Playing with mic placement and trying to get a well-rounded recorded sound from this beautiful Martin D-18. 
This is a Warm Audio W47jr on Omni setting, about 12" from the guitar, 4" above the neck and angled towards the 12-13th fret.

Skidplate hop - DADGAD

Day 5.

5 in 5 Song Challenge.
Hoo!!! 
this one was a struggle to make... but worth it. 
Challenge Prompt: 
Write your verses with only 16 words in each verse. 
Amplifier Challenge:
Write a melody you can hear one of your favourite artists singing. 

Well, i immediately thought of Tom Petty. 
Don't know if i got there with the melody, but it's not too much of a stretch. 
Please forgive the strained vocals at the end ~ i really felt that last chorus needed an extra reach. i just didn't have the time to finesse it.

Waiting on a Change

I first heard this song through John Prine, and I guess my version is closer to his than Blaze's. Blaze Foley wrote this song and it sums up his life pretty well, I believe. Fits in pretty good with mine as well. 
"start talking again, when I know what to say"
That about sums it up. 
Cheers. 

Clay Pigeons - Blaze Foley cover

Inspired by a day of sailing on the Great Salt Lake. A simple love song.
*
Soft acoustic folk singer-songwriter love song feel-good americana folk fingerstyle soundtrack roadtrip.

i just breathe

This was inspired by a collection of Irish folk tales i dreamt i read one night. This imaginary tale stuck with me.

Folk Tales

The Shepherd's Daughter

Firefly - 
Song #1 in the 5 in 5 challenge.

Firefly - lift up your wings
I know you're shy - we all go through these things
You are not what they told you
You are so much bolder
Hiding out in the daylight
afraid to be seen
Indigo skies come around
Lift up your wings
Slowly, curious
setting out into...
You can do this
I believe in you
Fly, baby fly - Like nobody's watching you
Shine, baby shine - Know your truth
Firefly - lift up your wings
I've seen you shine
I have heard you sing
Slowly, curious
heading out into...
You're beautiful, luminous
I'll be there with you
Fly, baby fly - Like nobody's watching you
Shine, baby shine - Know your truth

Firefly_final 5in5_090423

They say that youth is wasted on the young,
and the truth will always set you free. 
Everybody needs a purpose,
and every season will change. 
I started a little garden this year and I
thought you might like to know. 
But between my negligence and this never-ending drought,
well, I ain't got much to show. 

Seasons change, I know it's true.
But we could use just a little more rain. 
Rain.

Thought I saw your brother just the other day,
but I'm not sure I'd remember his face. 
Saw that post about your mother. 
Now I understand how you feel that way. 
I lost my father late last year and my
brothers and I all agree - 
the man they spoke about wasn't the man we knew.
But I guess you never got to meet him. 

People change, I know it's true. 
Lord knows I'm not the same. 
But this weather's been hanging 'round forever,
and we could use just a little more rain.
Rain.

I started drinking on a Monday -
by next Thursday I'll be fine.
Are you still holding on to that bottle?
That seemed like a real good wine. 

Were you my enemy or were you my love?
We never could get it together. 
There's no future and we can't talk about the past - 
so I guess we'll just talk about the weather...
and rain. 
Rain.

They say that youth is wasted on the wild ones, 
and wisdom is wasted on those
who no longer
no longer need it. 

@2023 ASCAP

A Letter to No One

This was inspired by someone I know who recently lost his wife, and what that internal struggle must be like as he goes through his daily routines. 

lyrics:
Starched collar on a clean white shirt
he's heading off to work again. 
Thirty years at the same location,
long-term retirement plan. 
He keeps a picture of her on the wall,
she's smiling on vacation.
He never liked his face in that picture,
thought he looked mad, or irritated. 

Old habits die hard 
and a change - is never easy. 

Goes in early and he always stays late
keeping busy keeps the loneliness at bay. 
Always telling someone corny jokes,
likes to keep up appearances.
Picks up the phone to check in with her,
forgot how long she's been gone. 

Old habits die hard
and a change - is never easy

Takes down the picture
wants to look at her.
Wants to let her know he'll be fine

Twenty minutes out of every day
likes to kick back and close his eyes.
Always dreams of the same old day
and in that picture, he always smiles

Old habits die hard
Old habits die hard
Old habits die hard
and a change - is never easy.

ASCAP 
all rights reserved 

The Picture

Jesse Aaron James performing at Joe Blues in the Blue Star Arts Complex, San Antonio, Texas - Jan 6, 2015
A medley of 2 new songs, an older song, and a little Johnny Cash thrown in for good measure. 
Coffee & Cigarettes
When My Train Comes
Folsom Prison Blues
Mojo

Coffee & Cigarettes Medley (GGBR)

Well, in a nutshell, this song is about my cat, Jack. He disappeared for a few days, and tho he kind of irritates me mostly, I found I was missing him dreadfully. 
First I came up with the descending melodic line that makes up the chorus.
I combined a bit of psychology of the emotionally hard-to-reach and completed the lyrics. 
Hopefully the listener will find something identifyable in the lyrics. 
Enjoy! 

Hey, Jack

an improvised bit in Bb. Sorry about the clipping, it was a sporadic live recording. 

Long Way From Home_improvisation

Read a post about America's billionaires and i got to joking with myself, "what if i asked a billionaire to buy me a really nice guitar?"
i mean, i'd get waaay more out of it and give a lot more back to my community than it would hurt them. Hell, it wouldn't even be a drop for them.  Then the words just started flowing. 
Open to collabs, co-writes, and other opportunities.

Mr Bills

Rocka Rolla in Am

Guitarist, Songwriter, Performer.
Americana / Folk / Southern Gothic / Blues

For booking, co-writes, inquiries and further information, 
Contact: GGBR663@gmail.com 

Discography / Credits: 
Jesse James & GGBR, the Golgotha Gypsy Blues Revue:  
Americana / Folk / Southern Gothic / Blues 
- solo acoustic and power trio, live performance 2012-present.
* album currently in the works. 

Fox Motel: Alternative from San Antonio, TX
* Sirena EP, 2020
~*~
Dawn of the Phoenix:  Synthpop from San Antonio, TX
- live bass & guitar. 
* EP - unreleased (guitar, bass, songwriting)
* A World Without You (live bass & backing vocals)
~*~
Tragic Black:  Deathrock from Salt Lake City, UT
- live guitar European tour, 2007 & Wave Gothic Treffen 2008
* The Dead Fall (vinyl-only release) - Catastrophe Ballet Records
* The Cold Caress - Strobelight Records
~*~
Redemption (bound):  traditional Goth Rock from Salt Lake City, UT
* Unwept - Eden's Watchtower Records
* Home (again) - Shadowplay Records
~*~
Ghostowne:  Americana from Salt Lake City, UT
* Dry County - Clumsy Buddha Records
* This Is The Place - Clumsy Buddha Records
* After The Rain - Clumsy Buddha Records

Jesse James Burnitt

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