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Molotov Spongecake by Rebsie [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1445
Comments: 67
Votes: 11
Plays: 265
Last Played: Nov 19, 2008 - 11:42:17 PM
Downloads: 72
Fans: 25
Uploaded: Oct 15, 2007 - 08:28:42 AM
Last Updated: Oct 15, 2007 - 08:28:42 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
Victor Grayson (1), cash-for-peerages (1), political scandal (1), murder (26), disappearance (1), London (3), dodgy blighters with monocles (1), tea (7), deathtrap (1)
Description:
Now that the slimy British government looks to have got away with the latest cash-for-peerages scandal, despite wasting nearly a million quid's worth of police time, I thought it was time to honour in song the protagonist of a previous honours scandal.

This song is about Victor Grayson, a socialist MP turned washed-up alcoholic who tried to expose the illicit gong-trade in David Lloyd George's government in 1920, and threatened to name and shame the agent responsible for it. He was spied on, beaten up, and then went missing, presumed murdered.

On 28th September 1920 Grayson was in London having a drink with friends when he had a phone call asking him to go to a hotel in Leicester Square. He was later seen being taken into a house by the River Thames, where he vanished without trace. Unfortunately several months went by before anyone noticed he was missing, and by that time the trail had gone cold.

Twelve years later Arthur Maundy Gregory, a political blackmailer and the owner of the house Grayson disappeared into, was convicted of selling knighthoods and sentenced to two months.

Nobody knows what happened to Victor Grayson, least of all me. So for the most part this is an imagined view of the last few moments of his life.


Rebsie: vocals, electric guitars, piano

© 2007 Rebsie Fairholm

Lyrics:
(If you want the sergeant-major
We know where he is
He's lying on the canteen floor
We saw him, we saw him
Lying on the canteen floor)

See now how a city street condemns
As the drizzle thickens on the Thames
You're counting the railings like missed chances
While the public don't give second glances
Through the haze of the wine you know where you should be
And a monocled dandy wants you round for tea

Power is what luxury affords
Ten thousand gets you in the House of Lords
Or plied with cake and a dose of tea-time violence
Served with a slice of permanent silence
Please don't take it personal my dear
It's how they deal with rebels here

The night slips down the drainpipe with the rain
And shadows brush the floorboards once again
Wheel the bedstead back over the carpet
And nothing ended here and nothing started

Hardware:
Rode NT1-A mic, M-Audio midi keyboard, Aria YS-300 guitar, Fender Aerodyne Strat

Software:
GB3
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Whooooooahhhhhh! &mdash 10/15/07 - 08:39:44 AM
Rebsie Girl!!! This rocks... I love the piano and the whole theme. I love the creative angle you took to get this one out... Oh man soo good! One or two smallish critiques... the guitar playing I dlove to hear a bit more fuzz or crunch or osmething on after the song gets through the first verse.. maybe the drums could us e a tweak, though I dont know what it actually needs... but you have this beautiful low fi thing going on that you should take care not to muss up!!

I just love this!! Really really love it!!

and man the piano is friggin sweet sweet sweet in this.. really frames the whole "up to no good" ambience very very well...and of course your vox are always spot on.. lyrically one of my faves!

Congrats on an awesome piece!!

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Low fi is my middle name &mdash 10/15/07 - 11:52:17 AM
Aww, thanks Jason! That was quick, I think you got to the songpage before I did. I'm really grateful for your enthusiasm, and the encouragement you've given me through a long period of songwriting block.

I haven't the foggiest idea how to do drums. I usually bottle it and leave them out of my songs altogether, but this one needed something to oil its rhythmic wheels, so it had to have whatever I could slap together.

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Master Gem ! &mdash 10/15/07 - 09:14:54 AM
Mrs. Rebsie, this is great by all the means. The vocal as always wonderful to listen (charming). The music here is very very very fine, lovely piano and the guitar here sounds amazing. Loved the song and will add it to my next MJ CD .. Thanks for sharing

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 11:55:24 AM
Thanks Yeman. I'm very pleased you like the guitar ... it's a big compliment from you because you play so well yourself.

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so this is England? &mdash 10/15/07 - 09:42:57 AM
still a bit of a sticky wicket, what?

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glued wicket &mdash 10/15/07 - 11:37:47 AM
We've had corrupt governments here since the dawn of time, but I guess some have been worse than others.

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Politics sucks... &mdash 10/15/07 - 11:45:00 AM
...but I DO like to listen to you play and sing about it...

...shame that speaking the truth can earn us so much trouble...

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 12:13:47 PM
Playing and singing about it is really the only way to deal with it.

Cheers Bob!

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The subject &mdash 10/15/07 - 12:20:22 PM
matter was of immediate interest here. Wonderful writing Rebsie. Nice to hear this 'electric' approach to your songs - love your guitar sound and the keyboards really work well. I like the simple rhythm you've used as it keeps the pace but without drawing attention to itself - the guitar is really rhythmic too. Nice, intimate vocals. An excellent song. Thanks for sharing.

Peter

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:02:45 PM
Thanks Peter! Yes I was trying to keep the drums as unobtrusive as possible, in the hope that they would do their job without anyone really noticing them. :)

The main guitar sound is the New Nashville preset in GarageBand, which seemed to work a treat with my old Aria guitar.

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cool everything &mdash 10/15/07 - 12:44:14 PM
Not being familiar with this particular piece of history you piqued my curiosity. Looks like Victor despite his shortcomings tried to stay true to his beliefs and outrage as to the sale of Knighthoods.

Your line "counting the railings like missed chances" conjurs up all sorts of imagery and meaning. I like it all. Nicely done.

We could use a few Victors this side of the pond now a days.

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:12:39 PM
It's not a very well known piece of history, which is one reason it appealed to me in the first place.

I think Victor must have been a good bloke. He fought (and was badly wounded) in the First World War and it made him really angry to see knighthoods being handed out to war profiteers while ex-soldiers were starving in the streets.

A politician with a genuine social conscience? I think they're an extinct species.

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PS &mdash 10/16/07 - 08:51:42 AM
The line about "counting the railings" dropped into my consciousness fully formed, and it was only afterwards that I saw it had multiple levels of significance. I like it when that happens.

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Good stuff! &mdash 10/15/07 - 01:15:14 PM
Very nice track Rebsie... cool to hear you riffing on electric guitar like a folkier PJ Harvey (actually her new album is fairly folky)
Its good to hear you putting your new strat to good use!
Cheers
Steve

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:18:22 PM
Thanks Steve. I'm really enjoying the electrics, it's like being 14 again. Most of the guitar work was done on my old Aria but the new Strat puts in a brief guest appearance doing the jangly psychedelic bits.

I'm still finding my way round the Strat but at the moment I'm completely in love with the bridge pickup.

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nice &mdash 10/15/07 - 01:25:30 PM
one Rebsie, it's great to hear you rocking out. this is a great song, don't know Brit politics, but i'm sure they're just as crazy as here.love the piano and the harmonies are great too.

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:23:16 PM
Well to be honest your head chimp is probably madder than all ours put together, but we're stuck with them anyway. Thanks for listening Michael!

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lets also &mdash 10/16/07 - 05:21:09 PM
not forget he bought himself into office ; )

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I was really &mdash 10/15/07 - 01:28:16 PM
surprised that you are the only person with the keywords 'dodgy blighters with monocles' I thought that there would be loads of them.
Some really lovely lyrics (The night slips down the drainpipe...) and a topical subject even if it is old.
Lovely vocals as always and very well played.
Cheers
Len



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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:34:05 PM
Well, the lack of dodgy monocled blighters is only because Brits are in a minority on this site ... though obviously there's a few of us here, hence the 6 references to tea.

I'm really delighted that you and others have said nice things about the lyrics. Lyric writing is usually slow and agonising for me and I never know whether they're any good or not.

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Rebsie, this is an endearing song, &mdash 10/15/07 - 02:32:28 PM
despite the sadly universal theme of corruption and the burying of truth. The melody works very well, so much so it has the feel of being well known (despite the fact that it is fresh!) and the piano/ guitar/ percussion backing flow along with just the right amount of involvement to support the vocal theme. Lovely vocals, particularly with the nice touches of the harmonies achieved with the overdubbing. A real pleasure to hear!

Thanks so much, and keep well!
Doug

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:41:05 PM
Thank you Doug, I appreciate your nice comments. I did worry that the piano line seemed a bit 'obvious' when I played it and that I might have inadvertantly stolen it from something, but I think that's a pretty normal songwriting anxiety. I improvise all my melodies so I've no idea where they come from. :)

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A Modern Classic for the Ages &mdash 10/15/07 - 04:09:29 PM
Will you marry me?

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&mdash 10/15/07 - 05:43:09 PM
Yes, why not. I'll just go and ask my husband if he minds.

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Completely Legal &mdash 10/15/07 - 09:10:32 PM
It should be alright, since you don't have a wife yet. Also, please try to get a box of his mother's bakewell tarts before we go on our honeymoon.

I hope it was apparent by my comment that I've just run out of superlatives and have to surrender to my love for you and what you do. This is just a wonderful song in every way, but especially lyrically.

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* sighs * &mdash 10/17/07 - 06:34:30 PM
Right thats it..I'm off to join the french foriegn legion

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Look... &mdash 10/18/07 - 05:07:14 PM
... you can take Rebsie, but I get custody of the Bakewell tarts... mmmmmm, custody!

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Hmm... &mdash 10/21/07 - 03:05:20 PM
Sir, I believe you mean custardy.

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custardy &mdash 10/29/07 - 01:30:18 PM
...don't forget rhubarby.

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Molotov Spongecake &mdash 10/15/07 - 04:23:44 PM
woo ..cool rockin ..this is very respectable
it has that sence of a protest song . your singin
just give it that feel ..(violence ! ) .
ye the Electric guitar light up all ..welldone !!

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&mdash 10/16/07 - 05:44:05 AM
Thanks Feter, I always appreciate your support. I guess it is a kind of protest song, even if it's 87 years late. :)

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riding a huge song... &mdash 10/15/07 - 07:03:54 PM
Rebsie, first I'll mention that the overall low-fi style of this doesn't feel quite right to me, the slightly off timing of guitars and piano and stuff... and I was trying to figure out if it was just because I had a bad day... but I think I know why now. It is because the melody, the harmonies, the really well-written lyrics, this just SCREAMS to be a well-known ancient ballad that everyone knows and sings... this is a really really good piece of music and writing. So I guess I was thinking that it really needs to be polished up, played and recorded really well... this is a very beautiful hauntingly captivating song, you need to cultivate this one!
ttfn,
Drakonis

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Thanks Eduard &mdash 10/16/07 - 06:20:01 AM
Well, I know we've had this conversation before, but ... low-fi is the way I like it. I know it doesn't appeal to everyone, but I love music which has personality and natural flaws.

I'd be the first to admit that I'm primarily a singer and my instrumental skills are not first rate, so I usually prefer others to play stuff for me. But I felt in this instance that the improvised guitar and piano was an important bit of self-expression and crucial to the song's character. (I hope that doesn't sound too arrogant!) So although it will be tweaked and tinkered with before going on any CDs, my rough and erratic playing is here to stay. :)

Sorry to hear you had a bad day. :(

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no arrogance... &mdash 10/16/07 - 07:52:21 AM
but hopefully my excitement came through... you know this is a really really good song?! I know you like the low-fi quick take style, and often that works, I was just saying this song feels like it could last through MANY renditions, I love it.
ttfn,
Eduard


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Aww ... &mdash 10/16/07 - 08:39:14 AM
Thanks a lot Eduard. Your enthusiasm is noted and much appreciated. :)

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Wonderful song &mdash 10/16/07 - 04:06:56 AM
I love the lyrics and the way you use your voice over that insistent pattern. It holds my interest throughout and it's a great story.

Cheers

Dick



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&mdash 10/16/07 - 06:44:05 AM
Well, a certain person whose CDs have been in constant rotation in my player might have had a slight influence on me here. ;)

I'm very pleased you like it and grateful for your support, inspiration and encouragement.

Thanks Dick.

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Habeas Corpus &mdash 10/16/07 - 05:10:33 AM
I'm sure this bloke lived down our road - he did good Elvis impressions. Timely number tho' - unfortunately justice needs evidence and a nod and a wink don't show up too clearly on CCTV.

Musically you've hit on something here... more of this please!

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Habeas Carpet &mdash 10/16/07 - 07:00:59 AM
A little known fact about Victor Grayson is that he was thrown out of parliament for doing Elvis impressions 40 years before his time. The Speaker just assumed he was drunk. Sad really.

Musically this is a direction I'm really keen to explore. So there probably will be more like this now that my songwriting block has shifted and I'm rediscovering my passion for electric guitars.

Thanks for your lovely comment.

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piano riff is fab &mdash 10/16/07 - 07:24:10 AM
Monocled dandies are cool. I like your voice. Be lucky.

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&mdash 10/16/07 - 08:56:37 AM
Thanks your royal highness, glad you liked it.

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The name &mdash 10/16/07 - 05:18:56 PM
of this song drew me in first ...great title I may have to use it in one of my songs ; ) I really love your voice cuts through the moment like a car headlights on a foggy night ...love the piano and guitar liks as well ...your vocal chorus is my favorite thing about your song ...lovely all way round ...downloaded and will be treasured : )

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&mdash 10/18/07 - 02:31:15 PM
Thanks DJ. I was hoping the title might attract some curiosity. :)

I came up with it one evening in the MacJams chat window during a conversation about bakery products and Russian politics. Had to use it for something.

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MLTVSPNGCK &mdash 10/16/07 - 10:33:52 PM
Poetic indeed! I throughly enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.

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&mdash 10/20/07 - 08:35:41 AM
Thank you for listening! Appreciated.

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I don't even have to listen first &mdash 10/17/07 - 08:28:59 PM
to know that i must download your songs.

Always beauties, they are.

And i do enjoy the electric guitar in this very much.


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&mdash 10/21/07 - 05:22:06 PM
Thank you Slumby, I feel the same way about your songs and with a voice like yours you could sing the contents of a phone directory and make it beautiful. I really appreciate your support.

That's a lovely cat you have in your picture ... reminds me of one we used to have who was much loved.

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Rebsie &mdash 10/20/07 - 06:34:25 AM
Wow... yet another so well crafted song. A bit different from your usual stuff, but very refreshing. The singing is enchanting as ever, and I especially love the harmonies. Looking forward to your 3rd CD :-)

-Walt

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&mdash 10/21/07 - 05:33:23 PM
Thanks for your lovely comment Walter, it's always a pleasure to hear from you. I like to try out different things but I'm always nervous about what people will think of them!

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Bit of politics &mdash 10/20/07 - 06:42:36 AM
You should feel priviliged, this is one of the first things I've listened to since getting brand new broadband access.

Superb recording, excellent lyrics.

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Welcome to MacJams &mdash 10/20/07 - 08:38:43 AM
I do feel privileged indeed! Glad you like it.

Now you've got the broadband sorted, are we going to hear some songs from you in due course?

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melody!! &mdash 10/20/07 - 08:26:11 AM
great melody!!! I believe what you are are singing. And the harmonies are
very very tight!!! Id like to hear more bass. But that has to be because Im a bass player..:) but the lowend on the bass drum is ok.
all and all agreat job!!!

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&mdash 10/25/07 - 03:43:38 PM
Yes, you're right ... I was going to add some bass but in the end I was too lazy. I have a nice little black Fender thing sitting behind my desk too which I hardly ever plug in. Shame on me.

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Great tune &mdash 10/20/07 - 10:01:54 AM
Loved it Rebsie. Wonderfuly descriptive story of the fate of a whistleblower. The lyrics, coupled with your vocal styling and music, did a fine job of capturing the doom of this truth-teller.

Great tune!




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&mdash 11/05/07 - 03:38:09 AM
Thanks Damien, I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

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10 out of 10 &mdash 10/21/07 - 06:48:43 PM
for History research (I'd never heard of this episode even at my great age LOL). I love all the imagery.. so well written and your vocal, guitar and backing performance is excellent. I really enjoyed this, regards M

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honour in song &mdash 10/24/07 - 05:26:27 AM
usually no much comments from me because my bad English language. I'm so sorry for that but too old to return to school...
So, I try to write simple but each comment is a great work for me when I try to translate all my feeilngs !
Rebsie, I just want to say I love your new tune, very well done on all levels, with a good mix of guitar, piano and as usual a fine voice, which is well adapted to this song.
Merci...
Marc


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the last &mdash 10/26/07 - 04:47:53 PM
in a long line to reply alas but u really nailed this thinks i, lyrics, elect. guitar was right on and of course the voice! rebsie, just getting round to some macjams foundation songs and am impressed. no wonder everyone luvs u!

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&mdash 11/05/07 - 03:36:29 AM
What a nice thing to say, thank you!

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Interesting Piece Here! &mdash 11/04/07 - 07:27:29 PM
Rebsie,

Really enjoyed the song, the Piano intro took me right

in

and the guitar sound great, Looks like you went with


your

initial choice of the Wonderful Fender Aerodyne Strat

High quality song, the piano (to me) has a baroque

sound

bed to it which is in great combo with the guitar

riffs.

Look forward to more.

dwwave

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Hey Rebsie &mdash 11/05/07 - 07:58:02 AM
Well done. Very good musicianship on this one. Great lyrics. If anything the guitar was a little choppy. But, great song. Very English.
God save the ............ oh, forget it.
Sir David Armbruster..........it only cost me 5,000 quid.

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&mdash 11/05/07 - 04:45:59 PM
Thanks David. Well, I'd be the first to admit I'm not primarily a guitarist but I do me best. Glad you liked it overall.

£5000? You were ripped off, mate.

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had commented before &mdash 11/05/07 - 08:03:59 AM
but evidently did not fav...how dumb of me...but a great excuse to listen again....download this time. great one rebsie

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&mdash 11/05/07 - 04:42:05 PM
Thank you! I'm very pleased you like it enough to download, that's always a nice compliment.

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Molotov Spongecake &mdash 11/25/07 - 07:59:46 AM
Lived it from beginning to end. Cheers!

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Clever &mdash 02/17/08 - 02:42:52 PM
It is very difficult in my opinion to pull off this kind of song: Polital/historical pop, but you've done it here, bravo. I can tell you're a very intelligent writer, i like this very much.

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Enchanting and entrancing! &mdash 05/25/08 - 01:42:40 PM
Intelligent lyrics ... singing in the vernacular... the way your voice moves from confident to vulnerable is absolutely delightful. I also love historical pastiche for song material - see my Jacobite when you get a chance. (http://www.macjams.com/song/41866)

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