Mark Belaire, our “Keeper Of The Keys” for the past three years, is packing up and heading south. Opportunity (and a lot of hard work) will lead him and his family to sunny California. We wish Mark all the best in his new endeavours, and thank him profoundly for his beautiful, soulful, ass-kicking music. We also thank him for: his love and friendship through good times and hard times, his “Do It Till It’s Right” work ethic, his “Smile In The Face Of Adversity” positive attitude, his exuberance for life, his beautiful family, his brother and sonic partner, for bringing Papa Belaire to The Tank, for driving from The Triple Door to Issaquah and back during rush hour to get some gear that was left behind, for his piano, organ, harmonica, strings and voice, all of which made Random Manor a better band, playing better music. We have been lucky to have Mark aboard.

So long, Brother, but not goodbye. It has truly been an awesome ride!

Love and praises,

Don, Rick, Mark & Ronnie

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care…

2011 was, like Frank said, “a very good year”. The completion of our LP, “Big Dog Run”, with the release show at The Triple Door, was truly special. We thought it only fitting to bring forth some holiday cheer with a musical offering. With I at my pen and Rick at the dials (and orchestra!), we present “Favorite Year”. Mixed and mastered by Tom Hall. We wish you all the best this holiday season and look forward to the New Year!

Download and enjoy,

Don, Rick, Mark M., Ronnie & Mark B.

Along For The Ride is like a big smile to me and some lines of the lyric are like photographs of my life…a story of love found when love was not sought. I hope some of you can relate.

We’ve been playing this song for a long time. It was our closer at Ste. Michelle in ‘07 (2nd gig!). It was supposed to be on the first record but we were only doing 6 songs and it took a back seat. It’s a favorite on this one, however (Rick has the opening riff for his ringtone!) and was a blast to record.

We had some fun at The Shack tracking…the effect we used on the verse before the last chorus was a nod to Richard Dodd and Boz Scaggs. The vocal track was played through headphones that were mounted on a vocal mic and recorded to get that “far away” sound that fit so well with the track. I also put in a little guitar homage to Johnny Rivers (“The Poor Side Of Town”…great song!). Rick’s drums really lift the song up and Mark M’s bass has such a great feel…including a “Down Under” riff…care to guess? As always, Ronnie brings his sweet slide guitar and brother Mark B. delivers a truckload of soul on the organ. All tracks, save drums, recorded at The Shack.

Turn it up and get happy!

Next…Elizabeth and I do the math…

Till then,

Don

When we all gathered around for the background vocals, we were running late. Tom offered “you guys should just stay here tonight”. T.P. was into it, playing “air guitar” and lending his trademark vocal.

The next day we were done. The last band to record at The Tank with Tom. Ever.

Mark Belaire’s harp brings the feel up front and Ronnie’s slide lays down the Delta vibe. Rick and Mark M. give a rhythm section from somewhere down the river. The background vocal choir is nothin’ but love. I could listen to this song a thousand times and want a thousand more.

At the time I wrote this song, I wasn’t exactly sure what it was about. It came very quickly, and when that happens, I don’t ask a lot of questions…the road goes where it goes. At the end of the day, as they say, I came to realize the gift of this song and its true meaning.

Next up…”side two”…

Till then,

Don

Thanks to all for a truly wonderful night at The Triple Door for our long awaited CD release party. With a big full moon above the clouds and big vibe in the room, it was a time I did not want to end. The culmination of two years work…and more fun than I’ve ever had on stage. A band of brothers in the moment.

Thanks to the T-Door staff for all their help and we look forward to the next time.

See you all down the road,

Don

The drums were recorded at The Tank and all else at Random Manor Studios (aka: The Shack). I remember things getting a little LOUD during my guitar solo takes. Love the wah. Great “grind” on Mark B’s organ and a very cool fretless bass on the breakdown from Mark M. And, as always, a stellar mix from Tom Hall.

Since I wrote this song, there’s been a lot of water under the bridge, and a lot of other stuff, too (as Dylan said). Things change. Things stay the same. The world and its ways are a daily reminder that fair isn’t always fair. And the clock on the wall does not stop. A colleague of Tom Pfaeffle’s, speaking at his memorial, offered: We can do better. Tick tock, people.

Love and happiness,

Don

Rick and I actually recorded the basic for All The Way To Love at The Tank by ourselves, with Tom P. at the helm. We did this on a few songs…just Rick going for a drum take with me on guitar and a scratch vocal. The rest of the band tracks came later. We paired it down a bit from the extended live versions with a great mix by Tom Hall. While going through The Tank guitar takes, we found my solo, which I had done at the board with Tom P., as well as a bit TP had kept of me in between takes. These were blended in the final mix with a nice edit by RB. The drums really shine, as do Mark B’s keys/string parts…Ronnie’s soul-slide…Mark M’s brilliant bass…GREAT band track!

So, let the story be told. The boy who meets the girl who meets the boy…hold hands…and together, they wade in…

Next up…an old song gets a reprise.

Till then,

Don

Our good friend (and designer of our first EP) Kurt Reifschneider, has once again hit it out of the park for us with this cover for Big Dog Run. Many dogs were interviewed for the cover shot, and the finals came down to two, but this hound won the spot with his focused enthusiasm and vintage look. A paw print and a few bags of marrow bones sealed the deal.

We?ll be unveiling the hand-built package at our CD Release Party, Saturday August 13, 2011 at the Triple Door in Seattle. Tickets and info available from the Triple Door?s website here:

http://www.thetripledoor.net/Calendar/Events/August-2011/Random-Manor.aspx?date=2011-08-13

Hope to see you there!

Rick

We send our love to Clarence Clemons’ family and friends. His beautiful presence will be missed. Thanks, Big Man, for your powerful life.

RM

And…there’s more than a couple “nods” on this one, both musically and lyrically…anyone care to have a go at it?

Next up…down to the river, again, for…”The Story Of”…

Till then,

Don

And so, “Saved” was born…again. We had been playing it for a while before the Tank sessions. The first time Tom Pfaeffle heard the song live was in a little club. He was mixing and it was the closing tune. Tom always liked things a little loud, and people said that during that song, glasses were shaking on the bar. I asked him “So, how was it?”. “Spiritual”, he said.

It took me about an hour to finally let this one “burst out”. I started playing the lick and the song took its own shape. Sometimes I feel like I don’t have much to do with songwriting. I just make myself available. This one was a long time coming, but worth the wait. The mixing on this song took a long time, too. Tom Hall had many conversations and track file exchanges with his old friend Alan Yoshida, trying to get the bass guitar just right (Alan does Sir Paul’s mastering, among others). It was even mixed a second time before the final master. I love the band “feel”… the snare-like-a-cannon, the 12 string on the bridge, Ronnie’s slide (nod to Tom P. for “slide solo at the end” idea), the grinding keys, the just-right bass…everything, everything. At the end of the day, one of my favorites.

Besides, I had the inspiration. Like I’ve said: Sometimes…it takes a redhead. Amen.

Next time…we let it rain and ride a dream.

Till then,

Don

I’m going to start a regular blog that will take you through the songs of our new record. I’ll offer some insight to the writing, arranging and recording process. I look forward to sharing these stories. First out of the gate is “Saved”, where we will go down to that riverside…to the righteous waters of love, where you can go, and be…CHANGED!

Till then,

Don

Oh, Carol!

We are pleased to announce that Carol Tingstad has graciously agreed to handle Random Manor?s booking for the state of Washington. Next season we?re hoping that will spread a little further to include the whole Northwest and West Coast.

We?ve known about Carol for some time, running into her a couple of years back when playing as a three-piece at Finaghty?s Irish Pub on Snoqualmie Ridge, and again a couple of months ago while seeing our good friend (and former bandmate) guitar-slinger Paul Schille and bass-man pal Ray Neyens playing with Chance McKinney and Crosswire at the Triple Door in Seattle.

We are thrilled at the opportunity to work with her, and are looking forward to playing wherever she sends us!

Big Dog Run is named after the title track, it being the only track recorded in its entirety at The Tank. One night after a long session, we were in the control room with Tom, listening to the days? work, murdering a pint or two and just, well?kickin? back. We felt good, and apparently still felt like playing, so Tom threw up the faders and out we went. What you hear on this track is what happened, the only overdub was the gang-land backing vocal track; all of us standing in a circle around a mic singing ?hey, hey, hey? and ?watch that big dog run?. If I remember right, Tom would hit the record button and then run out into the studio to sing with us?no one in the control room! It was fun. It was also Rick?s very first recorded backup vocal track. That, my friends, is scarier than you may know.

So now, we wrap up the CD design, print up a couple million of these things, get all this web-stuff synched up, and it?s giggin time. We?ll keep you posted, I promise.

?09 was a beauty and it was a beast, and it?s fadin? fast. The loss of our dear friend Tom Pfaeffle runs deep, and its echoes will remain with us. His inspiration, guidance and love will, too. We?re moving forward with Tom on board.

We wish all of you the best in the New Year and would like to thank you for your continued support.

There will be a new full length record this Spring which we are in the midst of recording at an undisclosed location (a stealth move to avoid the Black Helicopters and Paparazzi). We won?t sleep ?til it?s done. And when it is, we?ll saddle up the road show for your enjoyment.

Until then, eyes straight ahead and hands on the wheel.

Don, Mark M, Rick, Mark B, and Ronnie

Tom Pfaeffle - Friday, July 17, 2009, Sun Mountain Lodge, 8:22 pm
Godspeed, Tom. Things are going to sound a lot better in Heaven.

TERRY?S SONG © Bruce Springsteen

Well they built the Titanic to be one of a kind,
but many ships have ruled the seas
They built the Eiffel Tower to stand alone,
but they could build another if they please
Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Egypt, are unique I suppose
But when they built you, brother, they broke the mold

Now the world is filled with many wonders under the passing sun
And sometimes something comes along and you know it?s for sure the only one
The Mona Lisa, the David, the Sistine Chapel, Jesus, Mary, and Joe
And when they built you, brother, they broke the mold

When they built you, brother, they turned dust into gold
When they built you, brother, they broke the mold

They say you can?t take it with you, but I think that they?re wrong
?Cause all I know is I woke up this morning, and something big was gone
Gone into that dark ether where you?re still young and hard and cold
Just like when they built you, brother, they broke the mold
Now your death is upon us and we?ll return your ashes to the earth
And I know you?ll take comfort in knowing you?ve been roundly blessed and cursed
But love is a power greater than death, just like the songs and stories told
And when she built you, brother, she broke the mold

That attitude?s a power stronger than death, alive and burning her stone cold
When they built you, brother

Love you, Brother.
Don, Rick, Mark M., Ronnie & Mark B.

Back in October of ?03, Bass-man Mark and I went to see Shelby Lynne at one of the first shows ever at The T-Door. We were blown away by everything about the place, and of course, Ms Lynne. I was starting to think about playing music again and, sitting at our table, mentioned to Mark that I had just strung up my old guitar for the first time in a dozen or so years. He said something like ?I?ve been waiting a long time for this?let?s play!?. As I began to rediscover my joy of singing, songwriting and playing guitar, one thing led to another, and a couple years later, Rick B, Mark and I were back at it, like we never left. And before we know it, we?re actually playing at The Triple Door. Funny how the wheels turn and time moves?

?So it was a fitting place to unveil the new lineup with not one, but two brothers Belaire. Ronnie B. made his debut in fine form with great slide guitar, mandolin and ?cherry on top? harmony vocals. So good to have you aboard, Ronnie! Brother Mark kickin? it on the keys again and soon to let loose his soulful harmonica in the mix. It was a packed house and the set went by all too quickly but from the first twang of Gone By The Wayside to the last crunch of Saved, the band was ON. It was so good that I started to get a little ?lost in the moment? and when I tried to collect my thoughts, the only thing I could say over the mic was ?This is so cool?. It wasn?t hard to tell that we all felt the same way, and I know we can?t wait to play there again!

We?re heading back to The Tank to record the new record, which just might include a live track from The Triple Door!

Stay tuned and we?ll see you all the next time.

Many Thanks,

Don

Sometimes it happens like that. A nice big stage, great monitors and the time to tweak ?em, an exceptional sound engineer and an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.

It had been a Long Way Back (pun intended) to the Showbox for a couple of us; Don and I had played there in the 80?s. We, and the room have come a long way since then!

We took to that stage as a five-piece band. It was the first time we?ve played that configuration since the Hellacious Heat of the Tom Petty gigs last summer at the Gorge. This particular time we unveiled our new keyboard player; the hard-working, positive-attitude-packing Mr. Mark Belaire. With only a few full-band rehearsals under his belt, Mark just plain nailed it?big ol? Hammond organ sound, a whip-snappin? whorehouse piano, and some damn fine backup singing; welcome aboard, Mark!

But he wasn?t the only one. ?Melvado? Mandville, our multitasking pedal steel/mandolin/guitar player, was in fine form as well, covering myriad parts on all them strings and workin? his new look like America?s Next Top Model. It?s not just his name, folks; it?s a lifestyle. Special thanks to Mel?s lovely girlfriend Trisha for the ?Mansformation?!

Now, I love playing as a three-piece; with Don and Mark it?s lean and mean and we can easily turn on a dime if we want to. But when we get all five going, it?s just a different beast?you can?t beat it when we?re all synched up, ripping along at full flight?not to mention that fullness that two additional players bring to the mix. The crowd joined in the joy and together we blew through the 45 minute set in the blink of an eye.

I think we opened some eyes that night. Seriously positive feedback from the crowd, the bands that shared the bill with us, hell?even the promoter! We?ve already booked another date with him at the Showbox Sodo for March 27, and you can bet yer arse, all five of us will be there.

We hope you are, too!

Cheers,
Rick

Fun spot, great food and TATER TOTS! Someone (who shall remain nameless) said they were just Mexi-Fries. Blasphemy, I say!

We enjoyed sharing the evening with Sourmash Stevedores (J.D.?s entire fan-tee-clad family lent their enthusiasm) and Joel Tipke, who thanked all of his neighbors for coming out, then announced the rule that their presence required them to like his performance.

Thanks to all who came from near and far; especially the bunch from Everett, who had seen the band at the Gorge last summer. We had a great set (it?s always over too soon) and look forward to our next opportunity to light it up at The Skylark. Meanwhile, light your rocket for these upcoming Random Meanderings:

Feb. 2nd: Youngstown PAC, W. Seattle - 7:00 (Live rehearsal/Free!/All ages!/Free parking!)

Feb. 6th: Showbox Market, Seattle - 8:00 (Come early!)

Feb. 14th: Finaghty?s Irish Pub in Snoqualmie with the joyous lads in Funk Mason ? 9:00 (where better to spend Valentine?s Day than an Irish pub?)