(And technical information for those who want it)

All music and lyrics written by Rene Young © 1972-2009 except:

Dan Yard - music and lyrics on Space Ryder, Starlight, Space Ryder (Reprise)

Dan's friend Terry (I don't know his last name) - music and lyrics on Now We're Away, with additional lyrics by Dan Yard.

I began writing the first song that would become this project in 1972, with further development inspired by a February 1973 magazine article by Peter Fonda in which he described the impending environmental holocaust caused by Man's destruction of the oxygen producing elements of Nature. Between 1973 and 1994 the idea was expanded to tell the story of the human habitation and industrialization of space, and the rehabilitation of Earth. These concepts were inspired by The High Frontier by Gerald K. O'Neill, as well as The Rama Series by Arthur C. Clarke

In 2003 I began recording new versions using the computer. Digital recording allowed me more flexibility and gave me access to new sounds. This expanded the possibilities, and the project began to take a slightly different shape. New musical ideas presented themselves as I went along. I also decided to refine the story so that it more or less follows a central character. I re-wrote many of the lyrics and rearranged the order of some of the songs so that it flows better.

I hope you enjoy it.

-Rene, May 2009

The New Digital Recordings and Rewrite, Begun in 2003:

All instruments and vocals by Rene Young.
Mary Campbell - TV News Reporter on "Sick Planet Syndrome"
Alistair Henry - Scientist on "Sick Planet Syndrome"
Kim Knott - Wife ("Hello?") on "A Call From Island One"

Recorded, mixed and engineered at home by Rene Young using:

Cakewalk Sonar Producer digital recording program (2003 - 2006)
Steinberg Nuendo digital recording program (2007 - 2009)
Sony CD Architect 5.2
Reason 3.0 / 4.0
Guitar Rig 2
Amplitube 2
Steinberg and other VST plugins including Mini Moog, B4-II, M-Tron, Hypersonic, MiniMonsta, etc.
Groove Agent & EZ Drummer drum programs (mostly hand-drawn in MIDI drum editor)
Yamaha PSR-1700 keyboard
Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar
Yamaha FG-300A 6-string acoustic guitar
Takamine G Series 12- string acoustic-electric guitar
Aria STB Series electric bass guitar
E-bow
Sure SM57 microphone
Peavy PV-1 microphone
LTO Mix 140 14-channel mixing console
M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB

Special thanks to Shawn Bishop and The Dividing Line
Cover illustration and Dreams of Flying logo by Bruce Duncan Baker

 

These web pages created by Rene Young starting in February 2003 in order that there be a permanent record of the project to date, and so that other interested parties may see the work even while a great distance away. Most recent update, June 2009.

The Making of - 1995 Recordings:

All instruments and vocals by Rene Young except:

Seventh Heaven - Rene Young, backing vocals and "plunk" guitar. All other vocals and instruments by "The Tickets" recorded in 1983 at Blue Wave Studios, Vancouver BC Canada, as part of an assignment for an audio engineering and production course I took. (I got 97% final grade!)

Recorded and mixed at home by Rene Young between July 1994 and July 1995 using:

TEAC A3340-S 4-track Reel to Reel tape deck
JVC TDW-203 double cassette deck (for track bouncing)
TEAC Model 2 mixer
Sure SM57 microphone
Peavy PV-1 microphone
Yamaha PSR-1700 keyboard
Yamaha FG-300A 6-string acoustic guitar
Kamouraska 12-string acoustic guitar
Mann 6-string electric guitar
Unknown brand electric bass
Roland R5 Human Rhythm Composer drum machine
Traynor Custom Reverb amplifier
Ram 45-SR amplifier
Boss SD1 Super Overdrive
Boss DD2 Digital Delay
Boss DS1 Distortion
Aria CH10 Chorus

Dreams Of Flying - the Imax Movie?

Vaguely represented here in the photos and illustrations. Many of the images are just as close to what I have in mind as I could find. A lot of them were found via Google Images. If I stole one of your photos, I'm sorry. I honestly couldn't find my way back to all of them, but if anyone objects and wishes a photo removed, send me an email indicating which photo(s) and a link to your web page where the original is shown.

A Flash movie website may be the next step. I've already started!

Dreams indeed!