The Wacky Fan Letter

As performed by mark

 

Recorded at my home in Corpus Christi, Texas in October 2002 using ACID Music 3.0 software.  Recorded and mixed at 44.1 kHz, 16 bits, stereo.

Mark a.k.a. Mark Cazalas

Vocals:  Mark Cazalas

Samples are courtesy of my CD collection

Recorded, Produced, and Mixed by Mark Cazalas

Executive Producer:  Mark Cazalas

When the whole idea of a DAmb CD came about, I wanted to participate, but I did not know what song I could perform.  I am only an amateur musician and did not have any sheet music or chords to use.  I also cannot sing.  I had written myself off that I would not be able to participate in this wonderful project, our tribute to a truly great and inspired band, Daniel Amos.  Then one day I remembered “The Wacky Fan Letter”.  I had the original of Terry reading it saved on my hard drive.  Then I thought to myself, where will I get the lyrics.  Luckily, I remembered that Big Dork had typed them onto one of the threads on the Daniel Amos message board.  I performed a search, found the lyrics, and printed them.  Next I had to figure out if I could even pull this off.  I let Big Dork know that I would be attempting to do “The Wacky Fan Letter”.  I thought about recording straight to cassette, but this is the digital age, and I’m into electronic equipment.  I connected a microphone to my computer and tried to record the letter by reading it.  This did not work because the recorder on my computer had a sixty second time limit.  Who added a time limit?  I decided that I would need a new computer program.  I drove to my local Best Buy store and looked at computer programs.  I knew nothing about these kinds of music programs.  I took a chance and purchased a Sonic Foundry program called ACID Music 3.0.  I took it home and installed it on my computer.  I didn’t even read the book.  I figured out how to record, so I plugged my microphone back into the computer and recorded the vocals in one take.  I know I could have done better if I had done more takes, but I was worried I wouldn’t know how to use the computer program properly to do another take.  After I had completed the vocal track, I decided to figure out how to add other tracks.  The Wacky Fan was from Dallas, Texas.  I decided to allude to my hometown of Corpus Christi through the samples I chose.  When you listen to “The Wacky Fan Letter”, you will definitely be able to pick up the theme that relates to my hometown.  There are a few other samples I used that may not fit exactly in with the theme of my hometown, but I chose the others as tributes to my children.  If they listen to this song now and even as they grow older, they will know what they mean, and it will bring back good memories to them that they will always be able to treasure.  It took me quite awhile to get all the tracks down and edit the whole song.  I completed the song, burned it to a CD, and mailed it to Big Dork before the deadline.  I hope you enjoy my amateur venture into the music world. 

I dedicate this song to my beautiful wife and lovely children.

 

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wacky Fan Letter

Hi, this is Camarillo Eddie. As you may or may not know, I’m in hiding right now. But every once in a while I get a letter passed on to me from my friend Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos.

Anyway this is a letter from a guy in a Dallas Texas. On the outside of the envelope it says “Read this important personal letter, your career depends upon it.”

Now this is a real letter, it’s no put on. It goes on:

Dear Terry and the rest of DA and The Swirling Eddies,
I just purchased Bibleland today. Tomorrow I plan to return it. Sorry to say, but your music has become mediocre so I’m spewing it back to the store. As a long time Daniel Amos fan this is a very sad day. However I do have some comments and questions and would appreciate a response.

First, is it possible to obtain Horrendous Disc on CD? My vinyl copy is a pain to turn over at the end of side one. This is your best album except for Shotgun Angel. And I’m terribly disappointed that I don’t have the CD version.

Related to the lousy state of you band right now, I have some suggestions as well as comments on what made your early music great. First of all your best albums are Daniel Amos, Shotgun Angel, Horrendous Disc and Alarma. I loved Vox Humana in the 80’s and still listen to it occasionally today. I became a Daniel Amos fan listening to Vox Humana and did not acquire Daniel Amos and Shotgun Angel until they were released on CD.

Now as to why I think your music has deteriorated in quality.

First, lately you seem to throw out albums every year without practicing adequate quality control in regards to what gets put on your CDs. Fans want to hear the good music that you write, not everything that pops into your mind.

Second, Sinicism and obtuse, cease to be useful when they squeeze out hope, joy and praise of God. There’s more to life than complaining about the sad state of affairs in the world, in the church and in your comprehension of our Lord.

Third, you need to add more piano and acoustic guitar to your recordings.

Forth, sometimes simple three to six chord songs actually sound good.

Finally, you should stop the wining sound in your vocals and increase harmonies.

Your return to the using the Daniel Amos name for the band rather than DA Swirling Stinking Eddies or Edward Daniel, Dumb Daniel Taylor, is to be applauded. But this return to sanity is fraudulent with your recent music does not live up to the standards the Daniel Amos name connotes. Kalhoun and Motorcycle provide me with the limited hope that you were attempting to begin producing decent music again. But my hope has been dashed with Bibleland. Perhaps my deception is made all the more complete by your association with the two fine releases JT’s Knock, Breath, Shine and Stonehill’s Wonderama.

In appreciation for your years of work recording and in the hope that I will help you get back to the right track musically. I’m providing you with a semi-comprehensive analysis of your recordings to date. It follows.

1. Daniel Amos, A-.
Good album all the way through. I’m from Texas and don’t mind the country sounds. I like vibe of Losers And Winners, Dusty Roads and the various 70s sounds of the cool Don’t Light Your On Fire.

2. Shotgun Angel, A+.
Completely excellent album in all ways, even if it sounds like the eagles at times. I even bought your Revelation album.

3. Alarma, A-.
Pretty good. Thanks for the bonus tracks on the CD.

4. Horrendous Disc, A.
Please get this one out on CD as quick as possible and let me know about it. My record has a scratch. You sound like The Beatles, but keep in mind that The Beatles sold lots of records.

5. Doppelganger, Incomplete.
I’m still trying to figure this one out.

6. Vox Humana, B.
It was very good in it’s time.

7. Fearful Symmetry, B-.
Was the name change to DA symbolic to the bands decline?

8. Darn Floor, Big Bite, C.
Glad I found this on sale.

9. Let’s Spin, C.
Thanks for not putting your names on this. At least I can think someone else was responsible for it. Big Guns and Ed are the reasons this album gets a passing grade.

10. Outdoor Elvis, C-.
Didn’t you already do your tribute to Mr. Graham on your first album? I find no joy in listening to songs about Swaggert, Baker and other quote unquote Masters. Were you trying to reassure yourself that you have some ability with Don’t Hate Yourself?

11. Telethon, C.
I’m On Your Team, The Pool, Sprinklerheads, Only One, Sudden Heaven and Soon are all good. Especially Team, but who wants to listen over and over again to the rest of the trash on the CD. And who wants to take the time to program a CD player for 24 recordings.

12. Live Bootleg, D
The Surf Suite is great, and other songs are good too, but the recording quality is too poor to get this album over the hump.

13. Kalhoun, B
Interior Glory and Glory Hound are excellent, but Kalhoun and Virgin Falls are Hideous. (hideous hideous)

14. Motorcycle, B
Pretty decent, only Guilty seriously annoys. Unfortunately this CD doesn’t have other really great songs. Traps and Snares, What’s Come Over Me and Noel are all good.

15. A Briefing Of The Ascent, B-
Applaud able effort

16. Bibleland, F
I’m getting my money back tomorrow. I’m sick of having to make an effort to like any of your music. And it is time for you to record something encouraging and less muddled sounding Christian.

17. Knowledge and Innocence,
I’ve ordered it.

18. Dogs Albums,
Their fine, but you guys should better than (?)

I realize that there are a few albums that I’ve missed including a special release or two. Please provide me with a list or recording that did not make it onto my list here.
And tell me if they are worth purchasing and where I can purchase them. Also forgive me please, I’ve never seen Daniel Amos in concert. Will you be in Dallas any time soon? Please keep in mind that some albums are better than the sum of their songs. In addition it is extremely annoying to have to program a CD to have to skip certain lousy songs. I encourage you to listen to some of your old music. And some Stonehill, Keith Green, early Second Chapter, early Resurrection Band or early Jacobs Trouble in order to be reminded of what good music is.

Thank you in advance for prompt personal response to my letters. (questions are in bold type) If you have the time? I would be even more grateful if you heed my suggestions and start making better music.

Finally, does Daniel Amos have a specific purpose, mission or goals as a band? And if so, what are they?


Sincerely and In Christ,