I thought it would be a cool idea to present some links to the “Song Ideas” that eventually became full length songs on my CDs. These “Song Ideas” were just melodies that were kicking around in my head, in which I sat down one day and just recorded them for latter reference. These were recorded just using the General MIDI presets of a pretty low end sound card with crude FM Synthesis. The intention was to never release them sounding like this, but rather just to get basic melodies recorded while they were in my head. Later (sometimes years) I would pull them back up, and see what could be done with them.
I thought it would be cool to provide these, and then a sample from the resulting song so you could hear how it transitioned from song idea, to full release. Keep in mind, some of these “Song ideas” are pretty painfully horrible to listen to 
First off some tunes that made it onto the Sidetracks – Volume 2_DARN_LOUD CD
Electric Panda
This Song Idea was originally jotted down sometime before 03-22-2001. This date is the most recent timestamp of this original song idea that I have.
Click here to hear the Song Idea
Amazingly, some of the key patches from the original song idea were kept in the final version that I picked back up in oh, I think 2004 when I finished it up.
Funny little story on this one…When I picked it back up, to work on some more, THX 1138 just released on DVD. I had taken sound bites from the scene where Robert Duval is in the confession booth, and mixed in the booths’ voice throughout this song. I thought it was pretty cool, but unfortunately Warner Brothers would not give me permission to release it with the THX 1138 samples 
Oh well, their loss, not mine here’s the end result
Click here to hear the Electric Panda sample from Sidetracks – Volume 2
I Dream of Brighter Days
This Song Idea was originally jotted down on 11-15-1999. I remember that I struggled with this one for quite a while. I liked the basic melody, but could never do anything with it for a long time.
Click here to hear the Song Idea
Then one day, it just sorta clicked The original version of this had guitar work on it (Which was really cool) by good friend Mike Singleton. When I got ready to re-record this for the commercial release, I could never get back in contact with Mike to re-record the guitar work, thus I had to release it with out the great riffs he came up with this. Also, Mars Lasar (back in the original mp3.com days) once noted “Like it, reminds me of chillin’ on the beach!”. Thanks as always Mars!
Click here to hear the I Dream of Brighter Days sample from Sidetracks – Volume 2
Blinding Light
Like I Dream of Brighter days, I struggled to make something out of this one as well. Again, same story…liked the basic melody, but could not do anything with it . Originally jotted down on 10-23-1999
Click here to hear the Song Idea
A couple of years ago, I aquired Vegas Video, and wanted to generate a song to go along with a small music video I was doing. The end result is the “Blinding Light” video that showed up on Sideshots – Volume 1. The song itself, was released on the Sidetracks – Volume 2 CD in the format below.
Click here to hear the Blinding Light sample from Sidetracks – Volume 2
A Tune that made it onto the Réalité De Destination CD
Réalité De Destination Title Track
The actual song idea for this really stems from a song I did way back in 1987. The only existing recording of that song was on a few cassette tapes stored in a box long forgotton about I recorded it into this song Idea on or around 05-02-2002, just to get the basic melody back down.
Click here to hear the Song Idea
The end result was the title track to my first Original “N”otion Picture ™ Soundtrack
Click here to hear the Réalité De Destination sample from the Réalité De Destination CD
Finally, some tunes that made it onto the Sidetracks – Volume 4 – Eye of the Innocent CD
Big Wonder
Jotted down on 05-06-1999, I had absolutely no idea where I was going with this one . I think I intended to be a dark peice (noted by the cheap choir vocals going on in it)
Click here to hear the Song Idea
The end result was more of a techno/dance track Goes to show you how you can sit down with the intention of one thing, but wind up with a result on the complete opposite end of the spectrum .
Click here to hear the Big Wonder sample from Sidetracks – Volume 4
Autumn Waltz
The basic melody was Initially written 07-01-2000. I wanted to do a waltz, as I didn’t have too many of them. This was just a basic idea of the primary melody. (Makes me cringe when I listen to it )
Click here to hear the Song Idea
The end result didn’t turn out so shabby in my opinion, but I’m not overly happy with the end result as far as the lead Oboe is concerened.
Click here to hear the Autumn Waltz sample from Sidetracks – Volume 4
If you find interest in this, perhaps I’ll do another Transitions posting as I uncover my original Song Idea snippets from time to time.- Keith
