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BLUE POOL (w Anne Cozean, kevmikwa, alfalpha and Ms jig) by jiguma [Email]
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Keywords:
kevmikwa (4), alfalpha (22), SISTERS (3), jiguma (15), gelato (1), Vespa (1), MotoGuzzi (1), calamari (1), Rome (2), Bermagui (1)
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Description:
This song was inspired by a camping trip Jan and I did in February this year - and it's taken this long to get together (for many reasons). The long gestation has however given me the opportunity to try to develop my skills in the production department, and hopefully that comes accross in the result. I simply couldn't wait any longer to post this one!!
This has the significant benefit of 4 collaborators: Anne Cozean (SISTERS) and my wife Jan on backing vocals; Mike Watkins (kevmikwa) on drums; and Alf Solti (alfalpha) on keyboards. I play guitars and bass (and sing a bit). A big thank you to Alf, Mike, Jan and Anne for their time and talent!
The lyrics are simple snippets of things which happened during our little trip, and may not make much sense, but they sum the trip up rather well to me. The distinct Italian influence here was unexpected, but fits the song nicely.
The "Blue Pool" is at Bermagui, 90km from our place, and is simply a beautiful place to
Play it loud!
Lyrics:
Blue Pool
© 2007 Neil Porter
Well I’m packing up the wagon
Time to do some camping by the sea
It's ninety ks to Paradise
Ninety ks from nowhere you and me
Heading up to Bermi
Pick a beach that isn’t far away
The water temp’s been falling
You couldn’t get this man in there, no way
Blue Pool
Warmer than the ocean
Blue Pool
Quite the place to be
Blue Pool
Poetry in motion
Blue Pool
Hangin’ in the sun sounds fine to me
Fine to me
Fine to me
Blue Pool
INSTRUMENTAL
Blue Pool
Warmer than the ocean
Blue Pool
Quite the place to be
Blue Pool
Poetry in motion
Blue Pool
Hangin’ in the sun sounds fine to me
Fine to me
Fine to me
Blue Pool
Fresh caught calamari
Fishing boats that loiter in the bay
Moto Guzzi mayhem
80 years and clearly here to stay
Gelato by the seaside
Get to taste the ones you want for free
Talk of Rome and Vespas
Just about as cool as you can be
Hardware:
Seagull S6 acoustic guitar
Fender Precision Bass
Rode NT3 mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
iMac G4
Maybe Alf, Anne and Mike will fill you in on their technical stuff.
Software:
Logic Express
Ozone 3
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blue pool and jazzy &mdash 04/25/07 - 10:00:52 PM
i know i won't get no time off this summer. so, this will have to do as a mind vacation for me. great team work. works like a real band on stage. damn fine bass line..everything else seems to revolves and extend around that. to me it brings to a Boz Skaggs and Joe Cockers working bands blended together like a fine margurita. real breezy! [ Reply to This ]
Boz 'n Joe - I like that! &mdash 04/25/07 - 11:16:06 PM
Fantastic &mdash 04/25/07 - 10:01:31 PM
This is fantastic. The production is outstanding. I am in awe! Everything is crisp and defined. Sweet. The melody is catchy and the performance is terrific throughout - great keyboards, drums & percussion, bass (love the bass line too) and guitar, and of course outstanding vocals (backing and otherwise). Your lead vocal is terrific, and the backing vocals are nicely set in the mix. Spring is kicking in where I am, and I have visions of biking around the lakes with this on the iPod. Thanks for sharing this. Nice work. Now I want to go camping or hiking or something... [ Reply to This ]
Thanks dajama &mdash 04/25/07 - 11:21:05 PM
Glad you enjoyed our little tune! Hard to miss with such good collaboration going on. The production is my first serious attempt at "mastering" a song after the final mix with Ozone 3. I've used Ozone 3 before (on "Well Enough Alone") but only in demo mode and without much understanding of what it was meant to do. After reading the manual (a first for me) I feel like I have a bit more of an idea about what it is capable of and how I might use it to my advantage.
Enjoy the outdoors whenever you can!
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
I pop in for a quick listen and wow! &mdash 04/25/07 - 10:28:15 PM
That drum part is just super, really grooves. It's all the difference I think, though the bass playing is not bad (understatement taken to the extreme there). Really supa-dupa! [ Reply to This ]
Cheers Jim &mdash 04/25/07 - 11:26:18 PM
Mike's drumming is so right for the music I play - he's definitely on my list for future songs too. This would have been much less interesting if I'd used drum loops, no matter how good they were. I've really discovered recently how much more comes out of a song if you get other people's input as well. Maybe I'm just accepting that I can't play everything myself (finally) :)
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
There are a couple of reasons why... &mdash 04/26/07 - 12:14:36 AM
...I can count myself as one of the fortunate MacJammers.
1) Seeing as I live in the same area as Neil, I also get to enjoy Bermagui.
2) Seeing as I live in the same area as Neil, I also get to enjoy Jiguma's company in person.
...although, despite our geographical proximity, this was done pretty much in 'cyberspace' ;)
Congratulations Neil, on yet another great song & Thanks for asking me to be a part of it!
Cheers,
Alf
[ Reply to This ]
A pleasure Alf! &mdash 04/26/07 - 01:17:51 AM
I've been really lucky to have you move in "up the road". Your different perspective on things musical (like reading those little black dots for example) has made me think differently as well. As 8pscean8 said "... but why in the heck hasn't anyone mentioned the keyboard parts" - added something I would never have thought of for sure! Now about "Black Line" (is there a theme emerging here do you think?) ;)
Cheers,
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 04/26/07 - 12:32:25 AM
your voice jig, really fits in the tune. I really like the organ sound alot,has a nice warm sound to go with the country and traveling. Nice beat like the fade out, harmony etc.
Well done and glad I listened!
Thumbs up for sure! [ Reply to This ]
Glad you dropped by Bill &mdash 04/26/07 - 08:42:36 PM
Cool &mdash 04/26/07 - 12:42:28 AM
Nice drums... but why in the heck hasn't anyone mentioned the keyboard parts. Those really glued the whole thing together for me. Awesome collaboration. This song keeps the signature Jiguma style but branches out into new territory. Nice mastering job Neil. Ozone 3 is the next thing on my purchase list. Well, I'm off to go find my own blue pool. [ Reply to This ]
Good point &mdash 04/27/07 - 12:01:05 AM
mmmmmmmmm... &mdash 04/26/07 - 04:52:08 AM
Caro!!!! &mdash 04/27/07 - 12:02:27 AM
TOTAL MELLOWNESS &mdash 04/26/07 - 08:13:07 AM
neil - what a wonderful sound party you throw! the skeletal backing you sent me was great - and the groove was already there. but that organ/keyboard pattern accenting the instrumental melody in that cool latin way is just awesome. the percussion is wonderfully dynamic and adds such juiciness to this sonic soup - and who'd a thunk a tamborine could add such a subtle but important spice? your guitar and bass are yummy, neil - i especially like the volume on the bass. jan, your high harmony comes shining thru - how fun being a Back Up Girl with you. it's a winner neil. your vocal is so unique - airy, sexy, and GOOD! my compliments on the mix - i like where you put me just fiiiiiiine. truly enjoyed this - anne [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Anne ..... &mdash 04/26/07 - 08:22:09 AM
... for the comments, but mostly for agreeing to sing backup! It took me a while to work up the courage to ask you if you'd be interested, but when I saw on your bio page "sing for beer" I figured I had a chance :) Now where else could I ever hope to get someone with your talent singing on one of my little tunes?!
Next time I throw a sound party I think you might like I'll definitely be sending an invitation!
What a buzz this one was!
Cheers,
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
almost forgot! &mdash 04/26/07 - 08:25:55 AM
ehm &mdash 04/26/07 - 09:27:20 AM
this is excellent! everything in this song is great, starting of course with the overall impression and feel and emotion, followed by guitars, organs, bass, drums (!!! macjam ppl, do you read? DRUMS !!!), i really like the rhythm here - the variety in it, the voice, and of course SISTERS... great great job guys, congrats. [ Reply to This ]
The Drums, the Drums! &mdash 04/26/07 - 07:55:39 PM
Wow &mdash 04/26/07 - 10:07:35 AM
Very Cool song Neil, great lyrics, lovely mixing, very summery, yeah It's hard to get me in the water too. There's positively a heat haze from this, Magic man !! [ Reply to This ]
Heat haze! &mdash 04/26/07 - 08:00:18 PM
Thanks for listening Will. I'm not normally at all reticent when it comes to hitting the water, but the days in question saw a cold current hit the coast making the sea water around 15 degrees - well below my limit. The Blue Pool water (despite just being your basic rock pool) was still sitting at 20 degrees and so enjoyable in the sun. Glad you felt the warmth.
Cheers,
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
best yet &mdash 04/26/07 - 10:39:48 AM
My favorite Jiggy tune. Stellar production chops on this one Neil. The balance is exceptional. Your vocal is right in the pocket as well the backing vocals. Simple sweet. Hats off to Alf on the keyboard work. It was resplendent with hooks, tasty compin, and oh so "right in the moment" solo'in. Mike's drumming was the perfect accompainment. A funky, laid back groove that made you want to dive into the song.
[ Reply to This ]
Production &mdash 04/26/07 - 08:17:49 PM
Thanks John - I'm really trying hard to get my mixing and overall production better, and what better way to do it than invite some classy players to join in. Alf is a bit of a chameleon musically, and seems to be able to fit in to any style while adding his own particular feel to the sound. To be honest, his original tracks were not what I'd expected (a more jazzy feel), but the more I listened, the more I enjoyed the way he'd taken the song to a different level. Jan and Anne did a great job on the vocals - always wanted to sing with a "girlie chorus" (I hope that's not un-PC these days - maybe I mean a "personie chorus"). Mike's drumming was/is outstanding.
Really appreciate your kind comment John.
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
No doubt &mdash 04/26/07 - 03:11:35 PM
This is one of the better tunes I've heard at this place. And such a professional production and songwriting put before us here.
This is top of what there is regarding drums, performances on individual instruments like bass and guitar and some wonderful melody lines in those tasty keys.
You sing very relaxed, and I think it's the best singing I've heard from you yet Neil. Accompanied by those soft lady background vocals, you get a nice contrast to your rockn'roll voice:)
Marvelous, fabulous and straight to the download button I go!
[ Reply to This ]
Takk så mange Thor! &mdash 05/01/07 - 03:20:24 AM
You're like a kid in a candy store &mdash 04/26/07 - 03:34:42 PM
All these resourses at your finger tips... It would be hard to make this ensemble sound bad... but I can see you didn't even try... hats off to you on the mix/production/player aspect... it really shines Neil... Mike the drums are perfect... this moves wonderfully... and the keyboards!!.. talk about seasoned & tasteful... the whole thing is radio ready...
Would this be in the "LIVE SET"?
count me in [ Reply to This ]
Live set! &mdash 05/01/07 - 03:24:17 AM
I wish Scott! I'm really itching to get at least a 10 song set together with a band - have had an offer locally, but not sure about live singing at this stage of things. Now if you and Mike and Anne could move over here and join Alf, Jan and I, we might be a happening thing :)
Thanks for your ongoing support Scott - I appreciate it.
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
Loudness: check. &mdash 04/26/07 - 07:48:01 PM
Right on! All the contributions really round this out into a full, rich, picturesque musical vacation. I mean, those keys are super groovy, and Mike's syncopated playing couldn't be more spot on. The added voices sound great. It's just a relaxing scooter ride in paradise. Great work, guys. [ Reply to This ]
David! &mdash 05/01/07 - 03:26:49 AM
Nice---- &mdash 04/26/07 - 07:52:32 PM
Very well produced, Mixed, etc... Playing is just great. I enjoyed this one Neil.
Thanks for sharing,
mvh : ) [ Reply to This ]
Man oh man &mdash 04/26/07 - 07:53:49 PM
All I need from you is the first few notes .... then the chord change comes and all is golden. The singing is outstanding as in O The bass in this is just running through my soul.. Then the licking guitar strums its way into my heart excellent your best to me. Yeah yeah!!!! [ Reply to This ]
I'm going to ramble now, so deal &mdash 04/26/07 - 10:47:44 PM
When I was a newbie, Neil extended a friendly welcome to me. To anyone who doesn't already know, he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet (virtually or otherwise). He's asked me to play on a few of his songs now, and each new invitation is a real honor to me. It doesn't hurt that he's got the patience of Job, too ... always quick with the "family first" mantra when I need it the most.
As with all of the other songs, his songwriting is stellar. It stands the test of many relistens - important when you're tinkering with drum parts and the relistens become mandatory. It was an instant hit with me - the charismatic jiguma vocal and undeniable rhythm of his guitar and bass, Anne's double-trackin' smoothness, Alf's groovy organ. Two bits that weren't on the mix I played to that I now can't live without: Alf's piano (both the repeated figure and the too-short solo) and Jan's high vocal line.
The mix is killer too. Like 8piscean8 alluded to, everyone should check out Ozone for final polish and mastering needs. Neil, you've done a great job of taking our disparate recordings and putting us all in the same room.
I had 2 lone nits about the drums ...
The toms kinda get lost in the mix. I didn't use them too often, but I did find that I missed them where I knew they were. I do realize that between the bass, thick organ and backing vox there was a lot of low-to-mid end stuff happening, so that may have been a wise call to avoid muddiness.
I noticed there were some places where you brought the snare up a bit in the relative drum mix (or at least it seemed that way around 1:27ish and from 3:28 on). Normally you won't find me complaining about being turned up, but lifting the snare up can kinda detach it from the rest of the drum groove. It's especially noticable to me in the little 32nd grace notes just before the 1s in the 3:28 roll off. Without hearing the kick drum note that the grace notes are supposed to frame, the snare bit feels busy and a touch disembodied. Instead of bringing the snare up 5, I would have lobbied to bring the entire drum mix up 1 or 2. In reality, it might be an indictment of my reliance on the grace notes - a cautionary tale for me going forward, maybe.
But honestly, these are complete nits, and I know it. I've loved this song since you first played it for me, and it means so much that you let me tag along.
To Jim Bouchard, baki, thoddi, Scott Carmichael, Karmatoburn and dajama: most humble thanks for your kind words. [ Reply to This ]
Oh, and tambourine? &mdash 04/26/07 - 10:49:36 PM
he wrote it, so i heard it ? 8( &mdash 04/26/07 - 11:01:40 PM
i admit it &mdash 04/26/07 - 11:03:13 PM
Whoops! &mdash 04/26/07 - 11:33:16 PM
Well, golly, what can I say!! &mdash 04/26/07 - 11:56:42 PM
Thanks for the very kind words Mike, and let me say that the respect is mutual!!
I think that Ozone (plus Logic) makes the difference between an average production and something that stands out from the crowd, and am really glad that Steve (stevel) put me onto it. There's a very steep learning curve with Ozone (and Logic too I guess), but I'm finding it really fascinating getting into the Ozone Manual - a very useful publication for anyone interested in "mastering" their songs whether they have Ozone or not. I suspect what's holding me back most at this stage is that I'm doing all my mixes in 'phones, and am becoming more and more aware that a pair of studio monitors needs to be my next purchase.
Which leads me to the drum nits you mention Mike. I just checked the mix ISO for any automation on the drum tracks and found that they were played straight, no increases/decreases in volume all the way through. So it's clearly a combination of sounds at those points which make them sound louder. This is an area I'm still very unsure about, but will try to get it right if I do a remix. The toms I remember, were clipping at a volume where everything else worked fine - I dropped the levels of everything so they stopped going into the red, but it obviously wasn't enough. As I might have said to you before, I sometimes don't "get" what toms are for :) On my home stereo, the kick sounded amazing, and the toms plenty loud enough, but in retrospect, maybe some more aggressive compression on the toms might have been a good idea. If you get a chance to listen on another sytem I'd appreciate a comment.
I'm glad you liked the two additions to the mix you played to - Alf's piano "soloette" was the very last thing that went on, but I liked the organ and guitar solos too and didn't want to interfere with them. The piano run into my guitar solo is just perfection! Jan really enjoyed the chance to sing along with someone of Anne's vocal ability, and I'm hoping she'll keep adding her bit to the "jiguma sound".
Mike, it's a pleasure working with you on this and the other recent song (maybe next week - but a much harder thing to mix!), and I'm certainly hoping you stay interested in adding drums to future stuff I come up with.
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
Second ramble in as many days &mdash 04/27/07 - 09:16:32 AM
No automation on the snare drum track, eh? Definitely my perception, then. When everything else quiets down, the things that are still playing are just gonna seem louder. Perhaps I should have checked my own tracks - maybe I just played the aforementioned "offending" parts louder?
Regarding your statement that you'll "try to get it right if [you] do a remix" - I don't think you got it "wrong" by any stretch (and I hate that I made you feel that way). As I alluded to before, I looked up "nitpicky" in the dictionary, and there was a picture of my earlier comments.
Curious to hear about the toms clipping. In the reference track MP3s I put together, they were pretty present and it didn't seem like they were clipping. I should probably revisit those, too. It's important to me because I'd like to learn how to best send files for incorporation into other people's mixes. If there's something I could have done better, I wanna know.
You said you "sometimes don't 'get' what toms are for". Unless you're doing a song where they speak prominently (think Bo Diddley or early Green Day), they really are flavoring. They add new tones to fills to make them "pop" a bit more. Really, if you had to attenuate one of the five tracks I sent (kick/snare/hats/overheads/toms), the tom track is the obvious choice, so no worries.
You mentioned that everything sounded present when you listened on your home stereo. It definitely confirms that I need to get some studio monitors. Of course, in order to avoid driving my family crazy, this will likely have to wait until I put together my basement studio. Until then, I'll need to make mental adjustments to the things I hear in my phones.
And of course, lastly, regarding our future collabs: it's hard for me to imagine you penning a song that I wouldn't love to lend drums to. Crunch all you want ... we'll make more! [ Reply to This ]
Clipping toms &mdash 04/28/07 - 08:19:36 AM
blue sky &mdash 04/27/07 - 12:41:01 AM
cool song, like its been all said, this is a very pro sounding song, I agree with your idea about ozone and logic, am as well in the learning mode of production and mastering, thanks 4 the advice and song, nice art werk and only 90km from you, wow how beautiful... [ Reply to This ]
i have a suggestion &mdash 04/27/07 - 01:27:30 AM
write a verse to be sung from the female perspective and give ANNE the lead...then meet up at the pool a bit later...
another great, clever catchy as hell piece of music.
My hero!
deepest as always
z [ Reply to This ]
"write a verse to be sung from the female perspective" &mdash 04/27/07 - 07:27:05 AM
hip &mdash 04/27/07 - 01:32:22 AM
Great combination of talents. I like the easy going groove and soothing tones. Ann's harmonies, Alph's stylin' keys, and Mike's percussion all fit right in with you so well, each person really giving this life. Like you all were really in the same place, I guess jamming in the Blue Pool. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks for dropping in Peter &mdash 04/29/07 - 07:24:31 AM
Alive &mdash 04/27/07 - 03:29:12 PM
This is very cool! &mdash 04/27/07 - 06:23:24 PM
Wow, what a great groove Neil. I just love the jamming feel to this with great percussion, great vocals all around, wild acoustic guitar, that organ is perfect (yeah, I know, that's what they all say), and outstanding bass-line ( as usual). The sound is very clean.
Great tune. [ Reply to This ]
Immense &mdash 04/27/07 - 08:13:45 PM
Groovin' &mdash 04/27/07 - 08:27:35 PM
Awesome track guys. If you were a live band, I reckon you'd pack em in. I'd certainly go see you. It really does make such a difference having a real drummer. I am very envious.
Another great song Neil. I think it's a real talent to capture elements of Australiana like this without having come out clichd or cringeworthy. Don Walker can do it. Paul Kelly can do it and I think you've got the touch as well.
Top stuff. [ Reply to This ]
I've always liked &mdash 04/30/07 - 12:19:08 AM
the way some artists (often US, but also UK) write about places that are part of their landscape in an intimate way. I have been inspired generally by watching the "Classic Albums" show on Steely Dan's "Aja" - Fagen was reciting the lyrics to "Black Cow" as the song played in the background, and I realised as he and Becker discussed the variations on how a BC is made, and saw the detail with which Fagen had described the cafe (sorry, drugstore) that it was a really interesting way of writing lyrics. Maybe this isn't obvious here, but it has been a basic part of how I write since I saw it. Gangajang is another Oz band which was able to do the Australian lyrics without becoming cringeworthy (even in "This Is Australia"). Anyway, Paul Kelly and Don Walker - and Tim Freedman from The Whitlams too - have always been favourites of mine in this regard.
Thanks for the comment Ross - see you in June.
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
incredible groove &mdash 04/28/07 - 09:25:33 AM
'Big Dry' has always been my favourite of yours. Well, i don't know... this one might take its place (which doesn't mean i don't adore your 'big dry' anymore of course:-). What a groove, from the first note to the last. Brilliant production as expected, every note and sound just fits. Jeeez, you're still getting better and better, Neil.
- Walter [ Reply to This ]
Big Dry &mdash 04/29/07 - 07:30:13 AM
Thanks for the comment and listen Walter. I agree with you about Big Dry and this one, although the final result of Blue Pool is much better "mastered" than the version of Big Dry I have posted here on MJ. I've been remastering around 16 songs lately to try to get the CD happening, and I can report that the new version of Big Dry sounds much better than the one you've heard (as do all the other songs I've been working on).
Cheers,
Neil --- BLUE POOL - with Anne Cozean, Jan Porter, Mike Watkins and Alf Solti[ Reply to This ]
evocative &mdash 04/28/07 - 11:18:27 AM
Really love this Neil - the lyrics are really excellent
90 ks to paradise... you couldn't get this man in, no way.
There's a real sense of honesty, and a sly sense of humour. The arrangement and production are top notch of course, and Ann adds some sultry backing vocals.
You really paint a very clear, evocative picture here.
A great collab guys - you should be very proud!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Two bars in, he pressed the 'Download' button... &mdash 04/28/07 - 08:34:26 PM
...settled back to listen...
Neil, I like everything about this one... GREAT drumming for the tune... wonderful liveness there... and the bass and organ really do get some of that | |
[ Reply to This ]