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The lyrics in "Working Boy" are autobiographical, as Dr. Don Hess tells us about his first job (in a butcher shop). Musically, the track has been compared to a jazzy-folky Electric Light Orchestra. The arrangement was largely mine, with Don as the songwriter, and the intro based on a prelude by J.S. Bach. The viola da gamba (an instrument that's about 300+ years old) was performed by Roy Whelden of the New Albion Quartet (a group that specializes in medieval, renaissance, and early baroque music).

Based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Don Hess a.k.a. "Mando-Medicine Man" is a real physician who is also a singer-songwriter, mandolinist, harmonica player, performer and recording artist. He picked up mandolin as a kid, eventually discovering a percussive technique employing Jethro Burns-style chords out of a Celtic tuning. Hess was also profiled in a film documentary, "Doc On The Sock," a film about hiking the mountains in central Pennsylvania. In the 90s he fronted a well-received folk rock trio, Orphans No More, which became the title of his full-length (and best known) recording, ORPHANS NO MORE. I produced and played a lot on it, and I'm quite fond of the project. The song collection mixed neo-traditional American folk music with gospel, jazz, reggae, r'n'b and rock. The project drew comparisons to Bruce Cockburn, Rich Mullins, and Pete Seeger.

The photo attached to this song was taken by Lewis Hine, an investigator for the Department of Child Labor Law. The photo was taken sometime between 1908 and 1924. The bike messenger boy shown in this photo worked for the Mackay Telegraph Company. His name may have been "Red" and he claimed he was 15 years old.

credits

from LOST & FOUND VOL. 1: ROCKERS & SHAPE​-​SHIFTERS Deep Cuts & Rarities, released January 21, 2018
JJB: bass, drums, drum programs, engineer, guitar, keyboards, percussion, production, harmony vocals
Tim Breon: engineer, mastering
Don Hess: mandolin, songwriting, lead vocals
Roy Whelden: viola da gamba

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" image

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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