http://fabricari.com/music/omiewise.mp3

I was listening to "Classic Mountain Songs from Smithsonian Folkways"
this afternoon and realized one of the songs that made my skin crawl,
"Omie Wise," was in the "Outlaws and Scalawags" book. I messed a bit
with the key (changed Am/G to Em/D) and changed the phrasing a bit
here and there for "drama." (OK, so it was really a mistake, but I
thought it sounded cool, so it stuck.)

This song was written by my friends Nich and Neal (nvonflue) in Hangdog Expression (http://www.hangdogexpression.com).

Update: I've added the album to Virb: http://virb.com/fabricari/music/albums/54048

I decided to round off the second half of the album with some folk songs that I'd already learned well enough to record in a single take. I only managed to write 3 original songs. I'm sure, to some degree, this is cheating, but my OCD just wants this to be over with. If anything, this challenge has given me perspective about where I'm at with my music. I think my banjo playing has come a long way, but I can't say the same for the vocals.

I realized February is a horrible month for me to be putting together an album. The themes are depressing as I'm depressed. It's a crummy month, this February. Anyway, here it is "The Longest Month."

Zipped Album: http://fabricari.com/music/the_longest_month/the_longest_month.zip

1. Intro
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Stupid Groundhog
4. 15 Years Too Long
5. Gypsy Firelight
6. My Son John
7. Sinnerman
8. Wayfaring Stranger
9. Whiskey in the Jar
10. The Longest Month

And bonus track:
11. Red River Valley

I used this for my album cover:

http://fabricari.com/music/hesitation-blues.mp3

When I first read the chords to this song I sorta affixed this melody to it before hearing a proper version of it recorded. Determined to see if I could get it to work, I tried again. This time in the creepy A-minor key to give it that extra "stalker" touch. I dunno, I think the lyrics are a bit creepy if you think about it. Accordion oompa gives it that extra creepy oomph, naturally.

Lyrics:
If the river was whiskey and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom and I'd never come up.

Chorus:
Oh tell me how long do I have to wait
Oh can I get you now, or must I hesitate?

If the river was whiskey and the branch was wine
you'd see me in bathing just any ole time

I was born in England, raised in France
I bought a suit of clothes and they wouldn't send the pants

I was born in Alabama, raised in Tennessee
If you don't like my peaches don't shake my tree

I looked down the road as far as I can see
A man had my woman and the blues had me

Got the hesitation stockings got the hesitation shoes
Oh my Lord I got the hesitation blues

http://fabricari.com/music/15-years-too-long.mp3

I tried to add some lyrics, vocals and accordion to that banjo lick I came up with in g-minor. Frankly, I'm not too terribly please by it. I like the accordion bits, but I shouldn't try that writin' stuff. I think I'll stick to folk songs and instrumentals for a while.


fifteen years is too long
they say i drink too much
i drink whiskey; i drink scotch
it keeps me out of touch

fifteen years is too long
this gutter makes a real nice bed
i'll be stuck in this town
prolly won't notice I'm dead

whiskey makes me sleepy
scotch costs way too much
vodka gives me headaches
but it don't stop this lush

it takes away the pain
i can't feel my lips
i'll keep drinkin' 'til I'm blind
give me one more sip

G-minor Tuning (gDGA#D)

http://fabricari.com/music/sinnerman.mp3

Today's Daily Frail taught us how to play this song in g-minor tuning. It's one of my favorite songs by 16 Horsepower. It's not related to any post-mardi-gras traditions, or anything; I just really like this song. Maybe it's because it evokes childhood fears of fire, brimstone, and gnashing of teeth.

The chords are just G-minor and F back 'n' forth.
I swiped the lyrics from Nina Simone:

Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to all on that day?

Run to the moon, "Moon won't you hide me?"
Run to the sea, "Sea won't you hide me?"
Run to the sun, "Sun won't you hide me all on that day?"

Lord says, "Sinner man, the moon'll be a bleeding."
Lord says, "Sinner man, the sea'll be a sinking."
Lord says, "Sinner man, the sun'll be a freezin' all on that day!"

Run to the Lord, "Lord won't you hide me?"
Run to the Lord, "Lord won't you hide me?"
Run, run, "Lord won't you hide me all on that day?"

Lord says "Sinner man, you should've been a praying."
Lord says "Sinner man, you should've been a praying."
Lord says "Sinner man, you should've been a praying all on that day."

Y'all getting sick of me posting music yet?

http://www.fabricari.com/music/g-minor-jam-2.mp3

I learned a new tuning (gDGA#D) - Gminor tuning - tonight. It's sorta the opposite of sawmill tuning. And just as badass. Patrick will be posting Daily Frail lessons all week in g-minor tuning.

As an aside, I started learning Cantonese today! You'd think after living 11 years in a house full of Cantonese speaking family that I'd have pick some of it up - nope. I decided, I need some structure to get a start, so I "picked up" 20 hours of lessons to practice with during my commute. After an hour I realize this ain't gonna be easy, but you'd think hearing it for so many years, it should be easy to pick up. We'll see.

http://fabricari.com/music/gypsy-firelight.mp3

Unless I run short on songs for the RPM Challenge, this one will likely hit the "cutting room floor." I thought I could turn it into something better, but it just ended up being an accordion solo. Gypsy Firelight is a traditional accordion tune.

http://fabricari.com/music/stupid-groundhog.mp3

I tried the approach where you make the music first, and attach the lyrics later. Ended up with a song more suited for a children's show. My 6-year old son like it, at least. Happy Groundhogs Day folks!

[F] Stupid groundhog
[F] Sees his shadow
[C] Six more weeks of Winter
[F] Six more weeks of snow

[Only on second verse]
[F] It's his fault we're
[F] Stuck in-doors
[C] Playin' games an' watchin' TV
[F] Mom I'm really bored

[Bb] We can't wait for the snow to melt
[F] We can't wait for Spring
[C] We can't wait for the grass to grow
[F] Can't wait for the birds to sing

[Bb] Stupid groundhog
[F] Stupid mole
[C] You don't get to make the weather
[F] Get back in your stupid hole

Bridge: D, F, D, F, D, F, C, F