By Stephen Pytak

     The classic horror film "Last House on the Left" 
did more than put fear in my heart. 
     It also put a tune, or two, in my head. 
     I first saw it on video back around 1985. A few 
days later, I had the songs which punctuated the 
soundtrack -- a blend of good-time folk and easy 
listening tunes -- running through my head. The song 
"Wait for the Rain" was one in particular. 
        "And the road leads to nowhere 
         And the castle stays the same 
         And the father tells the mother 
         Wait for the rain..." 
     The songs didn't stick necessarily because of 
the power of the film. Truth is, the songs are quite 
catchy, even infectious. 
     When the film's star and composer, David A. 
Hess, released a CD soundtrack many years later, 
in 1999, I immediately picked it up and added it to 
my collection. 
     Now, in October 2001, Hess has decided to 
release a new CD filled with a dozen new tracks. 
     And it's about time. 
     Hess, who studied music composition at Julliard 
and helped write three songs for Elvis, has a talent 
for spinning words into music. His words and music 
make impressions. This is especially so with his new 
CD, "Caught up in the Moment," which is probably 
his most personal project. 
     The 12 folk/easy listening tracks include good-time 
foot-tapping tunes like "High," a tribute to the libido 
called "Animal Dreams" and self portraits like 
"Vagabond."
     I say it's probably his most personal project 
because these songs are about him, his soul, his 
emotions, his family, his life. 
     "I've been asked so many times where have I 
been for the last 25 years...this CD is a collection 
of 'Me's' over that time span," Hess said in the CD 
notes. 
     If this is the soundtrack to the life of David 
Hess, it's a pretty good one. These songs stick with 
you. Every now and then, I hear "Animal Dreams" 
playing in my head. This song would sound great in 
any piano bar.
        "Animal Dreams
          invading my body
          animal screams
          out of my control
          losing my mind
          to the twistin' and urgin'
          under the spell
          of a second hand virgin..."
     Whenever I hear the song, I have this image of 
Hess sitting at the edge of the catwalk in some 
strip joint taking in all the eye candy, hungry for 
a taste.
     A scene like that would make a great music video. 
     I'd recommend this disc to anyone, but especially 
people in the area who like folk music. 
     Of course, for fans of "Last House," or "House 
on the Edge of the Park," it's a must. 
     The disc is available at www.davidhess.com.