This is the digital-only, companion album to "Under The Stars". It continues the theme of Native American star-lore. All tracks were recorded "live" on location in the 100-inch dome of the Mt. Wilson Observatory on Nov. 2, 2014. There are NO added studio effects, reverb, or overdubbing - what you hear is exactly what I heard, as I was playing. Some tracks have minor edits, as noted, due to technical issues during the recording session.

LINER NOTES
Under the Stars, too!

This digital-only EP includes the rest of the November 2, 2014 recording session. This includes some of my favorite flutes, and great improvisations, but with technical problems (for example, sudden wetting-out) or because there was a break that required editing. Others were moved here due to changes in the pacing and storyline of the album, or for timing.

1) Eye of the Creator (North Star)
In the legends of the Eastern Pomo, the North Star is the eye of the creator Marumda, who now lives among the stars. The flute is a High Spirits “Condor” bass flute in domestic cedar, key of D minor. This was edited due to complete wetting-out in the middle of the tune.

Under the Stars, too!

2) Condor (Mars) [This is my favorite track from the session, and also re-released as a single]
The condor plays an important role in many southwestern tribes - in Chumash lore, the planet Mars is associated with reddish head of the condor, and Xolxol, a supernatural being. I chose a style that conveys the sense of a condor in flight, circling in the sky. Flute made by Michael Graham Allen (Coyote Oldman) 5- hole traditional style in red cedar, key of E minor. Originally planned for the main CD, this long track was moved due to timing.

3) Crane and Her Sons (Orion)
This tragic story comes from the Yokut people of central California, and I chose a drone to capture the two opposing characters – Crane and her husband. Normally, I would play a blues tune using only the lower octave of the drone, however the cold and high humidity caused the drone to constantly pop into the upper octave. Near the very end of the tune, you can hear the barking of the observatory dog (G.W. Richey), which I found suited the story perfectly. Drone flute made by High Spirits Flutes, 6- hole concert style in birch, key of high C minor. Planned for the main CD, this track was moved due to changes in the storyline and track order.

4) Like Beads on a String (Orion’s belt)
The signature three stars of Orion’s belt are viewed as a string of beads by the Hopi people. Signature series flute made by Odell Borg (High Spirits), 6-hole concert tuned in walnut, key of G minor. This is one of my favorite flutes to play in concerts, however I felt the half-holing needed to play the low A’s wasn’t as clean as I would have liked, and I was also having some trouble with wetting out.

5) Snake Not Real (Serpens)
The snake is an important and dangerous spirit in the lore of the Pawnee people. in the creation story, there is a false snake (in the Serpent constellation) who precedes the Real Snake (located in Scorpius). Flute made by Erick Sampson (Erick the Flutemaker), 5- hole Kiowa Love Flute in domestic bamboo, key of F minor. This track wound up here mostly due to storyline reasons, and sounds similar to “Path of the Departed Souls”.

6) They Who Dwell in Peace (Pleiades)
A warning tale by the Onondaga people tells of a group of children who have run away to play without eating– they become so light-headed from hunger that they float away into the night sky, where they become a group of seven stars. Flute made by Brent Haines (Woodsounds) 6- hole “Pueblo” style (tuned to A-432) in teak, key of B minor. Also a favorite flute, problems with moisture buildup started affecting the pitch dramatically off and on during the tune, plus there were some technical problems with the recording levels, so this track is included just to illustrate the “worst-case” scenario of the evening.