Welcome Drive is back with a collection of eleven new songs for your listening pleasure!
We are proud to present our eighth studio recording, “Don’t Ask…”. This release features a mix of old and new songs, all originals written and performed by members of Welcome Drive. Some of these tunes have been floating around in various iterations for 40 years, others created just for this album.
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Welcome Drive embarked on our annual “Week of Recording” at Big Swan Studio in Long Lake, Minnesota. While we had loads of fun and very productive sessions, this release was not without its challenges:
Dana Barron, our drummer who flies to Minnesota from his Connecticut home to participate in these sessions, suffered an injury on February 9, only a couple of weeks prior to this session that prevented him from traveling. Within mere minutes of receiving this news, Jim contacted our friend Tom Lutz, who came in and did stellar work on very short notice!
Roger Miller, bassist and an original Welcome Drive member, announced his retirement from the band on February 15. Having familiarity with all the songs and with that 4-string guitar, Kenny stepped in to fill the bassist role for these sessions.
We encountered various technical difficulties with hardware and software in the initial studio setup, but by Monday morning, all those issues were ironed out, and with the exception of a backwards microphone in the vocal booth that required re-recording a few tracks, all went very smoothly. (The acting bassist may have had a hand in the mic incident)
With those challenges met, we spent a week of long hours, hard work, fellowship with great friends, and above all, the sheer enjoyment of creating music together. We hope that you get as much pleasure from listening to this music as much as we did in making it!
Band members
Jim Tierney – Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriter
Al Radley – Lead vocals, acoustic guitars, songwriter
Kenny Carson – Backing vocals, electric guitar, bass
Scott Dorn – Lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, songwriter
Tom Lutz – Drums
Robin Wendling – Backing vocals
Marilyn Gabert – Percussion
Kelly Kadlec – Backing vocals, accordion, keyboards
Songs from Don’t Ask…
Down I-35
From back around 1982, this is Al’s take on being a long-haul trucker headed for home.
Don’t Even Ask
Al’s tale of a small tourist town convenience store experience in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When he asked the proprietor, “What is there to do around here?”. The reply was, “Don’t even ask!”
Don’t Take Too Long
Another one from the early 80’s, Al imagines life with a two-timing partner that he just can’t quit.
In A Song
Written for this album, Al relates his thoughts on heaven, and how it’s not a place you go, but how those left behind remember you.
Through The Pines
Also new for this album, Al describes a place he goes where he can hear his heartbeat. This began life as an instrumental, but Al soon had bigger plans.
Lies
New for this album and written mostly on a Canada fishing trip, Jim, Al, and Kenny sound off about all the lying that is occurring in our day to day lives.
Blues Chasin’
Based on a Hermann Hesse novel “Siddhartha”, Al relates one man’s journey to enlightenment. This also came from the early 80’s.
Castles
This song is about trying to see the world around you, then realizing not all is as you imagined. Or not. Make of it what you will! Al brought this one from the 80’s as well.
Travelin’ Man
Jim’s song, written in 1979, tells the story of a road trip from Minnesota to California.
Crazy Maybe
Al’s first songwriting effort speaks of not confining yourself to the box the rest of the world would like you to inhabit, but also that you can’t always just tell them that you disagree.
88
In this new tune, Scott provides a lighthearted glimpse into his musical journey as a bandmate.
Please select your favorite streaming service below, to listen!
We have really enjoyed putting this together.
We hope you enjoy it too.