202 2025-04-30 11:28:49
Re: UPCOMING TOPIC, DISCUSSION & SUGGESTIONS FOR MAY 2025 - FOLK (11 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Here is a folk song of sorts
Lyrics were written by Hank Williams when he near his end and unable to play or sing anymore. When he died, his family found a bunch of songs as such - no music - just lyrics. They contacted Billy Bragg to write the music and he did so and put out an album called Mermaid Avenue
My two faves from the album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWQ4IPPXz2k
California stars I’d like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I’d give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I’d give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
Way over yonder in the Minor Key
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHVo-UKogBs
Lyrics
I lived in a place called Okfuskee
And I had a little girl in a holler tree
I said, "Little girl, it's plain to see
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me"
She said, "It's hard for me to see
How one little boy got so ugly"
Yes, my little girly, that might be
But there ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
There ain't nobody that could sing like me
We walked down by the Buckeye Creek
To see the frog eat the goggle-eye bee
To hear that west wind whistle to the east
There ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Oh, my little girly, will you let me see?
Way over yonder where the wind blows free
Nobody can see in our holler tree
And there ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
There ain't nobody that could sing like me
Her mama cut a switch from a cherry tree
And laid it on to she and me
It stung lots worse than a hive of bees
But there ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Now I've walked a long, long ways
I still look back to my Tanglewood days
I've led lots of girls since then to stray
Saying ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
Ain't nobody that could sing like me
enjoy
Jim
203 2025-04-30 10:33:34
Re: APRIL 2025 FSOTM – BLUES (35 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
204 2025-04-28 13:01:35
Topic: Last Mile recorded on Soundcloud (0 replies, posted in Songwriting)
205 2025-04-28 11:09:08
Re: APRIL 2025 FSOTM – BLUES (35 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Well done Richard !
I first heard it as the Grateful Dead played it, but liked the version by Van Morrison even better.
Thanks for sharing
Jim
206 2025-04-27 21:03:02
Re: Live from Ilkley Band stand (9 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Real cool Graham Sounds great - fun song.
207 2025-04-27 19:30:19
Re: Just saying Hi. Updating myself. (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
JJJ
Congrats Joey- good to hear you are dong much better.
Did you cut back on the Bread Machines as well ? ![]()
I was just thinking last night about all the people that used to participate in the forum.
I miss Mojo (Joe B.) as well - loved his Texan drawl and great songs !
Take care, stop by often
Jim
208 2025-04-22 12:30:55
Topic: Blues song - LAST MILE (0 replies, posted in Songwriting)
at first I wrote this as a non blues song and it just wouldn't go where I wanted ti to. The blues format seems to work much better and is more suited to the lyrics I think. Let me know what you think.
Jim
Last mile By Jim Kenyon
209 2025-04-22 12:28:51
Re: APRIL 2025 FSOTM – BLUES (35 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Here is a blues song I wrote ( I will post shortly in songwriting as well)
Last mile By Jim Kenyon
210 2025-04-21 22:26:50
Re: Notation Interpretation (4 replies, posted in About Chordie)
The letters H, P, P in the solo notation refer to specific parts of a song: H typically stands for "Head" (the main melody or verse), and P often signifies a "Progression" (a section of chord changes, potentially including a solo) or "Play" (a section where the musician improvises or plays freely).
Here's a more detailed explanation:
H (Head/Verse):
This usually indicates the main melody or the verse section of a song. It's the part where the main lyrics and melody are presented.
P (Progression/Play):
This often means a section where there's a change in the chord progression or a solo break. It could be a series of chord changes or a section where the musician improvises.
In the context of solo notation:
The sequence "H P H P H P H H P H P P H P H" would suggest that the song has a form where:
The "Head" (Verse) is played, followed by a "Progression" (solo or chord change).
This pattern repeats several times (H P H P H P).
There are some variations, like two "Progression" sections in a row ("H H P H P P").
Finally, the "Head" section concludes with another "Progression".
In essence, the notation is a way to visually map out the structure of a song, especially when it includes solo sections or improvisational parts
211 2025-04-19 21:56:52
Re: APRIL 2025 FSOTM – BLUES (35 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Liking that one a lot Richard - awesome !!
Jim
212 2025-04-10 10:29:54
Re: Song on soundcloud - The Life I left behind (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
thanks for giving it a listen Richard.
unfortunately only record from the microphone located on my computer. (:
Graham did a cover as well on his youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBYS-WBSdw
I really liked how he did it. I love it when real musicians take the time to record my songs bc they are always a better version
of what I can do, and much better to listen to. ![]()
Thanks again for taking the time to listen and thanks for the comment - always appreciate them
Jim
213 2025-04-09 19:26:59
Topic: Song on soundcloud - The Life I left behind (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
This is a recording of my song The Life I left Behind.
https://soundcloud.com/james-kenyon-997 … eft-behind
214 2025-04-09 12:30:54
Re: APRIL 2025 FSOTM – BLUES (35 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Brian - just listened to Caffeine - definitely a blues song that makes ya smile.
maybe another verse for ya ![]()
" Drowsy eyes so very tired but the need to write is here.
with no caffeine that I lack, not one word will appear.
no caffeine in my coffee, a song I wouldn't want to hear
but if it ever happens, I might as well have some beer! ![]()
Jim
215 2025-04-06 23:44:00
Re: Song - The Life I Left Behind (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Graham
I am honored and humbled that you would do a cover of my song. Any changes you made are fine with me !
As you and everyone else on chordie knows - I am just and old coot that can barely play and definitely can't sing for crap - but I do love writing songs.
When guys like you take your valuable time to record my songs, I feel so grateful ! I so appreciate it. I played it a bit slower - more like a ballad - but that's because i am slow to change chords
Again, thank you so much Graham.
If I had some kind of magic, I would love to visit with all my friends from a far face to face. I think it would be awesome if some night when you and your band was performing I could come up and shake your hand and introduce myself ! The people here on chordie are so cool and friendly.
It is still my go to place, but it is a shame so many of the past contributors have stopped visiting the forum. I'm sure you can remember when they used to to even do a chordie fest - where members of chordie would get together in person. So many in the USA had kind of faded away from chordie, I wish it could pick up again.
anyway - Graham Thanks again !
Jim
ps
BTW - I loved how you recorded it !
216 2025-04-05 13:17:26
Re: Song - The Life I Left Behind (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thank you Graham
hope it works for you
Jim
217 2025-04-04 21:43:35
Re: APRIL 2025 FSOTM – BLUES (35 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EbrZaegHIc
One of favorite young performers -Steve Earle's son, but unfortunately took his own life. ![]()
Jan, Peatle, Brian --- this is how I learned the Christchurch was a place in NZ rather than a sect
lot of blues played in this segment
218 2025-04-04 13:09:16
Topic: Song - The Life I Left Behind (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Country Ballad - tells a story ( I think that might qualify it for May SOTM Category )
The Life I Left Behind By Jim Kenyon
219 2025-03-31 13:29:23
Topic: Song on soundcloud - for SOTM (0 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Well here is a quick demo of the song I wrote - Just a girl I used to know.
Beware your ears ! ![]()
220 2025-03-30 13:31:12
Re: MARCH 2025 FSOTM – COUNTRY, FOLK, ROCK (24 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Fantastic Richard ! Guitar playing was absolutely sensational. I quite agree with StojanKokir - be a great music backdrop in a movie ! Keep them coming!
221 2025-03-29 21:45:05
Topic: Country song - SOTM (1 replies, posted in Songwriting)
OK this is a re - re -re write of this song. ![]()
I went back to a country version
I will try to record it tomorrow and put it on soundcloud
Just A Girl I Used To Know By Jim Kenyon
222 2025-03-27 16:21:03
Re: Another great afternoon at the Goats Head (9 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Graham sounded terrific lots of fun i am sure
223 2025-03-11 16:07:29
Re: Vale Rick Steele (1 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Richard
Cool dude.... great representative of Perth for sure. Sad about his passing.
Thanks for sharing
Jim
224 2025-02-20 12:22:43
Re: Hello! I ’m new here) (5 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
If 10,000 songwriters around the world all ask AI for lyrics about a topic - and they all get similar or identical responses - it seems the originality by composers and lyricists will wane - quite agree with Jan's assessment
225 2025-02-19 12:13:45
Re: FEBRUARY 2025 FSOTM – RANDOM WORDS (15 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Brian, Nicely done. I felt like I was sitting in a tiki bar in Hawaii listening to your song - had a uke sound to it. Jim