Sometimes it might be best not to even think about what terrible things might happen. It might be part of setting those very terrible things in motion. How can one know?
HAPPY
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades out as the memory is made
Happy is the spark when the hammer strikes the steel
Before the spit has sizzled into a vapor trail
And happy is the planner…
I learned a chord my teacher told me was called THE GYPSY CHORD. So I wrote a song using nothing but that chord. Initially I had a girl named ....... in it but she didn't like that so I changed her name to, what was it, Emily.
After reading the book: The Immortal Life of Henryetta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Google HeLa cells and you'll get the whole story. The most famous cell line EVER.
RUN HeLa RUN
Her name was Henryetta Lacks but she never knew
Her family finally…
I love the way you have made this true story into a song.
Straight to the point lyrics with tremendous backing vocals.
It's a very strong and determined sounding track.
HAPPY
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades out as the memory is made
Happy is the spark when the hammer strikes the steel
Before the spit has sizzled into a vapor trail
And happy is the planner…
HAPPY
Happy is the anvil as the hammer strikes the blade
A fleeting spark that fades out as the memory is made
Happy is the spark when the hammer strikes the steel
Before the spit has sizzled into a vapor trail
And happy is the planner…
One night after three month of no rain, as we were driving home from singing at Gringos in Grapevine a splash of water hit the windshield.
I said to myself, "Sweet Rain."
I went home and wrote the song. It's on the soundtrack of a movie called…
So in 1951 you lived in the desert just around the corner from where I grew up , except I wasn't there until 1953 at the ripe and smelly age of 1.I think I was considering buying a house out in the same patch of desert you grew up in. Your Dad might of known a Bob Dollins, he worked at Northrop for a short while . What year did you depart?
In 1951 I was eight years old but it's all like yesterday. The tumbleweeds and the horny toads. Flying kites so far into the desert air that I couldn't see them.
Palmdale, California, 1951
Pretty yellow chickens hating in the sun
Fertilizer…
Small world indeed. In 1953 I was 1 and we lived on the base. In old pics the housing were those Quansot Huts. Hell, if you lived out there at 8 years no wonder you got that dreamy like recollection. It be like living on the Moon, had barren can it get, and the bright sun beating down cooking that desert, sonic booms rattleing windows. I know, I don't know when they stop doing it but I remember as far back as 1964 of our classrooms windows rattling and that 's in Palmdale. They test artilliary as well out at EAB. Fortunately I was only 1 year old back then and i was shielded from the sun by my moma's breast and taken out there before I could develope a memory.Funny thing in early '54 my folks moved just off the south end of 15th. I still live close to it. There is no hope for Peace on Earth as long as militaries stand armed and ready.
You captured the mood! Good integration of song voice and guitar. It was warm & tender despite the hard cold reality the song spoke of. Imaginitive lyrics that mixed well with the sweet simplicity of the music.
In 1951 I was eight years old but it's all like yesterday. The tumbleweeds and the horny toads. Flying kites so far into the desert air that I couldn't see them.
Palmdale, California, 1951
Pretty yellow chickens hating in the sun
Fertilizer…
Another Palmdale resident. The horny toads you don't see to much anymore but he tumbleweeds and the wind are still here so kite flying is still around. Hey ,you forgot the rattlesnakes. I don't remember it being so dreamy though. Your song is different and somewhat interesting but I wouldn't vote for it to be the official Palmdale song. I arrived in Palmdale in 1953, maybe that's what it is.
The Cindy I mention in this song is Cindy Sheehan. This was before out trip to Crawford. The rest is pretty self-explained.
HEROS
No, I ain't no hero, I'm just trying to survive
Me and Cindy, just staying alive.
Got a hurt in our heart and…
The Cindy I mention in this song is Cindy Sheehan. This was before out trip to Crawford. The rest is pretty self-explained.
HEROS
No, I ain't no hero, I'm just trying to survive
Me and Cindy, just staying alive.
Got a hurt in our heart and…
In 1951 I was eight years old but it's all like yesterday. The tumbleweeds and the horny toads. Flying kites so far into the desert air that I couldn't see them.
Palmdale, California, 1951
Pretty yellow chickens hating in the sun
Fertilizer…
Sometimes it might be best not to even think about what terrible things might happen. It might be part of setting those very terrible things in motion. How can one know?
Well here's my contribution to the Pirate challenge from Robert Palomo. I think you'll agree it was time to call it a night on this one, but it was a lot of fun writing and recording it! Hope it gives you a chuckle or two.
Why Do Parrots…
Here's the second song I recently decided to do with a studio recording from one I wrote and posted here a while ago as a purely vocal version. It's one of my favorites.... I hope you'll enjoy it too
Singing In The Silence
Verse 1:
Singing…
Here's my last studio effort of the summer, as we roll into fall!
I wrote this one earlier in the year sipping mojito's at the proverbial beach bar and then posted it here.... I thought I'd give it a little sprucing up with the help from my…
I decided this was a good song to post on Thanksgiving as a way to say thanks to all the folks on AloneTone for listening to my music over these past few years. This is another song in the studio work I've been doing this year. We're still tinkering…
I was having my share of PESS (post election stress syndrome) and headed to northern MN to shake it off and wrote this one while watching a beautiful quiet snowfall happen. I recorded it finally today on my little TASCAM that we often use around…
This song was written after I had watched a documentary about Jonestown, which featured music from their choir. They were very talented and I couldn't help wondering if any of them had survived. I'd like to think that there were a couple of 'em…
Inspired by a gorgeous recording on a wax cylinder by the composer, Tanburi Cemil Bey (1873-1916).
Performed on politiki lyra (classic kemençe), a small bowed fiddle from Istanbul.
Recorded at The Banff Centre, November 2008.
Performed with National Baritone Guitar, Martin D-28, Morris Mandolin and Hohner EchoHarp.
______________________________________
D Down at the station Em waiting for a train,
G Try to find a brand new start D leave behind the A pain
D…
Been busy revising....but hey!! i passed.....
JUST LIKE THE 70’S
Everybody knows that the 70‘s rocked man
That rock stars where made of gold
Everybody knows everyone was plugged in
the music played with everyones soul
Everyone knows everything…
My light-hearted take on a serious issue.
Over- prescription of powerful and addictive drugs, and the unknown and (to some) worrying relationship between doctors and the drug companies.
Disclaimer: Dr. Kreviss is a fictional character, and any…
Here one of my original songs I made. I created my own backing track before adding my guitar track and vocals... Voici une de mes compos perso. J'ai tout créé moi-même...
I like the way you play the voices against eachother. Very strong melodies.
Also, Thanks for listening to my music and commenting. The song about Jack Hardy is a very "in" joke. I make gentle fun of an American legend. He's gone on since then. I played it once when I opened for him. We were friends and fans of eachother.
Lyrics:
Down by the riverside, autumn wind blows cold
The river just keeps rolling by with just a hint of snow
I continue standing here, where did you go
Ain’t no use to worry, some things I’ll never know
Last thing that you told me…
Something new here. Tilden Barger offered to arrange and produce this song. Tell me what you think.
Written by Greg Connor
Arranged and Produced by my friend Tilden Barger
Here is the latest Coffee Table Recording. We gave ourselves 2 1/2 hours to pick a topic, write the song, and record it. It was GREAT FUN!
I left the pre bantar in just so you could get a feel of the "mood of the room".
Brett - Flatop…
Love this. You guys really sound like the real thing. Makes me want to write something like that. Play my banjo and get out my Jew's harp. And thank you for checking out some of my videos.
An acoustic short song I just made up, I kept it very basic by only using my little Höhner guitar with nylon strings of which I recorded two layers. I hope you will enjoy my song ! Warm regards from Anna.
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Very Pretty story telling. I've been to Deadwood. What a place to spend eternity.
Excellent!
Another very clever one!
This one is one of my favourites of your tracks. The chorus is especially poignant.
I love this! The music is really driving!
You performed this so well. A very interesting story, perfectly done. Good luck, "Emily". Yeah, nice chord!
I love the way you have made this true story into a song. Straight to the point lyrics with tremendous backing vocals. It's a very strong and determined sounding track.
Wow, JM! Grrreat harmonies, and a master class in lyrics.
nice job... its a snapshot in a snapshot.
So in 1951 you lived in the desert just around the corner from where I grew up , except I wasn't there until 1953 at the ripe and smelly age of 1.I think I was considering buying a house out in the same patch of desert you grew up in. Your Dad might of known a Bob Dollins, he worked at Northrop for a short while . What year did you depart?
These songs with the choir are cool. Are these friends , sounds like you got a regular choir doing back up
Small world indeed. In 1953 I was 1 and we lived on the base. In old pics the housing were those Quansot Huts. Hell, if you lived out there at 8 years no wonder you got that dreamy like recollection. It be like living on the Moon, had barren can it get, and the bright sun beating down cooking that desert, sonic booms rattleing windows. I know, I don't know when they stop doing it but I remember as far back as 1964 of our classrooms windows rattling and that 's in Palmdale. They test artilliary as well out at EAB. Fortunately I was only 1 year old back then and i was shielded from the sun by my moma's breast and taken out there before I could develope a memory.Funny thing in early '54 my folks moved just off the south end of 15th. I still live close to it. There is no hope for Peace on Earth as long as militaries stand armed and ready.
You captured the mood! Good integration of song voice and guitar. It was warm & tender despite the hard cold reality the song spoke of. Imaginitive lyrics that mixed well with the sweet simplicity of the music.
Another Palmdale resident. The horny toads you don't see to much anymore but he tumbleweeds and the wind are still here so kite flying is still around. Hey ,you forgot the rattlesnakes. I don't remember it being so dreamy though. Your song is different and somewhat interesting but I wouldn't vote for it to be the official Palmdale song. I arrived in Palmdale in 1953, maybe that's what it is.
Nice percussion. Strong message!
Most excellent lyrics! I admire those who will stand up and be counted! Great song!
LOL as they say
Wistful though not wishful. The drum is very effective. Doubling the tempo for the spoken parts - excellent!
Your speaking voice is really believable. I like that! Sounds great! A most clever song JM Who's your friend?
Yeah, sure you would! Oh, love it! What a cracking good song.
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
What a lovely song. Perfect for a Broadway musical about an old parrot looking back on it's life. Or an old pirate, too, I guess.
What a fine lyric. You speak for all of us from the first line...
Pegging the Jimmy Buffet scenery with a country song. Love the steel and your solid lyric.
Great chorus.
Such a sweet song and message.
What an obvious subject for a fun song so many of us overlooked. Please include the lyric in your "about" section. I want to hear all the words.
Haunting. Music of the ages...
Nice trip down Memory Lane.
I can see it very clearly. This is your Early Morning Rain...
Rock On!
The mistakes we make... some more important than others. A very nice song.
Cool. Dig the irreverence. Smart ass attitude!
Such sadness...It's like we are hearing it thru a teardrop.
I like the way you play the voices against eachother. Very strong melodies. Also, Thanks for listening to my music and commenting. The song about Jack Hardy is a very "in" joke. I make gentle fun of an American legend. He's gone on since then. I played it once when I opened for him. We were friends and fans of eachother.
Great.
WoW! Like playing chainsaws. Transforms into a dream. Music from Transylvania.
"...just a hint of snow." Very interesting story.
Beautiful!
Love this. You guys really sound like the real thing. Makes me want to write something like that. Play my banjo and get out my Jew's harp. And thank you for checking out some of my videos.
...always all of those questions.I'm nine years alone and still, my mind is as king...