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Description:
This came upon me Sunday afternoon before last as a chord sequence after deciding I wanted to do a song with “normal” chords (you know A, G, D and stuff), as so many of my songs are made up of unusual sets of triads.
“Ship” is based on a story I read recently about a mother in Basra, Iraq who lost one son (4 years old) and had another (6 years old) tragically disabled by a coalition missile while the boys were playing a game of soccer in the street. It made me think about, if they were my children, how totally devastating that would be. Who knows what the mother’s politics were – all I know is that nobody deserves this to happen to their family. And more importantly, nobody has the right to inflict this loss on someone else. I thought about my family and how I’d feel if something like this happened to them. We’re really all the same! Then I thought about the triumvirate who got us there: Bush, Blair and (for us in Oz) Howard – the “Ship Of Fools” just seemed appropriate somehow.
Recording happened in an afternoon - mixing much longer. Tried to get a “live” feel to it, with just 3 guitars (2x Seagull acoustic, 1x Fender Strat), bass (Fender P-Bass) and drums (pencilled midi). The a cappella section was the hardest to do, and I asked Steve Lang (stevel) to apply the foghorn for the bottom harmony (I just can’t get down that low). The added bonus of Steve’s excellent lead guitar was a special treat for me - I think it's the best solo I've heard Steve play. This is a lot of fun to play – especially the ending sequence.
This one definitely needs to be played loud on speakers or phones that can handle the bass! Try to picture a live band onstage – Steve, myself and your favourite drummer J.
Song Art available at http://www.mary-louise.co.uk/GalleryCarnival.htm
Lyrics:
Ship Of Fools
© Neil Porter 7/3/2006
I’ve been waiting til the sun goes down
Under a shady tree in a one horse town
Over the hills and far away
A smoke filled sky greets another day
I’ve been thinking about the other side
A mother crying when her children died
She’s a lot like you and me
Just different branches on a family tree
Chorus:
We’re adrift on a ship of fools
They’ve got no morals, they make the rules
We’re all drowning in a sea of fear
How do we turn things round from here?
Two boys playing in a Basra street
Kicking a ball with dusty feet
Coalition missile, just six and four
Wasted lives in a pointless war
They’re caught living in a danger zone
Lifetime’s savings in a shattered home
Long nights sleeping with one open eye
Lifetime grieving when your family dies
Chorus:
We’re adrift on a ship of fools
They’ve got no morals, they make their own rules
We’re all drowning in a sea of fear
How do we turn things round from here?
INSTRUMENTAL
Hardware:
Steve's Strat
Seagull S6 acoustic guitar
Fender Precision Bass
Rode NT3 mic
Behringer USR802 preamp/mixer
G4 iMac
Software:
Logic Express
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The question is how do we GET RID OF THEM &mdash 04/01/06 - 02:59:39 PM
What angers me most is that it all about money, nothing else.
oh, and, oh god do i love that lead guitar. [ Reply to This ]
The question is how do we GET RID OF THEM &mdash 04/01/06 - 07:03:39 PM
Not sure how to get rid of them - our problem here is that the opposition is
only marginally better. Sad that it's come to this.
Steve's guitar soloing is so good here - agree completely.
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
mmm.... &mdash 04/01/06 - 02:59:58 PM
it's interesting that many writers have used the same title "Ship of Fools" to write and reflect on the very same human follies...I guess mankind as a whole hasn't evolved much, for we still have the same follies and defects...but it is refreshing to hear you make a song that explores similar themes...alas...we are a ship of fools...Bush on fire, chopping down those "branches on a family tree", only to build more ships to carry more fools...I am not sure how humanity reached such decrepit and vile state, but as of now, it seems that this "sea of fear" hardly has enough water to suffocate the burning Bush of greed but just enough anesthetic power to turn most of us into fools....perhaps one day, the ships will finally sink and we will be forced to swim....great lyrics and instrumental...it has the similar anti-war pathos of Bob Dylan, but somehow, this song also reminds of Paul Simon's "Mrs. Robinson"...great collaboration with a strong moral message [ Reply to This ]
PS &mdash 04/01/06 - 03:05:40 PM
did you wait till April Fool's Day to release this song? haha...how apropos! [ Reply to This ]
PS &mdash 04/01/06 - 07:07:19 PM
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Mikki. I hadn't realised the significance
of the title and day until I looked at Cori Ander's latest current song. Mrs
Robinson eh - will have to ponder on that : )
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Yes &mdash 04/01/06 - 03:07:54 PM
What to say ... such a great song. And such a sad world. Jiguma, your'e
just awesomely good! Can't see any other option than heaping you with
tens again. [ Reply to This ]
Yes &mdash 04/01/06 - 07:10:42 PM
Really appreciate your comment and ongoing support Curry - really glad it
struck a chord for you. Love what your kids have just posted - maybe they'll
be able to keep you in the comfort you would like to become accustomed to!
Peace,
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Impressive &mdash 04/01/06 - 05:44:42 PM
This is a great tune Neil. There's nothing in it that I don't like. Great lyrics,
vocals, flowing guitar and bass and wonderful leads. Paints a picture.
Tells a tale. Speaks the truth.
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Impressive &mdash 04/01/06 - 07:16:19 PM
Cheers Mike - unfortunately, there's a never-ending source of lyrics being
provided on the world stage at the moment. The sad situation described
really hit me when I read it - it's just one story of tens of thousands, and our
governments are doing it in OUR name!
Thanks for the song comments - I can really see a live band doing this when I
shut my eyes, and I'm really getting keen to play live again. Unfortunately
opportunities for doing so are a little limited by where I live. Now if only I
could get to the UK MJer convention!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
I hade to... &mdash 04/01/06 - 06:17:18 PM
listen one more time I hade to many thinks going on so I must left my
comments now so no I am here again and listen one's more on this great
song you have done you and Steve....Kudos to you2
And high score from me....Solid production and performance.
And a very nice melody and message.
Take care
----
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
I hade to... &mdash 04/01/06 - 07:24:37 PM
Tack själv till deras kommentera Kenta. Jag uppskatta du tagande tiden till
kommentera i engelsk.
Fred, Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Yo mate!... &mdash 04/01/06 - 09:00:30 PM
You are definitely a song writer, sir - No question there - Keep
forgetting to say this out-loud, but often times I wonder if you've ever
thought about writing songs for a living - It seems that everything that
you do is timeless - Your songs will certainly outlive you - You're
amongst the few that makes this a good thing
Neil, I have to say that I really like your natural singing voice - There,
I'm done - I never have mentioned how much I liked the bass on this -
Nice and hunky, the way we like it!!! -- I like the drum-work on this
MUCH better - more natural - I don't know why I don't recall ever
having heard Steve's handy work - Some saweet soloing there -
yeppers
You are so sincere in your writing that at times, I have felt the need to
entertain a tinge of guilt for my focused indulgence in my musical
sandbox - And you are singing about people; our captains, who have
all of the characteristic traits of SOCIOPATHS... - What parts of us
made this happen - I try not to think about this too much, so maybe
this is one of the many reasons why I'm attracted to what you do - You
do make things better...
A heartfelt thank you for that, sir - Truly - Dion [ Reply to This ]
Yo mate!... &mdash 04/01/06 - 11:06:17 PM
Hey Dion! Thanks yet again for the big rap - always look forward to these
comments of yours. Would love to make a living out of this song thing, but
I'm afraid I may have left my run a bit late - if only I'd known I could do it
when I was younger, I might have had time to get good at it! Suspect there
might be a bit of competition : )
Steve is a vastly under-rated guitarist here on MJ imho - as you can hear, he
can cut it with the best of them. As far as drums go, I'm really starting to
enjoy using the pencil tool to create "real" sounding drum tracks. This is my
favourite so far, mainly because I have finally found a really good soundfont.
Bass - I just love playing it. Thank YOU Dion!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
You have a style for sure &mdash 04/01/06 - 09:45:24 PM
Interesting lytrics. Like the island feel. Like how you stop the flow of the
catchy electric gutiar chordal structure and then go again. Cool Jig vocal
style , like how the end goes as well, especially like how it is mixed all
through but especially at the end. Neat ending.
[ Reply to This ]
You have a style for sure &mdash 04/02/06 - 03:07:15 AM
Thanks Bill - if you like the "island feel" on this, then one that's in the works
at the moment will be right up your alley! I reall like the end, where it
changes up into the final instrumental and a new chord progression. Just
seems to lift the song - I was thinking about extending it into a jam, but
most of my songs are too long, and this one seemed about right lengthwise
as it is.
Thanks for the support, appreciate it!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Thoroughly &mdash 04/02/06 - 12:54:48 AM
Thoroughly &mdash 04/02/06 - 03:10:22 AM
You are most welcome TM!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Well conceived, well written, well executed &mdash 04/02/06 - 10:03:49 PM
This is worth listening to on many levels. I imagine some of the source
of the heart written into this song is the fact that your daughter is
going to bring something special to your life (and hers, obviously) this
summer. The thought of anyone losing a child is unbearable. Thank
you for giving voice to this tragedy.
Musically - I love the rhythm guitar, which sounds sweet and is playing
a great part that works perfectly in the track. The song's form makes it
easier to listen to a disturbing topic. And, as everyone is saying, Steve
played a tasty lead guitar for you.
This song is a triumph. Thank you for writing it and sharing it. [ Reply to This ]
Well conceived, well written, well executed &mdash 04/03/06 - 06:34:35 PM
Thanks for dropping by Patrick. Every time I see those TV images of
"collateral damage" I get so sad for the people involved and their
country. I am devastated that my country sees fit to be involved in these
deaths and also the less visible health, emotional and financial damage
we are causing to individuals and families. My impending progression to
"grandpa-hood" only exacerbates the way I feel abou it all I guess.
I'm especially pleased to get such positive comments about the music
from you - best wishes,
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
KICKS ASS &mdash 04/03/06 - 05:33:26 AM
Superb Neil. This is well structured, concise and has a nice little groove that kicks it along. The harmonies, the little lead guitar licks and the a cappella verse combine to really lift it above the norm. That bass sounds great - I plugged in my Sennheisers to really hear what was going on.
Unfortunately we are stuck on a Ship of Fools with an amoral moron at the wheel. For the moment anyhow.
This by far the best track I've heard you post so far. Keep up the good work. [ Reply to This ]
KICKS ASS &mdash 04/03/06 - 09:28:33 PM
Thanks Ross, Glad you were able to stop in and have a listen - hopefully
things might improve soon(ish), although I'm not impressed with the
alternative government here either!
Cheers, Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
I enjoyed the sound. &mdash 04/03/06 - 06:11:56 AM
The tone of the backing guitar is beautiful.
The solo of the lead guitar is also wonderful.
The rhythm is also wonderful as usual. [ Reply to This ]
I enjoyed the sound. &mdash 04/04/06 - 03:27:55 PM
Thanks for listening Tadashi!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
the obvious political overtones aside &mdash 04/03/06 - 08:52:56 AM
this is a nice little afternoon-on-the-back-deck-with-a-cold-one
tune. [ Reply to This ]
the obvious political overtones aside &mdash 04/04/06 - 03:29:24 PM
Cheers Craig - have one for me!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
powerful lyrics and.... &mdash 04/03/06 - 10:09:49 AM
i liked the way the 'boom-boom' pulled the words out - great guitar - lots of plinking, plunking and whaah-whaahing - thank you - nice job xoxo [ Reply to This ]
powerful lyrics and.... &mdash 04/04/06 - 04:14:27 PM
Thanks for the insightful comments Caro :)
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Good stuff &mdash 04/03/06 - 11:16:36 AM
I won't go on about how good this is, 'cause I think that's been covered (great work). I just wanted to throw in one observation: there are few points in the song where it's hard to listen on headphones because whatever the phase or chorus effect is that's going on makes it bounce back and forth from left to right so fast that it's dizzying. Other than that, excellent production!! [ Reply to This ]
Good stuff &mdash 04/04/06 - 04:20:18 PM
Thanks for dropping by John. I hadn't noticed the bouncing, but will check it
when I get my headphones back later this week. Compared to many of my
posts, this one is relatively free of effects, although there is a bit of tremelo
on Steve's lead passages. Always appreciate it when people notice things I
missed - thanks again for taking some time to listen and comment.
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Just different &mdash 04/03/06 - 12:27:18 PM
branches on a family tree... yes, how I wish more people would see it that way. It's disheartening to me to see so much dehumanization around me in defense of the Iraq war. I don't just mean the serial liars on TV, but real people I meet and interact with; their spreading internal rationalizations for the war overriding their sense that this collateral damage are human beings--with the same emotions, desires and needs as the rest of us. Anyway, I obviously like the sentiment you've got here, and the excellent songwriting serves it very well. Great singing, playing and writing! [ Reply to This ]
Just different &mdash 04/03/06 - 12:29:04 PM
I forgot to mention that Steve's guitar solo is really excellent!
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19560">Supertooth</a> [ Reply to This ]
Just different &mdash 04/04/06 - 04:56:19 PM
Thanks David. So sad that we have so much bad happening in the world that
a song like this is so easy to write lyrics for. Could have been any number of
nasty situations in there really - just read the papers! I appreciate you having
a listen and leaving your comment - how DO we turn things 'round from
here?
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
heartfelt &mdash 04/03/06 - 01:42:40 PM
hey great post. its heartfelt piece that too few people ever ponder.
those solos were great, just weren't long enough! the mix was great.
very aptly titled [ Reply to This ]
heartfelt &mdash 04/04/06 - 04:59:42 PM
Thansk John. Yes, that last solo could have gone on and on from my point of
view, but I was planning to keep this under 4 minutes as a lot of my recent
songs have ended up around 5 and a half minutes or so. Maybe next time : )
Cheers,
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
heartfelt &mdash 04/03/06 - 01:46:41 PM
hey great post. its heartfelt piece that too few people ever ponder.
those solos were great, just weren't long enough! the mix was great.
very aptly titled [ Reply to This ]
Another good'n &mdash 04/04/06 - 03:26:42 AM
In fact, another bloody ripper! Great work as usual Neil. The 'feel' you
get is always fantastic.
The guitar is awesome; it makes my eyes go all funny because of the
tremolo.
The a cappella bit isn't quite there, for me. I like where it's going for
sure, but I think it would be well worth revisiting. It sounds a bit
mushy (crappy description, I know).
Anyway, mate. Great song. Guitars and bass are red hot. [ Reply to This ]
Another good'n &mdash 04/04/06 - 03:32:58 AM
Hi Nolan,
I was waiting for someone to mention the a cappella bit! I had it sounding
good in my head, but had awful trouble getting it to sound the way it should.
There's a note at the end of line 2 or 3 that should go up when it goes down
(plus some other furry bits), but I just couldn't nail it. Need to contact the
"Rentabarbershopquartet" crowd! A classic case of "too many Neils" I suspect.
Thanks for the visit,
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 04/04/06 - 05:00:09 AM
I have really come to appreciate your ability to craft songs of protest that
don't just knock you upside the head coldly... instead we find the anti-war
message hidden in plain sight. No one here does this better, Neil. Another
fine song! ~ Adam [ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 04/04/06 - 05:05:39 PM
"message hidden in plain sight" - I like that!! Always appreciate your
comments and listens Adam. If there's so many people against Iraq, how
come we're still there? (Just thought I'd mention it).
Peace, Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
WOW &mdash 04/06/06 - 07:22:44 AM
This is a great tune! Love the feeling! Tight, tight lyrics. Great
production. Highest marks from me. MACJAMMERS RAAAAWWKKK! [ Reply to This ]
WOW &mdash 04/06/06 - 06:25:24 PM
Thanks for the kind words Kelli Ann. Always feels good when one like this
comes through!
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
WOW &mdash 04/06/06 - 07:24:44 AM
This is a great tune! Love the feeling! Tight, tight lyrics. Great
production. Highest marks from me. MACJAMMERS RAAAAWWKKK! [ Reply to This ]
Nice Chords... &mdash 04/06/06 - 11:53:13 AM
...and tune and lyrics!
I don't understand how so many of us allow our thoughts to be
directed by so few. How is war an option?
[ Reply to This ]
Nice Chords... &mdash 04/06/06 - 06:28:41 PM
Thanks Doug - how we've been dragged into all this is just totally beyond me
too. It's going to take some very fancy footwork to gain some moral high
ground here, let alone make some amends to all the lives that have been
adversely effected.
Peace, Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
thought provoking while entertaining &mdash 04/06/06 - 04:11:04 PM
The message almost gets lost in the mojo you usher forth here. Very
fine song. A little loose in some of the chorus passages but not too
distracting. I like the dusty timbre of your voice. The instrumentation is
superb. Talent! [ Reply to This ]
thought provoking while entertaining &mdash 04/06/06 - 06:31:59 PM
Thanks Richard - it takes a lot of practice to get this loose : )
Vocals have never really been my thing, and doing the tight a cappella verse
was a serious challenge to my limited skills. After hearing your a cappella
version of Rockin The Scene I know where to go for help next time!
Very kind compliment - I really appreciate it.
Neil
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19541"> Ship Of Fools </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unobtainable Remedy w Nolan</a> [ Reply to This ]
Cool... &mdash 04/08/06 - 12:36:02 AM
Love it, Hate it. &mdash 04/08/06 - 05:26:47 AM
Love your song. think it's great, sentiment is sharp well observed and on
the money. Just like you I hate this brutal carnage of a so called war. It's
just exploitation, it's plain evil, and all the while prayers are being said.
Ship of Fools how true. Keep it up love the sound you make. [ Reply to This ]
Love it, Hate it. &mdash 04/08/06 - 05:26:50 AM
Love your song. think it's great, sentiment is sharp well observed and on
the money. Just like you I hate this brutal carnage of a so called war. It's
just exploitation, it's plain evil, and all the while prayers are being said.
Ship of Fools how true. Keep it up love the sound you make. [ Reply to This ]
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oh, and, oh god do i love that lead guitar.
[ Reply to This ]