Song 50: Advent song (live)

CJAD Montreal interview about 52 song project

Thanks to Abe Hefter and producer Sarah Deshaies for having us on CJAD 800 AM in Montreal to talk about 52 song project. Here’s the audio of the interview, which took place the evening of December 30, 2011 right after they played our last song, It’s over, the end [http://52songproject.com/songs/song-52-its-over-the-end/].

Song 52: It’s over, the end

Friends, thanks for sticking with us throughout this journey. It’s been a long time since this stupid crazy thing began, and we’ve had a lot of fun. But all good things must come to an end, and this is the last 52 song project song. We hope you like it. SONG DISCUSSION CHRIS: Steve and I had planned to get together this week and spend a few days working on an epic final recording to send this project out. Unfortunately, Steve got sick and wasn’t able to make it. The result is that I descended into my recording cave feeling a lot of pressure to create something special. We’d never planned the final song in advance, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I sat at my keyboard cycling through ideas. I started and rejected about five song attempts before settling on this one, then set to work on fleshing it out. This is the result. I like that it clearly goes on too long at the end. The singer keeps saying “it’s over, it’s over” but refuses to let it finish. That’s kind of how we feel today. Happy and proud the project is finished, but sad, too. We’ll miss these songs, and this way of connecting with you every week. Thanks again for listening and sharing. Maybe we’ll find ways to revisit these songs in 2012. Until then, here’s hoping you have a very happy New Year! LYRICS It’s been a long time Since this stupid crazy thing began We drank a lot of wine But now it’s coming to an end Cuz I got what I need And you got what you can We’ve had some good times And now we need time to mend So get out of your mind Cuz there’s no need to pretend It’s over, it’s over, the end Baby you look fine And you’ll make a lot of happy men Baby I feel like lyin’ But I won’t go down that road again Cuz I got what I need And you got what you can We’ve had some good times And now we need time to mend So get out of your mind Cuz there’s no need to pretend It’s over, it’s over, the end It’s over, it’s over, the end CREDITS Words and music: Chris Tindal Chris Tindal: Organ, vocals Steve Salt: Nausea, general malaise

Song 51: In an instant

Well, it’s officially Christmas Eve Day, and I know I am late. I have battled with this song for the past 40 hours. I have complained before about technology, so I will bite my tongue now. The good news? I think I won this battle. I may even have won the war. Listen. SONG DISCUSSION STEVE: This one started with tech battles, but I finally figured it out. By this afternoon I finally figured out how to connect my Digidesign 002 Rack with an evaluation copy of Reaper DAW [http://www.reaper.fm/]. Yes, I know, first world problem. But then, I had a lot of fun. While I am not necessarily going to miss the pressure of putting out a new song every week, I will miss the creative side and finally hearing a song as the finishing touches are put through. Apart from the songs that Chris and I have collaborated on [http://52songproject.com/category/songs/written-by-steve-and-chris/], this one was my favourite to put together, though I am not sure why. This observation begs the question: What shall 52 song project become in 2012? On to the last one. LYRICS Wait, it’s only the moon on her face It’s not like she’s going away Take all of the time you can take Her eyes are exploding stars If you stare too long you will miss them Fade to black but their gravity pulls you in Times change, oh well I kiss your lips I sing your song Over and over It’s not too late It’s not over Wait, it’s far from the fears that you face There are no more tears to erase Take all of the time you can take We’re here for only an instant If you blink too long you will miss it Afraid to break but gravity keeps me whole Times change, oh well I kiss your lips I sing your song Over and over It’s not too late It’s not over Wait, take all of the time you will take CREDITS Words and Music: Steve Salt Steve Salt: Guitar, vocals, programmed drums, bass, organs and cello

Song 50: Advent song (live)

Last week, Steve sang about Christmas [http://52songproject.com/songs/song-49-toms-christmas/]. This week, Chris sings about advent. Sorry folks, there’s no escape. Also, in a 52 song project first, this week’s recording is taken from a live performance. We hope you enjoy it. SONG DISCUSSION CHRIS: If you ever wonder how long we spend per song (or even if you don’t) I want to tell you that simply to open this file, edit the start and end points, save it and convert it into an mp3 took 30 minutes. This song project would have been a lot easier if I’d invested in a new computer. Anyway, I can’t think of a worse way to mark the death of Christopher Hitchens than to share with you this song that I wrote at the request of my minister and performed in church last week. It’s based around Mark 1, which was the reading last week, and it was sandwiched between two short sermons. (You can listen to that full segment–the two sermons and the song–here [http://uploads.rosedaleunited.org/sermons/2011/reflections-dec1111-audio.mp3].) And, being late for work, that’s all I have to say about that. LYRICS Listen closely now To all the wrong sounds Trying to hear Listen closely now The lost will be found The far will be near She’s been calling in the wild She’s been calling in the wild Listen closely now Straighten the path Make way prepare Listen closely now The one you would search soon will be here She’s been calling in the wild She’s been calling in the wild To prepare for meek and mild She’s been calling in the wild Listen closely now CREDITS Words and Music: Chris Tindal Chris Tindal: Guitar and vocals

Song 49: Tom’s Christmas

Tonight’s song started out with a talk with a good friend of mine. We talked about greed, love, the demise of humans… you know, the usual stuff. Being a spiritual man, my friend then proceeded to touch upon Christmas. I talked about life being a collection of human relations, and he reminded me of all the people who will go through Christmas, and many other days this year, alone. And so it was that Tom, a fictional and yet all too real character, appears in my head. This is the story of Tom’s Christmas. SONG DISCUSSION STEVE: Listen, I am not trying to be a downer. I am just saying, let’s remember that Christmas is another day, that there are many around us that are alone, and that it is ok to reach out. Also, listen: it is just after 2 am on Friday morning, and I just enjoyed a wonderful festive dinner with my colleagues. I really want to make these last 4 songs really count, and I hope this one touches the heart, but forgive the amateur quality of the recording – my ProTools is still not up and running and, well sheesh, I am just zonked. I am in agreement with you, Chris, let’s make the last couple count… I hope we can hang out soon to tackle the last couple of songs together! Crazy that this is almost over, another year is almost through. And I am really proud of our 52 songs. Something to hold on to! Today’s song is simplistic and straight up. There is a percussion of beer bottles filled at various levels tuned to the required tones, there were two mics set up in the kitchen, and then we just went with it. The reverse audio is just hoopla in the hopes that you pay attention early on. Off to bed… and be sure to say hello to Tom this year, whoever they are. LYRICS Tom’s Christmas was all alone And that’s the way it was for twenty years He worked his heart out on his job But he lost his love, yes he lost his love And his presence was his present and that’s all he had So let’s not forget Tom, he’s no less or no more than us So let’s give and forgive and remember that it’s love that’s the gift in the end Tom’s Christmas was all alone just like every other day since his soul mate disappeared And he wakes up and he goes to sleep And there is no Santa Claus and there never was Until tonight when you stopped and you asked how are you So let’s all wish Tom a Merry Christmas and a good day And let’s give and forgive and remember that it’s love that’s the gift in the end CREDITS Words and music: Steve Salt Steve Salt: Guitar and vocals Erin Burney: Beer bottles and vocals Chris Tindal: What concert were you at tonight? Totally jelly. Let’s rock the last three songs together, if possible. ‘Night.