Trombonisms

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Smoke Signals - Original

This song started as a poem that I wrote a couple days after moving back to Chicago this past August and I thought it was about time that I record it for posting on Trombonisms. This morning, I sat down and recorded it using a Sony Condenser mic and Audacity. Enjoy!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Nicole Reynolds "Here Right Now" Cover

Chicago has been treating me well, possibly a little too well, which is part of why it's been a long time since I last posted anything on Trombonisms. The cover I've recorded here was written and recorded by Nicole Reynolds. It's from her 2007 album, This Arduous Alchemy, which was only her second full-length album. She's an awesome, queer singer/songwriter and I hope all of you will give her a good listen. I love playing this song and the lyrics are really sweet, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! For more info about Nicole Reynolds, you can visit her website here, which has bio info, recordings, and a few pics of her.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Early Warning - Original

First of all, I am moving back to Chicago! My relationship with Caitlin is over and I must move on and get back to my life in the Windy City. I've actually been sitting on this recording for at least a month now, if not longer. OK, so, this is an original. First one recorded, and I'm really happy to finally be posting this song. I wrote this when my (new) ex asked me to write a song for her. This is the result of that request.

After I wrote the song, it ended up evolving a lot, and I found the process to be very educational as I'm learning to flex my brand new song-writing skills. One part of that process was realizing what elements were missing in the song, and finding ways to fill in the gaps. After I recorded myself singing with the guitar, I decided on a whim to record myself playing trombone along with that track. I recorded myself twice, listened to both trombone tracks over the original, then listened to all three tracks together.

The result is not meant to be musically perfect...I know there are some messy parts, some missed notes and general disorganization. This reflects something about what the song is about for me. I hope you enjoy!

Leonard Cohen "Halleluja" - cover

This cover is one especially for my good friend Emie. Way back in my freshman year at Northwestern University, she and I became friends through a tale of...well, mostly of coming out to her, quickly falling for her and then her breaking my heart...then a while later, us becoming good friends again.

Other than helping me come out, she also helped me discover some amazing music by some of my (now) favorite artists. One song in particular has been significant to me for years now. It's been covered SO many times, that I will not attempt to mention each rendition. The song is Hallelujah, written by Leonard Cohen, a Canadian singer-songwriter who has been releasing albums since the 60's. (I have to admit that I haven't made a point of listening to his recordings. Having read up on him a bit, I feel obligated to listen.)

The version Emie introduced me to was recorded by Rufus Wainwright. Having heard a few others, I still like his version the best. I'd love to give more information about his version, but I'm going to leave some details for a post update.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure I get this cover up before Emie leaves the country as a little going away gift.

Emie: I hope you have an amazing trip. I think doing this is totally ballsy, and I really admire you for making such a proactive move instead of resigning to easier options here in the US. You're a great friend and I'm going to miss you a lot. I look forward to when you're back around.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Mountain Goats "Pale Green Things" - Cover

The song "Pale Green Things" is also one that I've been playing and singing for a long time. I've always liked playing it close to the way it was originally recorded by Mountain Goats on The Sunset Tree. Playing it took on new meaning for me not too long ago when Caitlin's Dad, Bill, passed away. Caitlin and I have been living with her parents in Las Cruces, New Mexico since December. I think it was some time in mid January that Bill was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and was put on home hospice care. His mobility went down by a lot, and so we would go hang out with him in the master bedroom, talking and watching Man Vs. Wild, Mythbusters and the like. Although I didn't get to know him long before he passed away, I have some great memories with him. He was a fantastic man, a great friend to me, and a wonderful father to Caitlin and her siblings.
The day he died, we were gathered in his room, staying with him in his last hours. At one point, I left the room to make food for everyone, made a phone call to my Mom to tell her what was happening, and sat down to play Pale Green Things. As I was playing, I thought I could hear crying in the other room, and I knew that Bill must have died. The song will always remind me of that moment.