Yesterday, Today, and Forever

Style: Rock, Hard Rock, Metal
Story: This song was co-written by and features a good friend of mine, guitarist Curt Harman. This song started out simply as a way for us to write something together to learn my Pro Tools recording equipment. Our approach was to take this as a "real" song utilizing the equipment in a way consistent with major production studios. It ended up being something we were both really proud of, and something very exciting to be a part of. It was cool working with Curt as he's a great player and extremely knowledgeable on the technical side of recording and engineering.
You can read more about this song at this page on my site.

(Written by Dave Paris and Curt Harman, ©2007 Paris/Harman Music)

Everything that Hath Breath

Style: Acoustic, Folk, Flatpicking
Story: I wrote and recorded this song a few years ago at Amishland Studios, which is the studio that was built by one of my best friends and is where Dark Spectacle recorded much of our CD. The story is as follows: I had just moved to C.R. and went to the music store one night to find out they were hosting a guitar clinic later. I came back with my guitar, and a guy by the name of Matt Smith was presenting a clinic on alternate tunings. I went home with my guitar tuned to an open D and left it that way. After sitting on my back porch, my bed and my living room floor with my dogs and cats, I ended up writing this song. I was pretty proud of myself writing this. I thanked God and kind of said “This is great, God. Can I write another song like this?” He must have said “Nope, this is all you get” ‘cause I haven’t been able to do anything like it since. I kind of dedicate this song to my pets including my late dog Eli since everywhere I was sitting with this song an animal was with me.
(MP3 quality ripped at 80kbps for demo purposes)

(Written by Dave Paris, ©2004 Mr. & Mrs. Paris Music)

Blue

Style: Blues, Rock, Ballad
Story: Again, a working demo, it was good to finally finish this song after over 15 years! I wrote this song on piano just before my wife and I officially started dating. I began recording the guitar solos years ago on a four-track recorder and then she called me and I never finished the song. The song got its title because I’d sit in my apartment late at night and play with only a blue light on. Ironically, it’s a blues oriented song…again. Neal Schon can claim some influence I guess.

(Written by Dave Paris, ©2004 Mr. & Mrs. Paris Music)

Greater Than Angels

Style: Hard Rock, Metal
Story: Probably the roughest of the rough, this song has caused me a few problems during recording and after. It features the "Talkbox" guitar effect, which I had to use a live mic for, rather than direct-ins to the computer. Machines work best talking to other machines; bringing in something as ancient as a mic signal into my low-level recording was truly a learning experience. Praise God for the ability to change tempos so easily in Cakewalk, however. I had fun writing this song, but really rushed through the guitar parts thus "missing the mark" in a lot of ways, in my opinion.
Aside from the playing being weak and the backing tracks generic, this tune has frightened off more people giving them the impression I'm nothing more than a shredding metalhead. People either love this song or hate it, depending on age and tastes. This song is rarely played live, and not part of my musical direction right now, not to mention how it contradicts all of the other "socially acceptable" arrangements I've posted. It's included now to show versitility, and for the open-minded and tolerant...and of course, those who actually like this stuff. If you liked the other songs I've included, just skip this one.

(Written by Dave Paris, ©2004 Mr. & Mrs. Paris Music)