T.A. Curtis - Seeds of Time
T.A. Curtis - Seeds of Time
PHILOSOPHY: As a species we’ve become so successful that our greatest danger is self-annihilation -- not necessarily from war but the drip, drip, drip of monkeying around with the web of life in all its manifestations. While America is backsliding into a new dark era of willful ignorance and arrogance, much of the rest of the world seems to recognize the mundane fact that we ourselves need to take action to assure the welfare of future generations. . . So there is hope. Shedding our primitive tribal, ethnic, and superstitious instincts is the first step. It’s hard to do because these feeling are so deeply imbedded in the primitive parts of our brains that they seem as basic as food, sex and shelter. But we are better than that. Working together toward a common goal, we can create an entity greater than the sum of the parts. . . We are on the edge of a great awakening. We are the brink of becoming something truly great.
NOTE: These songs are all rough versions meant to be re-done at a later date using professional equipment. Unless otherwise noted, everything was recorded at home using a Macintosh 450-MHz G4 Cube running Cubase VST Score 5.0. Instruments and vocals were recorded direct using a Tascam US 428 Digital Audio Workstation. Drums & percussion, most strings, a few synthesizer lines, and an occasional guitar part were sequenced on a dedicated PC running Master Tracks Pro v.6.x.
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Ancient Sea (10/5/06) |
T.A. Curtis's Album |
4:17 - 4.9MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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Rev. A (10.05.06). First attempt with vocals. Re-performed bass (was G&L L2000). My vocals suck but the idea was to get some reference in the arrangement.
First complete play-through ( 9/24/06). No vocals.
Bass: Black Rose Customs P/J with Rotosound RS-99 stainless roundwounds.
Rhythm guitar: Epiphone Les Paul Standard.
Lead guitar: Gibson Les Paul Classic and Epiphone LP Standard.
Keyboard: Roland VK-8.
Drums: Sequenced using Master Tracks Pro via Alesis QS6.1. |
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Camera Obscura |
T.A. Curtis's Album |
1:28 - 1.7MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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A camera obscura is a simple device first used in the 1600s to project an image on a surface while maintaining its perspective. Ver Meer's paintings, for example, contain many artifacts of light and perspective that could only result from the use of a lens.
Ibanez A/E acoustic guitar(s) recorded direct using Macintosh G4 running OS 10.3.9.
Rev A & B: Dual Motif Rack ES Cello substituted for original Alesis GM strings; final arrangement washed through GB Channel Strip. |
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1)
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Raise the Star (rough/in work) |
7.2.2004 |
3:18 - 4.6MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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The chorus came to me in a dream while the lyrics were inspired by a childhood friend who was always trying to convert me to Christianity. He was trying to find a spiritual answer to an organic problem which, obviously, never came. I found out a few months ago he committed suicide by jumping off a bridge.
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RAISE THE STAR T.A. Curtis ©2004
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
It’s a bold plan
Telling friends and strangers
That the righteous have a reserved, chosen place
In a heaven filled with peace, love and acceptance
But not for those of us who hesitate
You tell me
I tell you
There’s no point pretending
I’ve no faith at all
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
It’s a bold plan
Reversing the danger
Elevation is your final earthly thought
Will the ground provide you with concrete answers
From a long drop and a sudden stop?
You tell me
Your life has shadows
I don’t believe you
A bridge too far
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
[break]
Ascending
On lighted arrow
Your soul escaping
Over the wall
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
You want to raise the star, you want to raise the star
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Rev A (7.6.04): Added Randy Hodge on lead guitar
Bass: G&L L2000e strung with Rotosound RS-99 contact-core stainless steel roundwounds recorded direct via SansAmp Bass Driver.
Rhythm guitars: Epiphone LPII Special played through Behringer V-amp2.
Lead and harmony guitar: Ibanez Roadstar played through POD 2.0.
Keyboard: Alesis QS6.1. |
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2)
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Dividing Line |
9.23.03 |
3:49 - 3.5MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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Someday humankind will free itself of the overwhelmingly destructive influence of religion. When we finally realize that we are worthy enough to place faith in ourselves instead of dogmatic superstitions, we will have crossed a line that frees us from a dark past to the light of a new spiritual day.
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DIVIDING LINE T.A. Curtis ©2003
Are we the pattern divine?
Our souls dulled by superstitious fire
Freed by knowledge and desire
And so why go back to fundamentalist liars?
Let’s see if we can find something new to believe.
Our choice. Aren’t we free?
Are we the pattern divine?
Or the sum of creationist’s fears
With our ancient shared ancestor’s eyes
And political animal ears?
Why are they so frightened?
We’re all part of Gaia
So we’re not alone.
Humanity at zero time draws the dividing line
Don’t wait to be another victim of fate
It’s in us each to be greater
Let’s see us rise to what we can be.
Humanity at zero time draws the dividing line
We can walk with heroes
We won’t go alone
Welcome to year zero.
No more halfway
Come what may
We’re on our way.
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Revision C: applied BBE plug-in.
Revision D: Added guitar track.
Revision E: Added rough lead guitar track.
Bass: Black Rose Customs P/J with Rotosound RS-99 strings recorded direct via SansAmp Bass Driver.
Lead guitar: Epiphone LP II Special recorded direct via Behringer V-amp2.
Acoustic guitar: Epiphone PR-100 with Dean Markley Bronze rounds.
Keyboards: Alesis QS6.1 and Yamaha CS1x.
Initial version with lyrics and guitar. Randy Hodge on guitar, doing his first run-through, and Donna Larsen on vocals. |
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3)
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Lonely |
9.23.03 |
5:42 - 7.9MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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Reactionary forces are in full hubristic flower in America these days. Political power is held by those who are religious but not spiritual. They see fellow human beings and the living Earth not as a kindred entities but as commodities to be wrung out and discarded.
So what would Gaia say to us if she were able? A message to mankind from a planet under seige.
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LONELY T.A. Curtis©2003
Time
The thing that comes to mind
As a denizen of forever.
These days I long to find
A world as perfect as a pearl.
But the truth is, things have been better.
Black banners are unfurled
Reactionary letter.
Gaia (x 4)
Lonely (x 2)
I can’t accept that you reject that I’m alive.
Lonely (x 2)
Gaia (x 2)
So
You’ve struck out on your own.
Blind to the ways we’re connected.
Apart but so alone
In ways that you never expected.
I’m starting to unwind.
I’m reaching the end of my tether
So don’t you drop the line.
We’re in this thing together.
Lonely (x 2)
I can’t accept that you reject that I’m alive.
Lonely (x 2)
Gaia (x 4)
Together.
Together.
Oh oh oh.
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Revision D: Applied BBE plugin.
Bass: Black Rose Customs P/J with Rotosound RS-99 strings recorded direct via SansAmp Bass Driver.
Keyboard: Alesis QS6.1.
Randy Hodge on rhythm guitar (2004 MIM Fender Stratocaster recorded direct via POD 2.0) and Donna Larsen on lead and backup vocals. I'm doing one of the backup vocals. |
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4)
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Rhonda |
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3:25 - 3.1MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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No deeper meaning implied here!
My humble attempt at music in the vein of Mott the Hoople.
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RHONDA T.A. Curtis ©2003
From a single look at the face
Of this woman beside me
Familiar feelings she brings
I let my instincts guide me
“Live,” she sings.
“A thousand things.”
I’d rather give my whole life up for Rhonda.
She said for me to give it up
And then she would be mine
My life’s on her collection plate
Living the ultimate fine.
Can’t you see
What you’ve done to me?
I’ve given all that I can give to Rhonda.
She’s giving all that I can take
Surrending, unfurled
If love’s another drug
Then it’s the deepest hole I’ve dug
In this world.
Life, I fear
Is the reward of years
I’m burning up the cherished gift of time.
Can’t you see
What you’ve done to me?
I’ve given all that I can give to Rhonda.
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Bass: Black Rose Customs P/J recorded direct via SansAmp Bass Driver.
Keyboards: Alesis QS6.1 and Yamaha CS1x. |
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5)
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Main Sequence (O-E-A-O) |
9.29.03 |
3:28 - 3.2MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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All elements heavier than hydrogen are synthesized in the nuclear furnaces of stars. Therefore we are made of star-stuff. And like them, we live and die, our reality revolving us as we make our way through the universe.
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MAIN SEQUENCE (O-E-A-O) T.A. Curtis ©2003
E – A – O
O – E – A – O
A single line links you and I
From stars and nuclei our elements arise
The dusty trail
And spirit veil align
To light the spark inside your eyes
Tonight
E – A – O
O – E – A – O
E – A – O
O – E – A – O
The spectral classes of our lives
From dark, cold and alone to hot and shining bright
One night’s betrayal
Yet love prevails in time
So put to rest those sacred fears
We are the nexus of 4 thousand million years
E – A – O
O – E – A – O
E – A – O
O – E – A – O
E – A – O
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Revision E: applied BBE plugin
Revision F: Added dual lead guitar
Bass: Black Rose Customs P-bass strung with Thomastik-Infeld JF-344 Jazz Flats recorded direct via Sans Amp Bass Driver DI Box. Donna Larsen on vocals and Randy Hodge on lead guitar. |
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6)
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Driving In Cars (in work) |
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3:54 - 4.5MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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DRIVING IN CARS *rough/in work*(T.A. Curtis ©2005)
I’m driving loaded but I’m sure not alone
As the accelerator steals me
Can’t face a lifetime of yield, stop and go
‘Cause rushing wind and power free me
Now I take cars with their cylinder arms
Or loud guitars with their tremolo bars
To get my name in lights among the stars
Down on the morgue sheets or up on the charts
Driving in cars
Driving in cars
Because I’m driving in cars
I hear the scream of asphalt beneath the wheels
Takes all my self-control to steer it
If objects come too close then they disappear
Just like the white lines on a mirror
Another game in the reign of octane
Whose rules are easily convertible
Driving in cars
Driving in cars
Because I’m driving in cars
[break + guitar solo]
I’m driving loaded but I’m sure not alone
‘Cause there’s no life without a steering wheel
I’m always passing Joes who fill up the road
They seem to me as though they’re none too real
Now I take cars with their cylinder arms
Or loud guitars with their tremolo bars
To get my name in lights among the stars
Down on the morgue sheets or up on the charts
Driving in cars
Driving in cars
Because I’m driving in cars
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Rev. F (03.04.06): mp3 ripped from First Offical DudePit Gibson Bass CD.
Rev. E (4.11.05): Rerecorded complete vocal. Second rhythm guitar MIA (file lost). Lowered lead guitar volume and panned slightly to right. Keyboard volume increased.
Rev. D (4.2.05): Added new second verse to lyrics; vocals not recorded yet. Recorded withg new bass (was Black Rose Customs P/J with Rotosound RS 99s).
Rev. C (12.30.03): Added Randy Hodge on lead guitar (Ibanez Roadstar II played through Rocktron Voodu Valve).
Rev. B (11.28.04): Recorded bass track with new bass guitar (was G&L Tribute L2000). Lowered keyboard volume.
Rev A (11.26.04): Revised and expanded keyboard tracks. Lowered overall mix volume.
Bass: Epiphone Thunderbird IV with Rotosound RS-99 Piano String Design stainless roundwounds recorded direct via SansAmp RBI bass preamp.
Guitar: Epiphone LP Jr with P90 pickup strung with Ernie Ball Plain G Power Slinkies recorded direct via Behringer V amp2.
Keyboard: Alesis QS6.1 and Yamaha CS1x. |
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7)
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Things You Do (To Me) *rough* |
2004 |
3:34 - 4.1MB |
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| T.A. Curtis |
Pop + Rock |
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Super-rough embryonic preliminarily introductory (etc etc) version. No vocals or lead guitar in the main break yet (although I did some minor lead in the finale). The bass still needs to be redone.
Bass: 1983/4 G&L L2000e, recorded direct via SansAmp Bass Driver.
Guitar: Epiphone LP Special II recorded direct via Behringer V-amp2.
Keyboards: Yamaha CS1x and Alesis QS6.1.
Rev. A: Rev 91106. Added rhythm guitar at finale and washed with ChannelStribGB EQ. |
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