You will find the explanation for these symbols below. Cuneiform rendering by Dr. Joseph Pagan, UCLA

People who contributed their talents to Gilgamesh

A Special Thanks

There are so many people to thank, people who have put a tremendous amount of work into this project that I can never repay. First I need to thank my wife of twenty years, Mary Ann, for her patience and tolerance. To my talented children, Anthony, Jennifer, Ann Marie and Steven. Thanks for putting up with your old Dad and his crazy interests and projects, and for adding so much with your incredible talents. Hey Mom! Thanks for the Roland JV880 - although you may not know what that means, without it -and advising me to come up with a song that has a "beat" (I think I wrote one with a "beat"?), I couldn't have done this! Thanks, Mom!

Next on the list there is William Brown, without whose help this project would not be the same. Your contribution in time, composition and performance were second to none. Thanks for being my Co-Producer - and for putting together the "New York contingent"!!!! OH - and for putting up with a picky pain in the turban like me! Thanks Billy.

Mike Carr and I have been in and out of musical endeavors through the years, and each time it is a pleasure working with him. Your vocal talents and relentless spirit are an inspiration to me, Mike. Thank you.

Casey Carney - you and I recorded "Proton Decay" (a very old project I did when I was back in Huntington, NY) together, and since that time your incredible talent as a drummer/percussionist has been exemplary. You always adds so much to a song - always the perfect amount of what needs to be there. That's why I always work with you. Thanks, Festival Nose.

Lisasmith and I have never met, or even emailed each other, but she has interrupted her own projects to allow time for Billy to use her studio for my crazy projects. I always ask her to sing on at least one song per CD, and her voice adds a wonderful color to the compositions. Thanks Lisasmith, for your time, talent and the use of Stomp Box Studios.

Certainly, I am indebted to Joe Pagan and Romi Keerbs, whose dedication to the project has been as great as my own. Without Joe's translation, explanation and rendering of the Cuneiform characters that grace each web page and the Compact Disc cover, we would all feel less connected with this ancient culture. Romi, what can I say? Your artistic talents lend character to the various versions of the cover of the compact disc and booklet. Thank both of you for working so hard for someone you've never met!

Then there is Marcie Shreier, whose helpful comments and beautiful voice gave me great insight into the music, and brought the goddess Inanna alive once again. Thanks for being there for all the many mixes I sent you, and your invaluable opinions a perfect pitch and for flying from Israel to AZ to do the vocal!! Thanks Marcie.

Although I've never met Philip Griffin, I feel we are kindred spirits of a sort. I think our fascination with the music of that region of the world is what inspires us. When Marcie told me she had a friend who is an incredible musician and played instruments of the Near and Middle East, I was "chomping at the bit" to have him play on Gilgamesh. Without hesistation, (but with some curiosity as to how we would put this together) Philip volunteered his talents for the cause. I can't thank you enough, Philip.

Dave Helfand, I have only one thing to say, POWER!!!! Thank you for trusting me with one of your song. It was quite a gamble, but I think it worked really well. We need to work together in the future more often - I will be sure that happens. Thank you my old friend.

And Monkee - what would a Garone compact disc be without the Monkee? I don't know, but there will never be one without you. Thanks for flying out in time to be on this one!!!

Extra special thanks to my pal Cathy Norwood, who spent her Christmas break editing the Gilgamesh Story by Tablet page. Thanks Cathy! Without your hard work very little of what I wrote would have made sense.

Oh - and I almost forgot - my brother Kenny. I know you have a hectic life, and how difficult it was for you to put bass on "We Are All One", but I want you to know how much I appreciate it. Sorry, but I had to have you on this project. Thanks and love to the Keng!!!

The Cuneiform for "A Special Thanks"

In an email from Joe:

Hi Tony,
Sorry I didn't get back to you before now, but I think I have something that might express thanks in Akkadian cuneiform: li-it-ta-i-du for litta'idu from the infinitive nâdu "to praise." This is a verb in the N-Stem (passive voice), plural, common gender, desiderative mood, and may be translated as "let them be praised," or "may they be praised." If you would prefer the singular form, it would be li-it-ta-i-id for litta'id "may he/she be praised." Let me know if you think it will work. Attached is the cuneiform for li-it-ta-i-du. Talk to you later,
...Joe

Thanks Joe.

Image by William Brown