One of my
New Year's resolutions last year was to finish a song per month on average throughout 2005. I almost managed to finish two, starting with Jump Around
back in February.
After that, I did a goth metal version of the old Jimmy Webb/Richard Harris schmaltzfest MacArthur Park, which I all but wrapped up in June, but have never put the last chorus on. As you know if you're familiar with the original (and if not, why not!?), Richard Harris basically sings like a man with no testicles. By contrast, mine are alive and well and impede my ability to sing as high as Richard Harris (see also: Mariah Carey). The rest of it is pretty solid - I would venture to say epic. It's easily the longest, most complicated arrangement I've ever embarked upon, full of tempo changes and time signature shifts, and I'd think twice about doing it again. I originally set out to do it as a surprise for my dad, who tends to enjoy my music (further proof that he's not quite right in the head). Many of the songs I grew up hearing him play on the piano have stuck with me as I've grown older, but particularly this one and Peter, Paul & Mary's "No Other Name". Anyway, here is a
rough mix if you are interested...it is obviously unmastered, and the last chorus is missing. It should start at about 5:30 in the song. Also, it needs some more diddly lead work here and there to replace the string sections from the original, because really, who wants half-assed irony?
One other project I started is a ska cover of "Girls" by the Beastie Boys, which oddly enough grew out of my ringtone for
Sara. I had concerns for a while about doing that one, due to the somewhat misogynistic nature of the lyrics, but a small poll of various friends convinced me that no one really cared what I did. Also, a drunken conversation with Sara and D. one night turned the project into a two-parter, where they would write an alternate set of lyrics for chicks, and take up vocal duties on an equal opportunity version of the song. Status on that one: drums, guitar, and horns done. No bass, no vocals, no hot chicks in my recording studio.
With only a few days left before the end of the year, I decided to get one more song under my shiny brass 2005 belt buckle, and at the same time learn how to use Battery and Sonar Producer. I must say I love both now, and may switch to using Producer full time, although it's kind of pricy. Anyway, as mentioned in the last post,
Sonic Reducer. I had to relearn the solo by watching a Revolution Block video, and was actually surprised that I pulled it off, since I never play lead anymore and was never especially good at it in the first place. Those who are familiar with both the Dead Boys and Pearl Jam versions of this song will find that this doesn't quite match either, instead being a conglomeration of those two and RevBlock's version (especially since Dan is a way better drummer than either of those other two wannabes).
As always, this song is for Jon and Steph, although they should feel free to disown this version.
As an aside, this is the first song I've recorded without my Gibson SG since I got it. The right channel and lead stuff is the free Les Paul, and the left channel is my Oscar Schmidt hollowbody. I suspect I'll use the Les Paul and the SG on most songs from here on out (typically when two guitar tracks are called for, I've used the SG on both, with different patches in the Pod.
As a point of interest to anyone living locally, who happens to like punk and whatnot, Sara has pointed out to me that the
Dropkick Murphys will be at
Mississippi Nights in March. So come all you losers, you bastards and cheats..vagrants and barflies, down on the streets...etc.
And that's the news from Lake Woebegone.
Currently listening to: "Darwin, Charles Robert (1809-1882)",
Artichoke** Cool guy. Good stuff. Go listen.
