This week’s song pulls from way back in my musical history.  I remember going to see Mel McDaniel at the Frederick County (Virginia) Fair sometime in the mid 1980s (I couldn’t have been much older than 6 or 7).  I absolutely LOVED his music, and that was the first concert I remember going to (And I still remember being there!).

Anyway, “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” is the song I picked for this week because it really was a brand new song about then.  I worried it would be a little outside my style, but it actually worked really well!  I rockified it a little, but I think the original soul of the song still rings out.

Oddly enough, as simple as this song as, and as well as I should know it (after all I’ve known the song for 25+ years), it took me so many takes to get it right.  Even once I finally thought I was finished, I listened back, and it just wasn’t good enough.  So, I went back to my studio, sat down and in one single take, I got this version which is almost perfect.  (Brownie points to anyone who can point out the missed chord that still made it into the recording!  )

Also, I find it very appropriate to mention that I requested earlier in the week for suggestions for this week’s podcast, and it was my mom that reminded me about those good ole days, and her suggestion was perfect.  It brought back a lot of memories for me, and renewed my appreciation for this music.  I think it’s no irony that this all happened only a few days before Mother’s Day, so for that reason, I dedicate this podcast to her.

Happy Mother’s Day!! 

Direct link to podcast video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKkPQ4lJZKg

Download the songs here: http://listapp.ciesurplus.com/jeremy_temp/

Remember, these will get deleted after we practice next week.

This week we worked exclusively on set 4 as we really hadn’t touched on those songs much, so there are multiple takes of a few songs.

Set 4:

• Foreverman (Eric Clapton)
• I’m On My Way (The Proclaimers)
• Remedy (Seether)
• Heartbreaker (Grand Funk Railroad)
• Can’t You See (Marshall Tucker Band)
• I Know [Which Way] (Town Crier)
• Past The Point Of Rescue (Hal Ketchum)
• Kansas City (Wilbert Harrison)
• Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
• Lightning Crashes (Live)

As I have slowly worked myself back into playing music, forcing a regular schedule of it into my life with my band and with my podcasts, I’m trying to do a little more.  One of my goals for 2009 was to write and record a new album.

Seeing as how 2009 (and my 10th year playing guitar) is coming to a close, I have little time to do that album, and I had given up any realistic odds of it’s happening — until today.  Phil Taylor contacted me with a kind of “motivate each other” proposition, where we would simultaneously produce albums — kind of keep each other accountable.

Since this works right into my goal for the year, I told him our deadline would be January 1, 2010.

Now, there’s no way I will have time for full productions with drums and whatnot, so I am only pushing myself to write at least a dozen songs, and record them with me singing along with the guitar.  I may do more if I get motivated, but since I would prefer to master the album once it is complete, it’s unlikely.

Anyway, I’ve set up the project page on my website, and you can keep tabs on it here:  http://tharp.me/8

Download the songs here: http://listapp.ciesurplus.com/jeremy_temp/

Remember, these will get deleted after we practice next week.

This week we practiced sets 3 and 4, and they are as follows (the original artist is in parentheses):

Set 3:

• The Man (Town Crier)
• Why Me (Delbert McClinton)
• Smokin’ Gun (Robert Cray Band)
• I’ll Be (Edwin McCain)
• Ride Captain Ride (The Blues Image)
• Higher (Creed)
• Homesick (The Atlanta Rhythm Section)
• One (U2)
• Bad Boy (Beatles)

Set 4:

• Foreverman (Eric Clapton)
• I’m On My Way (The Proclaimers)
• Remedy (Seether)
• Heartbreaker (Grand Funk Railroad)
• Can’t You See (Marshall Tucker Band)
• I Know [Which Way] (Town Crier)
• Past The Point Of Rescue (Hal Ketchum)
• Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)

We just started set 4, so there are two tracks still not recorded (track #8 “Kansas City” (Wilbert Harrison) and track #10 “Lightning Crashes” (Live).  Set 4 is very rough … so don’t judge! 

Download the songs here: http://listapp.ciesurplus.com/jeremy_temp/

Remember, these will get deleted after we practice next week.

This week we practiced sets 2 and 3, and they are as follows (the original artist is in parentheses):

Set 2:

• Texas Flood (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
• Something To Hold Onto (Jeff Healy Band)
• Whiskey Rock And Roller (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
• Rain (Town Crier)
• Careless Whisper (George Michael, Seether)
• Don’t Tear Me Up (Mick Jagger)
• All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix)
• Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
• Help Me Up (Eric Clapton)
• Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf)

Set 3:

• The Man (Town Crier)
• Why Me (Delbert McClinton)
• Smokin’ Gun (Robert Cray Band)
• I’ll Be (Edwin McCain)
• Ride Captain Ride (The Blues Image)
• Higher (Creed)
• Homesick (The Atlanta Rhythm Section)
• One (U2)
• Bad Boy (Beatles)

(These are even less polished than usual … mostly because I was sick, but there is definitely some good stuff in here!)

Download the songs here: http://listapp.ciesurplus.com/jeremy_temp/

Remember, these will get deleted after we practice next week.

This week we recorded two sets, and they are as follows (the original artist is in parentheses):

Set 1:

• Boney Maronie (The Who)
• Running Down A Dream (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
• Unsigned Letter (Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines)
• Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
• Hot Number (Fabulous Thunderbirds)
• Angel Eyes (Jeff Healy Band)
• What If I Came Knockin (John Mellencamp)
• Just Got Paid (ZZ Top)
• Mr. Jones (Counting Crows)

Set 2:

• Texas Flood (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
• Something To Hold Onto (Jeff Healy Band)
• Whiskey Rock And Roller (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
• Rain (Town Crier)
• Careless Whisper (George Michael, Seether)
• Don’t Tear Me Up (Mick Jagger)
• All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix)
• Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
• Help Me Up (Eric Clapton)
• Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf)

(Remember, of course, that these are practice recordings — works in progress!)

These will be temporary — once I get a new batch each week, I’ll remove the old ones.

At any rate, this week’s recordings are currently up at http://listapp.ciesurplus.com/jeremy_temp/ and include:

• Boni Maroni
• Running Down A Dream
• Unsigned Letter
• Have You Ever Seen The Rain
• Hot Number
• Angel Eyes
• What If I Came Knockin
• Just Got Paid
• Mr. Jones
• Foreverman

Keep in mind of course that they’re practice recordings — there are mistakes, and there is no editing.  It’s just a live recording.  The whole idea is just to have new music to listen to.  Enjoy!

(This was written a while ago, but I thought I would port it to this blog)

Anyway, I didn’t even fully appreciate it until I started making my own music, and I realized how incredibly adept this album is musically. The bass player alone will bring you to your knees, and the lyrics have such a beautiful subtle satire and cynicism that I don’t think I could ever master a work so perfect. Every song just tells me something new.

(This commentary was written a long time ago, but I thought I would port it to this blog)