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Happy Pappy by guitapick [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1617
Comments: 100
Votes: 19
Plays: 393
Last Played: Sep 14, 2008 - 09:52:07 AM
Downloads: 72
Fans: 35
Uploaded: Oct 30, 2007 - 10:14:52 PM
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2008 - 06:09:38 AM
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Description:
Celebrating the birth of egobandit's daughter, Gianna (10/27/07).

A tune for the kids and their dads (and anyone else who likes it, for that matter).

The artwork is the Celestial Maternity Ward N81 in the Small Magellanic Cloud. I was looking for a maternity ward and...well...there it is...

©2007 Bob Prince

Hardware:
Martin OM-21
Rode NT3 condensor mic
M-Audio Firewire 410

Software:
GB2
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Tasty licks Mr. Picks &mdash 10/30/07 - 10:24:40 PM
I gotta come back when I've got time to go into more depth - but this sounds great.

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~ &mdash 10/31/07 - 11:17:52 AM
Glad ya like it, Mr. Bud...I'm very into your interp of Ember...really cool slant.

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Happy Pappy &mdash 10/30/07 - 10:33:48 PM
its an awesoem decication piece ..and fine pickin
my friend ..enjoyed so much !!

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Thanks, Feter... &mdash 10/31/07 - 01:38:23 PM
...always happy to hear from you...here or at your place...

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the wonder, joy, surprise... &mdash 10/30/07 - 10:41:23 PM
what a beautiful gift (congrats to Egobandit & family, BTW!)... I love the little twists and turns from major/minor/back, and gorgeous fingerpicking work there... and nice recording too, rich and crisp sounding. And I assume that from the Celestial Maternity Ward, a star is born? :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis

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~ &mdash 10/31/07 - 10:21:42 AM
A child of the universe...

I sent the track of this to our friend, Fran (ziti), for comments, before posting. He suggested copying the track twice with the original in the middle and the other 2 panned right and left. GREAT suggestion.

Wonderful thing about this community. Learn so much. Thanks, drak...

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I'd like to... &mdash 10/30/07 - 11:05:46 PM
... add string orchestration to this! Beautiful!

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~ &mdash 10/31/07 - 11:03:01 AM
I'd love to hear that, Al...

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The way &mdash 10/30/07 - 11:13:01 PM
that you throw curves into the music is beautiful.Really nice chord changes which fit together perfectly.What kind of guitar are you using?It sounds fantastic.Are you playing with fingerpicks? You must have listened to lots of Travis pickers-you play that style extremely well.

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Talking shop: &mdash 10/31/07 - 11:10:02 AM
...one of my favorite pastimes.

It's a Martin OM-21. A true peach of a guitar. One day old set of Pearse lights on there and the capo on the 5th fret. G tuning.

Got a Pearse thumbpick and National steel fingerpicks. I love that setup on steelstrings. Except sometimes you get that "sh" sound when you're picking up towards the neck...but that's ok. It's also great 'cuz I don't have to worry about breaking my nails, like on the nylon string.

I started out playing folk guitar. Learned the Travis pick very early on. Studying classical really expanded the possibilities.

I'm a big fan of yours, Mark. Thanks for the visit and taking the time to comment...


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This really &mdash 10/31/07 - 02:23:55 AM
is great guitar playing and a very lovely melody.
Cheers
Len



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Thanks... &mdash 11/01/07 - 06:47:21 AM
...it's a special piece, for me. Hope it's special for Mr. Bandit and family, now, too...

Very happy you liked it...

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Thanks... &mdash 11/01/07 - 06:47:22 AM
...it's a special piece, for me. Hope it's special for Mr. Bandit and family, now, too...

Very happy you liked it...

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Nice one &mdash 10/31/07 - 07:28:22 AM
Bob... with all the twists and turns... just like life. Great playing as always...and nice pic of the nursery too..nice to know that we all came from a nursery like that somewhere, cheers M

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Yeah... &mdash 11/01/07 - 06:50:30 AM
...our common origins...pretty amazing, isn't it?

Thanks for the visit, mon ami...

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wow &mdash 10/31/07 - 07:38:36 AM
Me and my wife are sitting next to the baby in the basinet. We both are just listenng and looking at the baby. This is so beautiful. the guitar playing is greatness. I'm speachless. This is the best baby gift better than the baby swing! hehe! thank you for the dedication!

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I wrote this... &mdash 10/31/07 - 11:15:05 AM
...some time ago, for my daughter as a toddler. Took me awhile...but being a father's been absolutely wonderful. She's almost 11, now...you know what that's about, I see...

Very glad you like it, Tim. My favorite shower gifts were:

1) A Winnie the Pooh stuffed red balloon with pull Pooh down music box inside.
2) Diapers
3) Money for diapers which we spent on champagne, instead.

;)

Cheers, amigo.

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ahhhhhh &mdash 10/31/07 - 07:39:36 AM
now this is serious beauty

just so serene and perfect....not only a great performance, but a nice guitar composition.

really remarkable how you trip back and forth between joyful and poingnant...like father hood....mysteriously happy one minute and full of doubt and regret the next...this touches a very deep chord in me.

great stuff my friend

deepest bows
z

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Thanks, z... &mdash 11/01/07 - 06:26:27 AM
...was watching Ava just starting to walk/run when I wrote this. So happy one minute..."uh oh...watch out for the coffee table", the next...a complete microcosm of what you just described...

Thanks for the tip on the mixing...worked like a charm, mon...


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I love... &mdash 10/31/07 - 07:44:34 AM
...the sound of this... Nice bright strings, but still plenty of warmth under the thumb...

And, yeah, the major/minor shifts are neat, and one doesn't always see 'em coming...

Quite the suitable musical metaphor for parenthood...

All in all, a very suitable gift...The dad in me is sending it iPod-ward as we speak...

Ed

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Weird synchronies department... &mdash 10/31/07 - 07:48:00 AM
Fran and I were probably listening to this tune AT THE SAME TIME, a mile or so apart...

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Thanks, Ed... &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:21:23 AM
...glad you liked the tune...as to the timing of yours and Fran's listen:

"You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of sound. A dimension of sight. A dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both style and substance of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into: The Twilight Zone..."

Or: it's all about the dog...

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So beautiful done &mdash 10/31/07 - 08:34:34 AM
This is a very beautiful song done with heart-feelings. Love it.


Take care
--
Kenta

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~ &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:30:19 AM
Thank you, Kenta...means a lot to me...

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Excellent &mdash 10/31/07 - 08:37:38 AM

Beautiful piece Bob: fantastic playing, wonderful
tune & arrangement.

Cool pic too - I think I can see a baby shape in the
clouds .. bit like a color womb scan... perhaps how
it got it's name.

A soothing lullaby for Gianna. I think it stands
well on it's own .. but I'm interested to hear a
version with Alimar's orchestration added.

Deep bows.


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Thanks, Alan... &mdash 11/01/07 - 04:12:49 PM
...I'm looking forward to Al's slant, too. Very flattered that he's into it, I am, I am...

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Another.. &mdash 10/31/07 - 11:27:29 AM
great one. I really loved the fast break in the middle of the song.

Bob, you have to be one of my fav' fingerstlye players here.

Again, great piece and your guitar sounds fantastic!

Double Congrats to both you and Ego.

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Yes... &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:39:01 PM
...you like the quick pickin'...maybe someday I'll catch up with you...

;)

Thanks, amigo...

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A master stroke, Bob &mdash 10/31/07 - 04:18:54 PM
Giving a gift to egobandit and family, and at the same time showing all of us exactly how it's really supposed to be done. You are and excellent guitar player, of that there is no doubt. But you are also a wonderful composer who can bring the joys and sorrows and happiness and doubt of parenthood to us all in music.

A wonderful song Bob, congratulations on writing and performing a fine piece of music.

Ed

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And did I mention &mdash 10/31/07 - 04:22:00 PM
Your artwork for this song is right on, since all of us are made of star stuff, and stars come from the stellar nurseries just like the one you used.

Being an amateur astronomer, it got my attention immediately.

Ed

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Thanks Ed... &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:41:07 PM
...those are some really kind words...

...yeah...that's an amazing picture. Pretty big out thar...ain't it?

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Purdy strings &mdash 10/31/07 - 05:59:49 PM
Goodgoing GP, nice gesture and some real pretty notes to boot!

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Yep... &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:52:21 PM
...they shor are purdy...

I love it, man...ye can pick yo'r guitar and ye can pick yo'r nose...but ye can't pick yo'r....yo'r...welll...

Thanks, TW...very much...

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I enjoyed &mdash 10/31/07 - 07:04:32 PM
about 1/8 of the way through and how it set a nice minor feel. So it was surprising to hear those wonderful changes comparing that from the start. Which set off to surprise I think. You've added brightness to get that jangly feel. Being that there are those silvery starts it does the trick. Speaking of trick, as I have been typing, I've been constantly going to the front door to hand out kit-kats and reeses pieces. Which sets the tone for your piece cause that are lots of nice sweet pieces (sounds) in there.

Way to go and it's fab that your helping make MJ great!





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Hehehe... &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:49:07 PM
...very happy to be a part of your 2007 Halloween, Bill.

I'll have a KitKat and a Butterfinger, please...

Better yet: let's go to the Golden Corral and get some bread and banana pudding (I like to combine them)...swear I must gain 5lbs everytime I visit family down south...

....oh yeah...the music: thanks, Bill. I'm always looking forward to your next and it means a lot to me to be a part of this community.

:-)

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nice playing &mdash 10/31/07 - 09:45:43 PM
Refreshing.
Its always refreshing to here acoustic played so well.
A happy sounding, peaceful piece.
And a tune for such a cool cause.
Congrats to ego and family, what a wonderful time.
saved this one
peace
tim


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~ &mdash 11/02/07 - 11:10:34 AM
Best to the Bandito family is right...

Very glad you liked this...it was wonderful writing it (watching my then 2 year old girl learn to walk)...



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Very.... &mdash 11/01/07 - 12:39:53 PM
very neat accoustic playing....I am envious.

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Thanks... &mdash 11/02/07 - 01:05:22 PM
...if "Spirit" is any indication, I don't see any need for true envy...we have different styles and deliveries...you do yours extremely well...

Appreciate the visit...

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Much Respect &mdash 11/01/07 - 01:13:37 PM
I love guitar, wish i could play, but technology has caught up with me, so I'll do what i can for now,anyway enough about me, this song is gorgeous.

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Thanks, Sir Bass... &mdash 11/02/07 - 12:57:33 PM
...I always called the bass players in my bands "Sir"...

How we get the sounds doesn't mean anything compared to where they're coming from...

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Funny &mdash 11/02/07 - 02:41:09 PM
It's Bass as in Chilean Bass Fish, or BASS beer, or Bass Shoes,
or Bass Resorts, no relation though. I wish had their $.

I like bass as in, instrument and the sound of bass, and I use it a lot in my music so it's all good.

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I've got a friend... &mdash 11/02/07 - 04:03:03 PM
...who's a pro BASS fisherman. Small mouth. Used to fish with him in a canoe. Now we hit the big lakes in his 5 zillion mph pro boat, sponsored by someone or other.

This is an interesting discussion...

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What a lovely gift - &mdash 11/01/07 - 07:51:06 PM
I really like your finger picking here - I read your 'shop talk' and I like learning about your own personal set up. Musically speaking, it's a very happy tune with some of those moments of sadness. Now my 'baby' (12 years old) has to use the computer. Thanks for letting us all get to listen in.

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Thanks, Kristy... &mdash 11/02/07 - 01:29:34 PM
...glad you liked it...my going on 11 year old daughter's always kicking me off the computer...

:-)

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really nice &mdash 11/01/07 - 09:48:06 PM
....ballad for a bouncing bandit baby bambino.

Dang I wish I could play in this style. Beautifully done.

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Nice allitiration... &mdash 11/02/07 - 01:31:25 PM
...how's about we trade for a little while...?

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We Are Stardust &mdash 11/02/07 - 12:17:14 AM
A lovely tribute, Bob and a very fine job on the finger-picking style.

The way the melody and moods of this piece flow suggest to me the wide-eyed examination of a new-found universe, full of wonder and awe, mystery and surprise, light and darkness... we welcome another piece of stardust to our space.

Perfectly apropos for the occasion it celebrates. ;)

--- Joe

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I remember.... &mdash 11/02/07 - 03:59:34 PM
..."We are stardust..."....closing my eyes, leaning back, and letting it sink in...

Thanks, Joe. Cheers to Gianna...

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Perfect way to start a day &mdash 11/02/07 - 03:23:25 AM
Wonderful playing Mr G.

Lovely tone on the guitar and clever modulations,

Cheers

Dick

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~ &mdash 11/02/07 - 04:04:30 PM
Thanks, Dick. Cheers, brother...

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great song &mdash 11/02/07 - 01:46:48 PM
You have awesome fingers and a great heart to create songs like this! Wonderful job. Really enjoyed!

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Well... &mdash 11/02/07 - 04:26:52 PM
...hate to burst your bubble, Gail...but I actually played this one with my toes...

...did put my heart into it, though...
;)

Thanks for the kind words...

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dang....I should have known &mdash 11/02/07 - 10:01:13 PM
You are even better than I thought!!!! Great toes man! :)
Very impressive.

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Great fingers... &mdash 11/03/07 - 09:31:06 AM
...and such a fine, delicate composition. The little tune that runs throughout the number is really beautiful...Al suggested some strings. I'll have to scratch my head and see if I know anyone with an orchestra!!!) Beautiful song, Bob. Downloaded and now pestering my imagination.
Peace.
Paul

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~ &mdash 11/05/07 - 07:20:18 AM
Al's working on a version, too. Sounds so nice. Have fun with it if/when you find the time...

Thanks, Paul...



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Baby Stars &mdash 11/03/07 - 12:00:01 PM
This is just lovely, Bob and a great advertisement for the Rode NT3, which I've been eyeballing for a while, now. You've done a really great job recording the whole spectrum of sound coming out of your guitar, the bass notes are really rich and the rest is nice and bright. I started listening to this on my earbuds, but realized pretty quickly that I needed to switch to my good headphones and I'm glad I did.

I enjoy the relaxed, optimism of this song and the picking is...erm...stellar. It's fascinating how the song art influences the whole vibe of the thing; there's a point in the song, about a third of the way through where you do a stretch of really rapid picking capped off by a big strum that brings to mind stars swirling.

Very nice, but I'm not surprised, of course!

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Hi Lisa, &mdash 11/05/07 - 07:26:05 AM
Thanks for the visit/listen.

Yeah...the NT3's an excellent mic. I have found, though, that I need to dial down the bass on the eq when I record my steelstring and nylon. The more expensive RODE models have a bass rolloff which is on the mic, I believe. But, like I said: I'm very happy with this as a recording and performing mic.

Yes...the artwork is "stellar"...

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Sweet, Bob....... &mdash 11/03/07 - 12:50:18 PM
Great pickin and great progression. iPod for sure.

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Joe! &mdash 11/05/07 - 10:04:30 AM
Long time no "see"...hope all's well. Glad you like the tune, friend...

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10's !! &mdash 11/03/07 - 04:37:51 PM
Mr. Bob, what a warm, heartfelt and honest music is this ?? Very peaceful and wonderfully played. The composition is very fine, hope i can play like this .. Happy Day Sir EGO .. Hope everything will be fine and GOD BLESS you Sir Bob for this friendly work. Loved it and sure downloaded !

Take Care
==============
Yeman Auf AL-Rawi

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Me happy also ! &mdash 11/04/07 - 04:43:33 AM
Downloaded straight to my Ipod, next to my John Fahey pieces. It's simply charming!

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I've been... &mdash 11/05/07 - 03:57:48 PM
...a big fan of John Fahey's for a long, long time...glad you liked this, Christopher....

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Thank you, Yeman... &mdash 11/05/07 - 10:07:38 AM
...I'm always looking forward to your next piece...

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Picking &mdash 11/04/07 - 07:18:03 AM
Love the melodies your are picking out here. Some are reminiscent of tunes to old kids songs. Much enjoyed!

Thanks
Bill

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The tune's... &mdash 11/05/07 - 04:07:35 PM
...a painting of a toddler. I can see what you mean by the "kid's tunes"...I sure made up enough of them...and, of course, sang the "old standards".

:-)

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simple and elegant &mdash 11/05/07 - 12:38:31 PM
I like the simplicity of your presentation and concept here.

There are nice little unexpected twists and turns of the melody and harmony -- love those augmented 4ths, and switching from major to minor.

I especially liked the coda; just when I thought the song was over, there was a bit more!

Very pleasant listening, thanks for sharing this.

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The coda: &mdash 11/05/07 - 04:05:02 PM
it used to be longer...very powerful with a resolution into what you hear now.

There are two reasons it's not in there now:

1) It's a B-E-A-R to play with finger picks on. Very fast rolling arpeggios on all the strings with a melody standing out.
2) When I said: "ENOUGH!", and recorded it without that section, I was very, very pleasantly surprised at how nicely it came out. I left it as you hear it.

So...as a result of that little "snip", I now have a nice section to build a classical guitar tune out of...

Thanks for the listen and taking the time out to comment...

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Very beautiful &mdash 11/06/07 - 08:33:42 AM
Very beautiful. Great recording job. Great playing. Great song. I'm sure Ego loved it.
Dave

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Thanks... &mdash 11/07/07 - 10:46:12 PM
...I think the bandit enjoyed this...Al's version went over well with him, too...beautifully orchestrated...

http://www.macjams.com/song/36541

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Finger Pickin' Good! &mdash 11/06/07 - 10:38:33 AM
I'm reminded of John Fahey with the reflective/introspective nature of your picking - lovely key shifts - a joy to listen to.

KK

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Thank you... &mdash 11/07/07 - 10:48:17 PM
...I look forward to hearing more of your music, mr. k....

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I'm so late.... &mdash 11/07/07 - 09:04:18 PM
Bob,
This is brilliant: beautifully played (in the best open, raw sense), honest, thoughtful (again, in every sense) and kind. This makes me wish I played guitar because I think if that were the case, I would enjoy this that much more. Hats off.
All the best,

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That... &mdash 11/07/07 - 11:00:24 PM
...was a very nice thing to say...

Thank you so much...

Bob

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Aw shoot... &mdash 11/07/07 - 10:48:42 PM
...I didn't mean to fave myself...pressed the wrong button...

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My boys &mdash 11/14/07 - 07:47:50 PM
are grown and gone, but your song reminds me of trailing behind them when they were young on walks through the park or down the beach late in the day. Bright music, bright memories. Thanks!

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~ &mdash 11/15/07 - 08:27:24 AM
Glad the song sparked nice memories...does with me, too.

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ever pickin pappy &mdash 11/17/07 - 07:08:14 PM
Your daughter must really enjoy being with you when you play. You are filling her head with memories that will last a lifetime. These warm sounds are the kind that will float in her head long after your gone. What a gift
to leave. On top of that, she'll have your CD's to play for her kids too.

I originally listen to this when you first posted, but got distracted and just got back to it now because of gail's forum post about "Bob Prince Rocks".

You sure are a pickin Pappy.

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~ &mdash 11/17/07 - 09:20:56 PM
I love Ava like the sun and moon...she is always in my heart...

Just started recording a tune I used to play for her at bedtime. She got real upset: "That's OUR tune, daddy...".

Not sure how I'm gonna deal with that one...what do you think, Damien? It's a nice tune...

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well &mdash 11/17/07 - 11:17:13 PM
Tell her it was too good to keep it to yourselves and that you will rename it with some title that includes hers and your name somehow. Maybe that will work. That way it will still be hers and yours, but the world will know about it.

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~ &mdash 11/17/07 - 11:41:59 PM
Thanks, hermano...sounds like a plan...

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Sweet... &mdash 11/20/07 - 03:12:56 PM
and graceful music that with subtle twists that always held my interest. A gentle and lovely gift for Gianna and egobandit.
Well done Bob.

Charlie

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Thanks, Charlie... &mdash 11/20/07 - 09:00:00 PM
...I'm on my way to your place as I type...

Bob

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BTW... &mdash 11/20/07 - 09:12:03 PM
You might like to give a listen to Al's interpretation of this:

http://www.macjams.com/song/36541

I love it...

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