Ouch

I haven't posted here since January? I'm the worst blogger ever, not an easy accomplishment.
I think I got distracted playing with Facebook since I activated my account, but that's only good for so much.
Was playing "live" for party guests at my apartment in recent months, which was good because I got some honest feedback from other human beings. That file factory link for the song "running" is just a temporary arrangement. A friend is going to help me establish a new site for posting all song files, and if that doesn't happen SOON then I'll figure out how to do it here, or maybe I'll just do it on myspace or whatever--although I'd prefer to have my own unique site.
At any rate, this will at least continue to be a diary for info on songs and music I've written or am writing.
Been listening to and playing more reggae type music, which I seem to do when it gets warms outside. Seems to go hand in hand.
Will be posting again here SOON. I'm determined to do these things, and make this site much more active again.

Help Haiti

Give to the Haiti relief effort if you can.

running

okay, well I need to figure how I can just post my files directly here for downloading, but as for now(and so I can say I got something up at least by the first of the decade), click to this "filefactory" page, scoll down and click the free download button. Can't say for sure how it will work, but I think it's something like magaupload or whatever(which I guess I could use just as well until I figure this all out).
Sorry, still very illiterate when it comes to posting music files. Anyway, this is a song I think I wrote sometime around 1998, when I had moved to Lancaster. Like most, it was written on my acoustic, and I think the original rhythm and melody was a little different. Then I was listening to Belle and Sebastian, and tried to make it sound more like that, even though it doesn't really.
This is just a newly recorded demo, using my telecaster. The "lead" guitar and one vocal track are more to the left, with a "rhythm" guitar part and second vocal more on the right. The vocals are definitely pretty quiet and in the mix, so to speak. But it's just a start and part of an ongoing process. So...

running

(c) 2010
All rights reserved, natch.

the best

over 40 years now I guess, and still, nobody can touch these guys--

Big Zero?

I guess that's how Paul Krugman described this past decade, and I have to agree for the most part it's been a disaster--9/11, Iraq war, Katrina disaster, trampling on civil rights, fearmongering and paranoia, total financial meltdown, global warming, etc.
But there were some bright spots, particularly towards the end--historic presidential election, reversing course on failed policies, actually trying to achieve healthcare for all, and for me personally--a good job, a new place of my own, and re-dedicated to music with the equipment I've wanted for years now.
Another big bright spot was joining the old novaforums and meeting people from all around the world who are still friends to this day.
Can't say much for new music, compared to the 90s it really sucked, at least as far as rock music is concerned. Now everyone listens to music by game show winners. Geez. But on the other hand, a whole new world opened up with the music blogs and everyone producing and posting their music online with a great communal spirit. Of course this meant the well-deserved death of the major labels, and that probably contributed to the lack of major acts with national and international followings. It's more a matter of searching for things you like online and more niche-markets. Sure there are still gonna be national acts who break through on a larger scale, but I just don't think there will be as many of them because the music scene has become even more fragmented. I think we're still seeing how it all plays out, but I think in the long run it will be a good thing and that the cream will always rise to the top.
I'm not saying my stuff is the cream, but it's always how I've expressed myself--as opposed to journal writing or whatever--so get ready for a steady stream of music that was written almost 15 years ago and right up through today. For me, it's just something I keep doing, even with long periods of down time, I still can't imagine not having a guitar to strum, listening to the music of others and writing my own.
I might even get something posted before the end of today, the year, the decade.
To everyone else who's glad to say goodbye to the Big Zero, here's to better days ahead.
Sorry, can't think of anything else that isn't cliche--Later!

Vic Chesnutt

I don't know his music very well, but nevertheless sorry to hear that Vic Chesnutt died.

I do know that a lot of people admired his songwriting. I didn't realize that Michael Stipe helped him get started and produced his first albums.

X-mas

Ah yes, my annual Christmas address to the world. Oh right, I've let this poor blog sit neglected again for most of the year.
Well, I can say that it has been eventful. Got a new apartment. Literally, the place was just built this year. Not much character, but nice if you like the corporate planned community type of thing.

More eventful, I turned 40 in October. Didn't really bother me, maybe because I was sick for most of the month. Still not sure if I had swine flu or something else, coughed a lot. Couldn't afford to travel like I had wanted, but at least had friends over and played a little for them, from what I remember. I did however get the digital recorder I've wanted for years now. So, I've started the process of learning and working with that to finally post music online. Seeing as how I can't really pretend to be some young upstart anymore, I figure the total DIY pro bono route is even more appropriate than ever. Which is good, because everyone is doing it anyway, to one extent or another.

Look for the first installment by the end of the year--and try not to get too excited!

Hope you're all enjoying a little holiday cheer-peace.

getting there

I think I post just enough to prevent blogger from canceling my account. Anyway, I ordered a tascam digital 4-track, part of a package with monitors, another mic, cables and another stand. The monitors arrived today, although I'm still waiting on the actual recorder. Once that arrives, everything will change.
Also, my friend finally located a drummer, so I might actually be playing with a band after all these years, although I have a feeling I'll still be doing mostly my solo strumming thing.

Hope anyone who even bothers to check this site is doing good. I noticed my Swedish bud has a blog now--all sorts of neat stuff there. I think she's a really good photographer along with her other talents, although maybe that's because my camera is so crappy that it looks good by comparison, but I think that's only part of the reason. She takes good pics.

polliver

Mountain Country

I spent last Saturday at a friend's family house in the woods near Huntingdon, Pa. We went to a great little bar called Boxers in Huntingdon that evening. The band that played there stayed out with us at the house, and they rehearsed while everyone else drank and partied Saturday afternoon, along with some nice hikes through the woods. What a nice day it was, I'm glad I got out. The drive from Carlisle(where my friend lives) out there was great as well, we stayed off the turnpike and soaked up the scenery.
Wish I could remember the name of the band, but they were great--a violin, guitar, and flute/harmonica player, and they all sang. The guitarist had an especially great voice. They played a lot of older stuff, but great arrangements--especially a version of the Allman Brothers' "Jessica".

Other updates--I signed the lease for a new apartment, and should be moving in sometime in June. It's a nice place, spacious, all the appliances, a nice balcony, swimming pool, etc. Not the house I was hoping to get by now, but my first year of rent can be applied to purchase one of the developer's homes. But after this weekend, I wonder if I'm contributing to the problem by living someplace that was probably built on old farmland, or just woods. Although it is right next to a main road, so maybe not. Anyway, it's also close to a state park area that has a great view of the Susquehanna River, and it's pretty much the same distance to Lancaster, York or Harrisburg. I got central Pennsylvania covered.

One thing I'm really looking forward to is having my privacy again. I can spend the summer playing and recording, and get the "album" out before I turn 40 and this decade ends. Geez, let's not think about that for a while. Anyway, it should be a good summer, even if it means I have to be careful with spending for the first time in a long time.
My fortunes seem to run counter to the rest of the world. When things were still going well back in 2004-2005, I had lost my job and was struggling to find anything as good as I had. When things started to turn south last year, I had worked my way back into a good job in the legal profession and had taken care of most of my money worries. But having my own place again gives me the freedom to work on music without feeling self-conscious.