Here's an explosive track written and recorded in 20 minutes on my iPhone voice memo. A talented musician and old friend, whom I wanted to collaborate with musically, challenged me to do an original song …since he had no interest in recording a cover. This is that. It's one of several originals done for that purpose. The lyrics are based on the FOMO (fear of missing out) stresses related to people’s addiction to mobile devices, social media and the premise that all the good that technology provides us should be tempered by responsible usage and self-control. A lyric line encapsulates the words of caution: “…Everyone’s trying to get ahead; I'm just trying not to wake up dead.” I had envisioned this universal “plea of hope” as a soundtrack to a film noir about getting caught up in technology’s deadly web--with few chances of breaking free. Sound effects and a bass line were added in GarageBand. The Original Recording was done in my garage (really) and the "reverb" is actually natural echo with the sound bouncing of the walls. Three very small amps were used to track the percussion, vocals and guitar track---all recorded in one take. Since I tend to lean towards ballads, this 127BPM track is a bit out of my wheelhouse. So, it comes from another place in the universe. A Remix and master was undertaken in May of 2016 to clean up the tracks, get a higher resolution experience and apply the punk bass line which, in retrospect, is pretty rocked up for its genre. Comments, shares and likes appreciated. Oh, and, that friend? I never did record with him. Seems he moved onto other things and recording music wasn’t one of them. Isn’t it a pity?

Say Oh Hey - To The Universe - ReMix- eMastered

Roots rock, stripped down, one voice, one take recorded on an iPhone Voice memo. It doesn't get any more naked than this. Not an auto-tune within 50 miles of this track. That was the guide track recorded in March 2016. Then Late May 2016 came around and a remix was undertaken (slide guitar, blues harp, stand-up bass and drums added) along with mastering work at emastered.com. And there’s your Uncle Bob and Aunt Fanny. Lock, Stock and Barrel. Booyah!
The writing of this song is credited to Gene Vincent and his manager, Bill "Sheriff Tex" Davis. Evidently the song originated in 1955, when Vincent was recuperating from a motorcycle accident at the US Navy hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. There, he met Donald Graves, who supposedly wrote the words to the song while Vincent wrote the tune. (Cf. "Money Honey" by the Drifters, 1953). The song came to the attention of Davis, who allegedly bought out Graves' rights to the song for some $50 (sources vary as to the exact amount), and had himself credited as the lyric writer. Davis claimed that he wrote the song with Gene Vincent after listening to the song "Don't Bring Lulu". Vincent himself sometimes claimed that he wrote the words inspired by the comic strip, "Little Lulu": "I come in dead drunk and stumble over the bed. And me and Don Graves were looking at this bloody book; it was called Little Lulu. And I said, "Hell, man, it's 'Be-Bop-a-Lulu.' And he said, 'Yeah, man, swinging.' And we wrote this song."
The phrase "Be-Bop-A-Lula" is similar to "Be-Baba-Leba", the title of a # 3 R&B chart hit for Helen Humes in 1945, which became a bigger hit when recorded by Lionel Hampton as "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop." This phrase, or something very similar, was widely used in jazz circles in the 1940s, giving its name to the bebop style, and possibly being ultimately derived from the shout of "Arriba! Arriba!" used by Latin American bandleaders to encourage band members.
Shares, Comments, reposts and downloads are most welcome.


Be Bop-a-Lula - ReMix2 - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

We heard The Bacon Brothers Cover Version of this song not long ago and, said: "Hmmm, Isn't That Nice?" Then, we did a bit of research to realize that this nugget was part of the original score for the "Hair" Rock Musical way back in the day. 

So, we had to try our hand at it. We recorded this tune on a 1950s Kamico Archtop Guitar that was picked up off Craigslist in the summer of 2014. The guitar belonged to a recently departed Westchester County, NY grandfather. His granddaughter put it out on his front porch with bags of his clothes for a Goodwill donation pickup. When we showed up, to pick up another guitar she posted, a Gibson Acoustic, she said we could take the arch top for $5...for repair...or whatever. 

We were convinced this very old guitar would make music once again. However, humble, this is that effort...recorded with no pretense as a simple acoustically-picked guitar and a solitary, sincere and impassioned voice of reason. It's a social commentary and, perhaps a protest song. When we played it back, we imagined this to be a Hair Musical audition tape from a cast member hopeful who, for whatever reason, simply didn't make the cut.

Postscript: In May of 2016, we ReMixed this nugget an eMastered it.
This track is from our slow and low, pit-cooked, nascent, debut on the Barbecue 4X 2 playlist.


Easy To Be Hard - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

Here's another track from the Buffalo Calamari Sessions, deep in Vault. It's from the 1990's Snow Patrol penultimate radio favorite. Here's our own darn version. Comments, Likes, Shares are much appreciated - if it tickles your innards. Recorded in one take on the iPhone Voice Memo App, using a Shure SM58; with an 80's Electra Phoenix X198, a Yamaha G-112 (voice) and Fender DSP Guitar, slight Chorus+ Flanger. 
All wet sounds 100% naturally delivered via real park-your-car in a garage acoustics. Go ahead, Have at it; grab a free download while you at it, will 'ya? This, after all, is the internet. Cheers. Some home grown decibels for your perfect little garden enjoyment...
Originally recorded in October 2015, the initial guide track described above was embellished with SFX, Bell Tones, Percussion, Piano, and Reggae-Inspired Bass in June of 2016. This is the result of that ReMix and the mastering process is courtesy of eMastered.com.


Chasing Cars - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

"The River" ...A tale all too familiar to so many a young couple. We let Bruce Springsteen's poignant lyrics say it best: 
"Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don't remember
N’ Mary acts like she don't care." 
We recorded this in the late Fall 2015, per usual, on an iPhone Voice Memo App in the garage given the natural, subdued reverb that the space delivers. It's one voice, one guitar (an Epiphone J-160E) all un-amplified and, this is the second take.) (The first take was not recorded.) Yes, John Lennon's long lost version of this iconic Epiphone guitar recently emerged from its disappearance a half century ago and sold at auction for $2.4 million. 
No matter, the melody to "The River" here is not dead-on per Bruce's seminal style. As with all the covers on The Buffalo Calamari Sessions, this track is all about the story: nothing more, nothing less. If it resonates with you for the emotion, its simplicity, or, the off-the-cuff performance, we'd rightly appreciate a shout out, a follow, a share and a post to your social media channels. This chestnut deserves all the lives it can get. And—another life in an alternate form. A million thanks to Bruce, again, for allowing this cover for "educational purposes only." Then again, the Boss is like that. He get's it.
In June of 2016 we remixed the boss’ gem and mastered if via eMastered.com. And, there you have it: The River. That’s your Auntie Fannie and Uncle Bob...and, off you go.


The River - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

Here's a 2012 Passenger Track from the "All The Little Lights" Album. The guide track was originally recorded in the style of a spare David Bowie "all-is-lost" Ballad,,, in honor of his passing on January 11, 2016. 

The March 2016 record is intended to be an ultra simple, narrative and reflective interlude. That's all it was when originally posted on the streaming site: SoundCloud. In Mid-June 2016, the spare guitar and voice guide track was remixed in GarageBand with a rhythm section…replete with some moody keys and an exotic beat. The Mixdown .Aif file was then sent to eMastered for a Master. Low and behold the spare track grew some heft along the way. The track is still a low key performance by design; now with a bit more gravitas. 
Comments, shares and likes would be nice if you are so moved by the under-produced arrangement. Over to you...


Let Her Go - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

"Honey Don't" is a song written by Carl Perkins, originally released on January 1, 1956 as the B-side of the "Blue Suede Shoes" single, Sun 234. 
Both songs became rockabilly classics. Bill Dahl of Allmusic praised the song saying, "'Honey Don't actually outclasses its more celebrated platter-mate in some ways." It has been covered by more than 20 other artists, including The Beatles, Ronnie Hawkins and Johnny Rivers. The song also appeared in the movies Prince of Tides, Diner, and Perfect Sisters. It appeared to be a likely addition to the "Buffalo Calamari Sessions" recording. So, here ya' go. It's 100% lean and organically certified with no fat or filler.
Not so fast! So… Though originally recorded on January 29th 2016, this tune was ReMixed in June of 2016 with additional instrumentation. And, then Mastered courtesy of the folks at eMastered.com. And, there ya’ go.


Honey Don't - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

The gone-all-too-soon prolific artist known as Prince has laid down countless tracks to much deserved success. In fact, it's rumored his vault holds enough recorded music for another lifetime of releases. Prince's creative powerhouse was boundless in the studio and it is only surpassed when he took to the stage to amaze every audience he went before. While Prince was still alive, Eric Clapton was once asked "How does it feel to be the greatest living guitarist? He pensively replied: I don't really know. You'll have to ask Prince."
Here's a chestnut re-envisioned for the coffeehouse genre. Devoid of a sensibility that comes from mullets, padded shoulders and a androgynous 90's pop-funk, this version of the When Doves Cry takes on a new sense of film noir energy and a sense of urgency, hopefully better suited for 2016 -- the year of the composer's untimely passing. This one's for you, sweet purple one. A million thanks for taking us along for your exciting, enthralling ride. It was in a word...awesome.
Post Script: The original April 2016 solo voice and guitar demo track was ReMixed with added instrumentation in June 2016 and Mastered vie eMastered.com


Buffalo Calamari Sessions

When Doves Cry - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

The work of the Beatles is, seemingly, never done. It will be reinvented time and again…for a long time to come. Based in the Blues, this little ditty began in a dank basement somewhere in 1920's rural America (Robert Johnson are you listening?) and, ended up in London, ca. 1960's getting bent, folded and manipulated into something totally new, fresh, and OH!-so-heart-wrenching. Leave it to John Lennon to find solace in gut-wrenching, painful relationships. Here's our own darn, lightly oaked version. Giving it a spin, you’ll be well done in around 3 minutes. Comments, likes and shares would be Oh!...so sweet. Oh! Darling. There ya' have it...

This recording lives on our Buffalo Calamari Sessions Album, for good reason. It was recorded on a late 1990's 12-string Ovation guitar; captured in the garage for that extra-dull, cavernous-void flava. Savor it like a rare Single Malt Scotch, Kimosabes. We hope it'll grow on you: Perhaps it will, if you've experienced one ounce of angst in ya' life.

While the guide track for this chestnut was recorded in the summer of 2015, it was ReMixed in June of 2016 and Mastered courtesy of the Grammy-Award Winning folks at eMastered.com. Taylor Swift, my dear lady, feel free to go ahead and eat your heart out darling. That’s what The Blues is all about!


The Buffalo Calamari Sessions

Oh! Darling

Oh! Darling - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

Here's a track that was brought back to our attention by the more recent Mumford and Sons version. Great tune from the start made contemporary by M&S. That, plus the lyrics: "...in the quiet of a subway station, running scared." reminded us so much of being a slender, long haired 17-year-old on our way to the very first day at a Jay Street college in Downtown Brooklyn, So, that said, here's our own darn version. The tune means a lot to us (thanks, Paul Simon!) and we hope we did it no harm in light of the awesome luminaries who have recorded it wonderfully before us. Your comments, likes, shares are most welcome and appreciated. Recorded, humbly, as a iPhone Voice Memo demo in one take; we believe we had four takes before this unedited "final" version of the guide track.
This track can be found on our nascent, debut, slow cooked: The "Barbeque 4X2" record.
Post script: Though the guide track was recorded in June of 2015 in was remixed and master, via eMastered.com in June of 2016


Barbecue 4X2

The Boxer

The Boxer - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

3rd Take, no edit iPhone Voice Memo Demo intended to spin the Wilco country-tinged classic on the Fox Trot Hotel record in a darker, harder boiled version. Nora Jones did a fine job with this along with her cohorts in Puss N’ Boots…albeit in a soft rock version. 

When we initially posted the spare guide track demo of Jesus, Etc. to our Twitter Account, we received hundreds of full file downloads on our ADrive storage account… as a result of the initial social media post. Its Soundcloud streaming run as a voice, EDM and Guitar guide track only enjoyed a tepid organic engagement.

Since #NoraJones was tagged in the original Tweet as well as #Wilco, we suppose there was curiosity about yet another version. Somehow it took off on Twitter. It's a whole lot raunchier that the fine performance by Ms. Jones. But, none-the-less we tried to keep it I the vain of that whisper singing style that launched a genre of smoky vocal delivery tunes.
This track is from our nascent, 2014 debut release: "Barbecue 4X2". 

However, in June of 2016 the tune was ReMixed with more instrumentation to add depth and a bit of gravitas. You decide. The myriad downloads of the original raw track are readily "out there" in the netsphere for thorough comparison. Also, credit is attributed to the capable folks at eMastered.com who did their usual Grammy award-winning mastering magic on this remix. Thanks eMastered. Thanks Collin. And, thank YOU for listening and sharing.


Jesus, Etc.

Jesus Etc - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

Here's another track from the Buffalo Calamari Sessions. Per usual, this was a garage recording, captured on a iPhone voice memo in one take, with one voice, on one track. It's that simple. And, that guide track was uncomplicated; wrestled to sound bite in three minutes: No more, no less. While recording, we realized this chestnut is a bit of a tribute to our fathers and grandfathers alike who were immigrants from Italy. We hope the emotion speaks to those who came before us. As much as we like to think we are vastly different from our parents, we really can't escape the similarities of a life lived as an apple that dropped not far from the tree. 

Enjoy, if you care to listen. A like, comment and share would be very nice and much appreciated. It seems we are all so busy to take a breath, observe and engage with the storytelling arts and those that spin those stories; those who persist to operate on the furthest reaches of indie frontier.
While this was first released in May of 2015 as a solo acoustic demo it was remixed with parts added in June of 2016. The folks over at emastered.com handled the mastering process with their Grammy Award winning engineers behind the technology.


Old Man

Old Man - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

With the loss of his first child, a son named Conor, Eric Clapton wrote this tribute to try to deal with unspeakable loss of his child. The song resonates with anyone who has suffered a loss and has to deal with reconciliation and the realization that you must go on -- while honoring life lost. Here's our own darn version. 
Originally recorded as a very simple recording: one voice, one track, one guitar. No varnish. Just the truth, in an attempt to re-tell it in a plain jane fashion. That was the tracks first incarnation. Covered in October 2015. 
Post Script: In June of 2016, the track was brought into GarageBand to ReMix with additional instrumentation. The Mastering was then parceled out in the Grammy-Award Winning hands of emastered.com. Thanks again Collin, fine job, as usual.

Hope you like it. Comments, Shares and Likes are appreciated. Every day is precious. Enjoy yours like there's no tomorrow!


Tears In Heaven

Tears In Heaven - ReMix - Michael Delgorio - eMastered

Guitar players look to their instruments for inspiration. In this instance, it was a acquisition, a Ovation 12-String guitar dating from the early 1990's. We used it to record this song, a favorite, hopeful song about redemption and relationships ...from the always impressive Sting. We relate to the song's story for several reasons personally and professionally...and, equally wanted to hear a pared down version of this ballad on the newly acquired Ovation. This is a simple message, a prayer and a promise to a lover that things will be better...even if they don't appear to be so in the current situation. Hope is a good thing, don't you think? Thanks for having a listen to this humble offering. Just a lone voice with few embellishments (a Latin infused bass line and an exotic trap percussion beat)and, a newly acquired guitar that needed an airing is a reserved tropical setting. Comments, likes and shares are most appreciated especially in light of Sting's recent drop of his 57th & 7th Album in early September 2016. A thoughtful man, he is, that Gordon Sumner fellow. A busy mind, indeed.

Fields of Gold

Fields Of Gold--ReMix- Michael Delgorio -- eMastered

Everyone loves a good story. We've enjoyed telling them in words, pictures and music. 

Please follow MichaeldelAard here and on twitter @MichaeldelAard. We've long been moved by the rough cuts, bootlegs and demos by storied artists both past and present because they show pure emotion, high creativity unfettered by auto-tune and over-production. The elimination of anything that could remotely resemble anything but a perfect track is not part of this stream. This project is more about spontaneity. You'll find perfectly human imperfections and, spare (lean and mean)demo productions throughout. On occasion, though all tracks were recorded ultra-simply on an iPhone's voice memo app, we would pull a track into GarageBand to add a track or sound effects (as in several of the originals, herein)...but all in all these are low-fat productions that reflect our most basic love for music and storytelling. Nothing more than that. Should a track tickle your ear, we'd be most grateful to here about it. Thanks for the opportunity to share with you. Follows, comments and shares are welcome.

MichaeldelAard

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