Who's Online
Invisible Members: 2 Visitors: 45
Past 7 Days
Song Uploads: 145
Song Votes: 332
Song Comments: 1505
Forum Posts: 332
New Members: 69
Participation Points: 6028.45
|
Get Flash to see this player.
Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:
  
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial
|
|
|
|
|
Keywords:
1970's (4), collaboration (102), America (30), soothing (30), Neil Young (6), immigration (4), emmigration (1), Arkansas (1), family (33), 1978 (4), Bee Gees (2), female vocal (6), slide guitar (11), story (28), alley-oop and ledebutant (2), Bi-Coastal (2)
|
|
Description:
alley-oop: I want to thank Ledebutant for collaborating and letting me play on Blackberries. Creating the song was
a flawless procedure that took about two days (ha, two months) Mostly because I’m lazy.
I ran by a blackberry patch every morning for
inspiration. Yummy. I truly love the story she tells. Coming to America, nice story shared by so many. I never did get the line ‘blackberries that smelled of cedar trees.’ It must be an English thing. Thanks again Lisa.
-----------------
Ledebutant: Besides thanking Alley (and Aunt Gladys), I need to offer a big fat thank you to Alimar and Tom Atwood for all their help and advice while I was finishing this. Tom gave me the especially helpful tip, "Don't screw up." I hope I didn't.
Two months ago, alley-oop said, "Hey, let's collaborate," and sent me an amazing guitar bed. Unfortunately, it was a song that reminded me incredibly of Neil Young and I've always thought of him as a really, very American songwriter and I didn't think I could write something to go with the song. After panicking for a few days, I realized I did have something to write about and it goes a little something like this...
Lyrics:
1978, the Bee Gees ruled the world,
our plane took off
two hours late from Heathrow.
Fifteen hours later,
we bought a New York Chrysler,
started driving the roads of our new home.
(America)
Drive on the right on the right on the,
Drive on the right. Keep to the right to the right to the, keep to the right.
American roads cross empty land,
so little here we can understand.
Clear-cut mountains, coal-soaked air,
Is there a place for us in America?
Outside Jonesboro,
my father stopped for gas.
The old guy behind the till
shot laughs at us.
As we drove away,
we heard him shout behind the car,
"By the way, it's Ar-kan-saw, not Ar-kansas."
American roads cross empty land,
so little here we can understand.
Clear-cut mountains, coal-soaked air,
Is there a home for us in America?
Road runs out at the Canadian border,
we marvel at blackberries,
the smell of cedar trees.
As we looked around we saw
what we might become:
a family of Americans.
American roads
Home?
So little here we understand
Is this home?
And how will we know?
Drive on the right on the right on the,
keep to the right.
Hardware:
eMac G4, Tom's guitars, Neil Young costume.
No more pinhole. I used an MXL-990 with a Behringer UB802. Hooray! No hiss.
Eurorack UB802 Mixer
Software:
GB2. Additional assistance provided via iChat at all hours of the night.
|
I'm not really here but &mdash 08/04/05 - 02:28:47 PM
I love this song. Very lush bed alley-oop has laid down
and your vocals are lovely as usual. These are fine lyrics,
ledebutant. The scene in Jonesboro, or Little Rock, or your
mind, rings especially true to someone who has lived in
Arkansas. Very touching piece.
Congratulations. You did not screw up.
[ Reply to This ]
I'm not really here but &mdash 08/04/05 - 02:29:45 PM
I'm not really here but &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:29:01 PM
Thanks so much, Tom. You were in my head everytime I sang, "New York
Chry-suh-ler. Your help was, well, helpful. Now back behind the MJ fence,
mister. [ Reply to This ]
mmm-mmm &mdash 08/04/05 - 03:20:44 PM
the melodies in this song are just as tasty as gnocchi or
an avacado and chicken salad! very pretty and talented
guitar playing. great lyrics. ledeb, you sing like an angel.
:-) [ Reply to This ]
mmm-mmm &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:32:39 PM
Thanks for the yummy comments FB. Chicken salad is my favorite. Lisa did
a great job with the lyrics and sang beautifully Thanks for the comment s
on the guitar. [ Reply to This ]
mmm-mmm &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:32:56 PM
That was a yummy meal suggestion, yesterday. You're in charge of menus for
all eternity.
I'm really happy you liked the song. You may think I sing like an angel, but I'd
rather sing like a fairy. :) [ Reply to This ]
Zen American &mdash 08/04/05 - 03:30:13 PM
In the end it was so easy, wasn't it. Remember that for the future. The right vocal was always there to be sung to fit the story. The Zen approach. You captured the true essense of the journey, with your voice, let us all take the trip with you. Whenever we want to take the road-trip in the 'New York Chrysler" with mom, dad, kid-brother and ledebutant, we can. Always. Sweet. [ Reply to This ]
Zen American &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:36:35 PM
Easy. Oh yes, no stressed phone calls or pep talks required. None. Zippo.
This song was a dream to work on, but there was this really weird guitar
player involved and, well... I suppose that's a story for another time.
Thank you so much, Tom for all your help and for giving me such beautiful
music to play with. I would never have written this song without you. [ Reply to This ]
Zen American &mdash 08/05/05 - 02:04:26 PM
A terrific marriage of voice and music &mdash 08/04/05 - 03:35:24 PM
Ledeb, your voice has gained real prescence to go along
with your unique lyics and vocal tone. And the music, my
goodness alley-oop. A winner all around. [ Reply to This ]
A terrific marriage of voice and music &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:36:28 PM
Thanks so much illuminati, Ledeb is gaining in leaps and bounds vocally.
Thanks for the guitar comment
....terrific marriage....I didn't say that Aunt Gladys [ Reply to This ]
A terrific marriage of voice and music &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:40:10 PM
Thanks, illuminati,
I think alley's guitar music is just mind-boggling and I'm so glad he let me
have a go at it. I think that new mic really made a huge difference. I've been
having lots of fun with it. It was a terrific musical marriage! [ Reply to This ]
Does music... &mdash 08/04/05 - 03:44:56 PM
Does music... &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:43:41 PM
Thanks eltopo,
You picked up on something no one else did. Alley and I both laid on the
floor as we recorded our parts. It changed the entire vibe for the better.
I'm so glad you liked the song. [ Reply to This ]
Does music... &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:43:43 PM
Hey eltopo, thanks. Laid back is my middle name. Or my middle two
names. I REALLY like the original effort comment thanks [ Reply to This ]
I have a blackberry patch &mdash 08/04/05 - 04:56:31 PM
at the side of the deck. They always ripen on my birthday.
I'll probably hear this song every year as I'm having my
birthday breakfast. [ Reply to This ]
I have a blackberry patch &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:46:15 PM
Wow! That's a lovely compliment snowdragon. I'm amazed that you think the
song would stick with you that long.
Happy Birthday, it must be soon. [ Reply to This ]
I have a blackberry patch &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:46:53 PM
We should have birthday, blackberry eating and blackberry song singing
party at your place snowdragon, every year. Taht would be fun! [ Reply to This ]
Wooo &mdash 08/04/05 - 05:49:53 PM
This is incredible.
Wonderful vocals Lisa
and fabulous production.
Alley oop.. FAB guitar
ooh... thinks its um...
yes...
um..
10's
Slimmie [ Reply to This ]
Wooo &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:49:22 PM
Thanks SlimGirl for the nice comments on the production. Lisa stepped up
and nailed a perfect take. [ Reply to This ]
Wooo &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:49:42 PM
Thanks Slimmie, I'm jumping like your icon. Happy, happy, happy.
The production (at least on my end, Alley's has always been great) did
improve this time, mostly because I tortured Alimar every time I had a
question. He even checked the final mix for me.
Thanks Slimmie and I didn't mention socks once, just for you.
[ Reply to This ]
Emigrant songs... &mdash 08/04/05 - 06:43:10 PM
.... are one of my favourite genres. But you never see them
from this up-close perspective. That mix of nerves and
wonder. It's a lovely song and so obviously real. And Alley
Oop is such a wonderful musician; the guitar sings too.
Congratulations.
[ Reply to This ]
Emigrant songs... &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:52:08 PM
Thanks Mando, I was very nervous when we came here and it took me until
my twenties to accept that America was home. Of course, I'm thrilled you
liked the song.
[ Reply to This ]
Emigrant songs... &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:53:12 PM
I love Lisa's song. I truly do. It gives me the sense of wonder that
sometimes someone born here forgets about America. Thanks Lisa, really.
Thanks ffor the guitar comments Mando, I do appreciate that. [ Reply to This ]
There's a lot of good here... &mdash 08/04/05 - 07:22:57 PM
This is a great job of lyric writing. The lyrics are really
good, and they continue your tradition of being just-off-
the-beaten-cliche, just to the left of normal pop
convention...
I just listened to this with headphones, and I have to also
say that you have gotten really good at doubling your
vocals...and doing extra little vocal bits...I really like that
sort of thing, and so I appreciate it...(I couldn't remember
if you were still using the pinhole mic...you and Beth...the
MXL-990 seems to suit your voice well...) There is, again,
some of that Roches blend...
I am troubled by some things that seem to be timing
glitches between the underlying guitar bed and the vocal,
especially at the first "American roads" part...My ears can't
sort it out yet, but most noticeably there and at a couple
of other spots it feels like the vocal-to-backing groove
slips off the cog...And at a couple of spots it seems like
the guitars lose synch with each other, or lose time...
Which is a shame, because, especially over the
headphones, the guitar work seems very pretty and nicely
recorded...After the first little intro lick, the rhythm has a
latter Neil Young "Harvest Moon" sort of melodicism...The
single note playing against the rhythm and the slide is
well conceived and balanced...and the bass slides into the
mix nicely...
CHAPTER THREE
No, just kidding...
Another really nice song, though....
Ed [ Reply to This ]
There's a lot of good here... &mdash 08/05/05 - 03:22:47 AM
There's no shame for me or Lisa in this. All the things you mentioned are true
and we were aware of, but what it comes down to is everything was first take,
all guitars and vocals. No going back in to clean stuff up. Just capture the
moment. I but appreciate your careful listening. I knew someone would notice
those things. We noticed them. [ Reply to This ]
There's a lot of good here... &mdash 08/05/05 - 02:01:52 PM
Thanks Ed, I enjoy the phrase, "off the beaten cliche". And I'm certainly glad
you think I'm to the left. alley and I were concerned that the whole "keep to
the right," lyric might send the wrong message.
Thanks also for listening to this with headphones. I experimented with pan
position and surrounding the listener with sound at points and think that's
the best way to listen to it, though I hope it works on regular speakers, too.
I think you're absolutely right about the timing issues. Tom and I both
recorded parts that were technically better, but lost a ton of the vibe of the
song. In the end, we decided to go with more of a live feel, a girl and some
guitars just singing a song. We do plan to go back and record it again in the
future. I genuinely appreicate your constructive criticism. Say hi to thepeep.
I'm his biggest fan. [ Reply to This ]
There's a lot of good here... &mdash 08/05/05 - 02:07:30 PM
Hey Ed, Lisa assures me that I misunderstood your comment, It's cool. [ Reply to This ]
There's a lot of good here... &mdash 08/07/05 - 12:38:43 PM
Uh oh.
Did I actually offend you guys? I'm genuinely sorry if I did. I don't think of myself
as someone who goes around slamming other people's efforts. I try to be
appreciative in everything I write, while still leaving comments that have some
meat on their bones and that reflect an honest listen. I hope that comes across,
and if I phrased something badly there, I apologize.
Ed [ Reply to This ]
There's a lot of good here... &mdash 08/07/05 - 08:17:47 PM
Oh Lord no, Ed! I really appreciate what you said and would be heartbroken if you stopped given honest criticism. For me, besides just sharing what I'm doing, the biggest reason I'm posting songs here is to learn. If you ever hear something that you think needs fine-tuning, I'm begging you to speak up.
Mr. Oop (who is on vacation for the next two weeks) just hadn't had his breakfast that morning. Once I fed him, he cheered up.
I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.
[ Reply to This ]
This is fab! &mdash 08/04/05 - 09:18:00 PM
What a wonderful collaboration. Congratulations, you two!
The new mic really lets your voice shine, Lisa, and Tom...
really nice guitar-playing!
Thanks for this :) [ Reply to This ]
This is fab! &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:57:12 PM
Thanks so much Mysty, Lisa's voice shines and the mic does make a big
difference. Thanks for the guitar comments. [ Reply to This ]
This is fab! &mdash 08/05/05 - 02:06:50 PM
Little Miss Mysti. Thank you so much. Tom A said your collab with him is up,
I'm going to go hunting for it. [ Reply to This ]
I love it!!! &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:16:59 PM
Great track guys.. a real nice melodic feel, intelligent and
empathetic lyrics, lovely Ledeb vocals!! Great guitar,
particularly that opening, almost flamenco-ish lick (not
another great guitarist at MJ...pleeeeaaaase God no!)
I will have to fave this instantly...this very minute...now!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
I love it!!! &mdash 08/05/05 - 01:41:08 PM
Thanks Steve, for such nice comments. Ledeb's vocals are the soul of this
song for sure. Oh that beginning was the 'almost flamenco-ish lick' guitar
loop 53 ;-) Thanks, Steve I appreciate it, man [ Reply to This ]
I love it!!! &mdash 08/05/05 - 02:25:18 PM
Yay! The Foghorn, my homeboy. It was Bedfordshire I left behind.
I think Alley's guitar is amazing in this, though it is true, everything he makes
is from loops. I just wish I could figure out how he does it! (He's really a brat,
isn't he?) I hate to tell you, but he's an amazing guitar player and there's only
more to come. (Check out his song, "bleed," if you haven't heard it).
I'm glad you were in such a rush to fave the song, that means that at least
some of the subliminal messages in this song came through.
[ Reply to This ]
How Can You &mdash 08/06/05 - 06:12:27 AM
do a song about Arkansas and not have a cowbell????
I'm so terribly disappointed that this enjoyable song with a
loose, lively feel, crisp production, enchanting vocals,
spirited guitar, and well written that evoke uncertainties and
wonders of being in a new place, does not have a cowbell. [ Reply to This ]
How Can You &mdash 08/08/05 - 02:21:12 PM
Sadly, my cowbell was confiscated as we left Arkansas. I had it back for a while, but after "Up in the Sky", they took it away again for "abuse."
I'm glad that you enjoyed the song otherwise. *whispering* I'll get that cowbell back if it kills me, Mungo. Look for it on the next version.
[ Reply to This ]
Can't Be On The Left &mdash 08/06/05 - 09:07:19 AM
in America! The country is expansive but the minds are
not. Everyone has trouble with Arkansas! Been in trouble
there a few times myself. But relax America is not that
bad. Hey every country has people right? And they are all
the same whether the customs differ a little or not. Love
the way alley-oop's music meanders along. Almost like it
was the road and is slip sliding it's way through the
American dream. [ Reply to This ]
Can't Be On The Left &mdash 08/08/05 - 02:25:45 PM
Hah, bronco! Some day you'll have to tell the tale of your "Arkansas troubles."
I love alley's guitar playing on this. You're right that it slip-slides along; it probably guided me a lot more than I realized on the lyrics.
[ Reply to This ]
nice atmosphere &mdash 08/06/05 - 09:29:07 AM
The opening guitar chords immediately grabbed me, with
its very nice reverberant sound quality.
The lyrics tell a traveling story, and the vocal delivery
floats and meanders along to match. The recording
quality of your new mic is a definite improvement.
Sometimes the guitar and vocals doesn't quite match up
timing-wise; it's a bit out of synch in spots. This first
occurs in the middle of the opening line.
The chord progressions in the guitar break after "keep to
the right, keep to the right" seemed to lose the harmonic
focus present in the opening lines, then goes off in a
direction unrelated to the earlier chords. Then it gets back
on track with "Outside Jonesboro..."
This sequence happens again before "American Roads";
doesn't quite hold together smoothly.
You both have created a pleasant atmosphere in this tune,
reminiscent of the early 1970's. I believe that this song
could be made even better with a bit of tightening and
editing, [ Reply to This ]
nice atmosphere &mdash 08/08/05 - 02:37:25 PM
Oh yay! I always love to see you Cameron. Thank you so much for helping us identify some of the spots that need work. We're definitely going to go back to this song.
I really had a lot of anxiety around the recording of this vocal and this take was done first thing in the morning, without coffee or warming up. It was the only version that maintained the feel of the lyrics, but I know I can get something much better sounding. Also, all the timing issues need addressing, for sure.
Thanks again! [ Reply to This ]
PICKLED PINK! &mdash 08/07/05 - 05:46:20 PM
Well arn't you two just so damn cute! Blackberries! How sweet! Camudgeon slapple wanken slopper dull frito fly! I've been BeeGified like a twizzle stick! Funkmeistermagoo's slepppcat Hog Haus. Now, suddenly you find yourself without a mind and no more stories to read. Be it that you read them all and your going crazy (Bravo, you are one of life's losers), or you scrolled to the bottom of the page (The more likely possibility). At any rate, at this point you are no doubt asking yourself, "What now? should I listen to this song? Am I now forced to leave this jolly, care-free realm, and return to the tedium of my disgusting exscuse for a life?" The answer: No. Yes that's right, you can starve off returning to the real world where socks and cars abound, at least for a few more useless hours. But, that's not all. Not only do you get to stay in this floating pile of shit of chaos a little while longer, but you get to slobber on it. That's right, you get to put some of your own thoughts up for all the passers-by to see and mock and maybe try on your underwear. Yes, here in this happy land your thoughts don't matter (don't get to excited, you haven't seen how trivial your life is yet). Without further ado I present to you the floating turd of the month. The rules are simple: I ask a question, you answer it. If I actually get any responses, I will post them for all to see. Enjoy. Piss on it! Oh yeah really nice song Jibbles and Bibbly! [ Reply to This ]
ALRIGHT CORNHUSKERDOO! &mdash 03/01/07 - 02:06:51 PM
I think you should redo this song. The timing is way off on the guitars and ruins the song. Redo it please. It is a nice song!
---
<a href="http://myspace.com/doctorbizarre"><img src="http://www.darkstudios.com/banner_234x60_01.gif" border="0"><br>VISIT DOCTORBIZARRE ON MYSPACE.</a>
[ Reply to This ]
It does have a certain appeal. &mdash 08/07/05 - 10:13:28 PM
I like the chorus. Sort of a lazy afternoon ditty. I'm not a
big fan of this kind of stuff, I must admit...so I'm not one
to offer much criticism. It does have a certain appeal. [ Reply to This ]
It does have a certain appeal. &mdash 08/08/05 - 02:44:07 PM
great storytelling &mdash 08/08/05 - 09:27:39 AM
great storytelling lyrics here. you wouldnt have been
so panicked if you moved to Japan as we drive on the
same side!!
'ar-kansas' part really made me laugh! charming! [ Reply to This ]
great storytelling &mdash 08/08/05 - 02:46:26 PM
Hi jesus! You know I love your lyrics, so I'm glad you liked mine.
I might not have been so panicked about the driving in Japan, but there may have been a tiny issue with the completely different language! :-) [ Reply to This ]
Wow what guitar brilliance &mdash 08/08/05 - 12:28:54 PM
Is that alley-oop treating those strings? Nice intro man! I have something to learn from that guy:) Great work! Its a bit strange this tune.. shifting in pace and build-ups. But its very refreshing and original.
Lovely voice ledebudant:)
If I was in the room when the tweaking of knobs where going down, I guess I would have suggested to go a little bit easy on the reverb. I think it would bring you even closer. Would be nice to hear a more whispery close-to-the-mic kind of vox...
Just one more thing.. the vox seems a bit high in the mix at times, especially the backing vocals which I prefer to bring a bit down, so they wont compete som much whith the main vox.
So, good thing i wasn't there to mess things up;)
Lovely ambient sounding feel to it.
More please!
You have a new fan!
Thoddi [ Reply to This ]
Wow what guitar brilliance &mdash 08/09/05 - 03:50:56 PM
Treating really is the right word, thoddi. He treats those strings by playing them so beautifully. (Tom's on vacation, or I'm sure he'd thank you himself).
Thanks for the knob tweaking advice. I'm new at tweaking the knobs on something so complicated and I happened upon the forum thread about EQ, just a little too late. I also agree with you about the vox being a little high at times. I had a really hard time balancing it with the slide guitar, which I think needs more presence in the song.
I'm so glad you liked it. [ Reply to This ]
Great work &mdash 08/08/05 - 04:51:19 PM
BEAUTIFUL VOICE... i love this song.. keep up the great work i love to listen to this tune... the lyrics are good ... itsa package deal [ Reply to This ]
OMG &mdash 08/08/05 - 07:55:07 PM
Holy crap, this is freakin awesome! However....
was it just me or does the shaker apear to not be on top of the beat sometimes? Other than that, its extreamly good.! [ Reply to This ]
Gorgeous &mdash 08/09/05 - 05:02:24 AM
Love it guys. That twiddly guitar bit is so cool. In a kind of a way it reminds me a bit of Roger Waters' "Pros & Cons of Hitchhiking" in both subject and scope and even the guitar solo parts.
How are you liking the MXL-990? I love mine to death. It's nice to hear your voice recorded so well.
Again, really lovely job guys. You must be v happy.
[ Reply to This ]
Liquid &mdash 08/09/05 - 03:00:46 PM
goodness. Very casual and gorgeous. Ally-oop, that is some great guitar playing! The lyrics and singing remind me a bit of Suzanne Vega's first album, in a good way. You have a very pleasing voice, Lisa. [ Reply to This ]
excellent collab! &mdash 08/09/05 - 09:19:23 PM
You two seem to work as well together as peanut butter and
more peanut butter. A great story baccked by some mighty
fancy guitar pinkin'. Love the Arkansas line. This is lots of
fun to listen to and has found a new home on my iPod.
Thanks for the song. [ Reply to This ]
Lovely song:) &mdash 08/10/05 - 03:38:44 AM
Beautiful guitar, Beautiful vocal... nothing more to say...
this is perfect. thanks for sharing:)
- Jemimah [ Reply to This ]
Lovely &mdash 08/10/05 - 04:01:20 PM
Lovely mixture of sweet things, the reminicences, the
longing, the anticipation, the lovely tactile images you
conjour up and Toms guitars breathing along behind,
Superb. [ Reply to This ]
Lovely &mdash 08/18/05 - 12:51:01 AM
What an absolutely beautifully written comment, WW. Gorgeous. Thank you! [ Reply to This ]
goodie! snacks! &mdash 08/11/05 - 03:56:07 AM
thick cream on those blackberries, maybe a little fine sugar or start again with apples and make a pie! ....... yum....... sorry, i got distracted. lisa - your voice is lovely and oppy's fingers always do it for me! and - it's such a pretty little tune - thank you for sharing - one pie! x [ Reply to This ]
Red House Painters &mdash 08/11/05 - 07:26:33 PM
soft and lazy afternoon &mdash 08/25/05 - 01:13:03 PM
I can smell the cedars and taste the blackberries, even
here at work... fabulous guitar work Alley-Oop, just
strums along so effortlessly... Lisa, your voice is silky and
relaxing... while listening to this I stretched out in my
hammock, watching the sparkly sunlight flash through the
trees, and just about fell out of my office chair! BTW, if
you are tired of keeping to the right in America, come on
out to California :-) Great song!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
10 straight ! &mdash 08/29/05 - 10:30:50 AM
omg this song is so nice!
BUT in 1978 KISS ruled the world ! :o
its secretet that i was almost starting to cry watching the movie "Detroit Rock City" saying " oh my, that kid on this movie is me!!"
http://www | |
and your vocals are lovely as usual. These are fine lyrics,
ledebutant. The scene in Jonesboro, or Little Rock, or your
mind, rings especially true to someone who has lived in
Arkansas. Very touching piece.
Congratulations. You did not screw up.
[ Reply to This ]