MP3:
01. Track 1 (4:19)
02. Track 2 (5:35)
03. Track 3 (4:30)
04. Track 4 (4:16)
05. Track 5 (4:30)
06. Track 6 (3:50)
07. Track 7 (4:46)
08. Track 8 (3:56)
09. Track 9 (5:13)
10. Track 10 (4:45)
11. Track 11 (4:55)
12. Track 12 (4:55)
Very little is known about the man singing these songs. I am fairly certain that his first name is Chris, but his last name may be misspelled or altogether wrong. I just have no idea. Here is what has been verified: (i) the CD was recorded at least five years ago, though probably closer to ten or more; (ii) the accompaniment is very likely somebody else's; and (iii) the recording was submitted to a CD duplication service in or around Boston, Mass. Any information regarding Mr. Stines' true identity or his whereabouts is greatly appreciated.
I won't say too much about these songs. The lyrics are some kind of French glossolalia, with a bit of English thrown in arbitrarily. This is outsider music at its best: unknown, at times unnerving, and presumably unrehearsed. Also, the final track has quite a few glitches. I had to play the CD and record the output to rip it. It's one of Chris' more soulful numbers, however, so I decided to include it. Enjoy!
- Contributed by: Clayton Counts
The backing track on Track 01 is none other than Paul Hardcastle's "Rain Forest"...
Posted by: Lumi Kartuuni | June 15, 2007 at 03:18 AM
Thank you, Lumi! I checked Hardcastle's discography; it looks like this could've been as early as 1985, but I'm not familiar enough with the original tune to know if there were later versions.
Posted by: Clayton | June 15, 2007 at 07:42 AM
Sounds more like Creole than French.
Posted by: Erik | June 15, 2007 at 07:47 PM
Thanks! I don't know French or Creole, and Chris sounds a bit unsure himself, so "glossolalia" seemed appropriate. If you have any idea what Mr. Stines is talking about, please let us know.
Posted by: Clayton | June 15, 2007 at 09:16 PM
obviously some troubled guy with a lame record collection, a modicum of recording knowledge, and waaay too much time on his hands.
Posted by: lanesill | June 16, 2007 at 01:19 AM
There are definitely elements of french creole in the "lyrics" - could be from the French Antilles or Haïti, it's hard to tell... my guess is Chris is the singer comes from these parts but tries to ad lib, mixing english and his own language.
Posted by: Bigdad | June 16, 2007 at 03:15 AM
Thanks, guys. lanesill, I'm in the process of tracking down the person who helped Chris to record the vocals, so I think "modicum" is perhaps too generous a word. Still, these songs warm my heart like an anti-antacid.
Posted by: Clayton | June 16, 2007 at 03:55 PM
I can't believe it! A few years ago my friends and I came across Chris watching public televsion at 3am...during his weekly show! Needless to say...we still frequently make references to what we saw and heard - Chris (looking coked up) presenting his new video, dancing through the streets of Back Bay in Boston, to a Michael Jackson song...moonwalk and all!
Posted by: RT | June 20, 2007 at 12:04 AM
Incredible! If there's any way you can nab some video, I'd be glad to to host it.
Posted by: Clayton | June 20, 2007 at 01:21 AM
I can't help but notice your silhouette is of a black person. So you do know that much about him.
Posted by: James | June 20, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Nope. It's a white kid. Found him by searching for "jerk" on Google images. I recommend that you turn safe search on.
Posted by: Clayton | June 21, 2007 at 12:42 AM
I wish we could "show you what we got" in reference to the video that RT mentioned in his previous comment. It's pure gold, but was on an old VHS tape that was accidentally thrown out. Basically, he looks Brazillian or Poretuguese, was about 30 or 35 in the video, is wearing all white and dancing like a maniac about a block from the Berklee College of Music campus.
Posted by: Alex | June 24, 2007 at 11:24 AM