Samples 1991

This quickie compilation was originally intended to show off the various musical projects various Sheep members had going at the time, some of which were later completed and released as planned, some that changed course along the way, and others that -- in the long run -- were only ever heard here as part of this strange mosaic. The contributions from Jeanne, from Jeff, from Benny, from Rob(b), from Danny & John as “Men” (at last their identities can be revealed!) -- as well as the Wide Open Spaces track -- were pretty much the only songs yet completed from their respective albums. Paul’s “solo” number, which starts the set, was from the double-length album he’d recently finished, and my song, the closing track, was from a rarities compilation I put out that year. The Sheep song is from the then-current cassette-only reissue of the old “OF” album, preceded by a short preview of the upcoming “History of Sheep” project (with an early version of the script). “Vicious Rumors II” did finally come out on CD last year, including the track excerpted here, and John & Lillian’s spooky song did get released (with my typo title corrected) soon after this sampler first premiered. An album featuring Steve (and his instrumental piece heard here) is finally slated to come out later this year, but sadly the same isn’t true for Stephen Burpo and his music, since no tracks by him other than this swell tune reside anywhere in the Appollo vaults! Danny still hasn’t released a new “solo” album since 1986, despite the promise of an “upcoming” release in the notes for his contribution here (reproduced inside this booklet). And his song with Erin -- re-recorded many times later together as part of “Mad Cocoon” and “Churchill’s Window” -- predates either of those band names, so this early version is unique to this compilization.

We premiered this album the night of “The 1st Annual Jeanne’s Birthday / Memorial Day Barbecue Bash in Manteca - May 25, 1991” (which is the name of the spiffy fancy-edited video Jeanne & I put out long ago, available soon at last on DVD I predict!)...

- Chris Matthews, February 2007

ORIGINAL CASSETTE LINER NOTES / CREDITS

1. "ST. LOUIS" - by PAUL SIDORE
(music / lyrics: Sidore)
produced, mixed & performed by Paul Sidore, with drums by Chris Matthews
from the Fish & Cat LP "Mangrove & Snead Do Rufus Spaulding"

2. "FLY DOWN ANNIE"
- by ERIN CONNELLY & DANNY HESSE
(music: Hesse-Connelly / lyrics: Connelly)
vocal by Erin Connelly • instruments, production & mix by Danny Hesse
from the upcoming Zowie E.P. "Some of My Best Friends Are..." *

[* NOTE: this e.p. never materialized; the duo soon morphed into a band called Mad Cocoon]

3. "THE HAPPY MAN" - by BENNY DANIELS
(words: Daniels / music improvisation: Mitchell)
voice by Ben Daniels • clarinet by Jeff Mitchell
produced by John Wilson & Chris Matthews
from the Person Records LP "Ben's First Reader" *

[* NOTE: this album was released as "Sex and Violins"]

4. "OUT OF GAS BLUES"
- by THE MAD MORTICIANS
(music / lyrics: Perrone)
keyboards, vocal & car by Robb Perrone • guitar by Danny Hesse • maraccas by Chris Matthews
produced by Robb Perrone & Chris Matthews
from the Totem LP "Technicolor Dalmatian"

5. "EMANCIPATION COMPENSATION"
- by WIDE OPEN SPACES
(music: Sidore / lyrics: Edwards)
vocal by Mike Edwards • instruments & production by Paul Sidore • mixed by Chris Matthews
from the Fish & Cat LP "Wide Open Spaces"

6. "AN OLD MAN DONE TOLD ME"
- by JOHN WILSON & STEVE WIRTH
(music: unknown / new lyrics: Wilson-Wirth)
vocals: Steve Wirth & John Wilson • music: "Blues In the Night" from an unidentified recording
produced by John Wilson, circa 1985 • remixed by Chris Matthews, 1991
from the never-to-be-released Person Records LP "Vicious Rumors II" *

[* NOTE: this track was included on the 2003 CD reissue of "Vicious Rumors"]

7. "BANDELA" - by JEANNE and FRIENDS
(music / lyrics: Farrell-Singleton)
vocals: Jeanne Whalen • flute & backup vocal: Jeff Mitchell • other backup vocal, all other instruments & production: Chris Matthews
from her upcoming Jeanne-Boppin' Records E.P. *

[* NOTE: actually released on the full-length LP "Get Off The Road"]

8. "JUST ONE SOLUTION" - by ghetto girl
(music / lyrics: Mitchell)
guitar 1, drums, bass, keyboards & vocals by Jeff Mitchell • guitar 2 & backing vocal by Chris Matthews
produced by Jeff Mitchell & Chris Matthews
from the forthcoming g.i.g. records international LP "Incorrect"

9. "SUN GOES DOWN" - by DANNY HESSE
(music / lyrics: Hesse)
produced, mixed & performed by Danny Hesse, with drums by Chris Matthews
from his long-awaited Zowie LP "Shelf Life" *

[* NOTE: this LP has still never materialized]

10. "SURFER GIRL" - by STEVE WIRTH
(written by Brian Wilson)
guitar by Steve Wirth • music track by The Beach Boys • mixed by Chris Matthews
from the LP "Taking Puppy Wups for Doggie Walkies" *

[* NOTE: this LP has also never materialized]

11. "HEARTACES MY MEMORY"
- by LILLIPUT & THE CAT
(music: John Wilson / lyrics: Lillian Friman *)
vocals: Lillian Friman* • guitars, bass, tambourine: John Wilson • piano, Hawaiian slide guitar: Paul Sidore • drum programming by John & Paul
produced by John Wilson & Lillian Friman•
from the Landshark LP "It's Just The Way We Are" **

[* NOTE: they got married since then and now she's Lillian Wilson!]
[** ALSO NOTE: the CD was reissued on Grouchofish Records]

12. "BURPOMUSIK" - by STEPHEN BURPO
(music: Burpo)
produced & performed by Stephen Burpo, with bass by Chris Matthews
from his not upcoming LP

13. "THE HISTORY OF SHEEP"[excerpt]
(theme song composed by Danny Hesse • performed by Danny Hesse, Chris Matthews, Robb Perrone, John Wilson, Steve Wirth, Paul Sidore, Jeanne Whalen, Lillian Friman & Tina Rainwater)
narration: Jeanne Whalen • interviews: Mike Edwards, John Wilson, Steve Wirth & Robb Perrone
produced by Chris Matthews
from the upcoming Appollo LP "The History of Sheep Vol. I"

14. "THE WHIFFLE BALL SONG (COORY CAANS CAANS CAANS CANS CARREEEN)" - by SHEEP
(music / lyrics: Sidore-Edwards-Matthews)
bass, lead guitar, vocal: Paul Sidore • drums, candy shaker, vocal: Mike Edwards • acoustic guitar, vocal: Chris Matthews • backing vocals: Steve Sidore & Trippi Rudd
produced by Chris Matthews
from the FISH&CAPOLLOWIE reissue of the 1984 LP "OF"

15. "GUYS IN TIES" - by MEN
(music / lyrics: Men*)
Man 1: instruments and singing* • Man 2: singing and instruments*
produced, engineered & mixed by Men*
from "Men" available from IT'S FUN! records

[* NOTE: their identities can now be revealed as Danny Hesse & John Wilson]

16. "VINCE (version 1 of 'Honesty Is The Best Policy')" - by CHRIS MATTHEWS
(music / lyrics: Matthews)
produced, mixed & performed by Chris Matthews
from the Appollo Records LP "Long Lost Chris Matthews Unheard Bootlegs"

CD remastered by Chris Matthews, February 2007