Tricky Dilemma celebrates and brings to light in modern sound, the release of their thoughts and ideas about John P. Parker, an amazing 19th century hero whose accomplishments are no less than humanely monumental and have clearly made a path for many of us living in the 21st century. "John P. Parker: Viewed From 9 Dimensions" is Tricky Dilemma's second full length CD, following 2003's release of "The Howling Necessity" on journalist/band leader-Greg Tate's TruGroid label.
In this new recording, the band pays tribute to the life and times of former slave, inventor and abolitionist - John P. Parker. Obviously an appropriate subject for Tricky Dilemma, the interest was fostered by Marvin Sewell who had first visited the town in which Parker lived and worked, alongside other fierce abolitionists. After being informed of Parker's accomplishments, Marvin then brought Parker's deep legacy to the band.
The CD cover was created by the artist vanOs, from her series The Scenic Route. In this series, the artist explores the well-worn trails created by the movements of people, animals, insects, or even thought patterns, and creates a language of symbols associated with life's journeys. The work done specifically for the CD cover is entitled Crossing the River. The artist states: "Crossing the River deals with forced travel, to escape a situation. The river is very symbolic of change, of ritual cleansing. In mythology, rivers are often described as a living being, and of separating the world of the living from the netherworld. There is opportunity, but also a lot of fear involved in crossing. The people escaping slavery who were helped to freedom by John P. Parker had to put their trust in someone they didn't know. They had to cross a wide river in the dead of night, on a raft, silently, so as not to get caught. Most of them probably could not swim. And they did not know what would be in store for them on the other side."
We feel that it is important for the various arts communities to collaborate more for a bigger sound with a larger picture...
