I usually work on my music on a weekend morning, so I figured I’d give a glimpse into that world by posting a video – what I’m calling, initially at least, a Pajama Practice Session. (Does this title make sense? It’s meant to mean a Practice session while in my pajamas, not practicing pajamas – whatever that could mean.)

I re-learned my song Fool Play as I have listened to it but have not played it since posting the demo back in April of 2015 (see No Fooling post). After tuning and going through it a handful of times, I recorded it on my HTC phone and am posting unedited, at least this first one. NOTE: I am as unkempt as the music. One thing I noticed right off, is that the video is not synced with the audio. Another thing is Slinky Dog is keeping an eye on things.

I initially thought I’d link from Google Drive, then though of YouTube (both links available below). As I create real versions, I’ll need to think whether I want to continue to post my audio to SoundCloud.com and Video to YouTube and what the ramifications of putting the material there would be.

I opened with Movie Maker (I assume it’s a MicroSoft app – as it was available on my PC, but only used it to get a “Snapshot” from the video to use as an image for atop this blog entry.

Never afraid to look or sound like a fool.

-Edverybody

Google Drive Link

As I progress towards the post-demo phase of my album project, I’ve been contemplating the next steps. I’ve also been reading Elvis Costello’s memoir and have been thinking a lot about lyrics.
I’ve always been a music 1st kinda guy when it comes to listening, with the lyrics “sinking in” or coming into the light” much later (or perhaps never at all). I feel like I’m missing some great stuff because I haven’t put in the time to appreciate the “greats” (e.g. Bob Dylan). Even with Elvis Costello, while I can appreciate his clever turns of phrase and biting wit on some tracks, others get lost on me. Some lyrics he cites as compelling in his book, I just don’t “get.” Perhaps it would help if I studied poetry. Or maybe I just need to dissect and think about the lyrics in question with a more keen focus.
It’s generally reversed when it comes to songwriting. I get a lyrical idea and hear how it should “sound” – then try to match my inner composition. I probably try to be too clever, but I enjoy that – playing with words and phrases to get multiple meanings out of them. As I move forward I look to scrub, rearrange and improve the lyrical content of my songs.

Another thing with which I need to approach with seriousness is practice – not to say that I don’t plan to have fun. I’ve even been thinking about video streaming “Pajama, Practice Sessions” – we’ll see.

I also need to upgrade my software from Ableton’s Live Lite to the full version and put some new strings on the acoustic guitar.

I have also thought about the approach to recording the album versions of the tracks. My instinct is to get down the rhythm track (bass & drums – or midi equivalents), then proceed. With the lite version of my DAW, the “recording” of midi elements after some analog has been added to the song project has been problematic. Perhaps the full version will alleviate the issue.

-Hit Record Bejzak

What sounded okay yesterday came through the headphones as unacceptable last night [regarding “How Much Is Enough?”]- even as I’m sketching out this stuff, I need to have some minimum standards. 🙂

I realized that it was, mostly, that the drum track was at odds with everything else. After a little time spent trying to fix it – and then a little more trying to re-record, I decided to just omit the track. I took the bass level down a notch & bumped the organ track up ever so slightly. The result is something with which I can live for the raw item which I’ve called a “Sketchmo.” As my good friend Dave (davidhusted.com)  noted, it’s time for me to start spinning these rough sketches & demos into true, polished (Polish Ed?) songs.

I have added the updated version of How Much Is Enough? (link below), My Logic (Sketch with Stylophone) & even my ukulele track – All the Ice Cream You Want – to my demo playlist (link i also available below) for a total of 15 tracks. I’ve toyed with the order a bit, but it was a quick jostling.

From here on out I aim to present only polished (Polish Ed?) material. I will probably post incomplete, in-progress items, but I hope each will be a musical amuse-bouche.

-Come and Ed It

Top Photo Credit: Liz Bejzak

Updated version of “How Much is Enough?”:

Demos playlist:

I have been in a bit of a funk since the horrific results of the November election and, as a result, I felt the need to get in one more song for inclusion on the album. A snowy morning seemed like a good time to delve into the depths of my imagined tune.

I make no attempt to hide my feelings and there is little ambiguity within the lyrics. I wanted to consider quantities of power, money and basic needs of existence like food, water and air. This is way too big of a topic for a couple of minutes worth of song, but here’s an initial sketch of what I have in mind (hear by means of clicking the below SoundCloud link).

-Ed Above Water

Just a quick hit after a long hiatus.  My lovely wife Liz has once again come through with an awesome addition to my eclectic collection of musical implements – a Stylophone, “The Original Pocket Synthesizer” (quoted from the box).  Stylus-operated and, according to the box’s back, played by artists ranging from David Bowie to Belle & Sebastian.

I added it, with its original sound & vibrato settings, as some color to my song sketch, My Logic. Listen, via the link below, if you wish 🙂

-Edtronic