Critique Notes/March 2008

 

There were an even dozen songs shared at the March meeting. 

Congratulations to the March winners:

• Robert Chaney             “The Chase”
• Sandra Dean Maldonado          “Still Standing”

 

This month’s songs

“The Emperor” (Ron Tintner/Z. Mulls)

A song based on a true story about Joshua Norton, a San Franciscan who boldly proclaimed himself the “Emperor of these United States”.  A Paul Simon “Graceland” pop production backed up the idea that “you can be the emperor of the whole shebang”. 

 

“Class Reunion” (Patricia Bishop)

“Class Reunion” is the story of shy love, of someone to afraid to take a chance.  This is a similar song idea to David Wilcox’ “Last Chance Waltz”, and it hits home for a lot of people.  As always, Pat is looking for a musical collaborator for her lyrics.

 

“The Last Bus to Laredo” (Larry Sepalvedo)

Larry has some clever lines in this song about a love brewing on a bus ride to Texas.  As with all of his songs this will be highly danceable as he continues to rework the melody.  Add Flaco Jimenez on the accordion and this will be a hit on both sides of the border with Larry’s “Sin City Palyboys”.

 

“All You Gotta Do is Say You Love Me” (Robert Pryor)

Bob performed this pop/rock song live, with a tune that moves behind major and minor chords.  The singer is trying to convince the girl that this love was meant to be.  “All you got to do is say you love me, say it girl, it’s now or never”.  A classic theme - Jim Steinman and Meatloaf would just have the genders reversed.      

 

“Make a Move” (Lisa Lofton)

It wasn’t long ago that Lisa was singing a cappella - now she accompanies herself on acoustic guitar.  Look for her to be rocking out soon with a Les Paul and a Marshall stack!  Remember you heard it here first.  This song describes two people both too shy to make the first move.  Like Pat’s song, the theme resonates for many.

 

“Fine Threads” (Bill Aspinwall)

With shades of Dylan in ’65, Bill went electric.  But unlike Pete Seeger sitting in the car at Newport with hands over his ears, the Hops House HSA crowd was appreciative.  The jazz/blues chords and melody over sparse lyrics made for a haunting song.  We’ll be anxious to hear any evolution.  

 

“Gone Like the Wind” (Mike Darnell)

A nice fingerpicked song with a sense of longing for a lover who has left and still  occasionally reappears, reopening the wound.  “I see you on the street and then you’re gone like the wind.”  Listen to the Mike and Bill A. around town as part of the Big Lizard Boys and request these new songs. 

 

“The Chase” (Robert Chaney)

“The Chase” was reminiscent of a Pink Floyd song with long instrumental options and changes in pace.  There is still a strong call for this genre – just check out the Cynthia Woods ticket prices for Roger Waters!  Describing the chase, the singer says “I’ve waited all my life just for this moment to arrive…”  Robert’s song was one of the winners this month.

 

“Without a Sound” (Patti Guyer)_

Patti played live performing a song written as a duet.  It was more rocking than her usual and one might even envision a band (Patti and the Cakes?, Patti Guyer and the Guys?).  “You broke into my heart and you stole my soul, my stone cold walls they came down without a sound.”  Check out Patti’s new book of poetry called “Skipping Stones”

 

“Still Standing’ (Sandra Dean Maldonado)

This is a song about a stately old house, worn by the passage of time.  It is based on the true story of Sandra’s grandmother’s house.  This nostalgic melodic ballad was one of the two monthly winners.

 

“Lean on Me” (Mitch Tiffen)

Here’s a song based on three conversation’s that Mitch heard one day.  As always there is a pretty melody backed up by nice guitar part.  Conceptually a complex songwriting challenge to weave all of the stories together into a easily listened to flow.

 

“Life, Love and Laughter” (Tony Ryan)

Tony Ryan brought things to a proper close with an upbeat number, “Life, Love, and Laughter”.  The straight ahead love song was a departure from some of our more somber songs.  “Life, love and laughter, happy ever after, life, love and laughter, being with you” sums it up.