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Songwraith is a studio project; music composed, arranged, performed, and produced by Songwraith. If "studio project" evokes an image of a sterile, detached, mechanical endeavor, that's far from the reality. NO audio loops were harmed during the production process! You will find few, if any loops here. This is NOT a remix project. Compositions and arrangements were produced the old-fashioned way: one note at a time!
About the Tunes
"The Run" New song/story. Complete with congas and brass and a tongue-in-cheek approach. 2009. **Production assistance: Colman Padraic O'Reilly.
"Life and Times" is (modern) classical; of this set, Life and Times may be the piece that sounds most like a traditional movie sound track; 2008.
"Journey" composed in 2009; style somewhat elusive--perhaps ethnic fusion?
"The Circle" serves as a vehicle to throw some philosophy on the table. Actually, the philosophy is entirely my own, and this one nearly wrote itself. Circa 2006, and hopefully showcases some progress in production skill.
"Passage" is a Celtic instrumental audio story in 5/4; original produced exclusively with Celtic instruments as a Berklee project; 2007.
"The Grand Bazaar" is reminiscent of time spent where Europe and Asia meet. Includes a tuba solo, a (brief) drum solo ('thought those were gone in the 70's?), a sax lead, and a duck call somewhere in the middle; 2009.
"Dust" is electronica. Melody composed in 1973; this arrangement: 2007.
"Long Distance" is a recent arrangement and was a full-fledged foray back into the world of vocals. Pop, with a somewhat orchestral backdrop; composed in 1979.
(Every note:) Copyright Timothy Patrick O'Reilly, 1973-2009.
***Additional notes:
(1) Some MySpace users do not accept Friend Requests from bands. I don't blame them! (I know musicians!) It would be great to get my music out to the widest audience possible, but I do not "blanket" request anything. The musicians listed as friends are mostly here because I listened to their music--enjoyed it--noted with appreciation unique talent and creativity--and requested the friendship. Since I enjoy lots of different styles, you'll see a varied group. I DO accept Friend Requests from bands--and will confirm those if I listen to--and appreciate the music--I sincerely hope my Friend Requests are treated in the same manner.
(2) I occasionally "tweak" a mix after I've already posted the perfect (ha!) version! These are (usually) subtle changes. With significant changes, I'll update this site. That's why you'll occasionally see a tune's play count go to zero (when you were sure you'd listened before). Any tweaked versions--and additional tunes--are on my personal Site:
http://www.songwraith.com
Thank you so much for listening!
Songwraith
Songwraith Background:
An Irreverent Little Tirade!
Chapter 1: I Was A Child Prodigy As soon as I could put those words together (which was no earlier than less fortunate normal earthlings), that’s what I told everyone. I thought I’d get that out front to set the tone. It’s what all musicians on MySpace do when they are inflating writing their own bios.
Chapter 2: "I Got Da Music In Me!" I took violin lessons when I was five. To “borrow” an observation from a blogger friend (about his son), my playing left people wondering what the violin ever did to me.
(MySpace musician bios always cite how early they got into music. I also learned to swim at age two, but Michael Phelps doesn’t seem worried.)
At age seven, I won my only first talent contest, singing a song parody I stole from an issue of Mad Magazine (no anonymous letters to ASCAP please!). I accompanied myself on an extremely difficult instrument that I had taught myself to play [Editor’s note: ”Continue the child prodigy theme here” ], the autoharp. (For those not familiar with the autoharp, one has to put pressure on a button with one hand and strum [at the same time!] with the other!)
At fourteen, I bought an expensive guitar from a custom shop--made exclusively for me in recognition of my burgeoning talent-- ($52.95 from Sears and Roebuck) and taught myself to play that!
[Editor’s note: ”Continue the he-can-pick-up-any-insrument and drive people nuts in no time make music theme.” ] The rest would be history except that I haven't finished pumping up my ego telling this incredible story.
Chapter 3: College (or, Wouldn't It Be Great If This Party Offered Classes?) My first institution had just changed status from a "Junior" college to a "Community" college. My freshman year was filled with theory and choir classes (and my science requirement, Earth Science, which I shared with the knuckle-draggers who signed their names as an "X" and had come in on golf scholarships). My primary music instructor offered up his trials and won big points with me as his cross to bear...with me as his pain-in-the-ass-student helping me to the next level of prodigy-isness.
Sophomore and subsequent years were spent in Moscow (pronounced "Mos-coe," long "o," not "Mos-cow," like the animal--and in Idaho, not Russia). I did finally graduate with a bachelors in music education. That period was symbolized by this "good for one free drink" card (I can't believe I missed this beer!).
Chapter 4: My Dues (and My Blues) Are Worse Than Yours! After college, I wasted little time (initially) and hit the road as a professional musician. One of my steadiest gigs was as the guitar/banjo [Editor's note: "Didn't we say this kid could play anything?!" ] in a horse-opera, summer theater house band. Like Clint Eastwood ( This is a stretch! I guess), we had no name. We were just the Dirty Jack's Band from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The band leader, (now gone) was Pat Holt who used to play the Manhattan Club in Salt Lake and had the fastest left hand I've seen (before or since)! He played honky tonk and "show" piano. Two of the band (the trombone/bass--on the left--and the trumpet) teach music. The trombone and drummer are unaccounted for. The harp player is still paying (real) dues, playin' (real) music in Denver!
The Davis Blues Project
I also played some pretty ratty--and it's lucky I'm still alive great clubs for the next year or so.
Chapter 5: Time Out. "They'll Be No 'Hummin' In This Outfit!" At this point, there was a fork in the road.
(If you didn't see that coming....) [Editor's note: "This kid's creativity is without limits!"]
Actually, I joined the Marine Corps (ours'). The haircut was free. Since I have heard several mumblings of disbelief--people think I was in a self-induced coma for twenty years--the following photo is provided. All military folks have an "I love me" area where they can hang their egos display rememberances:
Chapter 6: Influences. My Influences Are Larger Than Your Influences. Why do musicians think it's impressive to list (larger-than-life) legends as influences? It's as if the legends' magic "talent dust" came through their cheap-ass speakers. Long lists of famous people do not make one a better musician (sorry!)!
On the other hand, if your music exclusively comprises covers (because you lack the talent to create your own material), influences can be very relevant--especially from a legal standpoint.
Chapter 7: Honestly. MySpace Is Not The DMV! (Department of Motor Vehicles for my overseas friends!) In some states, one can renew their driver's license without ever changing their photo. How handy if one is "trolling" the internet and would rather folks not know they're getting the senior citizen discount! No one probably remembers the Simon and Garfunkel Bookends album? Here's my "Bookends" look:
And my best "Happy Birthday To-oooo You" lounge singer look:
Chapter 8: The Music. (Oh, Yeah!) If you've listened, you'll realize I haven't "landed" in a genre. I am in this (again) because I need to get the music out and down. Much of my work is digital these days--and, yes--I realize the production quality is occasionally uneven.
For my Net friends, here is some of the software (and gear) I use:
- ProTools LE
- Apple Logic Pro 8
- MOTU Ethno Instruments
- Melodyne
- Vocalign Pro
- Finale
- Drum machines: Boss DR880 and (ha!) Univox SR-95
- Shure SM58s
- Mojave MA200 (large condensor)
- sE Reflexion Filter (reduces ambient sound and creates a correct studio space)
- Presonus Blue Tube preamp
- Several guitars (including the old Silvertone and an Ovation) and several other instruments
One of the great things about music, is that it's personal. Almost all the competition is within oneself. If I can help anyone with production techniques--or just offer opinions on gear or procedures, please don't hesitate....
And I accept friend requests from bands (ha!).
The "Songwraith" signature photo was made using the backdrop of an African sky. I took the shot in Kenya, during a photo safari to the Serengeti a few years ago.
Here's a more recent photo of moi (sans PhotoShop!):
And the real me!
Thank you so much for listening!
Songwraith
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