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Description:
I stole a wee bit of time from work to write a song. I had an incurable urge to pick up my guitar and this is the result.
Lyrics:
She takes another breath
Hears the rasping sound
Hiding from the light
Clinging to the ground
She takes another breath
Seeing youthful eyes
Playing in the park
Under clear blue skies
Daddy's gone to war
Mommy hides her tears
Daddy's home but not the same
Closets full of fears
She takes another breath
Dancing heart to heart
Handsome in his tux
Til death do them part
She takes another breath
Children laughing now
Crabgrass in the yard
And a dog named Chow
Children gone for good
She visits his gravestone
Never thought her life
Would end with her alone
She takes another breath
Hears the nurse's shoes
She takes another breath
Nothing left to lose
Hardware:
eMac, Shure SM58, nylon string guitar
Software:
GB
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brrr... &mdash 07/26/05 - 08:44:21 AM
this sent shivers up my spine.
perfect in it's simplicity, and what a beautiful clear guitar
sound.
[ Reply to This ]
brrr... &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:18:38 AM
Thank you, Cut! I'm still trying to work out the proper mic-ing of the guitar. It
was so soft I had to quadruple the track, but eventually, I got to an audible
level. Tech stuff can still flumox me at times. [ Reply to This ]
more of an appreciation for the elderly &mdash 07/26/05 - 09:04:48 AM
To me th is is a great piece of writing. I reminds me of a
great homage to the eldery. Though this seems like an
indivual elderly person and her last few days of earth or at
least appears like that situation.
I guess in this throw-away type world that we live in that
doesn't seem to honor the eldery like we honor the
superbowl, word series, sports hero's, rock stars etc.
Good job Joanna, powerful writing as usual! [ Reply to This ]
more of an appreciation for the elderly &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:23:09 AM
Thank you, Tiler! In my mind, the song is about those last few moments of
life, when each breath is a decision, and one's past flashes before one's eyes.
That's the specific. But the broader themes are many, and you've definitely
touched on a big one. With so much life lived, the elderly have a lot to teach. [ Reply to This ]
Really good... &mdash 07/26/05 - 09:55:41 AM
... such a compressed narrative over such an economical
backing. It's really Brel-like. Wonderful stuff... [ Reply to This ]
Really good... &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:25:26 AM
Thank you, Mando! A comparison to Jacque Brel? I'm not worthy! But knowing
your own artistry with both words and music, I'm deeply touched by your
comment. [ Reply to This ]
Hello in there &mdash 07/26/05 - 09:58:32 AM
A subject that needs more attention. Hit home with me.
Just curious, "a dog named Chow" a reference to lot of
seniors on fixed incomes having to resort to sustanence
wherever they can find it or is that just what it made me
think of? [ Reply to This ]
Hello in there &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:30:24 AM
Thank you, Snowy! As for "Chow", having just written a book about dogs, I
have all these breed names in my head. The name just popped out, but I like
your interpretation better. So yeah, that's what I meant. Yup. [ Reply to This ]
Great again &mdash 07/26/05 - 10:05:28 AM
I can't believe that the same woman singing this.
You have alot of style and vocal.
I like this style! [ Reply to This ]
Great again &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:34:40 AM
Thank you, Jackstone! Yes, this is a different style for me. I was playing my
guitar and when I heard that pattern, it sounded almost like a clock ticking,
or some sort of low, rhythmic advance of time. Not a subject to be belted out,
but rather almost to be whispered. [ Reply to This ]
Song of sorrow &mdash 07/26/05 - 10:08:56 AM
It's great to hear you doing something dark and
melancholy (I love dark and melancholy songs!) and
getting so much soul into it. The guitar is hypnotic and
has a lovely tone to it. The simplicity of the arrangement
really helps to build the mood. Excellent. [ Reply to This ]
Song of sorrow &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:37:32 AM
Thank you, Rebsie! You know, I tried to add more to the arrangement, like
drums, a flute, or another instrument, but nothing felt right. In the end, I
realized it had to be this simple. I did, however, get to use my bamboo flutes.
The rhythmic pattern at the end is me clacking two flutes together. [ Reply to This ]
Haunting &mdash 07/26/05 - 06:57:02 PM
and beautiful. My God, Joanna, this takes me to such an
unexpected place.
She takes another breath
Repeating that line is mesmerizing.
When it's all said and done, eventually, that's what it
comes down to. Taking that next breath. [ Reply to This ]
Haunting &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:43:39 AM
Thank you, Alley! You don't know it, but you were part of the inspiration. I
went to listen to your song, Bleed, again. It put me in a contemplative state of
mind, tinged with melancholy. When I picked up my guitar, my head was still
in that place, and led me to write this song. So it wasn't the content as much
as the emotion that inspired me. So for that, I thank you doubly. [ Reply to This ]
Haunting &mdash 07/28/05 - 06:15:46 AM
I'm very happy to know I influenced you, wow! You've always influenced me.
I'm glad it's mutual! [ Reply to This ]
fuzz &mdash 07/26/05 - 08:03:45 PM
The fuzz drives me crazy, but the song itself is fantastic.
Very deep, and dark, which i love. I can imagine many
different forms of this song!
kudos.
BP [ Reply to This ]
fuzz &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:48:30 AM
Thank you, Brandon! Sorry about the fuzz. I'm still working on proper mic
techniques. But I'm glad it didn't spoil the whole song for you, and I thank
you for listening! [ Reply to This ]
Female Prine &mdash 07/27/05 - 12:27:27 AM
Has a John Prine sort of eye on this one. Cold and clear. I like the way you keep it focused. [ Reply to This ]
Female Prine &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:52:33 AM
Stark imagery &mdash 07/27/05 - 01:12:14 AM
Wow Joanna, a wonderful haunting performance..very
different to other things you have posted! I think that this
is a really memorable narrative track, the spartan
arrangement is essential to the overall effect. Very
impressive
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Stark imagery &mdash 07/27/05 - 04:55:17 AM
Thank you, Steve! In the end, I realized this song had to be a case of "less is
more" because nothing else I did added; it simply cluttered it. Then again,
guitar and voice are made for each other. [ Reply to This ]
Good job &mdash 07/27/05 - 08:50:32 AM
Is this based on someone you know? Tough subject to
write about. Good job with it. [ Reply to This ]
Good job &mdash 07/27/05 - 09:27:22 AM
Thank you, Bronco! No, not based on anyone I know. Just doing a little
storytelling. [ Reply to This ]
Powerful Simplicity.... &mdash 07/27/05 - 11:49:11 AM
This song just stops me in my tracks. The repetitive
guitar chimes as if keeping time as this life unfolds.
Your poignant vocals singing those incredible lyrics.
Again, the simplicity of the entire song (lyrics, guitar,
and vox) delivers a spellbinding musical moment.
Did I say that I like this very much? : )
Jack [ Reply to This ]
Powerful Simplicity.... &mdash 07/27/05 - 08:01:03 PM
Thank you so much, Jack! You summed it up perfectly, and hit the nail on the
head as to what I was trying to do with the guitar. [ Reply to This ]
devestating &mdash 07/28/05 - 10:10:15 AM
jeez...what a snappy little tune....
this is deep with emotion for all of us who have watched
our parents age...
very very good jo!! [ Reply to This ]
devestating &mdash 07/29/05 - 11:31:17 PM
Yeah, you just can't help dancing to it, right?
I know -- tough subject, and not very comfortable, but at least she had a
good life. [ Reply to This ]
paying attention &mdash 07/28/05 - 10:24:21 AM
i took care of my mother for 12 years during her cancer. her last request was that i hold her hand when she died. to be there. after a 3 day vigil, the doctors, nurses all told me i should go home, let her go, that she was holding on because of me. i left, she died 6 hors later, and i have regretted leaving ever since. thank you for paying attention to the right voice. [ Reply to This ]
paying attention &mdash 07/29/05 - 11:35:38 PM
Oh, Suzanne, I'm so sorry to hear that. I missed a chance at seeing my Dad
one last time. His death was sudden and very unexpected, yet I've never
forgiven myself for not knowing that it was the last chance, and flying home. I
figure they're far more forgiving of us than we are of ourselves. What matters
is that they knew they were loved. Your mom obviously knew that to the
deepest part of her. [ Reply to This ]
ouch! &mdash 07/28/05 - 02:34:09 PM
this hurts but i mean that as a compliment to you joanna - it's just that i prefer not to feel like this. lovely work - thank you x [ Reply to This ]
ouch! &mdash 07/29/05 - 11:37:15 PM
ALL our clocks are ticking &mdash 07/29/05 - 01:57:53 PM
Very hypnotic guitar accompaniment with your melancholy
vocals, which definitely put me into a trance.
Your lyrics are vivid and poetic, and speak truly.
I'm glad to see you exploring new musical territory! [ Reply to This ]
ALL our clocks are ticking &mdash 07/29/05 - 11:39:15 PM
Thank you, Cameron -- here's hoping all the ticking clocks stay muted and in
the background for a good long while. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful and ouch! &mdash 07/29/05 - 04:20:18 PM
Haunting, sad, and brilliant! I'd love to hear more of your fun, happy upbeat side. You are such an AMAZING talent! [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful and ouch! &mdash 07/29/05 - 11:41:01 PM
Aw, thank you, Witty! Just click on my name and you'll see all kinds of
silliness amongst my songs. This one is actually a departure for me. [ Reply to This ]
Nice &mdash 08/01/05 - 02:56:38 PM
Nice mellow tune--liked the melody a lot. I would have added more production. I feel this song needs some psycedelic overdubs--keyboards maybe, some reverb perhaps. I know this is "folk" and that usually means stripped down acoustic music, but I just felt this was too good to be just a guy and a guitar. I wanted more sounds to create a dark, mellow, depressive sound. But other than that, this is a very nice song--I just wanted a bit more, that's all. [ Reply to This ]
Nice &mdash 08/01/05 - 03:27:54 PM
Thank you, Chris -- because I wanted the focus to be on the lyrics, I kept the
song as simple as possible. I can understand your disagreeing that choice;
that's fine. By the way, I'm not a guy, I'm a woman -- just an FYI. [ Reply to This ]
Pensive &mdash 08/02/05 - 05:25:07 AM
She should go to bingo! That'll cheer her up! :)
On a more serious note, this is very, very good Joanna.
I like the quality of your voice, the simple arrangement and
the lyrics are excellent. [ Reply to This ]
Pensive &mdash 08/03/05 - 02:42:03 AM
Thank you, Mungo! It's sad that no one mentioned Bingo to her, for surely
that would've been her salvation. Either that or Texas Hold'em.
Seriously, thanks for listening, and for understanding what I was trying to do. [ Reply to This ]
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perfect in it's simplicity, and what a beautiful clear guitar
sound.
[ Reply to This ]