Without Words
Without Words is my debut solo CD. It was first released by me in February 2000 and was re-released in August 2001 under Neurodisc/Capitol Records. Featuring 11 original tracks plus an arrangement of Bryan Adams's "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?". Without Words reached the #19 spot on Billboard's New Age chart and the #3 spot on Amped Online's New Age Top Sellers chart. National radio play has been in constant demand since its debut and favorable reviews continue to come in.
Visit the audio clips page for song samples.
Here is a track listing with detailed information on the music from Without Words:
1. Punta Arenas:
This is a up tempo Gypsy Kings like Rumba with a catchy harmonized melody in the verse. It was the second tune I composed in the style of Nuevo Flamenco back in 1997 and still remains one of my favorite original compositions. This tune originally appeared on a CD I did with guitarist César Páucar entitled "Isla del Sol". Since it's conception for Isla del Sol, Punta Arenas has matured in structure and accompaniment. The only thing that remained intact from the first version was the solo I originally improvised in the middle. Its a solo that, like the tune itself, has remained one of my favorites since the beginning.
2. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?(By Bryan Adams, arr: Eric Hansen)
During my performances I would occasionally throw in a Flamenco style arrangement of a popular tune. The Bryan Adams tune was always a major hit and I often ended up having to play it several times in one night. I felt adding this song to the track list would be a good thing because it gives people something to quickly remember about the debut CD while building up their interest in the original compositions.
3. Calle Ocho "8th Street"
Well if you have ever visited "Little Havana" in Miami Florida you know what Calle Ocho is all about. Inspired by one of the most famous streets in Miami's Cuban community, Calle Ocho is a aural description of a typical day strolling down that street. A place where you find incredible food, warm Latin American culture and of course the fantastic sounds of Cuban music.
4. Reflections of Her Part 1 For Virginia Scala
This was the first composition composed for Without Words and most difficult to complete. There was so much needed to be said in this piece that I constantly re-worked it until I felt the feelings I was experiencing were properly expressed. Part one was composed during a very dark period which was brought on by a difficult and painful break up with long time girlfriend, Virginia Scala. One of my ways of dealing with these emotions was to express them through song and this piece was the result of that. It basically marks the beginning of my healing process while I reflected on the beautiful romantic times we shared.
5. Reflections of Her Part 2 For Virginia Scala
Unlike part one, this composition was the easiest to create. After several months of dealing with the feelings and emotions from the break up, I had reached a boiling point which exploded into a whirlwind of creativity. That night I came home from a performance, lit several candles and turned off the lights. I hit the record button and set out on a quest to release everything that had built up inside. Within a couple of hours I had completed this composition. Never before had I been able to write a piece of music where every idea and recorded track was kept from it's original conception. It was one of the most amazing things I have experienced musician and a composer. This track has the most meaning to me.
6. Night Flight
Night Flight is the most Flamenco sounding composition on Without Words. This piece was inspired by a work of surrealistic art under the same title by Michael Parkes. In this piece of music I am trying to convey a free floating feeling that smoothly connects one section of the song to the other. The use of sustained chords and uncluttered melodies accomplishes this within the driving rhythm of a Rumba. This is my personal favorite from Without Words and the most fun to perform. Here is the painting from which it was inspired:
7. Costa Rica For Ingrid Claes
Costa Rica was composed for Igrid Claes of Brussels, Belgium. During her travels throughout Costa Rica she emailed vivid desciptions of lush landscapes, color creatures and friendly natives. This piece was inspired by these images and the intimacy we shared during late 1999 and early 2000.
8. La Scala For Virginia Scala
La Scala was the first piece I ever composed back in 1997 and like Punta Arenas, it was originally released on Isla del Sol. This piece was inspired during a positive time my ex-girlfriend Virginia Scala, the woman I wrote Reflections of Her 1-2 for. As you might expect it's a romantic ballad with a haunting melody that expresses love, warmth and longing.
9. After the Rain
Back in June of 1999 we experienced rain for a month straight here in "Sunny" south Florida. I particularly don't like wet weather so when the skies finally cleared in the beginning of July, I was extremely happy to see the sun again and I wrote this piece. Loosely based on a Flamenco Tango, After the Rain is an uplifting melody that opens with descending arpeggios echoing the trickling sound of rain fall. From there it leads into a uplifting melody that expresses bright sunshine a warm summer breeze.
10. Moon Rise
During the entire time I was working on Without Words I was performing at Caffe Luna Rosa in Delray Beach Florida. Every month I was treated to the incredible sight of a full moon shining over the ocean. Moon Rise starts out with a series of flowing open chords signaling the moon's appearance and methodical climb over the ocean's horizon. It starts off in a pink hue which eventually turns into a bright silver globe radiating light from one end of the coast line to the other. The driving melody which follows the introduction represents the dancing of silver light against the dark mysterious waters below. It's truly a beautiful sight to behold.
11. Twilight
I was driving around listening to early versions of this song when I looked at the sun setting in the west. The skies displayed a palette of pastel colors and a this peaceful romantic feeling came over me. It just seemed to go hand in hand with the melody on this track and I was able to polish it up when I returned home.
12. Equinox
Another up tempo Gypsy Kings like Rumba, Equinox is a powerful closer for Without Words's lineup. Starting off with a strong motif on the lower strings of the guitar, this driving Rumba quickly launches into a soaring melody followed by a burst of notes which opens the improvised section. It was one of the solos I nailed on the first take and could not improve upon it after several other tries. Sometimes you get lucky like that. :)