"So...What's the Hold Up?"

Although unlikely, perhaps there is someone out there that has been following this blog and/or awaiting the release of my next album"Never And Forever"...And if there is such a person somewhere in this vast world of ours, perhaps they are asking themselves that very question.  So, indeed...what is the holdup?  I could say that it's been difficult to work now that summer is here and I'm busy with other things (which is partially true), but the truth is this:  I'm stuck.

The song "Anything At All" is just not cooperating.  I can blame it all on one thing....the verse melody. I just don't like it.  And if I don't like it, certainly you won't either.  And that just won't do.  Usually I can come up with any number of melody ideas for a given chord structure, but this one is leaving me cold.

So tonight it's time to break out the old acoustic and come up with some beautiful melodies that will be worthy of the undying devotion of that one person out there (that may or may not exist) who is waiting so patiently for me to finish this thing.

Also...

If you haven't yet, go download you free (high quality) copy of So Far Gone.  Just do it...it's free!

Thanks for listening,
James

Update...2 Down, 6 to Go

It is a great feeling to have two new songs completed and out there for all to hear. I am happy with the positive feedback I've received on "Never And Forever" and "Come And Gone". People seem to be enjoying them. If you are one of those people, please don't hesitate to share with friends. I would like as many people as possible to hear this music.

I know I've mentioned "So Far Gone" a few times before. Well, it is almost completed and ready to debut. This is the song that I feel people will connect with the most. I mentioned in my last post that the song sounds a bit "samey"...meaning that it was interesting and beautiful but it kind of repeats itself and goes on without any real changes...not necessarily a bad thing, but could get monotonous. I've made some changes that I feel have taken this song to the next level. It has gone from being merely pretty great to mesmerizing and heart-rending...and it was all done with the addition of one simple guitar figure that embellishes the chorus.

I know what I like in music and this is it. And can't speak for the rest of you, but this new part completely makes this song into greatness for me personally. I hope when you hear it that it makes you feel the same way. I hesitate sometimes to talk up my own work because music is so subjective and I don't want to build too much expectation for what is essentially a very simple song. I'd rather just release it and have others talk it up for me ;-) . Of course that's not going to happen if something is not genuinely great. Anyway, I will upload it for all to hear once I get the mix sounding exactly as it should. Probably over the weekend.

As for the rest of the songs, they are in various stages of completion. "You Can Never Go Home" is probably the most complete, while "This Time" has not even been fully written yet (hence no lyrics online).

If you're reading this, thanks for paying attention. I'm grateful that people enjoy what I do.

James

Progress on "So Far Gone"

Been working on finishing track #2 from Never And Forever, titled "So Far Gone"...(not to be confused with "Come And Gone"). Added some additional harmony vocals for the verses. The mix is sounding really nice. Great song, but a bit samey. Needs some kind of catchy, standout guitar performance for the chorus, as well as a short solo and outro. I have a few ideas in my head but I am curious to see what happens once I plug in and start recording. The songs is actually quite passable as it is...but "good enough" is not good enough this time. We're going for greatness here. We'll see how that turns out.

Too busy tonight to get any recording done...but soon enough.