Some tracks that I'm almost proud of!

a mix of songs and instrumentals.

highlights?

Fox as rabbit

Song I wrote and recorded today. Started off with the riff on the acoustic and then wrote some more on the electric, liked the sound of both so I will try and record the electric version some time soon.
Recorded the Vocal and Guitar together "as live" and then added some slide playing (which I very rarely do) playing my acoustic on my lap (which I even more rarely do). I then decided to go against tradition and add a backing vocal part. I'm happy with the way it turned out as I spent very little time on it. I hope you enjoy it.

Words and music by Matthew Naylor.

Where Do They Go (Acoustic Version)

So here is the electric version of this song. I was going for a Neil Young with Crazy Horse type sound. Playing around with my new Screamin' Blues pedal.

A bit rougher mix than the acoustic version.

Words and Music by Matthew Naylor

Where Do They Go (Electric Version)

Can you tell where the lyrics are stolen and corrupted from?

Words(?), Music, Performance and Recording by Matthew Naylor
Written a few years ago.

A Steal

A new chord melody piece I've been working on recently. The original idea came from reading about quatral voicings (stacking 4th instead of 3rds to make chords) in the end only a few of the chords are voiced this way.

Music by Matthew Naylor

For more info: http://foxasrabbit.blogspot.com/2013/11/quarter-to-midnight.html

Quarter To Midnight [Chord Melody]

I was listening to @Gratton brilliant https://soundcloud.com/gratton/blind-death (after listening to Fahey's "Days Have Gone By") which inspired me to pick up my guitar and try to do a recording of this today.

This is the title track for an EP of acoustic guitar pieces I've been writing, trying to blend British and American folk playing (see the description of https://soundcloud.com/foxasrabbit/are-we-not-brothers). I'd say this is far more American than British.

The title is inspired by John Fahey's sometimes strange titles.

Music by Matthew Naylor

No Stars On Our Flag [Solo Acoustic Guitar demo]

In 1742 it was agreed by international treaty that all Bossa Nova songs should contain at least one reference to the works or life of one David Robert Jones who will come to be more commonly referred to as David Bowie. How they knew about a style of music that originated in the 1950s or about a music icon that would not be born for another two centuries is not important.  What is of importance is that we continue to abide by this scared treaty.

Words and Music by Matthew Naylor who also performed and recorded it for good measure.

The image is of a sunset at Ayr, Scotland.

Look at the Ocean (advice to Bowie)

so that’s what you think of Dol Lull Bee hey? no wonder he didn’t want to see you. well up on the first floor I’m still hitting the hay. long time without a sound, long time without a name. flaming up the place is almost never the answer. pipe down Henry I think you’ve had enough. Jay Eff wept on, I felt sorry but haven’t ceased. when was the last time you destroyed a perfectly good day.

Came across the line for the title whilst reading Charles Bukowski’s “Note of a Dirty Old Man” and used it as inspiration for an improvised piece. Tuned my guitar to C# G C# F# G# C# and played whatever came out for 12ish minutes then from combining 2 sections got my 2ish minutes. Sketch 1 as it’s pretty rough and I’m thinking of doing a series. 

It’s not meant to be pretty, you know!

Music, performance and recording by Matthew Naylor.

cities are built to kill people (sketch 1) [Solo Acoustic Guitar]

Words and Music by Matthew Naylor.

About not finding suitable employment. A very deep (and long) song.

On Keeping Bees

This is a medley of two pieces; “Anji” written by Davey Graham and “Walk, don’t run” written by Johnny Smith. 
When I was learning how to play Anji the descending bass line reminded me of descending chords of “The Ventures” version of “Walk, don’t run” which was one of the first things I ever learnt to play. So I started playing them together but adding a simple bass line to the lead. I then discovered that The Ventures version wasn't the original and so I decided to learn that version and it became what I played along with Anji. I now very rarely play them apart.

EDIT: a few years later and a now know that the version of Walk don't run I play is based on Chet Atkins version.

Please Anji walk don't run [Solo Acoustic Guitar Cover]

This was meant to be the start of Volume 2 of the Micro Blues series. It might be a bit long for that really (although if I got rid of the solos it might be under a minute). It is ever so slightly inspired by the guitar part for Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning”.  I’ve also got an a cappella version I’m working on (a version is not here: https://soundcloud.com/foxasrabbit/walking-blind-a-capella).

The guitar and main vocal where recorded together and then the second vocal added after (strangely I can’t sing two notes at the same time). Other than some EQ to make the bass note drone a bit quieter I’ve not messed with anything else.

Walking blind blues

Guitar and Vocal recorded as live. 

Electronic drum pads and bass overdubbed. Listen and you will be in no doubt that I didn't use a click track!

Have I written a love song? - Or maybe just another song about the alternative music scene?

Words and Music by Matthew Naylor

Hanger On / Nuclear Bomb (demo)

Thank you for listening.

“A fox came as a rabbit, then a rabbit came as a fox” and with these words short-sighted Jay Eff became invisible. It was not out of the blue he had been studying the work of early ones who left marks in the air. And now here comes someone who doesn't know the marks of all the early ones but with a wooden box in hand he has come to make marks in the air. Wish him luck good people of the world, we all need a little luck sometimes.

Hanger On / Nuclear Bomb (demo)

Fox as Rabbit