A comfortably swung hip-hop groove with resonant, funk-inspired bass buzz underpinning, this piece is positively overflowing with the raucous piano pezaz of the pre-transistor era.

A succint jaunty progression with several key changes, it also draws from the timeless off-kilter romping of 1930's dixieland jazz - highlights include a wild swingin' horn section and some spine-tingling chromatic solo meanderings that will put a smile on even the most melancholy musician's face.

Mister Tom explains the inspiration behind the writing of the piece:

"Many people are natural night-owls, so getting some proper rest in amongst the chaos of our 24 hour world can occasionally become rather tribulatious. This song tells the story of the typically beleaguered 21st century insomniac, who is haunted by the persistent noises of the neverending abstract symphony that is suburban Britain. Leading the charge against 'getting some shut-eye before the alarm clock goes off' is a portly bird with an ungainly manner and a truly perverse penchant for calling in a fashion quite unignorable by the overwrought sleep-seeker."

"The rambunctious solo sections denote the awkward and tangential thought paths of the half-conscious mind between waking and sleeping."

"Somewhat angular turnarounds signify the abrupt shift of focus to Mr. Wood Pigeon, who lands with an undignified clatter, calling out loudly and repetitively - 'hu-whooo!-who!' - before departing, briefly, only to return later and make certain that no worthwhile sleep has been captured thus far"

"Suggested in the the cascading, minor-key segments is the uneven take-off and fluttering adjustments of the bird in motion, as preached by the falsetto voicing of the ever-present neighborhood ice-cream truck, cruising around the estate."

"The rising major-key resolution sections describe the sun rising, illuminating, seeking through the clouds, and inevitably finding the gap in the curtains, drawing a laser-sharp bead on the line of sight of our hapless protagonist."

"After almost departing to slumber-land several times prior to each of the pertinacious pigeon's performances, it seems like all is quiet, that sleep may be within reach; the bird finally leaves... then, breaking the silence after the final cadence, that damnable timepiece goes off!"

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Rhythm: 4:4 , swung 16ths (45-55%)

Key: C, Fm, E

Progressions: {| C ' ' ' | C ' ' ' | F ' ' ' | C ' ' ' |}, TBC

Turnarounds: TBC

Useful Chords: TBC

Suggested Intervals: M7, M6, TT

Scales Used: TBA

Rhythms Used: TBA 

Mister Tom & The Amazing! Electrified Orchestra - Wood Pigeon Boogie

A subversively blue jazz number, featuring conversational brass, talkative synthesizers and a well-loved speak-easy honky-tonk opining loudly in lascivious compliment to create a humorously sultry mood that joyfully inflames the passions.

Mister Tom explains the inspiration behind the writing of the piece:

The Cardboard Box Blues is a soundtrack to moving house - a task that few look forward to as it can absorb a lot of energy what with all the taking stock and dealing thoroughly with baggage both physical and emotional. This piece was written for the recalcitrant relocator, to put a smile on their face while their whole life gets put piece by piece into storage containers ready for the next leg of the journey. Accompanying the work with a smoky blue jazz jam, the orchestra are on rare form, sharing some good humoured harmonization and surprising full-section solo voicings.

The piece centres around a solid two-part walking bassline pattern that does a double duty for both major and minor feel parts of the song.

Taking a lead spot in the refrains are a full section of stylophone-esque synthesizers amounting to a 'bumblebee chorus' of buzzing melody, all the while underpinned by the more traditional horn section sounds. Each phrase ends with a familiar down-turned cadence, accurately portraying the abruptly final sensation after sealing each packing container.

The refrain is interspersed by a harmonious detuned honky tonk piano bridge, maintaining the light mood a little while longer before entering a moodier mid section, featuring some unusual trumpet phonics set over slinky synthetic strings. The juxtaposition of the major-feel piano parts echoed from earlier in the verse over this minor-feel mid section evokes the mixed emotion felt when discovering a memory which had not been unearthed in some while, before having to pack it away into storage almost immediately afterward.

The time for melancholic reflection is soon over; everything must go into the box, memories and all; the listener is carried back out of the doldrums by the smooth meanderings of the jazz organist, and soon enough the glorious fuzzy refrain returns, ensuring that spirits will be maintained for the long haul ahead.

There is strange feeling that fills the bare rooms of a freshly empty home after everything is packed; the piece ends in a similarly unresolved way landing squarely on the aforementioned 'sealed box cadence'.


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Rhythm: 4:4 , swung 16ths (TBA%)

Key: TBA

Progressions: TBA

Turnarounds: TBA

Useful Chords: TBA

Suggested Intervals: TBA

Scales Used: TBA

Rhythms Used: TBA

Mister Tom & The Amazing! Electrified Orchestra - Cardboard Box Blues

Hot Southern Jazz meets Disco House; a groovy melange of bright tone and bouncing rhythm.

Mister Tom & The A.E.O.