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What are you working on right now?
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: CamiSu Date: 04 Oct 00 - 11:28 PM Since I'm attempting to have the set for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" ready for a Friday evening opening, I am learning those songs by osmosis. In my other life, waitaminute! I HAVE no other life! |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Margaret V Date: 05 Oct 00 - 09:13 AM Hey, Wavestar, how about Burns' "All the Airts the Wind Can Blaw" for your courting friend? It's sweet, and short. WW, I too am working out "Farewell to the Gold" just now. And also am working on "Now Westlin Winds" and "The Fisherman's Wife," and am wrestling with the challenge of not accidentally lapsing into a faux Scots accent! Argggh! I don't WANT to do it, I don't MEAN to do it, but I'm having trouble avoiding it once words like "twa" and "bairn" and "cushat" show up. Send help immediately! Well, back here in America... I am also working on "Calling the Moon," a Dar Williams song sung by Richard Shindell on his newest album. Margaret |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: GUEST,Pete Peterson Date: 05 Oct 00 - 09:50 AM lotta mandolin players out there! the tune I have for "When the King" is the one found in Chappell, which is identical to "The World Turned Upside Down" as found in old fifing books. Starts out (in D) A A D D E F# G A F#. . . does that give you enough to know we are both talking about the same thing? I also fingerpick it on guitar out of C position where it sounds much more classical. "The World turned Upside Down" as in the Burl Ives songbook (the one with the red cover for 35 cents when I first got it) is in 6/8 time and completely different and not as much fun IMHO. sorry for the thread creep |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: jeffp Date: 05 Oct 00 - 11:00 AM The company I work for is having a celebration of cultural diversity on November 15. I just signed up to do something about Scotland and Ireland. Not sure what yet, but probably a song and a tune or two. They're still looking for volunteers, so I don't know exactly what they'll be expecting from me. Also working on some songs with my wife to sing at an upcoming rendezvous around the campfire. jeffp |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: M. Ted (inactive) Date: 05 Oct 00 - 11:17 AM Same one--the melody moves upward, in 4. The 6/8 one moves down, and you are right, it is not as much fun--I play it in G on the guitar, which I tend to favor, because you have that nice open chord to work around. Also, the "B" melody works well there, because you work from the D chord, and have a nice fat, open A string to drone on--Do you play the whole thing as a march? |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: mrs_zezam Date: 05 Oct 00 - 11:28 AM "Another Train" (Poozies)... I'm recording some favorite songs on 4-track. This one really requires the lyric, but my singing voice is horrid. So I talked a good friend (long-distance) into helping me: she will tape the vocal part & mail to me, then I will add harmony... hope it works! Trying to write out 4 harmony parts from listening to the recording, but they blend so well, I'm having a hard time to hear the inner voices. After this I want to work on learning the Margaret Waltz. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: M. Ted (inactive) Date: 05 Oct 00 - 01:46 PM It is much easier to figure out harmonies when you know that basic rules that the arranger is using, than if you just listen to a recording and try to guess--I am not familiar with the Poozies, but I think that you might try to contact them--you would be amazed at how easy it can be to find people on the internet-- The old rule of thumb for four part harmony is that the melody comes first, then the bass, and the the other parts fill in--but there are other options--some use a lead vocalist, and have the others sing block chords, some use broken chord--It helps if you try to figure out basically what is happening in the music before you try to plot out the notes in each part-- This is a difficult project that you have set out for yourself--Writing and performing multiple voice music is one of the hardest things that you can do, musically--partly because everything has to be exactly right, or the whole thing falls apart--Good luck!! |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Bert Date: 05 Oct 00 - 02:22 PM I'm working on writing some songs for a musical. I've been watching as many musicals as I can find in the video store. I'm finding out that there are very few good ones. The only two that I've really enjoyed so far are 'Oliver' and 'Crossroads' So far I have two songs defined but not yet completed. I think I'll need between 6 & 10 songs for the musical. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Lyrical Lady Date: 05 Oct 00 - 03:00 PM Right now I'm working on some Robbie Burns tunes for January, Christmas music for my a cappella group and 3 part harmonies for my other group. In between time I'm painting the living room, laying a new hard wood floor and spending way to much time ( and $$!) on Mudcat! Cheers...LL |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: M. Ted (inactive) Date: 05 Oct 00 - 03:31 PM Bert, see if you can find "Gypsy", the made-for-TV version, with Bette Midler(it is true to the stage version, which is what is often not true of with movie musicals) You will not get a good of what makes a good show song from watching a Movie musical--you have to see how it plays to an audience--and you can only do this by going to see musicals-- The other thing is that show tunes have to advance the story of the play in some way, and be entertaining, amusing, and often danceable at the same time--big order-- If you are serious about writing show songs, you have to see shows all the time. That means all the local companies, touring companies, and of course, it is necessary to make the supreme sacrifice and go to New York or London, which is the best place to see shows anymore, once or twice every year(easy if you live near either one)-- If you want, feel free to send me a private message so we can talk. I been working on the music a show for several years, and have the story ideas for a couple others--I am at am impasse, but never am at loss for something to say-- |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Naemanson Date: 05 Oct 00 - 03:31 PM Who are the Poozies? Is "Another Train" the song that starts: The beginning is now, And will always be, You say you've .... And fate brought you defeat. I think that was written by Eileen McGann but she hasn't posted the lyrics in her website. Sing Out! magazine published the words and music to that song in a recent issue. If you want I can scan the pages and email them to you. PM me if you are interested. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Whistle Stop Date: 05 Oct 00 - 03:36 PM Mooh, I've had the same experience with the mandolin -- people don't know what that funny little instrument is. I'm a guitar player first, mandolinist second, and occasionally when I'm playing out with my band I'll ask the audience if anybody can tell me what it is. Someone generally comes up with the right answer, but the first guess is usually that it's a ukelele. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: mrs_zezam Date: 05 Oct 00 - 04:01 PM Thanks much for your response, M Ted. I'm very new to Internet and searching... found a Poozies website, but not the sheet music. The harmony is block chords. (Even if this link works, WMP is usually too choppy.) I think I've got the melody & bass, it's the other two parts that are eluding me. Maybe if I identify the chords I'll be able to guess what the missing notes are? You're right, this is going to be difficult; but now I've convinced my friend to sing, I've got to keep trying! (My other selections are easier.) Thanks for wishing me well. Naemanson, I just saw what you wrote -- yes that is the one... you say you've lost your chance, that fate brought you defeat written by Pete Morton. will ask you more via PM. Thanks. Mrs. Z |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 05 Oct 00 - 04:02 PM the dear irish boy, on harp. and better technique. ~'nut |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 05 Oct 00 - 04:08 PM mrs. z... i love 'another train'! have you heard pete morton sing it himself? it's very different from the eileen's version. not word~wise, but the whole feel of it is very different. i lead it at our song circle quite often....and the harmonies come out wonderful. i like to do it with me singing, and playing DADGAD, and my friend jeff on dobro. ~'nut
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: mrs_zezam Date: 05 Oct 00 - 04:28 PM Hi black walnut, Thanks for all your info... I haven't heard Pete Morton himself -- could you point me to where I would find his rendition? Where did you find the harmony parts, or did you work them out yourself? If this is something I should ask via PM instead of tying up the thread, someone please nudge me... Internet-newbie-and-Mudcat-newcomer-Mary |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: M. Ted (inactive) Date: 05 Oct 00 - 06:04 PM Mary--This is the sort of thing I wanted to bring out in this thread--so post away--best thing is when we get some helpful information out of someone who knows that everyone can use. I love this song, as well, WXPN in Philly used to play the Sally Barker recording, some number of years ago, but I could never find the recording anywhere. You inspired me to check Napster, but the version their was timed out. I did get another Poozies song, and noticed that their harmonies were fairly simple--unison, then a drone on the fifth pops in and a harmony part pops in from time to time that seems stick close to the chord fundamental, only above the melody note. I had an idea that for a multipart arrangement, you could get something close to their sound by starting the melody in unison, then having the voices hang on other notes in the chord as they hit them(4 voices in unison, when you reach the fifth, one voice stays on it, when the remaining three hit another chord note, one stays on that, etc--till you hit the end of the phrase with a big fat chord--if their is a chord change, you just have everyone move to the closest note in that chord to the one they are on). It would be fun to try, anyway---
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Jon W. Date: 05 Oct 00 - 06:24 PM Working up speed and clarity on Broonzy's "Long Tall Mama" (on and off for the last 8 or 9 years). I'm not a good musician but I can memorize things like you wouldn't believe. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: Ely Date: 05 Oct 00 - 07:44 PM Always tabbing stuff for dulcimer. Always collecting whatever bit of historical background I find on music. Always looking for new songs and tunes to learn. Always trying to learn to play the guitar (it's going to be a long-term project, clearly). Nothing big, though. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 05 Oct 00 - 07:49 PM mrs. z~ (trivia item: in canada, where i'm from, that's pronounced "mrs. zed"). when we do 'another train' at song circle, i sing the verses, and the group sings only on the choruses. people just improvize harmonies that sound nice with the melody of the chorus. the instrumental accompaniments jeff and i just play 'by ear', which is quite something, considering i spent most of my musical life playing classical music from notes on a music stand. i borrowed a tape of pete morton from a friend of mine, who found it in a store here in toronto called The Country Music Store. it might be available by mailorder over the net from somewhere.... ~'nut
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: GUEST Date: 06 Oct 00 - 09:53 AM M. Ted...it's the John Lennon cover of Ives a la "Revolution #9" off the White Album. Wavestar -- yes, seriously. You take Amos' piano intro (that pretty little run around which the whole song is built) and adapt that to guitar (or two, playing in harmony a la Duane Allman and Dickey Betts). Not too hard to do as she plays mostly single notes with little left hand accompaniment. Add bass about the time she starts singing the words,
Greg he writes letters, Then you add some power chords at the chorus (ummm...let's see, off the top of my head there's a B and an F# and a C# or maybe C#m...and another one I can't access right now...All nicely adaptable because the key of the song reguires you to play barre chords). You take your cue for the power chords from the cello accompaniment. The bridge Well what's it gonna take till my baby's all right (E, G, A) is pretty much heavy metal already. Can you hear it? I plug in and crank up the stereo and play along, and dub in the other parts in my head. The chord pattern lends itself easily to a heavy metal arrangement...most of her songs have an "edge" to them already - they'd be easy material to do crunchy covers of. Maybe it's already been done??? Keeps me off the streets and out of trouble....
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: mrs_zezam Date: 06 Oct 00 - 09:55 AM ~nut, Thanks for your reply and for trivia (I enjoy learning details like that.) I found lyrics for "Another Train" and the Pete Morton recording in Europe (here), but not in USA yet -- will keep an eye open for it. I wish I could hear your group's arrangement -- it sounds so nice! My background is classical, too; I feel restricted when I need to see notes on paper, rather than hearing 'by ear' what the harmony should be. M.Ted, I believe my sister hears the same Sally Barker (solo) version on that same Philly station (NPR?). I heard that arrangement recently, but still prefer the one by the Poozies (features Sally Barker on lead vocal, but the harmony is much richer.) It's been re-released on a best-of CD. Thank you so much for your idea about the arrangement of voices. I will study your suggestion; I'm seeing more possibilities now. This discussion has been very helpful to me -- it's great to have all this input! Mrs. Zed |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: GUEST,Pete Peterson Date: 06 Oct 00 - 10:09 AM back to "When the King"-- yes, I play it as a march. On the clawhammer banjo it comes out Galax-style and sounds very much (on good days) like one of those unnamed Emmitt Lundy tunes -- it has fooled some people into thinking it WAS. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 06 Oct 00 - 02:40 PM i found that lyric page, too, mrs. z, but i have my strange doubts about it....it looks to me like something someone wrote by listening to him sing it off his tape/cd, rather than him writing it down himself. for one thing, it says copyright 2000, but eileen mcgann recorded it in 1995 on her album, "Journeys". also, it has some other things about it which just don't seem quite right.
the chorus isn't right, for one thing. the chorus should only read there are a few other things, too, which just make more sense in eileen's version, as printed on her lyric sheet. here's what she sings(eileen told me that she met pete moront on a trip to england, so i'm sure that she got the lyrics first~hand): ANOTHER TRAIN:
The beginning is now and will always be
There's another train, there always is
You feel you're done; there's no such thing
We crawl in the dark sometimes and think too much
I know it's hard when you feel confused ............ I'm not saying that this is the exact version Pete recorded word for word, but it's closer to what he sings than what the webpage quoted, i think, and i also think it just plain sounds better.... strange. i wonder if pete would agree with me?! ~'nut
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 06 Oct 00 - 02:43 PM you all know that i meant "pete morton", not "pete moront", correct? ~'nut |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: mrs_zezam Date: 06 Oct 00 - 03:55 PM Hi ~nut, (... I knew.) Thank you for explaining about the lyrics. I figured that italicized part was a formatting error, but didn't know if those other words were the way Pete Morton wrote them. It sounds like you have it on good authority. I've always heard the lyrics the way you have posted them, with the exception of: You can crowd yourself with fears (Poozies say "crown"). I suppose either would fit, but "crowd" does seem better. Unfortunately, I have not heard Eileen McGann sing this. What does she do with the last chord? (In one version I've heard, it is unresolved, in the other it is.) Thanks for all your help... Mary |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: M. Ted (inactive) Date: 06 Oct 00 - 06:12 PM Mrs Z, This song seems to appear also on the "Chantoozies" album--did they record several verions of it, and, if so, which album has which version? Pete, The guitar lends itself to doing slow versions of things--I just hooked up my sythesizer guitar and played it through an orchestral horn patch--sounds pretty cool, though I have to go a bit to beat Lesley Nelson's MIDI file at his compilator web site-- |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 06 Oct 00 - 08:08 PM mrs. z~ did you happen to notice the thread called 'Re: Another train there always is...'? ~'nut |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: GUEST,mrs_z_with_no_cooky Date: 06 Oct 00 - 11:33 PM ~nut, Yes, thanks... also a Pete Morton one, did you see? (I'm just learning links, will try to make some tomorrow.) M.Ted, "Chantoozies" is the album I have (good songs). "Raise Your Head" is the retrospective -- from the clip I've heard at those CD sites, I believe they are exactly the same. re: lyrics, there is one other difference -- in the chorus: You can climb aboard -vs- Get up and climb aboard Poozies sing "get up". I always visualize this part as if someone has fallen and needs to lift themself to get on that train. Or maybe "get up" has the meaning to me of "awake and do something", a gentle self-command. I don't like to change lyrics if not original, but this image works for me. |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: mrs_zezam Date: 07 Oct 00 - 08:58 AM link to Pete Morton thread
Now that we know there's another thread for "Another Train", shall we go there? (if we have more to say about the song?)
What are You working on now?? (please don't let me be a thread-killer) |
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Subject: RE: What are you working on right now? From: black walnut Date: 07 Oct 00 - 10:12 AM mrs.z~ ya, that's the one the bugs me the most. is it "crowd" or "crown"? i truly think "crowd" makes so much more sense.....that's why "you feel you cannot move". should i have said this on the other thread? i dunno, maybe that's up to M.Ted..... ~black walnut |
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