Description
Notes from the Lost Civilization is the fourth full-length studio album by the American singer and songwriter Tonio K., released by the Word imprint What? Records in January 1988, with distribution by A&M Records in the mainstream market – the latter version featuring the bonus track “What Women Want”. The album was recorded by Larry Hirsch at various studios in Los Angeles, California – Sunset Sound Factory, Ocean Way Recording, Mad Hatter Studios, A&M Studios, and American Recorders. Produced by David Miner and Tonio K. and arranged by Miner, Tonio K. and T-Bone Burnett with Burnett as well enlisted as executive producer of the album. Mixed by Tchad Blake at Sunset Sound Factory in Hollywood, California. Rolling Stone Magazine declared the album to be Tonio K’s “most moving meditation to date on the state of the American dream.”
Tonio K. is backed by T-Bone Burnett on guitar along with ex-Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman, as well as a rhythm section consisting of David Miner and Jim Keltner on bass and drums respectively, with James Jamerson Jr. and Raymond Pounds sitting in on bass and drums on the final four tracks of the album. Also featuring Booker T. Jones providing Hammond B-3 organ. Concept videos were made for “Without Love” (directed by Cary Gries), a song featuring harmony vocals by Steven Soles, and “City Life” (directed by Tonio’s wife, Linda Myers-Krikorian), featuring harmony vocals by Peter Case.
“They dealt in fantasy and fashion/ They dealt in flesh and blood/ They dealt in multiple millions of dollars/ You could buy anything but love,” suggests Tonio K. in the closing song of his second What? album, Notes from the Lost Civilization. The reference to a lost civilization is at least a comment on the present culture’s “lostness,” as described in the above lyric, and the Garden of Eden which was lost forever in the fall of humanity. Where Romeo Unchained chronicled the foibles of modern romance, here K. (a.k.a. Steve Krikorian) moves from the relational to the fragmentation of the human psyche and its sociopolitical ramifications. In a world where “images and information” are sold like “arms and ammunition,” Tonio K. points out that faith, hope, freedom, and peace are acts of civil disobedience.
Not far thematically from Norman’s Only Visiting This Planet and Heard’s Victims of the Age, Tonio K.’s Lost Civilization makes an honest, tasteful statement about the perplexities of human experience in 1988, while artfully pointing to the grace and love of God as the true and meaningful resolution for all time.
Musically K. has opted for a funkier band sound, based around R&B-influenced hard pop ‘n’ rock songs. T Bone Burnett’s guitars, David Miner’s bass, and Jim Keltner’s drums provide the basic groove, while Booker T. Jones (Booker T. and the M.G.’s, remember?) and Rick Neigher lay on organ riffs. Peter Case, Charlie Sexton, Steven Soles, and Billy Vera all show up to add vocal harmonies to K.’s ever-softening growl. Clean and polished, yet not without its edge, Lost Civilization is an arty rock ‘n’ roll record that has more than its share of “hits” in «Without Love», «Stay», «What Women Want», and «Where Is That Place?» – but then again «Romeo and Jane» was completely overlooked last year. Interestingly, the album’s one ballad, «You Were There», appears amazingly suitable and appropriate for Christian airplay. (Is anyone listening?)
«What Women Want», a song that portrays the myths about women in the wake of feminism (they want “sex … money … [to] fight) before concluding that what “women really want” is “love… somebody they can maybe even trust… some affection, just a little protection,” is only available on the A&M version. Open-minded listeners will want to obtain all 10 songs.
“In another situation,” suggests K. in «I Can’t Stand It», “I’d have been the King of England/ Not the King of the Blues.” Truly, Notes from the Lost Civilization is the work of a sometimes cynical, sometimes brilliant, always honest, poignant and meaningful Blues Man with a penchant for great hook-ridden rock ‘n’ roll. Accessible, yet smart, Tonio K. remains true to form. It’s fun, fun, fun and it isn’t done with mirrors. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, February 1988]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/notes-from-the-lost-civilization/692888377)
LP tracklist (A&M version):
Side One
A1. “Without Love” – 3:32
A2. “Children’s Crusade” – 4:54
A3. “Stay” – 4:11
A4. “City Life” – 4:04
A5. “You Were There” – 4:43
Side Two
B1. “The Executioner’s Song” – 6:25
B2. “I Can’t Stand It” – 4:07
B3. “What Women Want” – 4:24
B4. “I Can’t Stop” – 3:16
B5. “Where Is That Place?” – 3:58
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by A&M Records. Re-issued on CD by Gadfly Records in 1996.
The Press Folder for Notes from the Lost Civilization.
“Without Love” (MUSIC VIDEO) (directed by Cary Gries and featuring harmony vocals by Steven Soles)
“City Life” (MUSIC VIDEO) (directed by Tonio’s wife, Linda Myers-Krikorian, and featuring harmony vocals by Peter Case)
An interview with singer-songwriter Tonio K regarding his album Notes from the Lost Civilization was featured in the March 1988 issue of CCM Magazine, as a part of their ongoing Christian Musician Series.
CREDITS. Produced by David Miner and Tonio K., with track B3 co-produced with Rick Neigher. Recorded at Sunset Sound Factory, at American Recorders, at Ocean Way Recording, at Mad Hatter Studios, and at A&M Studios. Recorded by Larry Hirsch. Additional recording by Larold Rebhun on track B3. Assistant Engineering by Dave “The Blade” Knight, Brian Soucy, Barry Conley, Tom Banghart, Ira Rubnitz, Duncan Aldrich, and Bob Loftus. Mixed by Tchad Blake at Sunset Sound Factory, Hollywood, CA. Mastered by Tony Dawsey at Masterdisk, New York City. Arranged by David Miner, T Bone Burnett, and Tonio K. Track B3 arranged by Tim Chandler, Tim Pierce, David Raven, Rob Watson and Tonio K. Art Direction, Photography, and Design by Linda Myers-Krikorian. Graphic Design and Layout by Karl and Susan Shields for Pacific Art & Light. Productive A&R: Tom Willett (What?) and Aaron Jacoves (A&M). Executive Producer: T-Bone Burnett. Tracks A2, A4, B1, B3, and B4 were written by Tonio K. Tracks A1, A3, and A5 were co-written by Tonio K. (lyrics) and John Keller (music). Track B2 was co-written by Tonio K. (lyrics and music), Bob Rose and Nigel Harrison. Track B5 co-written by Tonio K. and Scott Wilk. “Study the past, it is telling you what to expect in the future.” – old Chinese fortune cookie.
Musicians: Tonio K. (Vocals, Occasional Rhythm Guitar), T-Bone Burnett (Gut String, Acoustic and National Guitars, Electric 12-string), Jack Sherman (Electric Guitar), Tim Pierce (Guitar on track B3), John Keller (Piano), Rick Neigher (Farfisa Organ), Booker T. Jones (Hammond B-3 Organ), David Miner (Bass, Double Bass, Harmonium, Marimba, Guitar on track A4), James Jamerson, Jr. (Bass, tracks: B2 to B5), Jim Keltner (Drums, Dynacord), Raymond Pounds (Drums, tracks: B2 to B5), Alex Acuña (Percussion), Ralph Forbes (Drum Programming), David Raven (Linn 9000 Drum Programming on track B3). Backing Vocals: Steven Soles (A1), Billy Vera (A3), Peter Case (A4), Charlie Sexton (B1 and B5).
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