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  #1  
Old 02-21-2018, 12:52 PM
ajrosales ajrosales is offline
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Default "If Not Today"

Edit: For comparison there's now a "live in front of an audience" video of this protest tune...

Live at Kulak's Woodshed in Los Angeles
https://vimeo.com/259580381

This is a song with a little timely social commentary... I believe it might also be the first song to use the word "vantablack", but I'm not sure... (that's the super-dark material / coating used on surfaces that absorbs 99% of natural light) anyway, here it goes...

Original Live Demo
https://vimeo.com/256680374
or
https://vimeo.com/ajrosales/if-not-today

Last edited by ajrosales; 03-11-2018 at 10:56 PM.
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:47 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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That was really well done AJ! Great sound and great performance!

- Glenn
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  #3  
Old 02-21-2018, 03:52 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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I really like it - the energy and some unexpected chord changes all work really well.
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Old 02-21-2018, 03:52 PM
ajrosales ajrosales is offline
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Thanks Glenn and Bruce! The song came together quite quickly over the last two weeks... I think I spent two days finessing the music and about five days writing the lyrics, and the rest of the time rehearsing and tweaking stuff. It's one of those situations where you write a tune and it sort of comes out rather spontaneously. I especially like the break in the middle and the ending. I think with a bit more rehearsing it could be slightly smoother (more vocal sustain) and even more powerful but this take has the right kind of energy in it.
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Old 03-11-2018, 10:56 PM
ajrosales ajrosales is offline
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I ended up getting a "live in front of an audience" video of this tune by going to Kulak's Woodshed Open Mic in LA where they film you performing. I thought it turned out pretty well...

https://vimeo.com/259580381

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Old 03-12-2018, 12:23 AM
midwinter midwinter is offline
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What a cool looking venue!
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Old 03-12-2018, 01:37 AM
ajrosales ajrosales is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by midwinter View Post
What a cool looking venue!
Let's put it this way... The place definitely has Charisma.
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Old 03-15-2018, 04:12 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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I've listened several times now - really like it, I think it's great.
I love where you repeat the line 'Without a sense of place' ... grabs me, the chord change and how you sing it seems just perfect.

I just went back and listened to all your clips.
Really, really love them.
The instrumentals are brilliant too.
Love how you play - we are not a million miles apart in style and flavour.
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1972 - Takamine D-70
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2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200
2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird

Last edited by Brucebubs; 03-16-2018 at 09:38 PM.
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  #9  
Old 03-17-2018, 05:54 PM
ajrosales ajrosales is offline
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Thank you so much for your positive commentary, Brucebubs! I think when I wrote this tune it ended up coming out of a fairly poignant place, so I'm glad it's connecting with a few folks. Personally, I enjoy the ending the most...

I'm also glad you enjoyed the other tunes. All of that stuff was written fairly recently - and I hope to get into a studio soon to record some of it for posterity! Working on a few new things too...

p.s. that's an impressive list of guitars you've got in your sig!
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Old 03-17-2018, 11:40 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajrosales View Post
Thank you so much for your positive commentary, Brucebubs! I think when I wrote this tune it ended up coming out of a fairly poignant place, so I'm glad it's connecting with a few folks. Personally, I enjoy the ending the most...

I'm also glad you enjoyed the other tunes. All of that stuff was written fairly recently - and I hope to get into a studio soon to record some of it for posterity! Working on a few new things too...

p.s. that's an impressive list of guitars you've got in your sig!
If you ever record an album please let me know - I'd love a copy and happy to pay for it.
I like jumbo guitars so obviously I like your Guild - is that an F-50R ?
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1972 - Takamine D-70
2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone
2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo
2012 - Dan Dubowski#61
2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo
2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200
2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird
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  #11  
Old 03-18-2018, 11:29 AM
ajrosales ajrosales is offline
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Will do! I play a JF-55NT ('92). I keep it in good condition. I'm well overdue for an additional guitar purchase. It's my only acoustic at this point - it's really a workhorse!
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