Recorded Feb 3-5, 2005 at the Henhouse Studio, East Nashville TN
Produced by Steve Dawson
Engineer: Steve Dawson, Assistant Engineer: Lake Wilkinson
Mixing Engineer: Steve Dawson
Mastering Engineer: Alan Johnson – Static Shack Studio
Musicians:
Justin Amaral: Drums and percussion
Steve Dawson: Electric and acoustic guitars, pedal steel guitar
Jen Gunderman: Hammond organ, Piano, Wurlitzer
William Moore: Acoustic and electric bass guitar
Nick Zyromski: Electric, lap steel, and Weissenborn guitars, vocals
All songs written by Nick Zyromski – copyright 2025 Crooked Finger music
Nick Zyromski has been playing guitar (and other stringed instruments) and writing original music for over 30 years. His music reflects a diverse listening palate - rooted in the blues, with healthy doses of folk, Americana, and jazz sprinkled in.
Over the years, Nick has played in many formats – from solo instrumental and songwriter gigs, to full band with 3 to 5 piece horn section (the AbdoMen). His core group (the Crooked Finger Rhythm Revue) features Zyromski on vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, lap steel, Weissenborn, and mandolin, supported by bass, drums, harmony vocals, and banjo.
Recorded at Steve Dawson's Henhouse Studios in Nashville, TN
Nick Zyromski - vocals, guitars, lap steel guitar Steve Dawson - guitars, pedal steel guitars Justin Amaral - Drums Will Moore - Bass
This project is a snapshot of life – the songs are about life (and death, and everything in between). Some are fact, some are fiction, and some are a combination of both. All are seen through the musical lens of my own station in life. I have been extraordinarily fortunate over the past few years to make music with a lot of fantastic and inspiring musicians; many have given their time and talent to this project.
Special Thanks Goes out to all of the musicians who helped transform these simple songs into something much bigger than just guitar and vocals; Ryan Powell for great ears and great enthusiasm; Robert Norwood for supporting so much music, small and large; Jennifer, for putting up with (and inspiring) this music; Anna, Jake, Maddy, JR, Sarah, for chaos and love; Paddy Burgin, for making the greatest Weissenborn-style guitars on the planet; Richard Hoover and Santa Cruz Guitars for giving up one of their babies (one with a lot of songs in it…); Tony Loeb, for helping me see where the rubber meets the road; Dr. Adam Cohen and Diane Halfpenny for getting the crooked finger to work again; David Lindley for inspiration, instruction, and those great chords; Jorma Kaukonen for such great music, for teaching, and especially for building the musical melting pot that is called Fur Peace Ranch. Steve (Ames) Graepel for friendship and artistic talent.
Recorded and mixed at Repo-Records, Indianapolis throughout 2014 and just barely in 2015. Engineer: Ryan Powell
Produced and Mixed by Ryan Powell
Mastered by Alan Johnson at the Static Shack, Indianapolis, IN
Front Cover Art: Steve “Ames” Graepel
Back Cover, and most of the inside photographs (the good ones): Robert Zyromski
Musicians :
Nick Zyromski – vocals, electric guitar, Weissenborn guitar, mandolin
Louie Meyer – drums, percussion, Djembe
Joe Meyer – electric bass guitar
Kathy O’Neil – harmony vocals, banjo, percussion
The AbdoMen are: Matt Pivec – tenor saxophone, horn arrangement (Ides of March, Suburban Purgatory, A Matter of Life and Death)
Kent Hickey – trumpet, horn arrangement (La Crise)
Chaz Rhoades – trombone
Recorded live at Static Shack Studios, Indianapolis IN, September 19, 2020 Alan Johnson – recording and mastering engineer Ryan Powell – Mixing engineer
Cover art – Anna Zyromski Cool Crooked Finger logo – Sara McGuyer
I wanted this project to reflect some live music in strange quarantine times – there are a few new tunes and a couple that have new (killer) horn arrangements by Matt and Kent. Many thanks to all who have been involved with this labor of love – especially all of our spouses and families. Thanks to Ken Reinstrom for supporting the band’s summer 2020 “residence” at Byrnes, special mention to the “OG” AbdoMen (Tucker Woerner, we missed you). Thanks to Alex Roch for the original French name (loosely translated as “Midlife Crisis” – draw your own conclusions).
Another snapshot of life – many thanks to all of the incredibly talented musicians who contributed to this project. The chance to leave a bit of music in this world is a true gift.
Cover painting: Anna Zyromski Candid Photographs mostly by Bob Zyromski
Recorded between 2016 and 2018 in Indianapolis, IN: REPO Recording Village Recording Ripple Fx and on location – Butler University Percussion Cave
Engineers: Chris Lieber (Ripple Fx); Brian Wheat (BR Recording); Ryan Powell (REPO Recording; Remote recording)
Produced by: Ryan Powell Mixed by: Chris Lieber Mastered by: Alan Johnson at the Static Shack, Indianapolis, IN
Nick Zyromski – vocals, Weissenborn guitar, bass guitar Louie Meyer – percussion “Expanded” AbdoMen Horn section: Matt Pivec (arrangement) – tenor saxophone Kent Hickey – trumpet Xavier Robertson – alto saxophone Tucker Woerner – trombone
Life’s unfairness came pouring out in a day. This song is so desperately sad, at first I thought I’d never play it, but then realized why it’s such an important reminder to love our kids.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, acoustic guitar Michael Beck – percussion Robert Norwood – double bass Kent Hickey – Flugelhorn
A beautiful mandolin melody provides canvas for the story of murder, death row, and forgiveness. Thanks to Page Zyromski for the example and the story.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, mandolin, Weissenborn guitar Louie Meyer - djembe Jim Holton – bass guitar Kathy O’Neil – vocals, banjo Michael Beck - percussion
This song started with one phrase in Kathy’s dining room – Kent’s amazing horn chart really drives the story.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, electric lap steel, rain stick Louie Meyer – percussion Chris Lieber - organ Kathy O’Neil – vocals Kristi Dwenger-Bourgeois – vocals “Expanded” AbdoMen Horn section: Kent Hickey (arrangement) – trumpet Matt Pivec – tenor saxophone Xavier Robertson – alto saxophone Tucker Woerner – trombone
Pure, fun fiction.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, Weissenborn guitar Stasia Demos-Mills – vocals, accordian
As I left home for a trip after a full, fun, sunny day, Sarah’s sadness informed this love song to a 4-year old daughter. Falling back on the classic jazz combo – mandolin and vibes…
Nick Zyromski – vocals, mandolin, electric lap slide Louie Meyer – percussion Jim Holton – bass guitar Pat Petrus – vibraphone
A tribute to Professor Claudio Bassi’s lifetime contribution to the discipline of pancreatology. Sure helps that Claudio is a killer musician – we had a lot of fun with this one.
Nick Zyromski - vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, electric lap slide Claudio Bassi - electric guitar solo, inspiration Michael Beck – percussion “the original” AbdoMen Horn section: Matt Pivec (arrangement) – tenor saxophone Kent Hickey – trumpet Tucker Woerner – trombone
This melody has been hanging around since right after JR was born – finally worked its way into a song.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, Weissenborn guitar Michael Beck – percussion Kathy O’Neil – vocals Kristi Dwenger-Bourgeois – vocals
Unfortunately, I’ve been excommunicated from the International Bouzouki Society for plugging the bouzouki into a wah wah pedal and tube screamer….
Nick Zyromski – vocals, bouzouki, electric lap steel Louie Meyer – percussion Joe Meyer – well placed bass note Chris Lieber – percussion (handcuffs, trash can lid)
This was the first song to come out of Paddy Burgin’s bouzouki. Sounds good on the mandolin, too.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, mandolin Jim Holton – bass guitar Chris Lieber – virtual percussion Kathy O’Neil – vocals, banjo
For Jennifer. The melody comes from Chandigarh, India.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, acoustic guitar Jane Rupert - violin
Claire’s vox were captured unaware.
Nick Zyromski – vocals, bass guitar, Weissenborn guitar Louie Meyer – percussion Anna Zyromski – trumpet Julius Ruhlmann – clarinet Claire Zyromski – vocals JR Zyromski – electric lead guitar
Our Events feature allows you to post your upcoming concerts and events on your website in a calendar or list view. The Pro plan even lets you sell tickets directly through your website!
CLAUDIO BASSI - Musician & Pancreatic Surgeon
Professor Claudio Bassi lived a remarkably full life. I first met Claudio through pancreas surgery circles, where he was widely recognized internationally as an excellent clinician, academician, extraordinary, mentor, and leader in our field. I was asked by Bill Traverso to play some music with Claudio at the 2015 Pancreas Club meeting at which he received an award recognizing his lifetime achievement in pancreatology. I resisted. Bill persisted. Finally, I called up Claudio hoping he would give us an out. To the contrary, he replied: (imagine a strong Italian accent) “Neeek! This will be great! We will play some blues!! We will play some Dylan!!!”
I knew Claudio was a guitar player, but had not appreciated the depth and breadth of his musicianship. Inspired by the rock ‘n’ roll of the late 60s and especially by jazz fusion in the 70s and 80s he had recorded and released a number of genre defying original albums under the musical stage name Bifo.
So there it was. We were going to play some music at the annual Pancreas Club dinner – attended by luminaries in the field and celebrating a luminary in Claudio. In case that wasn’t enough pressure…. I then had the brilliant idea to write Claudio a song (the pancreas blues, of course!). Maybe this WOULD be great! The meeting drew closer. I had no music. I called my friend Jeff Matthews – a senior pancreatic surgeon who happens to also be a heavyweight songwriter - for help. Jeff’s help: “great idea! Good luck!” Oh dear! I was struggling….
Thanksfully, as Mark Twain once said – the only true cures for writer’s block are hunger and fear. And thus, the pancreas blues was born on an airline flight from Indianapolis to Washington DC one day before the meeting! I had arranged for some music gear at the meeting venue. Claudio and I rehearsed once in his hotel room. Fortunately, we had the most favorable audience anyone could hope for (in fact, probably the majority of the people on the planet who could actually appreciate this song, all in one room… ) and we had a terrific time! Video documentation is attached below.
Coming home from the meeting, I thought it would be fun to record this song with the whole band. Matt Pivec put together a cool horn arrangement for the original AbdoMen. Fast-forward two years, the pancreas meeting was in Chicago. Claudio flew in a few days early to Indianapolis and we were able to spend some time together during which he laid down the lead guitar on this track that you hear today. For me, this was another awesome hang with an awesome human being. At the end of the session we were fooling around with an acoustic guitar and lap steel - our engineer Brian Wheat captured an off the cuff version of us playing one of Claudio's favorite tunes - Bob Dylan's “Blowin' in the wind” - this music really captures the energy of the moment - in a completely unprepared one-off. I must say, I never really listened closely to or understood these lyrics until I heard them in Claudio's (self described) “Bad Latin Accent.” This is truly a song of peace for our time - please see recording below.
A few years later, in 2020, Claudio called me to contribute to his next recording project. What a fun time that was. The basic tracks came with vocals in Italian. I don’t speak Italian, but the music was there and spoke for itself. The place for slide guitar, as always, was clear. We were able to record here in Indianapolis (at Ryan Powell’s Repo Records) and send the tracks back to Italy for mixing and mastering. The album turned out great! I’ve included some of Claudio’s song descriptions, and please follow the links to hear the entire album. A highlight for me was translation of the pancreas blues into Italian!
Sadly, we lost our friend Bifo in July of 2023 at the age of 70. Though we lost this force for good in the world far too soon, his impact was huge. Claudio’s legacy lives on in a long line of protégé pancreatologists and of course, through his music. Rest in peace Brother Bifo.
Jan 18, 2025
Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD is the Dallas B. Phemister Professor of Surgery and Chair of the University of Chicago Department of Surgery. Notably, he is *also* an incredible songwriter, killer guitarist, and creative producer. I met Jeff in the year…
Read more
