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.

New Song - "Come And Gone"

In my last post I mentioned that I would have the title track online soon. That was the plan...and it is still very close to completion. But yesterday I decided to work on "Come And Gone" instead.

"Come And Gone" has been all but finished for over a month now, but there were a few problems that I didn't know if I could fix without re-recording some parts. Low and behold, with maybe an hour or so of mixing, I was able to fix everything that had been bugging me. I was so excited that it was finished that I immediately posted it.

Title track "Never And Forever" is still in need of a couple of backing vocal tracks. It is very good as it stands, but I need it to sound like I hear it in my head before it can go out to the world. It may take a few more days before I can get the recording done. Look for it to be out soon.

The Joy of Just Playing

Hello Friends,

Things are very close to being finished. I'm a mere few hours away from getting the final vocal tracks recorded for the last remaining song. When I will actually get to start those hours is another question. After recording is finished, it will just be a matter if going back and making any last minute adjustments to any of the songs that need it.

For several years now, as I've been working on this project, I find that when I have the time I feel guilty if I'm not hard at work with recording and mixing these songs that are all 4 or 5 years old at this point. The production aspect has taken a front seat to actually playing music, which I really have done very little of in recent years. So much in fact that I've at times found that picking up the guitar and attempting to play is not as effortless as it once was. In short, I've gotten a bit rusty and it is frustrating. My fingers will hurt sooner than they should because they are not as tough as they once were. It often takes a concerted effort that once wasn't necessary and I feel the quality of my performance has suffered out of sheer neglect.

But last night I decided to forgo work on the album and just pick up the guitar and play. It was the most rewarding musical experience I've had in a while. It felt great. My fingers are back to their old strength, the music came forth with ease, and most importantly, my heart was in it. It was nice to feel that again.

I can't wait to get this album completely finished so I can get back to the less technical part of creating music...writing the actual songs. And I just think I should mention, I've got quite a few good ones coming through these days. I can't wait to flesh them out and see what kind of life they take on in the recording process. One song particularly has me excited, "Come and Gone" has the potential to be the most beautiful thing I've ever written. I love it. Hopefully you will too.

Stay tuned. Much more to come in the weeks ahead concerning album completion and release.

Much Love,

James