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Listen, Rewritten Song

Rewritten Song: John Wayne (version 2)

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I wrote, recorded, and released “John Wayne” this week, last year. So here’s the re-recording of it…as expected. I think I like this version a lot more than the original (which you can listen to here, for a comparison. And, also, read a long description of how the song came to be written.).

It’s not that I dislike the original, but, as I said in the description of the original, the words felt more like placeholders than part of the song. I was more into the music of the original.

So for this re-recording I tried to make the words more integrated with the music and I think I accomplished that. Of course, now the song feels too short, or something. Or, maybe, like it’s missing a couple verses to tie everything together because it hops right from talking about bums to being in the wild west.

But that’s how the movie that this song is based on felt (or at least that’s how I remember it feeling). So, maybe it is accurate.

Anyway, hope you enjoy.

Listen, Talkin' Headline Blues

The Talkin’ Headline Blues #40

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Here’s the Talkin’ Headline I wrote from Monday’s headlines. I didn’t have time to record it Monday night, so you’re getting it today. Lots going on in the news…as always….

More importantly, though, please come out tonight to Honky Tonk BBQ down in Pilsen. I’m playing from 7pm-9pm. It’s gonna be a hot show.

And, also, today’s the one-year anniversary of when I released my 2 albums last year. (Go ahead, pat my back.)

Do you own a copy yet? Probably not. Why not go buy one, huh? You can get a digital album or a hardcopy CD over at CDBaby. Or just take the easy way out and buy it off iTunes.

I’ll have some copies of my albums tonight at the Honky Tonk BBQ show that I’ll be giving away and some copies on special discount sale for anyone who comes. Just walk up to me at our set break or after we’re done to claim your copy.

Listen, New Song

New Song: Why you gotta do me like that?

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Okay. Well, this song turned out completely not how I intended it.

First, the music isn’t what I had in my head when I was writing the song last week on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I just couldn’t get that particular melody out when I sat down Sunday to work it up. Then, after getting something together Sunday afternoon I let it sit and forgot what I did, so I had to come up with something else last night.

I don’t think this version is too far off what I originally put together, but it is different. That’s not saying that I don’t like it, though. I think it works pretty well. The song moves. Doesn’t seem to boring or repetitive or anything.

So it eventually worked out, I guess.

Now, onto those lyrics. It may sound like this song is definitely about one thing, but it’s not. I wrote it after a very specific interaction I had with a very specific person last Tuesday.

Or, maybe it is about that one thing. That’s all I’m hearing now, anyway, even though I know what it’s actually about.

What do you hear, huh?

Also, remember that I’m performing on Wednesday the 10th at Honky Tonk BBQ down in Pilsen.

And, because the 10th is the one-year anniversary of when I released my 2 albums last year, I’ll have some copies that I’ll be giving away and some copies on special discount sale for anyone who comes to the show. Just come up at the set break or after we’re done to claim your copy.

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.