Tag Archives: Steve Deasy

Guy Carawan, Presente!

We mourn the passing of Guy Carawan (July 27, 1927 – May 2, 2015) , American folk musician and musicologist. He served as music director and song leader for the Highlander Research and Education Center in New Market, TN, where I met Guy and Candie in May of 2011.

Carawan is famous for introducing the song “We Shall Overcome” to the American Civil Rights Movement, by teaching it to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960.

Those of us who still believe that music and song can make a difference and lift up movements will keep Guy in our hearts.  He showed us all how that can be done.

Guy Carawan, presente!

Steve D.

 

Jeni and Billy – Fabulous Fasionable Ferndale House Concert – Fri. Mar 27, 2015

We are pleased and excited to present Jeni and Billy.  I met Jeni and Billy at Highlander Center in New Market, TN.

About JENI & BILLY — Acclaimed “new old music” drawn from country, Appalachian, bluegrass, country blues and folk. Great story telling. Stirring harmonies, absorbing original lyrics and a sparse, engaging sound. Guitar, banjo, harmonica, autoharp.

Check them out at their website – http://jeniandbilly.com

Suggested donation $15, sliding scale 10-20, no one turned away for inability to pay.  All donations go to Jeni and Billy.

Space is limited so please RSVP.

Jeni tells a story about going to heaven (Las Vegas):

Note that the intro is longer than the song:

 

Steve Deasy will perform a short set.

Email me at stevedeasy@hotmail.com or call 248-990-5268 for information, address and directions and/or to RSVP

20 Million Things – Recording in Progress

I thought it might be interesting to some of you if I were to make a post and keep adding to it as I progress recording a track for the new CD I am starting today.  You can follow the progress by checking this page regularly.

For the first song, I choose “20 Million Things” written by Lowell George and J. Levy circa 1979.

When I start a recording, I usually know where I am heading.  I usually have a plan.  Plans are subject to change, but you start with a plan. On this track, I will play:

  1. piano (stereo)
  2. acoustic guitar in standard tuning
  3. a second acoustic guitar capo on 5th fret
  4. bass guitar
  5. program a drum track (stereo)
  6. lead vocal
  7. backup vocal (doubled)

I start by creating a project in pro tools, and choosing a tempo.  For this track I chose 60 beats per minute.  Tonight was step one which consists of the piano track and a scratch vocal.  The scratch vocal is rough and just a placeholder for the song.  I do  it in one take and don’t sweat about the quality of it.  This is because I generally find it best to lay down the vocals when the instrument tracks are complete and the song has more energy.  That way the vocals can more closely match the final arrangement.

Audio for Dec 1, 2014:

Karen Brandow, Presente!

Charlie King, Steve Deasy and Karen Brandow at Great Labor Arts Exchange, Detroit, 2010
Charlie King, Steve Deasy and Karen Brandow at Great Labor Arts Exchange, Detroit, 2010

Karen Brandow died last night.  I share with you the words of her partner Charlie King, which express how many of us feel in this moment.

Rest in peace, Karen Brandow (1954-2014)

Charlie’s prayer:

GD bless Karen. Thank you for the gift of her life and welcome her home. Comfort those of us who have loved her. Stir up her spirit in our midst so that the good she left undone may be done by us. Karen Brandow, Presente!

Steve Deasy – People’s Voice Cafe in NYC – Oct. 11, 2014

Singer-songwriter Steve Deasy live at Off the Wall Acoustic Coffeehouse
Singer-songwriter Steve Deasy live at Off the Wall Acoustic Coffeehouse

Steve will be playing at Peoples Voice Cafe in NYC on October 11, 2013. You can find out more about the evening here.

Steve is excited to sharing the evening with Paul Stein and Filthy Rotten System. You can find out more information about Paul Stein at wikipedia or at Paul’s website