Sunday, July 31, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 243

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 249 Robin Lee - 5-14 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yqxgQ0hDtY

Here is the great Robin Lee appearing at my program on May 14, 2009, my mom's birthday, in case you were wondering. She is rocking out with Jack Davidson and Soul Man on guitar and guiro respectively. She rules. I forget the name of this song. Sorry. Enjoy her awesomeness because you can. Namaste.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 249 "Peace of Mind" by Tom Scholz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4srDi69PwjE

Here is my cover for today, a loungy version of Boston's "Peace of Mind." While investigating the tune on wikipedia I learned, "The song is largely a commentary on the growing materialism of the Baby Boomer generation as they entered the workforce, and the band's rejection of this materialism."...Well, I had no idea. Congratulations on your recognition of the direction the world was going and you willingness to take a stand and saying something about it. I am ashamed I've heard this song a million times and had no idea it was so insightful and important. Good for you, Tom Scholz. I can't say too many nice things about all things Boston, but nice job. Shout out to The Boptones and all the folks I watched play this tune back in high school.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 249 "Writin' A Song About Sushi"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wztp7kEIyNI

Needed a song today, so I wrote a song about sushi. "Writin' A Song About Sushi" was a song I wrote in the few seconds this video was recording. It's very true to me, because I do love sushi. It is delicious. It would have been nice to write about some of the kinds of sushi that I like and what I think is delicious about them, but that would have taken longer, and this is all the time I had for it today. Sushi!

Barbara Tolbert appears as the feet on the couch.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 242

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 248 Jake Allen - 5-14-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVFLQ16ULw

Jake is a phenomenon and I can't believe it took me this long to get to him on the 365. I haven't see him in awhile. Jake was always a delightful guy to be around and his music is mind-altering. To play a guitar like that truly blows my mind. I hope he's doing well and I hope I get to see him before too long. Enjoy his mastery of this six-stringed instrument.

Enjoy after the performance as Richard Romero, Robin Lee and The Soul Man marvel at what Jake Allen is able to do. The dumbfoundedness in their reaction is palpable and these folks have seen more than a few talented folks throw down in their days.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 248 "Oh, Happy Day" by Gene de Paul and Johnny Mercer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=konyOr8Z1e4

This song was in my head this morning and it dawned on me how prescient the songwriters of "Oh, Happy Day" were. So I got into the arts, theater specifically, in the spring of 1989. I earned a small part in my high school's version of "L'il Abner." All was going well. I was liking my initial inroads into theater life; rehearsing a lot, hanging out with girls. Much fun. All was rolling along in my freshman year until a 6-man tag team match up at Tony Russo's housewarming/birthday party that February. My friends, Tony, Mark Greenberg, and Jeff Glenn triple-teamed me for half an hour about. My teammates Chris Boghosian and Craig Cohen did nothing to come to my aid. I had to actually lose my temper for a hot minute to escape and make the tag.

As the night wore on, my knee tightened up. I assumed it was nothing. So I sat on my foot and rode an exercise bike set to the hardest setting. I went to bed eventually in Tony's new pitch dark basement on the floor. I woke up around 5AM and I could not move. My knee swelled to fill up my jeans. I hobbled my ass out of the house, with Tony's help and my next stop was the emergency room. It was broken. I had a bipartite patella. That means one quarter of my kneecap broke off. So I did L'il Abner in a full leg cast. My character was "Available Jones," but I was also in the chorus and did my part singing and dancing in the production number, "Oh, Happy Day."

I always liked this tune and the worlds could not be truer. We now live in the world of push-button homes, where"boys and girls on dates, can tell electric’ly if they are mates." It has happened, folks."Oh, Happy Day." Listen to the lyrics and laugh. That's my adice. They're spot on. What else is left to do at this point. We'll see. Oh, we will see.

I had to figure out the chords to this one myself. They're not easily obtained. I think I got 'em right, for the most part. I didn't remember the change part existing at all, so I winged as best I could. If it's wrong, my apologies. I hope you enjoy "Oh, Happy Day."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 248 "Doctor Life"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4kcfgYraB4

I had a crush on a girl for a minute awhile back who was a obstetrician. I always thought it was wild when she would run off and go deliver babies. She was super cool about it, like, to her it was no big deal. The marvel of the whole thing, was not lost on me. She was also in a this Taiko drumming group. She is the only white girl in a troupe of Asians playing ancient Asian music. I thought that was pretty cool too. At about the same time, I found myself the owner of a gu zheng, which is an ancient Chinese zither. I took a few lessons and everything. It is a beautiful instrument.

So all of these cross-cultural factors converged, and I wound up writing "Doctor Life," on the gu zheng. Here it is translated into the guitar version. The last line is in Chinese. "Yi sheng sheng ri" I am mispronouncing it badly. It means "Doctor Birthday." Oh, it never worked out. I'm pretty sure she thought she was too good for me. God bless 'er.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 241

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 247 Okay at Best - 7-28-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEuMoIq57fQ

I liked these guys when they arrived on the scene. I had hoped to hear them play more then, but it was only a few times. This was a good one. I love harmonies. There is some interesting banter about at the end of the clip. Ryan, the guy on the left, says at the end that he is German and Mexican. I share a little history lesson about Mexico, Japan, and the U.S in World War II. It is some festive banter, as festive as it can be considering the nuclear nature of the topic.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 247 "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" - Jimmy Kennedy and Nat Simon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgvZQrVUQMs

My voice is a little torn-up again. Not sure how this keeps happening. Might have to make some adjustments. So I found myself trying to find a song I could sing without my typical battery of notes. I found They Might Be Giants' (version of the) classic, "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." "Istanbul" is a much beloved number and it was fun to play. Thanks to my main man, Paul Ruiz, "The Genius," on trumpet.

I used to play bocce in Balboa Park from time to time. I don't play these days. I am sitting overlooking the courts where I used to throw down. Adjacent to the bocce court, just down the hill from where I'm seated right now is a creepy public restroom that middle aged men walk in and out of intermittently every 20 minutes or so. We called it "The George Michael Rest Area" or "The Michael" for short. It's funny, but it's icky.

NOTE: My brilliant girlfriend Leanne Pearl, informed me that Jimmy Kennedy and Nat Simon are songwriting guys form the 40's or 50's. I thought they were the two dudes in They Might Be Giants. Wrong! They Might Be Giants absolutely did not write this tune. I thought they did and I was wrong. Thank you.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 247 "Café"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ams-kcHQmsc

We were enjoying an evening over at our friends Steve and Tara’ s house the other night. They cued up some burgers. We took a hot tub. It was an unusual hot tubbing. The whole time, they were talking about what happens when you die and what they wanted to happen to their bodies when they died. It was as disturbing as it sounds. It is difficult for me to fathom that sort of thing. They were saying (Steve is a science teacher) that energy can never be created or destroyed” so we will always be on Earth whether we are buried or cremated or whatever. It went on and on. It was interesting,but very dark.

Eventually, I excused myself from the bubbly pool and went inside and grabbed my guitar. I got an idea to write a song about a café, with the chords C-Am-F-Em. I got my notebook and started writing. In the middle of the second part of the first verse, the guy dies. This guy is the narrator of the song and he goes on to talk about what that feels like and his thoughts immediately after dying. This song is dark and I doubt I’ll wind up playing it too much, but who knows. Now, you know why.

Thanks to Paul Ruiz, who has my back, as always, on the trumpet. Peace

NOTE: For some reason, these days, youtube tries to get me to add "sean" as a tag in every one of my videos. Is this some kind of gag? Are they doing this to everyone or am I special. I try to resist that one. Who is this, "sean?!?!?"

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 240

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 246 Wes Davis and Becca Warner "Wandering" 7-28-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__MvhMnaul8

Wes and Becca were joined by chromatic harmonica player, Ray Turner for this performance of their sweet tune "Wandering," recorded at my Open Mic on July 28, 2009. You can see Miss Warner is sharp and and top of things, shimmying as she plays her ukelele all the while. You can also see from my unique camera angle that occasionally the mic stand looks like an old school bad guy mustache on Senor Davis. Well, I assure you, that was mere happenstance.

I am a huge fan of this duo and have been for some time. I want to congratulate them on their purchase of a sailboat, the Columbia 30. I hope they are just as sharp as Becca in this vid as they sail the seven seas, exploring the world. There are seven seas, right? Atlantic. Pacific. Indian. Arctic. Hmmmm... Running out of seas.... Caspian? Red Sea? Dead Sea? I don't know. As long they know, or the maps they have know, and they know to read them, I guess thats all that matters. Be safe world travelling friends. I intend to be amigos many years more, so stay afloat.

In other news, Mr. Davis, also a health guru, turned me on to this 80-10-10 diet. It involves easting about 30 bananas a day or something. I still have more reading to do to even understand it. Sounds pretty cool. It's good to know some people who are authorities on stuff.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 246 "Red Rubber Ball" by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p69ti-tpxQQ

I had no idea Paul Simon co-wrote "Red Rubber Ball." It sounds pretty Simon-ish, but I knew he didn't play it so... The 1966 hit version of it was performed by The Cyrkle. I always loved this tune. Mom used to play in the car from time to time. I think the 45 was still around my house, back before, record players were outlawed in private citizen's homes. I guess the tippy cover art in all those albums was making people want to be rock stars. Uppity Americans...

Yes, so I rocked out "Red Rubber Ball" some, standing and dancing even. I slowed it down and rocked it up. What a fun tune!

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 246 "The Thirsty Song" - 7-30-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr3ohoRfMkY

So this is a pretty funny. I co-wrote this song with a fairly non-co-operative Melissa Eisler. She said a thing or two. I stuck it in the lyrics and wrote the rest of the song. She can be a bit of a nay-sayer at times. I wouldn't write that except, you can clearly here her on this video talking about how bad this song, audibly, right after I finish playing it (1.59). I take that to mean she foregoes any interest she has in this song as a collaborator in it's authoring. She says how bad it is twice (1.59 and 2.17), once, right when I'm done playing (1.59, "sooo bad.") and then again, right after my "credits."(2.17, "it was really bad.") I then tell the audience I may never again play it live, and to this day, I never have. Probably never will... Someone yelled "we loved it." (2:10) Maybe I should go by that.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 239

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 245 Jefferson Jay "Fricassee Junction" 7-30-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAI3HDhRG0c

Here I am performing "Fricassee Junction," with Paul Lopez on congas, The Soul Man on guiro, and Marco (I don't know his last name) on sax. I had just written "Fricassee Junction," over the phone with my longtime songwriting collaborator, Scott Baslaw. Together, we are The Demarests and have been since 1992. I was feeling at a crossroads. Hence, the song.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 245 "Cream" by Prince
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyv5NRL3Hpk

Who doesn't love "Cream?" It taught me with its irresistible dance grooves that I should stand up when I sing? Hail the Prince. Doesn't it seem time that he should change his name to "King?" I mean really who does he think he is Prince Charles. He's been stuck at this same level for 30 years. I had fun doing this one, I hope I keep it in the loop.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 245 "The Juicing Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es3lw6F8mi0

Long story. Where do I begin? So years again, when this whole steroids in baseball scandal started, my friend Frank and I had a funny idea for a movie. We've been baseball fans our whole lives and we found the whole thing to be entirely ridiculous so we wrote the movie. Regular guy stumbles into a life on steroids and instantly becomes a Major League All-Star essentially. The side effects cause friction in his life in a myriad of other ways until he reaches a personal catharsis and has an epiphany.

We've wanted to pursue this film idea for years. Franks sent out a number of query letters. Unfortunately it was at the same time as the writer's strike. I brought in to Will Ferrel, BIll Simmons, and did a few other things, but each was more pointless then the next. The other day, I reached out to Jose Canseco, the former MVP, and whistle blowing author that spilled the beans on the whole steroids thing.

Well, jose called me back. What a trip. We chatted for a few and he said he was down to attach his name to our project, titles Android Johnny Lane, if I could find funding. Well, that was cool. Anyone wanna fund a funny movie? Hello?!? So I've been thinking about this project a bit more since then. Most of the wrk on it was done four years ago. I wrote this song a couple days back that could be the end song in the movie, perhaps. It sort of encapsulates the whole thing, into a song. I think it's funny. It is written from the perspective of the prospective juicer. I hope you like "The Juicing Song."

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 238

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 244 Alicia Lockett "Gemini" 7-28-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc6lLtsS2ls

I went looking for something to post that happened around this time in July. This was two years ago, July 28, 2009. Here is Alicia Lockett, singing her song "Gemini." Alicia, I used to see at the Open Mics at Twiggs back in the day. A whole scene of San Diego that debuted back in those days still lingers around this ocean town. Will Edwards just had a birthday yesterday. He and I came around back then, the early 2000's. Happy birthday Will. Jason Mraz came through that scene like a comet around that time as well. Many others.

Alicia reappeared years later at my Open Mic at this time in 2009. It was nice to see her again. Alicia has a uniquely delicate presence and always carries herself with class and grace. I hope our paths across again some time in the future.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 244 "Walk on the Wild Side" - Lou Reed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkRLT_wZARI

What an interesting Lou Reed song. Irresistibly catchy. Overwhelmingly politically incorrect. Redundant rhyme scheme and vulgar visuals, both found in the line,

"But she never lost her head
Even when she was givin' head."

Then there's the catchy oohs and ahhs and the line about "the colored girls"... Lou Reed made it all work, somehow. It's a special type of fame you get for making a point, in one way or another; Saying what you have to say and leaving an impression being yourself. Making people think. Affecting things.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 244 "Who's Gay?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I2_mjWCS0s

This is a little jingle I conceived years ago. Seems people have bit of an infatuation with who is or isn't gay. Who's Gay?" is a bouncy melody and the musical impersonification of that type of thinking.

TAGS: Jefferson Jay, who's gay, clay aiken, ricky martin, george michael, john travolta, tom cruise, lindsay lohan, ellen, rosie, you, me , everyone, nobody, Kurt Cobain, pope, president, Bush, Cheney, Cher's kid, impersonification, personal, jokje joking, jingle

Monday, July 25, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 237

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 243 The Greens of Mind "Escaping From Alcatraz" 12-11-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yqXlOPKJyk

Here are The Greens of Mind, my mighty side project circa December 11, 2008. This is a song I wrote at Portugalia on a rainy night as The Greens were gelling as a unit. Barbara Tolbert, Charlotte James, Justin Mills and I had fun playing these songs. This is "Escaping From Alcatraz."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 243 "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynh95xwRFLY

It was an emotional morning here at the Ocean Beach living zone. My next door neighbor, Mako's dog, Grizzly had to be put down this morning. He had a wonderful demeanor and I am proud to have considered him a friend. I helped load him into the car. He gave me a kiss good-bye and I gave him some pets. He looked happy. I admired his presence all the time that I knew him.

Grizzly wasn't young. He was old. His grace was unwavering, even when his legs couldn't work anymore. Death is the eventual destination for all of us and youth only exists in your mind. Age has nothing to do with it. Truesdail.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 243 "Love or Die Inside"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk__27dNvtM

"Love or Die Inside" is a number I just wrote this morning. It is how I was feeling when I sang it. I am not feeling loquacious now, or the writing equivalent thereof. I am feeling like taking my poochies to the park, though. And that's what I'm going to do.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 236

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 242 Blowski "Save the World, Kill Yourself" 12-9-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiHV3qQfGWA

Blowski, is one of my best pals. He came out to Steve's house where my friend Kip and I were having a musical caucus, beginning work on what will someday be my 6th CD. It was much fun. It was excellent to catch up with the Ski-meister. He was hilarious as usual. If you enjoy social commentary with you hilarity, you will enjoy this performance of one of Blowski's older jams, "Save the World, Kill Yourself." This was recorded at my Open Mic on December 9, 2008. Ski was joined here by our good pal, Jeff Dewine. Dewine was over here helping with some recording stuff this week as well. I am trying to integrate some electronic sounds into my acoustic music. It is nice to have friends to help. We had a lot of fun. It was nice to se my directorly amigo, Dylan Avery as well and his trusty pit bull Gordo.

"It's a revolution of evolution." - Blowski

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 242 "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FdfXXmBT5Q

"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."

Bob's folks like me to put that first when I play one of his songs. I have loved "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," since I first got into Dylan. "Blood on the Tracks" was the first Dylan album I loved. I miss falling in love with albums. It has been years since I listened to a CD over and over again to the point that it lifted me up and became a part of me. Seems like a world ago.

I had been thinking of some old friends I missed lately and that made me want to play this tune.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 242 "The Candle, I Escape"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7wegeli7QI

This things you do when you need to have a song of your own to play each day... Today, I went into my computer file of writings from the years. This file holds the unsung and often unread stuff I wrote over the last ten years. I dove into the 2008 section of the file and stuck some music to this poem I called "The Candle, I Escape."

I am an AM person by nature, always have been. I thrive on the solitary peace found in the quiet late night hours of the AM. I have had the opportunity to return too these roots the last few days with my girlfriend, the lovely Leanne, out of town, and it has been relaxing for my soul. It is easier for me to read, write and do a lot of things after the clock strikes three. I don;t miss doing it every day, but it is nice once in awhile. So, "The Candle, I Escape," was written on one of those nights, where I probably realize deep down it was time to go to sleep and that's what I was writing about, more or less.

NOTE: Be very careful when tired and working with music projects or anything delicate at these hours, Without meaning to, you can do a while lot of damage to the work you'd done when you were lucid. Trust me. I know about these things.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 235

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 241 The Greens of Mind "Moondrop" - 12-11-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4oD9_gbRgM

I am really feeling this December 11, 2008 show. It is one of the oldest clips I have. I bought my video camera less than a week before for my 12 Hours of Free Music show December 6, 2008. Anything 2008 I love. The Donster was still around and that makes all the memories from back then very rosy. It was an innocent time for our world. This week, I have shared several clips form it.

So here is the sexiest side project I've ever played in. What can I say? I was really feeling sexy then. OK, maybe the girls helped a little. The girls are Barbara Tolbert, l, and Charlotte James, r. Together, they are Charbra,a fine young duo, I've showcased several times here in the 365. The Greens of Mind came together very quickly in the final months of 2008. I was very inspired bac then and wrote a handful of tunes for the project. This one, "Moondrop," was the final one I penned in this prolific period, and it is probably my favorite of them. It helped push my music in a different, more theatrical, bizarre direction. My roots artistically are in theater and it is fun to create characters and bring them to life in a song.

"Moondrop" features creepy, drunken, lecherous, villain guy. In the old days he would have been the one being the damsel in the distress to the railroad tracks. That guy is played here by me. Barbara plays the damsel here, and quite well, I find. "Moondrop" is a fictional drinking concoction and "Moondrop," the tune will always have a special place in my heart. Some friends and I jammed on it during the inaugural moment of 2009; Don, Blowski, Dewine, Justin, Steve Keaney. It was a farewell concert to the world as we knew it, although at the time it just seemed like hanging out, like we always did. Don's accident occurred less than two weeks later.

The Greens don't play too much these days, but maybe they'll make a comeback someday. In this world, you never know what is going to happen.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 241 "Sister Christian" by Kelly Keagy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Tbx6SF4fs

I'm embarrassed to admit how much time I spent recording "Sister Christian." It was a lot. I learned it, then I messed with this country version. I jumped ship to reggae version, aborted that idea and made an about face to chicken-pickin' country town. I made it through somehow.

I remember my babysitter Patty, a New Jersey metal chick, was seriously geeked up about Night Ranger, the band that brought us this moving power ballad. I learned that Kelly Keagy, Night Ranger's drummer, wrote "Sister Christian" about his 10-year old sister, Christy. How cute! Hey, they had a huge hit. Karma.

TAGS: sister christian, kelly keagy, bluegrass, country, reggae, Jefferson Jay, original, chicken-pickin, sister, christian, jewish, practice, deep thought, jewgrass, new Jersey, metal chick, Patty, babysitter, 80s music, Night Ranger, nightranger, new york rangers, texas rangers, nolan ryan, get well soon

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 241 "Now Is the Time For You To Eat Tacos"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcbSJa-pHXs

This is a new genius song I just wrote. I'm kinda brilliant that way I just realized.You really have to listen to this song, especially the lyrics, to understand exactly how much of a genius I really am. I actually amaze myself. If you believe that, please get sarcasm lessons immediately. In fact, I can give them to you, for $450 dollars an hour. I am available any time.

I am joined in the music dojo by wonder pooches Angel and Nigel, neighbor friends Nate and Jade, fresh back from Comic-Com and their super puppy, Mr. Pibb. I was inspired by Mexican food, moonlight, and months that end in Y. I ate a burrito today, so that almost makes this a method acting song, or a method song for short, but its acting, because I ate a burrito and not tacos.

One may allege I am losing my mind, but that would be invalid because that infers that I hadn't lost my mind already, which in fact, I may have. I don't know. Who follows these things? Who keeps track of who's mind is lost and who's is found? No one, I believe. I believe no one keeps track of that and therefore, it is my right to keep that information private. I may or may not have lost my mind and that is up to to me to know and you to find out, but only if I tell you. So there. Eat tacos.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 234

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 240 Kellis McDonald - 12-9-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbhsJ5EuA6Y

Here is the great Kellis McDonald, bringing it, on December 9, 2008 at my Open Mic. I love Kellis's music. So did my man, Don. Kellis was Don's favorite. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 240 "There's a Hole in My Bucket" - Traditional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEsd_rA9IJs

I always liked "There's a Hole in My Bucket" since I saw it on Sesame Street. This version also allows me to explore the androgynous/cross dressing side of my personality. (Clothes are fabric. They don't have gender, I believe.) The roles of both Liza and Henry were played by Jefferson Jay. I shortened it. Too long. I condensed it. I reduced to use a cooking/math term. It allows me to show my breadth as a performer.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 240 "Do It" with Destructo Bunny on vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvmzJqLfcIs

This is the key to doing anything you want to do in life. Do it.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 233

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 239 Chimney Fish 12-11-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BheD8Nbfho

Here are Chimney Fish, in late 2008, at our second to last Thursday of the year, back then. Chimney Fish are Brett Walling, vox, Jeff Shaefer sick lead guitar, Luke Oskam, bass, and Andy Davis, drums. Vintage. Enjoy the dancers dancing.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 239 "Let's Hear It For Rock N' Roll" by Clifford M. Jomuad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldd4VbmkdrM

This is the epic opus of my buddy Clifford. He was showing me how to play it at Nancy's Don CD release bash last weekend. He showed up. I needed a cover. Today was the day. I'm very happy to have had him here to sing lead on it. It only seems right. Paul Ruiz added some kazoo. We sang this jam muchly back in the day on stage. I would dance. He would light himself on fire. It was fun.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 239 "This Is Our Times"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdKWu36wFQE

In honor of Comic-Con, which his here in San Diego this weekend, we became cartoons for the performance of today's song. I have some passes actually. Should I go? It's kinda crazy... It was quite a transformation. Paul Ruiz, Clifford Jomuad and I were rockin' out and this new tune came out. I provided some lyrics. Paul played the voicebox thing. Clifford kept the beat. Shout out to Blowski and grammatical freedom, "This is Our Times." A little sloppy, and it's kind of like life in that way. Yes, it is.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 232

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 238 Richard Romero 2-12-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqY8sBUC3Qw

For those of you who haven't noticed, I've been digging returning to the earlier part of 2009 in my little wayback machine here on the 365. It was a very emotional time around here and it's hard to remember that some inspiring and uplifting things actually happened. So I am am reliving them a little through the glory of the 365. So I went with the first thing that I pulled up and this is what it was...

Richard Romero is a great guy. He plays bass in my band these days and he started off my programs at the old Portugalia on Tuesdays and Thursdays for quite some time. Here he is, leading us through one of his tunes on February 12, 2009. He is joined by Maciek on flute, myself, Jefferson Jay on guitar, Paul Lopez on percussion, and The Soul Man on guiro.

I just remembered its Richard's birthday today. Happy birthday Richard. Thanks so much for everything you do. Looking forward to enjoying a beer with you later. Peace. Randomness is an illusion.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 238 "Come Dancing" by The Kinks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc19ZQ7OGEU

I learned a lot today while trying to record "Come Dancing."

1. It's really annoying when the microphone is accidentally off for your first several takes. It wipes a little luster from the glow, if you know what I'm saying.

2. I'm not sure sitting down singing day after day is real good for the voice. My voice felt all strong the first several takes, and then got tired once the mic was actually on. Might have to try to do something about that.

3. I like this song, "Come Dancing," and it's very difficult not to sing it with a British accent. I tried.

4. No matter how annoying it can be when your dog barks in the middle of one of your good takes, it is not worth to slam your guitar down in frustration. Only bad things can come of it.

I probably learned more, but it's time to move on now. I've been at this "Come Dancing" thing for over an hour now.

Hail Chris Scelzo, aka Chris Rex, one of my musical mentors and the man who turned me on to The Kinks so many years ago. He didn't turn me on to "Come Dancing" though. That credit goes to the radio and my beloved K-Tel tape, "Dancing Madness." Hail 1983, or whenever it was.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 238 "I Like Sunshine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RuCUYZodr0

I hit play and began writing and recording "I Like Sunshine." Of course, I had no idea what I would say or what it would be called at that point, but it just came out. There were a few false starts, not too many. I thought they were funny so I included them all at the end, the whole songwriting process in fact, for anyone who might be interested in laughing. Durable viewers will get access to my rarely witnessed "songwriting twitch." My "songwriting twitch" is not limited only to when I'm songwriting, although it appears there often. It is actually on the scene frequently when things are going as I wish they were. So there is a bit of twitching and funny-facery afoot in the aftermath of my new song.

Who doesn't like sunshine? I was about to cast aspersion on those folks who don't like sunshine. Call them a name. Richard, perhaps, but no. I have become privy to the ignorance of my premature judgment. People with melanoma for instance, may be bitter toward the sun. Albinos... I don't know. I'm just saying. I, personally, like sunshine. Thank you.

Operation 365... Blog 231

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 237 Destructo Bunny - 12-11-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fet5JfUp_U

Here again is everybody's favorite rabbit, a friend of all of ours, doing what he does best, freestyling. For this one we go all the way back to the great year 2008. Bunny, rage on!!!! Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 237 "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGh_-cYD9PQ

Heavy tune, huh? Ever hear that story about the concert when the guy this song is about showed up and Phil Collins shined a light on him and made him all embarrassed for not helping that drowning girl, or something. I did.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 237 "Black Angel"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn5YnT6cxOI

"Black Angel" is one of the many songs I've written about my dear sweet poochesa, Angel. Others include "FATSO," "Independent Girl," Rincon and Angel," "Crybaby," and I can't even remember what else right now. Angel has been my best friend and my better half for 11 years now. I love her more and more and become prouder of her each day. Like I say in "Black Angel," it's been like a ten-year dream, except that's 11 years and going strong right now and I'm not ashamed to say I'm getting greedy. I want my Angellica as long as I can possibly have her by my side. She is still a spring chicken in terms of her demeanor, loving to play and all that. I love you Angel. I will pet you now.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 230

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 236 Chimney Fish with Jefferson Jay - 1-27-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0M3tSlK2VA

This is a performance I have fond memories of. It was an emotional time here in OB, just a couple of weeks after Don Truesdail's passing. I remember that night after the Open Mic sitting and talking with Brett Walling, frontman of Chimney Fish. He was telling me about a talk he had with Don in my backyard at one of my holiday barbecue things I had. He remembered Don telling him how he looked up to his father. I remember Brett playing this song that night and I liked it a lot. What a tumultuous road we've been down since then. So many life lessons learned,

Here are Chimney Fish, who had a great run and broke up awhile ago. They were a huge part of my great run at Portugalia, which is also broken up, unless you believe the sign out front that claims its still open. I do not. The other Chimney Fishermen featured here are Jeff Shaefer on lead guitar, Luke Oskam on bass and Andy Davis on drums. Nice headband, Andy. It was fun sitting in with these guys. They were a great young band back then. Peace to all of ya.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 236 "Born To Be Wild" by Mars Bonfire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5s-iZzIM4w

Who knew Mars Bonfire wrote "Born To Be Wild?" Not I. Steppenwolf made it famous, but apparently this Bonfire fellow wrote this tune and some others for the 'Wolf. I went to the handy dandy web resource, Gunther Anderson's chord page for some direction on what to play today for my cover and I imagine I'll be returning there often for further inspiration.

In case you want to go too, this is what to do. Click this.
http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/toc.htm

That's it. Be wild. Bye.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 236 "My Opinion on the Women's World Cup"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsiqseynYuQ

Japan beat the US in the Women's World Cup final yesterday in Germany. I wish I didn't know this, but I do. People keep talking about it, even on sports radio. In case you don't have time to watch the video, (it's only a minute) I'll lay my opinion out right here. I couldn't care less. First of all I don't like soccer and really that's enough. I've heard enough and I don;t want to hear anymore. Sorry to Abby Wombat, or whatever her name is. Better luck next time.

Yeah, no disrespect intended to any of the competitors who leave their hearts out on the field or whatever, I'm just not into it. That's my opinion. I'm just glad it's over and I don't have to hear about it anymore, hopefully, for a real long time.

I'm not trying to say baseball or wrestling or fishing or whatever else is so important. It's not. I am simply saying I don't give a big fat F-word about what happens in soccer. Thanks to "I've Been Working on the Railroad," for lending me a melody to my song I'll likely never play again.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 229

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 235 Rob Deez " A Single Tear" 2-7-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuu8rcTmQyY

More Rob Deez here, as promised. Again, he is supported by his primary amigo, Josh Damigo. Apparently, according to Rob's twitter, he is on some Arizona nature journey with his friends and got all his weed taken and a 400 dollar ticket from a lady cop in Arizona. I think he was even trying to get more on the the social media site. That Rob Deez is a riot. He has already promised to write a song about this lady copper upon his return. Knowing him, it's already written.

Good luck, Rob, Stay out of trouble. It's not California everywhere. You cross that border and all of a sudden, when though the States are allegedly united, medicine becomes contraband. One state's patient is another state's criminal. You just cross over in pencil0thin imaginary line and all of a sudden, right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right. That's what government is for, naturally, to dictate proper behavior in a a completely inconsistant irrational manner that essentially makes no sense at all. Aren't there people to be killing in far off lands? Or poor Americans starving to death so obscenely rich people can have 8 more boats? America, the greatest nation ever and if you don't agree, get the fuck out! Makes as much sense as Rob's weed ticket.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 235 "Pick a Bale of Cotton" - Traditional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_jb-BssecI

Twas a bit of a tough morning on the covers side of the 365. Nancy Truesdail is holding a housewarming/CD release party for Don Truesdail's second CD, "Enervator," today. I tried to play Don's epic "Dragon Swan Song" a few times, but it only made me realize how much I missed Don and his music and how much I need to practice before I can record that. Somehow I wound up and "Pick A Bale of Cotton."

Maybe the classic scene from Steve Martin's "The Jerk" popped into my my head to provide me with a little levity. When I looked up the tune. I found many folks have covered it including Johnny Cash, Lead Belly, and ABBA. A Detroit suburbans school tried to do it with its choir, but they got in trouble. Folks said it was insensitive, this being a slave song and all. I don't feel at all insensitive playing it, personally. I have studied slavery some and the black folks sang songs to express their discontent in a manner that would not be clearly seen as undermining. Through singing in the fields, enslaved black people communicated and expressed themselves in ways even their overseers could not understand. They used sarcasm. They sang about doing their world as if they loved and it were important to them personally. It wasn't, but those overseers probably sang along thinking everything was grand.

Even the song speeding up to an absurd pace, to me, is a statement of the unrealistic and inhuman expectations placed upon these people. It is refreshing that all these years later, only 150, we can laugh about these awful realities with a black president in the Oval Office and Oprah as the queen of the world. Oh Lordie!

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 235 "Schneep"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b76ILQssbKA

This is my genius new tune "Schneep" I wrote it (and recorded it ) in 11 seconds. Best 11 second song ever, hands down The chord is D, if you wish to cover it. If don't play guitar, but want to now that you've heard "Schneep," I understand that as well. Play a D chord, (it's easy) and shriek "Schneep," in that wonderful. Congratulations! You can play a song now. Doesn't it feel great?

Shout out to Shannon Cragen, "The Shan," who long ago, invented a word called "neep", which rhymes with "Schneep," but is otherwise entirely separate.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 228

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 234 Jefferson Jay "July" 7-15-2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfkkh-z6gPM

Here, Paul Ruiz (trumpet) and I play one of my newest songs, "July." I am pretty excited about this number. It is Johnny Cash meets my song "February" with heatstroke, lots of character. My artistic background is in theater and I've been having some fun these last couple years writing tunes that incorporate some of those elements. I also grew up watching wrestling. I like heels, that's the wrestling insider term for the bad guys. I think there is a lot of room for humor and entertainment there. The only tough part is convincing sensitive Californians that you're kidding, that it's just part of an act. I have lots of great entertainment ideas in this arena, but nowhere to really unleash them. Who knows? Maybe I'll make a comeback in radio. Seems you can tease folks there some, without them taking it TOO personally.

Meanwhile, I keep it nice here. I write some tunes with a little quirky darkness and that satisfies me artistically, for now. Bad guys are good in the movies. Hannibal Lecter? Come on.

I had an idea about hitting the media with this onslaught of smacktalk to promote this here 365. I was thinking about saying stuff like, "nobody can possibly do the 365. No one else has the focus the talent, the ability..." I thought of issuing an open challenge to anyone anywhere to much my effort, knowing they can not. See how fun this is? In seriousness, for a second, I do believe I am the only person ever to do Operation 365 and the only person who ever will, in all likelihood. That is not an easy claim to make, period, in this world.

My rant was going to start, "What have you done 365 days in a row?" Well, this is all fantasy for now. I probably won;t do it, because I imagine people will struggle to get the the joke and think I'm just being arrogant and mean. I am kidding. Maybe I can get Chris Jericho or someone to explain it all to everybody.

Well, I hope I do get around to promoting this unique method of expression. There is something to be said for it. I just don't know what yet.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 234 "The Great Beyond" by REM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITO4nt18L7M

I've never heard this song before, not even once. I like REM a lot, especially back in the day. I really loved their "Out of Time" and "Automatic for the People" CDs. I guess "The Great Beyond" was also written in the 90s for the "Man on the Moon" movie. So, with Paul Ruiz playing trumpet on my couch, we went for it. Angel chimed n on some support vocals. Not bad for a song I never heard. Rotsa fun.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 234 "Meander"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AhEde7CTt0

"Meander" is a finger picking idea I was messing with. I wasn't sure exactly where it was going. It was kind of like rush hour traffic in that way, and that's why I named it "Meander." The fabulous Paul Ruiz, who just became a grandpa for the first time this week, incidentally, backs me up on trumpet. Congrats, Grandpaul! Yep, not sure what will become of this musical piece. Ask me in several years.

And if you think this is thin, you should see what I got for tomorrow. Schneep!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 227

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 233 Rob Deez 2-7-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_HQYtSneN8

My friend Rob Deez is a charming character and the original acoustic hip hop MC. I would never call any of my friends a lovable loser, cause that's insulting but... This song is about how much he loves 40s (40 oz. beers). At the end he talks about how he so lonely and I stuck a hilarious anecdote from before this clip after. You'll see why. Yes, Rob is no loser. He's a hell of a guy. Tons of his songs just happen to be about his lack of luck with the ladies, and his DUI, and his work as a butt doctor's ASSisstant and various other funny things.

He seems like a closet romantic to me. At least that's what his song about the egg made me think. Here he is joined by his Barney Rubble, Josh Damigo. Don't get me wrong, Josh is far more than a Rubble, but Josh and Rob back each other up, on stage and off, as good friends often do. Very nice. I plan to share a bit more Deez here, because as another one of his songs states, he's "Deezarific." His license plate even reads "ROB DEEZ." His real name's Gary.

This was filmed on February 7, 2009. More Deez soon. Promise.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 233 "Cecilia" by Paul Simon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lyc54C6-Xg

Who doesn't love this Paul Simon classic? Nazis, that's who. Paul Simon is Jewish, I'm pretty sure. Nazis and Satan, that's all. Everybody loves "Cecilia." I had a young student named Cecilia once. I wanted to tell her about his song some, but then I realized it was inappropriate for a 3rd grader. She'll learn about it when she gets older, I suppose.. You think kids these days still run across Simon and Garfunkel. I have no idea. Well, I always thought htis song was sweet and I hope you be diggin' my version.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 233 "Too Fast"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfSEkv5qMi8

I was feeling the 5th fret capo thing from my "Cecilia" today, so I stuck with it. "Too Fast" is actually a really melancholy finger-picking tune with no capo. I even tried to play the original version on the 365 once or twice, but it wasn't co-operating, so today, I played it as fast as I could without messing up too badly. It makes the tune a lot less sad. That's for sure.

Long ago, I was engaged. Then I got disengaged. It was sad. We musicians use music as a tool to manage, handle and process our feelings at times like these and that is when this chord progression was written. I have kept playing it through the years, though never at a gig that I recall. It is good practice and it is an evocative progression, the way the chords roll into each other. It moves me.

It has a different feel here, in this piece, I'm calling "Too Fast." It is more fun. I bang my head some. You can tell how fast it's ging by how quickly my head bobs. Speaking of Bob, Bob makes mean bacon and salmon bagel sandwiches (separate sandwiches) at Your Mama's Mug here in OB. Just sharing, is all. Go Bob.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 226

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 232 Destructo Bunny and Jefferson Jay with The Soul Man - 1-27-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff5APdCM23s

More Destructo, this time with Soul Man and l'il ol' me. Here we are, at the end of our January 27, 2009 program. I went up and sat in with James and The Man of Soul for this little jam here. I always love sitting in with the freestyling rabbit. He is gifted at the mic skill, so it always keeps me on my toes, trying to keep up. It is very good exercise for the brain. Playing with The Soul Man is very good exercise for the soul. Perspective, calibration, all of these things come into focus when you're doing something for the right reason. In Soul Man's case, it's playing for the groove for the love of making music and it's infectious. Love these guys. Dig.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 232 "Please Don't Go" - Mike Posner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX3RtQdbNig

So I was looking for this 80s tune that I thought was called "Please Don't Go." I still haven't found it. What I did find was this tune from a couple of years ago. This "Please Don't Go" had over 18 million hits on it. I even had to sit through a commercial to watch it. I listened to half of it once, looked up the chords and decided this is good enough for me , for today. So I played it. If it doesn't go like the original, that makes sense, because I never heard the tune all the way through.

I can;t give up on things like this, so I just discovered the song I was actually looking for was "Please Don't Go" by K.W.S., whoever that is. Apparently, it's an early 90s tune. I must admit I like that song WAY better, but maybe some of the 18 million people who took there time to watch that Mike Posner tune, will watch mine. What that would accomplish, I have no idea.

Shoutouts to Lisa and Jeffy Posner, the only people named Posner I knew, until this song crossed my path. This whole experience had definitely assured me I can write a pop or popular song. Now I just need to find and convince the starmakers.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 232 "The Caryn Tune" A capella
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9blMf5N-gAg

Now this is a long story. Let's travel in the way back machine all the way to the year 1993. I was a freshman at UMASS. I was regrouping from the loss of my best pal Tony and trying to find my way at this enormous party academy and managing to have a great time after a little while. I met all these dudes on my floor and I was inspired by many of them, most notable, Michael J. Warrington to take the notion of making mic for a living seriously. All these years later, I still am.

So events unfolded as we made our way into sophomore year. Right around the two year anniversary of Tony's death. I met a gorgeous young lady in my French class named Cary. Meanwhile, musically, things continued to progress and I was developing my skills with the thought that I may become the new singer in Warrington's band. To my shock, Cary liked me and while she had lots of other crazy stuff going on, we could relate to each other on a variety of levels. She had been through some serious loss too, and I guess we were just meant to help each other grow at this time.

So I was a little carried away and I wrote a 19 or so page love poem, which I called "A Proposal to Cary." The gist of this epic poem was "we can go for it and pursue this opportunity or we can throw it away. It's up to you. You decide. Let me know." Hence, the proposal. So I gave her the original of this long story I worked on meticulously and it more or less worked out for awhile. I learned a lot and had some great times with Cary that I will remember always. To this day, it's still one of my most ambitious pieces of writing.

So the band picked up steam. We called it Chameleon Stress. We played some fun gigs and I learned on the job. We wrote a few tunes and learned a whole host of covers by the likes of Alice In Chains, Rush, King's X, Phish, and a number of other bands. There was a lot of pressure, because everyone in the band was so accomplished. Anyway, the guys in the band, Warrington and Dan Cohen, had penned a piece of music about a friend of there is who had died named Karen. I struck a chunk of my poem to go with their music and we had a nice dramatic power ballad.

When the band was breaking up, I expressed an interest in keeping the tune in my repertoire. They were not so down. It was very personal to them, so I had to say OK. My pal, Spencer Katzman, tried to solve this dilemma by writing alternate music that went with my melody. We played that a couple times and I liked it, but it wasn't the same. So , her Im singing the part that was mine from both those jams.

I write a lot.... I just realized there is a whole section to this tune that I forgot to sing, here it is.

with words, the oomph is not supplied
for you, for me, for tourists tied
and binded, hung above the crowds
the peering fear in looking down
the hatred spied on every face
the selfish an unruly space
the princess balance 'bove the crowd
with sprinkling dress and sparkling gown
the rope and rescue understood
the family faction always would
protect their valued, priceless friend
the strongest chain links never bend
from out the jaws of biting grind
the lessons learned and burned remind
the people who disrupt the flow
are ones from whom the beanstalk grows
but rising high above the clouds
the sight is one of giants proud
your gods protect you every day
and help you live your life your way
when families above us merge
the greatest lights in life converge
the royal region golden green
the castle smiling kings and queens
our world above the hatred screens
Routine escapes that love will bring
when talents powers unified
the end is infinite the sky
the heartest challenge life will bring
end infinite the sky

It comes at the end, after the "actions will decide" and before the "COLLIDE." The vid was long enough already, so it's just as well. Like I said, I have written a great deal over the years. I have about 80 composition notebooks full, that I started compiling right about when Tony died in 1992. I haven't stopped, although I do write a lot less than I used to. I have been meaning to read some old stuff soon. It is always an enlightening experience, looking back. It always seems to offer some profound window of understanding on the events of today.

In case you were wondering, I wrote a big, long poem/story for Leanne as well. It is called "The Pearl." Those are the only two times in my life I've ever gone to those extended lengths in the maner. Can't be writing opus love poems to women every day. It would kind of lose its luster. Two every twenty years is OK though, I gather. Well, it's worked well so far for me.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 225

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 231 Destructo Bunny with The Soul Man - 1-27-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROmm9POteJM

Enjoy another adventure with everybody's favorite conscious freestyling rabbit, Destructo Bunny. There is only one James Deans (yes, that is his secret identity), but he absolutely does have a cause. Spreading love, getting people to allow themselves to be the best humans they can be. creating and expressing ourselves to the fullest. He sees the value in these things and so do I.

Some people have grown so blind. Derek Jeter hit his 3000th hit on Saturday. The guy who caught it, Christian Lopez, gave it back to him. He didn't hold him up for money or try to get as much as he could. He just gave it back. The Yanks gave him some tickets for his mitzvah. So many people are railing on this guy because they can't imagine doing something without making money the deciding factor. I think it is sad. Hooray, Christian. Follow your heart. Show people that there is more to happiness than cash collecting. Way to prove that it's important to do what feels right to you. way to make people think. That's what artists like Destructo and myself are doing all the time.

The Soul Man does it too, just not with words. he plays his heart out every time he gets the chance. He appreciated those opportunities and maintains a positive mindset. That's why hes the youngest 93-year old on the planet. There is a lot to be learned from our everyday heroes, the people who care enough to share their thoughts, feelings, and inspiration, in hopes that others will get as much from life as they do. Peace. Karmically, peace kicks greed's ass every time. Hail music!

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 231 "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight" - Nick Van Eede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60f_H8F_kfI

I struggled to find a cover for today. Tried to find the chords to the 1884 hit, "The Fountain in the Park," by Ed Haley. You may know from its famous lyric, "While strolling in the park one day,/All in the merry month of May." Well, I couldn't find it. Leanne, my sweet, suggested The Proclaimers' "500 Miles." Found that one and played it once, but wasn't really feeling it for today. Another day for that one, probably.

My friend Jason Burleson got me to go on the new Google+ thing. I'm not sure I really get it. It seems just like another Facebook with some super skype abilities thrown in for yuks. So Jason and I were chatting and he suggested the Cutting Crew classic, "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight." I decided to do it reggae-style and topless. Fear not. I bleeped out all my private chest areas with my guitar... Nipples and whatnot... I also hit a few bad chords and sang with a strained voice, but I thought the energy provided by Jason Burleson's G+ enabled whistling solos and my reggae interpretation were enough to justify posting this one. That coupled with me not feeling like doing another one. Revel in the majesty of the Operation 365.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 231 "July"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CDt54kzD98

Some of you may know I have a thing for month songs. Yesterday, I added "July" to my collection. "July" is kind of like the heatstroked cousin song, to my opus "February." I have always wanted a "July" song. This leaves the only month left for me to write a song about as "October." Well, that's not entirely true. My dear pal, Spencer Katzman wrote songs called "December" and "January" for our old band Elin Tea. Even though I didn't write them at all, in a way, they still seem taken to me and if I were to record an album of all my month songs. I may see if I could include versions of those tunes instead of writing my own.

The same thing goes for "August." Another dear pal of mine, Don Truesdail, has a beautiful song called "Sweet August." After his passing, that is the Truesdail tune I learned, I would probably aim to use that one, if it was cool with his wonderful wife With all that said, I have no intention, immediate or otherwise, to actually make this month" album. I just like to think about it. I am already backed up a couple albums worth of material, so this is not a pressing matter, but I am glad to have written "July." It is a fun one.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 224

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 230 Philly B Introduces Destructo Bunny - 1-27-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjGbHqcmWcI

Occasionally, for one reason or another a good host needs a good friend to back him up. In this case, I think I was minding the videocamera and my friend Philly B picked up the slack on the introducing for a jiff. So, here, at my January 27, 2009 Open Mic, Philly B builds the moment nicely with his no holds breed introduction of "a good friend of all of ours," Destructo Bunny.

WARNING: This clip contains jokes.

NOTE" My little "credits" accidentally label this an original. It's not. It's clearly an archive. My bad. That's why the blog and perhaps later, the book, exists, to clear up these types of misunderstandings. I am still thinking all this bloggery could make an interesting book, perhaps.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 230 "Feelin' Groovy" by Simon and Garfunkel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiZztVC5i2I

Feel like I'm continuing to get a nice healthy dose of perspective these days. It is refreshing. I think I'm going to simplify things. Do less to do more. Enjoy the ocean. Accept what is. I am thinking about going cold turkey healthy too. This song is nice reflection of enjoying the moment of life.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 230 "Cold Turkey"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDUzln4oc60

This tune was inspired by the series of revelations I had last night as I was going to sleep. I thought about doing less to do more. in other words simplifying my life with expectations that it would help go more smoothly with the flow of things. I heard all this music in my head, all these crazy synths. It made me want to go in a more electronic direction here on the 365 for a little while and that could happen very soon.

I thought about going "cold turkey healthy." I even thought about calling my healthy pal, Wes Davis, to consult me on that. I ate a veggie omelet this morning, instead of ham or bacon. I'm calling that a start. 7-11-11 was the date of these revelations. I think a lot of people in this world could benefit from my cold turkey healthy theoretical ideology. Seems as good a day as any to shake off our culture of excess and and do what will make me happy years from now, not just this minute. I can't imagine it's that much more difficult to to be healthy than it is to be unhealthy, just eating some different foods, and making some more decisions with your long-term well-being in mind. Sounds pretty good actually.

I thought sweet thoughts about my girlfriend. I thought about repackaging myself as a one-man music school, a business that sells products, offers services, teaches, essentially, a much more efficient and effective machine. I don't want to stress myself out more to get there though. That would be the opposite of the point. I want to relax, make smart decisions, take care of myself as if I matter a lot to me. Essentially, I realized that's the healthy thing to do.

I heard the chorus to "Cold Turkey" in my head in the bed. I just busted out some verses, made up some chords and here we have a tune. I hope that it does something swell for you.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 223

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 229 Justin Mills "Little Darling" 2-12-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7hVH4nsfhg

Welcome to the crown jewel atop the Justin Mills Mount Rushmore. "Little Darling" makes "Stairway to Heaven" look like poo. OK. Exaggerating slightly, but Mr. Mills would want it no other way. Enjoy songwriting mastery at its finest in this clip from my Thursday show, February 12, 2009.

General Mills is a genius of the songwriting variety and a funny-ass SOB to boot. Love this guy. In fact, I ove him so much, that the only thing I love more than him in this entire world is this awesome song, "Little Darling." I'll never forget when he played it at the OB Farmer's Market on July 2, 2008. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a very emotional day for me. OK... Here's why.

On June 28, 2008, we did the "24 Hours of Free Music" show. It was pic, awesome, and a thousand other superlatives. It was a Utopian experience. Lots of folks worked together selflessly to ensure it went smoothly. I was very proud of the whole thing. I had recorded the whole thing on my computer for the audio to what would become the "24 Hours of Free Music" movie. A fine film, if I may say so myself.

The whole thing looked like it might in jeopardy for a moment though. On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, we celebrated The Soul Man's 90th birthday at Portugalia, same spot as the "24 Hours." I gave everyone the night off for their fine work Saturday and I ran sound and recorded it all. At 4:15AM, it was time to go. In an gentlemanly gesture, I agreed to walk a young lady around the building to her car. In a big mistake, I left all my stuff (computer, mics, hard drive with all the sound recordings on it) unattended for a few minutes. Someone crawled out of the woodwork and stole it.

We searched the dark alley for awhile with no success. I was devastated. I felt I had let everyone down. I was so distraught The next day, the hunt continued. We called Robin Lee for advice, she said "Make a sign and put it up." We did. Blowski led me through e streets of Ocean Beach, schmoozing with homeless folk. Blowski doesn't even care for the homeless much, but he knew rapport with them, could greatly aid out goal of getting the stuff back. I was a zombie, inconsolable. The hunt continued. The next day, we got Chuck Schiele to give us some time to play at the Farmer's Market and appeal to the community to return the stuff. The last thing I remember was walking away from The Market, back towards my apartment in tears. I could hear Justin Mills playing "Little Darling" as I made my way back home. It was the last straw I broke down emotionally.

The next evening, we got word that someone had bought my computer. We retrieved it. I swapped some stuff with the guy who bought it. They also told us where the guy who took the stuff was. A friend went to his homeless hovel and lo and behold, the rest of the stuff was there. A friend grabbed and marched back up to The Port, where we celebrated. I hugged a happy Don Truesdail and we all had an amazing Thursday night of fun and music. I am leaving out some hilarious details to protect the heroic. Sorry, but don't leave huge jugs of your own pee around and steal people's stuff unless you want that pee on whatever stuff you have left. Just saying. I didn't do it. That's just the story. Pretty amazing that the stuff came back. Even when shit went horribly wrong, it still managed to work out for us. It was a golden time.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 229 "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7mPpcc7mow

How have I not done "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" yet? I love baseball. This is one of the saddest days of the year for baseball fans, day one of the All-Star break. Translated - no baseball today. All 32 teams have the day off. Wednesday, too. Tomorrow is the All-Star game.

This was an even sadder day when I was a youth and had nothing else but baseball. Now I am fortunate to have other things to enjoy, but I still love me some national past time. It soothes me, relaxes me, except when the Yankees lose, then it pisses me off. Hate the payer, not the game, they say. Good point, them. Yes, I love me some baseball. Enjoy the national anthem of the national past time today, in lieu of actual baseball. Better still, go outside, do something fun. Dust off the old mitt, find a friends and... Play Ball!

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 229 "Spinning"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0h9K03Nr2Y

"Spinning" is another new song I wrote last week. I'm on a little bit of a songwriting binge. The 365 makes for good motivation. So does my bandmate and friend, The Soul Man. He suggested I wrote more songs like my "P.S. It's You." We close with that one these days. Soul Man doesn't offer too may suggestions, so I try to take the ones that he does, real seriously. So I wrote a couple tunes last week, and "Spinning" was the one that came closest. I think "Spinning," here, has a lot of potential so I was sort of saving it 'til I had it all dialed in, but sometimes the 365 does not allow for such luxuries.

I spent a good while trying several takes on one of the first songs I ever wrote, "Floating." I wrote it with Scott Baslaw, in our side project The Demarests. It wasn't happening. "Spinning" came far more naturally, so be it. One take feels a lot better than 6. Another day for "Floating." In the meantime, please enjoy "Spinning." I like this one. I'm not sure it's done. Time will decide... Well, it won't, but after time passes, I will know.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 222

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 228 Justin Mills "The Price of Love" 2-12-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ZT0e20aoo

Dry. Sarcastic. Satirical, even. There are so many qualities about your average Justin Mills song that one can fall in love with. Is he serious? Probably somewhat somehow, but who really knows for sure. I guess that's why those of us who loves Justin's music, love it as much as we do. Did I forget hooky? Yeah, my man writes some tunes where the hook will stick in your head forever. One day, two days? No. Forever.

We are enjoying the songbook of our friend Justin Mills, his weekend on the 365. Here, we continue with his set from February 12, 2009, at my Thursday night show, with his song "The Price of Love." This is a beautiful love song. Or is it anti-love song. Perhaps that is up to you, All hail the most underrated songwriter ever, "The General" Justin Mills.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 228 "Territorial Pissings" by Kurt Cobain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmuNIi8p930

Special thanks to my ipod for playing the "T" tunes so effectively. Yes, I heard this Nirvana track and decided I'd give it a try today on the 365. I didn't know the name of it and it never says the words, "Territorial Pissings," so it took a second to track down, but the rest went pretty smoothly. I thought the tune would go well with my healing laryngitis. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 228 "It's Danger, Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrsZyysRNgw

Yesterday, my good buddy Kip came down from The OC to work on some music together on a Saturday afternoon. It was a productive session. We focused on the electric aspects of making music, working with Pro Tools and Reason specifically. It was fun.

After Kip left, I was playing with some of the patched Reason had to offer and found a nice little grand piano sound that felt good. At that point, this tune, pretty much wrote itself, a process that can be witnessed right here, right now. I'm not sure if it's completely done or not yet. I'm kinda half-posting this to check it out and see exactly what I have to work with. What I do recall is that I liked this tune. It felt really natural, ballady, and sincere in a sweet kind of way. "So let's go to the videotape," as Warner Wolf used to say, back in the day. Yes, I recorded it on my video camera which was conveniently located on my desk on the middle of all the chazerai.

The point of "It's Danger, Love," is that every moment is precious and none should be taken for granted. It's true. Anything can happen. Stay tuned through the end for a Bunny/puppy dance party and a shot of a beautiful woman. L'chiem.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 221

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 227 Justin Mills "Saving Up" 2-12-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMIBdinHnE

Lately, I've found myself really appreciating Justin Mills and his music on the weekends. I will be sharing three of "The General's" songs from that night the next few days here. Justin Mills was like nobody else on our music scene. Everybody loved his songs. He had no ego that anybody could detect. He was very quiet. This was recorded on February 12, 2009. Justin had been joining my show on Thursday nights for some time. His run was about to end. By does he write great tunes. I played with him on bass for awhile, but now I very deliberately posting some tunes where I don't join him on bass. There's something special about hearing him play them by himself.

Recently, he and I have had the chance to hang out some and that is always fun. I was so in love with his songwriting styling, I wrote a tune a couple weeks ago, called "I'll Take You," where I wrote in a himmish sort of way, as best I could. I was super flattered he liked the tune. He learned it and posted a cover of it (he plays with his lovely fiancee Adrianna Martin-Morningstar) I was touched and flattered. I would give you the lin, but it is currently unavailable. Sorry. More Mills manyana. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 227 "Moving On Up" - Ja'net Dubois and Jeff Barry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-v51zDbCBI

I have a special affection for this song 'because it was the theme song to "The Jeffersons," and like the man who wrote The Declaration of Independence, I am a Jefferson, and proud of it. Less proud am I, of the fact that my voice is torn up and gone (I have no idea why) and I had to sing this song in that mode in the name of the 365. It's alright, though. Everything happens for a reason. We are moving on up. My voice will feel better soon

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 227 "Captain 3000"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nleSswF3o8A

While I was taking a nap, Derek Jeter became the 29th player in Major League Baseball history to get his 3,000th hit. I am a huge sports fan and an even bigger baseball fan. I love the Yankees more than those other two put together. To love the Yankees is to love their Captain, Derek Jeter. I could say a million things about Jeter, but I will keep it simple. Derek, thank you for being awesome and always setting such a great example for kids on how to play the game and for adults on how to carry yourself publicly. Thanks even more for those awesome 5 World Series rings, especially 1996. So sweet.

Me? Well, I took a nap 'cause my back hurt. My voce is half gone. Sorry, Jetes, I had to sing your song so froggily. I feel great though. Congrats, Jeter. Yanks lead 5-4 in the 9th against the Rays. Mariano on to get the save. Captain 3000. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Thanks to espn.com for the idea on the title. Peace.

NOTE: I think I said Jeter was the 29th guy to get 3000 hits in the song. I must have misread some graphic they showed. The broadcast just said he was 28th. If I'm wrong, sorry, Kisses. Let's get The Yanks a 28th World title here in 2011. That would rule.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 220

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 226 Don Truesdail "Sweet August" 8-13-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4kNu3WIKUM

Welcome back to one of the most golden of days in our little hidden society. Here we are at Joe and Jen Stevens' wedding on August 13, 2008. It was a spectacular, unforgettable afternoon and evening. I served as minister for their ceremony and then we all went to Portugalia, where the Stevenses treated us all to a fine meal and an night of awesome entertainment They had me host the show, which I gladly did. Don Truesdail played first This is the second song from his set, his romantic "Sweet August."

Don can be heard at the beginning of this song, chanting in Russian. "Another one, Another one," he was saying," according to his wife, the lovely Nancy. I just had deja vu. This must matter, That's what I believe deja vu signifies, meaningful moments in one's life. Don was joined on stage by Clifford Jomuad on percussion. This clip ends with Don and I hamming it up together and him playing his classic "Waiting To Unplug" song, found frequently at the end of Truesdail sets, as he waited to unplug his guitar. This was filmed by Dylan Avery. So many legends, this life is full of. So very little time. Like Ferris Bueller before him, Don Truesdail was a "righteous dude."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 226 "In My Life" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToZLYe7e02s

"In My Life" is a song I've played for awhile, ever since I bought "The Complete Beatles, Volumes 1 and 2." In unrelated news, I learned yesterday that my friend Adrianna Martin-Morningstar is terrified of beetles. Adrianna and her beau,"The General" Justin Mills were recently engaged to be wed. Huge congrats to you. Also, Justin and Adrianna, brought to life one of the coolest offshoots of the 365, so far, recently. They covered my song, "I'll Take You." When I wrote the song a couple weeks ago, I did so deliberately in the style of Justin Mills, to he best of my capabilities anyway. he liked it a lot and decided to do his own version of it How cool is that?

Justin Mills
Jefferson wrote this the other day and I couldn't help but attempt to learn it. Thanks Jefferson Jay! I love the song

I just tried to put a link to it, but failed, because it's not on youtube, only facebook. Befriend Justin Mills and watch it, if he'll take you.

This is one of the first time I've ever been covered. I am flattered and touched. Oh yeah, enjoy the Beatles' song. Just sharing a bit of what happens in my life.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 226 "Who Cares"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOqD1clULy4

While hanging with Justin, Adrianna, Josh, and Leanne, last night, I played this new song of mine for them and asked for ideas on a title. "Who Cares" emerged victorious. The song is about caring and who does, so it manages to be a bit literal and ironic at once. Double meanings sure are interesting. Yes, these lyrics represent some of the thoughts that have been on my mind the last couple of days. What matters, what we can do, how to do it.

Who cares? I do. That's who. Do you?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 219

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 225 Tuna Boot and Tori with Destructo Bunny - 4-23-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2AIA1c9scA

Me and the Wascally Wabbit of Rap helped Patricia Mueller move today. Very exciting. We were rewarded with Summerfest beer for our good service. Coffee and bagels to boot. I ate, drank, and was merry. More merriness ahead I'm glad to say, but first I must describe this video to you. It is my destiny.

Here, we are, once again, back in 2009, at my Open Mic. Gut-wrenching year for me, personally, but lots of fun things happened, so let's revisit. Here, Tuna Boot, Mark and Scott (he is MIA on the facebook. Hope you're well, bud) were joined by Tori here. She was a Tunabooter for a minute or two, I recall. When I last saw Tori, some interent site was saying here solo career was off and running well. Good for you, Tori. Way to rock the dreads. I'nm pretty sure she's still go 'em.

Destructo Bunny sat in, rapping as he does, freestylin', makin' it up as he goes along. You get the idea. The Bunny is driven, as I am, to reach more people with our conscious ideas of love, harmony, and unity, and to make a living doing it, so we can do it more, and better, and reach more people, and so on, and so forth. The time is now, to go, and get these things done.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 225 "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGkW3RVXwU

"I'm So Excited" was actually by Trevor Lawrence and The Pointer Sisters. I didn't forget ya, Trev. Yeah, I am feeling and upswing of positive energy, like good things are here and more are coming. Some positive karma will be coming to roost here, I am feeling. Japan, Europe,Seattle. Where we're going, no one knows, as long as the goer goes. That's what I say.

Josh Rodriguez here, on moral support. My honey, Leanne, on the smooches. Positivity, reaching a receptive and appreciative audience, I want you.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 225 "Own Your Life"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8g1CItE8FM

Write this song today at the ARTS center. God bless inspiration. Been feeling a lot of songs lately. I think I've written three in the last two days, so far. It's only 5:03 right now. I like this one. I had never played it before I sat down to record it here. I wrote it on the marimba and then on guitar, in purple marker. Harold would be proud. This song, ("Own Your Life," I think I'm gonna call it) I think could grow into being a really cool one. I like it on first playing and listening. Remind me to tell you the story of how Jose Canseco called me yesterday. Seriously. It's about my screenplay. We had a nice conversation.

Oh, the lyric "trials are for trashways" is a response to the way the media and the public gobble up a horrible story about a child dying (the Anthony story) and spit back venom and bloodlust. We need personal responsibility and positive solutions. It's enough with the bloodlust already. It's so cliche. American bloodlust. It's like the over-the-tope romantic Frenchmen. Or the beer drinking, lumberjack Canuck. Or the Jamaican rastafari reggae musician guy. Ask more. Stop being so stereotypical. Ask more. Own your life.

This message was brought to you by the spirit that infuses me with life.

NOTE: youtube thinks "bloodlust" is not a word. Ha!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 218

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 224 Charbra "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" - 5-14-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6LzNyozqxw

Apparently, it's Charbra Appreciation Week. Sounds good to me. Charbra are part club of people I have most footage of, so let's share it with the world, I say. Here they are at my Open Mic on May 14, 2009, my mom's birthday. She wasn't there or anything. I'm just saying. They are dressed in white and so is the stage. I'm not sure how they worked it out to that level of matching, but God bless 'em. Nice job.

Charbra are Charlotte James and Barbara Tolbert, two lovely young ladies with whom I shared a band for awhile, called The Greens of Mind. We have a done Cd, we could release some day and maybeperhaps (new word, means maybe and perhaps) we will. "The General" Justin Mills is the fourth member of our little supergroup.

Here, Charbra busts out, Led Zeppelin's "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp," their Led Zeppelin III album. Charlotte and Barbara have a great taste for and knowledge of all sorts of tunes. Ain't seen 'em as much lately, but who knows, maybe that'll change real soon. Life is unpredictable.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 224 "Chuck E's in Love"* - Rickie Lee Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGVqKWNUkhg

Hanging with Paul Ruiz today. His birthday was the 4th of July. We are celebrating today. He was kind enough to join me AND sit here while I type this blog. The Yankees are on, at least with Jeter, a few hits away from 3,000.

So, we were thinking of tunes to do. I asked him if he had any ideas. I was thinking "Dream, Dream, Dream" which is actually "All I Want to Do is Dream," by the Everly Brothers. We passed. A little sappy. maybe I'll do it alone some time. He suggested a few artists. We eventually went to the "random" itunes for direction. Out 31,000-something tunes, it picked out Joni Mitchell, a song off her "Taming the Tiger" CD from 1998. The song featured muted trumpet on it right away. Pretty cool. Paul plays trumpet if you didn't know. It made me think I should reach out to Joni Mitchell. She seems like someone who might like what I'm up to.

Paul suggested Rickie Lee Jones, My collection was null and void of her work. Embarrassing. I looked up a couple tunes, I was extremely impressed. Didn't really how awesome she was, specifically, her 1979 tune, "Chuck E's in Love." "Chuck E's in Love" would be way to tough, vocally to just snap and learn and play in a few minutes, like I do here sometimes. I loved the tune. I'd like to listen to it a bunch of times and educate myself musically, by learning how she sings it. It liked it that much. So, when it came time to do a cover, I sang the lyrics, which I liked a whole bunch, over some funky grooves I hatched to play with Paul Ruiz.

So technically, this isn't entirely a cover. That's why I gave it an asterisk. I made up the music. Paul rocks it on the trumpet. But these are Rickie Lee Jones lyrics to her kick-ass tune "Chuck E's in Love," that I hope I learn for real some time. It would help me open up, let loose, and enhance my musical mind. Me and Paul have a fun time.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 224 "Simple Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGkIlqiBds

"Simple Song" is one of my most classic tunes, from back in the day, like 2003-2005. I remember writing the lyrics while bored in some graduate history class at San Diego State. It appears on my first CD, 2004's "Great Story," available here, now http://jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com/album/great-story

My band, which was then called Brainstorm, would close our shows with "Simple Song" often. I might resurrect it at a faster speed, close to double time, maybe. Fun song. Chilling with Paul Ruiz now. He appears here on trumpet. Paul is one hell of a guy.

I leave you today with a joke a came up with just after I woke up this morning. It is an old time joke. She was SOOOOO dumb she got pregnant just to save money on milk. Thank you and good night.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Outtakes - 224 "Writing A New Song From Scratch Remix"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcUQ1ULRhSU

Here is the remix of my "Outtakes" video from a few days called "Writing A New Song From Scratch." I realized the vid would be enhanced quite a bit if I added some Tchaikovsky, "Waltz of the Flowers" action. And so I did.

Yeah. So here is me writing "A New Song From Scratch," start to finish a few days with some music to listen to while you watch me do my thing. Dig.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 217

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 223 Charbra - 8-11-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjhxUkndj-I

Here are my friends Charlotte and Barbara, known cumulatively as "Charbra." Get it? I was delighted to see Charlotte yesterday. She dropped into briefly during the jamming out portion of my holiday barbecue. Much fun. Pretty music. I heard they're going back acoustic to the form you see here. They were electrified for awhile. God bless 'em either way. That's what I say. I should know the name of this song. I like it muchly, but I just can't remember right now.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 223 "Ruby Tuesday" by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjhxUkndj-I

I was trying to pick out a cover for today and what do find staring at me on my desktop? The chords to "Ruby Tuesday," and on a Tuesday, no less. The only sad fact about the whole thing is that the internet lied about one of the chords. It said it was a B. It wasn't. I tried a bunch of B's in practice and the A minor and E minor the actual take here. They are all wrong. I don't know what that chord is, and apparently the internet doesn't either. So please forgive the couple wrong chords and enjoy an otherwise lovely version of "Ruby Tuesday," one of my favorite tunes by The Stones.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 223 "Everything's Gonna Happen When It's Meant To"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE-5A8fs_98

You can wait. You can not wait. It can be somebody's birthday, but everything's gonna happen when it's meant to. Try to make things happen. Don't. It's up to you. Wherever you're meant to be, you're gonna get there. Someday. When you're ready. Things don't even need to make sense. Or they can. It doesn't matter. Everything's gonna happen when it's meant to.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 216

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 222 Richard Romero's Compass - 7-30-2009 - Part Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuxMcY07lGs

Here is part Two of Richard Romero's set on July 30, 2009. I have been scouring the archives for cool stuff from summers past. Highlights of the conclusion of Richard's first song that night include fabulous close-ups of Soul Man, Richard, and Independence Day birthday boy, Paul Ruiz. Happy birthday Paul!

Appearing here, we have Junior "Soul Man" Fos on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Misha Borisovsky on violin, Harley Magsino on bass, and of course, Richard on guitar and vocals. Enjoy the best sounds of the 70's all at once here, coupled with a 21st century edge. Enjoy the music of Richard Romero. Peace.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 222 "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," lyrics by Samuel Francis Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAbnfePSfzM

Managed to share myself in red, white and blue today, singing a patriotic song. Even got George Washington's white hair on there.Happy Independence Day. I thought about posting this on facebook, "Recipe for the 4th: 3 parts revolution, several parts Native genocide, hundreds of years of race-based slavery. Mix 'em up and you get "The Greatest Nation in the History of the World." Enjoy!" I decided against it. Figured I'd save my double-propaganda rant for the blog Blowski countered with this offering, "picture this... the year was 1776, and today our founding fathers declared their independence from the tyrannical British Empire. Now, today we have become the empire. Don't forget my fellow compatriots, that we can declare our independence again, this time from a decade of directionless war, and decades of neglect for our own people and land. Enjoy your holiday! Remember that Independence Day celebrates being free from tyranny, and standing up for what's right under our own terms. Independence is up to us."

I liked his better. In case the symbolism of my cover was somehow, I posted the whole thing sped up and backwards after my "credits." I think that's pretty much where America is in relation to where it was at the dawn of revolution, 235 years ago, sped up and backwards. Enjoy your holidays! Drink up. Eat well. Try not to think about how we got to be "The Greatest Nation in the History of the World." It can be a real buzzkill.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 222 "Unpatriotic?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkhC7tpMUzs

This 365 makes me glad I have songs for most occasions, even if they can't get played most of the time. I've written a bunch of songs about my frustrations with modern-day, USA business as usual. Some are satirical, silly, absurd... "Unpatriotic?" is pretty straight ahead, "When did it become unpatriotic to want to ask why?," it asks. That's a question I still want the answer to. I don't play these America-inspired songs most of the time, because I'm not sure there is an audience for them. Maybe this experiment here, will prove me wrong. Even if there is an audience, it can be kind of a bummer. Talk like this could bring you down if you're in a bar, pretty easily, or make you all mad if you're a military guy trying to enjoy a beer, actually listening. So I shelve 'em. They are mostly in a folder somewhere, not even counted amongst my long list of tunes.

Anyway, I love America. It is a beautiful land, with a government founded on some lofty ideals. It is a shame that extreme greed has clouded so many people's view of what the American Dream really is. There is nothing free about greed, or having a million things you own and need to keep track of. I think charity, philanthropy, caring about others, and things of that ilk, are truly American ideals, the America in my mind, that I adore. Despite claims of separation of church and state, it says " In God We Trust" on all our money and in many government buildings. The God they're talking about is Jesus, or his Dad, or both, I think. My point is this. These ideals I speak of, treating others right, lifting them up, being charitable, helping the poor and underprivileged, these are moral things to do. They are Christian ideals, found also in the other religions, of course and they fly directly in the face of capitalism, where you get as much as you possibly can for you and yours and whoever it hurts or starves to death, too bad for them. Jesus, his pop, Jewish god, Allah, Buddha.. all of 'em would frown on the way the elite act in this country. Not only the elite, the the folks people admire, movie stars, fashion models, billionaires.

America will be on its way toward healing itself when having more than you can possibly manage for yourself is seen for what it is, which is tacky, gluttonous and wrong. No one needs 10 houses or fifty cars, If you don't think that one person having 50 houes doesn't directly link to starvation somewhere, you are kidding yourself. There is an finite amount of money and resources. If one guy (or 50 people) have it all, then everybody else has none. According to capitalism that is fair and right. So is constantly building bombs to drop on people far away for endless years on end.

When Americans look up to folks who positively influence their community, who care about others enough to have less for themselves, then we will reach our ceiling as a populace. When we stop admiring people for their wealth, beauty, their bodies, their fame and their power, and instead admire, hard working, loving, humble, kind, generous folks, then, we will truly be who we now pretend to be, leaders in the global world we now call home. Right now, three endless wars deep, snuffing out our middle class, destroying the environment, arrogant about all of it, the trickle-down morality of a corrupt system has rendered us an international embarrassment.

America, heal yourself, please, I love you. Who remembers our country was born from revolution? I believe it IS patriotic to question things. In fact, I believe it is the American thing to do.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 215

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 221 Richard Romero's Compass - 7-30-2009 - Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmAenIgjQPA

Today is Richard Romero Appreciation Day Part One. Where to begin? Richard is an incredibly talented musician. I am blessed to have him as a friend and playing bass in my band, When he first joined The Jefferson Jay Band on bass, he hadn't even played bass really, but fast forward a couple years and he is playing awesome. We had a hugely great time playing at Humphrey's Backstage Lounge for Soul Man's birthday. It was packed. SRO. We played the pants off our new material. I really cherish Richard's wisdom and feedback. It adds huge amounts to what we're doing and it makes it tons of fun. I learn a lot.

Here, on Paul Lopez's birthday in 2009, July 30th, Richard kicked off yet another great Thursday night of music at the old Portugalia. This night, he add a fine lineup of all-stars backing him up. During this period, we called the group, Richard Romero's Compass. Richard creates great music, a sort of fusion throwback, featuring many of the best elements of the great usic of the 1970's. He is also a master of many effects. He harmonizes with himself. He's got tons of tricks up his sleeve like that. He also shreds John McLaughlin-inspired solos, plays a synth guitar, loops and all sorts of things.

Here, Richard is joined by Junior "Soul Man" Fos on guiro, Paul Lopez on congas, Paul Ruiz on trumpet, Misha Borisovsky on violin, Harley Magsino on bass, and some other horn player who almost be heard and not seen. This song is so long, over twenty minutes that I broke it into two pieces. Part One, today. Part Two, tomorrow. I don't know the name of it yet. Sorry for that.

What I love most about these clips is both parts feature some really special close-ups of Soul Man, Richard, and my other friends. Soul Man is in his 90's. 92, 93, 94.... Something like that. It is something very special that this footage exists. It means a great deal and I'm sure it will only mean more as time moves forward.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 221 "It's Alright to Cry" by Carol Hall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0abqb36gaY

I'm a nostalgic guy, in case you didn't know. That's probably why I have a Master's in History. Doesn't appear to be for any job-related reason... So I am thinking back often to good times that happened in the past. I was going to learn another song from Magic Garden:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15lr5LCyelQ

A group named Pure Chemistry found my Magic Garden and encouraged me to do the theme song like they did right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97U_pbCJD-o

I was going to, but it seemed kind of involved and I audibled over to this tune from the classic 70's kids' album, "Free to Be, You and Me," called "It's Alright to Cry." Did you know I have a kids' album. It's true. I do. Visit proof.

http://jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com/album/blue-a-kids-album

My voice is a little haggard from singin' my heart out at our Soul Man's birthday, Jefferson Jay Band gig at Humphrey's last night for Soul Man's birthday. It went well. Leanne's dad, Tom Pearl, sat in with us on trumpet. A very special night. Rosey Grier, an ex NFLer, sang "It's Alright to Cry" on the record, so I thought those that fact and my raspiness might go well together. Good enough for me, I say.
Dig it.

http://jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com/album/blue-a-kids-album

My voice is a little haggard from singin' my heart out at our Soul Man's birthday, Jefferson Jay Band gig at Humphrey's last night for Soul Man's birthday. It went well. Leanne's dad, Tom Pearl, sat in with us on trumpet. A very special night. Rosey Grier, an ex NFLer, sang "It's Alright to Cry" on the record, so I thought those that fact and my raspiness might go well together. Good enough for me, I say.
Dig it.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 221 "The Puppies Are Fighting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur_AN_TpOps

PC Alert: No puppies were harmed whatsoever in the making of this video. Yahoo Answers says this, "Play fighting is a normal, and important, part of puppy growth. The more you are able to allow puppies to socialize with other dogs and people the better." is the answer to this question, "How do I discourage play fighting between my puppies?"

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070328135851AAKp1mU

The Yahoo Answer to the question "Puppies play fighting?" (Nice question) is, "At first, just before a fight begins one dog will raise their hackles up, standing still stiff and stare at the other dog. If the other dog returns a stare, and also stands still stiff and/or raises their hackles up, a fight will most likely start."

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080127122552AATYSd7

We had no such hackles, (what's a hackle?) standing still, stiff or staring. It was far more active than that. Of course starting my discussion of this adorable with this disclaimer is absurd, but living in post-Michael Vick America, it seems necessary. The combatants in the puppy play fight are of course, my boy, Nigel and our friend, the adorable Mr. Pibb. Mr. Pibb is a foster pup my neighbors are watching. We are all hoping they keep him. He is cute. Pibb and Nigel like to mix it up. Angel, my lab mix, doesn't want to deal with the fracas, but she manages. I hope you enjoy my cute, old time video, "The Puppies Are Fighting."