I admire your writing as much as any poet or writer I've ever read. You
have such a sense of sound and rhythm with your word choice and
your lyrics act as the primary instrument in your songs. I've always
enjoyed that you don't use traditional song structures, I think
sometimes you use poetry forms, which is a nice way to side-step ye-
olde-verse-chorus-verse, but still keep a corral around the lyrics.

You've written some wonderful half-rhymes here, man/understands,
keep it/needed, the assonance in hurt/learned. What's always so
amazing to me about your music is that everything is so beautifully
done, with care and thought behind it, but the song, the music, the
emotion are never overshadowed by technique.

What you know serves what you want to say. How often does that
happen?

This is another beautiful jonx song. The line "I sit and watch as you
undress...and I see all the love you've ever needed-but it's nothing we
possess," is so minimal, my favorite in the song.

Thank you so much for posting your music here. Your songs are truly
something to look forward to playing again and again.

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I sense great emotion in this song. A beautiful, steady voice. I like the removed nature of your singing. You allow the words to pull the emotion from the listener.
Good guitar part. cool changes.

...and i see all the love you've ever needed
-but it's nothing we possess...

Whoa...Mr. X great line. You certainly prove everytime you provide a song, you're operating on some other level..Jumpin' Jeezus.

Questions:
You say this is a demo. Is this how your tunes normally start?
As a guitar or piano part and singing. Then you add other parts?

I notice you typically (or it seems to me) take great care selecting tones and instruments. The nuance of sounds always seem so suited for the character of the song. As if every note or beat is there soley to propel the song. No wasted anything.

Do you play all the instruments?
Are you the drummer? Are drums your main instrument?
I'm asking about your process because I think you are somewhere way beyond most songwriters, everywhere... not just MJ.
Mr. jonx It's jon-x, you name doesn't rhymes with bronx, right?
You have a gift




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Certainly a departure from your string of flavorful tunes. Still, it
*tastes* sad.

Rather than classifying your brief works as songs, I actually see them
as musical sketches that portray glimpses of moments that *strike*
you on some level... and stamp an impression.

Your work has a simple and warm feel to it and that's a difficult thing
to capture in a mere recording. As much as I appreciate your sketches
and admire your tasteful musicianship, I would still enjoy hearing you
giving them a broader musical exploration.

Still, they are lovely little sketches, indeed. ;-)

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Your comment raises some interesting questions, JH. What makes a song a
song rather than a sketch? Does a song require a particular structure or
length or sense of unfolding to be classified a song? Sonnets are only 10-14
lines, but the name literally means "little song." What specifically, would turn
this work into a song rather than a sketch?

I know you think seriously about these kinds of things, so I'm genuine in
asking you to extrapolate. I know I'll find what you say very interesting.

I'm a big fan of minimalism when it's done well and not just for the sake of
being obtuse. IMHO, jonx takes every component in every one of his songs
and squeezes worlds into it, so that one word does the work of fifteen and
each note sings a chorus.

I don't think you're saying this should just be longer, so I'm intrigued to
understand your thinking about what would make it richer and more
songlike, or actually, jonx's songs, generally, since this is just a demo.

I've also been thinking about the concept of looking at jonx's output in the
terms of a body of work. If you look at just one song in isolation, especially a
small one like Bettie Page, perhaps you come away with a feeling of wanting
more, but in looking at the songs jonx has posted here in the last year as a
unit, what I see is an artist who has things he wants to express, who doesn't
want to be bound by form or audience expectation, who is masterly in his use
of language, melody and instruments and creates work that is unique,
interesting and honest.

In many ways, I think his songs go together, because they share the common
trait of just saying what he wants to say, nothing more, nothing less. That
takes restraint and skill and I believe that he keeps his songs simple by
choice. Each song is a little piece of him, play them together and you start to
build an image of the person behind the art, the communication grows and is
more perfect because each song is saying what it needs to say, without
extraneous elements. The clarity grows with each additional song.

I think that these songs, when put together, have more power than they
would if each one were a typical 3:30 song. They're facets of something
larger, and tiny facets add more surface area and depth.

Sometimes, what he creates falls well outside what many people would
consider a full "song," but it's his art, it's what he does, a special freedom that
he brings to songwriting and I find what he does magical and I hope that he
continues saying just enough with his music.

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You certainly are a passionate fan and apologist, Lisa.

But I believe you've extrapolated a great deal more from my comments than
was intended. I'm really not trying to define any rules here. You seem to have
taken particular umbrage about my use of the word sketch --- as
though it is a derogatory term. It is not. It is a valid musical term that
literally means a brief composition... which I believe is an accurate
description of this --- and jonx's other works. In literary circles, sketch is
used to describe brief compositions such as essays and short stories.

Do I find Emerson's essays, or O. Henry's short stories wanting
because of their brevity? Of course not.

I thought I made it clear in the latter portion of my remarks that I both
appreciate and admire jonx's work... in its current form. Like you, I have
considered that a compilation mix of his tunes might reveal an
overview theme. If it does, kudos to him... it's a worthy concept.

But my point was that as much as I enjoy these vignettes (a fancy
French euphemism for sketch), I would like to hear him do something that
MUSICALLY explores what evolves from these poignant moments he
chronicles so artfully --- as typically happens in our lives.

That's all I'm saying. My comments were meant as an exhortation --- not a
condemnation. Jonx thoughtfully provided an empty notebook and a pencil as
his song art... and I sketched in my invitation to consider exploring
additional musical dimensionality in his work, just because... *I believe* he
would do it well. ;-)

---
Hollywood 'Ape-Peel': Banana Land

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Actually, Joe, no umbrage taken, I was genuinely trying to understand why
you see these as sketches rather than songs and trying to understand
specifically what you felt could be done to take these from "sketch" to "song."
You say explore the ideas musically and I'm wondering what you envision. I'm
a very inexperienced songwriter and often find what you have to say
interesting as well as easier to understand than other people's explanations.

I thought Song of this World was done, but then you got your hands on it and
I saw that what you added did enhance the song's original concept and I think
it was definitely an excellent decision to expore that one further. I know you
saw something there that could be brought out with "more" rather than "less",
so I think you're highly qualified to talk about when it's time to go further.

Obviously, I disagree with you that adding more to the songs is necessary,
but I'm very interested to know what you feel further exploration would offer
the music. I'm looking for a conversation and I'm sorry if my previous
comments felt as though I was telling you off (not my intent). I feel that
keeping these songs minimal adds a specific kind of dimension to them that
might be lost if they were made larger or longer or different (in a way I don't
understand, exactly, so that's why I asked). It would change the art, in a
sense. A Raymond Carver story is not a William Faulkner story and it's as
much because of the artistic choices as the difference in the person doing the
writing.

I guess I look at what jonx does, musically and lyrically and I see someone
who is very much in control of all the elements. It seems to be his intention to
work in miniature, a conscious artistic choice by someone who has done so
repeatedly over the last year.

I agree I may have gotten passionate about the idea that I do see these as
songs rather than sketches, but that wasn't out of umbrage, just that my
brain tends to take an idea and likes to blurt things out. This discussion
reminds me of the debate in the fiction world in the '80's over "slice-of-life"
stories that didn't have a standard plot or epiphany, but just showed a
moment in the life of a character or place. Many people argued that these
vignetttes weren't really stories at all, many people felt otherwise (guess
which group I was in :-) ).

You absolutely made it clear that you enjoy and appreciate jonx's work. I
don't feel that you were putting his songs down because of their brevity. I'm
genuinely trying to say that I think the decision to focus on ordinary things,
small moments, saying just what he wants to say is just that, a decision,
rather than something that is just happening and that it might take away to
add more but I'm interested to know what you envision, because well...I'm
interested. (I'm a dork).

I apologize that my comments put you on the defensive. I see you as one of
the most knowledgeable people here, as well as one of the most generous
about sharing what you know. I think it's possible that my request for more
explanation may have felt like I was trying to pin you against the side of the
webpage and justify yourself, when really, I just want to extract some more of
what you've got in that noggin.

I'm wondering if we should move this discussion to the forum, though?

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Another corker. I've been saving my favourite Jonx songs for some time. I think you're tied with Peter Greenstone in my iTunes MacJams section.
The guitar sounds like a dulcimer here. It would be splendid to hear a real dulcimer in there somewhere - maybe a collaboration with Dreadmon or a trip to the dulcimer shop?

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poignant, musical and sad. perfect for MY sunday morning....


d/ld and faved...powerful, wonderful work!

deep bows
z

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I like it's simplicity and some very nicely turned lines, personally I think a
song is a song and is perfect in itself or is crap in itself, as is all art. I have
heard too much overproduced mush down through the years and I
wonder why they bother at all. This works as it is, that's not to say it wont
sound better if it were done again, more carefully other instrumentation
added voices etc, might sound better, then again it might not, thats art
after all.

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this is beautiful, nice vocals and nice lyrics. it doesn't sound sloppy, or even like a demo to me.. i like this alot actually. i think i shall put it on my ipod and in my fav's

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Please please please submit your songs to as many labels as you can.
Please please please don't take your talent lightly.
You are an original.
Your voice is magic.
I am in awe.
I am not kissing ass.
I wish I could have the chance to play guitar in your band.
Your stuff gives me goosebumps on my goosebumps, like the first time I
heard Jeff Buckley.
I would love to collaberate on some of your songs.
Take this as far as you can.

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Please please please submit your songs to as many labels as you can.
Please please please don't take your talent lightly.
You are an original.
Your voice is magic.
I am in awe.
I am not kissing ass.
I wish I could have the chance to play guitar in your band.
Your stuff gives me goosebumps on my goosebumps, like the first time I
heard Jeff Buckley.
I would love to collaberate on some of your songs.
Take this as far as you can.

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i love how raw this sounds and how the "sloppiness" adds immense weight to this song

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I tip my hat to you, sir -- you are an exceptionally talented songwriter.
I see that you've been quite prolific over the past year or so, please
continue to share your music with the MacJams community.

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I also love the "fresh and sloppy" sound of this. It has a good feel.
Evocative. Whimsical. Great singing voice. Thanks.

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This is one beautiful tune jonx! I've only heard one or two of your
songs, but that is about to change. While I agree with what's been said
about your lyrics, what really stuns me is the way you use your
wonderful voice and sublime chord changes to convey feelings - you
could just da-da-da it and it would still be deep (the lyrics are the icing
on the cake)! You don't seem to need extra instrumentation,
harmonies, instrumental breaks etc etc to "fill out" your songs, because
they are already full. If this is sloppy, I wouldn't change a thing -
sloppy suits!
Excellent post!
Neil

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oh man, i just dont know what to comment anymore....
loved your new song. what more can i say?

darn.... i think this has got to be the lamest comment ever in
macjams.com history! it almost sounds a bit minty, doesnt it?!

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it IS the lamest comment ever!! just kiddin' j.h., thanks for your comments
and everyone else especially the thoughtful comments by ledeb. and joe
h.---songs gotta start somewhere.....i'm checkin out interboro now-cool
stuff-later!

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Love the way it ends. Very powerful lyrics, excellent singing. The
simplicity of the presentation works well, although I personally would
have liked to hear different colours every now and then, in addition to
the guitar. The guitar accompaniment works well, but the guitar itself
is slightly out of tune. The simplicity and poetry remind me a bit of
early Joni Mitchell, circa "Blue."

Re: Sketch vs. Song. A sketch in art is the basis for something more
involved that is to follow. Sometimes artists make dozens of sketches
before embarking on a painting. This, due to its simplicity, could
easily be a sketch, but it's powerful enough to stand on its own, so in
my view it could be considered a finished song. Although, again, I
personally would tinker with it some more, and re-do the guitar to fix
the intonation.

A very fine work, by someone who is obviously highly talented. Thank
you.

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On a musical note: Solid and beautifully done!

On a personal note: It's been so long since I've written or felt anything
that expresses this sentiment. It really moves me to someplace I
haven't been in a long time.

Thanks for sharing.

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to stumle across another of your creations. I'm hearing some female
harmonies running on this Jonx...

The simplicity and "sloppiness"...works.


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you are great and this song is just another testament to that greatness.
you write wonderful intimate songs. this one is so sad. lot's of sad tunes
going around lately...nothing wrong with that. Lovely guitar work,
splendid chord changes and your voice is awsome. I wish i new more
about the mystery man known to us only as jonx.

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you are great and this song is just another testament to that greatness.
you write wonderful intimate songs. this one is so sad. lot's of sad tunes
going around lately...nothing wrong with that. Lovely guitar work,
splendid chord changes and your voice is awsome. I wish i new more
about the mystery man known to us only as jonx.

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Very present while creating quite a professional studio effect in my
mind... I really liked everything about this. Quite a treat to being....

Thanks Jonx - Dion

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The song is beautiful, complete and perfect. Nuff said. Thank you,
kelli

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This is such a simple song that says a lot. It has a bare quality which is
just what it needed in conjunction with the lyrics. It has the sound of an
everyday person singing in an everyday voice to everyday music about
everyday events. I mean all of this in a good way because this song has
lyrics which describe what many people go through and to have made it
any other way would have done it injustice. A proper restraint was shown
here which let the song do its own talking instead of weighing it down
with unecessary tracks of accomanyment. Sorry that I don't have spell
check on Mac Jams. Go out and play it live. I think that you will find an
audience for it.

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. . . of Gordon Lightfoot. He was a major talent, and so are you.

Your voice, and the guitar -- that's all that's needed on this song.
You've really got chops -- songwriting chops, guitar chops, and vocal
chops. Take it on the road! A pleasure to listen to.

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i think the comparison to Gordon Lightfoot is apt. All the pieces fit
together on this so well.

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this is another great song. I'm not sure I totally get the words, but I feel kind of like they paint pictures, and you just take them as they come, and they make you feel whatever you feel, but you can't explain it necessarily. I know this dont make sense. BUt its good, real simple, but its got power. So thanks.

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I really like your sound, Jonx. Another excellent song. I too like
freshness and rawness of it.

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I enjoyed listening to this. Magical acoustic guitar and a perfect voice to follow it. Great composition and a perfect live recording.

D/L and fav'ed

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from a macjams master and another downlaod. Fantastic talent on display once again!

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Fav'ed this a while back and decided that this deserves a comment.
And here it is:

I'm in awe. If I won't hear your name (be it real or not) on the radio in the
next 5 years, then something's terribly wrong with the universe.
Your work is amazing.

And there it was. My comment to you - use it wisely :)

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This is my favorite of your lyrics so far. Its as if you feel the infinite inside you but can only touch the world with careful fingers of longing. You are aware of your tragic place between. In knowing what you don't possess, you own so much. A miracle, songs like this.

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The material that you are creating consistantly invokes gut level
reactions... I would buy this work if it was offered on the market... you
have a shawn colven like ability with your work

thanx

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