Dear Kate Bush (Instrumental)

I've been thinking about this one for a while, but I don't think I'm particularly close with it. The lyrics are taken from/inspired by Kate Bush songs, as is no doubt expected. And I do have a set of lyrics ready, but I really can't sing them, so this is an instrumental-only version. The music isn't quite what I want, but it's closer to right than the singing would be.

But I figured I'd put this up. I don't know if I'll actually get it right in time for the "album release" (I've got an unfortunate history of sticking songs on albums and almost immediately regretting them). While perhaps plodding, at least this version is not obviously embarrassing. :)

Joan of Arc (Four Track version)

I used to have a four-track recorder. It used normal cassettes, using the stereo tracks of both sides as the four tracks. It was plenty sophisticated for what I was doing and/or wanted to do. When I bought it I tried to do complicated things: I'd add real drums and bass (borrowed from Jen and Barbara, respectively), mix stuff down.

By 1996 I was much more lazy and much more willing to just record some acoustic guitars and vocals and call it a day. That's the treatment I gave "Joan of Arc". It was a new one at the time, sort-of inspired by a trip to France and a leftover song idea about being a famous figure's boyfriend before she was famous.

I've always had a soft spot for this song, and indeed this treatment of it. I rerecorded it for In-jokes, though didn't quite get the same je ne sais qua I felt with this version...

Another X, Another Y (demo)

Hi!

I've been doing some recording on my own for a while as a hobby. I've also been distributing collections to friends when I get "an album's worth" done. I'm hoping to get the next collection out to coincide with my 40th birthday in September, provisionally called The Cheese Stands Alone.

But with the whole 21st century thing going on, and the decline of the album format, and the rise of the intarwebs, I figured I'd also start a blog for fun. I'm not sure what I'll post here, or the frequency. And I'm not sure if I'll restrict myself to originals (probably) or if I'll post older stuff (probably).

The first song I'll include here is "Another X, Another Y". It's a bit goofy (as usual), and perhaps a bit contrived, but I always liked it. This version still needs some work, but I'm planning on including it on Cheese. Most of the song is synthesized, save the voice and guitars.