| Kevin M. Dremel - The Experiments: So, the goal here is to give y'all a sense of the creative process going on between my ears. It's scary , I know, but I'm hoping you can handle it.... What I'm doing here is creating a separate space for each song that'll house the developmental history of the tune. That means, you get to hear the original drafts and see how it developed from there. Hope you like it! My song logs: | ||
Witchin" Moon
Witchin' Moon:
This song came to me after the death of my father. We all tend to kid ourselves into thinking we have all the time we need to appreciate the people in our lives. It's a hard lesson to learn otherwise. The main idea here is that, in some traditions, a candle is put in the window to guide the souls of the dead back home ...
Witchin' Moon candidates by version number:
Here's version 5e...
Along with 5f......
and 5g
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
This song came to me after the death of my father. We all tend to kid ourselves into thinking we have all the time we need to appreciate the people in our lives. It's a hard lesson to learn otherwise. The main idea here is that, in some traditions, a candle is put in the window to guide the souls of the dead back home ...
Witchin' Moon candidates by version number:
Here's version 5e...
Along with 5f......
and 5g
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
Cold Rain
Cold Rain:
This song was inspired by a television show and is meant to be a bluegrass tune. It's about realizing what you want far too late in the game.
Here it is in it's native state: Cold Rain Original
...and here it is with fiddler Scott Campbell, who graciously participated in creating this version: Cold Rain with Fiddle
Here's a version from Cartoon: Cold Rain 2 with Vox
For the record, Scott's web site is: http://www.scottytunes.com/
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
This song was inspired by a television show and is meant to be a bluegrass tune. It's about realizing what you want far too late in the game.
Here it is in it's native state: Cold Rain Original
...and here it is with fiddler Scott Campbell, who graciously participated in creating this version: Cold Rain with Fiddle
Here's a version from Cartoon: Cold Rain 2 with Vox
For the record, Scott's web site is: http://www.scottytunes.com/
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
Karla
Karla
I have some ambivalence about this song, given it's content. The worry is that, even though it's based on true experience, people will consider it a sexist anthem. Not the point at all!! I feel this song simply points out a dark side of political correctness. But enough of that, let's get on with the show...
The lead vocal on version .5 are quite wimpy and will be cleaned up soon. Karm
.....and here's the revision with a new title; some lyric changes and backing vocals added. Karla
...and here it is with bass and keyboard added. Getting close! Karla 3.0
Here, lead guitar was added: Karla 4.0
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
I have some ambivalence about this song, given it's content. The worry is that, even though it's based on true experience, people will consider it a sexist anthem. Not the point at all!! I feel this song simply points out a dark side of political correctness. But enough of that, let's get on with the show...
The lead vocal on version .5 are quite wimpy and will be cleaned up soon. Karm
.....and here's the revision with a new title; some lyric changes and backing vocals added. Karla
...and here it is with bass and keyboard added. Getting close! Karla 3.0
Here, lead guitar was added: Karla 4.0
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
Invisible
Invisible
There are people in life whom the world cannot help but noticing. Thus, in order for there to be a natural balance, there are those who are invisible; the ones who interests, efforts and intentions we never seem to notice. The realization of being one who is more the latter than the former lead to this one.
Here is the initial, if somewhat frantic, recording of the song: Invisible .1
With a chance to refine things and add some drums and other tracks, this version was the result: Invisible 3
After getting some feedback, the rhythm tack got changed. Also, for a quick giggle, I added the other instrumental tracks via GarageBand: Invisible 3b
As usual, feel free to post comments on the blog.
There are people in life whom the world cannot help but noticing. Thus, in order for there to be a natural balance, there are those who are invisible; the ones who interests, efforts and intentions we never seem to notice. The realization of being one who is more the latter than the former lead to this one.
Here is the initial, if somewhat frantic, recording of the song: Invisible .1
With a chance to refine things and add some drums and other tracks, this version was the result: Invisible 3
After getting some feedback, the rhythm tack got changed. Also, for a quick giggle, I added the other instrumental tracks via GarageBand: Invisible 3b
As usual, feel free to post comments on the blog.
The Elvis Song
This song came out of some comments by Jim Colbert on Facebook regarding sightings of The King. The idea appeared and then just spread like a fungus in my mind.
The first version is a bit pitiful, but was only to get the idea on disc:
The Elvis Song 1
The second version comes after some lyric edit from Jon Rounds and a change in key. I also added background vocals. Still needs other instruments though:
The Elvis Song 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
The first version is a bit pitiful, but was only to get the idea on disc:
The Elvis Song 1
The second version comes after some lyric edit from Jon Rounds and a change in key. I also added background vocals. Still needs other instruments though:
The Elvis Song 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
Trolley
You never know what's going to inspire. This came from a memory related by Jim Colbert (again) and just kind of took off. Seems to be about family and childhood memories.
Here's the version that ensured the song would be remembered:
Trolley 1
And here it is after a chance to flesh out the idea. Needs to be in a higher key and maybe a bit faster:
Trolley 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
Here's the version that ensured the song would be remembered:
Trolley 1
And here it is after a chance to flesh out the idea. Needs to be in a higher key and maybe a bit faster:
Trolley 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
Mahalia
I was recently doing a taping of a show for a local band called Lonesome Lake. Out of listening to their music, the first two lines of this song kept repeating in my head; and so you have it.
Here's the initial scratch track:
Mahalia .05
And here's the mix with everything except bass and lead instrumentation:
Mahalia 1.5
Here's the initial scratch track:
Mahalia .05
And here's the mix with everything except bass and lead instrumentation:
Mahalia 1.5
The Moon Song
Recently, I was out with my wife and her friend at a local restaurant called Fireworks. This song comes from observing the antics of the kitchen staff. One of the goals in writing this was to pen a love song that was gender and orientation neutral. So many songs about affection have a gender focus; which is curious to me. Love is about the heart, not the plumbing....
And so, here we are with the first rough... Moon 0.1. And the first realized version is here: Moon 1
And so, here we are with the first rough... Moon 0.1. And the first realized version is here: Moon 1
Witchin' Moon
Cold Rain
Karla
Invisible
Elvis
Trolley
Mahalia
The Moon Song
Nobody Knows
Witchin' Moon:
This song came to me after the death of my father. We all tend to kid ourselves into thinking we have all the time we need to appreciate the people in our lives. It's a hard lesson to learn otherwise. The main idea here is that, in some traditions, a candle is put in the window to guide the souls of the dead back home ...
Witchin' Moon candidates by version number:
Here's version 5e...
Along with 5f......
and 5g
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
This song came to me after the death of my father. We all tend to kid ourselves into thinking we have all the time we need to appreciate the people in our lives. It's a hard lesson to learn otherwise. The main idea here is that, in some traditions, a candle is put in the window to guide the souls of the dead back home ...
Witchin' Moon candidates by version number:
Here's version 5e...
Along with 5f......
and 5g
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
Cold Rain:
This song was inspired by a television show and is meant to be a bluegrass tune. It's about realizing what you want far too late in the game.
Here it is in it's native state: Cold Rain Original
...and here it is with fiddler Scott Campbell, who graciously participated in creating this version: Cold Rain with Fiddle
Here's a version from Cartoon: Cold Rain 2 with Vox
For the record, Scott's web site is: http://www.scottytunes.com/
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
This song was inspired by a television show and is meant to be a bluegrass tune. It's about realizing what you want far too late in the game.
Here it is in it's native state: Cold Rain Original
...and here it is with fiddler Scott Campbell, who graciously participated in creating this version: Cold Rain with Fiddle
Here's a version from Cartoon: Cold Rain 2 with Vox
For the record, Scott's web site is: http://www.scottytunes.com/
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
Karla
I have some ambivalence about this song, given it's content. The worry is that, even though it's based on true experience, people will consider it a sexist anthem. Not the point at all!! I feel this song simply points out a dark side of political correctness. But enough of that, let's get on with the show...
The lead vocal on version .5 are quite wimpy and will be cleaned up soon. Karm
.....and here's the revision with a new title; some lyric changes and backing vocals added. Karla
...and here it is with bass and keyboard added. Getting close! Karla 3.0
Here, lead guitar was added: Karla 4.0
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
I have some ambivalence about this song, given it's content. The worry is that, even though it's based on true experience, people will consider it a sexist anthem. Not the point at all!! I feel this song simply points out a dark side of political correctness. But enough of that, let's get on with the show...
The lead vocal on version .5 are quite wimpy and will be cleaned up soon. Karm
.....and here's the revision with a new title; some lyric changes and backing vocals added. Karla
...and here it is with bass and keyboard added. Getting close! Karla 3.0
Here, lead guitar was added: Karla 4.0
Feel free to leave comments on the blog
Invisible
There are people in life whom the world cannot help but noticing. Thus, in order for there to be a natural balance, there are those who are invisible; the ones who interests, efforts and intentions we never seem to notice. The realization of being one who is more the latter than the former lead to this one.
Here is the initial, if somewhat frantic, recording of the song: Invisible .1
With a chance to refine things and add some drums and other tracks, this version was the result: Invisible 3
After getting some feedback, the rhythm tack got changed. Also, for a quick giggle, I added the other instrumental tracks via GarageBand: Invisible 3b
As usual, feel free to post comments on the blog.
There are people in life whom the world cannot help but noticing. Thus, in order for there to be a natural balance, there are those who are invisible; the ones who interests, efforts and intentions we never seem to notice. The realization of being one who is more the latter than the former lead to this one.
Here is the initial, if somewhat frantic, recording of the song: Invisible .1
With a chance to refine things and add some drums and other tracks, this version was the result: Invisible 3
After getting some feedback, the rhythm tack got changed. Also, for a quick giggle, I added the other instrumental tracks via GarageBand: Invisible 3b
As usual, feel free to post comments on the blog.
This song came out of some comments by Jim Colbert on Facebook regarding sightings of The King. The idea appeared and then just spread like a fungus in my mind.
The first version is a bit pitiful, but was only to get the idea on disc:
The Elvis Song 1
The second version comes after some lyric edit from Jon Rounds and a change in key. I also added background vocals. Still needs other instruments though:
The Elvis Song 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
The first version is a bit pitiful, but was only to get the idea on disc:
The Elvis Song 1
The second version comes after some lyric edit from Jon Rounds and a change in key. I also added background vocals. Still needs other instruments though:
The Elvis Song 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
You never know what's going to inspire. This came from a memory related by Jim Colbert (again) and just kind of took off. Seems to be about family and childhood memories.
Here's the version that ensured the song would be remembered:
Trolley 1
And here it is after a chance to flesh out the idea. Needs to be in a higher key and maybe a bit faster:
Trolley 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
Here's the version that ensured the song would be remembered:
Trolley 1
And here it is after a chance to flesh out the idea. Needs to be in a higher key and maybe a bit faster:
Trolley 2
As usual, feel free to post comments in the blog.
I was recently doing a taping of a show for a local band called Lonesome Lake. Out of listening to their music, the first two lines of this song kept repeating in my head; and so you have it.
Here's the initial scratch track:
Mahalia .05
And here's the mix with everything except bass and lead instrumentation:
Mahalia 1.5
Here's the initial scratch track:
Mahalia .05
And here's the mix with everything except bass and lead instrumentation:
Mahalia 1.5
Recently, I was out with my wife and her friend at a local restaurant called Fireworks. We were lucky enough to get a table without having to wait; though it was right next to the kitchen.
As we were hanging out and waiting for what was a most excellent meal, I was able to watch the kitchen staff at work. In particular, I noticed two of the kitchen staff paying an inordinate amount of attention to each other; quite cute to see. One of these two was talking to the third cook in this gang. The conversation seemed to be about romance, strangely enough.
As this conversation went around, I heard the third leg of this team saying to one of the principal attractors, "So, if the moon is in your eyes, and if love is in your eyes, that would mean the moon is full of love." From there, it all came together; though I had sit at the table franticly writing out the roughs for these lyrics.
One of the goals in writing this was to pen a love song that was gender and orientation neutral. So many songs about affection have a gender focus; which is curious to me. Love is about the heart, not the plumbing.....
And so, here we are with the first rough... Moon 0.1. And the first realized version is here: Moon 1
As we were hanging out and waiting for what was a most excellent meal, I was able to watch the kitchen staff at work. In particular, I noticed two of the kitchen staff paying an inordinate amount of attention to each other; quite cute to see. One of these two was talking to the third cook in this gang. The conversation seemed to be about romance, strangely enough.
As this conversation went around, I heard the third leg of this team saying to one of the principal attractors, "So, if the moon is in your eyes, and if love is in your eyes, that would mean the moon is full of love." From there, it all came together; though I had sit at the table franticly writing out the roughs for these lyrics.
One of the goals in writing this was to pen a love song that was gender and orientation neutral. So many songs about affection have a gender focus; which is curious to me. Love is about the heart, not the plumbing.....
And so, here we are with the first rough... Moon 0.1. And the first realized version is here: Moon 1
I guess that this is kind of the capstone piece for my solo project. One morning, I was practicing some flatpicking runs, and from that came the basic chord structure for this song; as seen here:
Nobody Knows .01
As I went through the day, the melody came along, as well as some of the lyric structure. At that point, I began thinking about the narcissism that is an inherent part of the being a performer. So much of what makes a performer successful is the support we receive from others. This goes from the folks who show up at the gigs, to the ones who go out of their way to help create success. I've known people who have gone out of their way to help the musicians that they believed in. In some cases, these folks have gone on the fine ride with the performers. In other cases, those helpful people get left by the wayside. On a grand scale, Brian Epstein is the stereotype of some of the sadder aspects of the motivation and the results of this type of devotion gone wrong.
So, and entire morning was spent driving for work; with frequent stops to jot down lyrics in a moleskin. During my lunch break, I was able to quickly get this recorded:
Nobody Knows .1
Here is the first full vocal demo. It's got some overs and needs an instrumental lead; but it gives the realized idea:
Nobody Knows 1
Nobody Knows .01
As I went through the day, the melody came along, as well as some of the lyric structure. At that point, I began thinking about the narcissism that is an inherent part of the being a performer. So much of what makes a performer successful is the support we receive from others. This goes from the folks who show up at the gigs, to the ones who go out of their way to help create success. I've known people who have gone out of their way to help the musicians that they believed in. In some cases, these folks have gone on the fine ride with the performers. In other cases, those helpful people get left by the wayside. On a grand scale, Brian Epstein is the stereotype of some of the sadder aspects of the motivation and the results of this type of devotion gone wrong.
So, and entire morning was spent driving for work; with frequent stops to jot down lyrics in a moleskin. During my lunch break, I was able to quickly get this recorded:
Nobody Knows .1
Here is the first full vocal demo. It's got some overs and needs an instrumental lead; but it gives the realized idea:
Nobody Knows 1