I made a number of home recordings on a Fostex 4-track cassette recorder back in the early 1990s. For most, I worked out the tune on the guitar first and then composed the accompaniment on my PC (using a Roland SCC-1 sound card, Roland MIDI half-size keyboard and Steinberg Cubase sequencing software). I output the MIDI onto one or two tape tracks and recorded the guitar parts and overdubs. Then I mixed everthing down to a master tape.
Available Space (instrumental)
Ry Cooder's classic slide guitar tune as arranged by Leo Kottke (which is pretty close to Ry's original). Six-string solo guitar in open G tuning.
Download available_space.mp3.
A Minor Song (instrumental)
An original tune for six-string solo guitar in standard tuning that I wrote circa 1994. I play this tune with a completely different opening now.
Download a_minor_song.mp3.
Bossa for Nancy (instrumental)
An original tune with a bossa nova feel that I wrote circa 1990. Solo nylon-string (classical) guitar in standard tuning.
Download bossa_for_nancy.mp3.
City of Ice (instrumental)
An original tune that I wrote circa 1990, inspired by freezing rain at Christmas time. I play a couple of six-string guitar tracks on this (I can't remember the tuning).
Download city_of_ice.mp3.
Cowboys Dream (vocal)
An original tune with lyrics that I wrote circa 1990. My homage to those old black-and-white westerns. Six-string guitar in standard tuning.
Download cowboys_dream.mp3.
Easter and the Sargasso Sea (instrumental)
One of Leo Kottke's early tunes from 1969, about Columbus' ship getting stuck in seaweed and the sailors slowly going mad. Leo recorded this tune again in 1973 and 1987. Played on solo 12-string guitar in open G tuning.
Download easter_and_the_sargasso_sea.mp3.
Everybody Lies (vocal)
My arrangement of Leo Kottke's tune, featuring 6- and 12-string guitar overdubs. Dropped D tuning. Very different from Leo's version.
Download everybody_lies.mp3.
Firewalker (instrumental)
An original tune circa 1990 for solo 12-string guitar in open G tuning. It's meant to be played fast, like you're trying to walk across a bed of hot coals.
Download firewalker.mp3.
First Snow (instrumental)
An original tune in standard tuning that I composed in the early 1990s. Electric guitar (with delay), acoustic 6-string, electric bass, and a cheap drum machine.
Download first_snow.mp3
Fogarty's Cove (vocal)
A song by the late Stan Rogers about a the life of a fisherman and his wife on the east coast of Canada. Standard tuning, with acoustic 6-string overdubs and electric bass. Really needs a mandolin (and Stan to sing it).
Download fogartys_cove.mp3.
Freezing To Death (instrumental)
An original tune with a jazz feel that I composed in the early 1990s. Standard tuning.
Download freezing_to_death.mp3.
Great Dream From Heaven (instrumental)
Ry Cooder's version of an old religious tune, based on an arrangement by the amazing Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence. 3/4 time, in dropped D tuning.
Download great_dream_from_heaven.mp3.
Herencia Latina (instrumental)
A flamenco tune by Paco Peña for solo nylon-string (classical) guitar. Standard tuning. Peña wrote this "rumba" for a student workbook, so it's pretty basic as flamenco goes.
Download herencia_latina.mp3.
Her Evil Ways (vocal)
An original tune that I composed in the early 1990s about betrayal. Standard tuning. This tune should have been a couple of minutes shorter.
Download her_evil_ways.mp3.
Idyllic Dreams (vocal)
A rock-jazz thing in standard tuning that I wrote in the early 1990s. A long-lost friend, Greg Birkbeck, wrote the lyrics about a stunningly beautiful woman he once met.
Download idyllic_dreams.mp3.
In Christ There Is No East Or West (instrumental)
The late John Fahey's wonderful arrangement of an old 19th century hymn for guitar. Standard tuning. In this version, I played it on a 12-string with a 6-string overdub, but it sounds much nicer just on solo 6-string guitar.
Download in_christ_there_is_no_east_or_west.mp3.
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (instrumental)
Leo Kottke's arrangement for 6-string guitar of J.S. Bach's organ hymn. I added a small variation to Leo's arrangement towards the end. Open G tuning. I love playing this tune.
Download jesu_joy_of_mans_desiring.mp3.
Little Giants (instrumental)
A tune in open G by Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Don Ross. I'm still perfecting this tune.
Download little_giants.mp3.
Michael, Michael, Michael (instrumental)
A direct-to-computer recording of a tune by Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Don Ross. This tune, that Don wrote in honour of the late great guitarist Michael Hedges, is in CGCGBbC tuning.
Download michael_michael_michael.mp3.
Mona Ray (instrumental)
Leo Kottke's classic tune, in dropped D tuning. I play this too fast.
Download mona_ray.mp3.
On The Road To Tijuana (instrumental).
This tune, which I wrote in the early 1990s, was supposed to have vocals but I never came up with any (maybe a good thing). I think this is in standard tuning. One of my favourite tunes because it reminds me of Mexico.
Download on_the_road_to_tijuana.mp3.
Regret (vocal)
A song about life-long unrequited love that I wrote in the early 1990s. 6- and 12-string guitars and electric bass, in standard tuning.
Download regret.mp3.
The Ballad of Sneaky Pete (vocal)
A tongue-in-cheek song (no pun intended) about cannibalism, that I wrote circa 1990. I have no idea what inspired this -- I think I was trying to write a children's song. Overdubbed 6-string acoustic and slide guitar in regular tuning.
Download sneaky_pete.mp3.
Taxco Steps (instrumental)
A tune for 6-string guitar by Leo Kottke in standard tuning. Taxco [pronounced "TAS-koh"] is a town in Mexico that is at the top of a mountain, requiring many steps to get there.
Download taxco_steps.mp3.
The Last Dragon (instrumental)
A rather melancholy tune that I wrote in the early 1990s. Can't remember the tuning, except that it isn't standard.
Download the_last_dragon.mp3.
The Only Answer (vocal)
I wrote this tune circa 1992. Regular tuning, with electric bass, acoustic guitar and slide guitar. I later re-recorded this tune with MIDI accompaniment but this original version is better.
Download the_only_answer.mp3.
The Sound Of Leaving (instrumental with a bit of vocal)
I wrote this tune in early 1990s. 12-string guitar with 6-string guitar overdubs, with a little percussion thrown in on the chorus. Standard tuning. I intended this song to have vocals, but only ended up writing the chorus.
Download the_sound_of_leaving.mp3.
The Surfer Meets The Shark (instrumental)
My attempt at writing a surfer tune, circa 1991. Standard tuning. Electric guitar, electric bass, acoustic 6-string and a cheap drum machine.
Download the_surfer_meets_the_shark.mp3.
Times Twelve (instrumental)
Leo Kottke's composition for 12-string guitar in dropped D tuning. I did a better job recreating the accompaniment on his original recording than I did playing the tune on guitar.
Download times_twelve.mp3.
Twilight Time (instrumental)
Written by Buck Ram, Morty Nevins and Al Nevins and originally recorded by the Platters back in the late 1950s. This is Leo Kottke's very nice arrangement for 6-string guitar in standard tuning.
Download twilight_time.mp3.
You Gotta Believe (instrumental with a bit of vocal)
A rock-blues tune that I wrote in the early 1990s. Lots of guitar, electric bass and a cheap drum machine. Not much to the lyrics ... this song was just an excuse so I could play many electric guitar solos. I love the bass line in this thing.
Download you_gotta_believe.mp3