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Peace Took Root w/willnlf by bud [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 883
Comments: 35
Votes:
Plays: 185
Last Played: May 11, 2008 - 07:38:07 PM
Downloads: 62
Fans: 14
Uploaded: Mar 24, 2007 - 01:43:24 PM
Last Updated: Mar 24, 2007 - 02:34:54 PM



Keywords:
peace (101)blosssoms (1)sacred (13)river (15)ghandi (1)assassin (1)smile (24)beauty (36)strength (8)life (130)
Description:
This is another collaboration with my brother Will, using words he sent me after his recent trip to India. I started this last night and it became one of those fast to finish songs that I'm posting because I'm afraid the more I mess with it, the more likely I am to screw it up. You may find it already screwed up - but often I like to blast through a song to retain the original energy and focus.
This song started as an attempt to capture the vibe of My Bloody Valentine - and ended up a bit more like U2 I guess. Hope you like - and I look forward to commments and criticism. Thanks to Will for the inspiring lyrics. Peace.

Lyrics:
New Morning

Gandhi walked softly
on the path to his death
his sandaled steps
like petals on clear water.
He saw it coming, sooner or later,
like harvest or the full moon
rising over a sacred river.

When the assassin fired
doves fluttered from nearby trees
and peace took root
at the sound of their cooing.
It leafs and blossoms with the seasons
growing with beauty and strength
under the nourishing eye of each true beholder.

Which explains the smile (I saw it there)
that caressed his lips
as his song of life
like the stars winking out at dawn
gave way to a new morning.


Hardware:
iMac G5
Ibanez bass
Danelectro guitar
Oxyben8 keyboard
Samson USB mic

Software:
GarageBand
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Calm and powerful &mdash 03/24/07 - 03:45:19 PM
Impressed by your songwritting skills. Very good, well written, beautiful arrangements. Love the swirling loops, yeah, U2, Simple Minds or, basically, The Who. Good guitars, good rythm section.
Your voice sounds better from post to post, but I feel it lacks a bit of confidence on such a lyrical piece. Also doubling the voice doesn't really work for me, probably not enough difference or delay between them, but it's a technical thing i'm far from beeing an expert.
Last points are just for the pleasure of quibbling, so don't take the piss, I'm simply jealous.
You and your brother made a really great song.
Cheers bud ! (I should have said "peace" but it's not really my culture...)

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Thanks for your honest and considered &mdash 03/24/07 - 04:41:56 PM
comments. I really appreciate the crits - very informative and on target. I sang the vocals late last night - and may have been holding back a bit so as not to disturb my family. As for the doubling (I sang two separate tracks) - one is chorused and one clean - but I get your point. Will wants me to eventually put together a CD of our work together - at which point I may go back and rework these tunes. At the moment kevmikwa is putting a live drum track on Baghdad Blues.
Take care Youra.

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Power &mdash 03/24/07 - 04:01:58 PM
Guitar hooks and leads really drive this. Nice Eastern edge to the sound. Well done, thanks for sharing.

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Thanks - &mdash 03/25/07 - 09:32:48 AM
Glad you got the eastern vibe - I didn't want to hit you over the head with it.

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where the streets have no gandhi &mdash 03/24/07 - 05:16:07 PM
true a little u2/who. but fitting. really nice with alot of layers and turnarounds. ear enjoyablisheness! Will really has a good way with words. if that was not an obvious statement. Good job Will, your kepping Bud off the streets and out of trouble. Got a chonicle of india series going it seems. neta idea.

i didn't mind the doubled vocals, but if you're going to do anything maybe bring the chorused vocal in at points.

man you've really been cranking out the tunes. great creative streak going on.

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You're right Vic - &mdash 03/24/07 - 07:06:41 PM
Will does have a way with words - I'm lucky to have a file I can turn to when a song is looking for vocals. I wish I were more patient on the mixing side sometimes. Maybe I should see if there's a remixer around here that would be interested in helping the attention handicapped. As for the output - I'm basically a hopelessly addicted compulsive music junky. And I know I'm not the only one.

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Brother Bud &mdash 03/24/07 - 07:01:08 PM
I like the way you blend a dense sound with this lighter and somewhat ironic lyric...lots of color and light... as usual, great voacl phrasing. Cool geetar work!

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YOU ROCK, BUD &mdash 03/24/07 - 07:45:01 PM
WOW - that was ambitious, bud, really BIG! you had some very cool changes in the music that touched me in a good way, and came outta the big solo nicely with that delicate transition. super set of lyrics - i love the drive of this tune - it has a force that carries it forward no matter what. enjoyed this very much - anne

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No matter what - no matter that I could &mdash 03/25/07 - 12:53:58 AM
do a better job on the vocals. My daughter just pointed out that they should be a. more melodic - or b. deeper in the mix. I love her - she does't pull any punches. Thanks for stopping by and commenting - I love your work.

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Music machine &mdash 03/25/07 - 04:31:51 AM
You are good on this music making that is for sure.
And about this one I can only agree with Vic and your daughter... do a better job on the vocals.... Rest is Excellent.... Cheers. Kenta

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not to beat a dead horse, &mdash 03/25/07 - 10:04:47 AM
but you could vastly improve that vocal simply by picking the one you prefer, and copying it onto another track. Either EQ that one differently, or throw it slightly out of phase. Voila! Instant double-tracking!
And like everyone else here, I think the music is totally great. Looking forward to what's next!

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Massive &mdash 03/25/07 - 12:11:03 PM
God Bud, i struggle to keep up with your output, and it's all so bloody good. This is a areally ambitious track, and you pull it off with style. Love teh vocal on this... kinda Moby-ish.

The mix is really good ... loads going on, but it's all so clear ... makes me really jealous.

This is, I think, my favourite track of yours so far ... it shows a real growth in your writing.

Great stuff

Steve

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Collective thanks for the support, crits &mdash 03/25/07 - 05:48:32 PM
and suggestions. I appreciate the consideration and ideas shared. I think I'm learning to step back and let a little time go by before posting. There's a difference between a demo and a finished piece.

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Imaginative &mdash 03/25/07 - 07:09:26 PM
I like the backdrop youve painted to your brothers continuing journey,very colourful.I'd agree with Youra about not doubling the voice on this track,but only because there is already alot going on that sounds great but slightly drowned out whereas just one layer of vocals would sound quite crisp and float above everything.That said - I often post songs and sometimes the critisicm is really useful and gives me a vision of how the track could radically/subtley be changed (even if I never get round to doing it) that I was previously oblivious to,but is worth thinking about for the next song.Anyway - I enjoyed it more than I would U2.Good stuff

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Thanks for stopping by &mdash 03/28/07 - 11:21:47 AM
I appreciate you taking the time to comment, and agree that it's hard to go back and incorporate changes. In this case I think I'll give it a shot.

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big &mdash 03/26/07 - 01:39:02 PM
somebody said that, this is a BIG sound, nice musical compostion... interesting you laid it down quickly like that, sounds more like you spent a good deal of time on it to me.

Your vocal intonations work well; they are a bit off in the dupe track in just a couple of short spots, but the concept and overall sound of it is great... my little nit.

Nice piece of work.

. - Harold

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Thanks Harold - &mdash 03/28/07 - 11:24:29 AM
I was able to spend about 5 uninterrupted hours the night I did this and about 2 hours the next day to mix. Wish I had taken a day to reflect.

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Good!!!! &mdash 03/27/07 - 05:56:13 PM
This is a very good song with an equally good message. I thought it had some U2/Who in the beginning as well, but as soon as the vocals arrives it clearly stand on its own and does so very, very well. The vocals is what makes this song orginal to me, but everything is also very well performed. The arrangement of the song is awesome!!! /Mikki

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Mikki - nice to hear from you &mdash 03/28/07 - 11:26:45 AM
I checked out your new tunes - and they're completely amazing. Glad you liked this one and took the time to comment.

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Man Oh Man &mdash 03/28/07 - 11:16:16 AM
Is this good or what... so so good... great... really... there are so many influences yet it seems to carve out a niche that says "all yours"... I have to know what those drums are... is that looped stuff.. some of the best I've heard... excellent all the way through

I'm knocked out

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Thanks Scott - &mdash 03/28/07 - 11:39:35 AM
I really appreciate your enthusiasm. The drums are a pretty basic set in GB3 - with a tabla track mixed in along with the maracas - nothing special - I tried to keep it simple with power.

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Yes! &mdash 03/28/07 - 12:47:42 PM
A fine tune about a very Great Soul. I definitely hear the U2 vibe! Superbly mixed. Wonderful vocals. Driving yet reverent rhythm section. Lead guitar reminiscent of SPIRIT. Possibly your best effort yet gentlemen!

Be well!


ASSEMBLY LINE: http://www.macjams.com/song/30366

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wow &mdash 03/28/07 - 06:11:26 PM
I know that i have said before that you have created greatness but this time it is more. So clear and focused and put together. Excellent Excellent!!!!

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Blessings and Gratitude &mdash 03/28/07 - 08:32:54 PM
Thanks to everyone for their input on this collaboration between Bud and me. We've got a good thing going and it's great being able to share it with everyone. My hat's off to Bud and his nonstop creative chops! Dude!

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Like the guitar on this.. &mdash 03/30/07 - 04:11:55 PM
...and the overall rock vibe is sweet. The lyrics are evocative, and the whole thing is a head-bopping, slightly Eastern, kinda hypnotic trip. I have to agree with some of the comments above about the vocals, though. Maybe if one of the tracks was way different or echoey or something? Anyway, excellent job. This is the first of your songs I've heard. I'll be sure to check out some more!

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Thanks dajama - I'll have to &mdash 03/30/07 - 07:15:43 PM
stop over and listen - you're new on my radar.

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Good song! &mdash 03/31/07 - 01:32:58 AM
This sounds really good on 'phones. Excellent lyrics Will, and a very interesting production. A definite eastern feel with the sitar-like riffing and George Harrison melody. Very Beatlesque to me. Must be a stage you're going through ; ) Guitars are very cool - love the "wall of sound" approach. I don't have a problem with the vocal setup you used - it adds an extra vintage feel which is what the song seems to be all about. Like the bass improv parts.
Peace,
Neil

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Thanks for the comments &mdash 03/31/07 - 08:56:16 AM
Glad you liked the wall - your new song has a similar approach and it really blew me away. Nice of you to stop by - and yeah - Will can really write.

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!! &mdash 03/31/07 - 12:18:03 PM
will and bud!!!! what a combo!! not screwed up at all... i hear eno

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A former... &mdash 04/20/07 - 09:08:55 PM
...student emailed and complimented this effort. I agree...it's one of your best.

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i gotta &mdash 04/26/07 - 05:22:59 PM
disagree with the "no double tracking/do the vocals better" comments. I like the vocals this way, they sound a little disembodied and I like that. it gives it a sightly eno-esque quality. i love melody, but sometimes when things are sung or recorded too obsessively perfect it takes away from the feel IMHO. I'm going to say that this is an excellent new wave/glam/prog song.

I say prog as the guitar reminds me of John McLaughlin as interpreted by Adrien Belew). I say glam because I'm feeling an eno/roxy music vibe.these are all compliments BTW.

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Man you hit all my faves at once - &mdash 04/26/07 - 10:48:23 PM
good pegging. Stranded is still one of my all time favorite records - and McLaughlin is tremendous. I was pretty obsessed with eno for a long time - as well as Fripp, Frith and Snakefinger. Thanks for the support on the vocals - I do try to keep these pieces as spontaneous as possible - warts and all as Rebsie says.

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Very nice production &mdash 10/09/07 - 04:25:04 AM
Firstly, thanks for putting a link on the forum, it made my life a lot easier.
Really loved the build up into the rocking part.
The singing reminds me of Jack Bruce from Cream with a touch of the Who.
Great job lads.

Dave

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Glad you liked it - &mdash 10/09/07 - 06:39:25 AM
thanks for commenting and taking the time to root out some older music. I'm lucky to have a collaborator like Will.

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Yike! &mdash 12/31/07 - 07:40:22 AM
You really hit home on this one!

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