By Jim Fusco:
A little late with the post this week- I think I just decided that I write much better during the day and not at 2 am. 🙂 I’m still on a “Those Around Us” kick and I’m pretty sure those that have purchased the album are, too! Remember, the CD version of my latest album is available on my website at http://jimfusco.com/albums/those-around-us.html. And, it’s also available on iTunes HERE!
Today’s video is an original song that I wrote on piano- I haven’t had a piano-driven song like that since “What About Today?”, as all of the songs on “Halfway There” were piano-based. I wanted to get back into using the piano again, but only got one song out of it. It’s a pretty serious song, too. I had this idea of someone that got in a car crash and lost their memory. At that point, all of his friends and family would try to make him remember his life. And, he didn’t remember where he lived, so he had to “follow you home”. Most of the songs on “Those Around Us”, as I’ve mentioned here on the music blog in the past, don’t deal with actual things or people in my life. The songs’ subject matter is derived from ideas I’ve had and conversations I’ve had with the people closest to me. I think somewhere along the line I realized, “Hey, I’ve surrounded myself with good, level-headed people. There’s not enough to write about!” So, I took a new direction and thought of some other topics. Then, I applied my feelings about the matter- almost an exercise in how I would react to a situation. I like that concept- it makes me think outside the box a little.
I really like the production on the recorded version of “Follow You Home”. I got to use a great new Native Instruments sampled acoustic piano that I bought, so it sounds really great. Plus, I didn’t have to mic the real piano we have upstairs- that’s always more trouble than it’s worth. Also, I got to use the 12-string electric guitar to great effect in this song- I really like the idea of using the 12-string as a sort of second bass line- kind of like a riff that runs through the whole chorus. The harmonies on the chorus took some time to get right. On the second time around the chorus, I go to a minor chord (I love that change). But, it’s such a slight difference in the vocal note- it definitely took a few takes to nail it.
On a personal note, I cannot tell you how happy I am that the Beach Boys are reuniting this year. This Sunday, they’ll be playing at the Grammy Awards- I can’t wait! Also, I just bought the tickets to see them live at Mohegan Sun arena. I know it’ll be a great show and I hope they throw in a few surprises for us hardcore fans. I’ll definitely be hitting up the merchandise table that night!
I’m always looking for new avenues to distribute my album and for some places to play live. If any of the loyal readers of my Laptop Sessions music video posts have any suggestions, I’ll be happy to hear them. I’ll be back with a cover song music video in a couple weeks, so to tide you over until then, order yourself a copy of “Those Around Us”!
