Careful of the Undertow

jiguma

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Description

One of my earlier MJ posts - Undertow has been sounding fairly lacklustre to me lately, so I decided to remix the GB tracks in Logic Express to see if I could breathe new life into the old song. In the end, I replaced all tracks except the bass, and changed the feel of the song so much it sounds like something new to me.
It's about seduction by place - you can catch the original here.

Song art from Ellen Lindner's "Little White Bird" site.

Bass, drums, guitars,organ - don't forget, PLAY IT LOUD!

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Lyrics

Careful Of The Undertow
© Neil Porter 2005

Headed south to address some consequences
Thought we’d stay here for a while
You move away and you lose your best defences
Take a card and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”

Big swell coming from the south
Tide is getting low
There’s action at the River Mouth
Paddle hard and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”

Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow

Heavy weather in the air last night
Lightning sheeting ‘cross the bay
Red sky morning was a perfect sight
Stay on guard look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”

Not much hope of leaving Hotel California
Haven’t checked out for a while
City life has become inconsequential
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow

Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow

Song Stats

Hits: 2440
Comments: 38
Fans: 6
Plays: 325
Downloads: 134
Votes: 10
Uploaded: Jan 18, 2006 - 10:06:57 AM
Last Updated: Apr 19, 2007 - 11:41:23 PM Last Played: Jul 28, 2009 - 12:49:01 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

acoustic (589), guitar (1075), reggae (66), jiguma (18)

Hardware:

Seagull S6 acoustic guitar
'71 Fender Precision Bass
Yamaha PSR300 midi keyboard
Rode NT3 mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
G4 iMac

Software:

Logic Express

Comments

thetiler	thetiler said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	nice rhythm and singin Nice style jig cool picture, you have a very easy to listen to style. Cool tune! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

jiguma	jiguma said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	nice rhythm and singin Thanks Bill - glad you dropped by for a listen. Neil --- My latest song is: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Careful of the Undertow - Remix </a> Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Macaudion

Macaudion said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

Ambassador Jiguma
I don't normally pay much attention to remixes, because it's normally
more work than I care to put forth to differentiate between the original
and the remix, but you have created an entirely new groove Mr. J.

And how could I not be moved by this tasty ear treat... I'm really diggn'
your recent solos on your pieces, and especially this one.

You make a good Ambassador to a nation, Neil. As I am sure that there
are other MJRS' from Australia, I just don't know of them so this is not
meant to rob anyone of a title. But for now, when Australia comes to
mind, I hear Jiguma soundtracks playing in the background. And
although all nations have a great deal of 'funkedupness' going on, your
grooves, they make it all good... I should think that your country owes
you, and they owe you BIG! - DION

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

jiguma

jiguma said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

Ambassador Jiguma
Well hi Dion - thanks for doing a quick comparison listen. Very nice words
(as usual) - I can think of at least two other Aussies who are doing very nice
work: Nolan and Bryan ("The Composer") - there are more, but names escape
me . I enjoyed re-doing this track, mainly because I really like the summery
feel to it. It's a little sad for me too, as my mum missed out on a lot of the
things which are so beautiful about where we live.
Created a monster in deciding to remix - as I did each new track, something
else reared its head as needing to be redone - bass track is the only in-tact
remnant of the original.
Looking forward to hearing something new from you soon.
Take care,
Neil

---
My latest song is: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Careful of the Undertow - Remix </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

	said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	wow I just reviewed the original version, which I love. This is nearly a different animal! But equally as good. Nice nice nice.

	said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	wow I just reviewed the original version, which I love. This is nearly a different animal! But equally as good. Nice nice nice.

jiguma

jiguma said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

wow
Thanks for looking at both Mike - the first one was primitive (production-
wise) but had the original enthusiasm and looseness which I like, whereas the
latest one is probably better technically, but not as loose. Whatever, they are,
as you say, virtually "different animals". The reggae feel to this is something I
have little experience with, but enjoyed doing it.
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest song is: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Careful of the Undertow - New Version </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

dreadmon	dreadmon said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	Great tune Hey, this is a nice song - I love your voice and harmonies, your take on modern life. It always makes for a pleasant experience, no matter what the subject matter. the textures you're getting with the guitars is very hypnotic, enjoyed it a lot! Check out my latest song called Dive!

jiguma

jiguma said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

Great tune
Thanks for taking the time to listen and write a comment Bing, I appreciate it.
The harmony thing seems to be getting easier, and I also seem to be getting
more accurate vocally with the new mic. What I'd really like to develop
though is a stronger voice as well as the soft style I have now - I guess I'll just
keep trying!
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest song is: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Careful of the Undertow - New Version </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	More smooth grooves. I really enjoyed listening to this Neil. Besides the usual good songwriting and performances, there seems to be extra ear candy, with the phased lines and such. Very nice. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

jiguma

jiguma said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

More
Thanks David, always enjoy a positive comment :) The solo from the
previous version didn't translate from GB very well, so I re-did it o find I
couldn't emulate the sound in the first version (a guitar sound I really liked).
After much fiddling with keyboard and guitar solos, the phased guitar one is
what happened. I'm not much of a lead guitarist, but have found that if you
repeat the solo often enough it eventually comes out OK.
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest song is: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Careful of the Undertow - New Version </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

Oh heck. I like 'em both. For different reasons.
There seems to my ears to be more "air" and space in this mix...Which I
think is mostly a good thing. The only spot where I think the extra air
works against you is the multi-vocals... I think they would benefit from
sounding a little closer together... The space in the guitars is pretty
neat...

Plus there's a more distinct accent to that lead vocalist...

And I remember the other version as having more drive in the groove...
This one bops along with more bounce...

I like the way the bass player plays...

Heck. Can't choose. Like 'em both... One for release, one for the
'rarities' box set...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

jiguma

jiguma said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

Oh heck. I like 'em both. For different reasons.
Cheers Ed - when you talk about the vocals being "closer together", do you
mean harmony-wise or pan-wise? Pan-wise, the harmony tracks are closer to
centre than in the original version (they are also much closer to being in
tune!), although there is still a fair spread (from +25 to -25 I think). Once
again, I have left all effects off the vox tracks. If you mean harmony-wise,
then we're kind of stuck with what's there :)

The earlier version was a much
lower bpm rate than this, and the drumming was loops while this is done with
a basic looped midi track and the wonderful LE pencil tool. This one is
certainly more dynamic as a result.
Thanks for having a listen - always appreciate your considered comments.
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	The southeast and the northwest of the southern hemisphere The wind of the Sydney bay changed. The wind of Caribbean blew to the sea in Australia today. Work wonderful as well as the former work. Good arrangement. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

jiguma	jiguma said 1404 days ago (January 21st, 2006)
	The southeast and the northwest of the southern hemisphere Thanks for dropping by Tadashi, and for leaving another of your treasured comments. Neil --- My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a> Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Cori Ander

Cori Ander said 1406 days ago (January 19th, 2006)

Haha
Haha! you crazy :) That was fun!

Well it was listenable this way too ... I'm noticing though that I've kind
of grown somewhat conservative concerning this tune (which has been
among my absoulte top rank favoruties since it came out). I have
listened to the original a lot! ... will see if I can get used to this.

The old version I have associated to water, water, water ... Like
fearlessly flowing along with the undertows ... having bubbles and
fishes and bright colours swirling all around, like being high on
Champagne and the Ocean at the same time ...

This one is with head up in the air ... like sitting on the beach, letting
the wind and sun dry the hair, slowly growing sober ...

Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

jiguma

jiguma said 1404 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

Haha
Cheers Curry. The original was certainly a loose, ocean sound, and I really
liked it - except for the vocals, which I felt were fairly weak. The plan to re-
do it came about as a result of wanting to do better vocals on it, but when I
started, I realised that it seemed very slow, so I lifted the bpm. Then the
guitar tracks went out of synch and sounded awful, so i did new versions of
those. Finally the drums sounded "wrong", and so they were also replaced.
The
final change was to parts of the organ track, which gave this version the
reggae feel. I guess it's really a different song with the same lyrics, melody
and chords now. Appreciate your comment as usual.
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

jgurner

jgurner said 1406 days ago (January 19th, 2006)

Very nicely done
I hadn't actually listened to the origonal until after I laid my ears on this one (for the compare and contrast.) No matter which version you listen to, it's an awesome song. This one does have a completely different feel. It has a more airy feel, brighter and a little more free flowing. Nice one to just kick back and listen to on a carefree afternoon (as are many of your tunes.)

And Dion's right, you do make a great ambassador. Now, when I think of Australia, I hear your guitar flowing through my hear. You've nicely replaced Men at Work in my brain. :D

Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

jiguma

jiguma said 1404 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

Very nicely done
Thanks for taking time to listen to both versions Joseph. I kind of like both
versions too, but the song has become a bit chameleon-like really. Thought I
might do a big band version next (lol).
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

FEEL	FEEL said 1405 days ago (January 20th, 2006)
	Very cool I don't think I had heard the original but I find this to be a really nice tune. I too plan to remix some of my older GB songs into Logic Express. Thanks for sharing. Really cool mix. John Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

jiguma

jiguma said 1404 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

Very cool
Cheers John - the change to LE7 really lifts the older stuff. You have so much
more control, and I found that I had some clipping which I didn't catch in GB,
but which is really easy to see in LE7. Hence, cleaner production. My new
mic helps a lot also.
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

stevel	stevel said 1405 days ago (January 20th, 2006)
	Very nice indeed This rolls along really nicely...great full sound. It makes me feel like summer is here now in grey old London. Well we have a whale in the Thames...so something funny is up. Cool track Neil! Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

jiguma

jiguma said 1404 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

Very nice indeed
Thanks Steve, saw the "whale" (more like a large sardine from what I saw) on
TV last night. Next thing you'll see in the Thames is a Japanese whaling
vessel (for scientific purposes only - or maybe that's "porpoises"?). Glad the
song brought some summer sun into your otherwise dreary weather - over
40 degrees coming up today, and we're off to the beach. See you in
Cheltenham 2007 :)
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Einarus

Einarus said 1405 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

I've always loved...
...the original - I think I'm even safe to say it's one of my favorites on MJ.
This version is great, as well - but in a quite different way. I got a little
reggae vibe at the beginning, rather than the oceanic, acoustic rock feel in
the previous version. I think it was the organ jumps...
Anyway - this really is great.
A definate download and a fav!

Thanks for sharing!

Check out my latest song called Running Scared (w/ Ziti)

jiguma

jiguma said 1404 days ago (January 21st, 2006)

I've always loved...
Thanks for listening Einar. Have always loved Hammond sounds, and the
reggae thing seemed natural on this. Glad you liked the new one, but
specially happy about your enthusiasm for the original.
Cheers, Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

The Composer

The Composer said 1404 days ago (January 22nd, 2006)

I live in the land down under...
No real critical comments here... just a bit of an ego rub... I quite liked
this piece... It has that slightly relentless feeling that I enjoyed in "Up to
you" and this has a couple of moments of dark and shade which is nice
too. The chord progression here are quite nice too... and I'm really
growing to your vocal timbre... nice and husky... but also pretty decent
musically. The production is pretty good, the levels are pretty good
(the soloing guitar could be futher up in the mix... its being hidden a
little beind the other guitars)... and overal its nice and wide and
interesting. I'm going to have to listen to the original now I think.

Check out my latest song called 25 Minutes in a Japanese Restaurant (Readers Digest Version) (MJRF)

The Composer	The Composer said 1404 days ago (January 22nd, 2006)
	I live in the land down under... Sorry one more thing... get rid of the Garageband snare! --- The Composer, previously known as The Pianist who hasn't played the piano in a while... <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17268">Sampled Sister</a> Check out my latest song called 25 Minutes in a Japanese Restaurant (Readers Digest Version) (MJRF)

jiguma

jiguma said 1403 days ago (January 22nd, 2006)

I live in the land down under...
Thanks for the comment Bryan - ego rubs always welcome! Drumming is an
area I'm looking at developing, and I appreciate your comment about the GB
snare - I've only just started to use midi based drums and percussion, and am
really keen to get better at it. I'll see what Logic Express has to offer in the
drum department.
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Nolan

Nolan said 1403 days ago (January 23rd, 2006)

Excellent
Love it Neil.

Loving each day
Living the coastal life

Heavy weather in the air last night
Lightning sheeting %u2018cross the bay

I love these lyrics. The imagery is so familiar. In fact, I spend a lot of
time here missing 'the coastal life', and this makes me look forward to
getting back there even more. The music is great - it's got a fantastic
feel. Well done.

Check out my latest song called Fine

jiguma

jiguma said 1403 days ago (January 23rd, 2006)

Excellent
Thanks Nolan. The coastal life is really all I know - apart from a year in the
UK and some time in Munich, I've never lived more than about 10 km from
the beach since I was 6 or so.
Make sure you send me an email if ever you're coming this way!
Cheers,
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

poodyglitz	poodyglitz said 1397 days ago (January 28th, 2006)
	Very 70's Kind of like a cross between The Eagles, Chris De Burgh and something else familiar that I just can't put my finger on. Oh yeah, Al Stewart. I haven't heard this style in quite a while. Reminds me of my years in Montr�al. Check out my latest song called Media Man Update

jiguma	jiguma said 1391 days ago (February 4th, 2006)
	Very 70's That's me, very 70s - if you like the style, check my back catalogue - there's plenty more. Cheers, Neil --- My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a> Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Boris the Bull

Boris the Bull said 1396 days ago (January 29th, 2006)

thoughts from the bull...
initially, the title of the song reminded me of the scene in "The World
According to Garp," where Garp shouts to warn his children of the
undertow. they, of course, ask "What's the under toad?"

this piece has such a wonderful, positive upbeat to it. very infectious.

instrumentally, it's fantastic. lots and lots of great tidbits of sound
going on. your voice/voices move very well through them, never
compromising and never leading one to be stronger or weaker. that, to
me, is the sign of good mixing.

a terrific production! thank you!

Check out my latest song called What You'd Be Like

jiguma

jiguma said 1391 days ago (February 4th, 2006)

thoughts from the bull...
Thanks Boris - Myshkin made a similar observation (about Garp) on the
original of this. My mum really used a simiilar expression - "watch out for
the rips" - in warning me about stuff, but what rhymes with rips? :)
Really glad the song appeals to you.
Neil

---
My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a>

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Gav	Gav said 1395 days ago (January 30th, 2006)
	This is good I like this. Nice and light and friendly. Not mad on the vocal effect -a bit too 'airy' for my liking but thats just a preference thing! I gave this an overall 8! Well done! Check out my latest song called Understand

jiguma	jiguma said 1391 days ago (February 4th, 2006)
	This is good Cheers Gav, Thanks for listening, your comment and vote. Neil --- My latest songs are: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17192"> Undertow </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16923"> Up To You </a> Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

macgalver	macgalver said 1385 days ago (February 10th, 2006)
	This is awesome Absolutely loved the groove to this. Infectious. Danceable. I dig it!! Thanks for sharing...kelli Check out my latest song called First Sight

Magritte	Magritte said 899 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Such a cheerful sound... ...to go with such an ominous (and apt!) message. I like the sunny ska-like bounce, and the unexpected harmonies expressed by the guitar. A sweet mix and the vocals blend just perfectly. Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

Fan List

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Artist Info

Name: Neil Porter

My old bio page looked pretty out of date, so it’s time for a new one: For the full story, see my interview in the MacJammer Blog "The Jiguma Is Up" by Tobin Mueller. I started to learn guitar when I was about 10 – but didn’t last long be... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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