Music life

I could never live happily or healthily without music in my life. Whether I am consuming or creating it or anything in between, music sustains, heals, and hopes. I hope you enjoy my contributions to the world of music!!

“Learning to Fry”

(Music: Tom Petty / Lyrics: POR)

So, here is a new parody from me to you. A whimsical take on some classic Petty, this one is meant for a good laugh. Sometimes we wanna fry something up, no? But, we need something TO fry, right? Precisely. Therein lies the rub, my friends… Enjoy this farce!!!

“Brown Eyed Girl”

(Van Morrison)

An oldie, a goodie, and another awesome song on the books by yours truly! Van was one helluva a guy and an even greater songwriter. So many hits. So many memorable songs. And this one, well…who doesn’t know it by heart? Here is my humble rendition for you…I hope you like it. Cheers!!!

“Silent in the morning”

(Phish)

What a lovely song. I’ve always thought so. Such a loving tribute. I really tried to do it justice in my take on things. No doubt I had a lovely time recording it! Please enjoy, good people!

“Friend of the Devil”

(The Grateful Dead)

Who doesn’t love them some Dead? I sure do and sure do love playing their music, too!! The magic of modern tech made this all possible. What fun, no? I truly hope you dig this one, my friends!!

“End of the line”

(The Travelin’ Wilburys)

Well, my friends…all good times do come to an end, but that’s totally OK, no? Can’t get to MORE good times unless we close a chapter, right? I had such a marvelous time in Hawaii on this mystical sojourn of Nature and Music and Joy and Hope. Thanks for coming along with me!!! Please enjoy, everyone!!

“Still haven’t found what i’m looking for”

(U2)

At the risk of sounding totally cliche, I just had to buy myself a nice ukulele in Waikiki. Ermagherd!! I love her! Meet “UkuPele” my latest musical lady to enter the fold. Not to pass up another chance to throw down some music in Hawaii, I recorded this classic by U2. This is my first true “performance” on uke, so, here goes!!!

“Fiddler’s Green”

(John Conolly/Arr. A. Transo)

This is a friend of mine from my trad Irish music days. A fantastic little song about the ways and life of a fisherman, I’ve always taken a shine to this one. It seemed another appropriate addition during my time in Hawaii. Hope you dig it!!!

“Badfish”

(Sublime)

Continuing in my island theme and heading under the ocean with Sublime, here I give you some great energy from Hawaii. These videos were so much fun to put together, plus it gave my another reason to play in such a wonderful environment!! Yeah, Badfish… Yeah.

“Island in the Sun”

(Weezer)

I couldn’t think of a more appropriate song to record on Maui and send back to wintry Colorado and all my friends back home. Hope you enjoy!!

“Listen to the Music”

(The Doobie Brothers)

My second installment of my “Musicking in Hawaii” series, this time we stroll down the lane of Classic Rock and throw down some Doobie Brothers. I have always loved the theme of this song…what a fantastic message. And what a great one to play under the palms!!

“Price Tag”

(Jessie J)

I recently had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Hawaiian islands for a magical vacation. It was inspirational in so many ways…so much so that I rented a guitar and had some great musical moments in paradise. I just had to record a few and send them home. Here is the first of my “Musicking in Hawaii” series. Please enjoy, friends!!!

“How Blue YOu Want It”

(Music: Tupac Shakur/Lyrics: POR)

So, yeah, I did a thing. Mashed up some rap and hip-hop with bluegrass, thereby arriving at rapgrass. Yup! I had a massively great time making this happen. Remember, please…this is just a demo of sorts. The song will eventually be much, much cooler.

Enjoy!!!

“The Sound of Sunshine”

(Michael Franti & Spearhead)

This was my first foray into YouTube music and this newest phase of my musical life. I absolutely adore this song as it reminds me of my father who passed away over a decade ago.

“Live Like a Warrior”

(Matisyahu)

This is another personal favorite of mine. A powerful anthem for light warriors fighting the good fight, this was one I felt I needed to record when the Quarantine first began in 2020.

“Hotel QUarantornia”

(Music: The Eagles/Lyrics: POR)

This was the first parody I wrote to help bring some smiles to quarantined faces. How was I to know I’d be writing several more before things were through…

“Stuck in a lockdown with you”

(Music: Stealers Wheel / Lyrics: POR)

When the lockdown hit Colorado, lots of folks were less than joyful about the ramifications. This parody was written with all those people in mind.

“A Course With No AIm”

(Music: America / Lyrics: POR)

Here’s another in my COVID-19 related parody series. Any America fans out there?

“Lookin’ at My Mac More”

(Music: Creedence Clearwater Revival / Lyrics: POR)

Life became very digital in a hurry during quarantine. As such, we all found ourselves interfacing with our world through our computers all the more. This parody brings that to light…

“Me Stallin’”

(Music: Tom Petty / Lyrics: POR)

I think many of us were feeling a bit stalled out from the myriad facets of coping with COVID-19 in our lives. As such, I wrote the words to this little parody of a fantastic Tom Petty great.

“No Ramen, NO Cry”

(Music: Marley/Anastasio/Perry / Lyrics: POR)

This is a fun mash-up parody…at least I think it’s fun. Mixing the magic of Bob Marley, Trey Anastasio, and Journey, this one is a favorite of mine. Hope you get a giggle, my friends!!

“Hoardin’ MAn”

(Music: The Allman Brothers / Lyrics: POR)

This one was just plain funning about. Nothing much to see here folks…move along. Heh heh.

“Don’t Worry But PLease Stay Home”

(Music: McFerrin/4 Non Blondes/ Lyrics: POR)

Just trying to help fight the good fight against the tide of COVID-19 with this one. Lots of fun with this parody, for sure. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

“(Nothing But) Time to Breathe”

(Music: Pink Floyd / Lyrics: POR)

This one, of all my COVID-19 related parodies, this one is my absolute favorite. Since Pink Floyd has been my all-time fave band since I was 8, the opportunity was a miracle in the making. Such an incredible ride to make this one happen. Please enjoy, my friends…please enjoy!!!

“Bread Boon Rising”

(Music: Creedence Clearwater Revival / Lyrics: POR)

Did you notice all the baking that folks were doing in 2020 during quarantine? Well, that’s what this one is all about, good people. Enjoy!!

“Take the Ennui and Run”

(Music: The Steve Miller Band / Lyrics: POR)

This is the last of my parodies from the 2020 era. I sincerely hope you have grooved on this tour thus far!