Operation 365... Blog 274

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 280 Clifford M. Jomuad "Let's Hear it For Jen and Joe" 8-13-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CAW1Rf4HN4


once again we return to August 13, 2008 and the wedding of Joe and Jen Stevens. What a great day. I will be forever thankful to the Stevens's for the selfless and graceful way they handled this wonderful event. Here, Clifford plays a modification of his classic "Let's Hear It For Rock N' Roll," which has already been featured a few times here on the 365. I was happy to join him. There is a great bit in the beginning with Clifford screaming about how mich he loves everyone. Awesome! I agree. Then we bust into it. A slight hiccup in the beginning only makes it funnier. Enjoy Don Truesdail eating in the audience and world -class laughs of Dylan Avery and Robin Lee pop up at different moments in the tune. Dig it. Awesome. This clip (as well as the clips from the last two days int he archives) was filmed by Dylan Avery. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 280 "Joy To The World" by Hoyt Axton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMUhSGtis7s


Yesterday, we were discussing what would be a couple of cool covers to add to the Jefferson Jay Band repertoire. Songs that are fun, upbeat, exciting, danceable, and but not TOO cheesy. Leanne, today, suggested "Joy To The World" and I thought she was right on the money. So today, I learned it and played and indeed, it was fun. This is the Three Dog Night version, not the Christmas tune. We'll see if the band assimilates it tour collective. We probably should, but either way, here for today, it was fun.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 280 "Nutty Adventure"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMUhSGtis7s


So I believe I mentioned a couple times recently, that I wrote 5 songs in 16 minutes with Leanne and Josh the other night. Leanne doesn't really want credit so the puts me in a slight quandary as to how I should accredit these number. No matter. Josh Rodriguez and Leanne Pearl helped write them in 16 minutes, while Leanne was reading, whether they like it or not. Life is a nutty adventure.

Operation 365... Blog 273

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 279 Don Truesdail "Big City" 8-13-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmoAglzxBnA


Ola amigos. Procrastinating writing on the blog today. Just had to pen a press release for the 365. I love to gab, but my favorite topic has never been, why everybody should think what I'm doing is interesting and awesome. That being said, there is no better reason to celebrate the 365, than the work of Don Truesdail.

When I was recording all this material in 2008, I had no idea that it would stand as the bulk of the work Don left behind. Video shot at my shows accounts for the huge majority of footage of Don performing that exists. I am humbled by this reality and truly honored to be able to share it here with you. I recorded a lot of audio as well. Don's wife, Nancy and I, will be releasing some of that as a "Don Truesdail - Live" CD at some point in the future.

It always seemed inadequate to me to just throw videos up with no context the hope that people would somehow find them. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Our whole "scene" came together in '07, and grew in '08. Our group of artist friends nurtured and inspired one another, and I am thrilled the 365 provides a wide enough canvas to illustrate why this content means so much to so many.

This was filmed at Joe and Jen Stevens wedding reception on August 13, 2008, an unforgettable day. Here, Don plays his adaptation of Merle Haggard's "Big City." Don is joined by Clifford M. Jomuad on percussion. I always loved Don's version of this one. When I sat down to play music with my girlfriend Leanne's dad, Tom, for the first time, this first song he played was "Big City." That was one of many signs I've received from the universe since Don passed. I miss Don's company, but in many ways, I feel closer to him than ever now. I love you Don and if you love Don, I love you too. Enjoy.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 279 "Running To Stand Still" by U2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydbq7rrRhkk


Today is my pal, Patricia "The Militia" Mueller's birthday. We were bandmates for awhile in the Booze and have had many fun times partying and making music together. Last summer, we would jam out on "Running To Stand Still" from time to time, so I figured I'd post here for her on her birthday.

I was sort of naked when I filmed this clip. What can I say, I like to hang out naked from time to time. It seems as natural as anything, to me. I didn't think you should have to see that though, so I turned myself all sorts of crazy colors. It gives this clip a psychedelic feel in addition obscuring my nudity. I am not an exhibitionist, although I am not uptight either. I have no great need to be seen by anybody undressed at all. No private parts were revealed in the filming of "Running To Stand Still." Happy Birthday Patricia. I can hear your voice now, admonishing me, for my inappropriate behavior. See you at the Sunshine Company in an hour.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 279 A Song For Eli (The Smartest Boy in the World)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA35ubatlbc


So I ran into my friend Teagen McClain at The People's Market a couple weeks ago. Teagen is an awesome person and it is always great to catch up with her and her mom, Rose. Friday, Teagen sent me this email.

Hi Jefferson,

It was cool running into you at Peoples the other day. Your girlfriend is really nice! I have a favor to ask you that I think you may be up for. Recording a Youtube song for a little boy with Cancer. My dearest friend Gillian in Oregon (friends since teen years) has 2 sons, Sean and Eli. Eli recently started Chemo. I'll add a link that says more. Gillian's Online Russian teacher made a little video about it. You can enter to win a Russian 'Kiss Me' T shirt! Eli is Vegan and loves to play with fake food and pretend he's a cook. He's a cool little guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnUxkZ2yyVI

I replied,

Sure. You got it. Great seeing you and your mom too. Hope to see you both more soon.

You can also click here to learn more about Eli and the challenges he's facing.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/eliaswilson

So here it is. Eli, you're the man, and by "man," I mean "boy." I have great confidence you will emerge from this, smarter and stronger and cooler than you can even imagine. Believe this and it will be so.

Eli, if I can ever be of any assistance to you, any way, any how, please hit me up and we'll make it happen. Peace

Operation 365... Blog 272

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 278 Don Truesdail "Pillow Talk" 8-13-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqsDhdbEhqk


Three years, two weeks and two days ago, the whole crew of is from back in the day got together at Portugalia to celebrate Joe and Jen Stevens's wedding. Joe and Jen canceled their honeymoon so they could buy dinner and a show for everybody who frequented the Open Mic back in those days. It was a close-knit scene as you can imagine. They also asked me to be the minister for their wedding and organize a show featuring the Open Mic superstars. I obliged.

Any good show needs to start on a really high note, so I went to Don Truesdail, and he didn't disappoint. He opened with an excerpt from John Denver's, "Take Me Home, Country Road," before launching in to his touching song, "Pillow Talk." "Pillow Talk" appears on Don's CD, "Dasvidanya Bingolans, Hello Nancy," which can be purchased at truesdailstudio.com.

It was an unforgettable and beautiful evening. Everyone looked nice, played well, had fun, and made merry. I love Don and it is my honor to be able to share some of his music with you on the 365. I have had a lot of footage stored up for awhile. I wanted to come up with a framework to share in a manner more contextual than just posting a few random videos whenever I got a wild hair. A lot of the significance is lost when you can't see the web of what was happening. It wasn't one or two people playing a few songs. It was a tight-knot group of friends, supporting each other through all kinds of highs and lows, with lots of love, laughter, and life mixed in.

To me, that's what life is all about, and that is part of what I've been trying to show here on the 365 for the last nine months. I hope you can feel the love. If you can't, pay closer attention. To me, it's undeniable. Please enjoy my friend, The Parlor City Bard, Don Truesdail. There's more Don to share tomorrow. To me, that is a blessing.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 278 "I Can't Help Myself" by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Edward Holland, Jr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jpdVBNHtCA


I was jamming out yesterday, and the next thing you know I was playing the opening lick to "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch," technically known as "I Can't Help Myself." The Four Tops performed this #1 hit, but it was written by the powerhouse, Motown writing/producing team of Holland/Dozier/Holland. I learned all this from wikipedia. I hate not knowing my poop, or at least the internet-enabled equivalent of knowing my poop. The web is wrong from time to time, in case you didn't know this. 21-year olds today don't even remember what life was like without the web, and all these newfangled amenities. I do. It seems a long way away. Love is the same. That is something to hold on to. That's why people will always love a tune like "I Can't Help Myself." That, and the harmonies.

NOTE: youtube "suggested" I add "chocolate" to the tags on The Four Tops tune here. I think that may be crossing the line.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 278 "Ride the Table"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEFY2NXwims


So I did this little exercise with my girlfriend Leanne and her roommate Josh the other day. I showed up and gave them each a piece of paper. It listed the letter A-G. I said "create 5-8 combinations of these letters." They became my chord progressions. I also told them to list 5-8 words or ideas. These became my lyrics. I never told them why I was doing this. I just told them it was an "exercise." After they finished, I let them know that "our" goal was to write 5 songs in 20 minutes. Once before, a year ago, Leanne, Adrianna Martin-Morningstar and I, wrote a song (including recording( in 15 minutes.) Here is that song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS_0WcVNYlI

So this time, my goal was to write 5 songs in 20 minutes. We succeeded. n fact, it only took 16 minutes to reach our goal. We finished at 11:11. It took 30 minutes if you include the time it took to record them all on my phone. Leanne didn't want any credit for the tunes. She felt it was all me. Josh told if I was Andrew Lloyd Webber, she would be Tim Rice. I agree with Josh. Maybe, I stacked the deck a little, but I wrote these songs with Leanne and Josh. Technically this one was more Leanne and I though, because it was the first one. It was done, before Josh had even finished his list of stuff. Leanne finished faster, because she was trying to read her John Irving book, "The Cider House Rules," and if anything, my exercise was a distraction. Leanne chose images from this book to get her "ideas" for this endeavor.

I only wrote lyrics, when they were needed to fill in gaps. For instance, "Edna Garrett," TV"s matriarch from "Diff'rent Strokes"," and "The Facts of Life," that lyric was mine. Hail Edna Garrett, collaborative songwriter, and success against all odds, reaching people, spreading love, in the 21st century, Paul Ruiz gave me a talking to, just now, and I feel empowered. The world wants some positive ideas, some entertainment, some hope, and I'm just the bloke to give it to 'em. Dess do diss. (translated: Let's do this.)

Love,
Jefferson

NOTE: Shoutouts to Tim Clark, Dylan Avery, my brother John and all these folks, for the fun time at Phish Fest 8 in '09. Here's Tim's take on the funfest. Riding the table goes down at about 2.30. What fun! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-aMhyZ7N4w

Paul Ruiz appears here on trumpet.

Operation 365... Blog 271

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 277 Jefferson Jay "Happy Anniversary" 8-28-2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMkUtQl2eic


Special Bonus Cover to the Archives Section of the 365 today. Most days, Operation 365 features an original, a cover and an archive. Part of the point of the archive is that is offers me the flexibility to post whatever I want on unique days like today when a clip from an old show I did, just won't cut the mustard. So today, there were a few worlds events that required tribute and this is way it goes.

So today, my one year anniversary with my dear, sweet girlfriend Leanne. It has been a wonderful year. This morning I hearkened back to one of my favorite Flintstones clips and here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DINuAWoxy4Q

Well, here Fred gets some friends to salute Wilma on their special day. Good times. These lyrics, written by cartoon legends, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera go to the tune of The William Tell Overture by Gioacchino Rossini. Our pup Nigel appears here. Compounding our day of celebration, it is Nigel's very first birthday. Awwwwww... Watch as he dances and stands on my chest. Like I said, good times.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 277 "Like A Hurricane" by Neil Young
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9QGvnyWATg


So, the whole east coast hurricane needed to be addressed here on the 365. That disaster coinciding with my anniversary led to the need for multiple covers today. Thank God for the archives. And thank God for Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane." For a dark second, I though I was going to have to cover The Scorpions' "Rock You Like A Hurricane." I don't like that song at all. The Scorpions, AC/DC. and Kiss top my list of not favorite bands. So I was thrilled and relieved when I remembered "Like A Hurricane" existed. Another great reason to love Neil Young. Integrity, righteousness, talent, philanthropy, musical diversity... There are just so many reasons to love Neil Young. I had fun playing "Like A Hurricane." Operation 365 send its heartfelt best wishes to everybody enduring Hurricane Irene on the east coast. Hang in there. I'm with ya. Well, technically I'm in the 75 degree sunshine of a San Diego Sunday. But in spirit, I'm definitely with you. Big time. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 277 "Part Two"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eptNQYnvF8c


This is the final part of my anniversary tribute to Leanne, my love. On approximately December 7, 2010, I asked Leanne if she wanted to write a song with me. She was hesitant so I quickly wrote this little number, "Every Day's Time." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QLcktADR7E

I liked it and she did too, so we quickly embarked on writing its sequel, which we did. It's here now for you and it's called "Part Two.' It has some shared chunks with "Every Day's Time," but all in all it's a totally different tune. There's some lyrics I like in there like, "I'd rather make love than have chicken pox," and "I’m gonna go ride a Triceratops now," both, totally true. So as I sign off here on Day 277 I want to say, I love you honey. It's been a fabulous year. Thanks. Here's to extensive amounts of collaboration moving forward.

Operation 365... Blog 270

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 276 Jefferson Jay Calls Out Life - Part Two - 8-27-2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Z32G2GBeo


This is the second part of my ongoing verbal battle with life, waged in the time-honored style of professional wrestling promos. Here, I acknowledge life's unpredictability, its' slipperiness if you will, before reassuring all the Lovemakers out there, from sea to shining sea, that it's not over yet and we will rise in love. It may seem unlikely, but that doesn't matter. The human spirit and its capacity for goodness will rise from the corporate ashes and we will celebrate at the finish line.

Not to break the fourth wall or anything, but I really do love life. It is my friend and not my enemy at all. It is a strange bedfellow though. That I will admit. Never know when its coming or going or what its going to do when it does. It's OK. I have faith. I'm prepared. I've seen life in its underwear. In the immortal words of the great Macho Man, Randy Savage. "Oooooooh Yeah!!!!!!!!"

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 276 "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" - Traditional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhYJAVru7ys


I'm not sure who the he in this tune is. J.P. Morgan? Some Rockefeller or Rothschild? I don't know. God? Maybe. I remember this song selling a bunch of Coke in the early eighties. I think Disney used it too. I'm not sure God would work with those cats. Maybe. Plus, how we know God's not a she? We don't I would hate to see that PMS. No offense, ladies, but you'd hate to see it too.

Either way, I'm loungin' it up here on Saturday. There' ninety days left in the 365 and I'm aiming to have some fun. Thanks Him, whoever you are. That's for lettin' me live in your world.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 276 "Lost Pieces"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWVFfvVGUYk


"Lost Pieces" is another of the songs I wrote a few nights ago when Leanne went to bed early. It's been very nice having a handful of new tunes to choose from that I don't need to write here on the spot. It is also cool because it's seems like they keep relating to whatever I'm an ruminating on in the given day. What does this mean? Well, 365 devotees know that I have been pondering the slippery nature of life quite a bit these days, the ups and downs, the peaks and valleys, whatever you want to call it. "Lost Pieces" is about how some day we will fall apart too. This song veils it in talking about inanimate objects and horsies, but they have life cycles too. Plus if they're all made of the same atomic material that we are, who's to say they are any more or less inanimate than we are? That's another topic for another day.

Two nights ago, I gave Josh and Leanne a new challenge. I didn't tell them what it was til it was over, but with my oversight and organization and their content we wrote 5 songs in 16 minutes. If you add the time it took me to record them on my phone, the whole thing took half an hour. I'll be busting some of them out soon. Dig.

Operation 365... Blog 269

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 275 Jefferson Jay "May" 3-21-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC2jcjksP3w


My friend, Will Edwards, was over earlier today and I asked him to pick a date. he said March 21st. I didn't ask why he picked that date. I went off into my archives in search of a show form that date or some date real close to it. There were only a couple of artists to choose form on the March 21, 2010 show that I found. It was a Sunday. I often didn't film my Sunday showcases at Portugalia, but this one I did and here it is.

This is my song "May." I've posted it a couple of other times in the 365. It is a song about what may happen in the summer to follow. It is a song that welcomes the fruits a summer of productive will will yield. This summer is almost over and I need to get back to work, but I am aware, more now than ever of life's unpredictable nature. Anything can happen. I've always said this, but now I can feel it. I have no idea what life has in store for me. "May" welcomes that good things that may lie ahead and I'm all about that right now. I like the positive thoughts in it and I like the funny outfit/moustache that I am sporting at this show.

Joined I am, on The Don Truesdail Stage, by Paul Ruiz on trumpet, The Soul Man on guiro, and the long, lost, Paul Lopez on percussion. Ain't seen that guy in ages. Hope he's well. Dig it. Peace.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 275 "Baby Baby Please Come Home" by Dan Truesdail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSlxnEThwFw


One of my favorite songwriters and humans is Dan Truesdail. Dan is the dad of world class troubadour Don Truesdail. I became very close with Don's folks, Dan and Janet, in the aftermath of his passing and I cherish their friendship and love. I go back to see them every chance I get in the Binghamton vicinity and I hope to do so again very soon.

On one trip, I brought my recording stuff and recorded a bunch of Dan's orignal music. It was a wonderful experience. I always like jamming out with Dan. He schools me crash course style, force-feeding one classic country groove after another. I love it and try my best to keep up. "Baby Baby Please Come Home" is one of the songs we recorded. It was in my head lately, so I decided to learn it and share here with you. Truesdails, I think of you all the time. You are on my mind and in my heart and I look forward to the next time I get to sot at your kitchen table and eat some of Janet's fine cooking. Thanks for all you love. It means a ton to me. Hope you like the ditty.

I recorded two versions of "Baby Baby Please Come Home" back east and here I offer two versions of my own. Why? Because I can... Because it's short and a great song. Both versions combined are about three minutes. One comes after the "credits." Bon vivant.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 275 "Reality Is Changing"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq2zQnpIAIM


Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz is upset because the feds raided the Gibson factory and took a million dollars with of stuff. They didn't say why or anything. Henry is upset and I don't blame him. In this article,

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/aug/29/gibson-guitar-ceo-speaks-out-about-raids/

he said this, “The federal bureaucracy is just out of hand,” Juszkiewicz said. “And it seems to me there’s almost a class warfare of companies versus people, rich versus poor, Republicans versus Democrats … and there’s just a lack of somebody that stands up and says, ‘I’m about everyone. I’m really about America and doing what’s good for the country and not fighting these little battles.’

I tweeted at Henry this, @henryej I’m about America and doing what’s good for the country. I play Gibsons, have Master's in Am. Hist. I need ur help to help. #gibson

It's true. I have been at it for some time. It is an uphill climb in the 21st century. It seems most folks have been bought off quite nicely. Who could blame 'em? It's an easier road to hoe. Guys like Henry can make a difference by giving musicians like myself a platform from which to speak. People with stuff to say have been effectively silenced in modern America. Guys like Henry can make a difference, but often only care when the problem is brought directly to their door. We'll see if Henry is one of those types of folks. I'm not expecting him to hit me up, but the thing with life is... he could. You just never know what is going to happen. All I know is I've been ready to go with my big flappy yapper for some time now. I'm still here and I'm still waiting, hoping to hear from Henry.

Operation 365... Blog 268

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 274 Philly B "Barefoot Dancing" 2-5-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtJ2D73clmY


I remember one time before the open mic, a long while back, Philly came over before the show and we practiced his tune, "Barefoot Dancing." I remember it came together really well and we had a lot of fun playing in practice and on stage. I think I played a mandolin on it. I don't even own a mandolin now. So much has changed since then it's absurd. Philly now lives in Tucson and owns several Starbucks, or something like that. Like I said, it's been awhile, I've lost track. I'm pretty sure his wife has singlehandedly brought back Roller Derby, all while they raise two kids. Fascinating. I miss those crazy kids, Philly and his wife, Jilimanjaro (that's her Roller Derby name) and I hope to see them real, real soon.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 274 "Any Time At All" by Lennon/McCartney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaqnkMjoBOI


Here is The Beatles tune, "Any Time At All." I always liked this one. I even wrote a tune called "Any Time At All" once, of my own. Kind of a coincidence. I shared it on the 365 many months ago. There song is an early 60's pop masterpiece ands mine was a Steely Dan-inspired, jazz chord-filled, love song. I don;t play it anymore, even though I still think it's one ofmy better tunes. No real good way to play songs written about old girlfriends when you are happy with the one you have now. I'm sure there is some way around that. I just haven't cared enough to figure it out yet. It's fine the way it is. That is the least of my concerns these days.

I grew up wanting to do what The Beatles did. Not so much sell a zillion albums and be adored by everybody, but communicating with people, finding an appreciative audience, adding to a discussion amongst thinking folks about what really matters in this world. That has been my dream for some time. Not to say, I'm giving up, but I'm not even convinced the world wants that sort of thing right now. People seem to accept the way things are. No one seems willing to do much at all. That's why my goal is starting a discussion instead of actually fixing things. That seems several steps down the road I'm sad to say, and that's a best case scenario. That's assuming people will start to care enough to come together and speak from the hearts and from their minds at all. There I go, dreaming again. I have always wanted to devote my life to making things better off for everyone, but more often I feel like I'm barking up the wrong tree. Like the time I was meant to live in ended before I was born.

I don't mean to be negative, but I have been hollering up a storm to anyone who will listen for some time now, about all sorts of things. I'm not sure what it's got me. I know where it's got me. Right here, right now. I can live with that. I realize I have stood up for what I believe in for awhile now. I hoped events would co-operate more and I would find an audience amongst people who want to get the most out of life and make the world a better place. I have had some incredible, cherished experience, but making a living doing this consistently, simply hasn't happened. I can't say for sure it ever will.

Keep doing things for the right reasons and trust that it will all work out in time. That's that other voice in my head just said, the voice of reason. That's what it put in my head so I wrote it. Now I just have to believe it and make it a way of life. Seems it's always that way, doesn't it?

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 274 " I Missed 1966"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXpKBtAKz4E


This is a song I wrote the other night that's pretty much about everything I just wrote about in the blog above. I feel like the folks of the late 60's and early 70's were so much more attuned to where I'm at here in the 21st century it's not even funny. In terms of priorities, how to treat people, the meaning of life, kindness, peace, love, and a million other things, that I think are important, that you just never hear about on the 500 channels of TV. I guess they're not important to everyone and America's just very well-bribed right now into not caring about what''s actually happening outside their homes. I feel that everyone's connected. I believe that we are all one. If the sun split, we'd all die. That's my proof. It seems to be that we are in some twisted saci-fi movie these days and I don't know what's going to happen to stop it. I do know I've been waiting for it all my life and I am ready to be involved in whatever will bering our world closer to being a warm, loving home to all of its inhabitants. Boy, do I sound like a Looney Tune? It wasn't that long ago, that people publicly thought things like this and weren't laughed it. Then again the Civil Rights movement and the Holocaust weren't that long ago either. The world is how it's been for a a long time. The truth is what we make it.

So, my fabulous girlfriend Leanne fell asleep a bit earlier than I did the other night. It was earlyish. She works hard. So I got out of bed and started writing. By the time I was done, I had written 6 songs. I don't need to tell you what a boon that type of thing is to the 365 here. Needing an original here each day, it is a nice feeling to have some tunes saved up in case I don't feel like writing something some day. I still do have a number of tunes available off my 4 CDs that are out, but I don't play some of them very much these days. They are available at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com, incidentally, if you are interested in hearing and/or purchasing them.

This tune, "I Missed 1966" talks about my hippie-ideals mind in post-hippie America. I have studied the San Francisco hippies some as part of my Master's Program in History at San Diego State. There are a lot of specifics out of that era that make their way into this song. 1966 was chosen because that was before America discovered the hippies in "Time", "Life", "Newsweek," and every other periodical and newspaper in the country in 1967. People subsequently went there in droves. The leaders split the disaster that their beloved home was quickly becoming and the media drove the nails in the hippies' coffin, so much so, that hippies are now considered a mere filthy footnote in America's past, by most people.

The Diggers were the intellectual core of The San Francisco hippies and they were doing some really really cool stuff in 1966. The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and many other folks who lived there would become iconic figures in the years that followed. They were among those who split Haight-Ashbury and found huge financial success in corporate America's commodification of the hippie way. Way gone. Money made. Can you blame 'em? It's the American dream, right?

Now I sit here alone, 45 years later, still trying to pick the pieces.

Operation 365... Blog 267

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 273 Justin Mills "That's My Advice" 1-29-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS3hEo55reI


Justin appears to be thinking the same sorts of stuff I've been thinking about these days the nature of life. At least he must have been when he wrote this tune in late 2008. He calls this "the happiest song he's ever written." It's all about the unpredictable and "stubborn" nature of life. He sings of he's fighting off his cancer and that "life's not a friend." That's his advice. I love his delivery and his songs so much. That's why I post them often. He might be the most underrated songwriter and performer ever, that Justin Mills. I am doing my best to reverse that. People actually being able to hear the songs is the first step. I'm assuming this song is called "That's My Advice."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 273 "Behind Blue Eyes" - Pete Townshend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gJpFQcD5AQ


Not sure what made me decide to do "Behind Blue Eyes" today. Classic Who song. Always loved it, back to high school when we would sit around and sing it with my friend Scelzo. Beautiful number. I guess it's a song about having conflicted states of mind. I am a bit divided in some ways now. Torn between worrying about money and realizing there is no point. Torn in a similar manner about this whole hearing loss phase. Tough thing in life. You best get used to 'em or thicken up that skin. Life is an out of control monster. Make peace with that beast quick or there could be a lot to lament about. I don't want a life of lament, so I'm gonna put my adjustment socks on. Play a few tunes and take a positive attitude with me when I approach the road. It's the only way to go.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 273 "Life's Tough"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhCLZqpW3xw


"Life's Tough." Yeah, so... Exactly. Adjust. Deal. Move on with a smiley face. That or cry forever. Not much of a choice there. No. Angel ate a cup of grease this morning and the rest of the song follows from there. Life happens. All kinds of things. None of 'em good or bad. All just things. It's however you deal with them, how you react, that makes them what they are. Coping skills are pretty important in this world. I'll say.

"Life's Tough" is a tongue-in-cheek song, based on today's facts that pokes fun at the unpredictable nature of life, making a positive difference in the world, getting by, if you will. When you look at it that way, laughter is the only thing left to do. Enjoy my pups, Greazy, and Fleazy and a special greasy face-licking appearance here on the 365. Today is Day 273 and we are more than three-quarters of the way to our goal. What will this all lead up to? What is the purpose of anything? Doing it. The journey is the reason. Whatever happens after did cause it was next in line. What's next? In this life, there's only one to find out. Stay tuned. Stay positive. Manifest the life you desire.

New rule (for me): No more whining on the interent. It's crying for yourself in a cancer ward. It's inappropriate and it's energy poorly spent. Nobody wants to hear your shit. Guess this means I'll be sitting on the 5 songs I wrote 2 nights ago. Songs are songs. Complaining is complaining. There's a line. You'll figure it out. I have nothing to complain about. I'm blessed to be alive. Self-pity is a wicked turn-off.

In case you didn't notice, I talk to myself a lot in my writing. I am the " I" and the "you" in the previous paragraph. If you relate to it, all the better. It's an ongoing dialogue, a back and forth. It is kind of constant, only sometimes I'm not writing. I have over a hundred notebooks full of it. The blessing and the curse of the thinker. Thought.

Operation 365... Blog 266

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 272 "Shake Like an Earthquake"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7znJL4U16kY


Today's selections were inspired by the earthquake that just went down on the East Coast. Here's hoping everybody's OK. My good amigo, Dylan Avery, hit me up on the facebook chat and said,
"is there a song about earthquakes you can do for 365 today?"
I replied, "i think i can." He added. 11:52Am "OH
you could cover Wipeout
hahahaha."

I snapped into action immediately. Five minutes later precisely, I wrote, "both are done how long did that take?"

At 11:57am, he wrote, "... pretty quickly."

Anyone need to hire someone who can get topical content done real quick? Here I am. Sign me.

I would now like to be the first to pat myself on the back for writing the first tune ever written about the "Great East Coast Earthquake of 2011." Someone had to do it. That someone is me. You're welcome.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 272 "Wipe Out" by Bob Berryhill and 3 other dudes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2SwRUTtcHk


"Wipe Out" is a classic jam by these guys? Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ron Wilson. Heard of 'em? Me neither. Today, I played it at the suggestion of director amigo Dylan Avery as a salute to all the east coasters out there who had to deal with an earthquake this afternoon. Now you see how the other half lives? Something something glass onion. Thank you.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 272 Justin Mills "Destruction Device" 12-11-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12wCtDhFYQ4


Justin Mills' "Destruction Device" has been a 365 priority for some time now. I love the living poop out of this song. It is unmitigated genius. Simply. "Destruction Device" is about a guy who builds a device to destroy the world. Who knows if something like this even exists? If it did, it would probably control the weather and build things like earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. See HAARP, or don't see HAARP, depending how freaked out you feel like being.

I read some story a couple days ago about how they can out beeps in your head now and torture you with microwaves and frequencies if they want. All I know is the next day I woke up at 3:330 AM with a ringing in my head and a big chunk of my hearing missing. I wish I never read the article. Google at your own risk. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Here the great "General" Justin Mills is joined by me on my cute little Ashbory bass and Wes Davis, freshly back from Tahiti at the time, on tambourine. "Destruction Device" rules. Justin Mills rules. 2008 ruled and Portugalia even ruled in 2008. Enjoy the mastery of "Destruction Device."

Operation 365... Blog 265

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 271 "What?!?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeaFq8ELbMs


Today has been one of the more difficult days on the 365 and all the reasons why are explained in good detail in today's new song, "What?!?" Briefly, I woke up to let the dogs out at 3:30 in the morning and a huge chunk of the hearing in my right ear (75%?) was gone. A loud high-pitched ringing was there instead. Scary. I went back to sleep hoping it would be better in the morning. It wasn't. I am sitting here at 1:09PM, just listening to the ring and feeling like my ear is extremely water-logged. As a musician, it's a pretty scary, helpless feeling.

Anyway, I wrote this informative tune about my reality today. I even made a joke or two. Wish me well. Pray if you do. Hopefully, I'll feel better soon.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 271 "For What It's Worth" - Stephen Stills
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz3KpIsv6UQ


"For What It's Worth" is a classic protest song written by Stephen Stills and performed by Buffalo Springfield. I was trying to pick a song today to do. It was hard. I woke up with a pretty huge amount of sudden hearing loss in my right ear and it's hard to sing when you can't really hear yourself. I tried a tune or two before finding this one, which I was able to sing because it's so familiar to me. I thought some of the lyrics had an interesting application to my trouble of the day.

"There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear"

That's for sure. Real unclear. Maybe it was the noise made by the "man with a gun over there" that did it to me. That or all that loud music over the years, Phish shows, drum kits... I don't know. Maybe it will be OK. Maybe I'm the one who should pray. Hopefully, I'll hear better later today. Oh, brother.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 271 Justin Mills "The Lonely Line" 2-5-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iIEnATRLPQ


I love Justin Mills. I love his music. I love the understated way he delivers his music and I love the detached emotional nature of his tunes. This tune is resonating with my cloudy headed feeling on the Monday afternoon. This song seems to be about someone reassuring themselves everything will be OK. This song mentions sleeping and peace a lot. I awoke from sleeping down a huge amount of hearing in my right ear. I deeply want the peace I will find when my hearing fixes. All the background talking that I would usually hear right over on this track is making my head spin. It is hard for me to focus and I am getting a little dizzy. I am done with this for now. Enjoy Justin. Wish me well. Thanks.

Operation 365... Blog 264

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 270 Jefferson Jay Band "FATSO" - 8-20-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n4CTdrSQGc


"FATSO" is a song I wrote about my beloved superpooch, Angel. Angel is a black lab/border collie mix and she will be 12 in November. She is still spry like spring chicken and I love her pooptons. "FATSO" was one of the first of many tunes I penned about her. This was written when she was a portly pup before I put her on a doggie diet. She is lithe at 11. Still runs at the park like child.

Here, I am joined by the August 20, 2009 version of the Jefferson Jay Band. Richard Romero on bass, Soul Man on guiro, Blowski on keys, Jose Maldonado on drums, and Jack Davidson on guitar. This was two years ago yesterday.

"FATSO" has maintained a spot as one of the most classic Jefferson Jay tunes over the years. It appears on my "Blue" CD and I always have to tell audiences it's about my dog. Don't wish to offend any hefty ladies. I wish I could say I hadn't learned that the hard way. Live and learn. This was a nice little version. I hope you enjoy.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 270 "Lean On Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YXGt738uso


What screams rock 'n roll more than a wrinkled T-shirt and a miniature Casio keyboard? I don't know. Maybe the phone ringing in the middle of the song? Perhaps. "Lean On Me" was one of the tunes I was doing with my students back when I had students and there was school. I guess this is my welcome-back-to-the-school-year song, sorta. Yeah, I don't miss subbing, but I do miss dough. Dang it.

I thought about redoing it again on my bigger keyboard, maybe a tad more soulfully. Then I said, "Nah."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 270 "When Love Comes To Town"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NnHSI5UXjw


"When Love Comes To Town" was written yesterday as I prepped for my 365. I think it may become part of a bigger song with the one I wrote yesterday. It's still a little rough, because it's new, but I like the musical ideas here. I'm kinda excited to dig in and mash these two buggers up. I hope they fit together was well in reality, as they do in my head.

Operation 365... Blog 263

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 269 Beehive and Jefferson Jay - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jt6KLDUqP8


Who am I? What am I here for? Why do I do stuff?

I feel a compulsion to try to give back and help the people of this world live more fulfilling lives. I feel like I am small part of a brotherhood and sisterhood of life on this planet. I feel that we are responsible for caring for the planet and for each other and this is our most important role in this life.

How does that tie in with our modern world? It seems like it doesn't. There is no big public gathering place that I know where like-minded folks can come together and work towards these sorts of noble goals. Most folks are concerned mainly with themselves and getting from day to day. Who can blame them? This is a tough world. Nothing is given to you. I can see how the connectivity can be lost on some folks, drowning in day to day activities.

I try to communicate. Through music and through life. I am the kind of person who talks directly to cashiers. I try to make their job more interesting for a minute. I try to break up the monotony of their day. In a way, that's what I do with my art too. I like to try to shake things up for a minute with the hopes that when things settle again, they may settle a bit differently. I dream of living in a world of open-minded people. People can set in their ways and I like to try to help manifest flexibility and motion, hopefully in a positive direction.

Why am I going on about all this? It is hard to find a place in this world if you are a person like me. A conscious person who want to help being forth positive change. There is no clear mode of what to do. YOu need to forge your own way and this can be very challenging. I have yet to find a way to make this consistently profitable and therein lies the rub. What to do? Who are you? How are you marketable? Who needs to know you exist? I don't know yet. For now, I feel so blessed to be happy, to have friends and to live a life that is meaningful to me. I do things I dream of. I just hope to reach more people and be part something. Some group of folks should be, and maybe even are connecting, communicating and pushing the world in a positive direction with their energies. I want to work with those folks to help our brothers and sisters make this world a better place, to help folks live positive and satisfying lives.

"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one."
-John Lennon

Here, I am freestyling? "You freestyle?," you ask. See what I mean? I do different things. I am not easily compartmentalized or explained. I am a human living life in the 21st century. Here, that human is sitting in with my buddy Beehive, the beat boxer, making music on stage at my 12 Hours of Free Music concert on December 6, 2008. Peace. Enjoy life.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 269 "Imagine" by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3gfiDdT5K8


What a beautiful song. That John Lennon sure had a lot of wonderful ideas to share with the world. I think that's role of artists and that is what I aspire to do with my life here on this planet. Righteous work, Brother Lennon. Getting people to think of what could be instead of what is. This is the first step toward positive change.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 269 "Lookin' For The Answers In Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-pHDrt06j4



I made up big chunks of two new tunes this morning for the 365. They have similar things and I think they may ultimately be mashed up into one more ambitious and exciting song. Only time will tell. Life is so like that, you know? Time, technically, doesn't exist, yet the passing of it is the only avenue we have to find out what happens. Ironic existence...

Operation 365... Blog 262

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 268 Beehive and Destructo Bunny - 12-6-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A28WE7JuUQ4


This collaboration was from the 2008 version of my "12 Hours of Free Music" show on December 6, 2008. My buddy Beehive, the greatest beat boxer I've ever seen, invited a couple guests up at the end of his electrifying set. The guests were Destructo Bunny and myself. So I am going to share those two fun moments the next two days here on the 365. Destructo Bunny is up first. We are going in chronological order. I left a good bit of their banter before the set, cause I thought there was a real moment of acknowledgment and appreciation between the two local hip-hip heroes who had never performed together before. They improvised their act and they rock.

The 365 is not just the music. It is about the interaction and the respect that artists and people can share and the example it sets for all the rest of us. It is also about appreciating deep, meaningful and hopefully music art and artists in their various habitats. This was a great night. I remember this vividly. I had just gotten off of Christmas parade float and as a host, I was delighted to return to a show where folks were having fun. Beehive got everybody into and the night portion of our program was off to a riveting start. Tune back in tomorrow to see how I fared in my stint onstage with The 'Hive.

This was filmed by Dylan Avery.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 268 "mikelewismusic" by Mike Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53wFMt7wSao


I've wanted to cover this song ever since the first time Mike Lewis came to my Open Mic and played it years ago. I always thought it would be funny to cover somebody's song that was specifically about their own music. When I went to finally learn the tune today, I learned it was actually about much more than that. "mikelewismusic" is about old friends, good times, and coming to peace with your dreams, both old and new.

When researching this jam, I learned that Mike Lewis is going by the name "Michael David Lewis" now with his music. Seems there is another Mike Lewis Music form Kentucky or somewhere. Imagine that. Maybe that Mike Lewis should cover this tune too. Clifford, my friend is a good friend of Michael David Lewis's from high school. He is one of MDL's pals who gets mentioned in the lyrics to this tune. (MDL calls him Joe Mode. That's Clifford's last name, Jomuad) Anyway, I hope MDL gets a kick out of my version. He is a good dude and if this enhances his day at all, it's a mitzvah. L'chiem... and to music.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 268 "When Love Comes Your Way"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMSWU1rIslw


I made this one, "When Love Comes Your Way," up after I hit record, as I have many times so far in the 365, when seeking an original song for the day. This one has its' moments. Obviously, it's a little raw, bit this is the nature of the beast. Speaking of beasts, I went to Wal-Mart today, I never do that. As I perused Wal-Mart, I truly felt like I was in the belly of the beast that is capitalism. Everything for sale, cheaper than everywhere else. Some miserable guy greeting you at the door, to try to make it feel more happy. I was on my out of Wal-Mart for a long time to come, until the gave me a $10 off what I want coupon for no reason, so I guess I'll be back soon. Damn belly of the beast keeps pulling you back in. See you at Wal-Mart soon. Damnit!

So, my voice has been cracking lately. It's a new thing for me. New since I was 13. So in this song, I go with it, and do some righteous, cracked-out singing much fun. "When Love Comes Your Way" is dedicated to Nancy and Don Truesdail, whose anniversary is today and Dan and Janet Truesdail, Don's folks. It's Janet's birthday today. You all inspired this number. I hope I did ya justice. Happy Birthday Janet.

Operation 365... Blog 261

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 267 Acoustic Booze "Little Johnny" 5-22-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki_NMh-E5DA


So I was chatting on Facebook, with former Booze bassist Dylan Avery and he asked me what was up today for the 365. It was nice to be asked. I immediately uncovered this. Let's consider these last two days in the archives a study on what can go wrong with filming in live music venues. Yesterday, for "Killing's Wrong' we were on the side with bad sound and the lights made me look like an alien. For this one, Acoustic Booze's "Little Johnny" from May 22, 2010, it is my powerful drumming that causes the camera to wobble just a little every time I smash the bass drum. I decided to use it anyway. Why? Because.

"Little Johnny" is one of the very many cool tunes Blowski wrote and used for his project. I saw Blowsk yesterday and remembered his tune, "Little Baby," so I've been having a renaissance of Blowski music in my head the last day or two. I haven't drummer much since I resigned from the Booze in May. I kind of miss it. It was fun, but life said it was time to focus on my music and that's what I have done. Much fun had in the Booze back in the day, though and I wish them the best moving forward. "Little Johnny" is about a kid. That's about as much as I know. He gets a Wet Willie at some point in the song. Also featured here are The Soul Man on guiro, Adiranna Martin-Morningstar on vocals, Mr. Avery on bass, the Blowsk Man on vocals and guitar, Patricia "The Militia" Mueller on keys and myself, unpictured but shaking the frame, on drums. Dg some vintage booze. Peace.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 267 "The Greatest Love of All" by Michael Masser & Linda Creed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puEg00apIOs


I have liked "The Greatest Love of All" since Whitney Houston had a big hit with it, back in the "How Will I Know?" day. It is so preachy, it's perfect. Hilarious. I like singing it in my deep, Southern baptist, preacher man, voice. I thought I had more to say about this jam, but it's eluding me right now. "Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all." I think I will just leave it at that, then. Good point, Masser... Creed.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 267 "Would We Eat Dog If We Had To?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UzogKcnUwk


Leanne and I were trying to decide what to do for lunch and/or breakfast and it led to this spirited debate. Would you eat a lollipop made of steak? Would you eat your puppy or would you eat cat poop with 'em? Which would you do first? If you had to? Tough questions, this life is full of 'em. I'm hungry. We're going to get something to eat. Steak lollies, anyone? Nice dancing appears in this video. Consider yourself warned.

Operation 365... Blog 260

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 266 Jefferson Jay "Killing's Wrong" 7-6-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w8RFo498oM


These videos all seem to have an added meaning, now that I am into the last 100 days of the 365. My pal, Paul Ruiz was over, and I asked him to pick a date, any date. He said July 4th, which happens to be his birthday. I looked up a show from as close a date to that as I could find and I arrived here at my first Gallagher's Open Mic on July 6, 2010. "Killing's Wrong" was from the end of my set, near the beginning of the show. I was still feeling out the details on recording, so we have a odd profile perspective on the action and shoddy sound.

I am joined by Paul Ruiz on trumpet, The Soul Man on guiro, Blowski (unseen) on keys, Richard Romero on bass and a guest of the Open Mic, Peggy Sue, on drums. I met Peggy Sue, out and about a week earlier at a blues Open Mic I was checking out. I invited and she caem, so she sat in with us and did a nice job. She can be seen at the end of the clip. Nice audience participation ont he "That's Right," back up vocals.

"Killing's Wrong" is one of my main tunes ever. I make up different lyrics each time for the verses. It appears on my "Blue; A Kid's Album" CD and I've posted a few different versions of it already in the Archives. I like the way this video looks. It's different than most of the other ones. I just realized this one of two protest songs, I am posting today.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 266 "99 Red Balloons" by Nena
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSMvgVNwWU


In honor of 99 days left in the Operation 365, I chose "99 Red Balloons" by Nena. Only after I learned it, did I realize what a cool tune it really is. So here's the story.

wikipedia: "99 Luftballons" (99 air balloons) is a protest song by the German pop-rock band Nena. Originally sung in German, it was later re-recorded in English as "99 Red Balloons".

While at a June 1982 concert by the Rolling Stones in West Berlin, Nena's guitarist Carlo Karges noticed that balloons were being released. As he watched them move toward the horizon, he noticed them shifting and changing shapes, where they looked nothing like a mass of balloons but some strange spacecraft (referred to in the German lyrics as a "UFO"). He thought about what might happen if they floated over the Berlin Wall to the Soviet sector.[1]

Both the English and German versions tell how 99 balloons are flying in the sky, where they are spotted by the military who don't recognize them as balloons but instead think they are some kind of incoming weapon. They immediately put their troops on red alert and call out jet fighters to intercept which ultimately triggers a nuclear war between the two Cold War adversaries. In the apocalyptic aftermath, the song's narrator stands in the rubble of the city and finds a single remaining balloon. Thinking of someone, he or she then lets the balloon go. The music was composed by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen, the keyboardist of Nena's band, while Karges wrote the original German lyrics.

I was going to paraphrase that whole story and make it my own, but at the moment of truth, that seemed easier. That's where I learned it anyway. Pretty cool, huh. And this check out.

wikipedia: VH1 Classic, an American cable television station, ran a charity event for Hurricane Katrina relief in 2006. Viewers who made donations were allowed to choose which music videos the station would play. One viewer donated $35,000 for the right to program an entire hour and requested continuous play of Nena's "99 Luftballons" and "99 Red Balloons" videos. The station broadcast the videos as requested from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EST on 26 March 2006.[3]

Cool. Gotta love it when people make a point. It shows they really care. Especially when the point is good, ya gotta love it. So I dug doing "99 Red Balloons." It was an educational experience and it's a righteous tune.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 266 "What To Do"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3IpeZCMV-U


Last night, it hit me. "What To Do." Yes, the answers to everything for everyone dawned upon me at about 12:15AM this morning. Instructions for life, if you will. So I wrote it down, and her it goes. Did I know when I started to write this song that everybody should go become a mime? Of course not, but now I do, and I'm going for it. In honor of this revelation, I'll be doing the rest of this blog as a mime.

Operation 365... Blog 259

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 265 Jefferson Jay "Molasses Man" 1-19-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsBrvN-L8T0


Today is a HUGE day in the Operation 365. Day 265. 100 days left. The countdown is on. I had an epiphany earlier today that I am writing my life story here in the blog portion of this extensive exercises. Of course, it is not comprehensive, nor should any bio be. Too much detail. I do feel like this narrative does create a context for who I am, who my friends are and why this all should matter at all to anyone. Who knows? 100 days left to discover what this is all about.

For a number of reasons, this clip seemed fitting for me today. I will list some. "Molasses Man" is from my first CD, "Great Story," It is a song about a hero in the fine art of procrastination. He does stuff. It just takes awhile. Operation 365 is like that, There is a lot to do and it takes a year to do it. Another reason is, this was recorded starting off my Open Mic on January 19, 2010. Without my Open Mics, over the years, who knows if I would be doing this right now. I certainly can;t imagine there'd be an Archives component to it, if there was. Even though the Archive factor, enables me to include lots of friends and open this whole thing up a bit, the fact remains, that I did all the work to record all this stuf, plan these show, archive this footage, and then cut it up to share with you. I'm not meaning to brag or state the obvious, although this may come off as both, I'm mainly saying, this song is a tribute to my stick-to-itiveness, in a manner simlar to us getting to this point in the first place.

Finally, at the end I attached a bit form the song I played before "Molasses Man," Justin Mills' "All My Life." "All My Life" was hands down the number one song form all our friends at my Open Mic at Portugalia and the quote I borrowed from it for this video applies nicely to this moment in 365 time.

"Now my search is over. And I got time to sit and lose my mind.
I swear I'll lose my mind if I don't keep myself self-occupied.
All my life. All my life. All my life."

I can't think of too many ways better to keep one's self, self-occupied than doing an Operation 365. It's also an incentive to not lose your mind, being so out in the public and all. It's a sorta circular statement, that last phrase from Justin's hit. It's a sorta circular life, especially when you do the same thing each day. Happy Operation 365, everybody.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 265 "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZm9Bn0r4Sk


So I was trying to find a song with the word "100" in it in honor of there only being 100 days left in this here 365 and you'll never guess where that led me. Obviously I have a little thing for pushing things far, arguably too far. It took me a long time to figure out what the song "96 Tears" was and even after I did... that's only 96. I dabbled with Nena's "99 Luftbaloons," but... 99. I found this page on the interweb called, "Songs with numbers in their titles." You can see it here. http://www.allenpagina.com/stuart/lyrics/stnum.htm That led me to "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." I also messed with "The Final Countdown." That song is hilarious.

Speaking of hilarious... or something. I sang "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." All 100. Why? Why am I doing an Operation 365 in the first place? I don;t know. Because I could? Because most people wouldn't? Neither? Both? Maybe all of these. Either way. I think I'll post it double time, although it's fast as.. (for some reason, I try not to curse in my blog. Another mystery.) Yeah, it's fast, but no one;s getting through 9 minutes and thirty seconds of "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." So let's shorten that to less than 5 and go for a drunken ride. Going down the mountain's faster and easier... unless you got bad knees..

NOTE: Wait a minute. The song is "99 Bottles of Beer on The Wall." allenpagina.com lied... and I fell for it. FAhhhhhhhhhkkkkkkkk... Never trust the internet. Ever. Well, my version is "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." Bastards...

If you speed it up, you can't hear what I'm saying... Dilemma... I found a happy medium. I sped it up to 150% instead of 200%. Thank you for playing the Operation 365.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 265 "Might Take More Than Gold"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFBrIPCO7_0


I like this tune for red-letter day 265 of this Operation. Here's why. One, it's a collaboration. My start in music was collaborating with my pal Scotty Baslaw. Writing tunes with Steve is a lot like writing with Scott and that is saying a lot. Steve and I just started writing tune recently, but we are good pals and I have been digging the tunes muchly. Who knows were this will lead. I'm just saying collaboration and friendship are at the heart of who I am creatively and personally and it is nice to share that space with y'all. In fact, I think that's a huge reason I've done all this.

That, and obviously expressing myself. I'm the kind of person who needs to perform. When there is no stage, some other avenues must be uncovered. Voila. I write. I studied history and I like to share my story. I recently finished my 106th composition notebook full of verbiage, and I've written a bunch of other stuff not in those books. Sometimes, I write songs. Other times, thoughts, feelings, opinions, ideas, and beliefs fill my pages. Sometimes you get the chance to share ideas when they are new and I find that to be exciting. The lyrics for "Might Take More Than Gold" were written recently on the penultimate page of my last book with a magenta marker. Yo never know what is going to happen. I believe that was the point. It is what you do and who you are that matters most. Not how much money you have, not what you say you want to do. It's what you do do. I said "do do." Hee hee hee...

Peace

Operation 365... Blog 258

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 264 Jeff Dewine "Dragon Swan Song" 6-27-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HXopuQaSHA


Watching Jeff Dewine play Don Truesdail's opus, "Dragon Swan Song" at the end of 2009's "24 Hours of Free Music" was one of the most emotional moments in my career. It still makes me want to cry watching it right now. I remember the end of the 2008 "24 Hours of Free Music" as a happy, reflective moment of great accomplishment. I was so happy, proud, and exhausted.

2009 was a a very different animal. Don was gone. Robin had been arrested. Lots of people had invested a huge amount of themselves in our scene, and many felt they had a lot coming back to them. Everybody expected nothing but a good time in 2008. They were happy to participate. They were happy to be there. By 2009, a million different agendas had emerged or so it seemed. Many folks were having a hard time hanging in there. By the end of the show the sound man (who will remain nameless) had exploded on me and left in a huff right before The Jefferson Jay Band's set. I was left to pick up the pieces. When Dewine made his way to the stage and surprised everybody with "Dragon Swan Song," that was all I could handle. I sat and tears flowed. I was spent, but more than that I was moved. Hours of work, lots of thankless, I'd been at it since 10AM. It was now close to 2. I was extremely appreciative to Dewine for his thoughtful gesture and still am.

Watching it back now, I can see he slipped a few words (there are thousands) but I never noticed it then. It was beautiful and emotional tribute to our great friend, Don. Joe Khoroosi, a close friend of Don's, sat in violin and played beautifully. At the end of this clip, a very rare 365 appearance was made by my old boss Jason Nascimento. You can see he and I quietly approach the stage and begin to take the curtains down. We ended the show by playing Don's performance form the 2008 "24 Hours of Free Music" in its entirety. We agreed that letting Don finish it off was an appropriate and fitting tribute to the troubadour who had had so many great moments on the stage named in his honor.

Even though 2009 was brutal, and things on that scene were well on their way to falling apart by then, this moment here symbolized the best of what was left at Portugalia in June of 2009. There haven't been any "24 Hours of Free Music" moments since then, but you never know... When you least expect it, that mirage of an oasis in the desert can turn real before your eyes. Before you know it, you're relaxing again with a big audience in a room full of friends who love you at another "24 Hours of Free Music," feeling that same way you felt in 2008. You never know. That's what makes life, life.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 264 "Take This Bottle" by Mike Patton & Billy Gould
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ8nVaNKZ84


Here is "Take This Bottle" from Faith No More's underrated "King For a Day, Fool For a Lifetime" CD. Mike Patton is one of the greatest designers ever and his smooth delivery on this country ballad is appropriate as always. So back at UMASS, where I did my undergraduate raging, Faith No More was one of the bands in the loop. Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Rush, Mr. Bungle, Metallica, King's X, Living Colour. These were the rockin' bands my friends were most likely to be cranking out of their dorm room window. Phish too, but they were different.

I as working on becoming a better singer so I could be in a band with some of these folks back then and when "King For a Day, Fool For a Lifetime" was released I added it to my practice repertoire. There's a lot of fun tunes to sing on this one. "Take This Bottle," in particular is a really cool tune and I had fun doing it.

Shoutouts to Warrington, Deveau, The Amazing Gilcrest, Den, Deek, Rob Clark, and Mattie Steinberg and all the other crazies who partied it up in Greenough way back when. We partied so hard they turned our floor into a Wellness Community. From UMASS's website, "Students committed to a lifestyle free of alcohol and drugs can choose to live in a wellness community. Residents must agree not to use or possess alcohol or any other mood-altering substances." Perhaps they were overreacting. Probably not, though. It made it so we all had to move out. But, boy did we have a lot of fun getting there.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 264 "Dog On My Head (I Did Not Name Nigel, Fred)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AopG6bI0Epc


Operation 365 continues to go where no one has ever gone before; This time, writing a song with a dog on my head. Why no one has ever done this before, I have no idea. Perhaps people are just not creative enough thinkers. Beats me. Anyway, I pave my own way and now I have a song written with a dog on my head to add to my list of impressive achievements. 24 Hours of Free Music (4 times), Operation 365, Master's Degree in History, writing a song with a dog on my head. Seems to fit in perfectly

To most, a cranium canine would serve a distraction. Not I, not Nige, we just get more focused and create our butts off. I am buttless right now and proud to be buttless. Great job to Nigel who performed impeccably as the dog on my head. I think we may even do this again some day. If you find yourself liking dog-headed songs, then I may be well on my way to becoming your favorite artist of all-time. So be it. God bless. I'm glad Nigel's not named Fred.

Operation 365... Blog 257

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 263 Jefferson Jay & Friends "Do You Feel Free?" 12-5-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBZxdm-_4Wc


I was talking to my friend Frank the other day. We go back a long ways. He had been watching some of my videos and he noted that I looked especially happy on the float in the Christmas Parade video he saw, from December 5, 2009. That made me want to revisit that day and this is what I found. More fun. Here we are, rocking out some on the Arc of Clark, made possible in large part by my man, Tim Clark and the good work of Blowski.

Also appearing here on the newly dubbed, Float of Fun, are Wes Davis, Charlotte James on djembe, Barbara Tolbert, and Adrianna Martin-Morningstar. "The General" Justin Mills, piloted said Arc. Here I am blasting out "Do You Feel Free?" A number from my "Red" CD. Tracks from this record can be heard here, http://jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com/album/red or by clicking on the "Red" album cover on the upper right.

The sound is kind of rough, because the speakers are pointed out at the parade enthusiasts and the camera is placed on our makeshift stage. Please forgive our technical malfeasance. It always amazes me when I words I didn't even know I knew, like "malfeasance," come out of me, and then I check and found out I used them right. Marvelous life, ain't it?

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 263 "Clap Hands" by Tom Waits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJS2JqAtk8U


So, yesterday I was busting out my death metal, acoustic cover, the "Mark Mack," or "Miss Mary Mack," or whatever you want to call it. It's that song that little girls would clap hands to, ala, "Pat-A-Cake." After I played that, this beloved Tom Waits track, Clap Hands," popped into my head and the rest quickly became history. I've had of fun playing Tom Waits songs here in the 365. They are usually not that hard. They lend themselves nicely to reinterpretation and they don't seem to have too many chords. At least the ones I've done so far.

Everything's connected, whether it's a couple tunes on the 365 or something more far-reaching. Nothing is irrelevant. Everything matters. How? Why? These days, I'm inclined to go with the answer, "Because."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 263 "Step Back To The Other Side"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-nVG-crHDM


"Step Back To The Other Side" is a tune, my friend Spencer Katzman and I wrote in 1997 for a project we were in at the time, called Elin Tea. Tea is pronounced Tay-Uh. This song is about finding a meaningful way to make a living in the world and maintaining perspective about these things at the same time. Seems very much like I am still pursuing the same truths that I was then. I don't know if my consistency should be re-affirming or if my inability to have moved on to new challenges by now is an indictment of my approach. I will choose to not go with the latter. It is too depressing. Hopefully, I will reach some folks with my positive message when the time is right. I really hope that is soon, because the being poor part of idealistic artistry is getting pretty old. Not to complain. I am very aware that I am blessed and very appreciative, as well.

Operation 365... Blog 256

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 262 Mojitos on Labor Night - Part Two - 9-6-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsA6-xVgeEc


Here is Part Two of fun hanging out with friends at our mojitos party on Labor Night 2010. Thanks to Blowski and the Blowski fam for hosting all these fab bashes last summer. It was truly epic fun. Here is Part Two of our party. This was all filmed, just a little biut after Leanne and I hooked up. I think the camera manages to show our puppy love through the eyes of each other and my trusty camera. Enjoy a unique window into our world of friends circa Summer 2010. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 262 "Mary Mack"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baqNjkjs59U


Here is the popular little girls, clapping game song, "Mary Mack." I remember in 1st, 2nd ,and 3rd grade, I was jealous of my classmates clapping. I wanted in, but as too busy" hating the girls" to show that side of my desire. Boy, am I glad I outgrew that?

So here in 2011, I'm making "Mary Mack" my own. I decided to do it death metal style. For some reason, in death metal, the singers sing like Cookie Monster. I think they think that makes them bad-ass. I respectfully disagree. I think it makes them sound like Cookie Monster. I guess they think it's scary. I would go more with silly, but I guess it's a matter of perspective. Why sing when you can growl? Well, here it is, clap hands if you can to my "Miss Mary Mack"

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 262 "Dawson"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi82sQrU4hQ


"Dawson" is a song I wrote awhile back, about how cool folks named "Dawson" are. I was a huge fan of Andre Dawson, the baseball player, growing up. I liked his combination of power and speed. I liked his nickname, "Hawk," and his rile of an arm. I thought Richard Dawson was an all-time great game show host on Family Feud and his portrayal of the villain in Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The Running Man," made him a performer who could do no wrong in my book.

Later, I grew to appreciate the beauty and talent of Rosario Dawson. I then looked back at Len Dawson's work in light of these other revelations, and found it to be pretty impressive as well. Since then, I've met other impressive Dawsons in all walks of life. Imposter Dawsons, like the show, Dawson's Creek," and this guy, http://www.youtube.com/user/ShaneDawsonTV (real name Sahen yaw) are not as cool, but technically, they are not even really Dawsons. They are merely gravy training on the Dawson name. Shame on you, Shane.

I recorded this fun screenflow vid for Dawson awhile back,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGh7nEdJeOg

It's worth checking out, I'd say. I made some minor alterations for this version of "Dawson," but you can check out the album version at jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com if you wish. Peace y'allses.

Operation 365... Blog 255

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 261 Mojitos on Labor Night - Part One - 9-6-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ighctS_brk


Back in the rocking summer of 2010, we had great times. We had some big bashes. This Mojito party was the cherry on the ice cream sundae that was 2010 summer fun. Here, a whole bunch of us; Nancy Truesdail, Dylan Avery, Soul Man, Paul Ruiz, Wes Davis, Blowski, Patricia Mueller, Adrianna Martin-Morningstar and Leanne Pearl enjoy the end of a summer fun. I wish I had the "Mojitos" song on tape. I would definitely have shared it. It was a classic musical moment of summery fun.

Soon, we will return to our regularly scheduled musical videos, but for a few day, it is nice to hare a unique window into our 2010 world of beautiful amigos. On Labor Night. These were some great times. Cheers.

Return tomorrow for Part Two of Mojitos on Labor Night With The Gang

"Pandas rule. Desk. Chair. Lamp. M&M's?" - Dylan Avery

TAGS: mojitos, Dylan Avery, Soul Man, Paul Ruiz, Wes Davis, Blowski, Patricia Mueller, Adrianna Martin-Morningstar, Jefferson Jay, compoung, party, labor day, labor night, fun

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 261 "Devil In Disguise" popularized by Elvis Presley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4rxaSt86rg


"Devil In Disguise" was a#1 hit in the UK for Elvis. It was written by these folks, Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye. I never heard of 'em. but that doesn't mean they weren't very special people. I made red, so it would seem more devilish. I'm from New Jersey. Our ice hockey team is the New Jersey Devils. I was a fan, until hockey ended. Jimmy Hoffa is buried, legend says, right by where they used to play, back when there was hockey. Hockey ended September 15, 2004. Thanks to wikipedia for their big help in me writing this paragraph.

TAGS: Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye, Jefferson Jay, Elvis Presley, devil, angel, new jersey devils, hockey, ice, strike, nba, nfl, music, red, creepy, hot, dog, puppy

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 261 "Saturn Neptune"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKZh5dBYDdg


"Saturn Neptune' is far out, dude. It's so deep, I'm not even sure what it means. I'm pretty sure Nigel knows. He's my pup. Guest appearances from Paul Ruiz, my bro, and the poochers, Nigel and Angel. Dig it, brosephinos... sisterellas.

TAGS: way out, far out, readical, dude, saturn, neptune, mercury, jupiter, earth, venus, planet, galaxy, space, moon, sun, deep, dog, dish, pizza, Paul Ruiz, trumoet, poocher, dig it, brosephinos, sisterellas

Operation 365... Blog 254

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 260 Chillin' at Blowski's with The Soul Man and Friends 8-28-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUNpEK0TNjA


So in the Summer of 201, we had some really good times. Mostly just hanging out, usually at Blowski's. There was a very good vibe. It was a blast. So I was feeling reflective and i started going back into the archives and looking at little bits I filmed from one of two of these fiestas and I likes what I felt. The good vibe was tangible. It felt warm to me. I am liking sharing songs every day, by great artists who I'm friends with, but I am welcome the opportunity to change it up for a few days here and there and share something different.

I am not claiming that these clips are hilarious, important, or even interesting necessarily, but If you want to see what it's look when a cool group of friends gets together with good intentions and kicks back, you may like this very much

The reason for the season at this bash, August 28, 2010 was a second birthday party for The Soul Man. Why turn 92 once, right? What's the point? The Soul Man, cooked all his mother's traditional Filipino recipes and Blowski was his right hand man. I even went over and rolled a few dozen lumpia the night before. Here, we see The Soul Man, Blowski, The Blowski kitchen, The Blowski sister, Kat Blow) and many other friendly, familiar faces. This August 28 date turned out to be significant for a couple of other reasons. Leanne (my lovely girlfriend, today is her birthday) and I got together that night, She had not arrived at the party yet, and hence, does not appear here. Also, our puppy Nigel was born that day, or so we say. We didn't get him 'til February 4, but that is the day he sprouted.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 260 "I Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - The Proclaimers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPiChTI6F7E


Today is Leanne's birthday. She is 25. She is my special lady and I care about her greatly. I appreciate her patience with this whole 365 thing. Every day, "I've got to do my videos." She is cool about stuff. I asked what tune I could do for her for her birthday and she picked "I Gonna Be (500 Miles)." I said OK. We both sing it like the guy. We went to Barona last night, a hotel and casino nearby. We had a helluva time.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 260 "Gratitude"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNdsTXSyVFg


If I wasn't doing a 365, this is the kind of song I would never share. probably not with anyone. Some songs are just personal, but the 365 does not allow for such luxuries. People have birthdays that need commemorating, and the thoughts just find their way out...

So I was about to pass out a couple of weeks ago. I was exhausted and maybe tipsy and I felt the burst of inspiration. I barely remember. I grabbed for my notebook. No guitar in sight, I wrote this whole song down on four pages in my notebook; chords, lyrics, everything, all of it. It consisted of my raw, feelings about love and my lovely girlfriend Leanne. Today is her 25th birthday.

Midway through the next day, I remembered this happened. So I went back and I looked at what I wrote. I thought it was all right. The next day, the same set of chords popped in my head again, totally separately. Then I finally got around to playing it. I thought it was OK. A few days later, I played it again and then I liked it more. I started playing it every night for a few days before I'd go to sleep. I would sing the words to myself or mumble them softly, because I was embarrassed even to sing them for Leanne 'cause they were so honest, raw and nice in regards to how I feel about here and the insecurities that can come with love. Eventually, her birthday came. It is here now, in fact. I recorded this yesterday and because we got a 365 going on here, it is now here for all to hear. Strange animal, this 365 is. And the same can be said for love, actually.

Yep, so I hope you all enjoy this voyeuristically intimate window into my existence. In the past, I'd write tons of songs, no one would ever hear for every few that get played a bunch. These days, they all get shared. I have "Gratitude" for the love in my life, even though it makes me vulnerable. If you approach love, scared of being hurt, you won't find love at all, only fear. Happy birthday, dear. You have enhanced my life in so many ways. I am very grateful. I love you. Happy birthday Leanne.

Operation 365... Blog 253

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 259 Charbra "Oh Mama" 12-9-2008http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYQYlGRu_2w


Here are my friends' Charbra once again. This was recorded at my Open Mic on December 9, 2008. This is one of Charbra'a fine tunes, "Oh Mama." What's special about this version is that this was the day they wrote the tune. It is a great feeling as a songwriter to come up with a new one, and it very gratifying to get the chance to share that new one with an audience right away. You can see how happy the girls are playing it. It is a nice fuzzy moment that we can all share now. Hooray music!

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 259 "Never Say Goodbye" by Bon Jovi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywH6aoKUJso


So tomorrow is my girlfriend Leanne's birthday. There is a fine line between really nice sweet sentiments and embarrassing yourself with your public professions of love. I am slightly embarassment-proof, but I am not a robot. I am invested in this relationship going as well as it can for as long as possible. It's called love, folks. Anyway, that is why I'm posting to this today and not tomorrow. It's that fine line.

As a New Jerseyite born in the Bon Jovi era, I am a bit of a sucker for these jams. It's not my fault. I was in 7th grade and they were singing about the prom. At the time, that was romantic and exciting to me. I still have a very soft spot for "Never Say Goodbye." Who wants to say goodbye? Not I. Happy Birthday honey at midnight. We're going to the poker table tonight. We haven't left yet, but I'm all in.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 259 "Perspective"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvbfJAu5plg


I've been writing songs all sorts of ways these days thanks to this here 365. I've written a couple with nothing more than a pen and a piece of paper. This one, "Perspective," was written with a multi-colored pencil, all bright in yellow, red, and orange. I scribbled chords and words while Richard Romero and Friends played at John Tafolla's birthday party two weeks ago. I was inspired and I wrote this whole song. I didn't play for week or two, but after I played a couple times, I liked it. This might not be the polished finished version, but it might, It is short and sweet and sometimes, things work well that way. I almost called it "October," but I thought about it and decided "Perspective" was more what the song was all about.

Operation 365... Blog 252

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 258 Charbra "I'm Looking Through You" 12-9-2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yj-9Fcj-8M


Once again, we return to December 9, 2008, my brother and sister's birthday. Here is Charbra singing the Beatles classic, "I'm Looking Through You." I am skyping with my brother now. Kicking it with him and his baby, Jacob. Very cool. Got the Yankees and Angels on MLB.TV. My bro just asked me what I'm doing. I answered, "Watching the Yankees game, hanging with Paul Ruiz, skyping with you, and writing my blog." He said, "It's amazing you don't get paid for any of that." I agree.

Charbra are Barbara Tolbert and Charlotte James, from left to right. They are lovely young ladies. We played with them last Saturday at Destructo Bunny's birthday party. It was good times.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 258 "Walk Like An Egyptian" by Liam Sternberg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wHlMG1Omc


"Walk Like An Egyptian" was a fun song from back in the old days. The Bangles. In fact, I liked their whole "Different Light" album. The 1980's. Much fun. Gosh golly.

I just learned this song is by Liam Sternberg, not The Bangles. Go Sternberg.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 258 "The Happy Side"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4CYWm6FNYk


This is "The Happy Side," from my Red CD. I used to play it a lot, but not so much these days. We played those "Red" tunes all the time for years in the band, and now I don't play them much these days. I change the words to this song almost every time I do it. This time was no exception. I don't have much to say today. I will let the music speak for itself.

Paul Ruiz joins me on trumpet and my brother John and his baby son, Jacob can be heard via Skype.

Operation 365... Blog 251

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 257 Jefferson Jay - "The Juicing Song" - 7-26-2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNhWbHS2Pqo


Here is my number, "The Juicing Song," that I wrote a couple of weeks ago. It is written from the perspective of a guy who loves doing lots of steroids all the time. On this version, I am joined by Paul Ruiz on trumpet. As far as I know, he is not on steroids. Thank you.

NOTE: I reposted this on 8-9-11 (the next day). Occasionally, in the course of doing this every day I leave chunks on the vid that are uninteresting, aka messups. So, here I chopped one off and put it back as was, otherwise. I also went to the dog park.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 257 "Arrid Extra Dry Commercial" circa 1985 by Unknown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO2zw4svsQw


I have no idea who write this song and I would be shocked if you do. If so, please tell me. Yes, this is the jingle from the "Arrid Extra Dry Commercial" of the 80's. Here is a link to it from 1985.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucppC0OlmWU

I was feelin' it today. What can I tell ya. I've never used the stuff, but the jingle is catchy. I jammed out on it a little.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 257 "Between the Lines"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUeVK3LPce8


"Between the Lines" is a dark song I wrote a week or two ago. I've been procrastinating finishing it and posting it some, because it makes me sad, a little. I know a number of folks right now who are going through some really tough at times in their personal relationships. I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to not be in those circumstances myself. (Love you, honey.) It is very tough, almost hopeless at times. This song is about those times.

Just over a week ago, I was getting out of my van, The Tealmobile, and I had this idea that I should write a Tom Petty inspired-song. I love his music and he seems like a down to earth and likable fellow. I am writing lots of songs those days so I am seeking my inspiration in a wide variety of ways. Then, the "Between the Lines" hook popped in my head and I built the rest around that. "Between the Lines" is about a love that is clinging together by a thread for public purposes, but in reality is a dead man walking. Sad. Sorry. Cheerier tunes await, most assuredly.