Zack Shapiro music

I've been really bad about recording myself this summer but I plan to do it later this week.

I've got a few songs and a few covers I'd like to share with you guys and the world.

My original tracks are:

Jersey's Song
Mary and the Asbury Blues
Ancient Newlyweds

and covers:

Great Expectations
Old White Lincoln
Alabaster by Rocky Votolato
Ball and Chain by Social Distortion


I'm hoping to put out two EPs by the end of the summer, Songs About Baltimore and Songs About Jersey.

I'll have something for you guys soon

awesome, I can't wait to hear the tunes

awesome im amped to hear

Yeah I'll definately give these a listen if you record them Vibes!

I can't wait to hear them.

As soon as the painter leaves and the radio is off I'm going to try to record as many as I can.

A little update: instead of going the MySpace route I have gotten an account on Muxtape, a site built especially for musicians.

I've got the framework up, I just need to put up the music (you know, the important part)

You can check out my Muxtape account at http://zackshapiro.muxtape.com

not taking the myspace route im impressed

My new electric. Her name's Patience. It came highly recommended from a friend.

That's one sexy guitar.

Patience is a beauty!

My uncle had a '59 Strat (I think it was a Strat), a guitar that he said was way too good for his abilities and he named it Patience.

I like the name because I do things fast and it reminds me to slow down. I rewrite a few of my songs because a lot of times I like to fill up lines so I can get the next ones down, placeholders of sorts.

Patience will be good to me, my songs are a-coming, I promise.

I agree that is a very nice looking guitar Vibes. Can't say I've give my bass a name, but I have named my iPod 'Angry Johnny'.

I've got 3 guitars, but I've only officially named my old archtop. She's called "Red."
It's actually my mother-in-law's old guitar (my sister's husband's mother). She got it back when she was in college in the 60's, but never kept up with it and it sat in her garage for who knows how long. Pretty thing, but I want to get a setup done on it and fix it up a bit. Still sounds great. Reason I named it Red is because my m-i-law's name is carved on the head. "Texas Red ... Martha."

My others are a Yamaha classical nylon and a black Ibanez acoustic-elec. Pics will come sooner or later

Oh my god! No way! Zack Shapiro posted songs for the first time ever?!!?!?!

Yes, it's true. If you head over to http://zackshapiro.muxtape.com you can listen to the first two songs on my "Jersey" EP. One you don't know, one you do know. Listen to the one you don't know first, please.

I'd love to hear any comments you may have.

Jersey's Song is actually great. I love the guitar at the start and some really lyrics, I noticed you dropped in a bit about 'Little Eden'! I'm really impressed by it. And your voice is growing on me. It seems a tad bit brash but you can definetly sing.

Just got in from work and a bit tired now, but I'm looking forward to definately giving these a listen within the next couple of days...

'bout damn time. jk. but seriously, that song is really, really good. i could see it working really well with a full band too. you should look into that. give Patience a shot at it

can't wait to hear more from you, man. be sure to keep us up to date, 'cause i'll probly forget to check too often. have you written the untitled tracks on Songs About Jersey yet, or are you just planning to make it a 4-song ep?

I need to write 1 more song for the Jersey EP. I'm gonna put Old White Lincoln on it because I love the cover that I do, it incorporates all of my favorite covers by Brian into 1.

Man, I'm lovin Jersey. Great lyrics, great progression. Good good stuff.

The only criticism I'd have is on vocals. Have you considered voice lessons? Your vocal timbre is really wonderful, IMO, but you could use some tightening on note control.

Thanks tdawg

I've considered voice lessons, yes. I think I may take some or at least work with my buddy who's a great vocalist. I've never really sung before two years ago when I took music theory and was forced to sing. I know my note control isn't great.

yo, you gotta fix the link to your music in your sig. you got the "muxtape" and the "zackshapiro" backwards

Vibes wrote:

Thanks tdawg

I've considered voice lessons, yes. I think I may take some or at least work with my buddy who's a great vocalist. I've never really sung before two years ago when I took music theory and was forced to sing. I know my note control isn't great.

Haha, I know what you mean! When I took music theory, I was horrified to realize I had to sing.

Also, holy schnikes... I just saw your site, and you read The Things They Carried?? That's one of my favorite books of all time. Seriously good.

I read it my junior year of high school. I fucking love that book.

I gave these a listen Vibes. I definately enjoyed Jersey's Song more than Old White Lincoln, but I think that is because I'm used to Brian Fallon singing the latter. I thought the lyrically Jersey's Song was good; I can't comment on singing really because I've no idea about it. I'll admit you sounded different to what I expected- perhaps even better- although I didn't want to judge before I'd checked the songs out.

I'd say keep at it, definately. Do you play with a band at all? Maybe that would help you take it up a level, unless of course you're happy with just your guitar!

One more thing- I think the idea of naming two EPs 'Songs About...' is simple but effective genius.