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Keywords:
A Bit Of Light (14), jazz (357), jazz fusion (37), funk (157), latin (51), saxophone (28), tenor (10), alternative (206), obsession (16), McCaslin (3), tobin (66), sax (55), crazy (60), thoddi (5), TobinMueller (34), tobin (66)
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Description:
This marks my second collaboration with Thoddi (Thor Oliversen) who, like in our earlier version of My Heart Still Beats adds very cool and poetically additive guitar work to my original track. (The pre-guitar version 1 of Crazy Story can be found here, for comparison.) I also added several layers of sounds to certain lines, little sonic bits to aide the storytelling, and doubled the entire original to add body and .
The song is about obsession, when all you want is someone to narrate the concrete beneath your feet so you don't slide through the cracks... or float away in pieces. Obsession is a funny thing, it seems so needed yet is so destructive at the same time. Why do we open ourselves up to such destruction, feeling the whole while we can't live without it? Hopeful, it is an old story in my life, never to be repeated.
My two favorite parts: Donny McCaslin's head-spinning sax trio in the middle and Thor's understated repressed riffs at the end. I also really like the unusual synth countermelody that bridges together the vocals. Thoddi's additive guitar parts (some he won't even recognize, I sifted them thru so many filters) are a perfect backing, sliding in seamlessly into an already full track. My hat off to you, again, Thor!
Donny McCaslin also plays sax (soprano) on Icarus II
Please turn up the track if it seems too soft. I still haven't figured out how to compress/louden stuff like some of you.
This track was remastered and appears on my 2007 release, A Bit Of Light, available through The Lost Records.
Lyrics:
CRAZY STORY
Story.
Tell me a crazy story
to make sense of this day.
Don’t say little glories;
I don’t want to cheat that way.
Just your voice like a sidewalk beneath my feet,
narrate my concrete.
Please.
I want you to write me down.
I want you to read me aloud.
I want you to turn my pages.
Turn me, turn me
into a crazy story.
Turn me crazy. Crazy.
Want me too, on your lips.
Want me too, like breath from your mouth.
Want me too, for song, for praying.
I am yours; come play me crazy.
Tell me a crazy story.
Read me crazy. Crazy.
Prism hours like blades run across my skin,
tower like days too high for scaling.
So far away, your voice is failing.
The words of my life wait and wait and wait like crazy.
Crazy.
Come make me... crazy.
Come make me your crazy story.
Hardware:
G5 Quad; Roland ex90; Super JV 1080; Korg Wavestation
Saxophones: Donny McCaslin
Guitars: Thor Oliversen (Thoddi)
Software:
GB; DP 5; WAVES Doubler; B4 II (organ); MX4 (software synths); MOTU Symphonic Instrument (horns); Charlie (additional organ)
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Crazy Sax Story &mdash 06/24/06 - 09:55:23 AM
Interesting interweaving/interlocking of parts here. I like the vocal too.
I turned it up a bit - I was hoping to hear the drums thwak a little harder
in places and a bit more amp distortion - but that's just my preference -
not a fault of what you've done. :)
Excellent work and very enjoyable. [ Reply to This ]
Crazy Sax Story &mdash 06/24/06 - 10:10:47 AM
The drums are the least interesting thing in this piece, so much else ends up
going on, but I know what you mean. Actually, in the original AIFF the drums do
whack a bit harder, but I compressed everything for the mp3, as much as my
ears let me, shaving off the top of the whacking drum wave forms, just to get
the track as loud as I did. I wanted you to turn it up for the synths and bass, not
the drums, which try not to get in the way of an already busy arrangement. (The
drums are MIDI, by the way. I never like to overdo MIDI drumming.) I play my
synths and organs very loud when recording; I imagine everyone else would
rather hear them really loud too. Thanks for the listen and nice comments. [ Reply to This ]
Brilliant, again &mdash 06/24/06 - 10:43:52 AM
There is always a line in your lyrics that blows me away. My favorite line in this song is "Prism hours like blades run across my skin, tower like days too high for scaling." When you are in such a state, getting through the day is too overpowering, you have to break it into hours, and even hours seem mutli-faceted and complex, separating thought into rainbow layers. What you can't control towers over you like skyscrapers. When you sang "prism" I thought you said "prison" and I liked the doubled meaning. Women, they not only drive you crazy, they make you want to be driven. I like the high pitched thing, like a crazy vibe that keeps coming back. Brilliant track. The guitar is a great addition. [ Reply to This ]
Brilliant, again &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:07:33 AM
Thanks for the listen, Del, and the appreciation of the lyrics. This was a track I
arranged and recorded in one day (originally, before my collab additions via
thoddi) and I made up the lyrics as I sang them in, trying to rhyme whatever
intuitively came to me, visualizing the whole scene. I'm glad you liked them.
Now, we have to get you back in for more poem collabs! You've been absent
from the scene too long. [ Reply to This ]
crazy filters &mdash 06/24/06 - 11:58:12 AM
Some interesting filters you have in your collection mr Mueller.
It's been a while since I did this so it was a treat to see it pop up in the mail.
Thanks for letting me have a go at this one. Your music is quite challenging for me to take part in. You use more then the three chords I'm used to, being a soul/blues guy;)
And I agree about the sax part. It's pretty sexy when he first enters the scene. What more is the hook-line you've made with the synths. That is a strong one. Cool with the circus organ effect on the first one.
All together it is an impressive complex piece of music. [ Reply to This ]
crazy filters &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:03:22 AM
I had a great time fooling around with your tracks. Thanks for providing so
many ideas, layers, choices. And for the interest. Your ideas sparked
new ideas in me and I ended up making my keyboard parts better too. You did
a wonderful job not just capturing the essence, but furthering it. Thanks again. [ Reply to This ]
Nice work... &mdash 06/24/06 - 05:17:43 PM
...everyone involved.
As someone who's not versed in the original version, this was a delight
to hear in it's current incarnation. The layering of synths, sax, funky
guitars and vocals forces me to listen to the pieces individually and all
together... all in the same moment. I really dug the slightly 'pushed'
timing on the snare hits.
Another interesting hit from Tobin & Co.
d.
[ Reply to This ]
Yet another! &mdash 06/24/06 - 05:58:28 PM
Mind-blowing addition to the Tobin Meuller playlist on my iTunes. You
have such a unique voice, quite above the norm. Truly an inspiration and
one of the main reasons I like hanging around MJ, for things like things
that turn up. Quite the stew! Thor's guitar parts are a great addition,
though usually I prefer a less effected sound for guitar.
I like the simplicity of the drums and the ample headroom. Super mixing
job. I find the volume and saturation just about perfect... [ Reply to This ]
Yet another! &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:11:57 AM
Thanks for the comments about headroom. The compression of popular
music tracks rarely leaves room for dramatic volume shifts, hits, are crescendos.
I just had to build in some with this piece. Glad you noticed and it is good to
know the levels worked for you. [ Reply to This ]
Another song with legs &mdash 06/24/06 - 07:47:08 PM
You break so many rules, from the sounds you pair to the melody lines you shape, yet it always sounds exactly the way its supposed to. The way you juggle energies that would tear apart another song - I bet thats a metaphor you already thought of - you end up making obsession clever, sexy. Macjams - worse than a leggy blonde, this place. [ Reply to This ]
smooth &mdash 06/24/06 - 08:49:42 PM
this has some very smooth vocals and editing.
the sound is so clear and good, plus the bass is very well recorded.
i like the jazz like segment.
keep it up! [ Reply to This ]
I Really Dig... &mdash 06/25/06 - 08:19:15 AM
... the funky/latin-jazz rhythms. You straddle several idioms with this one.
Nice sax work: Gives it that jazz kick.
Those e-horns: Gives it that latin flavor.
And the bass: The funk, course. Who's on bass or is it digial? I can't tell... and that's good.
Thors' guitar: The funky 'icing' on your fusion 'cake'.
Nice playing, Thoddi.
Definitely a keeper.
Get on with your bad self, T!
[ Reply to This ]
I Really Dig... &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:32:18 AM
Thanks. To answer your question, it is a digital bass played on keyboard,
samples that include bends and slides and really nice fingerboard action. I
layered the patches to afford more expression while playing (velocity sensitive).
Glad you liked it. [ Reply to This ]
Great work &mdash 06/25/06 - 02:36:11 PM
Great sound, Tobin. Love the saxes and guitars.
Lyrics are quirky and interesting. Your singing fits the song well.
Your vocals remind me of Terry Kath, of vintage Chicago. He sang on
"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" (I think.) [ Reply to This ]
great as ever &mdash 06/26/06 - 04:27:04 AM
A very nice melody line in the vocals (which is maybe one of the difficult things to do on earth!) and neat voice harmonics. The production is topnotch as ever of course. A great collab which I truly enjoyed.
Walter [ Reply to This ]
flying bass line &mdash 06/26/06 - 05:57:33 AM
the only thing to add to what others have said... i really like the bass playing on this one. flying around like a Tadashi Togawa tune. adds an element of swirling emotions under the whole thing. really nice. [ Reply to This ]
flying bass line &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:25:38 AM
I've always wanted to collaborate with Tadashi Togawa on something. It is so
cool when people find MJer influences in our tunes. Thanks for pointing that
out. The bassline was kind of improvised, I stayed away from cutting and
pasting, hoping it sounded like a real guy letting his fingers fly. Thanks for
noticing. [ Reply to This ]
I liked it more... &mdash 06/26/06 - 05:59:29 AM
...the farther into it I got...
Reminds me of Thin White Duke era Bowie. I like that you can have so
much going on in the arrangement and yet still have everything make
sense. Nothing seems to get in the way of another part.
I also had fun listening to particular lines and asking, "Guitar? or
synth?"
This is one of those ones where I look forward to listening with
headphones... I bet it's a headphone treat...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
I liked it more... &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:22:27 AM
Thanks for noticing the interplay of guitar and synth filters. I tried to have the
sounds as well as the rhythmic content flow into each other, as if one is
inspiring the the other, or at least opening doors for and announcing the other,
since that is kind of how the inspiration for much of the soundscape happened.
I like the piece more as it goes along too, since I love the building process, and
the theme and variation style of arranging that this piece employs. I enjoyed
your comments very much. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful coexistence &mdash 06/26/06 - 06:25:12 AM
I like riff of the drums.
The wind instrument is effective.
The bass and guitar are wonderful.
[ Reply to This ]
crazy &mdash 06/26/06 - 10:28:16 AM
mad......funky arty funk........i remeber this track cause i have it in my
ipod......thoddi's adds that extra spice and those crazy saxes rule........but
that synth hook line.......mmmmmm.....tasty......your vocals are solid, no
vibrato and just perfect for this track.......bravo.....again! [ Reply to This ]
crazy good &mdash 06/26/06 - 11:08:41 AM
piece of music, expertly interwoven wonderfully different
instrumentation. The guitar (or is it synth lines) that are threaded thru
out are really innovative. Excellent production and mix. Love that big
synth bass line towards the end. Really adds to the build. [ Reply to This ]
crazy good &mdash 06/26/06 - 11:14:15 AM
piece of music, expertly interwoven wonderfully different
instrumentation. The guitar (or is it synth lines) that are threaded thru
out are really innovative. Excellent production and mix. Love that big
synth bass line towards the end. Really adds to the build. [ Reply to This ]
WOW!!!!!!!! &mdash 06/26/06 - 12:09:36 PM
What a awesome track! Let me add some more of these exclaimation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The dynamics of this just blow me away. Great singing mister Tobin. Cool "crazy' repeating phrase. Just sets the tone.
It that Thoddi n bass? man the bass is nice and tasty. Sax...whoa baby...sweet.
great to have Thoddi play. He drips with a soulful vibe. That cat always hits just the right notes.
Production is simply stellar.
bravo D/L [ Reply to This ]
narrate my concrete &mdash 06/26/06 - 12:30:14 PM
"Narrate my concrete"...interesting phrase. Quite a poetic outing both
in words and instrumentation. Nice top, bottom and everything in
between. Swell collaboration. Hip and momentous. [ Reply to This ]
over the top Tobin &mdash 06/26/06 - 04:57:35 PM
This was alot of work no doubt... when did you finally say "Ok the mix
is right"... you really nailed it... everythings sits so nicely in it's space...
side to side, and front to back... I'd love to see your room and speakers
ect...
then there is the music... so creative... you are just in a different
league... I'm going to have to expand my horizons
also this is one of my fav vox of yours to date [ Reply to This ]
I'm groovin' &mdash 06/27/06 - 07:00:19 AM
What a fun piece. I love the way all the instruments play with each other. A jazzy tapestry.
The sax trio rawks and the guitar riffs are... "crazy."
I would have like the drums to be just as playful as the other instruments, but I totally understand the limits of using drum loops.
If you do remix/rework this, Tobin, what about adding some dissonant sounding - crunchy - vocal harmonies, especially toward the end. I hear them everytime you sing "crazy."
Really enjoyed this. [ Reply to This ]
Artistry &mdash 06/27/06 - 09:14:06 AM
Songs become art when everything coheres to something more than each part, each aspect. This is artistry, inventive, something I haven't heard quite, and thoroughly enjoyable. You keep making these better, don't you? [ Reply to This ]
QuickTime problems? &mdash 06/27/06 - 09:17:27 AM
This excellent tune is even better with Thoddi's guitars; they add a special spice and enliven the track, literally.
I tried loading this piece twice but still get glitches every few seconds in the playback, and don't know what the problem is. When I refreshed the page, I waited til the entire piece loaded before listening, but experienced the same glitches.
Although I don't have a particularly good internet connection, I'm generally able to listen to songs here without these stutters. I wonder what's going on? (if it's on my side or yours?....) I also wonder if anyone else has had this problem with this song page.
Great song, though! [ Reply to This ]
Impressive &mdash 06/28/06 - 08:42:26 AM
I really enjoyed listening to this funky, sexy piece. It's great to hear real saxophone in there! Both the sax and funky guitar give this song a real push forward. I likes the snare hits also for the same reason. As a very complex song, you pulled it all together very well. Well done! Enjoyable to listen to... [ Reply to This ]
Great lyric &mdash 06/29/06 - 06:52:23 AM
This is the first track of yours I've listened too, and man, have I been
missing out.
This has great production (how did you get such a fantastic vocal
sound?), and fantastically original arrangement and playing -
structured, but off the wall.
It reminds me a little of Bowie/Eno around 'Outside', but that's just a
reference point for my mind - this is unique.
what tops it for me is the lyric, wonderfully obtuse ... 'tower like days'
indeed. I found this really catchy, but in a 'not-obvious' way.
wow - i've got a lot of catching up to do.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Shifting textures &mdash 07/03/06 - 05:00:51 PM
Excellent work Tobin - very fine musicianship all round with lots of little
episodes of instrumental interplay which go together to create a rich and
shifting textural soundscape. To mind it's these textural shifts which
propel the track along.
Very slick and clean production too - well done to all everyone involved.
KK
[ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 07/05/06 - 09:29:37 AM
I've always been a big fan of your music ever since I joined this place and
I'm always thrilled when I find a notification email in my inbox.
You have yet to disappoint me.
Excellent!
-E [ Reply to This ]
Cool jazz funkyness &mdash 07/05/06 - 11:26:20 PM
Like that synth fuzziness about 1/4 through, but a whole lot of intresting
stuff.
Top notch stuff.
Cool going! [ Reply to This ]
Solid &mdash 07/08/06 - 08:14:19 AM
All around solid song. Every body is synchronized. Thor... awesome job
on the guitar. Tobin's compositions are quite complex and to squeeze
guitar in there is a challenge and I'm digging. Once again nice song
Tobin as usually you create ART. That sax Donny is standing on end.
Thanks for sharing. [ Reply to This ]
Solid &mdash 07/14/06 - 09:36:26 AM
Thanks John. When Donny came into my living room and laid down these
tracks, I had like 6 takes to pick from and my first instinct was to mix and
match, cut and paste and come up with a single cool line, which was the original
intent. But then I got this idea to see what they sounded like en masse and,
bang, they almost all fit together. With minor tweaking, I got them to fit into a
trio that totally captures it. Yes, one of my favorite moments. Donny can play. [ Reply to This ]
More than the story is crazy here &mdash 07/11/06 - 06:47:06 PM
Crazy lyrics, crazy sax solo, crazy back beat on the upside of 3 which just doesn't quite make it to the end.. Crazy... Maynard G. Crebbs eat your heart out. [ Reply to This ]
Don't know how to say.. &mdash 07/29/06 - 09:22:20 AM
my english isn't good enough to tell how much i like this composition,
drums are crazy they have that "silent funk feel",no hit to much,
everything's in place, bass is also totaly cool,
the other interlocking instruments... to make it short: It's brilliant !
I don't have the feel that the drums have to hit harder, my suggestion
is, if vocals were a small,small amount more quietly, everything else
will come up a little. So maybe that' would be a possibility.
[ Reply to This ]
loved it &mdash 10/09/06 - 01:31:52 PM
wow I instantly thought of adrian belew or robert fripp. what else can I say
this is greatness. OH yeah them horns rock. [ Reply to This ]
Belew and Fripp &mdash 11/02/06 - 10:33:28 AM
Belew and Fripp are two of my favorites. Thanks for the comparisons. I had fun with this one, thats for sure. [ Reply to This ]
Very Original &mdash 10/31/06 - 02:10:00 PM
Don't think I've ever heard anything quite like this. Good groove and eclectic selection of instrument voices.
Really enjoyed it! [ Reply to This ]
thoughts from the bull... &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:47:38 AM
you always present something unique and fresh and with the incredible production craftsmanship that is purely enviable.
i discovered this one in the 2006 MacJams Retrospective collection and can understand why you chose it. Nearly epic in its styling, it's the kind of piece that catches you right away and somewhat forces you to take the ride.
the drums are fabulous, but obviously the most insane aspect is the sax playing. outstanding.
the production of this is just great. i love the growling bass rising up after the first saxplosion. absolutely great stuff.
thanks for contributing and presenting such a classic piece! [ Reply to This ]
This kicks... &mdash 02/01/07 - 11:15:37 AM
...and you've got a lot of different styles able and at the ready in your hip pocket, Tobin.
I second the likeness to Belew and Fripp (saw them live at the Pier, years ago. Awesome show)...although there's definitely your own thing running the show here.
And your artwork's great. In all your tunes. Do you do them yourself? [ Reply to This ]
. &mdash 03/23/07 - 07:22:52 PM
Really enjoyed the opening keys, melody and vocals are nice. Definite example of some solid composition skills. I enjoyed the guitar although I would have preferred a less processed sound. Some of the sections seem a little crowded and contradictory in a noisy way. I would revisit this as it tends to kill the songs continuity. If the intention is to create some sort musical allusion to crazed emotion it came off as chaotic to my ears. Sax is excellent .... wonderful tone but was a casuality of the frenetic choas previously stated. Overall this is quite good. For what it is worth the I found that on the third and fourth listen through the aforementioned sections did not seem as cluttered but I was already anticipating this & at this point was focusing on listening for some of the lines that grabbed my cobber. [ Reply to This ]
nice collab &mdash 11/17/07 - 05:58:52 PM
Great horn soloing. Woven together so nice.
The funky bass is just so groovin.
Brecker Brothers comes to mind when listening.
Nice vocals too. great production and Mixing.
The ending bass just lifts the tune off the ground.
Nice guitar touches for sure.
peace [ Reply to This ]
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I turned it up a bit - I was hoping to hear the drums thwak a little harder
in places and a bit more amp distortion - but that's just my preference -
not a fault of what you've done. :)
Excellent work and very enjoyable.
[ Reply to This ]