Category Archives: Music

Random Bass Isolation

For a zillion years I played a cover of this song with the Smokin’ Clams. I’d never really listened to the song, I just made up a bassline that fit what the guys played in rehearsals. My version fit, sorta, but it wasn’t right by any means. A few years ago I decided to try to learn the “right” way to play it and found that the bassline was actually quite a bit more intricate than I’d thought. Sadly I forget the original bassist’s name at the moment, but I believe he was a studio session player who came up with the bass part on the fly as they recorded Van Morrison’s album…

Anyway, here’s me fumbling through “Brown Eyed Girl.” (And I did fumble quite a bit – my headphones kept randomly cutting out on me…)

Sometimes I Almost Forget…

…that this happened.

Not All Illnesses are Alike

He only had a dollar to live on ’til next Monday
But he spent it on some comfort for his mind

He said he wanted Heaven but prayin’ was too slow
So he bought a one way ticket on an airline made of snow
Did you say you saw your good friend flyin’ low?
Flyin’ low
Dyin’ slow

– Steppenwolf, “Snowblind Friend”
(Partial Lyrics)

A Comparison

I dunno… It seems to me that popular music has lost a bit of social awareness lately.


1969

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of Kingdom and pope

Like good Christians,
some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves
to gather riches

But still from near and far
to seek America
They came by thousands,
to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled
and bore a child
To be their spirit
and guiding light

And once the ties
with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle
and wagon it went
And till the railroad
linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives
which had come to an end

While we bullied, stole
and bought a homeland
We began the slaughter
of the red man

But still from near and far
to seek America
They came by thousands,
to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled
and bore a child
To be their spirit
and guiding light

The Blue and Grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war was over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past
has its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit
in many a way
But its protectors and friends
have been sleeping
Now it’s a monster
and will not obey

The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seemed generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed
to serve the country
But now they won’t pay it no mind
Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
Now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it’s all just an echo
of what they’ve been told

Yeah, there’s a monster on the loose
It’s got our heads into the noose
And it just sits there watchin’

The cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin’ the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can’t understand
We don’t know
how to mind our own business
‘Cause the whole world’s
got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who’s the winner
we can’t pay the cost

‘Cause there’s a monster on the loose
It’s got our heads into the noose
And it just sits there watchin’

America, where are you now
Don’t you care about
your sons and daughters
Don’t you know we need you now
We can’t fight alone against the monster

America, where are you now
Don’t you care about
your sons and daughters
Don’t you know we need you now
We can’t fight alone against the monster

America… America… America… America…

– Steppenwolf


2016

Tonight
I just want to take you higher
Throw your hands up in the sky
Let’s set this party off right

Players, put yo’ pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do?
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
Uh, look out!

Pop pop, it’s show time (Show time)
Show time (Show time)
Guess who’s back again?
Oh they don’t know? (Go on tell ’em)
Oh they don’t know? (Go on tell ’em)
I bet they know soon as we walk in (Showin’ up)
Wearing Cuban links (ya)
Designer minks (ya)
Inglewood’s finest shoes (Whoop, whoop)
Don’t look too hard
Might hurt ya’self
Known to give the color red the blues

Ooh shit, I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket
(Keep up)
So many pretty girls around me and they waking up the rocket
(Keep up)
Why you mad? Fix ya face
Ain’t my fault y’all be jocking
(Keep up)

Players only, come on
Put your pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do?
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
Uh, look out!

Second verse for the hustlas (hustlas)
Gangstas (gangstas)
Bad bitches and ya ugly ass friends (Haha)
Can I preach? (Uh oh) Can I preach? (Uh oh)
I gotta show ’em how a pimp get it in
First, take your sip (sip), do your dip (dip)
Spend your money like money ain’t shit (Whoop, whoop)
We too fresh
Got to blame it on Jesus
Hashtag blessed
They ain’t ready for me

I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket
(Keep up)
So many pretty girls around me and they waking up the rocket
(Keep up)
Why you mad? Fix ya face
Ain’t my fault y’all be jocking
(Keep up)

Players only, come on
Put your pinky rings up to the moon
Hey girls
What y’all trying to do?
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
Uh, look out!

(Wooh)
Everywhere I go they be like
Ooh, so player ooh
Everywhere I go they be like
Ooh, so player ooh
Everywhere I go they be like
Ooh, so player ooh
Now, now, now
Watch me break it down like (Uh)
24 karat, 24 karat magic
What’s that sound?
24 karat, 24 karat magic
Come on now
24 karat, 24 karat magic
Don’t fight the feeling
Invite the feeling

Just put your pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do?
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
Put your pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do? (Do)
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
(24 karat)
Uh, look out

– Bruno Mars


Musical Mumblings

Me fumbling along on the bass to a 1969 song by Kak, a band I’d never heard of until friend Andrew pointed them out to me a few days ago.

“Lemonaide Kid”

 

And proving I have no pride, nor sense of shame, here’s me ruining the bassline to Los Straitjacket’s famed “Casbah”…

 

I highly encourage everyone to look up Kak and Los Straitjackets – there is some happy music to be had! As an example, here’s Los Straitjackets doing a version of “Sleepwalk” (rated PG-13) with Angie Pontani of the legendary Pontani Sisters…