Two Yellow Cranes

[MIKE 450]

Hi Folks, I went to the Avalon Factory early this morning with my guitar "201 silver series" I was thinking about making changes to the saddle & bridge, lucky for me JB was there and give me some very good sound advice. JB informed me that there was nothing wrong with the bridge & saddle, we had a long chat about about guitar saddles etc, the outcome was if it sounds good leave it alone.

This is what I love about Avalon Guitars, they are honest. Later I recorded this song with my zoom Q3 HD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrvI6uUW ... yJo7I9Y%3D

[the greypicker]

Great performance, Mike! The acoustics are amazing and you have a sweet balance of guitar and voice soaring away into all that space. Definitely your best song!

BTW, Jim was dead right about the bridge and saddle!

Long may you strum!

John

[MIKE 450]

Thanks John, my music has taken a back seat over the years so I need all the encouragement I can get to pull myself back into shape. I find playing in front of the camera slightly weird, I suppose I'll get used to it after a while, I feel like I'm at the beginning again which is exciting.

Mike

[JB]

awesome Mike ... honestly mate, I've probably played this more than a dozen times today while working ... an excellent live performance, you're one talented bloke !

and good chatting with you yesterday

[MIKE 450]

Thanks John, I've been involved in song writing for 40 years, I began writing/guitar playing in school. I've had a fare amount of local success during the 80's, but never wanted to become a musical beggar, selling my soul to some doggy contract. I chose not to go to Nashville, so many have done that and ended up sounding like Steve Earl. Having been to the US-Canada-Europe a good few times, I thought it might be best for this Ulster Scot to remain in Co.Down.

PS I love Steve Earl, I just think people should sing with their own voice.

[the greypicker]

I really enjoyed this one, too, Mike!

Nashville's loss, but Belfast's gain! You sing Key really well. Good song, too!

Same as you, I was doing OK on the circuit in the 80s, but then family and job took over and I gave it a rest, except for the occasional comeback gig. Back in business now, though, and enjoying recording and the occasional live venue.

Keep 'em coming - I am already a fan!

John

BTW Did you get anywhere with the AER ?

[MIKE 450]

Hi John, no luck with the AER amp, these amps are like hens teeth. I just feel £800 is to much money to spend at the moment, and there's always that rare chance someone might need money.

[the greypicker]

I'll keep my eyes open for an AER.

John

[riverdog]

Mike,

I just finished listening to you blow me away with your awesome voice on this wonderful song as I posted on your YTC. Brother this is fantastic and I echo the comments of our fellow alumni. It is so good to hear and see you, and it is a treat and blessing to all of us so keep it coming!

riverdog

[MIKE 450]

Thanks Eric, I'm still trying to improve my filming, the zoom q3 hd has very good audio, but the video's not great. I'm trying to find a wide angled mobile/cell phone camera lens "the stick on ones" that sticks on to the zoom to widen the shot.

Your video's look great, what's your camera set-up.

[riverdog]

Thanks Eric, I'm still trying to improve my filming, the zoom q3 hd has very good audio, but the video's not great. I'm trying to find a wide angled mobile/cell phone camera lens "the stick on ones" that sticks on to the zoom to widen the shot.

Your video's look great, what's your camera set-up.

Actually Mike I use the webcam & mic that is built into my Sony Vaio laptop; no effects or edits. Hence the title My Lady, My Laptop , My Livingroom Hopefully this captures an "in my livingroom" kind of feel as if we were sittin' there playin together and hopefully the natural sound of the guitar; although a better mic might do it more justice. I do find that natural light works better with less saturation, but I don't always have the luxury of recording during the day due to work and most times I record is when it hits me (usually at night) and I'm feelin' it. In fact if I'm really feelin' it I just go with that take even tho I usually mess up in one way or another in just about every vid Translating the genuine vibe of the song/melody matters most to me; unless it is something horrible like the WRONG CHORDS but a few string buzzes and stuff like that don't bother me.
I must say that I am not that technically proficient with this kind of stuff and am too lazy, but I would like to learn more sometime.

Anyway, love your art Mike again well done mate!

Cheers,

eric

[MIKE 450]

Thanks Eric, I must say I agree with you when it comes to editing, you lose the natural organic flow of the song with editing. I also live and record pretty close to the city airport which can be a real pain, just when you play the song perfectly a jet fly's over. I must say, you always look really relaxed in your videos,but then you live in Florida lol. The other night we had a mini war going on, some of the paramilitaries fell out and starting shooting at one another, try having that sound on your video.

Living in Belfast is weird, in one house there's a party and next door there's a war. Eric I love your video's, they are source of inspiration to me,keep em comin.

[riverdog]

Thanks Eric, I must say I agree with you when it comes to editing, you lose the natural organic flow of the song with editing. I also live and record pretty close to the city airport which can be a real pain, just when you play the song perfectly a jet fly's over. I must say, you always look really relaxed in your videos,but then you live in Florida lol. The other night we had a mini war going on, some of the paramilitaries fell out and starting shooting at one another, try having that sound on your video.

Living in Belfast is weird, in one house there's a party and next door there's a war. Eric I love your video's, they are source of inspiration to me,keep em comin.

Wow Mike I didn't realize there was so much trouble goin' on over there, cuz I'm dyin' to get over there. It's crazy here and everywhere as this world continues to slide down, but we know the end don't we brother; victory in Jesus! We just had an angry teacher fired from a local private school come back with an AK47 hidden in a guitar case that afternoon and gun down the lady principal just up the street a few weeks ago. Oh Lord help us!

Thanks again bro,

eric

[Coen V]

If Belfast needs a city hymn, I think they got one now

Cheers, Coen

[MIKE 450]

Thanks Coen, I used to sing this song while busking in Belfast City Centre, I was surprised at the amount of people who like it. People would ask me questions about the song, there's always that connection with Canada and the Ulster Scots. I can remember writing the song 30 years ago, riding over the mountains in Canada with a beautiful in Native American girl. There are some great stories that surround this song, I will be recording The Valley Of The Horses Heads soon. This song tells the story of the WHITE MAN, talking control of the big country.

It's a wonderful feeling to hear that folks like this timeless song, maybe your right Coen. cheers!