For to fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise without really being wise, for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For no one knows whether death may not be the greatest good that can happen to man. But men fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils.
Music that you can't dance to
Back in college, during a period of unrequited infatuation, I fancied myself a singer-songwriter. I had taken guitar lessons for a few months when I was 12, but quit when my teacher accused me of never practicing (which was true). I didn't realize until high school that girls liked musicians, so I retaught myself from some Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel chord books.
Most of these songs were recorded in my room using the internal mic of a dual-cassette Fisher ghetto blaster. The second vocal track was added by playing track 1 on the Fisher while singing along into an Aiwa cassette recorder with a tiny stereo microphone. The background noise is awful, even after a software cleanup attempt.
The "album" title comes from Shakespeare's As You Like It, where Orlando claims to be "love-shaked" while Rosalind points out that he has none of the signs of a man in love, including "a beard neglected" (as well as "a shoe untied, and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation"). It was also the name of a blog I attempted in 2005 until I realized the public me is not interesting and the private me doesn't want to write about it in public.
The cover photo is a self-portrait from a Spring Break camping trip in Southern Utah during a sleepless night.
I now have a bunch of instruments and recording equipment for the day inspiration strikes. But my life is (compared to college days) stable now, which doesn't lend itself to much songwriting. I've added a few tunes inspired by the kids, including one about changing diapers, called It's My Turn.
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I'd Write a Country Song (Demo)
- By Justin Hill, Summer 1996.
This version is me sitting in front of my laptop with an acoustic guitar -- not a high-quality recording by any means. I wrote the song while I was working at Jacob Lake Inn in response to the non sequitur "You play the guitar but you don't like country music?" It was intended to poke some light fun at her, but she liked the song.
Just John (Demo)
- By Justin Hill, January 1999.
A song about a guy I met on a bus in France who thought he was John the Revelator.
Elisabeth, Emilie, and Me (Demo)
- By Justin Hill, January 2001.
For Elisabeth with backup vocals and screaming by Emilie.
Where Are You? (MP3 format)
- By Jennie Groberg
A parody of dating at BYU. My wife sings backup vocals
- One has to completely humiliate oneself to be what the Beatles were, and that's what I resent. I didn't know, I didn't foresee. It happened bit by bit, gradually, until this complete craziness is surrounding you, and you're doing exactly what you don't want to do with people you can't stand-the people you hated when you were ten. -- John Lennon
- Songwriting is about getting the demon out of me. It's like being possessed. You try to go to sleep, but the song won't let you. So you have to get up and make it into something, and then you're allowed to sleep. It's always in the middle of the bloody night, or when you're half-awake or tired, when your critical faculties are switched off. So letting go is what the whole game is. Every time you try to put your finger on it, it slips away. You turn on the lights and the cockroaches run away. You can never grasp them. -- John Lennon
Music you should try
Folk and Singer-Songwriters
David Wilcox - best album is How Did You Find Me Here
Cheryl Wheeler - best album is Mrs. Pinocci's Guitar
Peter Breinholt
Ryan Shupe
Paul Simon - best album is first solo album Paul Simon.
Bluegrass
Alison Krauss - best album is Now That I've Found You: A Collection
Nickel Creek - best album is Nickel Creek
Chris Thile (of Nickel Creek) - Not All Who Wander Are Lost
Irish
The Chieftains - best album is Irish Heartbeat with Van Morrison
Harmony Central Tablature (OLGA)
Guitar Lessons
I've recently discovered some great DVDs and books by Desi Serna that I highly recommend. Check out the CAGED Template Chord System DVD or Fretboard Theory (among others) at Guitar-Music-Theory.com
John Lennon
I know exactly what John Lennon is saying. (Not that I'm comparing my composition skills to that of John's).
I wake in the middle of the night with a tune going round in my head, I often wonder where they come from and it's always a tune that has little resemblance to anything I've heard before.
I have to get up (drives my wife crazy) grab the acoustic, play it and get it down on paper or sometimes I'll hum the tune while recording it.
If I don't get up, then next morning I have no recollection of the song whatsoever.
Just wondering
Hi Justin,
I just got added to your friend's list today and went onto this site after seeing the address on your page. I was wondering if one could take a listen of your other songs somehow. I enjoy your music very much and would like to hear more. Thanks, Amy
A Close Shave
Hi Justin, it's been sometime since my last note. 2006 is now. Paris has left it's mark. All in all 2005 was full of new experiences. We have friends arriving at any moment from Paris as they do each year. Although I took many photos on our journey, some of which are on my site. It's the music taking shape now that is reminding me of certain moments. "The Loft" is one track written about the view from our room (Loft) at "The Hotel Jack De Molay". Anyone on the way to Paris and looking for accom, I highly reccomend "The Jack". Lovely people, food and of course the lofts. At 10pm as the light teased the shadows across rooftops, I would sit on the balcony and play whatever was at hand. Mostly my old recorder or one of my harps. The voices rising from below. A cat on the roof across the streat and the most memorable vision framed through a window opposite of a white dress, laid upon a bed. Next to the dress, a pair of legs in jeans. Bare feet protuding. Two windows down on a balcony a lady smoking. I caught her eye and she waved as the night fell. These images, snap shots of people are for me, very romantic. It's now I feel what I expected to feel in Paris.Paris to me, is "A Beard Neglected". For me, it was a warm and close shave. The beard now removed is revealing some fond moments shared with Sal and many strangers I met, as I got lost in Paris. Hope all is well with you and your family. Cheers Iain. PS: I think I saw John, Just John, in a park close to The Molay. He looked well, though in his 90's perhaps? The song sits with me and travels well. Thanks Justin.
John
Well, what can i say? I was searching for music instrument shops in Paris, as my album has taken off in Europe. I have not looked at your pics yet as I wanted to hear your music. The song "John" touched my cold heart, both lyric wise and your delivery, obviously you are or have wanted to be professional.Perhaps not? Thanks for sharing your site, as I would have missed this experience. Now, where do I find the best instrument shops in Paris? The big question. If you are interested, feel free to visit my web site www.oinkmuse.com. I would like to hear from you. Cheers Iain Mclennan
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