Stick Around

We recorded this take of “Stick Around” live toward the very end of the sessions. We’d been toiling over a full band version of the song that was a blustery Pink Floydian mess and Earle suggested we try just sitting in a circle and playing it. I think Colin and John were a little bummed that this would mean no drums or lead guitars but they were newer to the group and even they had to admit that this take had the magic to it.

Deb’s harmony vocals really match my intensity and give the song a feeling of wounded solidarity. Walt’s bass playing is a whole band all to itself and Clay displays admirable restraint which is, ironically for such a showman, one of his greatest strengths. Earle Mankey’s production here is now so evident to me. The idea to break it down to an acoustic song. The way he positioned us around the microphone. I think it was Walt or Deb’s idea to do it by candlelight, but we didn’t have those vocal pads worked out before and that had to be Earle’s touch.

I’ve often wondered if I’ve lived up to the promise this song makes. Not long after recording it I took the band on the road, then moved us to Olympia. Anyone who bought the CD or cassette at the time must find this song deeply ironic now, but here I am 30 years later, keeping faith with these songs and the musicians who I had the great honor of having in my band for a little while.

All in all. I like this record a lot more than I thought I did.

Written by Andras Jones
Engineered & Produced by Earle Mankey

Andras Jones – Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Clay Goldstein – Harmonica & Vocals
R. Walt Vincent – Bass
John Nason – Guitar
& Deb Pasternak – Vocals