Fresno is the oldest song on this new album of mine, and ironically took me the longest to finish. I had been invited by my colleague in the Refugees, Deborah Holland, to teach a songwriting class up at Cal State Fresno, and in my hotel room I had a keyboard. I found a funny little loop that I adored and I played this piano part that I quite liked. I wrote 90% of the lyrics and then the song sat for at least a dozen years because I couldn't finish the lyric.
I kept thinking this is a really fun tune and it seems to be kind of characteristic of me - why is it so hard to finish this? Probably some songwriter nonsense in my head... I recorded the first elements of the track and lived with it, enjoying it every time I played it, and mumbling through the parts with the missing lyrics. I was arguing with myself about a couple of words, for a long long time!
I finally just forced myself to complete the song because I felt it was very important for the new record. The minute I did, I was so happy to have the tune and the lyrics were just fine (after all that grief). Recording with the players was so much wonderful fun and inspiration.
The first half of the song is acoustic, with Carl Sealove on upright bass and Matt Cartsonis, great folk artist with whom I've worked for years, on mandolin, my piano, and Abraham Parker playing a little finger picking part. But then there's a transition and this is where the great and very deeply missed master bassist Michael Rhodes kicks in and we all switch to electric guitars, Scott uncorks the drums and Fresno takes off. The solos are played together by Abe and me.
To me Fresno is also a tribute to Michael Rhodes. I worked with him on many productions and consider him one of the greatest musicians I ever worked with in my life. He plays some notes here that are just amazing to me. He loved this tune - he actually called me after and told me it was in his brain!
Now, I pretty much like the lyrics and more importantly, I know they are true. Deborah Holland particularly commented that she was fascinated that somebody would write "ain't no why no wherefore." She laughs when she hears that line.
What?