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Family Tree (2007)
Music and instruments by Joel Hill
*(Unless otherwise noted)


Viaticus (2:05)
I wrote Viaticus at the request of my step-daughter Emily for her wedding. The term Viaticus is Latin for “pertaining to a journey” and as such draws on Emily’s Catholic heritage. The two notes representing souls that begin the piece separately are entwined throughout the various stages of their journey together. The first stage, courting, is light and upbeat and is followed by their commitment to each other as expressed through the vows they gave on their wedding day. The final stage, ascension, blends the souls that began the journey separately, for eternity.
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Carmel (1:42)
Carmel-By-The-Sea is a romantic little seaside village on the central California Pacific Coast. I wrote “Carmel” as a tribute to my wife and for the memories I hold dear of our visits there.
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Circa '78 (2:18)
The guitar sequence in this tune was written sometime around 1978, hence the title. I recorded it, along with the new "string" movement and drums, a few months ago. It sort of sounds like Yanni playing Bolero!
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Silvertone (4:07)
My sister, brother and I grew up in a bi-polar musical environment. Our mother was a classical pianist and our father enjoyed the old Appalachian folk tunes. We’d frequently wake up on any given morning to our mother’s unique interpretation of a Chopin Sonata on the baby grand and be lulled asleep that very same night to Dad’s cultural counter attack on the old Sears Silvertone to tunes like “Here Rattler Here,” “The Wreck of the Ol’ 97” and “Father Dear Father.” “Silvertone” was written as a tribute to Dad and his Silvertone and was presented to him at the celebration of his 80th birthday.
*(Guitar/Drums - Joel Hill, Bass - Greg Cavinder)                    
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Hammerhead (2:46)
Hammerhead is a term of endearment that I use to reference my two boys, Thomas & Kevin who, along with their cousins, exemplify the spirit of the “hammerhead.” Hammerheaded behaviors and activities can’t be fully explained except through the phrase, “What the Hell were they thinking?”
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Open D (3:26)
Tuning to an open D is my preferred way of tuning the guitar for writing tunes that are to be finger picked.  The tonality is full and rich and the chromatics, for me, are much easier to accomplish.  "Open D" is a product of couch noodling which is basically watching TV with a guitar in your lap.
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Late Bloomers (2009)
Music and instruments by Joel Hill
*(Unless otherwise noted)


Still Here (5:59)
Still Here is about lifelong friendships.  As the song suggests, bits and pieces of the song itself are borrowed and returned.  The listener may recognize the basis of the song from "Bed & Breakfast" by Joel Hill.  Bob Parker "borrowed" his friend Joel's song and improved it by adding his own melody, lyrics and chorus.  Together, they recorded the final version of "Still Here.



Big Sister (3:54)
Growing up, my big sister Clair came in a little package but she packed one Hell of a punch – and still does!  This song captures her lively yet sturdy, down-to-earth spirit and is dedicated to her.



Eloise (3:14)
Eloise, an Airedale, is a beloved family pet and the sister of Rude Rudy – bless his heart. I feel like the tempo and bounce of the song captures Eloise’s spirit and demeanor thus the name. “Eloise” is my first attempt at writing and recording a traditional bluegrass tune.
  


Granola (3:12)
This is the original "Granola" which was written way back in the day at VA Tech when homework was an optional distraction for me. Bob Parker was my roommate at the time which meant that we ate a lot of tree bark that he called granola.

    

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Basement Musings (2006)
Music and instruments by Joel Hill

Dirty Corner (3:20)
“Dirty Corner” draws on the B. B. King influence and presentation style on the basic 12 measure, “somebody done me wrong” blues genre. Regarding the lyrics, I have no personal point of reference! 
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What Could Go Wrong (3:49)
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Variations on Granola (5:23)
One of my proudest musical accomplishments is the 93 that Hillary and I received on her Senior Choreography (a.k.a.: final exam) at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA). Hillary asked if I would write and record the music for her project and I was more than happy to comply for a number of reasons. First, it brought us closer together. Although I wrote the original “Granola” while in college, Hillary was instrumental (no pun intended) in the selection of sounds for the project and in the final musical arrangement. The seven chimes, for example, that begin the piece each introduce one of the seven dancers. Secondly, the project was the genesis of the basement corner studio! The melody for “Variations on Granola” is repeated throughout the entire suite of songs that were written for the project which helps instill a common theme. The other songs in the suite include “A La Carte’” and Bed & Breakfast.
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Hillary

A La Carte (6:07)
A La Carte’ is the second movement of in the Senior Choreography. The melody is borrowed from “Variations on Granola” and the “splashes of sound” (high guitar riff) were Hillary’s idea to help update the tune. My biggest challenge in recording this particular piece was the 3 minute drum solo (a la; Iron Butterfly’s “Ina Gadda da Vida”) at ends the song that Hillary requested.
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Bed & Breakfast (1:26)
Bed & Breakfast was originally written while in college and subsequently updated for Hillary’s Senior Choreography. The more recent melody was also “borrowed” from “Variations on Granola” to help promote a common thread throughout the project. “Bed & Breakfast” is the type of guitar ditty you would expect to hear in a bed & breakfast somewhere on the Northwest coast of Washington.
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Leave Me Be (3:56)
This, like many of my other tunes is starved for lyrics. Maybe one day. In the mean time, “Leave Me Be” is the attitude that I feel this song conveys.
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Contraption Shuffle (3:21)
Just as the name implies, I created the “Contraption Shuffle” while trying to figure out just how to use the confounded contraption that I bought to record my music and Hillary’s Senior Choreography at ASFA! I also recorded “Contraption Shuffle” as a practice track for learning how to play lead guitar. You will notice that only the first verse has any melody. The subsequent versus were for practicing lead guitar Karaoke style! Truthfully, my hammerheaded son Thomas was progressing nicely on his lead guitar after only a couple of months of veggin’ on the sofa with his guitar and headphones. I could not face the fact that he might be able to “out play” me after a few months when I have been playing for years!!
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