For the first time in Tune Tag history, we offer the addition of newly-recorded cover versions of many of this edition's songs...all played and sung by our Tune Tag guest, Miter!
Well, I've now listened to all the songs and Ryan's covers and I can say right off the bat that it all makes for a perfect soundtrack to a dog walk.
Ryan -- I was already a massive fan of yours. I have had a doll made up in your likeness and have it comfortably surrounded by a shrine of framed security camera images of you shopping at Walmart wearing Crocs. But hearing these covers showed that my fanboyitude could only deepen.
I was impressed by the range of styles you used to capture the essence of Guided By Voices, Zappa, Daft Punk and Bonnie "Prince" Billy. I hope these covers get compiled into a proper covers album. Though I'm sure there are legal issues around that for covers.
And reading as you attempted to match sonic wits with Mr. Kyle was inspiring.
Brad -- I had never heard that Barry Manilow song before. The original or the 2022 version. It was great to see that, and to be amazed at how strong his voice still is despite the 45 plastic surgeries he's had. I was not familiar with Don Williams or Puhdys, so thanks for that! I did appreciate Ryan's guess that it had to do with The Simpsons.
Most of all, I appreciate all you do, Brad, the work it clearly takes to assemble these TuneTags. And I'm happy that Miter's music is getting exposed to more folks across the world.
Thanks so much, Steve! I'll get Ryan to the phone shortly, so he can say "hi"! I'm glad our little musical enterprise powered your dog walk(s)....bow wows must've wondered why their trusty walker had an extra bounce in his step!
I don't think "One Voice" was ever a single, but, as an album cut, it was conspicuous by its lead-off spot on the like-titled album. His voice is still amazingly strong and true. For quite a few years, now, Barry's had his own in-home studio, and that's what you're seeing here. He's mastered the PC side of self-recording (like Ryan!), and that's where and how he does whatever recording he does now.
As for Don Williams, he was always a "second-tier" (but, solid and reliable hitmaker) '70s country artist, mostly for ABC Records. The Puhdys were new to me, too!
I'm happy, too, that Tune Tag can be a conduit in helping 'Stack-tethered musicians get heard and enjoy having their talents exposed to more folks!
Thanks, Steve, for your kind words of appreciation of the process! It's definitely a blast, as I feel, at times, like I'm conducting an orchestra ("you...the gifs....a little loud; bring it down! Video section? You guys could stand to bring it up just a tad!", etc), or producing a record, making sure all the instruments are playing in harmony!
I enjoy 3 stages of Tune Tag immersion: 1) The actual playing, in real time, the trading of songs. 2) About six weeks later, the composing of all the notes and audio/visual ephemera, and, 3) the following Tuesday, reading it in the e-mail as if for the first time, like all my readers are doing!
Thanks for listening Steve! Glad that you have a Miter doll, it's comforting to know given that I had a custom Steve Goldberg muppet made with earworms and all.
I DO have an album with these available here for free and I did obtain the licenses (surprisingly not that hard or expensive, though easier if you are releasing something on streaming) after realizing that it was either that or send Brad to prison! https://miter.bandcamp.com/album/parlour-magic
A Steve Goldberg muppet! The mind reels! Actually, if Steve was a Gentile, I'm betting he'd enter the priesthood, and make an album called "Pastor of Muppets"!
Well, thanks, Ryan, for minding all your streaming peas and queues.....I'm not sure I could handle prison...............................again.
If you sent Brad to prison, I'm sure he'd be handing out his Substack business cards to his cellmates and the backlog for Tune Tags would be until 2026. I'll take two bald wormy muppets, please!
What a fun and interesting way to add a twist to the Tune Tag magic!
I really enjoyed the connections, particularly that Manilow - Daft Punk - George Duke w Napoleon Brock bridge (or shall we call it junction? 😂). Amazing.
My favourite cover was Daft Punk. Incredibly hard to cover that song. Mammoth task, especially production-wise. Impressive work.
As for the tracks themselves, my favourites were Uncle Remus and Death to Everyone (because hello bluesy vibes).
Thank you, Brad and Ryan, for brightening up my Tuesday!
Thanks, Andy! We knew you'd like the Tuesday Tune Tag Tavern twist....to a "t"!☕
You're right about the Daft Punk cover....they all had their challenges, but the DP duo have tons of equipment at their disposal for their records; so, for Ryan to replicate one of their songs is super-human (even super-robot)!
Thanks very much Andres, very much appreciate you and your Substack! The Daft Punk cover was a challenge, the song is simple but the production is crazy. Impossible to duplicate, but hopefully I put my own little spin on it. Software instruments and plug-ins that are much easier to access these days made it possible for me to attempt. But, putting the real guitars on it made it fun.
What a cool format! I admit, on a first listen, the covers mostly made me appreciate the original more (I realize that sounds terribly insulting, and I don't mean it to be -- it was fun listening to the covers and I also found myself missing parts of the sound of the original), but I appreciate Andres highlighting the Daft Punk cover. Re-listening to it, with a little more distance from the original I really like it. That is an impressive achievement. It's a tough comparison to listen to the original and the cover directly back-to-back.
The song from this round that's going to stick with me is "Uncle Remus." I didn't know that one, and I sometimes get impatient with Frank Zappa but . . . wow . . . that's heavy in a good way. It seems like a simple song, but not at all. There's a lot of emotional weight to absorb.
I don't remember when I first heard about lawn jockeys. They aren't a thin anywhere that I've lived, but I've definitely heard about them.
I liked the Don Williams. I may have linked to this before, but the reference to Hank Williams made me think of "I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3e-vETA5H0
A bunch of other good songs but, man, still feeling "Uncle Remus"
Thanks Nick! Yes, I totally agree that the originals are where it is at- not insulting at all! One part of this was just trying to pull it off and another is hoping that I bring some sort of distinction or different take on it, which is pretty much impossible not to do. My take is that every individual has their unique "one voice" (haha) and that aspect is almost as original as creating new material. Yep Uncle Remus is so good, George Duke is such a great piano player and his performance on the track is amazing. I'm not a piano player, so my plunking is comical in comparison....but ya know, it's different!
Thank you for sharing such an interesting piece. It was truly impressive how you captured his artistic process and highlighted the intricate connections between the songs he covered. It offered a fresh perspective on musical creativity and collaboration.
Thanks, Jon! Glad you enjoyed this one....it certainly was a different way to Tune Tag, but it was fun, and I appreciate Miter's generous musical contributions!
Loved his as I knew I would. Was smiling the whole time while reading it! Have to admit that I haven’t listened to the songs yet, which, especially in this case, is essential. So expect a more detailed response later in the day when I’m done with work…
Fun, as usual. Certainly not mainstream. Even obscure. Which is not bad. Miter is very talented, and am glad to have met him through TT. Thanks again for this!
Thanks, Paul......I'm awfully proud to have Miter being a groundbreaker here! Hopefully, more and other singer/songwriters/musicians will be moved to do a similarly inspired "Tune Tag with a personal touch"!
Good call on "Uncle Remus." 'Apostrophe' is my favorite Zappa LP. A super slick and jazzy version of the track shows up on Duke's 1975 solo LP, 'The Aura Will Prevail.'
Oh wow, will have to check that out. George Duke is such an incredible player it is silly to try and cover his stuff and I am not a piano player, so I had to dumb it down A LOT. Apostrophe is being reissued and there is a version that focuses on his piano as instrumentation that jsut came out (after I had chosen this tune!) https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lWhc1Saw1bUIEoum4aUlOoiKW29Ahyqgs&si=YlFg41qrnGzT-y_U
A real education as I'd never heard any of these songs before!
It was also really interesting to hear how Ryan went about creating covers and the technical challenges involved, especially given huge changes in technical approaches between when say Zappa was recording and now. Makes you think about the changes in the technical landscape and what they mean for music-makers like Ryan today.
You made me cry with that Manilow song, Brad. A great start to the day, and reminded of all the great online musical collaboration that came out of pandemic. (Light out of darkness.)
Thanks, Ellen, much appreciated! Yes, the recording process and accessibility of home recording tools has changed so much that it makes it possible for some guy like me to try and do this type of thing in their home studio! There is certainly something lost to the older processes. I wouldn't say it is always better the old way, but it required a lot more and a lot of the new processes or plug ins or whatever try to emulate some of the sounds of the older processes (tape machines, consoles, etc)
Thanks so much, Ellen! I consider it a win-win when we can "run the table" for someone on the new song front! Keen observation I hadn't considered on the Zappa (and other, older songs) about the challenges Ryan faced in covering these! And, mad applause for the audacity and bravery to even attempt these songs for our humble little Tune Tag! Happy to be thanking Ryan all day for that!
As for Barry...always a fan, but what a brilliant of-the-time idea for Barry to execute. I'm guessing he sent the net out, online, for a day and time where he'd do that. Someone once wondered if he paid these folks, and (aside from the logistical nightmare that'd be) I'd simply be thrilled just to do it and be part of it all! Enough "payment" right there! Reminds me of the "Todd" album where, after sending a postcard from his "Wizard a True Star" album, he'd put the respondents' names on a poster within the "Todd" album. Gotta love these selfless artists who bring us into their orbit! Glad you enjoyed!
Thanks very much! Lemme know if you wanna collab on a music video at some point. I am playing with cutting up some old public domain horror (like hands of Orlac) for a death to everyone video, but pretty open to whatever whenever!
…i’d be game for that…maybe trade for either a music video for us too or a cover?…public domain horror is where i lived for a whole year of drawing comics…
Well, I've now listened to all the songs and Ryan's covers and I can say right off the bat that it all makes for a perfect soundtrack to a dog walk.
Ryan -- I was already a massive fan of yours. I have had a doll made up in your likeness and have it comfortably surrounded by a shrine of framed security camera images of you shopping at Walmart wearing Crocs. But hearing these covers showed that my fanboyitude could only deepen.
I was impressed by the range of styles you used to capture the essence of Guided By Voices, Zappa, Daft Punk and Bonnie "Prince" Billy. I hope these covers get compiled into a proper covers album. Though I'm sure there are legal issues around that for covers.
And reading as you attempted to match sonic wits with Mr. Kyle was inspiring.
Brad -- I had never heard that Barry Manilow song before. The original or the 2022 version. It was great to see that, and to be amazed at how strong his voice still is despite the 45 plastic surgeries he's had. I was not familiar with Don Williams or Puhdys, so thanks for that! I did appreciate Ryan's guess that it had to do with The Simpsons.
Most of all, I appreciate all you do, Brad, the work it clearly takes to assemble these TuneTags. And I'm happy that Miter's music is getting exposed to more folks across the world.
Like Herbie Hancock said: "Rockit!"
https://youtu.be/GHhD4PD75zY?si=cDv-bIROGaO_w1xt
Thanks so much, Steve! I'll get Ryan to the phone shortly, so he can say "hi"! I'm glad our little musical enterprise powered your dog walk(s)....bow wows must've wondered why their trusty walker had an extra bounce in his step!
I don't think "One Voice" was ever a single, but, as an album cut, it was conspicuous by its lead-off spot on the like-titled album. His voice is still amazingly strong and true. For quite a few years, now, Barry's had his own in-home studio, and that's what you're seeing here. He's mastered the PC side of self-recording (like Ryan!), and that's where and how he does whatever recording he does now.
As for Don Williams, he was always a "second-tier" (but, solid and reliable hitmaker) '70s country artist, mostly for ABC Records. The Puhdys were new to me, too!
I'm happy, too, that Tune Tag can be a conduit in helping 'Stack-tethered musicians get heard and enjoy having their talents exposed to more folks!
Thanks, Steve, for your kind words of appreciation of the process! It's definitely a blast, as I feel, at times, like I'm conducting an orchestra ("you...the gifs....a little loud; bring it down! Video section? You guys could stand to bring it up just a tad!", etc), or producing a record, making sure all the instruments are playing in harmony!
I enjoy 3 stages of Tune Tag immersion: 1) The actual playing, in real time, the trading of songs. 2) About six weeks later, the composing of all the notes and audio/visual ephemera, and, 3) the following Tuesday, reading it in the e-mail as if for the first time, like all my readers are doing!
Thanks for listening Steve! Glad that you have a Miter doll, it's comforting to know given that I had a custom Steve Goldberg muppet made with earworms and all.
I DO have an album with these available here for free and I did obtain the licenses (surprisingly not that hard or expensive, though easier if you are releasing something on streaming) after realizing that it was either that or send Brad to prison! https://miter.bandcamp.com/album/parlour-magic
A Steve Goldberg muppet! The mind reels! Actually, if Steve was a Gentile, I'm betting he'd enter the priesthood, and make an album called "Pastor of Muppets"!
Well, thanks, Ryan, for minding all your streaming peas and queues.....I'm not sure I could handle prison...............................again.
ha! It's the least I could do. Though I do hope I did it correctly. If not, a little more time in the clink could build character.
If you sent Brad to prison, I'm sure he'd be handing out his Substack business cards to his cellmates and the backlog for Tune Tags would be until 2026. I'll take two bald wormy muppets, please!
"Tune Tag participation for a pack o' cigs, Bubba? Saaaay, loving that shade of orange on you!"
What a fun and interesting way to add a twist to the Tune Tag magic!
I really enjoyed the connections, particularly that Manilow - Daft Punk - George Duke w Napoleon Brock bridge (or shall we call it junction? 😂). Amazing.
My favourite cover was Daft Punk. Incredibly hard to cover that song. Mammoth task, especially production-wise. Impressive work.
As for the tracks themselves, my favourites were Uncle Remus and Death to Everyone (because hello bluesy vibes).
Thank you, Brad and Ryan, for brightening up my Tuesday!
Thanks, Andy! We knew you'd like the Tuesday Tune Tag Tavern twist....to a "t"!☕
You're right about the Daft Punk cover....they all had their challenges, but the DP duo have tons of equipment at their disposal for their records; so, for Ryan to replicate one of their songs is super-human (even super-robot)!
Exactly! That’s what impressed me the most. If that’s not loving music, then what is?
To the T and beyonT!
Thanks very much Andres, very much appreciate you and your Substack! The Daft Punk cover was a challenge, the song is simple but the production is crazy. Impossible to duplicate, but hopefully I put my own little spin on it. Software instruments and plug-ins that are much easier to access these days made it possible for me to attempt. But, putting the real guitars on it made it fun.
Thank you! I can imagine it must have been a proper challenge, but a lot of fun too! Well done.
What a cool format! I admit, on a first listen, the covers mostly made me appreciate the original more (I realize that sounds terribly insulting, and I don't mean it to be -- it was fun listening to the covers and I also found myself missing parts of the sound of the original), but I appreciate Andres highlighting the Daft Punk cover. Re-listening to it, with a little more distance from the original I really like it. That is an impressive achievement. It's a tough comparison to listen to the original and the cover directly back-to-back.
The song from this round that's going to stick with me is "Uncle Remus." I didn't know that one, and I sometimes get impatient with Frank Zappa but . . . wow . . . that's heavy in a good way. It seems like a simple song, but not at all. There's a lot of emotional weight to absorb.
I don't remember when I first heard about lawn jockeys. They aren't a thin anywhere that I've lived, but I've definitely heard about them.
I liked the Don Williams. I may have linked to this before, but the reference to Hank Williams made me think of "I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3e-vETA5H0
A bunch of other good songs but, man, still feeling "Uncle Remus"
Thanks Nick! Yes, I totally agree that the originals are where it is at- not insulting at all! One part of this was just trying to pull it off and another is hoping that I bring some sort of distinction or different take on it, which is pretty much impossible not to do. My take is that every individual has their unique "one voice" (haha) and that aspect is almost as original as creating new material. Yep Uncle Remus is so good, George Duke is such a great piano player and his performance on the track is amazing. I'm not a piano player, so my plunking is comical in comparison....but ya know, it's different!
Thanks, Nick.....glad you like the format! Here's hoping we can repeat it on occasion. I dug that video....shot right here in Austin!
Thank you for sharing such an interesting piece. It was truly impressive how you captured his artistic process and highlighted the intricate connections between the songs he covered. It offered a fresh perspective on musical creativity and collaboration.
Thanks very much, Jon. I do think this is a super interesting way to present music and we were crazy enough to pull it off!
Thanks, Jon! Glad you enjoyed this one....it certainly was a different way to Tune Tag, but it was fun, and I appreciate Miter's generous musical contributions!
Love the Will Oldman cover, actually when I first heard your music I was reminded of an old Palace Brothers EP so this is a great tag round up.
Thanks so much! That's a huge compliment in my book and much appreciated.
Loved his as I knew I would. Was smiling the whole time while reading it! Have to admit that I haven’t listened to the songs yet, which, especially in this case, is essential. So expect a more detailed response later in the day when I’m done with work…
Thanks, Steve! Looking forward to your Part 2! Happy dog-walking!
Fun, as usual. Certainly not mainstream. Even obscure. Which is not bad. Miter is very talented, and am glad to have met him through TT. Thanks again for this!
Thanks, Paul......I'm awfully proud to have Miter being a groundbreaker here! Hopefully, more and other singer/songwriters/musicians will be moved to do a similarly inspired "Tune Tag with a personal touch"!
I'm sure they will!
Thanks Paul! Can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
Good call on "Uncle Remus." 'Apostrophe' is my favorite Zappa LP. A super slick and jazzy version of the track shows up on Duke's 1975 solo LP, 'The Aura Will Prevail.'
Oh wow, will have to check that out. George Duke is such an incredible player it is silly to try and cover his stuff and I am not a piano player, so I had to dumb it down A LOT. Apostrophe is being reissued and there is a version that focuses on his piano as instrumentation that jsut came out (after I had chosen this tune!) https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lWhc1Saw1bUIEoum4aUlOoiKW29Ahyqgs&si=YlFg41qrnGzT-y_U
A real education as I'd never heard any of these songs before!
It was also really interesting to hear how Ryan went about creating covers and the technical challenges involved, especially given huge changes in technical approaches between when say Zappa was recording and now. Makes you think about the changes in the technical landscape and what they mean for music-makers like Ryan today.
You made me cry with that Manilow song, Brad. A great start to the day, and reminded of all the great online musical collaboration that came out of pandemic. (Light out of darkness.)
Thanks, Ellen, much appreciated! Yes, the recording process and accessibility of home recording tools has changed so much that it makes it possible for some guy like me to try and do this type of thing in their home studio! There is certainly something lost to the older processes. I wouldn't say it is always better the old way, but it required a lot more and a lot of the new processes or plug ins or whatever try to emulate some of the sounds of the older processes (tape machines, consoles, etc)
Thanks so much, Ellen! I consider it a win-win when we can "run the table" for someone on the new song front! Keen observation I hadn't considered on the Zappa (and other, older songs) about the challenges Ryan faced in covering these! And, mad applause for the audacity and bravery to even attempt these songs for our humble little Tune Tag! Happy to be thanking Ryan all day for that!
As for Barry...always a fan, but what a brilliant of-the-time idea for Barry to execute. I'm guessing he sent the net out, online, for a day and time where he'd do that. Someone once wondered if he paid these folks, and (aside from the logistical nightmare that'd be) I'd simply be thrilled just to do it and be part of it all! Enough "payment" right there! Reminds me of the "Todd" album where, after sending a postcard from his "Wizard a True Star" album, he'd put the respondents' names on a poster within the "Todd" album. Gotta love these selfless artists who bring us into their orbit! Glad you enjoyed!
…bad ass project…
Thanks very much! Lemme know if you wanna collab on a music video at some point. I am playing with cutting up some old public domain horror (like hands of Orlac) for a death to everyone video, but pretty open to whatever whenever!
…i’d be game for that…maybe trade for either a music video for us too or a cover?…public domain horror is where i lived for a whole year of drawing comics…
Definitely! I’ll send ya a dm and we can figure something out if that works. No rush.