"The Continents Are Moving" (unplugged) -- original by Ted

[Ted]

The Continents Are Moving
© 1985, 2011 Ted Johnson

Me: Acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, ukulele, vocal
Recorder:Boss Micro BR

I wrote this song a long time ago -- like 1985. This was a time when I was just beginning to listen to a lot of African music, and I was fascinated by how some of the music I was hearing could sustain a song for so long based on a single groove. In 1987 I recorded this song with my old band, The Nutrients. You can hear that version here.

The Nutrients are going to have a reunion this year; playing a party on New Years Eve. Our singer was worried that he wouldn't be able to hit the high notes anymore, so I started to play with singing it an octave lower, and I liked the way it sounded, so I recorded this "unplugged version." (It turns out that our singer still can hit those notes, so the version we'll be performing on New Years Eve will be more like the old version.)

I borrowed the ukulele from Chuck Cheesman. This is one nice uke, a Ko'olau, made in Hawaii. I'm going to have more fun with this before I have to give it back.

This song contains the only rap I have ever written. That was enough.

Note that I am not apologizing for being a slacker member of this community; and I'm not promising to write and record more. I've broken that promise too many times. This level of participation is probably the way it's going to be. I suck, and shall continue to do so for the indefinite future.

[Satchwood]

Great song Ted, love that freakin smokin bass line and really cool lyrics!! i'm glad the zit on your forehead is gone lol i've eaten alot of tortillas, but i've never had a flowered tortilla

[steelguitar]

Great song!
I love it.... sounds a little like a JJ Cale song...
A great work on arrangements and guitar parts... great vocals!
Bravo!

[andy casson]

wow, very cool song, must admit I was flumoxed by the zit on the head comment, until I got to it in the song! That is one fab bass tone, and the uke cuts through with a nice touch of reverb, but the vocals are oustanding - fantastic harmonies! Was that a country rap in the middle?

loved it
andy

[Oldrottenhead]

magic has a real world vibe , i'm getting caribean, african and americana vibes from this one its a belter.

[Rata-tat-tat]

Great song Ted, love that freakin smokin bass line and really cool lyrics!! i'm glad the zit on your forehead is gone lol i've eaten alot of tortillas, but i've never had a flowered tortilla

You should really try em... they're delicious... and make your breath smell good to boot.

[Pipes]

My compliments are moving:)

Great listen.. keeps a keen interest all thru the song:)
different in a very good way:)

Lovely acoustic bass sound cutting thru:)

Great posting...try to keep them coming please:)

Nick

[Hook]

Really great songwriting, I dig the groove and can feel the move!
Rock on!

[Geir]

well well Ted.It was good to hear from you again!

You know we can never get enough of your wonderful music !!

This is really a fab song. Hard to put in a box, a true Ted quality song !!!!

Stellar performance too !!

Love it !

[Redler]

I like this a lot! Well written tune - the uke 'licks' puts fine flavor to this!

Works well without any percussion and the short acoustic bass solo sounds cool!!

Kari