The FMP Music Store is back online after a long hiatus. We’re definitely still in testing mode, so if you notice something, please contact us.
But, we do know that the store is working again and both physical CDs and downloads are available for purchase right now!
Hey, hey everyone and welcome to your “no bad stuff” edition of the Laptop Sessions. Geesh, say one thing about your current state of well-being and they jump all over you… 🙂 Anyway, I’m back tonight with another acoustic cover song music video for you all to enjoy!
Things have been crazy lately, but what else is new. I’ll be happy when my 2009 taxes are all done and the end is in sight. I’m keeping my fingers crossed on a couple of fronts. Work has been busy, as usual, but manageable. I’m getting a bit worried about my after-work work (lack of productivity in recent days), but I hope to rectify that tomorrow night. My 5k, that I’m running with my brother Mike, is coming up this weekend and there’s still plenty of training to do. Also, we’ve set up three parties/get-togethers here at the new house for those who haven’t seen it yet. Considering that we’ve lived here for four months now, these are people we haven’t seen in a long time, so it’ll be great to host them here. This weekend, as well as the next two weekends after that, look to be fun and eventful. It’ll be nice talking with my friends from my Italy trip and my old college buddies.
On the music front, I did three very important things tonight that I want to share with you before I get into the body of the post:
1. I got The Laptop Sessions music blog listed on about 200 Social Bookmarking sites (like Digg and Del.ic.ious). This will give the site more inbound links and will give it a chance at some real popularity. I’m hoping it will bring the site to new heights. And it wasn’t too expensive (besides, I’ve been saving-up!).
2. I also submitted the music video blog to 195 directories with a Google PageRank 2 or higher! This is really good, as these will count as 1-way inbound links that are categorized, so we should see some major increases in Google traffic soon. I really hope many eyes will be seeing this site soon. I’m really hoping for 2,400 views a day (we got almost 2,200 yesterday).
3. Finally, I did something I should’ve done about seven months ago- I registered my new album, “Halfway There” on CD Baby. This allows me to sell the album digitally on services like iTunes and Amazon MP3. I’m getting anxious (and a bit excited) to play shows again. My brother and I are planning on attending a local open mic night in the next couple of weeks. I’ll keep you posted on that. There’s a couple more areas of promotion I want to try, but until the FMP Store is back up and running, I don’t want to spend the money. Also, I’m hoping that I can get some new fans and finally sell some copies of “Halfway There”, as the production (not to mention the packaging and the album cover) is really good.
Okay- onto tonight’s acoustic cover song music video!
Everyone knows that Brian Wilson is my musical hero. I’ve met the man, met his band, and was a big part of the online community. That is, until life stepped-in. After I moved-out, there was little time to read the message board and post my thoughts. I hope those folks there will understand that a 25 year old just needs a bit of “growing up” time before he can join a community like that again. We’ll see if they’re understanding.
A few weeks ago, I wanted to play Becky a song from Brian Wilson’s second solo album, “Imagination” from 1998. I then realized that it wasn’t on my iPod!! How could this be?? With over 11,000 songs, I didn’t have one of my absolute favorites of all-time?? Then, I remembered- the family copy (that my father owns) is now scratched and/or just won’t rip into my iTunes. I tried it a couple times back when I was making my collection, but it wouldn’t work. So, while I was on a nice weekend trip with Becky over Valentine’s Day, we stopped at this cool (but kind of overpriced) underground (literally) record store in Northampton, MA. They had a copy of “Imagination” on CD!! So, I bought a used copy (that had never been played before) and we got to listen on the way home.
The album rekindled my love for the song “Dream Angel”. This is a great tune with some amazing harmonies, all sung by Brian Wilson. This is really a perfect song- a great sound, great vocals, and even a nifty guitar solo. No, it’s not going to win any lyrical awards, but it’s a happy tune and that’s good enough for me. Brian is really at his best, vocal-wise, in this song. I’ve even placed it in my Top 10 songs list in the past- looking back, I think it was a wise decision.
If you’ve heard the song before, you know what I’m talking about. If not, then you’re about to hear a great tune and I hope you’ll listen to the rest of “Imagination”, too! I hope you enjoy my acoustic cover version of this song- I’m back on the nylon string guitar tonight. It gave a more smooth sound and it was so fun to play. Make sure to watch it in HD, too! Because not only is the picture clearer, but the audio is done at a higher quality, as well. I hope you enjoy tonight’s Laptop Session and come back next Tuesday for an all-new video from a new artist on the blog. And this is a big one- they’ve had NUMEROUS Number One hits and they’re one of the most popular acts of the past 30 years. Why haven’t we covered a song from them yet? Well, I’ll explain that next week. And, see if you can guess in the meantime. First correct guess gets a free CD! Talk to next Tuesday.
By Jim Fusco:
Wow, finally I get to post my video. I hate when this happens- now it’s going to feel like such a short time until my next video! Anyway, I’m very proud to bring you tonight’s acoustic cover song music video of a classic song in, “Baby I Need Your Loving”.
Written by three of the Motown Records songwriters, “Baby I Need Your Loving” was the first big hit for the Four Tops back in 1964. And let me tell you, this falls into my category of “perfect recordings”. It clocks in under two minutes, but the vocals and instrumentation are just perfect. The song gives me chills. The Tops had such a unique vocal blend. The lead vocalist recently passed away, as I heard. When I saw them in concert a few years ago, there were only two original Tops left, but I still enjoyed the concert very much. Hey, there’s only two original Beach Boys left in the band…and one isn’t even technically an original!
Anyway, you may also know this song from the Johnny Rivers version in the late 60’s. His voice fit well with this classic tune, as well. But, there’s one big difference between his version and the one done by the Four Tops: the title! Johnny decided to title the song after what the chorus really says: Baby I Need Your Lovin’. Note that apostrophe? The Four Tops had the more grammatically correct version for theirs.
I had so much fun recording this- in one take, mind you. And now for my slightly melodramatic “personal” update for the week:
I really hope I can find more time to post on the blog, as I have a lot of ambition, but it keeps getting thrown to the side. Work, both during the day and at night, has helped my wife and I accomplish so much more than anyone else our age I know. But, that does come at a cost- we’re both tired and the time we do have off becomes “necessary” rather than leisurely. What do I mean by that? Well, when you don’t do anything for yourself during the week, you feel like you need to cram in a TON of fun on the weekend. Most times, that ends up in disappointment because it’s so much pressure!
But, the good news is that we’re managing things a lot better now than we were. Personally, I’m still working on the whole “friends” issue. I’ve recently realized that all my friends are gone, either taken away by disagreements, girlfriends, wives, rifts, or even just a marred past. But, it’s tough finding new friends when everyone you work with is twice your age and doesn’t have time for friends. Also, it’s tough when you don’t have time for friends yourself! Thankfully, I still have Dana to get breakfast with me each week, and I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family (both my immediate family and my in-laws). But, it would be nice to find someone that wants to hang around with me that doesn’t feel obligated because of their relation to me! 🙂
In closing- I hope the friend train stops at my station soon, for where there are friends, there is fun. Enjoy tonight’s video and make sure to come back for more, y’all! 🙂
By Jim Fusco:
Sorry folks- Jim Fusco Tuesday will be on Wednesday this week, as my running schedule (for a 5k I’m running with my colleagues at work) had me training tonight. I ran with my brother Mike at the gym and feel I’m making some good progress. I think I did about 4.5k tonight, plus weights, so I hope I’ll be ready when Race Day arrives in less than two weeks.
I was actually practicing quite a bit for my cover song music video, but I haven’t gotten the middle 8 down just yet. It’s such a great song- I can’t wait to premiere it tomorrow! Plus, I’m planning a long-overdue requested song for next week with a possible duet! I’m also planning on recording Barenaked Ladies’ new single, “You Run Away”, with Mike and another Brett Dennen song with him, as well. Plus, I have a few editions of “Ask the Musician” I’m ready to write…if I can find a free day here on the blog to post them without double-posting! You can take the man out of SEO…
Anyway, have a great rest of your day and make sure to stop back on Wednesday night for my next post!