The line up at Area 52 Studios, Saugerties, NY

My personal journey leading me to MANDALA has been a long one. I began playing guitar, writing songs and singing in 1968. In 1970, I was fortunate enough to be taken under the wing of Atlantic Records co-founder, Herb Abramson. Shortly after, I became a recording engineer and session guitarist…a dream come true.

And then, in 1979, I had the honor of earning an authentic record contract - highly coveted at the time - with a real label leading to a real record – vinyl - produced by a staff producer for Rocking Horse Records resulting in Late Nights and Bar Fights.

As the years rolled by, I established a band, produced records for others, toured with notable musicians as a sideman, and continued my solo career as a recording artist. Songs came fast and furious and were captured either in the studio or on my home recording rig. Yet, blessed with a growing family, I eventually committed completely to a position in the music industry independent from performing where income was assured and consistent. With my focus then and rightly elsewhere, I suddenly realized that I had become a “one-hit-wonder” even though no hits materialized – not even close – from my first and only album.

Then, in 1997, after a profound course correction in life, music took a back seat - ‘way back. Guitars were sold and the songwriting engine simply ran out of steam. But, I was on a different mission and things were honestly never better. Prose replaced poetry and I authored four books among other accomplishments.

Fast forward to 2015; after not picking up a guitar for nearly 15 years, my fingers began to feel the urge to press and pluck the strings again. At first, not giving myself permission to indulge my old love, my wife Patty convinced me that I really could do two things at once (thank you, Patty). As always, she was right.

So, here we are today, with Mandala - a cycle of songs that range from the beginning of my musical career to the present; songs written and first performed in the 1970s, coexisting with those just barely taking their first breath. You will know which is which; sonic quality (analog versus digital), instrumentation and the tenuous pitch of my voice, will clearly reveal their place in time.

Session player and solo artist, Larry Campbell and Doug Cook at Area 52 Studios, Saugerties, NY