BILLDECHAND.com

When The Sand Is Dry

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:04:10 GMT

A song for the change of seasons.

WHEN THE SAND IS DRY
And the sun is high
Time blows by

When the tide is low
And footprints stay
Wind slows down

Everything you need is where you are
Just park your car and go
It's all the same you still remain

From The Billy Dechand Band's 2001 release, "World Famous In Chapel Hill".
Musicians: Billy Dechand, Vito di Bona, Mike Yanoski.

No. 9 Dream

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:38:53 GMT

OK, I got my cue: an actual request of my opinion on the remastered Beatles.

All I can say is I haven't heard them. But I am disappointed by what they are not. A number of their albums deserve not just remastering, but remixing. To be clear, remastering is taking the original master, which was the actual tape to which they mixed down their album. So that mix was the best it could sound, using state of the art equipment -- from the 1960s. In contrast, remixing is taking the original multi-tracks, and remixing them to a new master.

I have no doubt that the new remastered CDs sound much better. There are even hopes for my favorite, the White Album. The White Album has been on my dream list of remixes for years. Great songs, shitty mix. CNN explicitly mentioned "Dear Prudence" as being a White Album track that sounds much improved. There was plenty of room for sonic improvement on that one, and I'm relieved to hear that it happened.

But no matter how much you hear them talk about how great the technology is that went into the remastering, remember that that could all be applied to the process of remixing. Each of those high-tech tools for extracting and enhancing could be applied to each individual track, then used to make a sparking, beefy mix. We know it can be done. We first heard it on the Anthology series. they took the alternate takes, original multi-tracks, and suddenly the Beatles goofing around, playing wrong notes was heard like you were hanging out with them. Then they remixed Yellow Submarine, and that was mind-blowingly superior. "Eleanor Rigby" became some sort of 3D experience, just using my two stereo speakers. Then they did it again with Let It Be... Naked. So it's not impossible. They've already done it themselves.

So until I get to hear the White Album and Revolver remixed properly, I will not be satisfied. After so many decades, it's about time we get to hear whatever Ringo might be playing on the upbeat number, "Got To Get You Into My Life". I've heard them mentioned as a... kit of drums? Drum kittle?

Shut Up! I'm sensitive!

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:18:52 GMT

Preparing for my first solo show in several months this October (Stone Spiral, 10-10-09), I'm reminded that my focus is strongly affected by my environment. Certainly professionalism includes practice, along with musicianship. Doubtless, musicianship is a foundation upon which variations of quality rest. Chances are high if you don't have it together, it will suck. At least for most mortals, despite the mythology.

But performance can still mess with you no matter how prepared you think you are. All that effortlessness that comes from nowhere can be thrown to the ground with one unexpected click from the jukebox at the bar, or that long lost friend in the audience, shown up out of the blue.

But really, it's the people. Or, if you're rehearsing, the lack of people. Sure pros are just used to people, and that's part of the cool. But the moment's vibe is unavoidably crucial. If there's some jerk-face smirking from the left, the most seasoned professional will struggle to do his job: express the most tender nuances of emotion. I'll be tender no matter what, ding dang it!

(Note: My Spellcheck made me change "most tender" to "tenderest", then told me "tenderest" was not a word.)

Depending on one's constitution, fellow musicians' confidence or attitude matters even more. It never ceases to amaze me how better I play when my fellow players think I'm good. With those who don't like my music, (non-believers, or infidels really), I can usually bash out the notes correctly, but they probably won't shine. Thus providing positive feedback to their suck notion, the spiral begins. While I have spotted the phenomenon in my own history, I'm not so clever as to the cure. I can very determinedly bash out confidence, but then the joy will be AWOL; and spotted by either others or myself as doubting the whole point of music. The casual responder will suggest that you simply should only play with other kind folks, and I've done that. But the conundrum remains.

This reminds me: If I were more ambitious, would I be less of a nice guy? One may have some set universal answer, but I bet the truth is different for everyone.

What's lucky about such valleys of thought is that, at least on a late summer day in September, a simple step outside into the breeze and sunshine can interrupt all that.

A circle of groups

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:39:39 GMT

Ya dig?
To clarify, each name does not correlate to one figure, but rather all refer to all.
Just sayin'.

Beautiful

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:58:07 GMT

Words and music by Billy Dechand, © 2003 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

You say you never had a better lover
Whether he was clever or a fool
You stay, breaking all the records for keeping it together
You’re fine, you’re so cool, and beautiful

They say, "Hey hey, look at those two
What can we do to be like you?
You’re fine, you’re so cool, and beautiful"

I say I love you, you know it’s true
You say you love me, I know it’s true
It’s true, I know, I know
Yeah, I know I know it’s true

I say, "Whatever I imagined as a fantasizing adolescent never
Could have added up to this kind of romance
I never knew
Who knew it could be so cool, and beautiful"

From the Muss My Hair CD, Hold On

As Backwards

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:42:18 GMT

A public health message from Dr Special, MD.

All we do is somehow an act of faith. Complexity managed skillfully. By everyone! Walk down the street, forget your breathing. Breathe in the air, forget you're walking. Even when remembering, its actual happening is still, in some ways, an impossibility. What are the odds of life?

Drive down the street; all those strangers keep to their own side of the yellow line. Behold, scores of chariots, each with an endless bomb exploding within, mere yards away. A thousand near-misses an hour, per thousand cars. One corner, one town.

The world is a dangerous place. Presence is not just lucky, but fantastic. Hard to believe, we've made it this far! Meanwhile, our eternities are instants. So true as backwards, and here we are. Bravo, aardvark! You too!

Nature's effortlessness is astounding, and solid. Rocks are natural. But thinkers imagine. Danger, growth, and beauty spiral upwards.

Beyond sushi, any ten-cent sucker is a fall backwards into strangers' arms. The hands that feel most value the heal. There's more there than fear of pox, reaper, or menace. Firm ground. Simple as salt, a tasty sand. Hands everywhere have real blood, real steel, real books, vinaigrette. It all works, even does what you expect.

You're welcome.

Hold On

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:51:57 GMT

Hold On

Hold on, find another day to cry
Hold on, we need this time

No, don’t deny your feelings
More so, hold them close

Hold my hand
I need you here to keep me
Bold and strong
So I can keep what I hold dear

On this live version, Dan Ingenthron plays piano.

All Michaels Must Pass

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:54:07 GMT

The day Michael Jackson died, I got the new George Harrison collection. Instead of subjecting myself to all the media stuff that helped to do him in, I sat down and listened to George Harrison. First off, this is a great album in its own right. It's not the usual soulless, greatest hits package. Apple put a lot of thought into the sequencing, and though I never need to hear "My Sweet Lord" ever again, it makes sense in the context, and I actually enjoyed it. As unfunky as George is, this song is danceable, if you put your hands together in a prayer-like gesture... then swivel them hips! You'll get some Krishna booty in no time.
"All Things Must Pass" appears early, and it had extra bite that day. Since I'm a fan of both musicians, it was quite moving. While George is the Whitest Beatle, and Michael the Whitest Jackson, they have very little in common. Or at least handled their excessive fame very differently. The Beatles always said that they survived their insane popularity because they had each other, in contrast to Elvis. Michael consciously took Elvis's place by marrying the King's daughter, and declaring himself King of Pop. George said "piss off" then became a hermit.
And yes, the songs on the CD sound better than ever, what with Junior Martin overseeing the remastering. The live tracks from Bangladesh shimmer; there are bass lines the guitars double that I'd never noticed before. Great stuff. Any Beatles fan who doesn't know George solo should get this, and treat the music the way you're supposed to: listen. Foreground, not background.

Attack of the Time Lapse from Space

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:42:59 GMT

I would like to see this footage IMAXed.

Good video, bad audio.
Add "very"s.
In my opinion.

It Never Rains On My Birthday

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:22:37 GMT

It Never Rains On My Birthday
© 2008, words and music by Billy Dechand

I was born between falling stars
Our bothers, preachers and bootleggers sons
Oh, it hurt when they fell
I was so small I hardly knew
They came to do good and did well

My father, he liked his things
Mother loved to sing
Brother mastered his art
Sister knew how to party
Everyone's happy in Spring
It never rains...

No, it never rains on my birthday
The sun always shines
It never rains

All through the years
Oh so many tears
Love come and gone
Hoping for better days
Sometimes there's even parades
It never rains...

No, it never rains on my birthday
The sun always shines
It never rains

Penultimate Pre-DTV

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:53:11 GMT

Right now our TV is falling part. The power switch, I broke once by tapping it too hard. Careless me. It is loosely attached to the VCR, which receives the free analog local stations. Since channel 30 went out in February when they were supposed to, we haven't had ABC. So, I've abstained from DTV as long as possible, after my initial first encounter.
It was last summer, and I got my new converter, avec coupon. Brought it home, added it to the tangle of wires necessary to keep it simple, and cranked that baby up. First thing out of the box, Fox 2 is clear. Well, cool, that was the weakest one with the old system. Turns out all the strong stations are weak, and the weak one is strong. (Channel 30 was clear before, and also is DTV.) All the weird extra stuff that came in faint, but you didn't want anyways... gone. No more Pax, or Christian monster movie infomercials. PBS, usually the best and clearest wherever I live, one of several simple pleasures of Civilized America, now has four stations, each of which tune in such a way that they stagger, stutter, and often freeze. As jerky as the net.
Tonight on 30 is Desperate Housewives. Great haste! I must hook up the DTV as quick as I can!

Acceptance speech

Sat, 02 May 2009 15:52:31 GMT

Reminds me of a Dave Chappelle skit... I'm sure he'd be impressed if he saw speech.

John Wayne presenting an award to the Beatles. Only in Hollywood.

Ellsbury steals home

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:11:24 GMT

My old chum Ed was at this game, and I'm happy that he got to see this.
One of the few things more satisfying to a Red Sox fan is an excellent play is that same excellent play done under the noses of the Yankees. And their subsequent grimaces.
I can only imagine what Fenway felt like that night.

The Man In The Suit

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:48:14 GMT

From 1998 Billy Dechand CD Pop Another Cork.

Seems the wiser
Varies with age

Takes the time to
Change his mind
Walks through the swarm

The venom of his enemy is wine
A stranger in silver
Steals from the queen
Painless and generous
The drones replace the gold
The spoils of his honey gift spread,
And word gets round

He takes chances
There's no danger

Even stronger
The sting endured
The poison is the cure

The venom of his enemy is wine
A stranger in silver
Steals from the queen
Painless and generous
The drones replace the gold
The spoils of his honey gift spread,
And word gets round

Literally

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:51:37 GMT

The growing use of this word sticks in my craw, and I must say something about it. I have three possible reactions to hearing this word.

You moron, that's not what "literally" means.
You technically used it correctly, but still miss the point. Its use adds nothing.
Now that's why the word exists. Rare.

Sadly, the first is by far the most common. If you understand what "literally" means, then you say to mean something like this: "I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating or speaking metaphorically, but I'm not." Most people say "literally" when they mean "virtually" or "really" (in the juvenile sense), or "totally" (in the '80s sense).

Our language is filled with figurative expressions, which add to its richness. I strongly encourage such linguistic creativity. Just don't add "literally" to something that isn't. It just means you don't know what you're talking about. Does a cop "lay down the law"? Yes, daily; that's her job. Literally, no. Does a rebel "fight the power" when he sings a protest song? Yes, if you believe anyone gives a crap. But not literally, unless he's up the pole getting electrocuted.

"There are literally billions of atoms in my own hand."
That sounds like an exaggeration, but it's not. That's just the wonder of science.

“Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give.”
Barbara Bush, not surprisingly, has a better knowledge of the English language than her most famous son. This is actually an excellent example. People often speak of giving their life's blood, but mean it figuratively, However, if you are a soldier and get shot, or even more literally, donate blood to the Red Cross, then you do literally give your life's blood. If you just work hard but the red stuff never spills, you may claim to give your life's blood, but only figuratively.

Recently I heard an NPR journalist ask in an interview with someone in a war zone, "So their lives are literally on the line?" The response was an enthusiastic "Yes!" Of course, he should have said, "No, but they are in great danger." For it to be literally true, there would have to be an actual line on the ground, and the people would stand on it. If you think I'm nitpicking, you're missing the point. That's the only meaning for the word – exactly what is said, without figurative language.

“It was intended that when Newspeak had been adopted once and for all and Oldspeak forgotten, a heretical thought should be literally unthinkable, at least so far as thought is dependent on words.”
Here George Orwell is making it clear how important words are. Normally, you'd think he was exaggerating, or speaking metaphorically. But his point is that language is incredibly important: if you don't have (or use!) the right words, you can't even think the ideas. In 1984 that was part of Big Brother's thought control, but he's written essays about it too. It's not surprising that he would use the word correctly. He's also written about people using words automatically, without actually knowing what they mean. He's my homey. ;-)

“One popular new plastic surgery technique is called lip grafting, or 'fat recycling' wherein fat cells are removed from one part of your body that is too large, such as your buttocks, and injected into your lips; people will then be literally kissing ass.”
Dave Barry nails it with this one. "Kissing ass" is almost always meant figuratively. Not so here. Funny guy.

“Somebody said to me, ''But the Beatles were anti-materialistic.'' That's a huge myth. John and I literally used to sit down and say, 'Now, let's write a swimming pool.'”
Leave it to Paul McCartney to get it half-right. Now, they didn't literally "write a swimming pool", unless they wrote those words on the page. However, they probably did literally SAY those words. For this exercise, I'm not impressed. Those guys made a lot of money though; I like the idea. (But they didn't literally make money, right? Leave that to the Treasury.)

“Romanticism is not just a mode; it literally eats into every life. Women will never get rid of just waiting for the right man.”
Anita Brookner gets an F. An English writer -- ha! It is not even physically possible for an abstraction to eat. Just remove "literally", and it's a perfectly fine quotation. Whether or not you agree with it...

"Anybody could say anything they want about me, and it literally never penetrates my skin."
Ron White uses it correctly, but it falls under category #2. We know it doesn't break his epidermus. The more important part is the figurative message.

"I don't know how this company got the name National Shakespeare Company, because it was literally like retards employing retards."
Rob Corddry wins Least PC award for this blog. "Literally like" sums up his complete lack of understanding. His use of simili defeats the use of "literally", and vice versa. Boooo!

Joe Biden has a terrible track record, in striking contrast to his better-spoken boss.

There are far too many examples.

My advice is to avoid the word altogether. If you use it wrongly, you're ignorant or sloppy. If you use it correctly, chances are that it's self-evident, and therefore redundant. There are very few instances when it actually helps your message.

Astrophysicist Make Me Laugh

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:23:24 GMT

Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about the controversies around Pluto. He is a jokester, but also has some deep things to say. It's almost an hour and a half long.

Nice quote at the end:
"The greater your area of knowledge, the greater your perimeter of ignorance."

Winter Tale for Spring

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:06:28 GMT

I just read an online comic by Scott McCloud called "Whose Mind Is It Anyways", from his series of Morning Improv.

There is nothing like the creativity of forced work with a time limit.

The Last Time

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:58:09 GMT

Here are the lyrics from "The Last Time", the first track on my first CD, Pop Another Cork.

The Last Time
Words & music by Kate Lovelady & Billy Dechand, 1997, Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

He said the first thing to come to your mind,
the little prick proves you're awake, alone
again, these are your hands this is your bed,
its lonely frontiers wide and cold.

Bandaged thick with sheets and sleep
and unreasonable dreams . . .
get up, tear the pictures down,
scrub their shadows from the walls,
you'll never look at them again

(like) it's the last time

You thought because he was dancing close
(that) he was dancing with you
you've nailed every dip and turn,
learn the steps to exit gracefully.

Flickers of hope, blaze a maze
you've followed him in so long . . .
only a bitch forgets cleanly
once the memories are aired from every shirt and sheet
and beaten from the pillow.

This is the last time, just like
just like the second last time, . . .

He was the first man she ever trusted
he was the second man she ever trusted
she's had it now she says this is
the next-to-last time,
the very next-to-last time.

Just like the last time
like the second last time
like the third last time
Just like...

Walrus Contiguous

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:36:16 GMT

Watching the limo move from the Capital building to the White House on Inauguration Day eventually got a little boring, so I put on Magical Mystery Tour. It's fun to see how freaky music syncs up with historical events.
Thus this video.
If you're wondering who the Walrus is, I don't know for sure. But I can tell you this -- Al Roker is at least an eggman. Whether he is THE Eggman is yet to be seen.

Talking with the Walrus

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:24:58 GMT

Here is a cool animation from a guy who interviewed John Lennon in 1969.
Very creative. A clever interpretation of Lennon's standard interview responses from that era.

Stem Cells

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:53:52 GMT

Good news.
Obama has once again reset to forward another tributary of the river that is America.
How's that for a metaphor? No more uphill flowing water! We must acknowledge the principles of science!

Half Ass

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:19:27 GMT

As the name implies, I did this song really fast on the four-track. Neither concerns of musicianship nor sound quality slowed me down. I then made some quick and dirty doodles using a children's paint program (Tux Paint), to accompany the half-assed recording. To top it off, I loosely animated those doodles, for a complete half-assed music video. It's a full circle message -- the lyrics say it all, man.

Any Simpsons fans out there catch the reference?

Hey Jake

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:52:37 GMT

This song is also from the musical In Dog's Country. Mal, the bad dog (played by Ruth Keating of The Malarkies), tries to convince Jake, the good dog (Billy D) to attack the squirrel Ada, on whom Jake has a crush. Mal explains that dogs shouldn't love squirrels; instead, they should hunt them. Jake's confusion gets pretty emotional...

Hey Jake

Mal:	Hey Jake, don't get it wrong
	Your attraction, that’s not love 
	You’re a hunter, and squirrels are meant to be caught
	Don’t give a thought to how she’ll suffer

Jake:	OK, maybe you're right; it's not true puppy love 
	Maybe this craving's for the hunt instead 
 
Mal:	Yes Jake, you are a dog
	Who lives and eats and breathes 
	You should be hunting like a real live dog
	Do you dare to fetch your meal rare? 

Jake:	Hey little squirrel look out here I come
	I think I got a deep down hunger for my teeth in yer bones 
        I’m coming to your home

        You’re so beautifully fluffy and seeing you’s making me jones  
        I can’t tell if it’s blood or it’s love that’s making me crazy 
        You're so fluffy...

In Dog's Country
CDBaby - iTunes

Hey Jake (You're So Fluffy) (w/...

Once & Future Debt

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:42:07 GMT

I was just watching the Watery Pink Floyd reunion at Live 8 in 2005. Above the stage during "Money" read the words "No More Excuses". That set me to thinking, what if they had actually convinced world leaders to drop the debt of the world's poorest nations? How would our current financial crisis be different? I'd expect a lot of people from rich western countries would say that it wouldn't have made a noticeable difference. Maybe not, but maybe it would have? Canceling debt would have sent a lot of tendrils throughout many industries.
Betcha it would make the current crisis less bad for those poor nations seeking relief.
Any actual economists have opinions on this? I'm also interested in the opinions of unqualified know-it-alls.

I've Got It All

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:04:07 GMT

Now that my web site is fresh and different, I'm gonna post song lyrics from time to time. This is the first installment. Requests encouraged.
This one is from In Dog's Country, a musical about two dogs, a cat, a squirrel, and The Man. This one is sung by Frisky, the cat, who lives a privileged life style. Matt Sutton, front man for The Malarkies, sings lead.
I've Got It All
Words and music by Billy Dechand, © 2007 Bucktooth Music

I was born a kitten
Now I'm a kitty cat
I've got some kind of freedom
From The Man who keeps me fat

The Man makes the rules
But I keep my cool
He's still feeding me
Even when I'm cruel

He's a fascist, so I scratch him
Then I'm impassive, then I'm absent
When he's gone or away I never cry
He lets me go, he lets me stay
I love to be alone; I never cry

I've got it all right here
I'm far too smooth to ever try
I've got the touch
My food is never dry
I train my Man
Once a week I join him sleeping
That's all it takes to make him feel
He needs to make me meals
Then I turn my tail
I'm on my own again

The Man makes the rules
But I keep my cool
Sometimes I make a wish
Then he feeds me fish!

I've got it all right here
I'm far too smooth to ever try
I've got the touch
My food is never dry
I train my Man
Once a week I join him sleeping
That's all it takes to make him feel
He needs to make me meals
Then I turn my tail
I'm on my own again

In Dog's Country
CDBaby - iTunes

I’ve Got It All (w/ Matt Sutto...