“What Not To Do” (Jim Fusco original song)

By Jim Fusco:

Welcome, welcome to another edition of the Laptop Sessions and Original Wednesday! Today, I pay tribute to Jeff Copperthite’s brand-new album, “Greenlight”, by doing a Session of the song I wrote for the album, called “What Not To Do”.

Actually, Becky Daly helped me with the lyrics because I was having a hard time saying what I wanted to say without it sounding too blunt.

But, I’m pretty proud of this song- I think it’s unique and has a good beat. Plus, it’s a message that I’ve been preaching for a long time- PLEASE learn from other’s mistakes and don’t just say, “Ah, it won’t happen to me.” But, saying things like that to someone will only make them mad. Even in my close-knit group of friends and family, I can think of three specific instances of this issue coming up. And ALL THREE times, me telling them, “Don’t do it!” didn’t work.

So, without further ado, I give you this tune as my tribute to Jeff.

Songwriter Video Blog Update: The release of Greenlight!

By Jeff Copperthite:

The day has arrived! After months of recording, writing, and late nights, my first solo album has been released today!

Greenlight cover

I am very proud of this work, and I hope that you give it a listen and buy it if you like it. I have looked forward to this day since I announced the project.

It is hard to describe music in words, so the best recommendation I have for you to is to listen to it yourself – head on over to the store and preview it, and for $4 you can experience a fresh new album anywhere you want on your mp3 player.

A Link to our Video Blog on Brian Wilson’s Official Site!!

By Jim Fusco:

If you know me, you know this is big news: Michael, the Admin for Brian Wilson’s Official Website, put a link to the guitarbucketlist.com homepage there to showcase the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys videos!

And below is a screenshot of the page- look at where my link is placed- right below his BAND MEMBERS! πŸ™‚ Of course, I blew up the description of my link so it could be seen easier. Thanks to Michael and everyone for making this such a beneficial project!

Jim’s link on Brian Wilson’s site!

Ranking every Beach Boys song/album: “Little Deuce Coupe” album (by Songwriter Jim Fusco)

By Jim Fusco:

ALBUM – LITTLE DEUCE COUPE

A Young Man is Gone – 6 (very beautiful sounding, but I was always a bit bored by it- don’t kill me, Mike!)
Little Deuce Coupe – 8
Be True to Your School (single version) – 4 (the only Beach Boys song I consistently skip past- I just never liked school enough to be “true” to it)
Be True to Your School (album cut) – (3)
No Go Showboat – 7 (love Brian’s great high voice here and the humor in Al’s lines)
Custom Machine – 7 (love the chorus and especially Mike’s bass singing!!)
Car Crazy Cutie – 6 (enjoyable)
Cherry, Cherry Coupe – 7 (I really like those chords and I love Dennis’ harmony part)
409 – 3 (never been a big fan of this song)
Our Car Club – 7 (I love the drums and vocal breaks! Also, really cool sounding)
Shut Down – 7
Spirit of America – 3 (not a big fan)
Ballad of Ole Betsy – 7 (great harmonies- the stereo separated vocals really show off the quality here)

*I love this album. To me, this is the happiest the Boys sounded on record. They are just so youthful and this album always reminds me of summer. The songs are great and the production, as minimalist as it is, just fits for these lighthearted songs about, well, cars! Plus, I always tell everyone it was the first “concept” album! Well, not really, I guess. Now, I was born in 1984, so any visions I have of the 60s come from the music I love. So, this album has always served as a window into that early 60s cars, girls, and teenage fun lifestyle that I never really got to replicate growing up in the 90s and 2000s. This album makes me reminiscent of a time that I wasn’t even alive! That’s pretty powerful stuff.*