Welcome to the official home of Michael Frazier, Oregon Songwriter. This is the place to listen to original songs featuring acoustic guitar, flute and vocals. All the lyrics are here, as well as links to purchase CD's and contact Michael. Learn about Michael, his musical history and check on recent News.
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Musical History of Michael Frazier Oregon Singer Songwriter - The Root 24 Era
Notes from the Musical History of Michael Frazier, Oregon Singer Songwriter - The Root 24 Era
For the next year I hibernated in the Root Cellar and continued to work on my songwriting. In the Spring of 1991 Tim Lamberson and I got together again, both really needing the musical contact and outlet again. We attempted to record some stuff on Korpita's old 4 track reel to reel Dokorder but it finally bought the farm. We were both writing new original songs and had the recording bug. Tim bought a 4 track cassette recorder and next thing we knew, we were putting together a cassette album. Tim played drums, added percussion and some keyboards - bass, strings, melody lines, that sort of thing. I played acoustic guitar, flute, some percussion and both of us did the vocal tracks. Tim did the art work, of course and it was great fun and a new beginning. Keeping the Carrot theme, we named ourselves ROOT 24.
Album art for the cassette recording Out Of The Root Cellar from Root 24 - Tim Lamberson and Michael Frazier
As much as we totally enjoyed the Out of The Root Cellar project we still missed the full band sound and decided to do another project hoping to incorporate some other musicians. Not necessarily to form a band but get a fuller sound on some of our tunes. Tim invited a friend, Brian Vaughan, who played some bass. We coached him through the pieces and kept the recorder running. I discovered Bill Parker, the mandolin player for One Red Dog and he spiced up a few tunes with his talent. Brett Groh was a member of Sky Train and I knew him from my college days when he had played with Tim Korpita. He added the electric leads in his signature blues style. Michael Murphy added some percussion via his homemade electronic drum trigger kit. Tim's sister Debbie added harmony vocals on a few tunes. Once again Tim played drums, keyboards, percussion and some xylophone. I stuck with acoustic guitar, flute and added some harmonica and percussion. We titled this collection Carrot Stew.
Album art for the cassette recording Carrot Stew from Root 24 - Tim Lamberson and Michael Frazier
Almost before we finished the Carrot Stew project , we started the next one. An improved Brian Vaughan was back on bass and Brett Groh added lead guitar. I connected with another college acquaintance in Gil Reynolds, at a birthday party, and soon he and his partner Thom Warren were tossing lead guitar parts back and forth. I discovered Tom Parsons working at the neighborhood grocery store and he assumed the keyboard duties. Tim and I did all the recording, production and mix down as well as our usual instruments and vocals. As with the past two efforts, the album featured songs from each of us and there was more art from Tim and an album liner cover contribution by his mother Betty. More great times! More Carrot tunes!
Album art for the cassette recording Root Bound from Root 24 - Tim Lamberson and Michael Frazier
Brian Vaughan
Next up, Carrots-R-Wild. Gil and Thom had become regulars and wanted to do a project. This album featured songs from 4 writers; Tim, Gil, Thom and myself. Tom Parsons returned with his stylish keyboard fills and backgrounds, Brian played most of the bass, Michael Murphy added his tasty percussion and we added a saxophone in one Norm Walters. This was a particular treat for me, I had always wanted to hear some sax solos on my songs and this was my first opportunity. Gil took the photos and Willys Peters and Tim teamed up for the cover art. Gil and Thom wanted to do some higher profile gigs and we spent a lot of time rehearsing. The lack of outcomes began to take it's toll and after one appearance at Key Largo in Portland for a showcase there was another disbanding.
Thom Warren
Gil Reynolds
Norm Walters
Album art for the cassette recording Out Of The Carrots-R-Wild from Root 24 - Tim Lamberson and Michael Frazier
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