CitizenMofo

Thank you, Danke, your words made me very happy. You've chased away my self-doubts for this morning and made me feel like a king. THANK YOU.

Thank you, roland. The thing just blossomed when I took away the rest of the music, like clouds blown away from the sun. There's just something about her voice in this one... Interesting thought about the string drone - but when you've crossed the line you've crossed it and it's a slippery slope. A string drone leads to some piano accents leads to a bit of harmonica...and you're off to the races. Sometimes I say to myself, Do not cross that line, motherfucker! And so I don't. Thank you!

Thanks, JensTonic. Both the guitar playing and singing were done by Sunny War. So what the heck do I do, you might ask? Good question. Write the songs, produce. But with some songs, like this one, all you hear is Sunny.

Right on, brother. Our institutions have failed us - are actively failing us. It's up to us as individuals. Just to be decent to each other. Seems we've forgotten how to do that. Lincoln had it right so long ago with his Divided House speech. And yet we still haven't learned. Mass protest is important - and necessary now - but even more important is personal kindness and decency to the people around you. As naive as that sounds. As you say, if we could do that, we could accomplish amazing feats. Because hate takes so much energy, whereas love is fuel for life. The cigar box looks really cool with the train, it's gonna be awesome. Thank you.

Very very well put about the message, Neomorpheus, and I couldn't agree more. Yes, the golden rule is about fairness to all sides. Yet, while we claim to be a christian society, we'd be lucky if in fact 1 in 10 in our country follow it. Seems it's all become about hate, and power, and money, and pushing people's buttons in such a way that it absolutely precludes thought, judgment and decency. I've been around a while and seen a lot of bullshit and the resulting violence, but this is the worst it's been in my 50+ lifetime. So I'll keep writing my little songs because that seems better than a primal scream of rage. I really appreciate your thoughtful listen and comments.

Thank you, Jamid. I did not mean to make you feel like you were about to be executed, but yes, that voice - if I have to die, well it'd be ok listening to Sunny's voice. Just not anytime soon though! We'll be in the studio tonight doing another new song, so just days away from finishing the album. So 8'll be done tonight, with 2 half-done. I can't wait either. :)

Hey man, thank you.

She's right-handed.
Oak's always been my favorite wood. I don't really care though - maple would be beautiful as well. Since oak's ready to go, maybe oak. Natural finish, please.

I think all it needs to say is:
Built for Sunny War

"The Lone Rider"

That plus the train really says it all. Your signature and date. Doesn't need my name on it.

I'll look for your instructions as to postage. Thanks!

Thanks, MelodicDreamer. Keeping it up is the only option!

Thanks, Elena. I appreciate your listening and your kind comments, which I'll pass on to Sunny War, the singer and guitar player. Thanks again!

Thank you, mindhiest. I really appreciate the comment and am glad you enjoyed it. Nothing makes a songmaker happier. I'll pass on your comment to Sunny.

Thank you, Jamid! Our music is heartfelt and I'm really happy it struck a chord with you. Along with the sentiment behind it. I appreciate your listen and comment.

Thanks, StaticNomad. I always appreciate your thorough attention and generous comments. Yes, this is not a big guitar song where you go, holy crap! that's some crazy good guitar playing! We did a couple of those songs last night - just massively transformed by Sunny's guitar, though we had to work at it, doesn't always fall from the sky, but does always come, if we're patient. Songs that are GUITAR SONGS. Those really hit the spot. But with this one, a lot of the loop orchestration survived, even some of the guitar loops, and Sunny played around and within it. More GUITAR SONGS coming soon though - songs where Sunny shines like no one else. Also, kudos to David, our guy at In Fidelity Recordings in LA - it's just one guy. There's just 3 of us in there and so he's very important in capturing the sounds, helping to shape the mix, and keeping things rolling and efficient. By the way, I'm trying a specialty mastering service for the first time, just heard the free sample of one of our tracks - it really does sound way better. Fuller, richer, louder but still well-defined high quality. Sorry to blather on but thought that's something you might be interested in.

Thank you, phatkatz. Yeah I'm too busy making music to hate anybody right now. And every time I make a new song with Sunny I feel like hugging someone instead of punching someone. So there must be something to that savage beast bit! Thanks for listening and commenting. Let's all try to stay sane and nice!

Thanks for the listen and comment, TA. Florence and the Machine - I hadn't thought of that but now that you said it, yeah, definitely! Yes, I am full of rage, and it scares me. So I am trying to turn it into music instead of something ugly. Focus on the things I'm for and not the things I'm against. It does me some good, at least. Again, thanks.

Thanks, danke. I had fun writing this one and Sunny as always hit it out of the park. We're recording tonight - can't wait. Many's the danke loop that will be involved...

TA, you just made my day. As far as passion, you're talking to a guy with the Bill of Rights tattooed on him, and the Preamble, and...goes on. You never know how things will come across to others and sometimes you just feel plain crazy, like am I the only one who gives a shit?, so your comments made me very happy. Thank you!

Thanks, kingmadi! I am smiling now.

Thank you, kingmadi! I was a bit down earlier, wondering wtf am I doing?, and you and looperman picked me right up. I appreciate it.

Thanks, Elena! Actually, that is me in the avatar, although since then I've gotten another large tattoo on my back. (Last one.) The singer is indeed a female named Sunny War, who I met busking on Venice Beach the day after Thanksgiving last year and realized immediately that she was very special. We started collaborating in December and are making a series of albums together. I'll pass on your comment to her. Thanks so much for the listen and response!

Looperman is awesome. There's no way I could even come close to doing what I'm doing without it. Every time I come here and start listening to loops I'm inspired and something comes out of it. Long live Looperman!

Thank you, LF. Yeah that's a killer bass loop. In fact, I think maybe the bass overall needs to be a little bigger in the track. The melody came out of the bass loop with the talking in it, just rose out of that groove, and then actually Sunny changed it up some when we recorded - since we have completely opposite voices. Saturday, there was nothing. Monday, there was that recording. It's so friggin fun to do this stuff. Anyway, thank you for the comment and I'm glad you liked it.