The 6th Annual Gift of Music

[Albatross]

In, at 11:10 PM PST on Jan 12. I leave it up to the GoM gods as to whether or not I get placed above or below the red line.

In any case, I could probably stand to do some more tweaking, and I may yet do so. My giftee deserves as such, but hopefully as of now it's at least passable.

[anti-m]

...And it's in! Rock and fuckin' roll.

[Caravan Ray]

There was a story in the New Zealand Herald on the weekend - on the 1st anniversary of the death of Sir Ed Hillary - enquiring, "who is now the Greatest Living New Zealander"?

Upon hearing his new interpretation of Tim Finn's classic tale of angst, "I See Red" - I think a new contender for that title may actually be..... Paco del Stinko (Kiwi by proxy). Choice, bro. Choice.

...and on a quick run through the others, the Hell Yeahs and Jeff Robertson are also instant standouts! Looks like the best year yet!

[Billy's Little Trip]

Hey, anytime on the 12th means by midnight where I come from.

I sent mine off about 5 minutes ago at around 11:25pm.

[saunter]

__________

[bwell]

It's late but The BeWells are now in. I'm looking forward to listening to everything tomorrow after getting some sleep!

[Heather. Redmon.]

and what would a gift of music be without phil getting stiffed?

[Paco Del Stinko]

Wow! What a great batch of songs, I don't think there's one that I didn't enjoy. But Jeff Robertson did an outstanding job of taking one of my all time favorite songs and making it even better. Stripped of its pop sheen and brought back to its origins, the lonely longing is enhanced and goosebump inducing. Absolutely great, and I am delighted to no end. Thanks, Jeff. Very much so.

Also goosebump inducing is my new honorary status as a New Zealander. Paco del Kiwi at your service. Glad you liked the tune, John.

[Caravan Ray]

and what would a gift of music be without phil getting stiffed?

I think I see what is going on here.

Phil Redmon is obviously in league with Satan and he possess some weird diabolical power. People who draw his name are never heard of again. Drawing his name in GOM is the equivalent of taking a trip to the Bermuda Triangle.

[Paco Del Stinko]

Aw, man! What is the grace period for stragglers? I hate seeing anybody get stiffed, and with the HeYeahs history, do not want to see any further discouragement. Step it up, peoples! Don't give the make-up band too much work to do. Now I just gotta get me some of that making people disappear Satan power. Looking at you, Dick Cheney.

[glennny]

still running late. Not sure when I can finish, but I WILL FINISH!!
I've got to get the kids asleep and keep my wife happy while entertaining my international guest. And still try not to be exhausted in those midnight to 3am golden recording hours. It will happen soon. Again I'm sorry to my giftee.

[Billy's Little Trip]

I got stiffed.
....but, I just saved a bundle on my auto insurance.

Damn, I just had my first run through on the songs and they are spectacular! Eddie did a killer job on the Jackson 5 cover. Can't help but try to hit Michael's high notes singing along. Elaine did great on her Jack Johnson cover and Paco on his Split Enz. So many more I love, too.
Great GOM everyone!

[anti-m]

Albatross! This cover of Robert Pollard is fantastico! LOOOVE! Thanks so much, this is completely rad!

[inevitableguy]

Thanks, Caravan Ray! You found the perfect level of snark for covering Tullycraft, I couldn't have gotten a better gift!

[roymond]

My stiffing will not be permanent. I hope to finish the task tonight.

[jeff robertson]

I'm glad to see I didn't get stiffed. Like the harmonies on there, Jim. The slow tempo and instrumentation give it a real "Wild Horses" vibe.

Just so everybody knows, the arrangement of my song was inspired by the album "Chelsea Girl" by Nico. Every song on the album is just fingerpicked guitar, strings (presumably played by John Cale?) and flute. I thought that was the best way to spice up what would have otherwise been a straight GnG.

All of the songs I picked this year were songs that actually mean something to me, and I assumed this to be the case with everyone's picks. And if there's one thing I knew better than to try to reproduce when the stakes are this high, it's "pop sheen".

[jeff robertson]

Btw, how do you vote?

[glennny]

Thanks Billy & Paco!!! That was AWESOME!

Still taking them in, but I LOVE the Glenn Case ELO cover!!!!

[Me$$iah]

Im both a stiffer and a stiffee at this point...


Tho, I have been waiting for my sisiter to swing by and add some harmonies to my all but finished tune. This is happening tomorrow, so in the evening I will send in mine. Stiffer status will be revoked, and all will be well in the Messiah universe


Sorry again to my bestiffed giftee.

[Billy's Little Trip]

Thanks Billy & Paco!!! That was AWESOME!

Glad you liked it. It was important to me to compose it all with guitar and drums because I figured you'd get more of a kick out of it. I almost caved at one point and had some keys worked out, but Paco saved it with new guitar textures. Surprisingly, the verse vocals turned out to be the hardest part, even though they are so simple. The verse delivery and meaning is the beauty, not the words. That makes it really hard to sing without sounding like a douche. I had to add backup verse vox to make up for my lack of Suzukiness.

[Heather. Redmon.]

Aw, man! What is the grace period for stragglers? I hate seeing anybody get stiffed, and with the HeYeahs history, do not want to see any further discouragement. Step it up, peoples! Don't give the make-up band too much work to do. Now I just gotta get me some of that making people disappear Satan power. Looking at you, Dick Cheney.

Our gift-er has already assured us that we will not be stiffed indefinitely and I trust that he will follow through... He has not been disappeared by Phil or anything. and is a well respected member of the community. Thanks for the sentiment though!

[jack]

stay away from the peanut butter heather!