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Description:
Many, many years ago, I used to play the guitar. I wasn't very good, but I knew enough chords to be able to write my own songs. I hadn't touched my guitar since the 80's, but recently, I pulled it out of the closet, just to play around. With no finger calluses, and so much rust I was knee-deep in it, it was a disheartening experiment. I couldn't remember the chords to any of the songs I'd written, and was about to give up entirely when I figured out the very simple picking pattern of a song I'd written called "The Captain".
I decided to give it a try. I opened GarageBand and tried to play. There were a bunch of technical problems (I still have no idea how to mic a guitar) and my fingers gave out halfway through, but eventually, I managed to record it.
I understand that the production isn't all that great, but just getting the guitar out of the closet was enough for me. I decided to post it anyway as a salute to an old friend.
Guitar and drums played by me, bugle and sfx from some old CDs.
Lyrics:
Tell me Captain, why do you remain inside my door?
Certainly the time has come to join the marching corps.
But love and tender word, must appear absurd
To a man who's trained to die, and die alone.
And yet I sense a hesitation in your manner, sir
Can it be the war has lost a captain to a cur?
For surely I am base, with my sweet, untroubled face
Never bred to lie – or lie alone.
Rejoice and shout, it seems the Captain wishes to remain
His gun is idle, never to be used in causing pain.
And sweet, caressing kiss, can never be dismissed
By the Captain I have known, and known alone.
In the distance I can hear the shouts of all your men
They're scrambling in unordered ranks, they know not where you've been
So they march without a host, each turning to a ghost
But death without a captain walks alone.
Yes, death without a captain walks alone.
Hardware:
eMac, Shure SM58, very old, cheap acoustic guitar.
Software:
GarageBand
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Better With Age &mdash 03/24/05 - 09:19:56 AM
It is good to try something new but next to your other
songs, which I would say are professional quality, this
pales in comparison. For most folks this would be an okay
tune but not for you. Put together a nice jazz trio and
start singing in public. Then get a gig in Austin as I would
love to hear something like that. I bet you know a lot of
Peggy Lee songs in addition to your original stuff. [ Reply to This ]
Don't listen to him! &mdash 03/24/05 - 10:35:37 AM
...and don't get me wrong, you do Jazz VERY well... but I don't think you
need to limit yourself! Keep trying different things... it's another trait
that I admire in you... besides your great voice and lyrical skills, of
course. [ Reply to This ]
Don't listen to him! &mdash 03/25/05 - 12:23:31 AM
Stun, don't worry, I'll always play around with different styles. It's too much
fun to give up. But there'll be plenty more jazz, too. [ Reply to This ]
Better With Age &mdash 03/25/05 - 12:20:56 AM
Bronco - thank you for your high opinion of my jazz songs. I do understand
that this is very different, and was written a long time ago, so it has a
different sound and feel. I really just wanted to try to play my guitar again,
and since I can't play jazz, I went for this old style. As for me singing in a
club, that's not something I ever expect to do (and although I know a couple
of Peggy's songs, I'm primarily a fan of Ella Fitzgerald, so I know a lot more of
her hits!) [ Reply to This ]
Better With Age &mdash 03/27/05 - 09:52:40 AM
Yes, Ella is great too, I just thought I heard a lot of Peggy in your style -
playful novelty songs, torch songs, etc. Especially the Alien's dancing tune.
And I was perhaps a bit too negative on your Captain song. I just have really
discovered 40's 50's vocal jazz in the last five years and was looking forward
to another one of yours in that style. I love Peggy, Ella, Nina Simone, Mose
Allison, and Julie London. Any others you think I should check out?
And to be fair, of all the different styles I have posted, folks only seem to like
the "authentic" acoustic blues I do and disregard the rest but I do seem to be
in the minority on the Captain song. Keep singing!! [ Reply to This ]
Better With Age &mdash 03/27/05 - 06:00:45 PM
Bronco, I understand completely. I discovered female jazz vocalists about 10
years ago, and I was immediately hooked. Couldn't get enough. Oddly, I had
never listened to Peggy Lee until people started comparing my voice to hers. I
bought a CD and had to admit there were some definite similarities. Just
coincidence, but I'm not complaining!
As for other vocalists to look for, you
might try Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan (oooh, you must try Sassy, as she
was called, because she is amazing), Dinah Washington (another favorite),
Etta James, Nina Simone (I think you may have mentioned her, but she's
another of my faves, so just in case), and that's all I can think of off the top of
my head.
As for me, I'll be writing plenty more jazz, don't you worry. I just like to
experiment and play around, so whatever strikes me, or whatever mood I'm in
tends to determine what I write. [ Reply to This ]
what great words &mdash 03/24/05 - 09:50:24 AM
There is a lot of inspiration here at MJ and you have sure
contributed.
Nice production.
Thanks for sharing
Bill [ Reply to This ]
what great words &mdash 03/25/05 - 12:25:16 AM
Bill - thank you so much! I'm always pleased when people notice my lyrics. [ Reply to This ]
Compelling storytelling &mdash 03/24/05 - 09:58:33 AM
Love the line "Never bred to lie – or lie alone." Something
very endearing about this simple production. I really
appreciate your sound effects, and as the track continued
they became more emotionally compelling. Very nicely
done.
[ Reply to This ]
Compelling storytelling &mdash 03/25/05 - 12:28:13 AM
Thank you, Tobin! I wasn't sure what people would think of the sound effects,
but I liked how they sounded, so I put them in. Thank you for finding a
positive in the simplicity of the production. [ Reply to This ]
You play guitar? &mdash 03/24/05 - 10:31:30 AM
More tricks up your sleeve, eh?
You could probably get rid of the background hiss by
using the "Gate" slider (it's in the panel by effects)...
cuz besides that, this sounds fine! Good song... and
nice supplemental sound effects (I am a sucker for
those, you know me). [ Reply to This ]
You play guitar? &mdash 03/25/05 - 12:31:12 AM
Thank you, Stun! I know about the gate from my old days of recording on the
built-in, but unfortunately, the guitar recorded so softly, the gate was
unusable. I just mic'ed the thing incorrectly. And by the time I figured out
how to do it, my non-callused fingers had totally given out. So I had to work
with what I had. [ Reply to This ]
What a treat!... &mdash 03/25/05 - 01:17:51 AM
...to hear this song!
Storytelling so well done! Yes, the production needs fine-
tuning in the mic-ing department, but your lyrics, your
presentation... Great!
I, for one, love to hear you trying different styles with your
voice! You have such a wonderful instrument. Thank you
for sharing your talent in singing and writing here. [ Reply to This ]
What a treat!... &mdash 03/25/05 - 04:14:40 AM
Time to build &mdash 03/26/05 - 07:01:32 AM
up those calluses! It's obvious you can play the guitar. The
sound effects were appropriate and tastefully
implemented. I think the production suffered some
because of the background noise...that can be removed
fortunately. It was great to hear you sing a different style
music... we're not going to stereotype you!
I, for one, would love to hear you do more with the guitar. [ Reply to This ]
Time to build &mdash 03/26/05 - 08:00:43 AM
Thanks, ac! I do need to build up calluses before I can attempt anything
again. And I need to learn to mic a guitar. It wouldn't hurt to learn how to
play it again, too. Then again, there's a lot to be said for loops! I do so love
me loops. [ Reply to This ]
off a post by monseuir schletty: &mdash 03/27/05 - 01:33:47 AM
Thats how i saw this, was intriuged by what u had to say
there, so checked out ur stuff out, and was quite
impressed...
I do like the lyrics, the story tellin is great as mentioned
above...
Thought i'd comment:) [ Reply to This ]
off a post by monseuir schletty: &mdash 03/27/05 - 02:10:53 AM
I thank you most sincerely for giving a listen, 12m! I'm especially pleased that
you like the lyrics, since you're a fellow "rhymer". [ Reply to This ]
If you get a spare minute . . . &mdash 05/01/05 - 08:07:32 PM
Any chance of posting a version without the fusiliers, .60
cal and drum&bugle corps? (ie I'd like a guitar/vocals
version please.)
Don't know how I missed this before. Great story. Loved
the "death without a captain walks alone" line.
[ Reply to This ]
If you get a spare minute . . . &mdash 05/01/05 - 08:19:05 PM
Snow, I can email you a copy, if you'd like. Just have to recut it. Thanks for
listening! [ Reply to This ]
Camp or Schlock? &mdash 06/09/05 - 05:52:00 PM
I think the singers voice is expressive. I like his singing. But the lyrics of this song are very schlocky. [ Reply to This ]
Camp or Schlock? &mdash 06/09/05 - 07:20:50 PM
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songs, which I would say are professional quality, this
pales in comparison. For most folks this would be an okay
tune but not for you. Put together a nice jazz trio and
start singing in public. Then get a gig in Austin as I would
love to hear something like that. I bet you know a lot of
Peggy Lee songs in addition to your original stuff.
[ Reply to This ]