Res Judicata: Reprise

This week, I am directing you to another video of a gig in front of some friends. The music is NOT mine; it is the best tune from the Lion King. I wrote the lyrics in collaboration with my wife Rebekka, concerning the great legal doctrine of res judicata. It means no lawsuits for the rest of your days (on the same grounds). Ah, but the antagonist in this story tries to bring the same case three times.

Watch "Res Judicata" HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0KeHuBecQo

The Cliff Song: Harmonica Version

"The Cliff Song" is the fifth track from the album "Love Is Not An Open Door." Listen and download HERE.

I gave you a different version of this song back in September. This one has the only recorded Lee Istrail harmonica solo. The tale is about a friend who turns foe and tries to settle his argument with a gun. "The Cliff Song" is a flight of fancy which I wrote in high school. While I have never actually been chased by a gun-toting villain, this song captures my apprehension back in high school that my innocence would sometimes be dangerous. As Bob Dylan sang, "I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn."

Photo is by Portside.

I Bill My Time - Reprise

This week, I am posting a link to a video of myself playing "I Bill My Time" for some friends. The law is very serious, so you've got to have a sense of humor about it.

My wife and I penned the lyrics, but note that the music is NOT mine. It's Johny Cash's. So even though Istrail Tunes is generally about my original tunes, this week I am flippin' the script.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyp08ykDjaw

Lamb in Wolf's Clothing

"Lamb in Wolf's Clothing" is the fourth track from the album "Love Is Not An Open Door." Listen to the track and the album HERE.

I had a good buddy back in elementary school who, when we got to middle school, suddenly started talking to me with scorn. He had hopes of becoming one of the cool kids, i.e. a "wolf," and he thought that hangin' out with me wasn't where it's at. Surely you know the expression "wolf in sheep's clothing." He was the opposite, a lamb in wolf's clothing, consumed with hunger for popularity. Ah, but the true wolves "feasted off (his) foolishness." I entirely lost touch with this dude, and good riddance!

PS: I cannot say whether I coined the phrase "lamb in wolf's clothing," but when you do a google search for the phrase, the link to my song comes up number 9 out of 285,000 entries. Not bad, eh?

PPS: This photo is by Portside. During the photo shoot, she cautioned me not to break the guitar. I was channeling the tradition of Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend, but I did not destroy my trusty first guitar, which I started playing at age 13.

First Concert

Q: What was the first concert you ever attended?
A: Around the start of middle school, my parents took me to see Paula Abdul, with opening act Color Me Badd. It was a great show. This was before I started playing and writing songs. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Cheesy pop." But look, some of Paula's music still holds up. I have a bluesy cover of "Straight Up Now, Tell Me" in my repertoire. Remind me to play it sometime, and you'll see what I mean. But Color Me Badd? You will not see me covering their tunes anytime soon.