A Model Psychosis: The Tradition

A Model Psychosis

Track 4. The Tradition

1929-1938. Hofmann goes to work for Sandoz pharmaceutical-chemical research laboratory in Basel, begins his work with the ergot alkaloids, and first produces LSD-25 with the intention of obtaining a circulatory and respiratory stimulant.

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The melody and chord changes for the chorus of this song pre-date my conception of the album. I found the lead sheet in a box of song-fragments I have. While the track doesn't capture the Steely Dan meets Pat Metheny sound I had originally conceived, it does (despite my best efforts) express the musical theater roots of the current project.

I could have written another five verses for this piece. The title refers to the traditions of scientific research and medicine, the mystery "cults" of preclassical antiquity, and even (just for me) music. The interlude melody is the oldest known complete composition in the western world, called the Seikilos Epitaph, found on a Greek tombstone in Turkey.

lyric

it's an honor to work with you, Professor Stoll
twenty years ago you found the pure mother liquor
while the hood fan hummed and the gas flame flickered

i'll look into the promise that her children show
the tradition flows from the rivers and flood plains
and the Goddess of the risen grain

lighten your load 
we're all on the road 
to Eleusis 
emptying our hearts 
for the scales of Anubis 

As the Grail, the sacred moon, is filled with blood
from the Ganges flood, Demeter's nurse will appear
to prepare the cup and dry her tears

all the fractions and formulas we use today
born of reeds and clay from the banks of Euphrates
As Persephone springs forth from Hades

time will erode
the stones on the road 
to Eleusis
there is still a path
following our true bliss

Rothlin's animals show nothing new, says his report
24 we've tried, what will 26 derive?
Check off LSD-25

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Kyle Bronsdon
Jazz blues band leader Kyle Bronsdon - listen to his jazz blues trio - what a band!