Arrr, tangents, as derivied from the latin term tangentia, which, by the way, was the name sported by a "fusiongrass" ensemble which our own David Wilson fronted in the mid 70's. This group achieved a degree of muted, if nonetheless somewhat regional success at the time, and must accept the responsibility for any of the effects resulting from the two (2) albums released on Springfield's now defunct 'Queen City' record label. Both releases were produced by a then unknown Ned Reynolds, who is now the 'sports voice of the Ozarks' and can be seen and heard frequently throughout the area. Artistic differences between Reynolds and Tangentia resulted in an acrimonious parting of the ways in 1976 after dissapointing reviews of the group's "bicentennial themed revolutionary fusiongrass" lp, titled 'The Ballad of Bunker Hill'. One of the major difficulties with the album was that it was a double live recording from a summer festival in Marionville, which was beset by electrical and hence recording problems when power lines connecting the band's equipment were chewed through by the famous local white squirells. This resulted in lacking enough material for 4 complete lp sides, so the group decided to leave the 3rd side completely blank, and titled it 'Calm before the Storm'. It was a "concept piece", according to David Wilson, who now, by the way, has bought all rights to the recording and is selling them from his home address or via phone order.
The end of the group came as pre-production activity was underway for an album of extended free-form improvised jam compositions based upon assorted fugues in D Minor. While setting up studio mikes around the two (2) drum sets to be used by percussionist Lonny Roark, Wilson accidently tore the ACL in his right knee, requiring a postponement of the planned activities, in which said hiatus other band members simply lost interest or had to move away in order to take advantage of seasonal employment opportunities with the U.S. Forest Service.
According to unpublished reports, David Wilson still has hopes of re-uniting former band mates in an effort to complete their final project. This may be difficult since several of them have fallen from the radar screen, moved far away, or developed other careers. Most notable among these would be Wilson's friend, actor Harry Dean Stanton. Still, there have been some signs of life from former fans of the group, and tentative plans for a reunion concert are rumored to be possible, according to former roadie, Ronnie Pine, of Rocky Comfort, Mo.
More details when they happen.