Control Songs by David Garland

Just as some people write love songs, I write control songs—songs about our need, avoidance, and manipulation of that sense of control which we all use to help us function. I haven’t made any conscious attempt to work in a certain style; instead I find ideas and sounds and pursue them until they become songs. I like the song form because it can be such a surprising meeting-ground for emotion and entertainment.
—David Garland, New York City, 1986

This version of “Control Songs” has all tracks from the original 1986 Review Records LP, and the bonus tracks included on the 1997 CD re-issue. All have been gently re-mastered in 2011.

Tracklist

1.	I Am With You	3:22

2.	Very Popular	2:56

3.	The Stick Figure	2:52

4.	I Am an I-Beam Girder	3:48

5.	My Pony’s Falling	4:29

6.	On Planet X	6:06

7.	Forest Fractures	5:21

8.	TV Can Teach Me	4:04

9.	Clocks	6:53

10.	Furniture	2:13

11.	Keep In Touch	5:22

12.	Don’t Shoot	4:50

13.	Bad Advice	4:18

14.	Another Mistake	2:06

15.	Growth	1:58

16.	Hist’ry	7:03

17.	Simba	5:00

Credits

released September 1, 1986

musicians

David Garland: vocals, acoustic and electric keyboards, electric guitar, bass, accordion, Synthabbott, flutes, bowed psaltery, ocarina, percussion, lamp, and chair

Guy Klucevsek: accordion on “Forest Fractures” and “Simba”

Mark Abbott: bass guitar on “I Am an I-Beam Girder” and “Simba”

John Zorn: alto sax on “On Planet X” and “Simba”

Christian Marclay: turntables on “I Am an I-Beam Girder” and “Simba”

Clive Smith: trumpet on “Forest Fractures” and “Simba”

Meredith Monk: vocals on “Don’t Shoot”

Anne Garland: vocals on “I Am With You”

John Alexander, Wayne Diana, and Nancy Gassner: vocals on “Bad Advice”

All music and lyrics by David Garland, except ”Simba,” by Les Baxter. Produced and arranged by David Garland.

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