Posted at 11:55 AM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
On Thursday evening, my good friend and fellow songwriter John Raymond Pollard allowed a few of us in my songwriting group to preview his new CD, entitled simply Dreams. And what a treat it was. From the whimsical, thoughtful Living an Alternative Dream, to the austere, haunting The World of Tarot, to the final rocker The Divide (By the Time I Get to Phoenix), this is a trip worth taking. We sat in what ended up being the first hot and humid evening of this unusually cool summer season, drinking some delicious wine (also provided by John), and taking this thoroughly enjoyable musical journey.
Posted at 07:51 PM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Hang in there. I'm having more connectivity issues. Hopefully back soon.
Posted at 06:29 PM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
United Airlines broke this guy's guitar and wouldn't take responsibility. Here's his revenge. If you can book anywhere but United, do it.
Posted at 05:29 PM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 04:05 PM in Podcasts, Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sorry for the disappearance. You plan on keeping up on your blog, providing interesting material to keep people engaged, and then Life happens and you wake up and realize your podcast is late and you haven't posted a blog in more than a week. But I'm back, life is good, and you can expect the next podcast before the weekend is out.
Posted at 12:20 PM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I was in an Alexander Technique workshop recently that asked me to write down ten things I want using my right hand, then again using my left hand. I was terrible at writing with my left hand. But it intrigued me. If indeed the right hand is wired to the left side of the brain, and the left is wired to the right side (an oversimplification, but stay with me here), wouldn't it make sense that using the left hand to write with, using both hands to write with at the same time, would be a great way to integrate the two hemispheres of the brain? I've been trying it. I write in my journal with my right hand, then answer with the left. I have little conversations back and forth with myself. I suppose that's a little schizophrenic, but it's an interesting ongoing experiment.
Posted at 09:31 AM in Creativity, Songtalk News, Songwriting tips, Thought of the Day | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Manny's Music in New York City is closing its doors at the end of this month. Kind of. For years now, it's been owned by the mega music store chain Sam Ash, and now it's going to become the Sam Ash guitar store. Apparently not even the current staff is going to change much. So yes, Manny's Music is "going out of business," but it's been out of business for years. It's just now the name is gone as well. But being a good guitar player, I made my pilgrimage to 48th street and 6th Ave to pay my respects. I do eventually need a tele and would love a hollow-body, and I'm still toying with the idea of getting a more versatile bass.
Posted at 09:15 AM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Thanks to the magnanimous and monumental efforts of the TypePad tech support team, we're up and running again. Special shout-out to Jen, Brianna and Kymberlie, who all helped to resolve the issue.
Posted at 01:04 PM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I sat down and had a simply mahvelous chat with the vivacious and talented (and multi-award-winning songwriter) Julie Clark. We talked for over an hour about her music, her knack for writing story songs on par with the Beatles' She's Leaving Home, her plans for future growth as a songwriter, etc. I found her to be generous, gracious, and very easy going and down to earth. And frankly, I could listen to her sing the phone book. Rarely do you hear a voice as captivating and inviting as the voice of Julie Clark. Look for the first installment of her podcast, coming in June. In the meanwhile, you can check her out at her website.
Posted at 10:00 AM in Podcasts, Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Careful observes of this blog have noticed by now that the column of links that usually appears along the right side of this blog has disappeared. For some reason, it is now showing up at the bottom of the page. I am aware of the issue, and I've got a ticket into tech support. For now, look at the bottom of this page for the "about this website" link, and links to songwriting resources, artist pages, etc.
Posted at 01:38 PM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 07:00 AM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
I'm going home. I'll be checking email sporadically, but the blog will be updated as usual. The only difference is that the next podcast will come out on Saturday, May 9th. Next up is part 2 of my terrific chat with the elegant and gracious Terry Radigan, followed a few weeks later by the next installment of my sublimely enlightening conversation with Dan Manjovi. Have fun with the writing assignment, check in for my "absentee" blog posts, and I'll see you in a week.
Posted at 07:00 AM in Songtalk News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Thanks to my good friend John Raymond Pollard for bringing the typo to my attention: In the May songwriting challenge, the chord progression is correct the first time it appears, i.e. I--V--vi--IV
Posted at 05:13 PM in Songtalk News, Writing Challenge | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)