hot damn, ethel. looks like it werks. and yes, mike golay lives here.
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Mikey's Twangville Gazette: Music | The Woodshed |
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Welcome to The Woodshed
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To the extreme, I rock the mic like a vandal. |
This is where I put stuff just because. Stuff I've been diddlin' with. Stuff I'm not sure about. Stuff that may or may not end up on a record. I do these things in my little home studio as the mood strikes. These pieces are almost always one-take, no editing, no EQ. A little reverb. Gotta have it. And it's all for you. But also: for me. Catch me if I fall. Thank you.
Those with fast connections may listen to all of the clips by clicking here.
Feedback is welcome. You know where to reach me.
Originals and Experiments
Meditation on St. Martin's, No. 1 | 2.96MB/3:05 mp3 - Golay | 12/07/03
I recorded the original St. Martin's on "Half Pint." Actually, I did two versions. Both of them are on the CD. I recently bought a 12-string, and I was plunking around one night and started playing... basically the progression (the original is in 6/8, phrased quite a bit differently), just outlining the chords... and I started... strumming... And, well, I never knew how fun it was to strum. So I did. Don't worry - it's just flesh and nail. I still don't know how to hold a pick. This one was done on a Taylor 355 tuned way down to Open A (AEAEAC#). You'll hear the buzz on the low "E" strings - I need to have a setup done for this sort of low tuning/heavier string gauging. I don't know if I'll do more of this kind of thing... or not. So I gave it a number just in case.
Variation on 32 | 282kb/0:18 mp3 - Golay | 4/25/04
A little multi-track variation on a tune I began writing more than two years ago and have never quite finished. I did this on my new mega-lo-laptop, using its internal mic, in a total of 2 minutes, with four tracks. Basically I sat in front of the thing and played four eight-bar tracks, mixed it down, and that's it. The quality is sub-optimal, but it's a decent little Windows startup sound now... I did this one capoed at V. The way it came together, it sort of reminds me of an NPR intro/outro thing. I love doing stuff like this. I used a little hiss removal filter because again, I was just using the little mic that's built in to the laptop, which picks up all kinds of little noises, and it gives the guitars a kind of nylon-string quality. Only slightly alien. It's funny to hear this one up high; the original is tune tuned down to C, and I'd like to do the CD version on a baritone tuned to A. Opposite end of the spectrum.
Maine Waltz No. 2 | 1.56MB/1:38 mp3 - Golay | 5/23/04
I moved to Maine in May of 2004. I like it here. This tunelet got in my head and I can't get it out. I'll take it further in the future. Here's a first shot at getting a level in the new home studio, using a couple of large-diaphragm condenser mics. I'd been playing this little fragment on a 12-string tuned down to B - this is on a six-string and capoed at II. For no particular reason, I assure you. If you listen really, really closely to the opening 12 seconds or so (at 5-6 and 8-10 seconds in particular) you'll hear the now multiplied groundhog family who have set up house outside whistling to one another. Time to Havahart.
Other Peoples' Music
Plantxy George Brabazon | 1.82MB/1:59 mp3 - Trad., arr. Seth Austen | 7/11/04
I learned this tune from a Duck Baker book. This is Seth Austen's arrangement. I've heard The Chieftains play this, two to three times as fast, in A, for about half an hour. This was recorded with a single AKG c4000b large condenser mic and was then processed to death to give some stereo separation.
Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go? | 1.83MB/2:00 mp3 - Trad., arr. El McMeen | 7/24/04
A beautiful, slow waltz that I learned from El McMeen's arrangement. I generally play this as a medley with Inisheer Air and Fanny Power.
The Handsome Young Maidens | 1.94MB/2:07 mp3 - Trad., arr. Golay | 7/11/04
This is, as far as I can remember, the first Celtic tune I ever learned. I've played it all over the place, from get togethers with friends, at shows, even in Dick Mack's Pub in Dingle, Ireland, to a room full of Murphy's and kitties in the window (they slept through the whole thing), on an ancient, beat-up twanger that was sitting behind the bar. And no one heard a note. The arrangement I first heard was David Surrette's and it left a mark.
Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded? | 2.03MB/2:13 mp3 - Trad. | 7/18/04
I've begun to play this one as part of a trio of trad tunes. I have [what is I think] a funny little lead in, but you'll just have to wait for that. I can tell you're thrilled. Gefell M 300s to Great River MP2-MH to 1202 to USB.
Rye Whiskey | 1.05MB/1:08 mp3 - Trad., arr. Martin Simpson | 9/10/04
This is my take on Martin Simpson's great arrangement of a wonderful trad. tune, minus the repeat and lacking the cool little triplet pulloff Martin does so well. One of my favorite tunes to play. Bumby to Gefell M300s to Great River MP2-MH to Presonus Firepod. Recorded at 88.2k/24-bit before dithering down to 44.1k/16-bit.
MacPherson's Lament | 1.95MB/2:08 mp3 - Trad. | 02/10/05
A lovely trad tune I'm learning. I'm fiddling with a Glenn Weiser arrangement. His is in 4/4; I've decided to play the piece in 3/4. I'm odd like that. 612 to Gefell M300s to Great River MP2-MH to Presonus Firepod. Recorded at 88.2k/24-bit before dithering down to 44.1k/16-bit.
Please do not distribute without my permission.
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All music composed and performed
by Michael K. Golay, BMI, unless otherwise noted.
Copyright ©2003-2024 Banshee Werks. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
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All contents ©1996-2024, Banshee Werks.
Please direct all comments to Banshee Werks.
Last updated, fixified, or otherwise jiggered: 03/27/07.
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