Jim has one completed CD, Afterimages,
which is currently out of print. He is currently at work on Playing
Life By Ear, expected to be released later this year. He has also
released a few singles, some of which can be
downloaded on this site.
In 2006, Jim was asked by friend Glen Eric Reed to
compose an original soundtrack for a community theatre
production of Sam Shepard's True West staged by the
Barley Sheaf Players in
Lionville, PA. The mostly instrumental soundtrack was used before
the show, during intermission, and during scene changes. The curtain call featured the
one song with lyrics, "True to Me," co-written with Glen. An EP of the soundtrack is
available on CD at Jim's gigs.
ACT ONE 01 - "True
To Me (Instrumental)" (J. Balcerek) 02 - "I
Don't Sleep" (J. Balcerek) 03 - "A
Couple a' Projects" (J. Balcerek) 04 - "The
Keys" (J. Balcerek) 05 - "Chase
Into The Unknown" (J. Balcerek)
ACT TWO 06 - "The
Clubs" (J. Balcerek) 07 - "We're
Partners Now" (J. Balcerek) 08 - "Dried
Up" (J. Balcerek) 09 - "A
General Lack of Toast" (J. Balcerek) 10 - "To
The Desert" (J. Balcerek)
11 - "True
To Me" (Lyrics - J. Balcerek & G. Reed; Music - J. Balcerek)
The
production for this album has been upgraded a bit. Jim is now using digital multitrack
recording and plays almost all of the instruments himself. After nearly
five years of work, the album was released on 16 October 2007. You can
view the release announcement to
purchase downloadable tracks through Snocap or click below to buy the CD through
CD Baby. (Note: You can save $2 by purchasing the CD directly
from Jim at his gigs.)
Track List:
"Playing Life by Ear (Part 1)"
"And Life Goes On"
"Distant Echo"
"Cozumel"
"A World I've Known"
"5:58"
"Just a Dream"
"So Familiar"
"Invisible Man"
"The Agent"
"Pedestal"
"Too Familiar"
"Playing Life by Ear (Part 2)"
"That Day to Come"
Jim's
first solo
effort, a legitimate basement recording. Without a backup
band, Jim did most of the arranging using MIDI composition tools. After
recording those arrangements to a four-track, he added guitars and
vocals. While the production may sound a bit raw, Jim is
generally happy with the treatment of the material. Half of the songs
came from his collaboration with Keith
Stetson, the band Gramma
Fudgebottom, while the other half were new.
"Time for Christmas" (J. Balcerek) - December 2006 "Christmas Shopping" (Lyrics - J. Balcerek; Music - Trad.,
J. Balcerek Arr.) - December 2005
"Went Our Ways" (2002 Version) (J. Balcerek) - Spring 2002
"Time for
Christmas" (J. Balcerek) - December 2000 (original version, no longer
available)
