Tag Archives: blues guitar heros

Ironworkers and Performing Artists _ A combination that is Shane O’Brien

A Reflection of who is Shane O’Brien
For years the solid influences of being one with my Union Ironworkers Brother-in, has instilled within me discipline, loyalty, and a level of encouragement within us of ourselves, It was not long after my beginning days working in the field (The Vincent Thomas Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project 1997-2000), that a level of confidence had developed in recognizing who we are (as one) and  what we stand for, through our committed values of what we produce every day. And don’t you know this influence had also affected the music written, produced and performed by myself and each of the bands I’ve participated with for the past 20 years too. As a matter of record, my very first album, a limited release by Shane O’Brien [From CYC to CD ©1999] had been created with the monies earned as an apprentice Ironworker, as were the following 25 other CD’s since. The latest CD being titled “An Acoustic Jungle Tradition 1983-2013” ©2013.

During our apprenticeship program, a bond between many attending students of our trade often develop, which may possibly last for the rest of our lives. Here’s a good example of what I am referring to:
Derick Shannon was a fellow apprentice in my classes, of which we graduated at the same time as well (1997-2000 Los Angeles, CA). I don’t believe we  have worked on the same jobs since but once for a short period with Eagle Iron at the Pasadena Convention Center.

With the creation of Facebook we have re-Kindled our connections with each other and often share little windows into what ever job we find ourselves involved with, by sharing pictures of any particular day. At this time Derick is a Production Welder for Shuff Iron Erectors working Downtown Los Angeles on the new 74 story going up. He had posted a few great photos he captured before or after work, during lunches or in between welds,

What follows is a downtown Los Angeles photo  by Derick Shannon, JIW Local 433, Taken early in the morning prior to work start. 2nd up is a video capture from the newest “working floor”, floor number 53 _ Oct 2015, and 20 more floors to go. Lastly, action from the working floor featuring the Raising Gang doing comfortably what they do every day. This video was made available by my dear friend, JIW Frank Montoya Local 433

First off, let’s see how Derick’s days are beginning these days:

Another gorgeous start of my working day
Another gorgeous start of my working day

This Second offering  is a video Capture from Union Ironworker Brother Carlos Sanchez-pleites

Lastly, the next video was provided by JIW and long time Friend
Frank Montoya Local 433
Love the imagery and the music is perfect for it too…

PS

If I’m mistaken regarding who supplied this video, then I only apologize for the mistaken identity and lay claim to how cool I know this video clip is…

JammingOut.net
This is a good Southern California Jam Night/Open Mic resource for those musicians wanting to spread their musical wings and participate with other music lovers in this district.
Follows the rules of sign ups and definitely be the part you portray with courtesy and patience. This will get you the experiences of playing in some real cool venues and alongside of some good God talented musicians too…

Here’s a poster advertising a San Diego Quality Jam Event
Oct 2015

Jam Night at House of Blues San Diego, CA
Jam Night at House of Blues San Diego, CA

The Story Behind “Don’t Let Me Down” Chapter 7

The Story Behind The Song
Chapter 7

Don’t Let Me Down

Another installment in the ongoing presentation of the musical works by:

Shane O’Brien

Author ©2006 Shane O’Brien
Album/CD  The Genuine One
℗2010 Jungle Music Productions

 

 

Special Advance Notice:

Look at the end of this post to find an unreleased advance listening to a brand new release from Shane O’BrienThe Posse

About the song

The Setting:

Imagine if you will, a 33 ft sailboat converted into a recording studio. The location became known as the Jungle which from 1999 to 2006, a total of 7 CDs were produced. This was a very unusual environment as far as the music recording industry standards goes…

Here is a highlighted example one nights recording session’s story to enjoy…

-I recall sitting on an upside down 5 Gal Paint bucket for a seat, and in front of me stood a make shift microphone stand. There were 2 microphones duct taped at they’re perfect heights for singing and guitar playing. A recall little extra tape was added for the vocal Mic, since I usually bumped into it so much during sessions.
-I did not own any Mic holders yet at that early stage… Everything was borrowed or bartered for.

-It was about 3 AM
-It was real quiet and settled outside
-the hatch door was pulled back all the way
-The only sound were the longees working graveyard
-the Halliard lines slamming on the mast on many of the surrounding sailboats
-also sensed the cawing from a particular Blue Heron as he swooshed by the Jungle
-my headphones were powered by an old Pioneer 175 watt receiver
-I remember this particular song idea coming to mind and the weirdness of just letting it develop without any do-overs other than a lead guitar track to augment that initial rhythm guitar groove
-Thank you to Kevin Whelan for loaning me his beloved Ovation Guitar. That following morning the resulting recording suddenly featured contrasting tones between a nylon stringed guitar and a steel stringed
guitar which both equally shine simultaneously during that short little
lead break before the final verse.
-By sun up everything was all said and done and I noticed my ears were
ringing big time, and you know, they still do today, every time I record…
-Wouldn’t cha know it huh…
Life was as cool then as it is today, I tell ya!
Just Like Regular…

Lyrics as Follows:

Don’t Let Me Down (4:47)
©2006 Shane B. O’Brien
℗2010 Jungle Music Productions

Hum, hum, hum, hum!
It’s after midnight, and I feel there’s a long way to go now
The hours grow long babe
And it’s a job to keep your love here, don’t you know

It’s killing me to wait baby
And it seems to me that there’s times that
You just don’t care no more
But still I won’t hesitate
I’ll go through the hurt and the pain, and the waiting game

But still, I can’t seem to call it a day now
I’m think about you here now, any ole way baby
I dream of you always around

But don’t let me down babe. Don’t let me down now
But don’t let me down little darlin’. Don’t let me down now

I leave the lights on
Can you see your way in my front door now?
There’s a warm lit candle, a warm lit flame in my front window
It’s got a warm soft glow
As warm as the sweet heat in my heart for you baby
And still I got my open arms
Thinking we can make a livin’, and lovin’ and a happy home yeah

But still, I can’t seem to call it a day now
I’m think about you here any Ole way baby
I dream of you always around.

But don’t let me down babe. Don’t let me down now
But don’t let me down little darlin’. Don’t let me down babe
Alright now, yeah

I leave the lights on babe
Can you see your way in my front door now?
There’s a warm lit candle
A warm lit flame in my front window yeah, yeah
It’s got a warm soft glow
As warm as the sweet heat in my heart for you baby
And still I got my open arms now
Hoppin’ we can make a livin’ and lovin’ and a happy home babe

But still I can’t seem to call it a day yeah
Thinking about you any Ole way baby
I dream of you always around

But don’t let me down babe, don’t let me down now
Don’t let me down little mama, little mama, little mama, little mama
Don’t let me down now

Hum, alright now, Hum, Hum, Hum
Don’t let me down babe
Don’t let me down yeah. Don’t let me down now
______________________________________________

“Don’t Let Me Down” Track No.7 of the CD “The Genuine One”
©2006 Shane O’Brien
℗2010 JMProductions/Jungle Music Productions

TGO CDcover_January23 2010