The Mac platform made a dream come true for me when I created my first CD with Garageband, part of Apple's $79 iLife suite. It has been my dream since childhood to combine music and computers. Years ago, I bought a midi cord for $70 that went with my Yamaha keyboard. I soon discovered that the software that came with it didn't do much, and I wasn't willing to invest hundreds in complicated software that would probably just eat up my time and still not really do what I wanted.
Last December, my G3 iBook turned 3 years old. The warranty had expired. It was time to invest in a new computer. Since I make my living programming, I don't feel so bad about spending money for that, but even so, I don't have a lot to spend. Luckily I was able to get a refurbished 12" iBook G4 for less than $1000 including tax and shipping. That included an extended 3 year warranty. The $200 coupon I had received from Apple for becoming a certified Apple Solutions Expert helped. The G4 came with iLife 2004 which included GarageBand 1. I didn't know that, so the computer sat in the box for weeks before I even made time to get it out. Once I did, I couldn't help but try Garageband. I was making music in a matter of minutes. A few days later, I had my keyboard plugged into it with my old midi cord, and was recording my voice using the iBook's internal mic. A few weeks later, I invested in an M-Audio MobilePre USB, so I could hook up a real mic and add some guitar. (Apple sells this for $150 which was $30 cheaper than is currently listed on the M-Audio website.)
Making this CD was very challenging. It took up a lot of time and at times was very frustrating, particularly when after only 3 months, the G4's hard drive appeared to be going bad. Special thanks to Jerry of MacDiagnostics for rescuing my hard drive at such a crucial time. Also, thanks to Wayne of Acme Technologies for telling me how to save the huge aiff files as smaller mpegs with iTunes. Thanks to Dennis of Fastpipe.com for hosting the sound files. Thanks to Don Zijm, Shawn Hogan, and all of you who took time out of your day to listen to my songs and encourage me along the way.
Here are the songs on the CD, some of which have mp3 samples you can listen to. You can buy the CD, here
- Desert Cackle - This is a 1:43 minute clip from the middle of my first song. I started it out with a relaxing jazz feel, then eased into a more aggressive, exotic groove. The complete song is 3:04 minutes long.
- Auf Wiedersehen - Auf Wiedersehen is a friendly way of saying "goodbye" in German, kind of like "I'll see you later." The phrase has a rhythm similar to "Our feet are the same" which makes it memorable. I was inspired to write this song by the underlying beat which is a loop in Garageband that reminded me of the phrase. The clip starts at the beginning and goes 1:37 into this 3:14 song, which is the start of Eric's guitar solo.
- Rock of Gamelan - This 2:38 instrumental was inspired by the Asian Gamelan bells loop in Garageband. It was very popular with my beta listeners, but you'll have to buy the CD to hear this one. I can't give it all away! :-)
- Running Wild - This song is 3:49 minutes long. It starts out mellow then picks up steam with a guitar solo and vocal harmony.
- Lonely Monster - This is a 1:09 clip from the middle of this 3:44 instrumental song that illustrates a transition from a built up complexity of electronic sounds and heavy rhythms to a simple bluegrass groove with just as much energy. This musical transition is representative to me of the refreshing realization that life can be just as pleasurable without excessive glitz and glamour.
- Dishpan Hands Rocked Out - This is a 2:53 song that I've been singing for several months at open mics. I never realized how hard it was to sing until I tried to record it. It has Eric's guitar all the way through, and techno sounds that to me, appropriately sound like spraying water. You'll have to buy the CD to see what I mean.
- Rumella - Oh, Rumella, my Stella! What a story behind this 3:27 song! I could not resist sharing the first 1:43 seconds which includes the wrong number message that spawned it. The message was left on my answering machine late one night back in December by a caller from Western Oklahoma. My answering machine clearly identifies me, but I guess he wasn't listening. I'm sure Rumella has his number by now! Thanks to my friend Craig Balmer for coming up with the other line that really makes the chorus "Rumella, Don't marry that fella'!"
- Undo I Do - This 1:18 clip really doesn't do justice to this 3:41 sassy country song which goes into a flute solo, a whistling solo with piano and ends with pretty vocal harmonies.
- Babble On - This 3:20 album title track was my nickname from some teasing boys in my high school. 16 years later, I am well aware of how too many words can ruin a peaceful relationship. This song has an 80's feel with a dueling synthesizer duet that represents man and woman.
- You Prefer Coal - This self-righteous 2:55 country song drips with sarcasm. This song has no loops. Even the waltz rhthym was constructed on my keyboard.
- Quit - Eric's guitar screams the start of this 3:07 funky blues groove that has a surprisingly torchy bridge that is not included in this 48 second sample teaser. I've written several blues songs but had no appreciation of how difficult blues is to play until I tried to record.
- Meow Mix - This short, fun 2:40 song is a tribute to all the yowling little kitties out there, with acknowledgements to other members of the animal kingdom as well. If you listen closely, my dog Max can be heard in the background during the section where I am hooting like an owl.
- Roadside Band Abduction - The sounds of passing cars evolve into aliens landing in this energetic 3:45 song. The 1:49 clip from the middle encompasses at least part of that transition along with my vocals, done on the internal G4 iBook's mic. Although I did acquire a microphone after recording this song, they still sounded fine to me.
- Lean Not - This ominous 3:06 song uses an exotic Turkish Saz and knife sharpening sound effects to get the point across. A ways after the 1:18 clip that is cut from the middle, this song takes a break from the seriousness by shaking down to a bluegrass riff that is pure strings with a slide guitar, but the message creeps back in the end.
- Dishpan Hands - 2:53, the original, acoustic version, with gentle vocal harmony end this collection on an upbeat note.
