TomFool

I abandoned the piano accompaniment work and am writing cello piece to go along with it instead. Piano was too choppy and just as lost as the guitar. It needs a basic, deep, woody sound to back it all up. I've never recorder a cello before, but I'll experiment until I get a good sound.
I'll probably re-post sometime in 2009 when I'm done... Just kidding, maybe in Feb depending on how it all sounds when it's mixed. I am also considering a harmonica solo - I think it could be cool but we'll see.

well, just posted City of Angels. Not too much feedback on this one.  I think I rushed it too much.  It's always that way - I get the off weekend completely to myself and try and cram 2 weeks worth of musical stimulation into 2 days - then record it all.

I guess one needs to either be filthy rich and have all the time in the world or poor as dirt and not care about anything but music. The middle ground seems ineffective at best.

I guess that's why I call it a hobby.

This poem was written by a 10th grader in the school I work at. I put it to music. (all 1 min 15 seconds)  Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

Wishes
Wasted stars on all the wishes
That never could come true

Wasted dreams on all the things
That never could hope to

Wasted tears one all the times
You never should have cried

Wasted things they say
Wasted life away

But you smile as you stand
Wasting wishes at your well

Tossing pennies in and
Over thinking silly things

Childish Hopes and dreams
They say your life was wasted still

They say your life was wasted
But it was wasted well 

- Text by J.C.

I posted the lyrics to this a while back.  Please let me know what you think, and don't forget to vote!
Cheers

Want to do this with some light percussion and a guitar. I'll record when I get time but wanted to throw the lyrics out

Bm
A long long time ago
A
a story told through the years
Bm     (etc)
a minstrel sang his songs out loud
to all that cared to hear
A simple boy with simple needs
a desperate time of evil deeds
with a voice that filled men's hearts with joy
in a dire time of need

He sang about the better times
the springtime and the sun
He loved his life in the open fields
with nature he was one
He drank from the streams and ate from the land
his home was where he stood,
Singing his songs was his joy in life
he spread it where he could

One day some men came to spread the word
"religion" they did tell
They didn't know what to make of him
so they threw him in a cell
A heretic they called him,
his songs a blasphemy
He sat in that hole for two long years
before they set him free

He didn't know what caused those men
to act the way they did
so he played his songs like always
for the townfolk and their kids
Those men of God took him again
and told him he was wrong
they burned him at the steak that night
for singing out his songs

Well that was a long long time ago
or so the legends say
but the music from those days of old
can be heard to this day
if you've ever made up a song
and for other people played
the spirit of that minstrel boy
lives on in you today

yea the spirit of that minstrel boy
lives on in us today

I redid the guitar and vocals from the old version and added a cello accompany. After a few attempts I decided against a solo.  I have been messing with it for long enough. I hope you enjoy it.

City Of Angels

when I was a young man, I lived in the city
The city of angels my home by the sea
Warm skys and sunshine and the Ladies so pretty
I never realised what it meant to me

I was born in the city of Angels,
blue skys and sunshine my home by the sea
so many memories they'll last me a lifetime
That's right where I am supposed to be
yea that's where I am supposed to be

I crossed the ocean, Left my sweet homeland
I made decisions that can't be undone
I'd love to go back to my home  by the ocean
and live a sweet life in that warm Angel's sun

I'd love to return to that city of Angels
The breeze in my hair and the wind off the sea
so many memories they'll last me a lifetime
That's right where I am supposed to be
yea that's where I am supposed to be

Gone is the sunshine, gone are the blue skys
Gone are those times don't I know it's the truth
I'll never get back to my city so lovely
I'm payin' the price for the days of my youth

and I'll never get back to my city of Angels
I'll Never go home to my place by the sea
It'll always just be a dream in my memory
That's all it can ever be for me
That's all it can ever be for me

I have a Tascam 788 8 track digital HD recorder.  I love this piece of kit and have had it since they came out, which dates me a bit, but what the hell. I am more than satisfied with the sound however in my years I am getting a bit picky and would like something that:

1. Has XLR inputs instead of 1/4 inch jacks - I always need to use an adapter to plug in a MIC and this is beginning to wear out the jack.

2. Has a more convenient data transfer mechanism than having to burn tracks or master to CD (i.e. USB)

3. is QUIETER

4. an extra but not absolutely necessary - real 3 band EQ knobs for each channel (physical knobs, not through the screen)

I am not particularly hooked on the brand Tascam.  Does anyone have any experience with a good 8 track that would fit these criteria? I have read up on many, I would like to hear something from someone who uses one.  When I purchased the Tascam many moons ago, Researching wasn't too time consuming as there weren't many on the market, but now...  
Thanks!