Great thoughts. I have spent a lot of time thinking around these things. I come from a line of story tellers on both sides of my family. I owe them so much. The thought of leaving a footprint is a good one.
Christmas day will be an "extended family" day here at home. I have no doubt that music will play a part somewhere in there. Lyn's kids are both fiddlers and Lyn plays accordian herself. It will be good to have a break from work. That is particularly stressy at the moment.
I have been quite busy on the writing front. For some reason, this has lasted for a couple of years now. It could be to do with the fact that, all of a sudden, my years left on this planet have become a relatively finite (give or take a few) number. That may be what is jolting the muse into prolific activity. Who knows?
Hi Ken, you are welcome! It often takes me a while to get to listen to a post when someone puts a new one out there because I want to have time to really listen! I take comments I get seriously so I want to be sure I give them seriously too. For My Old Coat is used my 1976 Martin D-28 (in the picture with my 1980 D-28-12)through a Samson CO3 condenser set to hypercardioid and positioned just above the guitar on my right side at ear level, a position i like to use for recording this old Martin Dread. Let's me control the bottom response of this rosewood bodied guitar. The mic sits at my right ear level above and just in front of the body. The mic is basically in the same position as my right ear hears the guitar, so it makes sense that it sounds like I am hearing it. I rarely put a mic out in front of the soundhole of my big bodied guitars. When you get the CD I sent you you will see the Samson mic in the background picture on the booklet that comes inside. I will post the song as it comes together to let you hear it grow! I would love to hear some of your like that too if you will. Thanks, Edward
At 2:11pm on December 17, 2010, Jeff Lustick said…
Ken,
"One Guitar" is absolutely beautiful. I have to imagine that your wife loved it!!! You seem to have gotten used to the new recording equiptment pretty fast. I have been doing a lot pf playing but not much recording. You have inspired me to get back to it.
This is another love song... this is a really ROUGH version that only the guitar and lead vocal are the "keepers," the backup harmony is only there for placement until I track the real thing. I will eventually add a string quartet (starting with my oldest son on cello, which will take the part the bass usually plays and a violin for the melody line in the lead break verse). I will probably work on it doing the arranging and recording for a good three months!
My Old Coat
When we were strangers somehow you seemed to know
How the cold will reach right in, and wrap around our souls
Now only you can warm me, warm me to my core
And my old coat can’t keep me warm anymore
Sometimes a love story is written to be read
Sometimes the silence, is all that needs to be said
The heat rises to the ceiling, but it’s cold here on the floor
And my old coat can’t keep me warm anymore
In the desert the sun is all you can think about
On the frozen tundra it’s the sun you can’t live without
You are the warmth behind our doors
And my old coat can’t keep me warm anymore
Copyright M. Edward Sparks & Pepperland Productions 2010
Thanks for the positive comments Ken, glad you like it. Merry Ho Ho back at ya....getting lots of snow here in West Virginia....reckon you're near mid summer "way down under".
Hey Jen,
Just dropped your copy of "Music from the Guestroom" in the mail this afternoon...son't know how long it will take to get there, but please let me know that it did! Thanks, Ed
Hey Ken,
My "Music from the Guestroom" EP is finally finished! I think it came out pretty darn good and can't wait for you to hear it! If you could email me a mailing address where I can send it, I may be able to get you a complimentary copy to you before Christmas! Thanks for your positive comments and inspiring input! Thanks, Edward
At 3:20pm on November 18, 2010, Jeff Lustick said…
Ken,
Hooray-I did it!!!! Thanks for taking the time to listen and for your support. It took a while to get it done but hopefully there's more where that came from.
You always make my efforts worthwhile! Hook, Line and Sinker was inspired by our discussion of hooks in my songs. It was great fun to write and record! Thanks for commenting!
Thanks Ken,
I record at my good friend and fellow player Bruce Huss's studio "Lancelot Studio".
Working on my 2nd CD "12 Strings-2 Guitars". Takes lots of time so won't be done till later this year or early next year. Have been working hard for the Winfield fingerstyle contest that is in 2 weeks. Always glad to have players from down under listen to my muse.
All the best
Vince
At 8:08pm on September 5, 2010, Jeff Lustick said…
Ken,
I just listened to Borderline. The song itself is beautiful and I like the way you have the guitars panned with the vocals in the middle. I think the separation of the guitar parts gives the song a dramtic kind of feel. Nice job!!!!
Jeff
Hey Ken,
Thanks for the kind words, I am working on a few more songs and will probably lay down some tracks next week. I am open to any suggestions for improvement. I have picked up a few books on songwriting and studying music theory. Talking to local musicians and the info here and in AG magazine really helps too with ideas.
"Borderline" is an absolutely beautiful song Ken. If there was one constructive criticism I would offer it is the overuse of the phrase "came back down". It fits much of the time but seems too repetitive to me. I would rather see you use an instrument, flute, cello, etc. to play that phrase without words. It fits through the entire beginning but then appears everywhere... a bit too much for me. Otherwise the song is sweet and well performed. It's so pretty I hate to say anything negative about it.
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Hi Ken,
Great thoughts. I have spent a lot of time thinking around these things. I come from a line of story tellers on both sides of my family. I owe them so much. The thought of leaving a footprint is a good one.
Christmas day will be an "extended family" day here at home. I have no doubt that music will play a part somewhere in there. Lyn's kids are both fiddlers and Lyn plays accordian herself. It will be good to have a break from work. That is particularly stressy at the moment.
Take care,
Paul
Hi Ken,
I have been quite busy on the writing front. For some reason, this has lasted for a couple of years now. It could be to do with the fact that, all of a sudden, my years left on this planet have become a relatively finite (give or take a few) number. That may be what is jolting the muse into prolific activity. Who knows?
All the best,
Paul
Thanks Ken. That makes me feel very good. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. :-)
Hi Ken, you are welcome! It often takes me a while to get to listen to a post when someone puts a new one out there because I want to have time to really listen! I take comments I get seriously so I want to be sure I give them seriously too. For My Old Coat is used my 1976 Martin D-28 (in the picture with my 1980 D-28-12)through a Samson CO3 condenser set to hypercardioid and positioned just above the guitar on my right side at ear level, a position i like to use for recording this old Martin Dread. Let's me control the bottom response of this rosewood bodied guitar. The mic sits at my right ear level above and just in front of the body. The mic is basically in the same position as my right ear hears the guitar, so it makes sense that it sounds like I am hearing it. I rarely put a mic out in front of the soundhole of my big bodied guitars. When you get the CD I sent you you will see the Samson mic in the background picture on the booklet that comes inside. I will post the song as it comes together to let you hear it grow! I would love to hear some of your like that too if you will. Thanks, Edward
Ken,
"One Guitar" is absolutely beautiful. I have to imagine that your wife loved it!!! You seem to have gotten used to the new recording equiptment pretty fast. I have been doing a lot pf playing but not much recording. You have inspired me to get back to it.
Thanks for sharing this song.
Jeff
Well done with one guitar Ken. It works very well. I am sure your good lady will be weak at the knees when you sing it? All the best, Paul
This is another love song... this is a really ROUGH version that only the guitar and lead vocal are the "keepers," the backup harmony is only there for placement until I track the real thing. I will eventually add a string quartet (starting with my oldest son on cello, which will take the part the bass usually plays and a violin for the melody line in the lead break verse). I will probably work on it doing the arranging and recording for a good three months!
My Old Coat
When we were strangers somehow you seemed to know
How the cold will reach right in, and wrap around our souls
Now only you can warm me, warm me to my core
And my old coat can’t keep me warm anymore
Sometimes a love story is written to be read
Sometimes the silence, is all that needs to be said
The heat rises to the ceiling, but it’s cold here on the floor
And my old coat can’t keep me warm anymore
In the desert the sun is all you can think about
On the frozen tundra it’s the sun you can’t live without
You are the warmth behind our doors
And my old coat can’t keep me warm anymore
Copyright M. Edward Sparks & Pepperland Productions 2010
My%20Old%20Coat%20arrange%20demo%2012%2014%20%202010%20.mp3
Thanks for the positive comments Ken, glad you like it. Merry Ho Ho back at ya....getting lots of snow here in West Virginia....reckon you're near mid summer "way down under".
Just dropped your copy of "Music from the Guestroom" in the mail this afternoon...son't know how long it will take to get there, but please let me know that it did! Thanks, Ed
My email is: emsparks@verizon.net
My "Music from the Guestroom" EP is finally finished! I think it came out pretty darn good and can't wait for you to hear it! If you could email me a mailing address where I can send it, I may be able to get you a complimentary copy to you before Christmas! Thanks for your positive comments and inspiring input! Thanks, Edward
Hooray-I did it!!!! Thanks for taking the time to listen and for your support. It took a while to get it done but hopefully there's more where that came from.
Jeff
al
You always make my efforts worthwhile! Hook, Line and Sinker was inspired by our discussion of hooks in my songs. It was great fun to write and record! Thanks for commenting!
Kirk
I posted a new song tonight myself called 'Say Yeah'. I hope you'll give it a listen! BTW nice guitar!
Rick
I record at my good friend and fellow player Bruce Huss's studio "Lancelot Studio".
Working on my 2nd CD "12 Strings-2 Guitars". Takes lots of time so won't be done till later this year or early next year. Have been working hard for the Winfield fingerstyle contest that is in 2 weeks. Always glad to have players from down under listen to my muse.
All the best
Vince
I just listened to Borderline. The song itself is beautiful and I like the way you have the guitars panned with the vocals in the middle. I think the separation of the guitar parts gives the song a dramtic kind of feel. Nice job!!!!
Jeff
Thanks for the kind words, I am working on a few more songs and will probably lay down some tracks next week. I am open to any suggestions for improvement. I have picked up a few books on songwriting and studying music theory. Talking to local musicians and the info here and in AG magazine really helps too with ideas.
Great stuff you play and write. Enjoying as I write. Please keep it up. Come to Winfield!
Vince
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