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This is the last actual song in Amokopera. You're supposed to leave the theatre crying and singing this.
The hero has not had such a bad life and as he slips from this world he is surrounded by a loving family (unlike the guy from 'Nobody Loves You When You're Old'which precedes this song).
A choir of angels (thanks Rebsie) sing some wonderful harmonies and Rebise plays a REAL harp (none of this software stuff for us - well except for the steel drums, trumpets, strings....)
I really struggled on this mix so feel free to comment on what it should have sounded like.
Lyrics:
to be posted later
Hardware:
Strat, electric 12 string, acoustic 6 string, acoustic harp, electric bass, Samson condenser mic, Rode condenser mic, Scottish 30 string harp
Software:
GB, modified BIAB drums
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But it's happy!! &mdash 12/16/07 - 11:56:37 AM
Well, sort of, as the protagonist is obviously dead. I love the calypso feel to this, and can imagine the audience leaving whistling this... very Pythonesque! Mix sounds great to me Dick, nice harping n singing from Rebsie too!
Does this mean Amokopera is finished??!!!
steve [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Steve &mdash 12/16/07 - 12:17:14 PM
not quite finished.
Two more songs (one nearly done and one unstarted) and the overture.
I'm still not sure of the mix but thanks for the comments.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
definately get the &mdash 12/16/07 - 11:47:46 PM
python/idle comparison but the first thing that struck me when i heard this was 'this is a ray davies/kinks lost song'
:-)
as i said elsewhere...fantastic [ Reply to This ]
Brown Bread &mdash 12/16/07 - 12:10:30 PM
Now this is all so new and unexpectable for DWL !!!
sure its a cool song and very much soothin one .
and I m very impressed by Rebsies Harps playin totaly
so new and awesome ..what a surpise though .thnx for
sharin it ..!!! [ Reply to This ]
Hi Feter &mdash 12/16/07 - 12:21:48 PM
you should get an award for your services to MJ!
I really appreciate the comments and your continued support.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
Anyone who had a harp &mdash 12/16/07 - 12:25:06 PM
First thoughts when hearing this: Ian Dury, 10cc, Buddy Holly, Adam Faith. On reflection though I also understand why certain parties thought you might have out Eric-Idled Eric Idle. Wonderful lyrics and a terrific overall sound. I'd like to go out singing this. I'm really looking forward to hearing the whole opera. [ Reply to This ]
Buddy and Adam &mdash 12/16/07 - 02:46:05 PM
I'm impressed Mr EG.
You got the pizzicato strings.
I'm so pleased :-)
Thanks in abundance.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
This is fantastic &mdash 12/16/07 - 03:28:29 PM
High praise, thanks Bryn &mdash 12/16/07 - 03:49:01 PM
You are the master of camp Dick &mdash 12/16/07 - 04:00:00 PM
Love the tune and the lyrics. Excellent mix and Eric Idle better keep an eye out over his shoulder my friend. This is some really great stuff. I also can't wait to hear the finished opera.
Bravo to you and Rebsie for a magnificently well done job.
Ed
[ Reply to This ]
Camp? hmm maybe &mdash 12/16/07 - 04:31:04 PM
I'm pleased you enjoyed it Ed.
Mr Idle might be suing me at some point.
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
ballad of brown bread &mdash 12/16/07 - 06:24:12 PM
immediately the bass grabbed me. a bit of The Ballad of John & Yoko.
Has a happy overall appeal. ( not that we are glad he's gone)
Nice to get a calypso feel from this as well (considering, there is nothing but snow & ice outside) really warmed me up.
I have to wonder that when you first started this project, did you know what you were getting yourself into?
You are a Superman, Dick. [ Reply to This ]
Superman? &mdash 12/17/07 - 07:04:41 AM
That'll wearing my underpants outside my trousers then :-)
or is that "shorts outside my pants"?
Anyway, no I didn't really know where this would take me and I'm kinda surprised that I've got so far.
Like eating an elephant really.
Thanks Vic
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
Like Gibbon, below..., &mdash 12/16/07 - 08:09:32 PM
...I, too, am anxious to hear the whole opera from start to finish without interruption. This LAST song is really well-mixed and has such a terrific feeling to it. Your vocal reminded me of Anthony Newley...and I am a big fan of his two moderately-successful musicals in th 60s. Very comfortable with spoken asides that just feel so natural. Rebsie's harmony is just the ticket here: perfectly suited to accompany and finishing up the overall sound. (Not to be too critical, but check out "brown" each time it begins the refrain. Lead vocal is just slightly under pitch...easy enough to fix I would think.) This is such an ambitious project and I feel lucky to be hearing the first cut of it all. Wonderful. Thank you, Dick.
Peace.
Paul [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Paul &mdash 12/17/07 - 08:16:22 AM
An almost complete version of the 'opera' is at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=661117, all in order just press play!
I really appreciate the comments Paul, it's been a long road and still more to come. I've had to drag all sorts of styles out of my bag of musical memories and it's great to get positive support from musicians I respect.
I was aware that my singing was not of the highest quality and was going to do another take but I've been hampered by a throat infection which makes me sound like Captain Beefheart!
It will be fixed!
Thanks again.
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
"Brown bread... &mdash 12/16/07 - 09:46:32 PM
...now I'm dead".
LOL
Funny and, musically, really cool. Up note to it. [ Reply to This ]
I like funny &mdash 12/17/07 - 10:31:14 AM
we get too serious about music sometimes!
We need a bit of a larf now and again :-)
Thanks
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
Dick &mdash 12/17/07 - 01:52:34 AM
This is fantastic - what a great idea. A very, very well written song and performance. The mix sounds perfect to me. Maybe the spoken part in the left channel towards the end might be a tad louder - but could just be my ears.
Touch of the Oliver's about it (a really good thing IMO).
Really enjoyable - I can't wait for it to be finished too.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
Oliver was an inspiration &mdash 12/18/07 - 07:03:06 AM
Graeme, who wrote most of the lyrics and the melodies, saw the
whole "opera" as a cross between Oliver and Tommy.
I'm also looking forward to completed project!
Many thanks for your comments.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
Nowt wrong with that mix &mdash 12/17/07 - 09:01:12 AM
You're totally bloody amazing Dick. I'm very proud of you and proud to be involved in the opera.
I want this played at my funeral. [ Reply to This ]
Couldn't have done it without you! &mdash 12/18/07 - 07:25:14 AM
On the subject of funerals you aren't the first to say that. Sheila intends playing it at mine and it's gotta be better than Robbie Williams singing Angels :)
Thanks
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
&mdash 12/18/07 - 12:27:53 PM
If anyone has the gall to play Robbie Williams at my funeral I'll find someone in the congregation with mediumistic skills, and heckle.
We should do a whole album of funeral songs - think of the gig opportunities! [ Reply to This ]
Cor lumee & &mdash 12/17/07 - 10:28:01 AM
Blimey. No, not an East London Funeral Directors, but my impression at this chez d'ouevre (that's poached eggs for the uninitiated amongst us). The mix is perfect. Don't touch a thing.
Rebsie's input is incalculable (well, I suppose you could count the bytes) but what I mean is that she has brought a lightness to the overall levity and the lead electric harp is faboso.
Well done to all three of you.
Sir Dennis [ Reply to This ]
Cor blimey guv'nor &mdash 12/18/07 - 03:11:49 PM
you must be some kind of Tom Sawyer the way you use those lemon curds.
Much appreciated Chas!
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
Another &mdash 12/17/07 - 03:35:59 PM
Another stirring chapter in the Amok opera! Chorus works very well. Maybe your struggle in the mix is using the software steel drum, trumpets, strings.... Of course this would sound better with a real orchestra, but it sure sounds good to me as it is.
Thanks
Bill [ Reply to This ]
A real orchestra would be great &mdash 12/18/07 - 03:13:37 PM
English accent &mdash 12/17/07 - 11:31:06 PM
The accent is compelling to my Midwestern ears. Brown bread? You're dead? Did the bread kill you? I love the jubilation in the face of misfortune. Cool song. [ Reply to This ]
Just to enlighten you, Richard ... &mdash 12/18/07 - 07:48:34 AM
It's cockney rhyming slang. E.g. "he's brown bread" means "he's dead".
English accents is one thing we're both good at. :) [ Reply to This ]
Ah the joys of a common language &mdash 12/18/07 - 03:15:44 PM
Bryn made me come listen.... &mdash 12/17/07 - 11:31:17 PM
(actually, I told Rebsie I'd get caught up on my listening, too)...
But I finally made it here!
LOVE this!!!
What a terrific song. So catchy, so buoyant.
Clever lyrics, wonderful singing/playing.
You two make an awesome collab team!! :D
Kudos! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Mysti &mdash 12/18/07 - 03:20:11 PM
Most of the credit should go to Graeme Hobbs who wrote the lyrics and the melody and would have sung it himself if he had recording equipment where he lives in Spain. All I did was make up the other stuff and get Rebsie to lend credibility to my efforts.
Thanks for the comments I'm pleased you enjoyed it (and I owe Bryn one)
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
ONE MORE TIME &mdash 12/18/07 - 08:04:09 AM
Cheeriest "Dead" song I've ever heard. Such Brit humour, Brilliant!
The 60s Calypso beat send up is Seriously Good.
Compelling Driver without drawing any attention to itself.
The Vocal sounds a tad short, while still crystal clear. Sounds like it could be opened a dB or two in the 2K to 4K range to mix with the top of the instrumentation. This is hardly an issue, just an observation.
Proportions and Production are truly top-shelf and Radio Ready.
The wit is total gift. Superbly written (I'm still thinking about the dogs).
appreciation and very best regards,
Cooper [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Mr Cooper &mdash 12/18/07 - 03:33:14 PM
a very fine crit indeed.
The vocals weren't my best and I may redo them or maybe Graeme wil but I'll bear in mind your suggestion. I just play about with the EQ until I get something I like so it's useful to have particular area to aim for.
I know it's odd but this is supposed to be a real "feel good" number. It's the last number and needs to reinforce the the basic moral of the story. This is very simple and it's that love is the most important thing.
By welcoming death he acknowledges he's had a great life and is surrounded by a warm and loving family. He's given rather than taken all his life and it's left him a better and happier person. A bit smaltzy I know but it works for us.
Thanks again.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
Had to &mdash 12/18/07 - 10:57:16 AM
I had to go back to the beginning to listen to the opera from the beginning. Boy am I glad I did.
You Brits no how to do it. You just know how to poke fun and make light of the things in life we let ourselves get freaked out about. Life.........you just have to laugh about it, what else can ya do?
I am so glad to have had you on me tune, I feel privileged. [ Reply to This ]
Beyond the call of duty ! &mdash 12/18/07 - 03:37:41 PM
but I'm impressed.
Strangely enough both Graeme and I are pretty serious blokes really but life's too short to write too many serious songs. We all need a laugh now and again :-)
Thanks a lot and thanks for listening.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
whatever you do &mdash 12/18/07 - 04:23:05 PM
leave it be. this is sweet perfection. i am so happy to be hearing this song right now. the mix is perfect; did you hook up with Anthony Newly on this one? seriously, leave the mix alone and worry about making sure that when you get this thing filmed, that it's done in Technicolor. Might be nice to have a redhead with a bouffant as your starlet. [ Reply to This ]
Redheads and Tony Newley &mdash 12/20/07 - 02:36:38 AM
that's a potent mix.
Thanks Michael, I'll have trouble concentrating now. Bouffants and pencil skirts.....
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
hehe &mdash 12/19/07 - 10:54:27 AM
I havent got an overall vision of the opera yet,but good you mentioned that link earlier on.I could also see this in a Fools and Horses special.Nowt wrong with yer vocals and captain beefheart is one of my all time favs by the way.In Birmingham we didnt have much rhyming slang but we do have 'kipper tie' and my cousin once fell on his Cannock - on a car park we were crossing.Cannock Chase same as boat race I think.Bloody hell - I didnt know rebs played the harp - its a bit ironic that I asked her to sing on a song then stuck a synth harp all over it.Love the steel drums too.
All in all - really catchy - with a chorusline singing this and the bows it would definately be whistled down the plate of meat(?!)
Happy Days,Dick
take it ham n' cheesy - Rich [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Richard &mdash 12/21/07 - 09:01:39 AM
It's taken a while but it's coming together.
Ham and cheese indeed!
I think you meant frog and toad ;-)
Cheers
Dick
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So Simple &mdash 12/20/07 - 08:26:34 PM
You make song writing seem so simple, with your simple song writing style. This is really fantastic Dick.
Who woulda thought that the brans behind the Kinks was in our midst. Glad you don't ever hold back here. You're an inspiration for fearless originality and disorderly conduct.
A hero to us all.
Bob
[ Reply to This ]
Nice to see you Mr Apendages &mdash 12/21/07 - 03:46:49 PM
Pleased you liked this.
I just want to reiterate it's Mr Graeme Hobbs the plaudits should be directed at.
I am but a conduit.
Many thnaks
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
online &mdash 12/21/07 - 03:09:32 PM
Yo! &mdash 12/21/07 - 03:48:15 PM
biba_Nova MADE me come here ...... &mdash 12/24/07 - 01:17:59 AM
A British-ish conga under the pogo stick sound to it ....... Now I am gonna break out my "coconut-bra" and dance around the room .... where did I leave that skipping rope ..... [ Reply to This ]
Brilliant!! &mdash 02/11/08 - 05:28:08 AM
So catchy and instantly likable that to have this in my head for the rest of the day will be a pleasure. The light hearted nature of this tune belies the wonderful craft in its production - which is absolutely first rate.
Cheers Dick,
I'm off to hear more...
Doug [ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 03/04/08 - 02:26:39 PM
Great mixing here between the music and vocals .. Enjoyed this very much, it seems that you had a lot of fun making this. Thanks for sharing!
WOW .. Smiling!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
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Does this mean Amokopera is finished??!!!
steve
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