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Silverado Cafe

by Len Galasso

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about

I wrote and arranged this song in 2011 when my performing band, The Canyoneros, did the Silverado Summer Concert Series in Silverado Canyon, California.

Our lead singer at the time, Nancy, performed it that one time and despite being well received, it never found its way on to a playlist again.

The song is somewhat of a period piece, inspired by the big-band arrangements of Harry James, one of the great trumpet players.

The cafe is an actual place, located in Silverado Canyon and it has inspired me many times over the 20 years I've lived in these canyons. In the Long Beach Sun on February 19th, 1937 an ad appeared and seems to be the earliest advertisement I could find, which read as follows:

CANYON CAFE ANNOUNCES

ALL ROADS OPEN

DRIVE UP THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
DINE, DANCE, AND MAKE WHOOPEE IN A
NIGHT CLUB IN THE HILLS

14 MILES EAST OF ORANGE.

lyrics

When things go South and it starts to show,
I drive North on route eighteen;
There's a place I know;
You'd swear you just stepped out of a time machine.

Your canyon friends make cameo scenes;
In the air, there's a hint of kerosene;
I will admit it's a little bit out of the way;
But I'm talking about the Silverado Cafe.

Where the the volume is set just a little bit lower;
People you don't even know greet you with a smile;
I swear the clocks tick here just little bit slower;
You work things out in your head--it's your style;

Where there is no pretense: all the same;
Everybody here seems to know your name;
Gaze out the window, your troubles, they just fade away;
Nothing can touch you at the Silverado Cafe.

(trumpet solo)

Yeah, come as you are; embrace the plaid;
Have some scrambled eggs you will be glad;
It's like a page from a Tennessee Williams play,
Time stands still at the Silverado Cafe.

Now I'm feeling good; I don't need a thing;
What stories we'd have if these walls could sing;
While I'm here all I want to do is stay;
Stay right here at the Silverado Cafe.

credits

released January 26, 2024
Len Galasso - Lead and Background Vocals, Trumpet, Piano, Electric Piano, Bass, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble [1], Organ [2], Drums [3], and Production.

[1] Nord Stage 5.
[2] Hammond XK1-c.
[3] Forzee Stereo Drumkit, sequenced in HYDROGEN.

Recorded in December 2023 and January 2024. All performances except drums recorded live.

Words and music - Copyright 2011 Leonard J. Galasso, ASCAP

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all rights reserved

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about

Len Galasso image

Len Galasso Trabuco Canyon, California

Len Galasso, ASCAP, is a composer, arranger, producer (jeffreyjoncarlson.bandcamp.com), performer (Canyoneros, Rusty Nails, Breakpoint, AfterShock, Mondo Nuevo), inventor, and retired (2019) engineer.

A founding member and leader of the Canyoneros, he plays keyboards, and small amounts of drums, bass, saxophone, clarinet and guitar.

He plays Yamaha, Nord and Hammond keyboards. ... more

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