Top 10 Songs from Musical Bingo
Well, I think we’re going to have to stop at 39 songs for the year – especially now that we’re a month into the next one! (January has been rough…) All in all this was an amazing project that forced me to be creative and spontaneous while giving me a chance to get to know the Korg Kronos2 a bit better. A few of these songs are album ready, but most need at least some work, and I’m going to start on that – as soon as I have a bit more time on my hands. (that would be in 5 weeks from today…)
This year was like a musical ‘brainstorming’ (notestorming?) session and there were several pretty good ideas that came out of it. I’ve compiled my top 10 below the jump. If you have been following along and have a different favorite, let me know in the comments!
#1: Bingo #35 – flow
A wonderfully complex sound on the Kronos coupled with a light jazzy and delicate piano, a small square wave lead, and some groove loops gently blended together for my favorite texture of the year. Recorded in just 2 days, it’s something that I originally thought would be right at home in an exotic coffee shop, but the more I listen to it, the more it’s a real soundstory that takes you on a pretty great journey. If you put on nice headphones (not cheap running buds…) and open your mind, you will not be disappointed.
#2: Bingo #37: Up2GetDown
Perhaps the funkiest thing on this record… Definitely the best keyboard solo and more hooks than a fishing show hosted by Howard Jones. I have no idea where this came from, but it’ll put a smile on your face.
I’d suggest turning it up…
#3: Bingo #32: Theme Song 19
An over the top cymbal crashing bonanza. Admittedly, it’s 3 chord rock with a french horn and a fife(would that be classical rock…?), but who cares – I dare you not to tap your foot!
#4: Bingo #31: Autumn Texture
Not Country, but Western Rock (or at least as close as one can get with a keyboard…!) You could throw an anthem chorus on this easily. (I said you, not me…) I’d like to clean up the guitar on this a bit and give it a harmonica solo and a china cymbal… maybe a cowbell…
#5: Bingo #28: Shotpouch
The Spring Creek Project for Ideas, Nature, and the Written Word were kind enough to let Laura and I stay the night out at the Shotpouch cabin – a creative retreat in the coast range and a secret treasure of OSU. Artists often leave their art, making the cabin a richer place. This was my contribution to that legacy with a special guest appearance by Kathleen Dean Moore, who helped make both the cabin and project a reality.
#6: Bingo #34: The Long Winter
An rocking instrumental revamp of ‘The Long Winter’ by the Affordable Floors. Still hoping to complete this – needs three guitar tracks and about 6 vocal ones…
#7: Bingo #39: Steam, String, and Sphere
This one started as an actual bingo – e.g. I pulled random notes from the vase and recorded the basic Kronos track…but just couldn’t stop. Great texture and beautiful violin work that paralleled the complex texture of bells and bowls. I want to fix about three notes in this…
#8: Bingo #22: Go West
David Lynch plays guitar…. in Rohan. Good god this is too long, but only because it’s missing the piano track! This needs the most work, but it’s a nice solid foundation on which to build. and that guitar sound…!
#9: Bingo #26: Fractal Fugue
Recorded live in Albany, Oregon at like 10 in the morning, this abrasive and noisy groove somehow remains remarkably chill. Not perfect, but really a moment. Since it was recorded live, I only have the audio and not the tracks so if I want to do anything else with it or try to fix it, I’ll have to redo this one from the ground up… but I think it might be worth it!
#10: Bingo #23: Bearded Vulcan
Recorded entirely in one take using random notes pulled from a vase, this was a very fun and entirely different bingo that had me in tears laughing by the time the song was over. I’d love to really rock this out like Trans-Siberian Orch. and may go back to it one day, but it’s already pretty hysterical.
Honorable Mention: Bingo #6: Love
The only one of the original piano bingos that I still regularly play. I still just love the sweet simplicity – the long breaths… I’m actually working this up like an old school Chicago song in my head and hope to one day have the chance to produce it out… It also may be the last time I record with the Viscount Baby Grand – a very close friend.
A big thanks to those that have listened, liked, shared, commented, watched a video, or otherwise participated in this project. This project was a lot of work – literally hundreds of hours, but it was a lot of fun and a massive learning experience! I’m going to get back to it soon, but taking a few weeks off to work on other parts of life for a bit!