So…I haven’t been updating here, but it isn’t because I haven’t been busy. The last several months have found me playing a few charity gigs, headlining a couple of times as a solo act, releasing another new album with my band, Nightlite Mary, and more… It’s been a crazy year.
Please, if you haven’t already, come check out what Nightlite Mary is up to. Since dn8-4 came out, we’ve put up a few videos, and are playing a gig March 2 in our home town. We like to keep things simple. We’ve also recorded two songs for our next album. One is a version of my song “Wasted.” The other is a newish track, called “Here me now,” which I wrote over the summer. Both tunes include me on accordion, which is awesome.
I’ve also been busy the past couple of months, growing a beard and playing with my new puppy. So now I’m mistaken for Billy Gibbon every once in awhile. But at least I stay warm. Enjoy this one from NLM. I dig it:
“Joe’s Garage” is a great album, musically and lyrically. In many ways, the album is Frank Zappa’s philosophy about the state of the world — especially the state of government and its relationship with the people.
I’ve always liked the title track on the album. It’s catchy and filled with crazy little pieces and parts. So I decided to jam along with it, and over the course of a couple of days I put together a little videosong cover of “Joe’s Garage.” If you like Zappa, check it out and let me know how I did. If you don’t like Zappa, but you do like me, check it out anyway and let me know what you think.
I hope you enjoy “Joe’s Garage.” Don’t get used to me doing covers.
The MP3 will be available on my next free album, which I’ll complete sometime after I recover from my newly acquired addictions to Bleach and Pokemon.
Please welcome my newest addition, a 130-year-old button accordion, who I’ve named Edith. She came to me all old and wheezy. But there’s something about her that feels magical. Consider that she’s made it through both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf wars. She made it through the Depression. Somehow she survived the 1990s.
Edith inspired me to write this ditty. It’s my attempt at an homage to The Pogues and Shane MacGowan. It’s a rambunctious little tale, it’s super short, and it’s just about perfect for St. Patty’s Day.
Lest you feel compelled to be concerned about me over the lyrics (because you’re my mom), rest assured that it’s all in good fun. I mean one can’t really pay homage to the great Shane without at least attempting to write like Shane. So…no worries.
Please enjoy, and as always, you can download the track for free
Been busy lately making music with The Puzzles, but I’ve brought you a new video! Here’s my newsest tune, called “Wasted.” Please enjoy:
I like this tune because it’s super short, features my home made electric cigar box guitar, and includes a cameo from the newest addition to my collection of instruments: Ricky the accordion!
As always, please see my songs page for a free mp3.
I’ve just been informed that my newest videosong, “Worth Living,” will be featured all day tomorrow, Nov. 11, on the Songwriters Collection Channel on YouTube. Kathy, who runs the channel, has been awfully supportive over the last several months. She’s added three of my videos (“Gleam,” “Without You” and now “Worth Living”) to her VideoSongs playlist, and she’s previously featured “All I Have Left” on her channel.
Please, if you’ve got a few minutes and a YouTube account, send her a note or leave a comment on her channel. Of course, if you see this too late, you can always watch the video below. If you haven’t seen it yet.
I took a few weeks off to recuperate, watch baseball and old Naruto shows. But here and there I managed to scrape together this song and video. This song breaks my heart about every time I play it. In recording it, I decided to keep it simple, until the very end.
I haven’t been around much lately. I’ll admit it. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy.
I spent October playing, resting, recording and other stuff. Most of that other stuff is related to watching Naruto.
I’ll have you know that I’m already two songs deep into my next album, a mere six weeks after completing the last one. I’ve spent some time over the last couple of weeks reacquainting myself with my guitar and banjo. And I’ve finally started tracking a couple of songs I think you’ll like.
In addition, I was honored to play at a songwriters showcase at Auburn Public Theatre in my hometown. It was a lovely night, and I shared the bill with Jon Peterson and Dusty Pascal, two up-and-coming youngsters who know how to tell a story. I want to thank Jon for inviting me.
Stay tuned. I should have a new song and video up shortly. I’m glad to be back in the saddle. Or whatever.
Here’s the last videosong from the “Alchemy” album — leetle song called “A Way.” I had fun with this track, mostly because I didn’t have any idea where it was headed until it was actually finished. It started with me playing with some random effects and ended a month or so later in a fit of banjo and lyric writing.
Please enjoy “A Way.”
With this post, “Alchemy” is complete. So…what now? Hmmm.
I plan to start working on my next project almost immediately. Like tonight immediately. I’ve got lots more ideas and I’m eager to get started.
Please, if you’ve not already, stop by the store and get a copy of “Alchemy.” And while you’re at it, check out the Nightlite Mary album as well, conveniently available from my store.
Thanks as always for stopping by. It’s awful nice of you.
“Alchemy” is the culmination of six months and several years worth of work. It’s been a joy and a pain. It’s been cathartic and frustrating. It’s filled with songs new and old. It’s 100 percent me. And I’m really proud of it.
The album includes 10 tracks previously posted here on my site, plus two bonus tracks — one of which you can only get by downloading the album. That track is “Shotgun” — my cover of the brilliant piece by Hollowbelly. If you don’t know Hollowbelly, please check him out on YouTube. Hollowbelly inspired me to build my own cigar box guitars, including the electrified beast I play in “Shotgun.”
How much would you expect to pay for this wonder product? How about nothing? That’s right. Head over to my store now and you can download “Alchemy,” entirely free.
I only ask two things: First, if you like it, please tell others. Second, please give me your name and e-mail address. I’m not signing you up for anything or selling your address; I just want to know that you’re a human.
I really hope you enjoy listening to “Alchemy” as much as I enjoyed writing and recording it.
Here’s my latest videosong, for “Without You.” I wrote this song several years ago, but never had a recording I was happy with. In putting this recording together, I decided what I wanted was a very simple piece…this is the only track on the album without percussion or electric guitar. It’s just guitar, bass, banjo and vocal.
Please enjoy “Without You.”
I’m aware of exactly how saccharine this song is, but I’d argue the sentiment is justified once in awhile. I also think it’s a welcome departure from some of the darker stuff on the album.
Please download “Without You” free on my songs page. Or just wait! The full album will be out very shortly. And then you can get everything — including the super-secret bonus track — for free!
