Election season is upon us. Check out the music and words of Tribal. 
Written by TJG July 2021
Recorded at Princeton Sound

Mix 1: Aug 7, 2021
D flat Major. Every chord includes a 7th and uses a drop 2 voicing. 
Thank you to Jeff Roberts for providing feedback on the first mix ;-)


Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Sound
Guitars
Rhythm 1: Gibson ES335
Lead1: Gibson ES335
Bass: Fender Squire

Percussion: 
Pearl Cajon Mach 2 – with hands
Pearl Hi Hat with Zildjian symbols - with brushes – it’s too bad I couldn’t come up with a better rhythm section. 
Vocals: TG

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Verse 1
He’s so BLUE
She’s so RED
They’re in luv
But they can’t be friends
They can’t be friends

Verse 2
She luvs Q 
and Jesus too
He’s in luv
But they can’t be friends
They can’t be friends

Refrain
We get so tribal
In our heads
We get so tribal
We get so tribal (in our heads)

Verse 3
He’s so BLUE
She’s so RED
They’re in luv
But they can’t be friends
They can’t be friends


Refrain

We go so tribal
We get so tribal
We get so tribal 
In our heads


outro
We get so tribal 
We get so tribal 
In our heads…….

Tribal

A big thank you to Jeff Roberts and Andrew Borderick for playing on....."Just a Boy".

This sad and devastating local story has been on my mind for a long time.... I'm reminded about this tragedy nearly everyday as I run along the Mississippi Blvd and see the memorial. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just A Boy
Written by TJG August-September, 2021


Thank you to Jeff Roberts (@jeff_roberts)for his catchy bass guitar work!
Thank you to Andrew Borderick (@andrew-borderick)for the fantastic B3! 
Thanks to Rene (@para-lia) for feedback on an early draft - always appreciate that. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mix 1: September 23, 2021
Mix 2: November 9, 2021
Thanks to Eddie Cilettie for departing some of his wisdom about mixing ;-)

Verse 1
You move like a summer breeze
There's whistling in the trees
You're always on my mind
You were just a boy
Don't leave me alone

Refrain 1 - instrumental and hum

Verse 2
You know I hate Christmas Eve
It brings me to my knees 
You're always on my mind
You were just a boy
You were just a boy

Refrain
How they took your life
What a senseless crime

Verse 3
You said you were going for a ride
But I didn't say goodbye
You're always on my mind
Don't leave me alone!

Refrain
Well they took your life 
by surprise
Such a senseless crime
Such a senseless crime

Verse4
And After all this time
I can't heal
and baby sometimes I can't feel....

Refrain
Yeah they took your life
Yeah they took your life
Such a senseless crime
Such a senseless crime
How they took your life
How they took your life
Such a senseless crime
Such a senseless crime
How they took your life

outro
You move like the summer breeze
and I hear you whistling in the trees....

Just a boy (ft. Jeff Roberts and Andrew Borderick)

Testing 1, 2, 3.....just checking the tone and levels in the studio tonight....
1 guitar track - Gibson ES 335 recorded to an MCI two track tape machine
Strawberry photo is courtesy of my wife ;-)

Strawberry Jam

Sunrise with the bariste
One more latte please ;-)
ThreePhotons.com
----------------------------------------------------
#almostjazz
Ab major/ F Aeolian mode
a lot of flat 7ths, 6ths, and 9ths. 
Written by TJG Jan/2022
Inspired by my study of Charlie Christian's work. 

Mix 1: January 20, 2022
Thanks to Jeff and Rene for feedback on the early draft. 

Recording and Production Notes:

Software: Pro Tools

Microphones: 
Shure KSM44 (close mic on amps, hi-hat, cajon)
AKG xls 414 and Neumann TLM67 room mic

Guitars:
Rhythm: Gibson ES335
Lead: Gibson ES335
Bass: Fender squire

Percussion: 
Hand crafted DIY ;-)
I'm not a drummer - just trying to pull off the minimum here
Pearl Cajon Mach 2 – with brushes
Pearl Hi Hat with Zildjian symbols - with brushes

Mixer: a very old API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape. I used an input and output transformer to give some additional harmonics. Hope you like it.

FREE PHOTONS

Sunrise with the bariste

Just to see you

A little rock song about a fighter pilot - on one last flight.
Written by: TG March/April 2022
Cover art: World War II Research from the US Center for Naval Analysis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Featuring: The Gatsbys
A HUGE thank you to Dirk Taubenheim for agreeing to work on this song. 

Mix 1: May 16, 2022
Thanks to Rene and Jeff for feedback on the first mix. Always appreciate that. 

Mix 2: May 26, 2022
Thanks again to Eddie Ciletti for the mix tips!

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio

Tim's Guitars
Rhythm1: Gibson ES 335
Lead1: Les Paul Standard

Dirk’s guitars
Rhythm and lead: Epiphone EJ 200
Rhythm: Rickenbacker 360
Bass: Rocktile (Rickenbacker copy)

Mics: 
Neumann TLM 67 main vocals
Rode M3 background vocals and acoustic guitars
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG
Backing vocals: DT

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just to see you

Lyrics
Verse 1
One last flight
I think I’ll check my vital signs
Before I strap in for the ride
And in my mind
You’re the fear I cannot hide
When I’m flying across the sky

Refrain 1
Just to see you, Again
Just to see you, Again

Verse 2
Enemy lines
I think I’ll drop my last goodbye
and find my way back to you
I can’t un-see 
All the things you made me be
I’m coming home back to you

Refrain 2
Just to see you, Again
Just to see you, Again

Outro
One last flight
One last flight
And I’ll see you, AGAIN
Just to see you, Again
Just to see you, Again
One last flight, Again
Just to see you, AGAIN
Just to see you, AGAIN

Just to see you (ft. The Gatsbys)

Rain Delay
The search for a great guitar tone continues.....

Mix 1: Aug 11, 2022
Written by T.G. July 2022
Soft Jazz
Dflat Major...lots of 9ths, 7ths, sus4ths, etc.

Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Amp: Vox AC15
Mic: Royer r10 ribbon
Preamp: API 312
Percussion: tried but didn't like it. Try again later ;-)

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Rain delay

Room 298
Where you go to explore chromatic scales and shape theory....

Guitar: Fender Jazzmaster
Amp: Vox AC15
Percussion: Pearl Hi Hat with Zildjian symbols - with brushes 
Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons
Mic preamps: API 312

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Room 298

A cool little tune called "The Icehouse ".  Escape with me to this little jazz club in Minneapolis.

Image obtained from the Icehouse website
Written by TJG January 2023
Mix 1: February 11, 2023
Mix 2: March 18, 2023 - adjusted stereo mix volume using api 535 LA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyrics

Verse 1
Stella by Starlight
Escaping the real life
Touched by the stardust
She found her real lust
Won't you come on down?

Refrain
Playing all the standards, at the icehouse
Watching it all go down, at the icehouse

Verse 2
Caught in the spotlight
I'm faking the real life
Touched by the starlight
Escaping the real life

Refrain
Playing all the standards, at the icehouse
Watching it all go down, at the icehouse

Verse 3
Stella by Starlight
Escaping the real life
Won't you come on down?

Refrain
Playing all the standards, at the icehouse
Watching it all go down, at the icehouse
Playing all the standards, at the icehouse

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Details

Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Lead Guitar: Fender Jazzmaster
Guitar Amplifier: Vox AC15….set as clean I can get it. 
Bass Amplifier: Fender BXR 60 (not great, but with me since 1997)
Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay; Fender clean boost

Percussion: Pearl Hi Hat with Zildjian symbols – played with brushes 
Percussion: Pearl Cajon – played with brushes

Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons for guitar and a Neumann TLM 67 for vocals
Mic preamps: API 312
Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

The Icehouse

Through the haze
Written by TJG May 2023
Trying for a vintage jazz sonic.
Thank you for listening.


Through the haze

Tell me one more time
what’s on your mind
I hear the rain
These are stormy days

Late nights at the cold front
I see you
Through the haze

Wake up, Wake up
Somethings brewing
In your mind

Tell me one more time
What changed your mind
I feel your pain
These are lonely days

Late nights at the cold front
I see you
Through the haze

Late nights at the cold front
I see you
Through the haze

Wake up, Wake up
Somethings brewing
In your mind

Wake up, Wake up
Somethings brewing
In your mind

Wake up, Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
Tell me what’s on your mind.


Technical Details
Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Lead Guitar: Fender Jazzmaster
Guitar Amplifier: Vox AC15….set as clean I can get it. 
Bass Amplifier: Fender BXR 60

Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay; Fender clean boost

Percussion: Pearl Hi Hat with Zildjian symbols – played with brushes 
Percussion: Pearl Cajon – played with brushes

Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons on guitars
Mics: AEA R44 vocal 
Mic preamps: API 312
Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Through the haze

Walking on tundra
Written by TG August 2023
Inspired by my work in the Canadian Arctic, 1995-2000. 

Technical Details
Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Lead Guitar: Fender Jazzmaster
Guitar Amplifier: Vox AC15….set as clean I can get it. 
Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay; Fender clean boost
Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons for guitar 
Mic preamps: API 312
Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Walking on tundra

Help me see
Written by TJG March 2024


Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Lead Guitar: Fender Jazzmaster
Guitar Amplifier: Vox AC15….set as clean I can get it. 

Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay; Fender clean boost



Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons on guitars
Mics: AEA R44 vocal 
Mic preamps: API 312
Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Basement boiler/heater – adding all kinds of unwanted noise 😉

Someday I will add drums and bass – but wanted to go for this raw guitar/vocal sound for now. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help me see

I can’t see the stars tonight
Shining down or in your eyes
I can’t see the stars tonight

I can’t find the words tonight
Written down or in my mind
I can’ t find the words tonight

I can’t see the stars tonight
Shining down or in your eyes
I can’t see the stars tonight


Shining down or in your eyes 
I can’t see the stars tonight
Help me see 
Help me see the stars tonight

I could live a simple life
Slow it down or take a flight
I could live a simple life
I could live a simple life

I can’t see the see stars tonight
I can’t find the words tonight
Shining down or in your eyes
Help me see the stars tonight

I can’t find the words tonight
Written down or in my mind
I can’t find the words I like……

Help me see

Contours and detours
Written and recorded by TJG May 2024

Contours and Detours is my take on Gershwin's Rhythm changes with my own harmonic substitutions throughout. Written in B-flat Major with a Key change in the bridge. 

Technical Details
Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Lead Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Guitar Amplifier: Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe
Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay; Fender clean boost
Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons on guitars
Mic preamps: API 312
Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Contours and detours

Best of me
Written and Recorded by ThreePhotons Jan 2025


Written in B-flat Major for my wife 😉
Trying for a vintage jazz sound. Thanks for listening. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------


Technical Details:

Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 175
Lead Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Guitar Amplifier: Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe
Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay

Bass Guitar: Fender Squire recorded with API 505 DI
Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons on guitars
Mic: AEA R44 vocals
Mic preamps: API 312

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

Best of me

Take Flight (mix #1)
Written and Recorded by TJG May 2025
Written in B-flat Major 😉
Trying for a vintage sound jazz composition. Thanks for listening. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Details:
Rhythm Guitar: Gibson ES 175
Lead Guitar: Gibson ES 335
Guitar Amplifier: Fender George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe
Fender pedal board: Line 6 delay
Bass Guitar: Fender Squire recorded with API 505 DI
Mics: a pair of Royer r10 ribbons on guitars
Mic: AEA R44 vocals
Mic preamps: API 312
Spatial effects: analog reverb
Mixer: API 32 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take Flight

Take flight, you’re on your way tonight
Take time, you’re always on my mind
You’re always on my mind

Dark night, we can’t see stars or light
We can’t see stars or light
We can’t see stars or light

Star light, I’m on my way tonight
I’ll be there, at first light
At first light

Star light, I’m on my way tonight
I’ll be there, at first light
At first light

Take flight

Life Boat

Runaway Time

Photo by my good friend Adrian Danciu at Kinocut Pictures (visual.kinocut.com)

Bright lights in the sky
Bright lights in your eyes
Will I see you there?
Will I see you after the show?
Bright lights in the sky...

You get so high
and I get so low
I'll see you after the show

Blond hair
green eyes
it's an electric night

You get so high
and I get so low
I'll see you after the show

Will I see you there? 
Bright lights in your eyes

You get so high
and I get so low
I'll see you after the show

I'll see you after the show....

After the show

White Sands, Vietnam Photo by my good friend Adrian Danciu at Kinocut Pictures (visual.kinocut.com)

Are you out there?
Did you leave it all behind?
Chasing freedom
You're racing against time

Hey I see everything needs to be free
Hey you - you're all I need

Haven't seen you for so long
We got washed away
carried away in the fray

Hey I see everything needs to be free
Hey you - you're all I need

Everything wants to be free
Everything needs to be free

With the sand and the sun and the wind in your face
You can be free
Be free
BE FREE

Hey I see everything needs to be free
Hey you - you're all I need
Can't you see
everything needs to be free

Be free

A simple song about friends that left planet Earth far too early.
Thanks to Andrew Borderick for feedback on the first draft.
April 7, 2020 reprinted to a 1/4 inch 2-Track Tape MCI JH-110

Well you shine so bright
On the darkest night
Yeah, you're just like a satellite

I didn't want to see you go
I didn't want to feel you let go

Just wanna sit right next to you
Yeah, we'll count all the fire flies
You let me tell you my next big lie

I didn't want to see you go
I didn't want to feel you let go

I didn't want to see you go
We'll get higher
To get higher

Well you shine so bright 
Yeah, you're shining so bright
Yeah, you're just like a satellite

Satellite

My Parallel Universe (Three Photons Oct 2018)
Written in C# Phyrgian mode. Cheers, TJG. 

it's a parallel universe
it's what I believe
you and I staring out at space
you're staring back at me

we're light-years apart
and I've traveled so far
just to find you!

I think I was shaken 
by the light in your eyes
I must have been taken
for a beautiful ride

we're light-years apart
and I've traveled so far
just to find you!


it's a parallel universe


It's a parallel universe
it's what i believe
you and I staring out at space
you're staring back at me


we're light-years apart
and I've traveled so far
just to find you!

just to find you

just to find you

My parallel universe

Photo by Adrian Danciu (Kinocut Pictures, https://visual.kinocut.com/index). Fishing boat on tour to an island near Kalymnos in the Aegean Sea, Greece. 

April 7, 2020 reprinted to a 1/4 inch 2-Track Tape MCI JH-110

Blue Horizon Lyrics


Blue horizon - I'm on my way
Got handful of gold and no-one to pay
I'm happy now - I'm on my way

Going into the blue
Where's it deep and true
You got a lose yourself to find something else
It's a blue horizon - I'm on my way
I'm Into the blue

Restless Ocean - I'm in too deep
Got a handful of love and no-one to play
I'm happy now - I'm on my way

Going into the blue
Where's it deep and true
You got a lose yourself to find something else
It's a blue horizon - I'm on my way
I'm Into the blue

I'm into the Blue 
I'm into the Blue
I'm into You.......

Blue horizon - I'm on my way
Got an eye on you
but I can't stay
I'm happy now - I'm on my way

Going into the blue
Where's it deep and true
You got a lose yourself to find something else
It's a blue horizon - I'm on my way
I'm Into the blue

Blue horizon

Drive time (Mix 2, October 28, 2019)
Mix 2 changed pan and compression on acoustic guitar to bring it forward in the mix. 
Mix 3: April 7, 2020 reprinted to a 1/4 inch 2-Track Tape MCI JH-110
Written, performed, and mixed by Tim Griffis at Princeton Studio. Thanks to Rene, Kevin, and Andrew for comments on an early mix. Always appreciate the feedback. 

Hope you like the sound ;-)

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Guitars: Guild Acoustic, Fender Strat; Les Paul Standard; Fender Squire Bass

Mics: Neumann TLM 67 and AKG C414xls
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 16 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)

Lyrics

Verse 1
The demons inside your head, they're on fire
It's making it hard to fake your smile
you're cool on love, it's breaking you down
it's a simple life, in this heartbreak town 

Chorus
You fake a smile at me - I don't mind
Come see the world with me - it's our time
We'll find a cure for you - it's drive time

Verse 2
You're stronger than steel, you gotta heart of gold
The cells in your blood won't leave you alone
It's a rare disease, one step at a time
It's making it hard to fake your smile

Chorus
You fake a smile at me - I don't mind
Come see the world with me - it's our time
We'll find a cure for you - it's drive time

Bridge/Verse 3 
no lyrics
Enter Heavier Guitar Sound (Gibson Les Paul Standard)

Chorus
You fake a smile at me - I don't mind
Come see the world with me - it's our time
We'll find a cure for you - it's drive time

Drive time

The other side of night(Mix 1, December 6, 2019)

Written, performed, and mixed by Tim Griffis at Princeton Studio. This is the last song on my "Drive Time" project.
Hope you like the melodies and the sound ;-)
Photo by Adrian Danciu at Kinocut Pictures (visual.kinocut.com)

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Guitars: Fender Strat; Fender Squire Bass

Mics: Neumann TLM 67 
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Eventide Eclipse effects

Lyrics
Verse 1
On the other side of night
We could take our chances there
It's a story to rewrite

Chorus
We could find our way
We could find our way
We could find our way tonight

Verse 2
Two spirits in the night
We're searching for daylight

Chorus
We could find our way
We could find our way
We could find our way tonight

Bridge
We're two spirits in the night
We're just searching for daylight
I thought I saw you there
I thought I saw you there
But you walked away in the night

outtro 
thought I saw you there
on the other side of night
thought I saw you there

The other side of night

One Clock at a Time
Three Photons featuring The Gatsbys
Written and mixed by Tim Griffis at Princeton Studio. 
Thanks to Dirk Taubenheim for agreeing to help with this song.  I have great admiration for Dirk's musicianship and sense of music!
Mix 2: April 7, 2020 mixed to a 1/4 inch 2-track tape system (MCI JH-110)

Thank you to Adrian Danciu at Kinocut Pictures (visual.kinocut.com) for his Clock photo in old downtown Mexico City! 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Tim's Guitars
Rhythm and Lead Fender Stratocaster
Rhythm Gibson Les Paul Standard

Dirk's Guitars 
Bass 
Arpeggios - Silvertone
Rhythm - Rickenbacker
Rhythm - Acoustic

Dirk's backing vocals recorded at his studio.

Mics: Neumann TLM 67 
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Eventide Eclipse effects
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyrics
Verse 1
If I could see
all the things that waited for you and me
I'd change the world
One clock at a time
I'd wave my magic wand
for you...

Chorus 1
There's a light in your life
let it be your guide
The clock keeps score
for you tonight
We can change the world 
one clock at a time
don't let it tick away....

Verse 2
If I could see 
through the shadows of life
I'd change the world
One clock at a time
I'd wave my magic wand 
for you...

Bridge
One clock at a time
One clock at a time
I could change time
One clock at a time

Chorus 2
There's a light in your life
let it be your guide
The clock keeps score
for you tonight
We can change the world 
one clock at a time
don't let it slip away....

Outro
One clock at a time
One clock at a time
I could change time
One clock at a time

One clock at a time (ft. The Gatsbys)

Life's Number
Written and mixed by Tim Griffis at Princeton Studio.
Mix 1: April 2, 2020
Mix 2: April 7, 2020 reprinted to a 1/4 inch 2-Track Tape MCI JH-110
Cover art extracted from this week's lecture.....;-)
Keep safe and stay healthy during this difficult time
Cheers, Tim
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Tim's Guitars
Rhythm: Fender Stratocaster
Rhythm Gibson Les Paul Standard
Lead: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Bass: Fender Squire

Mics: Neumann TLM 67
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Eventide Eclipse effects
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyrics

Verse 1
He's a mystery man
He's got the cure in his hands
For love, For Hate, and Disease...

Chorus
Looking back on life
Should have died a thousand times
Looking back on life
What the hell am I doing here?

Verse 2
He's a mystery man
He's got the numbers in his hands
For Life, For you and me....

Chorus
Looking back on life
Should have died a thousand times
Looking back on life
What the hell am I doing here?

Bridge
Bass riff...

Verse 3
He's a mystery man
He plays guitar in a rock band
For Love, For Life, For Peace

Chorus
Looking back on life
Should have died a thousand times
Looking back on life
What the hell am I doing here?


outro

Should have died a thousand times

looking back

Life's number

Written and mixed by Tim Griffis at Princeton Studio.
Mix 1: June 16, 2020
Mix 2: July 19, 2020 -- mixed to an MCI JH-110 tape machine at 15 ips using ATR master tape.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Tim's Guitars
Rhythm: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Lead1: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Lead2: Fender Stratoscaster
Bass: Fender Squire

Pedals:
Fulltone wah, OCD
MXR analog chorus
Line 6 delay

Mics: Neumann TLM 67
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyrics

Verse 1
Hey summer, where have you gone?
you've left me here all alone
Heatwave, bring on the storm
and wash my sins away

Chorus
Summer's calling, but I'm locked away another day
Summer's calling, but I'm locked away....

Verse 2
Heartache, leave me alone
find someone else to play
Fires rage, in the sky tonight
there's broken glass in the moonlight

chorus 2
Summer's calling, but I'm locked away another day
Summer's calling, but I'm locked away....

backing vocals 
you can see the light
you can see the light in your eyes

Outro...

Locked away another day

The cameraman
I imagine a cameraman sees a lot of things he doesn't want to see or believe ;-)
Written by Tim Griffis July 2020
mix 1: July 21, 2020, lead vocal panned left (experimental 60s/70s) 

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Tim's Guitars
Rhythm: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Lead1: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Bass: Fender Squire

Mics: Neumann TLM 67
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape. 


Lyrics

Verse 1
It's a camera eye
I look away
or I go blind
it ain't pretty
livin alone in this dirty city

Chorus 1
Just like Elvis
when he hit his prime, I shoot at the TV
I hate lookin in the camera eye
when you're staring at me

Verse 2
Hey girl
it ain't pretty
going on down on this empty life
you sure are witty
I can't stand one more lie....

Chorus 2
Just like Elvis
when he hit his prime, I shoot at the TV
I hate lookin at the camera eye
when you're staring at me

Outro
Just like Elvis
when he hit his prime, I shoot at the TV
I hate lookin at the camera eye
when you're staring at me
Just like Elvis
when he hit his prime, I shoot at the TV
I hate lookin at the camera eye
when you're staring at me

The cameraman

Written by ThreePhotons October 2020
Mix 1: Nov 2, 2020
Thanks so much to Andrew and Rene for comments on the draft mix.
Hope you like the sound!

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Guitars
Rhythm1: Les Paul Standard
Lead1: Les Paul Standard
Bass: Fender Squire

Mics: Neumann TLM 67
Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape. 

Lyrics  (more sparse than usual -- both verses have 7 words each)
 
Verse 1
Tuesday night
we were a train wreck

Refrain
All this time
we were taking the same path
through time
just trying to make it last

Verse 2
Twenty-one
you were hiding in makeup

Refrain
All this time
we were taking the same path
through time
just trying to make it last

Just trying to make it last

All this time
we were taking the same path
through time
just trying to make it last

One more time...

Tuesday night

The old music chamber
Written, recorded, and mixed by Tim Griffis November 2020
Trying to write an instrumental with a jazz vibe that smells like cigarettes and booze.....;-)
Sorry for the squeaky strings.
Thanks to @mrcagey for feedback on an early draft - always appreciate that. 
Mix 1: November 11, 2020

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio

Guitars
Guild DV-52 acoustic - acquired in Vancouver, Canada in 2000
Fender Stratocaster
Fender Squire Bass

Microphones
1. ambient room mic (TLM67)
2. close mic acoustic (AKG C414 XLS)
3. close mic acoustic (Shure 57A)

Drums: arranged by TG
Software: Pro Tools

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 30 ips using ATR Master Tape.

The old music chamber

Sunlight for your sins
written by TJG January 2021
give this song a chance - it gets a bit better by the end ;-)
mix1: Jan 24, 2021
cover art: TJG

Technical Details
Recorded at Princeton Studio
Guitars
Rhythm 1: Guild DV52
Rhythm 2: Les Paul Standard
Lead1: Les Paul Standard
Lead2: Fender Stratocaster
Bass: Fender Squire

Percussion: Pearl Cajon Mach 2 – I tried to play it with brushes ;-)
Mics: Neumann TLM 67 (vocal) and AGK 414 & Shure KSM44 on guitars and cajon
Software: Pro Tools
Vocals: TG

Mixer: API 24 channel summing mixer (8200/7800)
Stereo Bus processing (API EQ and API compressor)
Final mix down to a MARA MCI JH110 1/4inch 2-track at 15 ips using ATR Master Tape. I used an input and output transformer to give some additional harmonic distortion.

Lyrics

Verse 1
I don’t see a way you could find it here….

refrain
You got the sunlight on your skin
You’re looking for a win
Nothing heals your sin
Babe it’s time to go
Babe it’s time to go
You know it’s time to go
Again

Verse 2
See the rain
on the window
Crashing down again
Three miles from where we began…

refrain
You got the sunlight on your skin
You’re looking for a win
Nothing heals your sin

Babe it’s time to go
Babe it’s time to go
You know it’s time to go
Again

Verse 3
Well the rain keeps falling down
Nothing left to see in this old town
So much sin bringing us to the ground……

Refrain
You got the sunlight on your skin
You’re looking for a win
Nothing heals your sin

Babe it’s time to go
Babe it’s time to go
You know it’s time to go
Again

Outro
I see the sunlight now
I see the sunlight now
I feel the sunlight on my skin

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Well I Know
Well I know
I feel the sunlight on my skin
Well I know
There’s something happening here

Sunlight for your sins

A studio project based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Creating songs with a warm, vintage, and nostalgic vibe. Trying to be analog in a digital world.  Visit ThreePhotons.com for more information. 

All songs written, performed, recorded, and mixed by Three Photons at Princeton Sound. Primary genres are Indie,  Rock, and Jazz-Blues. 

My current projects rely on analog techniques including tape machines, analog reverberation, and other analog outboard tools. 
 
Thank you for visiting. 

Cheers,
Three Photons

Three Photons

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