So after listening to The Mixus Brothers "For the Sake of Humanity," I stumbled across this article about The Tweedy Family in the New Yorker (1). Then I remembered that Scott Mervis from the Post-Gazette posting something on Facebook asking what local bands were writing concept albums (2) about the pandemic. It made me think about a song I wrote at the beginning of the lock down called, "That's Another Story." I recorded a demo with James on drums.
Like all new songs I thought it was cool at the time but wasn't sure if The Deep Roots would ever learn it. After another listen, I think it captures an element of the pandemic that The Mixus Brothers and Jeff Tweedy and family didn't. Therefore - a blog post of one of my demos. My contribution to pandemic inspired music.
Here's a secret - I post demos under The Lone Coal Miners - but that's another story.
The recording is a demo. I wrote the song. James and I played it through two or three times and that is it. I overdubbed some guitars and vocals. O maybe it isn't a demo. I could raise the GBV (3) flag and call this the finished product.
End Notes (yeah baby! End notes on my blog post because I can do whatever I want!)
Note 1 - That story is behind the paywall. It isn't that big of a deal. A bunch of the episodes are on YouTube. I really love Jeff Tweedy - it is just that I don't like many of his songs since the first Wilco album. After listening to one of these shows I think I've identified the problem. Jeff is so self-deprecating nobody is willing to say, "Look, Jeff, this is a really good start. Let's try to tie these lyrics together so that they make sense. And if we could just push the melody a little bit here, I think it would make an awesome song.
Note 2 - A concept album. Imagine me writing a concept album. I am either not bright enough or do not have the interest or both.
Note 3 - GBV or Guided by Voices - the much acclaimed band lead by Robert Pollard that I'm still trying to figure out what the fuss is all about. But if Bob Pollard can become a legend with lo-fi half finished stuff, why can't I?