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Curse of the Common Man (with BossHook) by NorthPoint [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 655
Comments: 27
Votes: 7
Plays: 46
Last Played: Jul 13, 2008 - 11:56:49 AM
Downloads: 32
Fans: 9
Uploaded: Dec 24, 2007 - 12:00:46 PM
Last Updated: Dec 24, 2007 - 09:00:48 PM
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Keywords:
Blues (390), Common (1), Man (28), War (114), Working (5), Job (3), Factory (3), Factories (3), Steel (3), Coal (3), Tax (2), Streets (5), Pray (11), Rosary (1), Angel (28), Bottle (4), Oregon (8), Portland (8), Illinois (2), Chicago (19), NorthPoint (6), BossHook (1)
Description:
I was discussing songwriting with Alan (NorthPoint) and our mutual admiration for gritty blue collar songs. With the casual confidence of a maestro, Alan then sends me a bass line sketch, scratch vocal and his written lyrics for quite a blue collar song indeed. So we put on our boots and got workin’ doing this together between gigs. Now I want to head to the Pacific Northwest to play it live with him!!

After laying down guitars to the drums without the low end I sent it off for the bass guitar and Alan got so down and right in the pocket that this is a bass player's delight right here. A very fine written lyric that really gives a bourgeoisie voice to what a majority of Americans feel these days trapped in our current politics and economy.
-- John "BossHook" LaMantia

Alan North Point: music, words, bass guitar and backing vocals

Johnny Boss Hook: acoustic and electric guitars, organ, lead vocals, drums

(b)

Lyrics:
Curse of the Common Man
Lyrics, Alan Crouch; Music: John LaMantia and Alan Crouch

These working towns are losing their life blood
We're fightin' far-away wars on the backs of our prodigal sons
The lord giveth, the tax man taketh way
He took it all except these two knees on which I pray

And with the setting sun, another day done,
I'm out on the streets again
And that's the way it is,
the curse of the common man

They closed the factories and sent our boys away
These rusty cages haunt us and darken our day
I roll the dice and try to climb out of this deep dark well
But I'm slipping away, a fallen angel crashin' down to hell

And when the sun sets low,
with an ominous glow,
I'm out on the streets again
And that's the way it is,
the curse of the common man

I'll take any lousy job just to make the day go by
I'm goin' nowhere fast and if it weren't for Marie I'd die
They grind you up and then the bottle helps to take the pain away
They'll take it all except my mama's rosary on which I pray

And with the setting sun, another day done,
I'm out on the streets again
And that's the way it is,
the curse of the common man
And that's the way it is,
the curse of the common man
And that's the way it is, the curse….
of the common man

Hardware:
Alan on Fender P-Bass and backing vocals with an SM-58 Mic through an M-Audio FastTrack box. Everything else, the wizardry of John in his Chicago studio. Thanks to John for taking this song from a simple idea to a tune I'll always be grateful he found.
-- Alan

Software:
Cakewalk Sonar
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just shufflin' through the gritty life... &mdash 12/24/07 - 03:27:48 PM
First of all, welcome to Macjams, I think you guys will really enjoy it here, and will BE enjoyed here. Really smooth shufflin' groove of a song, excellent singing, lyrics fit right in, great guitar, keys, backing bass & drums. Although the backing harmony-falsetto singing was awesome, it seemed ever-so-slightly loud, and I would have dropped it back very very slightly, not much though... that's the only production critique I can think of. Really well put together, recorded, and mixed.
ttfn,
Drakonis

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Thank you &mdash 12/24/07 - 08:00:57 PM
Thanks much Eduard. I appreciate you listening and your thoughtful comments. Merry Christmas!

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Socially conscious song writing &mdash 12/24/07 - 03:35:46 PM
It's a dying art, but very much appreciated when it's well done.

Nice job on getting such a balanced sounding dense arrangement. There's quite a few elements there, and it all comes together very nicely.

Coolness.

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much appreciated &mdash 12/24/07 - 08:04:05 PM
Thanks much VicDiesel. I'm glad you appreciated the song-writing style. It was a pleasure working on this song with John - I think he captured the feel we were looking for very well. Thanks for listening! -- Alan

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Reminds me &mdash 12/24/07 - 09:37:16 PM
a bit of old Boz Scaggs.Lots of soul,great lyrics,excellent guitar work.You guys are good!

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Boz &mdash 12/25/07 - 01:31:13 PM
Nice idea! I had not thought of the Boz Skaggs comparison but definitely appreciate the thought. Had a chance to see Boz when I was a kid growing up in Idaho - great show (always liked Lido Shuffle). I bet Bosshook will appreciate this thought as well.
Thanks much for listening,
Alan

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Excellent! &mdash 12/25/07 - 09:43:19 AM
This is really top notch stuff here guys. I love everything about this piece. Just everything. An instant fave!

Welcome to MJ. PLEASE stick around!

Be well!

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will do &mdash 12/25/07 - 01:33:12 PM
Mike,
You bet - we'll stick around for sure. Thanks for the kind words, and nice to meet a fellow Oregonian on MJ.
All the best,
Alan

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Strong Theme &mdash 12/25/07 - 10:39:49 AM
Thoughtful treatment of a powerful theme.

Nicely done.

Welcome to MacJams. ;)

--- Joe

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hi &mdash 12/25/07 - 01:34:21 PM
Joe, nice to meet you and thanks for listening. Take care, Alan

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Awesome &mdash 12/25/07 - 01:10:39 PM

I'd have brought the nice solo up just a fraction, backing vox level sounded fine to me :o)

Lovely sound, very pro done... like the keys, singing
and the bass, guitar and tune. Great partnership you
got going here guys. Encore!



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much obliged &mdash 12/25/07 - 01:38:07 PM
Alan from Scotland in Sweden,
Thanks a lot for listening, and helping us get started on MJ. I'm sure Boss will love to hear you want the solo jacked up - never heard a guitarist react different to that request LOL. Yes, Boss and I will hopefully get another collab up in 2008, we're kicking one around already. It is a pleasure and an honor to work with John LaMantia - personally I think he should be on the radio all over the world (oops I guess he is - on internet radio :) )
Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year! All the best,
Alan from Idaho in Oregon


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Curse... &mdash 12/25/07 - 11:49:09 PM
...it is...

But we ain't really "common", after all...are we? Not when you can write a tune like this to throw the yoke off...

Great harmonies. Good strong blues all around, you two. Great collab.

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Glad to hear.. &mdash 12/26/07 - 03:08:59 PM
you enjoyed it Bob. It's a big yoke; we'll need all the help we can get, and thanks for yours. --- Alan

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Hey there &mdash 12/26/07 - 11:21:03 AM
It's like I'm there in the bar-club but a bit set back. I should move from the self-pity-crying corner to the front row and act upon your entreaty. Time to get political. Ramp it up. Fight for the common man who keeps getting put down.

What did I say? I dunno but it sounds good to me.

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Fight on &mdash 12/26/07 - 03:06:15 PM
Thanks Richard. Fight on - Boss and I are with you all the way. -- Alan

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Yeah! &mdash 12/26/07 - 09:41:57 PM
Alan brought out the best of me in this song, and I thank him for allowing me to be a part of it.

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You're the Man &mdash 12/27/07 - 09:16:37 AM
Boss, anytime you need a bass track laid down, some lyrics written, or someone to lug your amp uphill both ways to the gig in those freezing cold, windy Chicago winters, just give me a holler and I'll be at your service. All the best, Alan

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Im such an Idiot &mdash 12/27/07 - 12:23:39 AM
I remember this tune well. Some how "Northpoint" didn't sink into my thick skull. You've done some great collabs, also dig the one with Mark. Love the lyrics and Johns vocals. Regards

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Thanks Buck &mdash 12/27/07 - 09:12:45 AM
Boss and I appreciate your kind words. Nice to hear from you, and have a happy holiday! -- Alan

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Curse of the Common Man &mdash 01/25/08 - 11:13:29 PM
WOW man this is just fabulous ..powerful blues
feel here .the bass sound so much early 70s !!
loved the keys and all ..just perfect work my
friend ..KUDOS !! !

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This almost has that ..... &mdash 01/25/08 - 11:18:00 PM
... "oh it takes me back to the day" sound .... wish I could just put my finger on which day I am talking about now ... but this sooooooooo reminds me of something (you probably know who it is) ... but it isn't Boz Scaggs .... but it was nice to reflect in any event ... nice tunage ... I agree with Drak .. I luv the harmony but would set it slightly back from the main vocal so that both can shine in their own rightful space ...

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Good Collab! &mdash 01/25/08 - 11:18:59 PM
Nice tune, played and produced well. Kick drum is a little too bassy in my phones, but apart from that, no nits. I like the organ and guitars and the basslines work just fine. Good vocals - good post! Rather than drop the falsetto back (well done on that btw), I'd be lifting the lead vocal instead.
Like it.
Neil

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Thanks Neil &mdash 04/05/08 - 12:33:51 AM
Your feedback is much appreciated. Good suggestions. Glad you liked the backing vocals, I was so blown away by John's lead vocal when I heard it that this part kind of came natural, in basically 1 take.


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oldie but goldie &mdash 02/14/08 - 03:00:34 AM
this has been on the iPhone for months, a classic!

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Common Man &mdash 04/05/08 - 12:23:44 AM
WOW - this is absolutely superb! I'm really psyched to be getting acquainted with your music - you're the maestro!

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Curse of the Common Man &mdash 07/13/08 - 12:00:14 PM
Boss is Boss on this he is a fantastic singer so he is :)
Music is excellent You both Rock !
Peace Dee.



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