Gotta do another marathon grading session tonight, so I decided to have a little fun before I got started. With all this teaching and muxtaping, I have totally ignored my banjos. I wanted to play my new, 40th birthday banjo on this one, but the Ramsey fretless just seemed like the thing. So here's a little homemade banjo music for you.
My work buddies were gushing about Alison Krauss recently; I think she'd be a great addition to this track, doing tight harmonies and playing the fiddle. Actually, I'd rather do the tune with Erynn Marshall. I actually jammed with Erynn once, and she's easily the best fiddler I've played with. She can sing nice, too. This tune is a little too sparce with just me and the banjer. Still, I hope you like it. I just scribbled down the lyrics and headed to the basement; that was the second time I tried it. It isn't perfect (I flubbed a lyric and could have done some things much better). But I basically got the feel of the tune, and besides, I need to get grading. [The instrument, btw, is one of my favs: Mike Ramsey made it custom for me.]
Joshua and I talked about this song today. He made me an awesome muxtape a while back; I downloaded it to CD and have been spinning it in the car on the days I don't ride my bike to work. Track #12 is Radiohead's "4 Minute Warning." Mockingly called "Radiohead's Coldplay song" by haters, this has become RH's closer at shows recently. The title of the song comes from a Cold War Era UK broadcasting message, only recently made public. The text of the message is below:
"This is the wartime broadcasting service. This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons. Communications have been severely disrupted and the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known. We shall bring you further information as soon as possible. Meanwhile stay tuned to this wavelength, stay calm and stay in your own house. Remember, there's nothing to be gained by trying to get away. By leaving your homes you could be exposing yourselves to greater danger. If you leave, you may find yourselves without food, without water, without accommodation, and without protection. We shall be on the air every hour, on the hour. Stay tuned to this wavelength but switch your radios off now to save your batteries. That is the end of this broadcast."
The phrase I put in bold an italics above is worthy of a Radiohead lyric, don't you think? I can hear the computer voice saying it on OK Computer. 4 Minute Warning
This is just a nightmare Soon I'm going to wake up Someone's gonna bring me 'round Running from the bombers Hiding in the forest Running through the fields Laying flat on the ground Just like everybody Steping over heads Running from the underground This is your warning 4 minute warning I don't wanna hear it I don't wanna know I just wanna run and hide This is just a nightmare But soon I'm gonna wake up Someone's gonna bring me 'round This is a warning 4 minute warning
2 comments
on “4 Minute Warning”
ScottK Says: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 @10:58:21 PM
Sounds great Steve! And I'm with you on Erynn Marshall. She was down to Portland for Dare To Be Square - West last fall and I was totally charmed. I already liked her music from her Calico CD, but it was great to meet and visit with her. One of my favorite fiddlers, for sure! Scott
adam2180 Says: Thursday, June 26, 2008 @6:32:53 AM
