tag:stoneageman.ca,2005:/blogs/handbook-for-the-recently-chaoticHandbook for the Recently Chaotic2021-09-05T22:22:09-04:00Stone Age Manfalsetag:stoneageman.ca,2005:Post/67368332021-09-05T22:22:09-04:002023-10-16T11:01:30-04:00Shine<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/51570/6fb5809b124118c82237121a23bb9f72098a5724/original/hftrc-shine.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h4>Reflections </h4>
<p style="text-align: center;">FUTILITY </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">by Wilfred Owen </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Move him into the sun <br>Gently its touch awoke him once, <br>At home, whispering of fields half-sown.<br>Always it woke him, even in France,<br>Until this morning and this snow. <br>If anything might rouse him now<br>The kind old sun will know. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Think how it wakes the seeds<br>Woke once the clays of a cold star.<br>Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides<br>Full-nerved, still warm, too hard to stir?<br>Was it for this the clay grew tall? <br>O what made fatuous sunbeams toil<br>To break earth's sleep at all?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>Lyrics </h3>
<p>If you're broken and weary<br>And over it all <br>I'll be there right by your side<br>If you should stumble and fall </p>
<p>If the road that you travel should be winding and long<br>Come with me and I'll carry you home in my loving arms </p>
<p>Hold up to the light <br>Don't say goodbye <br>Oh these tears I cry <br>We knew it was right <br>Oh the love inside <br>Oh the rising tide <br>Lifts me loving you here tonight </p>
<p>If you're left here to suffer <br>The wreck and the fall <br>Take my hand and I'll give you my heart<br>You can have it all </p>
<p>Hold up to the light <br>Don't say goodbye <br>Oh these tears I cry <br>We knew it was right <br>Oh the love inside <br>Oh the rising tide <br>Lifts me loving you here tonight </p>
<p>Yes I see the sun is shining down on you<br>Shining down for us to see <br>Yes I see a brighter day is coming for you soon<br>Shining down for us to see</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>Pair with... </h3>
<h4>ORIGINAL SIN-NAMON </h4>
<p>All that glitters is not gold </p>
<p>30ml Zubrowka vodka or apple-flflavoured vodka <br>30ml Goldschlager </p>
<p>Fill shaker with ice and liqueurs and shake vigorously.<br>Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a sliver of apple skin. </p>
<p>Serve with a hug and a back-handed compliment.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>Track Notes </h3>
<p>Drums – Jeff Asselin <br>Bass – Mark Decho <br>Piano/Hammond organ – Rod Fotheringham <br>Tambourine – Bruce Cawdron <br>Guitar/vocals – Greg Paul Stone <br>Backing vocals – Anouk Michelle Grégoire/Bethan Nodwell </p>
<p>I once had a friend who was going through some really heavy problems, and I did what I could, but ultimately there was a limit to how effective my help could be. In fact, everyone involved felt helpless. I was troubled by the whole situation, particularly everyone's inability to help each other. </p>
<p>I decided to write about it. </p>
<p>I wanted to offer a song to those who need to hear that they are loved, who need to hear that they are supported, who need to hear that a brighter day is coming soon and they will again find their place in the sun. </p>
<p>Every day might be a windfall or a windstorm. Let there be love. </p>
<p>Out of character for me, the guitar solo was written in the studio. I knew I wanted to imply the melody, but beyond that I didn't know what I was going to play. I just knew that I wanted a big harmonised guitar sound. The lead voice came together in the space of an hour or so, but the lower harmony took a bit longer.</p>
<p>Good arranging practice dictates that, when harmonising a melody, the harmony line should follow both the harmonic movement—follow the chords—and be a pleasing melody of its own. Merging these two goals was tricky but, with Jason's excellent ear and feedback, the arrangement eventually came together. </p>
<p>There are three lead guitars stacked up on the recording: the top note is the original line; the middle note is a lower harmony; the bottom note of the stack is the original line down an octave to reinforce the melody. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.</p>
<p> </p>4:44Stone Age Mantag:stoneageman.ca,2005:Post/67368212021-09-05T21:49:32-04:002021-09-05T22:24:14-04:00Been Down So Long<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/51570/74814546a4b7f42b1b7af16c1c16fd50bc47d76e/original/hftrc-been-down.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3>Reflections </h3>
<h4>MINGUS THINGUS </h4>
<p>Been Down So Long Is dedIcated to Charles Mingus. The biggest badass to ever bang a bass. There's a Youtube video of Mingus' tune Moanin’ on repeat for two hours.<span class="font_small">(1)</span> I laughed when I saw the description. There are plenty of videos like this such as ‘10 hours of the Super Mario Theme’. Ordinarily I would never click a link like that but this was Mingus! I hit play and I listened for what seemed like an eternity. </p>
<p>It is truly amazing and possibly the most human piece of music ever conceived. A careening ride full of peaks and troughs, overwhelmed at times by moments of cold unifying clarity. Inlaid with depth and nuance in every measure, it speaks to the power of will like no other piece of music. </p>
<p>Moanin’ has a relentless propulsion to it. From the opening riffs where Charles and the band exhort the saxophone player to greater heights, shouting in encouragement and surprise as if they're hearing it for the first time, the chaotic lay- ers distill together and come apart again in ways that are pure magic. It sounds tough. It's dynamic and reactive. It's going somewhere in a hurry and it reminds me of big cities and their monstrous din—relentless and random but with an inherent sense of purpose and resolve. </p>
<p>With each subsequent listen, I started to see deeper into it. There's a framework and landmarks—but these are vague guardrails. The players swerve and duck around each other as they jostle for position. All running their own race and f***ing nailing it. </p>
<p>It's a teetering edifice to structured chaos, like some bamboo scaffold swarming with manic figures, chattering and bouncing off each other as they climb higher and higher until it all comes crashing down...only to be built again in an endless cycle of creation and destruction. </p>
<p>The competing players riot around each other, hypnotising with their intricate dance. </p>
<p>I entered into a kind of turbulent trance. A wild fever dream pulling me in all directions at once, until it seemed dis- integration of all barriers was inevitable. A state of grace where all notes are perfect choices and all directions lead home. All possibilities lay ahead, and the only thing left to do was dive into the fray and brawl your way through the tangled roar to find your place in the sun. </p>
<p>In short, a very human story. </p>
<p>Now I'm no Charles Mingus, that's for sure! As I said, the guy was a badass! But I knew I wanted a taste of the frenetic energy he captured on Moanin’. I wanted a sniff of that honk- ing nastiness, the nervous crackle of imminent conflict; a knife fight soundtrack. Something with groove and bite, that pulls your head back by the hair and hits you down deep in your soul...Something like Been Down So Long.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>Lyrics </h3>
<p>We got the venom and the steam <br>We got permission to be mean <br>You want a river of love <br>You got the trickle to the stream <br>We got the mark upon our soul <br>The best kiss you ever stole <br>We've been down so long, we can't see nothing but the hole </p>
<p>We got the devil in a bind <br>He made his mark upon the line <br>You said, ‘I'll see you around’ <br>But I'd rather go blind <br>We are the manic and the bold <br>The biggest lie you ever told <br>We’ve been down so long, we can’t see nothing but the hole </p>
<p>So it's whiskey in my water and that's ok Weren't enough to fill the hole anyway <br>So jump for the lip like a toad in clay <br>But it's back to the hole, and it's back to stay </p>
<p>We got the fingers in the pie <br>We got the what, the where, the why <br>You say you wanna get down <br>But I'd rather get high <br>We are the dirty and the cold <br>We hit the ground and broke the mould <br>We've been down so long, we can't see nothing but the hole </p>
<p>So it's whiskey in my water and that's ok Weren't enough to fill the hole anyway <br>So jump for the lip like a toad in clay <br>But it's back to the hole, and it's back to stay</p>
<p>Here come the thunder and the strife<br>Here comes the sharp end of the knife<br>If you're running away <br>Please take my wife </p>
<p>We got the stocking with the coal <br>We got the snake eyes on the roll <br>We’ve been down so long, we can’t see nothing but the hole</p>
<p>***</p>
<h3>Pair with... </h3>
<h4>PANDEMIC’S PUNCH </h4>
<p>A peppy panacea for perturbed people </p>
<p>Sugar spice mix (raw sugar, cinnamon and clove in a 5:2:1 ratio) <br>Squeeze of lime <br>45ml spiced rum<br>60ml pineapple juice<br>Ginger beer<br>Sprig of mint</p>
<p>Sugar the rim of a tall glass. Add ice to the glass followed by a squeeze of lime. Add spiced rum and pineapple juice. Top off with ginger beer and garnish with the sprig go mint.</p>
<p>Serve with a chaise longue and a therapist.</p>
<p>***</p>
<h3>Track Notes </h3>
<p>Drums – Jeff Asselin <br>Bass – Mat Falvai <br>Hammond organ – Rod Fotheringham <br>Baritone saxophone – Ray Murray <br>Percussion – Bruce Cawdron <br>Guitar/vocals/slapstick – Greg Paul Stone <br>Backing vocals – Anouk Michelle Grégoire/Bethan Nodwell Handclaps – Jason Jaknunas/Greg Paul Stone </p>
<p>Ray Murray from Soul Jazz Orchestra is guesting on baritone sax here and he tore it up! I remember the session well. When it came time to put some solos on the song we let Ray blow through a few times to find a path and get warmed up. He sounded incredible. I remember asking him to try a pass that was more chaotic and less inside the harmony. I believe I asked for ‘more wrong notes’. Well, Ray tore the roof off on the next take and that is what you hear on the record. </p>
<p>The same situation played out with Rod and the Hammond organ part that battles with Ray in the solo sections. Rod took several solid passes to get warmed up and then we started pushing for more chaos. More wrong notes! I remember that Rod was initially a little surprised at the direction we were going in but he took the challenge and ran with it and I love the result. The two players ducking and weaving around each other in a musical battle creates a foil to the simple vocal chant. ‘Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!’</p>
<p><span class="font_small">1. <a contents="youtu.be/aNMUObXGsw8" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://youtu.be/aNMUObXGsw8" target="_blank">youtu.be/aNMUObXGsw8</a></span></p>4:13Stone Age Mantag:stoneageman.ca,2005:Post/67367732021-09-05T19:35:57-04:002021-09-05T22:23:53-04:00Hard Times<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/51570/7a056a1a467c6dbc148fb6e5e36be0fa7090a620/original/hftrc-hard-times.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3>Reflections </h3>
<h4>THE THIRD LAW OF MOTION </h4>
<p>I grew up In what came to be consIdered by many an Australian version of a police state. The ultra conservative and nationalistic Bjelke-Petersen government held power in Queensland from 1968-1987 and inexorably crept towards massive corruption and repression of civil disobedience over that time. </p>
<p>After massive student protests in the 70s, unlawful assem- bly laws were passed to allow police to easily arrest protesters for no other reason than protesting. As such, any three 'undesirable-looking' individuals could be arrested with the threat of a one-year jail term for holding an 'unlawful assembly' that, in the eyes of the law, ‘disturbed the peace’. </p>
<p>Whilst introduced as a measure to counter student protests, these laws would go on to become an excuse to arrest any small group of those who didn't fit the norm—indigenous Australians, punks, goths, trans, whatever. And you could ex- pect a beating for your trouble if you didn't keep your mouth shut. </p>
<p>I was mostly oblivious to this creeping righteous menace as a child but became aware of the corruption, racism and big- otry that fuelled it as I came of age in the mid-late 80s. </p>
<p>It was a really nice place to grow up for me personally (white privilege) so I don't want to paint an entirely dark pic- ture here. I had a stable loving family and, as long as you fit neatly into the classic white suburban mould, there were many pathways to success—especially in the 80s when culture and prospects were so bright. </p>
<p>There is, however, the dark underbelly of that glossy brightness. People of colour and ‘subversive types’ were routinely harassed and jailed by police for little or no reason. I knew so many people who got busted for the stupidest things. It's no wonder Brisbane had a vibrant punk and underground music scene; it grew out of protest. When teams of cops raid nightclubs and break up private parties with billy clubs and arrest anyone they wish, even coddled white kids begin questioning their place in society. </p>
<p>In 1987 the corrupt government fell and, after years of public outcry over Aboriginal deaths in custody, a Royal Com- mission was held to investigate the justice system’s interactions with the Aboriginal population. The enquiry found that people of indigenous descent were disproportionately more likely to be incarcerated, and systemic bias and lack of care were en- demic in the Queensland justice system. Some changes were made and, as a result, indigenous people are now less likely to die in custody than non-indigenous people. A hollow victory when you take into account that, in 2019, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners represented 28% of the total adult prisoner population, and only 3.3% of the general population. </p>
<p>Also in 2019, Queensland's unlawful assembly laws were updated to outlaw a raft of legitimate protest tactics in a move that United Nations' human rights observers described as ‘inherently disproportionate’ and likely to criminalise peaceful demonstrations.<span class="font_small">(1)</span> This was a direct response to environmental activists protesting the massive Adani coal mine which has the potential to wreak environmental havoc and potentially obliterate the Great Barrier Reef. The current centre-left Queensland government's tactics to sway public opinion against the pro- testers include massive amounts of disinformation and subversion of the truth about the protesters and their goals. </p>
<p>Right now battles like this are playing out around the world. From indigenous groups in the Amazon basin and British Columbia to Black Lives Matter protests in the USA and those struggling for fair governance in Belarus and Hong Kong. The corporations and regimes we protest want us to be nice, </p>
<p>quiet citizens who get on with our real job: consuming. Fill the shopping trolley at Walmart and toe the company line. Don't think about your impact on the world and don't rock the boat or you might get pushed out of it. </p>
<p>But what do we want? </p>
<p>The disruptions of recent times have served to shake a lot of complacent people awake. It is a rare and special opportu- nity for us to make a more equitable world for each other. The coming years may prove to be an ongoing shit-storm and not a passing shower.<span class="font_small">(2)</span> The coming age can be the age of the people if we want it to be, but we have to want it and we will have to demand it.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>Lyrics </h3>
<p>Hard times will hit you like a wrecking ball <br>Take my hand and turn your face into the storm Together we might fall, dancing at the riot club Maybe it’s the tear gas <br>But I swear I fell in love with you tonight </p>
<p>Those who forget the past are sure to live it one day <br>For every smile that a dollar bought, a thousand tears did pay the way </p>
<p>People say... <br>Hard times will hit you like a supernova Knock you down and screw you over Stay with me, together we might fall <br>Let the blows rain down on me <br>It might be revolution <br>But I swear I fell in love with you tonight </p>
<p>Every little thing you do affects us all in every way You wanna know the only truth? <br>Love your brother man without delay </p>
<p>People say... <br>Hard times will hit you like a cannonball <br>Take my hand and turn your face into the storm Together we might fall down beneath the riot clubs Maybe it’s the tear gas <br>But I swear I fell in love with you tonight <br>It might be revolution, <br>But I swear I fell in love with you tonight</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>pair with... </h3>
<h4>TEAR GAS SHOOTER </h4>
<p>Mouth watering? Maybe. Eye watering? Definitely! </p>
<p>30ml tequila<br>Hot sauce </p>
<p>Fill shot glass with tequila and add hot sauce to taste. <br>Consume violently. </p>
<p> </p>
<h4>RUBBER BULLET </h4>
<p>Bruising booze to light your fuse </p>
<p>30ml gin <br>30ml sweet vermouth <br>30ml Campari<br>30ml blood orange juice<br>Dash of Jaegermeister liqueur<br>Blood orange peel to garnish </p>
<p>Stir gin, sweet vermouth, juice and Campari in a mixing glass with ice.<br>Strain into tumbler filled with ice; add a dash of Jaegermeister.<br>Garnish with blood orange peel.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<h3>Track Notes </h3>
<p>Drums – Jeff Asselin <br>Bass – Mat Falvai <br>Piano/Hammond organ – Rod Fotheringham <br>Percussion – Bruce Cawdron <br>Guitar/vocals – Greg Paul Stone <br>Backing vocals – Anouk Michelle Grégoire/Bethan Nodwell </p>
<p>Hard Times goes out to all people fighting for their freedom. Freedom from the oppression of corrupt regimes, systemic racism and bigotry. It is for those who risk their safety and their very lives for the right to protest authoritarian rule. </p>
<p>Back in 2011 there were riots in Vancouver over a hockey game.<span class="font_small">(3)</span> Amongst the furor, a young man shielded his terrified girlfriend on the ground from the tear gas and surging crowds. Photographer Rich Lam was there shooting the melée and, when he saw the couple, took an instant classic.<span class="font_small">(4) </span></p>
<p>That incredible photo inspired this song but the song is not about the photo; it merely caused me to consider what the story might be. What are they feeling? The impact of that photo has since been eclipsed by heartbreaking scenes at protests around the world. My fist is raised in solidarity with those who strive for a fairer, cleaner and more peaceful world. </p>
<p>May you prevail and win the rights and freedoms you so richly deserve.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p>There are certain things I like to do with pop songs. In particular, I like to experiment with form (song structure) and key modulation (changing musical keys). </p>
<p>Hard Times was written in G major. I liked the song but it was a little one-dimensional. I didn't need more music. I needed to lift the music that already existed somehow. As a songwriting exercise I decided to try to successfully modulate keys for each section of the song. </p>
<p>(WARNING: music theory ahead.) </p>
<p>For the most part I used perfect cadences (V – I) to achieve the key changes by inserting a V chord for the new key at the end of the previous section. (See Figure 1: The F major chord sets up the new key.)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/51570/9bb6bc87b740fe754a7d94789fe33c57dcb5f5f4/original/hftrc-hard-times-music-example-1-1-svg.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The only exception to this is the deceptive cadence that leads to the guitar solo. Here I wanted something more subtle. The melody resolves to a G note at the end of the choruses so, rather than a G major chord here, I inserted an Eb major chord (it contains the G melody note). This chord becomes the start of the solo section: the same progression as the chorus, shifted to the new key of Eb major. (See Figure 2.)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/51570/5c5fa8bd0a2a4ad6c5b525789ae81d1d3706118c/original/hftrc-hard-times-music-example-2-1-svg.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I once heard a songwriter say that they weren't interested in music theory.<span class="font_small">(5)</span> They felt it would get in the way of the song or the process. Music theory is a songwriting tool just like spelling or the ability to rhyme or play an instrument. Without it in my toolbox I probably would have never pursued key modulations to resolve my early ambivalence about this song. </p>
<p>The final result of my 'modulation challenge' is what you hear on the recording. </p>
<p>Hard Times Modulations </p>
<p>Intro .........E major<br>Chorus ....G major<br>Verse 1 ..Bb major<br>Chorus ....G major<br>Solo .......Eb major<br>Verse 2 ..Bb major<br>Chorus ....G major</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_small">1. The Guardian. Queensland anti-protest laws 'inherently disproportionate, UN human rights experts say. Thursday 12 Dec 2019 <br>2. The actual existential threat of climate change is coming and we're doing very little about it.<br>3. Canadians are so relaxed and easygoing that it's difficult to imagine rioting here unless you're unfamiliar with their love of ice hockey. When it comes to hockey, Canada is ready to rumble. <br>4. richardlamphoto.ca<br>5. I think some people confuse music reading with music theory. Reading is a means to learn or explain music. Music theory helps you understand the relation- ships between musical sounds. The former is helpful but arguably not essential for pop songwriters. The latter, I believe, is essential.</span></p>
<p> </p>3:17Stone Age Man