Operation 365... Blog 304

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 310 Destructo Bunny "Zendontro" 9-15-11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBnwQGf3LfI


So from a visual perspective, this may not be the most interesting video that I've posted. From an emotional perspective, it has got to be one of the best. This one of the best moments of a truly wonderful night of music at Winston's on September 15, 2011. Destructo Bunny was really excited about the positive vibe in the room that night. Although he returned to San Diego early this year, the vibe at this show made him feel like he was finally back in Ocean Beach.

When the Bunny lived her before, he recorded a CD called "The Outta Body Experience," or "The OB Experience" for short. He had a few friends record support tracks for him including myself, Jason Burleson, and my man, Don Truesdail. Don went over James; (The Bunny's real name, James Deans) house are recorded some tracks from a tune of his called "Hemophilia." "Hemophilia" is an awesome song, Don write. James was going to do a whole hip hop remix thing on it but after Don died, he remixed in a pretty straightforward acoustic manner.

When James set started that night, I noticed he began with the intro from his "OB Experience" CD. I thought it was an interesting choice, considering, he more or less just hits play and lets it run. It set the mood nicely though and anybody who is familiar with James CD, I'm sure would recognize it. I did.

Near the end of the set, James called me up on stage. We had a nice moment, which you can see here. James then concluded his set with the version of "Hemophilia," from the end of his CD, which he titled "Zendontro." It was a wonderful feeling to hear Don's voice and Don;s music crashing through the sound system at Winston;s to an audience including many of his friends including his wife Nancy. You could tell she really appreciated. What a brilliant and poetic artistic gesture. It was terrifically appropriate with the great vibe already in the mood that night and I wanted to use this forum to share this here with you. People die, love never does. It if for friends and loved ones to carry on these legacies, particularly, when the friend is an artist.

Our friend, Dylan Avery, can be seen in the video getting all kinds of god shots of the stage. My video is filmed form my stationary camera in the back of the room. It is not as visually stimulating. The good news is, in exchange, for me hanging out with his adorable poochie, Gordo for a fortnight, he filmed and put together some really cool footage from this show. I wil taking this opportunity to share it here with you.

www.youtube.com/iamdylanavery
Winstons - 9/15/11 - Destructo Bunny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Of7TnoCvg

Winstons - 9/15/11 - Jefferson Jay Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq3PF6VHIaU

Winstons - 9/15/11 - Charbra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbrgdopnUoE

Winstons - 9/15/2011 - Some Guy, Melissa Eisler, Brett Walling, Charbra, Destructo Bunny, JJB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uObTzHTtX8

Winstons - 9/15/2011 - Jefferson Jay Band - Long Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqApZQzanyI

Enjoy. Peace. Love and Hail Truesdail.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 310 "Tusk" by Lindsey Buckingham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpHdi8K05xA


When it became cover time today, I was thinking my buddy Chris Scelzo's song, "Time Can't Fade," would be a great one to play. I tried it a few times, but considering my main exposure to the song occurred between 22 and 15 years ago. I grew a respectable musical taste in the passenger seat of Chris's Hyundai. We would drive on late night diner missions and wherever else and he would school with tunes he loved, usually from the 70s, on cassettes in his messy ride.

There was Jethro Tull, The Kinks, and a lot of Fleetwood Mac. Old Fleetwood Mac quite often. He would enthusiastically pound his steering wheel to the infectious rhythms of "Tusk," Fleetwood Mac's 1979 album of the same name. There were tons of rockin' music and great memories. All these lessons would be reinforced through acoustic sing-along jam sessions, with staples like, "Ziggy Stardust," "Bell Bottom Blues," "Sweet Home Alabama," and The Travelling Wilburys' "Handle With Care." What great memories. I love Chris and hope I squeeze in "Time Can't Fade," before this 365 is over. The song was great then and the sentiment stand strong today.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 310 "Size Matters Not"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwxpr0pskcw


I'm proud to have Yoda backing me up today's future hit, "Size Matters Not." Things can get mundane when doing the same thing 310 days in a row. Playing guitar. Singing a song. Recording videos. posting them. All that. So today, I changed it up a little. I like thumping on guitar. It is a hollow wooden box, so when you tap on it, cool sounds can come out. One can produce many different tones when thumping a guitar. So today, I went that and did my own thing. It's not "Stairway to Heaven," granted, but neither is "The Rain Song." And I don't think that's bad. Music, life, people like life, comes in all shapes and sizes.

Operation 365... Blog 303

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 309 Chimney Fish "Intervention" 12-6-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq__hLPWqjI


Another wonderfully long day winding down. Today's archive is Chimney Fish from 12 Hours of Free Music, December 6, 2008, Blowski's birthday. Great young gentlemen, these Chimney Fish. I'm happy that they're my friends. This is a song by their frontman, Brett Walling called "Intervention." Enjoy!

Chimney Fish also featured Andy Davis, on drums, Jeff Shaefer on lead guitar, Luke Oskam on bass and honorary Chimney Fish member, The Soul Man on guiro. "I play with everybody." "Nobody plays like me." Two quotes there from the Man of Soul.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 309 "Hush, Little Baby" - Traditional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ECqozYGR9E


Slightly burnt out on the Covers component of the Operation 365. I never even liked playing covers that much. I can never remember them still. The reason, well two reasons I stuck covers into this 365 here was two get more people interested by playing songs they know and to maybe get myself more into playing covers. People DO like them.

Well, now I've played one 309 days in a row. Thank God for the brevity of "Hush, Little Baby," a sweet, little, down home, lullaby. "Gkhuh-gkhuh-gkhuh!" - Roscoe P. Coltrane

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 309 "Andino"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgzb-VCl7Tk


Did I think I'd be writing a song about Robert Andino here today? Definitely not. Well, I love this man. I read everything readable about the Red Sox historic collapse today. The biggest collapse in the history of baseball. I loved every second of it and I love Robert Andino because without him, none of this would be possible. Andino, I owe you one. Consider this song a down payment. Keep smiling.

Operation 365... Blog 302

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 308 Ean Greene "Sacrifice" 4-20-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvyn7rfM0i0


L'shanah Tovah! In honor of the Jewish New Year, I decided I would try to post a video form one of the Jewish stars of my Open Mic. So, pretty quickly, that limited me to two. Melissa Eisler is still trying to keep her mug off the interent and Im respecting it, so who does that leave
That's right folks, the man with the best name in the business. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeean Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene! That's how I used to say it, back in the day. It's pronounced Ian, but I mispronounce it "een" or "ine" as in tangerine, and so forth. Ine.

I briefly toyed with the notion of posting the 2nd song form Blair and Kymythy's set at this 4-20-2010 show here. I have already posted the first song. It is Blair's birthday today. Blair is currently making the magic happen in the world of Seattle radio. Anyway, he and his lady sang, "Don't Bogart That Joint," and he lit a very jointish looking thing on fire. Must have been a stage joint... I felt the 365 might be better off with that footage left on the Cutting Room Floor. Happy Birthday Blair.

So, here is Ean Greene, from my final Open Mic ever at Portugalia. How great is it that my new Open Mic is (tonight) at a place called The Reunion. Couldn't be more apropos. The vibe is back and I couldn't be happier. My boss is even appreciative. It's been years. It is almost too good to be true.

Finally, it would be remiss to post a song called "Sacrifice," on a day like today without sending a huge, appreciate, and loving shout-out to all the folks occupying Wall Street, in a selfless attempt to save America and Americans from the epidemic of unchecked greed. I'm sure it's not easy out there. You're doing your country proud.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 308 "Shelter From The Storm"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrY6o1wpQgI


"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."

L'shanah tovah. Happy Rosh Hashanah to everyone out there. In honor of the Jewish New Year, I am posting a song by the artist formerly known as Robert Zimmerman. Bob must be proud today, as America appears to have lifted its head from its ass as Americans are finally standing up down on Wall Street against a capitalist monstrosity that got out of control so very long ago. As unarmed protestors are sprayed by police lieutenants with pepper spray in clear view of rolling cameras, I say it is this broken system that best seek shelter. Yes, they still hold all the guns and all the money, but their injustice has been outed like Clay Aiken.

Yes, that's right, anybody who has not been blinded by their own greed can see, that things aren't right in America and haven't been for some time. The closer we look, the easier it will be to see what is wrong. People are waking up. They are beginning to act and as an American, I haven't been this proud in over a decade. If America is the great nation we have all been brainwashed to believe it is, that its constituents will continue to step up in the manner seen here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI

On America, the outcome remains untold. It is great to see people care and are willing to stand up against unchecked corporate greed and for human rights, equality, justice in peaceful protest. Saul Alinsky, Martin Luther King J, and Mohandas Gandhi are all smiling on America now, Which is great. We can use all the help we can get. hope feels good. So is seeing that people care and they're not gonna stand for being stepped on anymore.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 308 "Occupy Wall Street (A Solidarity Song)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8YB1KMtqWQ


I was so proud of my fellow Americans when I turned on my Facebook yesterday and saw in my news feed several posts about the protests on Wall Street and the police brutality that naturally followed them. I was equally proud when I saw a news report in the mass media, no less, that called this for exactly what it was, disgraceful behavior against peaceful protestors by the NYPD.

Part of me lamented that people didn't care anymore and Americans were just gonna sit idly by while the ultra-rich greed monsters in our world took everything for themselves shamelessly and soullessly. Apparently, that's not the way, it's going to go down. Thank God! So I offer "Occupy Wall Street/A Solidarity Song)" as a token of my appreciation and respect for the patriotic sacrifice that these protestors are making.

I wish to offer a point of clarification. I am not against rich people. I hope this song doesn't make it seem like I am. It may, but I'm not. What I am against though is anyone who feels entitles to 15 houses, 80 cars, 20 boats, while other people struggle and starve. I believe we are all equal and we are all one. I don;t believe everybody should have the same amount exactly, but I do believe, like I said, that it is morally wrong for such extreme disparty to exist. I believe the way the ultra-rich have stolen so much for themselves and now whine like babies at the mere thought of having to pay an equal % of their taxes, is disgusting.

So I made this little D-C-G number up as a token of solidarity, love and respect, to everyone protesting, everyone who thought their disapproval of the status quo made them a freak, anyone who posted or re-posted video of the police brutality in New York City and even the members of the mass media, who felt these actions for hideous enough that they deserved to be covered fairly. Hope is back in America. This kind of thing comes from citizens, those of us effected by daily events, not from politicians who take bribes and seek re-election.

Operation 365... Blog 301

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 307 Jefferson Jay Band "Gypsy Roll/Avalon" 9-15-11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRVZw6HPmYo


So, here is another clip from The Jefferson Jay Band set at the Winston's gig, 9-15-11. If you read my spiels regularly, you know I was very pleased with the overall vibe at that show. So was Destructo Bunny. He said it was the best show he played all year and he's been working hard. He's played a lot of awesome shows. So I appreciated what he said a lot. I know where he was coming from. It is a good feeling outside at the which makes a good feeling inside you . You then put that energy back into the show, cause it feels so good, but you get to take that good feeling with you into the world also, when the show is past.

I was so focused on making that show the best it could be, by the time our set came, I couldn't even think. I could only play. Therefore, I can hardly remember his happening. I have no idea what the Bunny said or how it went. I still don't. I've been working hard. Taught high school chemistry from 7AM, recorded the videos quick, took the dogs to the park with Leanne, volunteered teaching guitar at the ARTS Center, then had rehearsal. I am posting this at 9:02 and need to be at Leanne's to eat, with her and her papa by 9:19. I love this life. You really gotta keep moving sometimes. It is fun from time to time... So I am saving watching this for another time. I remember it was memorable. How could it not be? The Bunny sitting in with the JJB. Much love, at the very least. It's there somewhere in my mind. I look forward to rediscovering it whenever it is I do.

The Jefferson Jay Band is Leanne Pearl on drums, Richard Romero on bass, Paul Ruiz on trumpet, and Soul Man on guiro, and me.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 307 "Stand" by R.E.M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP5HzRpnHSE


Occasionally in the course of a day of subbing Chemistry, the internet tends to get searched. So, through this I learned R.E.M. broke up last week. "Stand" was the first R.E.M. song I heard and really liked. I still do. I didn't buy that CD, but I did get the next three. The first two, "Out of Time," and "Automatic For The People," I loved. They had a profound impact on me but it would be difficult to explain beyond that. I eventually bought "Green," the CD with "Stand" on it. I liked "Stand," Orange Crush," and You Are the Everything" a lot on it.

I saw R.E.M. in 1998. It was the day my mom got married for the third time. To Bobby Brown. I was also Game One of the Yankees and the Padres in the World Series. I didn't even live in San Diego yet. I participated in neither of those. I was at Neil Young's Bridge School benefit concert with Neil, R.E.M., and Phish. I was still pretty hugely into Phish at that time. They sat in with Neil on a beautiful moving version of "Helpless." I got to wrap up. It's 9:12.

I wish R.E.M. in their future endeavors. Thanks for the great music. I'd be shocked if they don't play another gig within five years, health (of course) permitting.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 307 "Ma Petite Angel"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkCz7FMwEic


This is a long story to tell fast. I went to Europe in 2000. 2001? One or the other. 2001. I took a train from London to France. Angel was a baby. She was in SD. I wrote this tune in French. Wound up playing it at an Open Mic in Paris that night with French musicians. Got paid even and spent the dough at the adjacent restaurant. It was one of the best meals I ever ate. Fish and rice. Awesome French cuisine. I loved France. "Ma Petite Angel," is about Angel and how she is my best friend and I love her. She is almost 12 now and I love her more than ever.

I had another french girl help me pick the right words. I haven't played "Ma Petite Angel" in awhile, so I think I biffed a word or two. It's French...

Here's what I was trying to say in French and English.

J’adore ma petite Angel
Parce qu’elle est ma meilleure amie
Et je l’adore

J’adore ma petite Angel
Elle est joli comme cent arc-en-ciel

Quand je voyage a travers
Les contres colores de l-Europe
Mon Coeur reviens a toi seul

J’adore ma petit Angel
Parce qu’elle est ma belle chienne noire
Et je l’adore

I love my little Angel
Because she is my best friend
And I love her
I love my little Angel
She has the beauty of 1000 rainbows
As I travel through the colorful fields of Europe,
My heart belongs to you alone.
I love my little Angel
Because she is my good black dog
And I love her

9:19

Operation 365... Blog 300

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 306 Charbra "Oh Mama" 9-15-11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOtQBE1Dfno


A couple weeks back, I posted Charbra's first ever version of their tune, "Oh Mama." In fact, I believe they wrote it earlier that very day in 2008. Today, I am posting their most recent live version of the same tune. I have a special attachment to the number, as it was I got to play in the side project shared by Charbra, myself, and Justin Mills, known as The Greens of Mind.

It was a special night at Winston's a few weeks back, September 15, 2011. Everyone was in great spirits and played wonderfully. There was hope in the air that our wondrous sub-culture could rejuvenate it self and who's to say its not doing just that. My first Open Mic, last Wednesday was a rousing success and I know when would-be regulars, Charbra, Melissa Eisler, and Destructo Bunny join the party this week, it's only going to get that much more raucous. I can't wait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7KSkZxt_zo

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 306 "With or Without You" by U2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxHDwsZ_d28


Everybody loves U2. Do they? I do. I mean you, too. I love you too. Do you undertand what I'm saying. I love you too. Yes, me and you. I do. You. I love you. Thank you. U2. "With or Without You?" Yes. That too. Phew.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 306 "Cowboys vs. Rex Grossman (A Celebration Song)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsB38Z4XPGc


So my CD release is 11-11-11. I need to finish the CD. It's been mostly done for a year, but now its time to make the final tweaks, the improvements you can only make after a year of not listening. So I went over to JT's. It's Monday night and the Cowboys are playing the Redskins, but duty calls, and this CD needs to get done.

I go to JTs. We listen to "Good Graces," the first song on the album. We do a few things to dial it in. We catch up. It takes awhile. we spent a lot of time dialing in those mixes. We're not about to do too much haphazardly. To do much at all, is possibly doing too much.

So I get back in the car, and hope to tune in to the last few minutes of the game or something. Hopefully, the Cowboys aren't down by too much. They say these 2-0 Redskins may be pretty god. I haven't been paying them too much attention. It's been years since they were anything to notice. They've been bad. So have we. There's not question. So I get into my car ans turn the radio on. I'not gonna lie. I taught Kindergarten today. I was a little foggy. I heard them say, "That Dan Bailey is a revelation. The Cowboys lead 18-16. He is 6 for 6 on field goals for the day." What?!?, I thought. The Cowboys are leading... Out of the mist, I thought I heard, Rex Grossman has the chance to lead 'em back..."

I thought I must be dreaming. I couldn't have heard that right. It was too good to be...

"Rex Grossman has the chance, plenty of time, 1:40 left on the clock..." No way. Rex Grossman was really the quarterback for the Washington Redskins and the Cowboys had the lead, at home, with 1 minute and 40 seconds to go. Wake me. This can't be happening. I turned and listened. A loss of yards. A completion. I thought, "We are definitely going to win. They have Rex Grossman. I couldn't ask for a better... Complete confidence." Rex fumbled. Anthony Spencer. ANTHONY! SPENCER! (I wrote a paper as a freshman at The University of Massachusetts in 1993 purporting that my Cowboys and the Cowboys destinies are somehow linked.)

Rex fumbled. Rex Grossman ("not a Jew" - Adam Sandler, 1994) fumbled. Cowboys took over on downs. Won without scoring a touchdown. Tony Romo kneeled down on the field at Cowboys Stadium. Apparently, they played bad, I didn't see a second of it. I just caught what I needed to catch. Things are turning round nicely. I had a great day today. Everything feels right. Enjoyed an IPA or two with Justin Mills before the studio. Discussed how unpredictable life always is. Reflected. It as beautiful. We smiled.

It's a gift to be alive. I was psyched driving down the road. back into Ocean Beach celebrating. Drifting past the Redskins fans on Bacon St., at Winston's the home to all the Redskins fans in town. Kids in Chris Cooley jerseys, looking down. I was basking. Life is a triumph, somehow.

Did I mention that Redskins was the most racist name in sports?

Perhaps, I have a unique sense of humor...

Operation 365... Blog 299

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 305 Justin Mills "Pick Me Up" 12-11-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOm6z65osYM


So I finished with my Don Truesdail clips yesterday. Where does one go after that. Well, back to 2008, naturally. Back to Justin Mills. Justin Mills is alive and well, but he doesn't play music in public anymore, so if you want to enjoy his awesome songwriting, for now, here is the one-stop place to do so. Continuing, with the ideal of public service, I am going to put more than a half-hearted effort, three-quarters hearted maybe, in to sharing at least one version of every awesome Justin Mills song I have, just so the material is out there.

Here is Justin's song, obscure even by his standards,, "Pick Me Up." I always liked this one, kind of like the rest of them. Here Justin is joined by Wes Davis on percussion. Great times. 2008. What an awesome time.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 305 "Down The Corner" by John Fogerty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=537_KWPT99k


John Fogerty's tunes, there's just something likable about 'em. He is like Tom Petty in that way. It was fun to play "Down The Corner." When I was first figuring out guitar, that little riff in this tune, was one of the catchy things I liked to play over and over. I was reading that thre was a whole concept around this "Willy and The Poorboys" line he talks about in the song. I guess Credence Clearwater Revival pretended to be another band called Willie and The Poorboys. I guess they even played on Ed Sullivan like that. I like fun stuff like that. Yeah, Team Creative.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 305 "Dance, Trans"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uo4iILX2D4


This one was fun. I named this "Dance, Trans" 'cause those are the first two words I say. I had been playing these chords for a bout a week now, since a busted them out when I was jamming with my neighbor Rafi. It was a fun jam. Then, I made up a second part in the last couple days. I wanted to stick some words to it, but I also wanted to play them separately so I could focus on each part completely as I played it. Thanks to the program Screenflow, I could make this so.

I played the guitar part on iMovie, my program of choice, because it's easy, with energetic contributions form my dog Angel, my pal Josh, and a couple planes. Then I knew I needed lyrics so I decided I'd walk over to my giant wall of words, (first time I've ever called it that) and picked out the first thing I could reach when I walked over. It was even sticking out. That made it easy. I opened up a spiral notebook form probably 1996 or 97. In those days I was taking a poetry class from a guy named Jim Dodge at Humboldt State University. He had some pretty rigid ideas on what good writing was. I disagreed with them in theory although I appreciated what he was saying.

Dodge believed if the reader could understand the thoughts of the writer exactly as the author intended, that it was poor writing. I felt this left no room for interpretation and for people to apply things to their own lives in their own way. Why expect any two people to think the same thing ever was how I saw it. We are all different. So I expressed my feelings on this matter in a thing I wrote called "Babylon and Poetry." It wound up becoming a pretty cool, funky song in my acoustic band, Elin Tea. Well, I found some words I was writing right before I wrote what we would call "Poetry," for short and these were some of the ideas I had leading up to that synthesis of the whole thought train.

I have books and books full of this sort of stuff, Thoughts. feeling, opinions, ideas, beliefs, life lessons, lyrics... all that. This was the first time I gave it a go. I hope you like my song "Dance, Trans."

I just decided I am going to type all these lyrics out for your enrichment and/or enjoyment. I got one or two wrong, so here they are right.

Dance, trans, kick him in the pants
Believing in the freedom of the rhythm and his rants
Time, crime, it's true it's by design
The leader and the legions, they have yet to be aligned

The pace of the chase, it is slow but it is going
The chance we all decree, it's instrumental that we're knowing
Who, true, is the villain of this view
The dark and evil spirit softly driving me and you

Tax, fax, take your money and relax
The apparition's mission is to lull you with his axe
Sedate, inebriate will bring our government to glory
While we're drowning in oppression as our children hear the story

The bloody lovers bathe ove wine
The cold and dawning cave rears a spine
Injection and subjection to the vein
The self-defeating apathy disdain
Attack me if you can with your arcane
word games

Operation 365... Blog 298

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 304 "All You Need Is Love/Scarborough Fair/Canticle/Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcnHFMPz5AQ


Long story. So in the last week I've shared Don Truesdail's set from October 27, 2008 at The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, CA in the Archives. This was my first offering of the Acoustic Evenings at The Athenauem Series. Many amazing artists performed in this Fall 2008 series including Jenn Grinels, Sene Africa, Will Edwards, Hugh Gaskins, Rhythm Turner and Robin Henkel. It was awesome. That first go -round, I was orchestrating jams in which all the performers joined each other on stage for a number at the end of the show. Don was intrigued by the possibilities here and arranged a really cool medley of these tunes, "All You Need Is Love/Scarborough Fair/Canticle/Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," two Beatles tunes (Lennon/McCartney) and a Traditional song, popularized a generation ago by Simon & Garfunkel.

Don weaved them together. Interesting to me, it was, that he decided I should play mandolin for this musical exercise. I went with it. I didn't really play mandolin, but I did own one and Don seemed confident I could do it, so I tried. Since his passing, I've picked up several instrument and I cite his influence as the reason why. We spent an entire weekend day rehearsing prior to the show, working on harmonies and parts over and over and over again. Eventually, we broke the mandolin somehow and our attempt to Gorilla Glue back together were a comical, Keystone Kops adventure. Eddie at Mark's Gutar Exchange got us a new nut and set us back on track. Things went smoothly from then, until...

Don and Nancy were early and eager. Carlos came later and cranky. Mary was Mary. Carlos and Mary, who happen to share a birthday, got coffee and came back refreshed. They were willing to do the medley, but didn't approach with the same professional hunger, Don desired. Don didn't say anything, but Nancy said afterward, he was unpleased. He spent a lot of time and took it seriously and felt that they went through the motions.... or something like that. I think perhaps he had unreasonable expectations, but he just wanted it be great. He believed it could be. Maybe with a rehearsal, it would have. But, it was still cool, Mary stumbled over the recorder cord. We put or arms around each other and swayed back and forth. It was a fine end to a fun show, if you ask me, although I admit I have re-watched it yet.

These Athenaeum clips are the last things I have of Don that I haven't seen, so even as I've prepared and posted them over the last week, I haven't watched any of the songs straight through. I practice delayed gratification and once I watch these clips, then they're all gone. So, I'll probably watch this one, just to make sure no one will be too upset with me sharing this performance, but I'm going to do it regardless. There are no more Don Truesdail videos to use instead and the folks who love the Don should have the chance to to enjoy and welcome in to their heart, the footage I'm blessed to share.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 304 Jefferson Jay Band "Amethyst" - 9-15-11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHoVrE_Oo4A


The archives today take us Winston's Beach Club last Thursday night, September 15, 2011. My Jefferson Jay band opened up with "Amethyst," a tune I initially wrote for the 365 several months ago. It was an amazing night of friendship and music, a throwback to the types events I share in the Archives here daily. Dylan Avery can be seen filming the band. He has put together some clips that show how fancy we are. You can see them here:

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

That is the long version of them. The short version is still coming. I can't wait. Obviously Dylan's footage will be a hunk more exciting. That's the whole point, but here is taste of the grace we displayed on stage at our funfest at Winston's that Thursday, a fortnight ago.

The Jefferson Jay Band (NYSE: JJB) is yours truly on guitar and vocals, Leanne Pearl on drums, The Soul Man on guiro, Paul Ruiz on trumpet and Richard Romero on bass. I love these days.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 304 "Rex the Tune"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQM-NNHZOtE


"Rex the Tune" is a song off my first CD "Great Story," which you can check out here,

http://jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com/album/great-story

if you're so inclined. The title, "Rex the Tune" has two meanings. One, is that or old bass player at the time I wrote it, Rex, was amazing slapping and popping on the bass. "Rex the Tune" gave him a great opportunity to do so, so I named it after him. When "The Funky One" Damon Stoll joined the band, the same concept applied.

The other name, the more literal one as it pertains to the tune is, "Rex" means "king" in some language, Latin, I think, and this song is about the fact that nature is king in our world. The mountain, the ocean, the river, these are all houses of worship, fr anyone truly grateful to have this awesome planet as our home. Each of these environs shows us how to act in this world if we look at it that way. They lead quietly and by example. They selfless, strong, unemotional, consistant and strikingly beautiful. They are our home and they are a reflection of what we can be if we choose to be our best selves.

This "Great Story album version features, Pete Kelly on guitar, Phil Palmejar on drums, Damon Stoll on bass, The Soul Man on guiro, and maybe even one of two other people. (There were no other people. I checked.) Back in those days, I laid the tracks on the album real thick. Come to think of it, I still do. The footage came from a trip to cliffs out by my house that I made with the pooches Angel, in black, and Nigel, the other day. We explored the ocean. I played a song. This is a blessed life we live. I am humbled to be allowed to do it. Each day is a marvel and a gift. Thanks and appreciation are always appropriate. Whatever gave us life, also gave us nature to sustain and amaze us and that is a generous gift. In the end of this song, the narrator returns to nature. The last verse goes,

"Time to lead me to the heavens
I’ve put it out there now I’m heading home
Time to rest and be with God now,
While nature has been throwing you the throne.

You, the throne."

Operation 365... Blog 297

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 303 Don Truesdail "Hello Nancy" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBhdSGAv_KE


What a pleasure it is to teach. Actually teaching people stuff is a rewarding feeling like no other. Unfortunately what I often do is babysit students who have no desire whatsoever to be in the room, much less try to learn anything. At that point, it's still a job, but a far different one than the title, teacher, would indicate. The reason I write this here is because Don was a teacher too. He and I spent may hours discussing the pros and cons of the profession and all involved in trying to break into it.

Good intentions typically get beat out of you within your first few years trying to break into the business. It is a business, like any other, and petty politics and negative nellies conspire to drain all the love from what you once thought was such a righteous and upstanding ideal. This is life. Don sings about his sort of perversion of morality in many of his songs. He didn't like it. He didn't accept it. Like many of us, he was forced to work around us and like very few of us, he did something to fight back against these insidious norms.

What he did was he wrote songs. He detailed all kinds of things that he thought were not right. And he was an artist about. He told through stories, through characters. He told with a sarcastic smile and he told it, irate at the injustice. It was all under control though. It was music. These were songs. Where would songwriters be without them? In jail? Homeless? Insane? They are gifts for our subconscious and from our subconscious to the world They come out of us when whatever's in there can't stay inside us anymore.

Don was a hero 'cause he did this. So may people just accept they things they can't stand about the world. resigned to do whatever it is they feel they have to to get by. Getting by is a bare minimum. Life, like these songs, is a gift and even when there is crap clogging the roads, we need to get out and walk, or drive, or build a tank to get down these roads with a smile and a purpose, or otherwise, how is life worth living?

Don is a hero to me, personally, 'cause I know him as a man. I know how loving, clever, protective, and thorough he was. Extremely well-intentioned to. I look up to him and follow his example every day. Don is hero to the rest of the world because because he excavated his mind and heart and soul to share his cares, concerns, thoughts and feeling with the rest of the world as well. He could have just kept it to himself. No, he couldn't. He was songwriter and not just any songwriter, but The Parlor City Bard. My man, Truesy-Wuesy!

I wrote that whole rant at school, before I even knew which song Don played. Hello Nancy" was Don's closer at The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla, where this was filmed by Don's wife Nancy. It is the opener on Don's 1st CD, "Dasvidanya Binghamton, Hello Nancy." It was also an opener, of sorts, and Don courtship of Nancy, as it was the first song he ever wrote for her. You can get your hands one of these at www.truesdailstudio.com. Nancy, a heroine in her own right, took up the enormous chore of producing Don's three full-length CDs since his passing. She and I have recently started working on Don's 3rd CD, "Schmoozetales." Their love and particularly they treated Nancy, both when she was and wasn't around, schools me daily and the way a woman should be treated. Without the time I spent so close to their life-affirming adoration, I highly doubt I would one year into a relationship with a woman I love so much.

Thanks again Don, for all the life lessons, all the good times, and all the schooling. Always.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 303 "How Will I Know?" - Whitney Houston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inByIXvbAu4


wikipedia told me, "How Will I Know?" is really by "George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, the song was originally intended for Janet Jackson, but she passed on it. Houston then recorded the song with altered lyrics and production from Narada Michael Walden." I wanted to make sure they got proper credit.

One of the trickier conundrums in covering love songs is the whole "he" and "she" thing. A woman sings a song, she says "he," a guy sings a song, he says "she." As for me, well, these things confuse me, so sometimes I just sing the song however it goes. Once in awhile, I may change the pronouns, but then, the next thing you know, you're flipping he's and she's and saying both and making the whole ting even more confusing. So, for today's "How Will I Know," I stuck with "he."

It is probably the girl in me that made me like this song so much in 6th grade anyway. Those days, Chicago (80's weepy love song Chicago, not 70's cool horns Chicago), "We Built This City," and Billy Ocean's "When The Going Gets Tough," were my idea of awesome songs. "Mad About You," by Belinda Carlisle and "The Theme to St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" also really got me going, so I think you can see the theme here. I wasn't very bad-ass as a 12-year old.

Only on the 365, can you get The Ramones one day, and Whitney Houston the next. Here and only here. Now and only now. Enjoy it.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 303 "Smile, Child"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4OlWsdlTD4


I hit record today and I really liked what came out. C minor, Fm, Bb, G, I believe. "Smile, Child" was born. She is a positive child. To get through the days at school, sometime I read crap on the internet. Mostly, but not always, it is sports crap. Sometimes amidst the crap, I find a perspective worth absorbing. Today, somehow, that belonged to Brad Pitt. In an article that was probably only printed in the New York Post (Yankee coverage) because he (sort of) talked smack on Jennifer Aniston, Brad said this,

Pitt meanwhile talked at length about his activism with Jolie, including their adopting kids from around the world.
“I’ll tell you why: I hit the lottery -- the whole cliché of moving to Hollywood and getting paid silly amounts of money,’’ he said. “I’ve traveled the world and seen mothers and babies dying because they don’t have a 30-cent treatment that is available in industrialized nations.
“I feel like I have to share whatever I can. You’re culpable if you don’t act.”
Parade asked Pitt why he and Jolie adopted kids from Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam instead of the United States.
“I can’t place the importance of one child over that of any other,” he replied. “I have seen children suffer far beyond what we experience in America -- like our oldest daughter [Zahara]. I know she would not be alive [if she hadn’t been adopted]. I know what care was available to her, and it was nil.
“I guess I just don’t see America as separate from Vietnam or Ethiopia.
“This mentality of our team’s better than yours -- it’s a high school idea. My kids don’t see those dividing lines, and I don’t want to either.”

I agree, with these statements, Brad. It's good someone as famous as you are, is saying them in public. If you want to read more, including all that Jennifer Aniston crap, go here, but I probably wouldn't bother. Maybe if you're really bored. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/marriage_to_jen_the_pitts_brad_uR0t64ywfqUGX5wIWtEh3N#ixzz1YoHX4wQh

Interesting to me is the fact that Brad is talking 'cause his new movie "Moneyball," hits theaters today. "Moneyball" is the first movie coming out based on a book I actually read (In fairness, I think I only got to like, page 128) in roughly 15 years. You got me. I don't read books too much...

To speak the language of books or the language of the people of the world. It's a choice we all have to make. Be right or be now. You decide. Right now, I'm tired.

Operation 365... Blog 296

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 302 Don Truesdail "The Torch Song" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqrjuAzfb1M


Much of Don Truesdail's music can be viewed through a different lens in light of his passing in January 2009. Every phrase about or reference to death, the great beyond, or anything of that nature elicits extra scrutiny and consideration. Of course, he couldn't have been expected to know what would happen when we wrote, but all the same, tunes like "The Torch Song," in which Don begins the lyric with line "Pass along the family torch to Amy (his sister)," tempt a tear every time they're listened to intently.

In the days and weeks that followed Don's death, I heard "The Torch Song" many times and each time the cruel irony and him singing a song that could so easily be interpreted as if it was meant for that very occasion was heartbreaking. Don was moving to California from his home in upstate New York, and was singing about being far from his loving family. That said, lines like "I don't know how far I'll take our name," just seem too prophetic sometimes to be random.

Don may have had a feeling he'd never get real old. My best friend from high school, Tony, used to tell me all the time he was going to die on his 21st birthday. He died one month shy of 18. It seems morbid but maybe some people just know. Maybe these things are manifested, in part. It's impossible to say.

I know Don used his songs to address the issues that matter most to him. He thought long and hard about every word he chose, every beat, every note, and probably almost every implication. His body of work is packed with wit and wisdom. He was not doing this just for fun and certainly for its financial benefits. It just makes you think, a lot, all the time. Enjoy Don. It's a blessing that we can.

This performance was filmed by Nancy Truesdail, Don's wife, at The Acoustic Evenings at The Athenaeum Series on October 27, 2008. I promoted this series at The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, in La Jolla, CA, months after finishing my Master's Thesis, which detailed the history of this historic institution.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 302 "I Wanna Be Sedated" by The Ramones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wEfNVzik6E

I've been struggling the last few days with the covers component of the 365. I guess that shouldn't be too surprising being that I've played a cover song for 301 days in a row. My students are singing "Three Little Birds." Maybe I oughtta do that one some time soon. For today, "I Wanna Be Sedated." I remembered how much I loved The Ramones when I played their "Not My Place" the other day and today I took their biggest hit and made it reggae. Got a little silly at the end. Life... Oh, the levity.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 302 "My Chargers Pre-Season Prediction Song (You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUSw2UjaeSA


So, remember a few weeks ago when I thought I was going to go on the radio and that whole thing? Where do I begin? In 2006, I did radio awhile. I liked it. I moved on from it, but my friend Ken, who writes for the paper, has always kept at trying to get me back on the air. He's talked to producers, program directors, radio legends, radio has beens, and radio never-wases, all in an attempt to restore my beautiful voice to the San Diego airwaves. Thanks Ken. I appreciate your support, but we both know you have some endgame in this. Good radio for everyone everywhere I imagine.

So Ken got in touch with the producer, John Pratt, of The Scott and BR Show on xx1090AM in San Diego. That is the sports station. I listen to it often, I'm not ashamed to admit, even if I should be. Ken got them interested in me. I called them. We went back and forth. Months passed. Summer came. Summer went. Finally, as the NFL season approached, Mr. Pratt seemed to get behind the idea of me being on the air. In fairness, he always seemed keen on the concept. The concept is, I am funny, I play music, I provide content and spice. I make their already good show a bit more eclectic and exciting. John Pratt emails me a few weeks ago and says write a tune. I do so instantly. I tell him I'm ready, eventually, they invite me to be on their show two weeks ago today. At 6:30AM, I get a call saying they need to reschedule. We do, for last Friday. Again late reschedule. Apologies. This time it had something to do with Switchfoot. I bet Switchfoot isn't funny. They are famous. This time we reschedule for TBD. This whole story leads up to the that I have no idea when that is going to be. I wouldn't put all my money on soon. So that is why I can not save "My Chargers Pre-Season Prediction Song (You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover)" any longer.

First of all, the pre-season ended two weeks ago, right about the same time I went from pretty darn psyched to tepidly enthusiastic about my immediate future on "The Scott and BR Show." So my prediction song concept is kind of shot. That's OK. Like my "Radio Blueballs"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM_nl998aqo

song from last week, this song primarily is written for Scott, BR, and enjoyers of their program, "Great Friends," they call them. Scott and BR call all the callers to their show "Great Friends.' I believe they do some charitable stuff with all that. I support it. I like this tune. It is a good one. I couldn't let it rot on the sidelines. Especially, not during an Operation 365. Simply not an option.

The whole song is written in the style of good-natured shit talk. It is rooted in the Howard Stern and WWF approach to communication, to which I had critical exposure in my formative years. I think it's funny. To me, it's all in good fun. Howard called it "good radio." He is The King of All Media, so his opinion should be worth something. An edge keeps things interesting. There are many boring shows on the radio. There are ways things could be done differently. You think music is bad, radio stopped pursuing new directions a very long time ago. That's why Howard Stern left. And that's the reason I stopped pursuing being on the radio. I have listened to Scott and BR's show some and I was excited to see how they'd react when I played "My Chargers Pre-Season Prediction Song" for them in their studio. It wasn't meant to be. This was.

If the Chargers make a run in the post-season, I'm sure I'll be on someone's show. That seems to be what it takes to get on a show. Unfortunately, the Chargers usually lose to fast for that to happen. The last time I was on was 2007. It may be awhile. Go Bolts.

This is what we call, making a long story, long.

TAGS: Operation 365, Chargers, San Diego, San Diego Chargers, Jefferson Jay, SCott and BR, Billy Ray Smith, Hacksaw, Hacksaw Hamilton, Jim Rome, Butterknife, 1090, double x, darren smith, antonio cromartie, rex ryan, NFL, jets, new york, new york jets, Eric Weddle, Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates, LT, Originals, my, Pre-Season, Prediction, Song, You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover, ken, radio, has been. never was, howard stern, wwe, wwf, switchfoot, John Pratt, Lee Hamilton, bleeping brilliant, tbd

Operation 365... Blog 295

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 301 Don Truesdail "The Femme Fatale" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKPvXj6ZODg


I don't know "The Femme Fatale" as well as I know many other Don Truesdail songs. I like how he says at the beginning of this clip that the songs serves to show that he "doesn't take himself TOO seriously." Don was a humorous fellow when he wanted to be, and I love how this show gave him the opportunity to show a little more of himself that he routinely did at his performances. At a nightclub, you don;t necessarily want to talk a whole bunch about the tunes over and over, but at it was very appropriate and Don adjusted magnificently. Not to digress, but I like big words.

"The Femme Fatale" was filmed by Don's wonderful wife, Nancy at The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, CA on October 27, 2008 as part of my Acoustic Evenings At The Athenaeum series. I love Don and feel him close to me always. Please enjoy his tunes. Did you know he had a black belt in some martial art of some sort? I didn't until his pop told me. Merci.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 301 "Bad Cat" by Blowski
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOptO9QVhkc


Struggling like Joe Namath's Jets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQqIQyT-RuM) to find a cover here today. I've already tried Elvis Costello's "Watching The Detectives," The Beatles' "Rain" Buddy Holly's "Oh Boy," Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," Billy Joel's "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," and one or two other songs. It's not happening. Ahhhhhh!!!! Need something painfully easy cause I am bushed. Oh yeah. I tried Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" a few times too.

Well, it worked out, more or less. It always does. I had an epiphany that if I played a tune I knew well, it might not be so hard. So, of course, I went and found a tune I'd never played before on guitar. I DID play it on drums many times though. In the bowels of my hard drive, I uncovered the chords for my buddy Blowski's awesome tune, "Bad Cat." I missed the crap out of playing this tune. I couldn't do that backup vocals while I played and sang lead, but that is all right. Yes, as Acoustic Booze's drummer, "Bad Cat" was one of my favorite tunes to pay, I'm sure I messed it up a little, but I ut my own spin on it, so hopefully that at least evens out. I love my pal Blowski and it was an honor to play one of his tunes topless. Yes, that's right. I tried to cover up. What can I tell ya? Go to be comfortable in this world. If it wasn't for the whole internet audience thing, I'd probably be naked. I like being naked, Sue me.

This is my first Blowski cover in the 365 and I hope not the last. I bet he'll be surprised. This song is about a talking tiger. It is not a pervy tune, despite what Patricia Mueller thinks.

And guess who hit me up on the Facebook chat just as I was putting the finishing touches on this little vid. That's right, the Ski Man himself. Ahhhh, yes. Synergy. The vibe. I love it. In related news, this one of my two tunes today that mentions teddies.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 301 I Shot Teddy (Just For Fun)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qE1bKwoIoo


Today's original is "I Shot Teddy (Just For Fun)," off my CD, "Blue; A Kids Album." You can get it here by clicking on the blue icon in the upper right hand corner of this blog or by going here www.jeffersonjay.blogspot.com

When I was in high school, I had an English teacher, I really hated. Her name was Joanne Cooney. She was a mean woman with a bad wig and personality to match. Once I got in trouble and muttered something under my breath about wanting to get a gun. This was a bit before all that high school shooting stuff. It was a more innocent word, more or less. She asked me what I said and I told her, I said, "I wanted to go get a gun and shoot my teddy bear's head off." I got in trouble. Does this awful anecdote have anything to do with the meaning of this song. Doubtful, but who knows?

As to how it relates to my kids album, I would argue that the message in this song for children is, go take out your frustrations on a teddy bear or a pillow and not a wall or another person. I punched a hole in my mom's bedroom wall once as a disturbed child. Ironically, I was only trying to hurt my hand. I had no idea I could punch through a wall. Oh well.

So yeah, that's the message. There may be some other meaning, but you're gonna have to waterboard me to find out. Please don't waterboard me. If you ask nicely, that may be enough. I wrote this tune in like 2003 or something. It's a little sloppy cause I haven't played it in years but that's all right. Thank you. And thanks to Paul Ruiz, for always having my back, in this case on the trumpet for "I Shot Teddy (Just For Fun)."

Reflections on the Winston's gig

Last Thursday night, some friends and I played a show at legendary local night club called Winston's. It was such a special and successful night that I felt some words in reflection were called for. First for foremost, the vibe was fantastic. When I say vibe, I mean the feeling in the room. This in an intangible, but when it is right, it can not be missed. This is what I shoot for when I throw shows. I aim to help create the type fo vibe that anybody who enters can feel that there is love and they are welcome. That happened in a big way on Thursday and I'm not afraid to say, it's the first time that vibe has been represented so strongly in quite some time.

We had it down pat after awhile at Portugalia, but like all else, these things change after time. The vibe disintegrated so badly there the place doesn't exist anymore. That same exact was back Thursday night though. It was a reunion. It was old friends meet new good times in a beautiful way.

So specifics. My man Some Guy, the artist formerly known as Carlos Soriano, The San Diego Cassanova, kicked the show off with a great set. He brought two dodgeball teams to support him and early the crowd was large and the party was on. Melissa Eisler followed with a nice set of her own. She was joined by Barbara Tolbert for a couple songs, the last of which I found particularly compelling.

Brett Walling, formerly of Chimney was next. Since I last saw him perform, he honed hos craft in Europe and brought a more controlled and mature sound to the stage. His new group featured longtime collaborator Jeff Shaefer on guitar, Charlotte James on violin, and The Soul Man on guiro. It was a passionate and enjoyable set, from my old friend Brett.

Charbra was next. Their flirtation with an electric band has been tabled temporarily and I think everybody wins here. Their new group featured Jeff Shaefer, again on guitar, a bassist, and a cajon player. Charlotte and Barbara shined and I found their set to be awesome. It was getting a little late, but I couldn't brig myself to cut even one tune. They nailed it and everybody liked it a lot.

Destructo Bunny followed. he was as big an appreciator of the love in the room as anyone, going so far as to say he felt like he was finally back in Ocean Beach, even though he moved back several months ago. His set was inspired. He opened with intro from his "The OB Experience" CD and followed through an inspired set of many fantastic freestyles and deep musical grooves.

There were so many friends in the house who didn't perform and it was great to see each one of them. Ean Greene, Amanda Sperry, Patricia Mueller, Nancy Truesdail, Marsellus Wallace, Randy Robinson, Stephanie Sandoval... There were many more, too may to list, but thanks to them all. They contributed their priceless love and energy and I greatly appreciated it.

The Bunny called me on stage near the end of his set and acknowledged to the audience what a wonderful moment we were sharing. He then closed his set with the outro to his record, which is a rendition of Don Truesdail playing his tune, "Hemophilia." It underscored the sacred nature of the event. It was moving to hear Don's voice from the stage through the speakers in a room full of loving friends once more.

Then the fun and the work really started for me. We threw The Jefferson Jay Band up on to the stage and I was really in to it. So much so, that I am just remembering some of the details of our set. Destructo sat in on a tune or two. People danced. We ripped through two sets of our new rockin' material. Soul Man, Paul Ruiz, Richard Romero, and my dear Leanne Pearl, all brought their "A" game to the stage and it felt great to forget about all the work that went in to making this show and just let my hair down and play. It felt triumphant and all the anxiety I felt, while hoping the show would go OK was transformed in to triumph and satisfaction.

I was sore for a few days all over my body after this one. Dylan Avery filmed the event for me, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with after editing. While I ached for days, I am still smiling about Thursday. I am renewed and feel like my friends are too. It's been awhile since we spent all that time at the Portuguese restaurant with the stage. Enough time has past that whatever possessiveness that had accumulated has evaporated and everybody seems to have a newfound appreciation for the simplicity and love found in our cumulative music and friendship. I know I feel that way.

It seems beyond fitting that my next Open Mic begins tonight, 6 days after that blast at Winston's Beach Club. It seems even more fitting that my new work place is known as The Reunion. They have new owners, who seem to be free of the jaded and pre-conceived notions that come with running a bar after awhile. They are not looking for people to take advantage of. They are just happy to have some good folks to work with. I feel the same way.

So friends, here we go again. Fire up your guitars and bring your love with you, because that's what it's all about. We've all done it before so we know we can again. We did on Thursday and while it would be easy to call that a swansong, I don't see it that way. I've been to several swansongs and this felt way different. It felt like old friends enjoying a new beginning, and to that I say, hell yeah, it's about time.

Operation 365... Blog 294

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 300 Don Truesdail "The Bastards" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtuuQ-osR6E


Here is Don Truesdail, playing another of his many masterpieces, "The Bastards," at The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, CA at my Acoustic Evenings at The Athenaeum Series. I love Don and it is a thrill to be able to share his music with the world around us. Here, he is filmed from the audience by his beloved wife, Nancy. I was very proud of Don for his fine work preparing for and performing at this gig. He and I had a blast practicing for the medley, he worked up for the end of the show. I miss his company, but I cherish the presence of his spirit all around me at all times. Dig his depth here with "The Bastards." Don was a thinking man, an artist. He had things to say and points to make. Blessed are folks like us to have songs to write to get these feelings out.

"The Bastards" will appear on Don's 3rd CD. After Don passed, Nancy, and brave and strong a woman as there is, embarked on completing Don's life's work. She has produced his first two concept albums thus far and I am humbled to support her in this endeavor. We will be working to finish his 3rd CD soon. Many favorite Don classics will appear on it. You can check and or all of this any time you want at truesdailstudio.com. I highly recommend that you do. Peace

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 300 "Not My Place (In The 9 to 5 World)" by The Ramones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD9us4Lg13s


Not My Place (In The 9 to 5 World)" is a song I loved in high school. I was turned on to The Ramones by a friend who was in drama with me. We would crank it up in his car and feel fired up. I used to use it to fire me up for my performances back then. Before the musicals or the plays, I would sit in my room listen to it loud, and get myself jacked up for the performance to follow.

I post this today from a high school classroom, on my lunch break. Yes, school is back in session I would never have believed, back in high school, that this day would lie ahead for me. I went and learned the tune. The sentiment in it still resonate within me, completely. I go to work 'cause I need to make money. I still dream of doing something much greater in my life than trying to help kids learn some Spanish words. It is not that that work has no value. Quite the contrary, it does. It is just that I have no passion for it. I can do it and I do do it, but I dream of the day when I can say good-bye forever to these menial tasks and truly sink my teeth into a career of creativity and contribution to the world I am blessed to be a part of.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 300 "A 300 Game"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnA-x_r-vAI


When one considers "300" and illustrious achievements, nothing stands out more than the fine sport of bowling, in which "300" constitutes perfection. Life always offers a less tidy version of perfection, that is if you believe everything happens for a reason. Today is Day 300 of this here Operation 365.

Baseball is my favorite sport and 300 is a pretty big number in statistics of the national past time. The benchmark for great pitchers when it comes to wins on 300. Good hitters gets hits 30% of the time which give them a .300 average. The gold standard for strikeouts for a pitcher is also 300. There was also that movie, "300," I didn't see, which was supposed to be good, but as I understand it, had nothing to do with baseball.

I am pleased with this accomplishment. Just getting through a day, period, is something to crow about. To have been able to produce this work 300 days in a row, is a feat that I am proud of. God willing I will find my way to the end of this here 365. What life holds in store for us, it is both humbling and a mystery.

Operation 365... Blog 293

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 299 Don Truesdail "Sweet August" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0EIS0f9vOQ


Here is my main man Don Truesdail, back on October 27, 208 at The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, CA. "Sweet August" was part of a set Don played at my Acoustic Evenings at The Athenaeum series that I produced in '08 and again in 2009. Earlier in the 365, I posted The Greens of Mind set from the 2009 show.

This show was special. Don explains his tunes a bit. It is in a majestic space for music and his wonderful wife, Nancy was filming it all from her smily spot near the front. Don loved Nancy entirely and I have learned just about everything I know about treating someone right in a relationship from watching the two of the interact. "Sweet August" is a love song Don wrote about Nancy and their whirlwind, overcoming all obstacles, storybook romance. I love them both loads. You like that, Don?

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 299 "Listen to the Flower People" by Spinal Tap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaTewbk03aE


Destructo Bunny was over today. Our music sounds different but we sing about similar things. We want people to enjoy and appreciate their lives and nature. We advocate for doing what moves your soul and approaching others with kindness, collecting meaningful experiences, thinking of yourself as part of the world around you and acting in accordance with that. That we are all one essentially and that we should love each other as much as we can at all times. That type of stuff. Sadly, you rarely find them type of discussion on any of the million channels TV has to offer. Perhaps nobody cares about this kind of stuff. I doubt it though. It's just that people haven't been taught that that is cool. Money, sexy ladies in bikinis, big houses, big muscles, big cars, trainwrecks, these things are glamorized and adopted as ideas for people trying to blend in the world.

Guys like The Bunny and I prefer a vision of the world where pursue their passions, chase their dreams, and remake the world in an image that is positive and sustainable. Our world is absurd. We are along ways a away. I will feel like I have accomplished a great deal in this life if I can even bring these types of topics to the forefront in some sort of public forum. Where people talk of fixing the world in a loving and serious manner. Like problem solvers, like people with a vested interest in the out come of all this living.

Spinal Tap had their only #1 with "Listen to the Flower People" in 1967. They were on the hippie bandwagon and then that bandwagon crashed into the mass media. When it was all finished. hippie was left as a slur on the side of the road, dirty, drugged-out, disgraced. That's how it's stayed since then and ideals of peace and love sit with the "hippie" in the gutter, banished to uncoolness. I'm sorry I'm not buying it. Peace and love is cool and if everybody doesn't realize they need a re-educating as to what cool is. It's not their fault. They are spoon-fed peace and love on a million channels,, every day at all times. They are spoon-fed commercials. You want this. Buy it for yourself and be happy. So that is the challenge The Bunny and I have before us. Make our message cool by making danceable and groovy and hope people become confortable slowly outing themselves as folks who care about they way the world turns out. I do. I care a lot. It's why I'm alive. To try to help make a positive difference. Without people doing that, the world (and everything in it) will be sold and destroyed just to make the richest folks in it a little bit richer.

Change starts in the mind, You make it when you decide you want more with this life. There are no guns. There are no violent revolutions here. There is what you think in your mind and that's it. That's what matters. Control and change the world when you smile.

Shoutout to my dog, Nigel, who is named after on of the songsmiths who write this song, Sir Nigel Tufnel.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 299 "On the Edge of America"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62gsBrC-xw


I was literally on the edge of America when I wrote and recorded this song. What a blessed life we live. Even though there is much madness afoot in our land these days, each instant we can breath fresh air and love one another is a huge blessing. I am not joking. I am 100% serious. I love my dogs and the simple fact that I can live. I have not lost sight of what a miracle that is. This why giving back is so important to me. I do not wish to be greedy with this gift that is my life. I want to help, to serve humanity, the planet, God, everything. I care. This is what is important to me. These are my dreams. They have nothing to do with what is on TV. They are what is important to me.

Operation 365... Blog 292

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 298 Don Truesdail "The Traveller's Lament" - 10-27-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls4leGviLjY


So, we a rewinding into the home stretch on the 365 here now. These clips here are some of the most important ones we have left so I hope you enjoy them as much as I will. I wrote my Master's Thesis on the history of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, CA. The Athenaeum, as it is familiarly known, goes back to the late 1800's when white folks first settle s La Jolla. Native Americans had been there earlier but they were relocated by an executive order of President Ulysses Grant in 1875. The Athenaeum's history is a fascinating story that I enjoyed writing. The Athenaeum has been almost entirely run and operated by women in its distinguished past. There is much more to it. You can go take my thesis out of the San Diego State library if you really want to know more.

After I finished my thesis, I reached out to Erika Torri, Executive Director, and approached her about doing an concert series, spotlighting the incredible acoustic musicians of San Diego. To this point, they had primarily featured jazz and chamber music in their beautiful music space. Erika was open to this idea and The Acoustic Evenings with Jefferson Jay series was offered twice. People really enjoyed the shows. I did a short question and answer with the performers and the first time we did it, the show ended with jams featuring all if the evenings performers.

I loved the fact that I could include my friends, some of San Diego's unsung musical heroes, alongside some more known local treasures. This was very gratifying to me, as I felt the whole lot of us acoustic musicians belonged at this level for some time.

Don Truesdail was excited for the opportunity. I had him booked with Mary Dolan and Carlos Olmeda, who happen to share the same birthday. Don had turned 34 one week earlier, We had a nice celebration in my backyard. Do arranged a little medley, for us all to perform at the show's end. He an I spent a good deal of time rehearsing it. Carlos and Mary head it for the first time when they arrived at the show.

Don arrived early with his wife, Nancy, and a friend of hers. The Truesdails were giddy about the evening ahead. It went well. Nancy filmed Don's set and has been kind enough to allow me to share those recordings here. So I will be sharing this whole set over the next week or so. Enjoy Don as he offers some insight into his muse, in a manner unlike most of his other recorded performances. As we watch Don from Nancy's perspective in the audience, the love creeps through the camera and can be felt on your screen there at home. Please enjoy, our friend, The Parlor City Bard, Don Truesdail, as he shares his songs at a truly special room to enjoy music, La Jolla's Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 298 "White Wedding" by Billy Idol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJEJq60yvbg


Classic 80s jam. Got up this morning, early on a Sunday to drive 80's cover band "Tainted Love" to the airport. They were nice folks as far as I could tell. It was an eventful adventure. We ran out of gas, one exit from the airport. We put a bunch of gas in there. That van must get some seriously horrid gas mileage. I ran to the gas station, bought a little tank and a gallon of gas and I problem-solved. That is one of the tools in my skill set, problem solving. A fire hydrant had blown up somehow, so there we all kinds of cops and firedudes and a huge geyser coming out of Old Town Avenue. Eventful, I told ya. I was tired after. I went home and slept more. I might still be asleep right now. I'm not positive. Oh, I ate a McDonald's Egg McMuffin, cause I was so tired I thought I'd pass out. Don't do it. Never eat McDonald's ever. Egg McMuffins are tasty, I acknowledge, but I felt like I ate poison by the time I got home. Maybe I did.

I am still slow and sluggish. It's 2:13PM. What's my Dallas Cowboys excuse, down 14-0 to the Niners early? I am going to with suckiness, there.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 298 "So Far Down This Road"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWZdsldGlv0


One of the things I think I'm going to miss about the 365, when it's gone, is the sensation of hitting record knowing I need to write a song from scratch on the spot, right then. That was a redundant sentence. Now, I will still be able to do that if I like after it ends. It's just a matter of doing it. Kind of like the impetus for this whole project in the first place. Deciding to do it and doing it.

"So Far Down This Road" is a fun song, just came out when I hit play. At first I was going to call it, So Far Away," but I deferred to the cool Dire Straits song of the same name. Then I considered "I Don't Know," but again I deferred, this time to my friends Joe and Jen Stevens, whose band Beer Money, has an "I Don't Know" that I do know AND love. So that's it. "So Far Down This Road." Any questions?

Operation 365... Blog 291

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 297 Joe Khoroosi - 6-27-09 - 24 Hours of free Music 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJ_GY_7B90


My hard rives starting turning themselves on and off the other day. I need a huge hard drive so all my stuff can be better backed up. So, in the meantime, I am choosing from a smaller lot of videos then my normal massive library. Today, we are going to the rarely visited, 24 Hours of Free Music 2009. 2009 was not 2008 in about a million ways and 24 Hours of Free Music was one of 'em. It was still a great day though, in a lot of ways. Here is Joe Khoroosi with his pal Alan play a cool tune into a cover of The Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams."

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 297 "Tainted Love" - Soft Cell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPVlwFmWIxo


"Tainted Love" and Radar Love." The biggest challenge being a classic rock fan presents is not getting these two hits confused. Let's face it. It's next to impossible. On one hand, they don't really sound the same. On the other hand, they are both one hit wonders with "Love" as the second word in the title. Today, maybe, for me, they will separate themselves some.

Today, I find myself working another odd job. My friends at The Belly Up, one of the finest music venues in Southern California, needed somebody to drive around their cover band on the bill tonight. The band is called "Tainted Love." I picked them up at the airport and brought them to the Belly Up. Somebody forgot their big so I will be going back the airport picking up the bag and heading back up there to drive them to the gig soonish. Fun playing "Tainted Love." Much love.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 297 "The Snoring Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDc7QBgVl38


So my dear pal, J. Kipling Forde has been spending some time hanging out here and working on music with me lately. He worked himself sleepy last night. Here is a little jam we wrote after he fell asleep. I used his snoring as a percussion instrument and played ukelele with him. Madness. Delight. Music. As of this moment there 69 days left in the 365. After I post this, there will be 68.

Operation 365... Blog 290

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 296 Sene Africa "More Awesomeness" - 4-15-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNHuZrDn_k0


I gotta be honest. I don't really think the name of this song is "More Awesomeness." If it was that would be shocking, because I made that up. I hate not having names for stuff so to differentiate from the clip I posted yesterday, I gave this one a name. "More Awesomeness." I named it based on what I thought of it, when I watched it. This "More Awesomeness" clip is one of the longest ones I've posted in the 365 so far. I'm pretty sure it's second longest. This one features all kinds of friends dancing and rocking out to the music.

The good vibe was fully in the house last night at Winston's. Everyone played great, had a good time. The show was a success. I am slow today, but that's OK. It was definitely a reunion of many friends featured here in this life art project. Seemed fitting that it was a reunion, because I start my new Open Mic next Wednesday at bar called The Reunion Pub. Pretty neat, huh. Seems real fitting. 8-11PM. The Reunion Pub is at 2205 Mendocino Boulevard, San Diego, CA

Sene Africa are Amadou Fall on kora and Ibrahima Ba on guitar and vocals. They are joined here by Abdullai on djembe and Laurel Grinnell on drums. They are awesome folks and I am proud to call them amigos. I was planning on posting this whole Sene Africa set and still am, but in research I realized I already posted the second song of the set. Here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl3LSSoUEdA

So, for those of you keeping score at home, that means the beginning was posted yesterday. The second song was posted months ago. That clip features Amadou dancing with Charbra's Barbara Tolbert. Much fun. And here is the rest. Awesome.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 296 "I Just Called To Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw8cpX8ciPM


Partied hearty last night after the Winston's gig. Fell asleep in the wrong place, by which I mean, not next to my honey, Leanne. Boo inebriation. Perhaps that's why "I Just Called To Say I Love You" was in my head this morning when it came time to play a cover for the 365. Stevie Wonder is awesome. I saw him in Vegas some years back with my old drummer, Phil, at the old Aladdin Theater. It was one of the best concerts I was ever at, easy. So, I gave it a go here today. Love you, honey. Can't wait to see you after your super long nap.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 296 "Sudden Funk"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5pZwlH-Kf0


So, my pal Dylan Avery filmed our show at Winston's last night in a trade for me watching his pooch Gordo for the last however long. Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done. He's going to make a little video of our stuff that we can use to get some gigs. After the show, we came back to my zone. He asked me to bust out my nylon string guitar, which is the one he learned to play on. It's a wonderful little Suzuki. Very fun to play.

So, it was still out this afternoon when it came time to play an original and this little instrumental jam, "Sudden Funk" came out of me. Sudden funk. Out of me. Feeling great the day after the show even if I'm lethargic and sleepy a little. it is a great sense of accomplishment. We played well. The bar did well. All my friends played well and/or had a good time. L'chiem.

Operation 365... Blog 289

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 295 Sene Africa 4-15-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5oWoczDeBE


Here are my friends, Sene Africa, playing at my show on April 15, 2009. This was their opener that night. Maybe I'll post more from this set the next few days. I am excited for tonight. My band, The Jefferson Jay Band, is playing at Winston's here in Ocean Beach. Winston's is a classic spot with a great stage. A lot of my friends are joining us, Some Guy (the artist formerly known as Carlos Soriano), Melissa Eisler, Brett Walling (formerly of Chimney Fish), Charbra, Destructo Bunny and myself, What a great night! And it's free! Thanks to Sene Africa for bring awesome. Peace.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 295 "Just As The Tide Was Flowing" by Ralph Vaughan Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXuUapzDKFQ


"Just As The Tide Was Flowing" was a song we sang in Don Wonder's chorus class in high school. I remember it was yesterday. Scotty Baslaw and I standing there with our hands clasped like that. What fun it was. Scotty and I still bust it out from time to time when I'm New York City, harmonies and all. The 10,000 Maniacs covered it as well. I am not 100% sure Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote it. It was from a long time ago and the internet was a little iffy, but I think it was Ralph. Hail Scotty Baslaw.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 295 "Radio Blueballs"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM_nl998aqo


So this new song, "Radio Blueballs," pertains to a little situation I was hesitant to address here in the 365, but I think we are officially at the absolutely nothing at this point so here we go. Radio, as a medium, is on life support and has been for some time. Like making CDs, dreaming of being successful in the radio is a dream of decades past. Even the people who run radi, long ago, stopped seeking out, new talent, to provide a different voice on the air. I think the powers that be, think radio is too scary, They can hypnotize with naked ladies and drivel on TV, but on the radio, the thoughts get right in your head and you can really get some folks thinking.

I kind of resigned mentally and physically form the radio world years ago. I could clearly see the writing on the wall. There is enough disappointment in this world without barking up the tree of a medium where even the folks in charge aren't willing to try something different to make things happen. That is the kind of person I am. That is what I do. Anyway, with all that background out of the way, I can get to the actual story here.

So, although, I pretty gave on radio, despite the fact, that I know I'm very good at it, I have one friend, who never gave up on me. He has been in the ear of program directors, show producers, general mangers, anyone who will listen really, and telling then for years, that I can add entertaining content to their shows, many of which are unlistenably bad. I am a sports radio guy. Yes, I love me some sports. On my way to teach last year, I would listen to "The Scott and BR Show" on xx1090 AM, here in SD. They were good. Funny. Refreshing. My friend got the ear of the producer and now, as it tends to happen, we've been going back and forth for months. Yes, months. In radio these days, it takes months to do much of anything at all, and even then it tends to not happen at the last minute, pretty much wasting everybody's time. No offense, John Pratt.

So, last Wednesday, I had alerted my whole wide world on the various internet and personal platforms that I would be appearing on "The Scott and BR Show," the following morning and playing my Chargers Preseason Prediction song, just like they'd asked. I got call early Thursday saying Scott was sick and we should reschedule. I said, "Fine." I was all practiced and ready to go, but these things happen. So they rescheduled for tomorrow, Friday of the following week. I said OK and I wrote a second song, just 'cause the other song, felt so "last week," to me. I told way less people, cause it's kind of embarrassing when you tell people you're gonna be on the radio, and they listen and you're not. This morning, they cancelled... again.

OK, still not mad. I'd be disappointed more if I was surprised at all, but I'm not. Like I said, these things happen. In radio, very little happens. Stations just slowly die and then come back as other stations with the same people who helped ruin a couple stations in town as their saviors. Do I sound bitter? Maybe. I'm bitter 'cause radio (in general) is ruined, not as much 'cause I don't get to be on it. The good news is they want to reschedule again for next week. The bad news, each time they reschedule, my excitement and faith that it will actually happen, diminish. It's real low now.

No big deal though. "Radio Blueballs" was my song that made light of all that stuff from last week. It's a talkin' blues and I did a bunch of research to get all these details straight. (Did you know the term blueballs was used in this context as far back 1916? Well, that's what wikipedia told me.) I had this ditty set aside as a back-up for my theoretical appearance tomorrow. It features tons of the jokes that are way inside. If you don't listen to or care about "The Scott and BR Show" at all, than this song probably ain't gonna make too much sense, but I'm sick of writing these songs and not using 'em, so there it is. I'm sure there's a few jokes for everyone in there. At least one or two. Oh. I sing this song with a bit of a drawl. I think talkin' blues sound better that way. Like you're not in a big hurry to fit all them words in. Shout out to Woody Guthrie.

Thank you to Gordo the dog for being a great houseguest this past 10 days and letting me use your balls for this video. Peace y'all. See ya when I do.

Boy, do I love ranting. That's why I'm so good on the radio.

Operation 365... Blog 288

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 294 Jefferson Jay Band "The Best You Can" 5-14-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vh4PP5hmwk


Back in '03, my band did a tour of the Northwest, about 30 shows that summer in our van Betsy. It was a three piece version of the band, with Phil Palmejar on drums and Damon Stoll on bass. Back then, we were called Brainstorm. We had tons of fun. We did a handful of shows with a cool group called The Station. They featured my buddy Darren Nelson for the old Jumbo days and their main guy was an extremely friendly fellow named Don Gallardo. Don is the kind of guy you pretty much can't help but like. As we played more and more shows with him, his style of songwriting got into my brain. Don is doing well now. He has been based in Nashville, TN for awhile and is now finishing a tour in the United Kingdom. Pretty cool, Don. Congratulations! Hope to catch up again some time.

On one trip when we were travelling to a gig, Phil was driving and I started writing "The Best You Can" as an homage to Don's cool work. When we got to our next stop, on the road, (I think it was a gas station) I asked Phil to strum the chords on the guitar so I could make sure my song worked. It did I was happy. It is a nice song, with a positive sentiment. "The Best You Can" would later become the first song on my CD, "Blue; A Kids Album," which you can get by clicking here. http://jeffersonjay.bandcamp.com/album/blue-a-kids-album

Oh, by the way, we are playing Winston's, tomorrow night in Ocean Beach, 1921 Bacon St. SD, CA. The show starts at 8PM. We play at 11PM. It's free.

On this clip, from May 14, 2009, I was joined by Richard Romero on bass, Paul Lopez on percussion, The Soul Man on guiro and Blowski on keys.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 294 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) by Katy Perry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amFG8qSJNfM


When I first heard this song the other day, I was convinced it was the worst song I ever heard hands down. I decided I would do it so I could tear it up. Then I watched this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlyXNRrsk4A.

That has happened roughly 102,335,367 times so far.

It was pretty funny. I realized this song was not as serious as I thought it was. Of course, it a perfect pop song. So in the process of learning it, with the video and all...

I went from hating that song with the white-hot heat of a million suns to thinking it was pretty cool. I like it better than a lot of songs. I might start a Katy Perry cover band now. I was getting all loosed up at the end there. Shout outs to my dogs on the couch there, Josh, Gordo, and Nigel, the latter two who of whom are actual dogs. Int eh time it took me to write this blog, it went up to 102,429,725. These folks helped MP write this tune, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Bonnie McKee... in case you were wondering. I just read this is her 5th consecutive #1 single. I had no idea. I just read that Katy said, "There’s nothing better than an impromptu dance party with my friends. My track 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' is a song about debauchery because I had one of those nights in Santa Barbara. We went out to this place called Wildcat and got crazy,” Perry admitted: “We had a couple of beers and danced until we died, then brought the party back to the hotel room.” She added: “Most of that song is actual truth, apart from the ménage à trois… unfortunately! (Thanks wikipedia)

I don't even know what to think anymore. And now I'm stuck liking this song.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 294 "Powerless"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyuySmYzgM8


So the other night, during that power outage, I experimented with this song about being powerless and powerful and I played with that whole juxtaposition. In the light or lack there of, that seemed cheesy to me, after a few and I moved to writing something else. Today, I went back and gave it a go and it came out far better than I was expecting. Without the context of the blackout, singing about being powerless doesn't seem so cliche. When I pulled the plug on this tune, last Thursday night, I wrote in the book "This will not go." I was talking about my song. When I went to play it I forgot, and found myself a pretty cool chorus. Funny life. There's oh, so many ways to say it.

Operation 365... Blog 287

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Archives - 293 Robin Lee "Down to My Last Cigarette" 4-16-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIaNqTtRbs0


This clip is the conclusion of Robin Lee's set on April 16, 2009. She closed with a cover of k.d. lang's "Down to My Last Cigarette." She mentions at the clip's start that she thinks "Patsy Cline, or somebody" did it. She was right. It was somebody. Robin is joined by Jack Davidson on lead guitar.

It has been great fun for me, watching and listening to Robin's music this past week or so here ion the 365. What great gifts, pieces of ourselves, even, we musicians leave for one another to enjoy when we can't be around. It is special and unique. Robin, I'm with you in spirit. Peace and thanks for all the love and all you've taught me. And thanks for calling my kids' CD "X-rated" at the end of this clip. That was very funny.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 293 "I Love the Night Life" by Alicia Bridges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL9MogH0gKA


"I Love the Night Life" popped in my head and these days, that's all it takes to get on the 365. What a cool tune! Alicia Bridges and Susan Hutcheson, Much fun playing it. Thanks to Nancy's hat and Josh's grooving in the corner. No one puts Baby in a corner. Well, Josh is not Baby and this is not Dirty Dancing.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 293 "Silent Underground"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncbDMejPna4


"Silent Underground" is a tune I co-wrote with Paola Race (then Paola Gross) in 1995. Paola had moved to Humboldt for a year of exchange from UMASS. Her boyfriend at the time, Andy went too. They encouraged me to join them and I have been a Californian ever since. Around this time, me college band broke up and I took up the guitar to further my musical aspirations. As I was picking up the instrument, Paola, who already played beautifully, and I wrote a handful of songs and recorded them before she returned to Massachusetts. "Silent Underground" with the 4th of the five. She played guitar and sang back-up. I sang lead.

Today, I play it all. I saw Paola in Sacramento on our tour in April. It is always awesome to catch up with her and her husband, Alex. It seems like just yesterday we were sitting in my dorm room at UMASS singing harmonies on "Helplessly Hoping." Or hiking to down to Patrick's Point with a guy named Patrick, stopping to jam on the side of the trails. Those blessed days. These blessed days. It's hard to believe they are all the same.