November

If one song out of every 12 i write is as satisfying as this one I'm on to something. The writing of this song was almost effortless. I wrote the music at the shop while my friend Jack was giving a haircut. The words i wrote at home in what was essentially a meditative state. I love it because it's open to interpretation. To me it's the thoughts that run through my head during meditation. I'm simultaneously reaching out to God and the baby we have coming any time now. This entire project documents the year we spent leading up to your arrival. The Om ending is the moment of enlightenment. Zen.
Recording this song was a different story. To much to tell here really. Lets just say this song had several failed attempts on it's way to tape. I had a clear idea of what i wanted it to sound like and luckily Bluesman Jay saw that vision clearly.
When i finally did get the recording done it came real fast. This song is the quintessential example of how these kind of things can't be forced. It happened when it happened.
The harmonies at the end we did at the barbershop. It would not have been possible without Sam's ear. There is 10 vocal tracks in this song. The most I've ever done. Sam told me what notes i needed and then stood next to me and hummed them so i got them. If you heard it before Jay performed his "magic" you would swear it was done on a 4-track. I said i want this song to not be over produced but have Big harmonies. I said "organic Queen." This is obviously an asinine statement and earned me the nickname "Roots Mercury."
As always my friends made me sound better then i really am. Thanks guys.
This song means allot to me and I am so glad it got out of my head the way I heard it. This is for the new baby. This is your song. Every day is Christmas Eve until you get hear. "All that I've heard, all that I've seen. Zenya is the song inside of me." Your the music in my heart and I love you.
Om(11-5-07)

October

Here it is! The weirdest tune I've ever worked on. This song is the complete result of a shared vision. Bluesman Jay and I began our discussions on this song on the 1st of the month. He wrote the organ intro real early on, on his own volition mind you. I had the idea for the music before it was "legal" to touch the fret board, and I didn't touch.
When i say it's weird I mean it. Even it's arrangement is so off. I got to play with toys which is always good. The sounds in there are all from the kid's room. Something that couldn't have happened if I didn't do my vocals @ home, which i never do by the way. We did use the shop of course. After Jay recorded the organ part He made an appointment to get his haircut. Jay programed the drums at the shop while I worked and then we laid down the acoustic guitars. It went pretty smooth except the for the invasion of man sized farm animals.
Jay laid down the Electric @ home while I laid down the bass @ the shop. I went with a fretless tone after reading the Jaco biography and it fits perfect. I came home for the vocals and that's where I put in the sounds of a burger king toy, a talking baseball bat (GO SOX!!!!), and Darth F*cking Vader! The best part of all is Lennon and Riley nailed their part. I'm really excited about this one. We had fun doing it and I had fun living it...October i mean. The Red Sox won the world series...Ya Heard!
Congrats Pendragons
Trick or Treat(10/29/07)

September

This song has been waiting to be written since June. The objective in that month was to write a song that could be come an entirely new song by being played backwards. This is the backwards installment. June is symmetrical in it's arrangement. A-B-A-C-A-B-A. So of course this song is the same arrangement(backwards). Elegance's words I was proud of so I felt pressure to get it right this time around. Both songs start and end with the word "Elegance." Sam's solo in June is backwards followed by being played forward. In this entry it's the opposite. The rhythm remains intact. It was interesting from my standpoint to see how the same progression played beginning to end and end to beginning lends it's self to different melodies and bass lines.
This month was done completely virtually. Sam, Jay and I didn't get together to record this. Jay did the drums then emailed it to Sam, who Killed the guitar and sent it to me. I sang and played bass and sent it back to Jay. He laid down the harmonica and mixed everything. When Every level was set he posted it and I did the blog and linked it. Making music in the 21'st century.
Sam hurt his hand when he was going to record the guitar which delayed him a week. Last month my son Riley took a hit in the head. This project is getting dangerous.
I Listened to both songs back to back and feel pretty pleased with them. It's fun because if it wasn't for this project these song are songs I never would have written. Rock!
I can't give enough credit to Bluesman Jay and Samson. Sam's guitar is the foundation of this tune and Jay holds the whole thing together. I probably would have blown this resolution if not for them. I think of these 2 songs together as some pretty good H.M.S. work. You're genius.
I just play the bass.
Lastly, this song is dedicated to Virginia DeWitt: the most elegant woman there ever was.
Elegance 2(9-28-07)

August

This month I decided to go in a different direction. Me and The Bluesman wrote this song from the bottom up. We first laid down the drums. Then we got together weeks later and started building on that foundation. Bass, then a guitar, then another guitar, then another, then another. Before we knew it it was time for the words. Little did we know we had created a song so melodic it was nearly impossible to write something that didn't follow the guitar exactly, but we did it. This rocks a little hard for a Craigy tune. You can tell Jay was at the helm by the production quality. He is a master. I like it because of how different is. I loved July but i guess im pretty alone on that so i hope this is a crowd-pleaser. My son suffered a pretty good head wound during the making of this tune so it better be. One final note. I didn't say July in last months song so I snuck it into august. I make the rules so i can break them. I couldn't have done it without you Jay. Thanks for giving me the whole day.
Teach Me (8-26-07)

July

Well, Here we are. It's July and my song is due. It's literally last minute again but this time i enjoyed it. The song is about not only how though it might be late I'm not defaulting on this project, and how my barber shop is going to succeed no matter what. I like this months tune. I called it campfire jam cause I'm litterally jamming with myself and that's the vibe my wife got. I was so happy while making this tune. My family was close. i was at the shop. And if you listen real close you might even here the kids. Enjoy it as much as i enjoyed making it.
Campfirejam(7-31-07)

June

This tune is a big concept. I wanted a song that worked forward but would also make another, all together different tune backwards. On a writing level I'm pleased with it. I just honestly don't think it was executed in the recording. The tempo changes are to drastic, my vocals tack out and there is a ton of white noise. I wanted to just redo it completely but couldn't get everyone together twice. Even when I went back to re-sing it i ran into technical difficulties. I guess i shouldn't be so hard on myself. I mean it is a writing project and I like the song we wrote. Next month I have to put the effort into the recording. I don't want the quality of the production to go down month after month. I'll stop bitching so you can enjoy the song as is. Sam's solo is perfect and i like the call and response with Bluesman Jay's harp at the end. There's some positives to focus on.
'till next month
Elegance(6-20-07)

May

My father keeps asking me if I am ever going to do a happy tune. Dad this is it. Good news is abundant. We recorded this at the barbershop, 3 acoustics around a mic. Then by two best friends traded solos. Played some poker. Drank some beers. Went to McDonald's and was denied hamburgers....They're the real Hamburgler! Fun night.
Then...the waiting
I couldn't get it together to do the words. I have plenty to say...but I didn't know how to say it. The deadline is really what motivated me at the end. I like how it came out. It was like writing a good paper the night before it's due. It's a blend of spontaneity and method.
It's in under the wire. So you can't take points off my grade.
Five(5-31-07)