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Innercityhood (katchoolik+rschletty+dadai+snowdragon) by Postludes Trio [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 2538
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Last Played: Oct 05, 2008 - 06:50:59 AM
Downloads: 106
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Uploaded: Dec 05, 2005 - 02:26:33 PM
Last Updated: Oct 04, 2006 - 07:39:03 AM
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Keywords:
Inner city (1), neighborhood (1), rage (9), scabs (2), acceptance (3), empty (7), pockets (1), hate (43), taxes (1), rent (3), baseball (5), field (2), Delmonico's (1), Italian (8), Italy (2), food (10), store (2), Greek (3), church (13), waterpark (1), quarry (1), Beltrami (1), National Guard (1), monument (1), guitar (878), rock (1109), folk (361), fun (161), katchoolik (27), rschletty (64), Schletty (44), dadai (31), Miller (4), snowdragon (2), Bakay (1), bleeding (2), war (112), West Side (1), values (2), roots (16), sentiment (3), pool (6), community (3), garden (15), urban blight (1), urban flight (1), suburbia (2), suburbs (1), safety (1)
Description:
A song about inner city neighborhoods. Reasons to stay, reasons to leave.

Music and instrumentation: Johnny Katchoolik. Lyrics and vocals: Richard Schletty, Jack Miller, Craig Bakay. Song art: Richard Schletty, adapted from "West Side Paintings" -- see http://www.schletty.com/westsideptgs_families.html . Larger version of song art here: http://www.schletty.com/music/Innercityhood01.jpg

Postludes Trio is an internet collaborative music project -- see www.macjams.com/artist/Postludes+Trio.

Snowdragon (Craig Bakay) listened to my first vocal run and told me I was over-singing it, that I should ease back and let the lyrics tell the story. So, I did just that, gravitating somewhere between matter-o-fact narration and florid sonority. Craig suggested that I switch "leave" and "live" in the last two lines....and gave a nice reason for doing so. The inevitable flight from Innercityhood instead became a decision to stay. Craig also added some vocal harmony.

Dadai (Jack Miller) not only contributed vocal harmonies in this latest mix, he did the original vocal sketch, singing the phrases and thought bites I had scratched out in a quick memo to him. I hadn't intended for them to be actual lyrics -- they were just a list of impressions... a "stream of feelings" based on my 2-hour walk through the Beltrami neighborhood of north Minneapolis last July with my wife (while the kids splashed in the Jim Lupient Waterpark in the old quarry site). Here is Jack's original soulful demo which became the basis for the song: http://www.schletty.com/music/Innercityhood_Jack_demo.mp3 . In his "lunch break special", Jack came up with a few choice phrasings and lyric additions that were carried through to the final song you hear here.

And Johnny... what can I say about Johnny? As someone says in the comments below, his music is a fantastic bedrock upon which to build lyrics. His instrumentation is vital, rich and well structured. I did not have to add any supplemental sounds to his soundbed -- all I did was splice it a bit to extend it from 3:05 to 4:52 in length.

Lyrics:
Innercityhood
Music ©2005 Johnny Katchoolik
Lyrics ©2005 Richard Schletty, Jack Miller, Craig Bakay

Delmonico's Italian Food Store on the corner.
Down the street, the old Greek church in the mist of dawn.
The old ball field where we played the game.
Where has everyone gone?

A few wannabe mansions going up over there.
New water park in the old quarry.
National Guard Recruitment Center: "volunteers wanted here"
Our children, our last chance for glory.

My ragged pockets, they are empty.
Dig down deep. Hey, whatcha got?
Don't wanna get caught in the crossfires of hate.
Time to cut loose, things gettin' hot.

Just tryin' to keep my scabs from bleedin'.
While the war still rages on.
The hammer, it just keeps on poundin'.
Oh, my God, what have you done?

So much that's good, so much that's real,
here in Innercityhood.
A trip to the corner store, a splash in the old wadin' pool,
a friendly hello from folks that are pretty good.

An old monument where I can cry,
A community garden where hope is sown.
Have you had a nice day? Have you kept your scabs from bleeding?
Not everyone has flown.

Dust of neglect and broken windows.
Tell me now, where's the pride?
Don't gimme no fancy answers.
The streets have nowhere I can hide.

Just tryin' to keep my scabs from bleedin'.
I can't afford to have no fun.
My rent's past due, can't pay my taxes.
Oh, man, what have you done?

My ragged pockets, they are empty.
Dig down deep. Hey, whatcha got?
Don't wanna get caught in the crossfires of hate.
Time to cut loose, things gettin' hot.

I'm talkin' 'bout my Innercityhood,
It's where I'd love not to die.
Some say that it's the place to leave.
I tell ya, it's the place I live!

Hardware:
Katchoolik: Fender Telecaster, ibook, GB2, Zoom DR-8
Schletty: MXL 2001 mic, MBox, G4/500
Miller: a glass of red and a lunch break...
Bakay: Two tin cans and a string reaching from Ottawa to St. Paul

Software:
GarageBand 2 and Logic Express 7
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isn't that a quartet? &mdash 12/05/05 - 02:38:09 PM
according to my calculations... but who's counting?

I live right in the city of Boston...interesting to be here, lots going on. It's the place to live!
Nice lead and harmony vocals! Very!

[ Reply to This ]
isn't that a quartet? &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:23:19 PM
Thanks, Jim. I'm glad you like it.

[ Reply to This ]
isn't that a quartet? &mdash 12/06/05 - 06:16:16 AM
No Jim, trio is still technically applicable in that Dadai and snowdragon are
suffering from a rare but increasing affliction known as MJMTMM syndrome
(MacJams Much-Too-Much Meld or M4JT) that causes its victims to slowly
deteriorate into a single malevolent entity that MikkiTaro has dubbed "the
SnowDaddy." This hideous metamorph combines the worst qualities of
dragon and sailboat skipper resulting in a two-headed monster unable to
cease issuing forth cantankerous caterwalling from each head simultaneously,
with little discernable difference to those with the misfortunate to be in
audible range.

A word of warning: if you find yourself increasingly drawn towards a desire to
sing like Patsy Cline, it may be time to seek professional help.

---
When philosophy and reality collide, reality wins,
<a href="http://secondlife.com/ss/?u=523780b076305e8d810607813a3bec40">Snow Gretzky</a>

[ Reply to This ]
isn't that a quartet? &mdash 12/06/05 - 08:04:53 AM
Craig, that is funny. You are a master at self-effacement. I really appreciate
the vocal additions from my two-headed lounge lizard. Craig added some
last-minute vocals but more importantly suggested that I switch "leave" and
"live" in the last two lines....and gave a nice reason for doing so. The
inevitable flight from Innercityhood instead became a decision to stay. That
actually mirrors my own life. I have been a lifelong resident of St. Paul's West
Side -- an inner city neighborhood with square blocks, proximate houses, big
shade trees, sidewalks (what a concept) and cool alleys (that mural painting in
the song art above is actually my own alley where I've lived for 49 years). I
love my innercityhood and plan to stay here a while longer.

Jack did the original vocal sketch, singing the phrases and thought bites I had
scratched out in a quick memo to him. I hadn't intended for them to be actual
lyrics -- they were just a list of impressions... a "stream of feelings" based on
my 2-hour walk through the Beltrami neighborhood of north Minneapolis last
July with my wife (while the kids splashed in the Jim Lupient Waterpark in the
old quarry site). Here is Jack's original soulful demo which became the basis
for the song: http://www.schletty.com/music/Innercityhood_Jack_demo.mp3
. In his "lunch break special", Jack came up with a few choice phrasings and
lyric additions that were carried through to the final song you hear here.

And Johnny... what can I say about Johnny? As someone says below, his music
is a fantastic bedrock upon which to build lyrics. His instrumentation is vital,
rich and well structured. I did not have to add any supplemental sounds to his
soundbed -- all I did was splice it a bit to extend it from 3:05 to 4:52 in
length.

Summarily, thanks guys!

[ Reply to This ]
isn't that a quartet? &mdash 12/07/05 - 04:50:35 PM
I forgot to mention that snowdragon (Craig) listened to my first vocal run and
told me I was over-singing it, that I should ease back and let the lyrics tell the
story. So, I did just that, gravitating somewhere between matter-o-fact
narration and florid sonority. I still refuse to sing with a nasal emphasis. I'm
not Bob Dylan.

[ Reply to This ]
Very Nice! &mdash 12/05/05 - 02:47:38 PM
Very nice instruments and vocals. Really like the guitar solos. The strings are a very nice touch! Ah, and it reminds me of something (british), but i cant come up with the name. almost figured it out, but it slipped again! AH, i remember, i think the song was called "I Come From a Land Downunder". I believe it has the same vibe! Very nice, and keep this collab up! Thanks for sharing!


[ Reply to This ]
Very Nice! &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:10:53 PM
That would be Toto?... from Australia I believe. Great group back
in the eighties

---
Making melody with your heart...

[ Reply to This ]
Very Nice! &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:20:09 PM
I think it was Men At Work. I think I used to have the album - a bright yellow
cover and nothing else on the album as good as that track!

[ Reply to This ]
Very Nice! &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:27:03 PM
Ah yes.. you are correct! Men at Work, another fine group.

---
Making melody with your heart...

[ Reply to This ]
Nice song, nice changes &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:13:25 PM
Nice song, well sung, with good guitar work, and nice changes. Lyrics are
clever and evocative. I like the horns at the end, although they are buried
in the mix a bit for my taste. Very cool.

[ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:14:21 PM
Very cool, very epic. The chorus is amazing.
Excellent performances from all of you, as usual, I guess :)
The only thing that bothered me were the horn sections at the end.
Nothing annoys me more than the unrealistic GB synth horns.
But that's just me nitpicking.
Great track, otherwise.

[ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 12/08/05 - 01:04:50 PM
We'll work on making that horn section more organic. Thanks.

[ Reply to This ]
Great story song &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:22:47 PM
Really nice track...well produced and performed. Reminds me a bit of
Warren Zevon in places... cool collaboration!
Steve

[ Reply to This ]
Great story song &mdash 12/07/05 - 03:17:10 PM
Zevon... I'm not familiar with him. He must be some nobody trying to emulate
my style.

[ Reply to This ]
Great story song &mdash 12/07/05 - 04:13:46 PM
AAAAAA-OOOOOOOOOOOO

Werewolves o' Lon-don

AAAAAAA-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

---
When philosophy and reality collide, reality wins,
<a href="http://secondlife.com/ss/?u=523780b076305e8d810607813a3bec40">Snow Gretzky</a>

[ Reply to This ]
Great story song &mdash 12/07/05 - 04:52:46 PM
Hmmm. Still not knowing Warren Zevon. I'll google Werewolves of London.

[ Reply to This ]
great stuff &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:25:21 PM
very good final version of this, well mixed Katch! Great singing &
songwriting & lyrics, & artwork... nothing to say, I really like how this
came out!
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]
great stuff &mdash 12/05/05 - 05:25:23 PM
Much appreciated. Thanks for strolling through our song.

[ Reply to This ]
very cool &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:25:32 PM
this sounds like it was a blast!!

great collab...fine, tight playing...all the effort shows in the final mix.

Katch...you play yer buns off...

deep bow



[ Reply to This ]
Lots of cool &mdash 12/05/05 - 03:26:41 PM
Good songwriting and music. Nice job with the vocals, everyone. It's nice'n'powerful when the harmonies kick in, and the end is perfect. I've spent a lot of time in innercities... I prefer it here in the outercity.

[ Reply to This ]
NICE VIBE! &mdash 12/05/05 - 05:05:03 PM
Hambones! Had me perked on octane! Drivin and screamin!

[ Reply to This ]
lots of great pictures in those lyrics &mdash 12/05/05 - 06:04:39 PM
Not being an inner city kind of guy, I listened to this a bit like I listen to stories of foreign places - sounds a lot like parts of Sydney or London or Munich or Paris . . . . . . Anyway - epic is certainly the word - lots of great pictures in those lyrics, and a solid piece musically as well. A pictorial essay well produced everyone.


[ Reply to This ]
lots of great pictures in those lyrics &mdash 12/06/05 - 08:17:33 AM
Thanks. I'm glad it worked for you, too.

[ Reply to This ]
Can't say enough... &mdash 12/05/05 - 06:49:35 PM
Rich, I kinda thought this song had died before it was even born. You
sent those vivid lines of thought that you had during a walk through
town... another lunchtime vocal demo (I gotta eat quick) with katch's
original 3 minute soundbed..... and WOW. You really did some fine stuff
with that meager beginning. Thanks for keeping with this.

Great work on the lyrics, great lead vocal, and amazing how you
put together all our vocalizing in a way that actually sounds not half
bad. The magic of the mix, eh? Way to go! Which voice is dadai and
which one is snow??? : )

Jack



[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Neighbors &mdash 12/05/05 - 07:18:49 PM
Thanks for listening and commenting on the tune folks.
It was fun to make and collaborate with great guys like
Richard, Craig and Jack.

Here is a cool studio shot form Schletty Lyrics


[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Neighbors &mdash 12/06/05 - 07:35:39 AM
You had an extra space in that URL. Try this" http://i12.photobucket.com/
albums/a244/katchoolik/city_4172.jpg

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Neighbors &mdash 12/06/05 - 10:33:25 AM
Johnny said:
> Thanks for listening and commenting on the tune folks.
It was fun to make and collaborate with great guys like
Richard, Craig and Jack.

Hey, I was glad to add a little splice to your World.

[ Reply to This ]
Can't say enough... &mdash 12/06/05 - 06:20:36 AM
I think we need a big dose of annibarb, Jack.

---
When philosophy and reality collide, reality wins,
<a href="http://secondlife.com/ss/?u=523780b076305e8d810607813a3bec40">Snow Gretzky</a>

[ Reply to This ]
Can't say enough... &mdash 12/06/05 - 07:37:09 AM
Which voice is snow and which dadai? Only my hairdresser knows for sure.

[ Reply to This ]
inner childhood and all that you can't leave behind &mdash 12/05/05 - 08:42:06 PM
wow...superb collaboration and musicianship from all 4 of you...Katchoolik, once again, I must commend you on bringing out the best from fellow musicians...your music and guitar solos are truly inspiring, always challenging your listeners and fellow musicians to new heights...Postludes Trio: wonderful song lyric and vocal performances from all of you, especially the lead vocal by Schletty...like your murals, Richard, the lyric and the subtle dynamics in your singing and backup vocals by the SnowDaddies have really captured the nostalgia for what's good and what's real...the song is both narrative and reflective of life and its struggles...there is a little bit of innercityhood in all of us...how can one forget those landmarks that have stood the test of time, reminding us of who we once were and all that we can't leave behind...for me, this song and your other collaborative project, Breakout, are two very memorable and timeless tunes...scabs or no scabs, your music is somehow comforting for the bleeding soul...thanks for digging deep and encapsulating those facets of life in music and thanks for keeping it real

[ Reply to This ]
inner childhood and all that you can't leave behind &mdash 12/06/05 - 08:14:00 AM
FF: I really appreciate your views on this song (as well as Breakout). Johnny
brings out the best in musicians (whether they be fledgling or seasoned) and
for that we should all be very grateful. Johnny is a lead man for Good Sound.

[ Reply to This ]
Great collab... &mdash 12/06/05 - 04:30:49 AM
There's something about collaborations which is mysterious... I guess
maybe for the listener, the sense of people coming together this way
actually adds a sense of scale to a song... or something. But this is a
very successful coming together. Your voices, your sentiments and
katchoolik's bedrock work so nicely here.

[ Reply to This ]
Great collab... &mdash 12/14/05 - 07:09:54 AM
Absolutely mysterious and wonderful.

[ Reply to This ]
Superb... &mdash 12/06/05 - 05:47:40 AM
mix. Very professional sounding to my untrained ear. I love all the
different shifts harmonically. The voices compliment each other quite
well. For me, the songwriting is some of the best I've enjoyed on MJ.
And the song art is exceptionally brilliant. Thanks for sharing your
talents here.

[ Reply to This ]
good &mdash 12/06/05 - 08:31:46 AM
A bit of a talking heads thing here, I dig it. Like the recording and
the melody on the chorus. Nice Work.Peace....

[ Reply to This ]
This is quite original &mdash 12/06/05 - 03:14:18 PM
Dig this...couldn't figure where it was going but it went there real nice. Can't really put a finger on what genre this is but that doesn't matter. It is nice to listen to. Thanks for sharing.

Regards
John

[ Reply to This ]
This is quite original &mdash 12/06/05 - 03:43:12 PM
Pop is the best I could come up with. I told Katchoolik that it starts out with a
Country sound (which he denies), then migrates to Rock. I try not to pay
attention to genre. I just sing. Let's call it "The Postludes Trio Sound". Ha. I
want to hear this being played on a jukebox in Deer River, WS within a year or
I'll be sad.

[ Reply to This ]
This is quite original &mdash 12/09/05 - 09:15:51 AM
It's good stuff. I think it has chart potential. Do they serve food there?

---
TEXASFEEL

[ Reply to This ]
This is quite original &mdash 12/09/05 - 12:40:46 PM
They serve cold snacks off the snack racks located behind the bar. I hit the
Deer River bar every January with my fellow Bushrunners, on our way up to
Uncle John's cabin for our annual "emergency meeting and presidential gala".

See http://www.schletty.com/bushrunners

[ Reply to This ]
really terrific &mdash 12/06/05 - 06:31:24 PM
very entertaining, really like how this light rockish type tune iscomposed.
Your singing here Rich is really fun to listen to.

Thumbs up from me :)

[ Reply to This ]
Cool Cover !!! &mdash 12/07/05 - 04:37:05 AM
I really Like your Cover, Your music bring my working life colourful. Nice Lead!

[ Reply to This ]
Drive stakes &mdash 12/07/05 - 05:34:32 AM
I recall, and am nostalgic every day.
Mud, sweat, and laughter.
This song is built in the mind like the monument.

[ Reply to This ]
Drive stakes &mdash 12/08/05 - 02:35:39 AM
Thank you, Tadashi.

[ Reply to This ]
amazing- &mdash 12/07/05 - 06:24:16 PM
how you can fit so many words into one song. o.o I'm in awe.

Great performance and production, and odd yet fascinating lyrics. I like
the "scabs" line especially. ;)

[ Reply to This ]
great tune &mdash 12/08/05 - 03:52:58 AM
You reach me. This has a gritty realism that I dig. A song any city
dweller can indentify with. I really like that the message and story
propel this for the listener. And on the next listen, it's apparent what a
tight, well-crafted song you have here. Kudos to all! Great job! Mr.S, I
always like it when you sing from your guts, with less vocal flair.

I read you are not familiar with Warren Zevon?
Listen one song: 'Accidently like a Martyr' off of the Exitable Boy album,
you'll be a fan of his instantly.

[ Reply to This ]
great tune &mdash 12/08/05 - 04:19:38 AM
Alley-oop, I appreciate your comments. That helps me shape future stylin.

[ Reply to This ]
greatttt &mdash 12/08/05 - 06:36:42 PM
whoaa what a great song i rly like it and yeah it's very pretty and it makes me happy!:) hehe well keep it uppp! byee for now comment my singing sometime on my page byeee

[ Reply to This ]
greatttt &mdash 12/09/05 - 07:05:35 AM
Thanks, kayylaa-xox. Yes, I will check out your songs.

[ Reply to This ]
Love the Tele, and the mural. &mdash 12/08/05 - 09:18:49 PM
Nice work you three (errrrr) four. Who's the genius who painted the mural on the album cover?

[ Reply to This ]
Love the Tele, and the mural. &mdash 12/09/05 - 07:03:01 AM
Ha! Mr. Former Education Director of St. Matthew's Parish and School: Of
course, you know the answer to that question as you spent two years gazing
upon my West Side paintings which hang in the sanctuary of the church. Or
did you get suckerpunched one too many times with a long bass neck by one
of your own www.suckerpunch.us band members? I appreciate your
comments, Scott. Lemme know when you are performing at Plums again or at
another proximate location.

[ Reply to This ]
Love the Tele, and the mural. &mdash 12/08/05 - 09:18:52 PM
Nice work you three (errrrr) four. Who's the genius who painted the mural on the album cover?

[ Reply to This ]
Love the Tele, and the mural. &mdash 12/09/05 - 07:04:27 AM
Scott, I had a similar question above and have already answered that. Next...

[ Reply to This ]
Just great! &mdash 12/10/05 - 06:38:35 AM
Just great! A wonderful composition first of all. King of a thousand
musical styles has striken again! And once again managed to surprize
me, though I have pomised myself never more to be surprized by what
Katchoolik can do, (only remains for you to make a fingerstyle tune for
me Johnny :)

And your vocals Richard are wonderful! And they suit this tune
perfectly.

And to all of you: What most amazes me is that it sounds like you
people have played togheter for years. In this particluar style! For me it
is a wonder how you people can do something like this as an internet
collab ... this is truly astonishing!

[ Reply to This ]
Just great! &mdash 12/11/05 - 07:07:28 PM
Thanks Cori. We appreciate your thoughtful comments.

[ Reply to This ]
creative &mdash 12/12/05 - 09:00:50 AM
I like the Brit/Aussie feel of the song. really nice guitar work, too. I
think a cross between Men at Work and Brian Ferry meets Madness
would describe this song. I'm looking forward to hearing some more
tracks to see how varied your sound is. BTW Did you really try ludes,
and if so how were they?

[ Reply to This ]
creative &mdash 12/12/05 - 01:58:34 PM
John: No, we have not tried "ludes" (Quaalude). You're the first to ask. The
association had not occurred to me.

I sent you links to a few more collabs. Thanks for listening. An Aussie/Brit
sound? Pretty cool for a lyricist and lead singer stuck in the Midwest. Must be
Johnny's cool instrumentation that gives it the sound you describe.

[ Reply to This ]
'round. Hey &mdash 12/27/05 - 10:09:48 PM
Yeah, city life... Nicely done, all the way 'round. Hey, where's the fretless?

[ Reply to This ]
interesting Stealy Dan break &mdash 01/10/06 - 05:30:51 PM
before the chorus. A little bit of bowie in there two - there are elements of the song that has a Mot the Hoople/All the Young Dudes feel. Nice lyrics too.

[ Reply to This ]
... &mdash 04/04/08 - 08:59:54 AM
i like the style to the chorus. has the schletty vibe. in the first couple versus it sounds a little like you're just saying words like they don't mean anything. when you hit the second verse it sounds to have more meaning or feeling to it, the lyrics are really good. i think perhaps the pace of the song makes you rush the words a little so you seem to be more focused on getting it right than the meaning of the song. it definitely has your style to it and the instrumental is really good. and the production is great. it makes me think of west side story.

[ Reply to This ]
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