Fundamentals

1. Desert Son 4:48

2. Brand New Day 4:03

3. Come With Me 3:18

4. Going Off The Air 1:46

5. Spontaneous Combustion 3:35

6. Combustion Coda 2:19

7. See Me Through 4:52

8. Set Me Free 5:08

9. Eleventh House 7:12

10. Heart’s Eye 4:46

11. Wonderlogue 3:42

12. So Far 4:51

13. Seven Rites 6:28

14. All Who Sing 4:58

15. The Reign 4:27

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

(all songs c.2011 USA SoundChaser / GStephens)

(all guitars, keyboards, bass, vocals, synthesizers and programmable instruments played, recorded, and mixed by Gary Stephens in a small basement in Lincoln Nebraska at all hours of the night with stores of chocolate chips and fresh coffee, except as otherwise noted below. Special Thanks to Dan Thompson, Krissy Kirby, Erica Klemsz, Emily Matney, Mike Matney, Mike Hartman, John Sens, and very special Thanks to “DJ” for your superb vocal efforts, without all of you these songs could not be where they are. Software used includes Patchmix, Reaper, Toontrack Superior Drummer 2, SonikSynth, SampleTank, Latigo, Pianoteq, Cakewalk Dimension Pro, Uberschall Liquid Instruments, Kjaerhus, Izotope Ozone, BBE,Melodyne, all running on a homemade dual core Win7 machine. Hardware gear includes 1616m-pci, Soundcraft pres, mics from AKG, Heil, Audio Technica, Shure, and Sennheiser, 1994 MIA Fender Strat and Ibanez AM78T semi hollow with Fender and DiMarzio pups, 1984 Ovation, 1962 Reissue Fender Jazz bass, Yamaha KX88 controller, Boss, BBE, CmatMods, Monte Allums mods, Pedalhacker mods, Analogman mods, Badger FX, Damage Control, Digitech, Frenzel 5E3 Deluxe and HBX-WC30 from Jim Frenzel Tube Amps in Dallas Texas, and an assortment of the finest speakers made anywhere in the world from Ted Weber Vintage Sound Technology in Kokomo Indiana, plus a couple of Tone Tubbys. I would like to gratefully and thankfully acknowledge my wife Penny’s patience and tolerance of all the strange and loud late night noises I’ve made in this tone quest, and the tireless expert sound chasing assistance from my two best music engineering assistants Maggie G. Dawg and Zebulon Dogboy Pike! It’s all God’s music, all I did was render it audible!)

DESERT SON

Son of God I’m going to Arizona

Got a midnight ticket in my hand

Son of God I live that I could know you

You let me see your light in all the land

Son of God the hearts in us adore you

I know you’re coming back to lead our band

Son of God I wish that I could hold you

You always keep me right here in your hand

Going down to sunny Arizona

Going down to old Mexico

Gonna find where true love can take me

Gonna start on my new soul

Son of God my heart’s in Arizona

I know that you will guide our destiny

Son of God I remember how life shows you

And I know that you’ll remember me

Son of God I wanna keep you near me

You always come and take my fears away

Son of God I know that you endear me

Your light will shine forever on our days

Note: (written by Tom Stephens and Gary Stephens, vocals by Dan Thompson, Mike and Emily Matney) Inspired originally by a very dear friend of Tom’s, this is a light hearted story (my version of the lyrics) about following a longing and a call to travel to the desert southwest, hopefully to learn more about what true love really means and how beautiful life can be. Chad and Angel, I pray that you are both well and thriving in God’s blessings in beautiful Arizona.

BRAND NEW DAY

I’m living life just for today

I know for me that love is the only way

Don’t let a hidden feeling push you away

Our song is growing strong like night become the day

Though I’m going on my lonely way

To you there are no words I cannot say

Even though I leave your side you show the way

My stormy clouds thoughts of you blow away

And though we know the day may come when we must say

Goodbye to all our sorrow ‘cuz when we’re away

The hard times slip away bad memories cannot stay

Good memories have the power of a brand new day

Up at the break of day you outshine the sun

Gold locks flow through the morning from that pretty one

You are the treasure and from heaven you did come

Grownups alike with little ones to you will run

Note: This is a simple rock ballad love song dedicated to my wife. She is a true blessing and a treasure, a real gift from above. Sometimes our lives may seem lonely and our true feelings may not show on the outside. Don’t let a cool outer countenance turn you away from knowing a friend or loving a mate. Acceptance, understanding and building is the key to true friendship and enduring love. The best way to know another person is to understand what he or she believes. And always remember that the best things in life are usually simpler than we know.

COME WITH ME

Come with me boys and girls

For in His eyes you are the pearls

Of Love and Music

Come with me everyone

For in my life there is a Son

Of Love and Music

Note: It doesn’t get any simpler than this. This is the simplest composition I have musically, and is merely an invitation to come and explore life in the adoring eyes of a living God and His Son who created us. This is the very first song I ever wrote on guitar, sitting on the back porch with a Flying V and no electricity after a high school dance. If any of these songs would be considered “formula” by commercial definitions, this is it.

Trilogy: (1) Going Off The Air; (2) Spontaneous Combustion; (3) SC Coda Jam

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Heavy to bear nobody cares I’m falling

Hurting I fear I cannot hear Him calling

I won’t get to say it but would you please pray it I’m stalling

What you see in me

Jesus is near always hears my yearning

Written in red that’s what He said I’m turning

I won’t get to say it but everyone’s praying I’m learning

What you see in me

He is the Word haven’t you heard forgiving

Father will say He is the way for living

Oh we can all say it and we can all pray it He’s giving

What you see in me

Note: (vocals by Emily Matney, Going Off The Air trombone by John Sens) The three songs go together as a trilogy, Going Off The Air, Spontaneous Combustion, and the Combustion Coda jam. Going Off The Air is a prologue tune that reminds me of late night when the local tv station would sign off, with hints of The Honeymooners and some late night blues. It’s the time after midnight when we really started showing our youthful lack of direction and experimenting with ideas, which lends to the try this, try that feel of this tune. Spontaneous Combustion is a mini circle of life, if you will. Starts out dark and uncertain, then we hear a message or a call and pangs of hunger strike our hearts like a bell. In the end we can come to realize there is a better way. Appreciate those around you who pray for you and serve others, especially if you don’t know who they are! Let others see what is in you and in your heart so that they, too, may seek. Followed up by a more organized and directional jam that congeals into a musical focus.

SEE ME THROUGH

Night is hiding faces are waiting

Little boy the faces are praying

Hear a bell she soon will be saying

Can you say what He will be praying

Can you hear Him calling

Can you tell me who

Heaven may be calling

See me through...

Mother Mary starry night fading

Pale before the light of her baby

Hear the Saviour Son of God saying

Can you say what He will be praying

Do you know the Nazarene who can save me

Peter saw Him walk the sea He will save me

I am but the least of these He will save me

He is coming back a King He will save me

Save me, save me, see me through...

Note: (vocals by Emily Matney, Mike Matney,harmony vocals by Gary) Ya know, in a way this is almost a Christmas song, even though it may not have a holiday ring to it. Just a brief outline of the birth of a very special baby who would one day come to lead the nations. Perhaps Mary really did know!

SET ME FREE

Lights in the sky say I told you

In the Son I’ll find a new way

Heaven only knows what I will never know

Hiding in the night of every day

You free your heart when I behold you

From your heart my eyes would not stray

Set me free with open arms I’ll never go

Forever more my love for you I’ll give away

Note: (Who would have thought the harmonica could be that hard to get right? Thanks to Penny for requisitioning the harps!) Talk about riddles! How can anyone look at the lights in the night sky and not sense the deafening whisper of God? Even the stars cry out, “I told you!” True love sets you free, and then you never want to leave. It becomes pure and free choice at that point, exactly the way God would have it. Believe and you will be shown!

ELEVENTH HOUSE

She was to bear the Holy one

All in Love was said and done

She only knew the King would come

To be the Son a Holy Son

A Love of One

He was to be the only One

All in Love was said and done

He only knew the world would come

To see the Son a Holy Son

A Love of One

Note: (A very special Thank You to our Texas friend DJ for a superb and extraordinary vocal track. DJ was kind enough to hit the high notes with emotion and power, then send the track back to me over Al Gore’s internet to be mixed back into my music bed here in Nebraska. Many tried and DJ really made it happen! What a gifted talent!) What a paradox. This started as a concept to respond to some acquaintances who were preaching astrology, hence the title. But the only real truth I can see coming from the stars in heaven is the Holy Son of God, the One, the Great I Am. This is a concept piece which would have been known back in the 70’s as “album oriented rock” with an extended “concert arrangement” guitar sermon in the middle.

HEART’S EYE

I have a lady in my heart’s eye

And you should know you are the fire in my life

‘Cuz I’ve been a glow with you

I don’t comprehend the reason why

But I trust it to be right

If you really think I’m not the one

To share a love with you

I’m going to walk that extra mile

I found out a long time ago

What a woman’s love could do

Knowing that I will stay a while

To share a love with you

I’m going to walk that extra mile

Note: Another simple love song for that very special lady in your life. Our loved ones need to be acknowledged and lifted up. Give credit where it’s due and be not afraid of surrender to the greatest of all causes. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”(1 Corinthians 13) Someone has gone the extra distance for you.

WONDERLOGUE

Do you see a world where everyone

Is looking for the love that they all say

Is waiting for the ones who ask the giving

So sad they find it doesn’t work that way

In pain some turn to frightening or to killing

In sorrow one may take his life away

When will the fighting burning everybody

Stop on a dime and Love just take the reigns

Love will guide us to that paradise

That’s hidden in us all by our own fear

The joy will turn to frighten off the killing

The Saviour reigns throughout the universe

Note: (vocal by Krissy Kirby) This originated from a day dream I had in which I had a dialogue with Stevie Wonder, hence the title. I tried to phrase the words in the spirit of how Stevie Wonder seemed to write his song lyrics, with a syntax that might border on a Yoda impression today. When I grew up the most popular theme of the day was putting an end to wars and violence and flushing out political hypocrisy. Artists like Stevie Wonder, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Chicago were not afraid to publicize these themes to the world in their music. The whole world was indeed watching during the 1968 police riots in Chicago, the horrible stigma of Kent State in Ohio, and the corruption that was the Vietnam war. Only one King can truly save man from himself.

SO FAR

I am weary, I feel alone

The past is growing longer

Looking for the lines, justify the time

I can be broken, I am not whole

My soul fills with hunger

Nowhere is at home

So far from the goal

Then I see the passion and the ransom paid forever

Owe my freedom to the grace your Love has made

And I believe

You are the way, You are so true, You are my life

I am not afraid, For You know my name!

Now I know there is a name

Now I know you never change

Now I know my life will never be the same

I tell you there is hope and I will pray

We believe

There is power

God is above

Carry the seeker

So far home

Note: (vocals by Dan Thompson and Erica Klemsz) On Easter Sunday 2000 my best friends’ brother took his own life. The impact, for better or worse, is still being felt and the healing is never complete in this life. Not one day goes by that we don’t think about Rick and miss his humor, his loyalty, and his down to earth intelligence. We pray that we will meet him again, even if it means his brother will punch him in the mouth before he hugs him and invites him to a feast. I’m sure Rick will understand. One day in 2008 I was unexpectedly laid off from my job, but instead of going into panic mode I decided to let go and let God. During the 10 weeks I was unemployed I sat at the piano for several hours each day until I had this song worked out. Then I sat several more hours each night humming along with the piano track to let the inspiration for these words come to my heart. This is a song for Rick but the words are about me. More so than any other song I have, this song is autobiographical. As we get older, how do we justify what we have done with the time we are given? Where truly is our home? What is the real price and source of freedom? And who among us truly understands grace enough to become it? Can you find the strength to embrace hope no matter what the odds? What will you believe when you realize the power of God has been carrying you so far? How many miles behind you are there only one set of footprints?

SEVEN RITES

Nights and days

Planet space

Ocean place

And you

Moon and sun

Salmon swan

Lion fawn

And you

Note: a straightforward song that parallels the story of creation, six days and six lines that go together....and then there is you!

ALL WHO SING

In the darkest hour waning shimmers hope for all who sing

Father give us a redeemer Son of God and Holy King

On a road where we lay fallen our weary burden bear

Jesus in your mercy clothe us humble grace bay joyful prayer

Give us true life eternal we believe in the Lamb

Holy savior begotten Morning Star and Son of Man

Give us true life eternal we believe in the Lamb

We confess our devotion bring peace to every hand

When we take the precious journey when the walk seems long and cold

You will give us rest and comfort by the story you unfold

In the final day of longing when the faithful you will call

We anoint you with our blessings Son of God we give You all

We sing out we praise you we sing of the Lamb

We anoint you we love You bring peace to every hand

Note: (vocals feature my friend from old, the extremely gifted Mike Hartman! Mixed by Mike, with special thanks for his hard work!) I wanted to write a song of hope, with a feel and a motion that could be followed by a crowd singing together. It would be fun to hear a congregation sing this!

THE REIGN

All alone apostles all are lain

Far from home prayer not in vain

Soon to come one deny His name

Hear the drum bind him in a chain

Man alone hear the rant and rave

Man of Rome in to anger gave

Holy soul silver has betrayed

Father go forgive the soul to save

Father know the humble and the brave

We alone made it worth the pain

He alone endured for us to gain

He alone wash away the stain

Roll the stone He rises once again

Heart a home He rises once again

Note: (harmony vocals by Emily Matney) This is an Easter song that summarizes the days leading up to the crucifixion. These words were written as I watched scenes from the movie The Passion of the Christ.