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Fine Horseman


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Description
Just done for a bit of fun really ... I recorded this song recently for a band called The Owl Service (now released on their debut EP) and really fell in love with it ... so this is another version done completely differently. It was originally written by Lal Waterson.

I may end up doing more versions because it lends itself so well to different arrangements ... but for now it's just me and my geetar and a few GB-generated embellishments.

I have to thank Steven from The Owl Service for introducing me to this song, and Martyn for helping to spark my musical creativity ... wheeeeeee!
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Lyrics
Sleeping in my bed
Dreams run through my head
I dreamed you were
Playing with my hair

Fine fine sparrow
Fine fine horseman

Rain falls, wind roars
All the folks are indoors
We came through a ford
Riding over the moors

Your dreams among my dreams
Are blue seas among sunbeams
Shades of yellow, shades of green
These are your dreams among my dreams

Morning to you, farming man
Here's to your heart, your family and land
I'll lay down a ring and a golden band
On a field for a ride around

Morning likewise, maiden and man
My family is dead, my heart is in the ground
I have no land
This is no time for a farming man

Sleeping in my bed
Strange thoughts are running through my head
I dreamed you were
Playing with my hair
Song Stats
Hits: 2537
Comments: 44
Fans: 23
Plays: 350
Downloads: 95
Votes: 15
Uploaded: Dec 01, 2006 - 02:30:11 PM
Last Updated: Dec 01, 2006 - 02:30:11 PM Last Played: Oct 29, 2009 - 03:30:41 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

Song Actions
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Keywords:
ethereal (34), psychedelic (82), Lal Waterson (1)
Hardware:
Hardware: Mac G5, Yamaha 12-string guitar (with 11 strings), M-Audio Keystation, little silver Tascam box, Rode NT1-A mic

Since I got the Rode mic I've not been using any EQ on my vocals except reverb ... it never seems to need any.
Software:
Primitive version of GB
Comments
apb said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)
Very nice ..
.. and a fab ad for the Rode NT1-A .. time to start saving.

The only thing I would suggest for this intimate style is to perhaps
use a touch of noise gate to reduce some of the more obvious
'breathing' or go for cutting out a few of the biggest intakes - but
that's a bit of a taste thing I guess.

Solid guitar playing (I'd never guess you were one string short of a
12-string .. nice little bowed strings and light sweepy noises too.

I particular like this folk style, were you go from high to very low in
your range .. effortlessly too it seems. Kudos.

PS. on the pic- shouldn't a fine horseman manage something a bit
higher?? lol ;o)
Check out my latest song called Misplaced
Rebsie said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)

Ha - it was quite high enough for me I can assure you ... especially with the camera in my hand.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
MissChaos said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)
beautiful
great up-front vocals. Not an ounce of fear in your delivery. I'm always so envious of this sort of vocal ability. Perfect harmonious touch. Your voice here reminds me a bunch of Emer Kenny. So much talent.
Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

* blush * Well thank you so much for that lovely comment! I don't always manage to sing with this much confidence but I really feel in my element with this song. I'm most pleased that that comes across in the end result.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Cameron said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)
lovely voice AND guitar
I had no idea that you're such a fine guitar player as well as vocalist! You do much justice to this classic sound combination.

I like the little touches of cello and that other sine wave sound. I would have liked to hear a bit more cello; its vocal quality matches your lovely voice well.

The only thing I would adjust slightly is perhaps lowering the levels on your vox; it was very up-front and perhaps would be even better showcased if it were actually woven more into the great tapestry that you created with the accompaniment.

Thanks so much for sharing this.
Check out my latest song called EPONYM
Rebsie said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)
Thank you thank you
I'm very delighted indeed to have such a nice compliment about my guitar playing. I get by OK if I stick with simple chords and a slap of reverb ;) ...

In an ideal world I would probably put the cello thingy a bit higher ... but when I tried it slightly stronger in the mix I thought it sounded too MIDIfied. If I get a chance to do a version with real instruments I might blend things in a bit more.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
stevel said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)
Lovely track Rebsie
I agree that your vocals sound very confident on this one... and your guitar playing sounds really accomplished too. A very nice performance all in all.
Steve
Check out my latest song called Electricity
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

Thank 'ee kindly ... glad my twanging meets with your approval.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
drakonis said 1073 days ago (December 1st, 2006)
Delicious Rebsie, again
So glad to see you back... or hear you back, riding back, are you barely back? Anyway, loved the beautiful sparseness of this... the synthy whooshie thing seemed slightly out of place for such folky acoustic sounds, but your singing pretty much overshadowed any nit picks I have :-) Really pretty song, great delivery, super tasteful harmonies and backing instruments.
ttfn,
Drakonis
Check out my latest song called Temporal Tantrum (Sister Savage Mix)
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

Why thank you Mr Schwan, your nice words are very much appreciated. Yes I am back, though my absence has been more down to a long term creative block than anything else.

As for the whooshie swooshie thing, well, it's in my rebellious nature to put things in folkie songs that don't belong there ... I get so bored with 'authentic' folk music. I was hoping to give it a bit of psychedelic trippy feel.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Feter said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
O dear !!
what a magical voice you have ..
a real sweet song and theme .....
the band so wonderfull the witches
spell sound so cool I just loved it
highly rated downled and fv
thank you !!
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

Thanks very much! I'm very glad you like it.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
composerclark said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
haunting!
Lovely and haunting quality, and very intimitate. Very expresive and moving. Only minor suggestion I can think of is to up the level on the accompaniment a bit. Either that, or add a new accompaniment, perhaps a simple string texture in long, held notes. But keeping the guitar! It's nice. And the voice is perfect.
Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

Thanks, I really appreciate your nice comment.

I tried a stronger mix, but the cello sound I'm using is not realistic enough to stand up on its own without sounding plasticky, so I had to bury it a bit. I may experiment with it further though.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Jim Bouchard said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
I concur
I think it's just the guitar that needs to come up a hair. But lovely nonetheless.

---
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/artist/The+Fritters">The Fritters</a>: Kelli King and Jim Bouchard.
Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

OK, I confess. I may have learned to believe in my voice (at last) but I'm incredibly insecure about my guitar playing. I've never put much effort into learning the guitar because I only play it out of the necessity of accompanying myself.

When I recorded the guitar track for this (which is all one take) it seemed to me to be full of twangs and buzzes, so I tried to hide it under the vocal and hoped nobody would notice. It's hugely heartening for me to have so many of you saying such nice things about it. Thank you all!
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
moorlandt said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
so sweet
A vocal delivery without one ounce of hesitation. Very clear and crispy, and with that beautiful and natural 'timbre' of yours. Very fine noodling as well. Listening for the third time now as I write. Pretty pretty little song.

- Walter
Check out my latest song called boundaries
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

I always appreciate your nice words, Walter ... thank you.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
rtcooper said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
RIDE ON
A fine Lyric and Story, Very Well told.



There are many Colors, here. The Guitar is especially pleasing in the full and precise Capture. It is beatifully rhythmic; soothing yet important in its voicing.



I agree that a touch less EQ lift on the Mic could calm the higher frequencies and let the natural rounding of your voice prevail.



A Fine Listen.



Best Regards,

Cooper
Check out my latest song called Intimate Anyway
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

Thanks very much for your kind words ... and beautifully articulated.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Epileptic Gibbon said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
Great to hear...
... you having fun with the music again. Those creative blocks are no fun, I know, and sometimes you just need to cut loose and try something. I agree with Cam that your guitar playing stands out nicely here, even though you try to talk it down. I know you think it's merely functional, but here what's merely functional (for you) provides a lovely undercurrent to the song.
Check out my latest song called Fiddler Off the Roof w/Komrade K & Caroline
said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
Wow Rebsie!
I haven't heard anything quite like this since my Pentangle-listening days. Absolutely lovely. Vocal harmonies are exquisite! Faved!

Be well!

BTW, you might like the vocal harmonies of Roxylee and myself on my acoustic GOIN' COASTAL: http://www.macjams.com/song/26644
Rebsie said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)

Wow, thank you! Very nice words indeed.

Needless to say Jacqui McShee is one of the singers who's influenced me most over the years.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
jiguma said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
Beautiful!
Excellent, excellent vocals - those Rode's do it every time! No crits, love the tune, love the vox (could be backed off a little in the mix though) , and your playing sounds good too. "Cello" fits beautifully - maybe a real cellist playing counterpoint would work (I use "counterpoint" as someone who doesn't understand the finer points of music theory - what I mean is a little melody weaving in and out of the vocal melody).
Very, very nice song.
Thanks Rebsie,
Neil
Check out my latest song called Under My Skin
Rebsie said 1067 days ago (December 7th, 2006)
Thanks Neil!
The Rode mic picks up every tiny subtle detail, which is ideal for a quiet and soft voice like mine. I agree that a bit of counterpoint in the cello melody would be nice ... I've approached someone to give me some help with that. Thanks again ... I really appreciate your nice comment.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Komrade K said 1072 days ago (December 2nd, 2006)
Been able to stop and comment at last!
Listened earlier, faved and voted but there wasn't time to comment but now I can and...

Rebsie you've done it again!

An absolutely cracking track, brilliantly sung and arranged (your guitar playing is a revelation - didn't know you had that in your armoury!) I really don't agree with the comments about levels - to my mind this track is very well and tastefully mixed.

This song certainly suits your voice - and you have a real lightness of phrasing so that your singing positively skips along (perhaps that should be canter...)

There are moments when your phrasing and timbre reminds me a bit of Kristen Hersh (of Throwing Muses although she's done some excellent solo stuff with string ensemble).

Brilliant work

KK


Check out my latest song called Borice
Rebsie said 1067 days ago (December 7th, 2006)

*blush* I'm very glad you like it and that the mix meets with your approval. I wanted the vocal to dominate the song, to grab and hold the listener's attention ... which is why I put it so forward in the mix. But it is a difficult balance to find and even tiny tweaks in either direction can alter the character of the song.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
caroline said 1071 days ago (December 3rd, 2006)
beautiful
thank you for sharing rebsie - you do do this stuff soooo well but ... where was the rawkous larf??!!!! teehee!! big loves xoxoxxo
Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf
Rebsie said 1067 days ago (December 7th, 2006)

I used the GarageBand Rawkous Larf Filter™ to remove it.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
blaky smith said 1071 days ago (December 3rd, 2006)
Excellent !
Such a nice song, always your beautiful voice with a fine guitar playing...
Great talent and performance, bravo Rebsie, il's a very pretty song to listen to. Thanks to share...
Marc
Check out my latest song called Pigeon voyageur
Rebsie said 1066 days ago (December 8th, 2006)

Merci beaucoup pour tout que vous avez dit. C'est très gentil de votre part. Je m'en rends bien compte parce que c'est un compliment tres grand de quelqu'un aussi doué que vous-même.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
Mcboy said 1071 days ago (December 3rd, 2006)
angelic....
vocal treatment.....the medieval mood and sound is just amazing.....are you sure u r not from that time period......fantastic!
Check out my latest song called Heros( aclarke/mcboy)
Rebsie said 1066 days ago (December 8th, 2006)

Well, I try to let the dead people sing through me. :)

Many thanks for your much appreciated comment.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
ktb said 1067 days ago (December 7th, 2006)
creating the imagery
melancholy and beautiful. perfect vocal perfomance, nuanced and soulful. thought the backing track was a tad overwhelmed at times, but otherwise a really god song.
Check out my latest song called off the deck (w/Z293)
bronco said 1066 days ago (December 8th, 2006)
Super!
Beautiful clear vocal. Sweet melody! Cool harmonies, nice GB touches. Nothing else to say but well done!
Check out my latest song called Strange Feeling
eanbardsley said 1065 days ago (December 9th, 2006)
so pretty
This is so pretty, what a magical, enchanted land England is.
Check out my latest song called The Meeting
rjamadeus said 1065 days ago (December 9th, 2006)
fine fine song
i really enjoyed the haunting sound of your voice and the complimenting melody. i think a really nice native flute would sound great in your song.i wish i could sing as well, maybe its my lousy mike (yeah thats it) anyway thanks for sharing this beauty with us and keep up the great work.
rob
Check out my latest song called can't get the blues
The Orbiting said 1064 days ago (December 10th, 2006)
Sigh...
Rebsie, I want to be you when I grow up. Your most recent posts show your growth as a singer and musician so beautifully. You know I've loved your music all along, but I'm so impressed with what you've been doing lately and feel it shows how much work/fun you've put into growing as an artist.

Also, Jimmy says hi! :-)


Check out my latest song called Mayday
Rebsie said 1060 days ago (December 14th, 2006)

Thanks a lot, that's a lovely comment and means a lot to me. :)

Ah, so you still have Jimmy tied up in the attic? His mum must be wondering where he's got to by now ...
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
dwwave said 1059 days ago (December 15th, 2006)
Very Visual
Rebsie,

Finally getting around to comment,one different listens
it gave me several (all very nice) visual experiences
as I listened to the music, lyrics and then read the lyrics as well. Quite a fine job for sure. Excellent singing as usual, loved the guitar work too.
Sometimes I felt as if I was flying like the sparrow
at another riding on a steed. Thanks for sharing!
Check out my latest song called One Half Person
Peter Bauckham said 1011 days ago (February 1st, 2007)
Nice Song - Well done!
Hello Rebsie - Really enjoyed this one - I like the upfront vocal and there's a fragile quality and warmth to your voice that reminds me of Katherine Williams. I know this song from the 'Silly Sisters' version and, as you say, it's a song that lends itself to different arrangements. Nice guitar playing too... Peter
Check out my latest song called All The Same (CBGB) (Last Chance Challenge)
amandamason@mac. said 724 days ago (November 15th, 2007)
breathing
Don't cut the breathing, it's integral to the song.
And your guitar playing is really excellent! Don't be insecure. I wish I could play as well.
Check out my latest song called MacJammin
Rebsie said 724 days ago (November 15th, 2007)

Thanks Amanda, I really appreciate you taking the time to listen. I now have a proper guitarist to work with but it's still nice to play it myself from time to time ... just to reassure myself that I can!

I managed to play this song solo in a folk club (i.e. singing and playing guitar at the same time) a few months back and it went down really well.
Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)
LunaTrick said 141 days ago (June 20th, 2009)
A song I love so dearly...
It's about time I commented on this. It's become a song I often play while warming up on my guitar.... and it is powerful in its simplicity. A true delight is this!

Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)
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Name: Rebsie Fairholm
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NEW ALBUM "SEVEN STAR GREEN" NOW AVAILABLE! I'm a singer and musician (12-string guitar, celtic harp, etc) rooted in British traditional music and veering off into the psychedelic, dark, experimental and unusual. I'm very blessed to have... [see more]

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