Kevyn Dymond "Lost In Public" ( Guaranteed Cleveland 1987)
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During the 1980s and early 90s, home recording musician Kevyn Dymond, from Arcata California, released a series of outstanding works. His deft and intricate musical chops accompanied by his cunning social observations created a thoroughly enjoyable, humorous and extremely captivating listening experience. Before “Lost In Public” which came out in 1987, Kevyn had released a couple of other highly engaging and jaw dropping home tapes. He also released some collaborative efforts as well, “Play Something You Know”, “Play Something Else” , and “Tiny Fishes : Fluid Footprints” which featured dozens of people on various instruments and vocals all recorded on his 4 track portastudio deck. He has also had many bands in his local area such as Girth and Barking Dogma to name only a couple.
I remember the first time I met Kevyn in 1987. His dedicated cadre of friends drove him all the way to the Bay Area from extreme Northern California ( about 400 miles) because he is disabled and didn’t drive. He appeared on my radio show and we cemented our long term friendship and musical camaraderie.
In 1991, he and I traveled to several countries in Europe meeting and recording with various friends there. We were delighted to encounter such people as Mick Magic, Stephen Parsons, Gypsy, Harald “Sack” Ziegler, Lord Litter, Guido Erfen, Andreas Bick, Jan Bruun, Birgit Gasser and many others. We even did a short tour of eastern Germany with Das Frei Orchester fronted at that time by Lord Litter. Later, in Berlin, we met up with Andreas Bick for an all night recording session in a 16 track studio. It was quite an experience for us both although this trip took a toll on Kevyn’s health.
I have also had the pleasure of recording many songs with him beginning with my “Pen Pals” tape in 1988 to more recent exploits such as a tune on my double CD set, “Pen Pals 3” in 2005. Robin O’Brien and I also worked with him as The Selfish Gandhis on a couple of outings. We’ve even had the opportunity to jam with him and his talented friends in his area which has been a real blast.
To me, Kevyn’s music is timeless. Sure, it has “rock” and “pop” moments and has been sometimes been pigeonholed into the Zappa basket. Like all true originals though, Kevyn rises higher and transcends his influences and creates his own identifiable and unique form of expression. “Lost In Public” is a real classic of home taping filled with many memorable songs and moments. It makes me smile, sit back amazed and cherish the fact that I got to hear it. Knowing him personally is the kind of added treat that made the tape trading community so worthwhile to me.
I hope you enjoy this 1987 tape. His other 80’s and early 90’s cassettes are equally inspired and are now available on CD.
And just recently, Kevyn released his first solo album in 20 years , “Somewhere Off The Southern Coast of Antarctica”. He does not have email but write me if you would like his postal address. You will be richly rewarded and a nicer guy you will not meet.