1983
Windows
In early 1983, my collaborator Ed Cohen and I were searching for a new direction. Ed had never lost his love for progressive music, though his interest had been taken to a new level by the influence of Progressive Jazz (or Fusion, as it is called in many circles). Unexpectedly, as a birthday gift…
1988
The French Laundry
Windows’ second record label, Intima, was distributed by Capitol Records, which created a much larger landscape for us. We were able to get enough exposure to be picked up by our next label, Cypress/A&M, run by Craig Sussman…
1989
The Clock and the Moon
Throughout 1988, I had been recording a bunch of pop demos I sang on, as to spotlight my abilities as a vocalist. Our new manager Steve Chapman played some of theses songs to Craig Sussman at Cypress/A&M. They offered me a solo record deal, so…
1990
Play Your Guitar For Me
Peter White and I had a deal as he states on his website “Skipper decided in 1988 to make a solo album I agreed to help him. In return I told him that if I ever decided to make a solo album…
1990
Blue September
Back at the ranch, Ed and I still had to deliver the follow-up to “The French Laundry,” Ed’s last effort with me. If we thought the pressure was tough after “Mr. Bongo,” it became rather unbearable recording “Blue September.”…
1991
Try Again Harry
This was the name of a new song I had written in the early part of 1991. I played it for Peter White along with the other songs some finished and some not. The direction was clear that this would be a departure from…
1992
From the Asylum
Peter and I were pleasantly surprised at the success of my vocal material that had been released in Europe. Our manager, Steve Chapman, encouraged us to follow this direction together, and in early 1992…
1993
My Red Jacket
In the middle of 1993, I started recording what we would become the seventh Windows record, “My Red Jacket.” My wife Sharon had found hidden away at her mother’s house an old little red coat that she owned when she was a child…
1995
Apples and Oranges
When the “Colour Club” album was released, Windows was still an active recording situation, as my deal was signed before the Colour Club contract was. JVC reluctantly allowed me to play out and fulfill my…
1996
A Funky Distinction
I have always been a big fan of baseball. Outside of music, it is my next passion. I played as kid all the time growing up in Los Angeles. Off in the morning during the summers, and back at night from playing at the local parks…