ames, iowa

We tried a different approach this week. Steve brought some lyrics and then we had an 'old school bourbon sprawl' live jam. Of the 3-4 songs that came out we picked one of them that fit the best. We had a new visitor, Jon Van Weeren. Jon jammed on Keyboard but sat out when it came for the actual recording... maybe next time. Rather than lay down tracks one at a time, we started with recording drums, electric guitar and bass all at once...with the able engineering by Brian and masterful conducting by Steve... OK, it took a few takes (maybe 7) but it was a good vibe. Steve went in and laid down vocals in the chorus. The lyrics are about an old flame that appears to have surprisingly settled for a life married to a middle-aged vet in Ames, Iowa. Scott added vox on the verses. After vocals, Brian went in to fill in sax. It was interesting, things that seemed to work on sax during the jam didn't seem to fit when it came time for overdubs (including the entire harmonica part). Finally, Scott insisted that Spaz and Brian record dreadful trumpet noises for the Bridge... so they did. Enjoy it.

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gimme gimme gimme

Coincidental to the song title, Brian updated the song notes with the following before we published to the web site Brian was waiting for the new song, and then at 1:20am, he decided to create it himself. So there. Merry Christmas, Brian.


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do the job

yes, i made a song. im was cancelled, but i started jonesin'. needed the im. 3 takes of drums, equal number of takes of bass.

I think this song is about a guy at work. He is not happy sometimes.



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my dads man

Big crowd. We have a new/old friend that joined us this week - Cecy Snyder joined us for vocals. Cecy was the singer for Help Wanted, and now the first female voice on an IMP song. It is a great thing to have a great singer... Andy and Cecy harmonized in the Chorus, and it felt like the good old days. Charles brought some lyrics about a sports illustrated columnist that considers his real life juxtaposed against his short career as a professional athelete. Ken H put down the drum tracks, followed by Charles on acoustic. Next, Chris added some electric. Ken Dezio joined us for the first time in a long time, but had to leave early. So, we layed down 4 measures of Trumpet that ended up on the cutting room floor (sorry ken). Cecy and Andy then recorded the chorus... nice. Charles sang the verses, Brian added harp, then Scott put in a sweet banjo. We almost made the midnight reocrding cut-off. 12:08 the Banjo finished. So... that's it. Almost a complete Help Wanted reunion. Lee Parker, we missed you.

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blind rope

The evening started at 7pm. Scott, Steve, Chris, Andy, Charles, Brian, Dave(spaz), and Dave's Dad (Don) made 8. Well, Don just watched and told off-color limericks, but that's cool. Scott started on drums, and had a great take except for a curious re-start that we decided to just make part of the song. We went through 3 sets of lyrics before Steve finally decided that someone needed to write something that wasn't silly. Brian added a few phrases for the chorus. Steve then set the musical mood again by laying down a nice acoustic track. Next came scott on piano, Andy on vox, then Chris on electric. Charles started on Bass at around 11 pm... Brian added Sax after 11:30. Sometime after midnight, Spaz joined for Trumpet in the bridge. Scott, breaking his no-recording-past-midnight rule, added backing vox just before 1 am. Then, after 1 am, the mixing began... 3 am, the mixing ended. Spaz was asleep on the couch this time. Scott and Brian debated mixing his snoring into the break in the song. BTW, This song is about dissapearing love.


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old friends

Max has multiple Halloween costumes. 'Why?' I asked. 'Cause I do,' he said. 'Cause I do,' Sam said, six times in a row. Anyway, Brian was feeling reminiscent about something but only revealed that he had heard a slow Green Day song in the car that really kicks in at the end. This song doesn't do that. But it does have Brian's verses, although we're not sure if Steve should have been singing them. Andy did a nice job with Steve's guitar, though, so that switch worked, and another night of instant music came to an end. Then Spaz showed up and we had six.

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its alright

the sandwich, swamp rot and the italian song all saw 6 IMP-sters in the house - and the same held true tonight, matching the largest turnout seen yet. Each of these songs are great and the vibe was good tonight (in spite of the malodorous eminations from spaz). Steve scripted the song and laid down some guitar which was added to later by DeSantis. Scott put down some beats (drums haven't had good luck when not laid down first thing, but it worked nicely tonight). Then B laid down some harpsichord... followed by McD and DeSantis on the horns. Then Scott laid down the bass beats. Andy sang it up with finshing touches by Scott (vocals, egg and alien keyboard) and Spaz (vocals and clave).

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october

Charles and Scott started out laying down go-go beats, but the song took a decidedly jazzy turn. Brian came with lyrics about October and an attempt to write happy lyrics. Charles weaves an autumnal story in the verses. We were all surprised by joy with the appearance of David Spaz McAndrews.

We have some new voices in this one - Backwards vocals and the return of the Weather Radio (a Bourbon Sprawl Favorite).

Shorts and a jacket, shorts and a jacket, long-sleeve shirt, and a tiny whiskey packet.

If you have to ask, then...


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long days coming

Brian showed up early and laid down the sax and wrote all the lyrics. Max was a bit of inspiration. He heard me say fail and wanted to know what that word was. The inquiry was very ineteresting.
Chris did great on the trumpet and didn't even pick up a guitar.


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focus

no one showed up. So, I wasted some time in the beginning just working on some of the studio levels. Then I finally decided, I better make something. Its kind of like brushing your teeth. You know you should do it.

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treehouse on the moon

Charles and Kevin meet for the first time. I wonder what it would be like... I'm going to build a tree house some day. This song has just a simply rockin middle in it... what would it be like ?

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the italian song

So I called Steve this afternoon to see if he was coming to IMP, and he says he's printing driving directions for Italy. I hate to break it to ya pal, but you can't drive to Italy. I don't care what Mapquest says!!!

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birthday

Yesterday was Brian's birthday. Sometimes you feel like declaring a new "birthday", a day where you can start over and leave behind all the stupid crap and bad habits. You know... tomorrow is a new day. Musically, Chris had his singing debut, and we broke out the sax for the first time in 5 months.

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insecurity

It was a late start, but we had the basic tracks done at 3 hours. Classic instant music recording. By the book, this one is instant. Did you say you liked it ? or pass the butter?

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blue vega

A nice departure from recent songs. Some punk influence or something. ah, the old blue vega. A first on the backwards guitar work from Chris. Lyrics were written down, they're good to read. Enjoy.

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beautiful day

Stayed up too late on this one. Welcome Charles to the group, great song! Three guitars at times, but one is tuned different. It really was a beautiful day today. Max played the drums on the ending. Nice style Max. and thanks for the rice crispy treats.

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never ending

Steve arrived early to get the song going. Chris joined in to help. Andy showed up to lay the groove down and do the vocals. A nice evening polishing off a good day.

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swamp rot

Brian exported swamp rot from Costa Rica. Chris sweated on the headphones, and the Theremin makes an appearance.

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barefoot

Welcome Claire Marie to the world. Barefoot and Naked.

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theremin

What are we going to write about? What are we waiting for? Backwards guitar and funky rhythm.

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sandwich

welcome back Steve ! This is all about the tobacco case, or rather a squeeze, or maybe just a sandwich. Who knows, I like the sandwich. Most instruments in one night I think... most acoustics anyway, see if you can guess which is which.

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dolce maria

welcome Mark !! This has a lot of stuff in it. Turned out very nice.

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planning a trip

ultra-instant music night. tracks recorded within one hour, mixing done in another, mastering done in the third.
If you listen carefully, you will hear the phone ring and Max singing.

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comfort in the routine

welcome Johnnie! He brings a flute to the lineup.

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50 cent smile

this one has a spoon in it. neat.

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friends

where is everyone? Wisconsin, Montana, California? in training? in limbo?

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turn the corner

I'm not sure what this one is trying to say. It is related to knowing some of whats ahead of you, but not all of it. Fun to play, for sure.

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astronaut

keep it very simple. nice lyrics from Brian in his inspirational afternoon musings.

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recognition

re-cognition.

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norfolk

welcome back Kevin! no real purpose in this song and feeling kinda lazy.

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temperament of the firth

the smell with a taste. a simple song. simply beautiful and quick.

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made to order

Ken D gets some engineering credits tonight! Nice commentary by Brian and Ken H. Chris gets to tell you what key the whole thing is in. Something about movies in this one, I can't exactly follow it, but I also don't recognize Julia Roberts, so don't count on me.

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cozy in my bed

all acoustic jam.

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american dream

Welcome the stand-up bass into the studio ! Great for some nice smooth jazz... yeah.

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just content

Its probably best just to throw some words on a paper and then see how they fit with the song. Same goes for many things.

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mexico

I think Chris wrote most of this. Christmas, Mexico, Christmas, Mexico.

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home brew

welcoming the violin to the studio, thanks mike wulff ! a quick night and brilliant lyrics. new found abilities for chris as he debuts his voice!

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on the cape

we're all headed to p-town... in the same week. wierd. ken has a big old boat and some sunscreen.

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rosin up your bow

welcome to the bow ! ken found out how to make the balalaika sing with the bow. Max joined our rhythm track with a bit of clave and some shouts.

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association

welcome ken hougasian! the association, did we piss it off?

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miss you

this is how it gets when no one shows up. a fun banjo riff introduces the song.

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san jose

welcome kevin smith from san jose, ca ! bass line straight from the west coast. banjo from the west virginia :) horns from west texas.

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assembly

welcome the keyboards! short sweet and kind of catchy. back from christmas in florida. this is what happens when I haven't played music in a few weeks. ain't that wierd?

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