“Released in mid-2000 by now it’s a collectors item”, says Capital B about his debut first CD entitled ‘Staccato Grove’, “…Yeah by now it’s a collectors item and since I’ve only got about 30 or 35 consumer copies left and available for sale, I’m going to hang on to the rest of them and sell them myself. I’ll sell them in person to my loyal local fans and to others through my own web site.” Capital B continues, “As far as having a pressing of another thousand done? Certainly not for the time being, I’ve got other fish to fry.” But that does not mean that, although the Capital B debut first album CD collection entitled ‘Staccato Grove’ is a collector’s item, that it’s entirely unavailable to the public. Because of demand and because of Capital B’s ever-growing popularity, he has authorized CD BABY to distribute the entire debut first album, ‘Staccato Grove’ as a digital download. “You can download all of the tunes or only the ones that ‘tickle-you’.”, says the songwriter/performer. “unlike many other artists, concerning their first recorded efforts, I’m personally still very proud and I still like to listen to my first CD Staccato Grove. And by the way it’s GROVE not groove (despite the album’s ‘grooves’ being solid, varied, very individual and pronounced.)”, says Capital B. “In a way it’s a deceptive title but a meaningful one.” Capital B goes on, “Ya see all my songs are written from life experiences and even the title, ‘Staccato Grove’ reflects that.” “My home-town Ottawa, Canada’s national capital was, at one time years ago, the home-base of a band called the ‘Staccatos’. It was acknowledged by most that they were one of the top musical groups in Canada and certainly the best band in Ottawa back then was the ‘Staccatos’. They were contemporaries of another internationally well known Canadian band, ‘The Guess Who’, (The Guess Who’s biggest hits back then were, Shakin’All Over, These Eyes, American Woman and more). "For a while it was a toss-up, in the Canadian music industry, as to which band would be more successful. I loved them both but since the Staccatos were a home-town Ottawa band, a source of local pride, they were an influence and a reason why Ottawa was to become a crucible/cradle of original musical styling for me and others who were my friends.” “That’s why my first CD’s title ‘Staccato Grove’ is deceptive. Although the music and grooves are smooth and not entirely ‘Staccato’ (a musical term) the CD’s title pays homage to the environment of my upbringing …my home town and my varied influences.” ‘The Staccatos’, who not long after changed their name to the ‘Five-man-Electrical Band’ were ultimately the authors and performers of at least a couple of ‘rock-anthems’. Rock-anthems which many mistake for the early ‘Eagles’. Capital B says, “For me the ‘Five-man-Electrical Band’s’, (‘Staccatos), recording of ‘Absolutely Right’ & ‘Signs’ …...you know, ‘Signs, signs, everywhere a sign, blockin’ out the scenery ‘n messin’ my mind. Do this, Don’t do that. Can’t-cha read the signs?”, Those lyrics..wow. Those are rock-anthems and social commentary too. I guess I always wanted to write one. A creative writing teacher will instruct and encourage students to, “write about what you know”. That is what Capital B did, has done and continues to do throughout his current 14 year career. (That’s since he came back to professional music after a twenty-year absence). ). Now…. “About the songs on my debut first CD ‘Staccato Grove’ ,” Busy Life: Well …instead of ‘offing’ one-self, perhaps it’s better to remain busy by writing a song. My lead solo is carefully composed to be different and to go through a beginning, middle, & an ending. (The solo… It’s purposely & purposefully brash, angry…staccato like a horn-line fanfare and ‘busy’ like the current schedule most of us face daily). Party All-right: ….Party all night, written for the college crowd. Hence the refrain, I personally enjoy the “little feat” feel. What do you think? Devil in her Soul: I wanted to write a Rumba! Vocals are a little raw, I was still smokin & drinkin’ back then. My ex girlfriend’s teenage son heard the song prior to meeting me, and when he found out his mother was about to go out on a date with me he asked her if she was really going to date a black –man? I’m on fire: A really funky rocker ..again my lead solo is carefully composed to be, different and unorthodox and to go through a beginning , a middle & an end. (it’s ironic how (a personal) “passion goes ‘out of fashion” according to my lyrics). Where’s my baby been? : Traditional Chicago Blues It tells one of my stories. It’s about the possible pitfalls involved with being in a serious relationship with a,‘ significantly younger woman’. Flirtin’: Light ‘n Jazzy. Perhaps too cute? But what the hell, it’s got a real ‘catchy two (II), five (V) turn-around. When the piano player first heard it he asked me, “When & how do you want me to start playin’? As the track was playing back I said to him, “why don’t you start, by playin’ just-one-note, right, ..Here.” Avalanche: Heavier Jazz again…It tells one of my stories. Tim the sax player listened to it twice, discussed the approach I wanted from him with me and then nailed it, (his track), on the very first take. Again my lead solo is carefully composed to be different and to go through a beginning , middle & ending. (the song is somewhat inspired by Tom Waits ‘Emotional Weather Report’ off of the “Nighthawks at the Diner” album.) The Scars you left me: Traditional Chicago Blues. It tells one of my stories. Others can seem to relate to it too. Its message: That your bound to keep repeating the same mistakes until you study and learn life’s lessons. I keep comin’ back: A provocative opening lyric which gets attention & gets their heads up at a live show. (I snatch kisses) “Did he sing/say what I thought he sang/said?” The song was written and arranged for exactly that effect.(I never do repeat it again instead I sing “… and sometimes my kisses catch”) (It’s a) Strange, Strange World: A very personal statement. Wrought from a confused childhood filled with a lot of ‘mixed-messages’(I’m still proud of my composed and controlled soul searing guitar solo in the back round) Great piano too. I’m Gonna Tell You Now: A ‘science fiction’ scenario set to a Bruce Springsteen style of tune/arrangement. (I think it’s more Capital B than Bruce) It’s science fiction cause the premise of the lyrics is that a woman will actually sit down and listen to the reasons why you list for breaking-up with her, (Yuk, Yuk, Yuk). I like the way the lyric of the chorus wraps up the whole CD , I structured it that way. “It’s over, I’m done, I’m out’ta here, I gotta move on!” I thought it was a great way to end the CD.