In case 2008 doesn’t seem like all that long ago, the image below is one I found on Carlton Melton‘s MySpace page. Many of the pictures are gone, but this one with the album info written in what looks like a MS-Paint-with-mouse handwriting was still there, and, since all the images of the album art are teeny-tiny, I figured that would be fun to include instead.

The Mendocino drift-heads released Live in Point Arena as their first CD-R in suitably casual fashion, winding up with about 100 copies made, one of which indeed is listed currently for $100 cash monies on Discogs. Below, guitarist Rich Millman gives some background remembering the get-together where the set was recorded, as well as how it was recorded, and you’ll also find the preorder link for the first official vinyl edition of Live in Point Arena, which will be a 2LP out through Lay Bare Recordings in a they-should-probably-make-more edition of 300, though mind you I have no idea if they’ll actually make any more of them.

Among the admirable traits of the new version is that it doesn’t cost a hundred bucks. Plus availability. Plus headpsych.

Have at it:

CARLTON MELTON – PRE ORDER DEC 3RD 10:00 cet DOME ROCK AT ITS FINEST!

Carlton Melton’s CD-r version of ‘Live in Point Arena’ finally on heavy weight vinyl (2LP).

Honoured to announce that the ‘Live in Point Arena’ CD-r version from Carlton Melton finally will be released on heavy weight coloured vinyl as 2LP.

Limited to 300 x 2LP worldwide. Pre-order the vinyl majick via Lay Bare Recordings: https://laybarerecordings.com/release/live-in-point-arena-by-carlton-melton-lbr036

‘Live In Point Arena’ was recorded during a full moon on the evening of July 18th, 2008. It wasn’t a live show but more a gathering of friends and folks to play some ‘head music’ at Brian’s home which happened to be a geodesic dome and ideal for those types of sounds. I recorded the evening on a M-Audio handheld recorder duct taped to the wall/ceiling of the North side of the Dome. When I got back to San Francisco a few days later I immediately crushed the audio to 4-track cassette tape on a Tascam 424. Upon listening back I thought this stuff sounded cool and shared it with Andy. We then burned some cd-r’s to give to friends and likeminded folks. Andy dropped off a copy to Scott Hewicker at aQuarius records in San Francisco and they liked it enough to request a few cd-r’s to sell at the shop and also posted a kind review by Scott. Then there were more requests for the cd-r’s and we burned some more ( like 70 or so ) and that was that…

Until now 13 years later and our friend Désirée kindly asking if she can release the cd-r recording on vinyl on her label with some added bonus bits recorded that same evening. We thank you Désirée and Lay Bare Recordings.

Andy had brought up his guitar and amp and used it on ‘happy song’, ‘against the wall’, ‘full moon ridge’, and the bonus tracks ‘thirst cycle’ and ‘purer’ (extended). Andy also got on the drums for ‘fucking funky shit’ and bonus tracks ‘another log on the fire’, ‘speeditup’, and ‘rubbery room’. Brian got on the drums for ‘happy song’, ‘against the wall’ and the bonus track ‘purer’ (extended). Andreas stopped by and played drums on ‘full moon ridge’. I played guitar and synth throughout the evening. Some other folks stopped by throughout the night offering shout outs and guidance. It was a special night and eventually forged the beginnings of the musical group Carlton Melton. We hope you can find some joy and amusement with this blast from the past. Long Live Dome Rock.

– Rich April 2021

Tracklisting:
Happy Song
Against The Wall
Fucking Funky Shit
Inter Mission
Root Ball
Full Moon Ridge
Legion of Doom
Thirst Cycle
Another Log On The Fire
Speeditup
Rubbery Room
Purer ( extended )

Lineup:
Andy Duvall / guitar, drums
Brian McDougall / drums
Rich Millman / guitar, synthesizers
John Steuernagel / bass

https://www.facebook.com/Carlton-Melton-band-page-142609689122268/
https://meltoncarlton.bandcamp.com/
http://www.carltonmeltonmusic.com/
https://laybarerecordings.com/
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https://www.instagram.com/laybarerecordings/

Carlton Melton, “Happy Song”