Tuesday, August 27, 2013

September Song Announcement!

I had an interesting idea for September's song. Lets see how it work out and if it has results that are as interesting...

TV Show Theme Song or Jingle

There is no "subject" per say since there is no specific style of theme song or jingle to write.  It could be an instrumental where there would be no real subject.

I plan on studying 1970's action show theme songs and making something really cheesy lol


Friday, August 16, 2013

July's Winning Cover Song!

For July we did cover songs and had as many songs as we've ever had, SIX!  With all that great competition, it was hard to choose a winner.  After two weeks of voting, the winning song was...

Rene Zansman - All the Small Things (Blink 182 Cover)

Great job Rene!  I thought you did a great job translating this into a piano piece and obviously other people did too!  I have to leave for work in a few minutes so there is no time to draw you a prize in MSPaint.  Sorry!  I really have been slacking on the "prizes" lately.  Ugh.

And don't forget about the songs for August, the month is half over!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

July's Cover Songs!

July's a busy month just like December so I cut everyone a little slack.  Instead of having to write AND record a song, everyone could relax a little and just focus on the recording.  For July, we did cover songs.  It was strongly suggested that a significant change be made to the song from the original.  Here is what our song writers (coverers?) came up with.  Vote for your favorite below!

Jack Eggleston - Peggy Sue (Buddy Holly Cover)

Here is the original:
My comments: Jack took a classic and went with punk rock for the new genre.  It's a great song that translates really well to the style.  It even has a great lo-fi feel to it all.  Jack says he thinks it's pretty crappy but it's crappy in a great punk sense of the word.

Curt Himes and Friends - Galway Girl (Steve Earl Cover)
Here is the original:
My comments: Curt was in town from Washington and I was bugging him about recording a song.  It was quickly decided what song to do.  One evening after work we had our only chance to record something before Curt headed back west.  Leslie (drums), Curt (guitar and vocals) and I (banjo) sat in my backyard on some rocks and recorded this in a single take.  I normally record the separate tracks and mix it all so this was a fun way to do a song, live.  To add to the live experience, you can hear my son screaming in the background while playing on the swings.

Kayce Kelly and Leanne Bailor - Bad Angel (Dirks Bentley Cover)
Here is the original:
My comments: Kayce has the voice of a country singer no matter what he's singing.  Even when it's a reggae song about Cthulhu.  He called upon his friend Leanne to lend some vocals onto this track.  I am not familiar with the original song but think they did a good job singing together.  The song is a little sloppy at times but all in all I am happy with it and hope they work together again in the future.

Danny Imig - Something for Nothing (RUSH cover)
Here is the original:
My comments: I think Danny did the biggest change up for his cover song here.  He took a pretty rocking RUSH song and translated it into a very pretty flamenco cover.  The original lends itself to this style pretty well.  I can just envision a beautiful dark haired and skinned woman dancing and clicking clam shells.

Brian Salapek - I Don't Want It (Ween cover)

Here is the original:
My comments: I really didn't change much of this song at all.  I always felt it was a really beautiful song but it had a lot going on in it.  Stripping it down to the bare bones was my attempt to put focus on the song itself and away from the layered approach of the album and studio version of the song.  By the way, WEEN rules.

Rene Zansman - All the Small Things (Blink 182 Cover)
Here is the original:
My comments: Rene has been a Blink fan for a long time.  I think any of his pop punk roots come from this band, so it's only appropriate that he did a cover of one of their hit songs.  I love the approach of it being all on the piano.  It has a few slip ups but that just adds to the charm of it all.  I think Rene did a great job.  The way he did the song was unexpected and I love it.

Vote for your favorite Cover Song!