Music
Born: Nov. 4th, 2008
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music
Los Canciones de Frock
All these songs were written, played and recorded by yours truly (except for the Barry White thing at the very bottom). I usually just track everything on a laptop with a couple mics. Drums are usually real drums, but sometimes synth drums. Bass I just run through the guitar amp and guitars are pretty straightforward. I track and mix everything in Tracktion and master using Master Mix. Enjoy!
I've done a few full-length CDs:
Most of these songs are on my CDs, but there's some meta info on 'em below:
Met a Girl
Like Waiting for You, this started out as a mic test for some new gear. I decided to keep rolling and drop whatever other acoustic stuff I had in the house. Phil Kelly got a big ol' double bass recently, so that was the missing puzzle piece.
Fading Fast
A quick little ditty about those lovely summer days that you don't want to end. Did this in my living room, and you can hear the metronome bleeding into the mic but I kinda like it - feels like time's ticking away. More basstacular action from Phil Kelly on this one.
(lyrics)
I'm gonna miss the things that I take for granted
Like the salty air and the layer of sand
That covers me in the summertime
I'm gonna miss the South and the easy freedom
And the folks who know to live without feeding
Off the government
But it's fading fast
I'm gonna miss today and it's not even gone
But the sun is red and the clock marches on
And I'm losing it
I hate that things can't always be this perfect
And I'm not too sure that I even deserve it
But I hope I do
But it's fading fast
Another Mile
Think my producer skillz are getting better. Seems to have a good punchy clean sound. I'm playing the acoustic a good bit these days and it's showing - takes center stage on this song and the electric's barely audible. Phil Kelly laid down some ridiculously tasty bass for this tune.
(lyrics)
Sucks when the shoes on the other foot now doesn't it?
Doin' what your doin' just ain't cuttin' it
Maybe I've grown cold and I am struttin' it
But I'll be damned if I give up another mile
Life sure dealt us a pretty hand now didn't it?
Throw it down and tilt the crown a little bit
Took awhile but now I think I'm gettin' it
And I'll be damned if I give up another mile
The truth is sometimes poison sometimes antidote
Coat my soul with a heavy layer of creosote
Gamble it away on a muddy riverboat
But I'll be damned if I give up another mile
Liberty will breed contempt, why wouldn't it?
Things remain the same but now they shouldn't fit?
Wasting all your breath is where you're puttin' it
And I'll be damned if I give up another mile
Don't think about the things you wanna borrow
Don't think about the things you never had
Don't think about the things you need tomorrow
We've all been had
Good Thing
This one sorta popped out while I was running some mic tests. I'd been kicking the first line around for awhile, and finally found the tune and extra words for it.
(lyrics)
If I could go back and do it all again
I'd find a new way to screw it up and then
I'd wind up right back where I started from
Good thing I'm the only one
I'm a grass-is-always-greener kinda guy
Sometimes I sit and stare up at the sky
If the world was full of me we wouldn't get much done
Good thing I'm the only one
But it hurts sometimes
And it makes me sad
To know I'm gonna lose everything I've ever had
It hurts sometimes
When I start to see
All the things I hope for but won't ever be
California
I originally intended this song to have a Brazilian/samba feel to it, but as I fleshed it out, all I could think of was driving down the PCH in a convertible on a sunny evening, so I called it California. I'd been working on this one for a month or so, and I'm fairly proud of it. It has the distinction of being the only song I play castanets on. If you dig this one, you'll probably like Swirlybird and Waiting for You.
Daydreams
This song's for the workin' man. It's another country jam, with a bit of bounce to it and a pretty nice guitar solo if I do say so myself.
(lyrics)
Oh I'd like to burn my bills and build a cabin in the hills
But the wife has doubts that dog will ever hunt
So I move in close to town and let it wear me on down
And I work all day just to give her what she wants
But sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder what it's like
To have no more than a backpack and a motorbike
Either I'm really sinkin', or I'm doing too much thinkin'
And I need to leave these daydreams alone
Every now and then I'm like a dog inside a pen
And the urge to run just puts me in a bind
You could argue that it's safe, and that it's not an awful place
And I guess there's folks that never really mind
But sometimes, just sometimes, I get all tight and tense
And I'd like to chew a hole right through that fence
Yeah, my desire is growin' to go where the wind is blowin'
And I need to leave these daydreams alone
(solo)
Either I'm really sinkin', or I'm doing too much thinkin'
And I need to leave these daydreams alone
Epitaph
A fairly country song about things they might put on my headstone. Musically, there's nothing groundbreaking going on, but I like the lyrics and the structure of the song overall.
I recorded the vocals and acoustic guitar with a couple mics in one take, and then sprinkled the bass, drums and electric guitar on afterwards.
(lyrics)
I always seem to miss it, by a little less than a minute
Think I just found a new epitaph
Things never last for long, and there's always something wrong
Think I just found a new epitaph
You never come out cleaner, and always a little bit meaner
Think I just found a new epitaph
Not overly corrective, just subtle but effective
Think I just found a new epitaph
You work all day and evening, and search in vain for meaning
Think I just found a new epitaph
It's never trouble knowing, just hard as shit to get going
Think I just found a new epitaph
Swampland
An instrumental that reminds me of a swampy, down and dirty kinda thing. A little like what might happen if Waylon Jennings and Built to Spill jammed. Also reminds me of Real Good Man by Tim McGraw. I like the mixture of big boomy drums and a funky groove, with some country twang and slide guitar.
Spacefunk
This is an instrumental that to me is somehow futuristic and retro at the same time. The guitarwork is pretty much standard classic rock slide guitar, but the combo of that, the funk beat, and synth gives it a unique flavor I think. Plus I threw in some tribal drums just to further confuse things.
Montage
This is an instrumental that reminds me of the kinda thing you'd hear at the end of a movie, where the camera pans in and around people, going about their business, wrapping things up and showing how it all ended. I believe I was fiddling with the Voc AC-30 amp from Guitar Combos (now Rig I guess) and this one just fell into place.
Cadillac
In my late teens I owned a '69 Coupe de Ville. Loved the car but it bled me dry so I had to lose her. This song's half about me getting it, half about wanting another one again. It's chock full of countryisms and reminds me a little of Chuck Berry's Maybelline or maybe a Jerry Reed song.
(lyrics)
Well I came into some money just the other day
My old lady knew what I was gonna say
Flipping through the pages of the Old Car Trader
I was gonna be as bad as ol' Darth Vader
Soon and very soon boys I'm gonna shine
So we hopped into the truck and headed down the road
I was meant to carry very heavy loads
But one thing I was never meant to do
Was to lick the bottom of a bureaucrats shoe
Get 'em when they're old and then they'll leave you be
Emissions tests - you must be kiddin' me
Listen to me boys 'cause I know what's cookin'
Or you can sit there and let me get to bookin'
I need a long, white, loud and tight '69 Cadillac
If you miss her take a picture boys 'cause I ain't comin' back
We flew down the road a piece and then we hung a right
Next to her a man whose hair was nearly white
He said she's been good, but I gotta let her go
She needs another lover who is in the know
So fire up the motor son, and let her roar
She's all power, and style, and badass galore
I can tell son that you know what's cookin'
So cut me a check and I'll let you get to bookin'
I got a long, white, loud and tight '69 Cadillac
If you miss her, take a picture boys, 'cause I ain't comin' back
Cutiepie
A fun little ditty, inspired by my better half. I can't decide if this is a country song or a soul song. Musically, there's nothing Earth-shattering about it, but it features some pretty nice guitar work. The drums also never use a crash or ride cymbal the whole time, which doesn't occur very often in songs. It's all kick, snare, and high-hat only.
(lyrics)
Come on over here cutiepie
Let me bend your ear cutiepie
I don't know just what to say
But I'll flap my gums anyway cutiepie
I've been watching you cutiepie
You know a thing or two cutiepie
I think your shirt is a travesty
Why don't you slide a little closer to me cutiepie
Buy us a couple beers cutiepie
You're just a little weird, but so am I
I think we might just get along
Think I might have to sing you a song cutiepie
You're making me drool cutiepie
It's getting hard to play it cool cutiepie
Let's take a nice long ride in the truck
Find a nice quiet place to... kiss cutiepie
Waiting For You
This was really just a test song, since I got a couple new mics, but it all just fell together and I liked it so here she is. I think this is the only song here that features some ukelele.
(lyrics)
Sitting here waiting for you is like hell
Remarried
My last recording on my Roland VS-880. Features me on the harmonica this time. It's got a Neil Young feel to it, but I like Neil, so that's no surprise. It's about an old man in Baltimore who's watched life pass him by and kind of wither away. Autobiographical of course :)
(lyrics)
I'm a sad, decrepit old man
With slender, shaky hands
My signature is not what it used to be
She left us in '73
Had somewhere better to be
A man can only change so much so fast
A man can only change so much so fast
The paint store's kept me employed
The bums they'e kept me annoyed
My walk to work is not what it used to be
I moved here when I was a teen
Ol' formstone made me a king
But like everything, it's cracked and peeling away
Like everything, it's cracked and peeling away
I wish I would have remarried
Think I should have remarried
I know I could have remarried
But it's too late for me to remarry
Just Go Away
One of my favorites. Production sounds better on this one and I like the "wooziness" and general sadness and depression of it. I'd been kicking the acoustic guitar outro around for awhile, and one night, house empty, I decided to turn off all the lights, fire up a few candles and see what came out.
(lyrics)
Sorry it's come to this
One thing you always missed
Is how to nip it in the bud
So come in and get your shit
Maybe just one last hit
Just for old times
Just go away from me
Would you mind hurrying up?
Isn't it just my luck
It's cold and raining outside
I know you don't wanna go
Or touch me, 'cause then you'll know
How cold I am sometimes
Just go away
Fixin' To Leave
A rockin' country ditty about marital dischord. Dig that twangy solo.
(lyrics)
Aaaaaannnnnd now....
You're fixin' to leave
I'm fixin' to cry
Who'll wash my clothes once you've said goodbye?
You're fixin' to leave
I'm fixin' to cry
Who's gonna cook once you've said goodbye?
Now darlin' don't you wanna come on in
It's cold outside and this time you can't win
You're saying you will find a better man
But I got your car's plugwires in my hand
You're fixin' to leave
I'm fixin' to cry
Who'll wash my clothes once you've said goodbye?
You're fixin' to leave
I'm fixin' to cry
Who's gonna cook once you've said goodbye?
Now maybe I was wrong to come home late
And maybe you were right to break those plates
But did you have to break my heart in two?
And did I have to break a chair on you?
And now...
You're fixin' to leave
I'm fixin' to cry
Who's gonna cook once you've said goodbye?
You're fixin' to leave
I'm fixin' to cry
Who'll wash my clothes once you've said goodbye?
Girlfriend
New millenium breakup song. Seems to be the favorite of my family members.
(lyrics)
Sauntering down the sidewalk like I usually do
I was thinking of politics, but mostly of you
In the grey of December I had a fighting chance
But I knew it was over after that one last dance
That one last dance, when I kissed your cheek
You said there's someone I'd like you to meet
And meet I did, with a surprising end
And that lovely young lady who was your - girlfriend
My girlfriend's got a girlfriend
My girlfriend's got a girlfriend
The pain, the torture
The thought that I probably bore her
My girlfriend's got a girlfriend
So I'm standing in the cold, and I'm dreamin' away
I've been lucky before, but not today
When I saw you I was hoping to make amends
But before I could speak in walked your - girlfriend
My girlfriend's got a girlfriend
My girlfriend's got a girlfriend
The pain, the torture
The thought that I probably bore her
My girlfriend's got a girlfriend
Sift
Some of the best songs just pop out. I was noodling with this guitar intro, and decided to just record some chords and maybe do some sound tests. One thing led to another and before I new it I had an entire song. I was at the apex of my transition from funk to country and it really shows in this song.
(lyrics)
How's it gonna be when I'm long in the tooth
With my voice hammered, and I'm mired in the truth?
After I've cheated and lied and cried
And killed my dreams and settled all my dirty leins?
How can one so wet behind the ears be so regretful - much less 30 years
How's it gonna be when I'm long in the tooth
With my voice hammered, and I'm mired in the truth?
They say life's meaningless, and even worse to wonder why as I watch 'em die
And then my tender hands betray me as I sift through their remains
I'm curious if work is necessary to get past
Yeah, but it cuts your ass
I sandpapered a tiger's ass and rode a hog and made a frog's ass watertight
And then they say I'm ready for the secret of life
It is: always carry a knife
And their tender hands betray them when they sift through my remains
Let's Get Away
I don't know what I did right, but my guitar sound is nothing but the truth on this song. The solo's not half bad either, and it's got a pseudo bass solo thrown in there just for good measure.
(lyrics)
Heart why do you pain me so?
Dreams why don't you let me go?
It's cold outside and grey
I got one thing to say
Let's get away
It kills me to see
You beg and plead to be free
You're spinning your wheels
Looking tired - propped by ideals
It's cold outside and grey
I got one thing to say
Let's get away
The warm morning sun
Passed me by 'cause I'm on the run
I no longer care
To see you there - empty stare
It's cold outside and grey
I got one thing to say
Let's get away
Swirlybird
This one's an instrumental, and it came as I was getting into country guitar playing, especially trying to mimic pedal-steel stuff. That and the Leslie effect I was fiddling with at the time give it a unique, kind of country, kind of jazzy feel.
Time and Chance
The best laid plans... I was fond of this sort of swirly, reso-filter kind of guitar sound at the time. Also tried to add some drum-n-bass type of drums to it, which might have come out okay if I was a better drummer. I over-compressed things on this track, but I like the overall structure and the lyrics to it.
(lyrics)
Sweetheart's young, knows where she's going
So she thought until she started showing
Sinking fast and desperately rowing
Her old man just sits and sighs
He can't stand to look her in the eyes
It happened to him and his second wife
Some guys play with made up guns
My best friend's still on the run
'Cause she said babe you're not the one
Broken hearts most always heal
Love makes you think it's such a steal
But goddamn it's a sorry deal
And you bow out to time and chance
And what do you do when you wake up?
What do you say when you wake up?
I just wanted a General Lee
And a dad, but I got three
Found out college wasn't for me
It's not that we all don't give it a shot
Just never take the time to ask why not
Everybody thinks they know the dance
And they bow to time and chance
We bow out to time and chance
Stupid Fool
I just remastered this one recently, using Final Mix. This is a pretty decent pop song about being in love with someone who's no good for you. I'd like to redo the whole thing soon and get a real up-front/in-your-face sound to it.
(lyrics)
See you there, looking so fine
And to think you're such a hard time
I used wonder how to make you mine
Turns out you're the farthest thing from kind
But I'm in love with you and it's a sign that I'm a stupid fool
Some say I like the abuse
And then you smile and I get confused
A rainy day hiding the sun
But at it's worst, it's still a lot of fun
But I'm in love with you and it's a sign that I'm a stupid fool
I gotta tell you that beautiful girls are a pain in the ass
Beautiful girls are a pain in the ass
Spend my bones on clothes and hair
Too lazy to look elsewhere
Fine woman you're a blessing and a curse
I'd be ungrateful, but you got there first
But I'm in love with you and it's a sign that I'm a stupid fool
Dirt
You can really hear my bossa influence here. I love the lyrics to this. It's not often I think that about my own songs, but these stand out to me for some reason.
(lyrics)
I hate to say it now
We've drifted apart somehow
We've both done our part
But this is just the start
I stayed because of guilt
I watched my heart just die and wilt
It shows in the air
It shows in lonely stares
You're right to call me shit
I dug a hole and fell in it
I thought it was love
Just ended up in dirt
I never thought I'd lie
Or leave you sitting high and dry
I swore to the stars
But they weren't listening
They weren't listening
Poets
Great spanish-y guitar solo on this one. Sometimes it's fun to crank the amp and just holler.
(lyrics)
My girlfriend says she loves me immensely
She's a filthy liar
Ignoring every goddamn thing she hurls at me
And God it's making me tired
'Cause I can't tell a poet from a prophet, so I listen to both, and baby you're neither one
I can't tell a poet from a prophet, so I listen to both, and baby you're neither one
I'm swimming in my own filth
My heart spilled on the ground
I'm cleaning up today and you know what I'm about to say
That I don't want you around
'Cause I can't tell a poet from a prophet, so I listen to both, and baby you're neither one
I can't tell a poet from a prophet, so I listen to both, and baby you're neither one
Gypsy Jazz and Classical Dalliances
Minor Swing
A Django Reinhardt song that was in heavy rotation back in the day. Check out those swing chops I have.
Granada
A Francisco Tarrega song that my kids like. Good music to nap to.
Malaguena
Pretty standard Spanish classical/flamenco song.
Other Oddities
Testfunk
Reminds me of a 70s car chase song. The drums are synth drums, but I'm proud of them. They've got a great natural feel and nasty beat. It takes some time to tweak a beat and get it to sound less mechanized, but it's worth it. Pay attention to the crash cymbals coming in on odd beats.
Playing Your Game
A "remix" of a Barry White song. Just an instrumental rearrangement, but nice music for friskiness.
Battery
Named after the Native Instruments plugin that I was fiddling with to get this song. It's not much of anything, but it does have 3 drum tracks, and funky ones at that. You don't hear that everyday...