Cat Music Blog and Cat Lovers Podcast
Love cats? Cat stories, poetry, news, and songs for and about cats. Blog and Podcast for Cat Lovers.
If Cats Could Sing Like Sinatra
I recorded three more songs this weekend. Just two more to go!
Overall, it wasn't the most-productive weekend. I shoulda made more time to finish all my recording, but I didn't. At least I got some great recordings of a few new songs including: "Jasper Tabby Kitty Cat-y", "Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon", and the latest cat song "The Mining Ship the Red Dwarf".
I'm really pretty pleased with the recordings so far. Kenny came in on Saturday and laid a banjo part of "Harry Potter" and "Furagone's Wake." It had a wonderful Clancy Brothers sound to it, followed by nice little reel... Oh, I forgot to ask him the name of the reel. I better email him.
Tonight, Ari is coming over to listen to what I have so far. We can break it all down and see where to go from here.
Though I'm a wee bit disappointed because the Austin Music Foundation is holding a "Music Industry Bootcamp" tonight. I'll have to miss it. Oh! And it's ON releasing an album.!
C'est la vie. At least my CD coming along!
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
3:20 PM
Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon
No, it's not the next J.K. Rowling novel. Instead, it's the first song I recorded with a guest musician. His name is Kenny Tweedy.
Kenny is a local banjo player who helps organize the tune and song sessions. He also plays with a new Celtic duo called Gan Fidil. I invited him out to record on two songs, "Furagone's Wake", and of course, "Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon".
The banjo was the perfect touch for those two songs and sounds fantastic. The only problem is whether I can use the "Harry Potter" recording. I read somewhere recently that J.K. Rowling was sueing the U.S. Military because some soldier created a cartoon that used parodies of her characters. I admit that worries me.
Last week, I tried emailing J.K. Rowling through her website, but of course, there was no response. That makes it very difficult to obtain a license IF a license is even possibile. Ah well...
That is the reason I wrote eighteen songs. I have plenty to filter through and scrap if need be. I am still hoping that J.K. is as much a fan of cats one would imagine from someone who created Crookshanks and writes about cat Familiars at the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. But ye never know.
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
2:56 PM
The Producers Come to Produce... Cats (not The Musical)
Today, I ran over to Kirby Lane at lunch to meet with Ari Koinuma who I'm hope to have produce, mix and master the final CD.
It was a good meeting. He's fairly new to producing, but he seems like he has a good eye/ear for it. We're gonna meet next week to listen to what I have recorded. Hopefully, I'll have all my basic tracks completed by the end of the weekend and have a better idea what additional instrumentation to add.
Saturday, Kenny Tweedy is coming into my studio to record a few banjo tracks. I also may have Blake McCaig come in on Sunday to play piano for "When Kitty Eyes Are Smiling." Though I think I might move that back till Wednesday.
The other decision I made this morning was to release a single before the final album. Hopefully, I can get that done by mid-March so I can have something in time for the PetTalk TV show.
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
10:57 AM
PET TALK Feature - Connecticut TV Program
I just got a call from a TV producer in Connecticut. She wanted to feature my CD on her program. Their program, Pet Talk, is having a special cat show in early April (the 10th I think). Sadly, that can't happen since I don't expect my CD to be officially released until this summer.
HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I can't send them a preview. So I think I'll try to finish a CD single to precede the final CD release. Who knows? I might even have that done in a couple o'weeks.
But what should I put on there?
Maybe "Wild Kitty", "Furagone's Wake", and "When Kitty Eyes Are Smiling"? or "Black Is the Colour (of my Cat's Fur)"
Hmm...? I'll have to think about that.
Oh, but I must say, "THANKS!"
Someone out there contacted the TV program. I really can't begin to tell you how important and helpful that is. I'm all by myself trying to release this CD. It's no picnic. And I've virtually no budget. It's not a easy thing to do.
So thank you YE-WHO-IS-NAMELESS for helping me out by making that contact for me. *HUGS* mreow!
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
2:29 PM
The Mining Ship the Red Dwarf (Irish song parody)
Once again, I was up too late last night. What can I say? I finally finished an Irish drinking song for Cat lovers parody I've worked on for a year now--"The Mining Ship the Red Dwarf." I'll try to get the lyrics up pretty soon.
It's a lot racier than I originally planned. Heck, originally I was planning to make these a kids' CD. Yet with songs about drinking, drugs, and now sexual innuendos, I'm really not sure I want to focus it on that market.
Well, that's okay. I think there are enough Irish music and cat fans out there that I won't need to cater it to a younger audience.
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
9:21 AM
Irish American Parlour Kitty Cat Song
Schweet! Last night, I recorded another cat song, "When Kitty Eyes Are Smiling". It sounds really nice. I'm hoping to add that traditional American Irish parlour sound to it with piano and fiddle. I'm talking to a couple o'folks to add that instrumentation.
That leaves five songs to go. I hope to record three of them tomorrow night, but Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon will have to wake until this weekend when I'll have a Celtic banjo player available.
Okay, now I HAVE to finish writing "The Mining Ship the Red Dwarf." Any psycho Red Dwarf fans out there that want to help cowrite...? I'm stumped on a verse right now.
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
7:30 AM
Four New Cat Songs Recorded
The weekend wasn't quite as productive as I hoped. Friday night I had a great session recording a couple more songs. It was such a busy weekend, I barely remember what I recorded. Though I think "The Demented Cat Game" was one of the songs. That song came off brilliantly, and I also updated the lyrics a wee bit to reflect. This verse changed:
These two cats of mine have terrorized me.
My home is too small for their cat tyranny.
But still Tiziano is greatly to blame
He meows and I melt in the demented cat game.
The last two lines reflect from where my passion for cats was born, from my friend Nancy. Thanks to her, I have therapists writing me volunteering free psychiatric help. hehe ;)
Saturday, my voice just wasnn't there, but I laid the base tracks and rerecorded on Sunday. I was able to get a good version of "Kitty Cat", "I'll Tell My Cat", and "A Cat Named Rover". Wow! That means I have eleven out of eighteen songs recorded. Again, I still plan to add additional instrumentation, but that's a great start. Heck, if I REALLY wanted, I could release the CD right now... naw! This album will be packed with great music by the time I'm done with it!
So. Seven songs to go. One I need to finish writing too. Hopefully, I'm hoping to finish all my parts by the end of the week. That's a lot to do. So start the cheering squad. I could use it!
Mreow!
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
8:57 AM
Introducing The Dubliners' Tabby Cats Website
Some might argue I have too much time on my hands. Lets just say I wouldn't argue back...
That said, I'm pleased to introduce the first webpage dedicated to that amazing Irish music group of cats, The Dubliners' Tabby Cats!
It's not entirely updated with all the band members yet, so stay tuned for more madness!
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
12:44 PM
First Musicians to Record on my Cat CD
I'm heading back into the studio tonight and feeling extra excited. I was able to line up two musicians for the CD. One is a local banjo player, Kenny Tweedy, the other is an Italian bodhran player, Lucrezia Testa Iannilli.
I still need to talk to Cedric of the Celtic Filk group, the Bedlam Bards. He volunteered to write a song, but I've not heard it. I think he also think he said he would add some of his amazing fiddling to the album. Now I just need to get in contact with him.
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
7:31 AM
A Comedy Cat CD or Not?
Yesterday, I took off work to go to the doctor. My thumb's been in pain for the past four months, that I attibute to a poor playing style on my autoharp. After getting that taken care of and coming home with a splint, I started recording again.
I successfully scored four solid recordings of my cat songs. The songs include Molly Malone, Black Kitty Paw, Danny Boy, and The Cat Came Back... Cat's Perspective.
It was quite a trick to record with a thumb splint, but after quite a few screw ups, I finally got the hang of it. The songs came off splendidly.
Now, I'm trying to figure out what's next. I have ten songs left to practice and record. Aside from wanting additional instrumentation, I'm psyched about what I have. But I haven't figured out what else to add...
I'm not making sense.
With "Wild Kitty," I knew exactly where to add the sing-a-long meows. "Furagone's Wake" was pretty easy at that. The other songs, I'm just not so sure... I just haven't figured it out what to do to add that extra touch of personality into the song.
I'm sure it will come with time. I'm just looking for more sing-a-long-ability, like in the "The Cat Came Back... Cat's Perspective." That song is a TON o'fun to sing.
I guess it all boils down to the fact that this is not totally a comedic CD. Yes, there's bits o'comedy interspersed throughout, but that's not what cats are to me. My boys, Tiziano and Torre (TnT), are filled with comedic delight, but they're also the most-loving little kitties, rubbing chins and lying in laps purring.
Yet for some odd reason I still think of it as a bit o'a comedy CD. It's just a perception I need to get over really. Just record the love I feel for my kits into a magical CD about cats and Irish music.
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
6:52 AM
Stories of Cats, Kittens, Music, Meows and MP3s
This was a good idea! Instead of posting all my blog info for my Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers elsewhere. I'll post it where people may want to read it. On the website!
Cat CD Recording Progress
I finally started recording my cat CD. I laid some fun performances of Wild Kitty, Furagone's Wake, and Black Is the Colour (of My Cat's Fur) this past weekend. I'm really excited about it. But last night wasn't quite as successful. My voice just wasn't into it. I'll head back to the studio tomorrow for more recording.
Guest Meowers (Guest Performers on the CD)
My mind is already starting to organize what other instruments I want on the CD. So I'm now looking for Celtic musicians to join the "band." Oh. I didn't mention that.
I came up with a great name for my backup "band"--The Dubliners' Tabby Cats. This eclectic group will include my kitties, people who record on the CD, AND special sponsors of the CD (details to be announced).
Basically, it boils down to, I'm already running out of money to record the CD. I've received many generous donations towards the recording of this album, but it's not an inexpensive project. So I'm working on a cool way you can sponsor the CD, and "join the band."
Stay tuned for furr-ther details... Mreow!
posted by Marc Gunn of
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers Gift CD @
7:30 AM
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