Land of the Bottom Line
Encyclopedia
Land of the Bottom Line is the second album
by contemporary folk
singer-songwriter
John Gorka
. The album was also Gorka's major label debut for High Street Records
/Windham Hill Records
. The album was highly acclaimed by critics at the time, and continues to be cited by some as Gorka's finest work. The album's fifteen tracks and near hour-long length also provided an unusually large amount of music for a recording of that era. As Sing Out!
editor Mark Moss noted in a review, the topics covered run "the gamut of John's favorite subjects: love, hard luck, local characters, and more."
Production:
Artwork:
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by contemporary folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
John Gorka
John Gorka
John Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
. The album was also Gorka's major label debut for High Street Records
High Street Records
High Street Records was a subsidiary label of Windham Hill Records from about 1990 to 1997. Notable acts who recorded for the label include John Gorka, Pierce Pettis, Patty Larkin, The Subdudes, and Dots Will Echo...
/Windham Hill Records
Windham Hill Records
Windham Hill Records is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment specializing in Acoustic, New Age and Folk music. Originally founded in 1976 as an Independent record label by guitarist and carpenter William Ackerman and his then-wife Anne Robinson, Windham Hill was a successful and well-respected...
. The album was highly acclaimed by critics at the time, and continues to be cited by some as Gorka's finest work. The album's fifteen tracks and near hour-long length also provided an unusually large amount of music for a recording of that era. As Sing Out!
Sing Out!
Sing Out! is a quarterly journal of folk music and folk songs that has been published since May 1950.-Background:Sing Out! is the primary publication of the tax exempt, not-for-profit, educational corporation of the same name...
editor Mark Moss noted in a review, the topics covered run "the gamut of John's favorite subjects: love, hard luck, local characters, and more."
Track listing
- "Land of the Bottom Line" (Gorka) – 3:35
- "Armed with a Broken Heart" (Gorka) – 3:30
- "Raven in the Storm" (BartleyGeoff BartleyGeoff Bartley is an American acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter whose musical style combines roots, blues, jazz, and traditional folk. He began performing in 1969 and lives in the Boston area. He can be seen every Monday night hosting an open mic night at in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
, Gorka) – 3:16 - "The One That Got Away" (Gorka) – 3:45
- "Full of Life" (Gorka) – 3:16
- "Stranger in My Driver's Seat" (Gorka) – 3:35
- "The Sentinel" (Gorka) – 3:59
- "Dream Street" (Gorka) – 3:15
- "Mean Streak" (Gorka) – 2:35
- "Italian Girls" (Gorka) – 5:46
- "Jailbirds in the Bighouse" (Gorka) – 3:52
- "Promnight in Pigtown" (Gorka) – 3:22
- "I Saw a Stranger With Your Hair" (Gorka) – 4:01
- "Love Is Our Cross to Bear" (Gorka) – 4:44
- "That's How Legends Are Made" (Gorka) – 4:44
Personnel
Musicians: (see individual song listings below)Production:
- Produced – Bill KollarBill KollarWilliam Wallace "Bill" Kollar was a National Football League defensive lineman from 1974 through 1981. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 17 years. He has coached the Defensive Line of the Rams, Falcons and Bills...
- Recorded/Mixed – Bill Kollar at London By Night Productions, Woodbridge, New Jersey
- Assembled – Rhonda Schoen at Sterling Sound, New York, New York
- Mastered – Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
at Sterling Sound, New York, New York, using the AUDIO AUTOMATION MUSE CONSOLE - Arrangements – Janice Kollar
- Strings and English Horn written and arranged by Bill & Janice Kollar
Artwork:
- Concept and Art Direction – Anne RobinsonAnne RobinsonAnne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
- Graphic design – Candace Upman
- Photography – Ann Marsden
- Photo printing – Myrslava Dziuk
Songs
- "Land of the Bottom Line"
- Gorka first recorded the song for a 1984 issue of Fast Folk Musical Magazine (FF 103, March 1984)
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Bill KollarBill KollarWilliam Wallace "Bill" Kollar was a National Football League defensive lineman from 1974 through 1981. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 17 years. He has coached the Defensive Line of the Rams, Falcons and Bills...
– electric guitar - Kevin Jenkins – bass
- Marshal Rosenberg – conga
- Janice Kollar – congas, salt shaker, vox voices, & harmony vocals
- Tommy WestTommy West-External links:* *...
– harmony vocals
- John Gorka
- "Armed with a Broken Heart"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Michael Blair – Chinese drum
- Claudia SchmidtClaudia SchmidtClaudia Schmidt is a musician, originally from New Baltimore, Michigan, who has recorded folk, jazz, blues, and spoken word albums. She plays guitar and Appalachian dulcimer and sings. She has appeared numerous times on the radio program, A Prairie Home Companion. She has recorded with Paul...
– harmony vocals - Barry MitterhoffBarry MitterhoffBarry Mitterhoff is a musician who plays mandolin. He is a former member of Skyline and Silk City, and current member of Hot Tuna.Mitterhoff is also known for contributing to movie soundtracks, including You've Got Mail and O Brother, Where Art Thou?. His work on the latter film, unfortunately,...
– mandolin
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Raven in the Storm"
- The lyrics to Raven in the storm were co-written with Geoff BartleyGeoff BartleyGeoff Bartley is an American acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter whose musical style combines roots, blues, jazz, and traditional folk. He began performing in 1969 and lives in the Boston area. He can be seen every Monday night hosting an open mic night at in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
. The two artist also collaborate on the song "Mystery to Me" which appeared years later on Gorka's Out of the ValleyOut of the ValleyOut of the Valley is a 1994 album by contemporary folk singer-songwriter John Gorka. This is Gorka's fifth album and unlike the previous four recorded in various places in the northeastern United States, Out of the Valley was recorded at Imagine Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee...
. - There have been a number of artists to cover this song:
- Mary BlackMary BlackMary Black is an Irish singer. She is well known as an interpreter of both folk and contemporary material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland, and in many other parts of the world....
, on her album, Circus (1995 Grapevine) - Ten Sugar Coffee on their Addicted (1998 Huge Secret)
- The John Wright Band, on Language of the Heart (2001 Greentrax)
- Mary Black
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Chuck LoebChuck LoebChuck Loeb is a guitarist who performs numerous styles of music, most notably jazz. Loeb's own solo projects have generally been commercially successful crossover jazz, which has "contemporary" or "smooth" jazz....
– electric guitar - Elliott RandallElliott RandallElliott Randall is an American guitarist, most known for being a session musician with popular artists. Randall has played the well-known guitar solos from Steely Dan's hit "Reelin' in the Years" and Fame. Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has reputedly said that Randall's solo on...
– electric guitar - Bill KollarBill KollarWilliam Wallace "Bill" Kollar was a National Football League defensive lineman from 1974 through 1981. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 17 years. He has coached the Defensive Line of the Rams, Falcons and Bills...
– electric guitar - Marshal Rosenberg – bongos
- Janice Kollar – heartbeat, snare, cowbell, & shaker
- John Gorka
- The lyrics to Raven in the storm were co-written with Geoff Bartley
- "The One That Got Away"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
– harmony volcals
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Full of Life"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Janice Kollar – accordion, harmony vocals, & tambourine
- Michael Blair – Uru, clay drum, klangobjete, & shaker
- Claudia SchmidtClaudia SchmidtClaudia Schmidt is a musician, originally from New Baltimore, Michigan, who has recorded folk, jazz, blues, and spoken word albums. She plays guitar and Appalachian dulcimer and sings. She has appeared numerous times on the radio program, A Prairie Home Companion. She has recorded with Paul...
– harmony vocals - Joe AscioneJoe AscioneJoe Ascione is an American jazz drummer.Ascione began playing drums at age 2. His parents bought him his first drum set at age 4, and he was playing professionally by the time he was 12. As a teenager, he served as a roadie for Buddy Rich...
– bass drum
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Stranger in My Driver's Seat"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Elliott RandallElliott RandallElliott Randall is an American guitarist, most known for being a session musician with popular artists. Randall has played the well-known guitar solos from Steely Dan's hit "Reelin' in the Years" and Fame. Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has reputedly said that Randall's solo on...
– electric guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Janice Kollar – bass drum & keyboards
- Michael Blair – spox, crasher
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "The Sentinel"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Marsha Heller – English horn
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Dream Street"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Chuck LoebChuck LoebChuck Loeb is a guitarist who performs numerous styles of music, most notably jazz. Loeb's own solo projects have generally been commercially successful crossover jazz, which has "contemporary" or "smooth" jazz....
– electric guitar - Janice Kollar – bass drum, punching bag, gravel shaker, conga & harmony vocals
- Shawn COlvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
– harmony vocals - Tommy WestTommy West-External links:* *...
– harmony vocals
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Mean Streak"
- Gorka's liner notes read, "'Mean Streak' is dedicated to Cliff EberhardtCliff EberhardtCliff Eberhardt is an American folk singer-songwriter. He is a founding member of the Fast Folk Music Cooperative in New York City. Eberhardt joined Red House Records in 1997 and has recorded five albums for the label, the most recent in 2009, 500 Miles: The Blue Rock Sessions...
and his bad attitude." - Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Kefin Jenkins – bass
- Janice Kollar – bass drum, shotgun, & cowbell
- Bill KollarBill KollarWilliam Wallace "Bill" Kollar was a National Football League defensive lineman from 1974 through 1981. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 17 years. He has coached the Defensive Line of the Rams, Falcons and Bills...
– crasher - Vic Colucci – lead bass
- John Gorka
- Gorka's liner notes read, "'Mean Streak' is dedicated to Cliff Eberhardt
- "Italian Girls"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Timothy Pitt – acoustic guitar
- Frank VignolaFrank VignolaFrank Vignola is an American jazz guitarist.Vignola began on guitar at age five. While he never listened to jazz exclusively, he has a wide range of influences, such as Les Paul, Eddie Van Halen and Frank Zappa. He later studied at the Cultural Arts Center of Long Island...
– electric guitar - Eugene FriesenEugene FriesenEugene Friesen is an American cellist and composer.Friesen is a graduate of the Yale School of Music. He has been a member of the Paul Winter Consort since 1978, and performs with Howard Levy and Glen Velez as Trio Globo...
– cello
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Jailbirds in the Bighouse"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Chuck LoebChuck LoebChuck Loeb is a guitarist who performs numerous styles of music, most notably jazz. Loeb's own solo projects have generally been commercially successful crossover jazz, which has "contemporary" or "smooth" jazz....
– electric guitar - Janice Kollar – drums, percussion, keyboards, & harmony vocals
- Claudia SchmidtClaudia SchmidtClaudia Schmidt is a musician, originally from New Baltimore, Michigan, who has recorded folk, jazz, blues, and spoken word albums. She plays guitar and Appalachian dulcimer and sings. She has appeared numerous times on the radio program, A Prairie Home Companion. She has recorded with Paul...
– harmony vocals
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "Promnight in Pigtown"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Barry Mittenhoff – mandolin
- Kenny Cosek – violin
- Michael Blair – marching drum, cymbals, & klangobjekte
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
- "I Saw a Stranger With Your Hair"
- "I Saw a Stranger with Your Hair" is one of two songs that previously appeared on Gorka's debut album for Red House RecordsRed House RecordsRed House Records is an American independent record label specializing in folk music and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.The label was originally created in 1981 by Greg Brown as a method to distribute his own music, and is named for a farmhouse in Iowa where he was living...
, I Know at the request of Will Ackerman. - Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals, harmony vocals, & acoustic guitar - Eugene FriesenEugene FriesenEugene Friesen is an American cellist and composer.Friesen is a graduate of the Yale School of Music. He has been a member of the Paul Winter Consort since 1978, and performs with Howard Levy and Glen Velez as Trio Globo...
– cello - Kenny Cosek – violin
- Vic Colucci – bass
- Janice Kollar – keyboards & harmony vocals
- Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
– harmony vocals - Tommy WestTommy West-External links:* *...
– harmony vocals
- John Gorka
- "I Saw a Stranger with Your Hair" is one of two songs that previously appeared on Gorka's debut album for Red House Records
- "Love Is Our Cross to Bear"
- This is the other song re-recorded by Gorka that originally appeared on I Know.
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals & acoustic guitar - Chuck LoebChuck LoebChuck Loeb is a guitarist who performs numerous styles of music, most notably jazz. Loeb's own solo projects have generally been commercially successful crossover jazz, which has "contemporary" or "smooth" jazz....
– electric guitar
- John Gorka
- "That's How Legends Are Made"
- Musicians:
- John GorkaJohn GorkaJohn Gorka is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."-Biography:...
– vocals & acoustic guitar - Vic Colucci – bass
- Timothy Pitt – acoustic guitar
- Barry Mittenhoff – mandolin
- Michael Blair – shaker
- John Gorka
- Musicians:
External links
- Land of the Bottom Line page at the official John Gorka website (lyrics & audio samples)
- [ Land of the Bottom Line entry] at Allmusic