Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 68 "Greenville" by Lucinda Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HotxxNfPBaI
Without really intending to, I did a bunch of songs these last couple days about relationships in peril. I am glad to be on the opposite end of that dichotomy these days. This tune "Greenville," I played a bunch, several break-ups ago. I felt bad that I did the breaking up and I would play this song and be sad about the ending of the relationship and imagine what my ex felt like. I feel like the whole song-playing thing was pretty cathartic, so it wasn't hard to summon those emotions once again while playing this tune. I liked the emotions in it so much that I included "Greenville" despite the fact that I clunk one note in there pretty hard. Hey, nobody's perfect. When I told my friend, "The General" Justin Mills, that I liked to always strive for perfection although I knew I would never attain it, he empathized, "That must be terrible," he said, "knowing that no matter what you do, you're always gonna fail." I hadn't thought of it that way and I've thought of things a little differently ever since. Thank God for friends and perspective.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 68 "Race, Class, and Gender"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZwX8ck-PU4
This song is what I learned from my first semester as a Graduate History student at San Diego State University back in 2000. We learned specifically that history had been written from the perspective of rich white guys and only since the mid-1960s had other voice begun to fin d their place in the narrative. I thought this was really interesting so I wrote a reggae song about it and shared it with my classmates. Seven short years later, I graduated with a Master's degree. Take that Billy Cheek and Lizzie Cobbs-Hoffman, my 2 SDSU thesis advisors who were supposed to help me but had more important things to do. In the 60s, when you guys (Bill and Liz) fought and stood up for what you believed in, you understood the importance of following your passion and your heart. I wish I had met you guys then. Maybe we could have helped each other much, much more. I'm sure
A student just asked me what my songs are about. I told him I talk about how people should enjoy life, treat each other right, and get as much out of life as as possible. I said sometimes I sing about funny stuff or things that happen in life but I do have a point. I think a lot of people have got it backwards in this world. People think they should try to get as much as they can for themselves. I told him, "if you have everything than everyone else has nothing." And then the bell rang for lunch...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 68 "Running Out of Time" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPz0NH3kM0g
Operation 365 has been posting clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Running Out of Time" and it is the final track left for me to post from our unforgettable evening at The Whisky A Go-Go.
Honestly, that place only cares if you sell tickets, plus they make you pay for them, and I don't care at all if I ever play there again. That said, it was an experience on my short list of things I really wanted to do before I die and no one can ever take that away from me. No other venue is on that list, so I am free and clear there. It is a huge stage and The Doors played on it. The Police played on less than a week after I did, announcing their reunion. So thanks to the Whisky for having us, even if they'd have anybody willing to buy 50 tickets to their own show.
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years and it was a terrifically fun time.
TAGS: Running out of time, Jefferson Jay, Whisky A Go-Go, Whisky, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, legendary, L.A., Los Angeles, Damon Stoll, bass, Soul Man, guiro, Johnny Avelar, drums, Les Paul, Gibson, guitar, doesn't matter
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 61
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 67 "Undecided"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpq4Tw3my9Y
"Undecided" is a tune I wrote a long time ago that I never play. I'm not sure it's been played live even one. Ages ago, I was engaged. I never would up getting married. Well, one day, back then, out of the woodwork, crept an ex-girlfriend of mine and not just any old ex, but a gorgeous one who I liked quite a bit many years befo re. She was bring the full-court press this ex-girlfriend, talking about marriage and trying to swipe me away. I didn't go for it, but it did a little number on my mind and I wrote this song to help me sort it all out.
Another interesting about this number is I wrote it trying to write a song in 5/4 time, just to see if I could do it. A friend I had at the time, Simeon Flick, had just written a tune in 5 and I wanted to give it a try myself. Honestly, I don't even know to this day if the tune is 5. I can say there are 5 chords in the main progression...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 67 "One More Minute" by Weird Al Yankovic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYhk17EPKdU
Bet ya didn't know Weird Al wrote original songs, did ya? Yeah, he does and they're often funny and good. Not that I've kept up with what Weird Al has done these last several years. I don't even know the tunes that Weird Al covers anymore.
"One More Minute" is a classic Al jam from long ago. Read nothing into all these tormented relationship songs I'm posting today. I am happy as a clam in the desert. Perhaps that analogy sucks, but I really am in the desert and I really do like clams.
TAGS: Jefferson Jay, one more minute, break up, Weird Al, weird al yankovic, original song
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 67 "Cage" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne17zuxmhyI
Operation 365 has been posting clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Cage" and it is cute. The chords are C-Am-G-E. Cute, huh? "Cage" appears on my "Blue; A Kid's Album" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years and it was a terrifically fun time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpq4Tw3my9Y
"Undecided" is a tune I wrote a long time ago that I never play. I'm not sure it's been played live even one. Ages ago, I was engaged. I never would up getting married. Well, one day, back then, out of the woodwork, crept an ex-girlfriend of mine and not just any old ex, but a gorgeous one who I liked quite a bit many years befo re. She was bring the full-court press this ex-girlfriend, talking about marriage and trying to swipe me away. I didn't go for it, but it did a little number on my mind and I wrote this song to help me sort it all out.
Another interesting about this number is I wrote it trying to write a song in 5/4 time, just to see if I could do it. A friend I had at the time, Simeon Flick, had just written a tune in 5 and I wanted to give it a try myself. Honestly, I don't even know to this day if the tune is 5. I can say there are 5 chords in the main progression...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 67 "One More Minute" by Weird Al Yankovic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYhk17EPKdU
Bet ya didn't know Weird Al wrote original songs, did ya? Yeah, he does and they're often funny and good. Not that I've kept up with what Weird Al has done these last several years. I don't even know the tunes that Weird Al covers anymore.
"One More Minute" is a classic Al jam from long ago. Read nothing into all these tormented relationship songs I'm posting today. I am happy as a clam in the desert. Perhaps that analogy sucks, but I really am in the desert and I really do like clams.
TAGS: Jefferson Jay, one more minute, break up, Weird Al, weird al yankovic, original song
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 67 "Cage" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne17zuxmhyI
Operation 365 has been posting clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Cage" and it is cute. The chords are C-Am-G-E. Cute, huh? "Cage" appears on my "Blue; A Kid's Album" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years and it was a terrifically fun time.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 60
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 66 "Cat Strays" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q8kqFr0kjw
I am continuing to post the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Cat Strays" and it features some exceptional bassery by thumping funk machine, Damon Stoll. Damon and I co-wrote this jamboree. "Cat Strays" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 66 "In The Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FScD3XxWus4
I think Wilson Pickett had some help writing this number, but he gets credit here. Look it up if youwanna know who helped him pen it. I did, but I already forgot. I had never played "In The Midnight Hour" before recording it yesterday. Former Jefferson Jay Band bassist Damon Stoll used to wanna do this tune, but it never came to fruition so I will dedicate this attempt to him. I miss him and fondly remember all the good time we had long ago. I had fun busting out "In The Midnight Hour."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 66 "Do You Feel Free" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqaSEUMaIW8
Operation 365 marches on, posting the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Do You Feel Free" and it was co-written by a former Songwriting and Collaboration student of mine, Peter Nairn. I called him Sir Peter Nairn, arguing that the only reason others had been knighted and not him was that he had sold less records. (He's British, by the way.) The way I see it, that's not really his fault, now is it? He is a musician, not a record company exec. Peter was really fun to hang out and write with and I hope we get to do it again some day. "Do You Feel Free" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years and it was much fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q8kqFr0kjw
I am continuing to post the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Cat Strays" and it features some exceptional bassery by thumping funk machine, Damon Stoll. Damon and I co-wrote this jamboree. "Cat Strays" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 66 "In The Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FScD3XxWus4
I think Wilson Pickett had some help writing this number, but he gets credit here. Look it up if youwanna know who helped him pen it. I did, but I already forgot. I had never played "In The Midnight Hour" before recording it yesterday. Former Jefferson Jay Band bassist Damon Stoll used to wanna do this tune, but it never came to fruition so I will dedicate this attempt to him. I miss him and fondly remember all the good time we had long ago. I had fun busting out "In The Midnight Hour."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 66 "Do You Feel Free" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqaSEUMaIW8
Operation 365 marches on, posting the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Do You Feel Free" and it was co-written by a former Songwriting and Collaboration student of mine, Peter Nairn. I called him Sir Peter Nairn, arguing that the only reason others had been knighted and not him was that he had sold less records. (He's British, by the way.) The way I see it, that's not really his fault, now is it? He is a musician, not a record company exec. Peter was really fun to hang out and write with and I hope we get to do it again some day. "Do You Feel Free" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years and it was much fun.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 59
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 65 "Statistical Muffin Tiki"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt4PIwFycmw
When I teach songwriting, one of the first things I tell the students is that there's all kinds of songs and that they should resist the urge to judge their songs while they are in the process of writing them. Amateur songwriters do this all the time. They dissuade themselves from writing a tune by saying it's bad before it's even done yet. I encourage them to leave the role of songwriting to the critics. It's their job.
So last night it was about time to go to bed. I asked Leanne, my girlfriend if she wanted to play a game. She said yes. Then I started writing letters on a blank page. "G... C... D." Leanne then clarified that she did not want to write a song. I accused her of jumping to conclusions. I argued that all I had done was write a few letters on a page. Then I asked her for words and began filling them into the spaces under the letters on the formerly blank page. I only added two words myself, "flow" and "melancholy." The rest, she devised. So I played the song once and then we went to bed... and here it is today on 365 as she and I are about to embark on an adventure.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 65 "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwGx7v6TbYQ
Who doesn't love "The Gambler?" There's a lot of wisdom in that jam. I think I may have utilized some of that wisdom by passing on going to Frank's annual big poker tournament yesterday. Just wasn't feeling it. Instead, I enjoyed quality time with my special lady and an opportunity to record a bunch of covers for the next few days of whoosiewhatsis. That's a word I like to use sometimes, "whoosiewhatsis" It means "whatever" or "anything specific" Anyway, this tune rules and I practiced it some more and I hope did a stand-up version.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 65 "The Red Season" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c9ZfcLp-9A
I am continuing to post the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "The Red Season" and it was our opener on this special event at The Whisky. "The Red Season" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years. Between that and catching a ball at a baseball game, which I did, I'm not really sure what's left. I guess, more of the same. Hallelujah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt4PIwFycmw
When I teach songwriting, one of the first things I tell the students is that there's all kinds of songs and that they should resist the urge to judge their songs while they are in the process of writing them. Amateur songwriters do this all the time. They dissuade themselves from writing a tune by saying it's bad before it's even done yet. I encourage them to leave the role of songwriting to the critics. It's their job.
So last night it was about time to go to bed. I asked Leanne, my girlfriend if she wanted to play a game. She said yes. Then I started writing letters on a blank page. "G... C... D." Leanne then clarified that she did not want to write a song. I accused her of jumping to conclusions. I argued that all I had done was write a few letters on a page. Then I asked her for words and began filling them into the spaces under the letters on the formerly blank page. I only added two words myself, "flow" and "melancholy." The rest, she devised. So I played the song once and then we went to bed... and here it is today on 365 as she and I are about to embark on an adventure.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 65 "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwGx7v6TbYQ
Who doesn't love "The Gambler?" There's a lot of wisdom in that jam. I think I may have utilized some of that wisdom by passing on going to Frank's annual big poker tournament yesterday. Just wasn't feeling it. Instead, I enjoyed quality time with my special lady and an opportunity to record a bunch of covers for the next few days of whoosiewhatsis. That's a word I like to use sometimes, "whoosiewhatsis" It means "whatever" or "anything specific" Anyway, this tune rules and I practiced it some more and I hope did a stand-up version.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 65 "The Red Season" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c9ZfcLp-9A
I am continuing to post the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "The Red Season" and it was our opener on this special event at The Whisky. "The Red Season" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Playing the Whisky was a dream I had for years. Between that and catching a ball at a baseball game, which I did, I'm not really sure what's left. I guess, more of the same. Hallelujah!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 58
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 64 Cafe Moliendo Part Two - 7-30-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wosEq0loDhI
I decided to include another excerpt from Cafe Moliendo's set on 7-30-2009. There was a great vibe and some nice close-ups. The camaraderie is tangible and I like it. So here it is.
Cafe Moliendo is a San Diego-based cumbia band. They are led by singer Olga Cortes and violinist/pianist Misha Borisovsky. Here they are joined by several talented musicians including Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Soul Man on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Geo on quattro, Marco on saxophone and several others whose names should be listed here but aren't.
Peace
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 64 "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjEE4zxU13U
So, is my version of Wang Chung's "Dance Hall Days" the greatest song ever? A fair question... My initial is, probably not. Would I have even considered recording this song or sharing it if not for the free-for-all that is Operation 365? Likely, the answer is no. But, can I speak for every person on the planet? Certainly not. Do I know if there is someone out there who has waited their whole life for this very version of "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung? No, your honor, I don't. And that I believe creates enough reasonable doubt to justify my posting of this version of "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung. Thank you.
I was actually gonna do a Wes Davis tune. Looked at "Squeegee." Found "The Gambler" in the file but wasn't getting that done as smoothly as I would have liked. Would have been fitting with Frank's big birthday poker game tonight though. Anyway, stumbled upon "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung and the rest is history
TAGS: Wang Chung, Jefferson Jay, Wes Davis, Ocean Beach, Road Show, Have Fun Tonight, Bang a gong, 80s music, poker, gambler, Squeegee, t-rex
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 64 "Season Of The Mind"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoAKm4Wz7qY
I plan to continue to post the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Season Of The Mind" and was a staple of my band in this era. It was quite a thrill to grace the stage at The Whisky. The Police reunited there later that week a I recall. "Season Of The Mind" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Here's me wishing Damon and Johnny, who I don;t see so often these days awesome life adventures.
TAGS: Jefferson Jay, Soul Man, Damon Stoll, Steely Dan, Johnny Avelar, Whisky, Whisky A-Go Go, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Jim Morrison, The Doors, positive difference, rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wosEq0loDhI
I decided to include another excerpt from Cafe Moliendo's set on 7-30-2009. There was a great vibe and some nice close-ups. The camaraderie is tangible and I like it. So here it is.
Cafe Moliendo is a San Diego-based cumbia band. They are led by singer Olga Cortes and violinist/pianist Misha Borisovsky. Here they are joined by several talented musicians including Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Soul Man on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Geo on quattro, Marco on saxophone and several others whose names should be listed here but aren't.
Peace
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 64 "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjEE4zxU13U
So, is my version of Wang Chung's "Dance Hall Days" the greatest song ever? A fair question... My initial is, probably not. Would I have even considered recording this song or sharing it if not for the free-for-all that is Operation 365? Likely, the answer is no. But, can I speak for every person on the planet? Certainly not. Do I know if there is someone out there who has waited their whole life for this very version of "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung? No, your honor, I don't. And that I believe creates enough reasonable doubt to justify my posting of this version of "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung. Thank you.
I was actually gonna do a Wes Davis tune. Looked at "Squeegee." Found "The Gambler" in the file but wasn't getting that done as smoothly as I would have liked. Would have been fitting with Frank's big birthday poker game tonight though. Anyway, stumbled upon "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung and the rest is history
TAGS: Wang Chung, Jefferson Jay, Wes Davis, Ocean Beach, Road Show, Have Fun Tonight, Bang a gong, 80s music, poker, gambler, Squeegee, t-rex
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 64 "Season Of The Mind"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoAKm4Wz7qY
I plan to continue to post the rest of the clips of The Jefferson Jay Band live at The Whisky A-Go Go on February 1, 2007. This track is called "Season Of The Mind" and was a staple of my band in this era. It was quite a thrill to grace the stage at The Whisky. The Police reunited there later that week a I recall. "Season Of The Mind" appears on my "Red" CD, which can be enjoyed at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Here's me wishing Damon and Johnny, who I don;t see so often these days awesome life adventures.
TAGS: Jefferson Jay, Soul Man, Damon Stoll, Steely Dan, Johnny Avelar, Whisky, Whisky A-Go Go, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Jim Morrison, The Doors, positive difference, rock
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 57
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 63 Paul Lopez and The Soul Man - 7-30-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oApsKJfTWX4
During one of many awesome Thursday nights at our old regular gig, The Soul Man, Paul Lopez, myself and many other friends would get together, throw down jams and have a good time. This was a unique time when at the request of an audience member, in between acts, Paul and Soul Man threw down an impromptu percussion jam and it was smokin'. Paul and Soul Man have been playing together for a long time, like 12 years, back to when Paul was a young man and Soul Man was only 80. Paul is an awesome conguero, who has played with a great Latin group called Aqua Dulce for years and The Soul Man rocks the guiro. There is only one Soul Man
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 63 "I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ls_ZTbTcYU
"I Like It Like That" is a really cool song from back in the day. I know it from a compilation tape I had ages ago featuring the best hits of 1961. I got the tape because I loved "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens, but this tune has found a way in to my head permanently. So this morning, it's in my head when time to record my song comes, and lo and behold, it's not that hard and then we got it done in one take.
I jammed "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with my 3rd graders last week. It was fun. They had a whole cool dance worked out for it in P.E. So maybe that's how this ball got rolling. Big thanks to those 3rd graders. Not so much thanks to the super anal lady I was subbing for last week at that school, who still bothered to call me on Monday to complain more. If you're not part of the solution, lady, you're part of the problem. You must be so sick of hearing yourself complain all the time. I've heard enough of it for a lifetime and I only spoke to you like 3 times. Peace. Love and happiness is where it's at.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 62 "Spreadin' The Word" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peO6b770yfM
This is "Spreadin' The Word," recorded live by The Jefferson Jay Band at the historic Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles on February 1, 2007. "Spreadin' The Word" was a tune my band did a whole bunch back in the day. It is jazzy and progressive and appears on my CD "Red" available now at www.jeffersonjay.com. It is about making a positive difference in the world and not being shy about saying so. The Beatles said, "Have you heard the word is love?" If so, than so be it. Hail love!
I don't know how this tune would translate acoustically so it's another good reason to continue posting clips from our show years ago at The legendary Whisky A-Go Go. The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Today we play on the street corner at the Farmer's Market here in Ocean Beach. The band will be myself, The Soul Man and Paul Ruiz on trumpet. People come and go through out lives. YOu never know who will stay or go. I am glad I still get to be inspired by The Soul Man and his thirst and zest for music, the groove, and life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oApsKJfTWX4
During one of many awesome Thursday nights at our old regular gig, The Soul Man, Paul Lopez, myself and many other friends would get together, throw down jams and have a good time. This was a unique time when at the request of an audience member, in between acts, Paul and Soul Man threw down an impromptu percussion jam and it was smokin'. Paul and Soul Man have been playing together for a long time, like 12 years, back to when Paul was a young man and Soul Man was only 80. Paul is an awesome conguero, who has played with a great Latin group called Aqua Dulce for years and The Soul Man rocks the guiro. There is only one Soul Man
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 63 "I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ls_ZTbTcYU
"I Like It Like That" is a really cool song from back in the day. I know it from a compilation tape I had ages ago featuring the best hits of 1961. I got the tape because I loved "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens, but this tune has found a way in to my head permanently. So this morning, it's in my head when time to record my song comes, and lo and behold, it's not that hard and then we got it done in one take.
I jammed "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with my 3rd graders last week. It was fun. They had a whole cool dance worked out for it in P.E. So maybe that's how this ball got rolling. Big thanks to those 3rd graders. Not so much thanks to the super anal lady I was subbing for last week at that school, who still bothered to call me on Monday to complain more. If you're not part of the solution, lady, you're part of the problem. You must be so sick of hearing yourself complain all the time. I've heard enough of it for a lifetime and I only spoke to you like 3 times. Peace. Love and happiness is where it's at.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 62 "Spreadin' The Word" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peO6b770yfM
This is "Spreadin' The Word," recorded live by The Jefferson Jay Band at the historic Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles on February 1, 2007. "Spreadin' The Word" was a tune my band did a whole bunch back in the day. It is jazzy and progressive and appears on my CD "Red" available now at www.jeffersonjay.com. It is about making a positive difference in the world and not being shy about saying so. The Beatles said, "Have you heard the word is love?" If so, than so be it. Hail love!
I don't know how this tune would translate acoustically so it's another good reason to continue posting clips from our show years ago at The legendary Whisky A-Go Go. The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. Today we play on the street corner at the Farmer's Market here in Ocean Beach. The band will be myself, The Soul Man and Paul Ruiz on trumpet. People come and go through out lives. YOu never know who will stay or go. I am glad I still get to be inspired by The Soul Man and his thirst and zest for music, the groove, and life
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 56
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 62 Cafe Moliendo - 7-30-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjAC0QYmDuY
Cafe Moliendo is a San Diego-based cumbia band. They are led by singer Olga Cortes and violinist/pianist Misha Borisovsky. Here they are joined by several talented musicians including Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Soul Man on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Geo on quattro, Marco on saxophone and several others whose names should be listed here but aren't. I met those folks through my pal Don Truesdail who at one point played bass for Cafe Moliendo. I was happy to do some shows with this crew including one at The Belly Up Tavern. I hope they're doing well right now. I wish them good fortune. I believe Misha and Olga are playing with another band now as well. Last time I saw them, they were playing at a party clad in some very interesting costumes.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 62 "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNSbTYkC2Os
"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."
Yeah, that's right. Bob Dylan (well, his people) said I could use his songs whenever I want as long as I post that little note there first. No sweat. Thanks for asking. Appreciate the attention, I do. Nopt much to ask. Thanks for those cool tunes. Bob, if you're reading this,I read on the interent you were caught sniffing around Bruce Springsteen's childhood house and that you were also checking out John Lennon and Neil Young's old digs too. Well, of course who knows if that's true. It is the internet. But if is, I wonder what you're looking for. Inspiration. Is it a study? An experiment? I don't know, but if you ARE looking for something, I suggest you come right here to my zone in Ocean Beach, San Diego and hang out with me and my friends. There is buttloads of inspiration everywhere. I think you'd like it and it'd be really cool to talk. I'm not The Beatles, but they wouldn't be either if you never went and talked with 'em so give it a thought. Drop me an email at jefferson@jeffersonjay.com if youwanna schmooze. Thanks for letting me use your tunes. Love, Jefferson
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 62 "Anytime At All" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvp5aBpn5sc
Wasn't smoothly breezing through my originals today so I am dipping into the Archives to resurrect one. This is "Any Time At All," recorded live by The Jefferson Jay Band at the historic Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles on February 1, 2007. I would like to thank Ray Peterssen, whose contributions back in '07 made this video possible. It was a dream to play the Whisky. Definitely scratched off my list after this gig. I used to love this tune when it was new. I wrote it in '06 right after we opened for Steely Dan in Irvine, CA. I was very inspired. I never play it these days.
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. The more things change the more they stay the same. I don't even know what that means in this context. I'll be sure to give it some serious thought.
I think these are a little lower "fi" than most of my videos and it doesn't have my little credits at the end, but it's the Whisky A-Go Go and I'm tired. It's going to have to do-do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjAC0QYmDuY
Cafe Moliendo is a San Diego-based cumbia band. They are led by singer Olga Cortes and violinist/pianist Misha Borisovsky. Here they are joined by several talented musicians including Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Soul Man on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Geo on quattro, Marco on saxophone and several others whose names should be listed here but aren't. I met those folks through my pal Don Truesdail who at one point played bass for Cafe Moliendo. I was happy to do some shows with this crew including one at The Belly Up Tavern. I hope they're doing well right now. I wish them good fortune. I believe Misha and Olga are playing with another band now as well. Last time I saw them, they were playing at a party clad in some very interesting costumes.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 62 "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNSbTYkC2Os
"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."
Yeah, that's right. Bob Dylan (well, his people) said I could use his songs whenever I want as long as I post that little note there first. No sweat. Thanks for asking. Appreciate the attention, I do. Nopt much to ask. Thanks for those cool tunes. Bob, if you're reading this,I read on the interent you were caught sniffing around Bruce Springsteen's childhood house and that you were also checking out John Lennon and Neil Young's old digs too. Well, of course who knows if that's true. It is the internet. But if is, I wonder what you're looking for. Inspiration. Is it a study? An experiment? I don't know, but if you ARE looking for something, I suggest you come right here to my zone in Ocean Beach, San Diego and hang out with me and my friends. There is buttloads of inspiration everywhere. I think you'd like it and it'd be really cool to talk. I'm not The Beatles, but they wouldn't be either if you never went and talked with 'em so give it a thought. Drop me an email at jefferson@jeffersonjay.com if youwanna schmooze. Thanks for letting me use your tunes. Love, Jefferson
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 62 "Anytime At All" - Live at The Whisky A-Go Go - 2-1-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvp5aBpn5sc
Wasn't smoothly breezing through my originals today so I am dipping into the Archives to resurrect one. This is "Any Time At All," recorded live by The Jefferson Jay Band at the historic Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles on February 1, 2007. I would like to thank Ray Peterssen, whose contributions back in '07 made this video possible. It was a dream to play the Whisky. Definitely scratched off my list after this gig. I used to love this tune when it was new. I wrote it in '06 right after we opened for Steely Dan in Irvine, CA. I was very inspired. I never play it these days.
The Jefferson Jay Band as it was in this video featured Damon Stoll on bass, Johnny Avelar on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. The more things change the more they stay the same. I don't even know what that means in this context. I'll be sure to give it some serious thought.
I think these are a little lower "fi" than most of my videos and it doesn't have my little credits at the end, but it's the Whisky A-Go Go and I'm tired. It's going to have to do-do.
Operation 365... Blog 55
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 61 Howard - 4-21-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFjwz9rTf_I
Howard is one of the more interesting characters who has ever come out to my shows. Howard lives in Mexico but is in San Diego, where my shows are, often. He has many kids, like 8. Once he brought them all and his wife to my show. The restaurant I was working at was having a free food promotion at that time. They were in disbelief. Before I met them all, I filmed this clip. Howard was stoked. he wanted to get a copy to chow his family. He also plays various native American flutes and is a merry fellow often found riding his bike around town. Also appearing in this clip on whoops and hollers and a late video cameo is another of the most interesting characters who has come out to my shows, a man named Mia. Good times.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 61 "Hotel California" by The Eagles
An interesting battle with myself today on this one. Kinda fun,. So I was teaching at the school... High school. I bring my guitar. Some of the students were requesting tunes and I tried to figure out a couple. Oasis, Offspring, 3 Doors Down, some other stuff I didn't know but tried to play anyway like Avenged Sevenfold and something like Pierce and a Hat and a Doll.. . I forget. Anyway. This girl came over and literally schooled me on playing La Bamba. She then requested Hotel California, so I figured I would try to oblige. I did and it sounded fine. In fact the kids seemed to like it quite a bit and were singing along quietly at their seats while the did their work. Well, something like that.
I thought I'd come home and do it for 365 but I had slightly mixed feelings about it. "Hotel California" is one of the most famous tunes of all-time and it has been done to death. Seems slightly pointless to record tunes on this thing that have been done amazing a million times. Plus the kind of guy I am. I love Steely Dan. I was reading their wikipedia entry today even though I already know a lot about them because I find them and their tunes interesting and challenging. At lunch, I was listening to some unknown heartfelt Americana stuff I recorded by Dan Truesdail, father of my dear friend Don Truesdail. Part of me thinks with some amount of effort, I could be doing good versions of songs by either of them of both. Instead, I'm playing "Hotel California." The fact that a kid suggested it made me feel OK about it but once I started to record, something happened.
I subconsciously transformed into a really mediocre-at-best version of Don Henley with a suspiciously dry mouth. I restored my version to the one found in local classrooms, but still something didn't feel quite right. I do realize that doing really famous songs gonna probably get me more views than doing more obscure ones that I like, but this is an experiment, not an attempt to flood the net with 9,000,000th best version of "Hotel California."
Then got some water and centered myself some and on Take 3, I did it a little differently and I think capturing that moment is the sprit of what Operation 365 is all about. It is perfectly imperfect. It is today and in that sense it's interesting and new. Another wonderful thing about the girth of this Operation 365 is there is always tomorrow for the tunes of Fagen and Beacker and Truesdail. And that's another reason I'm excited to have the chance to taste another sunrise. Once can dream.
I want to thank the student who suggested this Eagles classic for teaching me a thing or two today. I just noticed my one little hiccup in the jamborees was on the line "They stab you with their steely knives." All hail the illusion of randomness.
Songfacts.com confirms: The line "They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast" is a reference to Steely Dan. The bands shared the same manager and had a friendly rivalry. The year before, Steely Dan included the line "Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening" on their song "Everything You Did."
Whoa.
TAGS: "Hotel California" Eagles, Jefferson Jay, high school, Henley, Oasis, Offspring, 3 Doors Down, Avenged Sevenfold, La Bamba, Steely Dan, Truesdail, Americana
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 61 "Love Won't Hold Back"
Transported once again I was. Many years back into my catalog of life. I had seen James Brown for the first timer earlier on the night which I wrote "Love Won't Hold Back." I offer this one to Steely Dan as an olive branch for doing "Hotel California" today instead of "King of the World" or "Pearl of the Quarter."
It seems I'm always continuing to learn what things mean years after first discovering them. Steely Dan tunes, Eagles tunes, my tunes... everything...
"Love Won't Hold Back" is on my first CD, "Great Story," available on itunes here
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-story/id65387746?i=65387468&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
TAGS: "Love Won't Hold Back" Jefferson Jay, Great Story, James Brown, Steely Dan, Eagles, ballad, acoustic, guitar, truth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFjwz9rTf_I
Howard is one of the more interesting characters who has ever come out to my shows. Howard lives in Mexico but is in San Diego, where my shows are, often. He has many kids, like 8. Once he brought them all and his wife to my show. The restaurant I was working at was having a free food promotion at that time. They were in disbelief. Before I met them all, I filmed this clip. Howard was stoked. he wanted to get a copy to chow his family. He also plays various native American flutes and is a merry fellow often found riding his bike around town. Also appearing in this clip on whoops and hollers and a late video cameo is another of the most interesting characters who has come out to my shows, a man named Mia. Good times.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 61 "Hotel California" by The Eagles
An interesting battle with myself today on this one. Kinda fun,. So I was teaching at the school... High school. I bring my guitar. Some of the students were requesting tunes and I tried to figure out a couple. Oasis, Offspring, 3 Doors Down, some other stuff I didn't know but tried to play anyway like Avenged Sevenfold and something like Pierce and a Hat and a Doll.. . I forget. Anyway. This girl came over and literally schooled me on playing La Bamba. She then requested Hotel California, so I figured I would try to oblige. I did and it sounded fine. In fact the kids seemed to like it quite a bit and were singing along quietly at their seats while the did their work. Well, something like that.
I thought I'd come home and do it for 365 but I had slightly mixed feelings about it. "Hotel California" is one of the most famous tunes of all-time and it has been done to death. Seems slightly pointless to record tunes on this thing that have been done amazing a million times. Plus the kind of guy I am. I love Steely Dan. I was reading their wikipedia entry today even though I already know a lot about them because I find them and their tunes interesting and challenging. At lunch, I was listening to some unknown heartfelt Americana stuff I recorded by Dan Truesdail, father of my dear friend Don Truesdail. Part of me thinks with some amount of effort, I could be doing good versions of songs by either of them of both. Instead, I'm playing "Hotel California." The fact that a kid suggested it made me feel OK about it but once I started to record, something happened.
I subconsciously transformed into a really mediocre-at-best version of Don Henley with a suspiciously dry mouth. I restored my version to the one found in local classrooms, but still something didn't feel quite right. I do realize that doing really famous songs gonna probably get me more views than doing more obscure ones that I like, but this is an experiment, not an attempt to flood the net with 9,000,000th best version of "Hotel California."
Then got some water and centered myself some and on Take 3, I did it a little differently and I think capturing that moment is the sprit of what Operation 365 is all about. It is perfectly imperfect. It is today and in that sense it's interesting and new. Another wonderful thing about the girth of this Operation 365 is there is always tomorrow for the tunes of Fagen and Beacker and Truesdail. And that's another reason I'm excited to have the chance to taste another sunrise. Once can dream.
I want to thank the student who suggested this Eagles classic for teaching me a thing or two today. I just noticed my one little hiccup in the jamborees was on the line "They stab you with their steely knives." All hail the illusion of randomness.
Songfacts.com confirms: The line "They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast" is a reference to Steely Dan. The bands shared the same manager and had a friendly rivalry. The year before, Steely Dan included the line "Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening" on their song "Everything You Did."
Whoa.
TAGS: "Hotel California" Eagles, Jefferson Jay, high school, Henley, Oasis, Offspring, 3 Doors Down, Avenged Sevenfold, La Bamba, Steely Dan, Truesdail, Americana
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 61 "Love Won't Hold Back"
Transported once again I was. Many years back into my catalog of life. I had seen James Brown for the first timer earlier on the night which I wrote "Love Won't Hold Back." I offer this one to Steely Dan as an olive branch for doing "Hotel California" today instead of "King of the World" or "Pearl of the Quarter."
It seems I'm always continuing to learn what things mean years after first discovering them. Steely Dan tunes, Eagles tunes, my tunes... everything...
"Love Won't Hold Back" is on my first CD, "Great Story," available on itunes here
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/great-story/id65387746?i=65387468&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
TAGS: "Love Won't Hold Back" Jefferson Jay, Great Story, James Brown, Steely Dan, Eagles, ballad, acoustic, guitar, truth
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 54
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 60 Peanut Butter and Jelly - 4-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRwcY5KuCEM
Today's archival video features two nice young men named Peanut Butter and Jelly. They're also names John and Joe, but Peanut Butter and Jelly's more fun. Here, they appear in their classic Peanut Butter and Jelly-colored sweatsuits at a 4-20 concert in 2009. 4/40 is a pretty big holiday here in our little villa of Ocean Beach, not quite as big as Halloween, but far bigger than Arbor Day. This duo is Jay and Silent Bob-ish I find and here they are with a humorous number, Jesus Is My Hit-Man."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 60 "Escaping From Alcatraz"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u50LLAwk6RI
"Escaping From Alcatraz" is a tune I wrote in late 2008 for use with my new side project at the time, The Greens of Mind. The Greens of Mind are (from L to R) myself on guitar, Barbara Tolbert on vocals, Charlotte James on violin and guitar and Justin Mills on cello and guitar. We had a lot of chemistry sand things just came together very naturally for The Greens then. We got some gigs, wrote some tunes and had some fun. This was recorded at a local 4-20 party we played back in 2009. A good time was had by all.
"Escaping From Alcatraz" is about getting away from a bad situation. I heard someone describe it once as an anti-love song. I don't know. Behold "Escaping From Alcatraz."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 60 "Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two" by Pink Floyd" - 4-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibwSAy1P8sk
Thought this one was here, Glad I looked. Heading up to Orange County here in a few to see a friend and watch some NFL Conference Championship game action. Go Jets! I had a feeling this was here and it will do quite nicely for today's cover. Here, The Greens of Mind cover Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two " at a 4-20 celebration from 2009. If you don't know why folks here celebrate 4-20, I'm not gonna tell you. Well, here's a hint, it's kind of like Earth Day but not exactly. Close.
This is one of the coolest tunes off one of my favorite albums ever, "The Wall." The Greens of Mind are a side project I still play in from time to time. We were really rockin' in 2009. The Greens of Mind are (from L to R) myself on guitar, Barbara Tolbert on vocals, Charlotte James on violin and guitar and Justin Mills on cello and guitar. Hail The Greens of Mind! The name means clean up (or green) your mind and the rest of the world will follow... or something like that. I'm going to Orange County. See you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRwcY5KuCEM
Today's archival video features two nice young men named Peanut Butter and Jelly. They're also names John and Joe, but Peanut Butter and Jelly's more fun. Here, they appear in their classic Peanut Butter and Jelly-colored sweatsuits at a 4-20 concert in 2009. 4/40 is a pretty big holiday here in our little villa of Ocean Beach, not quite as big as Halloween, but far bigger than Arbor Day. This duo is Jay and Silent Bob-ish I find and here they are with a humorous number, Jesus Is My Hit-Man."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 60 "Escaping From Alcatraz"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u50LLAwk6RI
"Escaping From Alcatraz" is a tune I wrote in late 2008 for use with my new side project at the time, The Greens of Mind. The Greens of Mind are (from L to R) myself on guitar, Barbara Tolbert on vocals, Charlotte James on violin and guitar and Justin Mills on cello and guitar. We had a lot of chemistry sand things just came together very naturally for The Greens then. We got some gigs, wrote some tunes and had some fun. This was recorded at a local 4-20 party we played back in 2009. A good time was had by all.
"Escaping From Alcatraz" is about getting away from a bad situation. I heard someone describe it once as an anti-love song. I don't know. Behold "Escaping From Alcatraz."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 60 "Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two" by Pink Floyd" - 4-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibwSAy1P8sk
Thought this one was here, Glad I looked. Heading up to Orange County here in a few to see a friend and watch some NFL Conference Championship game action. Go Jets! I had a feeling this was here and it will do quite nicely for today's cover. Here, The Greens of Mind cover Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two " at a 4-20 celebration from 2009. If you don't know why folks here celebrate 4-20, I'm not gonna tell you. Well, here's a hint, it's kind of like Earth Day but not exactly. Close.
This is one of the coolest tunes off one of my favorite albums ever, "The Wall." The Greens of Mind are a side project I still play in from time to time. We were really rockin' in 2009. The Greens of Mind are (from L to R) myself on guitar, Barbara Tolbert on vocals, Charlotte James on violin and guitar and Justin Mills on cello and guitar. Hail The Greens of Mind! The name means clean up (or green) your mind and the rest of the world will follow... or something like that. I'm going to Orange County. See you.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 53
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 59 "Cricket The Happy Dog"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXX5IyTY6o0
Staying on the tip of tunes I wrote with kids (form yesterday), this is one of the most memorable ditties from that unique club. I worked at Ocean Knoll Elementary for a year doing music and the daughter of a man named T.J. Tognazzini was in my class. A personable, young lady, her mother worked at the school her class collaborated with me on this future hit. A lovely couple, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Tognazzini, are. He is the front man for a band named Buckfast Superbee. He was kind enough to have to his house once and a lovely time was had by all. In any case, this song was written about their dog, Cricket, who is indeed very cute. Cuter than my superpooch Angel? Well, that's a question for another day.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 59 Blowski with The Soul Man - 8-18-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAM1n8grvOY
Two of my best buds ever - Blowski and The Soul Man - are featured in this video. I play in two bands with this heroic duo. For my band, The Jefferson Jay Band, Blowski plays keys and for his band, Acoustic Booze, I reprise the role of Hank Hammerlock, drummer. We have much fun. My life is so much richer for knowing these two exceptional gentlemen. This is Blowski's jam "Manhunt" which happens to be one of my favorites. This version comes with handy explanation of what the song's about immediately following. How convenient.
The Soul Man is 92 and inspires everyone who runs across him with his thirst for life, love, music, the groove, and occasionally copious amounts of tequila. His instrument is called the guiro. Soul Man defended our nation in World War II and the Korean War and has lived in San Diego since 1918 when he was born. I anticipate jamming out with these cats and several other tonight up and Blowski's and I straight up can't wait. Put that in your Bart Scott... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7KSkZxt_zo ...and smoke it.
NOTE: There's an extra space between the "Man" part of Soul Man in my little credits. A pret peeve of mine is when I do stuff like that.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 59 "Amie" by Pure Prairie League
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Za3JHdST0c
I've been saving "Amie" for just a day like today. Tired. Not so much tired as much as not really feeling like doing this right now. Feeling like doing other things. So I recorded this tune a few weeks back, back in 2010, the day I did "Buffalo Soldier." I would've used it. I thought it was OK, but I had a few mild reservations about whether this was a satisfactory version of a tune aI like a fair amount. F those reservations right in their reservation keesters. Who needs reservations anyway? What do they think is is, Nobu? It's not. It's Operation 365 and and this is gonna do just fine for today. Peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXX5IyTY6o0
Staying on the tip of tunes I wrote with kids (form yesterday), this is one of the most memorable ditties from that unique club. I worked at Ocean Knoll Elementary for a year doing music and the daughter of a man named T.J. Tognazzini was in my class. A personable, young lady, her mother worked at the school her class collaborated with me on this future hit. A lovely couple, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Tognazzini, are. He is the front man for a band named Buckfast Superbee. He was kind enough to have to his house once and a lovely time was had by all. In any case, this song was written about their dog, Cricket, who is indeed very cute. Cuter than my superpooch Angel? Well, that's a question for another day.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 59 Blowski with The Soul Man - 8-18-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAM1n8grvOY
Two of my best buds ever - Blowski and The Soul Man - are featured in this video. I play in two bands with this heroic duo. For my band, The Jefferson Jay Band, Blowski plays keys and for his band, Acoustic Booze, I reprise the role of Hank Hammerlock, drummer. We have much fun. My life is so much richer for knowing these two exceptional gentlemen. This is Blowski's jam "Manhunt" which happens to be one of my favorites. This version comes with handy explanation of what the song's about immediately following. How convenient.
The Soul Man is 92 and inspires everyone who runs across him with his thirst for life, love, music, the groove, and occasionally copious amounts of tequila. His instrument is called the guiro. Soul Man defended our nation in World War II and the Korean War and has lived in San Diego since 1918 when he was born. I anticipate jamming out with these cats and several other tonight up and Blowski's and I straight up can't wait. Put that in your Bart Scott... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7KSkZxt_zo ...and smoke it.
NOTE: There's an extra space between the "Man" part of Soul Man in my little credits. A pret peeve of mine is when I do stuff like that.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 59 "Amie" by Pure Prairie League
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Za3JHdST0c
I've been saving "Amie" for just a day like today. Tired. Not so much tired as much as not really feeling like doing this right now. Feeling like doing other things. So I recorded this tune a few weeks back, back in 2010, the day I did "Buffalo Soldier." I would've used it. I thought it was OK, but I had a few mild reservations about whether this was a satisfactory version of a tune aI like a fair amount. F those reservations right in their reservation keesters. Who needs reservations anyway? What do they think is is, Nobu? It's not. It's Operation 365 and and this is gonna do just fine for today. Peace.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 52
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 58 "What Makes You Feel Good"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkbspo5rQk
Came home from school today a little energized. Excited for the weekend. Been a long, rough last few days but I am feeling rejuvenated. Been making strides booking an April California tour and worked a couple days to boot, today, with 3rd graders at Green Elementary School. Was a 3rd gradish couple days, so today at the end of the day I decided to break out my Songwriting lesson on 'em. I have designed a one-of-a-kind (as far as I know) songwriting lesson so I can make any group of people into songwriters in a matter of minutes. Seriously.
Today I flexed this skill of mine, educating 8 and 9-year olds and we conjured "What Makes You Feel Good," a song about exactly what it says it is about. I was excited when I got home so I played it. See below for more... or see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfdQVTvAn2c
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 58 What Makes "What Makes You Feel Good" Feel Good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfdQVTvAn2c
I was so excited when I got home about being home and this new tune and all that I fired up the comp and got recording right away... well, as soon as I'd let Angel out. So this clip is me discussing what happened and how the tune became a tune a little and playing a first version of it where you can hear the song still developing.... and then the 2nd and perhaps final version of this tune ever. We will see.
I also video recorded a version in the classroom. I made the kids stay off camera. I didn't know I'd be doing this now so I wanted to have a version recorded. I may put that as another outtake. I haven't decided yet. I wonder if that is sketchy.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 58 Richard Romero's Compass - 11-12-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK_JEoS-vUI
This was a really cool jam by Richard Romero's Compass from 11-12-2009. Richard is a 70s throwback in a very positive way. We are friends. He channels John McLaughlin (his favorite), Crosby, Stills and Nash and many others. The Richard Romero is prone to longform jams and harmonizing with himself. He is a master of many pedals, the types of pedals most people simply don't understand. If you see him brandishing a pallet, slowly step away from the Richard Romero. Please forgive that digression. I fear someone put something in my drink. Richard also plays bass in The Jefferson Jay Band and is a regular at many of my weekly shows including my new Monday night Open Mic at The Turquoise in La Jolla. Richard plays there at 7PM.
This set features Richard on guitar and vocals with Soul Man on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Carlos on bass, and Serge on drums. Please forgive me Carlos and Serge. If you see guys this and get in touch with me, I'll put your full names in. Hail Richard.
I let the clip run really long cause that's just the Richard Romero way. More is more.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 58 Zany Phish Medley by Phish, arr. by JJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAi1IstDMgs
This is a little Phish medley I threw together a little while back. I jammed it with Philly B a couple times. Otherwise, it's just been sitting waiting for a rainy day. Well, today it's sunny.
70 in San Diego on January 21st. It has chunks of "Harpua," "Gumbo," "N.I.C.U.," and "The Squirming Coil," 4 somewhat obscure Phish tunes I've always enjoyed.
I was a huge Phishead back in the day. I've seen them over 70 times going back to the early 90s. Had some cool run-ins with Trey here and again. I'm glad they're back on the road playing great music, presumable healthier. God bless 'em. I guess the modern word for medley is mash-up. I should probably call it that. It would sound cooler.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkbspo5rQk
Came home from school today a little energized. Excited for the weekend. Been a long, rough last few days but I am feeling rejuvenated. Been making strides booking an April California tour and worked a couple days to boot, today, with 3rd graders at Green Elementary School. Was a 3rd gradish couple days, so today at the end of the day I decided to break out my Songwriting lesson on 'em. I have designed a one-of-a-kind (as far as I know) songwriting lesson so I can make any group of people into songwriters in a matter of minutes. Seriously.
Today I flexed this skill of mine, educating 8 and 9-year olds and we conjured "What Makes You Feel Good," a song about exactly what it says it is about. I was excited when I got home so I played it. See below for more... or see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfdQVTvAn2c
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 58 What Makes "What Makes You Feel Good" Feel Good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfdQVTvAn2c
I was so excited when I got home about being home and this new tune and all that I fired up the comp and got recording right away... well, as soon as I'd let Angel out. So this clip is me discussing what happened and how the tune became a tune a little and playing a first version of it where you can hear the song still developing.... and then the 2nd and perhaps final version of this tune ever. We will see.
I also video recorded a version in the classroom. I made the kids stay off camera. I didn't know I'd be doing this now so I wanted to have a version recorded. I may put that as another outtake. I haven't decided yet. I wonder if that is sketchy.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 58 Richard Romero's Compass - 11-12-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK_JEoS-vUI
This was a really cool jam by Richard Romero's Compass from 11-12-2009. Richard is a 70s throwback in a very positive way. We are friends. He channels John McLaughlin (his favorite), Crosby, Stills and Nash and many others. The Richard Romero is prone to longform jams and harmonizing with himself. He is a master of many pedals, the types of pedals most people simply don't understand. If you see him brandishing a pallet, slowly step away from the Richard Romero. Please forgive that digression. I fear someone put something in my drink. Richard also plays bass in The Jefferson Jay Band and is a regular at many of my weekly shows including my new Monday night Open Mic at The Turquoise in La Jolla. Richard plays there at 7PM.
This set features Richard on guitar and vocals with Soul Man on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Carlos on bass, and Serge on drums. Please forgive me Carlos and Serge. If you see guys this and get in touch with me, I'll put your full names in. Hail Richard.
I let the clip run really long cause that's just the Richard Romero way. More is more.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 58 Zany Phish Medley by Phish, arr. by JJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAi1IstDMgs
This is a little Phish medley I threw together a little while back. I jammed it with Philly B a couple times. Otherwise, it's just been sitting waiting for a rainy day. Well, today it's sunny.
70 in San Diego on January 21st. It has chunks of "Harpua," "Gumbo," "N.I.C.U.," and "The Squirming Coil," 4 somewhat obscure Phish tunes I've always enjoyed.
I was a huge Phishead back in the day. I've seen them over 70 times going back to the early 90s. Had some cool run-ins with Trey here and again. I'm glad they're back on the road playing great music, presumable healthier. God bless 'em. I guess the modern word for medley is mash-up. I should probably call it that. It would sound cooler.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 51
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 57 Ricardo Gutierrez - 10-27-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUr-LxcvCDM
This clip of Ricardo Gutierrez was filmed at my Open Mic on October 27, 2009. Ricardo was a regular at my Open Mic for quite some time. He always classed up the joint with his culture and diversity, routinely sharing Mexican songs written of centuries ago. Ricardo serves in the U.S. Navy and is currently stationed somewhere on the east coast. Here's wishing him safe work and a safe return to San Diego as soon as possible.
I played some percussion with Ricardo at gigs in 2010 and enjoyed that opportunity. He is an upbeat, positive, and humorous fellow. Here he is playing one of my favorites, the tune in which he screams "ZOOM!" That's not the real name, but that's what I always called it.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 57 "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWNZuAX8XJQ
I gotta admit I'm not so much feeling doing the 365 right now. I'm not gonna lie. I'm tired. Not to complain as much as to explain. Teaching's draining and fairly thankless. I simply don;t want to be there. Lot sof other emotionally draining stuff going on too. From crazy dreams of loved ones dying to the much more real real but equally unpredictable blood feud I find myself in with my dad and stepmom. Essentially, they asked me for a favor and while I did it perfectly, it was slightly slower than they wanted it to be, so now I may never speak to them again. I told him he'd made a huge mistake (by making this nonsense into a blood feud) They took it as a threat. Talk about not knowing me... Who do they think I am, Al Capone? Nonsense. So I'm bushed and wanna nap and I'm gonna take one as soon as I'm done here.
One thing I'm not good at (no regrets there) is phoniness. I am much more comfortable with genuine behavior. So that's why I'm glad Tom Petty wrote "A Face In the Crowd." Found on his awesome album, "Full Moon Fever," this short and laid back jam delivers the mood that is exactly where I'm at right now. Thank you Tom. I hope to meet you some day and maybe chat and play a couple songs cause you seem cool and maybe you'd like my jamborees too. God Only Knows. That reminds me. I'm gonna have to do that one real soon.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 57 "The Red Season"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e6FNxngWps
Sometime you gotta give yourself the opposite of what you think you need in this life. I was fading and didn't hink I could make it through ANY of my tunes. I figured I was just going to have to make something up about how tired I was and then I got a flash. I remembered "The Red Season," a high-energy rocker played often by my Jefferson Jay Band in its last incarnation before this one, exists. We played this one so often that I was able to get it done on one take even though I haven't played it in a long time.
I'm not inclined to super discuss what this song is really talking about so I'll tell you one or two other things about the song instead. First, it is the first track on my "Red" CD and we used to have a lot of fun playing it. Second, I have been writing in my books collecting thoughts, feelings, opinions, and lyrics since 1992. This tune was one I had a melody in mind for and lyrics, but I didn't play guitar yet so it had to wait years as until I figured out how to overcome that little caveat. Well, eventually, I learned to play guitar and came upon that lyric sheet and the whole thing became a song pretty quickly after that. Fun. That woke me up and cheered me up a little... just enough to take a nap... now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUr-LxcvCDM
This clip of Ricardo Gutierrez was filmed at my Open Mic on October 27, 2009. Ricardo was a regular at my Open Mic for quite some time. He always classed up the joint with his culture and diversity, routinely sharing Mexican songs written of centuries ago. Ricardo serves in the U.S. Navy and is currently stationed somewhere on the east coast. Here's wishing him safe work and a safe return to San Diego as soon as possible.
I played some percussion with Ricardo at gigs in 2010 and enjoyed that opportunity. He is an upbeat, positive, and humorous fellow. Here he is playing one of my favorites, the tune in which he screams "ZOOM!" That's not the real name, but that's what I always called it.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 57 "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWNZuAX8XJQ
I gotta admit I'm not so much feeling doing the 365 right now. I'm not gonna lie. I'm tired. Not to complain as much as to explain. Teaching's draining and fairly thankless. I simply don;t want to be there. Lot sof other emotionally draining stuff going on too. From crazy dreams of loved ones dying to the much more real real but equally unpredictable blood feud I find myself in with my dad and stepmom. Essentially, they asked me for a favor and while I did it perfectly, it was slightly slower than they wanted it to be, so now I may never speak to them again. I told him he'd made a huge mistake (by making this nonsense into a blood feud) They took it as a threat. Talk about not knowing me... Who do they think I am, Al Capone? Nonsense. So I'm bushed and wanna nap and I'm gonna take one as soon as I'm done here.
One thing I'm not good at (no regrets there) is phoniness. I am much more comfortable with genuine behavior. So that's why I'm glad Tom Petty wrote "A Face In the Crowd." Found on his awesome album, "Full Moon Fever," this short and laid back jam delivers the mood that is exactly where I'm at right now. Thank you Tom. I hope to meet you some day and maybe chat and play a couple songs cause you seem cool and maybe you'd like my jamborees too. God Only Knows. That reminds me. I'm gonna have to do that one real soon.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 57 "The Red Season"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e6FNxngWps
Sometime you gotta give yourself the opposite of what you think you need in this life. I was fading and didn't hink I could make it through ANY of my tunes. I figured I was just going to have to make something up about how tired I was and then I got a flash. I remembered "The Red Season," a high-energy rocker played often by my Jefferson Jay Band in its last incarnation before this one, exists. We played this one so often that I was able to get it done on one take even though I haven't played it in a long time.
I'm not inclined to super discuss what this song is really talking about so I'll tell you one or two other things about the song instead. First, it is the first track on my "Red" CD and we used to have a lot of fun playing it. Second, I have been writing in my books collecting thoughts, feelings, opinions, and lyrics since 1992. This tune was one I had a melody in mind for and lyrics, but I didn't play guitar yet so it had to wait years as until I figured out how to overcome that little caveat. Well, eventually, I learned to play guitar and came upon that lyric sheet and the whole thing became a song pretty quickly after that. Fun. That woke me up and cheered me up a little... just enough to take a nap... now.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 50
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 56 Will Edwards - 12-6-2008
This clip of my buddy Will Edwards was recorded at my 12 Hours of Free Music concert on December 6, 2008. I posted it in honor of the coffee I am about to go get with Will in Hillcrest right now. Will is a talented and intelligent individual. He is, among many other things, Vice President of the San Diego Musicians Collective, a non-profit I started to help music and musicians in San Diego (go to sdmusicians.org for a free account). He is also my webmaster and a fine producer/touring songwriter. Hopefully, he can help rehabilitate my website, (www.jeffersonjay.com) easily. Even though all my CDs are available for donation there, (literally, any price you choose is acceptable) I have only had one taker and that was a lady whose little child loved my "Yellow" CD so much they played it out and she needed a new one. That was pretty cool. See you soon Will. Better head over before I'm too late.
Coffee with Will was a gas. He told me Operation 365 was a colossal waste of time. He said it extremely politely and I was not offended in the least.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 56 "Hurts So Good" by John Cougar Mellencamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UHzK8cKUUY
I can't say I'm a huge Mellencamp fan, cause I'm not (and that would be lying). But I think this song is funny, specifically cause it is so creepy and perverted. I wonder how many people actually noticed that it's a pervy tune written from the perspective of an older guy who likes young girls. I didn't until I played it. Well, with that said, I think it's pretty funny. And it has a nice melody too. I hope you like my "Hurts So Good"
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 56 "Quinn"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXyiDktcnM8
Not too shabby. I think I am entering a phaser of naturally rediscovering old tunes and I feel great about it. "Quinn," I wrote about 12 years ago. It was written about Quinn, who was the first born child of my friends' Ryan and Cheryl Horvath. I mentioned them all in the blog yesterday (jeffersonjay.blogspot.com). It's about him, but I think anybody whose every had a baby, boy or girl, can really relate to this song and get into it. They lived in the middle of the nature so that's the setting for this number. I hadn't played it in years. Considering, I am very pleased with how it came out. Peace to Horvaths everywhere. I miss you.
NOTE: I decided to make my videos close-up for fun.
NOTE 2: youtube is slower then ever at uploading today.
This clip of my buddy Will Edwards was recorded at my 12 Hours of Free Music concert on December 6, 2008. I posted it in honor of the coffee I am about to go get with Will in Hillcrest right now. Will is a talented and intelligent individual. He is, among many other things, Vice President of the San Diego Musicians Collective, a non-profit I started to help music and musicians in San Diego (go to sdmusicians.org for a free account). He is also my webmaster and a fine producer/touring songwriter. Hopefully, he can help rehabilitate my website, (www.jeffersonjay.com) easily. Even though all my CDs are available for donation there, (literally, any price you choose is acceptable) I have only had one taker and that was a lady whose little child loved my "Yellow" CD so much they played it out and she needed a new one. That was pretty cool. See you soon Will. Better head over before I'm too late.
Coffee with Will was a gas. He told me Operation 365 was a colossal waste of time. He said it extremely politely and I was not offended in the least.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 56 "Hurts So Good" by John Cougar Mellencamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UHzK8cKUUY
I can't say I'm a huge Mellencamp fan, cause I'm not (and that would be lying). But I think this song is funny, specifically cause it is so creepy and perverted. I wonder how many people actually noticed that it's a pervy tune written from the perspective of an older guy who likes young girls. I didn't until I played it. Well, with that said, I think it's pretty funny. And it has a nice melody too. I hope you like my "Hurts So Good"
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 56 "Quinn"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXyiDktcnM8
Not too shabby. I think I am entering a phaser of naturally rediscovering old tunes and I feel great about it. "Quinn," I wrote about 12 years ago. It was written about Quinn, who was the first born child of my friends' Ryan and Cheryl Horvath. I mentioned them all in the blog yesterday (jeffersonjay.blogspot.com). It's about him, but I think anybody whose every had a baby, boy or girl, can really relate to this song and get into it. They lived in the middle of the nature so that's the setting for this number. I hadn't played it in years. Considering, I am very pleased with how it came out. Peace to Horvaths everywhere. I miss you.
NOTE: I decided to make my videos close-up for fun.
NOTE 2: youtube is slower then ever at uploading today.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 49
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 55 "I've Just Seen A Face" by The Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k8EpanPJ5o
This was filmed on August 13, 2008 by Dylan Avery. I had just wedded Joe and Jen Stevens in Holy Matrimony. Didn't know I was a minister, did ya? Dylan, Robin Lee and I headed back to my house for a brief bit of down time before going to the wedding reception/concert. Dylan was filming stuff. Robin was changing her strings and I decided I was going to run through this Beatles number that I would be doing later at the show with Justin Mills. Robin had just lent me this sweet Gibson guitar. It is quite similar to the one she later helped me purchase that I play in most of these videos. After the tune, I left it on as she gives me some tips on proper instrument care. One of the great days of all time. I forgot this was even filmed. Fun to rediscover.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 55 Jefferson Jay and Justin Mills - 8-13-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klf2UqNuIXQ
This clip features myself and Justin Mills along with Mary Dolan on vocals and Clifford M. Jomuad on bass. I believe there is a little cameo by Mac Mac in there as well. This was filmed by Dylan Avery at Joe and Jen Stevens' wedding on August 13, 2008. Earlier today I posted a little rehearsal I did for this performance:
This was a great day. There over a dozen acts who performed and probably over 20 artists. The environment was extremely festive and light. A great time was had by all. This was the first time Justin Mills and I rehearsed something for a show. A couple of months later Justin wrote a couple of tunes together and had a good run in the acoustic supergrop The Greens of Mind. Great times.
NOTE: For some reason youtube only has me insert "asian television" in the tags when Clifford is in my videos. Conspiracy? I wonder...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 55 "Ryan's Parts/Have A Great Day" - FALSE ALARM
I probably haven't played this song in 10 years. In 2000, I made my first Jefferson Jay CD. It was called "salvaging Jersey" and had an extremely limited release. It was about one man;s trials and tribulations coping with an extended stay in Jersey. My album was long and this is a prelude from somewhere near the turning point of the CD. "Ryan's Parts/Have A Great Day" got it's name because the first chunk was a bunch of parts an old friend Ryan Horvath likes that I stuck together. The ABC-123 particularly appealed to Ryan's oldest son Quinn who was but a bitty baby at the time. For some reason when I picked up the guitar today, this is what came out. The last part, the "Have A Great Day" part was written another time, hence the slash.
Have A Great Day"
NOTE: Boooooo Jefferson! As soon as I had my video all lines up perfect and it was an effort today. I realized the microphone was not on. So false alarm. I refuse to unwrite my blog and I am really not down to re-record this a right now, so a back-up I will seek.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 55 "FATSO"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cSgGiyiXuA
Not really the plan today, but a back up I had sitting around since last week when Clifford visited. Looks like it wins. "FATSO" is another one of my favorite t... Changed my mind again. Re-recording "Ryan's Parts/Have A Great Day" now. My brain is not working. I am having technical difficulties. I dont; fell like standing by. Here is FATS with Clifford from the other day. Enjoy.
Confession: This is not my favorite version of "FATSO"of all-time, a classic Jefferson Jay tune I wrote about my superpooch Angel, also known as Strange. I was debating not using it and waiting for a better FATSO but today was the day. L'chiem! To my pooch!
TAGS: FATSO, Jefferson Jay, Angel, pooch, poochbag, fat pooch, chubby, dog, canine, animal lover, lab, retriever, black dog, biggest loser, fatso, fat, large, sweet cute, puppy, fasto, clifford, red
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k8EpanPJ5o
This was filmed on August 13, 2008 by Dylan Avery. I had just wedded Joe and Jen Stevens in Holy Matrimony. Didn't know I was a minister, did ya? Dylan, Robin Lee and I headed back to my house for a brief bit of down time before going to the wedding reception/concert. Dylan was filming stuff. Robin was changing her strings and I decided I was going to run through this Beatles number that I would be doing later at the show with Justin Mills. Robin had just lent me this sweet Gibson guitar. It is quite similar to the one she later helped me purchase that I play in most of these videos. After the tune, I left it on as she gives me some tips on proper instrument care. One of the great days of all time. I forgot this was even filmed. Fun to rediscover.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 55 Jefferson Jay and Justin Mills - 8-13-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klf2UqNuIXQ
This clip features myself and Justin Mills along with Mary Dolan on vocals and Clifford M. Jomuad on bass. I believe there is a little cameo by Mac Mac in there as well. This was filmed by Dylan Avery at Joe and Jen Stevens' wedding on August 13, 2008. Earlier today I posted a little rehearsal I did for this performance:
This was a great day. There over a dozen acts who performed and probably over 20 artists. The environment was extremely festive and light. A great time was had by all. This was the first time Justin Mills and I rehearsed something for a show. A couple of months later Justin wrote a couple of tunes together and had a good run in the acoustic supergrop The Greens of Mind. Great times.
NOTE: For some reason youtube only has me insert "asian television" in the tags when Clifford is in my videos. Conspiracy? I wonder...
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 55 "Ryan's Parts/Have A Great Day" - FALSE ALARM
I probably haven't played this song in 10 years. In 2000, I made my first Jefferson Jay CD. It was called "salvaging Jersey" and had an extremely limited release. It was about one man;s trials and tribulations coping with an extended stay in Jersey. My album was long and this is a prelude from somewhere near the turning point of the CD. "Ryan's Parts/Have A Great Day" got it's name because the first chunk was a bunch of parts an old friend Ryan Horvath likes that I stuck together. The ABC-123 particularly appealed to Ryan's oldest son Quinn who was but a bitty baby at the time. For some reason when I picked up the guitar today, this is what came out. The last part, the "Have A Great Day" part was written another time, hence the slash.
Have A Great Day"
NOTE: Boooooo Jefferson! As soon as I had my video all lines up perfect and it was an effort today. I realized the microphone was not on. So false alarm. I refuse to unwrite my blog and I am really not down to re-record this a right now, so a back-up I will seek.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 55 "FATSO"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cSgGiyiXuA
Not really the plan today, but a back up I had sitting around since last week when Clifford visited. Looks like it wins. "FATSO" is another one of my favorite t... Changed my mind again. Re-recording "Ryan's Parts/Have A Great Day" now. My brain is not working. I am having technical difficulties. I dont; fell like standing by. Here is FATS with Clifford from the other day. Enjoy.
Confession: This is not my favorite version of "FATSO"of all-time, a classic Jefferson Jay tune I wrote about my superpooch Angel, also known as Strange. I was debating not using it and waiting for a better FATSO but today was the day. L'chiem! To my pooch!
TAGS: FATSO, Jefferson Jay, Angel, pooch, poochbag, fat pooch, chubby, dog, canine, animal lover, lab, retriever, black dog, biggest loser, fatso, fat, large, sweet cute, puppy, fasto, clifford, red
Monday, January 17, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 48
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 54 "Wooden Boats"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mYWwu9jhhU
Been on a bit of a playing-tunes-off-my-old-albums kick these last few days. Guess I'm gonna have to get to (more or less) all of these tunes some day. Here s an interesting one. The back story to this jam is... Years ago, I was sitting at a bar in Point Loma. Next to me was this older gentleman. His name was Bert Ohlander. I remember. He told me he was an Olympian in Rome for the Finns in 1960 and later wne ton to race Porsches in the late 1960s. He told me he'd sold like 15 to Jerry Seinfeld. He was waxing poetic about the majesty of wooden boats, about how the way they floated on the water was different and how they don't make things like they used to anymore. I told him what I did and he invited me to his boat the next day to check it out. If I wrote a song about wooden boats he said, he couldn't bring it to Jerry, but Jerry's manager owed him a favor...
So we went the next day. We were a little late so we didn't go out on the water. This was fine with me cause Bert said he had vertigo and got dizzy sometimes at sea. Scary. Anyway, we had a lovely time and I wrote "Wooden Boats." "Wooden Ships" was taken. "Wooden Boats" appears on my 1st CD "Great Story" which can be had for a donation at wwww.jeffersonjay.com
This version is a bit different than the one on the CD. I disco'd it up some for fun and think I may have mildly altered a lyric or two. I hadn't played the tune in quite awhile. Peace and love.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 54 "Breathe In The Air" by Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10gEa6YDRU
I can't believe this is the first time I've gotten to Pink Floyd in my Operation 365. Floyd may be my very favorite band. "The Wall" and "Animals" are in my Top 3 favorite records of all time and "Dark Side of the Moon, "Wish You Were Here", and "Meddle" all crack the Top 10. The seventies were quite a decade for Floyd. While this is my first Floyd offering, it will not be my last. I foresee "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" in my crystal ball arriving shortly-ish.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 54 Chimney Fish with Soul Man - "Futures" - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRh51ZFCiiQ
Figured I'd do one more day of Chimney Fish for now. I've got quite a bit of them in my archives. "Futures" was always one of my favorite ones though. "We Don't Care About the Futures" may be the full name of it I think. Pretty neat to have such a blatantly sarcastic title for a tune I think. Blowski and I were watching the sunset a little while ago. Thanks to Angel for reminding us to go out. We were talking to a man named Sonny who has ALS as the big ball of fire went down. He was describing some of the war games he was watching off the coast near our home here in San Diego. We agreed that if people would put the same amount of focus (energy, attention, money, care) that they put into killing people into making things right, the world would be a much healthier (happy and safe) place. To me, that's kind of the same message I always got from this whole tune here, "Futures." Well written one, Mr. Walling!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mYWwu9jhhU
Been on a bit of a playing-tunes-off-my-old-albums kick these last few days. Guess I'm gonna have to get to (more or less) all of these tunes some day. Here s an interesting one. The back story to this jam is... Years ago, I was sitting at a bar in Point Loma. Next to me was this older gentleman. His name was Bert Ohlander. I remember. He told me he was an Olympian in Rome for the Finns in 1960 and later wne ton to race Porsches in the late 1960s. He told me he'd sold like 15 to Jerry Seinfeld. He was waxing poetic about the majesty of wooden boats, about how the way they floated on the water was different and how they don't make things like they used to anymore. I told him what I did and he invited me to his boat the next day to check it out. If I wrote a song about wooden boats he said, he couldn't bring it to Jerry, but Jerry's manager owed him a favor...
So we went the next day. We were a little late so we didn't go out on the water. This was fine with me cause Bert said he had vertigo and got dizzy sometimes at sea. Scary. Anyway, we had a lovely time and I wrote "Wooden Boats." "Wooden Ships" was taken. "Wooden Boats" appears on my 1st CD "Great Story" which can be had for a donation at wwww.jeffersonjay.com
This version is a bit different than the one on the CD. I disco'd it up some for fun and think I may have mildly altered a lyric or two. I hadn't played the tune in quite awhile. Peace and love.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 54 "Breathe In The Air" by Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10gEa6YDRU
I can't believe this is the first time I've gotten to Pink Floyd in my Operation 365. Floyd may be my very favorite band. "The Wall" and "Animals" are in my Top 3 favorite records of all time and "Dark Side of the Moon, "Wish You Were Here", and "Meddle" all crack the Top 10. The seventies were quite a decade for Floyd. While this is my first Floyd offering, it will not be my last. I foresee "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" in my crystal ball arriving shortly-ish.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 54 Chimney Fish with Soul Man - "Futures" - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRh51ZFCiiQ
Figured I'd do one more day of Chimney Fish for now. I've got quite a bit of them in my archives. "Futures" was always one of my favorite ones though. "We Don't Care About the Futures" may be the full name of it I think. Pretty neat to have such a blatantly sarcastic title for a tune I think. Blowski and I were watching the sunset a little while ago. Thanks to Angel for reminding us to go out. We were talking to a man named Sonny who has ALS as the big ball of fire went down. He was describing some of the war games he was watching off the coast near our home here in San Diego. We agreed that if people would put the same amount of focus (energy, attention, money, care) that they put into killing people into making things right, the world would be a much healthier (happy and safe) place. To me, that's kind of the same message I always got from this whole tune here, "Futures." Well written one, Mr. Walling!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 47
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 53 "Ralph Ralph"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vEv8Cd32PM
"Ralph Ralph" is a cool tune of my "Red" CD (available mow at www.jeffersonjay.com). I just realized I forgot to write in the little credits that this tune was co-written by bassist extraordinairre Damon Stoll. Sorry Funky. Damon was known as "Funky D" during his 5 year stay in The Jefferson Jay Band. He now lives in Arizona. "Ralph Ralph" is the story of a loner kid and his oddities. It was loosely based on Damon's cousin Ralph. The tune's not quite the same without Damon's powerful percussive pounding on the 6-string bass, but we do what we can. Hope you dig. Peace to you Damon.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 53 "Some Velvet Morning" by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWDnz5yF11A
Years ago, I was looking for a fun duet to do. My research led me to "Some Velvet Morning," seated atop some list of the greatest duets of all time. Excited, I downloaded it, learned it and fell in love with it only to learn that my prospective duet partner thought the tune was lame and refused to do it. That is kinda the way she was so I couldn't be too surprised although I was a bit disappointed.
It's a new day today and anything can happen. There are no limits and truth is expressly what we decide it is. I have a new duet partner in waiting and we are going to do it soon. Consider this my little reacquainting with how this really cool song goes. In this version, both parts of the duet will be played by... me.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 53 Chimney Fish with The Soul Man - "Gunshots" - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZUkpa6I58s
Chimney Fish are the missing piece in the puzzle of 365. I have shared a lot of footage of a lot of my friends in the first 50+ days of Operation 365. Chimney Fish are a young band that came along just as things were hitting their stride on our scene a couple years back. They were in the perfect place at the perfect time as far as our little scene goes. Almost instantly they were a big part of my slate of of programs and before long they were playing at the end of my jam-packed showcases every Thursday night.
Chimney Fish broke up in 2010. Chimney Fish were Singer/songwriter/guitarist - Brett Walling, Guitarist - Jeff Shaefer, Drummer - Andy Davis and Bass - Luke Oskam. The Soul Man was an honorary member. 70 years older than each other band member, The Soul Man fit right in with them on stage. That's just how things were in those days. I sat in with them quite a bit in those days and it was much much fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vEv8Cd32PM
"Ralph Ralph" is a cool tune of my "Red" CD (available mow at www.jeffersonjay.com). I just realized I forgot to write in the little credits that this tune was co-written by bassist extraordinairre Damon Stoll. Sorry Funky. Damon was known as "Funky D" during his 5 year stay in The Jefferson Jay Band. He now lives in Arizona. "Ralph Ralph" is the story of a loner kid and his oddities. It was loosely based on Damon's cousin Ralph. The tune's not quite the same without Damon's powerful percussive pounding on the 6-string bass, but we do what we can. Hope you dig. Peace to you Damon.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 53 "Some Velvet Morning" by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWDnz5yF11A
Years ago, I was looking for a fun duet to do. My research led me to "Some Velvet Morning," seated atop some list of the greatest duets of all time. Excited, I downloaded it, learned it and fell in love with it only to learn that my prospective duet partner thought the tune was lame and refused to do it. That is kinda the way she was so I couldn't be too surprised although I was a bit disappointed.
It's a new day today and anything can happen. There are no limits and truth is expressly what we decide it is. I have a new duet partner in waiting and we are going to do it soon. Consider this my little reacquainting with how this really cool song goes. In this version, both parts of the duet will be played by... me.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 53 Chimney Fish with The Soul Man - "Gunshots" - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZUkpa6I58s
Chimney Fish are the missing piece in the puzzle of 365. I have shared a lot of footage of a lot of my friends in the first 50+ days of Operation 365. Chimney Fish are a young band that came along just as things were hitting their stride on our scene a couple years back. They were in the perfect place at the perfect time as far as our little scene goes. Almost instantly they were a big part of my slate of of programs and before long they were playing at the end of my jam-packed showcases every Thursday night.
Chimney Fish broke up in 2010. Chimney Fish were Singer/songwriter/guitarist - Brett Walling, Guitarist - Jeff Shaefer, Drummer - Andy Davis and Bass - Luke Oskam. The Soul Man was an honorary member. 70 years older than each other band member, The Soul Man fit right in with them on stage. That's just how things were in those days. I sat in with them quite a bit in those days and it was much much fun.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 46
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 52 "Shhhh..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvMmXeMwoPk
This number appears on my "Great Story" CD in the pivotal 8 spot. I like to put something special at number 8 on my CDs whenever possible. Ya gotta figure people sticking around have been listening awhile at that point so I like to give something that will keep em on their toes. Plus, 8 is my favorite number. It is the symbol for infinity, a concept I adore. And it was Troy Aikman's number, my favorite quarterback on my favorite team, so I like 8. Here is a live version, straight from the classroom, all capoed up. Shhhh... it's OK...
The metaphor in this song "I like to ride my bike right into the bushes" refers to the phenomena when you do something over and over again even though you know its' not good for you....in case you were wondering.
TAGS: Shhh, Shhhh, Shh, it's OK, Jefferson Jay, Great Story, ride bike, bicycle, bush, make a mistake, mistake, crash, oops, boo-boo, 8, Aikman, metaphor, music
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 52 "Give Peace A Chance" by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMFBecHJBgI
Gotta love the concept of this tune, unless you're blood-thirsty war hawk, I suppose, one of those folks Lennon was imploring to try peace out for a day to see what they thought. Where's the money to be made in that? Seriously. We've been at war for 9 years now almost. Will it ever end? Hate to be a pessimist, but I doubt it. To the people in charge, money is paramount and people are waste paper products. What can you do? Observe peace? I do.
TAGS: John Lennon, capitalism, peace, war, bloodshed, give peace a chance, try peace, Jefferson Jay, acoustic guitar, gibson, ocean beach, california, beatles
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 52 Destructo Bunny With Jefferson Jay, Andy Davis and The Soul Man - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONnTv1mIEg
Consider this a little preview of what audiences in Merced, CA will be receiving tonight when I step on stage with the Rapping Rabbit as he prepares to re-relocate to Ocean Beach. Congratulations to James (The Bunny's real name) and Amanda (his fiancee) on their pending move. I'm happy I can help. I was a guest on Destructo Bunny's recent release "The OB Experience." I highly recommend you find it online and check it out. He did a very nice job on the record.
This clip is from the end of Destructo's set at my 2008 "12 Hours of Free Music" concert held on December 6, 2008. Here, he is joined on stage by myself on vocals, Andy Davis on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. The Bunny freestyles. Most of the time, he is making up the words as he goes on. It was an amazing night and we had tons of fun. To more of these, I raise my metaphorical glass and we drink.
TAGS: Destructo Bunny, Merced, 12 Hours, Free Music, drums, Andy Davis, rap, freestyle, Soul Man, guiro, hip hop, latin percussion, Jefferson Jay, December, San Diego, Ocean Beach, Amanda, California
youtube had me add these TAGS to this video: "live band" "east european music" "albanian music" keyboard albanian "mix tape"
NOTE: Albanian? Albanian music? Does the Bunny look Albanian? Albania? youtube is clearly attorney for the side of randomness in this ongoing debate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvMmXeMwoPk
This number appears on my "Great Story" CD in the pivotal 8 spot. I like to put something special at number 8 on my CDs whenever possible. Ya gotta figure people sticking around have been listening awhile at that point so I like to give something that will keep em on their toes. Plus, 8 is my favorite number. It is the symbol for infinity, a concept I adore. And it was Troy Aikman's number, my favorite quarterback on my favorite team, so I like 8. Here is a live version, straight from the classroom, all capoed up. Shhhh... it's OK...
The metaphor in this song "I like to ride my bike right into the bushes" refers to the phenomena when you do something over and over again even though you know its' not good for you....in case you were wondering.
TAGS: Shhh, Shhhh, Shh, it's OK, Jefferson Jay, Great Story, ride bike, bicycle, bush, make a mistake, mistake, crash, oops, boo-boo, 8, Aikman, metaphor, music
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 52 "Give Peace A Chance" by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMFBecHJBgI
Gotta love the concept of this tune, unless you're blood-thirsty war hawk, I suppose, one of those folks Lennon was imploring to try peace out for a day to see what they thought. Where's the money to be made in that? Seriously. We've been at war for 9 years now almost. Will it ever end? Hate to be a pessimist, but I doubt it. To the people in charge, money is paramount and people are waste paper products. What can you do? Observe peace? I do.
TAGS: John Lennon, capitalism, peace, war, bloodshed, give peace a chance, try peace, Jefferson Jay, acoustic guitar, gibson, ocean beach, california, beatles
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 52 Destructo Bunny With Jefferson Jay, Andy Davis and The Soul Man - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONnTv1mIEg
Consider this a little preview of what audiences in Merced, CA will be receiving tonight when I step on stage with the Rapping Rabbit as he prepares to re-relocate to Ocean Beach. Congratulations to James (The Bunny's real name) and Amanda (his fiancee) on their pending move. I'm happy I can help. I was a guest on Destructo Bunny's recent release "The OB Experience." I highly recommend you find it online and check it out. He did a very nice job on the record.
This clip is from the end of Destructo's set at my 2008 "12 Hours of Free Music" concert held on December 6, 2008. Here, he is joined on stage by myself on vocals, Andy Davis on drums and The Soul Man on guiro. The Bunny freestyles. Most of the time, he is making up the words as he goes on. It was an amazing night and we had tons of fun. To more of these, I raise my metaphorical glass and we drink.
TAGS: Destructo Bunny, Merced, 12 Hours, Free Music, drums, Andy Davis, rap, freestyle, Soul Man, guiro, hip hop, latin percussion, Jefferson Jay, December, San Diego, Ocean Beach, Amanda, California
youtube had me add these TAGS to this video: "live band" "east european music" "albanian music" keyboard albanian "mix tape"
NOTE: Albanian? Albanian music? Does the Bunny look Albanian? Albania? youtube is clearly attorney for the side of randomness in this ongoing debate.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 45
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 51 "June"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTYB8nJw3iI
I co-wrote this number with my pal Paul Ruiz. He wrote/said most of the lyrics and you can hear some of his colloquialisms thrown in. I have been in and out of month-titled songwriting binge, so I was happy to add "June" to the team. "June," if played live ever would probably be a little tacked on intro to my song "April." They are both months songs with double meanings and they are musically compatible as well. The other "June" besides the month here is Beaver's mom, June Cleaver, of course.
The last line in this song is "and we're moving." Interestingly, I am going up to Merced this weekend to sit in with my pal Destructo Bunny at his show up there and then help him move his stuff back to San Diego.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 51 "Heart of Glass" by Blondie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJzZx5_DkLw
I have always liked this tune. I realized I haven't done too many songs made famous by women so it seemed like time to go for it. What a cool tune! I heard someone on the radio the other day that Blondie (Deborah Harry) invented rap with her little rant in her tune "Rapture." I don't know if that's true but I'd wondered it before myself. I did a little research, always a good idea and learned quickly that zillions of acts predate Blondie in the rap world. Now that I think about it, rapping is talking rhythmically over music. How can someone invent something like that? I guess they helped make it OK for whites to do it. Gosh, I'm glad I didn't almost admit I half-thought something so stupid. Whew. That was close.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 51 Mary Dolan - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbARvk9lPW4
It took me WAYYY too long to get Mary Dolan on my Operation 365. She has been at the top of my mind for quite some time and finally, today's the day. Mary Dolan has been signed to a record label and toured extensively making her one of the most accomplished musicians in our little circle back then by far. You would never have known it though by the way she treated everybody she dealt with. She was always humble, supportive, kind and provided a great example to how one should carry one's self to all the folks who hung out back in the day.
Here she is playing her "67 Miles Away From Getting Laid" song at my "12 Hours of Free Music" show on December 6, 2008. I'm not sure if that's the exact title. I always liked this one. This version, she dedicated to Amanda, Destructo Bunny's fiancee, which I think is funny. I miss Mary. She is a busy family woman now and we don't get to cross paths as much as I'd like, but we bonded big time back then. I've got nothing but huge love for her and her family and hope we get to catch up real soon. Hail Mary!
This clip was filmed by Dyan Avery.
NOTE: I learned yesterday you're not supposed to double space after sentences. So I'm trying not to do it anymore as of today. Thank you.
NOTE: Is it me or is it easier to read if there's two spaces? It's probably me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTYB8nJw3iI
I co-wrote this number with my pal Paul Ruiz. He wrote/said most of the lyrics and you can hear some of his colloquialisms thrown in. I have been in and out of month-titled songwriting binge, so I was happy to add "June" to the team. "June," if played live ever would probably be a little tacked on intro to my song "April." They are both months songs with double meanings and they are musically compatible as well. The other "June" besides the month here is Beaver's mom, June Cleaver, of course.
The last line in this song is "and we're moving." Interestingly, I am going up to Merced this weekend to sit in with my pal Destructo Bunny at his show up there and then help him move his stuff back to San Diego.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 51 "Heart of Glass" by Blondie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJzZx5_DkLw
I have always liked this tune. I realized I haven't done too many songs made famous by women so it seemed like time to go for it. What a cool tune! I heard someone on the radio the other day that Blondie (Deborah Harry) invented rap with her little rant in her tune "Rapture." I don't know if that's true but I'd wondered it before myself. I did a little research, always a good idea and learned quickly that zillions of acts predate Blondie in the rap world. Now that I think about it, rapping is talking rhythmically over music. How can someone invent something like that? I guess they helped make it OK for whites to do it. Gosh, I'm glad I didn't almost admit I half-thought something so stupid. Whew. That was close.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 51 Mary Dolan - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbARvk9lPW4
It took me WAYYY too long to get Mary Dolan on my Operation 365. She has been at the top of my mind for quite some time and finally, today's the day. Mary Dolan has been signed to a record label and toured extensively making her one of the most accomplished musicians in our little circle back then by far. You would never have known it though by the way she treated everybody she dealt with. She was always humble, supportive, kind and provided a great example to how one should carry one's self to all the folks who hung out back in the day.
Here she is playing her "67 Miles Away From Getting Laid" song at my "12 Hours of Free Music" show on December 6, 2008. I'm not sure if that's the exact title. I always liked this one. This version, she dedicated to Amanda, Destructo Bunny's fiancee, which I think is funny. I miss Mary. She is a busy family woman now and we don't get to cross paths as much as I'd like, but we bonded big time back then. I've got nothing but huge love for her and her family and hope we get to catch up real soon. Hail Mary!
This clip was filmed by Dyan Avery.
NOTE: I learned yesterday you're not supposed to double space after sentences. So I'm trying not to do it anymore as of today. Thank you.
NOTE: Is it me or is it easier to read if there's two spaces? It's probably me.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 44
Today is the 2nd anniversary of my pal Don Truesdail's passing, so I plan to keep it brief today in the blogosphere.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 50 "The Best You Can"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HabvqJrEAg4
Happy to have my buddy Clifford M. Jomuad joining me for my songs today. Don would have liked it that way. Here he appears on knees n' keys percussion and backup vocals for a tune off my CD, "Blue; A Kid's Album," "The Best You Can."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 50 "Runaround Sue" by Dion & The Belmonts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLV0tdZxqW8
Clifford joins me again here on knee percussion and backup vocals. "Runaround Sue" is tons of fun. A classic. Hail Truesdail!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 50 Dorbel. Pt. 2 - 12-18-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FapHE9zM68U
Here is Part Two of Dorbel's set at my show on December 18, 2008. Dorbel, that night, featured Farhad Bahrami - tar, Richard Steiger- percussion, Toni Pope- vox, Don Truesdail- bass, Amadou Fall- kora, Misha Birisovsky - violin, Laurel Grinnel- drums, The Soul Man - guiro. Everybody had a great time that night. Peace
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 50 "The Best You Can"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HabvqJrEAg4
Happy to have my buddy Clifford M. Jomuad joining me for my songs today. Don would have liked it that way. Here he appears on knees n' keys percussion and backup vocals for a tune off my CD, "Blue; A Kid's Album," "The Best You Can."
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 50 "Runaround Sue" by Dion & The Belmonts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLV0tdZxqW8
Clifford joins me again here on knee percussion and backup vocals. "Runaround Sue" is tons of fun. A classic. Hail Truesdail!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 50 Dorbel. Pt. 2 - 12-18-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FapHE9zM68U
Here is Part Two of Dorbel's set at my show on December 18, 2008. Dorbel, that night, featured Farhad Bahrami - tar, Richard Steiger- percussion, Toni Pope- vox, Don Truesdail- bass, Amadou Fall- kora, Misha Birisovsky - violin, Laurel Grinnel- drums, The Soul Man - guiro. Everybody had a great time that night. Peace
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 43
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 49 Richard Romero with Maciek, Paul Lopez & Soul Man-4-9-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CAZ26vIRNE
Here 4 of my friends rock out on Thursday April 9, 2009. Richard Romero on guitar, bass and looping, Maciek on flute, Soul Man on guiro and Paul Lopez on congas. All of these gentlemen appear on my new CD and I'm very excited about it. Right now, Soul Man is talking to Blowski and I on speaker phone. He says he's going to play his Cuban guiro tonight. These guys are rockin and I think they're all swell... Super Swell! Blowski's trying to get Soul Man to be a funny vampire in a movie he's "producing", a funny, guiro-playing vampire. "I don't know. I don't like cameras," Soul Man said. I don't know either Soul Brother.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 49 "The Stranger" by Billy Joel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSgtEqJWspk
It's like I'm rolling a die and it keeps coming up Billy Joel. It's not planned I swear. My excuse this time. I was languishing on Facebook and I found this:
Erin Barry Bleiweiss
Best FUCKING interview I have ever heard. Am I partial to Billy? Anyone who who has met me for more than 5 minutes can answer that one... but seriously, no one can interview better than Howard. Finally got to listen to the entire thing. PLEAS DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR and experience THIS.
Billy Joel on Howard Stern Show 11-16-10 (AUDIO) | Shabooty.com
www.shabooty.com
Billy Joel on Howard Stern Show 11-16-10 (AUDIO) If only this man's penis could tell stories . And I'm not even being a hater, but for me... for me, the
about an hour ago · Like · Comment · Share
Elaine Kravetz I actually sat in my car... In my parents driveway listening to this off the charts, killer interview. It was almost like a fan was doing the interview and asking all of the greatest questions....
53 minutes ago · Like
Lisa Pollack I can not thank you enough for posting this.
35 minutes ago · Like
Well I don't know Elaine Kravetz, but I did shows back in high school with the other two ladies there and we all had lots of good memories. I found myself thinking back to some Stern interview with Billy Joel I heard in my my brother's car back in October. I think they talked about this other interview they were going to have. I was wondering if it was the same on. Anyway, next thing you know I'm playing "The Stranger," one of the cooler Billy Joel tunes and a tune I don't remember ever playing before. I skipped the big, long piano sections and the whistling bit cause I suck at whistling.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 49 "Avalon"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHycpwAcF1I
"Avalon" is a newish song. Funny, you don't look newish. I think it will be on one of my CDs some day. Avalon is mystical legendary land. They say Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged there. I don't know but according to the lyrics to my song, your mother has her foot here... again.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 49 "P.S. I Love You/A Chat With Warner"
Was trying to get a head start on tomorrow's 365 and was playing with "P.S. I Love You," another newish tune of mine. I received a phone call from artist extraordinairre John Warner, whom I had called to discuss making a poster for my new Open Mic at The Turquoise in La Jolla at 7PM on Monday nights. I never get interrupted by phone calls when I'm 365ing. That's very unusual. We are to discuss artwork for my new CD too. Anyway, it's part of a song and part of a brief chat I felt like sharing 'cause it's a little east coast funny. Slightly.
TAGS: i love you, warner, john warner, Philadelphia, Jefferson jay, indian food, gandhi, puking, unfunny, rude, east coast, slightly, cell phone, speaker, ha ha, outtake
Additional TAGS added upon youtube suggestion: “dental” "tough guy" chords "prank call" "superhero film”
Where do they come up with this stuff?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CAZ26vIRNE
Here 4 of my friends rock out on Thursday April 9, 2009. Richard Romero on guitar, bass and looping, Maciek on flute, Soul Man on guiro and Paul Lopez on congas. All of these gentlemen appear on my new CD and I'm very excited about it. Right now, Soul Man is talking to Blowski and I on speaker phone. He says he's going to play his Cuban guiro tonight. These guys are rockin and I think they're all swell... Super Swell! Blowski's trying to get Soul Man to be a funny vampire in a movie he's "producing", a funny, guiro-playing vampire. "I don't know. I don't like cameras," Soul Man said. I don't know either Soul Brother.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 49 "The Stranger" by Billy Joel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSgtEqJWspk
It's like I'm rolling a die and it keeps coming up Billy Joel. It's not planned I swear. My excuse this time. I was languishing on Facebook and I found this:
Erin Barry Bleiweiss
Best FUCKING interview I have ever heard. Am I partial to Billy? Anyone who who has met me for more than 5 minutes can answer that one... but seriously, no one can interview better than Howard. Finally got to listen to the entire thing. PLEAS DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR and experience THIS.
Billy Joel on Howard Stern Show 11-16-10 (AUDIO) | Shabooty.com
www.shabooty.com
Billy Joel on Howard Stern Show 11-16-10 (AUDIO) If only this man's penis could tell stories . And I'm not even being a hater, but for me... for me, the
about an hour ago · Like · Comment · Share
Elaine Kravetz I actually sat in my car... In my parents driveway listening to this off the charts, killer interview. It was almost like a fan was doing the interview and asking all of the greatest questions....
53 minutes ago · Like
Lisa Pollack I can not thank you enough for posting this.
35 minutes ago · Like
Well I don't know Elaine Kravetz, but I did shows back in high school with the other two ladies there and we all had lots of good memories. I found myself thinking back to some Stern interview with Billy Joel I heard in my my brother's car back in October. I think they talked about this other interview they were going to have. I was wondering if it was the same on. Anyway, next thing you know I'm playing "The Stranger," one of the cooler Billy Joel tunes and a tune I don't remember ever playing before. I skipped the big, long piano sections and the whistling bit cause I suck at whistling.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 49 "Avalon"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHycpwAcF1I
"Avalon" is a newish song. Funny, you don't look newish. I think it will be on one of my CDs some day. Avalon is mystical legendary land. They say Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged there. I don't know but according to the lyrics to my song, your mother has her foot here... again.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 49 "P.S. I Love You/A Chat With Warner"
Was trying to get a head start on tomorrow's 365 and was playing with "P.S. I Love You," another newish tune of mine. I received a phone call from artist extraordinairre John Warner, whom I had called to discuss making a poster for my new Open Mic at The Turquoise in La Jolla at 7PM on Monday nights. I never get interrupted by phone calls when I'm 365ing. That's very unusual. We are to discuss artwork for my new CD too. Anyway, it's part of a song and part of a brief chat I felt like sharing 'cause it's a little east coast funny. Slightly.
TAGS: i love you, warner, john warner, Philadelphia, Jefferson jay, indian food, gandhi, puking, unfunny, rude, east coast, slightly, cell phone, speaker, ha ha, outtake
Additional TAGS added upon youtube suggestion: “dental” "tough guy" chords "prank call" "superhero film”
Where do they come up with this stuff?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 42
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 48 "Rock Aroud The Clock" popularized by Bill Haley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6A1vhy8vI
Went back to work teaching. Not too tough I gotta admit. I almost enjoyed it quite a bit. Helps when they dont; call you in 'til ten. Decided to write a book today and the best part is... the book's already written. The book will be "40 Days and 40 Blogs" and it will be a compendium of this here verbiage. It will have several parts. Parts 1-9, theoretically. 40 x 9 =365... well, something like that. Now all I need's a picture of myself looking like Moses walking through the desert for the front cover. I also got a new gig hosting Open Mic at The Turquoise in La Jolla on Monday nights. Yes, these are happy days. They're yours and my happy days... in fact.
I just learned the official band name was "Bill & His Comets." That's weird. Aaaand Bill Haley didn't write the tune. Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers did. They wrote it for Haley, for what it's worth. I also learned
Haley's recording nevertheless became an anthem for rebellious Fifties youth[7] and is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. The song is ranked #158 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
and
The original full title of the song was "We're Gonna Rock Around the Clock Tonight!". This was later shortened to "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock."
Wow. Thank you Wikipedia.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 48 Sene Africa with Old Man - 4-9-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHV28TWbS2I
I like the illusion that randomness exists. I like welcoming it into my home for tea just to see what kind of visitor it would be. So I will do this again today. Using my archives to play. Who will come to play with us today?
Translated: I will now choose a "random" show and scroll to a random part of it and whoever it is* I will put them on.
And it was so. Sene Africa with Amadou teaches Jefferson and Destructo Bunny to dance Senegal-style. 4-9-2009 Awesome!
This is one of my favorite clips and Sene Africa are some of my most amazing friends who haven't been featured yet. This clip features Sene Africa finishing a tune and then going into a jam celebrating The Soul Man who joins them on guiro. The Soul Man appears in many of my videos. He is 92 years old and one of my dearest friends. We have been playing music and hanging out together for years, since he was in his early eighties. He is always an example to anyone he meets with his cool demeanor and his appreciation for playing music and life in general. At 92, he can still party and hang out as well as anyone I know.
This tune (we learn by the end) is a tribute to Soul Man as the they sing the refrain "Old Man, Kazan, Kazan" I think they think Soul Man's nickname is Old Man. It is awesome. Sene Africa asre Amadou Fall on kora, Ibrahima Ba on vocals and guitar and Abdullai on djembe. They are all super sweet guys and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity and have worked and played and hung out with them on many occasions. As I often tell my audiences, they have played for kings. For reals. Ibrahima's birthday was yesterday (according to Facebook) Happy Birthday Ibrahim.
In the middle of this clip Amadou forces me and Destructo Bunny to learn how to dance. It is classic. Much fun. More happy days... Ha ha ha ha. That was awesome. That really brightened my already shiny day.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 48 "I Guess That's a Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jAyvNw5EE
Well, I guess you gotta have these some days. Hey, I don't have 365 songs. Well, not at least yet I don't. So here's one in the bank. While waiting for the hearty Sene Africa video to bounce. I started vamping on A minor and B minor. I kinda liked it. I thought I could come in and flow off my head what I was hearing. I listened back. It came out all right. Not exactly what I had in mind but not at all bad for the first try. And then the moment was gone... but was it...
I then recalled something I used to tell my Songwriting and Collaboration students back in the day. I taught I class called that that I designed in San Diego State in 2003 and 2004. I would tell them a song is anything you call a song. If you smack a stick on a wall, record it, put it on a CD and call tune 4 "Smacking a Stick on a Wall," then that's exactly what that is, a song. A short song.
I would then tell them we are going to spend most of our time working more conventional ideas of what a song consists of. Verses, choruses and the like. So this is it, my new song of the day, "I Guess That's a Song," I decided to call it. I may never play it again. It, or some version of it, may some day be the most requested thing I play. Who knows in this world? I'll have just have to tune in and find out.
NOTES: I successfully wrote recorded and posted this "tune" before Sene Africa finished bouncing. It took 11 minutes.
youtube suggested I add "somalia" (and "harp") to the tags for "Rock Around The Clock" and it (theoretically) doesn't even know I'm posting Sene Africa yet. Maybe youtube's making it's stance on "randomness" real clear and loud.
Blog 42 is dedicated to Jackie Robinson and the great Mariano Rivera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6A1vhy8vI
Went back to work teaching. Not too tough I gotta admit. I almost enjoyed it quite a bit. Helps when they dont; call you in 'til ten. Decided to write a book today and the best part is... the book's already written. The book will be "40 Days and 40 Blogs" and it will be a compendium of this here verbiage. It will have several parts. Parts 1-9, theoretically. 40 x 9 =365... well, something like that. Now all I need's a picture of myself looking like Moses walking through the desert for the front cover. I also got a new gig hosting Open Mic at The Turquoise in La Jolla on Monday nights. Yes, these are happy days. They're yours and my happy days... in fact.
I just learned the official band name was "Bill & His Comets." That's weird. Aaaand Bill Haley didn't write the tune. Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers did. They wrote it for Haley, for what it's worth. I also learned
Haley's recording nevertheless became an anthem for rebellious Fifties youth[7] and is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. The song is ranked #158 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
and
The original full title of the song was "We're Gonna Rock Around the Clock Tonight!". This was later shortened to "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock."
Wow. Thank you Wikipedia.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 48 Sene Africa with Old Man - 4-9-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHV28TWbS2I
I like the illusion that randomness exists. I like welcoming it into my home for tea just to see what kind of visitor it would be. So I will do this again today. Using my archives to play. Who will come to play with us today?
Translated: I will now choose a "random" show and scroll to a random part of it and whoever it is* I will put them on.
And it was so. Sene Africa with Amadou teaches Jefferson and Destructo Bunny to dance Senegal-style. 4-9-2009 Awesome!
This is one of my favorite clips and Sene Africa are some of my most amazing friends who haven't been featured yet. This clip features Sene Africa finishing a tune and then going into a jam celebrating The Soul Man who joins them on guiro. The Soul Man appears in many of my videos. He is 92 years old and one of my dearest friends. We have been playing music and hanging out together for years, since he was in his early eighties. He is always an example to anyone he meets with his cool demeanor and his appreciation for playing music and life in general. At 92, he can still party and hang out as well as anyone I know.
This tune (we learn by the end) is a tribute to Soul Man as the they sing the refrain "Old Man, Kazan, Kazan" I think they think Soul Man's nickname is Old Man. It is awesome. Sene Africa asre Amadou Fall on kora, Ibrahima Ba on vocals and guitar and Abdullai on djembe. They are all super sweet guys and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity and have worked and played and hung out with them on many occasions. As I often tell my audiences, they have played for kings. For reals. Ibrahima's birthday was yesterday (according to Facebook) Happy Birthday Ibrahim.
In the middle of this clip Amadou forces me and Destructo Bunny to learn how to dance. It is classic. Much fun. More happy days... Ha ha ha ha. That was awesome. That really brightened my already shiny day.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 48 "I Guess That's a Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jAyvNw5EE
Well, I guess you gotta have these some days. Hey, I don't have 365 songs. Well, not at least yet I don't. So here's one in the bank. While waiting for the hearty Sene Africa video to bounce. I started vamping on A minor and B minor. I kinda liked it. I thought I could come in and flow off my head what I was hearing. I listened back. It came out all right. Not exactly what I had in mind but not at all bad for the first try. And then the moment was gone... but was it...
I then recalled something I used to tell my Songwriting and Collaboration students back in the day. I taught I class called that that I designed in San Diego State in 2003 and 2004. I would tell them a song is anything you call a song. If you smack a stick on a wall, record it, put it on a CD and call tune 4 "Smacking a Stick on a Wall," then that's exactly what that is, a song. A short song.
I would then tell them we are going to spend most of our time working more conventional ideas of what a song consists of. Verses, choruses and the like. So this is it, my new song of the day, "I Guess That's a Song," I decided to call it. I may never play it again. It, or some version of it, may some day be the most requested thing I play. Who knows in this world? I'll have just have to tune in and find out.
NOTES: I successfully wrote recorded and posted this "tune" before Sene Africa finished bouncing. It took 11 minutes.
youtube suggested I add "somalia" (and "harp") to the tags for "Rock Around The Clock" and it (theoretically) doesn't even know I'm posting Sene Africa yet. Maybe youtube's making it's stance on "randomness" real clear and loud.
Blog 42 is dedicated to Jackie Robinson and the great Mariano Rivera.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 41
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 47 "Drive" by The Cars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGh-GhPymPo
I've always liked this tune since it was one of those early videos on MTV back in the 80s. The Cars had a number of cool videos and I think the won Video of the Year in 1983 with You Might Think. Something like that. Lots of cool stuff back then in retrospect. Who knew? Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, ZZ Top, Dire Straits, The Police, Prince, Michael Jackson, much more.
I knew I'd eventually do this song cause I've played it before over the years. Earlier today, I heard it one he radio and told my girlfriend Leanne, I'd do it some time and it would sound a lot different because there's no guitar really in this song. Today became the day. Hooray!. Nice song Ric Ocasek.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 47 "Backman"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucYSG0B1M6I
"Backman" is one of the earlier tunes I ever wrote. I wrote it in the Plaza in Arcata. I think in '96. It is called "Backman" because lyrically it is the sequel to "Frontman," which appears on my "Red" CD available at www.jeffersonjay.com. It is another song about people making choices to lift themselves up and get the most they can out of existence. A self-empowerment hymn I guess. Well, maybe more of a hmmm than a hymn. I wrote the lyrics in 1995 watching the great Sam Maez play trumpet with his legendary Monday night band at the old Jambalaya.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 47 Karla Mi Lugo - 1-31-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEeTshqoH9g
I asked Blowski to pick a random date. I planned to use that date as a jumping off point in "randomly" selecting a clip for today. Then I will scroll to a "random" place in the vids and see who it is. Here we go. Oh, Blowski chose January 13. I'm pretty positive I've neve done a show on that day that was recorded so I chose the closest thing, January 31, 2010. Let's spin and see who wins.
Karla Mi Lugo was the winner. She is interesting and Blowski approves of his incidental selection. Karla is something else. Here she sings about how she was born yesterday. I've never seen anything like her before or since. I haven't seen nor heard from her since soon after this video was made. Behold Karla Mi Lugo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGh-GhPymPo
I've always liked this tune since it was one of those early videos on MTV back in the 80s. The Cars had a number of cool videos and I think the won Video of the Year in 1983 with You Might Think. Something like that. Lots of cool stuff back then in retrospect. Who knew? Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, ZZ Top, Dire Straits, The Police, Prince, Michael Jackson, much more.
I knew I'd eventually do this song cause I've played it before over the years. Earlier today, I heard it one he radio and told my girlfriend Leanne, I'd do it some time and it would sound a lot different because there's no guitar really in this song. Today became the day. Hooray!. Nice song Ric Ocasek.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 47 "Backman"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucYSG0B1M6I
"Backman" is one of the earlier tunes I ever wrote. I wrote it in the Plaza in Arcata. I think in '96. It is called "Backman" because lyrically it is the sequel to "Frontman," which appears on my "Red" CD available at www.jeffersonjay.com. It is another song about people making choices to lift themselves up and get the most they can out of existence. A self-empowerment hymn I guess. Well, maybe more of a hmmm than a hymn. I wrote the lyrics in 1995 watching the great Sam Maez play trumpet with his legendary Monday night band at the old Jambalaya.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 47 Karla Mi Lugo - 1-31-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEeTshqoH9g
I asked Blowski to pick a random date. I planned to use that date as a jumping off point in "randomly" selecting a clip for today. Then I will scroll to a "random" place in the vids and see who it is. Here we go. Oh, Blowski chose January 13. I'm pretty positive I've neve done a show on that day that was recorded so I chose the closest thing, January 31, 2010. Let's spin and see who wins.
Karla Mi Lugo was the winner. She is interesting and Blowski approves of his incidental selection. Karla is something else. Here she sings about how she was born yesterday. I've never seen anything like her before or since. I haven't seen nor heard from her since soon after this video was made. Behold Karla Mi Lugo.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 40
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 46 "Honolulu" by Wes Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQcV0wTYIk
I mentioned previously that I played banjo in 2010 with Wes Davis and The Clean Dirt Boys and hada great deal of fun doing so. We were playing a lot and having fun and I was even getting decent on the banjo. Since Wes moved to Santa Cruz in September I'm not sure I've played any banjo at all, but today, I needed some 365, my guitars are elsewhere mostly and I decided to go for it. I played a coupe takes of "Honolulu," one of my favorite Wes Davis tunes, but ultimately I went with the first one. This is the first time I'd played in awhile, but it's OK. Lovin' the Angel vocals and dance steps in the background. I wonder what she wanted. It's impossible to say.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 46 "Eat My Flesh and Bury My Bones" by Robin Lee with Jack Davidson on guitar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z5Yw2Cb8YM
Yesterday was my dear pal Robin Lee's birthday. She is somewhere in the world right now. I have no idea where. I love her a great deal and she is on my mind lately. I'm sure many other people in our community here in OB feel similarly. We miss and lover her. Here she is performing at my birthday party in 2009, 4-15-2009, with Jack Davidson on lead guitar.
This is Robin's most progressive number by far. A t least as far as the ones I heard. I was playing with her for awhile. Eventually, she showed me this one. I like some pretty funky progressive stuff myself, but I was a bit flummoxed. I'm glad she and Jack hooked up. It was easier for him to keep up. Robin, you're a great person...
I should note that even though Robin was on my mind and all that, I found/chose this video by randomly picking a show and a clip and this was it. Hail the illusion of randomness. We are all ONE.
Just decided to stick a second tune on the end of this clip to give viewers a fuller idea for what Robin's music is all about and for her friends to get a larger taste of our amiga in absentia.
Track 2 on this clip is "Eat My Flesh and Bury My Bones," another great Robin jamboree. I remember when she wrote this. It's pretty crazy when your friend is like, "Hey, I've got a new tune. Check it out," and it's "Eat My Flesh and Bury My Bones." Only Robin Lee.
A friend I was talking to about her yesterday said he has a feeling we haven't seen the last of her yet. Life is unpredictable. We will see.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 46 "Hey, What Gives?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZdXNYN6mRk
So I realized when I started Operation 365, that I was going to have to write some tunes at some point because I don't believe I have 365 tunes. Now, I guess I could repeat myself but what fun would that be? I don't know.
Well, I busted out the banjo today and I've already done all the tunes I wrote that I play on banjo. So I picked up my banjo and started playing my tune "Killing's Wrong." After, I was inspired to try to write a tune in a few minutes and share it right away. It took me 15 minutes instead of four. But here it is, fresh off the brain, "Hey, What Gives?" That is the name and that question is directed to the leaders of our world, whoever they are. The song asks, can't we do better than this? Can't we try finding better ways to live instead new methods of genocide? It actually asks it a little less harshly than that, but that's pretty much the point.
I have been disturbed all week by the mad amounts of dead birds and fish popping up everywhere and what's being done to the sky is madness at best and I don't even wanna guess what at worst, cause that's not fun. NOTE: "Piastre" is an old word for money that I borrowed from "Dr. Wu" by Steely Dan. PEACE, DAMNIT!!!!!
BONUS to Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 46 "Killing's Wrong" on banjo, prelude to "Hey, What Gives?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgMMb5kwO4M
We have bonuses to 365 today. First, as I was searching around for an original to play, I started with "Killing's Wrong". Today is a banjo day because my guitars are away and it lead me on an interesting adventure.
This is dedicated to all the people, birds and fishes that lost their lives this week in a bloody week in American history, Week One of 2011.
I was trying to decide what original tune to play today for Operation 365 and I played "Killing's Wrong" which led me on an odyssey culminating in the writing and recording of a new tune entitled, "Hey, What Gives?"
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 46 Today's Writing of "Hey, What Gives?"
Today I wrote this tune "Hey, What Gives?" This clip documents the process of me writing this tune in about 15 minutes.
NOTE: youtube doesn't think "chemtrails" and "geoengineering" are words. It should check out youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmQcV0wTYIk
I mentioned previously that I played banjo in 2010 with Wes Davis and The Clean Dirt Boys and hada great deal of fun doing so. We were playing a lot and having fun and I was even getting decent on the banjo. Since Wes moved to Santa Cruz in September I'm not sure I've played any banjo at all, but today, I needed some 365, my guitars are elsewhere mostly and I decided to go for it. I played a coupe takes of "Honolulu," one of my favorite Wes Davis tunes, but ultimately I went with the first one. This is the first time I'd played in awhile, but it's OK. Lovin' the Angel vocals and dance steps in the background. I wonder what she wanted. It's impossible to say.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 46 "Eat My Flesh and Bury My Bones" by Robin Lee with Jack Davidson on guitar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z5Yw2Cb8YM
Yesterday was my dear pal Robin Lee's birthday. She is somewhere in the world right now. I have no idea where. I love her a great deal and she is on my mind lately. I'm sure many other people in our community here in OB feel similarly. We miss and lover her. Here she is performing at my birthday party in 2009, 4-15-2009, with Jack Davidson on lead guitar.
This is Robin's most progressive number by far. A t least as far as the ones I heard. I was playing with her for awhile. Eventually, she showed me this one. I like some pretty funky progressive stuff myself, but I was a bit flummoxed. I'm glad she and Jack hooked up. It was easier for him to keep up. Robin, you're a great person...
I should note that even though Robin was on my mind and all that, I found/chose this video by randomly picking a show and a clip and this was it. Hail the illusion of randomness. We are all ONE.
Just decided to stick a second tune on the end of this clip to give viewers a fuller idea for what Robin's music is all about and for her friends to get a larger taste of our amiga in absentia.
Track 2 on this clip is "Eat My Flesh and Bury My Bones," another great Robin jamboree. I remember when she wrote this. It's pretty crazy when your friend is like, "Hey, I've got a new tune. Check it out," and it's "Eat My Flesh and Bury My Bones." Only Robin Lee.
A friend I was talking to about her yesterday said he has a feeling we haven't seen the last of her yet. Life is unpredictable. We will see.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 46 "Hey, What Gives?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZdXNYN6mRk
So I realized when I started Operation 365, that I was going to have to write some tunes at some point because I don't believe I have 365 tunes. Now, I guess I could repeat myself but what fun would that be? I don't know.
Well, I busted out the banjo today and I've already done all the tunes I wrote that I play on banjo. So I picked up my banjo and started playing my tune "Killing's Wrong." After, I was inspired to try to write a tune in a few minutes and share it right away. It took me 15 minutes instead of four. But here it is, fresh off the brain, "Hey, What Gives?" That is the name and that question is directed to the leaders of our world, whoever they are. The song asks, can't we do better than this? Can't we try finding better ways to live instead new methods of genocide? It actually asks it a little less harshly than that, but that's pretty much the point.
I have been disturbed all week by the mad amounts of dead birds and fish popping up everywhere and what's being done to the sky is madness at best and I don't even wanna guess what at worst, cause that's not fun. NOTE: "Piastre" is an old word for money that I borrowed from "Dr. Wu" by Steely Dan. PEACE, DAMNIT!!!!!
BONUS to Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 46 "Killing's Wrong" on banjo, prelude to "Hey, What Gives?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgMMb5kwO4M
We have bonuses to 365 today. First, as I was searching around for an original to play, I started with "Killing's Wrong". Today is a banjo day because my guitars are away and it lead me on an interesting adventure.
This is dedicated to all the people, birds and fishes that lost their lives this week in a bloody week in American history, Week One of 2011.
I was trying to decide what original tune to play today for Operation 365 and I played "Killing's Wrong" which led me on an odyssey culminating in the writing and recording of a new tune entitled, "Hey, What Gives?"
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 46 Today's Writing of "Hey, What Gives?"
Today I wrote this tune "Hey, What Gives?" This clip documents the process of me writing this tune in about 15 minutes.
NOTE: youtube doesn't think "chemtrails" and "geoengineering" are words. It should check out youtube...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 39
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Covers - 45 "Sleeping Monkey" by Phish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W05D87tSK8
I have always loved this Phish jam and you can never go wring with songs about monkeys. Why can't you set your monkey free? I've seen this at many a Phish show over the years and showed it to Paul Ruiz using one from a Phish show on 4/16/92. I remember that day well. Wasn't at Phish though. Anyway, I love this tune. Never take yourself too seriously. That's my free and unsolicited advice for the day. Merci.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 45 "Phoebe" by Philly B - 12-9-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgSQTU6cR84
This is Philly B, my dear friend and long-time king of my Open Mic. you know it is a great program when it boasts a royal family. not sure that applies to countries, but to Open Mic, absolutely. Here, Philly plays one of my favorite tunes of his, a tribute to "Phoebe," his late great guitar. THis version was recorded at my Open Mic on December 9, 2008 and you can hear the enthusiastic audience getting down throughout. Philly is married to Jillian yesterday's Operation 365 Archive Star of the Day. They are currently living in Arizona working on nurturing talented superhumans who will save the world with their incredible musical skills and abilities.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Originals - 45 "Together"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6dPj0XNUsU
Wrote this tune a few years back about a friend with a dysfunctional family. It's about how we all are part of nature and how we all come back together somewhere someday somehow before it's all over for reals... as if it ever is.
Paul Ruiz joins me again on trumpet. Mmmm hmmmm. There is a woodpecker at the end of the song if you stick around til after the credits. Just letting you know. Peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W05D87tSK8
I have always loved this Phish jam and you can never go wring with songs about monkeys. Why can't you set your monkey free? I've seen this at many a Phish show over the years and showed it to Paul Ruiz using one from a Phish show on 4/16/92. I remember that day well. Wasn't at Phish though. Anyway, I love this tune. Never take yourself too seriously. That's my free and unsolicited advice for the day. Merci.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 45 "Phoebe" by Philly B - 12-9-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgSQTU6cR84
This is Philly B, my dear friend and long-time king of my Open Mic. you know it is a great program when it boasts a royal family. not sure that applies to countries, but to Open Mic, absolutely. Here, Philly plays one of my favorite tunes of his, a tribute to "Phoebe," his late great guitar. THis version was recorded at my Open Mic on December 9, 2008 and you can hear the enthusiastic audience getting down throughout. Philly is married to Jillian yesterday's Operation 365 Archive Star of the Day. They are currently living in Arizona working on nurturing talented superhumans who will save the world with their incredible musical skills and abilities.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Originals - 45 "Together"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6dPj0XNUsU
Wrote this tune a few years back about a friend with a dysfunctional family. It's about how we all are part of nature and how we all come back together somewhere someday somehow before it's all over for reals... as if it ever is.
Paul Ruiz joins me again on trumpet. Mmmm hmmmm. There is a woodpecker at the end of the song if you stick around til after the credits. Just letting you know. Peace
Friday, January 7, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 38
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 44 Jillian Doty - 8-13-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r92rYeLm88
Operation 365 presents "The Soulful Songstress," Jillian Doty from Joe and Jen Stevens' wedding on August 13, 2008. Jillian, now a mother of two/wife/roller derby queen in Arizona, is a wonderfully talented singer/songwriter. Here she sings a Gaelic jam to the bride Jen Stevens before busting into one of her own hits. She mentioned that she was a little under the weather but I love her spirit and the way she powers through it. Those skills must come in real handy at the Roller Derby rink. When I was young roller derby was fake, like wrestling. I heard it's real now. That's crazy. I don't know but that would be some pretty violent stuff.
This clip was filmed my deal pal Dylan Avery. These were great days and times. This is the 44th day of Operation 365. I am a big sports fan and #44 is powerful number in sports. Reggie Jackson, Yankee slugger of my childhood, and Hank Aaron, baseball's all-time home run king (until Bonds), both proudly wore 44. So having Jillian here at 44, is a testament to her power as a "hitter." Roller derby girls, look out!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Covers - 44 "Monkey In Your Soul" by Steely Dan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfGFepXPUTw
Not much work as a substitute teacher these days, he said both sadly and gladly. Instead, he sits doing what he loves with his friend (talented trumpeter Paul Ruiz), thinking about songs about monkeys. I believe as of today, monkeys have not yet been affected by the animals dropping to mass death everywhere fiasco, that Fox News said was nothing to be concerned about. Notice fair and balanced never mentions honesty or accuracy. Fair to who?
Anyway, there are a lot of great songs about monkeys and here, Paul and I played one and for tomorrow's jam, we've played another. Brass Monkey, that would be a cool one to do too. According to a friend on Facebook, Adam Yauch is cancer-free now. Congratulations Yauch. Now what are we going to do about all these dead birds, fish... and monkeys????
NOTE: I haven't gone on much about youtube's attempts to undermine Operation 365 by suggesting I add demeaning tags to my videos and then laughing at me endlessly as I repeatedly take their suggestions. But this one could not go any longer without something being said. youtube keeps suggesting I add "contralto vocals" to videos I sing on. Well, I had to look up what it meant and here's what I found out. It means "the lowest female singing voice" Listen up youtube, I'm a man. Get it straight. And yes, I'll keep "accepting" your "suggestions" but don't get any funny ideas that this makes us friends. We were friends. I trusted you and you betrayed that trust by calling my Asian friends Asian, by calling me a woman and by telling me to put christianity and fake words like "tenis" into the tags on my videos. So youtube, you're on alert. Grrrrrr....
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Originals - 44 "Begin Belivin' Today"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGMppI6OOws
"Begin Belivin' Today" is another product of the Summer Songburst of 2010. I quite like this tune. it's real simple as many fine tunes are. It is upbeat, positive and it makes me happy. As does Paul Ruiz, the man playing trumpet beside me. Hail Schweebus and hail Ruiz!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r92rYeLm88
Operation 365 presents "The Soulful Songstress," Jillian Doty from Joe and Jen Stevens' wedding on August 13, 2008. Jillian, now a mother of two/wife/roller derby queen in Arizona, is a wonderfully talented singer/songwriter. Here she sings a Gaelic jam to the bride Jen Stevens before busting into one of her own hits. She mentioned that she was a little under the weather but I love her spirit and the way she powers through it. Those skills must come in real handy at the Roller Derby rink. When I was young roller derby was fake, like wrestling. I heard it's real now. That's crazy. I don't know but that would be some pretty violent stuff.
This clip was filmed my deal pal Dylan Avery. These were great days and times. This is the 44th day of Operation 365. I am a big sports fan and #44 is powerful number in sports. Reggie Jackson, Yankee slugger of my childhood, and Hank Aaron, baseball's all-time home run king (until Bonds), both proudly wore 44. So having Jillian here at 44, is a testament to her power as a "hitter." Roller derby girls, look out!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Covers - 44 "Monkey In Your Soul" by Steely Dan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfGFepXPUTw
Not much work as a substitute teacher these days, he said both sadly and gladly. Instead, he sits doing what he loves with his friend (talented trumpeter Paul Ruiz), thinking about songs about monkeys. I believe as of today, monkeys have not yet been affected by the animals dropping to mass death everywhere fiasco, that Fox News said was nothing to be concerned about. Notice fair and balanced never mentions honesty or accuracy. Fair to who?
Anyway, there are a lot of great songs about monkeys and here, Paul and I played one and for tomorrow's jam, we've played another. Brass Monkey, that would be a cool one to do too. According to a friend on Facebook, Adam Yauch is cancer-free now. Congratulations Yauch. Now what are we going to do about all these dead birds, fish... and monkeys????
NOTE: I haven't gone on much about youtube's attempts to undermine Operation 365 by suggesting I add demeaning tags to my videos and then laughing at me endlessly as I repeatedly take their suggestions. But this one could not go any longer without something being said. youtube keeps suggesting I add "contralto vocals" to videos I sing on. Well, I had to look up what it meant and here's what I found out. It means "the lowest female singing voice" Listen up youtube, I'm a man. Get it straight. And yes, I'll keep "accepting" your "suggestions" but don't get any funny ideas that this makes us friends. We were friends. I trusted you and you betrayed that trust by calling my Asian friends Asian, by calling me a woman and by telling me to put christianity and fake words like "tenis" into the tags on my videos. So youtube, you're on alert. Grrrrrr....
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay (with Paul Ruiz) - Originals - 44 "Begin Belivin' Today"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGMppI6OOws
"Begin Belivin' Today" is another product of the Summer Songburst of 2010. I quite like this tune. it's real simple as many fine tunes are. It is upbeat, positive and it makes me happy. As does Paul Ruiz, the man playing trumpet beside me. Hail Schweebus and hail Ruiz!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 37
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 43 "Dalai Lama..." with Paul Ruiz on trumpet - 8-31-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU-irItdjR0
The original name for this song was Dalai Lama, Cadillac and Rivers on the Radio. It is supposed to symbolize parts of what you might experience (on the the radio/CD player in part) if you took to the open road. I would like to be touring more and playing more gigs more different places. San Diego is basically a ghost town for music so if you want to do something professionally you simply need to leave town to get it done. It's not that I want to live anywhere else. I just want to work somewhere where I can paid to do what I do.
Anyway, this song was born out of that wanderlust that I was feeling at the start of my Summer Songburst this past August. This was one of the first tunes in that period of inspiration and I like it. I shortened the name to "Dalai Lama...' cause it's shorter.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 43 Destructo Bunny - Ocean Beach Road Show #2 - 3-28-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU5CD3UXF54
The Ocean Beach Road Show is a concept I came up with with Wes Davis to make a show that shows them many different colors and sounds of our community here in Ocean Beach, San Diego. This is the second Ocean Beach Road Show, held on March 28, 2010.
Although there were lots of fine artists that played that night, I was feeling like going with more Destructo Bunny. Like I said last time I posted my friend, The Rabbit. He is a force of nature. His words pack force and power and when he is on he can speak directly to the revolutionary deep within each of us, the purity deep inside us that wants everybody treat everybody else right. The part of us that wants to join together and rise.
I love DB because like me he is an idealist and an optimist and like me, he has in no way shape or form given up yet on the hope that we can make a major positive difference in this world despite all evidence to the contrary. The Bunny freestyles. I've brought friends in from out of town who are big hip-hop fans and they refuse to believe what they see when blasts out rhymes extemporaneously. To me, it would be just as astounding if he memorized it all, but he's wingin' it in the great tradition of American improvisation that goes back decades. Keep preaching DB. I will see you in Merced next week.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 43 "Pecan Pie" by Jeff Tweedy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txUAbXHEqD8
I know this tune from I band I was in back in the late 90's called Elin Tea. The band was named after our friend Kirsten's baby daughter. I think she's like a teenager now. Well, this band was a three-piece acoustic group and we had many tunes, like 50 originals and a number of covers including Grand Funk Railroad's "I'm Your Captain, and jams by U2, The Bad Livers, Pavement and this jam, written by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco for his side project Golden Smog.
I would have to say that this tune had a pretty big influence on me although there was no way of knowing that at the time. First, my music, due to many factors, has gone more in this direction over time and secondly, Golden Smog's second CD "Weird Tales," I grew to love lots and lots. "Pecan Pie was on their first CD, "Tales From The Mainstream." So shout outs to my old Elin Tea bandmates and anyone else who likes this song about chow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU-irItdjR0
The original name for this song was Dalai Lama, Cadillac and Rivers on the Radio. It is supposed to symbolize parts of what you might experience (on the the radio/CD player in part) if you took to the open road. I would like to be touring more and playing more gigs more different places. San Diego is basically a ghost town for music so if you want to do something professionally you simply need to leave town to get it done. It's not that I want to live anywhere else. I just want to work somewhere where I can paid to do what I do.
Anyway, this song was born out of that wanderlust that I was feeling at the start of my Summer Songburst this past August. This was one of the first tunes in that period of inspiration and I like it. I shortened the name to "Dalai Lama...' cause it's shorter.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 43 Destructo Bunny - Ocean Beach Road Show #2 - 3-28-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU5CD3UXF54
The Ocean Beach Road Show is a concept I came up with with Wes Davis to make a show that shows them many different colors and sounds of our community here in Ocean Beach, San Diego. This is the second Ocean Beach Road Show, held on March 28, 2010.
Although there were lots of fine artists that played that night, I was feeling like going with more Destructo Bunny. Like I said last time I posted my friend, The Rabbit. He is a force of nature. His words pack force and power and when he is on he can speak directly to the revolutionary deep within each of us, the purity deep inside us that wants everybody treat everybody else right. The part of us that wants to join together and rise.
I love DB because like me he is an idealist and an optimist and like me, he has in no way shape or form given up yet on the hope that we can make a major positive difference in this world despite all evidence to the contrary. The Bunny freestyles. I've brought friends in from out of town who are big hip-hop fans and they refuse to believe what they see when blasts out rhymes extemporaneously. To me, it would be just as astounding if he memorized it all, but he's wingin' it in the great tradition of American improvisation that goes back decades. Keep preaching DB. I will see you in Merced next week.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 43 "Pecan Pie" by Jeff Tweedy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txUAbXHEqD8
I know this tune from I band I was in back in the late 90's called Elin Tea. The band was named after our friend Kirsten's baby daughter. I think she's like a teenager now. Well, this band was a three-piece acoustic group and we had many tunes, like 50 originals and a number of covers including Grand Funk Railroad's "I'm Your Captain, and jams by U2, The Bad Livers, Pavement and this jam, written by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco for his side project Golden Smog.
I would have to say that this tune had a pretty big influence on me although there was no way of knowing that at the time. First, my music, due to many factors, has gone more in this direction over time and secondly, Golden Smog's second CD "Weird Tales," I grew to love lots and lots. "Pecan Pie was on their first CD, "Tales From The Mainstream." So shout outs to my old Elin Tea bandmates and anyone else who likes this song about chow.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 36
Today is my 42nd day of doing Operation 365and yesterday 42 was the mega number in the mega millions. Now if anything were by chance to be random, that right there might be a solid candidate
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 42 "Sailor" by Jason Burleson w/Paul Ruiz - 9-28-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQEPZDlwA8w
This clip marks Operation 365 moving on from "Old Friends, New Faces" and welcoming back a couple familiar faces to this program. Two of my dearest friends Jason Burleson and Paul Ruiz (trumpet) rock out here on one of my favorite Burleson tunes, "Sailor." Call it double entendre, snarky, sexy or symbolic, "Sailor" tells a story you can listen to again and again. This "Sailor" was recorded at my Open Mic on September 28, 2010.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 42 "Hit The Road" with Paul Ruiz on trumpet and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar on vocals, co-written with Leanne Pearl and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar - 8-31-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS_0WcVNYlI
This song is a little bit of a long story I don't feel like explaining right now, but never fear I explain it at the beginning of the clip. Whew. But to make a long story short, I presented Leanne Pearl and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar with the 20-minute Songwriting Challenge days before this recording. They accepted and 20 minutes later we had written, performed and recorded this pretty darn neat tune. So here is it's debut, recorded live at my Open Mic on 8-31-2010. Enjoy!
In retrospect, that was actually a pretty short story.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 42 "I've Been Working On The Railroad"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Noic4ET6XNg
I had dirty tunes in the archives the last two days. I've been adding in more clips from my most recent Open Mic so to stay with the motif of having new motifs I will use the Covers category to provide another number of a traditional nature. This one is one I've always love, "I've Been Working On The Railroad," and while I've never worked on a railroad per se, I have fantasized about being one of those arch-villains from old movies who ties damsels in distress to the tracks and I have done other types of work on many occasions. In a similar vein, although I've never met a woman named Dinah, I have met women with a wide variety of other monikers. Thank you for reading.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 42 "Sailor" by Jason Burleson w/Paul Ruiz - 9-28-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQEPZDlwA8w
This clip marks Operation 365 moving on from "Old Friends, New Faces" and welcoming back a couple familiar faces to this program. Two of my dearest friends Jason Burleson and Paul Ruiz (trumpet) rock out here on one of my favorite Burleson tunes, "Sailor." Call it double entendre, snarky, sexy or symbolic, "Sailor" tells a story you can listen to again and again. This "Sailor" was recorded at my Open Mic on September 28, 2010.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 42 "Hit The Road" with Paul Ruiz on trumpet and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar on vocals, co-written with Leanne Pearl and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar - 8-31-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS_0WcVNYlI
This song is a little bit of a long story I don't feel like explaining right now, but never fear I explain it at the beginning of the clip. Whew. But to make a long story short, I presented Leanne Pearl and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar with the 20-minute Songwriting Challenge days before this recording. They accepted and 20 minutes later we had written, performed and recorded this pretty darn neat tune. So here is it's debut, recorded live at my Open Mic on 8-31-2010. Enjoy!
In retrospect, that was actually a pretty short story.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 42 "I've Been Working On The Railroad"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Noic4ET6XNg
I had dirty tunes in the archives the last two days. I've been adding in more clips from my most recent Open Mic so to stay with the motif of having new motifs I will use the Covers category to provide another number of a traditional nature. This one is one I've always love, "I've Been Working On The Railroad," and while I've never worked on a railroad per se, I have fantasized about being one of those arch-villains from old movies who ties damsels in distress to the tracks and I have done other types of work on many occasions. In a similar vein, although I've never met a woman named Dinah, I have met women with a wide variety of other monikers. Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 35
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 41 "I Know You Rider" - Traditional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS4exA0d8L0
Was hanging out with my buddies Wes Davis and Blowski today rocking out to Grateful Dead, something we don't so all too often, but I was digging it. In fact I think a little San Francisco love is in the air today. I am planning a tour with Wes right now called The California Songwriter's Showcase. This will be the third time I'm doing that tour and today we just booked a radio appearance on KPOO 89.5 in San Francisco for April 8th at 7PM. FUN! Now we just need a few more gigs to fill it in.
"I Know You Rider" is a traditional tune but it was a staple of the Dead's and I know it through them. Having studied the hippie era in San Francisco some as a history student, I dig this bonus verse that I found on the chords online.
Here's one for the old folks:
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
Then stay here in 'Frisco, be treated like a dog
Very interesting. It's a really good long story. In fact I wrote it. 180 pages. It sits in a file on my desktop. SDSU was not down so I wrote another thesis instead. Two for the price of four and I'm the one who's paying. It's all good. I'm glad I know what I know. Anybody wanna book on media's handling of the Haight-Ashbury hippies in 1967... Cause if you do, I'll cut you a great deal.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 41 "Remember That Day"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD8eWlGn8vA
My dear sweet friend Scott Baslaw is very funny. He lives in New York City so he complains a lot. Who wouldn't. It's winter and freezing. Anyway, He and I have been in a group called The Demarests for a very long time. We have three releases and have been writing songs together for many years, long before I started playing guitar. Today, he shoots me an email saying... "what I am chopped liver? now you only play Billy Joel covers? (paraphrased)"
The only of our tunes I have put up so far is Fricassee Junction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiA0vEfR-W8
I have been trying to get him on Skype with the idea that we can record some jams from our collection together online, but for some insane reason, he fears Skype. So if you know Scott, tell him Skype is safe and he should get on it so we can put more songs up here together and you can see his pretty face.
In the meantime, I offer "Remember That Day" as an offering of my good intentions in this endeavor. "Remember That Day" is the first song I ever wrote, or I should say co-wrote with Scotty. Years later I learned the guitar part for this song of puppy love from long ago that Scotty would play and I would sing way back in the day.
There was also a very memorable live performance that we did on someone's steps in the bottoms of Arcata years later. Scotty and I have had many good times over the years. Maybe that Demarests tour will happen yet. We shall see.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 41 "Mary Anne" by Carlos Soriano - 9-28-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3xKKSaWV3E
This is my buddy Carlos Soriano. Fer years he was the cover-playing, San Diego Casanova featured at many of my Open Mics. In recent months he's come into his own, rejecting the allure of a corporate paycheck in favor of writing original tunes and taking the world down at Texas Hold 'Em. I am very heartened by Senor Soriano's progress as an artist and his ability to keep it "very real" in his lyrics.
I'd love to say I can't relate to his frustration expressed in the lyrics of "Mary Anne," but I think I'll have to accept taking solace in that I'm nowhere near any Mary-Anns right now. God bless you Carlos Soriano and MAY GOD BLESS OCEAN BEACH!!!!... and everywhere else too please, of course...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS4exA0d8L0
Was hanging out with my buddies Wes Davis and Blowski today rocking out to Grateful Dead, something we don't so all too often, but I was digging it. In fact I think a little San Francisco love is in the air today. I am planning a tour with Wes right now called The California Songwriter's Showcase. This will be the third time I'm doing that tour and today we just booked a radio appearance on KPOO 89.5 in San Francisco for April 8th at 7PM. FUN! Now we just need a few more gigs to fill it in.
"I Know You Rider" is a traditional tune but it was a staple of the Dead's and I know it through them. Having studied the hippie era in San Francisco some as a history student, I dig this bonus verse that I found on the chords online.
Here's one for the old folks:
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
Then stay here in 'Frisco, be treated like a dog
Very interesting. It's a really good long story. In fact I wrote it. 180 pages. It sits in a file on my desktop. SDSU was not down so I wrote another thesis instead. Two for the price of four and I'm the one who's paying. It's all good. I'm glad I know what I know. Anybody wanna book on media's handling of the Haight-Ashbury hippies in 1967... Cause if you do, I'll cut you a great deal.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 41 "Remember That Day"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD8eWlGn8vA
My dear sweet friend Scott Baslaw is very funny. He lives in New York City so he complains a lot. Who wouldn't. It's winter and freezing. Anyway, He and I have been in a group called The Demarests for a very long time. We have three releases and have been writing songs together for many years, long before I started playing guitar. Today, he shoots me an email saying... "what I am chopped liver? now you only play Billy Joel covers? (paraphrased)"
The only of our tunes I have put up so far is Fricassee Junction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiA0vEfR-W8
I have been trying to get him on Skype with the idea that we can record some jams from our collection together online, but for some insane reason, he fears Skype. So if you know Scott, tell him Skype is safe and he should get on it so we can put more songs up here together and you can see his pretty face.
In the meantime, I offer "Remember That Day" as an offering of my good intentions in this endeavor. "Remember That Day" is the first song I ever wrote, or I should say co-wrote with Scotty. Years later I learned the guitar part for this song of puppy love from long ago that Scotty would play and I would sing way back in the day.
There was also a very memorable live performance that we did on someone's steps in the bottoms of Arcata years later. Scotty and I have had many good times over the years. Maybe that Demarests tour will happen yet. We shall see.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 41 "Mary Anne" by Carlos Soriano - 9-28-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3xKKSaWV3E
This is my buddy Carlos Soriano. Fer years he was the cover-playing, San Diego Casanova featured at many of my Open Mics. In recent months he's come into his own, rejecting the allure of a corporate paycheck in favor of writing original tunes and taking the world down at Texas Hold 'Em. I am very heartened by Senor Soriano's progress as an artist and his ability to keep it "very real" in his lyrics.
I'd love to say I can't relate to his frustration expressed in the lyrics of "Mary Anne," but I think I'll have to accept taking solace in that I'm nowhere near any Mary-Anns right now. God bless you Carlos Soriano and MAY GOD BLESS OCEAN BEACH!!!!... and everywhere else too please, of course...
Monday, January 3, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 34
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 40 "Honesty" by Billy Joel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7YmR_UiqH0
I'll be honest with ya. I didn't know I'd be doing all these Billy Joel tunes either. When you grow up when I did, in New Jersey, it just happens. It's all right. Billy Joel is cool. Well, mostly, anyway... Somewhat. Just playing, Billy. You rock. Especially seventies and early eighties you.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 40 Beer Money - 1-26-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCeF-PsyXPk
Two folks and a baby. I left the comedy on at the beginning of the clip. Eventually, they get to their fine song "Another Song About The Rain". Joe and Jen Stevens, aka Beer Money, appear here on stage at my Open Mic with their super baby Morgan Riley Stevens. Enjoy family fun at the start of 2010 and have yourself a great 2011.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 40 "Every Day's Time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QLcktADR7E
Another newish number and one of my favorites. I asked my girlfriend Leanne if she wanted to write a song with me one night. She was hesitant, perhaps a little shy, so I busted out this one real quick (borderline lickety-split) while I uploaded 365 stuff, but never one to disappoint, she helped me pen the sequel to this jam, a number known as "Part Two."
This tune is called "Every Day's Time" and it's about how every day is the time to take care of one's business and do what's important to you in life. It is also about how important the love from our friends is and how if you forget that than you're acting like a big dummy. You're not a big dummy, so stop it. Come on. You know better than that. Seriously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7YmR_UiqH0
I'll be honest with ya. I didn't know I'd be doing all these Billy Joel tunes either. When you grow up when I did, in New Jersey, it just happens. It's all right. Billy Joel is cool. Well, mostly, anyway... Somewhat. Just playing, Billy. You rock. Especially seventies and early eighties you.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 40 Beer Money - 1-26-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCeF-PsyXPk
Two folks and a baby. I left the comedy on at the beginning of the clip. Eventually, they get to their fine song "Another Song About The Rain". Joe and Jen Stevens, aka Beer Money, appear here on stage at my Open Mic with their super baby Morgan Riley Stevens. Enjoy family fun at the start of 2010 and have yourself a great 2011.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 40 "Every Day's Time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QLcktADR7E
Another newish number and one of my favorites. I asked my girlfriend Leanne if she wanted to write a song with me one night. She was hesitant, perhaps a little shy, so I busted out this one real quick (borderline lickety-split) while I uploaded 365 stuff, but never one to disappoint, she helped me pen the sequel to this jam, a number known as "Part Two."
This tune is called "Every Day's Time" and it's about how every day is the time to take care of one's business and do what's important to you in life. It is also about how important the love from our friends is and how if you forget that than you're acting like a big dummy. You're not a big dummy, so stop it. Come on. You know better than that. Seriously.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 33
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 39 "It's Good To Be King" by Tom Petty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wal56R3bkYo
I've always liked this tune. It is off one of my all-time favorite albums Tom Petty's "Wildfowers." I played this tune live in concert once. It was an acoustic version and I believe it was the last time I played in San Francisco. I was wearing this funny plastic crown at the time and I'm pretty sure the San Franciscans didn't get it. Maybe it's the weather but for a chill place, people tend to be wound a little tightly in that place. Just one man's opinion. Well San Francisco, in case you didn't know it then, I was only kidding, but I do like this song a lot and that is no joke.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 39 "Down To My Last Cigarette" by Robin Lee with Jack Davidson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auJ21bi3HZ4
Robin Lee, I love. I don't know where she is right now. She took off awhile back, but I love her very much. She taught me a lot and was always an appreciative, supportive and wise friend. Her birthday is this week and it's been about a year since I've seen her so she is on my mind. Love you Robin.
Here she is with Jack Davidson on guitar live from my Open Mic on December 29, 2009. This was during a brief period where the venue I was working at lost its right to have microphones for some cockamamie reason. My friends and I persevered though and the show went on more of less without a hitch, albeit at a much quieter level. So here they are, just the sweet sounds of their guitars and Robin's inimitable voice. This is her jam "Down To My Last Cigarette." Keep your head up Robin, wherever you are. You are loved.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 39 "Good Luck, All In"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFkY8cbcaYU
This is a new song I wrote the other night inspired in part by a little poker game my friends and I played. That is not all it's inspired by but I don't wish to elaborate further at this time. Enjoy my new number and Happy New Year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wal56R3bkYo
I've always liked this tune. It is off one of my all-time favorite albums Tom Petty's "Wildfowers." I played this tune live in concert once. It was an acoustic version and I believe it was the last time I played in San Francisco. I was wearing this funny plastic crown at the time and I'm pretty sure the San Franciscans didn't get it. Maybe it's the weather but for a chill place, people tend to be wound a little tightly in that place. Just one man's opinion. Well San Francisco, in case you didn't know it then, I was only kidding, but I do like this song a lot and that is no joke.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 39 "Down To My Last Cigarette" by Robin Lee with Jack Davidson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auJ21bi3HZ4
Robin Lee, I love. I don't know where she is right now. She took off awhile back, but I love her very much. She taught me a lot and was always an appreciative, supportive and wise friend. Her birthday is this week and it's been about a year since I've seen her so she is on my mind. Love you Robin.
Here she is with Jack Davidson on guitar live from my Open Mic on December 29, 2009. This was during a brief period where the venue I was working at lost its right to have microphones for some cockamamie reason. My friends and I persevered though and the show went on more of less without a hitch, albeit at a much quieter level. So here they are, just the sweet sounds of their guitars and Robin's inimitable voice. This is her jam "Down To My Last Cigarette." Keep your head up Robin, wherever you are. You are loved.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 39 "Good Luck, All In"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFkY8cbcaYU
This is a new song I wrote the other night inspired in part by a little poker game my friends and I played. That is not all it's inspired by but I don't wish to elaborate further at this time. Enjoy my new number and Happy New Year!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Operation 365... Blog 32
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 38 JAMP Jack Davidson - guitar, Paul Ruiz - trumpet, Amadou Fall - kora, Misha Borisovsky - violin - 2-12-10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PdqFGcB_04
One-time performance of four great musicians. Happy New Year!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 38 "April"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JXwlm0-qSY
To me "April" represents two things. The start of something fresh and new and and the fact that memories hold whatever significance you attach to them. People cling to the Nee Year as a change to get a clean slate and make changes, do some things different in their lives. This song means you can do that any day. Things only mean what you say they mean, only bear what attachments of significance you allow them to.
Nature bursts fresh every year in Spring, another word with many meanings. We can make our own Spring any time we choose. It's just that many more do this with New Year's Resolutions than any other time of the year. Here's wishing everyone a year, better yet an existence, full of as many fresh starts and new beginnings as it takes to get you to be happy and feeling blessed to be alive all the time. That's what you deserve.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 38 "New Year's Day" by U2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc1o3ltpzY0
I am posting this on January 1, 2011, 1/1/11. The reason why is I. Maybe I shoudl have done their tune "One" instead. Happy New Year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PdqFGcB_04
One-time performance of four great musicians. Happy New Year!
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 38 "April"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JXwlm0-qSY
To me "April" represents two things. The start of something fresh and new and and the fact that memories hold whatever significance you attach to them. People cling to the Nee Year as a change to get a clean slate and make changes, do some things different in their lives. This song means you can do that any day. Things only mean what you say they mean, only bear what attachments of significance you allow them to.
Nature bursts fresh every year in Spring, another word with many meanings. We can make our own Spring any time we choose. It's just that many more do this with New Year's Resolutions than any other time of the year. Here's wishing everyone a year, better yet an existence, full of as many fresh starts and new beginnings as it takes to get you to be happy and feeling blessed to be alive all the time. That's what you deserve.
Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 38 "New Year's Day" by U2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc1o3ltpzY0
I am posting this on January 1, 2011, 1/1/11. The reason why is I. Maybe I shoudl have done their tune "One" instead. Happy New Year
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