Leafblower (Crazy Paving Mix) by Rebsie
Genre: Alternative Rock
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Keywords:
leafblower (2), stupid gardening implements (2), noise pollution (2), garden rant (1), horticultural homicide (2), Phideaux (1)
Description:
Back in the days of Revolving Doris I wrote this cheerful little song to express my pissedoffness over my neighbour's incredibly noisy and pointless horticultural equipment. It became a minor hit on two British internet radio stations.
Since then it has been completely reworked by Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist Phideaux Xavier and his producer Gabriel Moffat. They used my original vocals and bassline and added a whole new set of guitars and drums to it.
The full version is on my new album Mind The Gap but Phideaux also sent me a couple of alternative mixes, including this stripped down version with just voice and guitars.
I heartily recommend Phideaux's music to anyone who appreciates art rock and progressive rock richly layered with intellectual and spiritual subtlety ... he is incredibly talented. You can find him at www.bloodfish.com.
Words and music by Rebsie
© 2007 Rebsie Fairholm/Phideaux Xavier
Vocals: Rebsie
Guitars: Phideaux
Production by Gabriel Moffat and Phideaux Xavier
Since then it has been completely reworked by Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist Phideaux Xavier and his producer Gabriel Moffat. They used my original vocals and bassline and added a whole new set of guitars and drums to it.
The full version is on my new album Mind The Gap but Phideaux also sent me a couple of alternative mixes, including this stripped down version with just voice and guitars.
I heartily recommend Phideaux's music to anyone who appreciates art rock and progressive rock richly layered with intellectual and spiritual subtlety ... he is incredibly talented. You can find him at www.bloodfish.com.
Words and music by Rebsie
© 2007 Rebsie Fairholm/Phideaux Xavier
Vocals: Rebsie
Guitars: Phideaux
Production by Gabriel Moffat and Phideaux Xavier
Lyrics:
First day of autumn when the trees are turning goldThe man next door goes out to blow some leaves
(Leafblower) Early in the autumn when the leaves begin to fall
(Leafblower) My neighbour gets his blower out and drives me up the wall
(Leafblower) Humming and a-whining as the leaves fly through the air
(Leafblower) Spoiling my recordings till I'm going bloody spare
Can't use a rake like everybody else
Pointless powertools give him his kicks
Likes to piss the neighbours off by making loads of noise
Wasting electricity to get his fix
(Leafblower) Blowing to the left hand side and blowing to the right
(Leafblower) Blowing back the other way to shove them out of sight
(Leafblower) Blowing up the garden path and blowing down the street
(Leafblower) Leaves are splatted on my car and get stuck on my feet
First day of autumn when the trees are turning gold
Visions fly like leaves in front of me
Autumn days when the grass is jewelled
And the neighbour's hung from the chestnut tree*
(Leafblower) Blowing under privet hedge and over flower bed
(Leafblower) I want to grab a garden spade and whack him round the head
(Leafblower) Blowing on the patio and blowing on the grass
(Leafblower) I'd like to take that blower thing and shove it up his arse
* the "Autumn days" line was contributed by David Eltopo
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DWL
Great lyrics which subvert the rather sophisticated melody and arrangement.
Splendid vocal performance :-)
Cheers
Dick
Rebsie
Thanks Dick, glad you enjoyed it!
Feter
super guitars .. hmmmm I do believe
bluesy ideas and pissedoff feelings
can give alot of imagenation to
the musician ... but Rebsie this is
magic .. just awesome !!
Rebsie
Thanks Feter. Yes, sometimes negative feelings provide just the right burst of energy to create a song.
bobnisbet
I got a great laugh from the song lyrics this morning. I make videos for cable TV, and could see shooting some video to accompany this song later in the year, including lots of ambient leaf shots, wind, and of course, leafblowers.
Rebsie
Glad you got a laugh out of it. If it inspires you to do a video then that's even better! Cheers.
Mrs. REBSIE, this one is very nice song, the guitars are very clear and your vocal flying on this one, really much enjoyable. The lyrics are very nice
Thanks for this great piece
Take Care
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi
Rebsie
Thanks Yeman! I certainly had some fun writing and recording this.
ktb
I still haven't used my leaf blower since I heard the original version. I applaud your sense of artistic outrage and think this version is cool in its starkness. You have such a wonderful serene (almost peaceful) voice and its so entertaining to hear you sing "I'd like to take that blower thing and shove it up his arse". Truly laugh out loud. I promise to take a hammer to mine today.
Please forgive me for owning one. :-)
Rebsie
Heehee. Sorry John, I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. It's not necessarily leafblowers themselves that I object to, but the irresponsible and thoughtless use of them.
I'm sure you use yours with utmost consideration and sensitivity. ;)
jiguma
A great set of words (still) Rebsie. This version works really well - Phideas got the guitars just right, and your vocals are always a treat..
Neil
Rebsie
Thanks Neil. This was one of several mixes they did for me and they were all good in different ways. They even made my bass playing sound good on the other mixes! The wonders of modern technology. :)
Sound sooo very young:) Almost Dido-ish.. the guitars at the beggining had me thinking of the Eves right off :) Great mix.
Give us a shout when you get time.. Much Missings :)
Rebsie
Aww, thanks Jason! And so sorry I've been neglecting you ... I will email very soon I promise!
Peter Bauckham
You're sounding better than ever - great mix. Love the song. I can't see someone with one of those blower things without this coming to mind!
Peter
Epileptic Gibbon
... it's Kirstie MacColl with an Iron Maiden bass line! But now it's been spookified in a Phideaux-stylee.
guitapick
...how much I can relate to this, Rebsie...
...you've inspired me! I'm going to write a piece about my neighbors' (plural) weedwacker. Another pet peeve of mine.
Really loved this. The theme contrasted with the style...your music is always a treasure.
Leafblower Dave
...sit down
Rebsie
Sorry Dave but it was the only option.
Now just mind how you're going with that whiny hedge-cutter, OK?
lengold
Leafblower Dave above. I feel so sorry for him. Maybe you should smoke some of 'em Rebsie - chill out a bit. Fantastic song. Love it.
Cheers
Len
dwwave
Rebsie,
Ian had mentioned to me that you did a different version
version of "Leafblower Man" and I read the forum post where
a metal station was very interested in the song(who would not be!)
This is a twist on the original for sure, Enjoyed it
and still dig the original as well done with Revolving Doris" best of luck on the CD. I would not mind hearing the other versions they sent you as well!
I will check out the websites posted with the song.
Take Care
Sorry for the long delay in listening and posting.
David In Ohio USA
dwwave
echoroom
Fookin ell, this is outstanding. The production is fab, your voice sounds golden, and the 'leafblower' line is stuck into my head.
'Cant use a rake' ... you are a rake!
Wonderful Rebsie!
Steve
Cori Ander
Many thums up for this mix of one of my fav songs all categories!
Thomaz
Couldn't stop smiling and laughing at the great lyrics at the same time as the music, voice and production sent chills down my spine... LOVE IT :-)
gwhoose
5 pm everyday we have the whole neighborhood go crazy with their lawnmowers.. just about the time when we meditate. I am starting to think two cycle engines have something to do with levitation or cosmic supernormal experiences. the smell is especially telling. my dad used to drift off in overtures on how he got off on raw gasoline smells. tylenol seems to be my only recourse. but just the pure sound of two cycles is monumental. sort of fits my mantra sometimes.
slumbering
This cracks me up! I played your CD for my mom and she was laughing over this one, too.
I'm so glad to have your CD, it is beautiful.
Three Cat Clem
I enjoyed the composition, production and most of all your performance. Very nice.
davisamerica
the humor of this one...but really the overall effect of vocals and guitar is beautiful!...still miming ur site...very cool
Heightened
U-la-la! This is a really wonderful song. Hugely funny. Thanks.
dlb
Love the comedy and anger in this one, legend of the leafblower! fantastic :-) You really do have a great voice. Great song.
LunaTrick
This is meant as a deep compliment... but you sometimes remind me of Legendary Pink Dots (if they had female vocals)! As an Englishman abroad, your music makes me pine for the old country!