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Description:
Love is complex. This song is simple. Thanks for listening :-)
Lyrics:
I watch your mouth while you are talking
Girlish talk, I’m just a boy
It’s warm and cosy in your country house
You made my favourite dish again
And I can talk about my day
While you pretend that you are listening to what I say
I turn the television on
And watch it from your bed
You tell me “turn the volume down”
But girl, I hear so bad
What I would like is plainly clear
Just sit beside me now
And watch this comedy with me
We’ll have a laugh somehow
I watch your back while you are writing
To a man you met in space
His soul’s aligned to yours, that’s what you always say
You turn your face to me and shout
That it is time for me to go
But I’m still waiting for my favourite: the late night show
I turn the television off
Respect your privacy
Don’t have the competence to dive
In your complexity
I’m just a boy who lives next door
Who’s in your house right now
Your anger turns into a smile
And we make love somehow
Maybe I’m not your number one
But I still own your key
Dreamed about having other girls
But they turn their back on me
Don’t ask me why I’m coming back
Although our love has died
There is no heating in my flat
Please let me stay tonight
Still there is love somehow
Hardware:
same old
Software:
GB3
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You know... &mdash 12/30/06 - 12:57:24 PM
For as much as we have conversed, I don't know that I've ever heard your stuff until now. My apologies for being a slacker in that area. I really loved the simplicity of this tune and I must admit, your voice could pass for Leonard Cohen (Everybody Knows...). I do mean that as a compliment.
Going to go check another of yours now. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Mr Doof &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:46:01 PM
Don't worry, I have the same prob. Checking out ALL the songs is quite impossible :-) Thanks for the listen, and yes... Cohen comes back now and then.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Your voice.... &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:42:10 PM
Has such a warm and dark quality at the same time. It fits the lyrics of this song so perfectly. I enjoy the simplicity of this tune as well. At the same time, I can hear a few additions here and there, are you planning on adding to this at some point? Either way, I think it is a beautiful song! [ Reply to This ]
simplexity &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:53:32 PM
Thanks for the listen, minigurl. I really intended to keep this song very simple, in order to put all the focus on the words and the -'somehow' complex- emotions. Hmmm... I like simplexity :-)
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:42:12 PM
such feeling, great composition, I just followed along reading your lyrics while you sing. I wonder how this would sound with drums and bass and guitar? but still this is great just the way it is. [ Reply to This ]
be my guest &mdash 12/30/06 - 02:26:13 PM
Well, I guess I'm addicted to the 'less is more' attitude :-) Just wanted to keep the orchestration as sober as possible. But whenever someone wants to try some additional instruments on it, he or she will be my guest. Thanks for stopping by and taking your time to listen. Much appreciated.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
enjoyed the simplicity &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:53:27 PM
of the arrangement. a very narrative song. i sure many can relate to this. excellnt as always. [ Reply to This ]
Narrative &mdash 12/30/06 - 02:29:08 PM
Thanks so much for the lovely words, Vic. 'Narrative' is a great compliment. I cherish your comment...
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
... &mdash 12/30/06 - 01:59:47 PM
triestig... &mdash 12/30/06 - 02:31:04 PM
Tja, ik ben niet echt een lolbroek :-) Bedankt om te luisteren, Pascal.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Lyrics &mdash 12/30/06 - 04:04:52 PM
Ok, perhaps it's me, but I didn't find this song sad or 'triesterig' at all. I actually had several chuckles at the lyrics. This one is really good:
Don%u2019t ask me why I%u2019m coming back
Although our love has died
There is no heating in my flat
Please let me stay tonight
Brilliant... I love your voice generically, as you know, and the arrangement is just right to my ear. Good story, good song, good performance. Thanks ;-)
Denny [ Reply to This ]
lyrics &mdash 12/30/06 - 04:42:01 PM
Denny, thanks a million for these heartwarming comments. Makes me a whole less 'triestig' :-) And I hope to hear a new tune from you too very soon...
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
I always enjoy listening to others... &mdash 12/30/06 - 05:05:33 PM
especially the artists, on MJ's, who I have not listened to for a while.
This song is very catchy and the words fit the tune perfectly.
The way that you sing on the track enhances the words and sort of emphasizes the lines.
I've some more listening to do here in your corner of MJ's before I sign out tonight.
Take care.
Paul [ Reply to This ]
hey Paul &mdash 12/30/06 - 05:37:08 PM
Paul, you can't believe how pleased I am that you appear on my page. A big thanks for your time to listen and comment. This is greatly appreciated.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Simple &mdash 12/30/06 - 05:44:22 PM
simple is good... &mdash 12/30/06 - 06:24:48 PM
... as is your comment. Thanks so much!
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
The Whole Song &mdash 12/30/06 - 05:50:34 PM
You've become one of those artists whose tunes I 'favoritize'before I even listen! Then, when I listen, it's always wonderful.
What I like:
The simple texture. One of my pet peeves is music that is too 'busy' (too much going on, which can distract the listener from what is most important in the song). This is perfect. Every now and then a counter-melody comes in, which is good, as is the accordion solo and accompaniment.
The voice. As always, a wonderfully expressive and unique instrument, coming straight from the heart.
The poetry; simple, but powerful.
The whole song. [ Reply to This ]
honoured &mdash 12/30/06 - 06:52:34 PM
Clark, you're way too kind. And I can't describe how honoured I am that you always come back to my page. Honnestly, you are one of the main motivators that keeps me writing and performing music. Thanks for that...
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Sombre &mdash 12/30/06 - 06:05:36 PM
Lovely, simple track this, which helps focus the song on the vocal, and the story you tell. Shades of Lenny cohen, but hey, no bad thing.
Great track, and love the accordian-type sound - gives it a nice European feel.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
accordian &mdash 12/30/06 - 07:58:14 PM
Thanks Steve! Well, at first I had my doubts about the accordian. But I put quite some work in it to make it sound as natural as possible. There is no doubt I'm gonna use this software instrument in future songs as well...
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
ah! &mdash 12/30/06 - 07:16:06 PM
Simple and full of everything. Great melody... great feeling... great lyrics... great voice... all is great... You are gettin' better and better... Very well done... [ Reply to This ]
evolvement &mdash 12/30/06 - 07:54:02 PM
Thanks so much, man. And yes, this community is a great place to evolve. You're one of the best examples I think. Much appreciated.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
so rich &mdash 12/30/06 - 07:22:57 PM
Oh, this was a treat to listen to. The simple melody is beautiful and arranged with just the right touch. The accordian makes for a perfect addition later on when it comes in. The lyrics paint such a picture, combined with the music and you close deep voice it has an eerie feeling that I really like. Really good job on this. I think there is room for a little more work on the treatment/mix of the vocals (the performance is great), just some fine adjustments to maybe soften the gate in places (obviously hard to get a perfectly noisless recording for vocals like that) and maybe some subtle effects in isolated areas. SOunds really good as is; I just think there is room for some detail work to give it a touch of magic. [ Reply to This ]
exactly &mdash 12/30/06 - 07:48:58 PM
You nailed exactly what I was struggling with in this song. That's why I asked you about your neatly vocal recording in one of your latest tracks. Indeed, not an obvious job to record this kind of 'proximity' vocals (intended to talk straight into the listener's ear), and trying to make it as noiseless as possible. I'm sure you will roll on the floor laughing your ass of if I tell you that I recorded my voice in the kitchen, with the kids watching TV, and an aeroplane landing on the airport 2 miles away every 3 minutes :-) I'm dreaming of a soundless wide white space... Thanks so much for the listen and the comment, Peter.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 12/30/06 - 08:37:35 PM
Considering the space you recorded in you did get a good and quiet recording! I found a way to clean the vocals up on "With Me" buy running it through the dynamics processor to give it a gate that was softer than using the regular gate, but the music backing on that song helps cover it a little too. This song of yours really leaves the vocal exposed so that it really has to be clean. Might have to rerecord the vox in a nice quiet and acoustically dead space to get it totally clean without having to posssibly compromise the details you want to keep.
I'm thinking of building myself some kind of sound booth in the future to cut out the room/computer fan noise and the room reverb. Might just build a pillow fort like I did as a kid. hehe
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www.petergreenstone.com [ Reply to This ]
lyrics &mdash 12/30/06 - 11:17:12 PM
your voice is powerful. the erratic vibrato on your sustained notes is lovely for this vulnerable character who is narrating. the accordian is perfect for your 'simplexity' it is a rich tone with a simple line. adds dimensions to your song.
my trouble is with the lyrics. country home and favorite dishes calls to mind an old committed couple who has grown apart. but the woman writing to her number one openly to the narrator and the boy being only the boy next door implies there's only ever been a platonic friendship.
I love the moment where the couple 'make love somehow' and then I like that because there is no heating (in a flat next to a country home?) there is love somehow.
I'd like to if there's a story line that I am unable to follow or if there is inconsistency that needs to be worked out in your lyrics. I love your music, so I have to give you my most brutal analysis. take care. [ Reply to This ]
brutal analysis &mdash 12/31/06 - 04:50:37 AM
When people start analysing the lyrics of a song, this usually means that the song was at least worth listening to. Estellie, I take this as a great compliment, and what you call your 'brutal analysis' proves the naked sincerity of your soul. And that's a rare and very beautiful gift.
Although the lyrics of this song are (for once) not auto-biographical, they are fully based on a true story. And I think that about 95% of the sutuation I describe is real. Litterally you're right about the fact that a flat can never be 'next door' to a country house. Compared to the 'man in space', the boy indeed lives very close to the girl, but not exactly next door. You should consider 'next door' rather as 'in the neighbourhood'... but that doesn't fit in the metre of the song :-)
Thanks so much again for your very great analysis. Being a non native English speaking lyricist, I cherish every comment that can help me improve in the right direction.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
of course your song... &mdash 12/31/06 - 12:47:11 PM
...is worth listening to. I love it or I would not bother you about the lyrics : )
I can follow now the story of two people whose relationship has undergone many changes. I think you capture this story very beautifully, which I think is the aim of this song. and thank you for telling me about that.
"boy next door" is a totally acceptable phrase because in addtion to meaning 'neigbor,' it could also imply that he's just a regular guy, as it is commonly used, now that I think of it. I was taking it too literally before.
Like I said, this song is already exceptional and the lyrics are well-crafted. Thanks for this fantastic song.
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*estella [ Reply to This ]
what i like about &mdash 12/30/06 - 11:57:01 PM
your singing is that it feels like u r wearing your soul on your sleeve...bearing it for all to witness....strong soulful singing/lyrics.....bravo! [ Reply to This ]
soul on the sleeve &mdash 12/31/06 - 06:23:49 AM
Thanks so much, man! You keep giving me those great comments time after time. Be sure I will put my 'soul' in your slingers 3 song very soon... (and sorry again for the delay!).
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Walter, you've done it again! &mdash 12/31/06 - 01:41:23 AM
Like Clark, I usually fav your songs before I listen, knowing that I'll certainly enjoy your work. This one is no exception - difficult to believe the circumstances in which you recorded the vocal, because it sounds so good. The accordion sounds excellent - you're getting incredibly full sounds from very simple recordings with minimal instrumentation/ostentation. Vocally, your sound is disarmingly personal at times, but always accurate both in terms of pitch and timing. Lyrics are excellent as always.
Very well received post down here in Oz!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Neil... &mdash 12/31/06 - 10:33:02 AM
Neil, faving my songs before you even heard them is VERY dangerous... because I plan to make an extremely bad song soon :-) As always, I value your comment very very much. Alike Clark - and besides both your huge musical talents -, you are also one of those strong motivating persons, whom I treasure a whole lot. Thanks for being a friend...
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
I can always ....... &mdash 12/31/06 - 07:16:27 PM
Excellent &mdash 12/31/06 - 09:54:03 AM
Your arrangement and performance are wonderful, cinematic in a way that Barry Adamson's best work is. [ Reply to This ]
from Scott Walker... &mdash 12/31/06 - 11:08:38 AM
...to Barry Adamson (honnestly, I had to look up this last guy via iTunes) is just a simple song away :-) Once again many thanks for your visit and for lending your ear to this tune.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Perfect. &mdash 12/31/06 - 10:55:16 AM
The isolation conveyed in this song is perfectly conveyed by every element. The vocal, the arrangment, and the lack of the big build all help propel this song and convey the feeling. Good stuff. I can hear why you get so many hits so quickly on your stuff. We all are waiting to hear what you do next! [ Reply to This ]
Bill... &mdash 12/31/06 - 06:58:15 PM
... thanks for stopping by and taking your time to listen and comment. You're spoiling me with these lovely words.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Wonderful storywriting... &mdash 12/31/06 - 11:58:14 AM
The line ... To a man you met in space ... is fabulous.
I hear Leonard Cohen in the song.
Lovely, honest love/life song. [ Reply to This ]
thanks &mdash 01/01/07 - 03:59:10 PM
Thanks for the compliment... wow, Leonard Cohen :-)
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Nice and intimate &mdash 12/31/06 - 01:05:58 PM
Your voice reminds me a lot of David Sylvian (from Japan)...the accordian is a nice textural touch on this song. Its almost creepily intimate!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Steve... &mdash 01/02/07 - 12:28:48 PM
Aaaah... Sylvian always comes back... but he's welcome in my house :-) Thanks so much for the listen and the comment, Steve. Very much appreciated!
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Oh my.... &mdash 12/31/06 - 04:58:33 PM
....This was like listening to a musical description of the last six months of my life. Very powerful and very moving. [ Reply to This ]
Joseph... &mdash 01/02/07 - 02:04:54 PM
I honnestly hope my song didn't make you too sad. I've read what happened to your life in 2006, and I'm so sorry to hear that... Thanks a bunch for appearing on my page and for your time to listen and comment.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
a gem &mdash 12/31/06 - 05:05:07 PM
I find that even simple songs are as much if not more enjoyable than complex material. The narrative feel to this song is perfect. [ Reply to This ]
simplicity &mdash 01/02/07 - 02:18:44 PM
...oh hell yes, I agree. But I sometimes wonder if - in my case - it's not just an easy way to hide my instrumental incompetence :-) Well, making a strength out of your weakness is also a competence the say... Thanks for the listen, Brandon.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Magnifique. &mdash 01/01/07 - 04:10:55 AM
100% agree with you : more is less in every artistic direction (Pialat, Cassavettes, Gus Van Sandt are my favourite directors). Making less is quite a difficult way to achieve and need some mastering and maturity. This is the first song of the year I listen here, and immediatly downloaded it.
Just a question : do you write your songs directly in English or do you translate them from French or Flamish ? I had the feeling, maybe completely wrong, that the style of the lyrics, their crude and straightforward approach with this so particular sense of humor I notice in some of my Belgium friends, was not 100% given justice. I don't know if this makes to you any sense%u2026
Anyway, bravo et Happy New Year. [ Reply to This ]
Liberté, Egalité, Simplicité... &mdash 01/02/07 - 03:06:12 PM
Thanks so much, my french voisin. And you just named some great movie directors here.
No, I could never write in flemish and translate it in english afterwards. That doesn't work for me. When writing lyrics, it's not only about the story you tell, it's also about the sound of words, the metre, the expression in the words,...
D'autre part, je ne comprend pas tout à fait ce que tu veux dire avec cette phrase concernant l'humour 'typiquement belge'. Je serai très content si tu pouvais m'expliquer exactement ce que tu veux dire.
En tout cas, un grand merci pour l'écoute et les commentaires. C'est fortement apprécié.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
humour &mdash 01/03/07 - 03:38:45 AM
J'essaye d'éviter l'expression "typiquement belge", j'ai utilisé une formule alambiquée pour décrire une forme d'humour que je n'ai rencontré que chez les Bruxellois, ni à Paris, ni à Londres. C'est une sorte d'humour assez froid, un peu à l'anglaise, mais basé sur une appréciation assez crue et réaliste des rapports humains, sans chercher à arrondir les angles par des distanciations surréalistes ou autres. Cela étant dit, je me méfie des généralisations, il y a des Belges qui n'ont aucun humour, des Anglais pareils, mais il existe, à l'évidence, des particularités culturelles, auxquelles les uns et les autres se soumettent plus ou moins. J'ai trouvé, mais peut-être est-ce subjectif, cet humour dans tes mots, une sorte de crudité distanciée qui me paraît relever de cette culture-là.
En fait, tu l'as peut-être remarqué, je milite un peu contre l'impérialisme culturel ambiant (je ne parle pas de ce site en particulier) en tentant d'éviter les positions dogmatiques. C'était une manière de te demander aussi comment et pourquoi tu avais choisi de t'exprimer en anglais, alors qu'il me semblait que tes sentiments étaient nourris d'une autre culture. J'ai noté aussi que deux personnes avaient soulevé des questions sur tes paroles, qui sont pourtant excellentes. Je vois bien que certains chantent en français, en suédois, en portugais, mais personne en flamand ou néerlandais (D Borsboom par ex). Alors, la question qui tue : tu sais bien que pour nous, Français, le néerlandais est une langue pleine de sonorités terribles pour nos mielleuses oreilles. Est-ce la même chose pour toi, qui parle les deux langues ? [ Reply to This ]
Sad Somehow &mdash 01/01/07 - 07:02:10 AM
It touched me deep. This is a song how i like of yours. Minimalistc ,deep, touching...
Great vocalising and especially the accordeonpart is wonderfull. Somehow sad.
[ Reply to This ]
don't be sad... &mdash 01/02/07 - 03:16:27 PM
When writing a song, there are many moments where I think 'what would Tan think about it?' So, if these lyrics make you sad, I missed my goal :-) Hey, don't worry, I know quite well what you mean. And I'm so glad this song has touched you deeply. Well, in that case I reached my goal 'somehow'. Thanks for being a friend.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Vibrato &mdash 01/01/07 - 06:20:24 PM
What a tremendous song and performance, Walter. Your vibrato is the best I've heard it, especially on the last 'somehow' and the word 'house."
I didn't have time to listen to the song earlier, but read the lyrics and thought of them constantly for the next three hours. Then I had a nap and had a dream I was having a beer with you at a dairy. Somehow that seems appropriate, oddly.
These lyrics are terrific writing, you get, obliquely at the internal struggle of a difficult marriage, maybe one that's already at the stage of separation, the connections and history and old habits and remnants love that keep two people connected, as well as apart. This is just masterly, Walter.
I especially liked this verse:
I watch your back while you are writing
To a man you met in space
His soul%u2019s aligned to yours, that%u2019s what you always say
You turn your face to me and shout
That it is time for me to go
But I%u2019m still waiting for my favourite: the late night show
That line "to a man you met in space," is so wonderful because it adds a warped, surreal quality to the song, but is actually grounded in the reality of people meeting one another in cyberspace. It's a very clever way of bringing in an element that throws things off-kilter, but doesn't dip into anything cartoonish or deliberately odd.
I think I'd like to be you when I grow up. You are doing some amazing work, my friend.
[ Reply to This ]
beer in a dairy? &mdash 01/02/07 - 03:43:34 PM
That's strange... I was dreaming that I had a glass of milk with you in a brewery :) You odd girl, Lisa!
Gosh, what a great analysis of my lyrics again. What can I say? Speechless, cause you nailed it.
Hey, don't grow up to become me. You're looking way better :)
Thanks again, my friend Lisa.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Outstanding Delivery &mdash 01/02/07 - 06:03:44 PM
I need to have so many things going on in my pieces to try and make them not sound so hollow and you take a couple of instruments and your voice and fill the room. Nice work. [ Reply to This ]
too modest &mdash 01/03/07 - 02:05:27 PM
Oooh, don't be so modest, man. Your 'Fahrenheit' is a fabulous piece of music! Thanks for the visit and for lending your ear.
- Walter
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Logic takes you from a to b. Imagination takes you everywhere. [ Reply to This ]
Yeah, I hear Leonard Cohen... &mdash 01/02/07 - 09:43:59 PM
In the dry, wry lyrics and the just-enough-melody-to-do-the-job delivery.
It reminds me, in fact, of 'Famous Blue Raincoat', a bit...
The sense that there are other people in the room when there are only two and their complicated-but-really-simple hearts and minds...
And the sense that this is a song, but with a few more details it would be a novel...
When you and Peter get the whole noise gating thing figured out, please let me know, as I am struggling with noise quite a bit these days... You'll think me stupid in that I never thought of gating... I've been messing around with mic patterns and baffles and all that... Gating might just do the trick...
A very pleasant, arresting and interesting listen...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
novel &mdash 01/03/07 - 02:49:45 PM
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Going to go check another of yours now.
[ Reply to This ]