Here is a little songwriting 101

[d(-_-)b-Phones]

Elliot Smith,

If you have heard elliot smith before perhaps you know what I am talking about, If you have not heard elliot smith well you have a hole in you that you might not know.

His Lyrics are so true and flowing is crazy, makes you feel like he is talking to you.

I am blown away with his ability to write and create.

Here are some track names to look at.

Wouldn't Mama be Proud
Rose Parade
Everything Reminds me of her
Miss Misery
Needle In the Hay
Southern Belle

----
And for the skeptics, I grew up listening to the beatles and led zep from my mother, david bowie, Billy joel, elton john and more..

As i got to the age of 12 I saw a band play a show in New Orleans called Nirvana. Changed everything, got into Nirvana real heavy, then slow changes came when i heard Tool and Primus and bads along that line, I am still quite young, I somehow acheived a record deal with Wind up records in my rambles, and I am a music critic to a disturbing extent.

Elliot Smith Blew Me away.

Short Story,

My grandfather played trumpet in the Miami club in the 30's and also played with The Glen Miller Orchestra, his extent of record tho limited always impressed me, He played the lead trumpet in the Theme for Ozzy and Harriet.
I believe that he was my Main influnce and Drive into music, I lost my father at 10 to murder and he took up the roll well, he is now 92 years of age and I am where i want to be, showing him advancments in my music and giving him the ability to know that i was a product of his teaching. even tho i play guitar and bass. ( i never really liked trumpet )

Back on track here. He has told me 100's of times that " even if you dont LIKE the music that is playing. listen to it, and try to understand it, everything, every song, every tune, and every vocal has somthing to give, you accept it, and respect that. and you will go far in music.

And that I feel I have.

Sorry for my lack of ability to write complete sentances.
Derek.

[Garry Sharp]

Your grandfather played trumpet for Glenn Miller?? - BIG respect. Now Miller's sound was something to do with a trumpet player being unavailable for a rehearsal, and a sax player standing in for him? Or the other way round?

Also his advice in your last para has to be spot on.

(PS never mind your English, your banner spam is a bit disturbing )

[mikeh]

I agree that both as a writer and as a musician you should absorb all styles of music. My dad played with one of the Dorsey Brothers, but by the time I was born he was playing with local 3 piece polka bands (that must be what happens when you get married and start a family). So my early musical influences were swing and polka music - until the Beatles!!! Like millions of other people, that re-shapeed my musical direction.

While I spent most of my life playing Rock & Roll, I also had plenty of R & B chops and later added be-bop, swing & country chops - and yes I can play a polka or a waltz with the best of them. I've always felt there is no bad music (perhaps some badly played music) although I am not a big fan of Gansta Rap.

The more musical styles you understand (by listening and disecting) the more you can brng to the table as a player and a writer.

[Cylkk]

his name is Elliott Smith by the way :p

[Lomas]

Elliott Smith is (to me) the best songwriter and singer of all time.
I have spent a lot of time digging for good music, both contemporary and in history and I have never been so amazed by any musician. Makes me feel like a teenager who has idols that just can't go wrong (no offense to any teenagers ).

Tracks to check out: Any track you can get your hands on

[e unum pluribus]

elliot smith....

check out colin meloy of the decemberists

[Hugo H]

His lyrics are okay but not great. They are good for expressing a certain viewpoint of life at a certain stage of life. Then again, I'm not a young man any more and I don't look at life the same as I once did.

I'm sure several of you will disagree with my opinion.

[e unum pluribus]

sonetimes it s refreshing to hear a good story and no one does that like the decemberists...

plus i m a bit of a dork when it comes to history...

[grn]

I don't listen much to lyrics when I first hear a song - strictly musical, that being said... give "Of Montreal" a listen... it's candy for your ears. www.ofmontreal.net - I have seen them play three times.

[Nutdotnet]

Sadly, he's dead.

I loved his music though and he's the only "band" I've ever seen live.

[andyhix]

I'm just impressed (but not neccesarily surprised) that the original poster's mother is David Bowie. Wow!

[dode1]

I dont know if any of you have heard Al Stewart he for me is an incredible songwriter and performer.He takes historical events and paints pictures with music.He is famous for " year of the cat " ,However, there is a whole lot more to him than that.

George Abbott

www.steadymusic.com

[e unum pluribus]

Originally Posted by dode1

I dont know if any of you have heard Al Stewart he for me is an incredible songwriter and performer.He takes historical events and paints pictures with music.He is famous for " year of the cat " ,However, there is a whole lot more to him than that.

George Abbott

www.steadymusic.com

hey if you like history in your music you should definiately check out the band the decemberists the leadsinger colin meloy has a degree in creative writing and all most all of his songs sounds like he could be a history professor

[demensia]

Hrm. My mom said if I don't have anything nice to say dont say it at all.. but I think elliot smith music is god awful. Some people suggested I listen to him because I like the new damien rice, james blunt kind of folk thing... Elliot smith was just bad.

I guess I didn't listen to his lyrics too much... Maybe I'll give him another shot.