226 Topic by James McCormick

(0 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Just found out about this neat little singing contest. It's on YouTube and is sponsored by the Sweet Adelines International organization. There is a $1000 prize for the winner.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SweetAdelineIntl

Sweet Adelines International promotes female 'barbershop' singing. The quartets or ensembles sing 4-part harmony (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). It is pretty neat stuff - I sort of cringe at most barbershop-style music, but some these groups have a broader (and less annoying) repertoire.

Anyway - the video entries must be singing only (no accompaniment).
Spread the word . . . we have lots of talent here at chordie.
James

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227 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi Zurf,
Having a full songbook is a good thing . . . it means you have found lots of stuff you want to play. The exact same thing happened to me - I maxed out my first songbook and then realized it  would be useful to have different books for different stuff.

To manage your songbooks, look way down at the very bottom of your book's listings. There are some options there for copying, moving, deleting, etc. Simply mark the little check box by the songs you want to move or copy or zap and then click the option you want.

Songbooks have a 100 item limit - it is a purely arbitrary maximum. I have several songbooks where I keep different stuff. Hey, now that you have 'Country' book you should also start a 'Western' songbook so you can play both kinds of music!

Alright, now stop messing around on the forum and practice!  James

Go to forum: About Chordie

228 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi seanfitzg & welcome to chordie!

Yes, you can add a comment to your songs.  In fact, you can edit your songbook songs in any way you choose - here is how:
>Log in & go to your songbook(s)
>Open a song using the green 'edit' button at the end of the song's listing.
>Now, you will see two windows.  The upper window shows the song in its raw form and the lower window shows how it looks once chordie's formatting voodoo is applied.
>In the upper window, you can make your editing changes. To save these changes click the 'save' button between the windows.

>Also (and this is the really neat part), if you have corrected a problem with the song (missing lyrics or chords, etc) you can correct the song in chordie's index. To do this, simply open the song from the index, click 'improve song' at the bottom of the page, and then paste in your corrections and save (using the button between edit and view windows). Your user name will appear on that version of the song as the improver.

Hope this helps & this song editing process is easier to do than to explain.  James

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229 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi lalboon & welcome to chorie!
Lots of good people here from all around the globe.

Regarding Waterboys and Mike Scott - please go to the 'Resources' page and see the item "Add Songs to the Index".

Chordie is search engine that finds, formats, & presents material that is 'out there' on the web.  If you know of a site that has good stuff, you can use the "Add Songs to the Index" gizmo to expand chordie's search parameters and include a new site.

Hope this helps,  James

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230 Reply by James McCormick

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I agree, Old Doll - stuff is just stuff.  For me, a car is just another way to get around. I used to get a big kick out of making beat up old cars run right. I never got too attached to the vehicles themselves - those cars were just a bunch of parts.

I still have all my tools but emissions controls and other innovations have made modern cars way too complicated for shade tree mechanics.

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231 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Sorry, Old Doll . . . I zapped the link - but your friends have lovely . . . smiles . . . !  James

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232 Topic by James McCormick

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I don't know about anybody else, but my toolboxes have all sorts of non-tools inside.  I have had many bicycles, cars, trucks, and motorcycles over the years.  There is probably a piece from each vehicle somewhere in my several toolboxes.

Parts of HistoryJames McCormick


[C]Lookin' in my [F]toolbox, [C]rummage all around


[F]Tool I was huntin' for nowhere to be [G]found


[F]Finally put my [G]hand on it [Am]way way down deep . . .


With [F]all those parts of [G]history I [F]feel a need to [C]keep


[G]Pieces of vehicles, [F]parts of memories


[G]Pieces of junk to [F]anyone but [G]me . . .


[C]Pieces of [F]vehicles, [C]relics that I keep


[G]Pieces of time, [F]parts . . . of histo-[C]ry . . . [G]


[C]Every different [F]vehicle, [C]stories to be told



[F]Phases of my life traded junked or [G]sold


[F]Lessons learned the [G]hard way, [Am]love and loneliness . . .


This [F]beat up old [G]toolbox [F]is my treasure [C]chest


[G]Pieces of vehicles, [F]parts of memories


[G]Pieces of junk to [F]anyone but [G]me . . .


[C]Pieces of [F]vehicles, [C]relics that I keep


[G]Pieces of time, [F]parts. . . of histo-[C]ry



Go to forum: Songwriting

233 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

"Black Magic Woman" written by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac.
However, Santana's version is incredible.

"I Will Always Love You" written by Dolly Parton.
However, Whitney Houston's version is incredible.

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234 Reply by James McCormick

(16 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

1956 Biggest Hit Singles:
1.  Hound Dog; Elvis Presley
2.  Heartbreak Hotel; Elvis Presley
3.  Don't Be Cruel; Elvis Presley

The week I was born, "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley topped the charts.  Wow . . .

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235 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks for your encouraging words, friends.  There are probably thousands of entries in this contest.  I have heard a few of the songs and the competition is fierce.  My recording is 'raw & flawed' but I'm hoping the Phase 1 panel can hear beyond the recording . . .

The movie is basically a tale of alienation and redemption - a bitter and self-pitying guy just wants to be left alone.  However, a neighbor sees a sacred image in a stain on his house's stucco wall.  His yard becomes a shrine and the guy is forced to deal with the reality of a needy world.  He eventually comes to grip with his own disappointments and gets on with his life . . . .

That's about all I know - seemingly there are no space aliens, automatic weapons, exploding buildings, gratuitous ritualistic brutality, or scenes of sado-masochistic sexual gratification. 

Apparently, this is the kind of movie where real actors actually say things to each other - what a radical concept!

The contest winner will not become rich overnight . . . just a trip to L.A. and a maybe they'll make a video of the song.

Go to forum: Songwriting

236 Topic by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Some movie producers are having a contest for a song to go with their movie.  They wanted a song entitled 'Henry Poole is Here' (the film's title).  The song also had to have those words in the lyric and be consistent with their themes of love, hope, faith, and miracles.

The submission deadline was last night via MySpace Music.  It was an interesting exercise to write a song for a movie having seen only the trailer and a very general plot outline.  I generally avoid song contests, but this one snagged my attention.

Here is my entry:
(raw & flawed recording is here: http://www.myspace.com/r200james   )

Henry Poole is HereJames McCormick, June 22, 2008


Some-[F]where else [C]laughter, some-[Dm]where else [Bb]dreams


Some-[F]where else [C]lovers [Bb]making memories


Some-[F]where else [C]passion, some-[Dm]where else [Bb]tears


[F]Somewhere oh [C]somewhere else but [Bb]Henry was no-[F]where




Be-[C]hind my defenses, be-[Bb]hind my facade


Be-[C]hind my arrogance, [Bb]just a lonely [C]slob


Be-[F]hind cyni-[C]cism [Dm]everything is [Bb]clear


[F]Hiding from the [C]rainbows [Bb]Henry was no-[F]where


[Eb]Hiding from [Bb]rainbows, [F]blind apathy


[Eb]Hiding from [Bb]rainbows, [F]stay away from me


[Eb]Hiding from [Bb]rainbows, [F]don't wanna see


[Eb]Hiding from [Bb]rainbows, the [F]nowhere man was me


My [F]walls are not some [C]holy [Dm]mirror to your [Bb]soul


My [F]walls keep my [C]life pre-[Bb]dictably dull


My [F]wall is just a [C]wall [Dm]nothing here to [Bb]see


Go [F]Justify your [C]emptiness [Bb]any way you [F]please




Be-[C]yond all the danger, be-[Bb]yond my control



Be-[C]yond my failures and [Bb]forgotten [C]goals


Be-[F]yond the point of [C]no return be-[Dm]yond the empty [Bb]fear


Re-[F]turning now from [C]nowhere, [Bb]Henry Poole is [F]here


Now I'm . . .


[Eb]Looking for [Bb]rainbows, [F]opening my heart


[Eb]Looking for [Bb]rainbows, [F]make a new start


[Eb]Looking for [Bb]rainbows, [F]totally sincere


[Eb]Looking for [Bb]rainbows, [F]Henry Poole is here


Don't [F]look to me for [C]answers, don't [Dm]ask me what it [Bb]means


Don't [F]try to make me [C]part of your [Bb]complicated schemes


I'm [F]busy redis-[C]covering a [Dm]child I once [Bb]knew


[F]Seeing lots of [C]rainbows, He's [Bb]dazzled by the [F]view




Right [C]here is laughter, right [Bb]here is dreams


Right [C]here is a lover, for [Bb]making memo-[C]ries


Right [F]here is [C]passion, [Dm]hope faith and [Bb]cheer


[F]Henry is [C]laughing, [Bb]Henry Poole is [F]here



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237 Reply by James McCormick

(1 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hello IR8PIR8,
Great movie - excellent political satire!

Here is a link to the soundtrack details at the Internet Movie Database site:
"Bob Roberts" soundtrack list & credits
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103850/soundtrack

Almost all of the quirky little folk songs in the movie were written by Tim and David Robbins (the star and his brother).  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find an online source for these songs . . .

This Wikipedia article offers further insight as to the songs parodied in the film:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Roberts

There are some bits on YouTube - seems the songs probably your basic 3-chord folk format.
Wish I could provide more details.  Thanks for reminding me a great movie.  James

Go to forum: Song requests

238 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Take a little hop on over to my MySpace Music page and hear "Lucy's Leg" . . .
http://www.myspace.com/r200james

Thanks, James

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239 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

OK - turns out the 6th foot to wash ashore was a prank.  I'm so relieved - - - afterall, 5 human feet washing ashore near Vancouver is within acceptable limits.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i5e … W99NNtvjaw

I'm still going to keep seeing lost shoes along the highway - but now I'll have to stop to see if there is a foot inside.

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240 Topic by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

This ditty was inspired by a classic joke in a recent forum discussion in chordie's chat corner.
http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8274

Basically, this is the joke:
Q:  "Where does Lucy the one-legged waitress work?"
A:  IHOP

(For non-Americans, IHOP is International House of Pancakes - a 24-hour franchise restaurant that specializes in breakfast foods.)      http://ihop.com/

Lucy's LegJames McCormick, June 19, 2008


sounds like John Prine's "Grandpa Was a Carpenter"


[G]Lucy is a waitress, slinging hash all [C]day


[C]Serving up those [G]flapjacks, waffles, and O.-[D]J.


[G]Lots of good hot coffee, eggs any [C]style


[C]Hoppin' 'round that [G]IHOP, [D]big ol' friendly [G]smile


[C]Lucy's leg is beautiful, shapely long and [G]lean


[C]Hoppin' 'round that [G]IHOP like on a trampo-[D]line


[G]Lucy's leg is beautiful, the best I ever [C]seen


I [C]got a crush on [G]Lucy, the [D]hoppin' IHOP [G]queen



[G]Lucy is a waitress, I love her little [C]laugh


Her [C]girlish little [G]giggle is cuter than her [D]calf


[G]Lucy is a sweetie pie, I woo her earnest-[C]ly


I [C]think I'm making [G]progress but [D]we'll just have to [G]see


[C]Lucy's leg is beautiful, shapely long and [G]lean


[C]Hoppin' 'round that [G]IHOP like on a trampo-[D]line


[G]Lucy's leg is beautiful, the best I ever [C]seen


I [C]got a crush on [G]Lucy, the [D]hoppin' IHOP [G]queen



By the way - lots of great new original stuff has been posted here recently but I have not had time to keep up with the flow.  I'll be scoping it all out soon.
It's really great to see the Songwriting Forum so active!   James

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241 Reply by James McCormick

(30 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

The Willys

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242 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Toni . . . a joke that bad deserves a song!

Lucy's LegJames McCormick, June 19, 2008


sounds like John Prine's "Grandpa Was a Carpenter"


[G]Lucy is a waitress, slinging hash each [C]day


[C]Serving up those [G]flapjacks, waffles, and O.-[D]J.


[G]Lots of good hot coffee, eggs any [C]style


[C]Hoppin' 'round that [G]IHOP, [D]big ol' friendly [G]smile


[C]Lucy's leg is beautiful, shapely long and [G]lean


[C]Hoppin' 'round that [G]IHOP like on a trampo-[D]line


[G]Lucy's leg is beautiful, the best I ever [C]seen


I [C]got a crush on [G]Lucy, the [D]hoppin' IHOP [G]queen



[G]Lucy is a waitress, I love her little [C]laugh


Her [C]girlish little [G]giggle is cuter than her [D]calf


[G]Lucy is a sweetie pie, I woo her earnest-[C]ly


I [C]think I'm making [G]progress but [D]we'll just have to [G]see


[C]Lucy's leg is beautiful, shapely long and [G]lean


[C]Hoppin' 'round that [G]IHOP like on a trampo-[D]line


[G]Lucy's leg is beautiful, the best I ever [C]seen


I [C]got a crush on [G]Lucy, the [D]hoppin' IHOP [G]queen



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243 Reply by James McCormick

(13 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Here's a little moving music for you Roger . . .

'Moving to Montana Soon' by Frank Zappa and The Mother's of Invention.

Wish I could be there to help you with the process.  James

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244 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hi Raghueveer & welcome to chordie!
I just found several versions of Californication in chordie's index under Red Hot Chili Peppers.

This one seems to be the best chord version:
http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.u … ;id=202765

Enjoy!  James

Go to forum: Song requests

245 Topic by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

OK, this is sort of off the wall  . . .
I frequently see lost shoes along city streets or out on the highway - maybe I'm just too observant, but it is really not that rare to spot a single shoe or boot or sandal along the shoulder of a road or in the gutter of a street.

I can't help but ponder the series of events leading up to how somebody's shoe ends up along a street or highway.  Maybe my imagination is too active, but I can't help but wonder about the people who belonged to those stray bits of footwear.

Who were they?  Did they discard the shoe or lose it?  How does one lose a single shoe?

Anyway . . . Here is a news item that totally blows my mind:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news … 13f3c7d49e

This in one of the creepiest things I have ever run across.
I probably won't sleep much tonight

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246 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Actually, now that I think about it a little more . . . where does everybody put their clothing?  The artist, Spencer Tunick, has been doing these installations for several years and I'm sure he has it down to a science by now.

Apparently, the Blarney Castle shoot was at 3am and it was a rather chilly night!
Methinks the manhood of Ireland might be in for a bit of ridicule (if you know what I mean).

Old Doll if you missed this one, don't worry because he will be in Dublin at the Dockyards this weekend . . .

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247 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Actually, I'm thinking that if Old Doll were there she would be front and center!

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248 Reply by James McCormick

(13 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Perhaps you mean Roger Guppy?
Yes, he is still around and better than ever . . .

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249 Reply by James McCormick

(4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hello again snirp88,
Russell's suggestions are OK, but you can do what you want to do without the recorder, cords, jacks, etc.

With a good USB mic that plugs straight into your computer you can bypass all that gear and just record tracks straight into Audacity.

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250 Reply by James McCormick

(3 replies, posted in My local band and me)

Hi Rgivens_10,
Hmmm - - - seems like a classic case of one ready-to-take-on-the-world musician (you) along with several "I'm a musician, man, but I'm too busy to play" types.

If your mates are too busy (or lazy or scared) to commit to getting together on a regular basis, then they are not really going to be a band.

Perhaps y'all need a real-world goal like a party or an open mic night, or a local festival, or a battle of the bands sort event to work towards. 

The idea of being in a band is glamorous - the reality of being in a band is that it takes real time and real effort to get good.

Good luck with it - I'm rooting for you . . . James

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