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Had a bad day? Bad week? Month...year...decade(s)...?
Well...join the club, my friend. Dues are constant and steep. And benefits? Well....let me know if you find any. Maybe a twisted sense of self-deprecating humor...builds character and strong bodies 12 ways, too, I suppose.
Fran (ziti)(http://www.macjams.com/artist/ziti) and I have developed a fine friendship over the past few months. And, by more than just a happy coincidence, the guy can just flat out P-L-A-Y. So I was real happy when he agreed to chime in on this little ditty and am, now, even happier with the results of his tireless efforts.
Speaking of tireless efforts: thanks for the mixing job, z...heheheh
Lyrics:
Tryin’ to Get It Right
Words and music by Bob Prince
Had a spat last night...some things I shouldn’t have said.
Now I’m walkin’ on a tightrope with a feelin’ of dread.
Got knots in my stomach would put a sailor to shame.
Gettin’ tighter by the minute, ‘cuz “you know who” is to blame.
Pink slip on her pillow says to pack and get out.
Suitcase by my dresser, just in case there’s a doubt.
Seems like everything I do,
from my house to this song,
I keep tryin’ to get it right...
but it keeps comin’ out wrong.
Bridge
Take my act out on the street with a “howdeedeedoo”?
Cat rolls down his window: not too friendly, “Screw you”!
Young mommy with a stroller...so I kindly move over.
Ankle deep into a pile left by a dog named Rover.
Now I walk into the school. That’s the place where I teach.
Half the class is out...the ones I’m tryin’ to reach.
Seems like everything I do,
from my house to this song...
I keep tryin’ to get it right
but it keeps comin’ out wrong.
Bridge
Solo
The work day’s done. Time to pick up the kid.
Over to the bus stop, where I wait ‘till I’m dead.
Then I remember that she’s gone to a friend’s.
So I pick up some flowers (hope to make some amends).
Trudge back to the fort where she gives ‘em a sniff.
A bee flies outta there...I’m just a lucky ass stiff.
Seems like everything I do,
from my house to this song...
I keep tryin’ to get it right
but it keeps comin’ out wrong.
Bridge
Solo
© 2007 Bob Prince
Hardware:
Martin OM-21
Rode NT3 mic (fingerstyle guitar)
Sennheiser E835 mic (vox)
M-Audio Firewire 410
Ziti's stuff...
Software:
GB2 (on my end)
Ziti's Stuff (on his end)
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Outstanding! &mdash 10/08/07 - 11:00:04 PM
Choice acoustic blues....
Outstanding. (one thought, dial back the vocal just a tad... a little to0 up front?) But what do I know, eh?
Great vocal and lyrics to go with your classic guit playing... love the slide.... oh yeah!
carry on... [ Reply to This ]
Fran's Fault... &mdash 10/09/07 - 09:45:51 AM
...anything that's wrong with this piece...it's Fran's fault.
;)
Actually...his initial mix (one of many, as he so kindly attests to, below) had my voice further back. I asked him to bring it more forward and he was nice enough to comply. Just a matter of taste.
I think you know a lot...
Thanks, dadai...
---
I live between the notes [ Reply to This ]
Hello... Fran?! &mdash 10/08/07 - 11:04:25 PM
as in Ziti...
I miss the info in the song notes.... Fran, kudos my man... as I said, some classic acoustic blues you got going there. Very tasty and on the mark. [ Reply to This ]
I think you got it right &mdash 10/09/07 - 06:55:33 AM
Excellent sound on the guitars.It almost sounds like you guys were in the same room when you recorded this.Fran's Duane-like slide playing is beautiful.Ditto Bob's great fingerpicking.
The lyrics are pretty funny-sounds just like my life.The spoken delivery makes it even funnier.Thanks for posting this!
[ Reply to This ]
"Just like my life".. &mdash 10/09/07 - 09:48:59 AM
...exactly...me too.
Actually...everything that's in this tune has happened to me, at one time or other, in my life.
Glad you like the piece, Mark...
---
I live between the notes [ Reply to This ]
i will &mdash 10/09/07 - 06:27:43 AM
be happy to remix this again.....NOT! heheheheheh....we did what, 35 mixes of this?
Anyway, it could have been a pain in ass, but each of Bob's suggestions worked great, leaving the song with a terrific forward motion, in my opinion.
I would also die to have a voice like Bob's, so full and resonence and in tune.
Bob writes great stuff, and plays wonderfully, and except for being a Yankee fan, he is a terrific human.
I hope we can do some more together, my friend
deep bows and a howdity-doo
z [ Reply to This ]
Uhhhh... &mdash 10/09/07 - 09:54:19 AM
...thanks, z...
Very nice comments. The feeling's mutual.
I should point out, however, that a Yankee fan would never talk publicly about what a foolish decision it is to root for the Boston Red Sucks.
Thanks, z...and I'm looking forward to future endeavors with you, as well.
---
I live between the notes [ Reply to This ]
go cubs &mdash 10/10/07 - 12:19:03 PM
Great collab guys &mdash 10/09/07 - 06:47:07 AM
wonderful laid back skillfully played - understated vocals and excellent lyrics. Oh yeah - and sweet mix too. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, bud... &mdash 10/09/07 - 03:11:30 PM
KUDOS ! &mdash 10/09/07 - 07:55:01 AM
Very great guitar playing here, the words very funny. Very great job friends !! Enjoyed it a lot [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Yeman... &mdash 10/09/07 - 03:14:37 PM
...I appreciate your listening and commenting. Looking forward to your next piece.
---
I live between the notes [ Reply to This ]
Funny blues &mdash 10/09/07 - 10:36:10 AM
Love the John Prine style wit. Not enough funny blues out there. Light and wonderful playing. Loved it. [ Reply to This ]
John Prine... &mdash 10/09/07 - 03:34:33 PM
...is wonderful.
Yeah...sure you know that the blues have always been a good way to step back and take a look at yourself and situations. Sometimes gets you to laugh...others not.
Know you've been pretty busy. Glad you took the time to comment. Very happy you like the tune.
[ Reply to This ]
great fun &mdash 10/09/07 - 11:24:48 AM
loved the guitar playing, from both of you... the fingerpicking kept the momentum, and Ziti's slide playing melted into all the little nooks and crannies, and fit perfectly... and did its classic "talking" at the end. Cute lyrics and ad-libs. I think the talking could have been slightly more free-form and expressive, forcing it strictly into meter made it lose some emotional/smirky punch that I think it could have had more of. It sounded more "recited" than heart-felt... but only a little, mostly it was very well done, and the overall song is delightful. I agree that it sounds like you two are playing right next to each other, nice!
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
Hi Drak.... &mdash 10/09/07 - 04:05:41 PM
...always happy to hear from you.
Fran's definitely got it goin' in all aspects of playing. I love what he did here. And his production's great, too.
Your point about the meter/lyrics is an interesting one and I think, if we were in a band together, that we'd have to hash that one out over a scotch or two. I spent some time working with a more freeform approach and have to say that I ended up liking and putting my efforts into a more "in the pocket" direction, after comparing the two. Worked better to my ear...
And, as if we don't have ENOUGH to argue about (I AM kidding, I hope you know): I chose a deadpan, less expressive voice from the gitgo. Wrote the music first and, after listening to it, had a very clear picture of this truly dumb ol' sadsack who just can't seem to ever get it right and really doesn't have much of a clue about why or what to do about it. Scratching his head as he's getting kicked out the door. Sometimes I feel that way, personally.
But, ya know, drak: talking about these things is just wonderful. All the respect in the world for you and I definitely am listening. Need to be able to put the ideas out there.
Thanks...glad you liked it, friend. [ Reply to This ]
what I love about you... &mdash 10/09/07 - 04:48:46 PM
I love being able to mention what I heard and offer suggestions, and have you explain why you chose a different tack... you know me, I very much respect your choices. But... now that you mention that you were trying to get the "dumb ol' guy" feel, I bet you could have added more "yuk yuk, I don't get it" emphasis, then. It still felt "dry" to me, and I think it needs a touch of something for me to picture the guy better, that's all. Still, its all way better than anything I could do, so I have no idea why I'm going on and on... :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
You INSIST.... &mdash 10/10/07 - 08:00:03 AM
...on CONTRADICTING me!!!!
;-)
Well, drak...three things:
1) Although I used to be an actor and took it very seriously; I'm a guitarist and not a vocalist. So I'm not an expert by any means in that area...
2) My trump card: think about the song's theme, Eduard. Hmmm? Yes, my friend....it's a teflon tune. I can screw it up all I like and say it was on purpose. Hehehe...
3) I've got a friend who's an accountant. Played some piano as a kid/teen. No more. But he's got as much musical sense and notes flying around in his head as anyone I've ever met. I always listen to him. Point is: that's why you keep "going on" about this...you hear it and are trying to tell me. I appreciate that. R.A.D. is in agreement with you about the metre, too.
YOU'RE BOTH WRONG!!!
Hehehe.... [ Reply to This ]
I'm smiling and then... &mdash 10/22/07 - 12:33:46 AM
LOL! You guys! I think highly of both you and Drak, Bob - and I love the way you guys are carrying on, almost like adults and all...
I can hear both sides of this coin, of course - But what you did is done, so I can hear your version much better - I thoroughly enjoyed this blusey little number! - Your playing - the dead panned, dumb guy thing - and Z's playing! AND, I'd bet that I could come up w/ another likable version too, but I'm gonna let the Drak finish his first. He's way smarter than I know how to want to be and plus, he's much farther along on this than I am! I'm smirkn' DraK!!!
A Brilliant little number!
Thanks guys! [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 10/22/07 - 03:15:06 PM
Drak's like my brother:
"Well...you could have done this...or that...or the other thing..."
"Yeah...but I didn't..."
"That's 'cuz you're stupid..."
"OH YEAH!!!???"
"YEAH!!!!!"....
Except in a much nicer way.
;)
He's the best. It takes a friend to be open with you about ideas.
AND: Mr. Ziti really shines on this. Doesn't he?
I'm really glad you liked it, Macca. [ Reply to This ]
Tryin' to Get It Right &mdash 10/09/07 - 12:35:55 PM
ahh ..this is gtreat folks, indeed what people
would expect from such colab . I like the old
burnin wood guitars sound ..Bob this is just
a cool bluzy ,and Fran the pickin and the sound
just all NOT wrong at all ..KUDOS my friends !! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Feter... &mdash 10/11/07 - 12:55:43 PM
..."I never screw up there!"...tell me you've never said that to yourself...
[ Reply to This ]
That's &mdash 10/09/07 - 03:44:55 PM
some mighty fine pick'n there guys... great recording, too, nice and present and cleeeeaaaar. [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 10/10/07 - 07:46:13 AM
Glad you like it. Means a lot to me, after hearing your music. Sounds like we're on the same page... [ Reply to This ]
Funny Song &mdash 10/09/07 - 03:50:02 PM
And solid mix. Can't get it any more right than that. Vocals and guitar fills are very entertaining. Thanks for putting this together gentlemen.
Bill [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 10/10/07 - 08:05:02 AM
You're welcome, Bill. Glad you liked it. I've got a lot to learn on the production end. Fran's a big part of this tune.
[ Reply to This ]
Hey! You can stop tryin now.. &mdash 10/09/07 - 03:55:31 PM
YOU GOT IT RIGHT!! This is a great tune. Love the lyrics, the voice, the pickin and the grinnin! Excellent and so true to life for me as well. When it rains it pours and then the dang umbrella is broke...... You two did an awesome collab here. Thanks for sharing this delightful song! Truly enjoyed it! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Gail... &mdash 10/09/07 - 11:21:43 PM
...I'll dust off my pride for a sec and happily take that compliment.
;-)
Broken umbrella...like that one...
Glad to see you round and about...
Bob [ Reply to This ]
i wonder &mdash 10/09/07 - 10:50:55 PM
how many times i can listen to this and find something new... i am on 3 right now. the slide work is so good, it can be listened to again and again.
i liked the talking, but at times, i was hoping for less of a follow the beat of the guitars, and perhaps syncopate them...? you know? this is a really cool tune, dont get daddy wrong. [ Reply to This ]
Yeah... &mdash 10/09/07 - 10:58:08 PM
...that's what Drakonis was saying (about the syncopation). I gave it a shot when I first started the recording and found that I liked it better in the pocket, throughout...but I can see where there are going to be some differences of opinion there. And, to be honest: I'm really MUCH more a guitarist than vocalist. So...
Don't ever feel like you can't express those diffs, man. I appreciate it. Keep hammering the craft. Real happy when you drop by.
Glad you like the tune... [ Reply to This ]
I &mdash 10/10/07 - 07:28:25 AM
absolutely love this. Great guitars - fun lyrics/effects - the vocals really remind me of Frank Zappa at his best.
Obviously downloaded.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
I met... &mdash 10/10/07 - 11:32:54 AM
...Ian Underwood's mom, once. She said that Franky was a "good boy"...
That's a big compliment, Len.."I might be movin' to Montana, soon"...
Thanks... [ Reply to This ]
Well... &mdash 10/10/07 - 09:08:06 AM
At least you got a great song for all your troubles. Hopefully next week, month, year, you will look back on all this and smile. Great playing. :-) [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 10/10/07 - 12:02:09 PM
Adversity is very fertile ground for creativity...true...
But then I couldn't complain!
I'm already smiling, Roxy...for all the "griping" in the tune...it's always best to focus on the positive...I know you know...and I do that as much and as often as I possibly can.
Thanks...
. [ Reply to This ]
If It Weren't For Bad Luck... &mdash 10/10/07 - 12:07:40 PM
....I'd have no luck at all!
This is great Bob! Love the story, the vocals and I just love that slide guitar.
Terrific song. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks... &mdash 10/10/07 - 07:27:13 PM
...I'd like to have your 5 extra hands in the audience when I'm playing this in some unsoldout dive, somewhere...
;-)
Slide's pretty awesome in there...ain't it? Did you know that Fran had never tuned/played his guitar in G 'till I turned him onto it in this tune? Then he puts this out...the guy's just such a natural. Like breathing...
[ Reply to This ]
2 excellent guitar players &mdash 10/10/07 - 12:23:20 PM
aside from the fact that you are both as good as anybody out there... the intertainment value of this top notch... you're more t han a player Bob... this is great storyteller/humorist stuff... that will give a song legs long after it's genre is out of "Fashion".... but the first thing I notices in the opening moments of the song, were the guitar sonuds... Time to go buy a RodesNT3... it doesn't hurt that you're both pros, but those guitars sound fabulous.... [ Reply to This ]
I use... &mdash 10/10/07 - 07:21:14 PM
...the Rode NT3 for recording and live stuff. Live, I play it through a Schertler "David" acoustic guitar amp. What a great sound! All my acoustic guitars.
Rode just makes great mics...I'm sure you'd find one to make you happy. Jiguma uses the NT3, too, I think. So does Johannes (Cori Ander)...though I haven't heard his take, yet). And katchoolik's got one for vox (can't remember the number, offhand).
I'm real happy you like this tune, Mr. Carmichael...it rings true 'cuz this stuff really happens...life can be funny that way...except when you're in the middle of it... [ Reply to This ]
ahhh! &mdash 10/10/07 - 05:10:20 PM
~ &mdash 10/11/07 - 11:45:38 AM
most excellent &mdash 10/10/07 - 11:07:51 PM
Enjoyed this cool tune. Nice lowdown
bluesy tune. Fine performances. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks, Mori... &mdash 10/11/07 - 12:52:16 PM
...enjoyed your last collaboration. Looking forward to your next piece... [ Reply to This ]
knots in &mdash 10/10/07 - 11:30:38 PM
I used to... &mdash 10/11/07 - 10:12:11 AM
...do tree work with a sailor. Korean War vet. He'd make these ridiculous knots and, when I'd ask what it was called, he'd say: "how the f@*k would I know?" (cursed like a sailor, too). He was so good he'd make 'em up.
Thanks for the listen, FT... [ Reply to This ]
Ha ha! GRRRRRRRRRRREAT! &mdash 10/11/07 - 04:02:38 AM
Wonderful slinky guitar picking and slidin'! Fall down laughing lyrics delivered dead-pan and tongue-in-cheek. Freakin fun track gentlemen! We all have days like this. All you can do is laugh and keep on keeping on!
Be well!
Kamikaze Ballerina: http://www.macjams.com/song/35895 [ Reply to This ]
~ &mdash 10/11/07 - 04:22:12 PM
Resonant &mdash 10/11/07 - 07:59:22 AM
~ &mdash 10/12/07 - 02:55:25 PM
This one is so cool &mdash 10/11/07 - 11:49:44 AM
Yes this is the life we (some) living.
KUDOS... To you guys... LOve it.
Take care
---
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Actually... &mdash 10/12/07 - 03:31:57 PM
...I've never experienced adversity of this sort at any time in my life. I'm just schilling it for a very rich, eccentric, loser who wishes to remain anonymous...
...not...
Big thanks from both of us...
[ Reply to This ]
hehhehe &mdash 10/11/07 - 04:05:49 PM
Brought to you by... &mdash 10/12/07 - 03:38:24 PM
Kellogg's Cereals! Best to you, each morning!!!
...ughhhh...where's that bottle, anyway...? [ Reply to This ]
Good &mdash 10/11/07 - 07:03:57 PM
lyrics and vocals.... and of course with some of the best guitar backing there ever could be. Great stuff, M [ Reply to This ]
Thank you, moviz... &mdash 10/12/07 - 03:56:37 PM
Hope it was a Monday &mdash 10/12/07 - 11:46:42 AM
Wonderful playing, amusing lyric. Makes me wonder where all them talking blues from the 60's went. Looking at your scores, looks like someone doesn't like it, or maybe you (problem with saying/doing anything; you're bound to piss off someone).
Cheers, Shaky [ Reply to This ]
Yeah... &mdash 10/12/07 - 03:09:07 PM
...got bombed early on. That's ok, though...guess I'm just not a mind-blowing/earthshattering/grand artistry kinda guy on this one, say wot? I can live with that. *sniff, sniff*.
And, "yeah"...I do tend to like to open my big trap at times, yes I do...
Hey...thanks for checking it out, Shaky...glad you liked it. Means a lot, man... [ Reply to This ]
another side &mdash 10/12/07 - 01:57:30 PM
I wasn't aware of this style in your make-up, what a pleasant suprise.
It was funny, but I came to your song just after commenting to Dadai's response to my postings of Chris Smither tunes. After hearing this one, I immediately thought of his tune, "Let it go" from the "Train home" CD. It's a tune he wrote when he looked outside and found his car stolen. Check it out somtime.
This tune shows me one of your other sides. Enjoyed very much. [ Reply to This ]
Wow... &mdash 10/12/07 - 03:17:25 PM
...just checked out that post of yours. He's fantastic. Will do a looksie for that CD...
I love talking blues. This is actually the first tune I wrote on my Martin when I got it. The guitar just pours out fingerpickin' blues. No words for it for a bit...then I just saw the picture and wrote it down. Just so happened to be at a time that I was feelin' a bit picked on...fancy that...
Glad you liked. I love to listen to Fran on this...keep hearing new things... [ Reply to This ]
Mark's right... &mdash 10/12/07 - 09:56:07 PM
You sound like you're in the same room...
Talk about some crisp bite from those strings...
Quite the acoustic guitar feast in the headphones... You guys just need an upright bass and some dude playing a single snare drum...with brushes...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Fran's fault... &mdash 10/16/07 - 12:03:50 PM
...it's all Fran's fault...
...yeah, Ed; he really did some job on the production. Don't know if you caught it, earlier...but this is the first time he'd played in G Tuning...unreal...
[ Reply to This ]
women n children first &mdash 10/15/07 - 02:43:29 PM
This feels like the first time I've responded to one of your tunes - hopefully not cos you keep appearing on mine and I try not to be introverted.Nice crisp recording - wish I could get mine this clear.Zitis playing overlay is panned smartly around the rhythm,but nicely mono'd out in the middle (mono'd is a technical term I just invented,hehe).Like that mad scrabbling attack someone has at one point.I dont hear too much rhythm in the vocals - they just seem to flow along - then again maybe I've got no rhythm.I always end up saying that certain songs would sound great in a road movie and thats cos I love road movies and they are mostly often set in the desert.We dont have the desert here,so I always imagine a desert setting specially when it comes to blues,and thats what I think of here.Long shadows,and dust and down n out.Ive just recorded a song about a down and out though he's more of a mythical character living in a caravan but its a favourite topic for sure.Interesting about the sailor and his inimatable knots - I've met a few characters having always lived by water.Great song - plan to listen to more of your stuff,regards RG. [ Reply to This ]
Know what you mean... &mdash 10/16/07 - 11:45:53 AM
...about the "road" and "down and out" blues. Very desert like (I lived in Tucson, Arizona for about 5 years...love the desert). Even moreso when you add a slide. That "wide open" feel...big sky...etc...
Thanks for the drop by, paddler.
Cheers,
Bob [ Reply to This ]
love it &mdash 10/15/07 - 04:47:23 PM
I really like this kind of songs.. Great guitar work and some good lyrics... love it [ Reply to This ]
Thanks... &mdash 10/16/07 - 11:59:47 AM
wow! &mdash 10/15/07 - 06:57:33 PM
you guys hit the mark with this...A lot of character this has and for that it gets 5 stars, put me on that Ziti/GP list, whens the show? [ Reply to This ]
Doing some gigs... &mdash 10/16/07 - 12:07:57 PM
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Outstanding. (one thought, dial back the vocal just a tad... a little to0 up front?) But what do I know, eh?
Great vocal and lyrics to go with your classic guit playing... love the slide.... oh yeah!
carry on...
[ Reply to This ]