This cd was inspired by a road trip I took with my eldest daughter, Megan a few years ago to Hannibal, Missouri. We went to visit the boyhood home of Mark Twain. On the way there, we stopped at a fancy restaurant and drank Manhattans and had quail for dinner. Hence, the title.

Track 1 - Manhattans and Quail with My Papa - Megan named this track.

Track 2 - Lady in Red - Inspired by Patricia Shaw's painting of the same title.

Track 3 - Lost Without You

Track 4 - Mind on the Mountains

Track 5 - Saints and Poets - Probably my favorite track. Inspired by Thorton Wilder's play "Our Town". There is a scene between Emily and the stage manager which goes like this:

EMILY: "Does anyone ever realize life while they live it...every, every minute?"
STAGE MANAGER: "No. Saints and poets maybe...they do some.”

― Thornton Wilder, Our Town

Track 6 - My Gypsy Heart - Recorded at a local college radio station in the autumn of 1996, I believe. An acoustic harp solo with flamenco overtones.

Track 7 - Cafe Mystique - A finger style flamenco guitar solo recorded at the same college radio station in 1996, this track features a flamenco tremolo. A flamenco tremolo is a quintuplet - 5 notes per beat. For all the finger style guitarists out there, it is played p-i-a-m-i.

And finally, here are a few quotes I like...

It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave behind us in the past those moments in life that are over. Paulo Coelho, The Zahir.

It was a mistake that set the world in motion – never be afraid of making a mistake. Paulo Coelho, Brida

The boat is safest when it is in port, but that is not what boats were built for. Paulo Coelho, The Diary of a Magus

Having the courage to take the steps we always wanted to take is the only way to show that we trust in God. Paulo Coelho, Brida

The warrior knows that the most important words in all languages are the small words. Yes, Love, God. They are the words that are easy enough to say and which fill vast empty spaces. Paulo Coelho, The Manuel of the Warrior of Light.

For I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days, and spent them lavishly. Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Lao Tzu

…the correct path is the path of nature, which is constantly changing, like the dunes in the desert. Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

And to those who believe that adventures are dangerous, I say, try routine; that kills you far more quickly. Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

I fell asleep and dreamed that life was only Happiness. I woke and discovered that life was Duty. I did my Duty and discovered that life was Happiness. Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra.

A special thanks to my friend Patricia Shaw for the use of her artwork entitled "Lady in Red."