Mic Fabus

Biting wind
Ears are pinned
Winters

Evergreen
On this scene
Splinters

Warming sun
On the run
Skidding

Frosty mug
Take a slug
Kidding

For Immediate Release:

The Art and Science of Songwriting by Mic Fabus is packed with fresh ideas, humor, and inspiration. Fabus guides his readers through the songwriting experience with a conversational, no-nonsense approach that focuses on commitment. He encourages his readers to get past their fear and open up to their spiritual gifts within the power of song. The author's sage advice on research, backstory, writing strong lyrics, practice, timing, perserverance and dedication make this a must read for the aspiring newcomer and veteran songwriter alike.


Available Now at www.songarts.com

My wife Susan is an extraordinary woman. She's a RN and a great animal advocate. A dedicated care giver and therapist experienced in animal rescue and specialized treatment for the elderly and disadvantaged. In a word, a she's a "Lifesaver".

Pictured here with the one and only Abigail Paige, our Yorkie princess.

I can only imagine how many times Louis Armstrong took a fleeting glance here. This cornet mouthpiece was the grinding wheel that created the spark of one of America's most beloved and enduring musical forms.

Louis Armstrongs' recorded works are a treasure trove of joy. Everything you've ever heard in popular music echoes from here with absolute certainty and brilliance. Do yourself a favor... Buy a box set and burn it to your iPod. Be changed.

Now do you call that a buddy? Yes Suh!

Back in the day reading the liner notes of your brand new LP made for an interesting trip into the psyche of the artist. The lyrics and sleeves gift wrapped your mind around the music that jumped off the vinyl and rattled the windows. I don't know about you, but reading liner notes on CDs has always been a chore. Not quite the same as sitting back with an LP on with the volume up. So, for the last 20 years or so people have lost touch with the LP experience.

Fortunately, things change.

When the compact disc was unveiled in the 80s it got a mixed reception. The debate between vinyl and CD was really never disputed by recording artists and producers. The LP could kick the CDs' ass down the street in many ways. The bass particularly. CD pundits claimed low noise , crystal clear (debatable) high end, and the ridiculous orange juice test. Early 16bit surfed a tumultuous wave as brittle as it was.

Now that digital media has taken centerstage I think it's great that artists' options have expanded. Anything an artist can dream up can be applied and presented through technology. It makes for a great mixed media experience when rendered by talented people. This is also a relief for people over 45 because reading those tiny pixels on a CD cover or inner booklet is damn near painful.

Twirling the carousel he selected tortoise shells pondering his mortality.

Man, for what this town went through... New Orleans is alive and well.

The people of this great city are busy working hard to put things back in order.
They face a tremendous challenge, but are hopeful, smiling again and humble. Yeah, The Big Easy is on the way back.

In a town where every other person you meet is a musician, soulful riffs waft once again over the French Quarter. The heart and soul of this city emerges with a friendly smile, certain wisdom, and new vitality.

So many have lost everything, yet continue to keep on keeping on. The good people of New Orleans have pulled together and made amazing progress in just over a years time. People are filling the streets again and the hotels are reporting an 85% occupancy rate.

Good goin' Nawlins!

I got a call recently to restore a live recording of Muddy Waters. Those lucky enough to have experienced Muddy Waters in concert know all about his command of the Blues and his gifts as a musical artist and performer. A true master. When I was offered the gig, I jumped at the chance.

The recording was engineered by veteran audio engineer Rob Vukelich in October 1981 at Point East in Lynwood, IL south of Chicago. The clarity and balance of the mix is excellent and the performance is classic Muddy at his best. Restoring the masters reaffirmed the fact that Muddy Waters created and shaped the electric Blues as we know it today. His influence and spirit lives on...

Dusty the yardman
Greases the switch
Here comes the Red Ball
Clearing the ditch
Metal on metal
Gandy's all dance
Dusty the yardman
Hikes up his pants

©2006

I want to thank everyone for the kind words, emails, and positive reviews for "Back in Roseland". I am honored that so many people have downloaded the song this month via the MP3 player.

Many have asked about the availability of a CD. I am currently in pre-production for my next recording due to be released in the fall of 06. "Back in Roseland" will be included on the upcoming CD.

Good tune I've been listening to over WXRT radio. The song is called "How We Operate" by the above group. It starts out with a Bazouki and Banjo in a minor key. The singers voice really fits the mode were the song eventually takes shape with more traditional R & R instruments. It does blend well and the texture derived from the 2 B instuments really augment the sonic landscape. They re-appear throughout the song.
The uniqueness and quality of the production perked my ears up to the point of distraction while I was reading my morning paper. My rule of thumb is, if what I'm reading makes no sense to me because of the music, it has good merit.

If you haven't already, give it a listen

Bob Strbavy

When this song called, I knew it was going to be a song that would follow me around and not let me rest until it was recorded. "Back in Roseland (Everybody's Cool)" is about my home...my family, friends and beginnings. For me, Roseland is a state of mind... Roseland is everywhere and anywhere you want it to be. God bless Roseland...

The melody in my head is swirling and the caffeine is settling in. Tessie (the cat) leaps from my lap and pads a riff on the ivories just west of middle C.

A cup of #2 pencils lean haphazardly screaming to be sharpened. The flatscreen says why bother? My Martin dreadnought is whispering..."ahem".

Word processing head to head with a sharp pencil and notepad. The pencil always wins when I write a song, but of course this note is being delivered to you via the more contemporary vehicle.

It's probably more ritual than anything else, but writing a sketch with a pencil and pad gets the idea down fast without the user interface gumming up the works and distracting you from the original idea. Besides, have you ever tried to snap a keyboard in half?

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book, The Art and Science of Songwriting.

Much of what goes into songwriting is right in front of us. Knowing how to play a musical instrument is a big help, but I’ve known many excellent writers that can’t play a lick. Yet, they spin amazing lyrical tales that are poetic and soulful. The gift of good lyrics is what makes us pause to think, reminisce, smile, laugh, or cry. Here’s the truth. Great musicians abound, but there are few great lyricists. Perhaps you’re the next Gershwin, Porter, Dylan, or Lennon.

To be successful you’ll need more than inspiration. Dedication and perseverance in the face of rejection and uneven results is essential. You have to have a strong work ethic to complete any creative work and writing a song is no exception. Follow-through and completion is critical.

Many new writers feel intimidated by the process early on. Stay the course and focus on delivering a finished song. The challenge of writing a good song is substantial and many variables come into play. The best songs are those that speak directly to the listener. If you can achieve the following you're on your way.

“If a singer-songwriter can perform an original song from start to finish that moves one person in the audience, that songwriter has just succeeded.”

Keep practicing and developing your songwriting and your true voice will emerge.

I wonder what Mark Twain would say about the twits steering the rudder.


..."the citizen who thinks he sees that the commonwealth's political clothes are worn out, and yet holds his peace and does not agitate for a new suit, is disloyal; he is a traitor."

Mark Twain - A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

"When you're going to that place nothing can stop you...
before you know it, there's no turning back... so what's stopping you? Go there."

Digital Art: Fabus
Photo: Paul Petraitis-Chicago Historical Society

Harmony combines tone, balance, interval, frequency, relative scale, and natural sustain. Blend is the collective signature that produces identity and dynamic intensity. Great teams are like perfectly struck chords. In tune, clear, simple, absolute and beautiful.

I've been lucky. The first song I wrote impressed my elementary school teacher enough to keep me after school for daydreaming. When scolded for my lack of attention in class, I informed the teacher that the only thing that kept me awake in class was a melody running around my head.

Well that melody has never stopped and that teacher was apparently tone deaf (read exhausted). Teachers please be aware enough to recognize creativity. Do not cast daydreamers into the disorder of the month club. Please dig deeper.

When I teach music or songwriting I always emphasize the fundamentals of practice and form. I nudge students in a positive direction and then let them discover things on their own. I always get them playing songs quickly by listening to them and learning what they like. They're always eager to learn if they can see their own progress and share it with others.

If you're a frequent visitor to this blog, or if you've stumbled upon this page, I want you to try something. Embrace and nurture the creative process with someone you know and watch what happens. Amazing things await.

Moments of inspiration can be fleeting. If you don't catch them in mid-air you might miss them. They can happen anytime and anywhere. If you manage to catch the elusive butterfly, it will distract you and haunt your subconscious until your vessel finally sets sail. It could take years. Enjoy it.

I am passionate about writing and recording songs. Some of my most timeless things have emerged from my acoustic guitar. Actually, I seldom pick up an electric for writing unless there's a specific riff that requires amplification. Every good songwriter I've known uses a different approach. Songs are powerful. Write from your heart, mind and soul. Be original.

When composing, I hear various guitars in my head that I then select for a specific role. They impact my approach and direction in the studio. Whether it's my Les Paul, Rickenbacker 12, Gretsch, or a Fender Telecaster, they all have voices that are unique and essential to my style. By and large, my Martin sits on the stand breathing deep while the rest are tucked away in their respective cases waiting for the call.

As far as technology and software, I've been using DP4 on a dual 1 gig G4 for tracking and mixing and have been pleased with the fidelity. The tracks we've been producing have been truly astonishing in terms of clarity and depth. The DP4 interface is quite intuitive, though they could debug the screen refresh rate (especially with 2 monitors and vcards). Overall, if you have the CPU, clock speed and throughput anything is possible.

All that's left is inspiration and the decision to act on it, develop the idea, and complete the work.

New music is pouring out of my studio. Big thanks go out to ace producer-engineer Rob Vukelich for his excellent work on the new material. The ideas are flowing and of course we're using the secret sauce. MP3 samples will be available here on January 31st!

Middle of the chaos
Orange night sky
Rust belt siege
Cal Sag cries
Barges splitting
Locks and loads
Salt gun trigger
Stack explodes
Floating chroma
Sulphur yards
Broken bottles
Metal shards

©2005

Splitting Aces celebrated the release of Winning on the Road on May 15th with the band playing until the break of dawn. Song after song - hour after hour... the music just flowed.

Been traveling the past few months and it's good to get back in the sled.

Ice in the outfield
Snow on the ground
Spring in Chicago
Ace on the mound
Toe on the rubber
Tip of the hat
Cleat clicking clubber
Just cracked his bat

©2005

When hearts break the world's unreal
Grim the graceless grinding wheel
Aching hours lost in lust
Steel resolve reduced to rust
Unsent letters
Bitten tongues
Yellow fingers
Blackened lungs
Drift along the overcrank
Deep blue-green
Then we sank

©2004

Take my turn
The table's bare
The brunt of life
Without a care
In the world
Of golden dreams
Awakened now
In rushing streams
Silver minnows
Slipping net
The lost lagoon
Of no regret

©2004

Charlie Christian: The Genius of the Electric Guitar

Charlie Christian was to the guitar what Robert Johnson was to the blues. Both were figures shrouded in myth, urban legend & brilliance . . . geniuses who were a part of us only briefly & left eternal legacys of stunning importance. Charlie Christian single-handedly created the language of the electric guitar which flowed distinctly into such giants as Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and essentially any guitarist to follow.

What was the greatest musical instrument of the 20th Century?

For my money, it's unquestionably the guitar. I can already hear you saying, "Big surprise coming from a guitarist."

It's true the piano has always been the iconic mainstay of everything musical, but the guitar was always there. It's inspiring tone and portability enabled its emergence in the pre-amplified era of classical, flamenco, cowboy, vaudeville, dixieland, blues, and early jazz. Many songwriters moved to the guitar from piano because they could compose and accompany themselves anywhere without resorting to lugging out that old, marginally tuned upright.

Then along came Charlie Christian who said, "excuse me I'm setting up out front and I need to plug this in." Bandleaders eventually relented because he was brilliant and clearly on to something new....much like Jimi Hendrix would reprise some 30 years later.

Les Paul and Leo Fender ushered in the solid body electric guitar in the late 40's, and soon thereafter Rock and Roll was born. With the exception of Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Rock and Roll flourished with the guitar as star. Elvis stoking a non-stop locomotive that has never turned back.

I think the guitar will be a strong candidate for the 21st Century too. Why? Because it's honest, beautiful, polished, fragrant, soulful, bendable, therapeutic, and tunable. By comparison, digital is analogous to terminal bar chords in F. Digital shines in post production, but you still need to know when to walk away and leave well enough alone.

We used to incorporate this guitar trick into our act. One a given night it could be Ric Young's Honeysuckle Rock and Roll or Rossini's William Tell Overture.

Gordon Anderson & Mic Fabus
Photo: Paul Petraitis
Chicago Historical Society

Dragonfly writhing
On a sticky trampoline
Spider waits twitching

©2005

Violinist Johnny Frigo

I've known Johnny for many years and really admire his playing. One of a kind.
www.johnnyfrigo.com

"[Frigo] plays Jazz violin with an originality that makes him heir apparent to those few who have tried to use the instrument in jazz...Using the harmonic of the instrument to get a breathy effect, Frigo makes it sound like a horn. He also makes it swing powerfully."
Gene Lees - Down Beat

"On a more intimate level, there were sets by Johnny Frigo, whose violin solos...reaffirmed his stature as the most gifted and underrated artist in his field."
Leonard Feather - LA Times


"What a wonderful talent!"
Tony Bennett


"Johnny Frigo is the best violinist in the country."
The Chicago Tribune