McGrath...This is my neighbor up the hill, who, when he "went to rearrange a little pile of change that was accumulating on the bar," found the way back to the origin. Beyond the jargon-remnants of the old philosophies and the new twists of the new religions, the sweet life continues to flow out of these ancient confrontations in the heart. This is the living poetic business at which McGrath excels. "I ordered one for the road and what do you know, I end up crying on the back room phone". Call it clear-eyed and brave or call it inevitable, I doubt that he gives a damn. It's a life close to the heart that he chooses to lead. That, and a strange mix of Irish pride and Colombian somehow produce these odd openings into Reality we call songs. They're honest and deep, and mostly humorous. Sharing them, you will find your own heart: the place that constantly begins. - Tim Hollingsworth
Spaced Out
Acoustic Guitars: Bat McGrath, Don Potter
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Bass: Gary Holt
Drums and Percussion: Larry Londin
Piano: John Capek
Sax: Gerry Niewood
Background Vocals: Fran McKendree
Space Ship: Fred Mollin
Maruda
Acoustic Guitars: Bat McGrath, Don Potter
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Bass: Tom Szczesniak
Electric Piano: Eric Robertson
Drums: Jorn Anderson
Synthesizer: Matthew McCauley
Percussion Fred Mollin
Background Vocals: Don Potter
Stings arranged and conducted by Matthew McCauley
Fly And The Vision
Acoustic Guitars: Fred Mollin
Electric Guitars: Ethan Porter
Bass: Tom Szczesniak
Drums and Percussion: Larrie Londin
Piano: Eric Robertson
Synthesizer: Matthew McCauley
Background vocals: Fran McKendree
Cool Breeze
Acoustic Guitars: Don Potter
Bass: Tom Szczesniak
Electric Piano: John Capek
Drums: Larrie Londin
Strings arranged and conducted by Matthew McCauley
Wegmans
Acoustic Guitars: Fred Mollin, Bat McGrath
Bass: Tom Szczesniak
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Drums: Jorn Anderson
Piano: Eric Robertson
From The The Blue Eagle
"This is me, I'm at the Blue Eagle"
Yes, that's right, the redneck bar
I was havin' a few bears, n' getting high with
Eddie Schenk
Then I got to wonderin' how you are
There's a full moon bright, and it's a Saturday night
I don't feel better and you said I would.
Don't tell me lighten-up you know I never could.
I know it's 2am, well ain't you still my friend
You know it's hard to get you off my mind
Hey, I just had to hear you one more time.
I hear you got yourself a job now,
And then in july, you go to Greece.
Well I'm still playing star in all the local bars,
Livin' on pickled eggs n' yeast.
I went to re-arrange a little pile of change that was
accumulating on the bar,
Set my mind on home, but never got that far.
I ordered one for the road, and what do you know,
I end up crying on the back room phone,
Hey, I'll understand if you want to go.
"This is me, I'm at the Blue Eagle"
Yes, that's right, the redneck bar
I was havin'' a few bears, n' getting high with
Eddy Schnook
Then I got to wonderin' how you are
I said I wouldn't write, and baby, just tonight,
I was thinking' I had peace of mind.
Then I just had to here you, one more time.
Acoustic Guitars: Don Potter, Fred Mollin, Bat McGrath
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Bass: Gary Holt
Drums and Percussion: Larrie Londin
Electric Piano: John Capek
Background Vocals: Don Potter
Strings Arranged and Conducted by Matthew McCauley
Crabby
Acoustic Guitar: Fred Mollin
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Pedal Steel Guitar: Ron "the man" Dann
Bass: Tom Szczesniak
Drums and Percussion: Larrie Londin
Piano: Eric Robertson
Electric Piano: John Capek:
Sax: Pat LaBarbera
Strings arranged and conducted by Matthew McCauley
Western Florida
Acoustic Guitars: Fred Mollin, Don Potter, Bat McGrath
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Pedal Steel Guitar: Ron Dann
Bass: Tom Szczesniak
Drums and Percussion: Larrie Londin
Tack Piano: Eric Robertson
Background Vocals: Don Potter
John McCloud
Acoustic Guitars: Fred Mollin, Don Potter, Bat McGrath
Electric Guitar: Ethan Porter
Dobros: Don Potter
Bass: Gary Holt
Drums and Percussion: Larrie Londin
Piano: John Capek
Background Vocals: Fred Mollin
Strings arranged and conducted by Matthew McCauley
Faye And Albert
Acoustic Guitars: Don Potter
Bass: Gary Holt
Drum and Percussion: Larrie Londin
Piano: John Capek
Sax: Gerry Niewood
Background Vocals: Don Potter
Brawl: Bat McGrath, Ethan Porter, Fred Mollin
Recorded and mixed at Manta Sound in Toronto, music capital of Canada, by Andy Hermant and Gary Gray, assisted by Sy Potma: August 1976.
Mastered by Bob Ludwig, Master Disk, N.Y.C.
Concert master: Albert Pratz
Special thanks to Lenny Silver, Doug Belscher, Ron Pawley,
Bernie Kimpal, Dick Zicari, the Weingartners, the McGraths, Nancy, and the Vision