376 Reply by James McCormick

(15 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks for reading and trying to interpret this lyric - wish I could say there was some sort of deeper meaning to it all.  Mostly, I was just having fun with words and riffing on the notion of "I was missing all the signs". 

The phrase came to me a few days ago.  At first, I was trying to make it a sort of a country/folkie sort of song, but it finally dawned on me that 'missing all the signs' was a good tag line for a blues thing.

I've written several blues songs, but this will be the first I try to record . . . hope it sounds as good recorded as it does in my head (but it probably won't - my fertile imagination always seems to exceed my limited abilities).

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377 Reply by James McCormick

(15 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks, Southpaw!  Glad you can groove upon my lyric.

Precipice is just the top of a very steep place - not the sort of place that is conducive to dancing.

"Just couldn't get no gription" came from something I heard a football coach say once.  He was explaining why his team couldn't pass or run the ball during a very wet and muddy game.  Apparently, the other team had plenty of 'gription' since they had no trouble racking up lots of points.

In life, one must maintain gription . . .

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378 Topic by James McCormick

(15 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Plan on recording this one soon . . .

Missing All the SignsJames McCormick, March 7, 2008


12-bar blues


I was [D]under a delusion, [D]staring into space


[D]In between burning rock and very cold hard [D7]place


[G]Past the point of no return, [G]too cool to care


[D]Dancing on a precipice, [D]acting on a dare


[A7]Flirting with disaster, [G]stepping out of line


[D]Looking for a miracle, missing all the [A7]signs




I was [D]burning all my bridges, [D]laughing at the flames


[D]Making up the rules, playing deadly [D7]games


[G]Zooming on adrenalin, [G]running on fumes


[D]Counting on deliverance, o-[D]blivious to doom


[A7]Numb to consequences, [G]feeling sublime


[D]Looking for direction, missing all the [A7]signs





I was [D]blinded by ambition, de-[D]nying every fact


[D]Blissfully ignorant, I paid the stupid [D7]tax


Just [G]couldn't get no gription, [G]jumping on thin ice


[D]Starving for affection, [D]wallowing in lies


[A7]Mesmerized by fantasy, [G]pie up in the sky


[D]Looking for perspective, missing all the [A7]signs


I was [D]living for the moment, [D]dying by degrees


[D]Keeping up appearances, feeding my di-[A7]sease


[G]Selling the sizzle, [G]chewing up the steak


[D]Looking oh so genuine, so [D]good for goodness sake


[A7]Saw my life story [G]flash before my eyes


[D]Looking for a miracle but [A7]missing all the [D]signs


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379 Reply by James McCormick

(14 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Love it - bouncy & with just a hint of bitterness!
Reminds me of classics by Loretta Lynn.
Keep crankin' 'em out . . .  James

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380 Reply by James McCormick

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

There is an ancient poem/letter attributed to Patrick.  A modern English translation hymn version of the poem dates to the late 1800's and is entitled "Saint Patrick's Breastplate" or "The Lorica" (a lorica was a piece of Roman armor).  It is also known as Patrick's Confession.  The hymn uses a traditional Irish tune called 'The Deer's Cry'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patric … reastplate

The lyric is a powerful declaration of faith and determination.  Ideally, it should be sung with great gusto and simple instruments.  Unfortunately, when it is sung in most churches as a congregational hymn it becomes a boring dirge-like mush.

Just checked YouTube hoping to find a good version there - but only found a too-slow, too-tender instrumental version.  I would love to make a video of a gutsy folk version of this song - will contact a buddy who has a little Celtic ensemble and see if we can't get something together.

Anyway . . . I prefer to celebrate Patrick as man of adventure and conscience who lived 1,515 years ago.  Despite popular misconception, he was not a drunken leprechaun clad in green and behaving like a buffoon.

Old Doll, I would certainly join you in a rousing rendition of 'Danny Boy' - we would have them weeping into their beers!

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381 Reply by James McCormick

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

Tempest in a teapot!

The bar owner has certainly succeeded in gaining publicity for his establishment and their annual Saint Patrick's celebration.  I can't blame him for being tired of hearing his patrons try to sing 'Danny Boy' - it is a lovely tune that is too often butchered by lousy singers.

I guess that people who want a free pint at the bar will simply have to learn another song.  There are hundreds of lovely Irish tunes to choose from.

Ironically, the man who became known as St. Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain!
So, he is not a native Irishman . . .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patrick

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382 Reply by James McCormick

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

Well, being that I am both a teacher and a parent I would say that everything I say is perfectly sensible and well-reasoned . . . however, my students and children may be of a different opinion!

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383 Reply by James McCormick

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi there, Jets!  Wow & thanks - you have made my day!

The 'Songs for Human and Autoharp' page is near and dear to my heart and it is so cool when friends listen and comment.  I'm glad my recordings resonate with good memories for you.

I love the instrument and hope more people will discover the simple joys of autoharp playing.  Playing autoharp is sort of like playing chess - all the basic moves are very simple, but then putting the moves together is the challenge.

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384 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

Hi Roger,
Beautiful!  The 12-string has found an excellent home.  Can't wait to hear it action.
James

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385 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi evsynator,
Looks like you did the same thing I did when I first started with MySpace.  You have a 'regular' MySpace account (not an 'artist' account).  You will need to cancel that page, wait a day or two, and then re-register for a MySpace Music page.

To get a music page here is what you need to do . . . go to the main MySpace.com page, then in the light blue menu bar click on 'Music' (in between 'MySpace TV' and 'Comedy').  A new red menu bar will then appear below the light blue bar.  On the red menu bar, click 'Artist Signup'. 

You will know you are on the correct registration page when you see a large warning about posting only original music that you have created.

MySpace is a marvelous resource, but their registration process is confusing.  I'm looking forward to hearing your recordings.  Hope this helps,  James

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386 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Electric)

Scales, scales, and more scales . . .
Solo lines, hooky riffs, and dazzling embellishments all boil down to scales.

Classically trained musicians (and jazz cats) spend vast amounts of time learning and perfecting scales.  Major, minor, pentatonic, modal, etc . . . Why?  Because melodic lines are derived from scales - learning the patterns of different scales (up, down, backwards, and sideways) is the magic key.

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387 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Greetings all . . .
Took a few minutes this evening and made a 'raw & flawed' recording of this song that I posted several months ago.

I made some changes to original lyric . . . dropped some extraneous words and such - so I updated the song here to reflect those changes.

It is currently the second song on my MySpace Music page:
http://www.myspace.com/r200james

Oh, and the photo with the song is NOT me! (I don't have a mustache or beard)

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388 Reply by James McCormick

(16 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Radio play update . . .

The first time the show was broadcast, nobody in this part of the state heard it because the regional transmitter was off the air for 'regularly scheduled maintenance'.  Very frustrating!

The re-broadcast of the show was today - they actually only played about half the song.  Was rather disappointed with that, but the host of the show read the lyrics to everyone and said very nice things.

Several friends have called and emailed to say they heard my song on the radio . . . very cool.

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389 Reply by James McCormick

(2 replies, posted in Song requests)

johnnyvitalis!
Welcome back - been a while since we've heard from you.
Glad to see you back on the forum . . .  James

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390 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hi jimijamer & welcome to chordie!

The Andrews Sisters had a great version of this sentimental favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg7ymwFsMI0

Here is a version of the song from Gunther Anderson's fine collection of lyrics and chords.
The notation is a little different, but look at the bottom of the page for 'how to read' instructions.
http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/dontsitu.htm

Somewhere out there on the web, there is probably a site dedicated to the all those WWII songs and big band hits - all that music was in it's golden age just before all the 'evil' rock&roll stole the show.

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391 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hello dmc & welcome to chordie!

Hi topdown - - - you just beat me to it . . .
Here is what I was able to locate:

Georgia on My Mind [by Hoagy Carmichael]
http://www.911tabs.com/link/?4511377
Also, there are 2 tab versions of 'Georgia' here on chordie indexed under Hoagy Carmichael.

Here is a fan site with tons of info on Ray Charles's music and influences . . .
A Song For You (lyrics) [By Leon Russell!]
http://www.thepeaches.com/music/raychar … ForYou.htm

A Song For You (lyrics & chords) [Right here in Chordie!  Indexed under Leon Russell]
http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.r … u-crd.html

Hope this helps, dmc - - these are both magnificent songs!

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392 Reply by James McCormick

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

I'm a cyclist.  I ride to work and run errands on my bicycle.

I hate (and fear) drivers who are talking on a cell phone.
Even worse are the idiots who are texting!

Wish I had a paint ball pistol to tag the oblivious idiots who are too pre-occupied with their phones to pay attention to traffic.

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393 Reply by James McCormick

(5 replies, posted in Song requests)

Hi Peter & welcome to chordie!

*Actually, posting just one line from a song is not a problem - just don't post full lyrics (copyright laws, etc.)

Here is a link to the song - it is on a dandy site that has a great selection of songs:
http://www.geocities.com/bettylouoldies … miller.htm
Check out bettylou's whole site - you're bound to find some other real goodies.

Go to forum: Song requests

394 Reply by James McCormick

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

You know - I thought I wasn't very vain until I had this stupid little grooming accident . . .

Suddenly, I realize I am just as particular about my looks as anybody else!
Walking around looking like a middle-aged, paunchy jar head is just plain weird. 

However, it is certainly comforting to know I am not the only one who has had to suffer the consequences of 'non-fatal self-inflicted head wounds'.

At the breakfast table this morning, my wife just kept looking at me and chuckling!

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395 Topic by James McCormick

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

Here is how my day started:
I have buzz clippers that I use to trim my hair - nothing fancy, just buzz it all around my skull using a 1/2 inch attachment.  It's cheap, quick, and easy.  Hey, I'm going bald and gray so why bother with anything more elaborate?

This morning, I decided it was time for a little buzz trim.  I got out the clippers, plugged them in, and started happily buzzing away.

After the first big swipe across the side of my head, I realized the little 1/2" attachment was not attached.  Suddenly I had a big swipe across my head practically down to the scalp!

At this point, I had to decide whether to:
1.  Continue and just buzz my whole head down to little stubbly nubbins (but it would probably be all funky and uneven).
2.  Leave it like it was and pretend nothing was amiss (but something was very obviously wrong).
3.  Or, go to the barber shop and hope they could salvage something out of the mess I had made.

I decided to go to the barber shop and see what they could do . . .
The barber sort of "evened it all out" and now I look like a Marine Drill Instructor with a little burr on top and 'high and tight' fuzz on the sides and back.

My head is very cold!  My old 1/2" buzz cut gave me a little bit of insulation - but now my skull is mostly naked.

OK, So I'm an idiot . . . but at least the barber said that I was not the first person to have mad this stupid mistake.

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396 Reply by James McCormick

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Aw shucks, y'all!

Thanks, daddycool - I'm honored!
Actually, lately I haven't been finding the time.
Have allowed myself to get behind at work and am trying to dig myself out of hole . . .
So many new songs have gone up lately and I haven't been able to really enjoy them yet.

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397 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Electric)

Oldnewbie, those Mel Bay books are very good resources.  They are simple to understand and focused on practical exercises and ideas.  There must be a Mel Bay book for just about any common instrument.  All their books are written by individuals who are serious about creating quality materials.

Books and internet can provide great materials - but I am also a big believer in the personal touch.  Finding an experienced and articulate teacher is still the best way to learn.

Ideally, a good music teacher can not only help you focus your efforts - but also provide challenges to inspire one's creativity.

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398 Reply by James McCormick

(9 replies, posted in Electric)

Hi slash1998 and welcome to chordie!

By 'read notes' I'm guessing you want to read music"
Here is a link that may be helpful:
http://www.cyberfret.com/reading/index.php

The ability to read music is a useful skill.  It takes some patience and determination, but the payoff is worth the effort. 

Hope this is helpful.  James

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399 Reply by James McCormick

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi again, daddycool -

I have a great fondness for old locomotives.  I visited the big museum in York, England way back in '82 and was fascinated to see so many different contraptions all in working order.  Although they are mechanically inefficient, they are magnificent machines that bring out the kid in everyone.

There is a fellow in out area who has an outdoor model railroad with a little working steam engine.  The tracks snake all around his property and he has built bridges and depots and other stuff to complete the layout.  The engine has remote controls, but the moving power actually comes from a steam boiler fired with kerosine.  Very cool hobby.

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400 Reply by James McCormick

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi again, Jeff.

This one brings to mind the epic tales of star-crossed lovers passed down through the generations in song.  Tales shared by minstrels and bards - I say, don't worry about the length of it - just tell the story as it happened.

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