Recorded this this morning. I completely rewrote this song from one The XCerts had played about 45 years ago. It was the last song that we ever put together. It never ever got recorded. I knew it was just E and A chords. And I remembered the little ‘YEAR ONE’ two note melody.
Last year, when the XCerts were going to get back together for a one off gig, I wrote lyrics and a brand new tune. The lyrics were a few from two songs (Year One and ‘O’) with additional ones having to be added. I wanted to do this song for my brother Kev (Zero Summers). He died when 21 years old.
As some of you, my friends here on WP know, The XCerts gig collapsed and we never got together at all. However, I was lucky enough to meet up with John, the Team 23 drummer, earlier this year. Had a small rehearsal weekend alongside my brother Steve on guitar. Wouldn’t have happened if The XCerts project was never mooted. To be honest, none of this new retirement ideal of myself writing and recording songs would never have happened. And I now play bass guitar again. So win win.
Year One used to be quite a rockier sounding song. But with the spirit of putting it together this morning with Kev in mind, I decided to give it the overall quirkiness that Kev oozed in bucketloads.
No mixing or instrument volume levels considered as yet. But you should get the ambience. I only started to put a drum track from GarageBand library (tweaked by myself) and guitar and vocals sung through the same microphone. All I wanted to do was capture the song’s idea against a drum beat. I couldn’t play bass on this one. Bass guitar goes through an audio inverter. The audio inverter started playing up. Then gave up. So need a new one! Bought a cheap one………there you go. So I played a bass riff on the Guild acoustic guitar. Put a low ambience on it by twiddling a GarageBand level button. Sounded nothing like my bass guitar. But needs must.
So what began as a single vocal, acoustic guitar and GB drums went weird. I decided to add more. It’s a bit rough…..but, Hey Ho. It was a fun morning.
Vocals, Guild D25 Cherry acoustic guitar, electric 6 string Vintage SG guitar, keyboards all played by Gray Summers (that’ll be me)……..and a bit of faerie dust thrown down from the sky clouds by Kev.
Cheers me Dears. And Good Fortune to you all.
AND A WEIRD LITTLE BONUS OF THE IDEA I HAD FOR REWRITING THE SONG END OF LAST YEAR.
YEAR ONE.
We smash the clock faces
And try to turn them all back.
Wipe out all traces.
But tick-tock.
The clocks keep ticking.
Year One.
When will I see you again.
Year One.
When will I ever get to see you again.
We can’t seem to walk away,
We’ve just become
Targets on the wall.
We’ve given headway
For God to
Simply laugh at us all.
Year One.
When will I see you again.
(Run from Home).
Year One.
When will I ever get to see you again.
HARSHER VERSION.
SOFTER AS VERSION SLIGHTLY CHANGED.
Gray Summers 
Gray, this made me cry. listening to the sweetness of your music x the part that goes, when will I see you again + a bit of faerie dust thrown down from the sky clouds by Kev, it all really touched me. I’m so grateful.
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Thank you cookie. ‘Made me cry’ took be aback. Emotion can happen at the most unlooked for moment. Kev was an amazing drummer for me to play bass alongside. It was the drummer track I uploaded into a track first and just went with a different feel. It isn’t the original song, as we never recorded it at all. But it was nice to capture an idea from last year and apply it as a memento. It was a nice morning focusing on this and letting it develop and see where it could go. Just enjoy the music for playing music. Rather like the band used to do way back when. I’m grateful for your amazing words cookie. Means a lot.
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I also liked listening to your speaking voice. can really get a feel for someone that way, too.
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Very true cookie. That also applies to your singing voice. You can ‘hear’ the person and their true nature. Singing and narration have a way of showing your inherent soul. Thank you cookie.
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I’m repeating some of Cookies here…the faerie dust then listening to the first one … deeply touching, Gray…and much enjoyed listening.
the second one made me smile…and I think your musical shares influenced a dream 🤭 I dreamt I was recording a song ….and I don’t do singing lol…🥴🤭
Seen as a tribute to Kevin… really a beautiful one…thank you for sharing with us 🤍🙏
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Thanks Destiny. When I listened to ‘Now and Then’ by the Beatles, it gave me goosebumps and was really emotional. I think music, poetry and movies can really move you.
People are their own worst critics re: singing or listening to their own voice. How it sounds. But. You ought to try singing or narrating your poetry into your iPhone or iPad. If you use your voice to capture how you ‘see’ your poems through narration/song, you could upload alongside your poems on your blog posts. 😊 All the best Destiny. Much appreciated. 🙏🏽
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my pleasure, Gray …
true to that…us being our worst critics ….a nice thought to try 😁
thank you too and all the best your way too 🤍🙏
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I narrated a bit of prose/poetry of mine once, on one of my blogs. It was fun. 😊 If you do give it a go, the results are always your decision. As to whether it stays within the comfort of your device recording or leaves and flys the nest to the freedom of WordPress. And therefore the World. Cheers Destiny. 🙏🏽
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Bright and breezy little number….like the harmonies…the fun oozes through….well done Gray 👏🏻 S
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I wanted a Tom Tom feel, so tweaked a GarageBand drumming track. Then played guitar and vocal at the same time into the same mic. Just layered after that. Was really getting into the process of ad hoc. So it probably feels looser in playing with off the cuff little inserts.
Hope you are doing well Shep.
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