Welcome to Club Deranged from Richard Niles
I like to read, and hope you enjoy these liner notes. If Nostradamus had been right, this music would never have been recorded. Thanks to his mis-prognostication, I was able to party (like it was 1999) in my new studio. I could never have done it without the generosity and talent of all the players and singers to whom I owe my heartfelt and mushy thanks.

Unless otherwise noted, dynamic Danny Gottlieb played drums, stupendous Steve Hamilton played acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes, and simmering Sam Burgess played acoustic and electric bass. My studio was built big the gifted Peter Dale who recorded and mixed the album.

"Club Deranged" was written for an un-produced TV series co-starring me and Kid Creole. His performance is killing, and his voice pops up throughtout the album! You'll find him in the dictionary next to the word "hip". It's not an act. He dresses like that every day. Wake him up at 5 in the morning and you'll see a cat in silk monogrammed pajamas made in 1932. (The pajamas, not the Kid!) Michael Ruff played the throbbing organ. The groom uncharacteristically wore a wah-wah pedal.
"Compassion's In Fashion" features the dynamic sax artistry of Nelson Rangell, displaying both his sensitive, heart and his volcanic soul. Nick Beggs grooved on the Chapman Stick in the funk section. The title not only rhymes, but refers to the possible motives of a number of people in showbiz into worthy causes.
"Tame Thy Pen" is an anagram for Pat Metheny. I wrote the tune as his student at the Berklee College of Music back in 1975. Lots of people have played it, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Seven is the magic number.
"Sweet Sweet Love" is just a simple soul, sung with charm by the lovely Eliza.
"Hope For A Hesychast" feature Carla Vallet who 1 forced to sing all those harmonies. The naturally nimble Neal Wilkinson plays drums. I found the word hesychast in "1000 Most Obscure Words". (This is the type of book I dig!) The hesychasts were an Eastern Orthodox sect of 14th century ascetic monks who lived on Mount Athos (in Northeastern Greece). They were quietists who used mystic meditation to withdraw from the external world and achieve a beatific, mystical experience. I visited Mount Athos as a kid, and it's a ridiculously high cliff that plunges into the Mediterranean. I couldn't help thinking that if one of these poor monks wasn't looking where he was going (which is likely, as it must be difficult to look outward and inward at the same time) he might fall off the cliff! The title refers to my hope for his safety. (I think all this explains why 1 don't take drugs.)
"Shiver Me" features Steve Vintner's velutinous vibraphone and Beth Gottlieb's mellifluous, metacarpal marimba. A strangely romantic little tune, full of introspective, heroic longing.
"The Fifth Elephant" is a big latin groove featuring the phenomenal saxophonics of Nigel Hitchcock. I loved the movie, and would have loved it more if it had had more elephants.
The exquisite multicultural Carla Vallet suggests we "dream what we can't prove "Til Heaven's Here" with a voice resembling an alto flute. having a warm almond oil massage (scented with vanilla). Mellifluous
Martin Shaw caresses the fluglehorn, Neal Wilkinson's drums gently play 4 against 3, while the multitalented Gary Husband makes quixotic observations at the piano.
Of course the title of "Jammin' with Symphony Siddhartha" owes much to Charlie Parker, but it's a little known fact that the Buddha was a be-bop fan. Little Siddhartha grew up surrounded by monks, but he was really into Thelonius. When he started gigging he chose the name 'Buddha' in honor of Bud Powell. His first Album The Four Noble Truths had four essential cuts : Suffering (not netting paid), The Origin of Suffering (cheap clubowners), The Destruction Of Suffering (getting paid) and The Destruction Of Sorrow (getting paid regularly). "Pie" is about someone who is sweet, warm a and delicious. It's a circular progression, as pies are circular. Steve Hamilton played a velvety 'moog' bass on this one along with my simple 808 program & Wavestation pad.
"Three Wishes In A Dream" funkily features tall, lanky Peter Wareham in neo-hard bop mode. Tony Walthers adds a vocal chorus at the end, as Steve Hamilton takes us out. I dreamed this tune and the chorus wouldn't leave me alone until I got up and scribbled it down. I wished 3 times to get back to sleep.
"Only You" is a Brazilian love thing and Steve Hamilton once again proves there's romance in his heart and lava in his wind-swept young Scottish loins! Gary Husband plays the drumkit he kindly gave me.
Tony Walthers does an amazing job on the vocals of "Swan Wrap" possibly the most bizarre (and difficult) song I've ever written. I was watching a wildlife show and an animal rescuer was excitedly talking about her first time performing 'the swan wrap'. When swans are sick or injured, they have to be lifted out of the water for treatment. However, swan's wings are very powerful an can break your arm if they lash out at you. This is prevented by the 'swan wrap', a tough plastic strait-jacket which is wrapped around the swan (approached from behind) and fastened with velcro. Of course all this has nothing to do with the lyric. I thought 'swan wrap' sounded romantic and comforting and gave it the meaning of "wrapped in the arms of a swan floating gently downstream".

OK, I admit I'm slightly deranged, but I enjoy making music and hope to continue to do so. Reading the Oxford Dictionary last night I came upon the word nympholepsy: 'ecstasy or frenzy caused by desire of the unattainable'. If enough of you buy this record, perhaps it will prove I don't suffer from it.

Recorded using Opcode Studio Vision Pro, Pro Tools 24 Mix+ and the Mackie D8B. Richard's Washburn J6 guitar uses the Lovetone Wobulator which makes this record sound great on headphones ! Thanks to Gary Husband for his drum kit and Zildjian for the cymbals.