I’m a music composer and writer, with some music in films and documentaries as well as on iTunes (Ascap).
The Exile release trailer, with an emotional, moody piece of music I wrote for ‘An Unusual Life’, the E-book.
Although a bit of a child of rock, influenced by artists I grew up with, I gravitate towards remix and re-interpretations, as that was my unique generational experience. So although this begins as a story about people around iconic rock music artists, mostly accomplished ones, I suspect we will cross a few boundaries in style, if for nothing but to stay open to developmental and new forms of musical exploration.
Is You Is. Nell Carter is the other voice on this song, the male voice and re-production is mine. It’s actually a reinterpretation of Cole Porter’s ‘Is You Is’ (some parts from a Verve remix track need replacing). Nell was a Grammy and Tony award winning actress. She was the lead in ‘Ain’t Misbehaving’ – a hugely successful revue from the 80s and 90s – as well as an actress in a number of tv series. She had gone through a roller coaster of fame, substance abuse and man troubles. By this time however, mid-noughties, she seemed to have overcome them and was extremely happy. Unexpectedly we got a call in the edit room informing us that Nell had just passed away from a heart attack. Ironically just as we were editing the final ensemble cast scene under credits for Swing, the little indie film I flew from Istanbul to edit.
But then again, I am occasionally partial to writing a bit of folk-rock
Kinder Days. An unusual folk/rock track I wrote and recorded for We Are Juan’s ‘Road to Reach You‘, available on iTunes. The song came to me in ten minutes and I almost didn’t bother to stop and write the thing before leaving the Sheraton Hotel to go to work to edit Swing. It seemed too simple. Although people laugh at the idea, it’s a conspicuously different experience for songwriters, perhaps a channelled thing.
SentimentalSoldier – C. Weber
Soldier – Original Charley Weber
Above and below are a selection of songs, some original and some re-interpretations, which will underscore the biographical chapters in the E-Book. A few are in the music player (lower right, main screen). Right now they are getting upgraded with new recording equipment, my mustang guitar, new and better drums and a deeper and more polished level of production.
Original Unpublished Music
Two Tracks – C. Weber (Free/Not Published).
Welcome to The New World/The Pirate’s Song – C. Weber (Free/Not Published)
Everybody Else – C. Weber (Free/Not Published).
Once – C. Weber (Free/Not Published).
Spanish Lullaby – C. Weber (Free/Not Published).
Third Rose – C. Weber (Free/Not Published).
Reinterpretations and Cover Material for ‘An Unusual Life’
A Day in The Life, by Lennon and McCartney (C. Weber voices, arrangement and instruments). These are the clean multi-track recordings for what we hope will be unique quarterly remixes from the site, featuring guest artists, singers and talented new mixing engineers. This classic will be a part clear and part Jungle cross-interpretation and mix the best of guested material into an ensemble piece not unlike the BBC reworking of Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’. There are others, like Layla, and a Dub version of Debbie Harry’s Call Me. The remixes are seen possibly as interesting exchange and a meeting point between various generations of producers and artists.
Arrangements, voices and instruments by C. Weber (Ascap).
Is You Is – C. Porter. Dance. With Nell Carter and C. Weber vocals.
Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys – W. Jennings.
Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys. W. Jennings. Vocals and parts ny C. Weber. Electro version. European mountainmusic or country music is a unique cultural genre. I’ve written a new original in that style – Two Tracks – sort of in the vein of Seasick Steve, although currently the production seems too full at the moment. But for many of us, Gram Parsons, Carl Perkins and Willie Nelson are or were among the greatest.
Angel – J. Hendrix. Alt Rock. Incorporating the new production sounds, particularly crisper and more open and authentic drums.
Angel, Jimi Hendrix. A reinterpretation, instruments and voices by Charley Weber
A number of the tracks will be posted with audio stems, for budding mix engineers into giving that a whirl. Particularly Layla (which is supposed to be a rural Turkish flavoured remix), Call Me – the Debbie Harry track (supposed to be more of a deeper Dub reinterpretation). A couple of others, like My Baby Just Cares for Me, I Don’t Claim to Be An Angel and Shine A light, which I sense need either new vocals or some traditional Gospel backing accompaniment.
Layla – Derek and the Dominos, Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon.
Layla – E. Clapton. A reinterpretation with guitars and voices by Charley Weber (Stems available). An historic song and behind the scenes romance story, which opens up all kinds of explorative questions about love, projection, escape and addiction. Treading a balance between truth and tongue in cheek: a modern retelling of the story of Layla and Majnun, largely told visually. An Anatolian Saz player gets banished to the mountains and living among his goats, he writes love songs for his beloved, Layla. Her parents have forbidden the union, deeming him unworthy marriage material for their daughter. It is intended to underscore an E-Biography section posing the question: does everyone have at least one Layla in their lives? To me the production sounds a bit too straight at the moment. The intention is for a more Anatolian mix and feel.
Shine A Light – Jagger/Richards. C.Weber vocals and guitar. According to the records, this was written about Brian Jones. I may clear some of these songs with an agency.
Charley Weber Portfolio 