Just thought I would share a glimpse at the last week or so. These are a few of the pictures my grand daughter MJ took at the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park.
A cute smile and humming birds to lighten your day!
Archive for July, 2018
A Few Pictures
Posted: July 30, 2018 in PhotographyTags: #blog, #family, #inspiration, #life, #media, #personal, #photography, #travel
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My Father
Posted: July 23, 2018 in PoetryTags: #family, #inspiration, #life, #opinion, #personal, #poetry, #truth, #writing
I have had a similar conversation with so many children over the years. Often the conversations were within my own family. There are far too many broken families struggling to get to the next day. The children involved are unable to see the why. No explanation makes it acceptable or understandable. Fathers leave.
But leaving is not the full story of abandonment. Years and years of doubt turned to guilt, anger, frustration and loneliness. No phone call. No letter. No birthday gift. Silence.
It may take a long time for a ‘step-father’ to become part of this new family, but so precious!
My Father (C) MSK 7-4-2018
Birthdays have come and gone
Life’s challenges at every turn.
I wanted you to be there so much
Just to see if I lost or if I won.
Mother made excuses
I kept expecting you to show.
Abandoning us was as cruel
As all the other abuses.
You haven’t come around
Since I was four.
I will always be your son
But you’re not my father any more.
But it’s alright, I survived
I have a great family.
Mother met a really good man
Got much better after he arrived.
He takes care of me as his own
Promises he’ll always be there.
Teaching me things you never could
And laughing at how much I’ve grown.
You are still my dad
And I’m your daughter.
But I know now
You were never my father.
You haven’t come around
Since I was four.
I will always be your son
But you’re not my father any more.
Cover Tunes from The Chase Part 3
Posted: July 16, 2018 in MUSICTags: #audio, #blog, #creativity, #friends, #inspiration, #life, #media, #music, #opinion, #people, #personal, #photography, #tech, #work, #writing
The songs in this session are simple two-channel recordings. These are not multi-tracks of isolated instruments to be mixed down later. This is down and dirty history. I enjoyed recording and listening to each of the gigs. The rest of the band were ok with it, but they were really into the performance and live audience vibe. As a result, I did not get much assistance or cooperation with my projects. We never did a sound check for recording levels. We did not set up differently or use additional gear. I usually taped separate mixes from their sound board or by using a combination of mono mix and single hi-quality microphone up on stage. See my LSR series for recording configurations.
Unlike the other players I have jammed with, I had not been playing in bands since I was a teenager. I did not start playing in front of a ‘real’ audience until I was probably 31 or older. I started playing keyboards (technically different than playing a piano or organ) when I was 30. Before that I wrote songs and played my 12 string guitar for parties and such but that was about it.
Lacking confidence and years to sharpen my skills, I tried to make up for it in other ways. I practiced a lot compared to the other players.
I helped in tech – light – sound – marketing. The recordings were for me, LOL!
This is a live recording of a medley we came up with. None of us really liked disco, but no rocket science to keeping guys in the club is to keep the girls on the dance floor! We smashed together popular dance songs and other select songs toward the end of the 2nd set. Enjoy.
Cover Tunes from The Chase Part 2
Posted: July 13, 2018 in live Sound ReinforcementTags: #audio, #inspiration, #media, #music, #personal, #photography, #tech, #thanks, #work, #writing
Here is another live recording from my band, The Chase. Those were good times. This is a cover tune from The Beatles – “She’s So Heavy”. I remember when I first heard this song on the radio. It absolutely blew me away. What fun to play this one out live.
Studio Way
Posted: July 9, 2018 in MUSICTags: #audio, #blog, #brother, #creativity, #family, #friends, #life, #media, #music, #people, #personal, #photography, #poetry, #tech, #work, #writing
Here is another song my brother David recorded at a studio years ago as part of his Studio Way project. My brother wrote the lyrics and is the vocalist on these tracks. Terry Boehm played keyboards. Tom Collier wrote the music and played guitar. This one is called, “Focus On Your Feet”. A fun toe-tapping song that sticks in your head!
The songs were being finalized in the studio as each came up to record. The rhythm tracks were recorded first, with lead instruments and vocals added later that day. A lot of people ‘freeze up’ their first time in a studio with the tape rolling (yes, this was back in the days when they used tape!) so recording can be very stressful – but with a bit of focus you can come out with great memories.
Cover Tunes from The Chase
Posted: July 2, 2018 in live Sound ReinforcementTags: #audio, #blog, #computer, #life, #media, #music, #personal, #photography, #tech, #work, #writing
I have live recordings of almost every band I have in. I record a lot of practice sessions but mostly live performances in front of audiences. Many recordings are less than ideal situations and often I experiment with unusual techniques searching for a method that will get great results in almost any stage setting. I threatened to share some of these with you and this is a good a time as any to start! Some will sound better than others, and some performances will be better, but all should give you a little blast from my past! Please check out my Live Sound Reinforcement series for the big picture, or if you are interested in learning about LSR.
This one is “Run Like Hell” From Pink Floyd.
MidiMike 