@slkrell, @greg, and @theproods: Thank you so much! I thought of a special someone when I was singing it which maybe explains why it resonates. Since you like it, you might check out Brandi Carlile's version too.
I'm glad to hear that what I recorded turned out sounding authentic. That "heart on my sleeve" vibe was definitely what I was going for. Thanks for the kind words, Steve!
Thanks for listening and for the support, Steve! The simultaneous fingerpicking and singing was hard to get down perfectly, so I'm glad it turned out okay.
Took me about a decade of singing alone in my bedroom before I was brave enough to record anything! I'm glad it sometimes sounds good enough to listen to. Thanks for your kind feedback, Steve!
The reverb I get in my apt definitely added a nice flavor to this song. I've been playing this tune in one form or another for at least 15 years, so I thought it'd be cool to record it in the new place to see how it sounds in novel surroundings. As always, thanks for the support and kind feedback, Steve!
Intro sampled from Buckethead's "First Master." Music by DoktorDoktor. Lyrics by Lao Tzu & Tom Browning
Approach it and there is no beginning
Follow it and there is no ending
You can't know it but you can be it
Just realize and stay…
Rad stuff, Steve! It sounds like you're exploring new and exciting territories with your last few songs. Looking forward to hearing what comes next. :)
A menacing vibe to parts of this one and yet there is some rays of hope that shine through every once in awhile. Quite epic. Makes me think of some of the current events that have been going on in my country recently. Excellent work here, Steve!
I definitely tried to go for a natural approach and that has its pros and cons. There are a few word salads in this song that I stumbled through but at least it's authentic and authenticity was key with this one. Thanks, as always, for listening and providing the kind feedback, Steve!
Thanks, as always for listening and for the kind feedback, Steve! It's kind of scary to strip everything away and really expose one's voice and playing. So it's kind of a relief that what I did here still turned out sounding okay.
Fun stuff, Steve! I love the speaker rattling bass and the crisp drum sound you got going on here. I'm tempted to craft some lyrics and melodies to this one, once I finish moving.
Thanks, Steve! I tried to go real lo fi on this one -- no overdubs. I figured I was due for some optimism in my song choices after recording all of Beck's Sea Change.
You definitely did a great job capturing Buckethead's propensity to mix in improv with more structured songs (in this case, "Jowls"). It would be super cool to hear you try out "Scraps," should you feel the desire to give another Buck song a go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvUGTmaKWTg
I felt downright awful as I was recording this song, "Already Dead," and "Side of the Road," so maybe my state of mind and body at the time added an additional charge to these songs? Either way, I'm glad you enjoyed them and I appreciate your ongoing encouragement, Steve!
Inspired by a large stone I saw in the Ortspark in Munich, which somebody had carefully engraved with the name Mabel.
No loops used this time, all virtual instruments played by me. Cymbal, guitar, acoustic guitar, violin.
A thoughtfully constructed and genuinely performed song, Steve. I particularly appreciate that way the violin and acoustic guitar interweave throughout. Nice job!
Comments on Tom's stuff
Good one...
@TheXinkies: Thanks for the encouragement! Joining a band would be great. Maybe one day...
Dude, you need to get a band together, You have a great voice!
Great song!
Good....real good.
This is a good clean recording of a cool tune, Better Than.....
@ColleenDillon, @peppermintsky, @TheProods: Thank you for taking the time to listen and provide the kind feedback! Much appreciated!
Raw and honest. Cool!
Great vocals - cool grittiness and vibrato.
Raw!!!! I like it...
Cool vibe.
This reminds me of a Belle and Sebastian tune. I've found myself wanting to listen to it twice.
@peppermintsky Your tone is one of the best on this site, so your words of encouragement are definitely a confidence booster! Thank you!
@TheProods: Thanks! Sometimes it's nice therapy to just give a good yell in a song.
Great rock yell! Great range...
I'd stop and listen for awhile. Nice sounds.
I like your tone very much - sounds great set against this stripped down arrangement.
kicking this version.... love it
Wow! I'm a fan, bro.
@slkrell, @greg, and @theproods: Thank you so much! I thought of a special someone when I was singing it which maybe explains why it resonates. Since you like it, you might check out Brandi Carlile's version too.
Comments made by Tom
I'm glad to hear that what I recorded turned out sounding authentic. That "heart on my sleeve" vibe was definitely what I was going for. Thanks for the kind words, Steve!
Thanks for listening and for the support, Steve! The simultaneous fingerpicking and singing was hard to get down perfectly, so I'm glad it turned out okay.
@sistersavage -- thanks for the kind words, Tess!
Digging this one, Steve! The melodies, chords, and drums blend nicely with each other. Super cool closing solo too!
Took me about a decade of singing alone in my bedroom before I was brave enough to record anything! I'm glad it sometimes sounds good enough to listen to. Thanks for your kind feedback, Steve!
The reverb I get in my apt definitely added a nice flavor to this song. I've been playing this tune in one form or another for at least 15 years, so I thought it'd be cool to record it in the new place to see how it sounds in novel surroundings. As always, thanks for the support and kind feedback, Steve!
Thank you for listening and for the kind words, @sistersavage!
Sounds like you've stumbled onto a vibe that would fit right in on the new Blade Runner movie's soundtrack; great work here, Steve!
Rad stuff, Steve! It sounds like you're exploring new and exciting territories with your last few songs. Looking forward to hearing what comes next. :)
A trance inducing tune -- engaging stuff! Nice work here, Steve!
A menacing vibe to parts of this one and yet there is some rays of hope that shine through every once in awhile. Quite epic. Makes me think of some of the current events that have been going on in my country recently. Excellent work here, Steve!
I definitely tried to go for a natural approach and that has its pros and cons. There are a few word salads in this song that I stumbled through but at least it's authentic and authenticity was key with this one. Thanks, as always, for listening and providing the kind feedback, Steve!
Thanks, as always for listening and for the kind feedback, Steve! It's kind of scary to strip everything away and really expose one's voice and playing. So it's kind of a relief that what I did here still turned out sounding okay.
I really like how you took the essence of what Buckethead did with this song and funneled it through your lens!
Fun stuff, Steve! I love the speaker rattling bass and the crisp drum sound you got going on here. I'm tempted to craft some lyrics and melodies to this one, once I finish moving.
Thanks, Steve! I tried to go real lo fi on this one -- no overdubs. I figured I was due for some optimism in my song choices after recording all of Beck's Sea Change.
You definitely did a great job capturing Buckethead's propensity to mix in improv with more structured songs (in this case, "Jowls"). It would be super cool to hear you try out "Scraps," should you feel the desire to give another Buck song a go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvUGTmaKWTg
Dude! I love everything about this. Amazing stuff, Steve!
I felt downright awful as I was recording this song, "Already Dead," and "Side of the Road," so maybe my state of mind and body at the time added an additional charge to these songs? Either way, I'm glad you enjoyed them and I appreciate your ongoing encouragement, Steve!
A thoughtfully constructed and genuinely performed song, Steve. I particularly appreciate that way the violin and acoustic guitar interweave throughout. Nice job!