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Description:
well. this song is how i feel about detroit lately. i must disclaim, however, that this town is not as bad as people think it is. but 5 years of living here has taken its toll on me.
for those of you familiar with my usual one-mike recording process, this is a bit different. still a 'live' performance, but i thought i'd experiment with using the pickup on the guitar but it bleeds into the vocal track. i've copied the guitar and added a bit of amp simulation on one. slightly different sound, but i must admit i didn't spend too much time editing.
i finished writing this yesterday and just wanted to do a rough recording. as usual, i'm getting the idea down, not going for sonic perfection.
oh - and it's better loud, really.
Lyrics:
bums & beggars in the street
more whores than you could ever meet
someone shrunk the mayor's head
careful now, or you'll wind up dead
can you help me?
can you donate?
i'm so down, see
i need your help, mate
in this city of trees
in this city of trees
it's a city of pleas
a hollow where once was a town
an anthill burned to the ground`
i've loved this place within inches of life
2 steps from the edge of a knife
kwame saw me
kwame saw me
and the irony fell on me
and the irony fell on me
bums & beggars in the street
more whores than you could ever meet
someone shrunk the mayor's head
Hardware:
seagull
me
firewire 410
luna
bluetube
lr baggs ibeam pickup
Software:
gb 2.0
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strong folky stuff &mdash 07/20/06 - 01:25:18 PM
This has a lot of kick, really good guitar writing and playing, I like the
little twisty chord turns you came up with. Good lyrics, and emotional
singing. I must admit though, that I like the songwriting ideas in this so
much that I'd love to see this get practiced and polished more... the
guitar's pretty good, but probably could be recorded a little cleaner, but I
definitely want your voice stronger and angrier in this. If you recorded
this in 2 takes, one for guitar one for voice, then you could do some GB
EQ/FX to separate the guitar and voice a little, and not have them be
dead-center and boomy. This is a powerful song!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
strong folky stuff &mdash 07/20/06 - 01:29:57 PM
hey drak!
thanks - yeah the twisty bits may be my favorite part as well.
yeah, i wish i could get over myself enough to record separate tracks. it's
summer, the windows are open. i know the whole neighborhood can hear
me. i can't bear to sing without guitar...
but besides that, thanks for the kind words!
fractals forever!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
like saliva and blood &mdash 07/20/06 - 01:53:11 PM
Good stuff. I should go bury my guitars. You do it right! Powerful
performance. "Someone shrunk the mayor's head" ... wow, can you
write and sing that? I guess so! Tough song about a tough situation.
Pathos drips like saliva and blood. [ Reply to This ]
like saliva and blood &mdash 07/20/06 - 10:38:44 PM
i'm a little compulsive... like to have an even number of comments... oops.
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
like saliva and blood &mdash 07/20/06 - 01:53:14 PM
Good stuff. I should go bury my guitars. You do it right! Powerful
performance. "Someone shrunk the mayor's head" ... wow, can you
write and sing that? I guess so! Tough song about a tough situation.
Pathos drips like saliva and blood. [ Reply to This ]
drippy &mdash 07/20/06 - 02:06:38 PM
hey rich -
thanks!
i sure hope i can do that, cause i did it. someone will be coming after me
soon, i'm sure.
funny cause i was just admiring the guitars on your cowboy song... different
strokes, i suppose.
glad this dripped for ya.
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
drippy &mdash 07/21/06 - 12:21:46 PM
Well, I think I need to trade in my rummage sale guitars for a nice Martin or
something. Or at least put new strings on them. Your guitar sound is sure
righteous.
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http://www.schletty.com/song [ Reply to This ]
drippy &mdash 07/21/06 - 12:46:05 PM
A nice Martin would be nice - I do love my Seagull. I recommend them highly. I
have a Seagull Artist Mosaic. Quality wise, it's on par with a lower end Martin.
And way cheaper.
New strings are inspiring. I try to change mine as often as possible. These ones
are a few months old and on their way out...
Also - don't be afraid to pound on it!
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
I'm in! &mdash 07/20/06 - 02:14:29 PM
I enjoyed our chat convo about Detroit and the meanings behind your lyrics. It's especially entertaining when someone with passion and a message (combined with that especially elusive bit called talent) pours it all out there and captures it all to share. The backstory on this is great, and I dig the lo-fi recording. The 4/4 break two-thirds of the way through was a welcome diversion from the 6-feel. I must admit I'm with drakonis - I can't wait to hear your next version of this. Excellent socio-political statement! [ Reply to This ]
I'm in! &mdash 07/20/06 - 02:19:31 PM
hey man -
yeah, it's rare to talk to people who have been here that don't live here. nice
to see that viewpoint, as well.
ha, and leave it to a drummer to notice the 4/4 break... i didn't even notice
the stuff was in something 6 until yesterday.
yes, maybe i will try redoing this... or doing it with my 'band'? could be
rockin.
thanks kev!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Strong, indeed &mdash 07/20/06 - 02:16:09 PM
Great songwriting. That really shines through here.
Yes, the production/recording could be a bit better, but like you said -
you're rather trying to get the message across, and you succeeded in that.
Very strong, very emotional.
Very cool.
-E [ Reply to This ]
Strong, indeed &mdash 07/20/06 - 02:21:33 PM
hey ein!
nice to see you around!
thanks for the kind words. :) glad you liked it.
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
SNAPPY! &mdash 07/20/06 - 03:04:54 PM
SNAPPY! &mdash 07/20/06 - 10:34:43 PM
rock n' roll
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
You've got something special &mdash 07/20/06 - 09:14:49 PM
Darren. Thanks for sharing your talents. This music has soul.
Cheers [ Reply to This ]
You've got something special &mdash 07/20/06 - 10:36:30 PM
hey mr. masses -
thanks so much!
sorry i missed ya on ichat - had some sudden guests!
hope all is well in the north.
thanks again!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
great &mdash 07/20/06 - 10:57:50 PM
opening....I dig this tune....very interesting mood that is created here...
I dig your voice on this....rugged and yet smooth....great texture ti
this....nice work you pimp master you....thanks for the invite to listen....
good job bro!!!!
peace....Ian Baird [ Reply to This ]
great &mdash 07/20/06 - 11:05:16 PM
hey ian -
thanks man! yeah - the intro... don't know where that came from. i've actually
changed one note in it since this recording and i think it makes is much more
interesting. ha.
glad you like the texture - it's just doubled guitars.
pimp it.
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Just mirroring some comments &mdash 07/21/06 - 10:27:38 AM
Quite a nice song here... yes the production lets it down a bit... but I
can hear it in my imagination though and its sounding sweet...
particularly with some bass and drums along with it.
Quite like the change to 4/4 also the funny timing you did in the
section before it... just wished you kept that up a little more. That and
the introduction... you've got quite a few nice ideas... but you're just
not taking enough advantage of the ideas in the intro and bridge. If it
were me writing this... I would have probably set one aside and varied
the other so the intro and the bridge were strongly connected to each
other... either that... or make the song longer. Regardless, I wanted to
hear each of those ideas again... or not to have known about them
(that way I wouldn't have been wishing I heard them again :P )
Anyway... great little song, quite enjoyed it. [ Reply to This ]
Just mirroring some comments &mdash 07/21/06 - 10:40:24 AM
hey bryan
yes, i would love to hear this with drums and bass as well - may take this one
down the street and play with my neighbors.
hmmm - i'm not sure how to take more advantage of that into and bridge
section idea more... i'll think about it and see if i can work it in somewhere
else. if not, maybe it'll make people want to come back and listen to the song
again!
thanks for the input, bryan!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
hey there &mdash 07/21/06 - 10:53:48 AM
This is really nice -- I wish that one day i could play guitar. My fingers
don't work that way . . . alas -- I had tried.
You are very talented -- it takes a lot to "off the cuff" toss a tune together
and actually make it sound so that people want to listen to it twice -- as I
have already done.
Please keep up the good work --
peace [ Reply to This ]
hey there &mdash 07/21/06 - 11:35:57 AM
hey fishboi,
thanks for the kind words. :)
glad you enjoyed.
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
good stuff &mdash 07/21/06 - 11:56:25 AM
This needs some prodution... but the songwriting is very good so as the lyrics. Like it a lot. The guitar is tight and catchy [ Reply to This ]
good stuff &mdash 07/21/06 - 12:07:21 PM
thanks craft!
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
cool &mdash 07/21/06 - 12:22:43 PM
enjoyed the song.nice intro going into song. nice chord progression,nice production. thanks for sharing, Cheery [ Reply to This ]
cool &mdash 07/21/06 - 12:46:57 PM
hey mate -
glad you liked it - thanks for the kind words!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Great, great tune! &mdash 07/21/06 - 01:03:23 PM
Wow---really nice work. With the implementation of Draks tech tips it
could be well nigh perfect. I hope you'll take the time to give this tune the
treatment it deserves.
Be well!
Sweet Peace: http://www.macjams.com/song/22825 [ Reply to This ]
Great, great tune! &mdash 07/21/06 - 01:29:21 PM
hey conductor -
thanks for the kind words. i may redo this. or i may wait and work on it with
bass and drums and record it for real... :)
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Michigan forever! &mdash 07/22/06 - 01:01:11 AM
I lived in Ann Arbor for many years... Compared to Detroit, Ann Arbor is a
safe haven... so I understand where you are coming from. Still, Detroit
can't be robbed of its place in our national history. It's sad to see it
gradually deteriorate to a social wasteland. It's one of the great cities that
i hope will find a way to rebuild itself.
The music is great! Love the passion in your singing. Very well written.
The rawness of the recording compliments the message. [ Reply to This ]
Michigan forever! &mdash 07/22/06 - 10:42:04 AM
hey leon -
i'd forgotten you lived in ann arbor. funny - i was just there last night. i
prefer detroit. :)
no, detroit can't be robbed of anything. and like i said, i'm slightly afraid of
spreading anti-detroit sentiment with this song. it really is an okay place.
and it is 'rebuilding'. there's a lot of new interest in downtown. but it's all
corporate gentrification. at least it's a start, i hope.
anyway - glad you liked the music, too. :)
thanks for the kind words and the ann arbor viewpoint!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 07/22/06 - 06:58:54 AM
I enjoyed everything about this - and look forward to hearing any update.
When you start going out there vocally and strumming it reminds me of
the reverie Tim Buckley would find himself in sometimes on stage. [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 07/22/06 - 10:45:19 AM
hey mungo -
thanks for the kind words! i won't turn down a buckley comparison. :)
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Full of expression &mdash 07/22/06 - 08:54:40 AM
Passionate guitar and soaring vocals.
I'm so jealous of your ability to hold a note and drag it out with such
warmth and control. [ Reply to This ]
Full of expression &mdash 07/22/06 - 10:47:50 AM
hi rebsie -
did you know i stole your horses frequently to promote my song 'stolen horses'?
:)
thanks for the kind words. i do admit i got a bit lost in this one... for fear of
having to start over and do it again. lol
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
Full of expression &mdash 07/22/06 - 10:47:51 AM
hi rebsie -
did you know i stole your horses frequently to promote my song 'stolen horses'?
:)
thanks for the kind words. i do admit i got a bit lost in this one... for fear of
having to start over and do it again. lol
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
City of Guitar &mdash 07/22/06 - 07:17:24 PM
What passionate playing, Darren!! I love the guitar on this to death, the
way you play it, the tone you get from it, the chord progressions and
the way the recording sounds. It's really killer. Let's not even talk about
how cool the bridge it because I'd get all gushy.
I hope you do go back and record the vocal separately, because the
words are getting lost, as it is and it feels, as Drak said, "boomy". Your
voice sounds really gorgeous, it's just the recording that's the issue.
Any chance of closing the windows long enough to do a take or two?
The song really, really deserves it.
P.S. Viva le Thom Yorke! [ Reply to This ]
City of Guitar &mdash 08/03/06 - 01:22:21 PM
thanks ledeb!
don't get gushy! i may melt!
i will actually be redoing this entirely in a couple weeks... not many structural
changes, not many additions, but it'll sound waaaaay better, i promise!
thanks for gushing!
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
havent heard it yet! &mdash 07/30/06 - 06:40:17 AM
I havent heard this song yetm but im giving you a little comment as well. The only song comment that I will give when i am in belgium! Im looking forward to listen to this song when i get home! Take care darren [ Reply to This ]
havent heard it yet! &mdash 07/30/06 - 06:40:24 AM
I havent heard this song yetm but im giving you a little comment as well. The only song comment that I will give when i am in belgium! Im looking forward to listen to this song when i get home! Take care darren [ Reply to This ]
havent heard it yet! &mdash 08/03/06 - 01:23:21 PM
selters!
how's your crazy european vacation?
hope all is well - not sure if you'll even get this, but i like to reply to comments.
:)
talk to you soon!
- d
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19187">I'm Not Here</a> [ Reply to This ]
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little twisty chord turns you came up with. Good lyrics, and emotional
singing. I must admit though, that I like the songwriting ideas in this so
much that I'd love to see this get practiced and polished more... the
guitar's pretty good, but probably could be recorded a little cleaner, but I
definitely want your voice stronger and angrier in this. If you recorded
this in 2 takes, one for guitar one for voice, then you could do some GB
EQ/FX to separate the guitar and voice a little, and not have them be
dead-center and boomy. This is a powerful song!
ttfn,
Drakonis
[ Reply to This ]