Author: j

Here are some songs I’ve written with my students. I’ve been thinking about making an album of them called “Beginner’s Mind.”

Ian Mershon

Flea-bee
By Ian M. and Jason Molin
[audio:2006/2/Flea Bee.mp3]

I was sittin on the couch playin some chords
When I got sucked in the TV in a time warp
My body spun around in space as I flew by
I didn’t know what would happen, thought I might die
I landed on the ground after such a twirl
I didn’t feel so good, I thought that I might hurl
I looked around, there weren’t cars, only hovercrafts
The buildings weren’t made of steel, everything was glass
I saw someone approaching but I did not know
If he was a man or if it was a roach
He wore some big black armor and had little beady eyes
I went to yelp for help and see through his disguise
He came a little closer and suddenly I see
He’s got wings like a bee and fur like a flea
I started out scared but then I got confused
Just the way he looked at me I felt I was accused
I went to shake his hand but he didn’t understand
I guess that in the future that’s not how you greet a man.

—

Guitar Time
By Kyle B. with Jason Molin
[audio:2006/2/Guiter Time.mp3]

2:45 rolls around and baseball practice starts
sadly slumped in his chair the six stringed musician sits
a sweaty boy comes home and eats and then he’s off to bed
his days are filled with baseball but there’s music in his head

Guitar time – never enough
Guitar time – life is rough
Guitar time – tough stuff
Guitar time, I need my guitar time.

The little boy strums his guitar and a smile appears on his face
if only he could play all day long but now he’s got a bus to chase
Baseball season’s over, guitar time’s finally here
When he picks up his guitar it’s music to his ear

Chorus

No more worries in my mind
Gather round it’s guitar time

Chorus

Jason Molin’s debut release—“J”—showcases his songwriting skills to their full extent. Those of us who have followed his career since its beginnings in Washington, D.C., shouldn’t be surprised by Mr. Molin’s talents. But on “J” they are taken to new heights. His whip-smart lyrics—a hallmark of the artist—are coupled with mature and confident compositional and arranging abilities. His playing is never in doubt; Molin’s guitar work shines.

Subtle touches of instrumentation and production emerge with total confidence. From Molin classics like “Jesus Rode A Bike” to new material such as “For Your Lover” with its wonderful trumpet lines and melodies, his work holds the promise of an artist who refuses to be held down by any convention or stylistic boundaries. Many influences bubble to the surface, but always with one artist’s sensibility.

This is one CD in constant rotation on my CD player. I look forward to more wonderful music from a city, Austin, Texas, bursting with talent—and an artist who is rising head and shoulders above his peers.

Mark R. Bacon
Host
WFPK, 91.9, Radio Louisville

Maile at Guero’s, originally uploaded by everyday j.

Maile is having an article written about English at Work (her ESL program) and they needed some shots of her teaching. Here are Maile and Ceasar. You can see my reflection in the glass on the picture of the crowd on the wall.