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| Tunes These are either as "Done", as finished as they're gonna be until I'm able to re-cut them in an actual studio, or they are "Pro Tempore", meaning there's work yet to be done. Click the title, hear the song...and if you're inclined you can scroll down further to read a note or two about each one. Thanks for checking them out! "Here For You" Done © 2006 BoomerTunes "Posting Up" Pro Tempore (little production changes needed + final mix) © 2006 BoomerTunes "Lemonade" Pro Tempore (vocals and other major stuff needed) © 2006 BoomerTunes "Out Of My Hood" Pro Tempore (vocals and production touches needed) © Avodah Music A Few Thoughts On The Tunes "Here For You" Done © 2006 BoomerTunes Why: Written for my son, Chasen. What: Written in the spring of 2005, approximately. First song of my "second wind" for creating music: I had not sat down to actually craft a new piece of music since 1989. Marriage, parenthood, other pursuits had taken priority - and songcraft requires a certain amount of obsession, and a modicum of selfishness with regard to time. I've found a way to balance these things fairly well at the moment, and this tune being the first one out of the box really reignited the flame. I like this song for many reasons. How: My first effort using GarageBand. Of course I had to go and write a song in a 3/4 swinging meter, making things a bit difficult as far as the GB learning curve went. I particularly enjoyed hearing the drum sounds, since the last time I used anything other than natural tubs was in the prehistoric era of electronic percussion. I like the guitar sound in the coda solo, too. The need for a bridge resulted in the mostly a capella bit, which was added last. "Posting Up" Pro Tempore © 2006 BoomerTunes Why: I was feeling the need for an instrumental with some bounce. What: This song got its title from the remarkable echo it contains of several television theme songs written by Mike Post, most especially the theme from "The White Shadow" (in it's swaggering meter, primarily). The similarity with Mr. Post's work wasn't immediately apparent; I really felt it upon hearing it without playing it at the same time. Once I did notice the similarities, I felt mighty pleased: One of my favorite pieces of vinyl is my copy of Mr. Post's "Television Theme Songs" collection from the 1982. How: GarageBand, starting with really no set plan, just riffing around with a basic piano sound. This one came in a little bassackwards: I actually layed down the piano track, then the horns, then the bass, then the B-3, THEN the drums. I also used drum loops for this one, and I think it's the loop in the chorus, with it's big ol' BOOM of a kick drum sound on the 1, that makes me think of the "White Shadow" theme. That, and the leading, looping organ progression in the verse. To Do: - I'm not entirely sold on each drum loop, and will likely add consistent transitional loops between verses/choruses. - There's a bit of a wobble in the first line of the solo. - Clearly, the ending - but just preceding that, that's a first-take pass at the coda that I'm feeling sideways about. - The usual odds and ends, cleaning up the mix, tightening the levels up and down throughout. "Lemonade" Pro Tempore © 2006 BoomerTunes Why: No reason; just sat down and the riffs materialized over about a 15-minute period. What: This is just a nice little foundation, with a bit of a swing to it, for a plaintive little vocal I am fooling around with in my head. As usual, the creation of the vocal is following the creation of the riff. Haven't gotten the motivation to nail it down, but at the same time I do listen to it every day; it's a good sign when a riff like this gets its hooks into me. How: GarageBand. What you hear is what you get, so far. To Do: - Lots and lots...this is what my songs sound like in their infancy. "Out Of My Hood" Pro Tempore © Avodah Music Why: It was my great fortune to be invited to play in a band headed up by an amazingly crafty songwriter named Michael Himmelstein - or, to some, "Mike Zorro". It started out as a one-time, one-gig proposition (filling in for a Bay Area band who couldn't make their date at the long-gone and much-loved Central (now the Viper Room). For the next few years the band, now called The Rumblebees, played private parties, a few clubs, made some recordings - and I loved every minute of it. Zorro is a very funny, slightly twisted genius of the blues-rock-twang variety. I started on drums, moved to keyboards, and always did second vocals duty. The thing faded away after a while, but Mike has had a second incarnation of the band grooving well for several years now. They have albums out, any of which are good music investments. Please visit Mike and his gang at The Rumblebees web site. What: I talked to Mike a few years ago, just knocking around old times, and I mentioned that I hoped to cover one or two of the old 'Bees tunes. With his blessing, this is the first little jump in that direction. How: GarageBand. I really dig how the drum sounds can be made so powerful, and I'm pleased with the steel-slide guitar sound as well. The drum parts are all played live to the track, no looping - which seems right for this kind of pounding beat. To Do: - Vocals, natch. - Fix the hi-hat line in the second verse; just a bit off. - Add in the second part of the solo, and tighten that whole section up a great deal. - Clean it up, lock it down, and call it "Done"! This is one of those that can get easily overcooked - less will be more here. |