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Hey All,

Writing music can be a full time endeavor. Having really good music tools, like A.I. tools can be extremely helpful. It’s really hard to get players to drive over to my house, even though I have a small studio with all the amps and instruments including a drum kit for anyone to use while we work on tunes. It’s either too much traffic or gas is too expensive or an old favorite, “I am working that day and/or have rehearsal again”. I have had limited success with live playing over the internet, while it does work, can be frustrating with the lag. You need headphones on all the time. Also sending raw wav files to other musicians works after a fashion. Getting a wav file back and sliding it into place takes a bit of work. It’s hard to produce the sounds and parts you want over the internet as well.

Which is one reason I have been embracing A.I.more and more. Producing a tune and adding other players via AI is a lot simpler then actually playing with one. I miss the live interaction with another player, no doubt, but not the excuses “uh, my wife said be home by 8p or else” and “gotta get up at 6a tomorrow” among the many legitimate explanations offered. With AI, I upload my tune, finished or not, tell the interpreter things I would like to try, like, a sax solo instead of guitar, an organ pad instead of strings, a heavy syncopated drum beat with congas on the side. It’s still my tune but with different session players. And no meal breaks during a brainstorm of activity. 

I am embracing this more and more, leaving the metatags inside the tunes saying “made with this AI software” although I am going to start changing that to: “Guest musicians AI” because the tune is mine. Without my input, which even the copyright office says the tune is not a human made tune. But when the majority of the tune is created by the musican/writer, you can then copyright. I’ve noticed that some musicians remove any reference to songs they have created with AI. Why? If it was their song instead of using other musicians they used a software one to help finish and produce the song.

TO get a song right with AI as a partner can also be very demanding. Arranging parts, selecting instruments, designing the flow, mixing, mastering, rewriting can still take days, sometimes months before it sounds and feels right. Sometimes I teach a part to the AI, well rarely cause the AI is usually amazing, and sometimes the AI shows me where the direction should be. I cringe when someone who has never held a instrument in their hands using it to create a song then passing it off as their creation. Yes, without them entering the intitial idea there would be no song. Doesn’t make them a songwriter. When a person uses AI to write a novel by just saying “make a book about a boy and his cat” and out pops 150 page short novel, did that person write it? Bigger questions then my tiny brain can handle at the moment.

However, AI assist is amazing! That same novel can be mostly written with the AI input delegated to helping with a subplot etc. Paragraph formating, story continuity. The same with music. If I write a song, and use AI as another musician, I become the producer of that song as well. I recently discovered cloning of my voice. Boy is that a blessing. Mostly for the listener, you. Saving lots of ears. Plus it really helps to further develop the production and direction of the tune.

I could almost write a book talking about this. But really, it all comes down to the listener. Is the tune liked? Does the person care that AI played the piano and sax? Did the person care when they knew it was recorded by the all the musicians in the band? Sometimes, I notice a sterile lifeless jumble of sounds when AI is involved. More often now, it scares me how soulful singing and parts played by the AI sound to me.  

For now, I am doing both. Playing and recording live parts by me. Loading songs to be helped along by AI that I would likely never get too.

Learning along the way,

Cheers

ceej

I was working on tunes with Chuck Mills in my home studio a few decades ago, recording quite a few of his tunes/demos with me playing and producing most of the tracks. These weren’t release ready tracks, they were demos he could take to a pro studio with a pro producer and make an album/CD. Which he did. Called “Thank You” although I don’t remember seeing my name among the people he thanked. Oh well. We also wrote a few tunes together and sparred about ownership and royalty rights. For example “Kickstart my Heart” located on the Blast From The Past page is one tune we both loved and his beautiful “Give My Heart to You” tune also posted there. I redid “kickstart” in the last few years and really like the new version. While I haven’t spoken to Chuck in decades, the last time we did, he wanted the tune to be more funky. Or something like that. I wasn’t funky enough. Which is cool as I really like prog rock! So most of my tunes are heavily influenced by that love.

A few weeks or more back while working on older tunes, I was going through some pages of songs and noticed “I’ll Say Goodbye” which had my publishing company on it, and his. So, I redid that tune which turned out amazing and beautiful although I can hear Chuck saying “not funky cj” Well, maybe not. My girl doesn’t like the lyrics because she says they’re meanish. Which is a word, kinda…

“I’ll Say Goodbye”

I think it’s great to slow dance to. Take a shot with your partner or even yourself.

cheers

cj

Well, heck if I know. But hey, time? Am I right? So I was cruising through a couple of old posts on other sites getting upset that some people had used my name to repost crap posts. Wow, what a sentence, huh? I grabbed the basic text of a post of mine I liked and REPOSTING it here. Still holds true many years later… (edited for clarity)(whatever that means…)

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Once again planet earth has sailed/traveled around the star we call “The Sun“, in about 365 days. Does this figure have any significance or divine meaning? I personally don’t know the answer. Some will claim they have insider knowledge. I call bullshit on them. We are thankfully glued to this planet with the mysterious force of gravity. Without such, we would float out into space, devoid of oxygen and life sustaining nutrients, we’d quickly perish as a species. Oh, and the above thought is considered, well, “Science” (prove me wrong)

What does that mean? What does starting another arbitrary revolution around the sun accomplish? Will we be better as humans? Will people rise up to the current fraud that is being perpetrated worldwide this year? I sure hope so. While I have faith that some will take off the blinders preventing the truths from seeing the light day, I still worry.

IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, we watched science being thrown out a window, in exchange for personal beliefs. We have witnessed atrocities being fostered on the people of the world in the name of “science”. What happens when they are wrong? Can we have intelligent discussions about why? Apparently not. Because. Science. Yup. The meaning has now changed to “Science: That which is what is popular among the ruling class, for any reason”

If you dare to counter with facts, figures, research or even use decades of precedence, you are attacked and shunned, shut out from the public by uneducated bureaucrats, pencil pushers and elite college snobs. All of them belonging to a cult of “wannabes” and genocide believers.

Hopefully, this year begins a cleansing. Removal from the mainstream foibles and outright untruths they proclaim. As the wake up continues, those that were previously caught in the web, will slowly climb to freedom. Redeeming humanity. I can hope.

When governments become totalitarian bastards of oppression, this planet and those oppressing the people that exist on the surface, no longer becomes worthy of traveling around our sun.

I was not invited to be born or given a choice to exist. And yet, here I am. Because I believe in being the best version of myself I can be, I will give my support to those with the same goals and visions.

What will you do this year?

ceej

The Legend of HollowTree begins on an ordinary day, well, ordinary in the sense…

that all things being equal, the day was not at all. While hiking recently at Placerita Canyon, we passed what appeared to be a hollowed out tree stump. AS it turns out, this wasn’t just any tree stump left over from a winters storm, but a trapped soul, in eternal agony. You’re wondering, how could this happen on an ordinary day in a modern city?

Long ago on a stormy cold and rainy night, a lone hiker decided to leave the safety of his toasty home, after having a disagreement with his wife. She wanted to go out dancing, he wanted to read a book after a long day’s work. He left that evening, slamming the door behind him, hoping to impart his angry mood without leaving any doubt. In hindsight, staying at home and working out marital issues would have been a better choice.

Arriving at Placerita, he covered himself with a slightly used raincoat. He had also remembered to bring a large flashlight, as it was the beginning of a moonless evening. For some reason, the flashlight would flicker, even after a tap or two with his hand. It was brand new with new batteries. He vowed to take it back the next day and exchange it. For now, it would have to do

There was a light rain, just beginning and thankfully his hiking boots were waterproof. Just not mud proof as puddles began forming on the trail.

Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the path ahead. A dark figure, draped in a long flowing coat was standing in the middle of the trail. As he got closer, the figures eyes glowed with an ethereal shimmer of reds and greens. What the heck? He thought. Still getting ever closer the figure pointed a crooked walking stick, dark with burns and small cracks.

“You may not pass, unless you know the password” the figure quietly said. “A clue for you – Guess What?”

What? A password needed on a hike he did everyday? Something was not right.

“Hey mister, this is a public park and trail. Leave me alone”

To which the dark and foreboding figure replied, “Did you not have a disagreement with your wife this eve and slam a door in anger?”

Well, this was getting weirder by the minute – how did the figure know about his evening?

Once again the figure asked for a password. he guessed, thinking how ridiculous this situation was – “abracadabra” he replied hoping this would stop the conversation. Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the figure fully, he could see right through it! A hollow man. he screamed and ran but was no match for the hollow man. Completely engulfed in blue lightning emanating from his staff, he began turning into a tree stump with hollow eyes and mouth opened in a wordless scream.

The figure said in a whisper, “all he had to say was Chicken Butt”

All Hallows Eve is also known as All Saints Day and of course Halloween. There are all kinds of religious links. October 31st is known as the day before All Souls Day, which speaks of the faithfully departed. What does this all mean? Can we dance on this day? –  if there is a really good party I would think so. But would the world continue to exist if All Hallows Eve was removed from every calendar and every cultures celebrations of Halloween? Heck if I know. For me, this day(s) holds a special place in my heart.

You see, I met someone on the official  celebratory period between Oct 31st to Nov 3rd about 20 years ago. Oh? And what happened? Well, I say we met one day and she says we met on a different day. Does it matter? I think not, since it’s observed for a full 4 days! How about them apples! And what do apples or any other fruit have to do with scary clowns holding axes? Or even their exes? Somehow, I played hooky on that particular day in school and the knowledge escapes me.

What if we hadn’t met? Would I have become a physicist or an arborist? Or even a zookeeper in a developing nation? And what new technologies would I have discovered as a physicist? By not becoming a physicist and not accidentally creating a black hole in a laboratory setting, perhaps by meeting this person the planet was saved. If I had become an arborist and misdiagnosed a particular disease which spread like wildfire throughout the world eradicating all plant life eventually, thereby destroying the entire population of the world! About the safest path would be a zookeeper. However, none of the above happened. Or may have in a parallel universe. In which case, be happy you’re in this one. 

What does All Hallows Eve mean to you?

I for one, scored. That’s for sure. (smug smile)

ceej

Recently, I made a big decision, well at least for me I did. I have quite a few tunes laying around, not doing anything. By that I mean no one is listening to them. Of course there are the tunes on this website that are being heard. But mostly they’re not heard, much. So, for the past year or so, I’ve been reworking and producing new versions with the help of computers to fix vocals, add various instruments for musicians I can’t get over to my studio. You would think that a majority of musicians would love to play on tracks and have demos of their playing to share with auditions and friends. But alas, California has made that harder. The complaints I get are “it’s too much gas, dude” and “your tunes aren’t commercial enough” which are a few thoughts I get from them. The gas one is tough in California as a round trip to my place can cost upwards of $40 depending on location. Musicians are not flush with cash in my circle. Not to mention the time involved to travel. 

So, I started embracing new technology, which includes lots of computer use, plugins, AI etc. I start with an existing tune I’ve written, either recently or over 40 years ago. I add words if the lyrics weren’t finished, and add music sections like a bridge etc. I use the computer to first flesh out the song before continuing. Once I have most of the pieces in place, I know my voice, which is so-so at best, works well with various plugins that fix or even change it into a different timbre. And that’s only the beginning. The original tune may have been a love ballad. But, maybe, perhaps, it would sound and fit better as a progressive tune, or rock ballad? Country Western? After fiddling around with styles, I’ll pick one and proceed. Now all this takes place with lots of computer magic. I’ve actually been using my Amiga 3000T’s for over 30 years for midi to write my songs. Now of course I still use them with added help from Windows and Linux systems. While I have to play the tunes using a keyboard first, once recorded, I can change it to any instrument. Most music today is made this way. Now, before the haters yell at me because they record the whole band live in the studio, I personally don’t have the cash or play every instrument in the world. But computers have them. There’s that. And with MIDI I can play any instrument that’s been loaded into my system. Or on the internet. Basically, the world of music is changing and making it easier for non-musicians to write music without ever knowing how to play an instrument. 

Do I support this? You bet! Creative people can be amazing at realizing new songs. And getting their artistic emotions, soul, etc out there into the world only makes this planet a better place to live. This is no way negates the years of playing I have done, the many instruments I have purchased and the bands I have played in over 40 years. For example: I can’t paint or draw very well. And yet, I have these incredible images in my mind I would love to see in the world, on a wall, in a book. Soon, that will be possible, at the moment we are seeing the beginning of that with AI. 

Back to my story, with all these tunes of mine not doing anything, my new project was started to get off my butt and release them. To be heard. To be liked. To be disliked. Whatever feelings/emotions/thoughts you have about them. I prefer good thoughts etc. (laughing) but can take some criticism. Of course I will take you off the Xmas card list if you don’t like them. There’s that.

Now that I have a few tunes streaming on various platforms I am encouraged to produce more songs. A renaissance is happening within myself. I am writing more, playing more, asking other musicians to join me (which they still don’t citing the various reasons above). Also, beginning the process of downsizing my studio. Which will make it easier for me to eventually move out of California. One goal is to find a place with a plethora of good musicians. Lot’s of research to do on that. And the above needs to take place before I die. Now that I am closer to 100 years old, it only spurs me onward into places I’ve never been or traveled. Just like Ambrosia’s song “Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled”. Describing my journey to a “T”

And thus begins a long journey of tweaking, playing, changing, testing and finally getting versions of my old tunes ready for release. Check back on this blog for links of current releases. 

cheers,

ceej

Has it already been another year? The old adage “times flies” while incorrect as time does not fly, only inches forward like the frog in a slow boiling pot of water (uh-huh) kinda rings true. A little bit. I dunno. If one could guess in this amazing surreal world of inconsistencies, my guess would amount to zero. Yup. As I get older, the neurons upstairs have conceded the fight against entropy and basically ceased functioning.  Again, not what this post is about.

My ever loving, Mello raccoons are back. During the months of Sept-Oct they somehow manage with whatever raccoon GPS that’s built-in to find my house. Or maybe it’s their kids? A raccoons life is a hard one. Between food and predators, the live about 3-4 years in the wild. In captivity between 15-20 years! Big difference. My dog alerted me to the Return of the Freeloaders this morning. While I’m not an AirBnB, it’s nice to give them a pro-bono place to rest. Are they dangerous? Do they carry diseases? Well, they can be and yes they can carry diseases. So do birds and stray cats etc. About the only critter I never worry about are opossums. There’s only one in my neighborhood sadly. Look them up when you get a chance. Having one in your backyard that gets along with your cat or dog can be a good thing. For now the raccoons, they get a free pass. Tomorrow that could change. 

cheers.

ceej

UPDATE: After many evenings pondering the implications of this technology, I’ve come to the following conclusion. Mostly, because I am a musician first, technician second. Somehow, this would be back to bite me and teach me a lesson. Maybe. But until then, I’ve decided to only use AI as a band member. Which means simply, AI can only do covers of my tunes and use various band members to play my songs. EXAMPLE: I write a tune called “THIS NEW TUNE”. I record it, sing it, play the instruments or have friends help out etc. Everyone leaves. Song done. But is it? Nope. I want a different feel. Rather then spending days or weeks recording new parts, new vocals, I get AI to play using a different feel, instruments. So “THIS NEW TUNE” is still the tune I wrote and recorded. Just different musicians playing. Almost like hiring session band players to go into a studio and record the song again. Without the huge cost involved. And since I am not rolling in the dough, quite a few bucks are saved.

What I’ve decided I don’t like, is using AI to write the tune for me. To quote a famous artist “I write the songs that make the whole world sing”. My tunes may not make the whole world sing, however, I wrote them! My emotion, experience, soul and the desire to create. Well, there you have it. And that’s all she wrote.

ceej

I caved. Yup. Totally caved. Gave in. Relented. Succumbed.

Why? I dunno. Just wanted to see if I could be inspired. And I was. Also, wasn’t. 

Made me a little sad. I couldn’t tell the difference at first. Was this an AI generated song or someone elses tune the AI stole? Again, I dunno. Completely surprised at how easy this was to create and modify a song within 15 minutes. All parts realized by me and the AI. To be sure, all I did was type a few words, add a few styles, gave the AI a musical direction to follow and WHAMMO BAMMO – TUNE. DONE. 

I stopped at around 2 minutes as I couldn’t bring myself to delve deeper into the various settings that would morph the musical direction even more. So, theoretically, this is now my tune, my copyright. Seriously. I own it now. I can’t sing it, like ever. I don’t even know if I can play this live. But hey, tune?

Going to think about the implications for a bit. Check it out below. Let me know what you think.

cheers

ceej

“RIDE THIS WAVE” by AI and ceej

Exhaustion sets in regularly lately. Have no use for metamucil or other existing folk remedies. I’m just tired. Confused. Thinking of starting a new political party called “KILLBILL”. Before the naysayers shout “Elon Musk is already starting a new party. Why on earth would we need another?” Mostly, because, I say so. Yup. And we need this one to stop the plethora of uneducated brain dead house and senate representatives from continuing to “babysplain” why we need new laws to remove guns from the general public. Oh sorry, AMERICANS! 

Every shooting that happens in America, heck, in the world translates to: The New Bill to Outlaw Assault Weapons. The Newer Bill to Ban Any Weapons. The NEW NEW KILL BILL for everything!

Justified? Nope.  Once again, weapons don’t kill humans, people using weapons kill people. Today I read about the 11 year old who was ringing doorbells and running away in the middle of the night. Just a children’s game. The owner of the house shot the child, who was then transported to Emergency and passed shortly thereafter. So many things wrong with the above. Like, why was the 11 year old out after midnight ringing doorbells? I did stuff as a youngster. So, yes, I get it. But today? Parents are put in prison for letting their kids ride a bike down the street! The owner of the house shooting someone running away? Can’t even begin to understand that logic. 

What about the church shootings and school attacks taking place? Every time one occurs, another politician pounds the pavement with a new proposed law to ban all weapons. Well, I’ve finally come around to their thinking. Although I propose a more sweeping change. My bill will be called just “KILL BILL” which includes every possible thing that can be used to deliver a death blow to another human.

Here’s a short list as the full list is bigger than the library of congress.

Guns, knives (including butterknives, plastic knifes, oh heck – all silverware of any kind! Household items such as Blenders, coffee makers, fryers. Pots and pans. Microwaves, refrigerators (tip one over on someone, see what happens..) scissors, rope, wire, paper (ever get a paper cut? try a couple hundred) chairs, furniture, bats, baseballs, volleyballs, geesh make that ALL SPORTS GEAR. Pianos, guitars, drumsticks amps, electricity, water, oxygen, milk, peanuts, food in general. And the list continues…

The above does not kill by itself, usually, the person does the killing. Yes, there are accidents which we can exclude. If we ban all guns or even most guns, let’s not stop there. Knives should be removed as should razor blades, sharp sticks, tree branches. I watched this Documentary on people being killed accidentally called “TUCKER and DALE VS EVIL” like one guy was

 another just 

and so on. So, accidents can happen.  Do we need a bill for that? Where does the ridiculous end? Anything can be turned into a killing device if used that way. I propose we help one another to survive with compassion, dignity and kindness. Morals should be foremost in the battle to curb whatever evil there is in the world. But another bill? Nah. Let KILL BILL be the final one passed right before the planet explodes.

cheers

ceej 

Following up Hawt Whytesun is a pretty tall order. Indeed. So, I reached into a box of songs I had recently finished recording and pulled one out, a totally romantic song which brought me back to the years of playing in the Gary Efford Band. Gary would belt out soulful melodies of love without breaking a tear. Maybe this type of music is in my blood or at the very least my heart. Yes, I am a romantic person. I believe in reaching into another persons dreams and aspirations of life. The sadness, happiness, ectasy of those around us, sharing our inner most desires.

And sometimes instead of getting down, I write songs. While I am not a lead singer (and if you are drop me a note, would love to meet you!) the finished product is usually quite profound. For me. So, take a listen and let your mind wander into an evening of beautiful curiosity.

cheers,

cj (Tell Me How You Feel)