1  Danny Barnes (Gordy, Granthology Publishing, ASCAP) 6:06

A paean to a masterful musician, artist, autodidactic polymath, and good friend.  


2  Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney) 4:26

Inspired partially by pianist Brad Mehldau’s take, we try to walk the line between “what can we possibly add to such a classic?” and “what a great and fun tune to play!” 


3  Tamp ‘Em Up Solid (Cooder/R.Harris,Tonopah&TidewaterMusic BMI) 4:09

This song started as a railroad chant, sung by Rochelle Harris and collected by Alan Lomax in 1933. Ry Cooder recorded it in the 70s and now here are we. 


4  The Amen Corner (Anger, Fiddlistics Music BMI) 5:58

An appreciation of R&B Gospel, dedicated to the great string musicians Regina Carter and Patrice Jackson.


5  The Fiddler Of Dooney (Walsh/W.B.Yeats, Skinny Elephant Music BMI) 4:56

A beautiful Yeats poem, written from a musician’s perspective, set to music. Here’s hoping that you or your spirit are dancing like “a wave of the sea.”


6  Breaker’s Bakedown (Anger, Fiddlistics Music BMI) 3:42

A cheery fiddle tune written on and for the 5-string fiddle, dedicated to Kenny Baker and about five thousand cooking shows.


7  Better Git It in Your Soul (C. Mingus, JazzWorkshop&MingusMusicWerkshop) 6:45 

Mingus was one of the most omnivorous of jazz composers. Every style that caught his ear was absorbed into his vivid musical personality. I’d like to think he would appreciate the myriad influences at play in Mr. Sun. Our take on this tune replaces the ecstatic fervor of the original with a slow burn, but holds on to the blues and gospel strands that form the heart of the piece. 


8  Murmurations (Gordy, Granthology Publishing, ASCAP) 4:47

One written specifically for Darol, but outside of the Mr Sun context. Conceived during a “music du jour” tour with Matt Flinner’s group (featuring Darol as the night’s special guest) where each band member _    is tasked with composing a piece the day of the gig, to be  _    played that evening. Not always a recipe for success, but           _          Murmurations worked out and has stayed in rotation.  


 9  The Traveler’s Prayer (Walsh/Gordy) 5:00

Written by Joe and Grant and inspired by a time of worrying developments in the national and international news. An invocation on behalf of travelers everywhere, willing and otherwise.


10  A Real Dragon (Anger, Fiddlistics Music BMI) 5:58

The title is an anagram of someone in the band’s name. Written after a long season of obsessive car-listening to the late great Chick Corea, Weather Report, and The Yellowjackets.


11  Just a Little Lovin’ (E.Arnold, unichappellmusic, BMI) 3:56

Come for Joe’s Ray Charles vibe, stay for the end.


all arrangements by Mr Sun

Recorded by Darol Anger at the Milliken Sauna, Yarmouth in ME, November 2017

Mixed by Darol and Dave Sinko in SinkoLand in Nashville, TN, October 2020

Mastering by David Glasser at Airshow in Denver, CO, March 2021

Graphics & Layout: Robert Hakalski 

Photos: Dylan Ladds, John Rogers (Grant), Aidan O’Donnell (himself), 

Matt Cosby (Joe), Bob McClenahan (Darol), instrument photos by Mr Sun.


THANK YOU:

Peter Milliken and Linzee Weld, Dave Sinko, Don Sheldon, Patrice Jackson,

D’Addario, Gary, Alison & Thad at Compass Records, the Good People of Nevada 

and San Mateo Counties, Sophia Slote, Susan Gordy, Matt Flinner, Mary Robb, 

Jamie O’Donnell, Emma Halas O’Connor, and Emy Phelps.


Darol Anger, Joe K Walsh, and Grant Gordy use D’Addario Strings.

Darol used Nathaniel Rowan and Barry Dudley 5-string fiddles and Joe played a Nugget mandolin on this recording. Grant played a 1944 Martin 000-18 and a Hiroshi Suda dreadnought. Aidan could be playing a gourd and it would still be great. But it’s a regular bass.