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Description
If All the World Were MacJams
Written by Philip Gardner
Produced by Andrew Lack
The Song
The background to the song was, first, the reports of the rioting in England with attacks on people and properties and communities. This was not so long after the Global Financial Crisis from which the rich seemed to escape, while the poor couldn’t keep up the payments on their houses. On another level entirely, I had uploaded a song onto MacJams and was, as usual, delighted with the positive comments, where there’s a focus on acknowledgement and improvement. So what would the world be like if it were run by the MacJams community, and the politicians provided the entertainment?
Also around that time I watched an Elvis Costello show where he interviewed several musicians then they all played, with each taking a solo during the song. Given the collaborative nature of MacJams, that seemed like a good idea for a structure!
The musicians
Being a MacJams member seeking a musician for a collaboration is like being a kid in a candy shop – too many choices! So I approached people I’d heard and admired on various songs. I had already worked with Scotty Johnson, so he was an obvious choice for the bass. Andrew Lack’s crisp acoustic guitar tones I knew would be perfect for the first solo. John Libby’s keyboard skills are a great addition to all the songs he’s worked on, as are the drums provided by Mike Watkins. For a harmonica solo and searing guitar, who better than Stan Gadziola? And he could add further variety with some stunning ukulele playing!
To get that “your turn now” feel I thought the song needed someone to add a vocal part, preferably a female voice. Alannah was suggested (the person who did so said “I’d listen to her sing the phonebook”). What a voice she has – powerful and able to express such a wide emotional range, with just a touch of velvet-encased rough edge. Perfect!
To my great delight, they all agreed to be part of the project.
The production
With all this going on, I was starting to worry a bit about whether I had the production and mixing skills to put it all together. Fortunately, Andrew offered to help. The quickest decision I’ve ever made was then to ask him to take over the project. He did. He’s brilliant.
Acknowledgements (in alphabetical MacJam name order)
Alackbass – production, mixing, acoustic guitar solo
Alannah – vocals
Gadzooks – electric guitar, harmonica, ukulele
Kevmikwa – drums
KTB – keyboard (organ)
Philip18 – rhythm guitar, vocals
SCJohnson59 – bass
My thanks to all these fine musicians. When their various parts came in, I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Special thanks to Andrew – I originally asked him to play a 4 bar acoustic guitar solo and he ended up putting in many hours of work pulling everything together.
Finally, thank you to the MacJams community. There is nothing more motivating than constructive and positive criticism from others who are doing what you do. I look forward to the time when you’re running the world!
Written by Philip Gardner
Produced by Andrew Lack
The Song
The background to the song was, first, the reports of the rioting in England with attacks on people and properties and communities. This was not so long after the Global Financial Crisis from which the rich seemed to escape, while the poor couldn’t keep up the payments on their houses. On another level entirely, I had uploaded a song onto MacJams and was, as usual, delighted with the positive comments, where there’s a focus on acknowledgement and improvement. So what would the world be like if it were run by the MacJams community, and the politicians provided the entertainment?
Also around that time I watched an Elvis Costello show where he interviewed several musicians then they all played, with each taking a solo during the song. Given the collaborative nature of MacJams, that seemed like a good idea for a structure!
The musicians
Being a MacJams member seeking a musician for a collaboration is like being a kid in a candy shop – too many choices! So I approached people I’d heard and admired on various songs. I had already worked with Scotty Johnson, so he was an obvious choice for the bass. Andrew Lack’s crisp acoustic guitar tones I knew would be perfect for the first solo. John Libby’s keyboard skills are a great addition to all the songs he’s worked on, as are the drums provided by Mike Watkins. For a harmonica solo and searing guitar, who better than Stan Gadziola? And he could add further variety with some stunning ukulele playing!
To get that “your turn now” feel I thought the song needed someone to add a vocal part, preferably a female voice. Alannah was suggested (the person who did so said “I’d listen to her sing the phonebook”). What a voice she has – powerful and able to express such a wide emotional range, with just a touch of velvet-encased rough edge. Perfect!
To my great delight, they all agreed to be part of the project.
The production
With all this going on, I was starting to worry a bit about whether I had the production and mixing skills to put it all together. Fortunately, Andrew offered to help. The quickest decision I’ve ever made was then to ask him to take over the project. He did. He’s brilliant.
Acknowledgements (in alphabetical MacJam name order)
Alackbass – production, mixing, acoustic guitar solo
Alannah – vocals
Gadzooks – electric guitar, harmonica, ukulele
Kevmikwa – drums
KTB – keyboard (organ)
Philip18 – rhythm guitar, vocals
SCJohnson59 – bass
My thanks to all these fine musicians. When their various parts came in, I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Special thanks to Andrew – I originally asked him to play a 4 bar acoustic guitar solo and he ended up putting in many hours of work pulling everything together.
Finally, thank you to the MacJams community. There is nothing more motivating than constructive and positive criticism from others who are doing what you do. I look forward to the time when you’re running the world!
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Lyrics
If All The World Were MacJams
There’s riots in the cities and there’s riots in the towns
There’s rich men taking houses from those who’ve been pushed down
It seems there’s nowhere you can go, to find a little peace,
The troubles will keep following, can’t get no release
But if all the world were MacJams, it would be a better place
It could be a model for all the human race
Where if you had nothing good to say, you’d say nothing at all
And you would let your fellow man stand up and then walk tall
On MacJams tonight, On MacJams tonight,
Join with the community on MacJams tonight.
No matter where you come from or where you’re going to
You understand the music that connects the world to you
You have respect for everyone, cause each can play a part
And the devil’s in your fingers and not deep in your heart
And if you joined the army you would carry by your side
A Fender or a Gibson and you’d plug it in to fight
You’d be joined by those so different, they play saxophone or drums,
But when they work together let you be who you can become
On MacJams tonight, On MacJams tonight,
Join with the community on MacJams tonight.
When all your wars are over, you will be in MacJams heaven,
You’ll have AKG condensers, instead of AK 47s
You’ll hear the pound of V-drums, and not of Sherman tanks
And when you call for the marines, a Marine Band has top rank
So if you want to rest awhile and find a little light
Put up your feet, load up a song, on MacJams tonight.
A song about a lover, a song about a wife,
A song about a friendship and a song about a life
On MacJams tonight, On MacJams tonight,
Join with the community on MacJams tonight. (x 2)
There’s riots in the cities and there’s riots in the towns
There’s rich men taking houses from those who’ve been pushed down
It seems there’s nowhere you can go, to find a little peace,
The troubles will keep following, can’t get no release
But if all the world were MacJams, it would be a better place
It could be a model for all the human race
Where if you had nothing good to say, you’d say nothing at all
And you would let your fellow man stand up and then walk tall
On MacJams tonight, On MacJams tonight,
Join with the community on MacJams tonight.
No matter where you come from or where you’re going to
You understand the music that connects the world to you
You have respect for everyone, cause each can play a part
And the devil’s in your fingers and not deep in your heart
And if you joined the army you would carry by your side
A Fender or a Gibson and you’d plug it in to fight
You’d be joined by those so different, they play saxophone or drums,
But when they work together let you be who you can become
On MacJams tonight, On MacJams tonight,
Join with the community on MacJams tonight.
When all your wars are over, you will be in MacJams heaven,
You’ll have AKG condensers, instead of AK 47s
You’ll hear the pound of V-drums, and not of Sherman tanks
And when you call for the marines, a Marine Band has top rank
So if you want to rest awhile and find a little light
Put up your feet, load up a song, on MacJams tonight.
A song about a lover, a song about a wife,
A song about a friendship and a song about a life
On MacJams tonight, On MacJams tonight,
Join with the community on MacJams tonight. (x 2)
ic42
and a great gathering of talent here... I'll just Philip my cup 'til it runneth over with this music. I see miles and miles, a world full of smiles. Sweet song, great musicianship, and crisp mix... this just made my week, thank you all.
ttfn,
Drakonis