Years ago when I was still learning to play guitar; I know, we are always learning! In this piece, my great friend and musical soul mate Tom Robinson is playing guitar and singing. I play around with the harmony, not knowing exactly where this song is going as we play off each other’s ideas as the song ends. This is another very basic living room recording but I simply love the song and the textures we created around the basic outline of the song. I hope you enjoy it as well. There are a number of inside jokes and references people might not totally understand, but I don’t think that will interfere too much.When I contacted them recently for correct song credits the answers were definite with options available for future adjustments. Tom Gorman and Tom Robinson [for all intents and purposes…] wrote the lyrics. Music by Tom Robinson. For a little more history I will include a portion of the conversation for historic kicks and giggles.

(Co-authors) Tom Gorman to Tom Robinson:

It was I July or Aug of 77 at your apartment. ….. Your stereo wasn’t working, and you were tinkering with it. You began to make progress and said “We got the capability . . .” For whatever reason, that inspired me, and I wrote most of the words to the song, including most of the refrain. ….. You came up with the lines about (mutual friends). I had written “We’ve got to feed our habits now” but couldn’t think of anything else. You changed “habits” to “rabbits” and added the line about rounding up the steer. At a later point, you put it to music and added “Thinkin’ about our doodely doom” and “weekend in the womb.” You also gave it the title “The Round-up.” The illegal beer was the Millers that (we) managed to score on a Sunday when it was illegal to sell it on Sunday.

Comments
  1. Bioman says:

    This isn’t the Tom Robinson of the TRB is it? Cool thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Oh yes, see the Simon and Garfunkel influence for sure. Great harmonies!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. anomalousmale says:

    Hi Midimike, thanks for following my blog. New subscribers get a short story written about them – don’t forget to claim yours! More info here – https://anomalousmale.wordpress.com/2015/09/27/get-youre-own-personal-short-story-when-you-follow-the-anomalous-male/

    Cheers,
    Anomalous Male.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. David Kennedy says:

    It’s nice to have those Bozo beads commemorated, I always liked those.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. DarkStarReviews says:

    It’s often easy to tell instantly which musicians truly gel together. CSN, Simon and Garfunkel, Beach Boys etc. Not only because their harmonies are perfect, but because you can sense an even deeper musical understanding, and I can clearly see that here lol! Thanks for sharing this!

    Liked by 1 person

    • midimike says:

      You are correct. The way families have an uncanny way of not just blending voices and tones but also in the creative process while listening to the other singers. The musical understanding creates a framework to play in, without worrying about getting separated and lost! Great observation….. very insightful. Thank you!

      Like

    • thomas robinson says:

      thanks

      Liked by 1 person

  6. tracihalpin says:

    Sounds cool…I hear the resemblance. Miller’s on a Sunday? Hmmm…..how did you do that? It also has an Indian sound to it. Too bad Monday always comes. I’m feeling all relaxed now😎

    Liked by 1 person

    • midimike says:

      Ahhh. You know we can’t give away too many details that might incriminate the author! Let’s just say that music geeks have resources too. As long as you don’t hate the other days the same as Mondays, you are probably OK LOL. The body and the mind need time to relax, but imho, two days is not enough!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. It sounds very nice! Simon and Garfunkel are favorites of mine, I used to listen to them on cold, snowy nights.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. rubiredsaid says:

    I have been a fan of Simon and Garfunkel! I feel connected to their music. I like what you do and that music you put up is along those lines!
    Hope you’re fine, best wishes!

    Liked by 1 person

    • midimike says:

      Thank you again. I still love their works. Doing well. Thanks! You too.

      Liked by 1 person

      • rubiredsaid says:

        Bridge over troubled water, the epitome’ of a huge part of my life!
        I was a ten year old kid when my mother died in my arms, and I collated three songs I always used to sing or hum. |This was one of them!
        I hope you have a peaceful weekend my friend. Best wishes.

        Like

      • midimike says:

        Sorry, thank you and amazing all in one. While I did not experience, I can understand and appreciate you sharing a great link that can happen with music as we live through life-changing events. Life would indeed be cruel if we did not have music to help understand and share emotion. Much appreciated, thank you.

        Liked by 1 person

      • rubiredsaid says:

        Welcome always!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Leeby Geeby says:

    Hi there Mike , great to meet you. Thank you for following my work, much appreciated. I’m a Shamanic healer, Japan-based singer-songwriter Jembe player and spoken word performer, jamming around with a guitarist. We do a mixture of African rootsy stuff and celtic folk rock. I’m keen to put some of my tracks up in WordPress for my blog buddies but can’t find an embeddable MP3 player that works with my free version of WordPress. Out of curiosity which one did you use?

    Liked by 1 person

  10. thomas robinson says:

    Tom Robinson speaks: As the “Simon” in Michael’s poetic premise, I must respond. This heroic musician managed to save and retrieve the top recording of the song “The Round Up.” A song composed out of accident and disregard. The authors are disputed and they dispute one another. It’s not worth settling.

    I will say this: Michael was and is my musical soul mate. His skill is unbounded perception. I can’t list all the times he opened my mind. He listens.

    Imagine being 18 and having a friend who learns guitar with a friend who is just like you.

    That is how Michael and I forged our unity.

    There is no Simon. There is no Garfunkel. There are just us.

    Liked by 1 person

    • midimike says:

      I could not have said it better, and I have tried! I practice playing instruments primarily because it is fun getting better. I looked at recording/mixing/mastering in the same way. I practiced a LOT! Some people even get a little angry, but I got better at recording and mixing. It is nice that these recordings allow gems to rise to the surface.
      Thank you so much for the kind words and friendship throughout the years. Music was our alternate reality. We were not restrained. You could listen, respond and create. Your themes would be listened to responded to, and built upon. Still the perfect musical playground.

      Like

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