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From Sea To Sky by dolby [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 419
Comments: 8
Votes: 1
Plays: 51
Last Played: May 18, 2008 - 03:50:18 PM
Downloads: 40
Fans: 4
Uploaded: Jul 10, 2007 - 03:08:50 PM
Last Updated: Sep 21, 2007 - 07:21:40 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
Canada (13), Sea To Sky (1), Travel (22)
Description:
The Story
Ok, so as I mentioned on my homepage, last year me and 'the Mrs' took some time off to go travelling. Before we set off I'd written three songs 'Rip It Up' & 'Freedom By Degrees' (which are already on the site), and this one - which was originally called 'Eight Men Working' and was another sour and bitter rant at the world's politicians (after watching the G8 summit on TV, if I'm not mistaken).

I wasn't happy with the original lyrics though, as the tune is quite jolly, and I waited until I was suitably inpired. As it turned out the inspiration came from from travelling up the Sea To Sky highway between Vancouver and Whistler in Western Canada. It's a great, scenic journey, but one which is slowed somewhat by the fact that they are widening the road ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics. This song is dedicated to the women who tirelessly control the traffic through the road works, and will be my entry for the official 2010 Olympics song:-))

The Song
I think most people will appreciate that occasionally we make little steps forward, either in composition, or in mastery of GarageBand. In this song I was really pleased with the chorus', and at my first attempt at a 'harmony' backing vocal. Not perfect, but not bad!

Also, for those of you interested, the guitar solo is definately not me, but GB Progressive Solo 17.0 from the Rhythm Section Jam Pack. I think that's enough trade secrets for now:-))

Enjoy the song,
Phil

Lyrics:
From Sea To Sky
(by Phil Dolby ©2007)

Look at them working for miles
The Pacific Highway Womens’ Union
Build the road from sea to sky
Silhouettes blinking headlights
Cut away the heavy timber
Stretch the curve to two lanes wide
 
(chorus)
My world has been undone
Where are they from these windward brides
Westwards into the sun
Into the bay of breath and sighs
 
Look at them speaking in signs
Slowing us towards the corner
From the ledge and from the line
Look at them linking arms high
Pass along the flame of wonder
Build the road from sea to sky
 
(repeat chorus)

Hardware:
Hohner accoustic guitar, MacBook buit-in microphone

Software:
GarageBand
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Lovely &mdash 07/11/07 - 01:02:55 PM
song, well played and sung (and harmonised). Not sure about the guitar solo - it doesn't sound quite right and maybe even out of key? But overall excellent.
Cheers
Len

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Len... &mdash 07/11/07 - 02:29:58 PM
...couldn't actually agree more! That was one of those sloppy moments when I really should have crafted a knockout middle eight but instead went for the quick fix. It's been on my list of things to do ever since:-))

Cheers,
Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
popped! &mdash 07/12/07 - 12:34:00 PM
Phil - love the verse to this, esp. the guitar (again, kinda REM, which i love), and it has a really nice breezy, summery feel to it. The chorus is good, but I can't really hear the backing vox.

Yeah ... the solo belongs in another song - dump it! The backing guitar you're playing is fine - a real simple solo over this would work fine. The drums sound a little dry to me, and I wasn't sure about the vocal delay/ effect, but it grew on me as the song progressed!

Great pop structure - works really well!

I really like the lyrics - they are quite enigmatic and evocative - they work really well.

Steve

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks &mdash 07/12/07 - 02:25:33 PM
Steve, thanks again for taking the time to listen to the track.

I agree totally with your comments. All of the songs I'm posting at the moment - and there's another batch to go up over the coming weeks - were recorded while we were on the road on our world trip. So, much of what you're hearing was done in snippets, in motel rooms, very quickly, and with almost zero editing. Also the vox were done directly into the MacBook condensor mic, and often recorded fairly quietly (you don't always want to be letting rip knowing that someone is a few feet away in the next hotel room!). So I suppose in their current state the songs are quite spontaneous - but often in need of some judicious editing.

The guitar solo in this song really is rubbish though isn't it:-)) absolutely no excuses!

Thanks again - I appreciate the constructive comments, and not just saying it's great.

Phil



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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
Song &mdash 07/14/07 - 07:15:38 PM
Really good song. I can almost sing along :) Your vocal tone is very good, I'm surprised you could get that with the built in mic, do you have any secrets to share ;) Thanks for sharing.

[ Reply to This ]
No secrets &mdash 07/16/07 - 08:24:30 AM
Thanks Bill,

No secrets about the mic - I was amazed at how sensitive it was when I first used it - incredible really. My only problem is that I fear I may have popped the one on my laptop! So they may be sensitive - but short lived!

Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
Mic &mdash 07/16/07 - 06:11:46 PM
Bummer about the mic. Hope you get it fixed.

[ Reply to This ]
From Sea to Sky &mdash 11/26/07 - 12:16:35 AM
Great song - like the guitar.

[ Reply to This ]
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