Jody Whitesides

Author: Jody Whitesides

Ben Folds Does A Superb Cover Of Golden Slumbers

Golden Slumbers are needed because it’s been a busy week where I’ve been doing a score to a new video game in an effort to get a gig doing the full score for the whole game. Also finishing up the tracking and mix on a single for moi as I delve into the production of the next single to come after that. So what do I do as a means for looking back at a song? I pick Ben Folds doing a fantastic rendition of the Beatles Golden Slumbers. This particular cut appears on the I Am Sam soundtrack. Maybe I shouldn’t be capitalizing the title of the movie, being that they didn’t. Ah who knows.

Part of the reason that I’m examining this cover is that I’m exploring doing more covers of tunes that I like. All in the name of posting them on YouTube. I’ve never been one to do a lot of covers, but hey we’re capable of change. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ben Folds at a small club early on in their career down in southern California. It was crazy because I had no clue who they were. Then a few years later I was able to catch Ben perform a show at the Wiltern. Amazing performer. Strictly from the standpoint that it seems like he’s always off the cuff. It’s like he loves to wing it rather than be note perfect. This certainly can create a wild ride if the artist is able to pull it off and Ben can. In Golden Slumbers he’s a bit more reserved and touching. Do you dig?

Golden Slumbers by Ben Folds

Once there was a way,
To get back homeward.

Once there was a way
To get back home.

Sleep, pretty darling,
Dot not cry
And I will sing a lullaby.

Golden slumbers,
Fill your eyes
Smiles await you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby.

Once there was a way
To get back homeward

Once there was a way
To get back home

Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby.

Enjoy your day!

2014-03-13
Trouble Figuring Out How To Describe A Song Who Do I Diss

Ever wonder how we musicians figure out how to describe a song to others so that they’ll understand what the song is before they get to hear it? It’s important to know how to describe the sound of a song to others before they hear it. The better the description, the more enticing it becomes to the uninitiated to hear it. Catch a glimpse of us working through one of the steps of understanding the song so we can approach knowing how to describe it to you, the listener. Follow George Leger III, Jesse Stern and I as we pull apart some fine points in the studio.

The debate get a little heated, or does it? There’s definitely some laughter due to the responses we give each other. It’s an awesome what to arrive at the best method to figure out a song. BTW – who do I diss in this video? Find out!

Describe A Song

transcription:

I’m just trying to think. I’ve been trying to describe this song to people I’m really not sure what to tell them. You know what I mean? Touch is very easy to describe. It’s this, this, this, and this. And I’m trying to think, what is… what is Till We Meet Again? It’s like.

Exactly! It’s that kind of a song. It’s about… wanting to be with somebody.

Right. But.

Now, the question I have for you is this person a friend, or is this a girl?

Well Jesse and I wrote it together. So maybe it was about us. I don’t know.

[laughter]

Is it about friendship? Or is it about romance?

Both. I think really. The passion with somebody you have, then split.

I didn’t know he felt this way about me.

Well. You know…

I feel this way about a lot of people, I just don’t tell them.

We have bromances going on left, right and center around here. You know how it is.

Bromantic?

So anyway. I don’t know. I was just trying to figure out what we would actually call it when I go to describe it. Of course the song is not really done. But I was kinda thinking it’s like Train meets an 80’s power ballad without the soaring vocals. And a little bit bouncy.

No no no no no. I see the more like uh, like what’s his face. The guy you mention all the time.

John Mayer?

John Maher what’s that Your Body Is A Wonderland.

Yeah, there ya go.

Really?!?

Ya.

I don’t want it to be that dated though.

Dude! Dated? Fuck that. It’s not dated or not dated. It’s the attitude that I’m talking about.

Who’s David?

It’s the vibe…

[laughter]

No, I’m just trying to figure out what I would

[who’s David, ha ha ha]

denote it as.

So yeah. What is it? Is it a romantic thing or is it ah, not a romantic thing.

I think it’s a longing thing.

But for what?

For someone, one person.

Well. Ok. Yeah. Ok.

That’s how I’ve always… thought of it.

That’s how I’m thinking of it.

[Yearning for love]

You know maybe it’s it’s kind of like keeping the flame alive. Maybe one day…

Yeah. Exactly.

Yeah.

Enjoy, please pass it along to your friends. If you’re not on my email list – JOIN NOW!

2014-03-11
Damn I Missed It But We Can Still See It

Don’t you hate it when you’ve missed something awesome? If you’ve been following me for at least the last two months or longer, then you know that I was in Anaheim for the NAMM show in January. The show/convention is so damn large it’s impossible, not virtually but truly impossible, to see everything that goes on. As it turns out, one of my favorite musicians was there and I had no idea. Grrrr. Ian Thornley is a powerhouse of a writer, guitar player and singer. Powerhouse! Not only was Ian there, but he also performed at a private party for an amp manufacturer Suhr. I’ve heard of their amps, though I’ve never played one. A few nights ago as I was prepping the video I released this week as part of the recording process for vocals on a new single – I came across video of Ian’s performance at NAMM. It’s so damn amazing that I had to share it you all.

So many live performances sound so horrible that live music can often leave a lot to be desired. However, when you watch this, you should be floored by how awesome it sounds. I know I am. It sounds like a freakin’ recording. That’s how tight, how solid, how rich, how in tune these guys are. Remember, this is live, and it’s a band that had one rehearsal (it’s not Ian’s regular band). This is why I love playing with awesome professionals. They make it look and sound easy – and it is if you’re like Ian. There’s a real joy when working with musicians who transcend to this level. I remember my first album and how I wanted to be able to pull it off live – to sound just like the record. Wish that band could have stayed together, they had the calibre.

Blown Wide Open Performance I Missed

Do yourself a favor, go buy his music. Go see him live.

2014-03-06

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