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Thursday, October 27, 2016

Story Behind The Song - "Seaplane!"

Story Behind The Song - “Seaplane!






There's a romance associated with a seaplane. In most minds eyes the view is a seaplane flying in the tropics, with crystal clear waters waters below and the clear blue sky with white puffy clouds above. There's also the mystique of being in a by-gone era.




In writing music, I do my best to stay diverse and I write in many different genres. My album “Shanghai'd and Marooned In Key West (things could be worse)” has ten songs in eleven different genres. That's because one song, “The Beach!” is in Afro/Cuban, and the bridge is in Motown. There's also Bahamian, Blues, Southern Rock, Brazilian, Country... The point here is that I don't stick to one genre. I like things to be different.

This song, “Seaplane” I wrote in the vane of being a big band song. Think Glen Miller Big Band style. Lyrically, I painted the picture with the above in mind. First and foremost, with the romantic side as a focal point, and in achieving that objective, by having the it taking place in the tropics.





Both short, and far off destinations are embedded in the song. Key Largo and Islamorada are just a “hop skip and away” here in the Florida Keys. Whereas, the Bahamas, Jamaica, or even Montserrat are possibilities! The seaplane can take you to your favorite destinations!




                                         
                                         Caribbean Club, Key Largo


                                          Islamorada, Fla. Keys



                                          Bahamas 


                                          
                                          Negril 


                                          Montserrat


Consequently, it's not written like a Country, Rock, or Blues song with three, to maybe six chords. I get my fair share of ribbing because a lot of my songs fall in a different direction from that formula.

When my friend Bobby D. heard it he asked “Oh geeze! How many chords does that have?”

“I don't know? Maybe about as many as I have in Island Blue?” I replied, referring to another song I wrote which had fourteen.

Then I counted them...... twenty-four. Yikes!!!! 

It's been suggested that it has more chords than any other Trop Rock song.

Like Island Blue, it's a non-specific gender song, so either a man or woman can sing it.

Who'll sing it? Me? Dani Hoy? Misty Loggins? Who knows, perhaps even Michael Buble!






I'd love to record it, complete full band, maybe a fifteen to twenty piece band. Trombone solo, maybe a clarinet as well?


If there are any philanthropists out here looking for a tax write off, let me know! You'll be listed as “Executive Producer” for the song!








 SEAPLANE
I JUST WANT TO FLY ON A SEAPLANE            RIGHT OFF THE WATER AND UP INTO THE SKY
II
WE COULD FLY TO NEGRIL, MAYBE THE BAHAMAS, OR KEY LARGO CARIBBEAN CLUB HERE WE COME
III
LOOK AT THOSE PROPS SPINNING, LISTEN TO THOSE ENGINES SINGING AS WE LIFT OFF THE WATER INTO THE WIND

(Bridge 1)
AND IT WOULD BE JUST LIKE TAKING A STEP BACK IN TIME       

TO A LIFESTYLE  THAT'S  UP UP AND   AWAY

(Bridge 2) 
ISLAMORADADA YOU’RE JUST A HOP SKIP AND  AWAY

ISLEMORADA  THINK I’LL FLY      THERE                                                TODAY

IV
LOOK AT THAT WATER BELOW, THE COLORS THEY JUST SEEM TO GLOW AS WE FLY OVER THE REEF IN OUR SEAPLANE
V
AND AT THE DROP OF A HAT, WE’RE OFF TO WHERE IT’S AT, A LITTLE ISLAND OFF MONTSERRAT
VI
WE’LL FLY UP IN THE CLOUDS THEN WE’LL   SWOOP ON DOWN, LAND ON THE WATER NOW AIN’T LIFE JUST GRAND

(Bridge 2b)
MONTSERRAT YOU’RE JUST A DAY AWAY
MONTSERRAT THINK WE’LL FLY THERE                                                TODAY

(bridge 1)
 IT WOULD BE JUST LIKE TAKING A STEP BACK IN TIME       TO A LIFESTYLE   THAT'S UP UP AND   AWAY        

IN OUR SEAPLANE! IN OUR SEAPLANE! IN OUR SEAPLANE! 

© 3/6/2013 By Christopher R. Rehm   BMI








                                         






Thank you for reading the blog! I hope you enjoyed it! If you enjoyed reading this, please check out my book, Bar Stories, available from Amazon as a download! Only $4.99




Also, my music is available on iTunes as well!  Check the link below!


Thank you again!


Key West Chris Rehm


Monday, October 24, 2016

MOTM Sunday! "This Is Key West Calling!"

MOTM Week - “This Is Key West Calling”



History will certainly be made with the “This Is Key West Calling” event on Sunday, November 6th, noon to 5 at Sunset Tiki, 617 Front Street, Key West!

How is that? Well, at this writing we have a total of five Trop Rock radio stations working and broadcasting together!! When has that happened before, be it in Trop Rock, or anything else, for that matter?

As of this writing, we have Key West 104.9 The X, Tiki Man Radio, Tiki Island Radio, Beachfront Radio, and Tiki Pod Radio all working together collectively for the good of the genre!

Stations from Illinois. Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Key West will be joining forces, working as a unit of one!



Any musicians who have played in any event during the week of MOTM, are welcome to sign up, play a few songs, then have the option to be interviewed on the broadcast.



Talk about incredible exposure! Five stations, all at the same time!

Code Rum, The Tiki Man Radio's sponsor, will also be on hand and be featured! Perhaps a new business association for Sunset Tike and Code Rum? We'll see!




As this is “history in the making”, a press release is being planned to be sent out to all of the major news organizations. We're talking about AP, Reuters, BBC, CBS, NBC, CNN, NBC.

There's a better than even chance that some of these organizations will cover the event as well.

We're hoping the world will be watching!




As for the attending MOTM fans, Sunset Tiki is located at The Galleon Resort, at the end of Front Street, Key West. It sits right on the water, and both the view and atmosphere are simply incredible. Truly second to none! Ask anyone who's been there! They also have a full bar, plus a good selection of beers and wines. Additionally, they will have a BBQ going for the event.



This is not an event to miss. Be part of history being made and head to Sunset Tiki, Sunday, Noon to 5pm!





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!










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





Friday, August 26, 2016

The Making Of A CD/Album - Part 1

The Making Of A CD/Album


What a day in the studio! Recording is work. Many just think it's like a live gig and you just go in and play the song, then go home. Truth be known, it's actually quite a tedious experience. Today we focused on the rhythm section for three songs, “Dockside Bar”, Yeah, A Harbor” and “21st Century Kinda Girl”. The rhythm section is the bass and drums.

We worked on the arrangements on the songs last week. I had the basic arrangements done, however the producer, Ian Shaw, came up with modifications and adjustments for them all. Ian's input was exactly what the songs needed.





On “Yeah, A Harbor” he had us repeat the chorus at an additional point, then also moved the bridge of the song to after that chorus, where it previously had been after a verse.

On “Dockside Bar”, Ian had us add stops to a few points, which completely added a whole new feel and accent that the song had been lacking. In addition, he felt the second verse was a little long in the tooth. However, it was the exact same structure as the first. As a writer, I naturally raised an eyebrow when he first mentioned it. After all, here he was cutting out a piece of my creation.


We have to add a little note here regarding Ian. Ian Shaw is a world class producer who moved to Key West from London, England a few years ago. He maintains a flat in London and bounces back and forth periodically recording in both locations. He's been a record producer for over thirty years, and has a checkered history to go along with it. He's recorded virtually every type of music in the western world, save for an orchestra. He really knows what he's doing.

                        Ian Shaw - Picture by Ralph De Palma

           Ian Shaw (standing) working with engineer Drew Gunning
                                 Picture bt Ralph De Palma
                          https://www.facebook.com/rwdepalma

           Ian Shaw recorded the vocals for Dani Hoy's newest release
                                  At The End Of A Long Road

So, before my eyebrow was fully raised, I stopped myself to listen to what he suggested. After all, he knows miles and miles more about this process than I do.


The first thing I realized was that the verse he was suggesting to eliminate, really wasn't needed to begin with. What it was saying was redundant. Coming in with the verse he suggested, made complete sense. Off with the old and on with the new!

Throughout the rehearsal, bassist Robert “Bob” Tucker added immensely, along with drummer John Sausser. It was great watching them work out so that they complement each other, working out who does what, so that they complement each other and weave in and out their respective lines that together work out the rhythm section. Ian would say what he was looking for in a particular section, Bob and John would work it out, not to mention adding suggestions of their own.


Going into the studio today. It takes a very different talent  doing studio work than playing live. It's not often that a great live performer is a great studio musician, and visa versa. Doing studio work is a different ballgame all together.  Playing live is more like driving a Ferrari on a race track, whereas studio work is more like driving a tractor hoeing a field. It's a very different discipline. Nashville, for instance, I recall hearing years back, has a pool of around 28 musicians they pull from to do a recording. That's guitar players, keyboardists, bass players, and pedal steel players. 28 total, and they played on every Nashville cut on the radio. About a year ago there was a great movie out called "The Wrecking Crew" about a small group of musicians who were on so many hit songs, I couldn't begin to count. The Beach Boys wanted to cut their own tracks, but after hearing The Wrecking Crew, they backed off. It's a verry different talent, as I say.

Ian chose The Ramble Room Studios, on Eaton Street, here in Key West. The Ramble Room has been open for around a year, maybe a bit more, I'm guessing? I had not been there as of yet, nor had I seen any pictures of it either.

I have to say the studio is very comfortable to work in. Sofas, a bar to work on (no, sorry folks, no alcohol!) a drum booth with a very nice Yamaha kit, the main room, recording booth, all in easy access, plus, even a baby grand piano, donated by our friend Adrienne Z, for safe keeping. It's a very nice facility indeed!


With the studio came Drew Gunning, the engineer. Drew did a fantastic job all day and I need to say not only was he great to work with from an artists standpoint, but also he worked like clockwork with Ian.


I asked Ian what song we should start off with. His answer was “Whichever one you feel most comfortable with”. As Bob and I had been doing “Dockside Bar” live a couple of times, and it seemed to go well, I picked that one.



When we went through the first take, I felt that although it wasn't perfect, we would have this completed in a half hour. Ian however had different ideas on how the drums should be accenting the song in various different parts throughout the song. He would come out of the booth and say what he wanted in this part, or that.

In addition, throughout the entire session, if any of us were ahead, or behind the beat, he's make a note to us and we'd do it again. Likewise, if he wanted us to lay back, or be right on top of the beat, he's tell us. And we'd do it again.



A lot of all of this happened over the day, on all three songs, but funny enough, mostly on the first, which we felt we knew the best!

The next song “A Harbor” went a bit quicker, but not by much. I had a bit of trouble with the timing in a part of it and Ian came out and gave me a hand by actually directing! It worked!



Finally, we recorded the last song “21st Century Kinda Girl”. This song I think we only did three or four takes and we were done. All totaled, we went from 11am to 4pm and laid down the rhythm tracks.



So again, the vocal tracks and guitar tracks that I did today will not be used. We call them “Scratch Tracks”. What they do is keep the song in structure for the bass and drums. Ian will take those tracks, edit and them. For instance, He may like Bob's first verse bass line on Dockside Bar's for that verse, but he might like his forth take on the song's second verse. On the chorus of the song, he might take part of one take and stick in another take's for the other part.

He'll do the same with the drums. Mixing and matching the best from the entire session. This is part of what will happen with every instrument as it's recorded.


Right now we have the bass and drums. When Ian is finished editing that, I'll go back in the studio and add my guitar and vocal. After that we'll add additional vocals and instrumentation. I'll keep you posted as we progress, so that you see the process in action.

I hope you'll enjoy it!



Hey Look!!!!  Dani Hoy and Terri Wlaschin!




For additional pictures, videos and stories, be sure to check out the Facebook page:



Also, if you'd like to help out with making the album, it's very easy, just buy the songs as they come out! The first one, Island Blue, already is out! My friend Misty Loggins sings it and Dani Hoy sings background vocals!

Here are the links for Island Blue. It's less than a dollar. The proceeds go to recording the next songs! For you, the consumer, it costs less to buy the album this way, plus you get them as they come out! Why wait for the album to be done? It actually costs less for you to do it this way!



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