Here’s a song by Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera, the first song from Eno’s album, Here Come The Warm Jets. My friend Scott Shupe introduced me to Talking Heads around 2004 or so, which led me to discovering Eno and Roxy Music by association. I’m so thankful to Mr. Eno for his musical contributions over the years. His creativity has helped broaden musical horizons for so many artists and aided our understanding of what music can be. Thanks, Brian!
Here’s a song by Malvina Reynolds that was popularized by Pete Seeger in the early 1960s. This song always reminds me that it’s okay to be different. You can learn more about it’s history here. Thanks Malvina!
OH WON’T YOU LISTEN
MY DEAR FRIEND
WHILE I SING THIS SONG?
I KNOW YOU PROBABLY
HAVE AN URGING
TO MOVE ALONG
BUT THERE’S AN ACHING
IN MY HEAD
THAT WILL NEVER CEASE
OH WON’T YOU SEE
THAT I’M IN NEED
OF YOUR EXPERTISE
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
HELP ME ROCK IT
OH DID I MENTION
THAT I HAVE ONLY ONE DESIRE?
OH YES I’LL DO WHATEVER ACTION IT WILL REQUIRE
WITHOUT YOUR HELP
IT WILL NOT ROCK AT ALL
CAN’T YOU SEE?
UNTIL IT HAPPENS
I’LL BE BEGGING YOU ENDLESSLY
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
HELP ME ROCK IT
PLEASE I BEG YOU
PUT YOUR PLANS ASIDE
AND HELP ME ROCK IT
HELP ME ROCK IT
I’M SORRY
THAT YOU HAD TO SIT THROUGH
THESE SIMPLE RHYMES
IF YOU COULD
PLEASE BARE WITH ME
A FEW MORE TIMES
I’M AT YOUR MERCY
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME TO ROCK ALONE
OH I’LL BE RIGHT HERE
BEGGING YOU
THROUGH THIS MICROPHONE
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
TO HELP ME ROCK IT
HELP ME ROCK IT
ROCKIN’ IN THE HOURS OF THE EARLY MORN
ROCKIN’ EVERY DAY SINCE I WAS BORN
ROCKIN’ TO THE MUSIC IN MY HEAD
ROCKIN’ EVERY SINGLE DAY UNTIL I’M DEAD
ROCK THIS LITTLE NUMBER NIGHT AND DAY
ROCK IT WHEN I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY
ROCKIN’ IT DAMN NEAR EVERYWHERE
ROCKIN’ IT RIGHT INTO THIS NEXT PART HERE
ROCKIN’ MY WAY ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
ROCKIN’ IT NOW FOR BETTER OR WORSE
ROCKIN’ IT ALL WITHOUT A CARE
ROCKIN’ THIS SONG JUST FOR YOU MY DEAR
FOR YOU MY DEAR
GONNA WHIP IT INTO SHAPE
GONNA SEE WHAT I CAN MAKE
GONNA GO CREATE SOMETHING FROM NOTHING
GONNA CLIMB UP TO THE TOP
NO I NEVER WANNA STOP
IT’S OBVIOUS I JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH
OH YEAH
GOT ME SAYING OH YEAH
THAT’S RIGHT
OH YEAH
WHEN THE MUSIC’S IN MY HEAD
OH YEAH
THAT’S RIGHT
I‘M GONNA ROCK IT
GONNA FEEL THAT URGENCY
GONNA GET MY GUARANTEE
GONNA BREAK IT UP AND PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
GOT A RIDDLE HERE TO SOLVE
GONNA FORCE IT TO EVOLVE
INTO SOMETHING
JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER
GONNA YELL IT ON THE STAGE
AND CHANNEL ALL THE RAGE I’M FEELING
INTO THIS LITTLE NUMBER RIGHT HERE
THAT’S RIGHT
I‘M GONNA ROCK IT
IS THERE ANYBODY THERE?
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE THINKING
THAT THEY MIGHT WANNA ROCK IT?
IS THERE ANYBODY THERE?
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE FEELING
LIKE THEY JUST CAN’T STOP IT?
IS ANYBODY THERE?
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE LISTENING
WHO WANTS TO COME
AND ROCK IT WITH ME?
THAT’S RIGHT
I‘M GONNA ROCK IT
YEAH YOU KNOW
WE CAN’T DENY IT
AFRAID IT’S SO
I‘M GONNA ROCK IT NOW
Here’s the last entry from the acoustic demo from late 2008. This one is an acoustic version of Luminosity from A Forest Through The Trees. Almost all these files were recorded and completed on the same day it seems. I’m not sure how many places I sent these in effort to book some shows. I also wonder how many actually offered me a gig based on the overall quality (or lack thereof).
Here’s an early version of Human or Machine from By The Numbers. I guess I was calling it The Sound at this point and decided to record it as part of the acoustic demo I was sending out. Was this the scratch track we used when we recorded this in the studio? Who knows. I can’t keep track of all these different versions over the years. Definitely the first and hopefully only time I’ll use the word ‘stentorian’ in a song.
Yet another track from that acoustic demo. Not a big fan of this one either. This era was unfortunately full of sad fictional character songs. Interesting chords/melody in the bridge I guess.
Here’s another song from that acoustic demo in late 2008. I remember playing this song at some open mics in NYC. Did I mention that already? Where did this story come from anyway?
Here’s the first in a series of recordings I made in late 2008 in an attempt to put together something that I could send to venues in NYC to book some gigs. I’d been playing these two songs from A Forest Through The Trees back to back at open mics for a while and figured they might work for this project.
Unless I’m mistaken, here is the very first recording of what would turn into You Can Count On Me. A newer, faster version finally appeared on Just Barely earlier this year. There are no words on this version, just guitar, but the chords and form seem to be the same.
Here’s yet another idea that I recorded and then decided not to pursue further. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it though. Honestly, I don’t even remember recording it. Could be a good basis for something new though.
Here’s another acoustic idea from NYC. I wrote some lyrics to it later that I’m not very happy with, but we’ll get to that in due time I guess.
I’d like to give credit to some photographers whose images I’ve used on some recent projects. I’m so thankful for their gracious contributions. Please check out their work and show them your support!
I’ve been playing with this band for a little while now. Here’s a video from a recent tribute to Judas Priest. Definitely one of the highlights of my musical career.
The eighth idea never really materialized past this. I’m pretty sure it was inspired by George and Ira Gershwin’s Stairway to Paradise. Maybe I’ll try to write some words for this someday.
Here’s the seventh guitar idea from NYC. It has some different qualities than the others up to this point. I think I wrote some lyrics at some point that I’ll try to find.
This idea morphed into something called A Few Words, which I remember playing quite a bit out in Colorado. This version is much slower. I still like the chord progression though.
This idea had another life in the studio while we were recording By The Numbers. We tracked drums, bass, and more guitars, but didn’t end up adding it to the EP. Here’s the original guitar idea though. I’ve also included the studio version too. Recording with Brian Forbes, Aaron Steele, and Dan Asher was amazing beyond words. I’m so honored to have worked with them.
Here’s the fourth idea from New York. I remember enjoying this song a lot as I was writing it, but less so after having finished it. Maybe it was the melody? Or the harmonica? Maybe the words? Who knows?
Just wanted to let you know about an organization I support called the Kentucky Waterways Alliance. They do a wonderful job keeping our waterways clean and advocating for legislation that will help heal our rivers, lakes, streams, creeks, etc. from the effects of pollution. If you haven’t checked them out please do!
The third idea from NYC would eventually turn into Human or Machine from By The Numbers. Here’s the original guitar idea. I seem to enjoy playing this particular rhythm on guitar for some reason. I’ve played it on some other songs throughout the years with varying degrees of success. Hopefully I can use it a bit more judiciously in the future.