STSB Liner Notes

He Pulled Me Out of Trouble (2:13, John Hicks) [SOUND SAMPLE]

The Love and the Mercy (3:04, Timothy Smith)

I’m Glad (3:27, Mike Mooney) [SOUND SAMPLE]

He Is A Friend of Mine (3:20, Wilson McKinley / McGuinn)

That’s What Faith Must Be (2:32, Michael Card)

Everything is In Your Hands (2:51, Terry Butler)

He Set Me Free (2:22, Albert E. Brumley)

The Warmth of His Love (2:47, Dave Fortschneider) [SOUND SAMPLE]

Lift Me One More Time (2:39, Mike Messer)

Grace Will Lead Me Home (2:57, John Newton / Kelly Smith) [SOUND SAMPLE]

Sparrow (3:45, C.D. Martin / Mike Messer of Wilson McKinley) [SOUND SAMPLE]

To See Jesus (2:25, Mike Mooney)

All rights reserved by original composers. Sound samples used with permission. The STSB pays all appropriate royalties. Thanks for listening in!

Notes on the sessions: Recorded using a Korg D8 in Nate Smith’s bedroom, June 1999 to February, 2000.

Who does what: Bruce Adams: bass. Mike Mooney: Acoustic leads, vocals, 6 string rhythm. Dave Fortschneider: High harmonies. Kelly Smith: 6 string rhythm, bass, vocals. Kirstin Smith: Female vocals. Lead vocals, 12 string, 6 string, slide, mandolin, banjo, strange percussion, kitchen glasses and production by Timothy Smith. Special thanks to Dale Longtin for flute and Mitch Brandon for electric guitar and harmonica.

The Stone Table String Band:

What You’re Hearing: Lead vocals by Timothy Smith, Mike Mooney, Kelly Smith and Kirstin Smith as noted below. High harmonies by Dave Fortschneider and Kirstin Smith. Low harmonies: Tim. Acoustic lead and rhythm: Mike Mooney. Electric bass: Bruce Adams, Kelly Smith. Electric guitar on "He Pulled Me Out of Trouble" and "He is A Friend of Mine" and harmonica on Dave’s song is by Mitch Brandon. Flautist on "Everything is In Your Hands": Dale Longtin. Production, 6 string, 12 string and slide guitars, banjo, mandolin, tuned kitchen glasses, percussion (usually "pocket change") and infamous "oil can" bass, which uses a 5-gallon can, some parachute cord and a mop handle: Tim. Arrangements: everybody.

He Pulled Me Out of Trouble (2:13, John Hicks, ©1971 Administered by Tanignak Productions.) As a young Navy man stationed in Kodiak, Alaska in 1970, John Hicks joined a group of enthusiastic young Jesus People. He wrote the song in 1971 as a testimony of his faith. This and "He Is a Friend of Mine" were the first songs Tim ever sang lead on, when he sang that summer at Camp Woody, near Kodiak. This is Tim’s folk-rock tribute to that beginning, with lead guitar work by Mitch Brandon and Mike. Even today, the song is a joyful celebration of a believer’s conversion.

The Love and the Mercy (3:04, Timothy Smith, ©1999 Administered by Tanignak Productions) This song was written back in the Jesus People days of 1976, with lyrics adapted in 1999. It is an invitation from the Stone Table String Band to listen, to hear the Lord’s voice, and to be changed. Kirstin and Dave provide harmonies, and Mike complements Tim’s 12 string and Bruce’s bass.

I’m Glad (3:27, Mike Mooney, ©1998 Administered by Tanignak Productions.) Mike is a very talented singer-songwriter, as well as a superb worship leader. One day at a "Walk to Emmaus" weekend, Mike asked Tim, "What’s a good key for a banjo song?" Shortly thereafter, he appeared with this song in G. It is already a sing-along favorite. Bass is Tim’s famous "oil can" with a mop handle and parachute cord. We dare you to keep still during this one!

He Is a Friend of Mine (3:20, Roger McGuinn, © 1966 Tickson Music Co. New words by Wilson McKinley, ©1971) This is a traditional folk tune, used on a Byrds album, as a tribute to JFK. The Jesus People rock band Wilson McKinley adapted it as a rock hymn about Jesus. Tim has been singing it since 1971. The new/old arrangement makes this a memorable cut that retains the earnest spirit of the Jesus People versions. Dave provides high harmony to Tim’s vocals, and Mitch Brandon provides the right electric guitar touch.

That’s What Faith Must Be (2:32, Michael Card, © 1989 Birdwing Music) This classic Michael Card cut from the late 1980s is given string band instrumentation as a vehicle for the vocal talents of Tim and Debbie’s daughter, Kirstin. A high school senior, she has been singing this song as a duet with her dad since she was eight. Hear with your heart, see with your soul.

Everything is In Your Hands (2:51,Terry Butler, ©1995 Mercy Publishing) Kelly was the bass playing half of the brothers Tim and Kelly music team at Camp Woody in the early 1970s. Today he is a worship team leader at the Anchorage Vineyard, a sensitive vocalist, a fabulous flat-picker, and still a top-notch bassist. Kelly sang this beautiful song at the memorial service for their dad, Rev. Norman Smith, in October of 1996. When planning the STSB’s first album, Tim insisted that this song be included. It is one of the more meaningful recent praise songs. May it bless you as it does us.

Back 

( side two begins here)

He Set Me Free (2:22,Albert E. Brumley, ©1939 Stamps Baxter Music) Fans of old-time Gospel are familiar with Albert E. Brumley’s classic "I’ll Fly Away". But he also wrote a terrific country-bluegrass scorcher called "He Set Me Free", years before Hank Williams penned his famous "I Saw the Light", which resembles it. We think Mr. Brumley has the better song. We gave it a string band treatment (including homemade slide nylon guitar and "oil can bass", with some Gospel Quartet thrown in, thanks to Dave’s high harmony and Tim’s baritone part. Tim learned this from an old Maddox Brothers and Rose record.

Warmth of His Love (2:47, David Fortschneider, ©1999 Administered by Tanignak Productions.) Dave is a walking miracle. A cancer and stroke victim, Dave doesn’t let anything stop him. He leads his praise team at church by taping a pick to his fingers so he can play. When he and Tim began singing together at the "Walk to Emmaus" weekends in Pomona, CA, Dave thought this song would fit his style. It is his first composition, and it is as infectious as one of David’s laughs! Tim sings lead, and plays a couple of tracks of folky guitar, with Dave adding all harmonies. Percussion is dry sponge on canvas. Mitch Brandon adds harmonica.

Lift Me One More Time (2:39, ©1983 Mike Messer.) Tim is an avid fan of the Wilson McKinley, the first Jesus People rock band (there are two cuts from their repertoire on this album). One day while web surfing, Tim was delighted to discover this solo composition by their lead guitarist. Mike Messer’s catchy little tune has ’50s overtones, with lyrics that are a rebuttal to the old "religion is a crutch" line. Tim added banjo, 12 string and tuned kitchen glasses to Dave’s high harmonies. We bet you’ll be singing along.

Grace Will Lead Me Home (2:57, words: John Newton, original music, Kelly Smith ©1998 Administered by Tanignak Productions) It would have been confusing to call this "Amazing Grace", because of the fame of the original tune. Kelly breathes new and exciting life into the old words with his alternating major and minor melody line. Dave’s harmonies and Tim’s light 12 string second guitar complement Kelly’s vocals, bass and acoustic guitar work. The rest of the band considers this version a future classic.

Sparrow (3:45, Words by C. D. Martin. Music © Mike Messer, Wilson McKinley 1971) This is one of Tim’s signature songs. He first heard it on Wilson McKinley’s second Jesus Rock LP back in 1971. Tim says, "I was unable to duplicate the Wilson McKinley’s classic rock licks, so I arranged it for acoustic 12 string. It has been one of my favorites ever since." Tim and Bruce first taped it in 1976 in an abandoned WWII bunker in Alaska (referred to in the echo mix in the vocals), and again in 1986 for one of their privately released "Homemade Music" tapes. It is mixed as a duet for Tim and Kirstin. "I know He cares for me!"

To See Jesus (2:25, Mike Mooney, ©1999. Administered by Tanignak Productions.) This is a brand new song written and sung by Mike, and it fits perfectly as the capstone of the album. The title song invites all to hear and be changed; the last cut makes that into a prayer of intercession. This will surely become another favorite of praise band leaders and family room pickers alike. "May your light shine for those who wish to see."

Acknowledgements: Appreciation to the people at Korg for the little D8 that recorded all of this; to Dave Fortschneider for designing and building the computer that mastered the tracks; to Bob Cotterell and crew at Creative Sound for the splendid duplication job, to Alfred Lau for extra assistance with the graphics and liner notes, and to Webkors Productions for the gorgeous web site.

Special thanks: to Randy Berk for the beautiful Stone Table logo and graphic, to Silu Sanghavee and Tom Corkery for believing, to Tim’s son Nate for the invasion of his bedroom by all the recording equipment, and to our friends at Camp Woody, Alaska and the Pomona "Walk to Emmaus" for life-long inspiration. —The Stone Table String Band: Tim, Bruce, Kirstin, Kelly, Mike and Dave, January, 2000.