Elements of folk-rock, rock & roll, psychedelia, blues, and surf music collide in this musical stew that manages to be both retro and progressive! New music by John “Chris” Christensen of Opus 1, Time Of Your Life, Laser Pace, and Christensen/Schultz!

Modern Blues is a feeling from the past with a look to the future, voiced in the present.

Elements of folk-rock, rock & roll, psychedelia, blues, and surf music collide in this musical stew that manages to be both retro and progressive! New music by John “Chris” Christensen of Opus 1, Time Of Your Life, Laser Pace, and Christensen/Schultz!

Modern Blues is a feeling from the past with a look to the future, voiced in the present.

Rock & roll is my passion, my love; a fire that never goes out. It’s always there to lift me up or kick my ass whenever necessary. If I pick up a guitar, sit at the drums or the piano, or play a little sax - regardless of what style I may try to play, it’s always going to come out as rock & roll.

The recording of Modern Blues contains hints and nods to my participation in other bands: the surf-tinged psychedelia of Opus 1 and Back Seat ‘38 Dodge, the electronic synth-wash of Laser Pace, the retro-rock of Christensen/Schultz’ Songs from the Xenozoic Age and the garage-fueled sounds of Time of Your Life. Drawing on those influences wasn’t because of any master plan, but merely a part of my DNA; like rock & roll, they’re just going to come out.

I’d like to thank my two collaborators on Modern Blues lyricists Mark Schultz and Gene Dorney. Thanks for putting up with me and bringing my concept to life.

John “Chris” Christensen. June 28, 2011

Modern Blues

A long time, not long ago I remember, walking the walk Bit my tongue, and held my own Don’t hold much with chatterbox talk

Those times are gone it seems And now actions don’t carry no weight People brag on what they pretend Chest-thumping, name-dropping in your face

Modern blues Everybody talking like they’re paying their dues Everyone too scared of what they might lose Everyone too busy talking modern blues

Got the don’t tell anyone, no preach, no beg blues Situation ethical, keeping it vague - modern blues

What I’m doing now please don’t inquire Never ask a compulsive liar What were you doing at the start of all this? Once long ago you were hard to resist

The tide went out and never came back Making this up and that’s a fact I got this weakness and it’s getting stronger I got a secret I can’t keep any longer

Modern blues Everybody talking like they’re paying their dues Everyone too scared of what they might lose Everyone too busy talking modern blues

Got the don’t tell anyone, no preach, no beg blues Situation ethical, keeping it vague - modern blues

It’s a private affair and the publics invited Got it together, my attention’s divided I want to do everything over and better I loved a girl once, now I’m sorry I met her

But I will not give in I won’t flow with the times Well, Gary Cooper, he got it right He kept his peace, respected thine

Modern blues Everybody talking like they’re paying their dues Everyone too scared of what they might lose Everyone too busy talking modern blues

Lyrics by John W.G. Christensen, Mark Schultz, and Gene Dorney. Music by John “Chris” Christensen.

Published by John Christensen Music ASCAP 2011.

Vocals and all instruments by John “Chris” Christensen. Recorded at Mad Labs Studio in Lakewood, Ca. Mastered by Ronan Chris Murphy at Veneto West.

Special thanks: Margie and Laura Christensen, Tyler Feeney, Mark Perry, Tom Lawson, Ally, Emily Kuleza, Mike Dugo, Bob Ernest, Don Wittsten, Bryan Thomas, “Crazy Joey” Migeed, Domenic Priore, Damien Smith, Susanne Stiward, Mike Markesich, Holly Elisha Roberts, the constant inspiration of Michael Ely and Spider Taylor, Stephen J. McParland, and to my good friends in Messina, Italy - Maria Aiello (Mamya Cavegirl) and The Out Key Hole; Tiziano Giunta, Carmelo Gazzè, Stefano Restivo, and Giuseppe Mangano.

Some relevant selected credits:

You Make Me Feel So Good/Ode To A Bad Dream Time Of Your Life 45 rpm Ionic Records 1965

Back Seat '38 Dodge/In My Mind Opus 1 45 rpm Mustang Records 1966

Granfalloon by Laser Pace LP Takoma Records 1974

Fries by Hot Food To Go! EP Erika Records 1983

Songs From The Xenozoic Age Christensen/Schultz CD Graphitti Designs 1994

Granfalloon by Laser Pace CD Decker Productions 2008

Where The Action Is Los Angeles Nuggets 1965 to 1968 (features Opus 1's "Back Seat '38 Dodge") Rhino Records/Ace UK 2009