and Curiouser."

Drink Me (Dream of Maya special preview)

Croquet, performed live in its entirety for the first time:

1. Curiouser and Curiouser
2. Pool of Tears
3. I Hardly Know Me
4. The Dark Forest
5. We're All Mad Here
6. Reflection
7. Alice in the Garden
8. Croquet
9. Drink Me
10. Won't You Join the Dance
11. Between Worlds
12. Playground
13. Waves
14. What Happens Now?

Vaughan Burton: electric guitar, vocals. Cecelia Tepping: vocals, flute, tambourine. Jeff Espenshade: bass, bass pedals, additional vocals, 12-string guitar. Ben Kaplan: drums. Sebastian Espenshade: bass. Jeff Benson: keyboards, additional electric guitar.

Croquet live premiere Nov. 6., 2021 - West Windsor Arts Center, West Windsor, NJ

The song has hardly changed since then. I really need to record a nice studio version of this one.

©1989

"Can You Hear Me" audio of filmed performance for Cable TV Show, Confetti, 1993

Solo guitar track from the forthcoming Dream of Maya CD.

Cana

Part of the Croquet Suite titled "Curiouser and Curiouser" (from the forthcoming Dream of Maya CD).

Alice In The Garden (pre-master)

Opening section of a suite of songs from Croquet (which will be titled "Curiouser and Curiouser" on the forthcoming CD), a musical reflection on Lewis Carroll's classic tale, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Dream-Child (pre-master)

Part 5 of "Curiouser and Curiouser," which is a musical reflection on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Earl Brackett: drums
Vaughan Burton: guitars, keyboards, flute, vocals 
Jeff Espendshade: electric bass
Ben Kaplan: additional percussion
Cecelia Tepping Goldschmidt: featured vocalist

Dream of Maya -- "Between Worlds" (preview)

This is a demo of the final track from Croquet, an original concept album based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This song sums up the theme of the concept. The closest to an answer that we'll get in life is in knowing that imagination and faith --during anxious or apprehensive times--can restore yesterday's happiness. I play all instruments here (including the drum machine) and sing. Eventually, I plan to post a version with real drums.

©1989 music / ©2010 lyrics

What Happen Now? (original demo)

This is a demo of a song from Croquet, an original concept album based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Here, Alice is about to return to the real world (the prospect of which has become frightening to her). Her fantasy has become familiar and reality the unknown. She has spent so much time in her fantasy that she fears returning to her own world. I play all instruments on this one and sing. Eventually, I plan to post a version with real drums. I hope you like it!

©2010

Between Worlds (original demo)

This is a demo of the title track from Croquet, an original concept album based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice plays Croquet with the the Queen of Hearts and her court. Because she is intimidated by skillful players' talents, the Queen has changed the rules of the game to make it more difficult for Alice. This song is definitely an allegory. I play all instruments. I hope you like it!

©2010

Croquet

This is a demo of the second track (and first vocal track) from Croquet, an original concept album based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I play all instruments. Most of the songs were written for a female vocalist, but I'm singing on this demo version. I hope you like it!

©2008

Pool of Tears (original demo)

This is a demo of the opening instrumental from Croquet, an original concept album based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I play all instruments. I hope you like it!


©2010

Curiouser and Curiouser (original demo)

This is a demo of the penultimate track from Croquet, an original concept album based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I extended the story somewhat. Here, Alice has grown up and is still searching for answers. She has come to realize that every world--whether real or fantastic--has its peaks and pitfalls...and she has an awakening. I play all instruments. I'll eventually post a version with a female vocalist, as intended. I hope you like it!

©2010

Waves (original demo)

Hall of Mirrors, Live at Katmandu, Trenton, N.J., 2003

Vaughan Burton: guitars, vocals, bass pedals
Jeff Espenshade: bass
Ben Kaplan: drums
Lisa Miller: violin

©1995

Across the Sea (live 2003, Katmandu, Trenton, N.J.)

Hall of Mirrors, Live at Katmandu, Trenton, N.J., 2003

Vaughan Burton: guitars
Jeff Espenshade: bass, bass pedals
Ben Kaplan: drums
Lisa Miller: violin

©1997

Shut Up And Go Play With Your Dali (Live, Katmadu, Trenton, N.J., 2003)

Vaughan Burton is an ASCAP-affiliated guitarist / composer who is a founding member of the progressive rock band, Dream of Maya. Other bands include Hall of Mirrors, What Where When, Reason and Instinct, and Eight Eyes. Vaughan has performed original music at prominent clubs (Cat's Cradle [N.C.], Katmandu [N.J.], and John and Peter's [Pa.] to name a few), festivals, galleries, universities, historic estates, and churches. 

The live premiere of Vaughan's musical drama, Croquet--which is a musical reflection on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland--took place Saturday, November 6, 2021, 7 P.M., at the West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Rd, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550. The benefit concert for West Windsor Arts was a success; and Vaughan was invited by 
The Lewis Carroll Society of North America to be a panelist in an online event, during which he discussed the creation and performance 
of the concept.

Vaughan recently played electric guitar 
on the first two chapters of Albert Bouchard's 
(original songwriter / drummer / vocalist for
Blue Öyster Cult) Imaginos. Two weeks after its release, Re Imaginos placed at #97 on Billboard's Top Current Album Sales chart; and it was selected as the #17 album of 2020 by Wire Magazine. 

Classic Rock Magazine's review of Imaginos 2: Bombs Over Germany--Bouchard's follow-up 
to Re Imaginos--read, "Maybe the weirdest album of the year, and definitely one of the best." 

In the words of acclaimed Canadian chanteuse, 
Lily Frost (Charmed, Crazy Beautiful), with whom Vaughan has studied and collaborated, Vaughan is "an intelligent and gifted songwriter.  He has a gift for language. His guitar playing perfectly supports his classic, progressive rock style." 
*****************************************************
Additional recording credits:

The first CD by Joss, Billy Hwang's Roadside Con (ranked the #10 album of the year in 2000 by The Aquarian music magazine), a disc that received national air play and was featured on VH1.com and Billboard.com; Jewel, the second release by (N.C.) rock band, 8 Eyes; Gate City Underground, 
a compilation disc that features a specially recorded 8 Eyes song; rock compilation CD released by IMPS Music; Albert Bouchard's Deko Entertainment and Origins live streams (accompanying guitar track).
*****************************************************
Has worked with:

Members of Blue Öyster Cult, Blue Coupe, 
The Brain Surgeons, and The Dictators; Spirits Burning and Michael Moorcock; Internationally successful songwriter / pianist, Steve Fields; acclaimed author, M.A. Foster; MUSICIANS WHO HAVE WORKED ONSTAGE OR IN STUDIO WITH: The Moody Blues; Alice Cooper; Chuck Berry; Ray Charles; Jimi Hendrix; Andrea Bocelli; Larry Fast; members of Steely Dan, Hawkwind, 
and Happy the Man; The Frank Zappa Band.

Has played in support of / on the same bill as:

Blood, Sweat and Tears, Tom Brislin (Yes, Kansas, Camel, Robert Plant, Meatloaf, Debbie Harry, Renaissance), Trisha Yearwood, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Gerry Hemingway Quintet, The Subdudes, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Mother's Finest, Lisa Bouchelle, October Baby, session musicians for ESPN, Fox, and MTV.

Soundtracks:

Eric Moore's Confetti (a weekly show, segments from which were featured on ABC World News Now); producer / photographer Joe Ryan's critically acclaimed local (N.J.) documentary television show, History Hunters.

Media coverage:

Prog Magazine, Classic Rock Magazine, Wire, Alternative Press, Goldmine, ABC News Radio, 
The Lewis Carroll Society (North American chapter), Dirty Linen, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Trenton Times, The Aquarian, The Asbury Park Press, 
U.S. 1, The West Windsor-Plainsboro (N.J.) News, 
The Robbinsville (N.J.) Advance, The Greensboro (N.C.) News and Record, Music Monitor, 
and Triad Style.

Favorite performers:
 
Pink Floyd, Blue Öyster Cult, Camel, Marillion, U2, Yes, Rush, Lily Frost, Kate Bush, Elton John, Seal, Stevie Wonder, Iron Maiden, Alan Parsons, 
and Tangerine Dream.

Vaughan Burton

Popular tracks