Music Video: I Go Chop Your Dollar

This video is actually a song about the infamous Nigerian 419 scams that haunt everyone's email inbox these days. Lyrics are a little hard to pick out, but the chorus repeats enough that you'll eventually get it.

Enjoy!

I Go Chop Your Dollar

Cheers!
Kenny

Perfect Pitch Ear Training

Wow! It's been a long time since I posted here. My apologies. I know you are all still visiting on a regular basis and I appreciate that. I promise that more content is on the way. I have reviews, news of new sites, a new mailing list, and just tons of stuff to talk about.

In the meantime, I've had quite a few questions from people who don't understand the concept of playing an instrument and singing "by ear." They think you have have to be trained in music theory and spend years learning in order to be able to play and sing. Nothing could be further from the truth! The fact is, you can learn what is called "perfect pitch" very quickly and begin playing and singing your favorite songs in short order.

I found this great course that will help you easily learn to master absolute pitch and relative pitch. It's quite amazing, perfect for guitar, piano, bass, drums, violin, singing vocals, and Music Appreciation. It's brand new! It's called the "Pure Pitch Method - Perfect Pitch Ear Training." For more information, Click Here!

And please stay tuned for all the goodies to come!

Ellis Paul: Jukebox On My Grave

I haven't posted here in a while; I've been very busy with work and side projects. Sadly, I've not been able to do much with my own music, either; but, I do listen and keep up with  how independent artists are faring. One of these is Ellis Paul. He was a principal leader in the wave of singer/songwriters that emerged from the Boston folk scene with a folk-pop style that helped renew interest in the genre in the 1990's, a genre that I've never lost interest in.

I recently had the pleasure of hearing one of his signature songs: "Jukebox On My Grave," first released in 2005 on American Jukebox Fables. I immediately went to iTunes and bought it. Now, I'm previewing everything he's done, a pretty substantial list--he's put out 16 albums, his latest being Ellis Paul-The Dragonfly Races.

Highly recommended. Check him out.

Cheers!
Kenny

The Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden

I can't believe that in my posting about my top ten songwriters I didn't include Don Henley, Glen Frye, Joe Walsh, and the Eagles, et al. This group has been on my favorite list since the '70's. They've just released a new double-CD album that is completely fabulous, Long Road Out Of Eden. For songwriters, this is a must-have. Completely captivating melodies mixed with graphic and meaningful lyrics that actually communicate messages worth hearing will keep you interested.

Oh, don't think think this is a concept album where everything begins to take on the same flavor - it's not. The group is, in typical Eagles fashion, all over the musical spectrum: upbeat, downbeat, ballads, hard rock, country-folk.

My pick hit is "Do Something," a fine ballad with a good piece of advice that we can all identify with. That's followed closely by "Waiting In The Weeds," a song about how life changes and that there's always hope.

For us songwriters, there are plenty of why-didn't-I-think-of-that-line moments. And the melodies -- oh, my! I have to describe some of them as truly innovative. You have to listen to these songs!

OK, OK, here's a lyric clip from the chorus of "Do Something:"

But when I feel like giving up
And I'm ready to walk away
In the stillness, I can hear
A voice inside me say
Do something
Do something
It's too late for saving face
Don't just stand there takin' up space
Why don't you do something?
Do something
It's not over
No, it's never too late

The melody and harmonies that go with this lyric will blow your mind. Really. Go buy the album and give it a listen.

You won't regret it. Hell, it may become one of your most-listened-to CDs.

Cheers!
Kenny

Please Listen And Comment On My Music

I do almost no self-promotion. And I haven't played in public for several years. That's almost certainly why I'm not widely known. My ill-fated excursions into the Nashville music scene 15 years ago nearly destroyed me as a songwriter and artist. Despite, or, perhaps, because of that I continue to keep going. I've never lost sight of my dream to get my music heard and I never will.

Life seems to get in the way of our dreams sometimes, however, and that's why I'm behind in my goal of releasing a CD. I had targeted that goal for the first part of 2007; I've obviously missed that target. My new target is the end of 2008.

I could use your help. The hardest thing for me all along has been to figure out which of my more than 150 songs I should record. I need you listen to the songs I've posted on my Music page and give me feedback on the ones you think I should release. And be honest with me, OK? If you don't like a song, say so and tell me why. I really appreciate your help; in fact, if you post feedback and give me your email address, I'll give you a free CD when it's finally released, maybe even a mention in the liner notes.

While you're at it, let me know what you'd like to see more of on The Singing Songwriter.

Thanks!
Kenny