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Have Pity (on the Crescent City) by ziti [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1496
Comments: 46
Votes: 21
Plays: 415
Last Played: Oct 04, 2008 - 12:16:17 PM
Downloads: 92
Fans: 15
Uploaded: Dec 04, 2005 - 08:58:43 PM
Last Updated: Dec 04, 2005 - 03:31:46 PM
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Keywords:
prayer (16), new orleans (11), tribute (33)
Description:
This song actually started the night before katrina hit new orleans. i sat in my studio with my guitars and my computers and my little tv set...trying to will that son of a bitch to head east.....by dawn I had recorded all the intro, or the approaching storm, and had the rest of the tune mapped out....even the lyrics, which is amazing for me ...cuz for me, lyrics are ......really hard.

I feel a huge draw to nawlins....the music from there is my favorite. and my fortunate association with the great amadee castenell, a masteful and well renown sax player from there, has given me a great rspect and love for the place, and it's musicians.

over the last few months, i watched as the new orleans story played out. how much those flood waters washed away. and how much those flood waters exposed.

I dedicate this song to all the people of New Orleans, and the culture that is the heart of all great american music. i pray that the spirit that is new orleans grows stronger as they rebuild. in these days, we need all the music we can get our hands on. I have tried to emulate the style of the neville brothers or allen tousaint on this piece....but seeing as it's just me on this...i fall short!

enjoy!

I remixed the drums, and re-posted this song.

Lyrics:
what would america be
without fats domino
professor longhair or satchmo
all the music we love
comes from new orleans
most joyous place
that's ever been

so angel of mercy
please have pity
on the crescent city

if you could find one spot
that holds america's soul
she gave us her children
jazz, blues and rock and roll
there's music playing
everywhere
creole sweethearts dance in
congo square
they dance to the neville brothers
dancin to doctor john
king toussaint's rhythm
is still rockin strong

so angel of mercy
please have pity
on the crescent city

we watched in horror
as the levees broke
with no way out
for the poorest folk

politicians
they don't care
people dyin everywhere
dying in thier homes
dying in the street
dying in the dome
now the people are scattered
but the soul is strong.......




Hardware:
yamaha bass & keyboard
fender strat
2 PRS custom 22s--sapphire and ruby
line6 pod
akg perception 200
mbox

Software:
gb
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Awesome &mdash 12/04/05 - 09:43:27 PM
You've weaved an incredible sonic tapestry that's a fitting tribute to the
Big Easy. The sound is as frenetic as the wind or a warm, sultry night
down in the French Quarter. And I think the lyrics do a great jobs of
wrapping up what a lot of people who know and love the people feel.

[ Reply to This ]
jgurner &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:05:25 PM
thanks for the kind words...this song means alot to me. Your response is
welcome!!!

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Excellent &mdash 12/04/05 - 10:05:49 PM
Excellent sound, nice guitar work, and effective percussion. I like the
lyrics, and I love the way you sing them; it's bluesy, with a kind of Mark
Knopfler vibe going on. The music catches the mood of the whole
disaster, especially the ominous intro. Great job.

[ Reply to This ]
I am &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:14:54 PM
a big Mark Knoppfler fan. His album From Every Street is a fav of
mine...singing is new to me...did some blues shouting back in my drinking
days, but never really tried to develop my voice or a style of singing, so I am
surprised when people say they like it....recording vocals is hard! and lyrics
are a nightmare...but I tried very hard on this to do a complete job.

Thanks for the encouragement!!!

[ Reply to This ]
Very cool &mdash 12/05/05 - 06:39:18 AM
Excellent groove - really dig the percussion.
The guitarwork is excellent, as always.
Nice vocals - really fit the mood.
Excellent production - so clean and full.
Great.

[ Reply to This ]
Great Stuff &mdash 12/05/05 - 06:57:23 AM
As Usual Z.
Love it!!!
Carl

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boss sound &mdash 12/05/05 - 07:32:32 AM
Deep roots well up from the ooze, becoming my reins and stirrups. I
ride this one far and wide. More than regional -- it's transcontinental,
dare I say transworld? Thanks for providing a lift for my soul journey.

[ Reply to This ]
When the levy breaks... &mdash 12/05/05 - 08:14:10 AM
Every thing changed and effected us, even up here in the Dallas Fort Worth area. I've met a musician from there already. He works at our Brook Mays. Nice sentiment. Dig the blues and Latin beat.

Regards
John

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Now that's a Vibe &mdash 12/05/05 - 09:39:12 AM
Well done z. You got that New Orleans vide going into overdrive. Great
playing and the mix is top shelf. And what a great tribute to a great city.
Thanks for hooking me up, makes me want to get some Voodoo Red.-JAC

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Wow... &mdash 12/05/05 - 10:05:26 AM
This is a giant leap past early peeks I heard... Love the soft hurricane
guitar work for the intro, and throughout. Your voice is perfect for
this... no need to send my DragonSauce back, it lowered your voice
nicely. Good lyrics, great singing and playing, wonderfully soulful
melody. I often worry about songs about the disaster, but this was a
tasteful tribute. Awesome work, man! DL'ed/Faved!
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]
Wow... &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:48:34 PM
Thanks drak

singing...and...melody are not usually words that are attached to me....

thanks!!!!

z

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Guitar tapestry &mdash 12/05/05 - 11:55:58 AM
Fran, this reminds me a lot (vocally) of Robbie Robertson - a good
thing! I really like the percussion parts you've got happening here -
excellent stuff - and the guitars as usual are wonderful. You have such
a great "big picture" way of dealing with guitars, with various parts
weaving in and out of each other in a tapestry of feeling - I suspect
that recreating this live would see half a dozen zitis across the stage!!!.
The solo is a killer. I know virtually nothing about New Orleans music
(or New Orleans itself for that matter), but I have been through a
cyclone, and this evokes some of the feelings of that night - the fear
and beauty, but most of all the short term intensity and relentlessness
of the damn thing. I really like this style of playing Fran.
Great writing, great playing,
Neil


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Guitar tapestry &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:27:32 PM
tapestry?...yes...the sound of many guitars weaving in and out is a dream
sound....since layla came out...all the little parts to hear....there are a million
ways to play everything on the guitar...and it's like a game to find things that
go together. Once i have a basic rhythm track all the way thru...with the feel i
want, then I find alternate ways to play the original parts; in different octaves,
different regions of the neck...without the miracle of GarageBand, I would
never get to hear what all these parts sound like together...unless as you say,
i had six guitar players hanging around.

glad ya like it!!

[ Reply to This ]
Great Song, Ziti &mdash 12/05/05 - 02:35:17 PM
Song has a great hook. Strong and powerful tune. Your playing and arranging is terrific. Signature Ziti sound and stylings.

Hmmm. I could almost hear a soulful trio of female background singers or male and two females echoing the chorus.

Maybe on a future version....Just a tought:)

10s/fav/ipod

Scorp:)


[ Reply to This ]
Great Song, Ziti &mdash 12/05/05 - 07:22:38 PM
i will have a song in the future with the Tortollini Sisters singing backup....we
are working out the details with their management team....

Thanks Scorp!!!!!

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ZOWW-WWIE &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:05:29 PM
This Immediately muscles into the Top Five Favs of mine.

Stunning.

Thought I was on Desire Street with the Shadows of the Supernatural
Swirling Around Me. Great Aural Landscape! Percussion is evocative
and appropriately Tribal.

Best Piece on NO that I've heard. Lyrics are Superbly written and
Perfect for you.

I think this the Single most Organic and "Whole" performance of yours
to Date.

Pro Production Values. Top Shelf All Around.

Congratulations.

Coop

[ Reply to This ]
ZOWW-WWIE &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:45:16 PM
Thanks Coop...this is a very big "production" number by my standards. I'm
really happy that you like it!!

[ Reply to This ]
you got it! &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:32:45 PM
If you were trying to evoke the Neville bros. you certainly are on the mark, tho not overly derivative. The vocal does remind me a lot of Robbie Robertson also, and all in all this is an excellent tribute to NO!

[ Reply to This ]
voice &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:47:20 PM
I like that you are developing your vocals. It makes your message that much more powerful. Great guitars, great music bed. I like the music legacy of New Orleans connection to the common struggle of the every man and woman. Already, you're writing words with craft, Bravo!

[ Reply to This ]
Guitar Work &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:21:54 PM
That's some very soulful guitar playing my friend. Enjoyed the music more
than I did the vocals. Touching tribute for a grat city.

[ Reply to This ]
Guitar Work &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:32:51 PM
edrew...you are a wise man with a good ear....my singing is what it is...gonna
keep trying to make it as un-offensive as possible! heheheh...I would die for a
great voice, but i've learned to deal with it....there are nice recording
techniues i'm working on to help the vocals, and I am learning alot doing it.

thanks for the kind words and the time !!!

z

[ Reply to This ]
So Many Textures &mdash 12/05/05 - 04:25:41 PM
So little time. I was listening to this as you took it down yesterday, so I
had to come back today to hear the rest. To steal your line, deepest
bows.

[ Reply to This ]
The intro &mdash 12/05/05 - 06:13:46 PM
is really good, reminds me of some weird cross between King Crimson and Pink Floyd. This is a great tribute to N'Orleans. Did I mention that your singing sounds kind of like Zappa here? I'm thinking of "Stink-Foot" in particular, but the album "Apostrophe" more generally. As usual, you know how to make that axe sing, and the solos here are really nice. Great going Fran!

[ Reply to This ]
A fitting tribute &mdash 12/05/05 - 06:59:30 PM
to a beautiful and vibrant city.

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Real glad &mdash 12/05/05 - 07:30:31 PM
you remixed this and brought the vocal out more. In my opinion it was
essential in conveying the entire feeling of the song. Granted, your guitar
playing is always soulful... but in this case, the voice stands on the same
level. Great job... I liked this song tons the first time I heard it... I love the
way it came out here!

[ Reply to This ]
well, you caught &mdash 12/05/05 - 10:19:30 PM
me right off guard on this one.

Told you you could write lyrics and sing them if you set your mind to it.

Excellent tune Zetes.

[ Reply to This ]
The usual &mdash 12/06/05 - 02:05:36 AM
stunning guitar work from you here Ziti. Soulful yet full of hope this is a
great tribute song for those people in New Orleans.
I'm glad you actually put some vocals to this, perhaps, yes a tad too high
in the mix and a touch too spacey but all in all i like this very much
Slimmie


[ Reply to This ]
You've already heard from me... &mdash 12/06/05 - 07:29:02 AM
...at least a little, about this one...

You really have nailed down a Meters-style groove... that trebly rhythm
chink-chink-chink is right in there... and the bass is very Meters-ish...
in a good way... I'm coming to realize that you have more feel for the
bass than is immediately apparent...

Your intertwining guitars are great... this is becoming a signature of
your sound on MacJams... Nice hearing your cut loose a bit here...

And I do hear the Robbie Robertson comparisons... This would be in
line with his "Storyville" stuff, also New Orleans derived...

My only nit-pick, and it is a nit-pick, is that at times in the vocal it's
like you're trying to sound Southern...one of the things that I like
aboutt Robertson, and Knopfler, is that they can step into a Southern
vibe, but still sing like themselves... My own opinion is that you can
just sing like ziti and it'll sound actually stronger...

The song's very heartfelt, though, ziti, and that's a good thing...

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
grits with that? &mdash 12/06/05 - 08:08:32 AM
HHAHAHAh....jeez the last thing I wanna do is sound
SOUTHERN....hahahah...the problem with my singing is i don't have any IDEA
what it's supposed to sound like....this singing stuff is so new to me...the only
singing I've really done is back in the drinking days, and it was just really
shouting, and I never RECORDED it...so this is totally new for me. And I am
paranoid as hell about it, to be frank. But as Ally said, it does make a more
honest statement than just accompanying someone else...much more
personal. So I am working on it...and it's so helpful to get comments.
Also very confusing..if you read the comments...slimmie says too
loud...aclarke says turn it up...big help...hehehehe.

Thanks as always ed, for the thoughtful comments

z

[ Reply to This ]
grits with that? &mdash 12/06/05 - 11:37:12 AM
I'd briefly commented on this, but coming upon what Ed is saying about the vocal is pretty true, if there is a nit to pick about this song, it is the quality of the vocal. Since you admit needing some guidance there, let me offer my humble opinion. On this song anyway, it sounds like you're acting and not being yourself, whatever your self is. The level of the vocal is fine. It's just that the vocal here is sort of spoken, and I think it either needs to be just spoken or really sung. If you're speaking it you might want to make it more conversational and intimate, if it's sung I think it needs to have a more melodious treatment. Like a lullaby you might sing to a child, it doesn't need to be sung with a lot of power but with more emphasis on the melody. I'm not looking for Aaron Neville here, but I would love to hear him sing this!

But this is a great tribute to NO! Love your guitar playing, and that you are using your voice to say what needs to be said in words!

---
It's almost unforgivable [telling a band their music is wrong],
it's like telling you how to make love to your wife - Steve Albini.

[ Reply to This ]
Two voices here &mdash 12/06/05 - 09:55:31 PM
It's great to hear your voice, Z, but the most instantly recognizable voice for
me is your guitar. Always fresh and innovative, alive and blue, full of sadness
and hope. Perfect. An excellent tribute.

---
<a href="http://thelostrecords.com/atwood-artist.html">american plain cd</a>
<a href="http://thelostrecords.com/noel-project-artist.html">splendor bright cd</

[ Reply to This ]
wow... &mdash 12/07/05 - 08:38:25 AM
you know as much as we all say how much we love to get constructive
criticism..it seems like ya hardly ever really get any. This is wonderful,
constructive criticism, and i thank you for it. I am commited to improving my
songwriting and singing...so this is soooo helpful...Jim, Ed...great stuff!

thanks!

z

[ Reply to This ]
wow... &mdash 12/07/05 - 02:16:36 PM
I remember JimB.pointing out once on an old song of mine, that I'm acting or
trying to sing in a certain way, instead of singing as my voice naturally is.
At first I didn't really understand what he was saying. But now I find it very
liberating. I'm finding the real character in my voice, So it is good advice.
The importtant thing for me Mr. Z, is that you are very good lyricist and that
always riviets people. So man! keep writing! I'm really looking foward to
hearing you sing oyur next song!

[ Reply to This ]
wow... &mdash 12/07/05 - 06:38:15 PM
i have been missing out by doing this "blanket thank you" at the end....I
haven't gotten the full benefit of this kind of detailed discussion....stupid me!

thanks ally!!

z

[ Reply to This ]
Very cool mix &mdash 12/06/05 - 10:34:55 PM
Fascinating mix in the restraint on the guitar next to dominating
percussion. Excellent vocals perfectly matching the vibe. Subtle build
into a story that's wonderfully told. Excellent.

[ Reply to This ]
Very cool mix &mdash 12/07/05 - 02:32:53 PM
why, thank you alan!! that's very nice of you to say that

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Sound of soul. &mdash 12/07/05 - 05:39:43 AM
Groan of guitar.
Man's singing voice.
Soul becomes a sound.

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what a sonic &mdash 12/10/05 - 10:05:59 AM
delight.....my ears and brain just had a feast.....u r vocal has that right
tone for this track......gruff but smooth......how'd u do dat???? veery
kooolacoius!!!

[ Reply to This ]
Great tribute &mdash 12/10/05 - 10:40:32 AM
From a great musician.
Thanks Ziti

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AWWW... &mdash 12/10/05 - 04:14:00 PM
NICE ONE Z! I LIKE MCBOYS WORDS ABOUT THIS ONE CEPT, MY WHOLE
BEING WAS BASKING IN COOLNESS OF THIS VIBE. THANKS FOR INVITNG
ME TO THE PARTY - DION

[ Reply to This ]
great! &mdash 12/10/05 - 06:47:46 PM
this was simply awesome. good job

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Nice &mdash 12/11/05 - 03:24:23 AM
Really like the percussion, nice work. Guitar is real nice too. Very good
vibe. Nice tribute to the great music and musicians from the city.

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Better &mdash 12/11/05 - 12:38:38 PM
This track is better than most of the stuff on here. It's really hard to find a well produced one but you did it!!

The lyrics are a nice touch too.

[ Reply to This ]
are you kidding &mdash 12/11/05 - 01:01:22 PM
you are having a hard time finding well produced tracks???

check these out for starters
•anything by alimar
•anything by eleveneyes
•anything by pie
•anything by perceptualvortex
•anything by sil-ver
•......mystified, tom atwood, slim girl fat, tiler, einarus.........man you ain't
lookin to hard....the single best thing about mj's is that you can learn from
some of the best independent producers in the world...thanks for the nice
compliment!!!

[ Reply to This ]
All ziti all the time.... &mdash 12/12/05 - 01:22:00 PM
This is a great track, z. It has soul, feeling, the blues, love....I could go
on.
But I'll just say it's an honest, touching composition that doesn't hold
back. And that's how it should be.
And I like the vocals on this one.....just to weigh in on the debate ;)




[ Reply to This ]
Pro Quality ! &mdash 12/16/05 - 09:28:44 PM
This is a great tune. Does the Big Easy proud. I like the way the guitars weave in and out with the little volume swells. The vocal treatment is really nice also.Yer wailing away on those PRS's.

[ Reply to This ]
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