Month: August 2013

  • She's So High Beats Peanut Butter On Pancakes

    She's So High Beats Peanut Butter On Pancakes

    A few years ago, I was getting a lot of auditions for bands that were signed and going on the road. Or who were freshly signed and also going on the road. Some of the bands I auditioned for got some traction, some did not. I’ve got a plethora of stories about various auditions. But today I’m pulling out a little ditty about an artist by the name of Tal Bachman. Tal is the son of Randy Bachman, yes that musician you’re familiar with. Tal is one uber talented musician in his own right. Probably due to growing up in a musical situation.

    I was called into his management’s office after they heard about me from an A&R guy named Barry Squire. The way they talked to me, it was as if I already had the gig and the jam I was to get to was merely a formality. But let’s back up a little. Before I got to that point, the label sent me a copy of his CD. From the moment I heard it I was like “Fuck Yeah!” It was awesome songwriting and great songs, so I was stoked on getting this audition. Especially when most of the music I hear and was getting was less than exciting.She's So High

    At the audition, I walked in knowing the songs front and back. However, Tal had such a presence about him that I got a little unnerved. It also didn’t help that I was the odd guy out, the rest of them were friends. What I didn’t know about Tal was that he was Mormon at the time. Thus had I had know I wouldn’t have brought the guitar I did. A guitar that had an image of Jesus on the front and back, but the back side Jesus wasn’t in good shape. I’m not religious (Atheist actually). Tal grilled me a bit about it as it is really arty, my dad did the art on the guitar. Of course Tal asked about my parents, where they were from, and such. It all came down to me spilling the beans about how they were Mormon, but got divorced and left the church…

    To shorten this up, they liked my playing, but I was 2nd pick and didn’t get the spot. His manager called me a month later and told me, it’s not bad that you didn’t get the gig, Tal just fired them all. Regardless, I still dig listening to his CD. This was the big hit of the CD, though I feel there are better songs on it. Much like peanut butter on pancakes, it’s alright, but I prefer organic syrup.

    She’s So High

    She’s blood, flesh and bone
    No tucks or silicone
    She’s touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound
    But somehow I can’t believe
    That anything should happen
    I know where I belong
    And nothing’s going to happen, yeah

    ‘Cause she’s so high
    High above me
    She’s so lovely
    She’s so high
    Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
    Da-da-da-da-da
    She’s so high
    High above me

    First class and fancy free
    She’s high society
    She’s got the best of everything
    What could a guy like me
    Ever really offer
    She’s perfect as she can be
    Why should I even bother

    ‘Cause she’s so high
    High above me
    She’s so lovely
    She’s so high
    Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
    Da-da-da-da-da
    She’s so high
    High above me

    She calls to speak to me
    I freeze immediately
    ‘Cause what she says sounds so unreal
    ‘Cause somehow I can’t believe
    That anything should happen
    I know where I belong
    And nothing’s going to happen, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

    ‘Cause she’s so high
    High above me
    She’s so lovely
    She’s so high
    Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
    Oh, yeah
    She’s so high
    High above me

    Songwriter(s):Tal Bachman
    Copyright:Bachman & Sons Music, Emi Blackwood Music Inc.

    Thanks for stopping by and reading about my brush with Tal and his song She’s So High. Enjoy!

    – Jody

  • He's My Best Friend By Jellyfish

    He's My Best Friend By Jellyfish

    jellyfish - he's my best friend

    There are times in a musician’s life when his or her mind gets blown. It usually happens when a trusted musician friend turns them on to a band and really gets them to listen. For me, I got the two prong approach from two separate groups of friends when it came to Jellyfish. I’ve chosen to introduce you to He’s My Best Friend by Jellyfish today as part of Throwback Thursday all because it came on in the car last night as I was driving.

    The Backstory

    Initially I was introduced to Jellyfish by a group of musician friends in Las Vegas. I didn’t give Jellyfish an adamant listen until I got schooled on their entire catalog by Jeff Scott Soto. At that point I became a huge fan of a band who had already parted ways by the time I had heard about them. What a drag. Their songwriting prowess is astounding. Pure amazing musical goodness that is easily on par with the likes of the Beatles.

    He’s My Best Friend

    Songwriters: Manning, Roger / Sturmer, Andy
    I’ve known him all my life
    It seems so inconceviable
    At thirteen we shooks hands but we’ve
    Been always inseparable
    He’s cinnamon on my toast we’re so
    CloseThat’s not to say we haven’t had our
    Share of arguments
    He’s so unpredictable he winks
    Acknowledgments
    When i would rather he closed his eye
    Than push me asideMy hand’s a five leaf clover
    It’s palm sunday over and over
    I never had the luck of swingers
    Till i was wrapped around your fingerHe’s my best friend
    He’s my best friend
    He’s my best friend
    I’m his best friend
    He’s my best friendYou don’t need a brain to have a
    Stroke of genius
    Or a beautiful girl to let down
    Your curls
    Cause growing up is hard enough
    When your a powderkeg for
    Powderpuffs
    (whether we’re stayin’ in or hanging out)
    I’d never ask another on a date to
    The ball
    He doesn’t need a rubber sweater or
    Alcohol
    Cause he gets tipsy from exchanging looks
    And a little misty reading sticky
    Blue dirty booksBut he’s my best friend
    He’s my best friend
    I’m his best friend
    He’s my best friend

    My hand’s a five leaf clover
    It’s palm sunday over and over
    I never had the luck of swingers
    Till i was wrapped around your finger

    He’s my best friend
    (we could hold hands for hours)
    He’s my best friend
    (in the bedroom or shower)
    He’s my best friend
    (i pick him up when he’s feelin down)
    He’s my best friend
    (i guess he’s always been hangin around)
    He’s my best friend
    (he gets lonely now and then)
    He’s my best friend
    (and he gets shy around another men)
    I’m his best friend
    (it seems i’ve reached the end of my best friend)

    Notice that they all line up in a line for the stage and that the lead singer is the drummer (Andy Sturmer) who is standing up at the set. That’s a fairly unique way to arrange a band on stage. I’m not familiar with anyone else that has done it. Added extra bonus points if you can actually figure out what this song is about. Definitely something most people and animals do on this planet.
    Enjoy!
    — Jody