Chris Michie
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
© 2005 Chris Michie (634479085314)
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This beautiful score for the documentary by the same name is lyrical, soaring and ethereal. The CD also contains other tracks, all of which are playful, elegant, and heartfelt enough to bring tears to your eyes.
tracks
- 1 Cherry Blossoms
- 2 It's Magic
- 3 El Coto
- 4 Grasshopper
- 5 North Beach
- 6 Canary Wings I
- 7 Canary Wings 2
- 8 Going Home
- 9 Connor Intro
- 10 The Gardens
- 11 Connor's Theme
- 12 One Whole
- 13 Connor and Sophie
- 14 Man of the Year
- 15 The Great
- 16 The Mansion
- 17 Sand Hill
- 18 The Flying Dutchman
- 19 Palo Alto
- 20 The Count
- 21 Sanctuary/Take Me Alive
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Chris Michie was part of the Bay Area music scene from the time the Mendelbaum Blues Band arrived from Wisconsin in 1969. After playing with Lamb, Link Wray, The Pointer Sisters, Boz Skaggs, and Maria Muldaur, in 1981 he recorded an album for Van Morrison, subsequently recording four more and touring extensively with Van. He also released several albums of his own material and performed frequently in the area.
In 2000, at a birthday party at a friend's house, Chris met Judy Irving. She was just completing filming a documentary about the wild parrots roosting on Telegraph Hill. With her that night was the human star of the film, Mark Bittner, who, it turned out, was a big fan of Van Morrison, and specifically of Chris' music. Mark and Chris struck up a conversation and ended up jamming at the party to the delight of everyone present.
A few days later, Judy called Chris asking if he could help her get clearance for the Van songs she wanted to use for her film. Chris suggested he'd be willing to compose original music instead, an offer that both Judy and Mark jumped at.
Chris began the process of watching the film and suggesting music, some of which he'd already composed and recorded. The project soon grew in scope, with Chris composing specifically for the movie. As the pieces fell together, a beautifully integrated movie score emerged. Judy arranged public screenings, and Chris attended in support whenever possible.
Unknown to Judy and Mark, Chris had been diagnosed with melanoma, and had fought it for nearly six years. Around this time, it became clear that he was losing the battle. For those who have seen the movie, the synchronicity is both powerful and poignant, given the film's theme. It is heartbreaking to realize that as he worked on the music, he screened the footage over and over, including Mark's Buddhist story of the waterfall. Chris knew what he was facing. We can only hope he took comfort from the idea of finally becoming one with 'the river'.
Chris finished recording for The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill six weeks before his death. He told Judy and Mark that he was "going out" doing something he believed in and felt really good about. Judy has dedicated the film to his memory. We hope you enjoy the music on this CD, knowing that Chris felt it was his most personal work.