Key West Music And Happenings: All The Best From Key West

The music on this album was entirely inspired and written, in Key West and the Florida Keys, collectively known as The Conch Republic, of which Key West is the capital. In my opinion, this is the best place to live in the world and for those who can't live here, it's the most incredible place to visit. The testimony to that is I am so fortunate to see them every year when they come for their vacations, often on more than one visit!

I've lived here for a dozen years and the songs on this album were all inspired by people, many of whom are specific, events, and places I've been! Anyone who's been here, be it a visit, or living, will tell you that one will bump into the most interesting people here and see the most beautiful things.

The album starts off with three songs that have been released as singles already. However, the ones here are all the final masters, done by Denis Blackham, who's mastered for many of the largest names in music (the Who, Lead Zeppelin, Crosby Stills Nash.... ). The earlier ones were not mastered. This is the one to have! I knew this project was going to be expensive and because of that, time consuming. Yes, I could have done something with non professionals, but in all seriousness, I only want my material done by the best people. Denis is a master, indeed! He's also done our Shanty Hound's Unleashed! Live at Grunts – Key West! What an outstanding job he did on that! Now, on All The Best From Key West, it's truly stellar as well! Thank you Denis!!

Also, Producer/Engineer Ian Shaw was a God-send, once again! He hears everything!! I told him "You can hear dog whistles!” He did virtually all the recording and he's nothing short of amazing as well! Patience is a virtue that a producer requires. Ian was always up for my suggestions! When I proposed the dialog portion of Local Island Bar, I was thinking he might say "You're not serious?", but actually he said "Yeah, we can do that!" I'm very, very fortunate to have had everyone I had on this record! The icing on the cake was my much better half and life partner, Dani Hoy, a professional graphic artist for over twenty years, took my idea of having a postcard design and had it done in about a half hour... today! 😵😍 Thank you all!

"Dockside Bar", an upbeat bluesy piece written about an afternoon I spent in a bar in 2006. The situation is based on the actual events that I saw that day. There's a lot one can observe in an afternoon hanging out in a crusty, open-air bar on the water in the Keys! The men working on the dock, the fishing group, were actually there. It's fun being an observer and draw inspiration from actual events!

The song that follows that is "21st Century Kinda Girl". This one is an ass kicker that really gets up and goes! It's a rocker! It was inspired by several different young woman that I've met here who were very focused on their goals and went for them. However, at the same time they knew how to maintain a balance in their lives and how to enjoy themselves when the work day came to a close. My buddy Bobby DeVito plays the hell out of the Stratocaster that really kicks it's ass through the goalposts!

"Something About A Harbor" is a focus on the daily life that goes on in a harbor. The boats coming and going, Some of the goings on in the marinas, the bars, the work, the happiness, and the loss, plus the rewards. In my writing I like to use actual people that I know. In this song there's the mention of Captain Marlin, who has a couple of charter fishing boats Premium Time and The Reel Deal, that he runs under his charter company, Fishmonster, on the A&B Docks! In the song, he comes in "loaded to the gills" with fish! I tried to paint a 360 degree picture of life in a harbor with this song.

"Island Ladies" was written back in 2010. It was inspired by the marvelous attitude of the women who live here! They realize they are in paradise and make the most of it, taking advantage of every day! Emily Randle just takes off with the violin on this song too!

"Local Island Bar" was especially fun to record! For the background ambiance I had two parties at our house! During the instrumental you'll hear people talking in the background. Not enough to interfere with the music, just adding to the background color. Well, that was at the first party. I told everyone "Grab the libation of your choice and have at it like you're in a bar!" An easy task here in Key West which everyone has a good deal of experience at! We all had a blast!

On the second recording, track 6, I added an additional intro and outro to the song. My friends Ian Riley and Heather Moss O'Shields acted as an English/Southern couple walking down the beach. The recording here was fun because I wrote a loose script for them to follow, with freedom for each to improvise off of. Now, Heather lives just outside of Chattanooga, Tn. while Ian is in Pompano, Fl. Each recorded their segments on their iPhone's voice memos and emailed them back to me, from their respective homes!!! I edited them together and it worked! To date, they have never met each other! 😮 During the outro, the second bar party we had everyone singing the song Local Island Bar as the couple heads back down the beach!

I'm really lucky because everyone who hears the extended version of Local Island Bar just love it! The radio folks are largely gun shy on it, but we have the edition without the intro/outro, so it's good for everyone.

Like just about everything in Key West, it's FUN! The quest of this entire album is to convey what, at least is part of the life here! My hope is that the listeners from afar feels they are in Key West and maybe get a whiff of salty, Keys air! 😉

On my album “Shanghai'd and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)” I've had SO MANY people tell me that the turn it on for the drive through the Keys!

My two hopes for All The Best From Key West is that:

A) If you don't live here, you feel like you ARE in Key West when you're home listening, you feel the rhythm and soul of this little island town.

B) When you are in Key West, be it if you live here, or are visiting, you feel the synchronicity of the music and the islands.

The songs were written, arranged, and performed with the soul of the islands, fueling the inspiration and channeling the energy here that emits from the sand, sea, and coral rock. The blood running through the veins of these islands archipelago, has influenced so many long term residents who are artists, authors, and musicians. It's my honor to share what the table gives to me, with all of you.

Thank you!!!

“Key West Chris” Rehm

Wishing you, All The Best From Key West!

"All The Best From Key West" is available right now for only $5.99 at

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/keywestchris4

https://www.amazon.com/All-Best-Key-West-Chris/dp/B082XFG8G7/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Key+West+Chris+All+The+Best+From+Key+West&qid=1577138882&sr=8-1-fkmr0

https://music.apple.com/us/album/all-the-best-from-key-west/1492239559

“All The Best From Key West” was recorded at Key West Theater (rhythm sections) and Warmfuzz Studio here in Key West, by Ian Shaw. Several tracks were recorded at Din at The Vicarage, London, England, engineered by Julian Simmons. Nashville tracks recorded and engineered by Gary Carter.

Produced by Ian Shaw (with some suggestions by myself here and there).

Engineered by Ian Shaw

Tracks recorded in London, engineered by Julian Simmons

Recorded at Key West Theater, Warmfuzz Studios Key West, and Din At The Vicarage, London, England.

Musicians:

Chris Rehm vocals, acoustic and electric guitars

Bob Tucker - Bass on tracks 1.2,3

John Sausser - Drums tracks 1,2,3

Bruce Turkel - Harmonica

Ericson Holt – Keyboards

Matt Backer – Electrig Guitar tracks 4,5,6

Bobby DeVito Electric guitar track 2

Jackson Bunn - Organ

Emily Randle – Violin

Marty Stonely – Clarinet and Flute

Randy Morrow - Drums track 4,5,6

Claire Finley - Bass track 4,5,6

Alan Jax Bowers – percussion

Gary Carter – Pedal Steel

Dani Hoy - Background Vocals

Juliana Walker MacDowell - Background vocals

Album design – Dani Hoy KW TropiGal Art and Design

All songs written and arranged by Christopher R. Rehm, BMI

Release date: December 16th, 2019

Note: CD Baby handles the first listing. It sometimes takes a day or two for them to distribute it to the other carriers, such as Apple Music, Amazon, .... etc. Thanks! Download price: $5.99.

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