Listen, Rewritten Song

Rewritten Song: The Jugband Song (version 2)

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Alright, alright…here’s the new version of the song I wrote and released this week, last year. This is one that I only sing out at Barehand Jugband shows (obviously). It’s our introduction tune. Everyone gets a little solo.

The original version was based on a tune by Woody Guthrie called “Put Your Finger in the Air.” It’s the same melody, just different words. Same idea, though.

You can listen to the original Jugband Song here (without all the solo parts because, well, I can’t play fiddle very well and don’t own a trombone). See how valuable everyone in the jugband is? When you compare my washboard, jug and banjo playing to everyone else, probably makes you lose your lunch, huh?

Anyway. This new version has a little bit more get up and go. And I added a chorus-type-a-thing, which I really like. It’s kinda catchy, don’t you think? It still allows for each instrument to have a featured section, I just didn’t put them in because I didn’t feel like it.

So, what do you think? Should I start singing the Jugband Song like this at jugband shows?

I guess it was somewhat appropriate that this song popped up for this week since the band’s got a show tonight at Double Door. Doors open at 7pm and we go on around 9pm. Come on out, it’s only 10 bucks to get in. Check out the facebook event for more details.

I also did some more mixing on the EP songs that I recorded last week. I might post one this week.

If you want to hear the songs I recorded, plus some new songs, come out next week on Wednesday the 10th to Honky Tonk BBQ down in Pilsen. I’m playing from 7pm-9pm.

Listen, Talkin' Headline Blues

The Talkin’ Headline Blues #39

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What’s gonna be the next big news story now that the debt ceiling caved in? Maybe offer some guesses. Maybe your guesses will end up in another stirring rendition of the Talkin’ Headline Blues?

You’ll notice for this version I went back to a sort of old-style talkin’ blues. I haven’t done it like this for a really long time and I figured I should mix it up since I’m starting to get bored doing these. Was actaully kinda a good thing to do it this way. I had to really think about what was going on.

But, anyway.

I’ll be re-recording a song from this week, last year, Thursday or Friday, so be sure to check back. Also, the Barehand Jugband is playing at Double Door tomorrow (Wednesday the 3rd). Doors open at 7pm and we go on around 9pm. It’s 10 bucks to get in. Check out the facebook event for more details.

And, also, I’m are playing next week on Wednesday the 10th at Honky Tonk BBQ down in Pilsen from 7pm-9pm.

Listen, New Song

New Song: I’m Better Off

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Here’s the new tune for this week. I started this one on Saturday this past weekend. Kinda had it on my mind for a while. Or something like it. And I got through the first 2 verses and part of the third verse in one day.

Then I let it sit around until last night. I think I finished it off okay. I’m still not totally sold on the “without you they never woulda been wrote” line. But I couldn’t think of another word that fit better than “wrote,” even though it sounds strange to me. Got any suggestions?

Anyway. This one’s in the bag.

And that also means I’ve now posted a new song each week for an entire year without missing a week. How about that?

Here’s some more good news…I finished recording a few songs for an EP. I’m mixing it now and it’ll (hopefully) be all done by the start of September. Who wants one?

Also, maybe you caught my performance this past Friday night, but, if not, you can catch me again next week on Wednesday the 10th at Honky Tonk BBQ down in Pilsen from 7pm-9pm. Hope to see you there cause I’ll be playing some new songs.

Listen, Talkin' Headline Blues

The Talkin’ Headline Blues #38

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The vagabonds are all rummaging into the heaps of past participles. Toiling away in the winter heat, white hot and gleaming. The oceans don’t swell no more. Don’t have any waves. Don’t have any fish or swimming mammals. The weather is perfectly charming. There’s nothing wrong. Look over that way.

Stroke the calm cat in the easy chair. Breath in the simple combination of gases in your living room. Function as a remainder of an even-odd math calculation. Eat your cold cuts in the ventilated screen porch.

Your radio is broken, I know. It’s been so long since you had anything fixed. Your medications have run out. You don’t go to the dry cleaners to get your haircut anymore. Your bulging eyes are cataracted and clumsy. You insist you ain’t blind. Your dark bed hums in the deep night.

Now, without getting too insipid, how is it that you attempt to get hips bucking and rumps shaking with heavy melodies that are culled from gravestones many others have torn at. They’re all rotting now in a row of corrugated homes. Even if you put the images you say onto film (or, at least into binary code), how do you really think that comes across?

I’m not one to question though. I’m just jealous and squeezed with want and need.

Listen, New Song

New Song: Cause, Mama

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I started this new one last week on Wednesday. Came up with one verse (the first one) and knew I had something in there that could keep me going. I added the first line of the second verse later that same day and then let it sit for a while.

I really, actually, didn’t think I’d finish this song. Thought about giving it to someone else to finish off. Here’s why:

I figured I’d just go at it the way I always do when I really work on writing a song. Find a small formula and exploit it. And then repeat and repeat and repeat until the song starts sounding boring.

I didn’t want that, so I figured another person would be able to add something new.

But then I forgot to give out the song, and one thing lead to another, and I went and finished it on Saturday night.

And, yeah, I did exactly what I always do. If you’ve been paying attention at all, you’ll pick up on the cues. You’ll hear the repetition and the way I just sink right into a simple equation. Just like long division.

But, I gotta say, that it worked this time. This song’s goin someplace. I’m not sure exactly where yet, cause I think it still needs a little work, but I won’t let it slide on by that’s for sure.

Songwriting, home recording and vinyl records from Chicago folk singer and songwriter Andrew Francis.