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Tracks: Rainbow Connection, I'm Going Back There Someday, I Won't Last A Day Without You, Rainy Days And Mondays, It's All Been Said Before, Love Dance, We've Only Just Begun, You're Gone, Out In The Country, Old Fashioned Love Song
DualDisc (CD Plus DVD-Audio) and 2-Sided DVD-Video Disc - Over 3 hours of Content. Live Performance and Studio Recording. 96 kHz/24-Bits PCM Stereo Mix compatible with all DVD players. Compatible with DVD-Audio and DVD-Video players. Compatible with CD Players. 70 minute TV program on Paul Williams Life and Music. Photo Gallery. Extensive Artist Bios. Complete Session Video. Alternate 5.1 channel surround mixes "Stage" and "Audience" POV. Extensive Interactive Liner Notes on the Performers, Session and Technical Info. Complete information on the DVD format, 5.1 channel surround and Setup Instructions.
Comments from John McEuen - Co-Producer of the Project
As we set up the second day of recording with Paul for his DVD we knew we had a high mark to shoot for, as the first day was truly wonderful. We had captured 8 songs in one day, only moving ahead when we had it right, and knew this was an easier day in some regards. Only two songs, but the cast was a bit unusual on this December 4th.
The previous week, 4 songs with string quartet, piano and bass, one with the full band and the quartet, plus 3 with 'just' the band, had all gone down as a piece of American music history. America's great writer of love ballads, country hits, pop and film music had delivered his up close and personal version of his icon songs that are known worldwide. For the first time on 'tape', along with 5 cameras rolling, the personal side of this great writer and the heartfelt delivery of his magical words will be brought right to the audience. That was a great day... but now, a different assignment lay ahead.
To me, some of Paul's lyrics show their magic in their delivery more than in the reading of the words. I read Rainbow Connection, and I am not sure I 'get it'. "...Back There Someday" made me feel the same way.. it did not make that much sense to me as 'just words'. After all, until I was about 38 my favorite Beach Boy song was Bop Ma Ran... then I found out it was Barbara Ann. I am the guy who, for about 5 years, did not realize Mr. Bojangles' dog had died. I had thought his dog's name was "upandied" (you know, "....his dog, upandied...").
But just as Paul's songs are icons of American music writing, the guests for today are icons of American culture... and they would be doing the lyrics with Paul. Willie Nelson and Gonzo on the same stage did put me a little on edge, as being the producer it was my responsibility for things to go right. With the great AIX team I had every confidence, and went in to the day with great expectations. I knew it would be good... I didn't know it would be that good.
First, Gonzo is so much a fan of Paul and his music that it was evident from the first time out of his box. His cloth fairly bristled with excitement as they got ready for his interview with Paul. They realized, after going over the script, they needed only a couple its ideas in their interview section. These two old pals agreed to 'wing it', and we tuned in on a couple of old friends with the same astrological signs revisiting the good things they have shared in life.
Then came the recording of the song "Going to Go Back There Someday". The key and arrangement were changing on the spot, and the guys decided to switch verses as they sang it. Now these lyrics made more sense than ever, as it became a description of these two artists' lives and their wistful view of life as a musical conversation. Chris Caswell's direction of the music was, as always, impeccable, and Gonzo even sighed at the end in a way that some say he shed a first time tear.
Since Kermit couldn't make the session that day, Gonzo hung around to say hey to Willie and secretly see how he did Kermit's song, Rainbow Connection. Again, Paul's
One side contains CD audio, the other contains DVD content. |
