1. YO SOI TUYO SAMPLE
2. EVERYWHERE SAMPLE
3. YOU'RE GONNA COME DOWN
4. UNITED
5. EVERYBIRD
6. BROKEN LOVE
7. NANCY'S SONG
8. IF YOU FEEL
9. SILVER PAPER
10. FOR LA HUDALA
11. THE LAPLANDER
MIKE CICCARELLI- LEAD GUITAR
ANDRE BONIGUIDI-PERCUSSION
FRANKIE SOTELO- VOCALS
PAUL WEST-BASS
The seeds of the group Swift Rain sprang from another group called Lode
Star. Lode Star was one of the three El Paso groups featured on the "I Love
You Gorgo" album. (Suemi CD# HC-105.) Buy a copy and our sales will sore
past 250 - - - - - - records. Where was I? Oh yes, the seeds that went on
to sprout into "Swift Rain" were guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Frankie
Sotelo, (The Duck) and drummer, songwriter Andre Bonaguidi, (Seaweed). Andre
had a country bone in him leading him to write such songs as "Brokenhearted,
Sad and Blue." Frankie was the most prolific and thought provoking writer of
the group with songs like, "Bottom Of The Hill" and "It's Gonna Be Here."
(Hey Kenny, why didn't we ever release "Crazy Men?" Talk about a profound
song.)
Next came bass player, vocalist, Paul West, (Wrangler). What a great
bass player! But then, all three were great musicians. Also a songwriter,
Paul added a taste of western music, ala "Sons of the Pioneers," to the
group. Writing such songs as "Our Love So Warm" and "Coming On Home," Paul
was also featured on the "I Love You Gorgo" album as a member of the
Intruders. After "Gorgo" was complete, these three got together and formed
"Swift Rain." By this time I had transplanted myself in Memphis, Tennessee
and Kenny sent their first efforts to me. I brought the trio up to record
their first album at Sounds of Memphis Recording Studio. The session was
incredible and they were on their way until the backer backed out. (I guess
that's why they call them "Backers.") Anyway, with their recordings held
hostage for failure to pay the studio bill, the trio headed home to El Paso.
Back in El Paso and because of Frankie's incredible overdubbing of
harmony guitar to his terrific lead licks, the group added lead guitarist,
vocalist, songwriter, Mike Ciccarelli, (Chick). They could now play live the
sound that Swift Rain had created in the studio, and Chick added a new
dimension of his own. (The 4th Dimension.) Okay, that was weak, I admit it!
(Chick's song, "United," was released as a single.) But, I'm getting ahead
of myself as usual.
Working hard to get this great West Texas group another shot, I landed
them a deal with the rock division of R&B label Hi Records. Kenny brought
the group back to Memphis and together we all created the Swift Rain "Coming
Down" album while consuming several cases of Boone's Farm Strawberry Wine.
We spent a year in the studio that week and the best of those recordings can
be heard on (Suemi CD #HC-115) Talk about a group of guys who could set up a
groove and milk it for all it's worth, that was Swift Rain.
With rave reviews and a tour set to open for Z Z Top, the stage was set
for the group to break-up; which they did! (That's Show-Biz!) Still their
music is history and "Swift Rain" was one of the finest groups ever to come
out of El Paso, Texas. Their sound was as vast and spacious as the great
southwest itself. Their songs were unique. Their career timing sucked!
But, Kenny and I still love those guys and their music. You will too. - - -
- - Check them out!
Bill Taylor Sparks - - - Suemi Records
. The master tape of their Memphis sessions had been lost and what we have here is a copy of the LP remixed for CD. I apologize for the scratches but this is as good as I can mix theses tunes. Listen and enjoy this very good group. There are strokes of genius sprinkled throughout this CD.
Kenny Smith---Suemi Records
