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Description:
I tried to keep the lyrics a little vague so this wouldn't end up as a christmas carol. But it is about the tons of snow we have been getting in Eastern Washington. I'm tired of seeing it, getting stuck in it and shoveling it. There's so much, it probably won't melt off until may.
Lyrics:
From White to Gray
scattering black crows from the street
fading black smears the last i would see
stayed for a while cloaked in the haze
i will never see it in the same way
ch.
everything that's white and gray
nothing will stain this blank page
casting shadows that fade away
everything fades in white and gray
colors i knew bleached from the sun
if i could remember it's been so long
blizzard of white burns my eyes
frame my mind in flat gray
ch.
everything that's white and gray
nothing will stain this blank page
casting shadows that fade away
everything fades in white and gray
shades of gray embed the night
when morning comes it all turns to white
everything hides and covers the skies
white burns my eyes day after day
ch.
everything that's white and gray
nothing will stain this blank page
casting shadows that fade away
everything fades in white and gray
Hardware:
iMac, ibanez sa electric, ibanez ew acoustic, schecter 5 string bass, m-audio oxygen keyboard. condenser mike
Software:
Logic Pro 8
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From White To Gray &mdash 01/31/08 - 11:30:12 PM
Man !! ..this is a dark depression of grey I heard
that happened when heavy snow fall ..but wow ..
what a great song my friend ..just enjoyin the
heavy passion you giving here with your singing
and guitarn work ...just Groovey ..thnx for sharin
it !!!! [ Reply to This ]
thanks Feter &mdash 02/01/08 - 07:52:51 PM
yeah a lot of gray clouds. and it all makes cold winters seem way to long. I would prefer summer all year round.
I also thought a slower tune would be a good way to stretch out.
Thanks again Feter! [ Reply to This ]
Great production Vic - really excellent &mdash 01/31/08 - 11:33:02 PM
structural stuff happening and i like your use of tremolo in places. Is the Mamas and Papas quote intentional? I here "All the leaves are brown..." in the acoustic guitar phrase. Very cool - er - chilly. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Bud &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:00:37 PM
Nothing intentional of california dreaming, wasn't even thinking of it, but i guess it goes hand in hand.
the tremolo is a happy accident that i have on a preset of my pedal board. it's on a whammy pedal setting but when it's wide open it makes a cool chattering effect. funny thing know that i think about it i have maybe only used the whammy pedal once in a different song. [ Reply to This ]
Very &mdash 01/31/08 - 11:45:37 PM
thanks very much &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:05:19 PM
I'm looking forward to when the days will get longer. I was originally going to title it January but I thought to keep it a bit on the vague side.
Thanks much for the listen! [ Reply to This ]
From the opening bars... &mdash 02/01/08 - 12:09:39 AM
this is unmistakably you. Great draggy kinda tempo adds to the psychedelic sorta feel - you do write this stuff dipped in acid, dontcha???
Blizzard of white.... obvious drug reference!
Sounds like a n end of a movie track - widescreen and intense.
How do you do it, keep coming out with all these quality songs.
Its the drugs , isnt it?
steve [ Reply to This ]
in drag? huh uh &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:16:56 PM
recreational drugs was a very very long time ago. Now a days its a couple beers in the evening.
see how you turned that around, funny guy. but i did leave the lyrics vague enough for interpretation.
I did though want to give it a trudging in the snow feel though, so that kinda works.
Thanks Steve [ Reply to This ]
no, not a carol... nope &mdash 02/01/08 - 12:31:21 AM
heavy and dark mood cast over the skies of Washington... brought to you by "Vic and the Dismal Greytones." Great tune, Vic. Atmospherics on steroids here. I love the texture created with the acoustic mixed in with the electric. The keyboards are cool, as is the whole song.
It has been sunny and in the fifties here... and now, after listening to this I may go postal.... or maybe just go to sleep. Everything fades...
zzzzzzzz..... ;)
[ Reply to This ]
sure rub it in &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:22:18 PM
sunny here with the snow can make you go snow blind.
I don't know, I think it could be a nice winter carol for the Goth set.
When it does melt off them there is the potholes issue. stay tuned for that.
Thanks Jack [ Reply to This ]
This is &mdash 02/01/08 - 01:40:05 AM
superb! as Steve said, how do you keep doing it? Personally I think this is one of your best. I get the whole feeling in this song about having enough of it and want it to end. If the lyrics were christmasy this would be an 'anti' christmas song!
Production: Brilliant, Playing and singing: Brilliant, song: just brilliant!
Adam [ Reply to This ]
yes I'm not a skiier or snowboarder &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:30:55 PM
so winter doesn't interest me and the insurance companies around here must be groaning big time.
Coming up with the music comes pretty easy, the getting to the lyrics part is always the hardest part for me.
Thanks for the listen, really appreciate it. [ Reply to This ]
Almost Ringo-like... &mdash 02/01/08 - 06:54:26 AM
...drumming in this, not the typical looped drum, especially towards the end... Nice fade-in at the beginning...
The bass is simple but very solid, and I might vote for another dB or two of the bass, since so much of the guitar fun is happening in the land of trebleness...
I like the stereo spread of acoustic guitars, so there's high sparkly sounds in each ear...
I keep coming back to those drums, though...
Ed
[ Reply to This ]
I know Ringo gets the bad rap &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:40:50 PM
but i always liked his tumbling style. For a long I've been playing the midi drums on the keyboard. Here i went in and penciled extra toms to get what i was after.
Maybe the bass can come up some. I was a bit hesitant when i listened through my Sennheiser's, there the bass could come up, then i listened through my AKG's and more bass was present. Funny how much difference there can be through speakers & headphones. I'll have to run it through my car stereo that has 10 speakers, excessive, huh? [ Reply to This ]
It's Vic without a doubt! &mdash 02/01/08 - 06:55:23 AM
Epic concept and epic proportions! How the hell do you get the time to do these?
Great lyrics and a lovely wash of sound.
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
Hey Dick &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:47:23 PM
well this was started about a month ago and kept getting sidelined by a few other songs. So, this one I had to do in bits and pieces when i had time. I wanted to create a electric symphony on this one. But probably another stripped down tune next. [ Reply to This ]
I hate the snow &mdash 02/01/08 - 07:25:39 AM
but luckily none so far this year.
What a magic and majestic song - you just get better and better. Great in every way.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Len &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:59:26 PM
i had no ideas for lyrics until last weekend when it snowed for 30 hours straight adding on top of what we have. There is a large river that runs through downtown with 2 waterfalls. when the melt off comes that will be beyond spectacular. [ Reply to This ]
I can't relate &mdash 02/01/08 - 03:44:52 PM
We haven't gotten one inch of snow in Northern Europe this year. Can you believe that. So, this year I can't relate.
Anyway, great as usually. You never disappoint. You are a craftsman. Great lyrics and song, Vic.
Dave [ Reply to This ]
Hey Dave &mdash 02/01/08 - 09:06:40 PM
I think we have most of everyones snow this year, Normally it isn't too bad. But, I am ready for spring big time. Of course there will by some major flooding to come for some towns.
I've been meaning to ask you. What are you doing over in Germany anyway? [ Reply to This ]
Another one! &mdash 02/01/08 - 04:10:32 PM
You do these so well Vic! The Schecter sounds great - seems to have a slight lag on some notes, but maybe you meant to do that as it fits in with the tempo that Steve mentioned.
Really like the lyrics - funny, but we haven't had any snow this year at all either :)
Your vocals on this are classic Vic - the first few notes sound like you've been sucking helium!
Great song!!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Hey Neil &mdash 02/01/08 - 09:11:28 PM
Now if you where getting snow this time of year, the whole world would be in a heap of trouble.
This was my first outing with the new bass with the wider neck and longer scale length so that will take a little getting use to. And yes a lot of party balloons_ :) [ Reply to This ]
that guitar rings true &mdash 02/01/08 - 05:59:36 PM
Great work on those strings you certainly have that magic touch...this song would sound amazing live and it made me thought of the VH World Tour, when are you stopping in NYC?!! [ Reply to This ]
Oh &mdash 02/01/08 - 06:00:26 PM
Thanks Tom! &mdash 02/01/08 - 09:23:00 PM
It's my winter wonderland tour. I always thought if most of my songs where done live, it would take a lot of work and a lot of musicians to pull it off. Heck I never have time as is to get out of town as is. One can dream though,
The art is something I did. Once in a great moon I throw something different up. [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 02/01/08 - 06:40:47 PM
song and really cool production. there's so much cool stuff going on here. i really like the sound that kind of floats over everything, reall neat. and the gtr that almost sounds like an organ over the chorus is rad. sometimes you remind me of a mix between roky erickson and love. this is one of those times.
sorry about the snow. we had ice on our roof yesterday morning. not that big a deal usually, but i live in LA. great song. [ Reply to This ]
Hey Michael &mdash 02/01/08 - 09:28:54 PM
This one has been in the works for a while now. I'm just glad i finally got through it. Surprisingly it was a easy mix. I would do sections when ever i had a little time. So that is why each verse and chorus will sound a little different each time.
I would be more then happy to send you a trainload of snow_ :) [ Reply to This ]
lol vic &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:12:23 PM
ur depression our gain,,, is too cool man.. a good listen on a winter's day..
[ Reply to This ]
luckily..... &mdash 02/01/08 - 09:36:08 PM
I'm not depressed and won't go postal. I couldn't pass up commenting on the winter conditions. It's been one for the record books. I would rather mow the lawn then shovel :) [ Reply to This ]
perfect &mdash 02/01/08 - 08:50:13 PM
its hard to capture a feeling like this. its my sentiment exactly about Jan-Feb as the jigger of xmass fades and reality of 8-10 weeks of pure sleet sets in. I always love your voice and guitars but on this the strings and backing keys/synths stand out. Albeit just a support roll they cast the picture perfectly [ Reply to This ]
I never.. &mdash 02/01/08 - 10:03:37 PM
do like January & February. Funny how the days get longer but it gets colder.
But the spring and summers around really make up for it.
I have about 3 different synths going in various places. I can only do the wash type of playing due to my limitations, but i thought they really added something,
Thanks for your all to kind words! [ Reply to This ]
Hush you Muskies!..... &mdash 02/01/08 - 09:41:47 PM
(old '70s joke) definitely trudging across the tundra here. I've had one or two winters here in the Buffalo area like that. Here's to a quick melt-off; but not too quick:-0. You really captured the frustration and "cabin-fever" mood well. White and Grey, says it all. Agree with a db or more of bass, otherwise perfect.
Hang in there, Spring is coming.
Joe [ Reply to This ]
dog sleds &mdash 02/01/08 - 10:14:06 PM
Hey Joe,
well no dog sleds but, snowmobiles and atv's. I had the music all done, but no lyrics, then we got 17 inches in two days on top of the 15 we already had. On the side roads people would abandon their vehicles. My intersection was a real trap. True i think the bass can come up a bit as well. [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 02/01/08 - 10:09:33 PM
love the fade in intro. great mix, Vic. you always seem to have great clarity in all of your songs. i like the subtle ambient touches in this one, too. Good one! [ Reply to This ]
I like to keep... &mdash 02/02/08 - 01:51:39 AM
.. things nice and tidy. of course it has taken me some years to finally get the sounds together. I know there is quite a but it is a challenge and fun to get it all together.
Thanks for the time to listen! [ Reply to This ]
Changes! &mdash 02/01/08 - 10:22:54 PM
So many Love the mixing in this, Your lead is like a big handle to hold being swung back and forth, crazy It will melt Another level!!! [ Reply to This ]
bandit, my man! &mdash 02/02/08 - 01:57:31 AM
you probably have figured by now i hold the guitar neck like a baseball bat and step into the swing. funny is that I haven't broke a string in ten years plus. Ans I pick pretty hard.
You do know we have to do another collab. The last one still blows me away [ Reply to This ]
Nice twist! &mdash 02/02/08 - 01:38:20 AM
I take 1125MG of lithium per day already Vic! Yes indeed it is grey and a wee dark, however, it is damn good and as always the production is just that "pro" Another hit in my book (course, nobody ever reads it!) Sorry for the delay..... I finely have things just like I want them in the studio and now the well seems to have run dry! I think your new song may be grounds for some long over due inspiration!
Ax [ Reply to This ]
with a twist &mdash 02/02/08 - 02:06:49 AM
and to think you are in the same snow bank as me! Pretty Nasty stuff, huh?
Hey, if you get stuck on something, let me know. Maybe I can help some. We don't leave bros stuck in the snow berms around here. seriously [ Reply to This ]
Much obliged, my snowed in friend! &mdash 02/02/08 - 04:41:31 AM
Boy howdy, I shoveled so hard the other day I actually feel 42.5 (what ever the hell that feels like?) I may just take you up on that offer brother. I'll drop you a note this weekend! Thank you much Vic.
Ax [ Reply to This ]
Rosetta stone &mdash 02/02/08 - 02:30:56 AM
First of all, that song art is very eye-catching.
Mellow rock yet it hits you hard with strong waves of emotions.
The music is of course its strength, and your vocal rendition gives it a brooding depth. Lyrics are profound... lots of symbolism that can be interpreted like emotional hieroglyphics. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Leon &mdash 02/02/08 - 12:55:55 PM
I've had to work on this piece off and on over the past month. It's always a relief when a song gets finished.
I wanted the lyrics to be a bit obscure, so if you listened to it in the summer it might have a different take to it.
Really enjoyed your new song. it's great! [ Reply to This ]
WHY &mdash 02/02/08 - 11:55:52 AM
do I always know I'll be clicking the fav button when I come to one of your tunes? LOL
A very FULL sound, for sure, how do get that level w/o clipping?
. - Harold [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Harold &mdash 02/02/08 - 01:11:41 PM
regarding levels. I usually have a compressor on all tracks. plus, a high pass filter or low cut filter to clean up any spillage that might occur. I think that helps in sharpening the tracks. enabling them to stand out more. Even the recorded levels are kept pretty low. On my output i add a multiprocesser that i manually adjust and the limiter. I don't boost the limiter sometimes I even back it of a little. So, I think it comes down to getting a good tone on each track.
that's probably more then you wanted to know. lol [ Reply to This ]
another holman gem &mdash 02/02/08 - 12:32:41 PM
...aah, always glad to see your name in the 'who's online' box with a note next to it. And you never disappoint me when I click that note:-) You know, there's something so typical about your singing which I never noticed before. It's that running a tiny little bit behind. Apart from this stupid remark, what a great song again. And the lyrics aren't shabby either. Thanks for sharing this again, mate.
-Walt [ Reply to This ]
a big thanks Walt &mdash 02/02/08 - 01:23:19 PM
the lyrics are one of my own favorites.
Originally i started the vocal on the first beat, but it seemed to immediate. so, i went more for feel and a little laid back. Or... I'm just a lazy vocalist. haha!
Thanks again Walt for taking the time to give it a listen. [ Reply to This ]
vic &mdash 02/02/08 - 04:35:34 PM
no, I'm glad you didn't start the lyrics at the first bar. Listening again, and the intro is fantastic, mood-setting. Just perfect as it is, Vic.
-Walt [ Reply to This ]
: ) &mdash 02/02/08 - 04:11:02 PM
Listening now & read the descrip LOL ! Reminds me of last feb when I was shovelling snow..not to mention the winter before meters high shoveled up snow ! EastWashington..hope You'll be free of it earlier this year ! Like the song, love Your voice it's special-Goodspecial : ) always think that hearing You. Love the downtempo sound in it !
txlena [ Reply to This ]
good &mdash 02/02/08 - 07:59:01 PM
you can relate. Shoveling the stuff is a real workout when it gets to deep.
Maybe it will melt off by May.
Thanks for enjoying the song! [ Reply to This ]
Epic sound &mdash 02/03/08 - 03:25:30 AM
Nice big sounds on this one...the guitar work is very distinctive. A cool psych pop track!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Steve &mdash 02/03/08 - 07:47:58 PM
This one kept getting bigger and bigger as i worked on it. then it the last hour i started deleting some parts. Funny how that happens.
Thanks again for the listen Steve [ Reply to This ]
Big &mdash 02/03/08 - 08:04:36 AM
production number here and it sounds great. Well written and produced and very professional sounding. Love the vocals that suit the subject and there IS a Mamas and Papas feel about this, good stuff, cheers M [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Maurice &mdash 02/03/08 - 07:58:27 PM
It has taken me several years of trail and error on recording. I started out knowing nothing but had ideas. It can be a evolving thing to get it together. I'm almost to point where I'm comfortable on putting something together.
Thanks for taking the time to listen Maurice. I appreciate it. [ Reply to This ]
hehhehhe..... &mdash 02/03/08 - 03:50:07 PM
the dark side of vic holman.......how sweet it is....hehhehh......very kool.....i mean hot,,,,ah...u know what i mean...... [ Reply to This ]
i know what you mean &mdash 02/03/08 - 08:05:34 PM
kool enough to leave a frost on the windshield. and hot enough to melt a bucket of snow. I worked on this bit by bit over the past month. kind of glad it's finally done. so it's now..... one of these days Alice, bam, zoom, off to the moon. [ Reply to This ]
Strong statements... &mdash 02/04/08 - 10:02:26 AM
...both lyrically and musically...
..."enjoyed" is a word that doesn't quite say what I felt...think you know what I mean...no happy faces, here...strong statements... [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Bob &mdash 02/04/08 - 09:10:20 PM
I think I was going for drama more then anything. I think you know what I mean. [ Reply to This ]
I'm glad to be back &mdash 02/05/08 - 08:50:34 PM
I'll have miss so much good music and here is one of my fave artist.
You are so cool Vic.... Stay cool that's the rule.
Take care
----
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Hey Kenta &mdash 02/06/08 - 08:55:11 PM
It's good to see you back! It's been awhile. Thanks for the kind words and giving this a listen. [ Reply to This ]
Cool Guitars &mdash 02/05/08 - 11:22:12 PM
I love how the panning and the acoustic guitars come together. Such a clean and bold sound. Is this recorded with a mic'd acoustic? Well played solo also! [ Reply to This ]
guitars &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:00:45 PM
most guitar i'll play one for the right and double on the left. it tends to give a bigger sound. Actually I record the acoustics direct. My acoustic has a XLR output as well as a 1/4". But I find the XLR has a much better sound when going direct.
Thanks for taking the time to listen. I appreciate it. [ Reply to This ]
Groovy... &mdash 02/06/08 - 07:01:16 PM
Sounds like a classic 60's tune.
I dig the the whole ambiance of the song. [ Reply to This ]
Groovin &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:06:50 PM
I'm just upgrading the 60's sound some.
Now that I think about it, this must be my spin on a "Whiter Shade of Pale". [ Reply to This ]
Great song!! &mdash 02/07/08 - 05:21:38 PM
I love this Vic, great guitar playing with a super tone, great lyrics and vocals too, the whole song is great!!
You write superb songs, I enjoy them very much! [ Reply to This ]
thanks Bob. &mdash 02/08/08 - 1 | |
that happened when heavy snow fall ..but wow ..
what a great song my friend ..just enjoyin the
heavy passion you giving here with your singing
and guitarn work ...just Groovey ..thnx for sharin
it !!!!
[ Reply to This ]