One of my fondest memories as a kid was watching Bill Bixby say, "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry" This was part of the opening sequence to the Incredible Hulk television series. Great stuff! It wouldn't measure up by today standards, but back then it was the stuff of legend. More important, though, was the theme. Specifically, the piano version that played at the end of the show as the main character is walking away. It was the loneliest song I have ev... (755 more chars)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/11/bonnaroo.festival.ap/index.html
This speaks to something I remember saying several weeks ago. The live experience is the next thing. People have iPod full of music, now they want to experience that live energy. There nothing like it.
Every would-be rock star wants to be famous. We want the cash, the girls, the clout; the whole package and the American Express Titanium card – don’t buy an airplane without it. Even the most conservative of musicians has thought about the big "what if". Many of us have played the god-awful place in front of the god-forsaken crowd with the hopes that we might get a break. That was the old days. Now anybody with a camera, some lighter fluid, and pack of dumb ass friends can be famous. It’... (1192 more chars)
Every time I would try to upload from home via dial up, the connection would time out before I could get the song on the web. But I have 5 songs upload. Any feedback is welcome.
L
I've been highly reflective over the last several weeks. Stories have come to mind I haven't thought about in years. I had a revelations dropped in my lap that stirred them up. I was told that if I didn't improve my lifestyle (drop weight, get active, live better), I would be dead in few weeks. I felt they were right when I allowed myself to think about it. It is at this turning point that you wonder what the hell happened to that vibrant kid that was full of...life. I was one of those th... (1577 more chars)
So that ya'll don't think I'm a pompous ass, let me finish the story. The purple stuff in the pitcher was someones' idea of trashcan punch. Why people in thier thirties and older would make that stuff is beyond me. Why no one would warn me...well lets move on. So, after the killer warm up, a goblet full of the evil koolaid came the cold sweats, the loss of balance and the nausea. This is all before the first song of the first set. I spent all of set one leaning against the back wall and l... (1063 more chars)
Another RPMer asked me if Bass was my native instrument. I prefer it if I had to pick just one, but it was not my first love. Electric guitar was, but I found I was better at Bass. I didn't want to even play the Bass. No glory in it. I wanted to be Prince, but that is not how the story goes.
Several years ago, I went looking for a guitar teacher. I found an ad that was cheap and signed up. Eugene, the instructor, was from New Orleans and played a combo of blues and jazz primarily. I ... (2110 more chars)
I have been doing a lot of examination lately. Why do I hit lulls in the creative work flow? One thing that came to mind is that I create songs on the same skeleton. The pop-length formula that I was taught and I have used for years. I do vary it slightly, but I don't stray far from the path.
8 bars intro / 16 bars / Chorus / 16 bars / chorus / bridge / chorus / 8 bars outro.
It usually finishes out about between 3:10 and 3:40 depending on the pace of the song. From the listeners ... (455 more chars)
I was just read a posting that ended with talking about putting energy out into the universe. Its not a new thought but it occured to me to question what am I saying to universe, about myself, about life, and about what I have to offer. Have I been blowing kisses or flipping the whole universe off? I realize music is about personal expression, but does that expression alienate me from others or unite us?
I seen some irresponcible things done in the name of Rock and Roll, creativity an... (472 more chars)
Taking my own advice and setting a date to finish, which is tomorrow, I have been forced to downgrade my LP to an EP. For you non-vinyl types, my planned full length 12 tacks CD will finalize with 7 tracks. But it will be 7 earth-shattering, rump shaking, pulse pounding, pelvic thrusting, multi-orgasmic, mega hits that if played unaltered will cure acne. * It will change music as we know it - forever. It would be an absolute tragedy to keep this from the world. This is what I have to t... (366 more chars)
This thing would have been done already if I would just practice...a little. I create a gtr part, bass, whatever, run through it once or twice and lay it down. Its flawed, and spend weeks 'punching in' or moving stuff around. If I'd 30 minutes getting it right first, I'd have been done way sooner. I tell myself, I'm just laying a scratch track and I'll redo it later. But that requires my to do what I should have done in the first place and practice the part, then lay it down right. God, ... (501 more chars)
After some thought, i have decided to release a commercial album later in the spring. I have pulled 2 song from my previous RPM outing, dropped 3 songs from this years contribution and added on new song to the list of 11 that will complete the disc. I am in the process of a series of redo's. Guitars and vocals mostly. I have found my niche as far as backing vocals, in short bursts, with a mild amount of stereo flange. Some of the songs I have to change keys completely to accomodate my voic... (616 more chars)
Two seasons with RPM. Two times out the door on time with a load a modiocre crap on a disc. I am less unhappy with it than the collection I sent last year. But I learned something new this week that could have change my entire project. I dig getting the knowledge but hate that it was about a week too late. I could have re-recorded some guitar/bass tracks and got a better sound. Vocals might have improved a bit as well. But its on the way.
This has been a weird month. I have a number of random acts of chaos just befall our house. Some of it is at work, some is family, some is internal struggles of a skinny dude trapped in a fat guy. I have 6 songs, none of which I would call finished, and 2 work in progress. WIP means I don't have a clue what the songs are but I hope something will make sense later. That will put me at 26 minutes and 8 songs. 7 days to pull a rabbit out of the fat guy. I was hoping to send RPM a mastered c... (142 more chars)
Observation.
I am not a strong vocalist. I am a mediocre vocalist who has a hard time staying on pitch. But what I've noticed is that emotional content covers a multitude of sins. The vocal delivery is paramount even if cannot carry a tune. I knew this but I didn't know. There are records that I replay over and over and again and there are ones I listen to once in a great while. The CD's that reach out of player and grab me by the shirt and the one's that I keep with me. Alice in Chai... (164 more chars)
I have one song uploaded.
The vocals are raggedy. It takes me a while to get warmed up and I lack the patience to wait for it. But I understand that all the vocals are just place holders right now. Get the flow right and instruments right, then I can focus on the voice. I will have to clear out week four and lay it down the right way. I have 5 songs (18 minutes) worked out at this point. I feel fortunate. It was today, (2/10) that I got on board last year. That was a mad dash...... (123 more chars)
The Funkfest has begun and I like to say...its late I'm going to bed. But I'm further along that this time last year. I had to reinstall Windows XP, a whole world of updates, Pro Tools, Acid, and a truck load of drivers and just got done before midnight. But everything works and I didn't lose anything. Whew! But I'm just happy to be here and I think we gonna do it right this time. Starting 10 days earlier has taken some of the pressure off...well that I took 2 day off from work and the we... (242 more chars)
Now that the tears have gone away, Now that I know that is really going to happen, Now that I've got my stuff together to do it right this year...Did anyone else notice this kicks off on a Friday? I think I may have to call in just to do this thing the right way. All great road trips started with skipping out on something you're supposed to be doing. Its just perfect to start this thing on a weekend.
Seemingly moments after I post some songs from the RPM project on Virb, RPM posts the whole album on the jukebox. So all ten are avaiable to here. I noticed there are not discription of the music so here the best I can do. It's a soundtrack format, many different style on one disc.
BCR - 80's techno
Come get 'em - Slow Rock instrumental with heavy beat.
Cause you Don't Know - the closest thing to rap I will ever do.
Crush - 50's throwback lyrics and guitar with Prince-li... (360 more chars)
I've been on Virb for about a week and I have had some traffic. It has been just a trickle. Got a few friends, got a few picts. I am listed as Baby's First Ride. I had never really thought about posting, but since RPM will post only one song, I thought I will post an additional 5 songs...which I did. I must admit, while I have a basic page on myspace, I like the VIRB thing better. No Ads.
I am openly soliciting feedback - the good, the bad and the ugly.
http://www.virb.com/bfr ... (64 more chars)
I haven't listen to the mixes in a while so I gave them a play last week. Oh, the flaws. They seemed more pronounced than when I first recorded the album. There was some new equipment used with some undesirable results...especially when you're learning what each new tool does. New software with more tools than I could locate and less time than 28 days. Did it in 18 days. But all the "glaring omissions" are somewhat comforting. I listen and I see thing that I could have easily done better... (928 more chars)
I got so much more out this project than years of aimless wondering I've decided to focus my energies on next years dealio. So I have picked up a few hundred dollars worth of odds and ends awaiting next February. Gotta highly recommend the BeyerDynamic DT770 headphone. Very natural, good range and great for mixing. I also picked some pedals for the guitar; Keeley Fuzzhead and a Electro-Harmonics Clone one chorus. Gome some new editing software and I have some loops CD on order. I'm basic... (586 more chars)
I thought I'd be OK with the raw mixes that I sent to RPM for the challenge. Then I thought I'd be OK with first generation mixes I did a few days later. While they were better, they weren't what I wanted. The mixes were still rough. Interestingly enough, I have Sony 7506 Headphone, which I've had for years. Once mixed, I listen to the mix on a $30 multimedia speakers by Altec Lansing. They're 2 satellites speakers with a 6.5 subwofer. I call them the magic bullets. These cheap little s... (571 more chars)
Sorry about the errors on the previous entry. I am at work and it timed out. But, as there was a deadline, I learned to be creative. I found new shortcuts. I got better at using ProTools. I had just got the tools when this started, now I'm very comfortable with the tools now. I also found new respect for the AKG c1000s microphone as a vocal microphone. I am looking forward to next year. May get a chance to work as a group instead of the solo thing. cheers.
Well, as I listed the finished work in my car, the songs were very inconsistent in volume and clarity. I have already mailed in my entry, but I missed something. I didn't use Dither on the final mixes and the vocal and guitar suffered substantionally. I recorded in 24 bit. The loops were already in 16 bit. I remixed the tracks with Dither enabled and it made world of difference. It sound more like an album and less like a demo. I had time to resend the entry, but the burner is down. I t... (115 more chars)
As I listen to the 2nd generation mixes I called finished today in the car, I could only wonder what happens now. The album was done between the 10th and the 26th of February. It is deeply flawed. An earlier version of myself would never have sent it in. I would have just given up. But I sent it regardless. Even more, I made some copies for friends, with no apologies. It's time.
I picked a song to feature at the public show at the end of March, but I'm not so picky. All of the son... (210 more chars)
Ok, I've bought a new guitar, a new micstand, I reverb for the guitar, a used Line 6 Bass pod, I had to upgrade software that was too old to fix and I only have 4 half done songs. This is logical?! No! Nothing logical about making music. It's about the love, or the girl, or just therapy. Actually, this is much cheaper than therapy. In truth, I have only broke off about 4 bills ($400.00), and I have spent way more and gotten less back. But only 11 days left and my insomia is starting to ... (327 more chars)
