Here’s another string arrangement. If I remember correctly, a section of this went on to become Easy As Pi, although in 5/4. I recall this being a favorite to listen to over and over again, especially near the ending. I really don’t know where it all came from. I must have had it in my head for some time and found a vehicle to take it out. I would love to collaborate with someone on this someday.
Let’s get back to the demo project I started a couple years ago. This is a string arrangement from December 2006. I think I meant for this to serve as a segway between songs. Perhaps it still could be someday. I’m pretty sure this was my first attempt at composing with virtual string instruments. Nothing fancy just some looped chords I thought sounded interesting. Wouldn’t it be nice to record with a real group of classically trained musicians?
Hey folks.
This week's organization is:
The Center for Neighborhoods builds healthy, sustainable, safe neighborhoods through informed and committed neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky. It achieves that goal through community engagement, education, planning, and data assessment for many different neighborhoods throughout the city.
Since its founding in 1972, the Center for Neighborhoods has cultivated grassroots leadership, partnered with neighborhoods in community planning efforts, facilitated civic dialogue, and actively participated in neighborhood-based development & improvement projects.
In addition to my donation, here's a song called 'The Sunny Side of the Street' that some of you may know. It's a song that reminds me that, as easy as it is sometimes to fall into despair, there is always hope. We must reach out to each other, and not only through these computers we use every day, but in person face-to-face.
We may travel across town or across the world and think we don't have much in common with the people we encounter. But we do! This is all one neighborhood, wherever we are. We must find new ways to bring ourselves closer together in order to understand and empathize with one another to create a better world for everyone.
The Center for Neighborhoods seeks to do just that through the work they do everyday. I hope you join me in supporting them!
THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
GRAB YOUR COAT
AND GRAB YOUR HAT
LEAVE YOUR WORRIES ON THE DOORSTEP
JUST DIRECT YOUR FEET
TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
CAN'T YOU HEAR THAT PITTER PAT
WHEN THAT HAPPY TUNE IS YOUR STEP?
LIFE CAN BE SO SWEET
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
I USED TO WALK IN THE SHADE
WITH MY BLUES ON PARADE
BUT NOW I'M NOT AFRAID
MY ROVER'S CROSSED OVER
IF I NEVER HAD A CENT
I'D BE RICH AS ROCKEFELLER
WITH GOLD DUST AT MY FEET
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
Hey folks. This week's organization is: THE CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOODS The Center for Neighborhoods builds healthy, sustainable, safe neighborhoods through informed and committed neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky. It achieves that goal through community engagement, education, planning, and data assessment for many different neighborhoods throughout the city.
Established in 1896, Neighborhood House was the first settlement house in Kentucky. Over 121 years later, it serves as a community center for children and families living in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, as well as other surrounding low-income neighborhoods. Poverty among the families (45%) and children (55%) that come to Neighborhood House exceeds both the national average and the rates in the poorest counties in Kentucky.
In addition to my financial contribution, here's a song called 'I Feel Alright' by Steve Earle. It's a song that makes me feel better every time I play it and serves as an uplifting reminder to stay positive. Even though it can be easy sometimes to feel somber amidst the adversity we face each day, I'm thankful for what makes us better, kinder, happier human beings. So whatever you're doing today, I hope you feel alright too.
Hey folks. This week's organization is: NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE Established in 1896, Neighborhood House was the first settlement house in Kentucky. Over 121 years later, it serves as a community center for children and families living in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, as well as other surrounding low-income neighborhoods.
House of Ruth provides housing and support services for people with HIV/AIDS and their families who are homeless, at risk of losing their homes, or need financial help. They do this through a continuum of services such as emergency shelter, short and long-term housing, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, advocacy for clients, and basic needs assistance to provide food, clothes, rent, utilities, public transportation, and back-to-school support. Please share your love to support House of Ruth!
In addition to my monetary contribution, I humbly present you a song by Anohni. It's one of the most honest, thoughtful, and caring songs I've ever heard. Whenever I play this song, I'm left with a tremendous sense of gratitude for the love I've been shown by the people in my life, whether it's someone I've known for years or someone I've just met. We should be thankful for the love we receive each day and not take it for granted. We should give that love back to those we know and don't know. I'm beyond thankful to Anohni for writing this wonderful song and hope to honor it properly every time I sing it. Thank you Anohni!
Hey folks. This week's organization is: HOUSE OF RUTH House of Ruth provides housing and support services for people with HIV/AIDS and their families who are homeless, at risk of losing their homes, or need financial help.
I'm starting a new series to support different charities here in Louisville and around the globe. I hope you’ll join me in supporting these organizations. Please donate whatever you can, even if it’s simply sharing the information to raise awareness. Thanks for your support as always.
Hey folks I'm playing another benefit online Thursday at 12pm to raise money for Dreams with Wings here in Louisville, KY. This free 10-minute show will be broadcast again through ConcertWindow, where fans can donate to musicians during their performances. After the show I'll transfer all the proceeds to Dreams With Wings.
Here's where you can watch the show:
https://www.concertwindow.com/dustinedge
Started in 2000, the mission of Dreams With Wings is to empower children and adults with intellectual, developmental disabilities and autism as they recognize their strengths, contribute to their community, and pursue their dreams. Learn more at www.dreamswithwings.org.
Hey folks I'm playing another benefit this Thursday at 12pm to raise money for the Coalition for the Homeless here in Louisville, KY. This free 10-minute show will be broadcast again through Concert Window, where fans can donate to musicians during their performances. After the show I'll transfer all the proceeds to the Coalition for the Homeless.
Here's a link to where the show will appear:
https://www.concertwindow.com/dustinedge
The Coalition for the Homeless has been the voice of the homeless in Louisville for over 25 years, working closely with homeless service providers in our community, civic groups, concerned citizens, faith-based groups, and our local, state, and federal governments. Its efforts are targeted in a three-prong approach: 1) Educate the community about homelessness and inspire action, 2) Advocate for system changes, and 3) Coordinate the community response to homelessness through efficient use of resources and funding. Learn more at www.louhomeless.org.
Hey folks I'm playing another benefit this Thursday at 12pm to raise money for Kentucky Harvest here in Louisville, KY. This free 10-minute show will be broadcast again through ConcertWindow, where fans can donate to musicians during their performances. After the show I'll transfer all the proceeds to Kentucky Harvest.
Here's a link to the show:
https://www.concertwindow.com/dustinedge
Founded in 1987, Kentucky Harvest has as its mission to “get food from people who have it, but don’t need it to those that need it, but don’t have it—free of charge.” An expansive network of volunteers picks up food that would otherwise “go to waste” from restaurants, bakeries, hospitals, food purveyors, stores, food goods manufacturers, schools, families, and individuals. This food is then delivered to the needy at homeless shelters and food pantries around the region. Through the generosity of donors and the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, last year over 2 million pounds of food were placed in needy hands. Learn more at www.kyharvest.com.
Hey folks I'm playing a benefit show online next Thursday at 12pm to raise money for West End School here in Louisville, KY. This free 10-minute show will be broadcast through Concert Window, where fans can donate to musicians during their performances. After the show I'll transfer all the proceeds to West End School.
Here's a link to where the show will appear:
https://www.concertwindow.com/dustinedge
West End School is a free, private, college preparatory elementary and middle school for at-risk young men in Louisville, KY. There is no charge for admission since all tuition expenses are paid through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Learn more about West End School at www.westendschool.org.
Thanks for watching!
Here's a series of sounds from around Prague that I captured during the second half of 2006. It wasn't until late November that I transferred them all onto an external drive, so this seemed as good a place as any to list them chronologically.
Unless I've forgotten something, this was my first foray into string arrangements using virtual instruments. As you'll undoubtedly discover, it's very remedial. One day it would be nice to return to school to attain a more classic musical education. I suspect it would not only provide a wealth of knowledge, but augment my adeptness at composition overall. Thanks for listening.
Here are some different versions of Prague 23.
Thanks for listening.
Here's Prague 22. There's no way to be sure what the original idea entailed, but here's where it progressed at a couple points the following year. Thanks for listening.
Prague 20 didn't have any audio, so here's Prague 21. This file is from early 2008 even though I started in late 2006. I'm pretty sure the original idea didn't include all the FX layered on top of everything. Either way, it's not all that great...
Thanks for listening.
Here's Prague 19. Later files again since I don't know how to use technology or organize much of anything for that matter...
Thanks for listening.
Here are a couple different version of Prague 18.
Thanks for listening.
Here's Prague 17.
Thanks for listening.
Here's Prague 16.
Yet again, the versions below are from a good bit later than the initial idea as a result of my shoddy file saving techniques. I don't know how close Version 1 compares to what I came up with originally in October 2006, but who cares?
Thanks for listening.
Here's Prague 15.
The folder says this idea originated in October 2006, but the earliest file I have is from February 2009. There's no way of knowing what changes may have happened between that time since I was still dumb enough not to number my sessions. As I may have mentioned, the dates and times listed above in the titles for each post refer to the moment when the file was first created, even though the files are always from a later date when I had made some actual progress.
Blah Blah Blah.
This was the idea that led to Weights & Measures, the second track off By The Numbers.
Thanks for listening.