When planning to record "Under The Stars", I committed to presenting a realistic and truthful live performance, with all of its beauty and flaws. While the most technically perfect tracks wound up on the original one-hour CD, I felt that the out-takes contained several of the best & most unique improvisations, and decided to release the rest of the Mount Wilson recording session as a digital EP. Some of my very favorite tunes are included here, but with flaws, such as out -of-tune notes, wetting-out, or the need to remove a long break where I actually had to stop, shake out my flute and start over. Others are simply alternative versions of melodic ideas that in the end I felt came out better on a different flute. I moved "Condor" to this album mainly due to time constraints - at nearly 8 minutes, it was the second longest tune I recorded, and I was running out of room on the original CD. One track, "Crane and Her Sons" includes a barking dog at the end (the Observatory dog) which actually fit the tune quite nicely. I had a flute teacher who, after giving me a copy of his first solo CD to listen to, commented: "Sometimes it's the safest version, not the best version, that winds up on the CD". This is the "unsafe" part of a live performance - enjoy! Album Credits- Special thanks to the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. This project would not have been possible without their generous support. Hugs and kisses to MWO’s Tom Meneghini, Ken Evans and Nik Arkimovich for managing the logistics and for their invaluable assistance during the recording session. Undying gratitude to the on-location recording crew from Art Institute - you guys rock! Producer: Philip Mantione Lead Recording & Mix Engineer: Ian Vargo Assistant Audio Engineers: Alex Cho and Brad Delorenzo Mastering: Wayne Peet at Newzone Studio, Los Angeles Cover photo: Jasper Johal ©mmxv All tracks recorded live on location inside the 100-inch telescope dome at the Mount Wilson Observatory, with no added studio effects. All music composed by Joanne Lazzaro. 1) Eye of the Creator (North Star) In the legends of the Eastern Pomo, the North Star is the eye of the creator Marumda, who now lives among the stars. The flute is a High Spirits “Condor” bass flute in domestic cedar, key of D minor. This was edited due to complete wetting-out in the middle of the tune. 2) Condor (Mars) The condor plays an important role in many southwestern tribes - in Chumash lore, the planet Mars is associated with reddish head of the condor, and Xolxol, a supernatural being. I chose a style that conveys the sense of a condor in flight, circling in the sky. Flute made by Michael Graham Allen (Coyote Oldman) 5- hole traditional style in red cedar, key of E minor. Originally planned for the main CD, this long track was moved due to timing. 3) Crane and Her Sons (Orion) This tragic story comes from the Yokut people of central California, and I chose a drone to capture the two opposing characters – Crane and her husband. Normally, I would play a blues tune using only the lower octave of the drone, however the cold and high humidity caused the drone to constantly pop into the upper octave. Near the very end of the tune, you can hear the barking of the observatory dog (G.W. Richey), which I found suited the story perfectly. Drone flute made by High Spirits Flutes, 6- hole concert style in birch, key of high C minor. Planned for the main CD, this track was moved due to changes in the storyline and track order. 4) Like Beads on a String (Orion’s belt) The signature three stars of Orion’s belt are viewed as a string of beads by the Hopi people. Signature series flute made by Odell Borg (High Spirits), 6-hole concert tuned in walnut, key of G minor. This is one of my favorite flutes to play in concerts, however I felt the half-holing needed to play the low A’s wasn’t as clean as I would have liked, and I was also having some trouble with wetting out. 5) Snake Not Real (Serpens) The snake is an important and dangerous spirit in the lore of the Pawnee people. in the creation story, there is a false snake (in the Serpent constellation) who precedes the Real Snake (located in Scorpius). Flute made by Erick Sampson (Erick the Flutemaker), 5- hole Kiowa Love Flute in domestic bamboo, key of F minor. This track wound up here mostly due to storyline reasons, and sounds similar to “Path of the Departed Souls”. 6) They Who Dwell in Peace (Pleiades) A warning tale by the Onondaga people tells of a group of children who have run away to play without eating– they become so light-headed from hunger that they float away into the night sky, where they become a group of seven stars. Flute made by Brent Haines (Woodsounds) 6- hole “Pueblo” style (tuned to A-432) in teak, key of B minor. Also a favorite flute, problems with moisture buildup started affecting the pitch dramatically off and on during the tune, plus there were some technical problems with the recording levels, so this track is included just to illustrate the “worst-case” scenario of the evening.