Viewing: Musicality - View all posts

Where has the time gone, again?! 

Well, we made it - this far at least.

Well done.  You deserve some new music.

I made a record about a year ago that I've not played for any but a couple of folks.  It's a batch of 4-5min trance/sleep/lazy electronic instrumentals that I felt like making.  But as it's off my beaten path - whatever that is - I just let it rest.

I'll be offering something new sometime soon, but in the meantime it's time for a greatest hits (!) type of event.  I'll post a series of my fave previous videos, maybe even come up…

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It's All Coming Together 

With the help of Jane Harbury, publicist extraordinaire, I'll be launching JIGGERY POKERY on June 26th at The Painted Lady in Toronto after about half a dozen radio interviews and performances.  So if you'd like to see and hear what I'll to with these tunes armed only with an acoustic guitar and a peck of courage, I'll get you on the list - let me know!  And continue to be awesome.  WB

How about them videos? 

The latest batch of lyric videos has been a blast to create.  When I shot all of that Super-8 film footage decades ago I could not have imagined where it would end up.  And the vintage film archives have been an outstanding source of great footage - in fact, I’m going to do an alternate version of “Danger Pay” with some crazy olde daredevils that I just came across.  I hope to do some “proper” videos with actors and crew and script and lights (!), but in the meantime I hope these are tickling your musical…

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New Look, New Record 

If you've been here before, you've noticed that it does not look the same.  Finally!

Welcome back, and welcome to the new record.  The official release is still some ways off, but close friends get benefits around here.

PLEASE let me know which song is your favorite, as I love feedback.  And after about two years of tinkering, waiting, and tinkering, I'm more than curious about your take.

Jiggery Pokery - it's the right thing to enjoy right now.  (I know - I should have been in marketing a few decades…

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"Blue Skies" on your ceiling?  

Hello and happy Wednesday - it's a beautiful day and here's the song to prove it.

"Blue Skies on the Ceiling" did not make the cut for the new record, but it does wake me up quicker than a double shot of espresso.  If there's a new morning show that you'll be producing anytime soon then this should be it's theme song.  I hope it has you dancing in your sleeping clothes too. -W

Get That Funny Feeling 

This week's video post is a preview from "Jiggery Pokery", a lyric video for one of the bonus tracks.

"I Got A Feelin'" is quite the toe-tapper, if we do say so.  We left it off the record because 1, we had too many tracks, and 2, because... it's quite the toe-tapper.  Have fun with it and I can send you a copy with the rest of the record, if you like.

And please rock your Wednesday!

Ah, Saturdays 

Our folks liked to laze-in a bit on Saturdays, so we would create our own morning meals to enjoy in front of the TV.  Cartoons were an important ritual.  Then we were all set to our tasks, either something that didn't get done all week or a bigger project that we'd been holding off.  Either way, the soundtrack was always agreeable.

Happy & Jiggy 

If you have not yet noticed, many of these instrumentals were named after departed loved ones, human & 4-legged.

Dad was a pretty chipper guy and he loved to sway to some good rooty tunes.  I hope he would have put this one high on his list.

Enjoy "Harold's Jig" with a big grin, if you would.

Boodles Doodles 

I just wanted to see "Boodles Doodles" on the screen.  And I thought it might be justified as this week's video offering fits the title.

I will run out of these at some point, then it will be time for the vaunted lyric video.  One can almost look away when there are lyrics on the screen.  Almost.

But I digress.  I hope "Boodles" rocks your day.

Doodle videos 

You may have seen my recent doodle videos.  I thought they might make an interesting alternative to the other slide-show videos I've seen around, and which you will certainly see here at some points over the coming months.

Please let me know how they sit with you and I'll consider another batch.

This week's installment is a revisit of a very old tune of mine, originally recorded in 1982 and re-imagined for "A Few Small Strings".

Please enjoy vigorously, and let me know how the toe-tapping works for you -…

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Prodigal songs? 

Whatever we may call them, they're overdue.

The artist is working on the cover, a couple of lyric-videos have been put together, and a million other things. 

And it's Wednesday, so we will call this the first "Willodious Wednesday" post.  Feel free to look forward to a new bit of creative each and every week, at least until I run out of material.  (I have about 8mos at this point.)

This week is the simplest video of them all, "One-Eyed Cat" (from "A Few Small Strings"), which was for my main man-cat…

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Time keeps on slippin', slippin'... 

Making records can take a long time and most of one's attention.  The dream-trip to France took a few weeks off the table, as has the novel and screenplay writing.  And yet, I have been moving forward on the next full record (20 songs ready for the final touches - which will take quite some time) AND three EPs.  I'm always reluctant to post unfinished songs but I may have to break that rule if I keep adding fun things to my list of To-Dos.  In the meantime, please grab yourself some tracks from "A Few SmallRead more

More writing, recording, and rhythmatic 

It seems that I just can't stop writing, but somehow never in blogs.
The trashy pulp fiction opus "Luckiest Guy in Town" now has its eighth draft completed, research for two screenplays is well under way, an old idea for a comedy series has been re-lit, and I now have about 125 lyrics to go along with the 175 song ideas that have been recorded in some form.
So I apologize for the radio silence and want you to know I'll be sending more notes to you in the near and continuing future.
Please continue to rock.  -W

Hello again. 

Good to be reporting.  The CDs are at the shop, picking them up next week.  That's right.  
I'll be sending you a few tracks to preview so you can see how much better meals taste to instrumental guitar music.
The book is in its next phase too, and when the few pre-editor/ideal-readers get there notes back to me next week we'll be onward and upward with all of that.  
Enjoy the best of the season, best wishes for handling the worst.  
I'll be back to you real real soon.  - W

WAY too long 

The buck stops here, tho the brakes seem to be pretty worn.  
The artwork for the new CD is finally complete, so "A Few Small Strings" will be available in a couple of weeks (with luck).  
Not only that, I'm also watching the mailbox for the preview copy of my... story.  All 425 pages.  Some would call it a trashy pulp-fiction novel.  
So yes, I continue to diversify.  I'll be re-including video editing to the list of duties, so look for something fun there too.  
Thank you for your patience, or at least…Read more

Progress 

So the new record is essentially complete.
Just waiting to hear back from a couple more golden-eared friends to make sure I didn't miss anything too obvious.
But there's been a glitch.
I accidentally wrote a short story a couple of weeks back, which has now bloomed to over 175 pages.
Its barely half done, if that, so its no longer a short story. 
The great news is that I'm having a great time.
The bad news is that it takes crazy amounts of time.
You'll be the first to hear when a draft is ready.
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The New Record is Almost Done! 

Having spent most of my free time in the studio over the past two months it was easy to feel like there was nothing to report.  "The new tracks sound good" or "the editing is really bringing this stuff to life" seemed a bit empty, as updates should go.
But now I'm mixing.  Soon will come the mastering.  Then the manufacturing.  These will also feel under-interesting to an intrepid blog-writer, or so I fear.
So in the meantime please check out The New Record link.  I'll be posting some pre-release tracks…Read more

Where did the time go? 

I just discovered that its been almost a full century since I last posted here.  
So here's the update and a link for you.
This being holiday season, its time once again to share some silliness.
Here's three daffy ditties in the spirit of holiday bummery.
Enjoy if you can.  Expect no reverence.

I had a record ready to take to the studio in August.
Its still ready to go.  But some major health issues have caused havoc with the schedule.
Continued thoughts and prayers for my team of stellar peeps.

So I…Read more

Summer Heat 

Summer is not my favorite season.
In the cold months of long nights I have all the excuse I need to settle into relative marathons of writing and recording.
In the summer I don't want to hang in the basement.  It feels like a waste of good weather.
Unless it gets really hot - then I flee to the coolness of the Underground Music world for writing and chilling.
Its been hot enough lately, so the new songs are coming along quite well.
It looks like August before I get to the studio now, so bring on the…Read more

March Has Past 

And now its April.
That means various things, but the big thing around here is that I have roughly four-five weeks before I head into the studio to make the next record.  
I know the Easter Bunny will be along with eggs shortly but I feel more like Santa is due with stacks of toys for me and my songs.  Its not a bad way to face the day, I must say.
I'll be keeping you posted with new tracks with some regularity, maybe some video and Vlog stuff too.
Any requests?


Time Flew. 

Wow - two whole months just vaporized.
My cat had an eye removed, I slept for a couple of weeks while suffering through that nasty cold-thing, and I failed to win several lottery draws.
And that's about it.
That's all over, thankfully.  
The last week or two have seen some great progress with the new record, new videos, and new ventures.
Please check out the New Record Page to see what's up there - no obligations whatsoever, just an update on the state of play in Willard's world.  At the very least you…Read more

Onward. 

Things are afoot here at the Underground workshop.
There's the new video - please check out the rough-cut of "Something About You".
(And look for the polished version in the new year.)
Plus, there's at least one more video coming soon.
There are new songs for you to check out and/or download.
Soon I'll have a couple of Christmas tunes to help with your festive mood.
And the Store is finally up and happening, so your holiday shopping just got a lot easier.

This may be the only site you'll ever need to…Read more

Marching On... 

Its that time of year again - November for me is Remembrance Month.
I've been reading harrowing accounts of our soldiers at war, which always renews my appreciation for those who would place themselves between us and those who wish to harm us.
The video for "In Flanders Fields" is a response to that sense of appreciation and gratitude - I hope you enjoy it.
And please wear a Poppy.  Even thank a vet when you can.
I'll have a few more surprises for you shortly (Nov 12!) by way of some sneak previews of…Read more

News, glorious news! 

Finally!  After seven (7!!!) months on the back burner I finally edited the footage for the video to "Something About You".
Its been a good bit of fun, I'll tell you what.  And the best part is that my good friend Blaine has volunteered to spend a few hours putting some schnaw into it, as I have no idea about how to work all the effects nor what they all might do.  That's another day's learning, as I am happy to do the straight-cutting stuff for now.
Its very strange, in a good way, to see long-forgotten…Read more

Thanks Given 

Hello there.  I hope that your (Canadian) Thanksgiving treated you and yours very well.
Please check out the new video post, "In Flanders Fields" Redux.  Its the same song and performance as the original video, but now with the archival footage that I was unable to clear during the original edit.
I have some new songs to post here for you very soon.  In the meantime please feel free to share the video link with one and all, and be sure to thank a Veteran.  I've been reading a number of personal accounts…Read more