I’m a recording artist!

First, some background.  John has several hobbies,  but they mostly fall into three categories: cars, computers, and music.  This latest project combines two of the three.  You know, I shouldn’t call this his latest project.  He’s had a variation of this going on since we lived in our first apartment in DC ten years ago, but, as with many hobbies, he only picks it up every once in a while.  He recently installed some recording software on the computer in the basement, and now he has a whole studio down there.  We recorded possibly the most laid back recording of “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” so he could mess around with the program.  It turned out okay, so here it is.

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It’s not perfect, so please don’t judge too harshly.  The more we listen to it, the more we both hear things we’d change if we were to do it over.  I think that could go on forever, though (you’re always your harshest critic), so we decided to leave it as is.  There are plenty of things we like about it, too, particularly the end.

Some notes:

  1. I don’t think it sounds like me.  I think it sounds like Mindy.  She wasn’t here, though, so I’m pretty certain it was me.
  2. Where did that accent come from?
  3. If I listen to it one way, I think I sound like I’m trying too hard.  I know I wasn’t trying very hard at all, and when I think about that, I think I should re-record it and try harder so I can sound better.  But then I probably would sound like I’m trying too hard and this is a never-ending circle so cut it out already.
  4. I really like harmonizing with myself.  🙂  It’s fun.

If you like it, we might take requests.

22 Comments

  1. Zannah

    Thanks, Wombat! Glad you liked it. The song is on Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album (that’s the arrangement we used), but it was written by some guy I’ve never heard of (Jimmy Cox) in 1923, and it’s been covered by EVERYbody since then.

  2. Dad

    Covered by everybody, including your Dad! Always been my standby, when a guitar appeared and someone demanded a song. I picked it up from an old folk/blues singer named Josh White. http://cowbell.fm/artist/Josh+White, if you’re interested. Your rendition is much better than mine, by the way… but, then, you can sing and John can play guitar– neither of which I excel at. When does the CD release?

  3. momma betty

    That’s the first song your dad ever played for me on the guitar. I love your version. I’ll come up with requests. First, “Til There Was You,” Paul’s arrangement that I know John can do because he learned it for me (maybe?). Z, can you handle the vocal? Of course, you can!

  4. momma betty

    M & M were over last night, and when I played it for Mark, he said to Min, “That sounds like the two of you singing together.”

  5. Zannah

    Gaby, I’m flattered. 🙂
    Corey, thanks, and we’ll see if we can move a little faster this time.
    Holly, if you want to finance it, we’d be happy to bring the tour to Australia. 🙂
    Mom, have you played any of The Living Sisters songs for them? We could totally do that.

  6. Holly

    I’m requesting that song from The Jerk. “You Belong To Me” (I think?) Fun to harmonize. Can John play the Ukelele?

  7. momma betty

    Oh, don’t suggest another string instrument to John! How many has he collected by now? (Still, ukeleles are fun. I used be able to play On Top of Old Smoky on a baritone uke. I think Ed ended up with that.)

  8. Melvin?

    Yep, sounds a lot like me. That’s a weird feeling. 🙂 Of course that means it sounds amazing. Seriously, very nice. I’ll sing back up any time. I’m trying to download it to my new phone, but it ain’t working… Humph.

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