RPM: Brilliant.

I absolutely shouldn't be doing this. There's no question at all. I'm looking at every obstacle: lack of time, too many other concurrent projects, dearth of recording technology and knowhow, and substandard instrument. It's ridiculous, impossible, and irresponsible for me to try to record an album in the next 24 days.

That's why I'm doing it.

Inspiration (n). (Selected definitions) 1. An animating, quickening, or exalting action or influence. 5. Theol. A divine influence directly and immediately exerted on the mind or sould of man. 6. The drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation...

5 songs completely written or near so:

This past Sunday, the NYTimes ran a piece about scientists who discover (and publish) "new" information, only to later learn that it was already known. The article quotes statistician Stephen Sigler saying that "the discovery that your discovery has already been discovered is surprisingly common...Not only does it occur in every scientific field, the 'very fact of multiple discoveries has been discovered many times.'

 I'm here to tell you it doesn't only happen in science. It happens in songwriting, too.

Update: Well, this was supposed to be the big Writin' Weekend. How'd it go?

Pretty well, actually. Given three relatively uninterrupted days, I was able to make good progress on the remaining 4 songs that started out as sketchy ideas.

Running Board: This is Bonnie's song, catching her at the point between her failed marriage and her introduction to Clyde. I like it - it's wordy, fast, and fun to sing. Just minor tinkering left to do on the lyrics.

Rattlesnake: This is Clyde's song about what a mean, low-down dog he is. This one's giving me musical trouble. The ideas are all there, but how it should sound is tough. I'm trying a few different settings for it and not quite sure how it's gonna turn out.

How It's Done: Frank's song. This one will be a pretty sweet little love ballad.

There's one more (bringing the total to 9) that hasn't gotten very far yet. It remains to be seen whether I go for 10, or whether the 9 together will cover a 35 minute run time. I don't want to write something just for the sake of being filler.

Another RPM lesson: No, inspiration doesn't rain from the sky unbidden. But when you work hard at music, and do so daily, you're priming the pump. And then, when the muse does arrive, you recognize her.

Just about to head down to Connecticut to record! (Thanks, Craig). Yes, I'm terrified. I've planned 9 total tracks, and only finished writing one just this morning. There's another that needs major work on the setting...it's really not ready for prime time. And a final one that needs more work on the wording of the verses. Why couldn't RPM have taken place in a 31-day month?