"
A major work of art... A song like 'Have to Go' sounds like it could
open for Shania Twain. Then a few songs later is 'Just for You' which
could have appeared (in) a John Hughes movie... (Say Anything, Breakfast
Club)"
Derek Dunn
Barrhaven Independent
Born decidedly unfunny in Nova Scotia, raised semi-humorously in Northern Ontario, and settled down to happily raise a family in the Nations' capital (not Toronto... Ottawa).
In spite of my French name, I write primarily in English. Over 550 songs in fact. I compose in mostly a folk/rock rooted (roots?) style including ballads, blues, rock, country, some funny stuff and, recently (thanks to my young, hilarious family) childrens music as well.
Started out as a drummer: in the early '80s and since have played bass, rhythmn, lead, lead vocals, etc... On nearly all my songs, I play all the instruments you hear on my recordings in addition to singing all the lead and backing vocals. The only exception are the drums (didn't I say I was a drummer?) because I haven't got the right gear to record them... yet.
Brief excerpt of my lengthy, as yet unfinished
bio:
"Here... pluck it out on one string..."
Af …
"
A major work of art... A song like 'Have to Go' sounds like it could
open for Shania Twain. Then a few songs later is 'Just for You' which
could have appeared (in) a John Hughes movie... (Say Anything, Breakfast
Club)"
Derek Dunn
Barrhaven Independent
Born decidedly unfunny in Nova Scotia, raised semi-humorously in Northern Ontario, and settled down to happily raise a family in the Nations' capital (not Toronto... Ottawa).
In spite of my French name, I write primarily in English. Over 550 songs in fact. I compose in mostly a folk/rock rooted (roots?) style including ballads, blues, rock, country, some funny stuff and, recently (thanks to my young, hilarious family) childrens music as well.
Started out as a drummer: in the early '80s and since have played bass, rhythmn, lead, lead vocals, etc... On nearly all my songs, I play all the instruments you hear on my recordings in addition to singing all the lead and backing vocals. The only exception are the drums (didn't I say I was a drummer?) because I haven't got the right gear to record them... yet.
Brief excerpt of my lengthy, as yet unfinished
bio:
"Here... pluck it out on one string..."
After a month or so of semi-successful practises, I decided it was
time to introduce one of my songs. By now, I had written over 30. Since
Check-Mate was the first song I wrote, I decided to bring it to the
band first. Of course, there was no music to the song, but all the
members of the band and our growing "fan club" liked it.
Only one problem... none of the guys composed music. The next practise,
John brought a rickety old pint-sized acoustic guitar, tossed it at me
and said "Here... pluck it out on one string..."
"Pluck what out?" I asked. "The tune... for your song. Pluck it out and
we'll figure out the chords from there." ...So, a month into learning
the drums I was now learning the guitar.
Over the next few months, as I played the drums, I'd watch their
fingers, memorize the positions and later on when I got home, I'd try
to reproduce the sounds.
It took a while, but I eventually got the major chords down. My song writing took on a new dimension.
