Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 37 "You're Breaking My Heart" by Harry Nilsson performed by Blair and Kymythy - 10-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9itZcic2KA
Here is another clip from my Open Mic on 10-20-2009. Here, my friends Blair and Kymythy heed the audience's demand for an encore and busty out their stirring rendition of Harry Nilsson's classic "You're Breaking My Heart." This song was affectionately known through my Open Mic as the F. U. song. Insert appropriate dirty word for "F." These guys moved up to Seattle, but I'm hoping to catch up with them soon 2011-style and do some stuff up in the Attle by the Sea in the Pacific Northwest.
TAGS: Blair and Kymythy, Blair, Kymythy, couple, singing, song, "You're Breaking My Heart", fuck you, fuck you song, Harry Nilsson, Jefferson Jay, Open Mic, Ocean Beach
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 37 "Downeaster Alexa" by Billy Joel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrGLv3_v3Vs
Let it be known that I think this song is hilarious. It is a super serious song Billy Joel wrote about the plight of fishermen off the coast of Long Island where he's from. It is off Billy Joel's second to last album "Storm Front" from 1988. I think the first concert I ever saw was Billy Joel on that tour. Up there anyway. First few for sure.
It's so interesting what happens to songwriters... Not always, but Billy Joel only put out one more CD after "Storm Front." His "River of Dreams" album which I won't even comment on just in case he ever reads this someday, came out in 1995. Kinda sad to me, he doesn't do records anymore. He must feel defeated or just so over it, but after putting out so much great music, I can't imagine just "deciding" not to do it anymore. Anyway, I'm off the topic, whatever that means. But Billy, if you do read this, please try again. You're Billy Joel. You ain't going out like that. Feel free to hit me up if you'd like more encouragement. I'm there for ya' Bill. Can I call ya Bill?
I had some fun with "Downeaster Alexa." It is a dramatic tune so I went there with it. Hope you like. In the immortal words of Billy Joel, "Yeah Yeah Oooooo-oooH!"
TAGS: open letter, Billy Joel, Downeaster Alexa, Long Island, Long Island Sound, bayman, fish, Jefferson Jay, funny
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Barbara Tolbert) - Originals - 37 "Harmony Mountain"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAzxZgAc0gA
Here I sing one of our Greens of Mind tunes that I wrote, "Harmony Mountain." I am choosing this tune today as a reminder to myself to wish all my Greens of Mind bandmates, Justin, Charlotte and Barbara and everybody else an awesome, fun, heart-fulfilling 2011. We've all had a lot of great times and I reflect on them very fondly. I am excited to spend New Year's Eve in an intimate setting and a comfortable environment playing music with great friends who I love very much. I wish you all an awesome 2011. Like everything else, it will be exactly as great as you make it, as great as you believe it will be, and I am very excited. Peace, love, kindness and understanding. God Bless.
Funny notes on the recording of this number. It's a super easy song but it took me 4 times to get through to even approach my satisfactory level. That being said, there may be a brief rough spot or two but one should never make excuses or caveats of this sort ever. So, funny notes; when I was recording those 4 versions, I couldn't help but notice that I kept flipping the bird to you, my visual audience, inadvertently, because that's just the shape of my hands when I play that chord. So sorry. Nothing intentional meant by that I swear. If anything, it must be seen as ironic in the context of that whole nice little speech I just wrote.
Also, just in from the irony department is the delicious juxtaposition of my trusty Humboldt sweatshirt (HSU is my alma mater) and that perfectly timed weed whacker solo from just outside my window right when solo time came. I love likfe and all it's delectable intricacies. All one needs to do is pay attention because the universe is always there and representing and revealing itself. It is just up to us to recognize and harmonize our actions to the celebration evolving all around us at all times. Or not... it's entirely up to you and I think that's the beauty, and perhaps even the point, of life itself.
Happy New Year. Have an amazing 2011.
Love Jefferson and Angel
P.S. That symbol I'm doing at the end of the video is my new cool symbol for the new year to come. I hold up two fingers to represent the first day and the first month which come tomorrow and then I pull them creating the "11" of 2011. You can do it too if you like. I won't mind. I promise.
P.P.S. I just realized I didn't record the sound for any of those four versions, so I guess I best do it again. Sorry if the weed whacker solo doesn't lineup this time. You know what, maybe I'll just go track down that version where Barbara sings too. How circuitous. Maybe...
So scratch all that. Can't justify spending anymore time on this today. So gonna go back to the original idea which was use the clip of Barbara and I singing this song. Barbara Tolbert, that is. You can tell she is having fun. I especially like where she strikes the mountain pose and when she sticks her tongue out at the end.
P.P.P.S. This number is dedicated to Becca Warner, who always loved this jam and requested it recently.
TAGS: Jefferson Jay, Barbara Tolbert, greens, mind, green, harmony, mountain, new year, 2011, tongue, dancing girl, acoustic, guitar, gibson, playful, happy
youtube suggested I add "christianity" and "inspirational" to the tags here and I did. Happy New Year youtube.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 30
30 days of doing this blog thing, huh? Not too shabby. In case you're wondering why the videos are about a week ahead of the blog in terms of how long its been going, it's because at first, I thought I'd use video responses to explain the videos I put up. I though that would be easier and more interesting, but it actually just turned out to be more confusing for everybody, so about a week in, I switched to blogging instead and boy am I richer for it.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 36 "Blood Tastes Good" by Tim Riley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOCNDPFH3Fk
"Blood Tastes Good" is gem by my friend Tim Riley. Riley is an attorney here in San Diego and he is currently finishing up his first CD. We used to hang and jam a lot a few years back before he got busier. He helped make a set of twins a couple years back. They're his first kiddies and he is in his mid-forties. What a superstar he is in terms of getting it all done. I don't see Timmy as much as I'd like, but I think of him often and his really cool tunes. As a bit of an homage to Mr. Riley, I have Riley'd up the vocals just a little bit to give you the feel that Riles-Town brings to the table when he arrives.
TAGS: San Diego, lawyer, attorney, public defender, blood tastes good, revenge, blood, Tim Riley, Timothy Riley, Riley, Tim, Jefferson Jay, cover, acoustic guitar
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 36 "The OB Pirate Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFQDT99ucD8
Staying in the vein of my obscure and humorous hits that no one knows about from yesterday, here I offer "The OB Pirate Song." "The OB Pirate Song" offers a little insight as to why our little villa of Ocean Beach is so paradise-like from the unique perspective of a pirate. Charlotte james helped inspire this classic about a year ago when we just finished admiring some waves. If she really wanted she could probably take some partial credit for this song's existence. I felt her out about it once though and she didn't seem too interested in adding this to her ripe tunography so the buck stops here and I'll take full blame for it. ARRRRRRRR, MATIE!!!!!!!
TAGS: tunography, Charlotte James, San Diego, Ocean Beach, California, beach, ocean, waves, beautiful, breeze, Jefferson Jay, pirate, sandy, OB
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 36 "Let's Hear It For Rock N' Roll" by Clifford Jomuad with Jefferson Jay on vocals - Live from Don Truesdail's Birthday Celebration/Jefferson Jay's Open Mic - 10-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoOr8ArdND4
This is one of the most classic tunes by far of the era of a few years ago. It was quite a scene. A whole bunch of friends, little if any egos affecting things, everybody getting together and appreciating and enjoying each other's talents and company. Great times! Maybe the best I've ever experienced. Clifford and I did this "Let's Hear It For Rock N' Roll" song and dance many times at Open Mics and other shows over the years and I always got a kick of it. Clifford gets the showmanship of yesteryear side of rock n' roll form long ago. Back when rock n' roll really rocked and rolled.
This particular version was recorded at Don Truesdail's Birthday Celebration/my Open Mic on 10-20-2009, hence the shout-out at the beginning of this tune. Amazing how times change so quickly and completely. I, for one, prefer to focus on the good times and let those less savory portions of the experience fade away. With all due respect to Muhammad Ali, I prefer to float like a butterfly than to sting like a bee. Though, I guess either can be fun from time to time. That same era known for all that rockin' and rollin' also had famous people (like Ali) with morality, conviction and integrity. Gosh, it must have been cool to live back then. Actual role models and leaders in the public sphere. Wow!
Here's wishing everybody from the era that ended the best of times, now, always and forever. No hard feelings here. Peace and love.
TAGS: Clifford, bid red dog, red dog, fire, flash paper, dancing, Ocean Beach, Jefferson Jay, singing, comedy, humor, fun, rock, roll, let's hear it, Jomuad, live music
NOTE - 12:46pm youtube suggested I add tags "mime" "inspirational" "asian television" to the Clifford video. Are they watching? That's f'd up. I did it, but ...asian television. That's walkin the fine line youtube. No one said anything about Asians. Ha ha ha
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 36 "Blood Tastes Good" by Tim Riley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOCNDPFH3Fk
"Blood Tastes Good" is gem by my friend Tim Riley. Riley is an attorney here in San Diego and he is currently finishing up his first CD. We used to hang and jam a lot a few years back before he got busier. He helped make a set of twins a couple years back. They're his first kiddies and he is in his mid-forties. What a superstar he is in terms of getting it all done. I don't see Timmy as much as I'd like, but I think of him often and his really cool tunes. As a bit of an homage to Mr. Riley, I have Riley'd up the vocals just a little bit to give you the feel that Riles-Town brings to the table when he arrives.
TAGS: San Diego, lawyer, attorney, public defender, blood tastes good, revenge, blood, Tim Riley, Timothy Riley, Riley, Tim, Jefferson Jay, cover, acoustic guitar
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 36 "The OB Pirate Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFQDT99ucD8
Staying in the vein of my obscure and humorous hits that no one knows about from yesterday, here I offer "The OB Pirate Song." "The OB Pirate Song" offers a little insight as to why our little villa of Ocean Beach is so paradise-like from the unique perspective of a pirate. Charlotte james helped inspire this classic about a year ago when we just finished admiring some waves. If she really wanted she could probably take some partial credit for this song's existence. I felt her out about it once though and she didn't seem too interested in adding this to her ripe tunography so the buck stops here and I'll take full blame for it. ARRRRRRRR, MATIE!!!!!!!
TAGS: tunography, Charlotte James, San Diego, Ocean Beach, California, beach, ocean, waves, beautiful, breeze, Jefferson Jay, pirate, sandy, OB
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 36 "Let's Hear It For Rock N' Roll" by Clifford Jomuad with Jefferson Jay on vocals - Live from Don Truesdail's Birthday Celebration/Jefferson Jay's Open Mic - 10-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoOr8ArdND4
This is one of the most classic tunes by far of the era of a few years ago. It was quite a scene. A whole bunch of friends, little if any egos affecting things, everybody getting together and appreciating and enjoying each other's talents and company. Great times! Maybe the best I've ever experienced. Clifford and I did this "Let's Hear It For Rock N' Roll" song and dance many times at Open Mics and other shows over the years and I always got a kick of it. Clifford gets the showmanship of yesteryear side of rock n' roll form long ago. Back when rock n' roll really rocked and rolled.
This particular version was recorded at Don Truesdail's Birthday Celebration/my Open Mic on 10-20-2009, hence the shout-out at the beginning of this tune. Amazing how times change so quickly and completely. I, for one, prefer to focus on the good times and let those less savory portions of the experience fade away. With all due respect to Muhammad Ali, I prefer to float like a butterfly than to sting like a bee. Though, I guess either can be fun from time to time. That same era known for all that rockin' and rollin' also had famous people (like Ali) with morality, conviction and integrity. Gosh, it must have been cool to live back then. Actual role models and leaders in the public sphere. Wow!
Here's wishing everybody from the era that ended the best of times, now, always and forever. No hard feelings here. Peace and love.
TAGS: Clifford, bid red dog, red dog, fire, flash paper, dancing, Ocean Beach, Jefferson Jay, singing, comedy, humor, fun, rock, roll, let's hear it, Jomuad, live music
NOTE - 12:46pm youtube suggested I add tags "mime" "inspirational" "asian television" to the Clifford video. Are they watching? That's f'd up. I did it, but ...asian television. That's walkin the fine line youtube. No one said anything about Asians. Ha ha ha
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 29
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 35 Charbra - 10-13-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33_v-Oh7hT8
"Old Friends, New Faces" is a misnomer in more than one way today as Charbra enters the fray of Operation 365. Charbra is a duet supergroup consisting of (in its original acoustic format) Charlotte James on guitar and vocals and Barbara Tolbert on vocals and other instruments. I will call this version Charbra Classic. They have since "gone electric." Barbara, Charlotte, our friend Justin Mills and I also have another group called The Greens of Mind and I have posted a couple videos of Barbara and I rocking out on a couple of Greens of Mind tunes earlier in this project
Charbra rocks out acoustic. They started coming to my Open Mic in late 2008 and everything seemed to come together instantly. God bless that 2008. Here they are from that program (my Open Mic) on October 13, 2009. Check out Charbra when you get the chance if you're into harmony and women and that sort of thing.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 35 "Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzLKfNrmQqA
Gotta love these tunes from the 80s. What the hell were they talking about back then? Anybody know? "Smell like a sound?" What the the hell does that mean Who knows? It's classic. These tunes are fun.
People paying close attention may notice a copy of "The Matrix" bouncing up and down on my knee during "Hungry Like The Wolf." There is a very good reason for this. I was peering to the video camera and could clearly see my hairy leg making a cameo in this video. I did not wish for that to happen so I placed my copy of "The Matrix" which I just bought at the $2 dollar store (thank you) on my leg as a shield of sorts to protect viewers from any undue glare that may be shining off of my flesh. Dig it.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 35 "Manners"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9iz6L8yOhA
I've just been hanging out recording covers on a rainy day today. Think I'm locked and loaded through the new year. Been enjoying the over-the-top melodrama/terrific songwriting of legends like Billy Joel and and U2 and the sincerity and sorrow of a great song by my friend Tim Riley. Much fun to come. Was supposed to go to the studio and work more on finishing my record but 'twas not meant to be. JT, my engineer, is ill. Feel better JT. Still no idea what original I'm going to do today yet. Been having much fun with the covers for now...
Today's winner is "Manners." "Manners" is an obscure tune of mine. I've never played it live. one time, awhile back, my friends Becca Warner and Wes Davis were over and Becca said she was thinking about writing a kids' tune about "Manners." I felt the bug bite and wrote most of this tune there in a few minutes. Years later (months ago) I added the last verse to wrap it all up n' stuff. Would this song make you wanna have good manners if you were a kid? That's what I was going for I suppose. That and a little comedy. Smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33_v-Oh7hT8
"Old Friends, New Faces" is a misnomer in more than one way today as Charbra enters the fray of Operation 365. Charbra is a duet supergroup consisting of (in its original acoustic format) Charlotte James on guitar and vocals and Barbara Tolbert on vocals and other instruments. I will call this version Charbra Classic. They have since "gone electric." Barbara, Charlotte, our friend Justin Mills and I also have another group called The Greens of Mind and I have posted a couple videos of Barbara and I rocking out on a couple of Greens of Mind tunes earlier in this project
Charbra rocks out acoustic. They started coming to my Open Mic in late 2008 and everything seemed to come together instantly. God bless that 2008. Here they are from that program (my Open Mic) on October 13, 2009. Check out Charbra when you get the chance if you're into harmony and women and that sort of thing.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 35 "Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzLKfNrmQqA
Gotta love these tunes from the 80s. What the hell were they talking about back then? Anybody know? "Smell like a sound?" What the the hell does that mean Who knows? It's classic. These tunes are fun.
People paying close attention may notice a copy of "The Matrix" bouncing up and down on my knee during "Hungry Like The Wolf." There is a very good reason for this. I was peering to the video camera and could clearly see my hairy leg making a cameo in this video. I did not wish for that to happen so I placed my copy of "The Matrix" which I just bought at the $2 dollar store (thank you) on my leg as a shield of sorts to protect viewers from any undue glare that may be shining off of my flesh. Dig it.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 35 "Manners"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9iz6L8yOhA
I've just been hanging out recording covers on a rainy day today. Think I'm locked and loaded through the new year. Been enjoying the over-the-top melodrama/terrific songwriting of legends like Billy Joel and and U2 and the sincerity and sorrow of a great song by my friend Tim Riley. Much fun to come. Was supposed to go to the studio and work more on finishing my record but 'twas not meant to be. JT, my engineer, is ill. Feel better JT. Still no idea what original I'm going to do today yet. Been having much fun with the covers for now...
Today's winner is "Manners." "Manners" is an obscure tune of mine. I've never played it live. one time, awhile back, my friends Becca Warner and Wes Davis were over and Becca said she was thinking about writing a kids' tune about "Manners." I felt the bug bite and wrote most of this tune there in a few minutes. Years later (months ago) I added the last verse to wrap it all up n' stuff. Would this song make you wanna have good manners if you were a kid? That's what I was going for I suppose. That and a little comedy. Smile.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 28
Ola Amigos,
Welcome to the next chapter of Operation 365. Taking up into the year 2011. "Old Friends, New Faces" is what I'm gonna call it and it's gonna go on until you've seen many, many, many of my most talented friends who I haven't had the chance to share yet. Even though the archive is only one part of Operation 365, I am wired in an extremely community-minded way. It's why I have had some success hosting Open Mics, that and I can say interesting things into a microphone. I believe what a group can do working together will always surpass even the greatest individuals of one focused person and the group will have a lot more fun and grow more from what they've done It's a theory I have. My life is a work in progress determining whether I really think this is true.
So I'm gonna share and in doing so, hopefully help set an example because that's one thing I think this world can use a whole lot more of is sharing. As Destructo Bunny just reminded me on video, that's the whole point of doing shows like "12 Hours of Free Music" and "24 Hours of Free Music" in the first place. To give people a place to come together and shine. For us all to become more than what are alone. It's what I believe in. Like this and Operation 365 and everything else, it's a work in progress, an experiment to see if you do a certain thing or act a certain way, what will happen.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 34 Destructo Bunny - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNHZ01ef6U
I decided to include the first TWO songs from Bunny's set at the 2008 "12 Hours of Free Music" show here. Normally, I'd do one but because I plan to focus on a lot of different artists in the next week or two here I figured I'd give a bigger taste of the force of nature known as Destructo Bunny. Born James Deans, "Bunny" as I call him freestyles from his heart and from his soul. Like me, he hasn't given up on humans pulling together and getting through this debacle of a time richer, wiser and smarter as a species, aware that we rely on each other and that we can do much more. I admire his passion and and his eloquence as he articulates points that speak to people at their core. Enjoy the Rabbit! There is only one like him and I am glad that he's my friend.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 34 "Time Won't Pass Me By"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dlxBgrOP0Y
I've been recording a lot of music on my vacation from school lately and it feels great. To be doing what you're meant to do and what you're passionate about is so much rewarding than counting the hours til you can go home. It's been a blast. I've been recording drums for the new "Acoustic Booze" CD. Finishing up my 5th CD, "The Great New Way," possibly my masterpiece, and tracking acoustic guitars for my next two CDs to follow that one. Astute observers may have spotted the microphones in the background of this week's videos. That's why.
"Time Won't Pass Me By" is one of those tunes and a product of my prolific 2010 Summer Songburst that yielded about 10 tunes in an inspired 2 1/2 weeks. "Time Won't Pass Me By" is about what I just said. Doing what feels right to you and making a difference as much as you can because now is the chance you have to do it.
There's a line in this tune about that goes "I've got you to thank. I've got me to shank. I've gotta heal and find my way" At the time I wrote it I didn't know exactly what I meant. It was a metaphor like shooting yourself in the foot, meant to mean doing something to hold yourself back. Little did I know I'd really shank myself in the 3 months that have passed from then to now. Thankfully, I'm almost healed. It's that damn illusion of randomness mocking me for even considering it's existence. There is no randomness. Everything happens for a reason.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 34 "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHs3GoBHg5I
On the way back form recording today, I got a call from an old pal, Ashley. She is visiting from Washington and called to say hey and grab a beer. She stopped by and appears as the girl on the couch in the vids I recorded today. Also appearing as the blue knees next to Ashley is amigo extraordinairre Blowski.
"Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" is a number I used to do with the kids at an old job and one I've known for awhile. Didn't have much time for 365 today I busted this one out and it works. I suck at whistling, so feel free to fill in the whistling yourself... please.
Welcome to the next chapter of Operation 365. Taking up into the year 2011. "Old Friends, New Faces" is what I'm gonna call it and it's gonna go on until you've seen many, many, many of my most talented friends who I haven't had the chance to share yet. Even though the archive is only one part of Operation 365, I am wired in an extremely community-minded way. It's why I have had some success hosting Open Mics, that and I can say interesting things into a microphone. I believe what a group can do working together will always surpass even the greatest individuals of one focused person and the group will have a lot more fun and grow more from what they've done It's a theory I have. My life is a work in progress determining whether I really think this is true.
So I'm gonna share and in doing so, hopefully help set an example because that's one thing I think this world can use a whole lot more of is sharing. As Destructo Bunny just reminded me on video, that's the whole point of doing shows like "12 Hours of Free Music" and "24 Hours of Free Music" in the first place. To give people a place to come together and shine. For us all to become more than what are alone. It's what I believe in. Like this and Operation 365 and everything else, it's a work in progress, an experiment to see if you do a certain thing or act a certain way, what will happen.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 34 Destructo Bunny - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNHZ01ef6U
I decided to include the first TWO songs from Bunny's set at the 2008 "12 Hours of Free Music" show here. Normally, I'd do one but because I plan to focus on a lot of different artists in the next week or two here I figured I'd give a bigger taste of the force of nature known as Destructo Bunny. Born James Deans, "Bunny" as I call him freestyles from his heart and from his soul. Like me, he hasn't given up on humans pulling together and getting through this debacle of a time richer, wiser and smarter as a species, aware that we rely on each other and that we can do much more. I admire his passion and and his eloquence as he articulates points that speak to people at their core. Enjoy the Rabbit! There is only one like him and I am glad that he's my friend.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 34 "Time Won't Pass Me By"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dlxBgrOP0Y
I've been recording a lot of music on my vacation from school lately and it feels great. To be doing what you're meant to do and what you're passionate about is so much rewarding than counting the hours til you can go home. It's been a blast. I've been recording drums for the new "Acoustic Booze" CD. Finishing up my 5th CD, "The Great New Way," possibly my masterpiece, and tracking acoustic guitars for my next two CDs to follow that one. Astute observers may have spotted the microphones in the background of this week's videos. That's why.
"Time Won't Pass Me By" is one of those tunes and a product of my prolific 2010 Summer Songburst that yielded about 10 tunes in an inspired 2 1/2 weeks. "Time Won't Pass Me By" is about what I just said. Doing what feels right to you and making a difference as much as you can because now is the chance you have to do it.
There's a line in this tune about that goes "I've got you to thank. I've got me to shank. I've gotta heal and find my way" At the time I wrote it I didn't know exactly what I meant. It was a metaphor like shooting yourself in the foot, meant to mean doing something to hold yourself back. Little did I know I'd really shank myself in the 3 months that have passed from then to now. Thankfully, I'm almost healed. It's that damn illusion of randomness mocking me for even considering it's existence. There is no randomness. Everything happens for a reason.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 34 "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHs3GoBHg5I
On the way back form recording today, I got a call from an old pal, Ashley. She is visiting from Washington and called to say hey and grab a beer. She stopped by and appears as the girl on the couch in the vids I recorded today. Also appearing as the blue knees next to Ashley is amigo extraordinairre Blowski.
"Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" is a number I used to do with the kids at an old job and one I've known for awhile. Didn't have much time for 365 today I busted this one out and it works. I suck at whistling, so feel free to fill in the whistling yourself... please.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 27
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 33 "Dragon Swan Song" by Don Truesdail - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijdVZbgm4To
This is Don's magnum opus (in my opinion) Dragon Swan song and it provides a fitting cherry atop the sundae that has been "12 Days of Truesdail" here at 365. This song is epic. Don left behind lots wisdom in his words. It is a lot more than many people ever do and it enables us to continue to get to know him personally years after his passing. Enjoy "Dragon Swan Song". Hail Truesdail! "Onward and Upward." - Don Truesdail
For more info on Don and his music please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
If all my calculatin' is correct today is the climax of Operation 365's "12 Days of Truesdail." I have enjoyed talking and writing about Don and sharing some about him with you this holiday season. I think about Don a lot and I feel good about it so it is not sad for me. I understand that some people may think death is morbid or that it's best to be avoided and moved on from or something. I don't feel that way. Death is the end of a great movie or the peak of an amazing song. It is the end of whatever it is you accomplished in your lifetime and the beginning of the impact you will have form beyond. There may be no better time to reflect on a person's accomplishments than in the weeks and months after their passing because it is in those times where our dead friends' words and actions become our own to interpret, remember, and build on as we choose.
The sad part about people dying for the survivors is that we miss our loved ones so. I miss hanging out with Don of course, but I remember what it was like. I knew him as a person so I know what we would think about some things and I grew as a person from being close to him. That never stops and that can never die. The connection is bodiless and eternal and I cherish it entirely. It is boundless and besides love, there is nothing else on this planet that that wordapplies to.
I am sorry to anyone that all this reflection on dear departed Don may have "bummed out" but I don't find it morbid, morose, depressing, or even sad. Quite the contrary, it is the continued remembrance and celebration of a friend who has passed on but left behind so much for us to celebrate and hold close in our hearts always. I love my dead friends and Don is not the only one. They are always there for you, their love is tangible which affirms existence beyond physicality and the type of assistance dead friends can provide from wherever they are far outweighs almost anything any embodied human can even dream about doing for you.
These are my opinions, beliefs, feelings and ideas. I will give Don a rest now for awhile. No pun intended, but only as far as Operation 365 goes. In my heart, my mind, my home and wherever I go, I always very Don very close to me and that is why I find this all so uplifting. I those of you who might have found this celebration unsettling can try to feel it from my perspective. To me it's what being alive is all about. Peace and love.
"Onward and upward."
-Don
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 33 "Fire And Ice"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlyj3R-dtiM
"Fire And Ice" was written from the same place mentally as yesterday's cut "Open Wound," available here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf8lLCB66mE
They were also recorded back to back the same day, at my Open Mic 10-6-2009. I just went back to open "Open Wound" from yesterday to correct something and saw that youtube suggested the tags "finals" "tennis" and "tenis," among other things. Tenis? TENIS??!?!?!?! That's not even a word. Does youtube think I'll be helping my videos by appealing to people who misspell "tennis"? I don't know. I accepted though. It's their website. Let's hope they know better than me... but tenis?!?!? Jeez.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 33 "Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMW0uXUKoRg
I hope you enjoy my attempt to recreate the version of "Buffalo Soldier" I used to love rockin' out to on cassette in my mom's car when I was a kid. They eventually replaced it on "Legend" with a much sleepier live version that I thought lacked both the fun and the urgency of the disco-y version that I dug. I wish I had the time to perfect or even approximate perfection with each of these numbers, but posting 3 videos a day for year, the time adds up... even in the month I've done so far actually, so here it goes, warts and all. Sometime, with imperfections comes character. What the hey. Imperfection. It's an affliction we all share. May as well embrace it. Perfection... Now that's quite a responsibility...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijdVZbgm4To
This is Don's magnum opus (in my opinion) Dragon Swan song and it provides a fitting cherry atop the sundae that has been "12 Days of Truesdail" here at 365. This song is epic. Don left behind lots wisdom in his words. It is a lot more than many people ever do and it enables us to continue to get to know him personally years after his passing. Enjoy "Dragon Swan Song". Hail Truesdail! "Onward and Upward." - Don Truesdail
For more info on Don and his music please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
If all my calculatin' is correct today is the climax of Operation 365's "12 Days of Truesdail." I have enjoyed talking and writing about Don and sharing some about him with you this holiday season. I think about Don a lot and I feel good about it so it is not sad for me. I understand that some people may think death is morbid or that it's best to be avoided and moved on from or something. I don't feel that way. Death is the end of a great movie or the peak of an amazing song. It is the end of whatever it is you accomplished in your lifetime and the beginning of the impact you will have form beyond. There may be no better time to reflect on a person's accomplishments than in the weeks and months after their passing because it is in those times where our dead friends' words and actions become our own to interpret, remember, and build on as we choose.
The sad part about people dying for the survivors is that we miss our loved ones so. I miss hanging out with Don of course, but I remember what it was like. I knew him as a person so I know what we would think about some things and I grew as a person from being close to him. That never stops and that can never die. The connection is bodiless and eternal and I cherish it entirely. It is boundless and besides love, there is nothing else on this planet that that wordapplies to.
I am sorry to anyone that all this reflection on dear departed Don may have "bummed out" but I don't find it morbid, morose, depressing, or even sad. Quite the contrary, it is the continued remembrance and celebration of a friend who has passed on but left behind so much for us to celebrate and hold close in our hearts always. I love my dead friends and Don is not the only one. They are always there for you, their love is tangible which affirms existence beyond physicality and the type of assistance dead friends can provide from wherever they are far outweighs almost anything any embodied human can even dream about doing for you.
These are my opinions, beliefs, feelings and ideas. I will give Don a rest now for awhile. No pun intended, but only as far as Operation 365 goes. In my heart, my mind, my home and wherever I go, I always very Don very close to me and that is why I find this all so uplifting. I those of you who might have found this celebration unsettling can try to feel it from my perspective. To me it's what being alive is all about. Peace and love.
"Onward and upward."
-Don
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 33 "Fire And Ice"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlyj3R-dtiM
"Fire And Ice" was written from the same place mentally as yesterday's cut "Open Wound," available here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf8lLCB66mE
They were also recorded back to back the same day, at my Open Mic 10-6-2009. I just went back to open "Open Wound" from yesterday to correct something and saw that youtube suggested the tags "finals" "tennis" and "tenis," among other things. Tenis? TENIS??!?!?!?! That's not even a word. Does youtube think I'll be helping my videos by appealing to people who misspell "tennis"? I don't know. I accepted though. It's their website. Let's hope they know better than me... but tenis?!?!? Jeez.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 33 "Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMW0uXUKoRg
I hope you enjoy my attempt to recreate the version of "Buffalo Soldier" I used to love rockin' out to on cassette in my mom's car when I was a kid. They eventually replaced it on "Legend" with a much sleepier live version that I thought lacked both the fun and the urgency of the disco-y version that I dug. I wish I had the time to perfect or even approximate perfection with each of these numbers, but posting 3 videos a day for year, the time adds up... even in the month I've done so far actually, so here it goes, warts and all. Sometime, with imperfections comes character. What the hey. Imperfection. It's an affliction we all share. May as well embrace it. Perfection... Now that's quite a responsibility...
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 26
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 32 "Absolution" by Don Truesdail - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO-13_tghAA
I'm not feeling very bloggative today. Hail Truesdail!
This song is "absolution" off of Don's first CD, "Dasvidanya Bingoland, Hello Nancy." For more info, on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 32 "Waiting For The Sun" by The Jayhawks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh588q_NCqc
I have always liked The Jayhawks since I saw them open up for Matthew Sweet back in 1993. "Waiting For The Sun" was my favorite tune by them then so I bought the CD. That's how you know it was long ago. I still like this tune. You should check out their version if you get the chance.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 32 "Open Wound" - Recorded live 10-6-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf8lLCB66mE
I "randomly" opened up to this tune. I decided I would look in a "random" show and see if I could dig out some obscure-ish original I played. In case you're new to my blog, I don't believe in randomness as I believe everything happens for a reason and those two views can not co-exist as I understand them. Of course, I found the perfect one, "Open Wound," instantly. I went right to it. First off, Don liked this tune a lot. He came over as I was finishing it and we jammed a really cool version with two guitars and harmonies and everything. Being upset, is why songwriters have songs like this, Don sorta said that to me once. This version was recorded live at my open mic on October 6, 2009.
It's amazing how a depressing song can really lift you up when you're in the dumps. Depressing movies can also have this same effect. Like Layne Staley, or some gangsta rap, or this tune, sometimes it's just so over the top you just have to laugh. Gotta love the guy in the cotton-candy colored scarf, sitting there in a dark room and singing "Open Wound". Consider myself up-cheered. At least, somewhat anyway.
Lots and lots of peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO-13_tghAA
I'm not feeling very bloggative today. Hail Truesdail!
This song is "absolution" off of Don's first CD, "Dasvidanya Bingoland, Hello Nancy." For more info, on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 32 "Waiting For The Sun" by The Jayhawks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh588q_NCqc
I have always liked The Jayhawks since I saw them open up for Matthew Sweet back in 1993. "Waiting For The Sun" was my favorite tune by them then so I bought the CD. That's how you know it was long ago. I still like this tune. You should check out their version if you get the chance.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 32 "Open Wound" - Recorded live 10-6-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf8lLCB66mE
I "randomly" opened up to this tune. I decided I would look in a "random" show and see if I could dig out some obscure-ish original I played. In case you're new to my blog, I don't believe in randomness as I believe everything happens for a reason and those two views can not co-exist as I understand them. Of course, I found the perfect one, "Open Wound," instantly. I went right to it. First off, Don liked this tune a lot. He came over as I was finishing it and we jammed a really cool version with two guitars and harmonies and everything. Being upset, is why songwriters have songs like this, Don sorta said that to me once. This version was recorded live at my open mic on October 6, 2009.
It's amazing how a depressing song can really lift you up when you're in the dumps. Depressing movies can also have this same effect. Like Layne Staley, or some gangsta rap, or this tune, sometimes it's just so over the top you just have to laugh. Gotta love the guy in the cotton-candy colored scarf, sitting there in a dark room and singing "Open Wound". Consider myself up-cheered. At least, somewhat anyway.
Lots and lots of peace.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 25...Merry Christmas
Special to Operation 365 ~ A Jefferson Jay Original ~ From the Archives ~ "My Christmas San Diego Movie"
Part 1 ~ Jefferson Jay (as Daddy), Wes Davis and Angel in "Angel Gets A Gift"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=758-S3XvJcI
In this episode, it is Christmas Eve and and Wes Davis and I enjoy some music while Angel opens up her first Christmas present of the year
Part 2 ~ Jefferson Jay and Tim Clark in "My New X-Mas Tune"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_LCTdk4c18
In this episode, Tim Clark films as I share my brand new Christmas tune.
Part 3 ~ Jefferson Jay and Angel in "The Incredible Talking Dog"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PulNMmvMnW4
In this episode, Angel gets another gift and thanks me for it and tells me she loves me.
Part 4 ~ Jefferson Jay, Tim Clark, Maddie Moon and Dudley in "Neighborly Celebration"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyri3DuEo0
In this episode, Tim, Maddie and I hang out with Dudley the poodle, kicking it, OB Christmas style.
Part 5 ~ JJ, Don and Nancy Truesdail, Justin Mills, Wendy, Roger and Aunt Linda in "Christmas with the Truesdails"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g6TbmPF8ms
In this episode, viewers get a window into one of the great Christmas celebrations of of all-time, the 2008 Christmas with the Truesdails.
NOTE: 12/26/2010: The "Part 5" video has been made "Private" at the request of family and may be shared at some point in the future. Thank you for your understanding.
This is one of the most special days of the year in the Operation 365 calendar. Operation 365 is all about footage and sharing it and some of our very best footage comes from Christmas 2008. Christmas 2008 is destined to go down as the best Christas of all time in many ways in large part because it was the final one we got to spend with out beloved amigo, Don Truesdail. I described in the blog yesterday (jeffersonjay.blogspot.com) some of the details of the Truesdails CHristmas fest that I attended. When I went to review the footage today, I recalled how many other special friends and memories were part of the fabulous holiday two years ago today. A scene of people is never about one or two individuals but a community of friends who support each other and create family even when our blood relatives may be miles away.
I recalled the Christmas Eve adventure of me and Wes chilling with Stout beert and watching Angel open a gift. I recalled Tim Clark educating and inspiring me into all this video stuff, me trying out a couple of my brand-new Christmas-spawned songs. I recalled kicking it with Maddie and Dudley and Tim, my awesomely talented next-door neighbors for four years and yet more gift-opening chatter with my beloved Poochesa, Strangellica (long for Angel, of course).
Sooooo... I decided to share it all in a little five-part movie I just threw together called "My San Diego Christmas" This was all filmed in 2008, one of the greatest years of all-time. THis is a lot of my life and I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!
The conclusion features bits from our fabulous X-mas dinner at the Truesdails. In a way, these clips are the most valuable to me out of all my videos because they are the only place where I can watch what it was like to just hang out with Don again. As great as it is to have filmed some of his performances and as much as I loved watching and hearing him play, I valued him far more as a friend, and this vid, to me, is such a happy reminder, of what a great friend he was (and still is) and how much fun I always had when we got to spend time together. I thank God that I had the privilege of getting to know as closely as I did. Honestly, I cherish that every day. It is a gift that never dies. I love you Don. Merry Christmas.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)" by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHxKuOiXp3c
I was contemplating not doing an original or a cover today, figuring a five-part movie is enough contribution for one day, but I'm not wired that way. Now that I'm rolling and I think 30 days and 100 videos qualifies, I am a locomotive that won't subside easily. I just won't. I plug. I'm a plugger. Ask those who know me. They'll tell ya. Anyway, Don practiced this jam up with his high school students in 2008 and they were gonna do it at a big assembly but it got postponed by weather. I recall Mr. T, as his students called him (and how great is that) was a bit bummed that performance never happened.
I remember walking around OB (Ocean Beach, where we live) with him weeks earlier debating the relative wisdom of doing this thinly disguised anti-war anthem in the military hot bed that is San Diego County. Don relished the opportunity. He essentially licked his lips and made that "we're about to drink Absinthe face" about the whole thing. I cautioned him but he would not be dissuaded and good for him. He ran it by the authorities at the school and they were down. Maybe they knew it would rain... or more likely they just had no idea what John Lennon was really saying in this tune. No matter. Salutations to Mr. T for his bravery, his convictions, and for as always, choosing great music for people's listening pleasure.
I recorded two versions of "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)". The second one was probably technically a little better, but I chose the first one to share, cause I was still having more fun and I think it comes across in the vid. Merry Christmas everyone!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 31 "Enough Is Enough"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTpMtJqB19A
Now I gotta say. I keep reading Facebook and stuff like that I read people complaining about other people being stupid and other kinds of stuff like that and I all I can say is.. come on. You should be used to that by now. Haven't you been paying attention? How can anybody still be surprised or even slightly disappointed when other people are out there acting like idiots? Now I am an optimist. I believe in people and their potential and that anybody can do anything, BUT... this is not the world we live in right now. People have been terrorized and continue to be terrorized by the news and everything else each day. To expect everybody everywhere to just be cool all of a sudden somehow is beyond unrealistic. It takes work and it takes tons of individuals making these decisions for themselves... doing the right thing... appreciating life... being kind to others. If people don't make these decisions for themselves on a daily basis then they have no right whatsoever to complain, plus complaining doesn't make a difference anyway. It just makes things worse. If people act like an ass to you, be thankful, be thankful you're not them and that you have the perspective to not be brought down by some yahoo whose upset about their life. Even though they may be taking it out on you, it is about them and not you so you should get over it... quickly. Don't take things personally. There is far too much to celebrate, not just this time of year but every day. Fresh air (more or less) food, love, health, a million things. And if you need me to explain that to you then maybe you're the one you should be complaining about, not whoever you are whining about on facebook, in real life, or anywhere else. This is message comes only from love and my desire for everyone, especially you complainers out there, to enjoy your blessing of life,. Happy Holidays! This song is a testament to everything I have just ranted about.
Part 1 ~ Jefferson Jay (as Daddy), Wes Davis and Angel in "Angel Gets A Gift"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=758-S3XvJcI
In this episode, it is Christmas Eve and and Wes Davis and I enjoy some music while Angel opens up her first Christmas present of the year
Part 2 ~ Jefferson Jay and Tim Clark in "My New X-Mas Tune"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_LCTdk4c18
In this episode, Tim Clark films as I share my brand new Christmas tune.
Part 3 ~ Jefferson Jay and Angel in "The Incredible Talking Dog"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PulNMmvMnW4
In this episode, Angel gets another gift and thanks me for it and tells me she loves me.
Part 4 ~ Jefferson Jay, Tim Clark, Maddie Moon and Dudley in "Neighborly Celebration"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyri3DuEo0
In this episode, Tim, Maddie and I hang out with Dudley the poodle, kicking it, OB Christmas style.
Part 5 ~ JJ, Don and Nancy Truesdail, Justin Mills, Wendy, Roger and Aunt Linda in "Christmas with the Truesdails"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g6TbmPF8ms
In this episode, viewers get a window into one of the great Christmas celebrations of of all-time, the 2008 Christmas with the Truesdails.
NOTE: 12/26/2010: The "Part 5" video has been made "Private" at the request of family and may be shared at some point in the future. Thank you for your understanding.
This is one of the most special days of the year in the Operation 365 calendar. Operation 365 is all about footage and sharing it and some of our very best footage comes from Christmas 2008. Christmas 2008 is destined to go down as the best Christas of all time in many ways in large part because it was the final one we got to spend with out beloved amigo, Don Truesdail. I described in the blog yesterday (jeffersonjay.blogspot.com) some of the details of the Truesdails CHristmas fest that I attended. When I went to review the footage today, I recalled how many other special friends and memories were part of the fabulous holiday two years ago today. A scene of people is never about one or two individuals but a community of friends who support each other and create family even when our blood relatives may be miles away.
I recalled the Christmas Eve adventure of me and Wes chilling with Stout beert and watching Angel open a gift. I recalled Tim Clark educating and inspiring me into all this video stuff, me trying out a couple of my brand-new Christmas-spawned songs. I recalled kicking it with Maddie and Dudley and Tim, my awesomely talented next-door neighbors for four years and yet more gift-opening chatter with my beloved Poochesa, Strangellica (long for Angel, of course).
Sooooo... I decided to share it all in a little five-part movie I just threw together called "My San Diego Christmas" This was all filmed in 2008, one of the greatest years of all-time. THis is a lot of my life and I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!
The conclusion features bits from our fabulous X-mas dinner at the Truesdails. In a way, these clips are the most valuable to me out of all my videos because they are the only place where I can watch what it was like to just hang out with Don again. As great as it is to have filmed some of his performances and as much as I loved watching and hearing him play, I valued him far more as a friend, and this vid, to me, is such a happy reminder, of what a great friend he was (and still is) and how much fun I always had when we got to spend time together. I thank God that I had the privilege of getting to know as closely as I did. Honestly, I cherish that every day. It is a gift that never dies. I love you Don. Merry Christmas.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)" by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHxKuOiXp3c
I was contemplating not doing an original or a cover today, figuring a five-part movie is enough contribution for one day, but I'm not wired that way. Now that I'm rolling and I think 30 days and 100 videos qualifies, I am a locomotive that won't subside easily. I just won't. I plug. I'm a plugger. Ask those who know me. They'll tell ya. Anyway, Don practiced this jam up with his high school students in 2008 and they were gonna do it at a big assembly but it got postponed by weather. I recall Mr. T, as his students called him (and how great is that) was a bit bummed that performance never happened.
I remember walking around OB (Ocean Beach, where we live) with him weeks earlier debating the relative wisdom of doing this thinly disguised anti-war anthem in the military hot bed that is San Diego County. Don relished the opportunity. He essentially licked his lips and made that "we're about to drink Absinthe face" about the whole thing. I cautioned him but he would not be dissuaded and good for him. He ran it by the authorities at the school and they were down. Maybe they knew it would rain... or more likely they just had no idea what John Lennon was really saying in this tune. No matter. Salutations to Mr. T for his bravery, his convictions, and for as always, choosing great music for people's listening pleasure.
I recorded two versions of "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)". The second one was probably technically a little better, but I chose the first one to share, cause I was still having more fun and I think it comes across in the vid. Merry Christmas everyone!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 31 "Enough Is Enough"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTpMtJqB19A
Now I gotta say. I keep reading Facebook and stuff like that I read people complaining about other people being stupid and other kinds of stuff like that and I all I can say is.. come on. You should be used to that by now. Haven't you been paying attention? How can anybody still be surprised or even slightly disappointed when other people are out there acting like idiots? Now I am an optimist. I believe in people and their potential and that anybody can do anything, BUT... this is not the world we live in right now. People have been terrorized and continue to be terrorized by the news and everything else each day. To expect everybody everywhere to just be cool all of a sudden somehow is beyond unrealistic. It takes work and it takes tons of individuals making these decisions for themselves... doing the right thing... appreciating life... being kind to others. If people don't make these decisions for themselves on a daily basis then they have no right whatsoever to complain, plus complaining doesn't make a difference anyway. It just makes things worse. If people act like an ass to you, be thankful, be thankful you're not them and that you have the perspective to not be brought down by some yahoo whose upset about their life. Even though they may be taking it out on you, it is about them and not you so you should get over it... quickly. Don't take things personally. There is far too much to celebrate, not just this time of year but every day. Fresh air (more or less) food, love, health, a million things. And if you need me to explain that to you then maybe you're the one you should be complaining about, not whoever you are whining about on facebook, in real life, or anywhere else. This is message comes only from love and my desire for everyone, especially you complainers out there, to enjoy your blessing of life,. Happy Holidays! This song is a testament to everything I have just ranted about.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 25
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives 30 "The Traveller's Lament" by Don Truesdail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcU56RJl74o
More close-up holiday face time with my boy Truesy-Wuesy. Yes, I called him that to his face... often and it was quite fun. It is Christmas Eve. Don and I spent Christmas Eve together in '07 and I spent it with his Swan Diego family in 2008. I cherish these memories and I have been thinking about Don quite bit as you might imagine this year with the "12 Days of Truesdail" and all. What a great guy! I am very honored to be able to share some of his handi-work with you this special time of year. Peace, love and happy holidays from all the folks here at Operation 365!
This whole show I should have mentioned was filmed by Dylan Avery and this song and many others by Don are available at www.truesdailstudio.com
Hail Truesdails everywhere! And I believe we all have a little bit of Truesdail in us somewhere.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals 30 "Christmas in San Diego"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3RhexXaffU
Here it is. A San Diego Christmas song.
This song is more emotional for me than almost any of my others. Top 3 for sure. I wrote this tune 2 years ago tomorrow, on Christmas on a day just like today. I got up early and had one of the most productive days of my life. I wrote 3 tunes, this one and two others. I was excited. Christmas is very peaceful around here. I felt blessed to be with friends and I was appreciating it. I started thinking about what a different experience Christmas in San Diego from the cold and snowy December adventure popularized in movies, songs and the East Coast in general.. I was thinking about our unique experience as Southern Californians at Christmas and decided to write a song for us and San Diegans in particular to share our take on this holiday season.
I was fairly pleased with the song. I think even videoed a version of it or two thew day I wrote it. I may have to dig that one out tomorrow for us. That night, I enjoyed a highly anticipated Christmas feast at the home of Don and Nancy Truesdail. Nancy made a fine veggie lasagna and as always, the Truesdails hosted the heck out of the evening. Don even busted out a bottle of absinthe for our sipping pleasure at one point and you should have seen the look on his face when he did. The highlight of the night beyond the night overall altogether was a performance Don and Nancy did for the small group of us assembled. He played his double bass and she played the piano. It was so beautiful it was stunning. I learned so much about Don and Nancy from watching them play. They care so greatly about music and providing their best performances for the enjoyment of those for whom they play. It was blissful.
Needless to say, shortly thereafter when I went to bust out my Christmas tune for the group, I was hesitant and borderline embarrassed, even around such close friends. But I bucked up and busted it out. They liked it very much. Don was particularly verbal in his appreciation I have the highest for his talent and his opinion so to me, it meant a great deal. I played awhile longer in the background, while I listened to Don and Justin Mills converse and as I did so, I penned a big chunk of yet another new tune. What a great day Christmas 2008. In a way, through all this, it's like I'm still there today.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers 30 "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGdmSGwW6aI
As a child I loved Boy George. To anyone who knows me at all, that is probably not a huge surprise. I don't what it was about him but if I had to guess it would be his larger-than-life, I-don't-give-a-hoot-what-anyone-says-about-me attitude he exemplified in his outlandish attire. At the time, perhaps I dreamed of having that confidence but as I got older I quickly bagan to emulate it. I remember when I was about 10, I was Boy George for Halloween, shortly after "Karma Chameleon" hit the charts. I dressed up twice. Love divorce. Once I was a mess but the other time I probably looked downright scary (a sensation I am admittedly quite fond of). For years I would wear the karate go that was modified into a Boy George Color By Numbers jacket whenever I felt like it and by 6th grade I had built upo the confidence (or whatever you want to call it ) to wear in to Little League games at which I was just spectating. Good fun. Didn't plan to do this tune today. Was gonna bust one out form off the top of my head and did decent partial versions of Phish's "Sparkle" and Neil Young's "Helpless" before finding my way to this classic still cranked in Rite Aid's and grocery stores daily.
A production note: For some reason the color auto-corrected between the original I recorded today and this number. Maybe it's just getting darker, I don't know, but if I'd had my way, both vids would have the colorier color that this one has instead of the sunny washed-outness of the other number. When you believe everything happens for a reason, these are among the types of things you just have to accept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcU56RJl74o
More close-up holiday face time with my boy Truesy-Wuesy. Yes, I called him that to his face... often and it was quite fun. It is Christmas Eve. Don and I spent Christmas Eve together in '07 and I spent it with his Swan Diego family in 2008. I cherish these memories and I have been thinking about Don quite bit as you might imagine this year with the "12 Days of Truesdail" and all. What a great guy! I am very honored to be able to share some of his handi-work with you this special time of year. Peace, love and happy holidays from all the folks here at Operation 365!
This whole show I should have mentioned was filmed by Dylan Avery and this song and many others by Don are available at www.truesdailstudio.com
Hail Truesdails everywhere! And I believe we all have a little bit of Truesdail in us somewhere.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals 30 "Christmas in San Diego"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3RhexXaffU
Here it is. A San Diego Christmas song.
This song is more emotional for me than almost any of my others. Top 3 for sure. I wrote this tune 2 years ago tomorrow, on Christmas on a day just like today. I got up early and had one of the most productive days of my life. I wrote 3 tunes, this one and two others. I was excited. Christmas is very peaceful around here. I felt blessed to be with friends and I was appreciating it. I started thinking about what a different experience Christmas in San Diego from the cold and snowy December adventure popularized in movies, songs and the East Coast in general.. I was thinking about our unique experience as Southern Californians at Christmas and decided to write a song for us and San Diegans in particular to share our take on this holiday season.
I was fairly pleased with the song. I think even videoed a version of it or two thew day I wrote it. I may have to dig that one out tomorrow for us. That night, I enjoyed a highly anticipated Christmas feast at the home of Don and Nancy Truesdail. Nancy made a fine veggie lasagna and as always, the Truesdails hosted the heck out of the evening. Don even busted out a bottle of absinthe for our sipping pleasure at one point and you should have seen the look on his face when he did. The highlight of the night beyond the night overall altogether was a performance Don and Nancy did for the small group of us assembled. He played his double bass and she played the piano. It was so beautiful it was stunning. I learned so much about Don and Nancy from watching them play. They care so greatly about music and providing their best performances for the enjoyment of those for whom they play. It was blissful.
Needless to say, shortly thereafter when I went to bust out my Christmas tune for the group, I was hesitant and borderline embarrassed, even around such close friends. But I bucked up and busted it out. They liked it very much. Don was particularly verbal in his appreciation I have the highest for his talent and his opinion so to me, it meant a great deal. I played awhile longer in the background, while I listened to Don and Justin Mills converse and as I did so, I penned a big chunk of yet another new tune. What a great day Christmas 2008. In a way, through all this, it's like I'm still there today.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers 30 "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGdmSGwW6aI
As a child I loved Boy George. To anyone who knows me at all, that is probably not a huge surprise. I don't what it was about him but if I had to guess it would be his larger-than-life, I-don't-give-a-hoot-what-anyone-says-about-me attitude he exemplified in his outlandish attire. At the time, perhaps I dreamed of having that confidence but as I got older I quickly bagan to emulate it. I remember when I was about 10, I was Boy George for Halloween, shortly after "Karma Chameleon" hit the charts. I dressed up twice. Love divorce. Once I was a mess but the other time I probably looked downright scary (a sensation I am admittedly quite fond of). For years I would wear the karate go that was modified into a Boy George Color By Numbers jacket whenever I felt like it and by 6th grade I had built upo the confidence (or whatever you want to call it ) to wear in to Little League games at which I was just spectating. Good fun. Didn't plan to do this tune today. Was gonna bust one out form off the top of my head and did decent partial versions of Phish's "Sparkle" and Neil Young's "Helpless" before finding my way to this classic still cranked in Rite Aid's and grocery stores daily.
A production note: For some reason the color auto-corrected between the original I recorded today and this number. Maybe it's just getting darker, I don't know, but if I'd had my way, both vids would have the colorier color that this one has instead of the sunny washed-outness of the other number. When you believe everything happens for a reason, these are among the types of things you just have to accept.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 24
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 29 Don Truesdail plays "Sweet August" - 12-6-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4fp-qqpJkM
Here we go, "12 Days of Truesdail" rages on. Here is Don at his love-songiest best tributing his beloved wife Nancy. Nancy has been working her tail off finishing Don's 3 concept albums that he laid out before he passed away. ""Dasvidanya Bingoland," his first release is available now at www.truesdailstudio.com and "Sweet August" is featured on that CD. His next two records, "Enervator," and "Schmoozetales," will be available in 2011. It has been a great honor to work with Nancy on this material as it is important. Anybody can benefit from the love and valuable wisdom contained in this music, not just those of us who knew and loved Don. Thank you Don and thank you Nancy for all you labor and love.
In case anyone wondered was lies ahead for Operation 365... "Old Friends, New faces" will follow "12 Days of Truesdail" In that chunk, I'll get some folks in who I haven't had a chance to showcase yet. Stay tuned for Sene Africa, Charbra, Chimney Fish, Clifford and Destructo Bunny in the archives, just to name a few...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 29 "Farmhouse" by Phish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F1_Znlj4Jk
Because of perspective (blasted perspective) I noticed my head looks really small in this picture compared to my guitar. Regardless, I wanted to dedicate this tune to anyone I can remember ever going to a Phish show with back in the day. I will offer a partial list here as part of my shout out. Mattie Steinberg, Mike Warrington, Derek Speredelozzi, all my friends at my birthday show at Mullins Center in '94, the whole Jersey crew including my brother and sister, Kim, Matt Reiter, Giamongo, Danny Miller, Jason Lizzack, Wass, Spence, Sutton Papanikolas, Danny Katz, Ryan Cassidy, Kirsten Dahlgren, Dylan Avery. From Montreal to Sugarbush, Jones Beach to Big Birch and Radio City to Fest 8, great times.
I remember the first time I ever heard this tune...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 29 "Relevant Game"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7KDN-5m3B8
"Relevant Game: is one of my older tunes. I wrote at Stinson Beach in the late 90's while inspired by how beautiful it all was. It makes the point that everything matters and uses nature as proof. My beliefs continue to grow in this direction day by blessed day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4fp-qqpJkM
Here we go, "12 Days of Truesdail" rages on. Here is Don at his love-songiest best tributing his beloved wife Nancy. Nancy has been working her tail off finishing Don's 3 concept albums that he laid out before he passed away. ""Dasvidanya Bingoland," his first release is available now at www.truesdailstudio.com and "Sweet August" is featured on that CD. His next two records, "Enervator," and "Schmoozetales," will be available in 2011. It has been a great honor to work with Nancy on this material as it is important. Anybody can benefit from the love and valuable wisdom contained in this music, not just those of us who knew and loved Don. Thank you Don and thank you Nancy for all you labor and love.
In case anyone wondered was lies ahead for Operation 365... "Old Friends, New faces" will follow "12 Days of Truesdail" In that chunk, I'll get some folks in who I haven't had a chance to showcase yet. Stay tuned for Sene Africa, Charbra, Chimney Fish, Clifford and Destructo Bunny in the archives, just to name a few...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 29 "Farmhouse" by Phish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F1_Znlj4Jk
Because of perspective (blasted perspective) I noticed my head looks really small in this picture compared to my guitar. Regardless, I wanted to dedicate this tune to anyone I can remember ever going to a Phish show with back in the day. I will offer a partial list here as part of my shout out. Mattie Steinberg, Mike Warrington, Derek Speredelozzi, all my friends at my birthday show at Mullins Center in '94, the whole Jersey crew including my brother and sister, Kim, Matt Reiter, Giamongo, Danny Miller, Jason Lizzack, Wass, Spence, Sutton Papanikolas, Danny Katz, Ryan Cassidy, Kirsten Dahlgren, Dylan Avery. From Montreal to Sugarbush, Jones Beach to Big Birch and Radio City to Fest 8, great times.
I remember the first time I ever heard this tune...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 29 "Relevant Game"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7KDN-5m3B8
"Relevant Game: is one of my older tunes. I wrote at Stinson Beach in the late 90's while inspired by how beautiful it all was. It makes the point that everything matters and uses nature as proof. My beliefs continue to grow in this direction day by blessed day.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 23
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 28 Don Truesdail - 12-6-2008 3 - "The Bastards"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYkUtyemDFg
Here is Donnie again, live from 12 Hours of Free Music, 12-6-2008. This is the third tune of his set. I posted this a few days ago with some guests here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wQn4acMn2I
This is a version more like the versions of this tune we, his friends, got used to hearing back in the day.
"The Bastards" is an epic tune. To Don, each word mattered. He viewed music and songwriting as a craft and took great pains to make sure he made his point as explicitly and poetically as he could. Cheers to Don. May the "12 Days of Truesdail" roll on!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 28 "Frosty the Snowman" - popularized by Gene Autry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D_7eOfpfYY
I always feel the need to know who wrote these tunes I cover. I didn't feel like typing this all up so here is what I learned from wikipedia when I googled it to find out who wrote F"rosty the Snowman".
["Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. It was written after the success of Autry's recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the previous year; Rollins and Nelson shipped the new song to Autry, who recorded "Frosty" in search of another seasonal hit. Like "Rudolph", "Frosty" was subsequently adapted to other media including a popular television special. The song was originally titled "Frosty the Snow Man".]
Thank you wikipedia.
I was going to fix my little stutter step in the middle of this jamboree but left it in favor of "keeping it real" at the suggestion of my good friend/trumpeting superstar Paul Ruiz, who appears here on percussion and Lady Gaga tease at the start of the clip. You know, there really MUST have been some magic in that old silk hat they found, I've been thinking...
Thank you Tom Waits for popularizing singing in that funny voice.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 28 "Boil Me in Oil"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axL7JW2kawY
The ultimate love song to a car. Wishing my dear pals Dylan Avery (on his mission across the country) and Nancy Truesdail (on her travels around Oneonta ironically) much love and safety on their travel. I echo those sentiments to everybody travelling around in places cold or otherwise. Also, sending out my love to my sweet sweet Monte Carlo, Mona, the subject of this love song. She escorted me out to California. I drove her for fifteen years. I had to sell her last year cause she kept getting towed for being old and noticeable... and that's what happened sadly. I hope she's well and think of her and all who've been loyal and loving to me all this time at this time of year. Peace and love to everybody everywhere always.
CONSUMERISM NOTE: "Boil Me in Oil" is available on Jefferson Jay's album "Yellow" at www.jeffersonjay.com
Now, youtube is suggesting "haircut" as tag for a lot of my videos... and "dental". What are they trying to say? Well, at least they're paying attention. I appreciate their suggestions and will take it under advisement. Oh, Frosty!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYkUtyemDFg
Here is Donnie again, live from 12 Hours of Free Music, 12-6-2008. This is the third tune of his set. I posted this a few days ago with some guests here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wQn4acMn2I
This is a version more like the versions of this tune we, his friends, got used to hearing back in the day.
"The Bastards" is an epic tune. To Don, each word mattered. He viewed music and songwriting as a craft and took great pains to make sure he made his point as explicitly and poetically as he could. Cheers to Don. May the "12 Days of Truesdail" roll on!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 28 "Frosty the Snowman" - popularized by Gene Autry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D_7eOfpfYY
I always feel the need to know who wrote these tunes I cover. I didn't feel like typing this all up so here is what I learned from wikipedia when I googled it to find out who wrote F"rosty the Snowman".
["Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. It was written after the success of Autry's recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the previous year; Rollins and Nelson shipped the new song to Autry, who recorded "Frosty" in search of another seasonal hit. Like "Rudolph", "Frosty" was subsequently adapted to other media including a popular television special. The song was originally titled "Frosty the Snow Man".]
Thank you wikipedia.
I was going to fix my little stutter step in the middle of this jamboree but left it in favor of "keeping it real" at the suggestion of my good friend/trumpeting superstar Paul Ruiz, who appears here on percussion and Lady Gaga tease at the start of the clip. You know, there really MUST have been some magic in that old silk hat they found, I've been thinking...
Thank you Tom Waits for popularizing singing in that funny voice.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 28 "Boil Me in Oil"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axL7JW2kawY
The ultimate love song to a car. Wishing my dear pals Dylan Avery (on his mission across the country) and Nancy Truesdail (on her travels around Oneonta ironically) much love and safety on their travel. I echo those sentiments to everybody travelling around in places cold or otherwise. Also, sending out my love to my sweet sweet Monte Carlo, Mona, the subject of this love song. She escorted me out to California. I drove her for fifteen years. I had to sell her last year cause she kept getting towed for being old and noticeable... and that's what happened sadly. I hope she's well and think of her and all who've been loyal and loving to me all this time at this time of year. Peace and love to everybody everywhere always.
CONSUMERISM NOTE: "Boil Me in Oil" is available on Jefferson Jay's album "Yellow" at www.jeffersonjay.com
Now, youtube is suggesting "haircut" as tag for a lot of my videos... and "dental". What are they trying to say? Well, at least they're paying attention. I appreciate their suggestions and will take it under advisement. Oh, Frosty!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 22
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 27 Don Truesdail - 12-6-2008 2 - "Worker's Paradise"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6S9a0sWKnY
Operation 365 continues to celebrate the life of Don Truesdail with its "12 Days of Truesdail." For the rest of the week, we will be doing so by presenting Don's set from Jefferson Jay's 12 Hours of Free Music on December 6, 2008, one song at a time. Don kicked off the show that day. It was our buddy Blowski's birthday, another terrific day in the delight that was 2008 for our circle here in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. Here is the second song in Don's set, a song about the struggle of the proletariat in the modern world. "Worker's Paradise." Don frequently used words conversationally that few people know. So, that "proletariat" is for you, pal.
For more info on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 27 "Little Miss Jealous"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmwg6lHdu9E
"Little Miss Jealous" is one I wrote way back when, maybe some time around five years ago. I was staring at the computer trying to think of fun, quick, easy song and that one popped into my head so there you go. I have been working hard in 2010 on my next CD "The Great New Way." I am really proud of it and it will be out in 2011. I also have another CD in the can (that means done) called "Women" about all my misadventures of the last five or so years. I'm trying to decide what if anything I want to do with that one. Regardless, I intend to spend the lion's share of my time here during this Christmas break to do as much recording as I possibly can. I have 30 new songs besides those that I plan on tracking so who knows? Maybe I
'll release 'em all as a box set... Do they still even make box sets?
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 27 "I Have a Little Dreidel" by Samuel S. Grossman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg77c15I5Rs
Well, you see I thought this would be an easy little cute idea and a way to represent all people's and their songs in Operation 365. Well, not really but... I did think I could make a joke and writs that this tune was by "Some Old Jewish Guy From Long Ago" or even better, "Jewy Jewess and the Jews", but historian that I am, I looked it up and discovered, to my dismay that Samuel S. Grossman, had written the tune and now that I knew it even though he pretty much was "Some Old Jewish Guy From Long Ago" I had to give him his just do or I would not be treating him like all my other artists, thereby undoing any good I may have done my doing the darn tune in the first place.
Worse more, I discovered, (or re-discovered more accurately) that this song has a verse and not just a chorus. To compensate for my selective recollection in this case, I am calling this version an adaptation, my unique take on the Jewish holiday classic "I Have A Little Dreidel." The way I do it is I skip all the verses and shake my head in a flamboyantly spastic manner at the climax of the tune. I hope you dig it.
P.S. I also thought the tune was called "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel," not "I Have a Little Dreidel". That's what I put on my text at the end of the tune and frankly I think it is a much better name. Why a guy named Grossman has to name his song "I Have a Little Dreidel" is beyond me. Yes, people are going to make jokes about the Jews but do we always have to make it so damn easy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6S9a0sWKnY
Operation 365 continues to celebrate the life of Don Truesdail with its "12 Days of Truesdail." For the rest of the week, we will be doing so by presenting Don's set from Jefferson Jay's 12 Hours of Free Music on December 6, 2008, one song at a time. Don kicked off the show that day. It was our buddy Blowski's birthday, another terrific day in the delight that was 2008 for our circle here in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. Here is the second song in Don's set, a song about the struggle of the proletariat in the modern world. "Worker's Paradise." Don frequently used words conversationally that few people know. So, that "proletariat" is for you, pal.
For more info on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 27 "Little Miss Jealous"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmwg6lHdu9E
"Little Miss Jealous" is one I wrote way back when, maybe some time around five years ago. I was staring at the computer trying to think of fun, quick, easy song and that one popped into my head so there you go. I have been working hard in 2010 on my next CD "The Great New Way." I am really proud of it and it will be out in 2011. I also have another CD in the can (that means done) called "Women" about all my misadventures of the last five or so years. I'm trying to decide what if anything I want to do with that one. Regardless, I intend to spend the lion's share of my time here during this Christmas break to do as much recording as I possibly can. I have 30 new songs besides those that I plan on tracking so who knows? Maybe I
'll release 'em all as a box set... Do they still even make box sets?
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 27 "I Have a Little Dreidel" by Samuel S. Grossman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg77c15I5Rs
Well, you see I thought this would be an easy little cute idea and a way to represent all people's and their songs in Operation 365. Well, not really but... I did think I could make a joke and writs that this tune was by "Some Old Jewish Guy From Long Ago" or even better, "Jewy Jewess and the Jews", but historian that I am, I looked it up and discovered, to my dismay that Samuel S. Grossman, had written the tune and now that I knew it even though he pretty much was "Some Old Jewish Guy From Long Ago" I had to give him his just do or I would not be treating him like all my other artists, thereby undoing any good I may have done my doing the darn tune in the first place.
Worse more, I discovered, (or re-discovered more accurately) that this song has a verse and not just a chorus. To compensate for my selective recollection in this case, I am calling this version an adaptation, my unique take on the Jewish holiday classic "I Have A Little Dreidel." The way I do it is I skip all the verses and shake my head in a flamboyantly spastic manner at the climax of the tune. I hope you dig it.
P.S. I also thought the tune was called "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel," not "I Have a Little Dreidel". That's what I put on my text at the end of the tune and frankly I think it is a much better name. Why a guy named Grossman has to name his song "I Have a Little Dreidel" is beyond me. Yes, people are going to make jokes about the Jews but do we always have to make it so damn easy?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 21
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 26 Don Truesdail - 12-6-2008 1 - "Motherless Child"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llAEcV87kuM
Operation 365 continues to celebrate the life of Don Truesdail with its "12 Days of Truesdail." For the rest of the week, we will be doing so by presenting Don's set from Jefferson Jay's 12 Hours of Free Music on December 6, 2008, one song at a time. Don kicked off the show that day. It was our buddy Blowski's birthday, another terrific day in the delight that was 2008 for our circle here in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. Here, Don opens his set with "Motherless Child" after wishing Blowski a happy birthday with his adaptation of the traditional song, "Motherless Child."
For more information on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
NOTE: Still wondering what youtube hopes to accomplishing by suggesting I keep adding "christianity" to the tags on these vids. I keep doing it, just cause I figure, that "it's their website and they know how it works better then I do. Maybe it'll get me more hits," but for some reason I think there's something else to it. ?????
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Barbara Tolbert) - Originals - 26 "The Greens of Mind"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBnb-_9z5sc
Initially, I thought Barbara had indicated to me she didn't want me to use these tracks, but after I posted "What's Lost in The Words That We Don't Say"...
found here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAU_2ZF1fcg
...she let me know that she liked it, so what the hey, here's more of Barbara and I practicing for an upcoming gig we had with our side project The Greens of Mind, named after this song long before Operation 365 was even hatched as an idea. Barbara's main gig is a group called "Charbra" with fellow Green Charlotte James. They are swell and you should check them out. I will posting some of their jams as Operation 365 progresses. I like this tune a lot. Wrote it with Justin Mills at the outset of The Greens of Mind project which began in 2008 and still continues in spirit and then some today.
This song is about how the world is changing and how people need to take personal responsibility to make the changes in their own lives that they wish to see in the world around them. The first line is "time is ramping like a bouncing ball," as in things are speeding up. On this version I sing your mind is ramping like a bouncing ball"... You get the idea.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 26 "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUL_MtOrzqs
I think "How Deep Is Your Love" is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Nice work Bee Gees! I played a bunch of times, something I don't always do for 365, but this tune is so sweet I had to get it a good one. I noticed I've been cropping my head off in a lot of these videos and I think I just learned how not to do that. Hallelujah! It's raining here today. Maybe that's why I picked this song. I think of The Bee Gees and The Beach Boys as musically related somehow so I will let the latter answer, "God Only Knows."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llAEcV87kuM
Operation 365 continues to celebrate the life of Don Truesdail with its "12 Days of Truesdail." For the rest of the week, we will be doing so by presenting Don's set from Jefferson Jay's 12 Hours of Free Music on December 6, 2008, one song at a time. Don kicked off the show that day. It was our buddy Blowski's birthday, another terrific day in the delight that was 2008 for our circle here in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. Here, Don opens his set with "Motherless Child" after wishing Blowski a happy birthday with his adaptation of the traditional song, "Motherless Child."
For more information on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
NOTE: Still wondering what youtube hopes to accomplishing by suggesting I keep adding "christianity" to the tags on these vids. I keep doing it, just cause I figure, that "it's their website and they know how it works better then I do. Maybe it'll get me more hits," but for some reason I think there's something else to it. ?????
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Barbara Tolbert) - Originals - 26 "The Greens of Mind"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBnb-_9z5sc
Initially, I thought Barbara had indicated to me she didn't want me to use these tracks, but after I posted "What's Lost in The Words That We Don't Say"...
found here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAU_2ZF1fcg
...she let me know that she liked it, so what the hey, here's more of Barbara and I practicing for an upcoming gig we had with our side project The Greens of Mind, named after this song long before Operation 365 was even hatched as an idea. Barbara's main gig is a group called "Charbra" with fellow Green Charlotte James. They are swell and you should check them out. I will posting some of their jams as Operation 365 progresses. I like this tune a lot. Wrote it with Justin Mills at the outset of The Greens of Mind project which began in 2008 and still continues in spirit and then some today.
This song is about how the world is changing and how people need to take personal responsibility to make the changes in their own lives that they wish to see in the world around them. The first line is "time is ramping like a bouncing ball," as in things are speeding up. On this version I sing your mind is ramping like a bouncing ball"... You get the idea.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 26 "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUL_MtOrzqs
I think "How Deep Is Your Love" is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Nice work Bee Gees! I played a bunch of times, something I don't always do for 365, but this tune is so sweet I had to get it a good one. I noticed I've been cropping my head off in a lot of these videos and I think I just learned how not to do that. Hallelujah! It's raining here today. Maybe that's why I picked this song. I think of The Bee Gees and The Beach Boys as musically related somehow so I will let the latter answer, "God Only Knows."
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 20
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 25 "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfWhjGPD5J8
I have always loved this tune since it's big resurgence with "Ghost" many moons ago. Recorded this version a few weeks back. Wasn't sure I'd use it, but it's Sunday today, so I said "what the hey." There's nothing really wrong with it anyway. It is a long version though... Good day!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 25 Blowski's Holiday Jam - 12-23-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUyLPVVnwdI
I acknowledge that using this clip to commemorate my "12 Days of Truesdail", may be pushing it a little, but just a little. This was filmed on December 23, 2008, at my open mic. Don attended this event frequently and mixed with all these crazy characters here on stage. This was our world at that time, or at least part of it. And the main reason I feel it's connected is... this shit is funny. Hilarious in fact. Maybe the funniest thing ever. And Don had himself a fine sense of humor so I know he'd be cackling at this madness big time.
Appearing in no particular order are my buddy Blowski, leading the way. He is initially on stage with Jack Davidson on lead guitar. When Blowski invites people up to join him on the next tune, he is joined by this wild bunch of jammers, Steve Keaney - harmonica, Wes Davis - tambourine, Jefferson Jay - kazoo, woodblock, plugging back in Jack Davidson's guitar, Ken Rahn - cajon, Mac Mac - guest vocals
May hilarity cause the place behind your ears to ache from laughing so hard cause that's what it did to me. Hail!
Just watched one the participants in this little jam, Wes Davis, make the 365 his own in a way I am entirely down with. Check out his "Jefferson Jay and Wes Davis play guitar via the internet - Pistons.AVI"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZBlF6ZkNF8
Nice work Wes! I'll have a response soon for sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feMcSvR4EfE
NOTE: I noticed the little screen at the end of this video said it's the 23rd archive vid. That's cause I made this one the other day and forgot to change it. I was thinking about saving it for after the "12 Days of Truesdail, " but then I figured why wait for hilarity becuase you never know what tomorrow brings.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Originals - 25 "Hallelujah Expressway" 9-28-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfhF8YZYeLA
This clip was recorded on 9-28-2010 at my open mic and it features 2 friends that I met in the last couple years. Although Don never met either of these fellows they both make me think of him a lot. Paul Ruiz is a dear friend of mine. He plays trumpet, is smart, musical and carries that same relaxed, knowing, talented and supportive vibe that Don was a master of. At the end of the clip, you hear a "cackle" of a man named Mia. He appears sometimes via cackle on this clips and he is a man from Don's hometown of Owego, NY. The whole story of their connection is too long and bizarre to share here now, but I've always felt Don's love very strongly when Mia is around. Earlier in this blog, I referred to Don's laugh as a "cackle" and it was a bit cackle-esque. It all comes back around quickly I suppose because when I heard the end of my last clip today, there was Mia, and me referring to his laugh as "cackle." I love that cackle.
Oh, and this song is "Hallelujah Expressway." Living here in Ocean Beach, San Diego, one must have at least a few reggae tunes in one's arsenal to keep te locals at bay. I wrote "Hallelujah Expressway" last year. It's pretty ambitious for a reggae tune. I like it a lot and plan to record on an upcoming album soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfWhjGPD5J8
I have always loved this tune since it's big resurgence with "Ghost" many moons ago. Recorded this version a few weeks back. Wasn't sure I'd use it, but it's Sunday today, so I said "what the hey." There's nothing really wrong with it anyway. It is a long version though... Good day!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 25 Blowski's Holiday Jam - 12-23-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUyLPVVnwdI
I acknowledge that using this clip to commemorate my "12 Days of Truesdail", may be pushing it a little, but just a little. This was filmed on December 23, 2008, at my open mic. Don attended this event frequently and mixed with all these crazy characters here on stage. This was our world at that time, or at least part of it. And the main reason I feel it's connected is... this shit is funny. Hilarious in fact. Maybe the funniest thing ever. And Don had himself a fine sense of humor so I know he'd be cackling at this madness big time.
Appearing in no particular order are my buddy Blowski, leading the way. He is initially on stage with Jack Davidson on lead guitar. When Blowski invites people up to join him on the next tune, he is joined by this wild bunch of jammers, Steve Keaney - harmonica, Wes Davis - tambourine, Jefferson Jay - kazoo, woodblock, plugging back in Jack Davidson's guitar, Ken Rahn - cajon, Mac Mac - guest vocals
May hilarity cause the place behind your ears to ache from laughing so hard cause that's what it did to me. Hail!
Just watched one the participants in this little jam, Wes Davis, make the 365 his own in a way I am entirely down with. Check out his "Jefferson Jay and Wes Davis play guitar via the internet - Pistons.AVI"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZBlF6ZkNF8
Nice work Wes! I'll have a response soon for sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feMcSvR4EfE
NOTE: I noticed the little screen at the end of this video said it's the 23rd archive vid. That's cause I made this one the other day and forgot to change it. I was thinking about saving it for after the "12 Days of Truesdail, " but then I figured why wait for hilarity becuase you never know what tomorrow brings.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Originals - 25 "Hallelujah Expressway" 9-28-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfhF8YZYeLA
This clip was recorded on 9-28-2010 at my open mic and it features 2 friends that I met in the last couple years. Although Don never met either of these fellows they both make me think of him a lot. Paul Ruiz is a dear friend of mine. He plays trumpet, is smart, musical and carries that same relaxed, knowing, talented and supportive vibe that Don was a master of. At the end of the clip, you hear a "cackle" of a man named Mia. He appears sometimes via cackle on this clips and he is a man from Don's hometown of Owego, NY. The whole story of their connection is too long and bizarre to share here now, but I've always felt Don's love very strongly when Mia is around. Earlier in this blog, I referred to Don's laugh as a "cackle" and it was a bit cackle-esque. It all comes back around quickly I suppose because when I heard the end of my last clip today, there was Mia, and me referring to his laugh as "cackle." I love that cackle.
Oh, and this song is "Hallelujah Expressway." Living here in Ocean Beach, San Diego, one must have at least a few reggae tunes in one's arsenal to keep te locals at bay. I wrote "Hallelujah Expressway" last year. It's pretty ambitious for a reggae tune. I like it a lot and plan to record on an upcoming album soon.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Operation 365... Take 19
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 24 "Silver Bells" popularized by Bing Crosby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2s0yr_ALOU
"Silver Bells" is a beautiful Christmas song. In researching this I learned it was written by these two dudes, Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, but popularized by these two more famous dudes, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. I personally have really been enjoying crooning lately. So this is fun. Crooning is one of the many things missing from our modern society that had in no way outlived its usefulness before being shuffled aside. How is we still have reality TV but not crooning? Well I croon. That's why I busted out the "Can't Help Falling In Love" this week and am currently seeking "Winter Wonderland" in a key that makes warm and silky in side. Cause that's what good crooning does.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 24 "Cage"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LThIxJwh6AY
Replacement tune was "Cage" which like "Killing's Wrong" is found on my CD, "Blue; A Kid's Album," available at www.jeffersonjay.com. Maybe you wanna buy one for someone for the holidays. Hint. In seriousness, I have been working with some really inspiring students teaching special ed. at the high school as of late. These children's attitudes are amazing and the spirits are inspiring and irrepressible despite whether they are in a wheelchair or drool or can't speak or will never live what most people consider a normal life. When I wrote this song it was along the thinking that anything can be a cage, but mainly I was considering mental cages. These kids' cages are largely physical cages, but as I think about it, if one doesn't feel they have a cage, then they don't. I guess that was the point of the song the whole time.
Oh, a trivial note; the chords to the song are C a G E the whole time. Inspiration comes all over the place. How cute.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 24 Don Truesdail - "The Bastards" - 12-18-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wQn4acMn2I
It is Day Four of our "12 Days of Truesdail" and it doesn't get more special or Truesdail-y than this. This video is from Don Truesdail's final public performance two years ago to the day from this posting, December 18, 2008. This track "The Bastards" was performed with Misha Borisovsky on violin, Amadou Fall on kora and The Soul Man on guiro. It was a beautiful performance, one of his finest and the vibe that was in the air that night was on one of love, friendship and appreciation. Enjoy Don Truesdail, a great man and a fine performer in his swan song. We love you Don!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 24 "Killing's Wrong"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyckUgWTVvM
This will probably happen again as I continue down this road, but just now for the first time I recorded a tune for Operation 365 a second time without realizing. It only took 24 days. Killing's Wrong. You win. I played you twice without realizing. Debating posting the second one as a bonus track.
Bonus to Operation 365. Another version of my absurdist protest classic "Killing's Wrong." I improvise all the verses each time so it is what it is, literally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2s0yr_ALOU
"Silver Bells" is a beautiful Christmas song. In researching this I learned it was written by these two dudes, Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, but popularized by these two more famous dudes, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. I personally have really been enjoying crooning lately. So this is fun. Crooning is one of the many things missing from our modern society that had in no way outlived its usefulness before being shuffled aside. How is we still have reality TV but not crooning? Well I croon. That's why I busted out the "Can't Help Falling In Love" this week and am currently seeking "Winter Wonderland" in a key that makes warm and silky in side. Cause that's what good crooning does.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 24 "Cage"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LThIxJwh6AY
Replacement tune was "Cage" which like "Killing's Wrong" is found on my CD, "Blue; A Kid's Album," available at www.jeffersonjay.com. Maybe you wanna buy one for someone for the holidays. Hint. In seriousness, I have been working with some really inspiring students teaching special ed. at the high school as of late. These children's attitudes are amazing and the spirits are inspiring and irrepressible despite whether they are in a wheelchair or drool or can't speak or will never live what most people consider a normal life. When I wrote this song it was along the thinking that anything can be a cage, but mainly I was considering mental cages. These kids' cages are largely physical cages, but as I think about it, if one doesn't feel they have a cage, then they don't. I guess that was the point of the song the whole time.
Oh, a trivial note; the chords to the song are C a G E the whole time. Inspiration comes all over the place. How cute.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 24 Don Truesdail - "The Bastards" - 12-18-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wQn4acMn2I
It is Day Four of our "12 Days of Truesdail" and it doesn't get more special or Truesdail-y than this. This video is from Don Truesdail's final public performance two years ago to the day from this posting, December 18, 2008. This track "The Bastards" was performed with Misha Borisovsky on violin, Amadou Fall on kora and The Soul Man on guiro. It was a beautiful performance, one of his finest and the vibe that was in the air that night was on one of love, friendship and appreciation. Enjoy Don Truesdail, a great man and a fine performer in his swan song. We love you Don!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 24 "Killing's Wrong"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyckUgWTVvM
This will probably happen again as I continue down this road, but just now for the first time I recorded a tune for Operation 365 a second time without realizing. It only took 24 days. Killing's Wrong. You win. I played you twice without realizing. Debating posting the second one as a bonus track.
Bonus to Operation 365. Another version of my absurdist protest classic "Killing's Wrong." I improvise all the verses each time so it is what it is, literally.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Operation 365... Take 18
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 23 Dorbel - 12-18-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haP2xqisIQg
Very special footage from the archives for Day 3 of our 12 Days of Truesdail. Here, on December 18, 2008, the day of Don Truesdail's final public performance, everyone was in good spirits. Our small community was celebrating a great year. The holiday spirit was in the air and everyone was festive. Don had family in town and here, he played with some of his many talented friends in a world music ensemble called Dorbel. Dorbel was and still is led by Farhad Bahrami, an amazing tar player and a close friend of Don's. Also on stage that special night, were Richard Steiger on percussion, Toni Pope on vocals, Laurel Grinnell by drums, Amadou Fall on kora, Misha Borisovsky on violin, and The Soul Man on guiro.
Cheers. Onward and upward. Holiday season. Hail Truesdail!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 23 "Pistons" by Wes Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndWoqvCl9f8
Wes Davis is really good friend of mine and "Pistons" is one of his many awesome tunes. Wes is also an amigo of Truesdail's incidentally. I am such a big fan of Wes's that earlier this year I took up banjo and joined Wes Davis and The Clean Dirt Boys. Special thanks to Don for the lessons from beyond on the banjo. I was so gung ho I didn't even complain about the name. Joking aside, Wes, myself, Adrianna Martin-Morningstar on vocals and Paul Ruiz on trumpet were tearing it up this year before Wes had to jump to Santa Cruz for a spell. We are planning some shows together in April and I cant play with Wes and The "Boys" again soon enough. Peace Wessy D! Happy Holidays!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 23 "Lisas Are The Best"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBBtueFgMWA
A slightly sleepy version of one of my old classics. What can I tell ya? It's been a long work week. Hail vacation! At the beginning you can see me deciding what song I was going to do as the camera was rolling. Where to start with this jam? Well, I wrote the whole thing driving (literally) from Humboldt to San Francisco in 1999. Operation 365 can not recommend you try this. Years later, I would meet and briefly be engaged to woman named Lisa who never really dug the tune cause it was written before I met her. Enjoy the all-favorite song for Lisas everywhere hands down! Hail Lisas but these days I'm partial to Leanne's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haP2xqisIQg
Very special footage from the archives for Day 3 of our 12 Days of Truesdail. Here, on December 18, 2008, the day of Don Truesdail's final public performance, everyone was in good spirits. Our small community was celebrating a great year. The holiday spirit was in the air and everyone was festive. Don had family in town and here, he played with some of his many talented friends in a world music ensemble called Dorbel. Dorbel was and still is led by Farhad Bahrami, an amazing tar player and a close friend of Don's. Also on stage that special night, were Richard Steiger on percussion, Toni Pope on vocals, Laurel Grinnell by drums, Amadou Fall on kora, Misha Borisovsky on violin, and The Soul Man on guiro.
Cheers. Onward and upward. Holiday season. Hail Truesdail!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 23 "Pistons" by Wes Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndWoqvCl9f8
Wes Davis is really good friend of mine and "Pistons" is one of his many awesome tunes. Wes is also an amigo of Truesdail's incidentally. I am such a big fan of Wes's that earlier this year I took up banjo and joined Wes Davis and The Clean Dirt Boys. Special thanks to Don for the lessons from beyond on the banjo. I was so gung ho I didn't even complain about the name. Joking aside, Wes, myself, Adrianna Martin-Morningstar on vocals and Paul Ruiz on trumpet were tearing it up this year before Wes had to jump to Santa Cruz for a spell. We are planning some shows together in April and I cant play with Wes and The "Boys" again soon enough. Peace Wessy D! Happy Holidays!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 23 "Lisas Are The Best"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBBtueFgMWA
A slightly sleepy version of one of my old classics. What can I tell ya? It's been a long work week. Hail vacation! At the beginning you can see me deciding what song I was going to do as the camera was rolling. Where to start with this jam? Well, I wrote the whole thing driving (literally) from Humboldt to San Francisco in 1999. Operation 365 can not recommend you try this. Years later, I would meet and briefly be engaged to woman named Lisa who never really dug the tune cause it was written before I met her. Enjoy the all-favorite song for Lisas everywhere hands down! Hail Lisas but these days I'm partial to Leanne's.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Operation 365... Take 17
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 22 Jeff Dewine and Justin Werner play Don Truesdail's "Dragon Swan Song" - 10-22-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AEXnGEDrrg
Operation 365's "12 Days of Truesdail" marches into its second day with more tributes to our dear departed friend, Don Truesdail. This week's Big-hitter Thursday was recorded at Don's posthumous birthday celebration October 22, 2009,on the stage named in his honor. This clip features Jeff Dewine and Justin Werner covering perhaps Don's most epic number, "Dragon Swan Song." After Don died, Dewine learned the "Swan Song" and stunned the audience at 2009's "Jefferson Jay's 24 Hours of Free Music" with a rousing rendition of it, near the program's finale at about 2AM. Here, with his musical partner, Justin Werner, they reprise the seminal classic, this time before friends of Don's a party commemorating what would have been his 35th birthday. Aside, from all this emotional background, this song rules. Hail Truesdail!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 22 "Do You Feel Free"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pDWUM7F89Y
This is a number off of my "Red" album which is currently available at my website www.jeffersonjay.com. I still like to call 'em albums even though they've been CD for 25 years and now they're mp3s but whatever. I like this tune. It's fun to play and there's a few versions of it that we've busted out over the years. Here, I am doing the original slow version but, The Jefferson Jay Band has had some good times playing this tune all fast and aggressive as well. I think the message in this tune that people need to question the world around them and their actions in it is a message found in some of the music of my main man Don Truesdail whose life we are celebrating this week in Operation 365's "12 Days of Truesdail."
As an homage to San-Diego born Tom Waits who was inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, I have Waits'd up this particular rendition a tad. Also, I can't post this tune without an acknowledgment of my friend Robin Lee who always got a huge kick out of the tag at end of this tune. I got rid of it once and she insisted I put it back. She called it the Johnny Carson part of song cause of the way he there it to commercial back in the day on the Tonight Show
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 22 "Bad Moon Rising" by Credence Clearwater Revival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkCwKt0wRTI
I'm not super inclined to make the connection between this tune and the "12 Days," but you can if you like. For me, I like tempting randomness to give it a chance to show me it exists. A couple of days ago, I asked one of my friends to name a random tune and that someone, I believe it was my friend Josh, said "Bad Moon Rising." I was trying to do "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty today but it wasn't happening, so I recalled Josh said "Bad Moon Rising," and I went and looked it up. I had never played before but it was pretty easy, I went for it and here it goes.
Of course, when I got to the tune and realized what the lyrics were it was a bit harrowing, but as someone whose grown super familiar with death as a part of his life, I was not surprised. Randomness... Ha!
NOTE: At the recommendation of my long-time friend and collaborator Spencer Katzman, I have started finger-picking my jams instead of using a pick. He said it makes it more interesting and I think he may well right. Thank you Splendra.
NOTE 2: youtube suggested I add dental and haircut, among other things, in the tags for my videos today. Haircut?!?!?!?!? How rude!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AEXnGEDrrg
Operation 365's "12 Days of Truesdail" marches into its second day with more tributes to our dear departed friend, Don Truesdail. This week's Big-hitter Thursday was recorded at Don's posthumous birthday celebration October 22, 2009,on the stage named in his honor. This clip features Jeff Dewine and Justin Werner covering perhaps Don's most epic number, "Dragon Swan Song." After Don died, Dewine learned the "Swan Song" and stunned the audience at 2009's "Jefferson Jay's 24 Hours of Free Music" with a rousing rendition of it, near the program's finale at about 2AM. Here, with his musical partner, Justin Werner, they reprise the seminal classic, this time before friends of Don's a party commemorating what would have been his 35th birthday. Aside, from all this emotional background, this song rules. Hail Truesdail!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 22 "Do You Feel Free"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pDWUM7F89Y
This is a number off of my "Red" album which is currently available at my website www.jeffersonjay.com. I still like to call 'em albums even though they've been CD for 25 years and now they're mp3s but whatever. I like this tune. It's fun to play and there's a few versions of it that we've busted out over the years. Here, I am doing the original slow version but, The Jefferson Jay Band has had some good times playing this tune all fast and aggressive as well. I think the message in this tune that people need to question the world around them and their actions in it is a message found in some of the music of my main man Don Truesdail whose life we are celebrating this week in Operation 365's "12 Days of Truesdail."
As an homage to San-Diego born Tom Waits who was inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, I have Waits'd up this particular rendition a tad. Also, I can't post this tune without an acknowledgment of my friend Robin Lee who always got a huge kick out of the tag at end of this tune. I got rid of it once and she insisted I put it back. She called it the Johnny Carson part of song cause of the way he there it to commercial back in the day on the Tonight Show
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 22 "Bad Moon Rising" by Credence Clearwater Revival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkCwKt0wRTI
I'm not super inclined to make the connection between this tune and the "12 Days," but you can if you like. For me, I like tempting randomness to give it a chance to show me it exists. A couple of days ago, I asked one of my friends to name a random tune and that someone, I believe it was my friend Josh, said "Bad Moon Rising." I was trying to do "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty today but it wasn't happening, so I recalled Josh said "Bad Moon Rising," and I went and looked it up. I had never played before but it was pretty easy, I went for it and here it goes.
Of course, when I got to the tune and realized what the lyrics were it was a bit harrowing, but as someone whose grown super familiar with death as a part of his life, I was not surprised. Randomness... Ha!
NOTE: At the recommendation of my long-time friend and collaborator Spencer Katzman, I have started finger-picking my jams instead of using a pick. He said it makes it more interesting and I think he may well right. Thank you Splendra.
NOTE 2: youtube suggested I add dental and haircut, among other things, in the tags for my videos today. Haircut?!?!?!?!? How rude!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Operation 365... Take 16
I've decided as the orchestrator of Operation 365 that I should commemorate the holiday season in some special fashion. As a spiritual but not religious person, the truths that I have discovered in the universe are my own and no one else's. While I would never try to convince anyone else to believe as I believe, I am happy to share the sources of my inspiration with anybody who's interested.
There is no more enlightening event in life than death, ironically. Dealing with the death of a loved one is more transformational than anything humans experience with the possible exception of falling in love. My dear friend, Don Truesdail, an east coast transplanted, San-Diego based-musician passed away on his work to teach kids music on January 13, 2009. The impact that event had on myself and our friends here can not be understated. Until then, things were almost worry-free on our Utopian scene. As much as I leaned from Don in life, it does not approach what I learned from him since his passing so in honor of my fallen comrade, Operation 365 will be celebrating the "12 Days of Truesdail" for the next dozen of days, so enjoy some of the work of and tributes to a great man, Donald Leslie Truesdail.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 21 Melissa Eisler - 10-22-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqa20dRpKcg
This is Melissa Eisler's song "On the Fence" recorded at Don Truesdail's posthumous birthday celebration on October 22, 2009. Melissa tells a short story before playing the song about a talk she had with Don, myself, and Don's wife Nancy about her song she was writing "On the Fence." This is was always one of my favorite Eisler tunes, if not my very favorite. Enjoy!
NOTE: To my chagrine, hours after posting this video, Melissa Eisler alerted me that she did not wish to have this video available online. To maintain 3 videos a day for 365 days format which is the whole point of Operation 365 (that and learning about yourself and life of course...), I replaced that video with this space holder video instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=466w_5OO2L0
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Hopefully it won't happen again.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with The Greens of Mind) - Originals - 21 "Moondrop"- 10-22-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DMjk3zM89w
The Greens of Mind is one of the bands I play with from time to time. It features Barbara Tolbert on vocals, Charlotte James on violin and guitar and "The General" Justin Mills on cello. The Greens of Mind may be the best representation of the great vibe that was in the air in 2008. Barbara and Charlotte appeared on our little scene in late '08. Almost instantly The Greens came to be. Practices were a pleasure. Good gigs were falling in our laps and I wrote a handful of tunes I was really proud of that seemed to perfectly fit the talents of the group assembled. None of those tunes was more attention-grabbing and entrancing than "Moondrop."
Audiences always seemed to take note of this unusual throwback of a song, volleying between Barbara's innocent vocal and my more gruff and disconcerting counterpoint. Don Truesdail really liked this "Moondrop." We had a really cool jam of it on New Year's at the end of 2008 in which Don rocked it out on the banjo. Here it is performed by The Greens of Mind at Don's posthumous birthday concert on October 22, 2009. For more information on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Farhad Bahrami) - Covers - 21 "Sweet August" by Don Truesdail - Recorded live on 10-22-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfMfe7NX9U4
This is a very Truesdail-y way to start the "12 Days of Truesdail" but Truesdail is one of my favorite words in the whole language so consider me tried and convicted of such. All three of today's Operation 365 entires were recorded at Don's posthumous birthday celebration on October 22, 2009. A few people covered songs of Don's for this special event. I played Don's tune "Sweet August" with a friend of mine and mentor of Don's, Mr. Farhad Bahrami, tar master. That's the instrument he's playing. It's called a tar. Farhad also played "Sweet August" on Don;s fabulous CD, "Dasvidanya Bingoland, Hello Nancy," available to you at www.truesdailstudio.com. We love Don and we love this tune so we played it and here it is now for you. "Onward and upward," Don said on more than one occasion. Amen brother!
There is no more enlightening event in life than death, ironically. Dealing with the death of a loved one is more transformational than anything humans experience with the possible exception of falling in love. My dear friend, Don Truesdail, an east coast transplanted, San-Diego based-musician passed away on his work to teach kids music on January 13, 2009. The impact that event had on myself and our friends here can not be understated. Until then, things were almost worry-free on our Utopian scene. As much as I leaned from Don in life, it does not approach what I learned from him since his passing so in honor of my fallen comrade, Operation 365 will be celebrating the "12 Days of Truesdail" for the next dozen of days, so enjoy some of the work of and tributes to a great man, Donald Leslie Truesdail.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 21 Melissa Eisler - 10-22-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqa20dRpKcg
This is Melissa Eisler's song "On the Fence" recorded at Don Truesdail's posthumous birthday celebration on October 22, 2009. Melissa tells a short story before playing the song about a talk she had with Don, myself, and Don's wife Nancy about her song she was writing "On the Fence." This is was always one of my favorite Eisler tunes, if not my very favorite. Enjoy!
NOTE: To my chagrine, hours after posting this video, Melissa Eisler alerted me that she did not wish to have this video available online. To maintain 3 videos a day for 365 days format which is the whole point of Operation 365 (that and learning about yourself and life of course...), I replaced that video with this space holder video instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=466w_5OO2L0
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Hopefully it won't happen again.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with The Greens of Mind) - Originals - 21 "Moondrop"- 10-22-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DMjk3zM89w
The Greens of Mind is one of the bands I play with from time to time. It features Barbara Tolbert on vocals, Charlotte James on violin and guitar and "The General" Justin Mills on cello. The Greens of Mind may be the best representation of the great vibe that was in the air in 2008. Barbara and Charlotte appeared on our little scene in late '08. Almost instantly The Greens came to be. Practices were a pleasure. Good gigs were falling in our laps and I wrote a handful of tunes I was really proud of that seemed to perfectly fit the talents of the group assembled. None of those tunes was more attention-grabbing and entrancing than "Moondrop."
Audiences always seemed to take note of this unusual throwback of a song, volleying between Barbara's innocent vocal and my more gruff and disconcerting counterpoint. Don Truesdail really liked this "Moondrop." We had a really cool jam of it on New Year's at the end of 2008 in which Don rocked it out on the banjo. Here it is performed by The Greens of Mind at Don's posthumous birthday concert on October 22, 2009. For more information on Don and his music, please visit www.truesdailstudio.com
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Farhad Bahrami) - Covers - 21 "Sweet August" by Don Truesdail - Recorded live on 10-22-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfMfe7NX9U4
This is a very Truesdail-y way to start the "12 Days of Truesdail" but Truesdail is one of my favorite words in the whole language so consider me tried and convicted of such. All three of today's Operation 365 entires were recorded at Don's posthumous birthday celebration on October 22, 2009. A few people covered songs of Don's for this special event. I played Don's tune "Sweet August" with a friend of mine and mentor of Don's, Mr. Farhad Bahrami, tar master. That's the instrument he's playing. It's called a tar. Farhad also played "Sweet August" on Don;s fabulous CD, "Dasvidanya Bingoland, Hello Nancy," available to you at www.truesdailstudio.com. We love Don and we love this tune so we played it and here it is now for you. "Onward and upward," Don said on more than one occasion. Amen brother!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Operation 365... Take 15
Operation 365 – Jefferson Jay – Covers – 20 “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aen8VeeWVM
Well, first I learned this song is not by Elvis Presley, not that it really matters that much, but for the record, it was these three dudes; George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore… God bless ‘em.
Operation 365, as you may have imagined, takes a bit of time. I have been teaching quite a bit of special ed. lately. The kids consistently inspire me with their great attitudes and appreciation of the things in life they DO have. Even the kids who can’t speak or drool a lot teach me things every day about communicating positively from your heart the best you can and appreciating every blessed breath in life. For reals.
So I play for the kids sometimes and they seem to enjoy it. One student tells me I have the greatest voice in the world. Another holds his ears like I’m nails on a chalkboard. I get a kick out of the whole thing. When I came back from lunch today, a whole bunch of the kids (not special ed.) were cheering for me and saying my name. I laughed and was tickled by the acknowledgment.
I was thinking about “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” I’ve always thought it was a beautiful song. So here I am in the classroom, playing the song the last few minutes of class as the bell rang. Notice as the tension vanishes from my face before my eyes. Ahhhh….. Sweet release.
Operation 365 – Jefferson Jay – Originals – 20 “I Am The You And The Me”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tXlYxBLko
I figured I’d come this far on my work for the day. I have been trying to squeeze in 365 work whenever I can to minimize the time it takes me which is significant. I stayed after school and recorded this little number “I Am The You And The Me.” It was inspired by my blind friends Cory and Laura Wilkins. They play music in a band called The Cory Wilkins Band. He plays guitar and sings and she is the drummer. They play with me sometimes as well. Anyway, they are really fun and cool people and I was trying to imagine the world through their eyes. Pardon the pun please. I merged that with my belief that we are all connected. Throw in a shake of the fact that we all play poker together sometimes. Braille cards and there you have this song.
Where does one of us stop and another of us begin? I don’t know. Isn’t it all in our heads anyway? A shared dream. We are all one. I am the you and the me.
Operation 365 – Jefferson Jay – Archives – 20 - Cory Wilkins Band - 3-4-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvE0LCgtzZE
In the spirit of this tune, that I wrote
“I Am The You And The Me” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tXlYxBLko
inspired by The Cory Wilkins Band, I decided to post a clip of why I find them so inspiring. Enjoy the power and passion of the Cory Wilkins Band. They are great people, great friends and I love them.. oh and by the way, Cory and Laura (the drummer) are blind. Kisses.
P.S. It feels good to be playing guitar again.
P.P.S. youtube just "suggested" I add "bateria" and "asian television" to the tage on the "Cory" video. Hilarious. What the hell is "bateria"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aen8VeeWVM
Well, first I learned this song is not by Elvis Presley, not that it really matters that much, but for the record, it was these three dudes; George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore… God bless ‘em.
Operation 365, as you may have imagined, takes a bit of time. I have been teaching quite a bit of special ed. lately. The kids consistently inspire me with their great attitudes and appreciation of the things in life they DO have. Even the kids who can’t speak or drool a lot teach me things every day about communicating positively from your heart the best you can and appreciating every blessed breath in life. For reals.
So I play for the kids sometimes and they seem to enjoy it. One student tells me I have the greatest voice in the world. Another holds his ears like I’m nails on a chalkboard. I get a kick out of the whole thing. When I came back from lunch today, a whole bunch of the kids (not special ed.) were cheering for me and saying my name. I laughed and was tickled by the acknowledgment.
I was thinking about “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” I’ve always thought it was a beautiful song. So here I am in the classroom, playing the song the last few minutes of class as the bell rang. Notice as the tension vanishes from my face before my eyes. Ahhhh….. Sweet release.
Operation 365 – Jefferson Jay – Originals – 20 “I Am The You And The Me”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tXlYxBLko
I figured I’d come this far on my work for the day. I have been trying to squeeze in 365 work whenever I can to minimize the time it takes me which is significant. I stayed after school and recorded this little number “I Am The You And The Me.” It was inspired by my blind friends Cory and Laura Wilkins. They play music in a band called The Cory Wilkins Band. He plays guitar and sings and she is the drummer. They play with me sometimes as well. Anyway, they are really fun and cool people and I was trying to imagine the world through their eyes. Pardon the pun please. I merged that with my belief that we are all connected. Throw in a shake of the fact that we all play poker together sometimes. Braille cards and there you have this song.
Where does one of us stop and another of us begin? I don’t know. Isn’t it all in our heads anyway? A shared dream. We are all one. I am the you and the me.
Operation 365 – Jefferson Jay – Archives – 20 - Cory Wilkins Band - 3-4-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvE0LCgtzZE
In the spirit of this tune, that I wrote
“I Am The You And The Me” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tXlYxBLko
inspired by The Cory Wilkins Band, I decided to post a clip of why I find them so inspiring. Enjoy the power and passion of the Cory Wilkins Band. They are great people, great friends and I love them.. oh and by the way, Cory and Laura (the drummer) are blind. Kisses.
P.S. It feels good to be playing guitar again.
P.P.S. youtube just "suggested" I add "bateria" and "asian television" to the tage on the "Cory" video. Hilarious. What the hell is "bateria"?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 14
I did a little research yesterday to see if any other Operation 365's existed and what their outcome was.
Here is what I learned. The most successful Operation 365 that has existed so far by FAR is this one called "Photography Blog by Maddison Owen." And it's found here. http://365daysinthelifeofmaddison.wordpress.com/
All she did was take a picture each day and write a sentence about it and even with that she only got to 198, before suddenly stopping her pursuit on July 18, 2010. Nice try Maddison.
There was another guy whose goal was to do a good deed and describe it every day for 365 days. He got through 18 days, so I am passing him today. I think his attempt ended in February and today, unlike yesterday, I can't even find proof this is true.
The first thing that comes up when you search Operation 365 in Google is this. http://operation-365.blogspot.com. Save you click (if it's not too late) cause there's nothing there and if there ever was there is no proof whatsoever so... fail.
Almost equally inept is this who the hell knows what:
http://operationthreesixfive.blogspot.com/ where they only posted one thing ever.
So without even attempting to compare the effort involved in posting 3 videos and a blog instead of a picture with a one sentence explanation, at Day 199 only 180 days (roughly half a year from now) I will be the greatest Operation 365er who ever lived. Wow, dare to dream!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 19 Hugh Gaskins - 4-15-2010
Here, my main man Hugh Gaskins participates in my "Yellow" CD Release/Birthday Party on April 15, 2010. He is joined on stage by The Soul Man on guiro. The Soul Man is one of my dearest friends. He is 92 years old and we have been playing music together for almost a decade. About 5 years ago, I hooked Hugh Gaskins and The Soul Man up musically. It was one of the greatest things I've ever done and The Titans of Rock N' Roll were formed. The irresistible force
collided with the immovable object and musical magic was born. I recorded a CD for The Titans in 2007. Here they are, accompanied by virtuoso conguero Paul Lopez of Aqua Dulce. In this clip, Hugh and I joke about his band name, The G-String Daddies and Hugh and his crew reprise one of his classics, "I Ain't Mad."
This clip was filmed by Dylan Avery.
Operation 365 - The Jefferson Jay Experience - Covers - 19 Freebird - Recorded Live - 4-15-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJINfCpiV9o
"What song is it you wanna hear?" the live recording asks, paving the way for the most requested cover song of them all, "Freebird." It was my birthday/"Yellow"CD Release party on April 15, 2010. Our set was about over and I asked the audience if they had any requests. From behind me, I head a voice (Paul Lopez's) say "Freebird" and although we'd never played, practiced or discussed it, i launched into it and this is what came out. I hope you like it. It was a fun way to end my birthday/CD Release party set.
From Fall 2009, I was playing with a version of my Jefferson Jay Band that I called The Jefferson Jay Experience. The biggest difference between the "Band" and the "Experience" was that the "Experience" was usually more acoustic and didn't always have a drum set. This version of the Experience featured Jack Davidson on lead guitar, Paul Lopez on congas, The Soul Man on guiro, Blowski on keys and Paul Ruiz on trumpet.
If you 'd like to pick up a copy of "Yellow" or any of my other CDs they are available at my website, www.jeffersonjay.com.
This clip was filmed by Dylan Avery.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 19 "Down South" - Recorded Live on 8-26-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfZwvshEaMU
"Down South" was one of the first tunes I ever wrote in about 1995. I didn't realize until I was done writing it that it was a blues. I was living in Humboldt at the time and I used to hang out a place called the Jambalaya couple of nights a week. I would marvel at how people came out and danced on the floor at the blues every week regardless of what the people were singing about. So I wrote this tune and sat in and sang it at the blues jam a few times back then just to see if anyone would notice the lyrics. They didn't. I busted it back out a few months back out of the blue when I wanted to spark up our set with something a little bluesy and bombastic. It worked and here it is for you, live from Winston's on August 26, 2010 with The Jefferson Jay Band, this is my blues tune "Down South."
This version of The Jefferson Jay Band featured Jack Davidson on lead guitar, Paul Lopez on drums, The Soul Man on guiro, Blowski on keys, Richard Romero on bass and Paul Ruiz on trumpet.
Here is what I learned. The most successful Operation 365 that has existed so far by FAR is this one called "Photography Blog by Maddison Owen." And it's found here. http://365daysinthelifeofmaddison.wordpress.com/
All she did was take a picture each day and write a sentence about it and even with that she only got to 198, before suddenly stopping her pursuit on July 18, 2010. Nice try Maddison.
There was another guy whose goal was to do a good deed and describe it every day for 365 days. He got through 18 days, so I am passing him today. I think his attempt ended in February and today, unlike yesterday, I can't even find proof this is true.
The first thing that comes up when you search Operation 365 in Google is this. http://operation-365.blogspot.com. Save you click (if it's not too late) cause there's nothing there and if there ever was there is no proof whatsoever so... fail.
Almost equally inept is this who the hell knows what:
http://operationthreesixfive.blogspot.com/ where they only posted one thing ever.
So without even attempting to compare the effort involved in posting 3 videos and a blog instead of a picture with a one sentence explanation, at Day 199 only 180 days (roughly half a year from now) I will be the greatest Operation 365er who ever lived. Wow, dare to dream!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 19 Hugh Gaskins - 4-15-2010
Here, my main man Hugh Gaskins participates in my "Yellow" CD Release/Birthday Party on April 15, 2010. He is joined on stage by The Soul Man on guiro. The Soul Man is one of my dearest friends. He is 92 years old and we have been playing music together for almost a decade. About 5 years ago, I hooked Hugh Gaskins and The Soul Man up musically. It was one of the greatest things I've ever done and The Titans of Rock N' Roll were formed. The irresistible force
collided with the immovable object and musical magic was born. I recorded a CD for The Titans in 2007. Here they are, accompanied by virtuoso conguero Paul Lopez of Aqua Dulce. In this clip, Hugh and I joke about his band name, The G-String Daddies and Hugh and his crew reprise one of his classics, "I Ain't Mad."
This clip was filmed by Dylan Avery.
Operation 365 - The Jefferson Jay Experience - Covers - 19 Freebird - Recorded Live - 4-15-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJINfCpiV9o
"What song is it you wanna hear?" the live recording asks, paving the way for the most requested cover song of them all, "Freebird." It was my birthday/"Yellow"CD Release party on April 15, 2010. Our set was about over and I asked the audience if they had any requests. From behind me, I head a voice (Paul Lopez's) say "Freebird" and although we'd never played, practiced or discussed it, i launched into it and this is what came out. I hope you like it. It was a fun way to end my birthday/CD Release party set.
From Fall 2009, I was playing with a version of my Jefferson Jay Band that I called The Jefferson Jay Experience. The biggest difference between the "Band" and the "Experience" was that the "Experience" was usually more acoustic and didn't always have a drum set. This version of the Experience featured Jack Davidson on lead guitar, Paul Lopez on congas, The Soul Man on guiro, Blowski on keys and Paul Ruiz on trumpet.
If you 'd like to pick up a copy of "Yellow" or any of my other CDs they are available at my website, www.jeffersonjay.com.
This clip was filmed by Dylan Avery.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 19 "Down South" - Recorded Live on 8-26-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfZwvshEaMU
"Down South" was one of the first tunes I ever wrote in about 1995. I didn't realize until I was done writing it that it was a blues. I was living in Humboldt at the time and I used to hang out a place called the Jambalaya couple of nights a week. I would marvel at how people came out and danced on the floor at the blues every week regardless of what the people were singing about. So I wrote this tune and sat in and sang it at the blues jam a few times back then just to see if anyone would notice the lyrics. They didn't. I busted it back out a few months back out of the blue when I wanted to spark up our set with something a little bluesy and bombastic. It worked and here it is for you, live from Winston's on August 26, 2010 with The Jefferson Jay Band, this is my blues tune "Down South."
This version of The Jefferson Jay Band featured Jack Davidson on lead guitar, Paul Lopez on drums, The Soul Man on guiro, Blowski on keys, Richard Romero on bass and Paul Ruiz on trumpet.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 14
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 18 Wes Davis - "Oil Spill of Love" - 7-10-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjrt5A4Y9Bk
This number helps us hearken back to yesteryear and the great BP Gulf Oil of 2010. The only effective way to deal with horrible tragedy is to try to make a little light of them once in awhile to make them just a wee bit more tolerable. Here, my buddy, the extremely talented Wes Davis uses an extremely amazing keyboard to illustrate his take on life and the abominable environmental disaster of way back when. Great times.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 18 "What's Lost In The Words That We Don't Say"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAU_2ZF1fcg
I promised Barbara I wouldn't use these video recordings. Well, maybe it wasn't a full-on "promise" but... At the time, I had no idea I'd be injuring my wrist or doing Operation 365 here much less both, so I'm working with what I've got here Out of respect for Barbara's wishes, I picked the song in which she's dancing around and playing to the camera least. Barbara and I are the singers in a band called The Greens of Mind. We only play occasionally these days, but we have some vids you can watch at my youtube page (youtube.com/jeffersonjaydotcom). Here we were doing a little practice for a show we had a few months back of my tune "What's Lost in the Words That We Don't Say"
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Chris Zach) - Covers - "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6UFVxpwejA
Today's cover is from a live show I did for my birthday/CD Release party for my CD "Yellow" on April 15, 2010. Hence the yellowish gold garb. My birthday is April 16th. Here I am playing with my friend Chris Zach. I picked it mainly because it was the only place I knew I could find myself playing a cover in my archives fairly easily Of course, right before the song starts, I make a joke on the mic about how I karmically deserve to be stabbed for some joke I was making.
If I don't believe in randomness, does that mean I lose irony too? I'll have to think about that one. Well, I had no idea that little joke was there, but I guess I should be real glad I didn't hurt myself way WAY worse stabbing myself in the wrist the other day by mistake. I am actually feeling all right there in my left wrist as I'm typing here to you right now. Hallelujah!
This evening was filmed by my friend Dylan Avery, whose voice can ben heard in the stabbing related banter near the beginning of the clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjrt5A4Y9Bk
This number helps us hearken back to yesteryear and the great BP Gulf Oil of 2010. The only effective way to deal with horrible tragedy is to try to make a little light of them once in awhile to make them just a wee bit more tolerable. Here, my buddy, the extremely talented Wes Davis uses an extremely amazing keyboard to illustrate his take on life and the abominable environmental disaster of way back when. Great times.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 18 "What's Lost In The Words That We Don't Say"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAU_2ZF1fcg
I promised Barbara I wouldn't use these video recordings. Well, maybe it wasn't a full-on "promise" but... At the time, I had no idea I'd be injuring my wrist or doing Operation 365 here much less both, so I'm working with what I've got here Out of respect for Barbara's wishes, I picked the song in which she's dancing around and playing to the camera least. Barbara and I are the singers in a band called The Greens of Mind. We only play occasionally these days, but we have some vids you can watch at my youtube page (youtube.com/jeffersonjaydotcom). Here we were doing a little practice for a show we had a few months back of my tune "What's Lost in the Words That We Don't Say"
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Chris Zach) - Covers - "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6UFVxpwejA
Today's cover is from a live show I did for my birthday/CD Release party for my CD "Yellow" on April 15, 2010. Hence the yellowish gold garb. My birthday is April 16th. Here I am playing with my friend Chris Zach. I picked it mainly because it was the only place I knew I could find myself playing a cover in my archives fairly easily Of course, right before the song starts, I make a joke on the mic about how I karmically deserve to be stabbed for some joke I was making.
If I don't believe in randomness, does that mean I lose irony too? I'll have to think about that one. Well, I had no idea that little joke was there, but I guess I should be real glad I didn't hurt myself way WAY worse stabbing myself in the wrist the other day by mistake. I am actually feeling all right there in my left wrist as I'm typing here to you right now. Hallelujah!
This evening was filmed by my friend Dylan Avery, whose voice can ben heard in the stabbing related banter near the beginning of the clip.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 13
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - Jason Chase, Sky Ritchie and the Dancing Boy - 8-11-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6YBaNz24E
Doing my 365. Day Two of barely functioning wrist. Still don't know how I'm going to deal with the guitar playing parts of it all, but I started my work for the day with my Archive. I again went with a "random" choice, but this time, I asked my friend Josh, who is also my girlfriend Leanne's roommate. I asked Josh to pick a "random" date." He picked August 11th, without even thinking or realizing it is Leanne's birthday. Random? So I went to a clip from that day. It happened to be an Open Mic. Then I scrolled down and told him to tell me when to stop. Then I moved the cursor around without looking and had him tell me when to say stop. When I got there, it was Jason Chase and Sky playing and a boy I believe is Jason's son dancing in a fascinating manner. So there it was, "randomly selected" for you once again. Live from my Open Mic at August 11, 2009, Jason Chase, Sky Ritchie and the Dancing Boy.
Score one more for my hypotheses that everything is connected and nothing is random.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - "You and I" - Recorded live at Jefferson Jay's Open Mic - 8-11-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XIWQiNR7b0
This unforeseen circumstance with the wrist has led me to consider other possibilities than me just playing each tune to present them. I was already on this clip of Jason Chase, Sky Richie and The Dancing Boy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6YBaNz24E) from 8-11-09, I found perusing for the archive of the day and I was the next performer. You can see the dancing boy standing on front of me listening and swaying some. Looking at it, I see no reason why I can't incorporate more of these in the presenting of my original tunes. All hail randomness. Here is my tune "You and I" at my Open Mic on August 11, 2009, which just happens to be my girlfriend (who I hadn't met yet)'s birthday.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 17 "Silent Night"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul06S7NwV9U
This is my unique rendition of "Silent Night" by Traditional. A couple of years ago I got a Christmas gig at a church. Me, Clifford and Soul Man went. I learned this tune for the gig. Anyway, I was in the shower getting ready. A lot of inspiration comes to me in the shower. And I thought "Silent Night" is cool but I should write a song that reflects my feelings on things of this nature. Then and there, I quickly conceived and penned my tune "Good Graces" and we debuted it that night. They were a very attentive audience incidentally and we had quite a nice time.
Fortunately, I recorded this tune earlier this week while compiling some covers. I was planning on saving this for a little closer to Christmas but today is just as well. Another amazing appearance for Shanti the Hamster.
Finally, I have a video that actually DOES relate to Christianity. Josh said, of youtube, "They knew." He also predicted a lot of people will see this one. If nothing's random than nothing at all is random. So, maybe they actually did... or the universe did and we're just playing it out for game's sake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6YBaNz24E
Doing my 365. Day Two of barely functioning wrist. Still don't know how I'm going to deal with the guitar playing parts of it all, but I started my work for the day with my Archive. I again went with a "random" choice, but this time, I asked my friend Josh, who is also my girlfriend Leanne's roommate. I asked Josh to pick a "random" date." He picked August 11th, without even thinking or realizing it is Leanne's birthday. Random? So I went to a clip from that day. It happened to be an Open Mic. Then I scrolled down and told him to tell me when to stop. Then I moved the cursor around without looking and had him tell me when to say stop. When I got there, it was Jason Chase and Sky playing and a boy I believe is Jason's son dancing in a fascinating manner. So there it was, "randomly selected" for you once again. Live from my Open Mic at August 11, 2009, Jason Chase, Sky Ritchie and the Dancing Boy.
Score one more for my hypotheses that everything is connected and nothing is random.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - "You and I" - Recorded live at Jefferson Jay's Open Mic - 8-11-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XIWQiNR7b0
This unforeseen circumstance with the wrist has led me to consider other possibilities than me just playing each tune to present them. I was already on this clip of Jason Chase, Sky Richie and The Dancing Boy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6YBaNz24E) from 8-11-09, I found perusing for the archive of the day and I was the next performer. You can see the dancing boy standing on front of me listening and swaying some. Looking at it, I see no reason why I can't incorporate more of these in the presenting of my original tunes. All hail randomness. Here is my tune "You and I" at my Open Mic on August 11, 2009, which just happens to be my girlfriend (who I hadn't met yet)'s birthday.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 17 "Silent Night"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul06S7NwV9U
This is my unique rendition of "Silent Night" by Traditional. A couple of years ago I got a Christmas gig at a church. Me, Clifford and Soul Man went. I learned this tune for the gig. Anyway, I was in the shower getting ready. A lot of inspiration comes to me in the shower. And I thought "Silent Night" is cool but I should write a song that reflects my feelings on things of this nature. Then and there, I quickly conceived and penned my tune "Good Graces" and we debuted it that night. They were a very attentive audience incidentally and we had quite a nice time.
Fortunately, I recorded this tune earlier this week while compiling some covers. I was planning on saving this for a little closer to Christmas but today is just as well. Another amazing appearance for Shanti the Hamster.
Finally, I have a video that actually DOES relate to Christianity. Josh said, of youtube, "They knew." He also predicted a lot of people will see this one. If nothing's random than nothing at all is random. So, maybe they actually did... or the universe did and we're just playing it out for game's sake.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 12
So a little bit ago, I accidentally stabbed myself in the wrist trying to modify a candle that's been sitting in my backyard for years. I was not being careful at all. Please don't be like I was being. My neighbors patched me up and Blowski came over, cleaned up the blood and played my guitar for my 365 songs so the show could go on. Thanks again Ski and friends, be careful.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 16 "Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc_0Hgxwmfc
Blowski plays keyboard in The Jefferson Jay Band. When we needed a cover we knew that I could sing, we recalled this one we played in 2009 when it was hot, in the summer, in the city.
NOTE: When I loaded the above passage into youtube it had only one tag suggestion, "christianity".
What the darn heck does any of that have to do with Christianity? Better still, what do they hope to accomplish by suggesting people add the tag" christianity" to tons of random videos that have nothing to do whatsoever with Christianity. I have no idea.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 16 "Killing's Wrong" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wSLwA5bY0I
Special acknowledgments to Gordo and Angel, the pooches on cameos. This is Killing's Wrong, one of my main tunes ever. There's a long interesting stort about how it came to be but I am too wiped from bleeding and being in shock to share it right now.
NOTE: It suggested I should I should add christianity, philosophy and inspirational for this one
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 16 Blowski with Marissa Oliver and Ian Livingstone -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-1nRz1RySA
So I decided I was going to go to whatever the first clip I "randomly" clicked on for the archive today. Well, if you've been reading you know I dont really believe in random. I think everything happens for a reason. Anyway, unsurprisingly I went right to this clip of Blowski. Here, he is playing "Been Thinking" and "Gypsy" at my Open Mic with Marissa Oliver (violin) and Ian Livingstone (mandolin) at my Open Mic on November 10, 2009.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 16 "Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc_0Hgxwmfc
Blowski plays keyboard in The Jefferson Jay Band. When we needed a cover we knew that I could sing, we recalled this one we played in 2009 when it was hot, in the summer, in the city.
NOTE: When I loaded the above passage into youtube it had only one tag suggestion, "christianity".
What the darn heck does any of that have to do with Christianity? Better still, what do they hope to accomplish by suggesting people add the tag" christianity" to tons of random videos that have nothing to do whatsoever with Christianity. I have no idea.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 16 "Killing's Wrong" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wSLwA5bY0I
Special acknowledgments to Gordo and Angel, the pooches on cameos. This is Killing's Wrong, one of my main tunes ever. There's a long interesting stort about how it came to be but I am too wiped from bleeding and being in shock to share it right now.
NOTE: It suggested I should I should add christianity, philosophy and inspirational for this one
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 16 Blowski with Marissa Oliver and Ian Livingstone -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-1nRz1RySA
So I decided I was going to go to whatever the first clip I "randomly" clicked on for the archive today. Well, if you've been reading you know I dont really believe in random. I think everything happens for a reason. Anyway, unsurprisingly I went right to this clip of Blowski. Here, he is playing "Been Thinking" and "Gypsy" at my Open Mic with Marissa Oliver (violin) and Ian Livingstone (mandolin) at my Open Mic on November 10, 2009.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 12
I've been very amused these days with the reaction I've been getting from Operation 365 so far. A lot of people have been telling me they like it while other s have been inspired to start posting more videos of their own it seems. Very cool. I've even got some comments from a number of people I don't know. One lady even said I ruined the Beatles for her. That was cool. I will continue to keep you abreast of reactions to this project.
Special birthday shout-out to my brother and sister, John and Julie in New Jersey.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 15 "Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVUf_K9HkUg
What a classic tune. I feel like it should be in every movie with any dramatic part whatsoever. Then again, that would get old quick so... I tried a few version with my benevolent blind hamster Shanti scampering around on the guitar but she found herself plummeting to a couple of slippery falls, so that had to end. but, it was so humorous, I am providing those attempts as my first Operation 365 outtake, available here hamster-lovers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvo6OsT5jyw
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 15 "Fricasee Junction" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiA0vEfR-W8
My dear friend and long-time songwriting partner Scott Baslaw, hit me up with some sort of Yahoo IM message saying something like "so you're too good to do any Demarests songs in your 365 thing, huh?" mixed in with a tons of ridiculous emoticons which he claimed best expressed how he was feeling at that moment. Scott loves emoticons for some reason. This may be the best sign yet that this little quest is growing, Scotty noticing. He refuses to use Skype, Facebook and a bunch of other modern- day things. Honestly, I'm a tad surprised he even knows youtube exists.
Some necessary background, The Demarests are/were my first band. We started in 1992 and for the massive majority of our 18 years the only two members have been myself and Mr. Baslaw. we have 3 releases, From Russia With Love (1992), which features 4 of the first five songs I/we ever wrote, EMBARGO (2000), one of the finest pieces of work I've ever participated in, and Our Time Is Now (2007), which is comprised of music written for people from the future. I love Scotty so I instantly obliged his passive agressive request. "Fricasee Junction," we wrote last year, over the phone, the first/only tune we've ever written this way so far.
I will dedicate this post to my brother and sister, John and Julie, whose birthday it is today, December 9. John and Julie grew up watching Scott and I rock out in my room at The House of Love (the place we grew up). Enjoy!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - The Jefferson Jay Show - Episode 02; Part 01 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8SdwZaWoRA
And for my Thursday Big-Hitter I am offering Episode 02; Part 01 of The Jefferson Jay Show.
The Jefferson Jay Show features my friends and I in interesting circumstances, looking at life's questions and having fun. I have had the first 2 episodes shot and planned for a year and a half, but it wasn't until this Operation 365 video rally that I had the aptitude or resolve to take this off my list of things to do. I recently finished posting Episode 1. It has 6 parts and can be found at youtube.com/jeffersonjaydotcom with all the rest of my videos. Episode One looked at life, death and whether I should get a puppy or not.
Episode 2 starts today here and I expect to get it up in a much more timely manner. It is mostly based at The San Diego Mardi Gras Parade in 2009. Episode Two; Part One features myself, Dylan Avery (who is filming), Blowski and Jeff Dewine as we make our way through traffic to the site of the parade.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 15 "Whiter Shade" featuring Shanti the Hamster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvo6OsT5jyw
This is my first outtake offering in Operation 365. I wasn't planning on offering any necessarily but... I was trying to record "Whiter Shade of Pale" yesterday with Shanti the Hamster on my guitar and she turned out to be very very good for the camera so here it is in it's entirety. Watch closely or you may miss watching the cute blind hamster fall.
No animals were harmed in the filming of these outtakes.
Peace
Special birthday shout-out to my brother and sister, John and Julie in New Jersey.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 15 "Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVUf_K9HkUg
What a classic tune. I feel like it should be in every movie with any dramatic part whatsoever. Then again, that would get old quick so... I tried a few version with my benevolent blind hamster Shanti scampering around on the guitar but she found herself plummeting to a couple of slippery falls, so that had to end. but, it was so humorous, I am providing those attempts as my first Operation 365 outtake, available here hamster-lovers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvo6OsT5jyw
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 15 "Fricasee Junction" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiA0vEfR-W8
My dear friend and long-time songwriting partner Scott Baslaw, hit me up with some sort of Yahoo IM message saying something like "so you're too good to do any Demarests songs in your 365 thing, huh?" mixed in with a tons of ridiculous emoticons which he claimed best expressed how he was feeling at that moment. Scott loves emoticons for some reason. This may be the best sign yet that this little quest is growing, Scotty noticing. He refuses to use Skype, Facebook and a bunch of other modern- day things. Honestly, I'm a tad surprised he even knows youtube exists.
Some necessary background, The Demarests are/were my first band. We started in 1992 and for the massive majority of our 18 years the only two members have been myself and Mr. Baslaw. we have 3 releases, From Russia With Love (1992), which features 4 of the first five songs I/we ever wrote, EMBARGO (2000), one of the finest pieces of work I've ever participated in, and Our Time Is Now (2007), which is comprised of music written for people from the future. I love Scotty so I instantly obliged his passive agressive request. "Fricasee Junction," we wrote last year, over the phone, the first/only tune we've ever written this way so far.
I will dedicate this post to my brother and sister, John and Julie, whose birthday it is today, December 9. John and Julie grew up watching Scott and I rock out in my room at The House of Love (the place we grew up). Enjoy!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - The Jefferson Jay Show - Episode 02; Part 01 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8SdwZaWoRA
And for my Thursday Big-Hitter I am offering Episode 02; Part 01 of The Jefferson Jay Show.
The Jefferson Jay Show features my friends and I in interesting circumstances, looking at life's questions and having fun. I have had the first 2 episodes shot and planned for a year and a half, but it wasn't until this Operation 365 video rally that I had the aptitude or resolve to take this off my list of things to do. I recently finished posting Episode 1. It has 6 parts and can be found at youtube.com/jeffersonjaydotcom with all the rest of my videos. Episode One looked at life, death and whether I should get a puppy or not.
Episode 2 starts today here and I expect to get it up in a much more timely manner. It is mostly based at The San Diego Mardi Gras Parade in 2009. Episode Two; Part One features myself, Dylan Avery (who is filming), Blowski and Jeff Dewine as we make our way through traffic to the site of the parade.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 15 "Whiter Shade" featuring Shanti the Hamster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvo6OsT5jyw
This is my first outtake offering in Operation 365. I wasn't planning on offering any necessarily but... I was trying to record "Whiter Shade of Pale" yesterday with Shanti the Hamster on my guitar and she turned out to be very very good for the camera so here it is in it's entirety. Watch closely or you may miss watching the cute blind hamster fall.
No animals were harmed in the filming of these outtakes.
Peace
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
What I Believe - 12-8-2010
I’m not sure I’ve really gotten into this anywhere in public (or on the internet) before, but… My goal in life is to make a positive impact in the world. I would like to help people get more enjoyment out of life by encouraging and inspiring them to savor life.
I believe life is a gift and we are all connected. Each person has unique things to offer the world. These things are precious jewels in my opinion. People need to invest in each other’s happiness. Because we’re all connected, it’s as if we’re investing in our own.
The goals of defeating and outdoing each other are misguided and exist to keep us stratified. People were born to lift each other up and create the highest levels of appreciation and understanding possible. Humans are a team. In fact, the whole planet is. When people start thinking, feeling and living this way, their weaknesses will emerge as strengths. Instead, we squabble over pennies blindly, frittering away each day tired with meaningless tasks instead fulfilling our true purposes.
The whole world is projection. What we see and focus on outside ourselves are reflections of our inner truths. As we battle each other, we truly are battling ourselves. When we embrace harmony and peace over conflict and acrimony, we become light. We rise up and the problems we perceived as our own become revealed as the passing discomforts that we are.
Each breath is a gift to be cherished. Each conversation with a loved one. Each embrace we share. Every bit of sunlight. Every breath of fresh air. There are no coincidences. If there were, life itself and our ecosystem specifically, our bodies would be a miracle beyond our wildest imaginations. They represent our potential, what we really are, reflections of ourselves. If one removes so themselves so far from trees, the sun and nature, they lose who they really are. For without these natural phenomena, we’d all be dead.
I hope I live to see the world once it’s shifted into an environment where how much you care for other people is the prime determinant of one’s value as a person, and not how many possessions one can accumulate for their own egotistical greed. I hope I live to see the day when we all clearly realize that there is no glory in this extreme accumulation. This perverse wealth is starvation around the globe directly. When one has the power to feed thousands and chooses only to feed themselves the finest foods and fanciest toys, that person is miserable inside. That person may believe they’ve earned this bounty or that they are entitled to it because society told them they were, but no one person is so much more important than any other person that they have 50 cars while other people starve.
We are all one. Therefore we are all equally important. Money is one measure of a person only. And it is certainly not a measure of their happiness, their heart or their integrity. People have got it backwards a little bit, having replaced mountains and the ocean with TV and the internet, but I still believe. I still have faith in humanity to rise about this Era of Illusion.
I still believe people are driven above all else, by love. That people want more. That they deserve and that that they will have more as soon as people, individually, one by one, demand this for and from themselves. Once enough people make this conversion, the way the world is today will be an unacceptable alternative to a caring life of generosity and meaningful experiences.
I believe life is a gift and we are all connected. Each person has unique things to offer the world. These things are precious jewels in my opinion. People need to invest in each other’s happiness. Because we’re all connected, it’s as if we’re investing in our own.
The goals of defeating and outdoing each other are misguided and exist to keep us stratified. People were born to lift each other up and create the highest levels of appreciation and understanding possible. Humans are a team. In fact, the whole planet is. When people start thinking, feeling and living this way, their weaknesses will emerge as strengths. Instead, we squabble over pennies blindly, frittering away each day tired with meaningless tasks instead fulfilling our true purposes.
The whole world is projection. What we see and focus on outside ourselves are reflections of our inner truths. As we battle each other, we truly are battling ourselves. When we embrace harmony and peace over conflict and acrimony, we become light. We rise up and the problems we perceived as our own become revealed as the passing discomforts that we are.
Each breath is a gift to be cherished. Each conversation with a loved one. Each embrace we share. Every bit of sunlight. Every breath of fresh air. There are no coincidences. If there were, life itself and our ecosystem specifically, our bodies would be a miracle beyond our wildest imaginations. They represent our potential, what we really are, reflections of ourselves. If one removes so themselves so far from trees, the sun and nature, they lose who they really are. For without these natural phenomena, we’d all be dead.
I hope I live to see the world once it’s shifted into an environment where how much you care for other people is the prime determinant of one’s value as a person, and not how many possessions one can accumulate for their own egotistical greed. I hope I live to see the day when we all clearly realize that there is no glory in this extreme accumulation. This perverse wealth is starvation around the globe directly. When one has the power to feed thousands and chooses only to feed themselves the finest foods and fanciest toys, that person is miserable inside. That person may believe they’ve earned this bounty or that they are entitled to it because society told them they were, but no one person is so much more important than any other person that they have 50 cars while other people starve.
We are all one. Therefore we are all equally important. Money is one measure of a person only. And it is certainly not a measure of their happiness, their heart or their integrity. People have got it backwards a little bit, having replaced mountains and the ocean with TV and the internet, but I still believe. I still have faith in humanity to rise about this Era of Illusion.
I still believe people are driven above all else, by love. That people want more. That they deserve and that that they will have more as soon as people, individually, one by one, demand this for and from themselves. Once enough people make this conversion, the way the world is today will be an unacceptable alternative to a caring life of generosity and meaningful experiences.
Operation 365... Blog 11
So I've been hosting Open Mics for awhile. It's one of the things I do and I am comfortable saying it is one of the things in life I do well. Being a good Open Mic host is much easier that people think. One, you have to make it about the performers. Many hosts mistakenly believe that their open mic is all about them so they give themselves the biggest longest spots and that's backwards. People come out to have their moment to shine and have fun, not watch the host incessantly.
A good open mic hosts makes his performers, who are his guests, feeling comfortable and important and keeps the show moving. He or she is fair but shows appreciation to those who make the show fun each week.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 14 "Shinchitilatudatu" by Lou Evans Jr. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7LcjuwMEbs
So through Open Mics, I've met many if not most of my closest friends here in San Diego. Today's archive performance is from a man named Lou Evans Jr. This is one of his raddest tunes, called "Shinchitilatudatu" or something like that. Lou has a really interesting story. He was an aspiring pitcher with a fastball over 90 miles per hour in the minor leagues til he blew out his arm. Fortunately Lou has another superhuman talent to rely on. From the first time he came to my Open Mic, he made such an impression that I instantly gave him a nickname, "The Voice" Giving nicknames is another of my special talents. He earns that name every time he sings. Check him out!. Go Lou Evans Jr.!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 14 "For My Lady" by The Moody Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_FVsYY9cpU
This a tune my mom always loved and one I used to practice my singing and seduce teenage girls when I was a teenager myself. Justin Heyward of The Moody Blues has one of the underrated voices in rock history and this is a beautiful song. My mom broke her leg yesterday. Ouch! I hope maybe this can make her feel a little bit better. Love you Mom.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 14 "The Year of The Tiger" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCYjrXo03sg
Wasn't planning on playing this one. Second day in a row I just picked one once the tape was rolling. Second day in a row it was my second choice but I failed on the first few tries of the other tune so I moved on. I love this tune. It is one of my newer numbers. It was conceived at a Chinese restaurant appropriately. I was gaining knowledge about the world from the Chinese Astrology menu when I discovered I was born in the Year of The Tiger, my (future at the time but current now) girlfriend Leanne was also born in The Year of The Tiger and it is now The Year of The Tiger. In a world where there's no coincidences that's pretty heavy. What it means I have no idea. I don't really get Chinese astrology. How can every person for a year and then 12 years later and then 12 years later again be exactly the same? Who knows? What I knew was I needed to write a song about all this the next day and to my great happiness Leanne liked it. When we played it together live once or twice it got a great reaction with lots of tiger noises so I included a few of them here.
And finally, for you music theory heads, although I didn't really plan it this way, I just played it the way it was in my head, it is pretty crazy. It changes tempo and time signature ove and over again throughout. Fun! Hope you like it and if that's not good enough I am bottomless in the vid. Don't worry. You can't see anything but my knees. So I like to be naked in my house. Sue me.
In other unrelated Operation 365 news, youtube keeps suggesting I add "inspirational," "christianity" and "mix tape." I always comply but I'm figuring it won't be too long until some folks looking for christian mix tapes leave my page awfully disappointed.
P.S. Decided to add a bonus non-Operation 365 blog of the kind of stuff I think about.
EDIT: (Approximately 40 minutes later) Maybe I'm thickheaded, but I just noticed the romantic theme through all today's postings. Awwwwwwwwww....
A good open mic hosts makes his performers, who are his guests, feeling comfortable and important and keeps the show moving. He or she is fair but shows appreciation to those who make the show fun each week.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 14 "Shinchitilatudatu" by Lou Evans Jr. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7LcjuwMEbs
So through Open Mics, I've met many if not most of my closest friends here in San Diego. Today's archive performance is from a man named Lou Evans Jr. This is one of his raddest tunes, called "Shinchitilatudatu" or something like that. Lou has a really interesting story. He was an aspiring pitcher with a fastball over 90 miles per hour in the minor leagues til he blew out his arm. Fortunately Lou has another superhuman talent to rely on. From the first time he came to my Open Mic, he made such an impression that I instantly gave him a nickname, "The Voice" Giving nicknames is another of my special talents. He earns that name every time he sings. Check him out!. Go Lou Evans Jr.!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 14 "For My Lady" by The Moody Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_FVsYY9cpU
This a tune my mom always loved and one I used to practice my singing and seduce teenage girls when I was a teenager myself. Justin Heyward of The Moody Blues has one of the underrated voices in rock history and this is a beautiful song. My mom broke her leg yesterday. Ouch! I hope maybe this can make her feel a little bit better. Love you Mom.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 14 "The Year of The Tiger" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCYjrXo03sg
Wasn't planning on playing this one. Second day in a row I just picked one once the tape was rolling. Second day in a row it was my second choice but I failed on the first few tries of the other tune so I moved on. I love this tune. It is one of my newer numbers. It was conceived at a Chinese restaurant appropriately. I was gaining knowledge about the world from the Chinese Astrology menu when I discovered I was born in the Year of The Tiger, my (future at the time but current now) girlfriend Leanne was also born in The Year of The Tiger and it is now The Year of The Tiger. In a world where there's no coincidences that's pretty heavy. What it means I have no idea. I don't really get Chinese astrology. How can every person for a year and then 12 years later and then 12 years later again be exactly the same? Who knows? What I knew was I needed to write a song about all this the next day and to my great happiness Leanne liked it. When we played it together live once or twice it got a great reaction with lots of tiger noises so I included a few of them here.
And finally, for you music theory heads, although I didn't really plan it this way, I just played it the way it was in my head, it is pretty crazy. It changes tempo and time signature ove and over again throughout. Fun! Hope you like it and if that's not good enough I am bottomless in the vid. Don't worry. You can't see anything but my knees. So I like to be naked in my house. Sue me.
In other unrelated Operation 365 news, youtube keeps suggesting I add "inspirational," "christianity" and "mix tape." I always comply but I'm figuring it won't be too long until some folks looking for christian mix tapes leave my page awfully disappointed.
P.S. Decided to add a bonus non-Operation 365 blog of the kind of stuff I think about.
EDIT: (Approximately 40 minutes later) Maybe I'm thickheaded, but I just noticed the romantic theme through all today's postings. Awwwwwwwwww....
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Operation 365... Blog 10
Firstly, I wrote a blog yesterday, but forgot to post it til today, just so you know. In other 365 news, I received a note from Bob Dylan's people generously saying I could leave up my vids of Dylan tunes but only if I put this verbiage first in my description.
"Copyright music and lyrics reproduced by kind permission of Special Rider -- for original, exclusive
performances by Bob Dylan, check-out the official channel at www.youtube.com/bobdylan."
So I did...
Thanks to Bob and his mignons for sharting.... Oops I meant sharing... seriously. It was an accident. No pun intended. Well maybe...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 13 Jason Burleson - February 7, 2009 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUBkW_vTA0k
Today's Archive features another talented buddy of mine with a birthday. and that's not the only thing they have in common... They both play guitar and sing quite beautifully. Here is Jason Burleson, or as I call him Burly-Town from February 7, 2009. Happy Birthday Jason!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 13 "Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDnIz8244x8
Been wanting to share this jam for a few days now. Second day in a row I covered some song I didn't even know who wrote it til I put it up. Learning's fun. Been teaching quite a bit lately. Mr. Burleson, my friend whose birthday it is today told me he'll celebrate by studying so this one goes out to him as well.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 13 "Molasses Man" -
I already told y'all I don't believe in coincidences right. And that I think everything happens for a reason... Well, I do. Wasn't planning on playing this tune today. In fact it's one of the ones I recorded a few days ago and forgot to turn the mic on. I tried to play the first tune I ever wrote. I was doing well too until I forgot how the bridge went for a moment. Oh well. So what's the reason for this tune today, one may wonder.
I just turned on the camera and went with no idea what song it would be until I started playing it. Appears to be a Jason Burleson motif here today and this song does play in. "Molasses Man" which appears on my first CD, "Great Story" (available now at www.jeffersonjay.com), is an anthem for all the great procrastinators of the world. "Molasses Man" is the world's first heroic procrastinator. My dear friend birthday-celebrating friend Jason has been laboring on his first CD for quite some time. This song is for him and anyone else out there whose ever put off doing something they knew they really wanted to do deep down inside. Complicated beings we humans are. Mmmm hmmmm.
"...As if all those things were planned," - Molasses Man - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DAGw7ttc2Y
"Copyright music and lyrics reproduced by kind permission of Special Rider -- for original, exclusive
performances by Bob Dylan, check-out the official channel at www.youtube.com/bobdylan."
So I did...
Thanks to Bob and his mignons for sharting.... Oops I meant sharing... seriously. It was an accident. No pun intended. Well maybe...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 13 Jason Burleson - February 7, 2009 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUBkW_vTA0k
Today's Archive features another talented buddy of mine with a birthday. and that's not the only thing they have in common... They both play guitar and sing quite beautifully. Here is Jason Burleson, or as I call him Burly-Town from February 7, 2009. Happy Birthday Jason!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 13 "Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDnIz8244x8
Been wanting to share this jam for a few days now. Second day in a row I covered some song I didn't even know who wrote it til I put it up. Learning's fun. Been teaching quite a bit lately. Mr. Burleson, my friend whose birthday it is today told me he'll celebrate by studying so this one goes out to him as well.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 13 "Molasses Man" -
I already told y'all I don't believe in coincidences right. And that I think everything happens for a reason... Well, I do. Wasn't planning on playing this tune today. In fact it's one of the ones I recorded a few days ago and forgot to turn the mic on. I tried to play the first tune I ever wrote. I was doing well too until I forgot how the bridge went for a moment. Oh well. So what's the reason for this tune today, one may wonder.
I just turned on the camera and went with no idea what song it would be until I started playing it. Appears to be a Jason Burleson motif here today and this song does play in. "Molasses Man" which appears on my first CD, "Great Story" (available now at www.jeffersonjay.com), is an anthem for all the great procrastinators of the world. "Molasses Man" is the world's first heroic procrastinator. My dear friend birthday-celebrating friend Jason has been laboring on his first CD for quite some time. This song is for him and anyone else out there whose ever put off doing something they knew they really wanted to do deep down inside. Complicated beings we humans are. Mmmm hmmmm.
"...As if all those things were planned," - Molasses Man - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DAGw7ttc2Y
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