Take You Down To The Sea by Ed Hannifin
Genre: Folk (contemporary)
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Keywords:
take (21), you (144), down (29), sea (48), whales (9), lonely (48), Wheatstone Bridge (6), Woods Hole (1), Stellwagen Bank (1), blue whale (1)
Description:
Right, then...
The next three songs I'll be posting, I think, are the last of my songs from the album 'Simply Fine'. I'm actually thinking that I may bring 'Simply Fine' out again, in some form, and for a variety of reasons I don't think I'm going to keep all of these songs up for a long time. So, if you like one of the Simply Fine songs, now's the time...
This is a song I wrote for or about my best friend Peter, who, in our college days, did a lonely stint or maybe two stints, on research vessels out of Woods Hole.... It ends up sounding a lot more like me than it sounds like Peter, but there you are...
Playing on this tune are:
Ed Hannifin: lead and harmony vocals, lead acoustic guitar, acoustic and high-strung guitars
Phyllis Capanna: lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
Tom Daley: bass
Larry Anderson: trap congas
I just got brave and ventured into the The Trunk, in the basement, and found this possibly appropriate shot of Phyllis and myself on the island of Nantucket, not long after we finished recording...
Hope ya like it.
The next three songs I'll be posting, I think, are the last of my songs from the album 'Simply Fine'. I'm actually thinking that I may bring 'Simply Fine' out again, in some form, and for a variety of reasons I don't think I'm going to keep all of these songs up for a long time. So, if you like one of the Simply Fine songs, now's the time...
This is a song I wrote for or about my best friend Peter, who, in our college days, did a lonely stint or maybe two stints, on research vessels out of Woods Hole.... It ends up sounding a lot more like me than it sounds like Peter, but there you are...
Playing on this tune are:
Ed Hannifin: lead and harmony vocals, lead acoustic guitar, acoustic and high-strung guitars
Phyllis Capanna: lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
Tom Daley: bass
Larry Anderson: trap congas
I just got brave and ventured into the The Trunk, in the basement, and found this possibly appropriate shot of Phyllis and myself on the island of Nantucket, not long after we finished recording...
Hope ya like it.
Lyrics:
Take You Down (to the Sea)Copyright 1987 Ed Hannifin
[Intro]
The city grew too crowded for the summer
It had gotten somewhat cool for mid-July
I thought I’d go and sail, with the ones who chart the whale
And soothe my mind in the voice of sea and sky
Take you down to the sea
Let her roll you easily
Out with the whale and the wave
Out of sight of stone and sand
Sun and stars so close at hand
You can listen for the heart you hope to save
I shipped out on a vessel called The Orphan
A tub that always smelled of fish and oil
Somehow we never sank when off Stellwagen Bank
When storms took up the sea in a rolling boil
[Refrain]
[Break]
When on deck I only thought of working
But when alone my heart returned to shore
At last I came to find that there was no help for my mind
In trying to forget my human core
[Refrain]
Every daring venture must be paid for
And the coin we pay for living with is time
If we only could be sure of what we bargain for
And not be left to doubt our own design
[Refrain]
[Break]
they say a blue whale often swims a lifetime
looking for a mate he’ll never find
oh I can’t imagine how, from Japan to Curacao
hoping for another of your kind
Hardware:
Recorded at The Daly Planet in Haverhill, MA on a sixteen track reel-to-reel machine. Software:
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Day For Night
There's such a nice mood and flow to this piece.
So soothing and lulling...along with the current of the sea.
Lovely.
Thank you for sharing this, Ed :)
Mysti/Cat
Ed Hannifin
I'm glad you like the "mood and flow". Thank you for the quick listen and comment.
Ed
announcer
This song is good stuff that illustrates the importance of finding just the right tempo and instruments for a piece like this. There are some pieces that seem to miss the importance of a PERFECT tempo. I like the harmony too. Tell us more about the 1987? recording session and the gear used. It is a top notch recording for any era.
Ed Hannifin
I think you're picking up on an essential and not-much-talked-about-at-MacJams facet of songcraft, which IS the picking of an appropriate tempo. I recall that Phyllis and I sat down in the studio one Saturday and recorded pre-recordings of all the songs we were thinking of putting on 'Simply Fine', and tried to make sure we had the right key and tempo. Then we tapped out the rhythms on an old Boss or Roland drum machine to use in preference to a click track.
This is much on my mind right now, because I've been working on newer songs and newer recordings of older songs, and I just had to basically scrap recordings in progress because they were at great tempos or keys for guitar playing and just wrong, wrong, wrong for singing the songs.... Had to spend a day just messing around with them, trying to get the right tempo and feel...
As to this rhythm and tempo, replying to both your comment and Mystified's comment above, I think this song has sort of a "big pulse" and a "little pulse".... there's the general rocking of the tempo and rhythm, and then there's the rocking back and forth between the verse and the chorus, the Ed-singing-part and the Phyllis-singing-part... I think it suits the emotional feel of the song, and it also suits the setting of the song...
As to the recording, this was done at The Daley Planet with Tom and Meg Daley engineering. Tom and Meg built the room to be a great place for recording acoustic music. Cathedral ceiling, natural light, llamas outside the windows... I THINK it was an MCI 16-track, two inch tape, mixed down to both two-track and the then-brand-new DAT deck... Huge JBL monitors hanging in soffits, and Yamaha NS-10's on stands just above the mixing desk. Don't remember much about the mixing desk. We used Neuman mics of some kind for the vocals... Sony SM-81's for background guitars, and either an AKG-414 or a Beyer of some kind for the more prominent guitar, such as the lead playing... Guitars are both Alvarez-Yairi DY-74CFR's... Except, I was allowed to use Meg's guitar for some of the lead work, which was a handmade something given to her by Geoff Bartley, who had won it in one of the fingerpicking competitions at Kerrville... I still remember what a joy that guitar was to play... Little, but lots of tone...
Thank you for a very astute comment...
Ed
announcer
The Planet had some good gear and the Daley's knew how to use it. Lot's of air around all the instruments even when pushed down to an MP3. It must sound fabulous on the original 48 K DAT or the 2 track master.
rtcooper
As They used to say on the Buster Brown Show, when TRUTH, Unvarnished, appeared.
Tempo.
The Story has a Tempo and it MUST be Found.
Nicely Done.
Very Best
Cooper
---
"What you Don't use, You Lose." Get Rockin'
Vic Holman
magical...it's my turn to be speechless!
where's that list? ok
a. excellent song (i wish i wrote it)
B. rythm guitars (rich)
c. lead guitar lines (tasty)
d. vocals (stong, yet sincere)
e. harmonys (perfect)
f. lyrics (a story onto themselves)
g, for a folk song this rocked me!
Vic
Ed Hannifin
I think proper organization is the key to good commenting...
It makes my morning to think that you are liking all these aspects of the recording... I am particularly pleased that you like the songwriting and lyric writing.... There are a lot of places where I'm not particularly ambitious, as, for instance, as a lead guitarist... I know who's league I'm not in, thank you very much... but I do try to turn out decent lyrics and set them to a remembrable melody, so when someone praises those aspects I get pretty pleased...
And then, having you like the vocal and guitar stuff is icing on an already pretty sweet cake...
Hey, have you ever listened to my song 'Call Home The Day'? I ask because it strikes me that you might like the chimey guitars on it.... Maybe not...
Thank you for a good listen and a supremely well organized comment. I do appreciate it....
Ed
Vic Holman
i diverse in my listening pleasure. i'm to insecure about putting out my basic acoustic stuff. especially when you and a few others are putting out great stuff. and will check out that tune. it's hard to keep pace and going back through a lot of peoples stuff. i'm getting there though.
perceptualvortex
I really like those lyrics. This sounds great, Ed, the singing and guitars are very rich and delicate sounding. You and Phyllis have voices that complement each other perfectly.
Ed Hannifin
You ARE one of those people who I go looking for the icon of after I post a song... We tend to produce very different sorts of music, but I really admire and appreciate the things you post, and I'm always eager to hear what you think.
As noted above, I just get very happy when someone likes the lyrics of something I've written. And I have consciously tried, as I choose songs and performances to post, to demonstrate that I can write a really simple and effective lyric but can also do something longer or more complicated... So, thanks for saying that...
And yes, I always enjoyed singing with Phyllis. She has an extraordinary voice, for starters, and she has a great feel for singing harmony, for doubling things, for making a vocal sound great. (Recent good news is that she is working on her first MacJams posts as we speak....)....
Thank you for listening and commenting...
Ed
thetiler
This really enjoyable to listen to. The dear sweet voice of Phyllis is extremely good. Her harmony is some of the best folk harmony I've ever heard. Just fantastic! The whole tune is a gem of relaxin tunage!
Your vocie ed is treally nice to listen to as well This is a folk musical treasure. Thanks much for sharing this with us macjamers.
You have surely ADDED neat stuff here at macjams ed!
A folk gem!
Ed Hannifin
...the dear sweet voice of Phyllis...
Phyl is a singing (and songwriting) wonder. I am heartened to hear that she could be posting some songs any ol' day now... Naturally, I'm also okay with you liking MY voice...
Glad you like the tunage, Bill. I continue to appreciate your listening ears and encouraging comments.
Ed
Cori Ander
This is the one of your oldies published so far that I dig the most.
A very good and interesting composititon.
I like you voice a lot.
Here it sound very similar to your voice on The Kind of Lonely.
A wonderful piece.
PS the bass is kind of hidden, guess it is not much to about that now .. bringing up the bass register would probably also cause it all to sound more rumbly(?)...
Ed Hannifin
And I'm glad that you like my voice on it. It probably is in a similar register to Kind of Lonely... Y'know, in my almost-one-whole-octave range...
You're right about the bass, and I think that's a bit true all through 'Simply Fine'. I think we undermixed the bass, and I don't know anything to do about that except find a sixteen track two-inch machine and remix it...
Thank you as always for listening to what I do and leaving your thoughts....
Ed
Pete_NB
Pleasant vessel for some great lyrics. Bet you still get requests for this one around the campfire.
Ed Hannifin
I DID get to sing this around a campfire once, long ago... And one singalong jam thing... it was well enough received that I revived it... I had been going to shelve it... Funny... Now I like it very much...
Weird how that can work sometimes.
Thanks again, Pete,
Ed
Feter
what a song ....such great song you got
sheesh ...a forst rate song one of your best
the harmony is angelic .. all so beautifull
such golkden record is this Album ...thank you
great pic ..!!;~)
Ed Hannifin
I take it you like the track then?
I'm pleased that you like the song and the harmonies. I appreciate you listening to so many of my songs, and leaving comments....
Ed
TobinMueller
Keep this one in the mix. I especially like Phyllis' vocals, like a siren calling for you to sail. The song lacked a certain whaler sense, on my first listening; and that persistent rhythmic popping got in the way a bit for me. But I really liked the the easy going manner, the guitar solo, the balance and good writing. A keeper, if you are thinking of re-issuing the CD.
Ed Hannifin
She's got a great voice, and she has a great ability to work with the voices around her to make the whole sound better. She just sent me a notice minutes ago, in fact, about a vocal improv class she's going to be doing...
The song really isn't about whaling... The inspiration was a friend who was on a research vessel, studying whales.... So I wasn't aiming for anything to turn the capstan to...
I think the rhythmic popping you're hearing, is the trap conga. These later days, I wonder if that element works or not. Larry tapes his hands up, and I think embeds something or other in the tape, to get different sounds as he plays.
I'm glad you'd call it a keeper, Tobin. I do take your comments very seriously. Thanks as always,
Ed
aclarke
Ed- this is really fantastic! A reminder to me of why I hang out at Macjams. Lots of wonderful music and an occasional gem, such as this. Going into the permanent collection.
I really wish I had more to say- some small constructive critique...but I can't.
Ed Hannifin
It's great to hear from you! I'm pleased that you like it. A MacJammer for a year and a half, and I'm still thrilled when someone says that a song of mine is going into their collection...
Gosh, I must be in, what?, three or four different collections by now...And still growing!
Heh heh.
Seriously, sir, I'm really glad that you like the song, and I'm always grateful when you leave a comment.
Ed
MissChaos
about your music, but it never fails to bring me to a highly emotional place. Are you doing some sort of psycho-analyst trickery to us through your music?! Seriously though, there's always something in the melody/harmony interplay that sprinkles just enough bittersweetness to my ears. And then you have these timeless lyrics to boot. Just raw talent. I'm always in awe of your ability to move people.
Ed Hannifin
But it's not about psycho-analysis, which is NOT what I do... It comes from my training on Vulcan....
Yeah, I like bittersweet music. I even perk up when I read the WORD 'bittersweet'... The odd thing is that I'm also hopeful and optimistic, that's as built-in to my nature as the other side... Go figure...
I do try to do whatever I do emotionally through simple description and detail. I read this great quote this morning in Time magazine from Ridley Scott, and it seems to be sticking with me: " People sometimes regard sentimentality as emotion. It is not. Sentimentality is unearned emotion." Might use that one as my signature...
Hey, I looked up the Wailin' Jennies on iTunes, thinking to buy one song. Now I'm waiting for payday, 'cause I think I want both albums.... They sound terrific! And they're on Red House, one of my favorite labels....
Thanks for your substantive-as-always comment...
Ed
jiguma
- '87, now that's recent! Beautifully recorded Ed - and a very nice performance to boot. Just realised why I haven't been getting email notifications on your songs - please pardon my oversight, I thought I had you faved all this time - I did in my heart! This is pretty pro sounding folk that just rolls along. If you keep posting these I have permission to post another Rusty Dusty Bros song :)
Neil
Ed Hannifin
You're one of the ones on my mind as I try desperately to finish something newer...
On the other hand, I LIKE hearing older things from other people as well, and you won't catch me complaining about Rusty Dusty Brothers recordings...
I'm not even WORRIED that YOU will run out of newer stuff...
I might like to recruit you for some bass stuff, in fact, if you have the time...
Thanks for listening,
Ed
jiguma
As I am now a retired gent, I'd love to help out anytime Ed - it would be a pleasure and a privelege.
Neil
---
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/24411"> Take All Night</a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/24817"> BIG DRY</a>
lholden
the sea flows over me when I listen. I especially like the harmonies... excellent piece.
Ed Hannifin
I was just enjoying your own song and vocal, Same Space...
I'm glad this song comes through for you...
Ed
selters
This is like butter to my ears! the sound is incredibly warm and soothing. Your voices sound terrific! The refrain has nice uplifting sound in a melancholic way. did I mention I love the guitars? I think that is my final words, A wonderful song!
Ed Hannifin
"Uplifting in a melancholy way".... Funny that I know just what you mean... Great description. I'm glad you like the voices and guitars, too...
Maybe I'll use THAT as my signature...
Thanks for listening and everything,
Ed
Ed_Moran
Ed
Great song. The flow is perfect. The recording and performance are better. hanks for sharing. By the way, if we never heard the song before, doesn't that make it new? I hope one day in the future I can dig into my old Mp3's and show them to a different generation of song writers.
Ed
Ed Hannifin
Well.... if a CD gets released in the forest and no one plays it, does it make a sound? Or something...
I've been having thoughts of the next generation this past year... I like the idea of passing music on...
Glad you like the flow and stuff, Ed...
Ed
The Fritters
This is one of the best from the archives. Great lead playing and singing and writing. It's definitely reminiscent of a time in the Boston folk scene to my ears, but I was there lurking in the background at that time... and that certainly sounds like a Geoff Bartley guitar! Been to the Cantab lately?
~Jim
SuicideEvolution
I use to work on a Ferry boat off MAUI and this song reminds me those times...searching for whales and scrubbing the bilges, catering to customers and keeping the heads in order. This is really smoothe easy listening music that leaves you with a good feeling in your soul.
---
Nathan J. Rogers
Ed Hannifin
I read a book this summer, called 'Flukes', that was about studying whales off the Hawaiian islands... can't remember which island right this sec...
I've done a bit of whale watching with groups of teenagers out of Gloucester/Cape Ann... I have great compassion for anyone who has to tend the heads and bilges after teenage seasickness... They oughta give out medals...
I took a great shot once of a humpback mother and calf breaching near the boat... That was a pretty astounding moment...
I'm glad you're getting a good feeling out of the song, and I'm pleased that you gave it a good listen and left a comment... Hope you come back and check out more of my stuff sometime.... I'll go give a listen to some of yours...
Ed
SuicideEvolution
I use to work on a Ferry boat off MAUI and this song reminds me those times...searching for whales and scrubbing the bilges, catering to customers and keeping the heads in order. This is really smoothe easy listening music that leaves you with a good feeling in your soul.
---
Nathan J. Rogers
Ed Hannifin
I have never been to the Cantab....so I haven't checked out Geoff's open mic...
Back in the day, we used to haunt the open mic at Sacco's in Watertown, which was great fun and great practice... It's funny to hear that we're reminiscent of a certain time in the Boston folk scene, 'cause at the time we never seemed to quite fit into any corner of it...
That really was a wonderful guitar. Smallish body, cutaway, terrific woods, really responsive top... Beautiful looking, as I recall...
I'm pleased you like the playing, singing and writing, Jim...
Ed
Macaudion
This one is another gem, Ed, so it's definitely a keeper. It doesn't surprise me, how poetic you lyrics tend to be given how well you choose and arrange words. But this very high degree of your poetic abilites are especially prevalent on this one. Two of my fav lines in this were, "Sun and stars so close at hand You can listen for the heart you hope to save" and "Every daring venture must be paid for And the coin we pay for living with is time If we only could be sure of what we bargain for And not be left to doubt our own design". Those lines do tend to stick to the bone for me, as they are a very clever craft of words...
You already know how much your guitar work appeals to me, and this piece, as simple as it may seem to be, I think that you did a woderful job of playing and putting things together so tight on this.
I'm always so taken by the warmth and care at which you sing these words, too. A very nice job. And I think that Phyllis does a wonderful job of accompanying you on this too. She also does great favors to the words on tis piece.
A very true and delicate piece of work. 'Simply fine'...
Yeah, I'd say that this one is truly a keeper...
Ahhh... Sharing these words felt good. Thanks! Dion
Ed Hannifin
THIS is what I miss when you're away. You have the ears and heart and brain to just tap into a song really well... You've picked up on some of my own favorite lines there, so of course I think you're a genius for noticing 'em...
I also put a lot of time into the 312 tracks of acoustic guitar on this thing, so I'm a happy camper that you think that they came out tight...
Mostly, I'm just really glad to be hearing from you, and in depth and detail, once again... I truly enjoy your input on anything I do...
Thanks for listening....
Ed
ledebutant
It's really too bad that you brought Phyllis here among us because I'm going to steal her voice while she's sleeping. This really is the final straw. I'd been restraining myself before this song, but I can't take it anymore.
How you guys never made it big, I'll never know.
Ed Hannifin
She's got such a nice voice, but she also brings something to the table beyond the voice. As much as I love her natural tone and timbre, I think that what makes her something amazing is the sheer life and the sensibility that is powering that voice... It's the Phyl-ness behind the vocal chords that I always hear... She's got a certain heart, a certain outlook, a certain way about her...
I expect she'll make a big and well-beloved splash around here...
On the other hand, the steal-the-voice-at-nigh has a certain Shakespearean, or perhaps Wagnerian charm to it... Let me know how that works out...
Thank you for listening, Lisa, and for your kind words as always....
Ed
had to listen. Your songs are ones that I try not to miss. I have been a bit absent from MJ of late. Real nice to stop back in and find this gem.
Yes... a song about your friend, but somehow I hear Ed. That somewhat melancholic voice gliding smoothly through the always interesting and visual lyrics. I love to hear you sing. Phyllis is the perfect vocal counterpart here.
And about that picture. Hmmmm.... ; )
Another keeper... with much gratitude.
Ed Hannifin
I grow to depend on spotting that sailboat on a page before too long...
Especially on this one... I was hoping that you'd enjoy it. And at the risk of overstating my own obvious prejudice, Phyllis is a great singing partner... She really listens and really finds her way into songs...
And what are you winking about in the picture? Now you've got me scrutinizing the photo, looking for something amiss...
I'm always glad when you like something I do, Jack...
Ed
blaky smith
Such a beautiful song. Great job!
Excellent singing and guitar playing, this is a soothing piece we listen to this night with friends here in France. Thanks to share.
Marc
Ed Hannifin
This song got a listen in France? How neat...
Thanks, blaky. Thanks for listening and for letting me know you liked it. I'm glad you liked the singing and guitar playing....
Ed
Nolan
What a lovely song. Enjoyed every second of it. These old tracks of yours are so worthy of being brought out of the vault. Thanks for doing it.
Loved the harmonies; loved the acoustic solo; loved that last verse in particular - the whole idea of not finding your soulmate during your lifetime really gets me.
Very, very nice.
Ed Hannifin
I am a happy guy when Nolan thinks it's a good song...
And I'm glad you like the solo(s) and harmonies.... It is particularly neat to have you like that last verse... Lord knows the song goes on long enough by the time it gets to it, but I really liked ending it that way, and still do... I'm glad you mentioned it...
Thank you much for the listen and comment, Nolan....
Ed
phyllomania
Aaah, so glad I took the time to listen to this classic. What great lyric writing and melody and story! How sad, how wonderfully sad! Sad can be so good sometimes, you know?
Anyhow, having read through a lot but not all of the comments, the one thing I wanted to chime in on, (as if I haven't chimed in enough!) is the bit about the "popping", i.e., those dern trap congas. Having the pleasure of hanging out with a bunch of really great hand drummers these days, I now think a better bet would be good old fashioned congas, played by someone with soul to juice up the otherwise utter whiteness of this tune.
Not that white is bad, but it would make it have a spice that would make you want to sleep with it, even though it's still very, very sad. know what I mean?
Maybe not....
Anyway, I'm so glad people are liking this kind of tune. It is the genuine article.
And I do recall being very pleased with the harmonies and still feel good about them, which can be an illusive experience when you go back a couple decades.
'Nuff. 'Night.
-P
composerclark
Wow; I've missed a lot of good music, esp. by you! Makes me feel warm and toasty to hear this. Everyone and everything sounds great, wonderful, but, as I've commented before (I think; memory not what it once was, although not sure about that...), Phyllys just blows me away when I hear her voice. When I was starting on my musical journey, folk was my favorite music, and if I could have ever learned to sing like either of you I'd probably still be doing it.
Ed Hannifin
Warm and toasty. A good thing to be feeling right about now, at least in my bleak November neck of the woods.... Phyllis does indeed have a certain something in her singing...
I'm glad you've popped back up... It's very good to hear from you!
Ed
rjamadeus
great job, what's not to like about this, i love the guitar work !! i wish i could get my acoustic to sound that good . great job on the harmonies as well
Ed Hannifin
I have to admit that I do like it when people's comments zero in one things that I actually worked on, and on this tune, I did put a lot of time and attention into the acoustic guitar tracks... I'm glad your ear is liking them... And of course, my former partner Phyl has always had a great ear for harmony...
Thanks for taking the time for a good listen and a good comment. I appreciate it...
Ed
is that this is so relaxiing and soothing that I want to take a nap now .... and it's 2 PM on a Thursday.
Very well done - to all involved. Thanks for sharing this, Ed.
Ed Hannifin
Since one of the things I do in my professional capacity is sometimes help people to relax and chill out a bit... I am a great promoter of naps, daydreams and quiet, meditative moments generally...
Guess this is just part of the package and the general outlook...
Thanks for having a listen and leaving a comment before napping....
Ed
thoddi
First I noticed that I wasn't signed as one of your fans... Bad mistake... I was sure I had done that 2 years ago. Well I am now!
But back to this tune.. what a wonderful, and I mean wonderful like in beautiful and marvelous piece of music. When that chorus comes rolling... oh what ease and wellbeing that just flows through my veins like a summer breeze. This one is awesome Ed. You absolutely rule the acoustic folk scene here!
Ed Hannifin
Sitting here trying to think of a funny remark, but really I'm just stunned and moved that you like this that much...
Well, okay, I'm also sitting here dressed like a Renaissance prince, because that was the theme at Cub Scouts tonight, wondering, "If I rule the acoustic folk scene,... does that come with ceremonial robes.... a cool scepter... preferred seating...?"
If Mungo is to be believed, the ease and wellbeing that flows through your veins is the precursor to a really good nap... I'm all about napping....
I'm really, really tickled that you like the song. I have also taken a moment to address an omission in fan-dom...
Thanks for listening, and thank you for a very nice comment, thoddi... I very much appreciate it...
Ed
Rebsie
Beautiful vocals with lovely harmonies and a gorgeous luxurious guitar sound. The production is very polished too. Very fine stuff!
Ed Hannifin
I'm glad you liked it, and glad you found it. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and leave your impressions...
Ed
Hope you also listened to Phyllis' song 'Singer's Prayer', under the name phyllomania.....
Erwin Steenbergen
Wow, very nice balance between fragile verses and more solid sounding choruses. Nice phrasing, beautiful harmonies. Very convincing in it's own right.
Ed Hannifin
I'm glad you like the balance between verses and chorus... don't know if anyone has ever described a verse of mine as 'fragile' before... Good to hear that you like the phrasing and harmonies....
I appreciate that you gave a listen and left a comment. Much appreciated....
Ed
dreadmon
for this tune could be "The Ballad of Matt Hooper", who was the marine biologist in "Jaws" who went to Woods Hole - beautiful lyrics, music and smoothly performed. Darn not being able to download currently! This is such a sweet listen - I love that you stretched it out, you really weave a spell here that, lasts long after the ending - especially in all the extra colors that vocally come into frame during the final measure. The energy rings like the chime of a bell when the song stops. Beautiful music!
Ed Hannifin
I'm coming to have such respect for your musicianship these days, that I'm particularly pleased that you stopped by, and liked this...
It IS a long song, and takes its time about getting to wherever it gets to. We did put a bit of time and energy into trying to change what was going on in each verse to keep it interesting... Working with a singer and songwriter like Phyllis means that the vocal colors as you describe them can get quite interesting...
Anyway, I'm glad you gave a listen, and found something to like....
Ed
Sunbeam
riktig pappa musik jag komer inte non ting mer att skriva hej då
Ed Hannifin
I'll have to go find your dad for a translation....
Ed
jpfeiff
It's real purty.....really, the lyric and harmonies on the refrain are great. I spend a lot of time on the water, and like songs of the sea. This rolls along like a friendly ocean swell.
Second to last verse is the standout piece of lyric writing in this song, IMHO.
Ed Hannifin
I'm pleased that you liked the lyrics. I'm partial to that second-to-last verse myself... And I thought we came up with something cool when we went to having Phyllis take the refrain herself with the harmonies...
Thanks for another good listen...
Ed
Boris the Bull
while folk music abounds, especially around the online communities, finding true-to-form styles is not that easy. even my own music does not fit the nature of "folk" music, though that's what i call it.
this piece is a purely organic entity that obviously took a great deal of care to nourish, grow, and flourish.
it is performed so delicately and sensitively, that it is near to impossible not to fall into it and desire more and more.
a lovely piece and i'm glad i came across it! thank you!
Ed Hannifin
You're commenting on something that I've taken seriously, which is to have an understanding of and appreciation for both the traditional and non-traditional folk and acoustic music forms and styles... I do try to write songs that would work in the folk tradition, even if they end up with electric instruments or multi-layered vocals... I'm pleased that you comment indicates that you're hearing that respect in how the song has turned out... I hope you'll check out a few of the others...
I seem to recall that you may be coming out to the Ziti gig next month... Perhaps we'll get a chance to meet then...
Thanks for the listen and thoughtful comment...
Ed
guitapick
Great lyrics. Love the harmonies.
A really nice piece, Ed.
Ed Hannifin
I already have the sense that you know a bit of something about musicianship, so I'll take your appreciation of melody, lyrics and harmonies as high praise. I appreciate that you took the time to listen to another one, and leave me a comment.
Ed
good song, ed. the hi guitar brings such an immediate wonderful ringing quality to the party. you and phyllo blend so nicely, and she shines with gorgeous harmony on the uplifting chorus - "Sun and stars so close at hand/You can listen for the heart you hope to save" my favorite line. i could use a little more bass, but i find i want more the older i get. could that be a vitamin thang? ;) the percussion was delicate but definitely added. very enjoyable ensemble work - kudos to the krew. anne
Ed Hannifin
This was a time when I messed around a bit with the high-strung guitar, and it definitely put some nice chiming tones into the blend.... One of these days I'll buy a cheap acoustic just to string up that way and leave it...
Phyllis is a wonderful singer, lead and harmony... I'm always pleased to see her being recognized, and especially by someone who knows wherefrom she speaks.
I am learning (see Mist Comes Up The Valley discussions) that bass level is one of those things that is hardest to gauge. I think I would like more bass in this one, too...
I'm very happy that you gave this one a listen, Anne. I respect your opinion in all matters musical....
Ed
Great music man, I feel at ease!
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wha? who? TW
Ed Hannifin
I appreciate you taking the time to listen. Glad the music is putting you at ease...
Thanks for leaving a comment, too.
Ed
paul f. page
Ed,
I am slowly pecking my way through your marvelous collection of folk-style songs and just landed on this one--just an absolutely wonderful tune, lyrics, and recording. There is such an ease to your style/music that makes the listener comfortable, at ease, unthreatened...kind of like sitting near a cozy fire and just soaking up the breath of life. Your instrumentation is never overdone; in fact, you exercise this aspect of your writing with great restraint and to wonderful effect. I am jealous of your acoustic recordings and long for the warmth of that sound. It's one of the things that makes your music so gosh darn friendly. (Comment on another mj-er: I, too, struggle with tempo. I hate a click track and don't ever use one...but there are times when it would rein me in. It's a major issue seldom discussed.)
I am looking forward to my next dose of your soothing sounds. :)
Peace.
Paul
Ed Hannifin
I'm rather tickled that you are "pecking [your] way through" my stuff... You already know that I enjoy your music, and your approach to music....
I'm happy that you like the "tune, lyrics and recording". I am getting a lot of feedback these days that uses words like "cozy" and "soothing"... I guess that's more or less the vibe that I put out... I remember when I first started playing, my original band's business card said "acoustic-electric living room rock"...So I guess that ease has been part of the desiderata for a long time...
I'm happy, too, that you don't find the instrumentation overdone. I always worry that I'm overplaying, or, at least, over-recording... I tend to double everything, and end up with six to eight guitar tracks where someone else would have one or two good, solid, clean ones...
As to the tempo thing, as I mentioned, Phyllis and I sat down and worked out tempos with an old Roland drum machine, and used that to keep time with. Click tracks drive me buggy, but something that is at least somewhat drum-like I can deal with... We did all the acoustic guitar tracks first, so we needed to have tracks that other people could come in on and play to.
Thank you for giving this a good listen, and leaving such a thoughtful comment. I appreciate it, Paul.
Ed
harmonies, singing and overall feel. I really like some of those lyrics too. They make you stop and think. Thanks for posting this song Ejh for others to enjoy ejh.
Ed Hannifin
I'm glad you enjoyed the singing...and the "overall feel"...
I'm pleased that you took the time to check out another song. Thanks again,
Ed
kassia
i'm just loving these old recordings of yours. this is a fabulous folk song. as i listen i'm reading comments and your responses. i'm especially interested in what you have to say about tempo. i've really been thinking a lot about tempo lately with my music - and how important it can be to the feel and flow of the song. you chose perfectly for this one. it all just works so well. again, lovely vocals and harmonies.
Ed Hannifin
I think this one worked in the tempo department. I'm actually struggling with some things I'm working on right now where I haven't had the chance to play them live or rehearse them so long that they find their own pace, so I'm keenly aware that if that's not right, things like breathing and phrasing and singing get harder to do...
Thank you for checking out the back catalog. Much appreciated...
Ed
MarkHolbrook
those great pix of "the band"... I only have one of my old HS band... Sad to think we played quite a few times but only one pic.
Ed this is gorgeous! Guitar is stunning and your vocals are spot on!