The TANK is still resonating with the sound of more than fifty folks who came a-caroling a few weeks back. Now we are pleased and excited to offer Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK, a thirteen-song CD of traditional Christmas carols, sung in The TANK by the people of Rangely and produced by The TANK Center for Sonic Arts.
Want to give a present that sounds great and does good this holiday season? You can order downloads or actual CDs of Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK below. All proceeds will be donated to Rangely School District RE-4, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and The TANK Center for Sonic Arts.
To Order CD by Mail Click Here
Please note: Your order is being placed with, and will be shipped and handled by Rangely School District RE-4.
To Order Music Downloads Click Here
How it Came To Pass
Read CD Liner Notes here
During our Summer Solstice Celebrations last June, Elaine Urie, one of our strongest local supporters, brought Rangely businessman Sam Tolley to experience The TANK for himself. Sam is a savvy oilman who, up to that point, had been pretty skeptical about these “wild-eyed musicians” from far away who had been descending on Rangely for decades to make recordings in an old abandoned water tank. But, when Bruce Odland joined Elaine to sing for Sam, and Sam heard the marvelous acoustics of The TANK, a twinkle came to his eye. He said, “I want to do something for Rangely.”
That something is Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK, an album of traditional Christmas carols, sung by the people of Rangely and produced by The TANK Center for Sonic Arts. Sam said he’d foot the bill for the whole thing, with the proceeds going to Rangely School District RE-4, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and The TANK Center for Sonic Arts. Sam’s prediction? “We’re gonna sell a million.”
Putting together a Christmas album in just a couple of months, from scratch, using a 65 foot tall steel tank with up to 40 seconds of reverberation as a recording studio is no small task. Sam’s idea meant that a dozen different groups of musicians who could make good music had to be found — and quickly! In a small town like Rangely, that meant that nearly everyone ended up involved in the CD in some way.
Volunteers and supporters contacted Rangely residents who had made music during Open Saturdays in The TANK this past summer to ask them to consider playing on the CD and to think of others who might jump in. What followed was a team effort involving enthusiastic townspeople and those “wild-eyed musicians.”
There are lots of people who made this happen. Heather Zadra, The TANK Center for Sonic Arts Operations Coordinator, sought out musicians, scheduled rehearsals, encouraged and nudged reluctant carolers. Sam got on the phone with his contacts. The local schools, a family country band, and singers from the churches all got involved, and soon we had more than a dozen “acts” and lots of ideas for carols.
Friends of The TANK former Executive Director Rich Harris arranged for speedy pressings of CD’s. Outreach Chairwoman Lois LaFond teamed up with local graphic artist Julia Davis for cover art, Bruce Odland enlisted Mark Fuller to come in from Northern California and lend his formidable engineering and mastering skills. (Mark last visited The TANK in 1993, when he played drums on Bruce’s Leaving Eden, back in the illegal trespassing days.)
Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK was accomplished in four days: two days of rehearsals and setting up the new recording studio in our Rhino Cubed container, and two days to record thirteen songs.
This was the first full use of The TANK Center for Sonic Arts as a recording studio, something that has been years in the planning. Engineer Mark Fuller and his local assistant Samantha Wade caught every voice, every instrument, every song in sonic splendor.
When you listen to Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK, you will hear the big heart of a small town, high in the desert, singing out and ringing out within the walls of an old steel water tank that was recognized, saved, and is loved as an acoustical treasure.
Come visit soon (we’re open May though October). Bring your voice, bring an instrument, bring your ears. We’ll be here.
Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK
Who’s Who
In Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK, a small oil town in the high desert of Western Colorado sings its heart out in the amazing cathedral acoustics of The TANK. Christmas carols have never sounded more rich, haunting, or moving than they do in the vast reverberant space of The TANK Center for Sonic Arts. Four voices sound like twenty as reverberation of up to 40 seconds spins through this acoustical gem. The twang of country western harmonies, ultra serene Gregorian Chant versions of traditional carols, baroque violins, children’s voices, and sleigh bells all resound with gorgeous shimmering tones in The TANK’s 65-foot-tall steel soundspace.
Bay Area master engineer Mark Fuller, assisted by Samantha Wade, captured these overwhelmingly beautiful acoustics in a compelling 40-minute collection of music that tells the story of the Nativity from many perspectives and in many styles. Musical Director Bruce Odland wove together this musical tapestry of talented local voices and musicians. Local Rangely artist Julia Davis and TANKster Lois LaFond created the moody artwork for the CD.
Rangely oilman and philanthropist, Sam Tolley, donated the funds to gather together and record Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK. All proceeds raised from Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK will benefit Rangely public schools, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and The TANK Center for Sonic Arts.
JOY TO THE WORLD and ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Elaine Urie is a longtime Rangely businesswoman who has been an advocate, generous supporter, and friend of The TANK from the very first note she sang there.
Jana Wright and Elaine Urie sang together in a church trio before Jana moved to Cortez, Colorado. We’re so pleased Jana brought her beautiful, soaring soprano for a visit to The TANK.
Heather Zadra, longtime Rangely resident and college English teacher, heard about “Save The TANK” efforts in 2013, and decided to write a story for the local newspaper. She started her research with a visit to The TANK, accompanied by Samantha Wade, and has been involved ever since.
JINGLE BELLS
This “party version” of Jingle Bells is enthusiastically sung by the students of the Parkview Elementary School Choir, directed by first-year teacher Caitlin Leslie. If you listen closely you can hear the “sleigh ride” leaving the TANK and disappearing in the distance.
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL
Rangely Junior/Senior High School music instructor and director Carol Morton wrote the beautiful arrangement of Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel performed with such skill and beauty by the Rangely High School Band and Choir.
WE THREE KINGS
Amada Garcia, a student at Colorado Northwestern Community College, attended the CNCC session of Days of Sonic Learning in September, 2016. When she sang a few bars of Ave Maria on her way out of The TANK, Heather Zadra, her English instructor, snagged her to participate in Rangely A-Caroling at The TANK. (She also sings on Silent Night.)
Miranda Hayes grew up in Rangely, and is well-known in town for her powerful alto, which found a home in the music of Patsy Cline and Martina McBride. She left for many years to pursue a singing career in Nashville, and returned last year to be closer to family. Being asked to sing on the CD meant her first experience in The TANK; she was overwhelmed, and instantly understood how special a sonic space it is.
Marie Morton is a recent graduate of Wheaton College, who grew up with music in her homeschool education, both piano and voice. Marie has always loved to sing — which might have something to do with being Carol Morton’s daughter — taking the melody or harmony, and lending her strong, confidant voice to We Three Kings.
We’re so fortunate that Michelle Jones — cello player, college music major, and homeschooling mom — was able to join her friends and neighbors to share her considerable talents for We Three Kings.
WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
Desert Storm veteran and Commander Lisa Hatch became reacquainted with her violin to join her friend, Michelle Gohr, in a splendid version of What Child is This?.
THE FIRST NOEL
Rangely Senior High School student Abigail Shriver came to The TANK several times this summer during Open Saturdays, often with family members, and fell in love with the space. Abigail speaks often of the peace that singing in The TANK brings to her.
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL
The Bishop and Campos families are good friends who share a love of music, so joining together to perform O Come, All Ye Faithful seemed perfectly natural. Their harmonies resound beautifully in The TANK.
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
Nurse practitioner at Rangely District Hospital, and a gifted musician, Shelby Lindsay has also been a volunteer through The TANK’s inaugural open season. He sings a lyrical In the Bleak Midwinter, with Bruce Odland on hammered dulcimer.
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
The Fiscus family has been making music together since their two boys, Jarrod and Jordan, could hold guitars. Well known in the community as “Fiscus & Gravy,” they play at venues ranging from ice cream socials to summer weekend events. Dan, who is gifted at many instruments, played in The TANK on several occasions this summer.
I HEARD THE BELLS
Wayne Nickson loves The TANK, and has talented grandchildren who came to love it during Open Saturdays this summer, as well. Wayne gives a heartrending rendition of I Heard the Bells, a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow after learning that his son had been wounded fighting in the Civil War. Wayne is the safety officer of the local pipeline company, and has helped greatly building out the TANK.
CAROL OF THE BELLS
Samantha Wade, who grew up singing in The TANK, performs an amazing vocal interpretation of Carol of The Bells.
SILENT NIGHT
Kelvin White, who was just a boy when he saw the old water tank get reconstructed in the early ’60s, sings a beautiful tenor solo over Rangely townspeople on Silent Night. Twenty Rangely residents, who are also TANK volunteers and supporters, joined Kelvin in this rendition.