New Original Song – Lay My Body Down

BlueDave — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 05:36:45 +0000

Got a new (and simultaneously old) song (there have been others not mentioned here) that I recorded as a demo using GarageBand on my iPhone. Killer app!

I tell a bit about it on my new GarageBand for IOS website: Lay My Body Down.

The Red Apples at Chicago Acoustic Underground

BlueDave — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 21:31:50 +0000

Back in September 2011 The Red Apples recorded an interview/performance session with Michael Teach for his popular Chicago Acoustic Underground (CAU) podcast show. Ron, Wendy and I played four songs, while Michael and Ron chatted it up about the “good old days” of the Chicago music scene.

Here’s the complete show’s audio (from CAU):
http://chicagoacoustic.net/podcasts/download?file=podcasts/091411_red_apples.mp3

And… bring on the videos of the four songs:

In This Black Hole

I’m Really Down

Road To the Stars

Winter Birth

Red Apples on Chicago Acoustic Underground

BlueDave — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 18:49:34 +0000

The Red Apples (the little acoustic band I play in) did a session 10 months ago in September 2011 on Mike Teach’s Chicago Acoustic Underground. Well, it’s finally posted.

The Red Apples on Chicago Acoustic Underground

I really appreciate what Mike does with the show — and for the Chicago music scene generally, but I’ve always been a little uncomfortable with how long it takes to post shows on his site. For example, in our session, Ron mentioned an upcoming gig that’s past history by the time the show is published. Oh well, a minor gripe.

On to the music!

The band sounds great, and there’s much engaging conversation about the Chicago music scene. Between the chatter, we performed four original songs:

In This Black Hole (Wendy)
I’m Going Down (Ron)
Road To the Stars (Dave)
Winter Birth (Wendy)

Hope you like it!

Fat Man – Ukulele Cover

BlueDave — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:30:04 +0000

Here’s a uke cover of the Jethro Tull classic, Fat Man. (Check out a recent live Tull performance of Fat Man on YouTube.)

Don’t You Lie to Me – Ukulele Blues Cover

BlueDave — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:23:43 +0000

This is my uke arrangement of the blues standard, “Don’t You Lie to Me”. I’ve played this hundreds of times with electric blues bands, but I thought it adapted pretty well to that good ole Hawaiian sound.

My Shirt and I – Original Song – Uke Demo

BlueDave — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:15:29 +0000

Lyrics – My Shirt and I

My shirt and I, we don’t get along
My shirt and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
It clashes with my old tie dye
It’s much too long, but it’s just my size
Oh no, we don’t get along

My dog and I, we don’t get along
My dog and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
She’s a hyperactive, nervous, barking, runway beast
Full of hair and pee, but her therapy is… healing
And her love unconditional

My daughter and I, we don’t get along
My daughter and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
She slams the door, makes her momma mad
LOL, I’m still her dad
You know, she’s simply amazing

My wife and I, we don’t get along
My wife and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
Half the time I’m trouble to her
The other half she is troubling me
And the other half
We go together like honey and biscuit

My God and I, we don’t get along
My God and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
He’s got an office on the top floor of heaven, I hear
Makes me wonder, what am I doing here
I think… I may have an answer

These things we know the best
Hold us to a very special test
While we may not always get along
We are divine if our love is strong

New Song: My Shirt and I

BlueDave — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:36:36 +0000

Okay, it’s actually an old song, but only to close friends and family lucky/unfortunate enough to have heard a living room rendition. So it’s new to the world at large, right?

On the surface this might seem to be about a sapient article of clothing. But oh no, it’s so much more. Like the inherent conflicts and paradoxes of human social life. That makes the shirt a metaphor, don’t it?

The following was recorded on ukulele, late December 2011. (Scroll down for lyrics.)

Lyrics – My Shirt and I

These things we know the best
Hold us to a very special test
While we may not always get along
We are divine if our love is strong

Red Apples Saturday Evening @ Red Eyes Cafe in Chicago

BlueDave — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:47:43 +0000

Red Eyes Coffee Shop

The Red Apples return to the Red Eyes Coffee Shop Saturday 6:30pm-8:30pm. We have a lot of new material and tighter, richer arrangements.

If you’re in the neighborhood, (on Berteau Ave. at Lincoln Ave., a couple blocks north of Irving Park), drop by. It’s a cozy joint with great coffee, generally kinda quit until we roll in to wake things up!

More info:

Red Eyes Coffee – Google Places (photos, directions reviews)
Red Eyes Coffee – Yelp (directions, reviews)

Red Apples – Acoustic @ Phyllis’ Musical Inn

BlueDave — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:08:44 +0000

Phyllis' Musical Inn

We’re playing acoustic trio at Phyllis’ this evening. Shakin Money Makers open. Come on down for an evening of bluesy, rockin roots, starting . (NO COVER CHARGE and a beer garden too!)

Phyllis’ Musical Inn
1800 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL

ChicagoTraveler.com says Phyllis’ is “…a simple place that strives to bring beer and music to the people”.

Conveniently located just north of Division between Honore St & Wood St in Wicker Park.

See the Red Apples Trio @ Lilly’s, Sat. Nite

BlueDave — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:27:58 +0000

Lilly's Bar - Chicago

We’re playing Lilly’s Saturday, starting at 8:00pm for 1-2 sets. It’s a very cool bar — sort of a catacombs architecture with lots of intimate spaces, doors and arches. Great acoustics too. Hope to see you there.

Lilly’s Bar

2515 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-2422

There’s usually a reasonable cover charge, and you can find street parking (but sometimes you have to work for it).

Links:

The Red Apples website

Red Apples MySpace

Lilly’s Bar – Google Place Page