7 years ago
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Just wanna say...
I'm a bit tossed on champers and merlot right now in celebration of our new president. I hope I pass out soon cuz I absolutely cannot wait to wait (lol) WAKE up tomorrow and confirm it wasn't just a dream :)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Stuck In My Head
Over the summer I found a cassette at my dad's house. It's front-to-back live music recordings of my great-uncle and three other family members (who I believe are another great-uncle, great-aunt, and first cousin). A few tracks were recorded at one of their homes (in Laramie, Wyoming), and all but one of the rest were of a performance in Woods Landing, WY. Not sure about when, though I'm guessing in the 80s or 90s. All but two of the songs are covers of classic country western songs (some going back to the 30s and 40s).
I'm not a big fan of country music but there is something cozy and familiar about the classic era of the genre. My great-uncle was a 100% genuine cowboy/farmhand and, though I may have only met him once, he and the rest of my family up there lived the image and lifestyle to the letter. I loved going up there to visit with my dad, who thoroughly loved it (he was raised there for a few years and attended Laramie University).
Recordings like this are rare, especially in my family where --despite the large number of musicians we can claim-- it's been all too common a tragedy for them to be accidentally erased or otherwise destroyed. I remember one visit when I got to experience my great-grandpa, great-grand-uncle, and great-uncle perform their favorite songs in great-grandpa's living room, just as they often did. Guitar, fiddle, accordion, and character-oozing vocals. Music just doesn't get any more real than that! I think my dad recorded that performance only to have it accidentally taped over (possibly by me) years later.
So, when I found this tape, I knew it was my duty to preserve it. It felt as though I had been handed one of, if not the last surviving copies of some sacred text. This weekend I recorded it to hard drive and will next begin trying to revitalize the music (noise-reduction, equalization, etc.). Following that, I'd like to package it up in a true CD album format, complete with a quality cover, liner notes, etc., and then make copies for the family.
I've only listened to these songs once through, and I've listened to a bunch of other music since. But for the last couple days I've awaken with them in my head, where they seem to remain on endless loop throughout the day. And I'm already noticing the signs of how it may likely affect my own music. It's reminded me of how simple, straight-forward, and genuine music can (and maybe should) be to be effective --and that it's not even about being effective at all, but just about telling a story.
I'm not a big fan of country music but there is something cozy and familiar about the classic era of the genre. My great-uncle was a 100% genuine cowboy/farmhand and, though I may have only met him once, he and the rest of my family up there lived the image and lifestyle to the letter. I loved going up there to visit with my dad, who thoroughly loved it (he was raised there for a few years and attended Laramie University).
Recordings like this are rare, especially in my family where --despite the large number of musicians we can claim-- it's been all too common a tragedy for them to be accidentally erased or otherwise destroyed. I remember one visit when I got to experience my great-grandpa, great-grand-uncle, and great-uncle perform their favorite songs in great-grandpa's living room, just as they often did. Guitar, fiddle, accordion, and character-oozing vocals. Music just doesn't get any more real than that! I think my dad recorded that performance only to have it accidentally taped over (possibly by me) years later.
So, when I found this tape, I knew it was my duty to preserve it. It felt as though I had been handed one of, if not the last surviving copies of some sacred text. This weekend I recorded it to hard drive and will next begin trying to revitalize the music (noise-reduction, equalization, etc.). Following that, I'd like to package it up in a true CD album format, complete with a quality cover, liner notes, etc., and then make copies for the family.
I've only listened to these songs once through, and I've listened to a bunch of other music since. But for the last couple days I've awaken with them in my head, where they seem to remain on endless loop throughout the day. And I'm already noticing the signs of how it may likely affect my own music. It's reminded me of how simple, straight-forward, and genuine music can (and maybe should) be to be effective --and that it's not even about being effective at all, but just about telling a story.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Next Batch of Straps
So, I'm really wanting to get started on another guitar strap but I don't have all the material I need yet. 2 hides of pigsuede are still on backorder. What I did this time was order some "mystery package" leathers, the mystery lies in what colors I will receive. I figured I would make a batch of 3-layer straps from whatever color-combos I had to work with (3 layers of thin leathers sandwiched together, makes them more flexible than 1 or 2-layers of thicker leather).
For the top layer, I received a huge piece of black grained cowhide and a smaller hide of slightly olive/grey-colored pigskin. I also have a large piece of natural veg-tanned split (suede) which is for the middle layer. Just waiting on the bottom layer stuff to show up. Fortunately, the black will go with whatever other colors I end up with (though I was hoping for something more interesting than black). Hope I get something that matches that olive/grey hide.
Also trying to think of how I can give these straps some uniqueness. There are several places that make similar straps and they generally only have their name or logo stamped/printed on them. These thinner, grained leathers don't work the same as the heavier veg-tan stuff I've used when it comes to drawing/carving/dying designs. But I have a bunch of scrap leathers that I might be able to put to use 3-dimensionally, plus a few other ideas.
Still, I find it easier to get ideas when I have all my materials in front of me.
For the top layer, I received a huge piece of black grained cowhide and a smaller hide of slightly olive/grey-colored pigskin. I also have a large piece of natural veg-tanned split (suede) which is for the middle layer. Just waiting on the bottom layer stuff to show up. Fortunately, the black will go with whatever other colors I end up with (though I was hoping for something more interesting than black). Hope I get something that matches that olive/grey hide.
Also trying to think of how I can give these straps some uniqueness. There are several places that make similar straps and they generally only have their name or logo stamped/printed on them. These thinner, grained leathers don't work the same as the heavier veg-tan stuff I've used when it comes to drawing/carving/dying designs. But I have a bunch of scrap leathers that I might be able to put to use 3-dimensionally, plus a few other ideas.
Still, I find it easier to get ideas when I have all my materials in front of me.
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