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Keywords:
ghosts (18), alone (40), bed (15)
Description:
My daughter Stella wrote and recorded the basic tracks straight to her MacBook using the pinhole mic and GB (guitar and two vocals). I added bass, midi cello and midi drums - also cleaned up original hiss with Audacity. Stella's 17 and has played bass in bands for a few years - now she's starting to write alone with GarageBand. I just hope I didn't ruin this song - it really didn't need any help from me. Stella has her own page now: stellalucia
Lyrics:
ghosts in the picturefireflies clouding and shining up the glass jar
there's a ghost in this picture and it isn't you
it's strike number two
just who do you think you are?
willow branches grazing an ice-skating pond
december's eyelashes under the moon
your breathing is shallow and the ice-cracks are narrow
like spoons they curve out and around
chorus
and i'm holding your hand
across this great land
i don't know where you are but i know you'll survive
when you're sleeping not-alone in your room
never sleeping alone in your room
one time i knew you and we danced
gypsies and magicians making crazy rotations
finger-chains lock, cementing relations
but tarnished gold doesn't get second chances
no, no matter how many times it romances
no matter how many times it romances
chorus
you're sitting alone, it's dark but it's noon
your smoke making banners without words or sounds
and you'd cry or something but there's no one around
to hold both your hands and promise the moon
cause i was holding your hand
but then this great land
came up and swallowed it down to the wrist
blood pools in an ocean between us
and it rocks me to sleep in my bed
but i wish we were alone in your bed
how i wish we were alone in your bed
just take me home in your bed
just want to lie in your bed
© Stella Jones 2008
Hardware:
MacBook, iMac G5, Martin D8, Ibanez bass, Oxygen8 midi keyboardSoftware:
GB3, AudacityYou must be registered and logged-in to comment.
to have been possible for me when I was 17!! Seems I had so many more ideas back then :-|
I recorded a few jams with a buddy on a cassette tape once; that's about it, they sounded like crap.
This on the other hand sounds nice and produced to some degree. What a cool thing, Dad & Stella!
. - Harold
bud
I remember doing the same thing with an old reel to reel when I was younger. Glad you stopped by.
echoroom
This is off beat and discordant - the vox almost seem slightly out, but I think it's just the great, weird harmonies. This is kinda PJ harvey but scarier - and scarily talented for 17. Really liked this - moody as hell and great evocative lyric.
Feter
now this is awesome ..I wish I wrote such song when
I was her age .what a great talent .no you didnt
ruin the song at all ..thnx for sharin ...more more !!
Has a real folk but rock feel. Its lose but in a good way. The voice is very pleasing to the ear. If I didnt know who it was I would have thought it some lost track from a cool band in the sixties! Its all up hill from here for your daughter!
davisamerica
what i hear and steve hit on in his comments as well as feter are 3 pretty straight up things. 1. Seventeen years old and writing lyrically [ and musically] this cool 2. A Dad that can and evidently is willing to support such talent 3. And an innovative artist at 17 as well..... let's all try the "pinhole mic. thing" and see what happens...lol.
PS... don't worry about "messing things up".... sounds like she wouldn't let you anyhow... so hats off x2 and...pretty amazing..... get the lady a proper mic bud!
Ed Hannifin
...to have a MacJams account...
Lyrically, this is pretty amazing... and musically it's a weird, skewed waltz that really works...
Ed
bud
so I'll just have to thank you all collectively for dropping by for a listen and commenting. I'm very proud of Stella's writing on this one - and some of you noted that. She's a good musician (guitar being her most recent interest after piano, clarinet and bass) - but it's the writing that I'm digging these days. I suspect she may have her own page here soon.
Dj French Toast
This song is giving me chills and goose bumps ! This is a great song and is going strait into the mixed tape archives immediately ...The chilling yet soulful and heart felt lyrics bring visions of a woman walking in a white flowing dress and holding a sterling rose looking off into the ocean . This song makes me happy that Im alive . We are so lucky to be able to download it for free and spread it to everyone we know that would love this , The poem is great . I love the bass and strings totally add to the world thats created . This is a piece of art if you already dont know check out Juanita Molina , Joanna Newsome , Mirah and Spectratone International( one group name ) ,,,Im im my 4th listen .....Sorry to carry on but this really is a great song : ) Toast certified 8 )
Dj French Toast
Well now that its in my Ipod im listening with my Grado Headphones and the strings could come up a little ...the bass is sweet (Bud your bass kicks my soul into gear) .Stella your Voice and harmonies are Ill your guitar sings with you and I cant get enough of the Poem ! Please dont stop making music : )
cause i was holding your hand
but then this great land
came up and swallowed it down to the wrist
blood pools in an ocean between us
and it rocks me to sleep in my bed
Great Poem.... You already have a fan ! I wish I could wright poetry like this Steller Stella !
Rebsie
Oh, that picture! I remember it in a ghost book I used to read obsessively when I was a kid.
There's a kind of 60s retro feel to this (and I do mean that as a compliment) like a lost gem from another time, discovered in a dusty box on top of the wardrobe. It's nicely structured and well performed, and a fine piece of writing. And I love the way the vocal builds in emotional intensity towards the end but keeps its steady, compulsive rhythm. The harmonies are inspired ... dark and unsettling and exactly right for the song.
Stella, you have a really, really good voice. You go girl! :)
Peter Bauckham
agree with Rebsie - This does sound like a long lost song from the 60s. Stella's voice sounds wonderful - a little bit like Martha Wainwright with a touch of Melanie. A really compelling listen!
Peter
And harrowing. Great performances all around (good lyrics and singing Stella; good strings, Bud).
More!
Ibstrat
twisted and scary.Stella has a great ear if she can make up harmonies like that.If one of my teenage students ever wrote anything that good I would faint!
bud
I did my part and posted it after she left this morning. I talked with her a while ago and she's thrilled and grateful for the reception she's getting. She hasn't actually heard this mix yet. I hope she likes it. You're all very kind.
Vic Holman
I've been wondering when your daughter and you would get together on something. This is a start. Maybe we will hear the two of you together in the future? Heck, get Will in the mix as well and you can take up where the Partrige Family left off.:)
Joe Brady
Wonderful lyrics; quirky harmonies and a waltz that at times reminded me of some of Tom Waits stuff. Those little pinhole mics are amazing. Good post.
Joe
dajama
The lyrics are great - full of dramatic, evocative imagery, and haunting thoughts. Good voice, too, and nice performance, with some really nice harmonies. Sounds good, too. Very impressive. Nice work. Peace.
DWL
Veda Hille meets Marianne Faithful.
Wonderful lyrics and an edgy, uncertain backing.
Cheers
Dick
michael2
she did really great on this one (although i have her album and it's all good). this should have been on the Juno soundtrack. watch out, all of the indie fan boys are going to be lurking around your front door.
Moviz
that Eleanor Rigby quality that fascinated everybody when the Beatles did it. The vocals are good saying they came from the pinhole mic and the harmonies are great too, regards M
lengold
Original.
Cheers
Len
Dj French Toast
get enough of this song its my favorite song Ive heard on here so far and Ive listened to alot of music here .....This is it this is a hit ...Its not a mainstream hit but its an Inde hit no doubt : )
willnlf
crazy about the lyrics (particularly the first two verses and the last two lines of the chorus), the vocal harmony and the damaged waltz rhythm. Great mood start to finish. Picks up a bit of the sound of Marketa Irglova from Once. Love the cello!
guitapick
Please pass on my compliments to Stella. Really enjoyed this tune. The music and lyrics move hand in hand. Very finely crafted and the lyrics are, (not to be cliche): truly "haunting".
And your additions worked very well with the piece, IMHO, Kevin.
fireater
I dont have much to say except.... I love it, its great. Felt like dark folk music.
SmokeyVW
i wasn't sure at first, but it grows on you. i still hear it playing in my head minutes later - that's a very good sign!
spooky lyrics
thanks
Mystified
As has been said elsewhere, this sounds like a spooky waltz.
The singing portrays and enhances the surreal lyrics beautifully.
So glad you posted this here :)
lavalamp
Kinda' like the double tracking. It sort of reminds me of an obscure Velvet Underground. Like a Mo Tucker (The drummer) thing.
I can't believe she's 17. Absolutely brilliant. A diamond in the rough. You ought to really encourage her and I'm sure you do.
One of the most original things I've heard on this site. A real breath of fresh air.
I want to her more.
I like this a lot in the sort of Lo-Fi quality and I do indeed like what you did with the bass (Not too busy, just right)
I'm jealous.
Dave
The Fritters
Sounds like it could have come from the soundtrack to Juno. Which is meant as a compliment, since that soundtrack is really really great. I think that it would work well with just the guitar and voices and that the midi drums and cello and bass don't really add much (sorry, Dad). I sort of would like to hear it that way. The addition of drums and bass makes it more conventional and less personal. Great song! Keep it up, Stella!
bud
I think you're right about the overdubs. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to jam with Stella. You can hear the original version along with other tracks at her: myspace.com/lunaonelunaone
Elevator_Funk
That was awesome! Get her a record deal.
Elevator_Funk
I like the bass. It would benefit even more if you got really drunk and played a fretless with a heavy hand. Then play the percussion with old pots and pans from the cupboard. : D Just kidding, kinda.. (but seriously, i think it would add to the atmosphere!)
This songs going to be stuck in my head all night....
Alannah
.. that's my own made up word (a cross between chills and another made up word for goosebumps) ... my particular fav part is the harmonies ... almost like the harmony part IS the ghost singing along .... if there is such a NEW thing called MODERN FOLK .. I think this would be it ... it would emcompass the modern sound with the folk style ... sort of the way EMO (a new fashionable term) took over what used to be something else ... great style and originality and WOW again I echo what the others have said ... if this is what "17" looks like ... look out World .. here comes Stella !
musichead
new folk is a great name for this...groundbreaking if you ask me.
HipHopMoses
For only being 17, I hope you keep at it and I'm sure we'll be seeing you on a bigger stage. Your talent has raised the bar of expectation so continue to push yourself and learn everything about recording,mixing, editing ... Much enjoyed listen thank you for sharing can't wait to hear more.
Moses
five_extra_arms
What a gifted young gal Stella is. You probably read her Shel Silverstein poems since she was able to hold her head up. I know you're proud of her Bud. It's awesome to see your involvement with her music and the support and encouragement, not to mention being a roadie for her! You're my role model.
Thanks for a great download.
JOAN
I really love everything about it!!!! great song!!
...I was never writing anything like this when I was seventeen. Stella writes with a strength and insight well beyond seventeen years... (or do all seventeen-year-olds have this kind of eye, and we oldsters just get dull and blunted and forget the edge of being seventeen as we rant about the government whilst urinating in our pants full-time?)
There's a real haunting here, and your touches do no harm, Bud. Just the same, Stella's ready to shine on her own, if this tune is any hint as to what's to come!
kingbee
Loved the lyrics. 'december's eyelashes under the moon'...and the feel of it all. Really great stuff. You never fail to amaze Bud
bud
it's Stella - this is her thing.
Heightened
And superbly original. I will definitely be visiting your daughters profile!
gregd
in that last chorus.
Love the variation in this song. It returns but never repeats itself. Slick song writing and the multiple vocal lines are awesome/creepy.
good stuff,
-g
buckhorn
Are some of the best lyrics I've heard. I wish I could write like this. Glad French Toast turned my on to this. Excellent.
ageofthedeathtree
wow, amazing collab. i love the feel of this one, a lot. great voice, lyrics, and instrumentation. always nice to see/hear fathers and daughters playing together too. i truly hope my lil girl will do the same someday. thank you for such a great song!
age