upside downer

Here we go, February folk. A slow, meandering, folky acoustic saunter through the musical tunnel towards a jaunty exit. 12 string Eko acoustic guitar in open D tuning, Ibanez acoustic bass, 6 string acoustic balalaika and a looped beat from Looperman. Apogee+ mic, Wavepad and Audacity for recording.

Have you tried asking our man in Riga, @nilorius? He may be able to help.

We had to pause our Halloween gig at a Working Men's Club when one of the committee jumped up on stage and asked the singer if he wouldn't mind judging the children's apple bobbing contest.

I won't listen to either the first or last 18 seconds. Just let me know which part you'd like me to ignore 🤪

It would appear to have been a lie, seeing as all involved have shown their contempt for the rumour. I found Why D’Ya Do It? to be one of the most caustic and visceral 'love' songs ever. Superb.

AYE! Picture incoming...

Here's my starter for 2025. The teddy bears have met up for a picnic and a bit of a dance. Led by Ted and Ginger, they gently two-step all their worries away. Extensive use of the Ableton sound library for this one with drum samples from Looperman and some Strat copy guitar with a Daphon wah-wah pedal. Wavepad and Audacity, natch.

I did try converting an old 6 string semi-acoustic into a mandocello a while back but the neck really struggled with the extra tension from the two additional strings. One day, I'll get around to changing it to a 4 string tenor guitar. Same tuning and, hopefully, no more neck issues. I have terrible GAS for all stringed instruments!

Picked this up from an auction the other day. Usually the balalaika is 3 strings (I've got one but it's more of a decorative wall hanger than a player) but this is a 6-string model, 448mm scale length, it plays very nicely and is in good condition. The usual tuning is E-E-A which I've always found puzzling so I've got this one tuned to C-E-G at the moment but may go up to D-F#-B. It has no branding so it's hard to find out too much about its origins. Nice little instrument to muck about with and, for a bargain hammer price of only £15, I think I've done alright here.

I read this when I first started doing home recordings and it certainly helped. Might be a few bits and bobs that are out of date but well worth a look.

It has anarcho-punk thrash metal written all over it...

Bravo, @MoonBassAlpha, nice one! 👏

Right, so as long as Basschat doesn't wait in a box junction or get driven in the ULEZ we should be OK with this Online Safety Act, yeah?

And all it took was one, full Tesco bag.

I shall miss these thread derailings if it all goes tits up after March 25th.

Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg etc. I've done a cover of a song by the 60s garage rock outfit The Sparkles, although it's based more on the version performed by The Tribe in 1990. The good news is that I'm not singing on it 😁 the singer from my old band has belted out a fine vocal for it. Westfield Les Paul copy, Westfield P-bass copy, Yamaha keys, MT Drums. Wavepad, Audacity and Ableton do what they usually do.

Trip out with Japan's prime mind-melters.

A worrying development, chaps. I was hoping to get an old band mate of mine to sing on my festive tune. Sent the rough demo over last week for him to add the vocals to but, as yet, nowt back from him. Have tried contacting him today, got a text with 'I'll call you later' but, so far, no further chat. Looks like I could end up having to do the vox myself, which no one with functioning ears deserves. We can but hope he springs into action forthwith. Bloody singers!

Only available on youtube, The Seventh Python is an enjoyable look at the life and career of Bonzo and Rutles man Neil Innes.

Court case ended early 1986. Lydon, Cook, Jones and Sid's estate walked away with whatever was left in the pot (around £1 million). Matlock got nowt out of that as he'd signed away all his rights when he left in 1977.

Obscure mid-60s garage rock will be my offering this Yule. I'm hoping to get the singer from my old band to do the warbling on it.

Congrats, @Jean-Luc Pickguard, good tune! 👏

No, he only paid a fiver for it.

Early, for once... A bubbly, bouncy little tune with some twists, some turns but always a happy vibe. MT Drums, Westfield Les Paul copy, Westfield P-bass copy, Digitech RP80 pedal, Roland Cube amp, Wavepad, Audacity, Ableton and tons of enthusiasm.

Like I can criticise anyone's singing, I sound like a faulty foghorn 🙃