This song was written in 2013 in Big Sur. At the time I was living in Brooklyn and deeply needed some Redwood Tree vistas of the Pacific. That smell. Growing up in Santa Cruz, I never tire of reminiscing about that smell. The Ocean and the trees. Also the Eucalyptus trees. At that time, I went through an extended period of writer's block and so I

This song was written in 2013 in Big Sur. At the time I was living in Brooklyn and deeply needed some Redwood Tree vistas of the Pacific. That smell. Growing up in Santa Cruz, I never tire of reminiscing about that smell. The Ocean and the trees. Also the Eucalyptus trees. At that time, I went through an extended period of writer's block and so I booked a gig in NYC at Zirzamin (the old Zinc Bar on Houston and LaGuardia Place) about 6 weeks ahead, and promoted it as a gig to perform as yet unwritten songs. The trick worked and I ended up with 12 new songs that became the Mr. Miller album. My obsession with Henry Miller's books started with Jesse Murphy and Jason Darling lending me their copies of the Tropics Books, Nexus and I was in. Jesse and Jason had a band with Jochen Ruckert (Bonnie Lundy. Epic album) and they used a paragraph that Miller wrote to describe their music. A very prescient paragraph I might add. So, once I made it out West sometime in the Spring of 2013, I rented a wreck (rent a wreck... $12/day jalopy...) and began composing in parking lots, bluffs high above the Pacific and little cabins in Big Sur. I started the journey in LA and drove up to the Timber Cove Inn around Jenner. Magical place. It hit me around Big Sur (Henry lived for many years there on a hill) that the album should somehow be about him and his journey from Decatur St. in Brooklyn/Queens all the way to Paris, Greece and finally landing in Big Sur. Have done the same journey opposite, I thought it a fitting title.

I digress.

This song is special because it speaks to being on the Verge. Or as PFunk would tell it, Standing on the Verge of Getting it On...

On the Verge of existing. Close to Knowing ourselves. Accepting that we are born for growing.

Meshell N'Degeocello was kind enough to record vocals on the song while on tour in Japan. She is her own force of nature! Thank you Meshell!

The Mr. Miller album has not been properly released, but it will be next year. For now, accept this song from thay collection that is also included in Gabriel Gordon 2552: 1998-2023.

Thanks to all of the incredible musicians and engineers who made this gem shine!

Gabriel Gordon: Guitars & Vocal Meshell N'Degeocello: Vocals George Laks: Hammond B3 Andy Hess: Fender Bass Jon Anderson: Pedal Steel, Synth Pad Tony Mason: Drums and Hi hat Overdub Aaron Johnston: Percussion Recorded and Produced by Brian Bender Mixed by Mark Plati Mastered by Roman Klun Photo by Michael Weibtrob

With love,

Gabriel Gordon