Solitaire (2005)
Label: MPT
Artist: Chris Buono
Featuring: Chris Buono (Guitar/Sounds)
This was a solo record I put out myself back in 2005. It was during a time when things were starting to come together for me in NYC. Thanks to my old friend Mikel Banks, I was able to record these improvisations on a MiniDisc recorder in front an unsuspecting lunch crowd at the now defunct Goga Cafe in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn.
I did this gig a few times alternating with others in the scene like Rufus Cappadocia. On the morning of these gigs I would walk up to my pedal shelf and shove random selections in a backpack. On the way into the city I’d think about the signal chain and hope for the best. Needless to say, Mikel was kind enough to let my freak fully fly. I luckily captured a few moments that sounded like something.
Looking back on this reminds of a much simpler time. I had just become a father and a homeowner. In fact, my wife and first son came to a gig or two. The song titles are based on images and words from that time or things from my own childhood that seemed to describe the sounds I had made. Most notably is RedRightReturn, which is a nautical phrase my father used to say to me when I took rides on his boat with him – just the two of us. I’ve since taken that name and ran with it (stay tuned!).
As for the gear: The main pieces were my ’73 “Bionic” Strat and my recently acquired ’64 Fender Deluxe combo I had modded to Wayne Krantz specs with a Celestion Vintage 30. The latter not only gave me too-die-for tone, but also two discrete inputs. I took full advantage of that creating semi-complex dual signal chains that included a Frostwave Resonator, a Lovetone Ring Stinger, a Frantone Glacier, Boss delays, a Line 6 DL-4, a Z.Vex Fuzz Factory and Seek Wah and a Guyatone Flip Series trem among other stompboxes. The two utility pieces I couldn’t have pulled off without were a pair of Ernie Ball volume pedals and a Morley A/B/Y box. I wish I took pictures or at least documented the process better. You live & learn.
In addition to a collection of music I also started my tenure with Graham Haynes through this gig. Like many locals Graham rolled through to have lunch. Lucky for me he saw this freak show and not long after had me join his own. That led to some insane gigs with some truly bad motherfuckers and ultimately recording Full Circle.
Thanks again Mikel.
* Look for this record on Spotify and Apple Music later this year.
