As described in my previous song-writing experiences, this song, "oh, loch ada", began as a fragment of a melody, about one week ago, in early March, 2011. I had last written a song, 2 months prior, expressing feelings of isolation, during a relatively harsh winter in New York. The initial theme of the current lyrics was completely unknown to me, and the words first began to lead me to a patriotic, but somewhat cynical, song, about "America". The ideational theme continued to develop, as I softened up in an optimistic way, to describe America (i.e., the U.S)., as a country of great purpose and destiny, that needed to stay on course and continue to mature, as a very special country, that would ultimately guide the world to lasting peace, to preserve the environment, reduce poverty, raise the economic and educational status of everyone, keep population growth under control, end the nuclear threat, and end bigotry. I was enthused about the song thus far, with feelings of exuberance emerging, but not fully comfortable with my idealistic vision; suddenly, 2 days ago, about March 10, there was a shift in my thinking, and a sense of a song far more personal emerged; a song about my finding ultimate peace, in a place where my soul would finally stop wandering.
peter j stein - oh, america -: BLASTING OFF
saw a raccoon tonight, running across the street, and a hawk chasing birds in my backyard. a drunken kid paused to evacuate his bladder on my lawn, as part of his saturday night activities. I'm experimenting with photos, changing their colors, and putting together different designs. it's kinda cool. it's kinda late. keep studying. learn all that you can. never, ever, give in to despair; not even for a moment; not even one second.
"A Young Girl Was Laughing (by the window)" is a tune that emerged while writing a different song, a sequence which often typifies my songwriting. Usually, I am struggling with a melody and lyrics, when, suddenly, a new melody comes to mind, and the "real" song emerges from the struggle, within a few hours; the lyrics appear spontaneously, almost in full, and I feel emotionally relieved and exalted, that I have a new song for myself: to listen to on my downloads and in my car, to share with my friends, and to expose to the world market, that others may express interest my creation. Of note, the first take, of both the vocals and the instrumentals, often end up as the most compelling, and the song literally resists further changes, but for a few minor corrections. In this song, "A Young Girl Was Laughing (by the window)", I attempted at one juncture, to record a new lead vocal, and the software stubbornly refused to cooperate; first there was noisy static and the mic would not function; then, the track reverb would not allow me to adjust the vocal, according to my tastes (I love the sound of reverb as if I were singing in the Grand Canyon). These obstacles then guided me to stay with my initial lead vocal, only to add a touch of harmony, at the first and last line of each verse; and, according to my very personal tastes, this was the "touch" that was lacking. Upbeat tunes do not move me; my preference is the melodic and harmonic beauty of the ballads that I internalized as a young person. Such ballads include: Yesterday (Beatles); Catch The Wind (Donovan); As Tears Go By (performed by Marianne Faithful; Rolling Stones); Long, Long Time (performed by Linda Ronstadt); Walk Away Rene (performed by The Left Banke); Hello In There (John Prine); Maybe Tomorrow (Badfinger); Something In Red (performed by Lorrie Morgan); Secret Gardens (Judy Collins); Dangling Conversation (Paul Simon); Song For Adam (Jackson Browne); Visions of Johanna (Bob Dylan); Sweet Baby James (James Taylor); and, more recently, Always On Your Side (Sheryl Crow). There are countless talented songwriters of beautifully written ballads, performed by the most superb artists; these songs are of low volume; their appeal lies in their softness, simplicity, subtlety, sadness, and sincerity; and the excellence of the audio engineering is also a vital ingredient to the song's success...pjs
lovely stuff, all full of great harp work, fine strumming, lyrics, singing and more. for all us woody allen types who pee on ourselves this is truly a wonderful visit. thanks folkstein
Pete Stein's latest original tune, "The Vessel", was uploaded on 4/30/2009, through SongCastMusic, and will be available on iTunes within a few short weeks! With guest bassist Rich Liegey, and guest keyboardist Marshall Ochman, the tune was written, arranged, recorded, and produced in about 3 months. The tune, as with his prior song, "More Each Day", represents yet another testament to the pervasive presence of love.
"...As far as Earthlings go, this human male's chutzpah is even greater than his talent, seemingly unperturbed by the stench of 3 tenticular cremins in the front row, emanating their putrid bigenital hormones. Stein played Rebecca with poise, flair, and even a bit of mammalian arrogance, given his genetically defective, mortal genome. Give it up for the Earthling!..." - Remulak Hyznkwah, Pleiades Daily Tribune