I have had great fun and I have you to thank for it.
A week ago, it was my 54th birthday. At that time, I asked a favor of you. I requested that you listen to something I recorded on the bass guitar, then send me your own original playing that it suggested to you. I would then mix the parts, making a song out of the music I received. It was my virtual birthday jam session.
I'm happy to report that four of you gave me enough material to compose three complete songs. You'll get to hear two of them today. The third, which will be something of a magnum opus, will be available Monday.
(You'll find that third one either a work of genius or complete and utter insanity. Since I'll be producing it, I vote for genius.)
The two tunes you'll hear today were relatively easy to put together. That's because the people who sent me the stuff I had to work with are well-trained musicians with good ears. I didn't have to do too much guessing concerning what pieces should go where. I had choices, but they were relatively simple ones.
I suppose, before giving you the ear candy, I should introduce the members of the band. They are, in order of appearance...
Song: 54
Trumpet - Knucklehead
Bass Guitar - Jimi LaRue
Drums - A. MacHine
Rhythm and Lead Guitar - James Winningham
Lead Guitar ("Chorus" sections) - Vincent Wunderkind
Ambient Guitar - Cricket
(James Winningham appears here via kind permission of TechnoBabe. Vincent Wunderkind appeared via A Broad With A View, with or without permission.)
(I hope none of the guys has a problem with those listings. Come Monday, and the genius/insanity, there will be more or differing credits for some.)
Song: Dog Eat Dog
Bass Guitar and Percussion Technician - Stu Mark
Rhythm and Lead Guitar - James Winningham
(I still play the bass in this one, but Stu made it sound the way it does. Thanks, Stu!)
I think the first cut, 54, captures much of what it feels like to me to have reached that age. There are places in the song where the pieces seem to be at war, sometimes the loudest thoughts win, and sometimes there are themes that might not seem to mesh initially but do after the initial jarring, then things tend to settle to some semblance of normalcy, albeit still with some tension. That's how my brain is functioning right now, so it's nice that the song came out that way.
The second tune, Dog Eat Dog, came more-or-less whole from James Winningham. He recorded using a more subdued bass line, but I've substituted Stu's amped-up version of my playing, giving the backing more bite. I hope you (and James) like that treatment.
So, once again, I am eternally grateful for the fun birthday gifts you've given me. I truly think the Monday production will blow you away. It will be epic, one way or another. In the meantime, enjoy!
54
Dog Eat Dog
By the way, on Monday you find out the name of the group and you get to see the album cover art. Even if you hate the music, you'll enjoy that, believe me.
Soon, with... ???
37 comments:
Wow, you know some damn fine guitarists, and that Irish guy, Angus MacHine on drums is rock solid.
Love what you did with the trumpet part. Makes me sound a little like 70's Miles Davis.
A little.
Great stuff! I wish I had things set up so that I could have recorded something to go along with it!
Always fascinating to hear things through someone else's ears. Nice mixes. We'll see about Monday... knowing the sort of people you hang around with, I'm expecting insanity.
Thoroughly, thoroughly impressed with how you pieced all the instruments together to produce a fabulous bluesy, jazzy, edgy, techno-feel instrumental. That is mad craftsmanship, Suldog. Looking forward to Monday's performance. :)
"Dog Eat Dog" FTW! You producer, you!
:-) Great fun stuff. Looking forward to more ...
Jim, very cool mixes! Amazing how you put the word out and a bunch of players jumped in and did a virtual jam without hearing the other pickers play! TechnoBabe and I loved it!
Wow!
54 reminds me of some of the music the teacher I had for a Music Literature and Appreciation class I took at college played as representation of "Modern" music.
Dog Eat Dog reminds me of the music that used to find its way out of the practice studios upstairs in the building across the street from where I worked in Downtown Palo Alto.
The "Modern" music really didn't fit in with the rest of the music we listened to in class. The free jam sessions in Palo Alto were another story entirely.
This was a fun idea to help celebrate your big 54. Hope your whole birthday event was special. As you are.
For whatever reason, I can't get the files to load. I'll keep tryin'. . .
But, y'all are makin' me wish I could've sat in with ya. Sounds like entirely too much fun. . .
What a fabulous idea... with fabulous results! Happy Birthday, Jim!
If anyone cannot listen to the songs, for whatever reason, but would like to, drop me a line at suldog@aol.com
I will send both mp3 files to anyone who asks.
This is some great jammin' going down up in here, Mr. Producer Man. Dog eat Dog totally rocks! You've put another laurel up on the old vinyl album because this sooo belongs on a record.
You have been very productive. I will have to come back to listen because both my granddaughters are tucked up in bed in the room next to my computer!
Like the sound of dog eat dog. Go for that!
Maggie X
Nuts in May
I've just listened to 54, and thought it a great one to get me ready to enter the dream state in a bit, when I finally get to bed. What a clever old stick you are! I don't want to change to a dog eat dog state of mind, so will leave that to wake me up in the morning! lol
Wow! Are cool are you and how cool is this music!!!
Pearl
Fantastic!I know nothing about music, but I liked what I heard. Can't wait till Mon.
Very creative! I loved it, and if I can make myself become a little more technosavy, I'll try loading them on my i-pod. The talent displayed is amazing. I LIKEY!
That was fun. So cool to hear how it turned out. You did a great job.. applause to all of you.
It must be awesome to be 54 if that sound captures what it feels like. Jim, this whole thing makes me smile. Isn't it amazing that blogworld and the internet brought this band together? And that people did this for you. Must make you feel very special (you are you know). Love this.
Will listen to the other track later.
And I meant awesome as in terrific and wonderful etc. ;-)
Man! James Winningham is one hell of a guitar player. I just listened to the dog eating the dog. You, Stu and James did a great job!
My God, is there no end to your talents? This has completely blown me away, what a brilliant idea, not only that, you made it work sooooooo well. I am thoroughly impressed, you guys rock!
What a fun idea for your Birthday. Enjoyed listening to both of them. We're looking forward to hearing # 3 on Monday along with seeing the album cover art. We can only imagine what you've come up with for the name of the group. That should be interesting! :o)
Oh, yeah...you nailed it on '54'!
I liked 'Dog', too. A lot.
So glad you had such a good birthday!
xoxoxo, cd
wow, this is very cool.
I did my morning exercise routine to "54". Perfectly apropos since I'm a bit over 54 and my exercises now consist of a short set. I can identify with your feelings on "54".
Bravo! I'm impressed with everyone's talent and your vision in coming up with the idea and following through. I can hardly wait for the album.
54 has the flavor of an Alan Parsons record. Very tasty stuff.
Pretty damn cool listening there, Jim. Kudos to you for coming up with the idea and to those who added their various musical talents to the project as well. Who knows but maybe you all have the makings of your own band! It could happen, ya know. So sayeth Judy Tenuto anyway.
i got my new laptop just in time to hear the results. and i am so glad i did. i really enjoyed that. so glad you had some talented folks to jam along with and give you such a fun treat. you and YOUR WIFE have the best ideas for celebrating birthdays.
I am freaking totally impressed! Wow!
No, Sully, Thank you!
That's just too cool.
These are fantastic! What a great mixing job - I think if your voice thing falls through, you could always find a job in a studio!
You are so flipping talented.
And very fit for 54, might I add.
But of course - you are a catcher... ;)
Looking forward to a blow job on Monday! Wait, that didn't come out right...looking forward to being blown away by what you have put together on Monday. Yes, that's it.
Very cool stuff, by the way...I'm already impressed and it's only Friday.
Ah, Suldog. Always with the surprises that don't *really* surprise us, because we sorta KNOW you, but do surprise us because it's a fine thing to realize we have real talent among us, however humble its outward raiment, as it were. Thank YOU.
Made. Of. Win.
~Constant Reader
Post a Comment