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Description:
Sometimes the weather keeps me from work... rain and wind are murder on billboards... I had such a day on monday... so I went into the studio to record something I wrote in the last few months... I came out to find out that 32 students had been gunned down... I already had the mandolin song and melody with a writing direction... and this senseless evil really derailed the whole thing... I couldn’t write about anything... and I didn’t want to write about this A**Hole and give him one more second of what he wanted in the first place... So the song took a new shape, with more angst... I purposely didn’t want to be specific about content... and was hoping that people would draw from it, out of their point of reference... obviously the storm is allegory
I recently got a mandolin, and this is the first thing that I’ve written on it... I doubt that this will be the last mix, so if anyone has a better idea about the genre... let me know
Lyrics:
RED IS A HINT AND A WARNING
WE ACT LIKE EVERYTHING FINE
THE TINT OF THE SKY IN THE MORNING
RED IS AN OMINOUS SIGN
THE COVENANTS BROKEN
THE CONTRACT IS VOID
THE ANGERS’ UNSPOKEN
AND VENGEANCE DEPLOYED
LOW DISTANT THUNDER
FAR MUFFLED CRIES
THIS SPELL WE’VE BEEN UNDER
WILL BE OUR DEMISE
HARDER & HARDER TO IGNORE
WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE STILLNESS
DON’T MISS-INTERPRET THE CALM
ALL OF THESE SIGNS IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES
ARE POINTING TO ONE PERFECT STORM
THE COVENANTS BROKEN
THE CONTRACT IS VOID
THE ANGERS’ UNSPOKEN
AND VENGEANCE DEPLOYED
LOW DISTANT THUNDER
FAR MUFFLED CRIES
THIS SPELL WE’VE BEEN UNDER
WILL BE OUR DEMISE
LOW DISTANT THUNDER
MEANS NO COMPROMISE
THIS SPELL THAT WE’VE BEEN UNDER
WILL BE OUR DEMISE
Hardware:
G5 weber mandolin taylor c621 ce814 warwick fretless bass akg's and baby bottle mikes... drawmer pre amp onyx mixer a/d
Software:
Logic pro
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Fingers of fireworks &mdash 04/21/07 - 12:52:54 AM
Wow, Scott - you're shredding on that mandolin, buddy! Your fretwork is just tasty - and I love the modulations on the pre-chorus, downward moving minor sweetness and then ascending stepladder of hope leading into the chorus - my favorite part of the song, echoes of "Eleanor Rigby" there for some reason. Powerful words, great vocals - sounds like you may be still musing over some vox arrangements for the lead, and the mix is sort of under the radar a tad - which would make sense, since you've charted a new destination for this tune. The most assured parts are the chorus and harmonies, but it all sounds beautiful. Most of all, you are doing some intricate and progressive work on the mando - you're a musical Vesuvius of late - and that's sitting more than fine with me! :Deep bow: [ Reply to This ]
Hi Bing &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:38:33 AM
Yeh the song is so new that it will be subject to some change as I hear it... these thing usually moph a bit... I reserve the right to hi-jack the song and steer it back toward it original direction... It seemed like more work than usual...
Vesuvius... that's a first... I always appreciate your personal twist [ Reply to This ]
fantastic! &mdash 04/21/07 - 01:07:48 AM
this piece really floored me. maybe the "perfect song" in from the storm. i've always said a new insturment has a great song ready to come out right from the start. the mandolin is very prominent and leads the way. once again i'm floored! just run the vacuum cleaner around me. [ Reply to This ]
thanx Vic &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:44:02 AM
your right...the mandolin was the springboard for the whole piece... the song really came from my learning to play the little thing... I realised that I didn't even know what the chords were... so adding the guitar part taught me alot about the mando...
thanx again... you know if you said the song sucked, you could have still used the vacuum analogy
I like that... [ Reply to This ]
Hi Scott! &mdash 04/21/07 - 01:11:44 AM
This is superb. I'm not technical so I can't talk about mixing etc, but it sounds great to me, I love the mandolin, the great melody and the way you have managed to describe such a very sad tragedy (which is so hard to put into words) in a very dignified way.
Best Regards
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Hi Steve &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:52:10 AM
thanx so much... It was a hard song to write, because I just don't want to give the animal any more face time... so I had to keep steering away from the specific... and work more like an impressionist... i can see somewhere down the road just changing the song completely...
thank you Steve [ Reply to This ]
You're really channeling some fresh mando energy... &mdash 04/21/07 - 07:31:21 AM
...and getting a great mandolin and a great mandolin-against-guitar sound....
Vocal is strong...again.
You're one of the guys here who can write choruses and write hooks, and I always relate to that. This song has that good sort of power.
My only suggestion in a general way is that, at least listening over headphones, the song is pretty much at full strength all the way through...sort of relentlessly full and forward... I find myself wondering how it might be made stronger, and made to have an even more powerful mix, by skillfully pulling back elements and allowing for more ebb and flow...
I continue to admire your songcraft and musicianship, Scott...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Good morning Ed &mdash 04/21/07 - 09:03:58 AM
More than once I've utilized Mj ears for the remix.. It is always helpful to have the opportunity to hear this through other ears... So the next mix will "breath" ... that's a good advice
thanx friend [ Reply to This ]
Good grief, Scott &mdash 04/21/07 - 07:47:24 AM
After such a recent great release of yours, this is just an amazing follow-up with another great song! I still have that last one ringing in my head every day, this one will stick, too.
An excellent approach to your writing - I HEAR THAT! Knowing the turmoil you must have felt (as we all felt), for me the tears still want to roll for innocents - "Far muffled cries...", and some other few hold it in till they explode, can't bring themselves to cry out without unleashing destruction
damn nice song, Scott
. - Harold [ Reply to This ]
thanx Harold &mdash 04/21/07 - 09:10:21 AM
one of the greatest comments you can get is that a song stayed "in my head"... there's a good barometer...
humble thanx [ Reply to This ]
This sounds &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:21:44 AM
very nice. Lots of cool acoustical sounds. Like the vocal sounds.
Way to go! [ Reply to This ]
thank you Bill &mdash 04/21/07 - 01:57:39 PM
Yeh.. I'm diggin' learning to play this thing... I also did an itersesting MS recording of the acoustic guitar... it came out very different [ Reply to This ]
The rise of the storm &mdash 04/21/07 - 09:20:26 AM
I really like the mandolin. There is a sense of helplessness. How can we predict the storm?
Nice tune! [ Reply to This ]
8-) &mdash 04/21/07 - 09:52:53 AM
thank you Doug &mdash 04/21/07 - 02:01:06 PM
Helpless indeed... but urgent hopefully... that's kind of what I was going for... I was real pleased with how well the mandolin records [ Reply to This ]
the Times a' changing? &mdash 04/21/07 - 10:42:18 AM
Though not specific, the lyrics are compelling and fall into the line of many folk songs of the past that send out warnings in more metaphorical ways than spelling everything out. I like approach. It gives a song legs from generation to generation.
I'd like to hear a more prominent bass line in this song giving it more depth of sound and push to emphasize the heaviness of the topic. That being said and coupled with my other comment, I might put this song in the Folk Rock genre.
You seem to capture not just something of that tragedy but much more, your song points to an era in which the wheels are coming off... many things (seemingly unrelated) going from bad to worse and... are we taking notice of it??
To refer back to the great Bob Dylan, "How many times must a man look up. Before he can see the sky?" We humans too often are looking without seeing and hearing without listening...
Mandolin is awesome... Great song Scott. [ Reply to This ]
hey Jack &mdash 04/21/07 - 02:10:40 PM
I was certainly reaching past the specific event... I didn't want to give the guy a nod... no place in my historic record.. that sort of thing...but at the same time, I couldn't excape him... I resent that this song even exists... It's kind of giving him what he wants...
If I was a recording artist.. it would not go on an album/cd [ Reply to This ]
No compromise indeed! &mdash 04/21/07 - 11:18:43 AM
Another great song from you Scott. Fantastic lyrics and harmony. Wish I could sing a harmony backing like you do.
God bless you and thank Him for the new covenant,
Rick
[ Reply to This ]
Funny Rick &mdash 04/21/07 - 02:14:43 PM
I'm loosing my facility, and it's getting harder & harder to sing... and I'm OK with that.. it's part of the journey... the new covenant has made all the difference... for me to find a straight path is a miracle...
thanx Rick [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 04/21/07 - 01:37:26 PM
I love the use of mandolin! It's such an underrated instrument. Plus you have a lovely voice. [ Reply to This ]
yeh Jack &mdash 04/21/07 - 03:35:13 PM
I'm definately finding that the mandolin really carvesout it's own space in a mix... and it takes me directions that I normally wouldn't go...
thanx for the encouragement [ Reply to This ]
Great playing &mdash 04/21/07 - 02:08:35 PM
Great playing, and a strong song. I think you got the lyrics just right, nailing the mood or feeling without being too specific. Great production, although vocals seemed a litte low here and there on my speakers. Nice work. [ Reply to This ]
thanx man &mdash 04/21/07 - 09:00:23 PM
on my speakers I feel like they're a little distant... but on my headphones I actually want to turn the vocal down... not sure why that is... thanx for the writing nod.. this one was a little tough [ Reply to This ]
Another fine offering... &mdash 04/21/07 - 03:32:23 PM
... a complete package from you, once again. The acoustic instruments are played wonderfully, with the bass intertwining throughout. You excell on the mandolin! Your vocals have such a presence that fits perfectly in this "storm" with lavish harmonies reminscent of America and CSNY (have I said that before?). And the percussion is just the right amount.
Alimar
[ Reply to This ]
thanx you Alimar &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:49:30 PM
truth is I've only been playing the mandolin for a few months... once you figure out how to hold it, the guitar chops come in pretty handy... the fun part was writing on something other than guitar... you end up someplace completely different..
humble thanx for the vocal nod... I'm getting more and more confident as I become less and less able :) [ Reply to This ]
all those old rules are out the new window - and where are we now? &mdash 04/21/07 - 03:35:46 PM
nice celtic groove opening
very CSNY feel to it - i could imagine a 4 part on this!
these words are creeping me out dude
you are so right
very good tune - wow
thanks
[ Reply to This ]
...audio taste treat! &mdash 04/21/07 - 06:09:03 PM
Wonderful singing! Great playing! You are killing on the mandolin, damn!
I love the vibe of this song.
I'm not sure where or if there' a chorus though....
Does the verse section also functions as a chorus as well?
This is a real audio taste treat!
[ Reply to This ]
Hey Spike &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:43:34 PM
I want to pretent that "low distant thunder" is the chorus... but they really do all come across as B-sections.. well maybe the verses are a bit more truer to format...
It just took me for a ride...
I often think about that writers group that you're involved with... and how I'd get that going here...
thanx my friend [ Reply to This ]
Love it &mdash 04/21/07 - 06:42:52 PM
This is great. Wonderful lyrics that make a powerful statement without being heavy-handed at all. There are days when it feels like we are bringing on such a storm as never seen before, and then there are days when it feels more like the cycle of the tides. Either way it can't and shouldn't be ignored.
Musically it's sounding fantastic and has a catchyness to it that I really enjoy. The mandolin sounds excellent; you play it so well. Overall, it's a good mix but I can imagine how things can still be adjusted here and there to get it in its ultimate form. Voice is sounding really good with some particularly nice moments. Maybe I'd bring up the harmony levels a slight tad, at least in some places.
Really this is a great song that I think a LOT of people will enjoy and be moved by on various levels. [ Reply to This ]
Hi Peter &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:37:40 PM
As hard as it was getting that mandolin under my fingers... The lyric was harder... much harder than usual... I wrestled with this one... here is an interesting function of MJ... it's like some of the great writers guilds that have produced great works of literature... all the like minded artists sharpened each others skills... it's much the same here.. as I worked thru this, I had WWPD moments (what would peter do) to steer me...
It seems to have landed the way I had hoped.. heavy handed will negate a work like this quicker than anything for me... [ Reply to This ]
Ambiance... &mdash 04/21/07 - 06:50:26 PM
I especially respect tunes that paint a whole picture with lyric, melody and instruments... all equal and working together to create a mood. You nailed it... It's a work worthy of honoring all those devastated by the tragedy.
What struck me most wasn't the mandolin (which is awesome) but your voice. You had a unique quality that really portrayed the anguish. It wasn't a vocal performance. You sounded like you felt every word as you sang it. Kudos... [ Reply to This ]
thanx Mike &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:27:07 PM
I know what you mean... you want everything to work as a whole... if I tried to write a wedding song over this music, it just wouldn't fly... If I have just music, that I want to develop...I take the approach that music is like a lost language... and i ask..."what does this say"... but more often then not it's the lyric that sparks the music...
thnax for the vote of confidence on the vox.. as I listen I'm thinking... redo ... redo ... redo [ Reply to This ]
that final major chord &mdash 04/21/07 - 07:50:11 PM
i had to give this a second second listen. i still love it.
but that major chord at the end irked me before - and it still does again now.
i know, there's good technical reasons not to end on the minor tonic, but the mood of the song just doesn't want a major chord at the end, IMO.
what if you substituted a III for i? - that is, use a Bb Major, instead of G Major. or maybe use IV/I - a Cmajor with G bass. either of these would feel unresolved, but perhaps that would fit nicely... just an idea!
thanks again - GREAT SONG
[ Reply to This ]
hi smoke &mdash 04/21/07 - 08:21:11 PM
It's funny I just finished the lyric yesterday... so the song is only a little over a day old... allthough it did have a bit of a gestation period.. anyway, half way thru today, hearing it fresh... I had the exact same impression... problem is, on moday when I was recording this... it wasn't going to be about this subject... the guy kind of hi-jacked the song... i wish that was the worst thing he did... I had a pretty ellaborate miking scheme, and it would be hard to duplicate... but if I was to redo the song, I would address the very thing you mentioned..
good ears [ Reply to This ]
Plinking heaven &mdash 04/22/07 - 07:30:13 AM
Whooo, that's lovely mandolin work. You've really got to grips with that recent acquisition! For an instrument with such a small sound you've managed to make it both the melodic and percussive backbone of the song, which is some achievement. Excellent writing, excellent performance and a beautifully rich and lush production.
Much respect Scott ... this is really great stuff. [ Reply to This ]
Yeah!! Rebsie been here! &mdash 04/22/07 - 09:43:47 PM
I'm real happy you came by... I almost sent a personal pimp your way... but that kind of backs a person into the corner... I know the mandolin is in your arsenal, and I'm a novice, but in a way that's a good thing, because I'm not thinking like a mandolin player... so the instrument is still wide open to me...
I don't even know enough to tell if it's original...
thanx much for the encouragement [ Reply to This ]
powerful &mdash 04/22/07 - 09:50:21 AM
You manage to capture the bewilderment I feel in the senseless acts that happen all too often. Lyricaly cool and the music is a delight. You really are an incredible musician. The mandolin parts are terrific. [ Reply to This ]
I know &mdash 04/22/07 - 09:48:33 PM
each new year I think... OK what will it be this year... you look at our history and realise... this is not new... each cenury is replete with the unspeekable...
thanx for the nod John... I appreciate it [ Reply to This ]
This is excellent, Scott... &mdash 04/22/07 - 02:26:50 PM
...just plain ol' excellent. Kudos on every aspect of this song...from lyrics to singing to instruments (love that mandolin) to production.
You go, man... [ Reply to This ]
Brutha Bub &mdash 04/22/07 - 09:51:33 PM
thanx my friend... you are a great addition to this site.. you fit like a glove right out of the box...
I appreciate the comments and visit [ Reply to This ]
music with a mission &mdash 04/22/07 - 02:52:51 PM
In my personal opinion, you are one of the rare acts here at Macjams who can lay claim to being a complete artist. You have an amazing mastery of singing, instruments and post-production sound engineering.
Above that, there is always a strong message of goodness, humanity or spirituality in your songs, Scott, and that seems to be the defining character, not only of your musical act but also an impression about your personal character. Which is why you have such a likeable and magnetic presence here at Macjams. Your music is a beacon of both artistry and substance, which we all want to emulate.
Though not my top-ranked pick among your songs (I have at least five of them in my ipod), this song undeniably possesses all the great elements I mentioned above. More power to you.. and your musical mission. [ Reply to This ]
so generous &mdash 04/22/07 - 10:22:14 PM
Leon I almost stopped answering when I came to this comment, because I didn’t know what to say... you are so generous... I love music.. I left art school years ago... I felt i could express myself better this way... so I really appreciate the nod "complete artist"
you know we can present ourselves, even re-invent ourselves any way we want here on the internet where people don’t see our daily flaws... I’m guessing that you’re seeing more who I wish I was... I am on the journey... and if I’m blessed now, it’s the blessing of the "poor in spirit".. I have been an abuser of alchohol, drugs, a user of people, self absorbed... so I know what I’m capable of on my own... but it’s good, I’m in no position to judge... and that keeps me humble..
but I won’t stay humble if you keep sending comments like this...
I think that one of my favorite parts of your comment is that this is "not my top-ranked pick"... something about that honesty makes me trust you... but I also like it that some of my stuff is in your ipod
thanx tons [ Reply to This ]
fantastic &mdash 04/22/07 - 04:23:22 PM
love the lyrics very strong and concise..and you voice has a nice gentle tone to it whilst it gently delivers a warning that we should not ignore
nice music too...beautiful mandolin!
[ Reply to This ]
Hi and Thanx &mdash 04/23/07 - 01:13:49 PM
thank you &mdash 04/22/07 - 06:20:15 PM
wonderful cascade of sound at intro - i'm so glad you got that mandolin.
vocal melody is one of your strengths, and i hear why in this one. harmony - esp hi part - is heart-breaking, in the best possible way - "unSPOken" - wow, squeeze my heart, why doncha? you weave harmony in such a beautiful tapestry - the result is perfect. loved how the "distant thunder" part felt - great changes and flow thruout, scott. i was shocked by the end's change to major - GOOD to be shocked! so very well done - anne [ Reply to This ]
Thank you Anne &mdash 04/23/07 - 01:21:51 PM
You are... &mdash 04/23/07 - 05:51:35 AM
Quite the mandolin player, Scott! I am getting tired of kids killing kids. Seems like this day and age there's entirely too much of that going on. Breaks my heart. Thanks for pouring yours out on this. [ Reply to This ]
Hi Dave &mdash 04/23/07 - 01:30:05 PM
thanx for that...I've been playing mandolin a realively short time... so I appreciate the support...
Somehow I think my generation is more responsible than these kids generation.. we are the ones who have raised them, and we seem to be a more selfish generation... a generation of materialists, that have starved the souls of those following... we have pulled the footing out from under them in many ways...there is no going back to simpler times now I guess... [ Reply to This ]
Great, Great Song. &mdash 04/23/07 - 12:10:35 PM
First, Great words, sometimes hard and articulate, sometimes slipping into the surreal "we're not in Kansas anymore". Love these lyrics, really like the way you made the hard point without direct reference, great. I think your voice could be brought a little more to the front, it sounds great, but I'd like to hear more of it. [ Reply to This ]
Hi William &mdash 04/23/07 - 01:37:20 PM
Thanx for that... this was a tough one to write... more of a labor... a lot of rewriting... and editing... but the Kansas thing was a spur of the moment thing that I just went with... it is somehow storm related, or a consequence...
and I've made a note.. a little more vocal presence!...
thanx again [ Reply to This ]
Another masterpiece &mdash 04/23/07 - 03:34:20 PM
Scott, you are one of those artists whose every song is a gem, no matter what the genre or content. This one is nbo exception. You say it succinctly and leave us to think about all the layers of meaning, a mark of a great songwriter. I'm glad the weather kept you from outdoor work on Monday. :-) [ Reply to This ]
Good morning Rox &mdash 04/24/07 - 09:59:15 AM
thanx pal... "every song a gem"... and "leave us to think about all the layers of meaning"... I always like it when there is a bit of mystery in the song to lead me along... but I also didn't want to spell it out as if I had the answer to this...
I always appreciate a visit from you sis... you're a light here [ Reply to This ]
Jaw droppingly good Scott! &mdash 04/24/07 - 02:33:30 AM
This has so many things I love: mandolin for starters, but the picked harmonies with the guitar (?) in particular; your amazing vocals; the CSNY (especially C and N) aspects of your harmonies; the structure and content and melody all are first rate. There's a distinct Loggins and Messina feel to this, which I love. Excellent words. Only suggestion is a brief harmony on "ominous sign" - it seemed to be missing to me. I'm stunned - this is what I'd love to play live.
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
wow thanx Neil &mdash 04/24/07 - 10:10:25 AM
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