Thanks, Steve! It's a song I covered from the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack and I thought its vibe worked well for the new mic/guitar setup I'm trying out.
High praise comparing this song to John Lennon - he's a huge influence on me and so I'm quite honored...and I think this song turned out pretty well under the circumstances (I sang it following the US election). Glad you enjoyed it and, as always, thanks for stopping by to listen!
Thanks, Dok! While I didn't write this song, I appreciate the sentiments of this song too. It works on (at least) two levels: one level is the obvious Ram Dass reference while the other is about loving another.
Btw, I'm looking forward to hearing more of your stuff!
Thanks, Dok! I know my style isn’t for everyone, so I do appreciate that some of what I post here resonates with you and that you keep coming back to listen.
I kinda figured the "Empire Builder" comment was yours, Dok, but didn't want to assume anything!
And thank you for the warm words for "Lemon Grove Ave." Cool to have folks like you listening and appreciating what I'm playing!
@Guest: Thanks for the kind words! I always try to go with songs that I can imagine a live audience listening to, so it's cool this song was received that way.
Very nice Tom. Another thoughtful song. I'd enjoy being in the audience to see you perform. You create a mood, an atmosphere, with just an acoustic guitar and your voice. Well done!
@kavin -- thanks for the feedback! I improvised this with my brother several years ago so I wish I could still remember how I played it. But I'm glad that you and others are enjoying it!
@GeneEricMann Thanks for your kind words, in particular with regards to my vocals. I know I'm not a gifted singer, but what I lack in skill, I try to make up for in sincerity.
@justinotterguy: Thanks! I think it turned out pretty well. I suggest you check out Low's version, which inspired my version: http://youtu.be/Qy_bQq2sAoA
I don't resonate with the lyrics as much right now, but I anticipated this shift when I called it "the blues" instead of its actual title "street of dreams." So that title change may be why you haven't heard the original.
Oh ...and thanks for your kind words of encouragement, Ken!
Thanks, Ken -- I know my voice is not everyone's "cup of tea" so I appreciate it -- high praise coming from another musician such as yourself!
At some point I would like to do something studio proper, but that might not be for another few more years as I will probably be pretty busy with school for at least a little while longer. There’s a nice studio in town that is relatively cheap, it’s just a matter of me sitting down and putting together some songs worthy of investing that kind of energy into it. I suppose if I were collaborating with someone it would kind of force me to take it more seriously, but either way it’s on my list of things to do, for sure!
@thetworegs: Thanks! This one is one of the few I have recorded that turned out better than I could have hoped. Glad to hear that someone else enjoyed it.
Thanks Ken! I felt a little unsure whether to post this one as I could never get the guitar to not sound horribly out-of-tune. Nice to know that my singing sort of cancelled out the less than perfect guitar tone...
I'm more musician than lyricist, just so you know, but I'm def looking forward to hearing whatever you got for me to sing over. I'll give it my best shot!
I must have been replying to your comment about “Cinnamon Girl” at the same time you were commenting on this song.
I can’t remember which audio recorder I used for this particular song.
Most of the time I just have a cheap 20 dollar USB mic plugged straight into my desktop because I can manipulate the mix between voice and guitar easier by moving the mic closer or farther from my guitar (very lo-fi, I know!) However, I tend to record my electric guitar stuff on a Tascam DR-05, mostly because all my gear is in the living room and I’m too lazy to move it to the bedroom, where my computer is….
I will edit whatever recording I use with Audacity. Do you have any particular recording preferences, Ken, or is it completely dependent on song?
Ken, I agree that we seem to follow a similar muse and thus our favorites tend to mirror each other. I would love to hear your version of "Cinnamon Girl." It could be fun to one day jam to your version! Maybe even a collab w/ each of us trading solos/vox? :)
A true lover of the art of music takes the time to not only work on their own art, but support the music of other artists. I respect and admire the time you've invested in listening and commenting on so much music here. Additionally, I'm very honored that you would devote time to listening to anything I post here. Thanks again, Ken!
Oh, wow...I don't get much feedback these days, so your kind words are much appreciated, Ken! I hope you keep creating and posting your music as well - I'm really enjoying it. :)
@fallingupart: Ahh, I need to enunciate better. The last verse is supposed to go "But the fire came to rest/In your white velvet breast/So I somehow know/That it's safe."
Also, the other verse you mention goes "I forgot all my songs/The words now are wrong." Thanks for lending another ear so I can clarify the words better.
@VishnuExpress (BabaPrince Joseph): I didn't write this particular song, but when I sing it I am thinking of the concept of "Monkey Mind" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_monkey in addition to the concept of "Getting the Monkey Off Your Back." No literal monkeys were harmed in the making of this song. ;)
Comments on Tom's stuff
Like this version. Catchy song!
Nice cover Tom : )
Nice song. You've managed to do your own backing vocals too. Good job!
From Pulp Fiction too? Powerful song, comes across well Tom. Well done!
Thanks, Steve! It's a song I covered from the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack and I thought its vibe worked well for the new mic/guitar setup I'm trying out.
I don't know the song, but nicely performed Tom.
High praise comparing this song to John Lennon - he's a huge influence on me and so I'm quite honored...and I think this song turned out pretty well under the circumstances (I sang it following the US election). Glad you enjoyed it and, as always, thanks for stopping by to listen!
Reminds me of John Lennon. I don't know the song, but very nice.
Thanks, Dok! While I didn't write this song, I appreciate the sentiments of this song too. It works on (at least) two levels: one level is the obvious Ram Dass reference while the other is about loving another. Btw, I'm looking forward to hearing more of your stuff!
Very well expressed sentiments Tom. I like it.
Thanks, Dok! I know my style isn’t for everyone, so I do appreciate that some of what I post here resonates with you and that you keep coming back to listen.
Another winner! Like your style.
@TheProods: As always, thank you for stopping by to listen and to give encouragement; I really appreciate it!
I kinda figured the "Empire Builder" comment was yours, Dok, but didn't want to assume anything! And thank you for the warm words for "Lemon Grove Ave." Cool to have folks like you listening and appreciating what I'm playing!
Mellow and cool avenue. Enjoying the groove. Thanks Tom. (Sorry, the guest was me when I forgot to sign in. Doh!)
More great choices.
@Guest: Thanks for the kind words! I always try to go with songs that I can imagine a live audience listening to, so it's cool this song was received that way.
Very nice Tom. Another thoughtful song. I'd enjoy being in the audience to see you perform. You create a mood, an atmosphere, with just an acoustic guitar and your voice. Well done!
Thanks, Dok! I appreciate the appreciating!
Like it Tom. Easy to listen to and appreciate
Comments made by Tom
@tdg7 -- thank you for the kind words! I recommend, if you have the desire, to go check out J. Tillman's version; it is far superior to mine.
@kavin -- thanks for the feedback! I improvised this with my brother several years ago so I wish I could still remember how I played it. But I'm glad that you and others are enjoying it!
@GeneEricMann Thanks for your kind words, in particular with regards to my vocals. I know I'm not a gifted singer, but what I lack in skill, I try to make up for in sincerity.
@justinotterguy: Thanks! I think it turned out pretty well. I suggest you check out Low's version, which inspired my version: http://youtu.be/Qy_bQq2sAoA
@TheRoseSerumSextet: Thank you for the kind words. Not many are brave enough to listen to my more improvisational stuff, so I do appreciate it!
@nazarevox: Thank you for listening and the encouraging feedback, Marcelo!
Thanks Ken! I was inspired by Madi Diaz's version. So if you like this version you might check out her version because it's pretty rad.
I don't resonate with the lyrics as much right now, but I anticipated this shift when I called it "the blues" instead of its actual title "street of dreams." So that title change may be why you haven't heard the original. Oh ...and thanks for your kind words of encouragement, Ken!
Thanks Ken!
Thanks, Ken -- I know my voice is not everyone's "cup of tea" so I appreciate it -- high praise coming from another musician such as yourself! At some point I would like to do something studio proper, but that might not be for another few more years as I will probably be pretty busy with school for at least a little while longer. There’s a nice studio in town that is relatively cheap, it’s just a matter of me sitting down and putting together some songs worthy of investing that kind of energy into it. I suppose if I were collaborating with someone it would kind of force me to take it more seriously, but either way it’s on my list of things to do, for sure!
@thetworegs: Thanks! This one is one of the few I have recorded that turned out better than I could have hoped. Glad to hear that someone else enjoyed it.
Thanks Ken! I felt a little unsure whether to post this one as I could never get the guitar to not sound horribly out-of-tune. Nice to know that my singing sort of cancelled out the less than perfect guitar tone...
I'm more musician than lyricist, just so you know, but I'm def looking forward to hearing whatever you got for me to sing over. I'll give it my best shot!
I must have been replying to your comment about “Cinnamon Girl” at the same time you were commenting on this song. I can’t remember which audio recorder I used for this particular song. Most of the time I just have a cheap 20 dollar USB mic plugged straight into my desktop because I can manipulate the mix between voice and guitar easier by moving the mic closer or farther from my guitar (very lo-fi, I know!) However, I tend to record my electric guitar stuff on a Tascam DR-05, mostly because all my gear is in the living room and I’m too lazy to move it to the bedroom, where my computer is…. I will edit whatever recording I use with Audacity. Do you have any particular recording preferences, Ken, or is it completely dependent on song?
Ken, I agree that we seem to follow a similar muse and thus our favorites tend to mirror each other. I would love to hear your version of "Cinnamon Girl." It could be fun to one day jam to your version! Maybe even a collab w/ each of us trading solos/vox? :)
A true lover of the art of music takes the time to not only work on their own art, but support the music of other artists. I respect and admire the time you've invested in listening and commenting on so much music here. Additionally, I'm very honored that you would devote time to listening to anything I post here. Thanks again, Ken!
Oh, wow...I don't get much feedback these days, so your kind words are much appreciated, Ken! I hope you keep creating and posting your music as well - I'm really enjoying it. :)
@KnD thanks for your enthusiasm and encouragement! The song is directed at a very important woman in my life. I hope she likes it. :)
@fallingupart: Ahh, I need to enunciate better. The last verse is supposed to go "But the fire came to rest/In your white velvet breast/So I somehow know/That it's safe." Also, the other verse you mention goes "I forgot all my songs/The words now are wrong." Thanks for lending another ear so I can clarify the words better.
@VishnuExpress (BabaPrince Joseph): I didn't write this particular song, but when I sing it I am thinking of the concept of "Monkey Mind" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_monkey in addition to the concept of "Getting the Monkey Off Your Back." No literal monkeys were harmed in the making of this song. ;)