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Well, HAT TRICK was released, the LP took an enormous toll on the band, far
more than they ever experienced in their days with DAZE (a band they were in
during high school, led by GERRY). The LP was a genuine masterpiece & so
tightly integrated into a single & sharply focused piece of art, with no
stray colors. The cover photo communicates the confident mood of the artists
after a long & difficult journey & the back photo silhouette conveys a sense
of closure (as Satchel Page once said, "Don't look back, someone may be
gaining") with a fearless march to the next challenge. The guys actually
took some extended time off to catch their breath, everything was happening
so fast. Sure, time off was somewhat risky while the momentum was raging,
but the guys were exhausted & needed the rest. It also allowed them to
ponder their next move.
A year past the HAT TRICK release, they tossed around the idea of hiring a
producer. GERRY had said that typically after a year or so, you are ready to
do it again, even after long days & months in mixing sessions grinding out
the final tunes; but this LP had really drained them & GERRY wasn't sure he
was able to give his usual 110% to both aspects of producing &
writing/performing. Without even putting their heads together, they had
individually tagged the best in the business. The guys came together &
presto they pretty much agreed that George Martin (see his book "All You Need
is Ears", includes a photo of GERRY & DEWEY, probably working on SILENT
LETTER) was their no. 1 choice. Was he retired, they wondered? In the mean
time they organized the inclusion of Mr. Willie Leacox into the band as
drummer supreme. As you know the drummer must be able to keep perfect time &
Willie is a perfectionist with no need for a watch. Willie, armed with a
bachelors degree, majoring in piano, was a great asset to the band.
Last Revised: 19 September 1997
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