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“I Would Prefer Not To” (Chris Moore original)

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By Chris Moore:

Hello and welcome to another edition of Original Wednesday here at the Laptop Sessions!

Tonight, I’m happy to present the second installment of my summer preview series of my forthcoming album The 2010 Project.  I began recording demos a few months ago, as I mentioned in a previous post, and now I’ve officially hacked out a track listing.  There will be thirteen tracks, all of which are fully composed now and have been recorded in demo form — a few of the demos are more fully produced, but minimally.

Now, I’m at the phase where I’m putting together the tools I need to record.  With the help of a friend, I’ve recently picked up a set of seriously great headphones, which will be a necessary component of the mixing process.  He also helped me pick out a USB microphone that I’ve been experimenting with this week.  There is a line in and external mic plug that I may use if I’d like to refine the sound quality as I begin to record the tracks in a couple weeks.  Finally, I had to replace my guitar pedal, which I had to throw away a few months ago when I pulled it out of storage and found the batteries had leaked.  I tried to clean it out, but it was too far gone.  So, I just got the latest Zoom pedal, which I can’t wait to try out!

Which brings me to the track I’m unveiling today.  Previously, this has only been played for two people: my girlfriend and one of my dearest friends of all time.  Both encouraged me that the new music I’ve been writing is among my best, so I’m hoping to make them proud by the time I’ve finished recording this new album.

And it’s about time — this marks four years since Love Out of Fashion!

“I Would Prefer Not To” will be the second track on the album, following “No Lights, No Sound.”  Those of you English majors out there will pick up on the allusion to the Herman Melville short story “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street.”  The verses are as simple as they come, only two chords: D and A.  When I record the studio version, I hope to flesh out the riff I have in my mind and make that more catchy.  The chorus is more interesting and, as in my favorite songs by artists like Bob Dylan, Mike Fusco, and others, the lyrics change slightly each time around.  The song deals with the conflicts that arise from not wanting to disappoint others, but also needing to follow your impulses and passions.  It’s a very personal song, critical at times — though it’s meant to be more confident than scathing — and I think there is a universal quality to it, regardless of its personal nature.

Without further ado, I give you my acoustic performance of “I Would Prefer Not To.”  I hope you like it, and that you’ll continue to check back for more Original Wednesdays in the near future.

See you next session!

“Screen Door” (Uncle Tupelo Acoustic Alt-Country Cover)

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By Chris Moore:

Well, there’s a first time for everything.  And I feel pretty confident as I write this that I am, indeed, the first of the Laptop Sessioneers to record a song from the alternative country genre.  This is “Screen Door,” a song from band Uncle Tupelo, which is credited with being one of the pioneers of the alt-country genre.

Even as I write this, I have to chuckle a bit.  I mean, truly, how many different genres can the music industry possibly conceive?  How many categories do we really need?  It’s not quite alternative.  It’s not quite country.  Let’s call it “Alternative Country”!

What’s next, Alternative Pop?

Classical Ska?

But, seriously, I find this all very interesting.  I first heard Uncle Tupelo a couple months ago when I bought their essential tracks compilation 89/93: An Anthology.  How does one find oneself motivated to buy an alt country album?  Well, you may be aware that I’ve recently discovered and really gotten into the band Wilco.  And, if you know me, you know that I need to know the broad history and backstories of bands that I get into.

So, let’s step back for a moment.  Uncle Tupelo was active between 1987 and 1994, originally comprised of lead songwriter and singer Jay Farrar, his brothers Wade and Dade, and Jeff Tweedy.  Tweedy quickly progressed into a second songwriter and lead singer of the band.  His influence was two-fold — he was responsible for booking a lot of early gigs and, through several name changes before arriving at this one and multiple band member additions and replacements, he advocated for the punk rock sound that he had been impressed with when he initially heard Farrar and his brothers play.  Dade disagreed and left the band shortly after Tweedy’s arrival.

Eventually, as the tale goes, tensions developed between Farrar and Tweedy over which direction the music should go until, finally, Farrar announced that he would be leaving the band.  They played their final gig in 1994, and Farrar went off to form a new band, Son Volt.  Meanwhile, Tweedy and all the other members of Uncle Tupelo reformed under the name Wilco.

So, after a lengthy explanation, there you have it — my interest in Wilco’s roots found me in the checkout line at Borders New Britain, Uncle Tupelo CD in hand.  Ironically, one of my favorite songs on the album is merely a demo — a rough, but fully arranged track titled “Outdone.”  Another song that got my interest is the first track on the compilation.  “No Depression,” also the title of their debut album, is a song written and originally performed by the Carter Family (then referred to as “No Depression in Heaven”).  Now, in 1936, “the Depression” had an entirely different meaning than it did for Uncle Tupelo in 1990.  I love how this song was able to survive and take on a new meaning.

I still haven’t taken the time to check out Son Volt, but I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge fan of Uncle Tupelo, really.  I am rapidly becoming an avid Jeff Tweedy and Wilco fan.  Even Wilco’s debut album (A.M. in 1995), which Tweedy himself referred to as their attempt to “tread some water with a perceived audience,” is head and shoulders above the Uncle Tupelo CD, in my humble opinion.  I can’t believe I’ve only heard three of the six Wilco studio albums…

Lots more to look forward to!

Without further ado, I’ll let you get to the actual video.  I chose “Screen Door” because it’s deceptively simple.  It could be taken as a Southern anthem about people sitting on their front porches, singing songs, and dealing with the heat.  However, the chorus adds an interesting angle — “We don’t care what happens outside the screen door,” Tweedy sings.  It’s an interesting social statement that I think applies in all parts of the country.  In New England, for instance, it may not be the screen door, but we certainly have developed a sense of apathy for those who pass by us, outside our circle of friends, family, and colleagues.

And now I’ll actually let the song speak for itself.  Don’t forget to rush back tomorrow for another all-new session with Jeff…

See you next session!

“Never Without You” (Ringo Starr Cover – Jeff’s 100th session!)

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By Jeff Copperthite:

Good evening and welcome to your weekend-ending Super Sunday session w/ me, Jeff Copperthite!  I’m happy to expand my personal “bands covered” library with today’s session, which happens during a great landmark.

Tonight is my 100th Laptop Session!

And tonight i’m bringing you a sentimental dedication song by Ringo Starr.  This song is from his recent 2003 album Ringo Rama (though not his latest album) and was composed in remembrance of the late great George Harrison.  The fact that i’m wearing black in the video is just a coincidence, but it is well fitting for this video.

I am well behind on Beatles’ trivia, but Ringo Starr’s name is Richard Starkey.  The whole time i’m reading credits for the Ringo Rama album i’m going “Who is Starkey in the credits?”.  Should’ve guessed that it was him since it sounds a lot like Starr being derived from that.

I am excited that I have reached the 100 session mark.  Through the past year or so I have accomplished a lot during the course of these 100 sessions and I have made a lot of fans and recorded a lot of cover songs.  I’ve had to fight the urge to quit quite a few times, mostly due to negative comments (which we do get from time to time).  I’ve been told to throw my guitar out a window, stop insulting songs, and yes, i’ve even been told to inflict a self-mortal wound (paraphrased naturally).

But aside from the occasional negative comment, I have gotten huge amounts of positive feedback and that is the stuff that makes me continue to bring these videos to you.  I don’t intend for them to “get me anywhere” (as someone so kindly pointed out how i’ll never make it, despite me not really trying to do so) – I do it for fun and for your enjoyment.  And even if it’s a few people who truly enjoy seeing our sessions per day, if we have made it better because of our series, then that’s all the confirmation I need.

Here’s to 100 more sessions!  Come back tomorrow for Jim’s latest session – i’m sure you’ve missed him since his double dose last week.

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and original music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!

“Burning Through” (Indie Music by Songwriter Jeff Copperthite)

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By Jeff Copperthite:

Welcome to another edition of Original Wednesday! It’s Jeff Copperthite bringing you another song from the original libraries of us here at Fusco-Moore Productions.

Today I bring you a Quilt song from 2002’s EP “Blanket of Death”. It’s a humorous title for sure, as the songs are not nearly as dark as the EP title implies. You can hear 2 of the 4 songs at my albums page.

I am performing the song “Burning Through” from that EP. It is a wonderful song and I have been addicted to the guitar progression ever since Scott taught me the song. I am happy to add it to our expansive library at The Laptop Sessions.

This is also my 40th Laptop Session!

I am very close to 7k views, and I should cross that line sometime today or tomorrow. I can’t wait to reach 10K views hopefully by the end of the month.

I’m also a proud owner of Homestead’s Revenge – please check it out at Mou Music! Or click the store link at the top of the page! It is an incredible piece of work, and your ears will be blown away.

You the viewers make it possible! Please visit https://www.guitarbucketlist.com and support us!

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and original music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!