: Songs for Sale or Rent
Along with my erstwhile career as a not so world famous rock and roll star back in the 70s, I had a parallel career as a not so famous song writer. Working with several different lyricists I composed upwards of 100 songs. The highlight of my composing career was in 1973 when a small publishing firm down in Edison, NJ tried to pitch two of my tunes to (of all things) The Carpenters. The Carpenters passed – as did eventually my song writing days.
Over the years, I rarely played these songs for people out of fear that someone would steal “my precious” ideas. Instead, I fanatically guarded them hoping that one day I would be able to put together a group to record and perform the tunes. But now that I have my Medicare card firmly in hand, I think I can safely say “Who am I kidding? This ain’t never gonna happen”. So with my new found wisdom, I’m putting these out for anyone to listen to – maybe someone out there will like them enough to use them and/or pass them on to someone who would.
A few words of explanation. These are demos, not finished products. They were typically recorded in basements or living rooms under conditions of great haste. I recommend listening to them with headphones – they sound best that way.
Since I’m sure some folks will be curious, as far as the singers go –
- The soprano who sings “Alone Again”, “Killing Me with Kindness”, and others is Janice Hardgrove-Kollar. We were in a band together in the early 70s and also performed as a duo. Janice had a beautiful crystal clear pure voice. If there was any justice in this world, she would be world famous.
- The gruff voiced soul shouter on “Pasture”, “With Everything I Got”, and others is J.T. Bowen. We played in several bands together in the late 70s and early 80s. John went on to record an album with Clarence Clemmons (Springsteen’s late sax player). For years there were rumors that JT had passed away, but he re-surfaced back in 2011. You can catch some of his performances on youtube. For example, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhcPsM2jXqM he is performing with Bruce Springsteen at a tribute show for Clarence Clemmons. If there were any justice in this world, JT would be world famous.
- My best friend from college Marty Applebaum is singing “Try To say Goodbye”. Marty, who wrote the lyrics to many of these songs, was was a brilliant wordsmith; he could improvise songs on the spot complete with internal rhyme schemes. Marty died tragically young at age 40, he was just finding his voice as a song writer. If there was any justice in this world, Marty would be world famous.
- The powerful female vocalist singing “Look Me In the Eye” and “Why Must They Grow Up” was a session singer in New York whose name I have long since forgotten.
- And finally, the annoying, nasally, whining voice on far too many of these tunes is yours truly. My lack of fame as a singer proves that, at least in this case, there *is* occasionally justice in this world…..
I suppose you’re wondering where to get these songs. Easy enough. Go to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sijii1dglnqlqci/PWNY8X7FWX and you’ll see a folder Eric’s Songs. It should be pretty intuitive what to do next, but if you’re having trouble, give me a holler and I’ll walk you through it.
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Nov 9, Saturday, 8-9:30 PM – Lunatic Fringe, Glen Ridge Community Center @ The Glen Ridge Train Station, 228 Ridgewood Avenue (corner of Bloomfield Avenue), Glen Ridge, NJ Reservations: (973) 429-1527
I was unavailable last month but I’m back in action. If you want you can twerk along with the Fringe.
http://www.lunaticfringeimprov.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53938723078&ref=ts
Nov 23, Saturday, 9:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls (973) 256-7742
Rumble, rumble, rumble. No it’s not the start of a dance number from West Side Story, it’s the sound of bikes in the night pulling in and out of the Great Notch parking lot. It’s disconcerting when it happens in the middle of a song, it sounds like a drum solo, except I look over at Don Kenny and he’s just keeping the beat going.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580
Nov 29, Friday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Eric Heilner @ Ruthie’s BBQ, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair (973) 509-1134
I will be doing one of my rare solo shows at my favorite BBQ joint. I’ve been working on a few new numbers including a work in progress tentatively called Off Beat Boogie.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/