Neal Fox is an award-winning composer/playwright who has written for every medium from TV to theatre. His one-man multimedia show, Pigeonholes, received standing ovations from audiences in San Diego and Hollywood. This September (2007), Fox will premier his new one-man show, Thank You, Dan Rather, in Ft. Lauderdale. As for Hotel del Swell, it was produced right after Fox finished his first musical, Meat Street—a dark comedy about planet Earth—when he wanted something lighter. Hotel is a departure from his usual work because it’s mainly instrumental, and he’s known for his skills as a lyricist and preference for social commentary. For the softer sounds of this CD, Fox used piano, guitar and synths, and invited his talented friend, John Rekevics, to add the sax parts. In Hotel del Swell Fox gives you a musical peek behind closed doors of a once-swank establishment. Each room holds its memories, each occupant has a story. Find a cushy chair, sip a glass of wine, and enjoy. Kitchen Help—It’s a regular party in here. (Here in the kitchen, ev’rything is bitchin) Dirty Water Take your order Sprig o’ parsley sits above it Shine those dishes Clean those fishes Take the trash out God, I love it! Don’t need no business cards Don’t need no resumé No college education is required In the kitchen all your troubles seem to melt away And it’s never too hot for the good life that we got. Chef’s a master I get plastered See those rich ladies stuff their faces Special dishes Special wishes I can take them to special places Where the grease is flying And the Champagne’s flowing And the pots and pans beat rhythm like no other It’s a symphony of sweet ‘n’ sour Getting sweeter by the hour Never too hot for the good life that we got. We’re the players in some Half forgotten, half-baked play Still, we’re the ones who get to light your fire It’s a mystical experience, that’s what they say And it’s never too hot for the good life that we got. Bridal Suite—Love, romance, and the anticipation of a new life together Don’t Wake Me Up—You’ve been traveling all day and can’t wait to hit the pillow. Tick, tick, tick…BZZZZ! Get Off My Back—Married since they were kids, they don’t hear each other anymore. She nags. He mumbles. Two recordings on an endless loop. Room for One—Even in a crowded city, you can still be all alone. No Monkeys—Kasnovski’s Animals made the rooms unlivable, so the story goes. Since then the hotel has strict rules about animal acts. Especially ones with monkeys. Working Girls—They’ve been around since the Grand Opening. Though still elegant, like the hotel, they’re in need of some minor repairs. A Night Like This—It was supposed to be a one night stand. Then he looked into her eyes. Widgets—They descend on the Hotel del Swell from all parts of the world. They wear seersucker suits. They have fake hair. They sell widgets Next Bottle of Wine—Is he really a hero? Or is his mind gone from booze? My lady Do you care to dance with me? Conductor Why don’t you play that song again Your perfume The smell of roses Those shoes you wear Are they really glass Now the hour of twelve Has come to pass And it sure has been a wonderful evening, The talk was good and the food was so fine But the time has come to awake from my dreaming I’ll be seeing you all Next bottle of wine My friends there’s No need to honor me I’m sure if You wore my shoes You’d have done the same I’m glad my life Could have helped few In the name of God I thank you all It’s a lucky man who hears the call And it sure has been a wonderful evening, The talk was good and the food was so fine But the time has come to awake from my dreaming I’ll be seeing you all Next bottle of wine