Here’s a song from the Adventure episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. Thanks for everyone on the team that brought this one into existence. I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from this song at different times over the past year or so.
Here are the demos from 2011 after we’d moved to Colorado after two years in New York. These range from some remedial guitar concepts to a new batch of electronic ideas later that year. They’re all rather raw and untamed as usual. So, you know, fair warning.
Here are the demos from 2010. There are quite a few of the early ideas for the Calm EP, plus some experimental soundscapes as well. Thus concludes our time in New York City. Here we come, Colorado!
Here’s a song by Hy Zaret and Lou Singer. This is easily one of my favorite songs ever written. I discovered it on a Pete Seeger album for the Children’s Concert at Town Hall. It was part of a record collection that my wife’s grandparents gave us about ten years ago. I’ve listened to that album with my kids countless times since then. It gives me hope that we can indeed make the world a better place. So thanks to Gerry and Alan Loehr for entrusting all their records to us. Thanks to Pete Seeger for learning this song and sharing it on his album. And thanks most of all to Hy Zaret and Lou Singer for such a wonderful contribution for us all.
Here’s another song by Woody Guthrie. It’s fair to say that there have been quite a few things happening around the world to be angry about lately. Sometimes when I’m feeling angry, I play this song. It’s a pledge to keep fighting for what I believe. Thanks Woody!
Here’s a song with music by Fred Rogers and lyrics by Josie Carey. Thanks Fred and Josie! This song was actually used as the closing song during the first few years of the show until was replaced with It’s Such A Good Feeling and The Weekend Song. I used to sing this song to my kids every night before they went to bed. That sounds like a good idea actually - nighty night!
Here’s a song by Peter Gabriel. I’m so thankful that this song exists. It’s such a magnificent achievement on so many levels. Thank you Peter for all the spectacular music you’ve created over the years!
Here’s a wonderful song by Jerry Herman from Les Cages Aux Folles. This one always reminds me to go out and enjoy life. Who knows how much time we have? Thanks Jerry!
Here’s another song by Neutral Milk Hotel. I remember playing this song right before midnight at a New Year’s Eve show in NYC one year. I remember playing it for my friends at Jeff’s Bucket Shop in Charlotte. I remember playing it in the basement of a hostel in Prague. I’ve played it so many times in so many different places. It deserves to be played though. It’s one of the best songs ever written.
Here’s a song by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Many thanks to Nina Simone as well for moving this one forward. Thank you Barry and Cynthia for such a wonderful song.
Thanks to Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon for writing this song. I remember listening to it once while driving back to Boulder from a show down in Denver. I used to drive to Denver a couple times a week to see shows at the Hi-Dive, the Larimer Lounge, the Meadowlark, etc. I’m very thankful to have seen some really great music during our time in Colorado.
Here’s another song by The Magnetic Fields from their album Holiday. I first heard this song in a movie called Tarnation at a little arthouse cinema when we lived in Charlotte, NC. There’s also a great local video store there called Vis Art that we went to frequently, in case you’re in the neighborhood and want to rent a cool movie.
Here’s a song by Pete Seeger. This song makes me extremely thankful for all the amazing teachers I’ve had in my life. It also reminds me not to believe everything I hear. I definitely still have a lot to learn. Thanks Pete!
Here’s a song by Soundcheck from Odd Squad. It’s so sad!
Here’s a song by Elvis Costello. I learned about this song from an interview that Terri Gross did with Stephen Colbert a few years ago. So thanks to Stephen for introducing me to this song. And thanks to Elvis for writing it!
Here’s another song by Fred Rogers from the album You Are Special. This song makes me thankful for the time I get with the people I love while we move through our busy lives. Thanks so much, Fred.
Here’s a song by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricuss, which I first heard from Nina Simone. Thank you so much to Anthony and Lesley for such a beautiful song that has been arranged and adapted in so many wonderful ways. Like all of these songs, I hope it continues to live on into the future for many years to come.
Here’s a song by Vic Chesnutt, yet another artist that was introduced to me by John Whitaker during my high school years. I hope I’ve honored this one well enough here. It’s an important song for me about what it means to be a songwriter. Here’s to Vic for all his wonderful music!
Here’s a song by Richard and Linda Thompson. I changed a couple of the chords around in this version. I first heard this song in a movie called Looper a few years back. I don’t remember much about the movie, but I discovered this song!
I’ve decided to post all of the 2009 demos here instead of posting them one at a time. As much as I’d like to discuss them individually, I simply have other things to do at the moment. I’ll get the 2010 files up soon as well. If anyone has any questions about any of these please feel free to ask. Thanks!