Mind Fry Enterprises

This song has a unique history. It was originally supposed to be on my first album “The Sun” way back when however a technical glitch kept it from appearing on that historic recording. That was back in 1995. It then sat for the next 24 years collecting dust (not the album just the light particles that float around in the air and eventually settle on things.). Well this year I pulled it out and ‘dusted’ it off …
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This is a solo acoustic guitar piece.I don't write very many of them but the occasional nugget pops up. I like this one when I can actually play it properly. Here are the lyrics:

This is a tune that first appeared on a cassette only release (remember them.... no? I'm so old.) called "The Millet Stalk" by my old band A Grey Sky. I've been rehashing these tunes and putting them out as single over the last few years. Here is some more hash for you.....

Here are the lyrics:

You know you will not cry
Though you claim you want to die
Is this the only place to …
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Once again they have done it. Taking their Experimental World Jazz into the realm of modern classical music without abandoning their “roots”, if a band such as this can claim to have roots... and yet... they have roots as large and deep as the Baobab tree itself. Once again they are assisted by conductor Raul Espinoza leading the Mind Fry Orchestra deft blending of the orchestra with the Consort. Stunningly stunning!

This is a tune that came to me after my father passed. It is a simple and straight forward look at the idea contained in the title. It is a peculiar feeling when one no longer has parents on this earth.

This is a strange piece. It features the exquisite piano skills of Mairead O'Connor plus the adequate baton of Raul Espinoza

Yet another re-recording of the songs from my 90's band A Grey Sky's landmark cassette only album "The Millet Stalk". Obtaining The Goal is an odd metered romp with touches of jazz and even progressive rock in it. Here are the lyrics

Obtaining the goal
That is the point
That is the problem
Obtain the goal
A means to an end
Is not a question
Oh, but it must be

Obtaining the goal
What is …
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This is a tune that originally was performed by my 90's rock band "A Grey Sky" and appeared on their landmark cassette only release "The Millet Stalk". Over time I have been recording new versions of the songs from that album (Don't Resist and You Will Smile Again amongst others) and putting them out as singles. This is just another in that line of tunes. Here are the lyrics

Why do you look at me …
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Once again calling on the adequate conducting skills of Raul Espinoza as he leads the Mind Fry Orchestra, The Consort paves it's way without regard. The orchestra offers the canvas for Barney Coles exquisite lead guitar. Recorded live at the Spiddle Opera House in 2017 during their initial tour familiarizing themselves with the orchestra, it is an exquisite insight to the Consort and it's way of working on new things all the time.


Pssst....................Imagination Is …
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Just a little ditty I came up with over a weekend a few years back. Here are the lyrics:

CHILD

She was a child when we first met
Today she is just the same
One of those types aren’t there yet
Always finding others to blame

I never thought that much of her
But still she persisted on
When I asked what might have just occurred
Silence assisted the con

So I tipped my …
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On the heels of there ground breaking release SAD comes the next step in The Consorts ever evolving all encompassing music. This is a piece written by Consort leader Babakar Wade that features the extraordinary skills of both keyboardist Mairead O'Connor and guitarist Barney Cole. Of course without the rest of the members it would be a rather skimpy arrangement and The Consort would only allow that if that was what was called for. We …
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This is a little ditty that I originally performed with my band "A Grey Sky" back in the 90's. It was released in a 'cassette only' (remember those?) format on an album called "The Millet Stalk". I liked that band and have been releasing new versions of a number of songs from "The Millet Stalk" over the years. This is yet another one. Here are the lyrics:

Who do you think you are?
Can you …
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This is a little ditty inspired by our Commander in Chief. A liar by trade. A man who cannot see past his own ego. A would be dictator if he can get away with it. One who attacks the press and anyone else that does not drink his cool aid. A man who makes George Bush seem palatable. A man who is no man. Here are the lyrics

I'm always am amazed
at people who …
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This is a story written by the Consorts good friend John McGrail about how this song came together (with our blessing). The lyrics follow the story.

IT’S YOUR ACCENT!
Barney and Jean-luc walked into the bistro, at least it had the word ‘bistro’ in its name, they wanted to get something to eat and they wanted more importantly to get something to drink. They were laughing when the hostess asked them “how many”. They’…
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If you have ever worked somewhere for 30 years it will effect you. Some will be good some will be bad. When it gets too bad you leave. However if you are close to retirement you stick around in spite of all the bad.

Such is the impetus for the lyrics to this song. I scribbled it out back in 2014 while on my lunch break. A few years later the music came along. Now I have …
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A tune I wrote back in the H.W Bush era. Given recent events in Charlottesville I though relasing it might be apporpriate. Here are the lyrics:

when your leader is chosen
does it scare you white
does it make you nervous
do you want to fight it
it isn’t the problem
but merely a symptom
eagerly waiting
to become the next victim

where can you run
you seem surrounded
the slightest wrong word
…
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Categorized as a folk musician he accepts that and on some level even agrees but his influences range far beyond that and they all contribute to the ‘folk’ music that he creates. Analysis of his tunes would find things like odd meters, Floydian textures, and the occasional stinging guitar solo. Then there are the lyrics... well there are those who have described him as the Dark Prince of Cleveland Folk.

Never one to be pigeonholed …
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An old tune. I couldn't play the guitar solo back when I wrote it. I got a little better over time. It's a tale of the passing of the baton and the fear of change.... I think.?! Here are the lyrics:

Changing Of The Guard

Are you sleeping?
Are your dreaming?
Or are you lying dead?

Are you the general?
Is this his funeral?
Is that a coffin or a bed?

Listen to me your …
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This is an instrumental piece composed by our mallet player Lady Bret Fastley. It’s title is a reference to herself however she has pointed out that it could also be a reference to the newly minted POTUS Donald Trump a.k.a. President The Donald. While Lady Bret admits to her own vain glorious ways she is in awe of the massive ego that this particular POTUS has displayed and felt to mention him …
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Most people are aware of the God of Thunder from Norse mythology as Thor. Most people probably also know that he appears in the Avenger movies. They probably are aware that he has this hammer, Mjölnir, that he uses to pummel his enemies and defend Asgard and the people of the earth, in his role as a God and an Avenger. What they probably do not know is that in his down time from …
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This is a piece our programmer Robert Kohn brought in. He had previously never presented a composition to the Consort so we were intrigued. After listening to it we were also impressed. Working from the demo Robert had worked up we had Barney replace the leads with guitar, Robert had synths doing them... although he envisioned the electric guitar. He also suggested that our good friend John McGrail come in and do the lead vocals. …
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Categorized as a folk musician he accepts that and on some level even agrees but his influences range far beyond that and they all contribute to the ‘folk’ music that he creates. Never one to be pigeonholed John uses whatever he has at his disposal to present his music. Live it is often just a voice and guitar, although lately he's had a trio and even a quartet accompanying him, in the studio he grasps …
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Taking their cue from Mandolicious The Consort once again takes to the dance floor fusing a weird guitar solo with an irresistible dance beat. What more could anyone ask for?

The Consort over the Holidays this year were able to gather in Cleveland and turn out this tune. Going into the session only I had heard it, none of the others knew of its existence. Within a 5-6 day period the song was learned and several takes were in the can. If only making albums was this easy... -Babakar.

This is a tune that deals with those times when emotions are palpable. When they are so thick that it’s like humidity.
Here are the words:

these are extraordinary times
you may or may not agree
but still you searched for rhymes
and the deep roots of the tree
I can’t ask for much more
you gave all that you could
you knew what it’s all for
you did just what you …
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An old, old tune I pulled out, dusted off and applied the technology of the modern day folk musician, whatever the hell that means. Here are the words

I don’t belong
my words are not heeded
sometimes I’m strong
but never when its needed

it doesn’t matter
that I have no song
it doesn’t matter
that I’m wrong

I’m searching and have been
for what I'm not sure
if …
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Originally this tune appeared on a cassette only release way back when cassette only releases were the going thing. It was on a release called The Millet Stalk by John’s rock band A Grey Sky. While that band turned to dust upon the release of that legendary cassette the music did not. Recently John has set about doing new versions of songs from that storied release. “You Will Smile Again” is just the latest. (…
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With people talking about the 2016 election already I thought it was a good time to share this with whoever wants it.

As far as this tune goes it deals with a certain type of person. Their ethics are shaky at best. The question of taking a stance is one that is posed while wondering just where would this type of person draw the line on right or wrong. Are they capable of self-doubt? Is there a generosity of spirit? If they have something good will they share? Would they take what is not theirs if they …
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This is the first known recording ever of The Headwhiz Consort Moderne Internationale performing live with their good friend and longtime collaborator John McGrail. The exact location is not known but we believe it was recorded in Ireland during the Consorts tour of that country. The date would be have to be 1999 as that was the only time John has been in Ireland. He recalls performing with them and thinks it was near Galway although …
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There is always a bright side to even the most miserable of circumstances. Sorry that is as cheery as I can get.

This is a song I wrote many years ago when I was a rebellious youth. Having gained the wisdom that comes with age I am now a rebellious old man. It is a song that says do not be afraid to question authority or the powers that be. If they cannot answer your questions, or refuse to, then there is probably something wrong. Resistance is not futile. In fact sometimes resistance is the only way …
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