Here’s another song added.

Dust in the Wind
Music by Kansas.
All instruments and Voice by – Ty Martell

Mobile Player here:

I know, I know.
I vowed not to sing in the songs I play.
But I must admit, it makes it way easier,
than playing the vocal notes.

And when I say easier,
I mean I am Lazy.
And by lazy, I mean it Sucks.
And when I say it sucks, I mean my Neighbors.
And when I say my neighbors, I mean “Hate.”

And by hate, I mean War.
And by war I mean Desert.
And by desert, I mean Sand,
And by sand, I mean Dust,
and by dust, I mean Death.

See?
See what I did there?
It came full circle!
Death to Death.

That was clever huh?
And when I say “clever,”
I mean I should shut up.

So, here I am.
Shutting up.

(SHUT UP!!)

…and Tyler turns 3!

There was this song I used to play a long time ago.
Though it never really mattered much,
nor anything at all.
Until my son was born.

I really do wish I have written this one.
So, Happy Birthday Tyler!
Our son, who gave meaning to it all.

This song is for you.

Just A Word Away
Words and Music by – Chris de Burgh
Voice and Guitars by – Ty Martell

Your Momma and I,
love you very much.

Click here for Lyrics

New song added!

ESL Posse

Backing tracks from Total Guitar Mag.
Guitars by yours truly.
—

There’s this Jazz bar back in the Philippines,
where me and my friends sometimes used to hang out at.

Okay that is not entirely true.
We pretty much grew up in this place. We were there a lot!

The place is called ESL (East St. Louis).

So, this music post is a tribute to the enjoyment
we have shared while we hung out at this bar.
(Or from whatever we remember,
with all the alcohol consumption that damaged our brain.)

I was just going to call this “The ESL,”
but I changed it to “ESL Posse.”
Since that was what we used to call ourselves,
and I seem to enjoy saying that word.
Posse.

This music is pretty similar to the songs they used to play
while we were in this bar.
A bit of a Jazzy, Bossanova-esque style.

The melody just kept churning in my head for weeks.
I must have heard it somewhere before.
Probably at the bar’s restroom while I was throwing up.
But that’s not important right now.

Not much Guitar effects on this one.
I tried to achieve a sound that is raw, clean and real.

Just like how real me and my friends were when we were together.
And when I say together, I mean we would all wake up in someone’s bedroom,
trying to figure out where in the hell we were.
Hung over, or hungry.
Fighting who gets to use the bathroom first.
You know. Together.

Posse!!!!!

Mobile Player here:

Fragile
– by Rick Price

An old song I used to play a lot.
And since I have played it so much,
you would think I would have nailed it by now.

Nope!
It still sucks.
Just like any other song I did here.

So why do I bother posting them?
Because I am a sad, strange individual.
And I should have your pity.

Mobile Player here:

She’s Always A Woman To Me
– by Billy Joel.

My friend, Herschelle reminded me of this song.
(I read it on her Friendster profile)

I believe this song is one of the best songs ever written.
Plus it reminds me a lot of a simpler time.

I guess, as a musician,
you find comfort in your music as well.
I tend to play songs that calms me when thoughts are plenty.

Well, plus most people say my music here puts them to sleep.
Yup. That’s how bad they are.

Today, is our 1 year wedding anniversary.
So I better make this short.

I added a song my wife and I made years ago.
She wrote the words, and I did the music.

Mobile Player here:

You Were Always There.
by – Tracy
All instruments by – Ty Martell

Now I didn’t put up the words,
since I don’t really have her permission to.
So I just have the melodies done by guitars.

A bit of a “ballad”, “Blue Rodeo-esque” influence.

I wanted to have this song played on our wedding,
But I was too chicken shit.

And another one for Mother’s day.

Mobile Player here:

The Rose
Music by Bette Midler.
Guitars by – Ty Martell

A little tribute I did, for my Mom and Tracy’s Mom.
For always getting us out of sticky situations.

Thanks Moms.

And a very Happy Mother’s day to all Mommies!
That includes me I guess.

PS – The photos would be down for the meantime.

Mobile Player here:

Cliffs Of Dover
Music by – Eric Johnson
Guitars by – Ty Martell

You know, I was thinking.
(It’s something I do when things are slow.)
How come no matter how much I try,
I can’t play like these guitar gods and legendary musicians.

Then I came to an “epiphany”.
(Okay not really. I just wanted to use the word epiphany.)
I think that the reason I can’t play like these guys is that,
most of them have more than six fingers on their left hand.

I only have five,
And I can’t even bend my ring finger.

Anyway,
here’s my pathetic attempt
on this classic guitar tune by Eric Johnson.

I hope you like it.
Please do.
At least for pity.
It took me a month to learn this.
And another month to record it in one take.

I was going to write something “religious” about Easter,
but I got into thinking.

How can I write something about “praises”,
when I have hatred in my heart?

Is it hypocritical of me to say what I feel about my religion,
when I spend so much time and effort, hating my fellow men?

Do I have to pretend to spread the good news, through what I write,
when I wish for everyone who pisses me off, to burn in hell?

Who am I to talk about how great it is to worship the living God,
when I spend half of my time in church, thinking about other things?
Or if I go at all?

When I can’t even pray,
like how I used to pray?

When I can’t talk to Him,
like I used to?
Or if I talk to Him at all?

Then I got into more thinking?

I realized that the hatred in my heart,
makes me human.

I realized that my complaints are being heard,
even though I complain that they weren’t.

I realized that, even though I am a Christian,
that doesn’t make me a Saint.

I realized that even though I haven’t talked to Him,
He kept His relationship with me.

I realized that He doesn’t care about my shortcomings.

I realized how much He has blessed me.

And I realized that He is God.
He doesn’t need us to make Himself a better God.
But He still stayed with us anyway.

But, why?
Why would He?
Why should He?

So, I spent most of Easter pondering about this,
and how I would wish I would get an answer.

I know, I wouldn’t understand it all,
but at least, something that would give me some peace of mind.

So, I turn to music.
It’s what comes natural, when emotions are high,
and thoughts are plenty.

So, I just kept noodling around,
letting the music talk.
When I started playing this one simple tune,
and I can’t stop playing it.

A song we used to sing back in High School.
It’s called “I Love you”.
I don’t even know who wrote it. (UPDATE: It was actually a song by Bro. Mike Lapid)

Then it hit me.
Actually, it was more like a “Listen up, Stupid!”

He was talking to me.
Or at least letting me understand.

And I hope, as I end this post,
that someone, somewhere would understand,
that Easter is really not about the Bunny.
Or the Eggs.
Or the Sweets.

Easter is Life.
It’s the one true “Christmas”.

Mobile Player here:

UPDATE –
Click HERE for a newer version of this song.

I LOVE YOU

I love you,
‘Cause that’s just what I am.
I could never turn away from you, and leave you all alone.
Yes, I love you.
I could never leave you all alone and leave you way behind.

Refrain 1:
Though you weigh no more than dust,
placed on a scale, you rise.
Though your worth is just as much as sand,
I love you just the same.
I am love, I am love.

Refrain 2:
Though your sins be dark as scarlet,
I will turn them white as snow.
Though your sins be red as crimson,
They mean nothing more to me.

For I made you and you’re meant for me,
for all eternity.
I have loved you, Yes I love you.
I’ll always will love you.

I love you,
‘Cause that’s just what I am.
I could never show you greater love than lay my life for you.
Yes, I love you.
What more proof do you ask?
Show me any love that’s greater than
the love I’ve shown to you.

(Repeat Refrains 1 & 2)

Oh, and Happy Easter to everyone!

“Tamis Ng Unang Halik”
(The Sweetness Of The First Kiss)

Music by – Kristina Paner
Solo Guitar by – Ty Martell

An old Filipino Ballad,
that just won’t leave my mind for days.

It was kinda cute the first time I was playing it,
but then it took me 3 days to record,
so after that time,
I had to finish this song and get rid of it.

But that wasn’t how I felt with my first kiss.
Oh it was magical!

Of course, I had to make sure I clean the mirror afterwards.

Show Me A Smile
by
The APO Hiking Society.

A classic tune by one of the Philippines’ brilliant musical groups.

When I was younger,
and still learning guitar,
this was one the songs I would play quite often.

I specifically remember one night, I was trying to get some sleep,
but this song was on constant repeat inside my head.

I believe it was 2 or 3 in the morning,
I couldn’t take it anymore,
so I got up and played this tune.

This song just reminds me of a simpler time.
Funny how my life was different way back then.

Anyhow, without further anything,
Here’s Show Me A Smile.

Mobile Player here:

All instruments by – Ty Martell

I hope you like it.