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Sunday, September 25, 2016

Story Behind The Song - "Yeah, A Harbor"

                                             Story Behind The Song - “Yeah, A Harbor”



When it really comes down to it, there really aren't all that many people who don't like a harbor, are there? There's the romance to them,the mystical inspiration, a pinnacle for adventure. You see a boat leaving and where is it off to? A day's fishing trip, or possibly a sail? Perhaps an adventurous escapade to some foreign port many, many nautical miles away? There's also day to day living of those in the harbors, marinas, and the adjoining businesses, restaurants, supply stores, and bars. To an outsider, the thought inevitably and enviously crosses one's mind “Boy! This must be a cool life!”



It's so different that they actually have their own dialect in nautical English! It's not a bathroom, it's a head. It's not a kitchen, but a galley. It's not a bed, but rather a birth. The people here go to the beat of their own drummer. Additionally, it doesn't matter if they are in Boston, Key West, London England Perth, Australia, Nassau, Bahamas, or Kingston, Jamaica. If it's on a boat it's a Head, Galley, Birth... etc. 




Throughout my life I've been in,or around harbors. It seemed only a matter of time before I wrote a song about it. Why there aren't more, I couldn't say? Additionally, I've written many songs about leading the aquatic life, one way or another. The song “Sailing” was inspired from the days I would go sailing with my dad on his boat, the “Lilly M” (named after my mom) first off of City Island, then later at Nyack, N.Y. as well as sailing off Key West. “Liveaboard” was written for those who live on their boats. “Yippie Cayo Hueso” a celebration of living in Key West and getting out on the water. Over the years there have been Chatham Harbor and“ Stage Harbor in Chatham, Cape Cod, Dinner Key, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, The Gables Waterway, Crandon Marina, Blackpoint Marina, all in greater Miami. Down here in the Keys there was Gilbert's in Key Largo, Smuggler's Cove in Islamorada, Sombrero Marina in Marathon, plus Key West Bight and Garrison Bight here in Key West and Stock Island Village Marina and Safe Harbor on Stock Island. So it's overdue.







“Yeah, A Harbor” is one of my newest songs. Basically, it's about the day to day living at a harbor, the comings and goings, the good and the sad. Adventurers, fishing, deck hands, a beautiful woman, harbor scenes. The interesting thing is that it's getting the same reaction from people left and right.

“I love that song! That song makes me feel like I'm right there”.

It's so good to hear, and hearing from one person is always gratifying! It makes one feel so grateful! But when the same statement comes from people every time I play it, it leaves me kind of speechless.

The song is currently in recording production with producer Ian Shaw.

Here's a live version with The Shanty Hounds.





Note here: In the third verse, I mention "Captain marlin knows how to rock. Captain Marlin is an actual captain here in Key West. You can find him on his Fish Monster Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/fishmonstermagazine/


“YEAH, A HARBOR”

1

SOME OF THE BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE I SPENT IN HARBOURS

BREATHING SALT AIR AND THE FRAGRENCE OF THE SEA

BOATS ROCKING TO THE RHYTHM OF THE TIDES AND BREEZE

YEAH THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR

2

LAND'S END USED TO BE THE OLD SHRIMP DOCKS

'ROUND THE CORNER YOU'LL FIND THE BAIT SHOP

SOME SALTY DOGS WITH THREE DAY BEARDS DRINKIN' BEER

CAUSE THEY REALLY DON'T GIVE A ….

(bridge)

SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY  BEST MEMORIES


3

A FISHING BOAT SHE'S LOADED TO THE GILLS

BUSY DAY OUT TRAWLING QUITE A THRILL

DOLPHIN, TUNA, AND WAHOO BEING FILLETED ON THE DOCK

YEAH, CAPTAIN MARLIN KNOWS HOW TO ROCK

4

SAILBOAT ROLLS IN FROM THE BVI

ST. JOHN'S BEER AND PUSSER'S RUM LAST NIGHT

TALES OF STORMS AND CLOSE CALLS TOO CLOSE TO MEET THE EYE

YOU KNOW WE ALL LAUGHED, BUT THEN WE SIGHED

(bridge)

SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


(coda)

'CAUSE SOME DON'T MAKE IT AND THEY DIE

DAMN GOOD PEOPLE, THE REST OF US CRY

WE HANG OUT AT THE BARNICLE BAR AND TOAST 'EM HIGH

IT'S OUR WAY OF LIFE

5

SUNRISE, I'M UP EARLY IN THE MORNING

NEIGHBOR COREEN SHE SHOWERS ON HER BOW

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO START THE DAY, I'M THINKIN' 'BOUT NOW

YEAH, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR


(bridge)

SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


YEAH SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR AND ME

© 6/7/2016 by Christopher R. Rehm BMI



What I'm doing in order to finance the recordings, is selling the songs as they are completed. The Album's name is “Jump Into de Fi-Ya!!!” and the first song, “Island Blue”, sung by Misty Loggins for me, is available now for download! It's only a buck... actually, less at $ .99. The finished album will have ten songs, so the cost will be the same, only you get the songs as they are completed! Here's the links for “Island Blue”.


Thanks for reading the blog and for those of you who purchase the son a very big THANK YOU!!!

All the Best From Key West!

Key West Chris Rehm




Thank you for reading my blog! 

Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journies and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!

 Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!

23 Ratings - 23 Five-Star ratings!









Also, my first book, Bar Stories, is now available in paperback!


Available on Amazon! 18 Five-Star ratings!






Naturally, if you liked today's blog, get the music here at iTunes!










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Saturday, September 3, 2016

The Making Of a CD/Album Part 2

As you may have see in "Part 1, we recorded the rhythm tracks, bass and drums, for three songs, "Yeah, A Harbor", "Dockside Bar", and 21st Century Kinda Girl" last week at the Ramble Room Studio, here in Key West, last Friday. 

 http://keywestmusic.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-making-of-cdalbum.html


In the week that followed, producer Ian Shaw had a good deal of editing to do, mostly in the percussion section.

Yesterday, I was at Warmfuzz studio, here in Key West to put down both acoustic guitar and vocal tracks.





We put down around four guitar tracks for “Yeah, A Harbor” to start. I brought my Ibanez, which I used on my last album “Shanghai'd and Marooned In Key West (things could be worse)”, as well as my Rainsong. Ian had me play both guitars and in the end, he had me play the Rainsong. I liked the idea, as this guitar will give it a different sound from the last record.








In doing this process, there's a lot of stopping and going. In my case the things that stood out the most were Ian wanted me to be hitting the full six strings throughout. Additionally, he wasn't looking for as many added fills as I put in the song playing live. As I mentioned in the last blog, playing live is a lot different than recording. Bear in mind that the song is around five minutes long, or so. We spent over an hour putting it together. What we did was, I'd play the song through. If I made an error or maybe Ian thought there was a better way for me to record a particular part, we'd go back to that section and do it over.

As I say, we have a total of several tracks to chose from. What Ian will do most likely is take sections from those tracks and mix and match them to make one guitar track. On the other hand, he may like one that stands out on it's own merit alone.


The next song to record the guitar on was “Dockside Bar”. This was an unusual one as we only did one track. There were a few areas that we redid for subtle accents, but one track was it.


Next came “21st Century Kinda Girl”. We did several edits throughout on this track as well, and ended up with a track Ian was happy with.

We started at noon and it was now 3:30. The acoustic guitar tracks were now done and it was on to the vocals.






Ian asked which one I wanted to start with and my instincts suggested doing them in the same order as we did the guitars.




The vocals went smoothly, with one exception on the timing in one part of “21st Century Kinda Girl”, which Ian helped me with. In addition, his learned ear also came into play, as he suggested subtleties that would enhance the songs. We finished around 5 pm.

In the end, again we had several tracks for Ian to mix and match with. He'll be in London between now and the next time we get together and may do some mixing there as well. Fun thinking that some of the mixing production of this will be done in England!


All of this is worth every penny, however recording and doing it the right way, is an expensive endeavor. So far, for three songs here's the breakdown thus far:

Studio/musicians/producer expenses for rhythm section recording, Friday, August 27. 2016

$625.00

Vocals and Guitar recording Friday, September 2nd, plus editing from the August 27th date: $430.00


So, we're at $1055.00 at this point.


We are not close to being done as of yet. We still need other musicians and vocalists added, plus the added editing and final mastering at the end.

As I say, I'm not complaining about this at all. However, I think it's good for the general public to be aware of. For one, there are many who are curious about the process and how it's done. These blogs following the production of the album “Jump Into De Fi-Ya!!!” will hopefully bring that to them.

The other is for people who approach musicians asking to donate CD's for various charities.

Lets take a quick look at what we have here:

At this point the budget spent on three songs is $1055.00. There's a significant more to go on those three songs as well. That figure will more than double most likely when it's all said and done.

Then consider that there will be a total of ten songs on the finished product. Figure the total cost on that will be in the $7 - $9K range.

Then add the cost of CD production and add another grand.



While their intent is good and noble, asking a musician to donate their recorded music is really asking a lot. As you've seen, there is a very large out of pocket expense involved. If they are asking for is a donated CD, at least ask them if they can be obtained wholesale. That's fair for everyone. The starving artist







Being that I don't have $10,000.00 falling out of my back pocket, I'm attempting to sell the songs as they are produced. The first song “Island Blue” is available now for less than a dollar at $.99. It features Misty Loggins on lead vocals and Dani Hoy on background vocals. Here are the links where it can be downloaded.





Thanks for reading the blog and for those of you who purchase the son a very big THANK YOU!!!

All the Best From Key West!

Key West Chris Rehm





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