Köpet Dag Days: Appendix

A few “by the numbers” notes regarding the songs: nineteen of the twenty-six were conceived in Turkmenistan, one in India, and one a couple years after my service while I was living in Japan. The other five, all which feature typewriter percussion, were conceived around 2010 while preparing a one-man show about my time in Turkmenistan. The concept of that show was going to be of a man being given a typewriter (by a departing volunteer) and writing letters home, all the while slowly descending into madness. My one-man show was abandoned in the development stages, but the orphaned songs have found a home here.

The Dharma Bum
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
mandolin
washtub bass
jug

*alternate version with guitar and washboard released as “Cricket Hiccup” on “The Hunt” album


Chuli Blue
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
clarinet
cello
snare drum (w/drum brushes)

*previously unreleased


The Turkmenbashy Blues
6 string acoustic guitar
dutar
oud
typewriter
sound clips (Saparmurat Niyazev a.k.a. Turkmenbashy)

*previously unreleased

An American in the Karakum
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
dutar
cello
synth cello

*previously unreleased


The Know-mad
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
sound clips (Turkish/Turkmen songs)

*previously unreleased

Chiggydem (Out of the Compound)
6 string acoustic guitar
dutar
synth cello
typewriter

*alternative version released on “The Final Hunt”


Desert Tides/Convergence
6 string acoustic guitar
6 string classical guitar
clarinet
cello (synth)
mellotron (synth)

*previously unreleased

Rabbit
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
mandolin
balalaika
oud
mbira

*previously unreleased


I, Spy (KGB)
6 string acoustic guitar
theremin
typewriter

*previously unreleased


Acha in India
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
domra
tabla

*previously unreleased


Broken Calendar/Convergence (reprise)
6 string acoustic guitar
12 string acoustic guitar
oud

*previously unreleased


My Camel Lot
6 string acoustic guitar
dutar
domra
typewriter
paper and drum brushes
sound clips (recordings made while living in Turkmenistan)

*alternate version with guitar and xylophone released as “Cicadas” on the “easy (does it)” album


Men Pikaremi Utgetdim
6 string acoustic guitar
dutar
oud
cello
synth cello

*previously unreleased