I think this year marks my fourth crack at NaSoAlMo, National Solo Album Month. This song marks the first time in those four attempts that I've actually finished a song within the month of November.
I don't remember a whole lot about this one. I wrote it along with two others in my bedroom at my parents' house, probably in 1993 or 94. I know the idea was to write stuff that I might be able to sing and play at the same time. This was played…
This was written at the same time as Laughing. The plan was to try writing songs that I could sing while playing the guitar. I think I played my first bedroom recording of this (with me playing my brother's drums, gasp!) to Mike the bass player…
Originally written in my bedroom in 1992 or so. Later rewritten and played by Prime Meridian from 1998-2000. It was basically forgotten about until I found it on a tape in 2004 and brought it out for Break Even.
Written during a spring break writing experiment in 1999. Write one song a day. I did it pretty easily. This is about a photo of my grandmother that I saw at her wake in 1998.
Written at Northeast Broadcasting School as an experiment in replacing recorded sounds with samples. It was played pretty much as is by Prime Meridian in about '99 or '00 or so. It was heavily reworked and played by Break Even from '03-'05 and…
This is a very cool arrangement, with a fabulous rhythm, a sexy bass, a slick guitar, and a gripping vocal line. An excellent mix-down and mastering job. Keep tearing it up and Rock on!
The year was 1989 and my high school rock band, Tempest Fero, was feelin' proggie! I can't remember who wrote what for this one. I do know we were quite stoked to have the little 4/4 to 3/4 to 6/8 thing at the end of the quiet parts. I also…
Saying Hi...
We just joined a couple of hours ago and are listening to a few of the artists. We really enjoyed this piece! Has a bit of a throwback sound while still sounding contemporary. Nice job!
Alan & Di (aka Double Trouble)
The year was 1989 and my high school rock band, Tempest Fero, was feelin' proggie! I can't remember who wrote what for this one. I do know we were quite stoked to have the little 4/4 to 3/4 to 6/8 thing at the end of the quiet parts. I also…
The year was 1989 and my high school rock band, Tempest Fero, was feelin' proggie! I can't remember who wrote what for this one. I do know we were quite stoked to have the little 4/4 to 3/4 to 6/8 thing at the end of the quiet parts. I also…
I was not happy with my first mix of this thing. I changed the drums on both songs and the bass on the first song and redid all the effects. It's a little better now. Maybe. Kind of.
I wrote this when I uploaded the first mix:
Two songs that…
At long last, the seventh of the seven unfinished songs from my failed 2007 RPM is now finished! It's Miller Time! It's only six years late, but it's done. So tell me, are the congas and the triangles and the strings with the tremolos over…
At long last, the seventh of the seven unfinished songs from my failed 2007 RPM is now finished! It's Miller Time! It's only six years late, but it's done. So tell me, are the congas and the triangles and the strings with the tremolos over…
At long last, the seventh of the seven unfinished songs from my failed 2007 RPM is now finished! It's Miller Time! It's only six years late, but it's done. So tell me, are the congas and the triangles and the strings with the tremolos over…
This was written in 1988 or 1989 or so, while I was still in high school. It was co-written with my friend and bandmate Mike the bass player. Jeff the drummer took my meager melody and improved on it. I don't think I ever sang this one before…
A song about a tough day at the office.
This one turned into more of a project that it deserved. My first take on the vocals seemed okay at the time but was really unacceptable. I went back and fixed the problems and ended up clipping the…
I told myself that the 2013 RPM album was going to be guitar/bass/drums/vocals. Maybe an occasional keyboard thrown in as a gimmick. Yeah, this song is based around an electric piano and has a sax solo. So much for convictions.
A song about how hard optimism can be.
Third song finished for 2013 RPM Challenge/FAWM. Might this be the album opener? I have never owned a fuzz box, but the amp simulations in GarageBand have finally corrected that stomp box oversite…
So, what do you think... could it use more wah-wah?
This was written for the 2014 RPM Challenge. The chromatic thing at the beginning had been rattling around in my head for years and years but had never found a home.
The lyrics here…
That plinky little sound in the verses is an organ with some distortion on it. I wanted Jon Lord to play the part but he wasn't available. It's playing eighth notes in the verses and a sustained pad in the chorus. If I remix this I might bring it up. I haven't decided yet.
The sound at the end is actually a grunt of frustration. This is the easiest song every written in all of the history of music and it took me 700 takes to get the rhythm guitars right. I was going to cut it out but when the time came I thought it was funny so I left it there.
The first song completed for the second round of re-recorded Quarantine Tunes. This one was written on the last day of the 2016 RPM Challenge. I had written a bunch of songs saying that people who think the Earth is flat are somehow defective…
It's not a cocked wah, all of those mids are coming from the Klon pedal. I was a scooped mids guy for 30 years before I finally figured out that if I just boost the mids a little the rest of the band can hear me without me cranking my amp until it hurts. Now I overdo it in the other direction. heh
(Remastered 22/10/2021)
And here we go - Edith FINALLY gets it...
Actually, she's been getting it ever since I wrote it on the 29th May. I thought it would take a week or so, but it proved to be more of a fight than I was expecting.
On…
RPM 2k15
vocal by Gregg Todt
is it the medication
that makes her stare off into space?
those little pills in the bottle
grab your collar
smack you in the face
i want to make an appointment to see
that drug, so he will give her back to…
I thought going into 50/90 that I would need to do some quick recordings of really simple arrangements. Maybe just acoustic guitar and voice. Nope, not really.
This isn't meant as filler. This idea is something I noodle on almost every…
So 50/90 is an unnatural forcing of a crap ton of songs in a relatively short period of time. We're half way though and I've learned one thing. I've learned how easy it is to repeat something you've already done. This one sounds a LOT like…
I appreciate wanting to bring the vocals out in the mix more but that would mean someone might hear my awful voice and nonono we can't have that. Not to mention the terrible lyrics. Urgh. Bury those vocals!
I also like having the excuse that as I am a guitar player first and foremost, I naturally want the guitars to overpower everything else.
In all seriousness, I agree the vocals need to come up... I just can't bring myself to do it.
Opening song by Kent Good. We played pretty good in Feb. We are not "chops" players, but i think we rocked this one pretty good.This song will evolve a bit as we break it in live.
Apologies to Peter and the rest of Genesis - from back when they were good - 1974
And the lamb lies down on Broadway.
Early morning Manhattan,
Ocean winds blow on the land.
The Movie-Palace is now undone,
The all-night watchmen have had their…
"Stupid Punk Song" is... well... stupid. I woke up one morning and the entire song, lyrics and all, was stuck in my head. I let it rattle around for a few days before putting it down on my new 8-track. I played it for Break Even once but they…
This is a pre-release of a song from my new album. The song still needs some polish and rubbing. I will change it out once i get done with the final version. The lyric was written a long time ago, of what could or couldn't have been:) Thats the…
Comments on Robert James's stuff
Well it's an excellent song, RJ. Awesome guitar is a bonus!!
Dig! I got off on this one! Rock on!
Rock on!
A rather catchy composition -- I dig the way you think musically. Simply put, you ROCK!
Very interesting lyrics. Diggin' the mood of the music, the way it underlines the words as does the vocals. An altogether powerful composition!
This is a very cool arrangement, with a fabulous rhythm, a sexy bass, a slick guitar, and a gripping vocal line. An excellent mix-down and mastering job. Keep tearing it up and Rock on!
Saying Hi... We just joined a couple of hours ago and are listening to a few of the artists. We really enjoyed this piece! Has a bit of a throwback sound while still sounding contemporary. Nice job! Alan & Di (aka Double Trouble)
Nice change of rhythms
I'm digging the twists and turns this song is taking. The mix sounds really good.
I like this alot. soundgardeny riffing. The lead cuts through lovely when you let rip.
raw & real
its true. there is. there must be. there must be a better way
Not third rate mate.....
Garageband is a beautiful thing isn't it! lolol nice job bro!!!!
Cool tunes
Nothing lazy about it R.J., it's a foot tapper for sure. Nice wah wah too :)
You aced to vocals man. Real good...
Oh yeah...like the riff and the tones....killer playing RJ. Solo style similar to early Alex Lifeson.
pleasant mix and good groove. loove the sax. lead guitar tone is killer.
great lead guitar.
Comments made by Robert James
That plinky little sound in the verses is an organ with some distortion on it. I wanted Jon Lord to play the part but he wasn't available. It's playing eighth notes in the verses and a sustained pad in the chorus. If I remix this I might bring it up. I haven't decided yet. The sound at the end is actually a grunt of frustration. This is the easiest song every written in all of the history of music and it took me 700 takes to get the rhythm guitars right. I was going to cut it out but when the time came I thought it was funny so I left it there.
It's not a cocked wah, all of those mids are coming from the Klon pedal. I was a scooped mids guy for 30 years before I finally figured out that if I just boost the mids a little the rest of the band can hear me without me cranking my amp until it hurts. Now I overdo it in the other direction. heh
Love the slide! What a great song. No one warns us that vowel sounds matter when writing lyrics, but you nailed it.
Damn it man, each song is better than the one that came before. Nice work. Really loving it.
The acoustic bass sound comes from GarageBand. I haven't been using it much lately, but every once in a while I feel the need.
I appreciate wanting to bring the vocals out in the mix more but that would mean someone might hear my awful voice and nonono we can't have that. Not to mention the terrible lyrics. Urgh. Bury those vocals! I also like having the excuse that as I am a guitar player first and foremost, I naturally want the guitars to overpower everything else. In all seriousness, I agree the vocals need to come up... I just can't bring myself to do it.
I love everything about this song.
Live music! Sounds great.
Have I mentioned that this is the BEST! SONG! EVER!!!!? Because it clearly is the BEST SONG EVER!!!
BEST! SONG! EVER!!!!!
Syd would be proud. Thanks!
Put on a fox head mask and channel Peter Gabriel. Nice!
Hey Steve, I don't think you were there that night. I know i played it for at least Jeff and Dave and they both sort of looked at me funny.
I like both of these songs a lot. Thanks!
Great song! Here's to hoping you add some more.
Some excellent guitar playing! Thanks
I'm so impressed that I can't think of anything complementary to say. Thanks!
Wow!