3 Plus One album – Purple Vinyl LP 12″ and handmade poster package. 13 instrumental tracks. Fluorescent woodblock poster with the LP. Limited edition of 50, signed and numbered.
3 Plus One – CD version – 13 instrumental tracks inspired by Latin, Folk Rock, Jazz, World Tango and Eastern European Folk.
Better Day’s first album – 15 great songs like Pie for Breakfast, Mamma’s Country Home, Ridgeline and Good Dog.
Better Day’s second release with songs like Sweet Virginia, Sunny Day, Gringo Grove and Train to Home.
The third Better Day album, songs include, Top of the Hill, Rose and Crown, So Tired, It’s a Beautiful Thing and Cut Up.
Re-mastered solo album “Space Flower”
For Spotify go here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WEOQDWotG6OzEv12MREEM
Apple Music or iTunes use this link: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1714587788
Better Day
In 2008 three friends got together to play a few tunes and share some music time. Billy Maguire, Bob Bayles and Sam Albright had known each other since the 1970s when they were students at Central Washington University. Sam had played with Leah Shelton in a band called Rusty Bucket and asked Leah if she would like to sing in this new band. They all got together and Better Day was on it’s way. Better Day played all over Eastern Washington State and created three fine albums that were in rotation on NW Public Radio’s show Inland Folk with Dan Maher.
Listen to the 1st Better Day album on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/better-day/325622303
Changing Water album:
On Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2goUPmsAkksHWT7VSSIcWa?si=Jf9Pmlq7Tpqzc77M-NvU8Q
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/changing-water/493645251
Another Better Day:
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/14AtkG6DNyXWs6WVcFqNU9?si=SO95yDzjRQaQSG4qQ5k7eQ
And Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/another-better-day/1046626124
Velvetone Records & Studio 1983 to 2023
Velvetone Records was started by Sam Albright in 1983. Velvetone studio was built on the second floor of an old concrete building in Ellensburg, Washington, circa 1913. With thick walls and well designed interior it was a great place to focus and work. The original engineer was Peter Karl who now runs Peter Karl Studios in Brooklyn NY and specializes in recording great jazz with vintage mics. In the mid 80s Steve Fisk moved from Olympia and took over as engineer, recording some of the early iconic records of the alternative Northwest music scene including the first four Screaming Tree albums. He continues as producer, musician and audio engineer based in Tacoma, Washington
Whatever the style, Albright always emphasized creativity, hard work and skill at Velvetone. From recording Screaming Trees, Moral Crux, Beat Happening and remixing a project for Sound Garden to later emphasis on acoustic projects and being an amazing practice and recording space for many local musicians. The Velvetone studio building has moved on to other uses but will be remembered by those who got to spend time there as a little hidden away creative oasis.