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Keywords:
Bing Futch (48), dreadmon (48), Casualties (2), Faith (35), nuns (2), killing (8), murder (25), Muslims (2), Christians (2), religion (24), Pope Benedict (2), true story (2), Africa (9), Indonesia (2), bullets (3), madness (10), rock (1053), dulcimer (33), electric (78), alternative (215), war (109), racism (6), crusades (2), folly (5), insanity (21), real life (3)
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Description:
[NOTE] This is a remix based on some suggestions made when the song was first uploaded. Thanks to everyone who pitched in!
This song's been a long time comin', but the gestation period was well worth the wait, at least for me. The tune's inspired by real-life events that took place in September of 2006 when Pope Benedict XVI made statements about Islam which sparked violence around the globe. He quoted a 14th Century Christian emperor as saying the Prophet Muhammad brought the world only evil and inhuman things. Muslims protested and rioted, Christian mobs in Indonesia set fire to Muslim homes. Christian villagers in Africa were hung. The catalyst for the song was when I read the news that a 65-year old Italian nun, Sister Leonella, and her bodyguard, were shot dead in Somalia, allegedly connected with strong criticism by a radical Somali cleric about the Pope's comments on Islam. This broke my heart - what did Sister Leonella do to deserve getting shot three times in the back? WHY must people's belief in their respective Gods result in violence and hatred against one another? It doesn't make sense to me, and maybe it never will. The song just spilled out of me. Believe as you will - but zealots are a blight upon our global society, IMHO. For the longest time, this song existed only as a bare demo, with just the drum loops and dulcimer tracks, and it stood up pretty well. But I wanted a bass part and didn't want to go the comp bass route, so I began seeking players and eventually crossed paths with I. Spike, who really nailed this sucker to the wall. His funky, in-the-pocket performance was exactly what I was looking for (shades of Tony Levin) and it burned anew within the song so I retracked the vocals, added some organ and here it is. My poor widdle G4 single processor is really not handling these huge projects so well anymore, so I sort of bailed out of this one early. Any comments and critiques are, of course, extremely welcomed and appreciated.
Lyrics:
one goes down in a hail of bullets
while another one gets the blade
one is hung from a tree in the village
a victim of the crusade
it was an early morning raid
wasted lives, ill-gotten gain
religion causing so much pain
I'm just sayin'
CHORUS
what we have in common
is the fallen world we live in
can't you see?
one piece of the puzzle
as we struggle
to get around all this hostility
how can the righteous assassinate
these casualties of faith?
Christian mobs burning homes of the Muslims
Indonesia is ablaze
In Africa, Muslim takes a gun, shoots a nun
which the extremists loudly praise
it never ceases to amaze
it could very well be you or me
falling prey to zealotry
I'm just sayin'
CHORUS
what we have in common
is the fallen world we live in
can't you see?
one piece of the puzzle
as we struggle
to get around all this hostility
using a prayer to intimidate
these casualties of faith
BRIDGE
what in the world can we do to stop the killing?
how many murders must we grieve?
every side sees the other as the villain
their righteousness is stained with blood
slaying in the name of God
CHORUS
what we have in common
is the fallen world we live in
can't you see?
one piece of the puzzle
as we struggle
to get around all this hostility
by looking away, we participate
in these casualties of faith
Copyright © 2006 J.O.B. Entertainment Inc.
Hardware:
Appalachian mountain dulcimer (acoustic)
Roland Fantom
Shure SM-58
Presonus Firebox
I. Spike's bass and recording equipment
Software:
Garageband
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Fallen angels we are &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:17:13 PM
This is a good expos of the contradictions in human psyche behavior. Very nice musical production delivering excellent lyrics. I hope this song gets a lot of earplay. [ Reply to This ]
concealed option &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:21:35 PM
expose with an accent over the e -- that's what I tried to type. Simon!!!
---
http://www.schletty.com/song [ Reply to This ]
Earplay, I like that! &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:19:47 AM
Thanks, Rich! I appreciate the support, brother. --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Great story and song, geniunialy well done... &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:22:02 PM
Love that organ, vocals sound tight, with nice harmonies, acoustics fantastic, Jethro T type feel for me, love it , thanks for sharin'-MJG [ Reply to This ]
J.T.! &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:23:58 AM
Thanks, man! Jethro Tull is a great comparison - glad you liked the organ; it was sort of a last-minute add to give the arrangement more body (and to accent the religious nature of the piece.) --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Ahhh... there ya go! &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:31:01 PM
Other than not finding that elusively mythical FemmeChoir Jampack to add to this, you fixed everything I critiqued in the prior version... this is tremendous you two! Now go forth and get Mimi or EmilyR or Mysti to do the choral bits and this will be unstoppable! Awesome!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Much obliged &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:26:06 AM
Once again, thanks for your input, Drak! This was the quick-fix - I'm definitely going to follow-through with the females singers. --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Ya, Mon! &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:36:29 PM
Much better punch on the bass... That was quick-snappy turnaround! Guess I won't repeat myself on the other comments, but to say, Good song, good message! . - Harold [ Reply to This ]
Droppin' the bass &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:29:17 AM
Hey Harold - thanks again for the previous input. I didn't want to delete the other song profile, one for the comparison, and two for the commentary. Just a little volume adjustment, I guess I was afraid that it was starting to get muddy. Aloha! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Much more balance... &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:50:26 PM
...and 'anchoring' of the driving elements. Dead centering of lead and rhythm instruments, with the selective panning of others, really add to the powerful vocals - enveloping them in a unique texture of sound.
Peace,
Alimar [ Reply to This ]
Many thanks &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:30:37 AM
Glad you liked it, Alimar - thanks for listening! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Yes &mdash 01/18/07 - 06:56:29 PM
It seems that the bass playing (which is excellent, did I mention?) is clearer in this one. I don't know for sure, since I heard the original on my work headphones, and now I'm listening with speakers at home, but the mix does sound much improved. Bing, I really like that fact that you are able to write and produce such excellent songs with important and timely messages--delivered in a musical and even-handed manner. It's a fantastic, but under utilized, purpose for music and you really have a knack for it. [ Reply to This ]
a blessing &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:36:59 AM
Thank you so much, David. It's an honorable thing you have stated - I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks again for giving it another spin! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Important message &mdash 01/18/07 - 07:24:04 PM
passionately played and sung. One of the things I really like about MJ is the chance to hear people speak their minds and hearts in music without "the man" getting in the middle. Power to the dulcimer! Nice work Bing and I. Spike. [ Reply to This ]
Big ol' AMEN! &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:43:05 AM
Man, you said it, Bud! If the radio was as cool as the output from MacJams, I'd still listen to it. It's like night and day. It is immensely freeing to be able to write songs without worrying about the aforementioned "man" saying "well, that wouldn't test too well in the 18-34 demographic." With all of the comparisons between Vietnam and Iraq, I find there to be one huge difference; back then, you'd actually hear protest songs on the radio. But that's alright - the internet is bigger and more widely listened to, I'm thinkin'. Thanks for listening - peace to you! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
"This broke my heart..." &mdash 01/18/07 - 07:37:45 PM
All of it breaks my heart, too. The mindless, completely self-centered hatred and all-too-often violence in the name of one's faith. This gets pretty close to the essence of evil. Taking that which is good and using it as a justification for evil. A variation on theme that the ends justify the means. God help us.
I am remind of a couple verses:
... show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
... let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Bing, you bring a lot to your music... the least of which is not your heart. Solid song here, lyrics that should stop any listener and cause him to ponder your words. All mixed into an enjoyable rocking tune. This catches some of the anguish and lament of religious conflict that I tried to express in my song "Keep On Running" with jiguma and snowdragon. We may on some level be able to understand why man uses good for evil towards his fellow man... but I doubt we will ever be able to emotionally come to grips with it.
Thanks for staying with it and finally posting it. [ Reply to This ]
Big-time thanks &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:49:52 AM
Thank you very much, Dadai - your response is powerful and I'm both pleased and humbled that you see this tune as one that invites engagement as well as rockin' it. Your words are couched in hope that all is not lost. Thanks for that - me ke aloha! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Even better &mdash 01/18/07 - 07:58:31 PM
I find it hard to pick apart music, but I understand the benifits of positive critism. Most of the time I listen with an open ear the kind that says I think this is intentional, maybe chaotic, maybe improvised but the way the artist intended, or not. So I say everything is good. I went back to listen to the earlier version and then this one and yes this sounds more full, more dynamic. Excellent, still a great song either version [ Reply to This ]
So true &mdash 01/19/07 - 11:55:30 AM
You're right, EB, it's hard to discern what someone else meant to do with a song versus what you yourself would do; objectivity can be very tricky that way. Only if we have an inside track to the process may it become easier to figure out what the intention truly is. In the case of this pursuit of fidelity, side by side comparisons usually show improvement and not a devolution (although creatively, that's an interesting concept). Thanks for listening to this again and for your input/confirmation. I value your time and effort as well as those who took a listen to the first version. Cheers! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Lately, you... &mdash 01/18/07 - 08:48:03 PM
...and the artist formerly known as minigurl have impressed me with the dedication to your craft, taking comments and suggestions and then tweaking, thinking, listening, reworking... It's an admirable openness and a strength of character...
I love the sound of this. I love the dulcimer, again, and I love the lead guitar... I like the bass line... those grouped vocals just get to me...
And then just the sheer outright bravery of the truthtelling in the lyric...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Mahalo! &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:03:20 PM
What does minigurl go by now? I'm always on the lookout for artists that are getting kudos around MJ. As I've said here before, I'm kind of a late bloomer in many ways and still consider myself a neophyte when it comes to songwriting and producing. Self-schooled, I keep myself open to instruction and it's amazing to see the results, just from hanging around MJ alone. This place is Songwriting/Recording U.!
Thanks for your kind words - although I do have to say that it surprises many people, but I don't play guitar. Everything you hear on my recordings that may sound like guitar is actually dulcimer! It's hard to tell when I've got it pumped up with aural steroids, but well, you know. : )
Thanks again - and regarding your post on the Collab thread - when you're ready to do some work with a dulcimer, let me know! Peace - --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Yes!!! &mdash 01/18/07 - 09:14:49 PM
I really like this mix! It has more energy and power.
Just to let everyone know, this is all Bing, I just had the wonderful opportunity to play bass on an already impassioned track.
I dig it Bing!
Solid my brotha!
[ Reply to This ]
You da man! &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:11:24 PM
I am very, very happy that you like this, I. Spike - you did such a killer job performing and recording the bass. I speak the truth when I say that your track kicked this song in the ass and made it come alive for me again. Without that solid element in the basement, there would be no structure upon which to build, so I thank you for the soul you applied to this. Thanks also for the tips on the organ - you were right, it was too loud in parts. I'd like a REAL organist to get in there and play something tasteful down the road. Again, thank you so much - I'm looking forward to the next collab with you! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
down right &mdash 01/18/07 - 10:36:18 PM
funky and rockin.. first i listened with out paying attention to the words, so vocally you fit right in as a musical instrument. second for the message in the lyrics. double the pleasure. excellent piece! [ Reply to This ]
Double! &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:27:06 PM
Thanks very much, Vic! I'm stoked you even listened to it twice - that's a compliment in and of itself. : ) Thanks again! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Ultra Timely &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:25:38 AM
This is what I like about your work Bing, its always right with the times and whats happening around the world....I'd like to see this one played all over the globe....Great Job and I Spike really DID nail it.....A very enthusiastic and rare 4 10's for me....Your music just keeps getting better and better....Peace, digitalnirvana9... [ Reply to This ]
Mahalo &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:33:20 PM
Thanks, Norman, I appreciate the comment! Alternative news is a passion of mine, I like to know what's going on outside the mainstream media force field - and it's just so incredible that many Americans are unaware of this stuff. I guess shouting "hey! look over there!" is sort of an ingrained trait. Thanks again, man! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Got your note .. &mdash 01/19/07 - 03:41:06 AM
.. I liked the first version and I still like the second version. This does sound tweaked and just that bit crisper and more polished. I Spike's singing style reminds me a bit of the singer Ed Kowalczyk from the band "Live" in this. I'd only like to hear a bit more variation in the funky rhythm part. Perhaps just some
changed vocals effects to emphasis some other points eg. "slaying in the name of God". But overall these are all
very minor, personal taste tweaks really. A powerful additional soulful female singer at the chorus and to bounce off of (not literally lol) in the sections after the solo. Kudos. [ Reply to This ]
Many thanks! &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:40:16 PM
Thanks very much for giving this another go-round! That's actually me singing (though if I'd have known what a terrific singer I. Spike is - check out "Voices of Arctic Insomnia" with Miss Chaos), I'd have probably hit him up for vox too! Thanks for the comparison to Ed Kowalczyk! What kind of effect do you think might've worked later in the song? I'm with you on the addition of a powerhouse female voice coming in and doing the parts that I'm sort of fudging with. Next version! But thanks again for listening and for commenting! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
.. &mdash 01/19/07 - 03:50:58 PM
oh - sorry Bing & I.Spike, got who did the vocals mixed up - such a nonce! Doh ..you were wondering: "What kind of effect do you think might've worked later in the song?" - hmm, I didn't really have anything specific effect to suggest: no biggie, but I was meaning consider for some 'key' vocal lines/portions and I didn't really mean any actual totally 'different' effect like phaser or flanger etc.. could well be same base effect eg. AU Matrix Reverb (say), just with different settings or even just EQing eg.(Note: not in any way necessarily the effect that would work, just to illustrate ;o)) going from smallish to larger room reverb (say) - really I'm meaning adding some fairly subtle variations in the odd places were you think it might warrant it. You do this already, but I'd say you do this more when considering new additional vox tracks (as we all do), but not 'within' one track (at the mixing stage). I thought for this song, some sub-phrases of the 'main' vox part could've been "oomphed" in this way, hint of emphasis and thus varied a bit during the mixing stage, as I kindof expected it (for some reason known only to myself ;o)). Easy (as you know) to play with this notion during mixing: duplicate track, split the section off you want to play with then move it into the next track and 'tweak' from you base settings. It's perhaps a bit overkill polishing to some but can add a quite a bit of coloring to the end result. See what I meant? You may in fact be doing this but then they are too subtle or at different places than I'd expect or just in less places. Hard to get what I mean in few words ...hope this clarifies this very minor tweak idea. Note: I don't always come so long myself to even be considering this level of tweaking but this song has got there. Extremely good as I've said before. [ Reply to This ]
... &mdash 01/19/07 - 04:10:50 PM
.. I think I figured out why .. it's I think because I
find your voice in this similar to Ed Kowalczyk's .. I'm
sub-consciously thinking of the mixing styles employed on his voice, which to me seem to use this notion of effecting different vocal parts or sections very well. PS. just a touch of track echo too is another alternative to varying reverb, EQ for some lines. [ Reply to This ]
Perfect &mdash 01/19/07 - 04:34:34 AM
I really like this REMIX yes it's almost perfect.
Kudos my friend.
Take care
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Thank you &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:47:25 PM
Thanks for listening again, Kent - I very much appreciate your input! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Perfecting &mdash 01/19/07 - 08:47:01 AM
Much better balance in the mix. Since you are perfecting the track, in a more demanding mode, my ears sense that you could add emotional variations to your chorus, perhaps getting more passionate and, in the end, perhaps resigned, so that the fabric of your vocal performance rises to the depth of the poetry. Your very even and well done vocals, however, are quite satisfying, but if I were in the control booth at the studio, I would suggest such a idea to you for your consideration. Excellent song. And I truly appreciate your use of criticism and desire to perfect. [ Reply to This ]
Very much appreciated &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:53:06 PM
Tobin, thanks for listening again and I appreciate your encouragement as well as your challenges. I'm currently working with a vocal coach on areas of control and am starting to feel comfortable with letting loose while holding a tight enough grip on the reins (if that makes sense.) I feel what you're addressing and will be rising to the occasion in short time. Thanks again - it's good to have someone saying "go for it!" --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
*shakes head* Yes! &mdash 01/19/07 - 09:07:37 AM
Whooooo, this is IT!!! (and I generally hate typing more than one exclamation mark!!!) You two rock!!! There I go again....
I love the percussion presence you've added -- and I even hear the hand drums in this mix. I hadn't heard them in your earlier mix. Are those bongos/congas? Or am I hearing things again? This is smokin'. I'd love to put an organ solo over this; I'm singing it in my head.
The layering on the "faith" at the end sounds much better! I still hear the darn track noise at the very end (It's the headphones man, I swear!) I need to listen through my speaker monitors. But heck, it doesn't bother me anymore, so forget I said it. :-)
Solid. Brilliant songwriting. Poignant, as I said on the other mix. It's one of those songs that sticks with you. Thank you for bringing this to MacJams. Now let's get it out to the masses! [ Reply to This ]
Exclamation points rock! &mdash 01/19/07 - 12:59:33 PM
Thank you for listening again, MC! Now, here is where my mix had lost its way in the last go-round: the percussion was always there, just very, very buried and indistinct. Going back allowed me to work with that a little and bring them out more. There are some congas and a little world-drum kind of beat going on. An organ solo would be excellent - I'd like to talk with you more about that.
Thanks for the earlier critique, I'm glad it ironed things out a bit. And now I'M hearing the hiss - not even listening through headphones. I do think it's an E.Q. thing. I submitted this to Neil Young's "Living With War" site - so there's one step to getting it out there. Thanks again for your help in getting this tune up to speed!
--- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Very well written... &mdash 01/19/07 - 09:30:48 AM
Dreadmon, I really appreciate the lyrics and the message that you've got going on here. Such a world that we live in which is capable of the best of things, then turns right around and is capable of the worst. I haven't heard the first version, and after listening to this, I don't think that I want to either. This is well done, and iSpike did a fabulous job on the bass. Good on both of you! [ Reply to This ]
Please repeat the message &mdash 01/19/07 - 01:05:43 PM
Thanks, JK - for taking the time to listen, and for the kind words. I'm glad you feel the message - which means another musician out there who is tuned in to the world, and that makes me very happy and encouraged. Peace, bro! [It's probably obvious, but the subject line is from a Gorillaz song - "19-2000" which goes "please repeat the message/it's the music that we choose"] --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Bing! &mdash 01/19/07 - 07:53:16 PM
Awesome track. Great tune and some very fresh and clever rhymes. And this is a song that really needs to be heard. Thanks for writing this and sharing it with us. An absoulte must to download. Bravo. [ Reply to This ]
Coolness &mdash 01/20/07 - 12:39:06 PM
Thank you, JT! That's a tremendous compliment and I really appreciate it. Thanks again for listening! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Musical evangelism &mdash 01/19/07 - 09:34:42 PM
What I do like about your songs in general is the message that it brings forth. There is always to a tendency for social relevance. I imagine you can easily let loose, let your hair down and just simply rock on for rocking's sake, but you choose to put more substance than just sheer fun in your music. Messages like these are remembered long after superficial fun is gone. The technical aspects of this song ain't shabby either. Very good all-around performance. [ Reply to This ]
A Deep Bow &mdash 01/20/07 - 12:44:30 PM
Thank you so much, Leon - you really hit the nail on the head there - and it's funny, I've looked back at my "surviving" song list here at MacJams and much of it is rather topical and sort of urgent, LOL! You're right, though - I've got songs in my catalog about Tamagochi girlfriends and nonsense tunes that do nothing but boogie. I guess the tune that I'm really looking for critique on are songs like "Casualties of Faith", that come from a place of social concern. It's a very nice tribute that you've paid here, and I thank you for recognizing that about my music, bro! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Good stuff &mdash 01/20/07 - 11:20:36 AM
Nice track...like the funky guitar sounds. Good vocals and the lyrics work without being too overwrought or preachy. Sounds like there is an organ part in there somewhere..wouldn't mind hearing that a tad louder in the mix but its a really cool sounding track overall
Cheers
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Heh! on the organ &mdash 01/20/07 - 12:51:50 PM
Hey Steve, thanks for listening. You know, I actually had the organ cranking on the previous version - maybe I took it too low here? Anyway, thanks again for the kind words! (and that's actually electrified dulcimer you're hearing - I'm thinking maybe I should've layered some acoustic on top of the amp models, but naaah.) --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
pro &mdash 01/20/07 - 06:02:41 PM
a very professional composition, performance, and production.
and i love it. a nice groove, tappin' my foot, and something in the back of my brain says "hey, you, yeah, you, play it again, and this time listen to the lyrics."
so i did. "hey! louder dude." OK, OK...
oh, and i like that parallel octaves on the vocals. always a fool for that.
i'd put a tad more reverb in the back on that snare as it builds up.
and at the very end, i feel the back up harmony needs to track the chords just a tad more, to drive it home. (no idea if that's possible. maybe you've already fought that battle and it isn't technically possible?)
wow wee! excellent tune - thanks [ Reply to This ]
Revelation &mdash 01/21/07 - 01:18:28 PM
Thank you for quite a very nice review/critique there - very creative, I enjoyed that! And to top it off, you awoke me to something that had been buried in the recording process. With the demo, the ending harmonies were two-phase, modulating from the melody and the backing harmonies as well, creating a layering, changing texture that matched the chords better. That was partially due to going with my gut, and partially because back when I recorded the demo, my ability to sustain notes wasn't as good. Now that I can hold 'em a little longer, I'm going for it, perhaps even when the situation doesn't call for it. So your critique is much more in line with my intuition on this one - thanks for waking me up to that. That's brilliant insight. I tried to isolate the snare in a separate loop from the main one, because, frankly, the loop I chose is lamely recorded and it was a %$#@! to E.Q. I hear what you're saying though.
Glad you liked the doubled melody - that's a lift from my Oingo Boingo fanhood. : ) Thanks again for listening and really digging in - makes me happy and helps out quite a bit! Aloha - --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
Powerful &mdash 01/22/07 - 03:37:54 PM
I loved the range of your vocal expression - alternately comforting and forboding, soothing and serious. Perfect for the lyrical content.
I enjoyed the song very much. It's a download.
Personally, as a fan of heavier music, I'd love to hear this song taken even further. Maybe add a few big distorted guitar splashes during the chorus. That's just my taste though.
I thought it would be cool to hear a complete redux on the first two lines of the second verse (Christian mobs...) with just your awesome vox and the drums before the whole thing kicks in again. One more thought was to add more high harmony vocals during the bridge. To my ear it sounded like it was missing something vocally.
But these are just some thoughts. The song is fantastic. I'm sorry I missed the chance to play on this one even though Spikey did a great job. Maybe next time.
Thanks. [ Reply to This ]
Good ones &mdash 01/23/07 - 04:20:12 PM
Thank you, Cipher! As much as I've fought for control over my own quavering voice, it's nice to hear that I've actually maintained some dynamics in that area. I didn't want this one to be as prosaic as "Dear Mr. Bush" at the same time that I didn't want to go too OTT ("over the top") - I haven't perfected by stage scream yet. : )
This could definitely go heavier and it probably will once I start performing it live. As a template for that stage, this demo has already hinted towards what the song could be. But I'm digging the idea of really turning up the dulcimer and getting a big roar out of it towards the end.
I like your idea about a sort of breakdown at the start of the second verse - that would really add some dynamics to the mix - though I probably wouldn't lead into it with the vacuum of sound that's there now. Same with the bridge - I agree, it could use a little somethin'-somethin' there. These are great suggestions!
Spike really got the job done - but I'll continue to seek out and work with others - so I'm looking forward to the track that you and I will render someday. (On a side note - I just noticed that I got "bombed" here this week, and in sympathy with your recent post - all I can say is, that's alright - it's the comments here that have really made me proud of this song!)
Aloha!
--- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
[ Reply to This ]
The first post was damn good... &mdash 01/22/07 - 05:54:05 PM
...but this one is over the top Bing! As I already vented in my comment on the previous posting I won't repeat myself here. A great and timely piece my brother. Keep on rockin' in the not-so-free-world. Hypatia lives!
Be well!
Logos Man: http://www.macjams.com/song/28320 [ Reply to This ]
Redux redux &mdash 01/23/07 - 04:44:56 PM
I'm keeping the other song profile alive, at least for a little while, because the comments are so passionate and fiery. Thanks for listening again, Mike! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
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Sister & Brothers Rest In Peace & Inspire &mdash 01/22/07 - 07:28:41 PM
Dreadmon,
Really Heavy Subject Man, But Dealing With Truth Is What
Brings Healing and Attention to Misjustices That Confound
Us All. There is no Reason to Shoot a Nun in the Back, Hang Anyone over their religious belief or non-belief.
Lyrics are Superb with great Chorus and Bridge.
Great Musical Riff's there too, Definately in a groove Here.Vocals have such excellent timing with the music.
The Song is Excellent and the Subject Matter So Relevant. Taking a Life is so senseless and Religion
seems to be the flashpoint these days for strife, shooting, bombing and maiming and people disapearing
never to be seen again. We are in a World that is in Desperate Straits. Amen
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very nice &mdash 01/23/07 - 04:50:55 PM
David, I truly appreciate you listening to this song and commenting, on the music and lyrics, of course, but mainly for your strong dedication of spirit and desire for an end to the madness. A very inspiring comment - and I'm with ya there, brother - all the way! --- Mahalo nui loa,
Bing Futch
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Finally - a chance to comment &mdash 01/22/07 - 11:51:54 PM
I listened at school (where I don't sign in) and at home (where I got a 'pick up the kids' phone call) and now finally can say, "great tune, thought provoking lyrics, powerful performance." A lot of thought goes into a commentary piece like this, and I think it can spark discussion and soul-searching in this day of sound-bites. It is part of the human condition to strike out, and also part of us that needs to find rationale beyond ourselves for the hurt that we cause. Thanks for taking the time to share this song & also for remastering so it could be a stronger vehicle for your message. [ Reply to This ]
Great effort! &mdash 01/23/07 - 05:13:16 PM
Thank you, KJ! Again, I'm really happy with the fact that this song has been so well-received, not just as a song, but as a message. Of course, the real test is seeing if it crosses any bridges or sings to a different choir other than its own. We'll see. In the meantime, this has been a great launching, thanks again | |
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