The Illusion of Competence


The Illusion of Competence (1991, 60 m) is a collection of acoustic and electronic ballads. On this tape I played electric and acoustic guitar, bass, and all the keyboards. Tony Edwards, who is the principal percussionist for the Austin Symphony and an awesome jazz drummer, did all the drums, percussion, and marimba parts. Tony also composed and performed a marimba duet (Chorale). Tracks marked with an asterisk appear on the CD Lost In Time.


SIDE 1

  1. *Chapter 11 (Rehn) -- Karl: piano, organ, guitars, bass. Tony Edwards: drums. Recorded at Phonic Studio, 1991. (4:07)
  2. *Balcony Song (Rehn) --Karl: acoustic guitars. Recorded at Mesa Village, 1990. (3:12)
  3. *Night Song 2 (Rehn) -- Karl: keyboards, guitar, bass. Tony Edwards: cymbals. Recorded at Phonic Studio, 1990. (3:33)
  4. *The Tree at the Top (Rehn)-- Karl: pianos. Recorded at Mesa Village, 1990. (4:15)
  5. For Pat and Lyle (Peter McNutt) Karl: keyboards. Tony Edwards: drums. Recorded at Phonic Studio, 1991. (5:45) -- remastered in 2010 and released as part of the evolution CD.
  6. Chorale (Tony Edwards) -- Tony Edwards: marimba. Recorded at Phonic Studio, 1991. (5:55)

SIDE 2

  1. *E Plebnista (Rehn) -- Karl: piano. Spontaneously improvised and recorded July 3, 1990 at Mesa Village. (3:58)
  2. *Bass Ballad (Rehn) -- Karl: keyboards, guitar, bass. Tony Edwards: drums. Recorded at Phonic Studio, 1991. (6:38)
  3. *A Time for Everything (Rehn) -- Karl: keyboards. Recorded at Palmwood, 1991. (2:57)
  4. *The Wind at My Back (Rehn) -- Karl: keyboards, guitar, bass. Tony Edwards: drums. Original tracks recorded at Stardust, 1985. Additional tracks recorded Phonic Studio, 1991. (2:50)
  5. *Each Day Must Have an End (Rehn) -- Karl: guitar. Recorded at Stardust, 1985. (1:12)
  6. Unrest (Rehn/Nather/Taylor) Karl: keyboards, bass. David Nather: guitar. John Taylor: drums. Guitar and drums recorded in Jim's Garage, 1985. Keyboards and bass recorded Phonic Studio, 1991. (7:58) -- remastered in 2010 and released as part of the evolution CD.

Produced by Mark McQuilken and Karl Rehn, assisted by Andrew Wimsatt and James LeBlanc. Mixed at Phonic Studio July 1990-November 1991 using MMT automated mixing hardware designed and built by Mark McQuilken. Digitally edited and mastered at Terra Nova by Jerry Tubb.

all songs except 5,6,12 (P) Karl Rehn 1991. Chorale (P) Tony Edwards 1991. For Pat and Lyle (c) Peter McNutt 1984 used with permission from TMOQ Spheen Records. Unrest (c) K. Rehn, D. Nather, J. Taylor 1985.

Cover design and layout - Kristian Gallagher, Photos - Don Haydon.

Thanks to Mark, Andrew, Tony, James, and Alan Durston for their contributions to this project.