Blog Entries

The "Jack in the Box" project

ekey@imgforge.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The "Jack in the Box" project was supposed to be an album of songs that traced the life of my father from his birth to his death in 2000. Some people know the story well. Others have no idea what I went through from age 12 until my thirties.

My father, a good man at heart, hurt his back in 1978. He became disabled and after several back surgeries, became dependent on prescription drugs, specifically Tylenol Nos. 3 and 4. What followed were years [...]

Back to it.

ekey@imgforge.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It has been a few weeks since George and I have had the opportunity to get together. Seems to be a common problem with all men who attempt to obtain some free time while being a full-time husband and father and well as a small business owner.

George and I finally together Saturday afternoon and and I forced him to listen to more original songs! I played him five of six songs that were to be included on my "Jack in the Box" album. The album was to [...]

Coming up with a guitar break for Far Away

georgeshep@mindspring.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

There's a great Gibson Guitar Ad for Les Pauls from a couple years back. The advertisement focuses a closeup shot of someone playing a Les Paul, and the caption reads "Lyrics- wasted time between guitar solos".

Well, as a guitar enthusiast myself, I sometimes feel that way.. but NOT this time. I really like "Far Away" as a song. It hangs together really well. The composition has a very classic feel to it, but remains fresh and original. So... what to do about [...]

Origins of "Far Away"

ekey@imgforge.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I wrote Far Away on my first trip to Los Angeles in 1986 as previously mentioned. My band performed it live a few times at Brother's Bar and Katz during our time together. It was a nice, simple song that was fun to perform. We likened ourselves to an R.E.M. /Cult band - that New Roots genre that spawned from the likes of the Byrds; jingle-jangle guitars and sweet harmonies.

Here is a demo of Keith Knowles and I recording on a crappy recorder in my bedroom i [...]

Studio time a success

ekey@imgforge.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

George and I recorded for about two and a half hours yesterday - The outcome was very satisfactory for us all. Even Chaka, the producer seemed excited. Listening to the track it may seem choppy and disjointed, but when all the parts are put together, the result should be smooth and sweet.

When we return from San Francisco in a couple of weeks, we will add bass and drums as well as vocals. George, as always, was on fire!

{audio}far-away-studio-3-30-09.mp3{/a [...]

Far Away Demo - 2009

ekey@imgforge.com — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Went to George's house today to work on the structure of Far Away, the song Keith Knowles and I wrote back in June of 1986. We had a band called Circus Mind at the time. I wrote the lyrics in Venice Beach, California on my first trip to L.A. Actually it was my first trip anywhere.

Keith picked me up at the airport in Birmingham, Alabama upon my return and I sang the song to him in the car - He put the music to it as soon as we got back.

There were several songs t [...]

Playground Studios: Durham, North Carolina

ekey@imgforge.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We're recording at Playground Studios in Durham, North Carolina. Here are a few images of the studio.

First day in the studio

ekey@imgforge.com — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Well, we finally started! George Shepherd was the only other musician to show up today. He laid down some great guitar on St. John's Bridge. It is finally loosing that Springsteen sound. Sounds more like REM circa "Reckoning". That is a very ccol thing.

On a completely different note, here is a totally strange demo I ran across. It is Steve Minus and I playing around.

{audio}beb.mp3{/audio}