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This Desert Earth by dolby [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 555
Comments: 22
Votes: 7
Plays: 110
Last Played: Oct 03, 2008 - 03:06:42 PM
Downloads: 50
Fans: 6
Uploaded: Sep 15, 2007 - 08:52:38 AM
Last Updated: Sep 21, 2007 - 11:56:50 PM
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Keywords:
Australia (9), Farmers (2), Desert (28), Earth (28), Dolby (12)
Description:
The third song in my 'Australian Trilogy' (that incorporates 'Hermannsburg' and 'Red Dirt' - both previously uploaded)

This is an all too common story from the outback, where during the recent extended drought one farmer every four days commits suicide. While we were travelling through Australia I heard the tale of one particular farmer who took his cattle to market, was unable to sell them because they were in such poor health, so returned home and shot each one before turning the gun on himself.

So, another cheery little number from Yours Truly!

Production:
It's another song in two distinct parts. I had a song called This Desert Earth kicking about for years, but it had a lyric that made no sense. The above story suddenly fitted the tone of the song and the melody I had, so I changed the words to suit.

The second part is the narrative laid bare. In my mind I was going to build towards a massive end, adding more and more layers, but once I started recording I liked the way that instruments dropped out making it sparser as the song progresses.

***My full vocal range is on display as well - for better or worse :-) ***

It's all a bit miserable I'm afraid - but enjoy if you can.

DOLBY

Lyrics:
This Desert Earth
(by Phil Dolby ©2007)

Said the farmer to the man -
“How can I pay you when I cannot grow my grain?”
Said the farmer to his son -
“I cannot leave you this ground so full of pain
Someday
We’re waiting for the day it rains
Or takes us to an early grave
Someday....”
 
Said the farmer to his wife -
“I am no longer the provider in your life
If we stay here, the world may never know
How we waited to see the river flow
Our way
We’re waiting for the day it rains
Or takes us to an early grave
Someday....”
 
There was a time when once a year
He’d take his cattle to market
A simple task that paid him well
Some money in his pocket
But now the beasts are withered thin
He knows not how to stop it
No flesh can grow from eating dirt
These bones will yield no profit
 
So now he takes the only shot
To deliver him from torture
He drives his cattle from the land
And leads his lambs to slaughter
And as the last one falls away
One bullet still remains
He puts the barrel to his mouth
Now tears where once was rain

Hardware:
Hohner Acoustic Guitar

Software:
GB
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I travel &mdash 09/15/07 - 09:08:24 AM
... i wrote a song in sri lanka, currently being worked on... it's a great sourcce of inspiration, isn't it> this is great Phil - lovely guitar, and a sweet gentle feel... kinda Crowded house. Your production seems to improve with ever track - i love how the drums sound on this.

Lovely summery chorus on this... nice work.

steve

[ Reply to This ]
Crowded House - &mdash 09/19/07 - 01:53:50 AM
- Hmmm - that's interesting. Hadn't really thought of them, but maybe there's a certain quality to the vocal? Dunno....

A while ago Ross (Myshkin) made a comparison to The Whitlams (Aussie band), not sure if you're aware of them but they are a cracking band. Can't wait to get on with new songs - and to work on vocals/harmonies a bit more - maybe be even more Crowded House then :-)

Thanks again -
Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
This Desert Earth &mdash 09/15/07 - 09:36:24 AM
Gorgious ...just Gorgious ..the singin the lyrics
the arrangment ..all so wonderfully done my friend
well done !!

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks again Feter - &mdash 09/19/07 - 01:55:33 AM
- glad you appreciate the gorgeosity of the melodies :-)

Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
another cool song &mdash 09/15/07 - 09:38:24 AM
Crowded House is surely a reference point. I like a lot of what is going on in here. The vocal intonation on the first "grave' is a little suspect. The use of the internal mic makes the vocal sound a little thin, which especially is evident on the lower toned vocals. Doubling up the vocal helps with this, but for songs that use sort of state-of-the-art pop like Crowded House as a reference point, this might be where they suffer in comparison. The lo-fi versus the hi-fi so to speak. Nice drum sounds... Very good song.


[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Jim, &mdash 09/19/07 - 01:57:39 AM
Hmmmm...suspect intonation.....I fear you will be hearing quite a lot more of that!

Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
WOW ! &mdash 09/15/07 - 10:51:24 AM
Phil, i don't know what to say ? You're posting songs in short times and all of them are great !
This is just beautiful, the guitar is very fine and the vox is excellent ! Great Post.. Excellent

Take Care
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi

[ Reply to This ]
Cheers Yeman &mdash 09/19/07 - 01:59:36 AM
I'm getting near to the end of this particular set of songs - so will not be posting quite as regularly. So glad that you're enjoying the ride though -

Thanks again,
Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
thank you &mdash 09/17/07 - 05:42:20 PM
for sharing your experiences out in the world with us. Your writing is a gift.

This is heartbreaking, and I can't wait to hear the rest of your trilogy.

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Thanks again Estalla &mdash 09/19/07 - 02:04:10 AM
When I was working this song out, and singing it to myself, I suddenly realised that my wife was listening, and started crying her eyes out. She calls it the 'awful sad song' - and refuses to listen to it 'cos it upsets her - either that or my singing was so bad!

BTW - will be popping 'round to your site to give your other songs a proper listen - what I've heard so far is great.

Thanks,
Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
so nicelly done &mdash 09/18/07 - 01:54:08 PM
the melody... the arrangement... the lyrics... great job

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Craft &mdash 09/19/07 - 02:07:19 AM
Good to hear from you again -
Glad you enjoyed the tune -

Haven't been 'round to your place for a while so will make a bit more of an effort -

Cheers,
Phil


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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
I've always wanted to go to Australia! &mdash 09/18/07 - 10:26:42 PM
Nicely crafted, performed and produced. I must have missed the 2nd in the triad, however, I'm headed there straight away. This is a great tune Phil. I enjoyed it very much.

Alvin

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You should go! &mdash 09/19/07 - 02:12:19 AM
Australia had a profound effect on me - something about the wide open spaces that just get to you. If you ever get the chance to go there I can't recommend it enough - just take loads of sunscreen!

Thanks for listening,
Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
Sweet song &mdash 09/20/07 - 10:39:04 PM
in a bitter way, I mean.
Your voice sounds great, and even though your sound would definitely benefit from a "good mic in a quiet room", the pinhole mic grabs all the essentials, so no real complaints here.
That arpeggiating synth is a little...formless. I think it decorates the song without really supporting it; I'd like to hear how the song sounds without it.
You're a good writer of intelligent pop songs.

[ Reply to This ]
Cheers Sonny Jim &mdash 09/21/07 - 01:38:34 AM
Interesting point about the synth - I know what you mean, but I kind of like it at the same time. It was definitely added quickly (you know - one of those moments!) so I can't claim that I spent much time thinking about it. Like everything else I've uploaded it's representative of when and how it was recorded, and is the sort of thing that in the future I'll (hopefully) spend hours pouring over and scratching my head about :-)

Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate what you have to say -

Phil

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Same Same, But Different

[ Reply to This ]
Ecology of Spirt &mdash 09/22/07 - 12:05:24 AM
The first song I've heard about the personal ramifications of Global Climate Change to one's livelihood. Very potent in content and unfortunately all too timely....The question is, how many songs like this will be sung across the entire planet before humanity wakes up? Great job Phil.....Norman

[ Reply to This ]
story &mdash 10/23/07 - 01:45:26 AM
Great story. Your voice sounds great. I agree with SonnyJim that your voice could use a really good mic. Your range is impressive. I like the lower registers, full and deep. The upper registers seem a little thin, but that may be just an EQ fix. The story is full of anguish, just how I like 'em. A solid ballad, thanks for posting it.
Philip


[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Racerat &mdash 10/24/07 - 10:36:34 PM
Oh how I need a good mic - and a quiet room!

I'm back home in a couple of weeks and have a "Snowball" to play with. It's not top of the range by a long stretch - but is the next step up for me.

Appreciate your comments about my voice - I'm happy with my performances on the whole (despite the recording limitations).

Thanks again,
Phil

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The Desert Earth &mdash 11/15/07 - 07:56:17 PM
Wonderful song with equally wonderful lyrics.

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Splendid &mdash 12/04/07 - 07:32:22 PM
This is great....your take on exactly the same subject as I sang about in Seminole Problem. Interesting to see the different approaches.

Yours dwells on the micro situation: the immediate death of a farmer. Mine targets the fat cats of a Texas oil town.

But yours has the best lines, by far: "Said the farmer to his wife/I'm no longer the provider in your life." Jeez that is fucking heavy. Brilliant!

Did I say I enjoyed the music, too?

Cheers again.

Chas



[ Reply to This ]
Thanks again... &mdash 12/09/07 - 10:24:12 AM
Yeah always good to hear different approaches to subject matter. All of these songs were travel related in one way or another - this just came about when in Aus and hearing all the horror stories about the lack of rain.

Glad you enjoyed -
Cheers,
Phil

[ Reply to This ]
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