Songs From My Front Porch

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I offer some solo performances of
songs I've learned over the years.
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FAQ:

1.) Do you have/ can you send me the tablature for x?

I'm sorry, no I don't and I can't. I arrange my covers by ear and I don't like to be overly rigid about how I play a tune from one performance to the next in any case. So I don't tab. Moreover, the time required would be too great a sacrifice and I would be left with a guilty conscience for having undoubtedly violated copyright laws, particularly in the case of the Degrassi cover for which I tried particularly hard to be faithful to the original since it's an instrumental. But I'm flattered by the numerous requests I get for this. So thanks for asking.

2.) How about a tutorial video of x instead?

I would feel much less guilty about this, but I'm pretty sure that those who ask for this don't realize what they're asking for. To produce a decent tutorial that would have a hope of actually helping you learn my arrangements, would require careful planning, multiple camera angles and who knows what else. The time involved in making one would eliminate any hope I would have of recording new videos of performances which is what my friends and family wanted from me when I started posting. And even without such efforts as of this writing it's been a year since I've had the chance to offer anything new. I'm sorry, I'd like to help you really, but no. There just isn't time. This is something I do in my off hours of which I have few. But again, thanks for asking.

3.) What's your audio set-up?

My audio set-up consists of an 8-track digital mutl-tracker made by Fostex. Something like this one:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-MR8mkII-8Track-Digital-Recorder?sku=240343

except that it's several years old now and colored red. It has a pair of left/right 1/4" jacks that allow me send out a stereo signal. To connect it to my computer I use an adapter like this:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Monster-Cable-Stereo-18-Male-to-2-Female-14-YAdapter?sku=330059

and a couple of patch cables with 1/4" plugs on both sides so that I can connect the jacks on the mult-tracker to the jacks on the adapter. From there I plug the 1/8" stereo end of the adapter into the audio input on my iMac computer.

The microphone came with the Fostex as part of a kit. The whole kit included the microphone, the multi-tracker, and some cheap headphones. It all cost about $350. I think it's cheaper now, but you'd still have to have the cables and adapter.

To record I use iMovie which comes bundled with the mac's OS. I record live with no editing other than to clip off the beginnings and ends of my videos.

4.) Are you a professional/Do you have a CD?

Alas, no. I would like to be/have. But my actual career is already demanding, and more likely to keep me financially solvent than a music career, especially given my dated tastes.

5.) Is that a Martin D-35 you're playing there?

Yes, of 1980 vintage and purchased new, unless you're looking at one of the videos in which I use the Martin DCX-1E instead, which is a lower-tier electro-acoustic model - remarkably good sound for the price. I recommend them to intermediate players who want to move up but are on a budget. But be careful and make sure to maintain proper moisture levels. They crack easily in dry air. Keep them in their cases with well-charged humidifiers during the winter months.

6.) What's with that can of WD-40 behind you?

Sorry about that. It's long gone now.
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Requests are welcome. Here is the list so far:

Request List:

Carefree Highway - robfilmer
Paddy's Night Out - Dad
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Dan
Me and Bobby McGee - Mom
Apology - Patrick
Seven Island Suite - Jesse Joe
Flyin' Blind - Jesse Joe
A better place to be - cpossberg
Shadows - BlintVidz
Coming of the Snow - Lindasko
The Watchman's Gone - RM
Minstrel of the Dawn - Lindasko
Photographs and Memories - LinYooToo
New York's Not My Home - LinYooToo
Sundown - Orion9824
Baby Step Back - Orion9824
Mountains and Marian - canlitgal
Did She Mention My Name - canlitgal
Now and Then - jiggerboss
Sound of Silence - Guitarh3ro20
Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle - Mary
It's Worth Believin' - RM
Time In a Bottle - gatorsfan367
Wish You Were Here - Judy
I'll Tag Along - Oh, Linda
Leader of the Band - gatorsfan367
Cherokee Bend - CommonmanVideos
Hearts and Crafts - BrokenArrow1967
The Sage - Jampa131
Ordinary Man - RCROSSH
The Last Farewell - jaxjrone
Before and After -jaxjrone
See That Girl - jaxjron
Black Day In July -jaxjron
Anything For Love - rubs96
Handy Man londonlil2003
Bells of the Evening - Bunab
If Children Had Wings - Bunab
Looking at the Rain - Bunab
White Rain - pluggedin2u
The Sounds of Silence-1988titta
Boy From the Country-Guilddude2
Seasons in the Sun-ChicagoTattooArt

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