I've just been informed that it's Thursday. Guess I'd better put something up here, huh?
A couple of weeks ago while doing some busking at the Carrboro farmers market, a woman came up to me between songs and wondered if I knew any songs by a particular artist, Willis Alan Ramsey. I told her I had never heard of him, and she laughed and made some comment about how, from just listening to my music, she thought I was older since I cover so many older songs. "Nope, I just like good music." But always on the lookout for good songs to cover, I asked her what song specifically I should check out, and she said "Ballad of Spider John". I got home that evening, fired up the YouTube machine, and keyed in a little search for this Spider John character. I was met with a fascinating song with a catchy melody, and immediately added it to the hopper.
In 1972, Willis Alan Ramsey released his self-titled debut. It had a few hits, mostly made better known by cover versions. "Ballad of Spider John" was later covered by Jimmy Buffet and Sam Bush, although I much prefer the original (never could get into Buffet). "Spider John" is somewhat of a lost classic, especially since Ramsey never did release his long-awaited second album. "What's wrong with the first one?" He often replies.
I'm not sure I do it much justice, as the original has so many neat nuances that make it one-of-a-kind, especially in the singing. But I do enjoy playing the song very much. I can wait to share it with that woman at the farmers market. In the meantime, enjoy my video of me, my Taylor, and Mr. Frog hanging out at the breakfast bar. If you're lucky, you might see a turtle swimming over on the left.
Bel isi,
-kyle
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
As - SOTW #42
And so we meet again! this is a little late getting out as I've been off to the coast for the weekend, but I'm here now! It was week #42, and so it was another Song-of-the-Week coming down the pipe.
This week I (again) went after a Stevie Wonder tune. As I was preparing last week's song I found another song that fit my style and added to the hopper for this week. The song "As" was released in 1976 on his album Songs in the Key of Life and reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that year. It's been covered numerous times since by artists such as Sister Sledge, Georgle Michael (w/ Mary J Blige), and Christian artist and vocal powerhouse Nichole Nordeman.
I have a lot of fun playing this song. The rhythm of the song lends itself well on guitar with a smooth, fun progression and strumming style. All the usual good stuff on this one: Taylor 716ce-LTD, Sanyo Xacti, and Mr. Frog. All working hard and coming together for something groovy. Cheers!
Bel isi,
-kyle
This week I (again) went after a Stevie Wonder tune. As I was preparing last week's song I found another song that fit my style and added to the hopper for this week. The song "As" was released in 1976 on his album Songs in the Key of Life and reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that year. It's been covered numerous times since by artists such as Sister Sledge, Georgle Michael (w/ Mary J Blige), and Christian artist and vocal powerhouse Nichole Nordeman.
I have a lot of fun playing this song. The rhythm of the song lends itself well on guitar with a smooth, fun progression and strumming style. All the usual good stuff on this one: Taylor 716ce-LTD, Sanyo Xacti, and Mr. Frog. All working hard and coming together for something groovy. Cheers!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Part-Time Lover - STOW #41
#41! The end is kinda, sorta, almost near.
It's a wild ride, this Song-of-the-Week thing. This week I went a little out of the acoustic guitar box (surprised?) with a groovy number from Stevie Wonder. I've always been a fan of his music, and I actually found one of his songs that I could cover! "Part-Time Lover" was a multiple-chart-topping hit from Wonder's 1985 album In Square Circle. It's earned him a Grammy award in 1986 and was the first song to hit the top spot on four different Billboard charts.
I'm pretty happy with the way this one turned out. I originally had it in a lower key, and while it was comfortable, it didn't sound like it on the recording, so I raised it a whole step. It still sounds a little low in the verse, and the beginning is funny because I'm still in lower-key mode for a second or two, but the chorus is just right. All the usual suspects going on here: Taylor 716ce-LTD (Spring 2009, for the gearheads) and a Sanyo Xacti camera.
Come and hang out with Mr. Frog and enjoy. Cheers!
Bel isi,
-kyle
It's a wild ride, this Song-of-the-Week thing. This week I went a little out of the acoustic guitar box (surprised?) with a groovy number from Stevie Wonder. I've always been a fan of his music, and I actually found one of his songs that I could cover! "Part-Time Lover" was a multiple-chart-topping hit from Wonder's 1985 album In Square Circle. It's earned him a Grammy award in 1986 and was the first song to hit the top spot on four different Billboard charts.
I'm pretty happy with the way this one turned out. I originally had it in a lower key, and while it was comfortable, it didn't sound like it on the recording, so I raised it a whole step. It still sounds a little low in the verse, and the beginning is funny because I'm still in lower-key mode for a second or two, but the chorus is just right. All the usual suspects going on here: Taylor 716ce-LTD (Spring 2009, for the gearheads) and a Sanyo Xacti camera.
Come and hang out with Mr. Frog and enjoy. Cheers!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Carrboro Farmers Market
Way back in the days we lived in Cambridge, OH, I would enjoy going downtown to the Guernsey County Farmers Market on Fridays during the summer and play some music for a couple of hours for the vendors and shoppers. It's was always fun and I enjoy meeting people and sharing my music with them.
Fast forward to now. We've moved to "The Triangle", and there at least 8 major farmers markets within 30 minutes of home. Some of those markets run two days a week. One of them runs every day! Needless to say, opportunities abound for the hobby musician like myself. I'm not looking to play music professionally or sell out concert halls, but I do enjoy playing songs for people and seeing them smile, dance, and sing along to the music. A farmers market is perfect for that. There are people out in the open air, enjoying the slower pace not found in the grocery store.
So far I've played at a couple of different markets, and have another couple lined up later in the fall. One market in particular that I've enjoyed playing at a couple of times so far is the Carrboro Farmers Market. Open all year round on Saturdays, they also have a smaller, Wednesday market that runs through the middle of November. It's these Wednesday markets at which I've had the opportunity to perform, and it has been a blast. The customers are great, as are the vendors. I see nothing but smiles as I sit on my stool playing my guitar, smiles I've had nothing to do with; it's just a light, lively place. I play my guitar, sing my songs, and watch the people walk by. Some of them throw some loose change in my open guitar case, which is always appreciated. The other vendors, meanwhile, like to offer their goods as tip for my busking. The first time I played, I received a loaf of bread, a jar of jam, a hot dog, and some chocolate.
Fast forward to now. We've moved to "The Triangle", and there at least 8 major farmers markets within 30 minutes of home. Some of those markets run two days a week. One of them runs every day! Needless to say, opportunities abound for the hobby musician like myself. I'm not looking to play music professionally or sell out concert halls, but I do enjoy playing songs for people and seeing them smile, dance, and sing along to the music. A farmers market is perfect for that. There are people out in the open air, enjoying the slower pace not found in the grocery store.
So far I've played at a couple of different markets, and have another couple lined up later in the fall. One market in particular that I've enjoyed playing at a couple of times so far is the Carrboro Farmers Market. Open all year round on Saturdays, they also have a smaller, Wednesday market that runs through the middle of November. It's these Wednesday markets at which I've had the opportunity to perform, and it has been a blast. The customers are great, as are the vendors. I see nothing but smiles as I sit on my stool playing my guitar, smiles I've had nothing to do with; it's just a light, lively place. I play my guitar, sing my songs, and watch the people walk by. Some of them throw some loose change in my open guitar case, which is always appreciated. The other vendors, meanwhile, like to offer their goods as tip for my busking. The first time I played, I received a loaf of bread, a jar of jam, a hot dog, and some chocolate.
 |
| the hot dog and chocolate were pretty quick to be consumed... :P |
This afternoon, I got another loaf of bread, more chocolate, and a pile of other goodies.
Mmmm, boy do I love farmers markets! Thanks vendors, you rock!
Bel isi,
-kyle
 |
From my last gig at the Guernsey Country Farmers Market: "Thanks for the music. From your friends at Miss Lee's and Waterlily Creations." |
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Feels Like Home - SOTW #40
It's week #40, and you know what that means... Only 12 weeks left this year!
Also, it's Thursday, which means I've learned a new song and it's time release it into the wild.
This week I decided to continue on the mellow mood from last week and cover a personal favorite, "Feels Like Home." Ever since the original Toy Story movie, I've been a fan of Randy Newman. His lyrical wit and perspective, as well as his composing, make for some wonderful listening. When I first heard this song, a live, dry take from a compilation album, I was hooked. The song first appeared on Randy Newman's Faust, a concept-cast recording for a musical by the man himself. Bonnie Raitt provided the vocals of that initial recording in 1995. Newman himself would later record it for his 2008 album, Harps and Angels. It has seen covers by Linda Ronstadt (also a Faust cast member), Chantal Kreviazuk, and Edwina Hayes. Personally, I like Randy's version the best, then Raitt's. Newman's unique voice provides the lyrics with a rich emotional layer that I try to emulate in my own version.
All the usual suspects on this one: the Taylor 716ce-LTD and the Sanyo camcorder. I went petty minimal on guitar playing, as I think it best honors Newman's delicate piano arrangement. For some reason the camera is picking up a lot of background noise, but I don't think it interferes with the performance. What's unusual about this particular entry is that it took me about five or six takes to get one with which I was happy enough to post. Usually it's the first or second take and I'm satisfied; not this one. Anyway, say hi to Mr. Frog. Cheers!
Bel isi,
-kyle
Also, it's Thursday, which means I've learned a new song and it's time release it into the wild.
This week I decided to continue on the mellow mood from last week and cover a personal favorite, "Feels Like Home." Ever since the original Toy Story movie, I've been a fan of Randy Newman. His lyrical wit and perspective, as well as his composing, make for some wonderful listening. When I first heard this song, a live, dry take from a compilation album, I was hooked. The song first appeared on Randy Newman's Faust, a concept-cast recording for a musical by the man himself. Bonnie Raitt provided the vocals of that initial recording in 1995. Newman himself would later record it for his 2008 album, Harps and Angels. It has seen covers by Linda Ronstadt (also a Faust cast member), Chantal Kreviazuk, and Edwina Hayes. Personally, I like Randy's version the best, then Raitt's. Newman's unique voice provides the lyrics with a rich emotional layer that I try to emulate in my own version.
All the usual suspects on this one: the Taylor 716ce-LTD and the Sanyo camcorder. I went petty minimal on guitar playing, as I think it best honors Newman's delicate piano arrangement. For some reason the camera is picking up a lot of background noise, but I don't think it interferes with the performance. What's unusual about this particular entry is that it took me about five or six takes to get one with which I was happy enough to post. Usually it's the first or second take and I'm satisfied; not this one. Anyway, say hi to Mr. Frog. Cheers!
Bel isi,
-kyle
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