Man, you change your mind and fix things to move around faster than I move straight forward and in one direction to a final end - Even you might not know what I'm saying, Joe, but I'm glad to know that the affirmative to my question is here to scratch my Joe Hollywood, itch... - A cheap toy elec keyboard seems to be what was meant to be - It fits the attire of 'the lady killer', even if it wasn't meant to and in that particular, 'fashion'... - I like the overall sound that you've created here - This has a very classic mid to late 70's feel to it - I was especially digging that electronic grinding synth sound on this - How'd you do that? - And I should say that you do have, or had, whatever the case may be, one very effective set of vox - Perfect for this - I liked the kinked up 'sexy' voice inflections - He-he - And did I hear a growl in there - Nice structure and this flowed well, sir - I'm not quite sure what to say about the lyrics in this day and age, but I don't think that I should be making any such relative comparisons, so for it's intended context, nice work!!! Glad that ya resurrected this - that must have been fun - Thanks Joe! - Very nice work - Dion

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Should we know something about that character in the pic?

---
<a href=http://www.macjams.com/song/21598>Move it like this</a>

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The drummer from my last band found some old promo shots and recently sent
them to me. I thought this freeze-frame of me from The Way-Back
Machine would fit this period piece. I think I might have even been wearing
some Gucci shoes.

I double-dog-dare y'a to put up a 25-year-old head-on shot of your
pretty self, Dion! :D


---
'Gone' Hollywood: J.A. Stewart Music

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Thanks, Dion. It's all your fault. ;-)

Had you not inquired, I'd probably still be sitting around moping. I think it
will still be awhile before I'll be able to do any serious playing, but I *can* do
this much. And, despite the fact that it *should* scare me, I know exactly
what you're talking about. :D

"...That electronic grinding synth sound on this - How'd you do that?"

--- As I explained in my song notes, I played that part on a very cheap ($50?)
mini electronic keyboard, but patched it through a fuzz box and some other
filters.

As for my vox... I had quit smoking to record this set of demos.
Unfortunately, I resumed that filthy habit a few years later and have continued
for all these many years. I know, I know... it's on my list, before I do the
vocals for my CDs. Still, despite the smoking, I've actually lost very little off
my natural range (well, it wasn't that great to begin with).

At any rate, thanks again for the encouragement, Dion.

--- Joe


---
'Gone' Hollywood: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/artist/j.a.stewart">J.A. Stewart Music</a>

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Aw man, now that's very cool - I'm glad that I did inquire - Thanks!

---
<a href=http://www.macjams.com/song/21598>Move it like this</a>

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Joe, if you managed this with the cheap toy keyboard, I can only
imagine the result with duct tape. Nice guitar work, perfect vocal
inflection for this song. Actually the synth bass square wave thing is a
cool addition. Meshed in the mix really well. In fact everything blends
nicely. Also, I think writing any thing in the POP genre is tough to do,
and you did it justice

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Joe, if you managed this with the cheap toy keyboard, I can only
imagine the result with duct tape. Nice guitar work, perfect vocal
inflection for this song. Actually the synth bass square wave thing is a
cool addition. Meshed in the mix really well. In fact everything blends
nicely. Also, I think writing any thing in the POP genre is tough to do,
and you did it justice

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Thanks for your kind comments. Duct tape!!! Why didn't I think of that? ;-)

The "synth" sound I managed to create led to a nice giggle. I had actually written
this song as a "make-up" song for a group that badly wanted to record another
of my songs. Their keyboard player, who had an array of the latest, most
expensive keyboards was frustrated that he could only approximate the sound
on his equipment. :D

---
'Gone' Hollywood: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/artist/j.a.stewart">J.A. Stewart Music</a>

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It's great to hear this! It's got 'slaughter' (oops; I mean 'hit') written all
over it! I'm curious to know when this was written? The fact that it was
done on tape (which you mention in a forum thread) would suggest it's
from another era (late 70's, early 80's?), but it still is a fine pop song
and fun to listen to.

The absolutely most impressive part of this is the singing. I cannot
sing; people who can impress me (as long as they keep their distance).
The reverb was overly wet for my taste, but you know what you're
doing, and so I'm guessing that's exactly what you were going for.

Did you play all instruments?

Ever think of re-doing any of your old songs, perhaps with a different
treatment?



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Yes, Clark, you hit the nail right on the head. It was written and recorded in
late 1979 or early 1980. I'm glad you can still enjoy it. I appreciate your
comments.

Thanks for the props on the vocal. Of course all I hear are its glitches. I did
not spend a whole lot of time polishing the vocals, or the FX, because these
really were meant to serve as *songwriting* demos --- not singer or
musician demos. And yes, with the exception of the cheesy drums, I played
the "synth" part on the toy keyboard and the guitar part on my Strat.

"Ever think of re-doing any of your old songs, perhaps with a different
treatment? --- Yes, I have. My son would have me redo many of them in
a hip-hop vein... but I don't believe that is going to happen. :-)

However, that demo tape, which contains about a dozen songs, contains
some pretty solid pop material, which I will take another shot at, hopefully
later this year, if I'm able. Our friend, the very talented Patrick (Futzpucker)
was kind enough to send me a very tasty B-3 part for my Dance, Dance,
Dance demo --- and I have already started making that part of a new
mix, which I hope to include on one of my forthcoming CDs... God willing.


---
'Gone' Hollywood: J.A. Stewart Music

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Good guitar playing with catchy lyrics and vocals. Nice work with the bass
and 'drums'. Has an 'Our Man Flint' kind of feel.

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Thanks for listening and for your positive comments, AquilA. I think I may have
subconsciously been trying to give it a spy-genre kind of feel. ;-)


---
'Gone' Hollywood: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/artist/j.a.stewart">J.A. Stewart Music</a>

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i too thought it had a secert agent man feel...hehhehhe.....great job on
rescuing this track from analog land.....the sound gives the song a unique
warm character and i like it.....very kool austin powers like attitude to the
lyrics.......voice ain't to shabby either......hehhehhhe...good one...!

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Oh, behave McBoy! Thanx for the shagadelic props. ;-)

---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22071">Lady-Killer</a>

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Well, aren't we yuckn' it up...


LOLOL - Okay...

Cyd






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Well... it does seem to work, doesn't it?

I mean, it looks like you might be preparing to apply your
fingers to some pressure points on the young lady's temples... or, perhaps,
you were about to throttle her throat.

I don't want to open up any personal cans of worms here, Dion, but it appears
you might have been up to no good in this photo. :D

cheers,

--- Joe


---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Lady-Killer

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Thanks for sharing this - very good song and I love your singing.
And that pic of Dion is funny.
Stop, Dion, don't kill her with your deadly finger-tip-fu style!

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Thanks, Mungo.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.

That Dion is deadly, isn't he? ;-)

---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Lady-Killer

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Whoah!!!... I just looked at your title --- after posting my initial reply.

Lou Gramm???!!!! Wow, don't I wish!

But thanks for the compliment, Mungo.

--- Joe




---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Lady-Killer

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this is a really solid jam.
the chorus could be a bit more solid.
but none the less, great jam.
it sounds like clasic rock from the 70's early 80's
good stuff

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Thanks, DJ...

You pegged it. I recorded this back in late '79 or early '80.

Thanks for listening and commenting.

--- Joe




---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22071">Lady-Killer</a>

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So you're just gonna leave it there aren't you - Oh man when my turn comes... 'Oh sweet jesus', you'll be crying...

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All better now, Dion?

---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22071">Lady-Killer</a>

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Yeah, but it doesn't mean that I'll get comfy, cuz who knows what's next... Hug... Nevermind... LOL

---
<a href=http://www.macjams.com/song/21598>Move it like this</a>

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Great killer stuff here, man! Driving... I love the vox and distortion on the guitars. Takes me back-back-back...

Thanks for this!

. - Harold

PS: who's that "morphing" guy in the center of the graphic? :-|

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Thanks, Harold. I'm glad you enjoyed this old song. The fact that I got as much
power out of only three instrument tracks tells me I must have done something
right on this recording.

The *Morphing Guy*? That's Al-Har-Jo, the legendary lothario of
yesteryears
gone by. :D

--- Joe



---
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Lady-Killer

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I don't have a trace of recollection of the the pic that you had up of me on this one...

Anyhoo, I saw traces of you in a forum today w/ bread crumbs to this tune, and thought to come check it out. I had forgoten about it. (especially the pic) Looks like I made mess on your song page. Sorry bout that.

Glad to see you're back, and I hope all is well, Joe. Dion

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Hey Dion,

Don't worry about no mess. It's all in good fun between friends. ;)

You've established a new identity in my absence? Good to know you're still around. A lot has transpired... and changed in my absence.

I'm not completely healed from the pinched nerve yet, but WAY better than I was just a few months ago. Thanks for stopping by... and asking about me.

--- Joe

---
For a Good Time... <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22455">Last Night</a> and <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22071">Lady-Killer</a>

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sorry - I couldn't help myself - I heard a little bit of the BOC tune in the intro and couldn't resist. Cool track. A real blast from the past.

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Thanks for listening, Bud.

Funny, you're the only person other than me who ever recognized that my progression suggests that of "Reaper." And it never occurred to me until after I had recorded it.

Of course they are actually different, but I don't mind the comparison... "Reaper" was a cool tune. ;)

--- Joe

---
LIVE TAKE!!!... <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/33901">Flim-Flamenco</a>

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A great sound combining the coolest stuff of late 70's ala BOC, Moody Blues but stull poppy enough like Eric Carmen. Great stuff

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Thank you, John. I appreciate the listen and the comments.

I created the *Synth* bass on a $50 electronic keyboard, fed through a series of stomp boxes. The drums came from the same keyboard. LOL

The late 1970s is when I wrote and recorded this tune, so I guess a lot of the influences you mentioned were there. BTW... Cleveland *homeboy* Eric Carmen has mended fences with his old Raspberries buddies and they've been playing on occasion for a couple years now, including a live DVD recorded in L.A. last year.


--- Joe

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