Need your input
Ok, so I’m printing up versions of the Letters EP to give away on the upcoming Caedmon’s tour. I want to add a pair of songs from each of my full-length albums after the EP, as a bit of a sampler. I’ve got these picked so far:
After the Garden (The Morning)
Kara (Photographs)
New Mexico – Bonus Version (Photographs Remastered)
Early in the Morning (The Morning)
It’s not feeling quite right. “After the Garden” seems too much after “Swing Wide” and the other three are all spacious, atmospheric numbers. Which I tend to love the most. Any better ideas? I’ve got three or four hours tops, so if you have an idea leave it as a comment quickly! Thanks!!!
(By the way, in a few days I’ll have a page up where folks can help both chip in financially to give these away and also request some for themselves to give out. If anybody has any suggestions for setting that stuff up, I’ve got ideas but, again, don’t feel they’re quite right. Rock!!!)
January 28th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
“High School Band” all the way.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Songs I love:
New Beginning
White Dove
Kankakee
The Phoenix
January 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I’d say White Dove would be a great one to come in after Swing Wide. It’s starts out with enough of an atmospheric feel, but then builds into something that gives the listener a sample of your “bigger” sound. Of course, after that I’d bust into After the Garden or Santa Barbara, but that’s me.
Can’t wait to buy a couple!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
How about
Kara
House of Mirrors
New Mexico
EITM
?
I love rocking out with Santa Barbara or After the Garden, but you’re right, they don’t fit. House of Mirrors has some excellent writing and a more spacious sound while still rocking out.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
dude after swing wide you should follow up with house of mirrors then into after the garden i think it would be a great flow
January 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
new beginning
January 28th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
House of Mirrors, and I’ll tell you why.
I bought my first AO CD based on the streaming “House of Mirrors” from “The Morning.” It has that atmospheric quality to it, but it builds up to a measure of intensity that made me want to go back and hear it again. It seems to be the track for me that strikes the balance of what you get on the rest of the CD. It “feels” similar to “Hold the Light,” as far as the vibe goes.
Also, what about throwing one of those little chapter songs on it too. Those are memorable because they’re brief. They’re unlike anything you’re getting on most records these days in that they are little snippets– glimpses through a hole in the fence. I like “Just a Kid” or “All the Wrong Reasons” best for a project like this one. Weren’t you going to make a fuller length version for one of those? That might come in handy for some future album sales as well.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
is having Kankakee on there too much from Photographs? That is a delightful song, an essential in my small opinion.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Can anything really follow Swing Wide???
I guess I’m with Russ on House of Mirrors. And short of being able to put “hold the light” on this one, that’d be my pick.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I love “If I had wings”…
January 28th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
i think “early in the morning” or “new beginning” would be great!
January 28th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I think I’d put “White Dove” after “Swing Wide…” instead of “After the Garden.” It transitions a little better and it builds and builds until it rocks your socks off. I like the other three selections for the EP.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
If you’re going to use anything from The Morning it absolutely has to be “Early in the Morning.” So what would contrast that but not be so aurally shocking? I’d have to go with “White Dove.” I like “House of Mirrors” but I think it’s a bit too mellow here. As far as stuff from Photographs I think “Kara” is an excellent choice, but I’ve never been a fan of “New Mexico” (sorry).
“High School Band” is the reason I bought Photographs in the first place and I particularly love the bonus version on the remastered edition. So there’s my two cents worth of opinion!
January 28th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Could you play any of your Letters EP on this tour?
Oh, and could you bring Andy Gullahorn with you, please?
January 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
High School Band
January 28th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
After the garden
White Dove
-both of those for sure…..top form
then
Kara
The High School band
I feel that the latter is an overlooked yet tremendous testament to the craft of songwriting.Think about it…it’s good, you know it.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
After “Swing Wide”, I’d go into White Dove, then House of Mirrors, Kara, and HSB (a better choice than New Mexico, to my mind). If you have to slip “Early in the Morning” in there, put it in after Kara in place of HSB.
But what the hey – it’s all good!
January 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Ok, first of all…
Who the heck puts up a blog and gets over a dozen suggestions in an hour? Some crazy lucky guy, that’s who. You guys are amazing.
Secondly, but you’re making my job harder. You reminded me of songs I forgot about. Now I have more to have to choose from.
I was able to get an extension and so I can sneak this in first thing in the morning. Keep the suggestions coming and we’ll figure it out.
I am so honored and grateful to have you guys. If only the internet could give you a great big group hug….
January 28th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I know you feel like there are too many mellow/vibey songs on there, but I really would love to see “It’s Too Far to Walk Tonight” and “When Will I Run”. And of course you have to have EITM.
I also vote for “White Dove” over “After the Garden”, if it’s between the two. And “New Beginning”. And “We Were So Sure We Would Change the World”.
Just be sure to specify for people on the free cd that this is a sampler and not a best of, because the rest of each album is just as good.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Andy I would vote for New Beginning. Or White Dove.
Can’t wait to see you all in the L town soon!
January 28th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Yeah, I don’t see how you can not have EITM. If there’s a single song that has to be on the album, that’s it.
If you’re gonna keep the whole thing more or less atmospheric, then I’d still stick with my original recommendation -
House of Mirrors
Kara
New Mexico
EITM
I know some people love High School Band, but let’s face it, you’ve played that at most every concert you’ve had a chance to play in the last couple of years. Folks won’t be as familiar with something like House of Mirrors or New Mexico, and they are EXCELLENT songs that folks should be introduced to.
If you have to choose between Kara and Kankakee, I’d go with Kara every time. And don’t even think about pulling New Mexico in order to sneak something else on.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
My vote is for “Early in the Morning” or “The Priest and the Iron Rain”. PLEASE.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
High School Band. It was the first song of yours I heard, I think, and I loved it immediately.
But you have to figure out a way to get one of those rockin’ songs from The Morning on there, too. I think you should include “Santa Barbara” I could listen to that a million times…and it might flow a little bit better with some of your other choices….
Just my $.02.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
House of mirrors is an excellent song, but you really need to give the people listening to this sampler an actual sample of the range of different styles and feels you are capable of. Having every song be mellow and atmospheric like Kara and House of mirrors doesn’t showcase that range. It gives people the impression that all your stuff sounds too much alike, which it actually doesn’t…
So with that in mind I say use Kankakee after Swing wide, then go to White Dove (or even Santa Barbra would work here), then on to New Mexico (either version), then Early in the morning… That way you get an acoustic folky song with Kankakee, a rocker with White Dove, a great display of lyrical ability with New Mexico, and a taste of your flair for the atmospheric with Early in the Morning…
January 28th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
White Dove
The Man of the House
Dance Away the City
New Mexico
January 28th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
i still vote for kara.
it’s just so good.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I vote for:
Photographs
House of Mirrors
When Will I Run
New Beginning
January 28th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Early in the Morning
High School Band
I know I keep posting this every time it comes up… but, since I can’t make it to the Caedmon’s show, will I be able to purchase a copy of “Letter To The Editor Vol. 1″ so I can have a physical copy? Pretty please?
Keep writin’, keep playin’ and keep singin’, Andy!
God bless
January 28th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Kara, and Early in the Morning. Hands Down.. Great fit with “letters…”
January 28th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
photographs is the best song in the world
January 29th, 2008 at 1:15 am
dude. photographs is a winner. and i am partial to santa barbara. early in the morning i figure is on there, but i would like to see new beginning instead. and i love kara. and if you could be convinced to put a song off off souvenirs, the priest and the iron rain may be my favorite A.O. song. its just great songwriting. anywho… bobes. (what?)
January 29th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Not seeing any votes for “Following the Blind” but that is my all time favorite!
January 29th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Yea Tim, I definitely change my vote from White Dove to Following the Blind… Much better choice…
January 29th, 2008 at 7:09 am
High School Band (acoustic version) has to be on there someplace.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I think that Dance Away the City works out nicely after Swing Wide – it’s the kind of song that would attract many different listeners. Follow it with White Dove, THSB, and although this doesn’t seem to be in the mix, I’d go with If I Had Wings – simple, elegant, painfully honest, and you sound great with Steven Delopoulos.
I guess what’s important is that you keep your target market for this sampler in mind. Some of my favorite AO songs are not songs that I use to introduce new listeners to your music. I’ve found that I have to work them up to the really deep stuff.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Ok, so now I’m thinking…
White Dove/House of Mirrors
Kara
High School Band
Early in the Morning
Thoughts? I’ve got from now til I get to the studio (in about 15 minutes) to make up my mind for sure. You guys are the greatest.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I’m quite late to the game but those songs sound pretty good to me Andy.
I would vote for Kankakee over Kara just to show a bit more of your range. Oh and I echo Warren’s request to bring Andy Gullahorn on the Caedmon’s Tour. 
Peace,
Tom
January 29th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Given the choice between White Dove and House of Mirrors, I think I’d go with White Dove, simple for the difference in “feel”. The opening starts “mellow-y” and then it really grows.
Just my 0.02 euro.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I’m still pulling for House of Mirrors.
And I still think it would be cool to have one of the little snippet songs from Morning as maybe a hidden track.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I would mourn the loss of New Mexico – I think people are more familiar with HSB, so whether that means it should be on or off is a matter of mindset, I guess.
I’m voting for
HoM
Kara
New Mexico
EITM
(Of course, those are 4 of my all-time favorites, so I am a bit biased.
)
January 29th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I suggest Kankakee over Kara, but I’m prejudiced!
Keep up the good work!
January 29th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I second Chris Hubbs’ suggestions.
HoM (or White Dove, that would be ok, too)
Kara
New Mexico
EITM
January 29th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Please, no High School Band.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I gotta agree with Travis. I think it’s a cult favorite more than widely appealing.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:24 am
*cough*
Song List
*cough*
January 29th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I dissagree with Travis and Kathering. I think HSB is an extremely well written song that shows off your versatility. Leave it on there.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Well, it’s too late, but here are the four most popular AO songs on rhapsody:
1. Kara
2. Too Far to Walk
3. Marilyn
4. Photograph
January 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
it’s probably too late, but this is what you should have done :
when will i run
new beginnings
two far to walk
early in the morning
definately agree with the “No on HSB” folks… great song, but the wrong intro to your music…
January 29th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I hope I’m not too late too.
White Dove/House of Mirrors
Kankakee (really smooth transition out of House of mirrors)
Kara (again the transition is straight from the song arrangement on Photographs)
Early in the Morning
I agree to nix HSB. Love the song, but it’s just not the right fit.