365 DAYS PROJECT

2003   JULY 9   #190

Wild Man Fischer with Mark Mothersbaugh - The Way We Were

In addition to his exploits with Frank Zappa, Rosemary Clooney, Solomon Burke, Barnes & Barnes, and Rowan & Martin, outsider-music legend Larry "Wild Man" Fischer has also hobnobbed with Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo fame, as evidenced by this track. Recorded in 1989 and intended for use in the final episode of Pee-Wee's Playhouse, the all-too-brief "The Way We Were" features an absolutely beautiful multi-tracked vocal by Fischer over Mothersbaugh's understated keyboard work. Unfortunately, the show's producers decided to pass on this collaboration, putting the track in limbo until its appearance on a rare promo compilation of music recorded at Mothersbaugh's Mutato Muzika studios. Far from novelty, the obvious sincerity in Larry's vocal (among his best) and the song's lyrical parallels to his own life and career make this a moving 63 seconds. Thanks to Anders Moe and Jim Pierron for helping to track this down.

Thanks!

- Brian Belovarac

TT-1:03 / 1.2MB / 160kbps 44.1khz