This recording Mom found on your phone. Many recordings were there, bits and pieces. A unintended gift from you that God allowed us to find. Most were works in progress. Then there is one where your creativity, sensitivity, ability and composition is fully present, revealed and unpacked.
You left us many songs - sung, played and those in our hearts. This one is the most complete recorded song showing how a kid raised on classic rock, who progressed to RHCP funk, on to screamo, then to power trio-indie-garage rock and finally lighting on indie folk and Americana. No, not much country there.
Within this composition, we hear artifacts of your journey. The mash-up in your brain arranged with your skill, expressed through your fingers. I remember how the song evolved over weeks and months. You would play us a bit in your room, a part in the common room. I remember you teaching me parts of the song. I see you playing me the completed piece. We both sit in your room, on your bed. You concentrate. I smile.
Hearing your song, first through my memory of you and the Takamine guitar, then with your hands on strings playing:
Bought in California
Moved to Texas
Transferred from father to son
Cedar, single-piece top
Jumbo cutaway
Koa back and sides
Rosewood fretboard
Elixir strings
Tuned to dropped D
Bright yet warm
Perched on your knee
Sitting on your bed
Fingers stretch
Mind flexes
Creativity expands
Melody escapes
Rhythm pulses
Harmony unfolds
Your song emerges:
(click play for video and you can size the screen)
Love you E,
Dad
Post production mixing: Matt Smith 6-String Ranch
