The Sedate Sunshine Colony may be a band from the 60’s that reunited 35 years later, but unlike revival bands that rock with the music they grew up with, their music is fresh with a sound that is both familiar and new. After disbanding in 1969, SSC members behaved just like most typical bands. One member went into rehab and subsequently returned to music with a passion, two members dropped out of rock music completely, one became a hang glider pilot and came back to music 30 years later, one devoted his life to Christ and making Christian music, one moved to LA and made it big in the music business. And one wasn’t even born yet. In 2004, a harebrained idea brought four of the original members back home to Kingsburg, California and back together for a reunion and concert. Russ Zakarian, a high school classmate was convinced to dust off his old drum set and join the group. Their entertaining performance comprised a set list from 1968 and featured tight 3 and 4 part harmonies. One of the songs recorded that night, Visionary Pumpkin, is included on this album. After much deliberation, the band agreed to enter Dragon Sound Studios in May of 2008 to begin an album of original music. By the time the basic instrument tracks for the first five songs were completed, Pat Erickson-the lead singer and flute player, decided to leave the group. SSC might have gone back to the fetal position and disappeared forever if it was not for a young, extremely talented and open-minded jazz singer named Katie Engstrom. So, the project would continue with the following members: Band Leader, singer/songwriter, guitar/keyboard, and engineering genius Craig Anderson, singer/songwriter and guitarist Woody Bell, singer/songwriter and bass guitarist Jeff Anderson, Russ Zakarian-drums and percussion, and the aforementioned singer Katie Engstrom. Coming Home is comprised of ten songs written by Craig, 3 by Woody, and 2 penned by Jeff. The songs travel from romantic ballads and heartfelt blues featuring Katie’s expressive voice, historical romantic fiction, hard driving rock and roll with Woody and Jeff on vocals, and introspective, emotional vocals by Craig. Musical diversity seems to spin off in many directions yet the SSC sound manages to surround this album and connect it into one, cohesive and entertaining package. Coming Home is far more descriptive of the what the band did than the name of the title song. The members of SSC came home to each other as musical soul mates to record in their hometown. The tracks were laid down at Kingsburg’s own Fly By Light and Dragon Sound Studios. There is far more compelling history about this band than can be denoted here, so just sit back and let the music do the talking. 1. Coming Home (W. Bell) Woody and Jeff with Katie 2. He Was, I Was (C. Anderson) Katie 3. Man At the Edge of the Sea (C. Anderson) Craig with Katie 4. Alone In this Mystery (W. Bell) Woody with Katie and Jeff 5. I Don’t Love You That Way (C. Anderson) Katie with Craig and Jeff 6. Bamboozled (C. Anderson) Katie and Woody with Craig and Jeff 7. Pieces (J. Anderson) Katie 8. Sacajawea (W. Bell) Woody with Katie and Jeff 9. Visionary Pumpkin (C. Anderson) Pat Erickson flute solo (live) 10. Miguel Y Monique (C. Anderson) Katie with Craig, Woody and Jeff 11. Enter the Stranger (C. Anderson) Katie, Woody & Craig 12. Lady of Strange Things (C. Anderson) Woody and Jeff with Katie 13. The Word is Free (C. Anderson) Katie with Craig and Jeff 14. Summer of ’67 (J. Anderson) Woody and Jeff with Katie & Craig 15. I Don’t Love You That Way-reprise (C. Anderson) Craig Thanks go to founding member Pat Erickson for adding flute to He Was, I Was, Miguel, Lady of Strange Things, and Summer of ‘67. This album would still be a fantasy if not for the help and generosity of Jim Taylor at Dragon Sound Studio, Kingsburg Cover and album photos by Kelly Hanson at Studio K Images, Kingsburg Album design, liner notes, and photos by Rob Collins