Taxi Music Forward - Cover Version of "Hallelujah"

Gave this a shot, and "scored":

MUSIC LIBRARY U-R-G-E-N-T-L-Y needs COVER VERSIONS of "Over The Rainbow" (often referred to as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”) from The Wizard of Oz, and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. They’re anxiously waiting to hear super creative, original interpretations of these Songs to pitch for a particular TV show. Please check out the links below to hear a few different versions of the Songs: “Over The Rainbow” by Judy Garland: http://bit.ly/1hMnDUR “Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: http://bit.ly/1kj0yIx “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen: http://bit.ly/1dPV0ag “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley: http://bit.ly/1eBwreY Your Cover can literally be in ANY GENRE and ANY TEMPO! This is your chance to get creative and give us your twist on these classic Songs. You can submit stripped-down acoustic versions, OR over the top productions with lots of bells and whistles. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Covers with male, female, duet, group, A cappella, etc., vocals will all be considered. Your vocal performance should be Top-Notch, and do a great job of conveying the emotional essence of the Song.

Taxi Music Forward - Cover Version of "Hallelujah"

Taxi Music Forward - 70's Style Singer/Songwriter

I had a rough mix on my desktop (ie: track not finished but close), and being as I was on the road, this is all I had to submit.  Whadaya know - it was forwarded on for further consideration to the publisher. Yay!

This was for:

ACOUSTIC-BASED, 1970s style SINGER/SONGWRITER SONGS that have the timeless quality of songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, etc., are needed by the Owner of a Production Music Library pitching to a multitude of Film and TV opportunities. He's looking for songs that have an honest and genuine sounding vocal, with lyrics that are universal and engaging. Instrumentation can range from a solo guitar/vocal, to a more developed acoustic-based band sound.

Taxi Music Forward - 70's Style Singer/Songwriter

Taxi Music Forward - New Age Instrumental

Yanni I am not.  But it was nice to get a nod of recognition by getting this track moved on to the next step of possible usage.  The pitch called for:

NEW AGE INSTRUMENTALS as calming and tranquil as any Yanni, David Arkentsone, or David Lanz track are needed by the Owner of an incredibly successful Music Library. We just started working this company a few months ago. They’ve got tons of placements in some of today’s hottest TV Shows, Films, and Commercials. Your tracks must be engaging and compelling from beginning (no long intros please!) to end through use of sophisticated grooves, creative sounds, and an interesting arrangement. They’re looking for melodic instrumentals that will leave the listener feeling as though a sense of peace has gently washed over them. We’d advise that you stick to one central motif, and keep it moving forward by adding new layers and interest as you go. All tempos will be considered. 

I and my primal screaming self (who you hear way down in the mix) submitted this:

Email newsletters for bands at ReverbNation.com

Taxi Music Forward - New Age Instrumental

Taxi Music Forward - Classic Rock

The pitch called for:
GUITAR-DRIVEN RIFF ROCK INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Publisher who’s placing tracks in an upcoming Feature Film. He’s looking for virtually ALL styles of Riff Rock for this one. Quoting the Publisher: “Classic Rock like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin will work. Current Rock like Jet, or The Hives will also be cool. I’m even open to aggressive Heavy Metal and Grunge, as long as there’s a big juicy guitar riff on the track. The most important thing is that the instrumentals have an edgy attitude that will work in both suspenseful scenes, and in action scenes.” He wants your tracks to sound like authentic band songs, not like under-sore that has been composed for scene. 

I had just the track for it!

Learn how to get your music noticed at ReverbNation.com

I modeled "Ocean Strut" after this song. Perhaps you've heard it?:

Taxi Music Forward - Classic Rock

"BRING IT" - Track of the Week

Purposely crafted this instrumental track to sound like classic rock in the vein of AC/DC for a pitch. It also has seemed to acquire a Free/Bad Company vibe. I had fun getting the guitar tones and drums to "sound like". I heard in a panel once about putting a little bit of distortion on the drums so that's what I done did!
Bonus: There is cowbell in this!
All instruments performed by me. Recorded and mixed with Logic Pro on a MacBookPro.

*** LYRICS ***

[Insert yours here]  ;)

"BRING IT" - Track of the Week

"MAMA GONNA WHOOP YOU" - Track of the Week

A friend mentioned something to me his mom used to say, "Mama gonna whoop you"  So, used the title and went from there.  I knew this Blues/Rock song had to be fun with a title like that.
All vocals and instruments performed by me.  Recorded and mixed with Logic Pro on a MacBookPro. (That's a "laptop", for the non-techies) ;)

***** LYRICS *****

MAMA GONNA WHOOP YOU

Sneakin' out back
Kickin' at the cat
Boy you better watch she don't run off
Jumpin' that fence
Ain't makin' no sense
You know what gonna happen when you get caught?

 Mama gonna whoop you
 You better watch out
 For cryin' out loud
 Mama gonna whoop you

 Mama gonna whoop you
 Better you quit
 Here's a little tip, now
 Fear the boom boom
 Mama gonna whoop you

Comin' in late
Makin' that face
Hoping those puppy eyes save your neck
She ain't no fool
It's the dog house for you
You're gonna get a lickin' that you won't forget

BRIDGE

You act so tough
But it's scary stuff
When she's winding up

© 2012 Steve Probst

"MAMA GONNA WHOOP YOU" - Track of the Week

Taxi Music Forward! - How Kitschy!

Got a Taxi Music Forward!  Yay, for kitschy retro crime jazz!


Here's what I had to go on:

MUSIC SUPERVISOR for a REALITY TV SERIES needs kitschy CRIME JAZZ and LOUNGE INSTRUMENTALS a la John Barry, Lalo Schiffrin, Peter Thomas, Keith Mansfield, David Holmes... DOWN to MID-TEMPO tracks will work best. They're looking for instrumentals with a distinctly RETRO vibe. James Bond-style brass would be nice but is not necessary. You can go DARK and a bit SINISTER but it needs to have a bit of a SMIRK. They're not looking for an epic Morricone-style Spaghetti Western score. Your tracks must be at least 1:30 long.

This was fun to do. Trying to get the feel from the Dirty Harry film soundtracks and the work of composer, Lalo Schiffrin.  Had a limited time frame as usual to put something together. I happen to love this old stuff.

Taxi Music Forward! - How Kitschy!

Christmas in August - New Recording

Worked up a "contemporary" Christmas song for a recent song pitch.  Spent 2 days at home laying tracks (vocals, guitars, keys, etc) and added the rest plus mixing (putting it all together) on the road.

In prep, had a listen to the current charts and found a song/vibe I liked. But the only elements that ended up identical to those in my track are the xylophone and the tempo. Then it just grew from there and took on a produced-by-steve life all it's own. It's nothing like the song I originally heard. lol  So, add another track to the song catalog if it doesn't hit the mark.



Would love to hear what "style" impressions you get when you hear it?  Hope you enjoy listening.

Christmas in August - New Recording

Tracks Signed!

Everybody - Fist pump!

Well, it's official!  I've signed a contract with a publishing library on four of my instrumental tracks.  If (When!?)  placed these will most likely show up on some sort of Reality TV show or "Access Holywood".


This my first deal specifically dealing with television music as oppposed to prior placements in YouTube commercials, web site music, non-profit video brochures, etc such as I've listed on the "News" page.


This is not really my forte, by I was willing to give writing this stuff a try.  You can hear three of the short tunes below (dancing shoes optional):

Tracks Signed!

"Time Is (Was) On My Side" - New Track

...Take deadlines, for instance.  Nothing like a time limit to get something finished and move on to the next project!
Took a detour from the tunes I had planned to work on yesterday and spent the day working up a short cover of this song for an ad agency pitch. Started by 10am out by 4pm! Another excuse to use my ukulele.
It's a little strange not letting a mix sit overnight for a final next-day listen, but so be it!

"Time Is (Was) On My Side" - New Track

Free Valentine's Song Download!

Donut by Dunkin' Donuts

Do you "heart" getting stuff for free?

In honor of Valentine's Day I've instructed my cherub-like (but actually existing only in my mind) assistants to make available for a limited time as a Free Download my song, "Yes, Love" (Donut not included)

MUSE BEHIND THE SONG:

When I sat down at the piano to write "Yes, Love", I was purposely and directly inspired by the songwriting of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  I love those classic songs like, "A House Is Not a Home", "This Guy's In Love", and "Say A Little Prayer".  I hope to continue writing more like this, contemporary music molds be...."darned"!
FYI: I'm playing all instruments and singing all the vocals you hear in the song.

On the upper right of this page look inside the box that says FREE DOWNLOADS.  Kindly click inside this box for the downloading process to begin.

Yes, you'll have to (not necessarily want to) trade your email address for the goods, but as always, you can grab the tune then unsubscribe!  Sort of like an email-address-back guarantee. What. A. Deal. !

(If you are already captive on my email list, good news - you are already qualified to receive your gushy musical gift.)  CLICK HERE

In conclusion, just say "yes" to "Yes, Love" :)

Hope you enjoy the tune!

~ SP

Free Valentine's Song Download!

Manifesto-State of the Union-Resolution-Extravaganza

It's a resplendently sunny day cruising on the highways of Florida as I check in with the blog.  Here's some things I'm thinking right now:

xI propose to put out 3 different CD collections of songs (with lyrics, singing and stuff),  throughout the channels of commercial cyber space. (Yo, I'm gonna put more effort into hawking my stuff!)

CD #1. I still have a box full of these: Title "a little unplugged". A six-song collection of Christian tunes written, performed, and recorded by me.  They chronicle some of my first recordings on my "older/first" studio equipment.  These are actual CD's in a jewel box. 

Allow me to point some things out. :) - (Photo: Shari Hogue)

CD #2 - Maybe titling this one "The Early Years" ( I know, so plain, so boring) or something like that.  (Any suggestions?  Comment below!)  Newer recording gear but still from a few years back, these tracks are all featured on my Music Page.  At last! they will be available together in "album" form (but probably only as digital downloads right now - iTunes, CD Baby, etc)  Once again, written, performed, and recorded by me. 

CD #3 - The new stuff on the current studio setup! Redundantly speaking: Written, performed, and recorded by me.  Like #2, it will be made available initially as a download.  I have lots of tunes to record, hopefully ASAP.  We'll see with the traveling schedule and all how it progresses. 

I've gotten encouraging reactions from some...."test pressings".  You won't find these songs, recorded in my home studio, on the top of the charts as is, but who cares!  I am my own record company!  The music's recorded, why not share?  To recap: CD's 1 & 2 will be making their appearance on the web before CD 3 (due to the magical creative process still in progress!)

Thanks for reading, thanks for your support, stay tuned!

I shall hit "return" and 2012 continues! 

Manifesto-State of the Union-Resolution-Extravaganza

Track Preview - "Mama Gonna Whoop You!"

Okay, as promised, here's a song preview of "Mama Gonna Whoop You" only available to those of you on my email list. (I figure you hopefully like me enough already to accept this piece of work in it's unfinished state and won't flee at the click of a mouse if you don't like it!)

It's a rough mix.  There's still things to add to it like background vocals, but I think it's still fun to hear and I wanted to share.  Once you click "play" it should ask you to confirm that you're on the email list before you're allowed to hear more than 30 seconds of it.  (Now, if 30 seconds is enough for you, then maybe I haven't done my job in hooking your ear into hearing more!!)  Hope that's not the case!

Track Preview - "Mama Gonna Whoop You!"

Taxi Forward - Urgent Entertainment News! - Sounds Like?

It's always good to get a bit of good news when you're not feeling up to snuff from the flu.

Got the results of another Taxi Music pitch of mine that was forwarded.  In short, the listing called for:

ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION-type INSTRUMENTAL CUES a la shows similar to Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, etc., needed by a Full Service Music Publishing Company with a great working relationship at a Major Network for use in multiple shows! They're looking for short cues of 60 seconds or less - think "bumpers" and transition music! They said, and we quote: "The key word often used for the music we want is 'urgent entertainment news'."


Click on the music player to hear my....creation "Celebrity D&B"



We'll see what happens"!

What is Taxi?  What is a "Forward"  Click HERE.

Taxi Forward - Urgent Entertainment News! - Sounds Like?

Added another track as a Free Download

Got a photo with Imogen at a listening event in Hollywood for her latest CD

I've added another track to the free downloads section. "The Song That Never Was"

Singer, Imogen Heap donated these vocals to an online charity project and hundreds of songwriters like myself added their own tracks to them.

So what you hear are her vocals just as they were mixed and uploaded. And then I added my own chord structure, rhythm arrangement, etc. on my Mac, mostly on the road somewhere in Florida.

I didn't spend a whole lot of time on it, but it was a whole lot of fun to do!  It would not be proper for me to sell this track so I put it up for a free download. Hope you enjoy it.

If you're already on email list, it should be automatically available to you.

Click on the "3 Free Downloads" box on the top right of this site or CLICK HERE.

Added another track as a Free Download

Saw Burt Bacharach at the Fox Theatre!

I was very thrilled and blessed to see Burt Bacharach live and in person with the Corona Symphony Pops at the Fox Theatre the other night! (4th row behind the small VIP section!)

I was surprised I guess at how frail he seemed. But after all he's turning 83 in May.  I think his seasoned age made him that much more more endearing to the audience though.  You just wanted to go and gave him a big, but gentle, hug of thanks.  Kind of like your grandpa.

Though well advanced in years, man, he still had "it".  It was very passionate performance.  He was very humble and relational, joking about his Ricola cough drops, forgetting words a little, and losing his voice only to get it back some by the time his singing parts came along.

He had a very talented trio of pro singers with him, Josie James, Donna Taylor, and John Pagano.  The orchestra did a great job and it was so cool hearing some of those signature string and horn lines live.  The songs never stopped. Medley after medley.  The "first four hits" medley.  The "songs written for film" medley.  On and on it goes!

Thanks, Burt!

Did you know there are a couple of songs I've written in the past that were purposely both a pastiche (a fancy word I learned in a Stephen Schwartz bioraphy!) of those classic Bacharach/David tunes?  Take a listen below!

Window Seat

free music download from Steve Probst

Yes, Love

free music download from Steve Probst

The concert looked something like this:

Saw Burt Bacharach at the Fox Theatre!

Update: "I'm Going To Disneyland"

You may remember my past post about a new song, "I'm Going To Disneyland".


Well, I went ahead and pitched it to a country listing, knowing there may be possible challenges with the song.  I recently got some excellent industry feedback that confirmed my misgivings.


Yes, as I suspected, it would definitely have the potential to be a "legal nightmare" for a publisher using a Disney Trademark.


Here's a quote from screener:  "You have two choices, you can recycle the music and write new lyrics or just keep it the same and use it locally and regionally. One way to recycle the music is to pitch the tracks in the instrumental listings (retro pop) for tv, movies, documentaries. Blessings on all you do!"


One reason I made it a free download was for the "locally and regionally" part.  Just leave as it is,  put it out there for others to enjoy, and keep writing other tunes.


Another clarification for me is, well, to this screener's ears, it's not country.  It's retro-pop.  I have to admit, I think my Kenny Loggins roots may have shown through on this one.


It's only one person's (educated) opinion, I know, on this song, but I think I can take some very good things away from it.

Update: "I'm Going To Disneyland"

Second Chance For Happy Circus Time

As you may have read here, when I'm not out playing shows, I'm writing tracks and songs for commercial placements in all sorts of different apllications through a company called Taxi.  They put out listings for needed music in many genres including the following left-of-center request:

UPBEAT, HAPPY, PEPPY CIRCUS CALLIOPE-STYLE INSTRUMENTALS needed by a global Music Publisher servicing ambient spaces (retail, malls, restaurants, theme parks). Aim for the authentic style of old world circus parades, carnivals and riverboats with playful melodic motifs and an upbeat spirit. Songs must be original or public domain covers. Imagine big pink swirls of cotton candy and carnival barkers on the midway and you're on your way. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

I decided to give this one a try and came up this little ditty below.  I did what I usually do by getting on iTunes and listening to a few samples of "circus music". I didn't have a true calliope in my arsenal of sound samples so I took an organ patch and "injected" some airiness into it.  (huh?)  Tweaked it.  This is what happened:

CLICK ON MUSIC PLAYER TO HEAR "HAPPY CIRCUS TIME"

free music download from Steve Probst

The first time I pitched it, it was returned and the critique I got back was, "This track would have been perfect for this listing.  The melody to Happy Circus Time is too close to You Are My Sunshine which is under copyright since 1938."  Oooops!

The Punch Line
And so the second chance.  The listing has been put up again for more tracks in the same genre so I get to adjust the melody a little bit and resubmit it!  I have high hopes for "Happy" the second time around since it was "perfect for this listing."

Thanks for reading along in my songwriting journey!  I'll keep you posted.

Second Chance For Happy Circus Time

Attention Disney Fans: Feast Your "Ears" on a My New Song!

(Photo: Ellen Auld)

Okay, so got this idea for a song quite a while ago. Song title came first ("I'm Going To Disneyland") and I persisted to chip away at it until the finished form posted here.

I get a personal kick out of this myself , but I have my misgivings about it when we're talking marketabilty in the world of serious songwriting.

1. Trademark/legal (obvious?) issues in the hook.  And, would someone besides me want to sing this (my main goal for writing songs in the first place)?

2. I wonder too if the lyric really "works" well enough to get it placed somewhere.

Check out the photo of yours truly during some R&R (but is it really in the extreme June humidity, seriously!?) at Disney "World" as opposed to Disney"Land", the subject of our inspired song.  I think the majority of the celebratory "celeb" commercials are aimed toward Disney World.

But there ya have it.

Click on player below to hear "I'm Going To Disneyland"

free music download from Steve Probst

What it all has come down to for me at this point is to just not think about it too hard, finish it and move on to other songs.  Just get it out there and show that yes, I may have some songwriting ability in this genre. 

I hope you enjoy it.  Should I make it a free download?  Feel free to speak your mind.  Love it, hate it, "keep your day job"?  Oh, and thanks reading all this! 

sp


Here are the lyrics for those who care to read along:


"I'm Going To Disneyland"

© 2010 Steve Probst

I'm rounding third, I'm almost home

Her smile is sayin', "Go, man, go!"

I take her hand and hold it tight

I pop the question, let it fly

Can you believe it?

I major-league it

There's never been a happier man      

Hey, I'm going to Disneyland

She's so mine, and I'm so proud

We go together

Like sunny weather 

And pictures with Mickey Mouse

I get the goofies just holdin' hands

I'm going to Disneyland

In front of friends and family

Gave that girl a diamond ring

Had us a daughter, then a son

Should be a crime having so much fun

Hey, alligator  

I'll see ya later

There's never been a happier man

Hey, I'm going to Disneyland

They're so mine, and I'm so proud

We go together

Like sunny weather 

And pictures with Mickey Mouse

I've got the goofies, I'm makin' plans

I'm going to Disneyland

SOLO

Life's so amazin'

That's why I'm sayin'

CHORUS

Attention Disney Fans: Feast Your "Ears" on a My New Song!

Taxi Forward - Classic Rock, Rocks!

Recently got the email news of another Taxi Music Forward instrumental!

Two bands mentioned in the pitch were Aerosmith and Kiss, so went for some sort of classic rock feel on this one.

Click on music player below to hear "Kiss This Way":

free music download from Steve Probst

I was so clever in coming up with a title, wasn't I? ha ha.

What is Taxi?  What is a "Forward"  Click HERE.

Taxi Forward - Classic Rock, Rocks!