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Keywords:
A Bit Of Light (14), slow tango (1), other side of the window (1), TobinMueller (34), Tobin (66), Tobin Mueller (6)
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Description:
"Bring On The Storm" contains the phrase "a bit of light" which became the title of my latest CD: A BIT OF LIGHT, available from The Lost Records (Alimar's company). All proceeds go to Alimar for sales from his website (for just this CD), so please check it out.
Some of the backing vocals lyrics can get lost in the shuffle, so please take a look at the lyrics below. The background rhymes are some of my favorites I've done.
This song began as a tango for a film I scored, the only one that didn't use violin. I decided to fill it out with vocals and got carried away. I was also listening to Jon Anderson and Vangelis at the time, if you can hear the influences. One of my favorite aspects of this song is the build and fade, like a storm passing. I also enjoyed the vocal harmonies - singing them made me feel like I was buoyed by wind and cloud.
Other songs that started as film scores (to the same film) include:
Be My Love
Tango (The Dance)
A BIT OF LIGHT is progressive folk fusion, a mixture of rock, jazz, folk and prog. Other MJ contributers musically are: McBoy, TEXASFEEL (John Luper), Thoddi (Thor Oliverson), Komrade K (Martyn Kember-Smith), bbarner (Bill Barner) and other NYC friends, including the excellent jazz sax player Donny McCaslin and Belgium violinst Entcho Todorov.
Lyrics:
BRING ON THE STORM
Cover me like rain.
Run me along the streets.
Cover me, wash me over like thunder.
Catch in your palm every sweet grain and leaf.
Trace me around the jagged edge of light...
Face me, trace me, grace me with the jagged edge of light
...cauterize the distance between
this storm and me,
between every echo.
And like the rain I touch the glass.
And like the rain I fall too fast.
And like the rain I take a bit of light from heaven.
And as the rain that falls away
I soon grow cold and cannot say
And all my brittle little life dries on my tongue.
Please shape me, aweigh me, translate me into illusion.
Mutate me, satiate me, lib’rate me with your confusion.
Inflate me, filtrate me, anticipate me like the winds.
Radiate me, ideate me, permeate my soiled dusty sins.
Cover me. Give me shape, give me form.
Cover me. Let me drape my heart around the coming of the storm.
Bring on the storm.
...like the rain I touch
...like the rain I fall
...like the rain I take a bit of light from heaven.
...as the rain that falls away
...I soon grow cold and cannot say
...all my brittle life... dries away.
©2007 Tobin Mueller
Hardware:
Roland A-90
Mac Quad
Software:
GB 2
DP 4
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Great ! &mdash 10/25/07 - 01:59:55 PM
Mr. Tobin, as it's one of your favorite music works, it's one of my most favorite songs not just from your songs, at MacJams too ..
Just wonderful, the beats so clear and fits, the vocal is very very beautiful. This is very great song sir. Loved it from all the sides and here's my 10's
Take Care
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi
[ Reply to This ]
storming &mdash 10/25/07 - 02:21:41 PM
Comparing the build of the song to variations in strength of the wind on a rainy day. As I enjoy when such weather keeps its wildest horses indoors, I also appreciated that the strongest winds where held back in your song. Your backing vocals are spot on, and very well placed in the mix.
You have a special gift with words Tobin. The metaphors you use are strong and vivid, and shows that you are in touch with who you are in relation with all that we are.
All the best:) [ Reply to This ]
Restraint &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:17:53 AM
Thanks for you cool comment "I also appreciated that the strongest winds were held back." I am a big fan of Debussy who taught me restraint and the emotional power holding back brings. I'm also proud of the way the metaphor of rain/storm kind of flips perspectives imperceptibly, as if I am both part of and anticipating the storm, like love and its anticipations. I wanted to make this visceral, and rain on the window was where I started when I first began writing the lyrics. [ Reply to This ]
very nice indeed &mdash 10/25/07 - 03:07:21 PM
love your lyrics and they vocal inter play is wonderful...of course there is the music..simply great. so much talent [ Reply to This ]
Good Stuff &mdash 10/25/07 - 03:26:26 PM
A lot of good things going on here :)
I would like to highlight the vocal harmonies, the chorus features high quality harmonies you hardly ever hear in other music. Even Broadway music often skimps on the harmonies and goes for simpler more pop music sounding choruses. This is a real treat for the ear.
Thanks
Bill [ Reply to This ]
Harmonies &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:23:01 AM
Your comment that "even Broadway music often skimps on the harmonies" is very true. More recently, I am saddened by how often duets are sung in unison and how most choral arrangements are held to 2-part harmonies. As if audiences couldn't comprehend more. It might also have to do with rehearsal time, which is always getting shortened. Thanks for noticing the harmonies. After the great sound Crosby, Stills & Nash got, and Yes' lush studio recordings, I'm surprised more rock doesn't try for harmonic stylings. Lots of emotions can be had with a surprising harmony note. [ Reply to This ]
More &mdash 10/25/07 - 04:05:01 PM
joined up writing. Excellent in every way and spot on production.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
Bring On The Storm &mdash 10/25/07 - 04:45:33 PM
sweet guitar work n the start ..the singin very
soulfull ..genuine a word to give to this song !
just wonderfull ! [ Reply to This ]
a clinic &mdash 10/25/07 - 05:54:24 PM
on composition and chord progressions. very nice. i dont know what else to say. floored by the music.... [ Reply to This ]
chord progressions &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:24:55 AM
Thanks. I paid special attention to the bass notes on this one, played by a drop string bass guitar, which makes it sound unique. [ Reply to This ]
very nice &mdash 10/25/07 - 06:34:52 PM
i especially like the intro, very haunting.the rhythm is very hypnotic. haven't heard the Jon Anderson/Vangelis collab, but I can imagine it being in this vein. great job Tobin. [ Reply to This ]
I would be proud &mdash 10/25/07 - 09:23:42 PM
If this I was listed as the writer... but the vocal arrangment is where this really shines... I have to, say when your voice becomes softer & tender in the "Like the rain" section.. It may be my favorite vocal work of yours to date... your musical arrangments and composiions are so smart and schooled... but this does not become steril or clinical... you pay great attention to the eb and flow, and it is certainly dictated by the content... this frames the lyric and main thrust of the song so well...
"cauterize the distance between
this storm and me,
between ev%u2019ry echo"
this section is brilliant... and subtle
and the vocal layers on "bring on the storm" are stunning... as good as it gets... wonderfully performed as well as concieved [ Reply to This ]
on my tongue &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:30:21 AM
I have trouble enjoying my solo voice, and feel more comfortable hearing my voice when I'm doubling myself or singing harmonies. I like the "like the rain" part, tho. Also, I like the way I went into falsetto on the word "tongue" (which I did becuz I was running our of air and had to, but I ended up liking it better that way, a happy accident) on the stanza:
And as the rain that falls away
I soon grow cold and cannot say
And all my brittle little life dries on my tongue.
That section gives the text a more complex layer, almost ironic, in a nostalgic way. Thanks for your great comments and wonderful support. [ Reply to This ]
It's all great, Tobin... &mdash 10/26/07 - 06:20:28 AM
...just a wonderful song in every aspect...quite a talent, there...
:) [ Reply to This ]
*Lightning* the Load... &mdash 10/26/07 - 03:45:52 PM
Seeking shelter from the Storm of Life is one thing... but beseeching transmutation is not everyday fare for lyricists. Interesting concept.
Wonderfully performed and produced, with special kudos on the harmony work here. The shifting moods and movements... and the stops. It's all very good.
This is another theatrically powerful composition you've written, but I believe this is my favorite. It has so many wonderful elements going for it. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
the stops &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:34:43 AM
Thanks for noticing the stops, the spaces. I love that in other people's work and often don't build in enough in my songs. When I'm writing for the theatre, I write them in all the time to enhance the actor's ability to make something out of the moment, but often don't afford myself the same time "to think" (which lets the listener think as well). Your comments and attention are much appreciated. [ Reply to This ]
This is... &mdash 10/26/07 - 10:07:22 PM
the kind of song that usually leaves me speechless.... (long silence)
I relished every note of the instruments and vocals... [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful &mdash 10/27/07 - 06:37:16 AM
Fine poetry &mdash 10/27/07 - 04:25:16 PM
That's the first thing I notice. I enjoy the contrast between the spare sections, and then the addition of percussion with the the vocal harmony parts. The guitar is absolutely wonderful. Interesting choice to use strictly vocal harmonizations, rather than adding string backgrounds. [ Reply to This ]
What's not there &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:51:10 AM
Thanks for the nice comments about the poetry. But a special thanks for noticing what's not there, what I left out (strings, doubling the vocals in anyway. etc). I usually put too much in an arrangement and was trying to avoid that here. I was going to do more accordion, and more piano chording, but then thought it best to stick with simple notes, letting some of the chords just imply themselves. (Also, nice job the the riddles in the forums.) [ Reply to This ]
Jon Anderson's Summer Stock show &mdash 10/27/07 - 07:38:57 PM
I know what you mean about your 'influences' for this, but I hear more unfairly-marginalised theater than prog. Really well sung, and very cleverly put together; I listened to it the day you posted it, but it took me a while to get comfy with it (one of my favorite things). You probably already know Jim Bauer/ The Weimarband/Dagmar, but if not, you certainly should. [ Reply to This ]
Jim Bauer &mdash 10/28/07 - 10:45:50 AM
Thanks for the nice comments about musical theatre. It seems that no matter what genre I try, it always sounds a tad like musical theatre, which people usually consider a criticism. Thanks for making it a compliment.
I dig much of Bauer's Blue Flower, its progressive folk feel, the textures. Thanks for reminding me it. I'm off to iTunes to se if its listed... [ Reply to This ]
Wonderfull &mdash 10/29/07 - 02:39:52 AM
I love the melody , the vocals harmonies , the building of the song .
Generous creation .
[ Reply to This ]
Generous creation &mdash 11/02/07 - 10:53:30 AM
Thanks. Your creations are all so generous, the perfect word for your work. I appreciate your particiaption a great deal. [ Reply to This ]
Like wandering &mdash 10/29/07 - 03:45:04 PM
through an enchanted forest, every turn brings an unexpected delight, whether in harmonic transition, change of tempo, harmony to solo, motion to stillness. Also reminds me somewhat of the fresh harmonies and guitar tunings used by the early CSNY (where the vocals cascade into harmony in the phrase starting "round the jagged edge..."). Authentic and powerful performance, lyrics and composition!
Thanks so much,
Doug [ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 10/30/07 - 08:22:16 AM
! =0
real "fusion" music. traveling all over the world within 4 mins with the music ! [ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 10/31/07 - 10:38:10 PM
Hi Tobin &mdash 11/01/07 - 01:40:43 PM
I really like your music but I think your vocals are to loud. Your lyrics are meaningful but not mind blowing enough to take away from your amazing composition.
A good post non the less.
HA! [ Reply to This ]
Vocals too loud &mdash 11/15/07 - 09:31:40 AM
Nice! &mdash 11/02/07 - 08:53:15 PM
The many lush parts are contrasted my the sparten passeges, I like the fact that the vocal was focal point of the song abit like CSNY. Im guessing that was an artististic statement and decision and not an accident. "Progressive Folk Fussion" is a genre and a half. Continued Excellence.
Regards [ Reply to This ]
well that's different, &mdash 11/03/07 - 06:03:53 PM
To be honest, at first I wasn't getting it, but before I could hit the stop button something drew me in, and now the more I listen to it the more I like it. This isn't background music. I think you should bring the instruments up too. Very good work Tobin, thanks for posting it. [ Reply to This ]
"something drew me in" &mdash 11/15/07 - 09:34:58 AM
Thanks for giving it time. You know, when you are recording/writing, you listen to your own song hundreds of times. Its hard to get inside the head of the first-time listener. I',m glad you weren't impatient and that you ended up liking the overall effect. I am flat, vocally, on that first stanza, but right myself by the end... (My retakes were worse, so I ended up going with this one) [ Reply to This ]
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Just wonderful, the beats so clear and fits, the vocal is very very beautiful. This is very great song sir. Loved it from all the sides and here's my 10's
Take Care
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi
[ Reply to This ]