The song is about a recursive process of practicing and returning again and again. Through practice and concentration, time seems to slow down to the point where intentional action becomes easier and thus more natural. I think of the example…
10 years ago (April 3rd, 2008) I joined alonetone. Here is a rerecorded version of the first song I ever posted to alonetone. The song is "Girl is On My Mind" by The Black Keys
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!
Comments on Tom's stuff
Very cool track :)
Very nice cover. I like it sung in the deeper voice register. Sounds very sincere. Nice guitar play
I like it :)
Nice rendition :)
Nice acoustic sound. I like the vox
I like the dour strumming and the dark vox
Very nice! You capture the emotion of this song and it comes across so well Tom.
Thanks, Steve! It was fun trying to make the two guitars work and I'm glad the enjoyment extended beyond just me.
Great song and performance Tom. Vocals good and enjoyed the two guitars : )
@theproods I'm very glad to hear that you're out there supporting some of the artists who inspired me so much!
I purchase the songs you sing.
Glad you enjoyed it, Steve! I had some fun with this one. ;)
Nice acoustic cover, your voice and guitar strips the song back and gives it some soul!
Melancholic but engaging and beautiful at the same time
...you pretty much just described my life @fudetusk
Thanks @fudgetusk! By the way, that gum you like is going to come back in style.
@fudgetusk: Thanks for the kind words!
@fudgetusk Thanks for the kind feedback; I've really enjoyed my ten years here and I'm hoping for at least ten more!
Thanks, Steve! Atmosphere and emotion are definitely what I'm going for here!
Impressive cover Tom! Great atmosphere and emotion shows through here. Very nice!
Comments made by Tom
Cool upbeat vibe on this one, Steve! Fun stuff!
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!