Song five out of 15 for RPM Challenge and FAWM. I can't play keyboards to save my life so when I try to write on one I usually just end up with music that is 100% rhythm orientated. This is an example of that.
Song five out of 15 for RPM Challenge and FAWM. I can't play keyboards to save my life so when I try to write on one I usually just end up with music that is 100% rhythm orientated. This is an example of that.
I drove past Canobie Lake in Salem, NH the other day and I suddenly had this title for the RPM project pop into my head. Showdown at Canobie Lake Park. Think of it as 3:00 High only set in front of an awesome wooden roller coaster.
"Four Walls" is the oldest song of the bunch. It was written early in 1992. I had been working with a drummer friend of mine for a while during the Fall 1991 semester. We'd get together once every few weeks and write and record to 4-track one…
The fourth and final Hurricane Irene song. Also, the worst of the bunch, which probably explains why it took five months to finish it. At least it's better than the last piece of garbage I uploaded.
The hurricane was somewhat of a letdown…
The fourth and final Hurricane Irene song. Also, the worst of the bunch, which probably explains why it took five months to finish it. At least it's better than the last piece of garbage I uploaded.
The hurricane was somewhat of a letdown…
The fourth and final Hurricane Irene song. Also, the worst of the bunch, which probably explains why it took five months to finish it. At least it's better than the last piece of garbage I uploaded.
The hurricane was somewhat of a letdown…
This was originally meant to be part of my national solo album month project in November. I did worse on that deal than I usually do on my RPMs. The more I listen to this one the less I like it. In fact, I kinda don't like it at all anymore…
Third of possibly four songs written either just before or during Hurricane Irene's visit to New England. This one seems a little too busy and the mix feels funny, but I think it would be fun to play live if I ever get myself back into a band.
When I first bought my MacBook Pro I bought a little USB (piano) keyboard and started goofing off with GarageBand. I wasn't really doing anything serious other than trying to impress my step kids. I forgot about everything I'd done until today…
When I first bought my MacBook Pro I bought a little USB (piano) keyboard and started goofing off with GarageBand. I wasn't really doing anything serious other than trying to impress my step kids. I forgot about everything I'd done until today…
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.
The second of seven unfinished leftovers from RPM 2007 to finally get completed. The lyrics are about my strong desire to vacation in San Diego... permanently. Just a little 12-bar. I liked this one a lot more before it was finished. Now I…
The second of seven unfinished leftovers from RPM 2007 to finally get completed. The lyrics are about my strong desire to vacation in San Diego... permanently. Just a little 12-bar. I liked this one a lot more before it was finished. Now I…
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.
I like this. Like the rhythm guitar and your solos. The lyrics touch home in that we've had power outages recently and everyone's had to forget their computers and actually talk to each other. What a new experience. Time to change our ways indeed.
ER
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
Digging the keys!
Nice bit of crunchy riffage to start things off! Great vocal - hooky track.
cool track...well done
Very cool feel! Looking forward to the rest of your album! (It's never too early for a 12 bar.)
Who knew a missing member of the Foo Fighters was living in my childhood hometown of Methuen?
excellent, great guitar playing...
Rocking licks - great feel!
Rocks , great mix.
Very nice laid back groove.
cool ray davies tone to your voice on this one. guitar lead is on fire.
I agree. Both the story and song are excellent.
Loving that Bass...........
Hahaha, love your back story. Very cool track, Sir. Mix is EXCELLENT.
Good rockin!
Great tune and mixing.
Awesomely crunching riffage. Great track! Glad you found time to finish it.
I like this. Like the rhythm guitar and your solos. The lyrics touch home in that we've had power outages recently and everyone's had to forget their computers and actually talk to each other. What a new experience. Time to change our ways indeed. ER
Because you're pumped and hungry for that "completion" feeling. Sounds like it works for you too - love your voice, great guitar work!
Very smooth man. Hope the hurricane went easy on ya! :) Love the bass line.
Thanks!
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!