The
idea for Desert Suite first emerged when I was sitting out by our pool on a beautiful Spring evening, watching
all the antics of the birds and the animals. A large family of Quail went by, with the little ones always meandering
off and then being rounded up by Papa or Mama Quail. Several Rabbits hopped around, stopping many time to look
and listen. The Cactus Wrens were busy (as usual) hopping around, gathering things for their nests. Two Hawks glided
in circles overhead, probably eyeing the Ground Squirrels that were chasing each other around (and trying to find
a way into our vegetable garden). The male doves were trying unsuccessfully to "push" the females to
nest. The woodpeckers and flickers were competing for their territory, darting everywhere, and scolding me for
being in "their" yard. As the sun set and the activity died down, a Lonely Coyote watched me from behind
a creosote bush. Other coyotes could be heard howling in the distance. Perhaps the "trickster" coyote
wove his spell on me, perhaps not, but suddenly I had a multitude of ideas and melodies spinning through my head.
I rushed inside to my piano and let the music flow out through my fingers. I couldn't sleep that night, and I got
up very early to begin a recording vigil that would last a couple weeks. I am very pleased with the "magical"
results, and I think that you will be too!
| 1. THE CACTUS WREN RAG PLAY EXCERPT | 9. RATTLESNAKE |
| 2. QUAIL | 10. GROUND SQUIRREL TAG PLAY EXCERPT |
| 3. RABBITS | 11. DOVES PLAY EXCERPT |
| 4. LIZARDS | 12. HUMMINGBIRDS |
| 5. ROADRUNNER PLAY EXCERPT | 13. JAVELINAS |
| 6. TARANTULA | 14. TORTOISE |
| 7. BOBCAT | 15. THE WOODPECKER AND THE GILDED FLICKER |
| 8. HAWKS | 16. LONELY COYOTE BOOGIE BLUES PLAY EXCERPT |
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