TMac

In the absence of any objective medical tests to determine who has ADD or ADHD, doctors rely in part on standardized assessments and the impressions of teachers and guardians, leaving little room for other causes or aggravating factors, such as diet, or environment. Hence, diagnosing a child or adolescent with ADD or ADHD is often the outcome, although no organic basis for either disease has yet to be clinically proven.

Psychiatrists may then prescribe psychotropic drugs for the children without first without making it clear to parents that these medications can have severe side-effects including insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches, psychotic symptoms and even potentially fatal adverse reactions, such as cardiac arrhythmia. And yet, despite these dangers, many school systems actually work with government agencies to force parents to drug their children, threatening those who refuse with the prospect of having their children taken from the home unless they cooperate.

That's me (ca. 1963) in the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters.

Keyboards: Jim Leavelle; Guitar: Jack Ruby

My space...

http://www.myspace.com/thommacfarlane

It doesn't matter what you put on your Facechat page -
Just as long as you have a Facechat page...

My favorite composition...

A track from the 'Alternate' album (2006).

More details are available here...

Mr. Memory

and here...

the ANnoTatEd aLTeRnAtE

She knows who she is...

Best wishes for a happy new year.

Another in the Millennium series...

I guess

A brief mash-up involving keyboard and drum loops, streaming internet radio, and spoken word samples by President George W. Bush.

I made some music (from my heart) that was inspired by 'Rushmore,' one of my favorite films.

Special thanks to Woob (Paul Frankland) for Odonna.

Here is an extended version of a song that appeared on ALTERNATE (2006) It's called, 'I Believe You,' and features an ambient intro / outro that I now wish I'd left in.

Here's a live version of a song from the Longtime album entitled, 'Turn Away.' The song was written on guitar, but this is a rare performance on keyboard for 'Impressions,' a local cable access show in 1993.

And yes, that is a Rhodes - suitcase even!

Another teaser of sorts for an upcoming post...

This version of the hymn, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" was recorded at home on a Yamaha 4-track cassette deck.

Best wishes for a very happy time at Christmas, and a good, fortunate, lucky New Year...

And a good time to be had by all.

TMac

A teaser for an upcoming post...

Track 2 from the Longtime CD.
It's amazing what you can do with a 4-track.

All instruments and vocals by TMac.

Enjoy...

I have posted a short film I made using clips taken on my cell phone video camera. It is essentially a brief meditation on time as experienced through I2 technologies. All the sound and visual elements are derived from the clips themselves. Nothing has been added.

Starring the teachers and students of the NYU class, COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS (E78.2031.001.FA06)

Script by Dr. John Gilbert

“All is the reality of time curving upon itself,
and time and space merged as pure existence
without dimension” (Dr. John Gilbert)

- Rothko and Linklater?

For some time now, I've grappled with the issue of what direction my music should take following the release of my first CD, LONGTIME. Originally, I recorded a followup album entitled GONE SO LONG, which attempted to expand the guitar-based textures of LONGTIME into a piano trio format. Although this collection received critical praise, I was unable to generate label interest for an official release.

In the meantime, I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the guitar-bass-drums (and piano) setup that had come to characterize popular music. I resolved therefore to renew my study of music composition in an effort to explore the possibilities inherent in more diverse instrumental ensembles.

Along the way, I re-discovered my former fascination with ambient music and as a result, my interest in absolute musical forms began to dissolve into a seemingly endless sea of color, sound, and texture. These days, I find myself more interested in the materials that emerge into form rather than the form itself. When the form has emerged, I figure my job is done.

The following podcast entitled ALTERNATE is presented as a first step in unifying my interest in ambient sound and popular song. As on the LONGTIME CD, my method was recording technology. The works on this album were created in a variety of formats: 4-track cassette, 8-track analog, 16-track ADAT, 16-track analog, 24-track analog, and digital multi-track. Many of the tracks were then augmented using Logic, Audacity, and Garageband.

My thanks to the friends and collaborators whose skills and insights made this project a reality. The results of our efforts are presented here for your approval.

Best wishes...

Thom

ALTERNATE (2006)
THOM MACFARLANE

Produced by Thom MacFarlane & Joe Bank
* Produced By Thom MacFarlane
** Produced By Thom MacFarlane, Frank Balesteri & Ron London
*** Produced By Dominick Maita

1. Entrée (MacFarlane) 1:46
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Piano, Guitars, Bass, Organ: Thom MacFarlane

2. Free Danny (MacFarlane) 3:28
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Bass, Backing Vocals: Harry Kopy
- Piano, Guitars, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

3. Up-link (MacFarlane) 0:48
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Piano, Guitars, Bass, Organ: Thom MacFarlane

4. You Left Me (MacFarlane) 3:18
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Guitars, Bass, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

5. Mr. Memory (MacFarlane) 3:22
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Guitars, Backing Vocals: James Paul Christie
- Harmonica, Dulcimer: Bob Dokus
- Guitars, Pianos, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

6. Child in a Chocolate Shop (MacFarlane) 3:21*
- Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

7. Little Girl (Christie/MacFarlane) 2:53
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Bass: Harry Kopy
- Piano, Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

8. Esrever Ni Knil-Pu (MacFarlane) 0:48
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Piano, Guitars, Bass, Organ: Thom MacFarlane

9. I Believe You (MacFarlane) 4:18
- Percussion: Joe Bank
- Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

10. State of Mind (MacFarlane) 3:33
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Saxophone, Percussion: Dave Watson
- Piano, Bass, Percussion, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

11. Melt Into Your Arms (MacFarlane) 2:25
- Percussion: Joe Bank
- Keyboards: Harry Kopy
- Guitar, Piano, Bass, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

12. Gone So Long (MacFarlane) 3:10
- Drums, Joe Bank
- Piano, Rhodes, Bass, Guitars, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

13. Outré (MacFarlane) 1:46
- Drums, Percussion: Joe Bank
- Piano, Guitars, Bass, Organ: Thom MacFarlane

14. Dysfunctional Town (Christie/MacFarlane) 2:43**
- Drums: Clem Burke
- Guitar: Bob Sanders
- Piano, Guitar, Bass, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

15. Encore-Pretty Little Fingers (Christie/MacFarlane) 2:59***
- Drums: Clem Burke
- Guitar: Abel Dominguez
- Guitar, Bass, Vocals: Thom MacFarlane

UPDATE: I have just added a post to my blog, FLUXUS1 which expands on the preceding information, and provides individual links to each of the songs on ALTERNATE, plus a few surprises.

Copyright 2006, all rights reserved

For some time now, I've grappled with the issue of what direction my music should take following the release of my first CD, LONGTIME. Originally, I recorded a followup album entitled GONE SO LONG, which attempted to expand the guitar-based textures of LONGTIME into a piano trio format. Although this collection received critical praise, I was unable to generate label interest for an official release.

In the meantime, I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the guitar-bass-drums (and piano) setup that had come to characterize popular music. I resolved therefore to renew my study of music composition in an effort to explore the possibilities inherent in more diverse instrumental ensembles.

Along the way, I re-discovered my former fascination with ambient music and as a result, my interest in absolute musical forms began to dissolve into a seemingly endless sea of color, sound, and texture. These days, I find myself more interested in the materials that emerge into form rather than the form itself. When the form has emerged, I figure my job is done.

The following podcast entitled ALTERNATE is presented as a first step in unifying my interest in ambient sound and popular song. As on the LONGTIME CD, my method was recording technology. The works on this album were created in a variety of formats: 4-track cassette, 8-track analog, 16-track ADAT, 16-track analog, 24-track analog, and digital multi-track. Many of the tracks were then augmented using Logic, Audacity, and Garageband.

My thanks to the friends and collaborators whose skills and insights made this project a reality. The results of our efforts are presented here for your approval.

Best wishes...

TMac

UPDATE: I have just added a post to my blog, FLUXUS1 which expands on the preceding information, and provides individual links to each of the songs on ALTERNATE, plus a few surprises.

Copyright 2006, all rights reserved