Palm Desert
Credits: Rudy VanderLans: design and photography; Erik Deerly: audio remixing and mastering; Van Dyke Parks, Itchy Pet (aka Erik Deerly), Honey Barbara, and Elliott Peter Earls: music. Emigre, 1999.
The first book of photographs and music in a series of three published by Emigre. It is based on the music and lyrics of Los Angeles-based composer Van Dyke Parks and pays tribute to both Parks and Southern California. The visuals of Rudy VanderLans display a canvas upon which the music of Parks’ 1968 composition “Palm Desert” is reborn. Three modern interpretations accompany the original, further exploring the world of Van Dyke Parks.
I was one of three composers asked to interpret the classic piece from Van Dyke Parks’ “Song Cycle.” The legend of Parks caused a “fight or flight” response, adding the incentive (and adrenaline) necessary for long hours and late nights. I liken my version of the piece to a reverse-engeered UFO. My reconstituted final bears little resemblance to the original but could not exist without it. Erik
Sample Track:
02 Palm Desert + buy song
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