THE MUSICIANS
THE 2 TODAY
Music and Lyrics by
Rob McGaw
and Jim Fenning
The bottom line is that this era of my life was a remarkable one, and there was some kind of chemistry that just happened between Rob and I, to be so in tune with each other, and to be able to bounce ideas off each other.
Our catalogue of original songs was small, but I will always remember the experience of going over to Rob’s House at 3 Hardwood Gate in Rexdale, to be greeted at the front door, Rob with guitar in his hands, playing some chords. There would be very little in the way of hi, how are you banter; so we would get settled and I would pull out a note pad, and start writing Lyrics, with the outcome of us having a new song to record, in as little as 20 minutes.
Many of the songs could be credited as above; Music by Rob McGaw, Lyrics by Jim Fenning. I know I was writing poetry at the time as well, and I would have a pad by my bed so that when the ideas came, I could capture them. I would marvel at reading these poems later in the day, with the odd sense that it was not me that wrote those words; they just arrived.
Once the musical landscape was set, I could so easily go places and see things, and really feel things; and the words came easy.
So thank you Rob for that gift. Our music saved me.
Jim Fenning and Rob McGaw
I will be adding Audio files here as they are edited. To deal with the possible bandwidth issue, I will use MP3 Files, but will also set up an option of downloading the high resolution Files I am working on.
Why (Two Today)
If I were a Carpenter (Rob)
You’re my Answer (Jim)
Lisa Lisa (Rob)
Morning (Jim)
Jim Fenning
Then and Now
One of my early influences was “electronic music”; what you can see here in this photo is the first consumer level synthesizer introduced in Canada in 1973; A Roland SH-1000. I now have a small studio in the basement of our house in Nelson and have the option of Software Synthesizers that are a fraction of the price of the original hardware versions. The Image below is an ARP 2600.
New Music: Also posted on Bandcamp
Here is an original composition played on the Roland; recorded by playing the tape backwards. No alteration from original recording, now some 50 years old.
Electron
I’m calling this GUILD JAM 1; 1 Recording, in Stereo, 2 Condenser Mikes aimed at my Guild f-30 and then modified through Logic Pro X; there is some clipping as I was still learning the software, and I have tried to replicate this, but like this version.
Song for Margriet
John Carnegie
John and Tom and I at the entrance to Tom’s Apartment, downtown Toronto; as I recall, just to the right of this photo is another building, and this is where Blue Rodeo used to rehearse.
This is John Carnegie, Tom’s younger brother, and also brother to Val; the oldest, who I dated for awhile; and that’s another story…..
John and I worked together at Music World at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto.
And, you guessed it, John is a Musician as well, and I have a number of songs here from a recording made on Jan 20, 1976.
In listening to these songs I was reminded of how talented John is, great guitar player and great songs.
1. Going home
5. Child’s Eyes
2. I’m not leaving cause of you
6. Sky High
3. Burning Light
4. Hello and Goodbye
7. When it comes to mind
Tom Carnegie
Tom was a part of our circle of friends and musicians during the Two Today era; I was always impressed with the scope of skill that Tom demonstrated, a musician, artist, architect, carpenter. Tom worked with Laurie and Ross and designed and built their new family home on the site of the original McGaw Cabin.
We have all drifted apart and live in different parts of the Country, however, the bond I felt with Tom and others is immeasurable. Thank you Tom, wherever you are now.
Sunshine, Sunshine
This is a Photo of Tom and his brother John, who now lives in Amsterdam. John was a good friend and a musician as well, and at one point, we worked together for MUSIC WORLD; the company that took over after the Shultz’s sold their store.
