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Simply Fine by Ejh [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 2891
Comments: 117
Votes: 24
Plays: 510
Last Played: Nov 20, 2008 - 12:11:57 AM
Downloads: 132
Fans: 40
Uploaded: Jan 02, 2007 - 08:21:46 AM
Last Updated: Jan 02, 2007 - 08:21:46 AM



Keywords:
simply (1)fine (84)love (978)certainty (1)epiphany (2)coffee (20)folk (369)harmony (56)
Description:
This is my last contribution to the Wheatstone Bridge CD 'Simply Fine'. I'm posting it here for a very limited time, so if you want to download it please do...

This is a song about certainty, about one of those moments when you just KNOW what's what: you know who you love, you know what you want to do, you have a moment of clarity and simplicity, and in that moment you enjoy heart's ease and a sense of peace.

Shortly after this was written, the person it was written for had a similar moment, and sent me a message that she had had 'an epic realization'. We were married a couple of years after that, and, in one of life's little ironies, divorced a couple of years after THAT.

Even so, the moment remains, and the moment was true even if things changed. I still think the song is a good one. I also think the recording came out well.

Ed Hannifin: lead vocal, acoustic lead and fingerstyle guitars

Phyllis Capanna: harmony vocals, acoustic guitar

Karen Casey: bass

Recorded at The Daley Planet in Haverhill, MA, with Tom and Meg Daley at the controls.

And yes, I'm still working on some newer things whenever I get a free moment...

Lyrics:
Simply Fine
Copyright 1987 Ed Hannifin

[Intro]

Cold just after sunrise, and the house is dark and still
Dreaming takes the mind and brandied coffee takes the chill
While waiting for my morning cup a song came to my mind
‘Oh I surely love Rebecca, and that is simply fine’

I was very gently shaken, I was very gently broke
I felt like I’d awakened to a word the morning spoke
The water in the kettle and the crow up in the pine
Were sure about Rebecca, and that was simply fine

[Break]

I argue revelation when it hits me before noon
I would argue with salvation if it came a minute soon
But today the morning light has found me heavy on the vine
Rebecca caught me falling, and that was simply fine

This evening after sunset when I went to check the sky
The stars were in their places and the moon was riding high
Above me geese were crossing, southward in a line
And I knew I loved Rebecca and that was simply fine


Hardware:
two inch 16 track


Software:

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Great tune &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:41:45 AM
Very James Taylor and very professional. The kind of tune I'd like to listen to travelling on a train journey and gazing out at the scenery. Guitar playing is nice and understated. Good stuff! I likes!

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Gav... &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:01:39 PM
Getting compared to James Taylor's not such a bad way to start my day. My boss actually ran into him at Symphony Hall a couple of weeks ago... He was there with his GRANDKIDS...

I really relate to listening to music on a train; that's one of my favorite things to do. Reminds me that I should do it again sometime soon. The Littleton commuter rail takes a pretty rural route into Boston that's beautiful in winter... takes about an hour... Now you've got me thinking about it...

I'm pleased that you liked the guitar playing, too. This was one of the tunes on which the lead playing was me, and I'm a little proud of it.

Ed

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What a good song &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:20:16 AM
Lovely recording. Perfect balance between the guitars, bass and vocals. Your voice is just great and so are the harmonies.

I like the calm mood in this beautiful song. Great performance and good lyrics!

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I'm glad you like the balance... &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:08:21 PM
I think this is one of the best things I've ever recorded from that standpoint.

I'm also very pleased that the 'calm mood' comes through. That's pretty much the point of the whole song...

I appreciate your thoughtful listens and comments, thoddi....

Ed

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1987 &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:32:41 AM
1987:

Heart. Billy Vera and the Beaters. Michael Jackson%u2019s %u2018Bad%u2019, Lionel Richie, Peter Gabriel, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston, Wang Chung, The Bangles, Bryan Adams, Bananarama, Tiffany, Whitesnake, George Michael (who said he "Want(ed) Your Sex"), Club Nouveau, Billy Idol, INXS, Starship, Duran Duran, Debbie Gibson, Laura Branigan, Glass Tiger, Samantha Fox, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, Kool & the Gang, Sheena Easton, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Twisted Sister...; a fairly representative selection of some of the artists that had hits that year.

And now this! It's amazing how much well you nailed that driving disco beat of the times! Kudos to you for that! :-)

Nah--the cool thing about this, and all your music is that it is, in a sense, timeless; it just sounds good no matter what changes are happening in the pop music world. Everything sounds great here; very warm, beautiful music.

[ Reply to This ]
You know, just about ANYBODY... &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:13:59 PM
...can talk about my songs from 1987 and make me feel old. It takes someone intimately familiar with the music of the times to make me feel old AND fundamentally out of step...

Gosh, that was a decade for tackiness... Well... I loved the Bangles, when they were more power pop/garage band and a little less big hair... and Peter Gabriel, and Cyndi Lauper...

I really appreciate the care and attention you put into that list, Clark. I know it didn't come easily...

I'm glad that I come out 'timeless' in your eyes/ears, although I really do think that means "more or less equally out of step in all available decades"...

I am glad you liked the music, and I also appreciate the wit and thought that goes into your comments, Clark. Thanks.

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
The thing... &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:55:42 PM
...about being out of step is that there are some steps you wouldn't want to be 'in,' if that makes any sense. There are no 'bad' decades for music, but really, there was a lot of stuff back in the 80's that kind of makes a lot of people shudder... which is why I truly think it's wonderful that you were writing stuff like this back then; it sounded great then, it sounds great now, and this will never be the kind of stuff people look back on and think, 'gosh, what was I thinking, writing stuff like that?" You were right; 'they' were wrong! Sort of, anyway.

J.S. Bach was considered a real out-of-style, livin' in the past anachronism towards the end of his life, especially by his sons (who were also composers), but history seems to have taken dad's side... so keep doing what you're doing!

And I'm very pleased that you appreciate the humour (born of moving all over the place as a kid and discovering that there was no place on this planet where I'd ever fit in, so why not joke about it?) and painstaking research (born of working in a record store from 1979 to 1986). I very much appreciate what you bring to this place too.



---
Visit my website for lots more free MP3s and scores.

[ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 01/02/07 - 10:01:48 AM
wowsers ! this was composed when i was 1! :)
for whatever reason, i feel a strong connection to music written near my birth-year :0 but this one, i feel a strong connection not only because it was written in 80's but also it has an incredibly warm and friendly vibe to it.. vocal chorus is really a haunting moment in this song as well as other elements.. (eg guitar!!!)

thanks for sharing

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Gee, did I mention feeling old?... &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:28:59 PM
That reminds me, haribo, of an incident that occurred during the recording sessions...

Karen Casy, the young woman who played bass on this track, was working up her part, and she asked me had I ever heard the Grateful Dead song 'Friend Of The Devil', by way of reference. So I laughed and said, "Karen, I was tired of that song before you were born." Then we all stopped. And thought. And did the math. And determined that it was quite literally and accurately true.

Mind you, I actually think 'Friend Of The Devil' is a terrific song. It was kind of ubiquitous in dormitories at one time, though... Anyway, that may have been the first time I ever actually felt old...

Anyway, I was very touched that you responded to my posts this morning by giving a listen, and I'm pleased that you liked the 'warm and friendly vibe'. Glad, too, that you liked the chorus bits, as I tend to put some work into those while writing them and Phyllis and I put (but mostly Phylliis) put a bunch of attention into that part of the recording...

Thanks again for listening and commenting.

Ed

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Sometimes nothin' &mdash 01/02/07 - 11:28:45 AM
like new old songs... nice song.

. - Harold

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Harold! &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:30:25 PM
Glad you gave it a listen...

Ed

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Nice song &mdash 01/02/07 - 12:03:56 PM
Some people say really good songs are those that can be sung with an acoustic guitar and still sound powerfull... this one is an example !
keep it up !!!

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Thank you for this first listen, ballbreaker... &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:35:20 PM
Man, it's hard to sound polite while addressing you that way...

I agree with what you say, though... a lot of great songs CAN be put across with just an acoustic...

Jack Hardy once said something to the effect that a song is a poem set to a melody. I suppose that a good song from that standpoint would be one with a strong lyric and a strong melody, and could be put across well by anyone who can carry a tune... I think I'd aspire to that...

Thank you for listening and leaving a comment. I appreciate it.

Ed

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Love it! &mdash 01/02/07 - 02:10:15 PM
This is wonderful - and I echo everyone's sentiments here - a definate fave, and definately downloading. Very professional!

[ Reply to This ]
Glad you like it, elfdaughter.... &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:37:10 PM
I hope it gives any number of satisfying repeat listenings.

Thank you for taking the time to listen and to leave a comment.

Ed

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Hey there mister EJH &mdash 01/02/07 - 02:18:12 PM
Precious little piece here, sir - Outstanding work on this. The quality in production is top notch, or course.

It just blows me away how different your folk stuff is to yer more funky side. But then, they are very different types of music. I guess that what I'm mostly amazed at is how well you do both. I'd almost think that one would have to be two totally different people to be able to pull both genres off, and do it with such comprehension or, to be able to be so 'all emracing' of the two -

I think of folk as being being more of a wholesum nature... And no one has ever said this outloud, (I don't think) but I think of funk as being kinda down and dirty... To slip out of one character and into another is not unlike what great actors do. If not for a moment, you almost have to be able to live and breath the traits of the different characters... The two styles are almost diametric in nature ya know...

Maybe I'm thinking too much again.. -- What I'm trying to say is that once again, I am impressed by your talents.

Thanks for sharing! Macca

[ Reply to This ]
Thank you, Mac au Dion... &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:03:42 PM
Did I spell that wrong?

Er, to what do you refer as my 'more funky side'. I don't recall that I have one. Must be anything that I may have done with you, or with someone who looks like you, in which case you will recall that the earthy, funkiliciousosity has been supplied by your own Fangorn-'froed bad self...

Thus, when I do that, I AM two people Only, you're one of 'em.

However, let me disabuse you of one thing. While the folk that I personally am responsble for may have a certain pale and polite charm, there IS folk out there that is not completely middle-of-the-road wholesome. I direct your attention to Greg Brown, or Bill Morrissey, or Chris Smither... Those guys can do 'down and dirty' with an acoustic guitar...

I'm pleased that you liked this, though, 'cause it's one of my favorites among my own songs, and I don't get to trot it out very much any more. I do think I did a good job writing it and recording it, and as you among all people know, I don't always think those things...

You know, I know some people that can do funk to the nines. Maybe I need to do an acoustic funk thing. Somehow.

Maybe not.

Thanks as always, always, always, Mysterious Leafy Entity, for your encouragement, appreciation and support.

Ed

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Eloquent &mdash 01/02/07 - 02:33:05 PM
Another wonderful track. Warm and clear tone, lovely instrument patterns and harmonies. The lyrics are touching and creative in the imagery and theme. So much love in it that I need to just close my eyes for a minute after it's over. A very professional work and a very enjoyable listen.

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Peter, I've said it all before... &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:30:53 PM
You're one of the guys I cross my fingers will show up to give some feedback on any track I post. I'm always checking first if you like the lyrics, and then the guitars. I'm glad you're liking this...

Particularly glad, in fact, that the love comes through.

Thanks for popping by and listening,

Ed

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this disk &mdash 01/02/07 - 03:38:08 PM
kicked around my studio for awhile and there was a lot of nice material on it....this is one of the finest...the labor of love is so evident, it aches.


kudos my friend and deepest bows

z

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So... &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:34:03 PM
...you were kicking my CD around in your studio...

Well. Seriously. Thanks for the comment, Fran. You are right about the ache, on several fronts...

Ed

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: ) &mdash 01/02/07 - 03:46:45 PM
Big smiles Ed! Harmonies, lead vox, production and instrumentation all smooth and warm. Amazing for the time really.
Thanks,
Neil

[ Reply to This ]
Thank you, Neil... &mdash 01/02/07 - 10:21:14 PM
Glad you appreciate the production...

Back in the day when recording was a team sport... done in hopefully friendly and intense groups...

It's a different thing, doing it all by yourself in a spare bedroom/office with a Mac and a pile of guitars and wires...

I wasn't any faster back then, by the way... It still took us two or three years to get a dozen songs recorded... Same kind of deal. All of 'em in various stages of completion until, all of a sudden, it starts coming together... Pretty much where I am now...

Thank you as always for listening and commenting... You're always right there, and I appreciate it very much...

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
Was that ........ &mdash 01/03/07 - 03:11:14 AM
..... "wires" or "wines"??
Neil

---
If God Is Love (with Alfalpha)

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Gracious &mdash 01/02/07 - 03:59:57 PM
Thanks for making this available. So nice.

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Thank you... &mdash 01/02/07 - 10:22:59 PM
...for the thousandth time, Tobin. I'm always pleased and complimented when you give a listen...

Ed

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Ah &mdash 01/02/07 - 05:49:27 PM
Ah, you surely have saved the best wine till the end!

You know I love these few rare clarity-days of life, when life is different than all other days. But I would never have been able to capture it in a song like this, and in such a beautiful way. I am both grateful that you did and in admiration. Because you have catched it so well.
The close; the water in the kettle.
The distant; the stars on their places and geeses in line.
And the monumental; I was very gently shaken, I was very gently broke.
All aspects within perception is clear and everything has a meaning, not a symbolic meaning but a meaning as existence.

One I remember (sorry folks, I am gonna use some space to talk about myself a bit here, well maybe not only myself because it is personal reaction to Ed's song too) .. one such clarity moment I remember .. I was around 20 and was taking a course in history of art on the university. Could not concentrate on the the pictures and artworks, and every time I tried to study the books I got ideas of music instead. Head, heart and hands cirkled around a wonderful vintage Martin D-18 that I owned (which silly me later sold). One sleepless night I suddenly jumped up in clarity and knew for the first time that my life was about music. Quit the course the same day. Just cool clear simple calrity. The road is straight ahead and the autumn clear and cool and high heaven is light. Every single autumn leaf has a meaning .. as existence..

The new direction lasted for about four or five years, then some kind of life crisis dimmed the road ahead. First some turbulent years, thereafter many years quite a normal life with education, predictable salary and the rest.

Next waking up I was about 50, when one sleepless night I suddenly jump up, totally clear over that my life is gonna be about music .. What had I been doing with all the years? Where were I and why? How could I have forgotten?
And that's why I am here listening to your and all the other's music. (And this time it is "forbidden" road to get lost in fog .. it is not sure that opportunity knocks more than twice).

Summary and conclussion: This song stirred up a lot of my most fundamental life memories Ed. Thank you, I liked it a lot and needed it!

[ Reply to This ]
Johannes, my friend... &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:25:58 AM
Thank you for your meditation on clarity, which was good to hear.

You always seem to get where I'm coming from as a songwriter... You certainly seem to have connected with this song, and seen it as deeper or wider than a conventional love song... That feels really good to me... I like that you are not responding to the musical minutiae, but to the song as a whole...

I continue to be grateful for your thoughtful presence in my life.

Ed


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Simply great &mdash 01/02/07 - 06:08:10 PM
Very perfessional sounding. Great performance as well. There are so many elements in this song that work very well together. The vocal harmonies are gorgeous.

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Thanks, Bran! &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:30:36 AM
I'm pleased that it sounds professional to your ears. I'm happy to hear that the song elements work well together. As always, my former partner Phyllis' harmonies are something special... I hope you've caught her own work on MacJams...

Thank you for listening and leaving a comment. I appreciate that you took the time...

Ed

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Very Soothing &mdash 01/02/07 - 07:47:36 PM
Thank you, Ed. I needed to hear something soothing.
Sublimely beautiful harmonies.

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That little ol' soothmeister, me.. &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:36:22 AM
It's admittedly short on clang and dissonance, but I do always appreciate, Mungo, that your taste and appreciation is so wide...

As noted above, Phyllis has a phenomenal mind for harmony and supportive singing, even while retaining a capacity for solo and lead singing as well...

Thank you for the listen and the comment...

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
Yup, &mdash 01/02/07 - 08:53:00 PM
Exactly: soothing. Your perfectionism shows--this is such a completely balanced, professional sounding song and mix. Great guitar playing too.

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But what about the drums? &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:40:53 AM
Oh. Right.

David, I'm such a fan of your mixing abilities, that I'll take you good words on the mix very happily to heart. I'm also pleased that you like the guitar playing. Years after recording this, I have to admit that I'm pleased at how the guitar playing came out...

Thank you for listening and commenting.

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
more than simply fine &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:39:11 PM
i guess it's a little saddening to find this is the end of the line of these nuggets from your past. really like the acoustic leads. was that with fingers as well? or a pick? i'm guessing fingers. also are you doing the doubling on the fingerpicking? i hear little different complimentary parts. that are subtle and works great. so now after hearing your posted collection..i'm curious where you are heading on your future projects? hopefully more of this fine fingerstyle you do so well and maybe some jangly guitars?

signed:
guessing with anticipation

[ Reply to This ]
Cool...let's talk guitar... &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:52:34 AM
If I remember correctly, and I'm listening now to jog my memory... I think the fingerstyle stuff is just me and Phyllis playing our different versions of basic Travis picking... We would often mess around with different capo positions, but I don't know if we did that here... It may just be a difference in how we play...

The acoustic leads were done relatively quickly. I remember a maximum of two takes, with some punch-ins. Tom and I did them while Phyllis and Meg were off having coffee or something. I'm using a pick...

I am working on a number of other songs, including some collabs, some newer songs, and some revivals of old songs that never had a proper hearing. Most are based in acoustic guitar, both fingerstyle and with a pick... some are in this ballpark, and there are some that will have drums, including some GREAT drums from a fellow MacJammer... I'm eager to find some excuses to get to play some electric guitar, and to use the electric 12-string... I am hopeful that this will amount to satisfying jangle in the near future...

I probably will also be able to find a few more nuggets, but nothing with this degree of polish... I am thinking of bringing out a somewhat better mastered version of Simply Fine at some point, possibly in combination with a CD of newer material... We'll see...

Thank you, Vic, for all your enthusiasm and support.

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
yes, simply fine... &mdash 01/02/07 - 10:39:23 PM
I sit and listen to this song with such a sense of enjoyment at what you bring to your music. Your smooth voice, your precise melodic guitar playing, your depth of content married to your lyrical song writing... and most of all... you. Something unique of you is deposited in each of these songs you have brought back from the dead and given to MacJams. I feel as if I have gotten to know you better with each song (and your song comments, of course). This is a fitting end to the stream of tunes from yesterday... and, of course, you planned it that way... Simply Fine. It has been a pleasure tracing the roots of your musical inspiration through this last year or so via Wheatstone Bridge. Golly... just so good... and did I say, "simply fine?"

Jack

[ Reply to This ]
Jack, if you EVER visit the East Coast... &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:51:08 PM
I expect a visit to Littleton. I'll even show ya Ziti's humble cottage in a glade in the forest...

I truly appreciate the heart that you put into your comments... I end up feeling like you 'get' the song, but I also end up feeling like you 'get' me as a person, or at least as the person I'd like to be or am trying to be...

I think it has been good for me to do the root tracing you describe, and let folks have a sense of what's behind me. I think eventually it will make a nice line from those days back to the present and what I'm trying to do now... In its spotty way, it tells a story... Or a series of stories that tells a slightly larger story...

You're right, I did think that ending the historical exploration with this one would be right.

Thank you for your constant encouragement and thoughtful appreciation. I continue to be grateful.

Ed

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soothing &mdash 01/02/07 - 11:17:05 PM
The opening guitar playing immediately sets the mood... serene and romantic..and it sucks you right in. Very cool voice, like a gentle breeze of soothing air. Harmonies are heavenly! The acoustic guitar is crisp and really sets the rhythm of this music... wish i could play my guitar like you do!

[ Reply to This ]
The soothe-meister strikes again... &mdash 01/03/07 - 08:59:22 PM
Seems to be one of the words striking people about this song...

Interesting, being as how part of my professional personna is to help people to relax...

I think you really got the feel of the song, Leon. And I'm always happy when I get appreciative comments about my vocals and guitar playing...We have always and forever determined that Phyllis is a wizard at harmony..

Thank you for giving a listen and leaving a comment... Much appreciated...

Ed


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Beautiful &mdash 01/03/07 - 03:19:51 AM
melody, guitar playing, vocals and harmony. Thank you for posting this.

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Thank you, mysterious stranger... &mdash 01/03/07 - 09:05:31 PM
I do believe this is the first time I've actually had a comment on any of my songs from you...

As you might imagine, I'm happy that you liked "melody, guitar playing, vocals and harmony". That pretty much covers the bases on this song... Was there tambourine? Cowbell? No, I really think that about covers this one...

[Mind you, I did a halfway decent job on the lyrics, too...]

Thanks right back at you for taking the time to listen and leave a comment....

I eagerly await your own postings...

Ed



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folk jazz &mdash 01/03/07 - 01:42:08 PM
this is the jazziest i've heard u play that acoustic....the vocals and harmonies anchor the folk sensibilties....u have gotten aq really great sound on the guitar recording...almost pristine......love it.......beautiful song in both lyrics and delivery.....bravo.....!

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Hey! I got a guitar compliment from McBoy! &mdash 01/03/07 - 09:15:45 PM
Didn't THAT just make my day!...

Well, I really don't know anything at all about jazz, but probably some of the people I try to copy know something about jazz, and maybe that's what's happening. Like John Renbourn in his Pentange days...

What I remember about getting the guitar sound is that Tom used Shure SM-88's, I think, to do all the fingerstyle guitars on this CD and when it came time for the leads that I actually did and didn't farm out to friends who play better than I do, I asked Tom to try used one of the large diaphragm mics that he had... So I think we did the lead tracks with either an AKG 414 or a Beyer of some sort... I thought it gave a little less sizzle on the treble end but more singing in the midrange where guitar strings make most of their sound... That's why I bought the Rode that I use now, actually, because I wanted a large diaphragm mic for doing acoustic guitar...

Not that you asked for all that detail, but it strikes me that I'm still making decisions nowadays based on what worked back then in these recording sessions...

I'm pleased that you also appreciated the vocals, harmonies, lyrics and delivery. Still can't get over that you like the guitar playing...

Thanks for listening and letting me know. Made my night....

Ed

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Life &mdash 01/03/07 - 05:39:50 PM
I think you could write the soundtrack for my life, Ed. I would trust you with that. There's a truth and warmth in this that's palpable. I always envision pictures and cinematic sequences when hearing your music; They are often life's reflective moments or upward-turning moments. Looking back at the chance meeting between two people; a little smirk, a lone tear, a missed opportunity that had an unexpected result, a reuniting, a parting, a look back at everything that ingites that warm glow that inevitably makes us smile.

Sometimes I forget I'm breathing.

Thank you for creating the catalyst for such powerful emotions.

[ Reply to This ]
Yep. That thar would be life. &mdash 01/03/07 - 09:24:25 PM
Wow, Miss C, I am moved and flattered...

I think you're really touching on something important here in how I go about songwriting, or at least how it turns out when I get it right... the "pictures and cinematic sequences", I think, reflect the detail, the sometimes mundane detail, that is the stuff of moment to moment life, the stuff that really IS our life while what we THINK or WISH we were living passes through our heads...

And it's true, I search for and cultivate "life's reflective moments or upward-turning moments". I love those moments. I live for them. I try to remember that any moment could be those moments.

Don't forget to breathe.

Thank you for the warmth and insight, the spark of truth, that's always in your comments....

Ed

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sublime &mdash 01/04/07 - 03:35:14 AM
im ready for a cup a coffee. great guitar and recording.

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Thanks and welcome to MacJams... &mdash 01/04/07 - 07:53:11 AM
I'm glad you enjoyed this. Enjoy that cup of coffee. It's a bit nippy out our way....

Ed

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casual & relaxed &mdash 01/04/07 - 08:10:22 AM
Hey Ed I've enjoyed your music from Wheatstone Bridge... I'm pretty sure I would never post the stuff I wrote then... I really appriciate the way you've been able to frame an idea... you have a particular bent or twist in the way you get your ideas across... when a thing is implied or alluded to it always comes across with more power for me... i wasn't that subtle then... i look forward to seeing where your gift will take you in the future, as you say that you are working on material... the "free moments" that's the hard part now... and this stuff requires time, so I end up trading sleep....

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Yeah, we'll have opposing inhibitions here... &mdash 01/04/07 - 09:12:50 PM
I've gotten comfortable with some of the things I was doing back then... Still a bit perfectionistic about what I'm trying to do now... It'll pass... Bit by bit, some more songs are making their way down the pipeline...

'When a thing is implied or alluded to it always comes across with more power for me...' Me, too. I like things to be direct and simple, but I also like it if something's held back, too. The listener fills in that last blank. Not that I plan it out like that... I just get a gut feeling..."Ah...that works..."

Of course, I have plenty of non-subtle songs. Plain and even, sometimes, didactic... Spell every blessed thing out...

And yes, the free moments are the challenge. Many of mine occur, as this one is, when I'm tired out from long days at work... I'm musing about how I can change that... Trading sleep is no longer such a hot bargain for me... I get excited and don't miss the sleep while I'm doing music, but then pay for it feeling beat the next day...

Got a feeling, though, that this may be the year I solve this conundrum. Hope so.

Thanks as always for comments that get me thinking/musing/reflecting about music and my life...

Ed

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The way you write &mdash 01/04/07 - 08:58:43 PM
With such detail to your surroundings. "This evening after sunset when I went to check the sky". The music and melody is simply fine, with a nice break at the end on the third line... did that rhyme? Is there a lack of one more verse to go along with the outcome ... I would think not because like you said this was a moment and thanks for sharing it with me.

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Yep, it's describing a moment... &mdash 01/04/07 - 10:20:26 PM
The moment is eternally true even though other things have happened. It was a moment of certainty and clarity. The song isn't a history or a timeline... it's a moment from my life.

When Phyllis and I used to write together, we used to say that the most particular and specific was the most universal, and we strove for detail even if the detail was not always totally complete or perfectly plain, clear and spelled out... It pleases me that you pick this out...

And I am always pleased, Texas, when you give a listen and comment. Much appreciated.

Ed

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Simply fine, this.... &mdash 01/04/07 - 11:01:51 PM
....and more.

Beautiful song. Beautiful lyrics. Beautiful performances. Simply beautiful.
Thanks for sharing this, Ed.

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Thank you, Mystified... &mdash 01/05/07 - 11:19:51 PM
I'm glad you found an acre or two of beauty in it. I appreciate that you took the time to listen and comment.

Ed

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It's Friday night.. &mdash 01/05/07 - 02:20:53 PM
... I'm just home after a loong first week back after Xmas break, which was pretty crappy, in a bad mood with Mrs Echoroom, and then i play this .... it's like someone putting your slippers on and stroking your head and telling you 'everything will be okay'.

Wonderful harmonies, the line 'I would argue with salvation ...', a song like the best of lenny Cohen, but not as gruff.

Wonderful Ed - thank you

Steve

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What a coincidence... &mdash 01/05/07 - 11:28:38 PM
It's Friday night after a VERY long day, topped off by going out to see an old friend play a gig up the street... And yeah, I'm going to put my slippers on for long enough to get upstairs and get them off again...

Steve, I think I'm really going to be enjoying your music on this site, and I have to check out more of it. I also really appreciate the tone and intelligence of your comments.

Glad you enjoyed the harmonies. Please be sure to check out my former singing partner Phyllis' stuff under phyllomania here on MacJams.

I'm particularly proud that you liked that line, as I like it, too. It's pretty true to me. And that comparison, 'like the best of Lenny Cohen, but not as gruff'... I may have to use that in promotion materials someday... What a great compliment! Thanks...

Appreciate that you took the time to listen and leave your thoughts.

Ed



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Mellow gold &mdash 01/06/07 - 05:41:30 AM
I listen to this as I sip an early morning coffee on Saturday...and this is a perfect accompaniment I have to say. I know this is 1987 we are talking about here, but I think this has more of a 70's west coast folk rock feel. I will say it again: Gene Clark circa 'White Light' album...which I think has as similar clear acoustic feel. As others have mentioned the lead acoustic guitar is particularly nice on this one...you should do more lead guitar hehe
Now when are we gonna be treated to some 2007 Ejh?
Steve

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From one 'coffee moment' to another... &mdash 01/06/07 - 07:09:16 PM
I love those first morning sips, whether it be coffee or tea...

I certainly am a product of the 70's West Coast folk rock tradition, even though I've been dipped in quite a few other traditions along the way. Hmm. Gene Glark. B'lieve I've spoken to you about making that comparison before...

I still remember seeing Gene and Roger McGuinn do a duo show at The Paradise years ago. What ever problems they had as friends or musical partners over the years didn't show in the least, and they were 'on' musically.

I'm happy that you're complimenting the lead guitar playing. As much as I love playing lead guitar, I have also always been insecure about my playing, and I think I did do a nice job on this one. Not perfect, but it has the right feel...

I'm working on a number of other songs right now, some old and some new... they'll probably all get finished the same afternoon sometime in APril. Some have been 'designed', if that's the word, for some lead guitar messing around...

Thank you as always, Steve, for giving a listen...

Ed

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awesome &mdash 01/06/07 - 09:37:13 AM
Great lyrics

music was awesome especially with the acoustic guitar.

Great song

keep them coming

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Thank you for listening, fantasyperson, &mdash 01/06/07 - 07:11:41 PM
Glad you liked the lyrics and the guitar playing...

I think this is the first time you've commented on one of my songs. I do appreciate it. I'll check out your stuff immediately.

Ed

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lovely &mdash 01/06/07 - 05:21:38 PM
nowt else t say

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Good enough. &mdash 01/06/07 - 07:51:08 PM
Thanks for saying it.

Ed

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more than fine &mdash 01/06/07 - 07:19:36 PM
I's a little late to the party, but just wanted to chime in none the less.
For me i can hear your longing dead center. Strong emotional piece with some very interesting poetic lyrics. Master mix, sounds great.


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Not late at all... &mdash 01/06/07 - 07:58:15 PM
Perfectly mid-party, I'd say...

I hadn't thought of it that way, but I guess there is an element of longing in this song, now that you mention it. Hmm. You have me going back to my own song here, which is kind of cool... I'm pleased that you like the lyrics...

I do think this is one of the best mixes that I have ever been party to.

I'm glad that you took the time and gave a listen, John. I appreciate the comment.

Seeya at the next Ziti gig...

Ed

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