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Description:
This is a traditional song and there’s a number of versions of it that I’m aware of. This one is based on the first version I ever heard which was by the Oyster Ceilidh Band (who, coincidentally come from around the part of the world I now live in…) I know very little about this song other than it seems to be Irish and there doesn’t appear to be a lake called Cool Flynn (or Col Fin as it sometimes appears) although it might once have been a wide point in a river.
There’s something strange about the song which suggests to me that at least bits of two songs have been stuck together and the final verse has something of the apotheosis about it – the imagery of this verse has stuck in my mind over the years and inspired me to add a sort of slow march section at the end. When recording this song I couldn’t help thinking of ‘Ode to Billy Jo’ by Bobby Gentry.
This track is a bit of a departure for me as it’s the first time that I’ve ever really tried to record my vocals so it’s been quite a voyage of exploration – any advice you can give will be most welcome!
KK
Lyrics:
It was early one morning Willie Leonard arose
Into his comrades bedchamber he goes
Saying arise my loyal comrades, let nobody know
It's a fine summer's morning and bathing we'll go
But as they were walking all down a long lane
Who should they meet with but a keeper of game
Go back, Willie Leonard, do not venture in
There's deep and false waters in the lakes of Cool Flynn
Young Willie lumped in and he swam the lake round
Till he came to an island but not the right ground
Go back my loyal comrades, do not follow me in
There's deep and false waters in the lakes of Cool Flynn
It was later that morning Willie's sister arose
And straight to her mother's bedchamber she goes
Saying mother, dearest mother, I have had a strange dream
Young Willie lies floating in a watery stream
it was later that morning Willies mother got there
Wringing her hands and tearing her hair
Saying where was he drowned, where did he fall in?
There's death in false waters in the lakes of Cool Flynn
O the day of his funeral it was such a fine sight
With four and twenty young men and they're all dressed in white
Four and twenty young men to lay him in cold clay
Said adieu to young Willie and they all marched away
Hardware:
Vocal, guitar, mandolin, fiddles
Software:
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Lovely &mdash 09/08/07 - 06:34:19 AM
playing and great vocals. The outro is also very beautiful.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
Hi Len &mdash 09/10/07 - 06:04:26 AM
Thanks for being the first commentor - I was getting worried no one would!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Hi Len &mdash 09/10/07 - 06:05:01 AM
Thanks for being the first commentor - I was getting worried no one would!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Aaaaagggghhh! &mdash 09/10/07 - 06:08:56 AM
Don't you just loathe double posts?
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
neat... &mdash 09/08/07 - 12:57:32 PM
to hear your voice. It's rather pleasant! It melds well -- exactly as I'd expect -- with your music. Pardon the stupid expression, but you have a wonderful "Folk voice". The guitar playing is just lovely, too. This took me to a faraway place. Thank you. [ Reply to This ]
Thank you for your encouragement... &mdash 09/10/07 - 06:12:29 AM
...I'm not a very experienced singer so I really appreciate this - hope you've managed to return from that faraway place!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Lovely ! &mdash 09/08/07 - 04:29:57 PM
KK, this is great song, the guitar playing sounds really nice and clear, your vocal sounds really good and fit !
Very nice post from you
Take Care
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
Wahey! &mdash 09/10/07 - 06:15:11 AM
You make me feel like the hard work paid off!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Good one Martyn! &mdash 09/08/07 - 06:43:53 PM
Your vocals suit this perfectly to me - in the Richard Thompson mould. The overall feel of the production is of you being on stage in a small hall/bar - there's a certain feeling of distance between you and the listener, which is not a problem at all. If you wanted a more upfront sound, maybe recording a little hotter might make a difference (maybe not). I wasn't aware you played guitar or (mandolin for that matter) - sounds great. The fiddle is just lovely.
Excellent post!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Richard Thompson hey? &mdash 09/10/07 - 06:21:59 AM
Hadn't really thought about it but you may have something there as 'I want to see the bright lights tonight' is one of my all time favourite albums. Thanks for your comments on the sense of space - when I summon up the courage to do vocals again I would probably want to achieve a more intimate sound - so I'll work on that. I'm not sure what you mean by 'hotter' tho'.
Cheers
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Courage not required! &mdash 09/12/07 - 06:41:15 PM
I can't see why you'd be worried about your voice Martyn - I think I've proved that all sorts of voices are welcome here ;) Seriously, your vocals fit the genre perfectly.
I may have been using the term "hot" inappropriately - what I meant to say was that it might be good to ensure that the vocal signal is recorded as loud as possible (without clipping). To me, this makes a big difference in the quality of my vocals. The other thing I do is use a small amount of compression on my vox while I'm recording - mainlly to help me hear it better in the phones, but it also improves the presence.
Cheers,
Neil --- SOMEWHERE DEEP[ Reply to This ]
Lakes of Cool Flynn &mdash 09/09/07 - 02:33:58 PM
elegant arrangemnt ..very nice singin
all I can say this is most awesome song
I heard today ..singin and playin ..just
perfect !!
p.s
this fiddle sound wooden ;-) [ Reply to This ]
It is indeed the wooden fiddle... &mdash 09/10/07 - 11:30:28 AM
...although I can make my electric sound like an acoustic. Thank you for your kind comments!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Very Irish &mdash 09/09/07 - 03:27:22 PM
Really sweet sounding guitar & mandolin playing, wonderful singing voice for this... and as usual, your fiddling at the end is delicious. Nicely paced lament.
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Really glad... &mdash 09/11/07 - 07:00:52 AM
...that you mentioned the pacing, I was really worried about that as this is probably the longest track I've ever posted. Thanks for all your kind words.
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Nice to hear you singing! &mdash 09/09/07 - 03:53:44 PM
its cool to hear you singing and playing guitar Martyn....nice job on this number. The fiddle work is ace as ever of course. Look forward to hearing more in this vein from you.
Cheers
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Definitely... &mdash 09/11/07 - 10:00:05 AM
...there will be other songs but probably not as traditional (although I change my mind about what I'm going to do next with great frequency so who really knows - I certainly don't). Glad you're keen to hear more!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
lovely... &mdash 09/09/07 - 08:10:51 PM
I love the simplicity in this piece. Nice to hear you sing, too. :)
Beautiful...thank you [ Reply to This ]
You're welcome! &mdash 09/11/07 - 10:02:19 AM
Thanks for listening, faving and commenting - I'm so relieved that this hasn't been a complete disaster!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
So you play stuff with frets on too! &mdash 09/10/07 - 08:13:22 AM
Nice delicate and sensitive guitar playing, very sweet mando and fiddle, and well done for plucking up the courage to sing! I know how hard it can be to put yourself on the line like that - it's one thing to play an instrument but vocals are so much more personal and intimate and nerve-racking.
Was the vocal recorded in one take? The reason I ask is that I can hear the increase in confidence and strength in your voice as the song progresses!
I hope you'll decide to do more like this. A very English sound you have and something well worth pursuing. Big thumbs up from me. [ Reply to This ]
Almost... &mdash 09/11/07 - 10:10:16 AM
...the vocal was done pretty much in one take although there were a couple of overdubs where I'd cocked-up the phrasing or sung the wrong words - so basically you're right I think the vocals did get more confident towards the end. Also though I was trying to make them a bit more dramatic and reflective of the events towards the end.
Yes I do play stuff with frets - despite my saying that frets are for wimps!
Thank you for your in-depth comment and encouragement!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Love the song! &mdash 09/10/07 - 08:30:35 AM
Thanks for posting the comment!
The song makes me feel so relaxed!
I also saw the picture and the writing is in russian,what it actaully means???
Thank you anyway,Good Job!!!
[ Reply to This ]
Welcome to MacJams! &mdash 09/11/07 - 03:27:46 PM
Hi Becca - thanks for commenting. My avatar is Russian and is meant to show how artistic talent is not supported in the evil capitalist West - there's a complementary picture which shows a proud, elated violinist performing a solo in a concert hall enjoying all the benefits the soviet system affords. Complete bollocks of course but great pictures!
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
Sniff &mdash 09/12/07 - 05:50:57 AM
What a touching piece all around. Your playing talent is always quite a pleasure to hear. Your voice goes 'hand in glove' with the beautiful music. You should surely keep exploring if the results are anything like this, Martin.
Peace [ Reply to This ]
Exploration &mdash 09/12/07 - 11:13:41 AM
Well after comments like yours I certainly intend to keep exploring - this was perhaps a bit of a challenging number to kick-off with but then I'm always rather ambitious with music...
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/35136"> Lakes of Cool Flynn </a> [ Reply to This ]
This is &mdash 09/14/07 - 12:06:20 PM
very well done.You sing with tons of emotion and your guitar playing sounds great.Recording is beautiful.Excellent! [ Reply to This ]
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Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]