Resplendent “Am I Free? / I Am Free”

Format:  Double CD,  10 songs, ©2005

Released by Mixx Tape

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CD A “Am I Free?”
  1. In My Quiet Car
  2. Summer Breeze
  3. Destiny Afterbirth
  4. Stately & Graceful
  5. I Am Free
CD B “I Am Free.”
  1. Dust of Luck
  2. Drink Deep
  3. Beer Muscles
  4. A Tourist No More
  5. Hope

Band members: Michael Lenzi

Other Notes: Lyric sheets provided

Liner notes:

This music was recorded on a Tascam TSR-8 analog 1/2″ tape machine over the course of calendar year 2004 at the Plastic Skull Studio. No computers were used in the recording or mixing. All tracks were mixed on an ancient and rickety Soundcraft 200B 16-channel board.

Each song began as a set of sample sequences made from scratch on a Roland DJ-70 MKII sampling workstation and Akai MPC60 and MPC2000XL sampling drum machines. Every sound and sample was created by Resplendent.

The notable and awesome exception is the bombastic guitar, bass and drum loop on Track 5, Side B (Hope), which was taken from a song written and performed by The Fast Times Rock and Roll Band. Thanks to my friend Sean Sullivan for allowing me to use it.

Derek Cullimore wrote and played almost all of the guitar parts. He is largely responsible for the guitar-oriented direction the songs took. Brent Larson played the wicked guitar solo on Track 10, Side B (Hope) and Patrick O’Connell did the guitar bits at the end of that track. Patrick also played the chorus guitar part on Track 1, Side A (In My Quiet Car) and the bass part on Track 4, Side B (A Tourist No More). Flute parts on Track 1, Side A (In My Quiet Car) and Track 5, Side B (Hope) were written and performed by Chris Neal. Guitar at the very end of Track 1, Side A (In My Quiet Car) was played by Tim Rutili.

Track 2, Side B (Drink Deep) is a cover. Rites of Spring recorded it in February of 85 and it stands as one of the most beautiful and crushing songs ever. My version is more of a tribute than an exact cover. It stands close to the flame but is not trying to be the flame.

All songs were written, recorded, mixed and manufactured by Resplendent. Track 5, Side B (Hope) was pre-mastered by my longtime friend and former Gold Medal band mate Tony Rolando in a dusty loft somewhere in Brooklyn in November 2004. Mike Hagler mastered the recording. Steve Walters screen printed the covers.

John Kendelhardt, my friend and creator of the www.resplendent-music.com website, did the design and layout of the liner notes. He is responsible for moving a lot of my thoughts and ideas forward. Thanks for the inspiration.

It would be wrong not to mention how much the following 6 albums really influenced my thoughts this past year when I was writing the material for this record (it would be more truthful if I said they haunted me): Neil Young “After the Gold Rush,” Notorious B.I.G. “Ready to Die,” Talking Heads “More Songs about Buildings and Food,” Swervedriver “Mezcal Head” and Bruce Springsteen “Nebraska”and “The Wild, the Innocent, The E Street Shuffle.” A million thanks to the people that made those records. It’s impossible for me to be cynical when such amazing songs exist.

Thanks and love to everyone who assisted me.

Peace and Hope, Michael Lenzi

Contact  Resplendent: Michael Lenzi, m.lenzi@att.net

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Front and back covers of CD A

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CD gatefold of CD A

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Front and back covers of CD B

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Gatefold of CD B

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