Paul | Guitar Lessons and Performance - Paul Elwood

L.A. Freeway

“L.A. Freeway” is a song written by Guy Clark in 1970, a few months after he moved from California to Nashville, Tennessee. It was originally recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker for his self-titled 1972 album; his version reached #98 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” in July 1973. It was later released by Clark in 1975 on his debut album Old No. 1. It has been covered by artists including Steve Earle and Yellowstone actor Ryan Bingham.

“There are no mistakes, save one: the failure to learn from a mistake.” – Robert Fripp

Paul2026-04-13T17:10:20-04:00

clap for the wolfman

“Clap for the Wolfman” is a song written by Burton Cummings, Bill Wallace, and Kurt Winter performed by their band, the Guess Who. The song appeared on their 1974 album, Road Food. The song was ranked #84 on Billboard magazine’s Top Hot 100 songs of 1974.

Background

The song is an homage to Wolfman Jack, who is featured talking in his typical on-air DJ voice several times on the recording, including echoing Steve Miller‘s “pompatus of love” remark from his own contemporary hit The Joker. Wolfman Jack performed the song with the Guess Who in “The Midnight Special” and even in some live dates with the group. On other occasions Burton Cummings would impersonate Wolfman Jack’s voice.

“I don’t think you can ever do your best. Doing your best is a process of TRYING to do your best.” – Townes Van Zand

Paul2026-04-13T16:53:06-04:00

Six String Shrink

You’re never smarter for NOT knowing something

Paul2026-04-30T08:08:39-04:00

Doom Scrollin’

Doom_Scrollin’

You ever lie in bed looking at bad news on your phones? Me too.

Doomscrolling or doomsurfing is the act of spending an excessive amount of time watching short-form content or watching large quantities of user-generated content or news, particularly negative news, on the web and social media. The concept was coined around 2018, and became more widespread in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) observed that the pandemic was accompanied by widespread misleading information, conspiracy theories, and false reports, which it referred to as an “infodemic”.

Surveys and studies suggest doomscrolling is predominant among youth. More specifically, research indicates that doomscrolling tends to be more common among males, individuals in younger age groups and those who actively follow political events. It can be considered a form of internet addiction disorder. In 2019, a study by the National Academy of Sciences found that doomscrolling can be linked to a decline in mental and physical health. Numerous reasons for doomscrolling have been cited, including negativity bias, fear of missing out, increased anxiety, and attempts at gaining control over uncertainty.

“The good teacher….knows that the best learning environment is always student-centered, never teacher-centered.” -Yvone Enoch and James Lyke

Paul2026-05-01T12:54:57-04:00

Cenote Afternoon

cenote_afternoon

This song came out of a vacation trip to Mexico with Deb and this is a version of the A part.

We spent a lovely afternoon at a cenote in the jungle, kind of off the beaten path. I think we may have been the only Americans there that day, but the place was full of families just enjoying the beautiful natural scenery. A wonderful day.

Cenotes are natural, crystal-clear sinkholes formed by collapsed limestone bedrock, primarily located in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Derived from the Mayan word tz’onot (“sacred well”), they were once sacred to the Maya. With over 6,000 in Mexico, top examples include Ik Kil, Dos Ojos, and Azul, offering popular swimming and diving spots.

“Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people’s curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch fire.” – Anatole France

Paul2026-05-01T12:33:58-04:00

Catzilla

Catzilla!

…one crazy kaiju, she’s both angry and bitter cuz for half a million years she used the same kitty litter- CAT ZILLA! A fun tune about a giant cat monster.

“Teach the student first, the music second and the guitar third.” -Frances Clark

Paul2026-04-29T15:40:30-04:00

Way Down in the Hole

Way_Down_In_The_Hole

“Way Down in the Hole” is a song written by the singer-songwriter Tom Waits. It was included on his 1987 album Franks Wild Years, which was first presented as a stage production put on by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.

The song was used as the theme for HBO’s The Wire. A different recording was used each season. Versions, in series order, were recorded by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tom Waits, The Neville Brothers, DoMaJe, and Steve Earle. Season four’s version, performed by the Baltimore teenagers Ivan Ashford, Markel Steele, Cameron Brown, Tariq Al-Sabir and Avery Bargasse, was arranged and recorded specifically for the show. An extended version of the Blind Boys of Alabama recording was played over a montage in the series finale.

In 2004, music historian Kim Beissel said that the 1994 song “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds was loosely based on “Way Down in the Hole”.

“Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music […]

Paul2026-04-30T12:17:26-04:00

Too Close for Comfort

“Too Close for Comfort” is a popular song by Jerry Bock, George David Weiss, and Larry Holofcener.

It was written in 1956 as part of the score for the Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful starring Sammy Davis Jr., who released the song as a single on March 3, 1956 on Decca Records prior to the musical’s premiere. Several other pop vocalists, such as Eileen Barton, also recorded their own competing versions around this time, as well as other songs from the musical.

Paul2026-04-08T18:38:57-04:00

Picture To Burn

Paul2026-04-20T16:46:05-04:00

Let It Snow

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!“, also known as simply “Let It Snow“, is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945 in Hollywood, California, during a heatwave as Cahn and Styne imagined cooler conditions. The song was first recorded that fall by Vaughn Monroe, was released just after Thanksgiving, and became a hit by Christmas.

Other U.S. recordings during the 1945–46 winter season included those by Danny O’Neil (Majestic), Connee Boswell (Decca), Woody Herman (Columbia), and Bob Crosby

The song makes no mention of any holiday. The lyrics include spending time with a loved one during a snowstorm, enjoying a fireplace and popcorn. When the singer has to leave, feelings of love will keep him warm once he is outside in the cold. The song has come to be regarded as a Christmas song worldwide due to its winter theme, and is often played on radio stations during the Christmas and holiday season. It has been covered by multiple artists on Christmas-themed albums.

Paul2026-04-21T08:21:16-04:00

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