Put Away the Knives

On Death

Song is about Sudanese refugee, John Bul Dau, who was relocated to the United States by U.N. workers. After arriving here he worked to raise awareness about the problems in Sudan and he has done much with multiple projects and foundations he has worked with or formed to raise money and awareness for those still affected by the situation in Sudan. He is a very inspiring person, and possesses a character we all should try to emulate. John Bul Dau's story is told parallel to those of others like him in the fantastic 2006 documentary, "God Grew Tired of Us."
I started playing guitar in January of this year (2011). This is the first song I've ever written or recorded and it's done as a one-track deal recorded on a digital voice recorder with me playing guitar, singing and playing harmonica all on this one track. So please don't judge me, I know it sucks (but it's not THAT bad haha).


John Bul Dau

Second song I've recorded, again as a one-track deal with guitar, vox and harp on same track performed simultaneously (I'm not really savvy on sound editing software, though I should be). Lyrics are listed below; I'll leave interpretation of the metaphor to the listener.

(Verse I)
Storm clouds roll in black and cold
A dark bird leads followers away from their souls
Lightning strikes entice when they shine bright like gold
The cost of their flash, well, the flock never knows

(Refrain)
The flock won't fly
For too long
If they don't know
What's wrong with the flight

(Verse II)
The birds all fly, wings bent in the dark
Never know quite where they go, but they beat those wings so hard
The creature in the lead has a goal all his own
Crows call their warning caws, but the flock never slows

(Refrain)

(Verse III)
The condor in the lead his pitch feathers groomed just right
A pleasant sight for the peasant birds' view from behind
The shadow of his lead obscures dangers in this night
The view will be less beautiful in a fall from the sky
 
Tuning: standard
Chords: Em-G-D (Verses); C-Em-C-Am-C-Em-D (Refrain); Em-G-D-Em-Bm-G-Em-G-D-G-D (Interlude/whatever you wanna call it)
Harmonica Key: G

The Crows and the Condor

A collection of soundbytes from the Sandusky-based Motown and R&B band, Sandtown. The track includes sample covers of classic artists such as Sam and Dave, Marvin Gaye, Carol King, Tina Turner, BB King and KC and the Sunshine Band, among others. Also included are sample solo licks from Sandtown guitarist, Derek Lykins.

Sandtown - Demo Collage

A sketchy, but entertaining enough (for me, at least) cover of the Avett Brothers' kick-ass "Denouncing November Blue." Ambient recording on cheap digital voice recorder. Timing's a little off at times, but trust me: it's not like I rehearsed this or have even ever played it before. Just for kicks.

bleedsound