Longing for the day ...

Entered Songwriting contest

OK, I've just driven to the Valley and lodged a three-song entry in the QSong awards 2007. I entered the bootleg mixes of "Heart's With You" (Country category), "12 Good Bars and True" (Blues/Roots category) and "Dirty" (Pop category).

I'm hopeful but don't expect to get anywhere. I'm mainly just testing the waters ...

Time will tell.

Dirty

Several years ago (~1995) I was in an unsuccessful 3-piece band called 'Lifta". The band came and went nowhere but the guitarist, Tristan Rogers, had a real flair for making up interesting guitar riffs. Tristan is the brother of Adam, who wrote "Cry to Heaven". I found an old 4-track tape of some of the Lifta songs, so I did my best to imitate Tristan's riff and wrote the rest. The chorus is also mostly Tristan's idea, but the rest of the words and music are my attempt to finish his great idea.

Update: If you feel generous you can now buy the version of this song released on The Genre Benders' debut CD "I am leaving! I am leaving!" from iTunes, or GroupieTunes, or Payplay.FM. If you have a different favourite online store, search for it there and if it's not there, let me know so I can put it there.

Dirty

Why don’tcha roll me over, baby and shake-a me down?
I got an itchin’ you been bitchin’ ‘bout me all over town.
I’m thinkin’ you’re the kind to blow my mind. The cream of the crop.
Yeah there’s a reason you’re in season and the heat won’t stop.

You say you want a winner but you’re inexact.
You’re Jonesin’ on the detail as a matter of fact.
I'm callin’ but you’re stallin’ when we interact.
Gettin’ to you takes tact.

‘Coz you’re Dirty (You're Dirty)
So Dirty (You're Dirty)

Yeah you can tell it to me straight, babe. I ain’t no Narc.
I get the feelin’ you been dealin’ while I dance in the dark.
You know I ain’t no Angel either, but this don’t compare
‘Cause you’re the devil in the detail with your sexy stare.

You say you want a winner but you’re inexact.
You’re Jonesin’ on the detail as a matter of fact.
I'm callin’ but you’re stallin’ when we interact.
Gettin’ to you takes tact.

‘Coz you’re Dirty (You're Dirty)
You're playin' Dirty (You're Dirty)

Come to me, babe.
See the road less travelled is smoother with two.
Now I know you want me, and I want you.

Your body’s makin’ statements you can’t retract.
I’m Jonesin’ on the detail as a matter of fact.
I’m callin’ but you're stallin’ when we interact.
Gettin’ to you takes tact.

Coz you’re Dirty (You're Dirty)
So Dirty (You're Dirty)
Let's get Dirty (You're Dirty)
So Dirty (You're Dirty)
Yes you are.

*****************************************

Please note: This song is APRA registered: Work ID GW35380361. You can copy, reproduce and distribute any part of these lyrics and chords for any non-commercial purpose as long as you acknowledge its source. I'm interested in your feedback, comments, suggestions. If you make something good out of it, let me know and I'll consider adding it to this site.

If you perform it or broadcast it for any purpose, please let APRA know.





License this music for commercial use through Pump Audio









This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License

Keeping it all in perspective

I've had quite a frustrating and disappointing week but it has all been brought into stark relief this morning with the news that my kids' school's Deputy Principal, Monica Reid, died last night. Only a few weeks ago she was strong and in charge of the school - seemingly destined for a long and happy life.

Unfortunately, on ANZAC Day she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. They operated straight away and we were told that post-surgery bleeding was uncontainable, so she was critical. There was some hope for a while and the family, although they contemplated switching off her life support, elected not to for a while. Sadly, she is now gone.

This must be an awful time for her family and I wanted to express our sympathy and support for them - there but for the grace of God go I. It just reminds us that, as my darling and I ave often discussed, eveything we have can be taken away from us in the blink of an eye and it's nobody's fault ... it's just life. We persist in that knowledge and treasure every living moment.

Today is for making the most of what I have.

Happy happy happy happy ...

Love it when Qld wins!!!

But there's a long way to go in the series ... and the Blues weren't far off the mark. They'll be back for more in Sydney next time.

Go you Maroons!!!

Go Maroon!

State of Origin time again!!

Love it! Go you Maroons!!

Queenslander!!

IT IS DONE!!

The album is in the can! (except for a sax part ...)

I still have to edit things a bit and choose which take to use in a few places. But it is all recorded except for the sax part in "Long for the Day", which I'll get down early next week.

Big Phil and I put in an amazing effort yesterday, which, of course, has to withstand the scrutiny of tomorrow, and got all the vocals down, and fairly clean. All credit to Big Phil. despite a shortened day (my fault) he kept me on track to get it done and it is now in the can (or should that be box??).

Happy, Happy, Happy ....

And all that. But now comes the challenge of mixing and getting it all in order ...

Welcome back, Casey ...

Heard an interview with Casey Donovan on the radio this morning. That's the Australian singer, not gay the porn star. She was talking about her life since Idol and her new music.

Interesting listening to her new music ... she's got an interesting blend of rockier tunes and the same old ballad stuff as before ... but she seems a but more grown up and secure in herself - as you'd expect. Her singing is still pitchy but powerful ... not much changed there.

On the radio she was talking about how much weight she'd lost - which is not apparent in the photos on her site - but, more importantly, how it was a change in her attitude that led to her weight control. I always maintained that Casey's attitude was her worst enemy. Can't wait to see what she can do with a bit more maturity.

So much talent ...

So Far Away

In about 1993 I broke up with a girlfriend of 3 years: Erin. I found this profoundly upsetting but ultimately life-changing as it pulled me out of a rut and got me looking to the rest of my life. Just before the official break-up we were living in two different towns and I wrote this as a love song for her, called "Pride of Erin" (how corny). Over the years it has morphed into more of a reflection on long-distant relationships and the longing they create ... so this is the song's current form. It's on the first album and I'll post a sample soon.

It's in G but I usually play it acoustically with a capo on the fourth fret and the chord changes are really just changing the bass note.

Update: If you feel generous you can now buy the version of this song released on The Genre Benders' debut CD "I am leaving! I am leaving!" from iTunes, or GroupieTunes, or Payplay.FM. If you have a different favourite online store, search for it there and if it's not there, let me know so I can put it there.

So Far Away

G Em7+9
So far away every day
G Em7+9
Close to me suddenly
G D4
The whole of my soul. A lonely stance
G Em7+9
Distant romance

A blaze of light in the night
Cold and stark in the dark
While seasons change, they enhance
Distance romance.

C F
We call it, oh, our sacred separation.
C F
Two souls as one, forevermore
Em D4
Our hearts apart
G
Is this the closest we can come?

So many parts in my heart
Everything that she means to me.
Those eyes and her smile kept inside.
Romance denied.

We call it, oh, our sacred separation.
Two souls as one, forevermore
But hearts apart
Is this the closest we can come?

So far away every day
Oh so far away every day.

*****************************************

Please note This song is APRA registered: Work ID GW35614898; ISWC TBA. You can copy, reproduce and distribute any part of these lyrics and chords for any non-commercial purpose as long as you acknowledge its source. I'm interested in your feedback, comments, suggestions. If you make something good out of it, let me know and I'll consider adding it to this site.

If you perform it or broadcast it for any purpose, please let APRA know.





License this music for commercial use through Pump Audio









This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License

Predictable dreams

Sometimes my brain works in such predictable ways. Had a shocking case of insomnia last night following the dream that always haunts periods of near-achievement.

In this case, I dreamt I was called in to play bass for the Police tour because Sting hurt his hand. But every time the concert was about to start, something happened - the lights failed, or I didn't have my lead, or my amp failed, or the guys wanted to take a pre-show togetherness minute (excluding me, of course) or something. I spent the whole time walking around backstage trying to sort out the problems, which just got worse. Just as I got to the point where they started to ask me why I had no lead or amp, I woke up - clear as a bell ...

Then I couldn't get back to sleep - and my darling fighting with people in her sleep didn't help ...

[sigh]

This kind of dream is all about the insecurity of getting close to a goal - and the frustration that it might all amount to nothing, anyway. I get these all the time ... especially when I'm this close to actually achieving something.

Anyone else know what I'm talking about??

Nope, not quite ...

I just went and checked, and I have two bits to add to the music: "Mighty Fine Day" needs an accoustic guitar and "So Far Away" needs a triangle. And, of course, there's the sax part on "Long for the Day" ...

Apart from that it's vocals all the way - mostly lead.

Nearly there ...

Dare I breathe it? The music is done ... at last???

As of about an hour ago, I think ... well, I'm pretty sure ... as sure as I can be ... although tomorrow might tell a different story ... the music for the first album is in the can.

That leaves the vocals to go, and about half of them are also in the can. It's mostly just lead vocals that need to be finished, and I need all the vocals for "Astral Traveller" - with the timing and so on to be fixed for "Raindrops" ...and I might use some Midi'd rain ... and they should be put together early next week.

I also need to record the sax part for "Long for the Day" but that should happen over the weekend .. unless Pete's away ...

It's an odd feeling, really. I'm going out to the studio after the kids are in bed to listen to everything in order and see what's left to be done ...

[tremble] it's getting closer, slowly ...

Missy Higgins ... musical chick lit

The other day my darling and I were driving along discussing why I don't get Missy Higgins. Don't get me wrong, I think she's a great peformer, always immaculately produced with obviously great material ... but her songs just don't grab me the way, say Paul Simon's or Bruce Sprinsteen's or Paul Kelly's, or Joni Mitchell's do. In an enduring, soul-satisfying way.

So we started pulling her lyrics apart, and it became clear that expressions like

"And doesn't that sound familiar? Doesn't that hit too close to home? Doesn't that make you shiver; the way things could have gone? And doesn't it feel peculiar when everyone wants a little more? And so that I do remember to never go that far, Could you leave me with a scar?"

So then we got talking about the power of lyrics that people can relate to ... the value of reinforcing shared experience and letting the listen feel that they're not alone. My darling suggested that perhaps one of the reasons I couldn't relate to Missy was that her songs are "musical chick-lit" - music that appeals to females because it's essentially a reflection of their concerns and experience.

I thought that was a nifty expression, so I suggested I'd blog it.But it's not mine, it's Angie's ... and Missy Higgins should keep on being Missy Higgins and building the faith ... love her work.

(Also, as my darling Angie pointed out, I am more than just a little jealous :-)

Manifesto for New Music Strategies

Just found this. It's brilliant summary of the New Music environment. These are the principles by which I operate and into which I am conducting further research (as is its author, Andrew Dubber). I won't summaries it because it's a complete concept as is and entirely digestible.

Also associated with this is Andrew's 20 things you MUST know about music online. This is also pretty much spot-on. I might quibble with a few of the details Andrew mentions, but it would be a small quibble ... he's pretty much right. IMHO.

It's great to see this kind of thinking and I will try to get in touch with Andrew and build a relationship addressing these principles and the outcomes of related research ...

Associated with it is the Online Music Enterprise Project, which I will find out more about ..

I taught Zoran!

Last night, while waiting patiently for a new Simpsons, as advertised in the TV guide but which never appeared, I caught half an hour of Big Brother.I was rather purprised to note that Zoran was one of my former students, who I'd known as Zak, from a UQ communication course in 2005. When he was student he'd said he applied to Big Brother and made the short list but missed out on the first go. Looks like he tried again and made it this time ... a his bio says: "Getting to this stage of Big Brother would have been a huge highlight in his life."

I'm not sure whether I'm supportig him or not. To start with, I can't stand Big Brother - its presentation or its underpinning philosophy. If I ever see another part of it, it will be the end while I wait for something else. Really, this show is the reason our family's TV has been turned off between 7.00 and 8.30 for the first time in years. I'd rather read or play with my kids than watch this tripe ... :-) Gretel Killeen lost large volumes of my credibility when she repeated the exercise ...

Also, I'm not sure Zoran is my kind of guy ... assuming that he's being himself on the show, which is debatable (no, doubtful). He's a little on the sleazy, conceited side for my taste, though he might have changed and grown up a bit ... maybe. But he's lost weight (as his bio says) and he's looking good - obviously understands what's going on in there and what he's supposed to do ...

Best wishes, Zoran.

Having some fun ...

Went out to the Lounge Room Gallery in Red Hill last Saturday night for an Open Mic ...

There was some real talent on display, though the venue was a little cramped, and it was good fun. I played three tunes: "Dancing With the Stones", "I Long for the Day" and "Heart's With You", on the night and was well received. A couple of girls got up to dance (at an accoustic night!) and the bartender complimented the strength of my voice. This did wonders for my confidence and I think I'll go again this weekend.

I almost chickened out, but my mate Owen Rees turned up (he lives around the corner and was walking by) so I felt like I ought to do it. Glad I did (thanks, Owen!). I guess over the next few weeks I'll work through my entire repertoire three songs at a time (as Owen noted on the night: "leave 'em wanting more") and try to build up confidence before taking on a 45-minute set somewhere.

I'll also try out one of the "guerilla marketing" tactics I was considering: give the crowd members a copy of teh words to "Heart's With You" for them to take home - complete with branding, URL, etc ... see if it works at all. My blog stats are in decline and it's not because the spammers are going away ... :-(

Peter Costello

Brilliant quote I heard that was attributed to Paul Keating, who's notorious for his creative insults:

"The thing about poor old Costello is he is all tip and no iceberg."

I heard it had been used at the ALP National Conference last weekend, which it may have been, but a Google search for it shows that it was first used in an interview with the ABC back in March.