Jude Blog - Jude Cole

New You-niverse Tomorrow!

Tomorrow will be the official release of “New You-niverse” both single and lyric video. This song was written for the ‘Start The Car’ album, but because the lyric wasn’t finished in time I had to let it swim. Recently upon transferring my analog tapes to digital I heard the guitar part, got inspired to finish the song and recut it.

A lot of people are on social media testifying to the fact that money has been taken from the artist on all fronts i.e., labels, publishers, PRO’s, Live Nation, the venues and now the behemoths Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

At the same time, you can’t believe how difficult it is to get people to comment, add to playlists, give likes… It’s a simple gesture that costs nothing but a minute of your time and means so much to the artist. As you know, people read comments.

To reiterate this point I’m going to personally choose a random comment on YouTube and send another copy of the vinyl “A View From 3rd Street”.

For some reason Spotify wouldn’t allow me to set this single up. I think their software has been funny lately because last time it was no problem, but because i’ll have to promote it after the release, it disqualifies me from any curators adding to playlists. This is where people who listen to my music can really help, so once again if you can find the time to leave a YouTube comment, not Facebook that just goes away, but YouTube, and add the song to any Spotify playlists you can, it helps so much.

Thanks to all who’ve subscribed and supported. It really means a lot!
Cheers-
Jude

By Bandini55|August 22nd, 2024|18 Comments

Spectacular Records #3

From the opening piano, stumbling gently down the stairs of time like a sad old barfly… “Funny How Time Slips Away”, the George Jones 2005 masterpiece encapsulates everything signature about the old, authentic Nashville.

This Willie Nelson penned track is a little drunk on all counts, and sounds to me intentionally so.

“Well hello there, my it’s been a long, long time” is sung as if his old flame came and tapped Mr. Jones on the shoulder at a dim lit barroom in the middle of a bender. In fact, the whole song feels like it was recorded here.

Though he sounds a bit older and wiser (he was 74) his delivery is masterful and as good as anything he ever did.

“How’m I doin’? Oh I guess that I’m doing fine

It’s been so long now

And it seems that it was only yesterday

Gee ain’t it funny

How time slips away”

Any singer might interpret these words with different style. Willie Nelson’s was brilliant in it’s own way of course, and signature Willie… but for my ears this one is heart wrenching. In his voice is a world you don’t see, but feel every ounce of pain along with a shot of whiskey and soda back. Much like seasoned blues singers i.e., Freddie King or Etta James, country music (classic country i should say) takes a very similar kind of soul to pull off. It ain’t about the chords.

The notion and trend of the last few decades that you have to be a songwriter to be a real artist is nonsense.

George Jones almost never wrote his songs, and Meryl Streep didn’t write Deer Hunter or Silkwood either.

I doubt anyone could sing it better.

The album and song was produced by Keith Stegall (George Strait, Alan Jackson) and comes as close to the genius of Nasvhille legend Billy Sherrill as anything I’ve heard. Keith knew the setting before he cast the players, then in detail captured what needed to be caught like a great film director.

“How’s your new love

I hope that he’s doin’ fine

Heard you told him

That you’d love him till the end of time

Now that’s the same thing that you told me

And it seems like just the other day

Gee ain’t it funny how time slips away”

This is a light southern scolding, pain, surrender, regret and a shot of bitters all wrapped up in one simple verse with no fancy words. That’s the Nashville of old. The years of Willie, George & Tammy, Bobby Bare and Merle were never spent trying to impress anybody or be smarter than their audience. Most had their own issues and treaded lightly on high-hatting anyone, even an old love. It was also the southern way. Not Netflix’s beer-belly pedo version, but the real southern gentle-person.

The piano is played by Harris Melvin Robbins (January 18, 1938 – January 30, 2022), or ‘Pig’ as they affectionately referred to him, and is kind of the lead instrument in the first half of the track. Brent Mason, one of the most hired Telecaster guns in Nasvhille leads the latter. Paul Franklin’s pedal steel is throughout, and maybe the drunkest of them all. So sensitive to the plot is he that you understand why he’s king of the hill of Nashville steel players. All three ebb and flow beautifully in and out of the vocal.

To be honest at first I thought the piano solo was an odd choice. It seemed clunky and interrupted the lazy hammock swing of the track, but now, years later I’ve changed my mind about that. It’s actually a devil-may-care solo the song needed to finish out that barroom scene. One can almost see ‘Pig’ with drink in left hand, nonchalantly working his way across a flurry of notes with his right as if to say “hell, she’s ain’t worth puttin’ down my drink, I’ll play it with one hand”.

The solo is taken over by pedal steel to perfection and sets up the last verse:

“Gotta go now

I guess I’ll see you around

I don’t know when though

Never know when I’ll be back in town

But just remember what I tell you

That in time you’re gonna pay

And it’s surprising how time slips away”

You’re gonna hurt like I do one day, and time moves faster than you think.

Spectacular!

Rest in Peace George Jones- greatest of all time.

Cheers,

Jude

By Bandini55|August 17th, 2024|4 Comments

Winner #1! Aug 16, 2024 – 3rd Street Vinyl

Coincidental yet couldn’t be more fitting, today’s number is 25! Long time friend and fan Angelo Valenti is #25 and the first winner of a signed A View From 3rd Street album. Congrats Angelo and thank you for many years of support!

You’ll be receiving a notification where you can give us an address and specify how you’d like the album signed.

Much more coming to other subscribers and a continued thanks to all-

Jude

By Bandini55|August 16th, 2024|24 Comments