Revolution's Son (w/ twonicus)

TobinMueller

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Description

The most recent version of this song can be found here:
Revolution's Son (with guitar, organ and remixed bass)

This is a collaboration between myself and my son (MJ member: twonicus). Alimar also provided much appreciated support, encouragement, and his skills re-engineering the vocals. But the whole thing started after a conversation with Troy about the nature and sustaining power of revolution. So, all these fellows deserve thanks.

I wanted to get this posted by the July Fourth weekend. Even tho I think the "Freedom come alive" section may get a guitar solo sometime in the future (what do you think, can you hear it? does it need something more?), I wanted to put out this initial version in time. Who knows, this may well be the final version. It sure has been long in the making!

I am working on four Prog Rock collaborations with my son. This is the first in the series. It has been thrilling. He was newly married (!) last week, so maybe we can get back to work next week! I think the lyrics on this one are especially poignant when you know it is a father-son team producing it.

Vocals: Anton (twonicus); Tobin (backing vocals)
Organs/keyboards: Tobin
Basses: Anton (twonicus)
Drums: D.O.D, Platinum Drum samples - edited by Tobin
Lyrics: Tobin

This track has since been remastered and appears on my 2008 release, AUDIOCDRACY: Revolution's Son, available through CDBaby. Reviews are available on the MJ BLOG: Member CD Reviews.

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Lyrics

REVOLUTION'S SON:

Did you miss it?
Did it pass you by?
Raise me up. Raise me up, Revolution.

I dreamed it
in childhood
a simple thing
inside me
like fathers
with eyes that sting:
a child, a cradle, a mother sings,
a hero, a story, an opening...

Raise me, raise me, raise me.
Raise me, raise me, raise me up.

Lullabies and bullets.
Pens and shiny swords.
Can you ever not feel it?
Blood and the umbilical cord,
to be the one, the true son,
with eyes like knives and a Mother's song,
a better man, a Son of Revolution?

All the hopes,
can I let them down?
All the stars I have counted,
what is their sum?
All the lives,
accumulation
within me. What am I waiting for?
Within in me. What am I waiting for?
What am I waiting for?
What are we waiting for?

Pull it down from the mountain.
Read it off of parchment clean.
Reflected there, from the blood in the streets.
How many times must it repeat, repeat, repeat?
Repeat?

All the changing,
did it pass you by?
Raise me up! Raise me up!

Freedom, freedom come alive.

Freedom is a dream.
Freedom is a dance.
Freedom is a song.
Freedom is a chance.

In the outlaw love of a Mother,
beyond every law is the cradle.
Rebellion is a lullaby
to the boy inside, the boy inside.
Beyond every law of the father
is the tearing off of the labels
for the boy inside to realize
the boy inside, the boy inside.

Raise me up! Raise me up!

Don't miss the changes...
Don't miss the changes... the change is me, the change is you.
Don't miss the changes...

Song Stats

Hits: 3786
Comments: 57
Fans: 17
Plays: 583
Downloads: 172
Votes: 34
Uploaded: Jul 01, 2005 - 11:49:54 AM
Last Updated: Jan 23, 2009 - 08:20:46 AM Last Played: Oct 23, 2009 - 09:26:13 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

progressive rock (59), art rock (32), arena rock (6), organ (87), collaboration (115), epic (43), father (43), son (24), B3 (8)

Hardware:

Keyboards: Roland a90ex 88-key controller
Bass: Olympia 5-string bass
Mic: EV 757
Mac G4; MOTU 2408; Mackie board

Software:

GB 2: used for all organ/keyboard sounds; used by Alimar for re-engineering vocals
Digital Performer: recording all vocals and bass; original mix
Waves: bass effects
Live 4: drum editing
D.O.D./Platinum Drums: drumming
AMG ExpansionPack: extra organ patches
Alimar: took original vocal mix and layered in all the separate tracks (I think there were 7 vocals tracks) to create a far more vital sound
Peak: 2-track final mastering

Comments

Z293	Z293 said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Turned Out Great Thanks for giving me my shot but your talent is just on a another level from mine. Great Prog Rock sound. Your son gave it that extra edge with his bass playing. I thought his vocals were great the first time I heard this and your keyboards give it that Yes feel. Check out my latest song called The Fine Line

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

Turned Out Great
Thanks. It was fun drafting this piece. I started with the organs, added a
dummy drum track, then sang in the lyrics, all the parts, for my son to learn
from. I think that was the first version you heard. He definitely turned it up a
notch with his vocal overdubs. Then I perfected the drum track, layered some
organs that got lost in the shuffle, and passed it to Alimar, who fixed the
vocals so wonderfully. The last piece was Anton's bass. He played in 2 tracks
and I used about 5 different filters and amps to get the sound to work in my
ears. Great fun.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Suzanne

Suzanne said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)

prog rock virtuosos
hearing you guys singing everything, after dozens of takes through the closed door of the studio, it is totally cool to finally hear all those layers of vocals (alimar, you did a great job!). the speed with which the parts change, the effortless pacing shifts, are thrilling. some of your amazing organ combinations get buried after the bass was added i know, i would always rather have your keyboards play solo), but the bass really adds a lot, more than i imagined, and the organ still carries an emersonian, layered, wakeman edgeand makes re-listening a joy. i love those little baby sounds, the kids on the beach, gives it another dimension. but, maybe the most amazing thing is the drumming. oh my gosh, in these speakers, they are so cool. sounds like a real group of virtuosos (which, of course, you are!)

Check out my latest song called Rock The Baby With Voodoo (w/Tobin)

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

prog rock virtuosos
I know what you mean about some of the subtle organ parts getting lost after
the bass was layered in, but I think it is better this way, giving the bass some
moments. It keeps the illusion that we're a group of 4 guys making this
music all at once, at least in my mind's eye. The bass has some great drive,
some very cool fills leading into different sections. He's still playing the same
bass I bought him was he was 15 years old! (Ok, that was only 9 years ago,
but still, I'm amazed he hasn't wrecked it yet.)

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Mr. S	Mr. S said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	great I'm always up for a revolution myself. Good song, I was gettin into that organ sound. Good job. S Check out my latest song called MacJammer's Tribute

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)
	great Every generation needs a revolution. Thanks for your comments, here and site-wide. Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Mr. S	Mr. S said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	great I'm always up for a revolution myself. Good song, I was gettin into that organ sound. Good job. S Check out my latest song called MacJammer's Tribute

fishboisfo

fishboisfo said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)

Hey !!
I thought this was really very good. Now, just a few possible critiques. ( I
realize that criticism is harsh when ever you finish a piece, but here goes ).
This song, to me, would be a lot better in cut time. ( or even a 5/8 or 7/8
time signature ) It's about a revolution, yes ? The tempo feels like a
pondering or a lullaby. The words/poetry/lyrics are outstanding, yet to me
they seem wasted. I was hoping to be called to action or movement - this
could be a melody to match the speed and esteem of a sewing circle. All in
all though, great production -- well done performance.

Check out my latest song called Lazarus

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)

Hey !!
Very cool that you caught the lullaby aspect to the music. This is part of the
essence of my take on revolution. One of the things I told Troy, "The greatest
revolution will come when we change the way we rear our children." Rebellion
is a lullaby to the boy inside. This is not a song about tearing down to make
way for a new order, about calling people to the ramparts. There are enough
of those. It is about internal change, about parental expectations, about
finding radical ways of thinking between father and son, mother and
daughter. I guess it comes from a Baby Boomer perspective, a 60s child: My
question, "Did you miss it?" refers to that. The changes. So, altho the song
may drag if you want Rage Against the Machine (and I am working on a song
like that too), this song is about something else. In my older father ears, the
tempo is just right.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

fishboisfo	fishboisfo said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Hey !! Well, I actually wasn't thinking about rage against the machine; i guess closer to "like a song" off the war album by U2. Please don't mis understand -- i enjoy your music -- i was just expecting something else. Check out my latest song called Lazarus

james87	james87 said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Yes This, with a little help from Jon Anderson would pass for early 70's Yes. Its excellently crafted, particularly the drums. I particularly like the contrasts of texture and tempo. Check out my latest song called Freefall

FEEL	FEEL said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Yes I agree...big yes fan here...I do like this tune...well mixed...great colab --- TEXASFEEL Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

Yes
Hands down, Yes was my favorite band. I have always wanted to write stuff
like that. I actually wrote a futuristic rock opera in this style but it was never
completed, for lack of funding (and it wold be so complex for actors to sing!);
turned it into a story and video game; but I really dug doing the music. If it
sounds like something Yes could have done, I consider that a high
compliment. Thanks.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Cameron

Cameron said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)

a wonderful family affair
This is a great collaborative effort, made even more
special by the family bond.

The vocals are very rich and full -- not only excellent
voices in their own right, but the expert mastering by
Alimar maximizes it.

Inspiring lyrics, very poetic. Very appropriate for this time
and for any time.

Very tasteful instrumental accompaniment; bass, drums
and organ/keyboards complement the whole perfectly.

I especially like the wash of sound provided by the organ
at the end. Wow!

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

a wonderful family affair
Thanks. There are times the vocals are used in a very orchestral way, which
is the tradition of vocal-rich prog bands. I think most of them were
influenced my classical music and melodramatic opera stylings. I sang in 3
part harmony in the dense vocal sections, but Anton's voice is so much
higher, we added a few lines just to see how high he could sing. There are
some 6 note chords in there now. And I do double on lower notes and sing
filler notes here and there, but our voices blend so well you can hardly pick
my voice out from the clones.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

jgurner	jgurner said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Wow! Extremely cool and complex. The richness of the vocals is amazing. Nothing better than a tune born of a though-provoking conversation. Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)
	Wow! Kudos to Troy! Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)

When I was approached...
...to lend my "ears' to this song, I said, "Me"? I was
honored that Tobin would entrust in me something as
"big" as this! The mere fact of lending an ear was enough
for me... but he also wanted me to "beef-up" the vocal
sound. He sent his original mix, which was a combination
of seven vocal tracks. I asked for the individual AIFFs, and
all the support files... and proceeded to place the seven
tracks around his original vocal mix, panning, adding
reverb, spread-stereo and flanging in certain areas. When
he emailed that he was using my mix, I was amazed and
pleased! Thank you, Tobin. Both you and your son's vocal
and instrumental performances are superb as always.

You and Anton have created something very unique here.
A father and son teamed up recording a song about
fathers and sons. All parents and children should come
together on projects like this. Proud to be involved with
family.

It will be interesting to hear the other tunes in this series.

And, Troy, thanks for helping "plant the seed".

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

When I was approached...
Actually, Al, if you remember, I originally want you to sing, as well. But then
you lost your mic. When i heard the draft tracks you were creating,
experiments with your own voice, I was awed. Not only do I love your voice
for prog rock stuff, but I think the effects and stereo-field depth you do to
vocal tracks is superb. I am amazed you can do it using GB. Thanks again for
everything, from your expertise to your undying encouragement.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Andy Taylor	Andy Taylor said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Top ambition I love the breadth and the ambition. I'm off to see Brian Wilson next week and there are elements of Surf's Up in this. Thanks for reminding of the guilty pleasure of a youth spent on Topographical Oceans. The musicianship is first rate. Alimar has done a great job on those vocals. Check out my latest song called Is This Love?

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

Top ambition
Surfs Up to Topographic Oceans... well, I do live 2 blocks from Long Island
Sound, maybe that's it! I never thought I'd have someone hear Brian Wilson in
one of my tunes, except a children's song I wrote about the 8th planet, Surfin'
Neptune Now (from my show Music Of The Planets). (Thanks for your
comments, and I hope your pleasure aren't so guilty in your adulthood.)

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

FEEL	FEEL said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	very fine tune.. Loved it brings back memories of Yes...My favorite band...Love this kind of progressive rock. Well done. Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

Scorpjammer	Scorpjammer said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	And a happy 4th of July to you, too! Man, that was fantastic! 10s here. Great job, everybody. Check out my latest song called Seaside Samba

Macaudion

Macaudion said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)

Was land
i'm no where near as krafty w/ words as those who have
preceeded me so, to keep from sounding like a dud, I'll
just say -- I am completely taken apart by this tune. I
LOVE the begining, middle, ending, the vocals, the
rythym(s), the many melodies, the level of richness, the
extreme amount of content, the concept and then, the
execution of this piece.

This piece and Atwood's new release has caused me to
vote higher than the votes that my tuen has attained
which is a tune that is curently on the boards within a top
ten spot. It should be quickly sliding away into "was land"
real soon. Congrats guys! A big fat congadulations!

Cydniko

Cydniko

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)
	Was land Thank you for your enthusiasm. That is very cool that you rated out songs higher than yours, selfless and very appreciated. Your comments made my smile! Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Tom Atwood	Tom Atwood said 1605 days ago (July 1st, 2005)
	Especially love the 3/4, the metric changes Precise harmonies, rhythms, wonderful bass, the Mueller keyboards, and Alimar, too? A beautiful, epic piece. As others have mentioned, Yes-like, but this really needs no comparison. Great piece. Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

Especially love the 3/4, the metric changes
Thanks, Tom. Since this song started in GB and I wanted it to stay tight across
applications, I played everything to a metronome that never changed. I think
it was 124 bpm. So even with all the meter changes, except when it is triplet
based, the eight note stays the same. Most of the time, it is just a change of
internal emphasis. I love making things complicated. I listen to tracks so
often, and have so many ideas, and find such fun in solving musical puzzles, I
have a hard time keeping it simple.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Jim Bouchard

Jim Bouchard said 1605 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

Really great! Just missing Steve Howe...
It's great to hear this song with your son. I have done
some recording with my son Gray, and those songs have a
special meaning to me. And aside from that meaning in
this song, this is really exceptional, and it reminds me so
much of Yes that I kept waiting for the guitar break. But
being a guitar player, I would think that way wouldn't I? It
didn't really need it desperately, but one can hope...:)

Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

Really great! Just missing Steve Howe...
I kept missing Steve too (altho Trevor was not so bad after all). Working on
that, actually, the inclusion of a guitar part. But I thought this version
sounded complete enough and it's been so long on the boards, I wanted to
get it out. Yes, working with my son has a special blessing all its own. More
motivation than even making music, just being with him. Thanks for noticing
that.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

thetiler	thetiler said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)
	Terrific Like this tune. Really has a special rock tune feeling. I can hear that Tobin voicing in your son. Cool! Nice Lots of stuff in there! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

	said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)
	Dramatic This has the grand artistry and eloquence of a musical production. Fantastic soundspace. Creative use of rhythm changeups, syncopation and rests. I like the sounds of children at play. There is as much visual as auditory information in this musical production. Fine job, Tobin, Anton and Alimar.

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

Dramatic
Thanks, Richard. I always try and work in visual dimensions, I think that is
why I was drawn into musical theatre to begin with, for its storytelling
qualities. Prog Rock has more roots in musicals, symphonic & classical
keyboard music, and opera, than it often admits. I often think of it as
melodrama employing a fusion of jazz and classical techniques all within the
rules of rock arrangements, sensibilities and articulations. In the end, it was
just so much fun to do.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Emily Rohm	Emily Rohm said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)
	Classic Mueller. Twon is sounding more like you every day! Obviously you two blend very well! The harmonies are suberb. I love the "repeat" part. This is beyond my usual scope of listening style, but even I can understand what an art it is to put something together like this. Check out my latest song called Monica's Waltz

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

Classic Mueller.
Now that I'm getting older and my voice is slowly eroding into a gravelly old
cowboy voice, and I lose 3-4 steps in my range, and it hurts to sing more
than a few minutes at a time, I begin to think he sounds more like me than I
do. In fact, when I look in the mirror, I think he looks more like me
than I do, as well. You have the unique vantage point of knowing what he
sounded like when he was 8 years old, from your days touring together on
stage. I think it is so cool that both of you, as adults, are now displaying your
matured talents on the same site. Thanks for all your life long interest and
encouragements.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

SpasmodicMan

SpasmodicMan said 1604 days ago (July 2nd, 2005)

Epic
Epic. As if revolution shines in every father's eyes; flows
from every mother's prayers. As if being anything less
than a revolutionary would disappoint. Wouldn't that be
utopia. Perhaps this is what you mean by parenting being
the fount of true revolution (in your comments). Do we all
see our children as the next Messiah, with all the dread
and holy expectation, someone to make a better world?
Maybe, for a moment. To redeem our own sins. To find
joy. As an existentialist, I recognize this expectation in the
way I think you mean by revolution. Radical independence
of mind, revolution as inner strength. You have captured
the spirit of the late 70s with a wiser pen than most - at a
time when I needed a memory shock. Makes be remember
myself. Your music is so good it is too easy to miss the
poetry. Epic.

Check out my latest song called The Androgyne

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 6th, 2005)

Epic
Very nice thoughts. Intriguing. I concur. Thanks for the careful listen, sharing
your mind, and trying to get at the heart of the matter. The people
commenting here that think this song is about their version of what
revolution means, and that becuz of that it needs more edge, miss what you
(and I) are saying. (Altho the people who just want the music to rock more,
for the music's sake, that I get.) I always like to discuss this sort of thing. I'll
email you to continue the discussion....

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

ledebutant

ledebutant said 1603 days ago (July 3rd, 2005)

Time for Prog Rock to come back!
Hearing this made me miss prog rock so much. I really wish more people were making music like this with so much going on. You guys both sound great and the keyboards are killer.

Alimar, are you sure you don't want to put on a dress and produce the female macjammers collab? Your mix is wonderful.

Up with Prog!

Check out my latest song called Black Star (MJ Live Aid w/jgurner)

said 1603 days ago (July 3rd, 2005)

Wonderful lyrics... profound
I found myself coming back to this today to leave a
comment, as I didn't have time earlier. I paused, and
decided to just read the lyrics first. Wonderful... and
the messsage, I think (at least for this man) is subtle,
yet profound. The problem is not (in my way of speaking)
the system, the wrong policies per se, but the problem is
a failure in me. Change is possible. Goodness is
possible. A better society is possible. It all starts with
me, within the heart. The responsibility is with me and
following through and instilling that ideal and spirit
within my children (and they in theirs). In one of my
songs (I Feel Like I'm Falling) that is what I was getting
at as far as what the problem is ( "Hey, what's the
problem? I think it's me and not this place"). If the
problem is me.... then the solution starts with me.
Anyway, one listener's impressions.

A totally well done song in every department!

Jack

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 1601 days ago (July 6th, 2005)

Wonderful lyrics... profound
Wow, thanks for your great comments. Yes, I agree with you. As opposed to
trying to change others, which can sometimes become aggressive, soul-
stealing, hypocritical, and counter-productive, why can't revolution be an
internal concept? Too often pointing out what is wrong with everyone else
gives license to people to be content to blame, reject dialogue, become
compassionless, and eventually to give up, since changing others rarely
works; yet they let the opportunity for true self-change pass them by. Thank
you for you music, your thoughtful comments, and your sense of self-
responsibility.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

mulletsrock

mulletsrock said 1603 days ago (July 3rd, 2005)

Stirring vocal arrangement, organ, bass transitions
Organ is top flight. Sounds as good as anything I have
ever heard. Drums are perfect, inventive, stirring, very
real. The bass playing is solid. I liked the Chris Squire
edge you get leading into several of the changes. The
vocals are mixed well, most of the passages are sung well,
but what is most impressive are the harmonies: well
arranged chords. If you are asking if the last half could
use a guitar solo, or a solo of some kind, I would suggest
something that doesn't jar or draw too much attention,
but, yes, a solo would do well to weave in and out of the
spaces you have provided. A layer to harken back, like
music from the past, a memory. It might add unexpected
musical inventiveness to that pop sounding section, but
stay with the fusion jazz feel you have established in the
bass line there. This track could find a home on many
Progressive Rock compilations.

Check out my latest song called Frankenfun II (with iGStudio, Tobin, Suz...)

Mcboy	Mcboy said 1603 days ago (July 4th, 2005)
	now how kool could this be.....progeny and creator , creating together........performance and concept are broadway jesus christ superstar quality......dug the yes type organ and baby sounds and great job with the drum programming!!!!!! great work u guys!!!!!!! Check out my latest song called Heros( aclarke/mcboy)

Drew Kopr	Drew Kopr said 1602 days ago (July 4th, 2005)
	So many things I like about this piece--the melodic lines intertwining between the vocal melodies, the harmonies in the vocal parts, and the excellent production quality! Great song writing, playing and overall job! Check out my latest song called WinterSong

chikoppi

chikoppi said 1602 days ago (July 4th, 2005)

Inspired Composition
Talk about a grand vision expressed in song! Others have
made comparisons above, but for me this evokes
memories of Styx and Dennis DeYoung. Freakishly well
crafted instrument arrangement and lyrics! I really enjoyed
the change-up at about a third of the way in (just after
"son of a revolution").

Is it too "showtuney?" No. I think this is "prog-rock-opera"
in the sense of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. It is a very
cerebral piece, as is fitting for prog-rock. The edge in this
song is rooted in the arrangement moreso than the
performance. Having said that, a little more caffine,
dissonance, and reckless abandon in the performance of
this outstandind arrangement could add an entirely other
and more immediate layer to the many nuances. The one
element I would like to have heard more of in the
performance is a sense of desperation!

Altogether outstanding. Can't wait for the next
installment! (9-8-9-8)

Check out my latest song called Loop It or Lose It 9

DeputyDoofy	DeputyDoofy said 1602 days ago (July 4th, 2005)
	Cool. This tune feels like one of those 70's rock operas... I don't have much experience listening to those styles as they were never my thing. That said, this collab is amazing. I've always been amazed by Tobin's stuff, as well as Twonicus' stuff. I did NOT know, until just now, that you were father and son... Nice! Check out my latest song called Sweet Smell Of Success

John Stebbe

John Stebbe said 1602 days ago (July 4th, 2005)

You nailed it!
This is a stunning track! I am very impressed. The B3
playing is quite idiomatic of the Yes sound. I'm also
hearing a little bit of Deep Purple, specifically the quiet
section of their song, "Woman From Tokayo."

The tempo changes are well-planned. That's what seems
to make prog rock, prog rock, that is, the forethought that
goes/went into it.

The electric bass sound is also very close to the kind of e.
bass that Yes used.

What a blessing to be able to work with your son like this.
Vocally, I can't tell you apart.

Check out my latest song called NECAP Test song

Leebo

Leebo said 1602 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

Great stuff
Hi Tobin

Wow, what can I say? This must have taken you AGES to
do. So many bits about this I like, lovely subversive bass
line, big, melodramatic vocals dripping with pomp,
satisfyingly complex time signature and drums, but the
thing I like it about it most is the fact you did this with
your son. I'm so jealous. My 15-year-old is a natural on
the keyboards, but unfortunately he won't touch anything
that's not dance-music related, so you are a lucky man!

No doubt I'll post another critique on this track later, as
it's definitely one that begs more than a couple of listens,
but for now, be sure in the knowledge that you've created
something pretty special with your obviouly-talented chip
off the old block.

The only thing I would say (I'm playing it again as I type),
is that the organ stabs sound a tad weak in places, and to
my mind would benefit from some punchy guitar power
chords to lend them some weight in the more
melodramatic sections, but this is a personal thing.

Reminds me a lot of an amazing 15-minute long track
called 'Once Around The World' by fantastic eighties prog-
rock band 'It Bites'. Give it a listen if you can find it on the
net.

Hats off to Tobin and Son.

Check out my latest song called Bang Bang

alanfraser

alanfraser said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)

It Ain't Rock
Sounds like Genesis goes to Broadway. I don't mean to
slam arbitrarily. The bass rocks and I'd like it if it were
pumped up more to feel more of its presence. The keys
are outstanding. The changes are logical, surprising,
interesting, fascinating. All of this is great
stuff....but...the vocals just ain't rock. Some parts where
you're harmonizing into a Yes sound are kind of cool but
the verses are just way, way too pretty for a rock band.
It's a revolution - Need some anger, raw edge or some
such. Your song has massive potential; I just think you
need to balls up the vocals. Drop at least one singer
down an octave maybe. (Irrelevant side note: Jamming
with your son is somewhere beyond cool.)

Anyway, just my opinion. Hope you hear it as I'm not
trying to be a prick.

Check out my latest song called It's For You w/Mystery Lady

	said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)
	ProgRock Guru Hey Tobin, excellent prog song, interesting changes and vocals. This is slightly better than Yes, I like the vocals better than Anderson's, just my personal taste. Cool drums and bass parts. Very cool piece from the prog rock guru team. Killer ending, i love that ending man. Great tune.

	said 1601 days ago (July 5th, 2005)
	The vocals go in and out of tune thru out many of the organ phrase are out of tune. Granted this is a hard song to sing but if you do sing it need to be in key or it makes the whole song sort of annoying. 7777

Del

Del said 1600 days ago (July 6th, 2005)

Beyond every law is love
Love your lyrics. "Beyond every law is the cradle" - great
lyrics. Every mother is an outlaw when it comes to her
children. Aren't we all, when it comes to our greatest
loves? Revolution is about passion, which makes us all
outlaws. Love sets us free by putting itself higher than
any rules, rulers, rulings. Interesting discussion in the
comments section too. Oh, and by the way, very cool
song. (People think this isn't "rock", well, the revolution
you refer to has passed them by indeed. Exclusivity, us vs
them, isn't that one of the things that changed? If
Donovan can be rock, and Jon Anderson even, so can your
son's vocals. It was a pleasure to listen to him.)

Check out my latest song called The Androgyne

EdensEve

EdensEve said 1600 days ago (July 6th, 2005)

My first listen to this kind of music...
I don't normally listen to this sort of music, but I try and listen to everything you post. The words are really nice and I agree with the people about how beautiful and meaningful they are. The music sounds good, the drumming is just like real and the bass is neat. I didn't really get into it until the All The Hopes section, but then I started feeling the love you must have working with your son and it started affecting me. I will have to listen to more of this kind of music if it is all this interesting.

mikkinylund

mikkinylund said 1599 days ago (July 7th, 2005)

Great Message
Awesome lyrics and vocals, I am very, very impressed. The
organs are equally impressive as is the production/mixing of
this song. The break starting with "...All the hopes.." comes
in as pleasant surprise, very interesting bass lines here.
Perhaps the bg sound fx with kids and waves are a little bit
overused to me, i.e they last too long when they've already
made their meaning/communication. Other than that, this is
a very impressive production, many bands comes to mind no
need to mention which ones. The lyrics and vocals gets me
the most, a great father/son production...

Check out my latest song called Fairyland (Satumaa)

stellarblue	stellarblue said 1599 days ago (July 7th, 2005)
	The Association Lives!....Very 60's...but i liked it... Check out my latest song called CB Dreams

illuminati	illuminati said 1592 days ago (July 14th, 2005)
	Cool prog excursion I think if you're going to do the prog thing, then you need a band name. Something obscure and oddball. The genre simply requires it. Then I'm totally there. Check out my latest song called Vainglorious

	Willmarq_84 said 1588 days ago (July 18th, 2005)
	Revo Son I love the sound music vocals instruments, wonderful. It is reminiscent of Yes (a large part of my formative music years) with certain elements of Billy Joel near the end of ther song ("Freedom is a ... with rythmic block chords, in a plodding sense, down beat oriented). I dig the organ before the Billy Joel section, the moving background noise was neat.

Epileptic Gibbon

Epileptic Gibbon said 1576 days ago (July 30th, 2005)

Can't wait to hear Tobin do…
… Rage Against The Machine! :-)
But to get back to the topic, this is nice. Almost
everyone keeps saying it sounds like Yes, but to me
it's more like Starcastle (U.S. group who owed a lot to
Yes but with some subtle differences) meets a rock
musical, and I guess given your background, Tobin,
that's not too surprising. I liked this a lot… there's a
lot going on but it's not too overpowering. Overly
more satisfying, for me at least, than your last prog
rock number, which was technically sound but lacked
soul. This, on the other hand, is the bee's knees, and
I'd love to recommend it to my prog rock DJ friend.
Sorted!

Check out my latest song called Fiddler Off the Roof w/Komrade K & Caroline

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 304 days ago (January 23rd, 2009)

EP's Podcasts
Thanks for including tracks from this CD on several of your podcasts, for reviewing it so well, and consistently supporting my band along with so many other independent musicians. As you know, This track has since been remastered and appears on my 2008 release, AUDIOCDRACY: Revolution's Son, available through CDBaby. Your and other reviews are available on the MJ BLOG: Member CD Reviews.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Fan List

Del

Artist Info

Name: Tobin Mueller

I am a professional musician, composer, playwright and director. I lead a charmed life. I'm married to fellow MJer Suzanne and MJer Twonicus is my son. See my Spotlight Interview - Tobin Mueller: Talking With Myself in the Macjams Music Blog. You... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Progressive rock (shortened to prog, or prog rock when differentiating from other "progressive" genres) is an ambitious, eclectic, and often grandiose style of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the early

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