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Description:
Do For Love – or as we’ve come to know it, “Doofer” – was inspired by some friends who have a multi-cultural relationship, him from Australia and her from Austria. Got me thinking.
Relationships are hard enough at times, but when two countries and 2 cultures are involved, it can make it even more difficult. It occurred to me that people sometimes make some pretty big decisions based on their love for another person, and little else.
A lot of our friends have multi-cultural relationships, and in some the difference in cultures is quite significant – hats off to all of them!
This started out as a lovely, quiet chord sequence, picked gently over a nice cup of cammomile tea ....... sorry, the monster got it :)
Would love Alf (alfalpha) to do a piano track for this, and hopefully the complete version will be on the next CD.
Play it LOUD!
"Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait pas," - the heart has reasons that reason does not recognize.
Cheers,
Neil
Lyrics:
Do For Love
© 2008 Neil Porter
Have you ever been lonely?
Have you ever been out there on your own?
Have you ever been far away,
Far away from home?
Have you ever been thinking
“I like it here but it’s not the same as home”?
Have you ever been far away,
Far away from home?
How’d you come to be here
Did you get a sign from up above?
Did you jump or were you pushed?
The things we do for love
Funny all the things we do for love
Can’t imagine what we’re thinking of
Pack things up and walk away
Don’t think about the price you pay
Funny all the things we do for love
Have you ever been sorry?
Feel regret for something that you’ve done
Have you ever been far away,
Far away from home?
Can we ever be happy
We belong here just as much as home
Have you ever been far away
Far away from home?
How’d you come to be here
Did you get a sign from up above?
Did you jump or were you pushed?
The things we do for love
Funny all the things we do for love
Can’t imagine what we’re thinking of
Pack things up and walk away
Don’t think about the price you pay
Funny all the things we do for love
Hardware:
Fender Precision Bass, Seagull S6 acoustic, Rode NT3 mic, Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp, iMac G4, Yamaha PSR300 (midi drums)
Software:
Logic Express
Ozone 3
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your a pro &mdash 02/07/08 - 05:56:01 AM
Neil... I don't remember what you do for a living or retired or what.. but, it seems you would be a great producer... although the rhythm section is full & active, there is still plenty of space for organ or piano, vox ect... this may show up back on your door with vocals on it.. it has a light airy quality/feel, almost whimsical... appropriate for the subject matter... love will certainly pull the tide of our lives like the moon...
great job [ Reply to This ]
Firsties! &mdash 02/07/08 - 02:39:04 PM
Thanks for your words Scott - one of the options I had on my list for a career when I left school was "recording engineer", but in those days, that was a bit of a black science, and involved little in the way of academic qualifications. It's still a little "black", but with the technology that's now available, it's much more possible to do a really great job if you put the time in. It seems I'm taking more and more time on each song these days - this took three months to complete. In the past i have knocked a song over in a week or even less ;)
I listened and listened to get ideas for harmonies, but none appeared. If you have an idea, feel free!
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
I didn't mean to &mdash 02/07/08 - 05:59:54 AM
imply that this didn't feel finished... quite the opposite... your stuff always has a polish to it that makes it sit right to my ears... it's just fun enough to make you want to jump in [ Reply to This ]
Very smooth &mdash 02/07/08 - 06:08:56 AM
Neil- this is a real cool song. I love the chord changes- not jarring at all... just, well... smoooth. Very lush and warm sounding and your appealing voice is perfect on this.
You get even better with each track! [ Reply to This ]
Cheers Adam, &mdash 02/07/08 - 02:42:06 PM
The original idea for this was an almost madrigal feel with lute like guitar sounds, which probably accounts for the smooth feel. It's good to have a new song up - thanks for the listen and comment - appreciate it!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
I almost didn't stop to listen... &mdash 02/07/08 - 06:58:31 AM
...when I realized that, even though I was up at 6:00 AM, I had already been soundly beaten to 'firsties'...
I really like the rhythm on this, Neil, and the almost pop moments that turn up in the chord changes.
And a nice, unusual, musing going on in the lyric...
Very clear mix... You get more and more from less and less... just what's right, just what's needed...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Thirdsies ;) &mdash 02/07/08 - 04:02:45 PM
Music on a sonic budget is where I'm heading Ed ;)
Thanks for the listen and the comment - I seem to be heading off on a slight tangent stylistically at the moment. The next one I'm working on is even further away from my normal stuff, but I'm really enjoying the challenge of singing in different styles. This one pushed me vocally more than anything else I've done, and it was good when it worked. I tried really hard on the mix, taking Jim B's advice to heart re compression - I guess we'll find out how successful I was when he has a listen.
Saw a travel show on Boston yesterday - looks interesting.
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Terrific sound, Neil &mdash 02/07/08 - 07:05:18 AM
and a lovely poppy sound here. I love the chord sequence, and the nice dynamic, rolling forward effect of the guitar. The bass sounds really nice, carrying everything along perfectly. The lyrical content struck a chord with me since my wife and I had a long-distance relationship before I moved here. It wasn't easy, but we never doubted it was right. Funny all the things we do for love, indeed. Another great track. Nicely done, my friend. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
Cheers Dave &mdash 02/07/08 - 04:44:46 PM
The chords sound really nice picked at half this speed - it was a close call which way I went with this, but I'm pretty pleased with the result. I guess as the world shrinks, more and more people have "multicultural" relationships - a very good thing from where I see it.
Appreciate your comments as always,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
The things &mdash 02/07/08 - 07:06:40 AM
we do for love... What a great theme !
Nice job Neil, may be a piano track to complete, but this song sounds very finely like this and I like this harmony between your guitar playing style and the tone of your voice.
And as usual, a perfect production...
"Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait pas", it's so real, excellent French my friend !
Marc [ Reply to This ]
Merci Marc &mdash 02/07/08 - 11:33:33 PM
Not sure where I got that quote from - it was just so appropriate.
My wife is the French speaker, I just dabble :)
Thanks for listening and leaving a comment - glad you enjoyed it.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Hey MArc &mdash 02/15/08 - 03:37:25 AM
Great idea &mdash 02/07/08 - 07:14:38 AM
for lyrics and a subject which is close my heart. I can't believe that my wife's original home is thousands of miles and a continent away. I am sure that she sometimes feels homesick.
I am getting a "Girl From Ipanema' vibe from it - which is a great thing in my opinion. Impressive musicianship as always and your production skills as mentioned above are awesome. (I am trying to get to grips with Ozone 3 - but reading the manual just sends me to sleep.)
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Len &mdash 02/07/08 - 11:39:01 PM
"Girl from Ipanema" vibe is the one I'm working on now - I'm calling it "Girl From Pambulema" at this stage :)
The whole "bi-cultural" thing seems to be a double edged sword in that the person who moves from their own country to live in their partner's country has a "second home", but they can sometimes not feel a part of either their new home or, if they are away for too long, thrie place of birth. We have German friends (who have lived in Australia for a very long time) who feel like Germans when they are here but like Australians when they are in Germany - must lead to an identity crisis :)
I digress ...... thanks for dropping by Len - always appreciate it.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
The more I listen to your song, &mdash 02/07/08 - 08:18:20 AM
the more I appreciate the integration of the instruments, the timing, and the mixing. Just wonderful, Neil. :-) The chords changes are delightful, and the words made me think of all the things I've done for love. (like lying, sick, on the dirt floor of in a straw hut in the middle of Mexico, as I burned with a high fever, half delirious, no doctor, no transportation except the donkey, a dead goat hanging in a tree (very smelly), me wondering if I was going to die, all because he wanted me to go with him. I'm not sure if that was love or stupidity, but i digress... You write, sing, play, and mix like a pro, and this song proves it again. :-) [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Roxy &mdash 02/08/08 - 01:11:08 AM
Sounds like a real "do fer love" kind of situation :) I hope it was worth the trouble.
Thanks a lot for the kind words - always appreciated.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
mighty fine &mdash 02/07/08 - 08:42:10 AM
exciting groove from note one - what a cool rhythm, neil. you always serve up something different - i feel like we've never been fed the same song meal twice. i love the changes here, and how you seque from the minor to major mode so brilliantly. stellar vocals, big strong music mixed so beautifully. it's a winner in my book - anne [ Reply to This ]
That rhythm &mdash 02/07/08 - 04:09:14 PM
Thanks for the listen and kind words Anne. I failed to give credit to my "drumming guru" - Mike Watkins (kevmikwa) - here. On more complex drum tracks like this I always try to send him a copy and ask the question "could a real drummer play this?". I do my final tweaking of the midi drums based on his answer. It's the next best thing to having him actually play on the track.
"Big strong music" ..... I like that :)
Cheers from Oz Big Sis,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
cool &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:08:28 AM
great mix on this. i can hear everything so clearly. i'm getting a john mayer vibe. nice work. [ Reply to This ]
John Mayer &mdash 02/08/08 - 01:16:13 AM
I'd never thought of John Mayer before, and haven't listened to much of his stuff at all - it's interesting to hear that connection. I can hear what you mean - especially vocally.
Thanks for dropping in.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Wow Neil &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:16:16 AM
The guitars are just great on this, bass including, Kind of a jazzy feel. Quite original. Thia has to be one of your best, Even the squeaking of the acoustic sounds good.
Great tune.
Dave [ Reply to This ]
Dave, &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:10:51 PM
thanks for leaving a comment. I wasn't sure what genre to put this in - the jazzy influence made me want to go for "Alternative jazz rock" but alas, no such animal :) The next one will be even further in the jazz direction. I used to hate the "squeek" from the acoustic strings, but have grown quite fond of them recently.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
I like &mdash 02/07/08 - 11:14:04 AM
The clarity of everything in this song. Thoughtful lyrics and great Latin style rhythm. The drums in particular sound really good and the chord progressions, but it's ALL good to coin a phrase, cheers M [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Maurice &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:29:46 PM
Nice... &mdash 02/07/08 - 11:24:06 AM
...juxt btwn the music and lyrics. I always enjoy your works, Neil... [ Reply to This ]
Cheers Bob! &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:31:48 PM
Just do it &mdash 02/07/08 - 01:03:16 PM
The thing about this track is it's complex but simple - melodic and with great vocal melodies, structured but with a wide range throughout the track. The guitar sounds totally live... i agree with Scott, you've got a career in mixing.
Lyrically this almost feels train of thought - thoughts and feeling spilling out... its great.
Musically this feels like a poppy Radiohead - I'm in awe, again.
steve [ Reply to This ]
Just do it &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:37:24 PM
Sounds like a good title there :)
You've got it Steve ... "complex but simple" is what I do I guess. The "live" sound on the guitar tracks is mainly due to the great on-board micing system on my Seagull S6. It's only the cheap end of the range, but seems to give so much control over the sound through mixing the 2 mics in the guitar. I used to use my Rode NT3 as well on acoustic tracks, but it seems now that I can get the sound right on the S6 without having to bother setting up the Rode.
I must be the only person on the planet who hasn't listened to Radiohead - must do that some day!
Cheers Steve, thanks for the comments.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Do For Love &mdash 02/07/08 - 02:40:52 PM
You know this subject very much concern me .and it
stir alot here .great vocalin my friend ,the chord
sequence so cool and very geniune .just top notch
production my friend ..thnx for sharin my friend ! [ Reply to This ]
Do For Love &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:38:27 PM
Feter, I always appreciate your visits to my songs. I'm glad the words reached you.
Peace,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Are you deef? &mdash 02/07/08 - 06:10:26 PM
"Play it LOUD!" ~Why? It's just about the right volume already, so why should I play it loud? I know there was a time when it was fashionable for vinyl albums to have this printed on the album sleeve, perhaps this is a reference to the olden days when, in order to keep the needle from jumping out of the groove, mastering engineers would keep the volume down on loud rock music. Bands didn't have so much control over the mastering, as it was a sort of esoteric art of cutting the grooves in the vinyl and rather mysterious, so they would just have these instructions printed on the covers to compensate. You don't need to put that here, it's just the right volume, and most people if they play it loud would only overdrive their speakers. Are you saying that your music would sound better with distorted speakers? I don't think so, since this sounds just right at a moderate volume. With my in-ear headphones plugged into my MacBook, I have to have the computer's volume about halfway down in order not to hasten myself along on the road to going deaf.
All that said (and I'm really reaching to find some nit to pick), this is really well done, from start to finish. The drums are really incredible with that sort of odd time groove really well performed, and all the instruments are muscular and in the pocket. It's got the feel of a band of virtuoso musicians not shy about hitting the groove as hard as they can. I would have mellowed out the performance aspect of this maybe to go along with the romantic nature of the song, but that's just me. People seem to like what you do just fine, so you should probably just keep being you. The mix is really well done and the mastering level is just right. I don't feel like it's overly compressed, so maybe my job here is done. Throw a couple shrimp on the barbie and relax, my friend! [ Reply to This ]
Jim! &mdash 02/07/08 - 06:28:54 PM
I think the answer to your question is "probably" :)
I'm glad the drums spoke to you. I spent a lot of time getting them just the way I wanted, and probably lost a few kilos in sweat from hours of "air drumming" along.
I have to say I've been living in some trepidation of late about getting the compression monster controlled, and I'm really pleased to hear that it sounds OK to you.
Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment Jim - I appreciate the "Compression 101" input you've given, and that you keep coming back for more.
Prawns, barbie, nice Chardonnay - no worries!
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Fav'd it &mdash 02/07/08 - 07:58:14 PM
yesterday cause I was in a hurry, and you know it sounds even better today. I love the chords but I'm gonna keep it simple......I love everything about this. [ Reply to This ]
Love your bio pic too ;) &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:39:31 PM
Do For Love. &mdash 02/07/08 - 08:16:14 PM
Don't we Just. All the things we do for love.
hi
thanks
Love my freind as you already know.
is a very powerful emotion and makes
people do stuff they would never do, if it was not for love. sometimes obssession occurs when the love is not recepicated.
You also captured this just right. A lovely sound. Nice Melodic Voice too.
Dee
[ Reply to This ]
Welcome to my worls Dee :) &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:53:41 PM
Always good to see a new face on one of my songs Dee. Thanks for listening and leaving a comment. I really appreciate hearing what people think about my stuff.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
and i thought driving.... &mdash 02/07/08 - 08:53:13 PM
... across town was far.
A real workaholic piece. There are a lot of twists here. Not the standard verse and chorus type of thing. That is something that I totally enjoy.
And a few nods here and there to some influences I am hearing as well. The beginning has a touch of Yes, plus there is that spin on "while my guitar gently weeps" with the decending lines.
Everything sounds great from the guitars/bass to the midi drums, vocals etc. But it's the song itself and how it is crafted together that is the shining star here.
A really great piece Neil. I totally enjoyed the tune and the superb effort you put into it. [ Reply to This ]
I remember &mdash 02/08/08 - 05:00:26 PM
driving across Sydney to see a girl - 3am returns on my motorbike through desolate streets. That seemed too far too (it also seems a VERY long time ago!).
I'm glad you heard the "workaholic" nature of this piece. I've been sitting on it for nearly 3 months, and every couple of nights I'd drag it out and tweak something here or there until I realised that I could keep tweaking it - especially the drums - forever.
I never dreamed that anyone would hear Yes in my songs, but the influence is definitely there - I remember .... well, actually I don't remember, but I listened to a lot of Yes in my time ;)
I'm finding the V/Ch/V/Ch/Bridge/Instrumental/V/Ch/ending structure is suiting me less and less these days. It's fun trying different ways of organising a song.
Vic, I really appreciate your comments. Thanks!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Way to go Neil! &mdash 02/07/08 - 09:11:59 PM
I think you really achieved a great sound here, Neil. There is a feeling of space ( a comfortable space) between the instruments. Each individual track (guitar, bass, vocal) is well recorded and sound expertly performed.
Signature Jiguma sound is evolving nicely.
Love turns my world, and no matter how disoriented or anxious, it's my only road out.
Cheers,
Joe [ Reply to This ]
Hey Joe &mdash 02/08/08 - 06:04:32 PM
Space is good - glad you liked it. Now I can get on with my life ;)
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
This &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:45:50 PM
Song grabbed me right away.Really interesting beat.Your chords don't always go to the expected place(which I love)Your writing in some ways reminds me of Lennon-very instinctive.The time changes don't seem thought out,it sounds like you just heard it that way.You have a very cool voice-fits the song perfectly.Great! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks for listening Mark &mdash 02/08/08 - 11:02:19 PM
I just wrote a long reply and stuffed up the send - will start again.
I write instinctively because I have virtually no formal musical training at all. I had about 5 lessons on guitar when I was maybe 9 years old, and that's it. This explains the odd chords and things because my "proper" chord repertoire is pretty limited. Rhythmically I've always thought "outside the box", and never plan rhythm changes - I just allow them to happen. One thing I like about recording on my own is that I don't have to convince anyone else what the rhythm should be ;)
Thanks again for the listen and comments Mark!
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Really like the percussive structure of this piece &mdash 02/08/08 - 07:35:26 AM
it all moves around the rhythm and you're very inventive with the chord changes. [ Reply to This ]
Cheers Bud &mdash 02/08/08 - 11:36:00 PM
I really enjoy doing the drum tracks - getting to be my favourite part of the whole thing ;)
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Wonderful piece. &mdash 02/08/08 - 10:13:56 AM
Very cool groove going on here though not sure how to discribe it all.I do know I like it.Song crafting and production are excellent.Love the bass tone and bass lines,guitars and vocals are so right on,solid and sharp.Lyrics and overall songwriting and playing as usual are all top shelf.Much enjoyed Neil.
Blessings, [ Reply to This ]
Thanks for the kind words Daniel &mdash 02/08/08 - 11:38:56 PM
Bass is such a difficult thing to record well - and mixing it is also quite a challenge. I find I have to rethink it each time I do a song. Glad the tone worked for you - appreciate the other words too.
Peace,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Breezy &mdash 02/08/08 - 11:04:02 AM
Warm and cool at the same time. Nice.
Terrific-sounding tune. The intro progression gave it a sort of Zombies feel, A keyboard part may make it even more so. But it moves on to a very nice Pop-py Bossa Nova groove after that.
I especially liked the acoustic guitar sound in the mix; I'm just beginning to work with acoustics again after abandoning them for decades and finding it a real challenge to get acceptable results.
I wouldn't worry too much about the compression *monster*... you have a pretty good set of engineering ears. So if it sounds right... it IS right. Like any other instrument, it's open to various interpretations. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Zombies :) &mdash 02/08/08 - 11:45:18 PM
Joe, one of my favourite UK bands when I was young! The melody had two paths open, and the one I didn't use was much more in the "She's Not There" mould - good call!
Acoustic guitars are, for me at least, the basic building block for a song - getting a good sound isn't always easy, but as I said above, the Seagull makes it relatively so.
Jim and I have had an ongoing dialogue about compression, and I have learnt a lot from his attitude and practice as a result. I still like getting the sound dynamic, but am beginning to realise that it doesn't need to be ridiculously compressed to do that.
I really appreciate you having a listen and leaving a note.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Nice groove here &mdash 02/08/08 - 02:00:54 PM
Thanks Bernardo &mdash 02/09/08 - 01:21:45 AM
Cool rhythms &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:49:26 PM
Nice track Neil, a really nice funky rhythm on this one...really like the acoustic guitar textures too
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Cheers from Oz Steve &mdash 02/09/08 - 01:23:42 AM
Liked your 3 way collab with Cat and Bryn. Would really like to do something with you again some time - it's been a long while. Glad you enjoyed the track.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
groovy baby &mdash 02/08/08 - 08:49:18 PM
groovy......again your insight and observations on life make for some great songs.......life poet...thats what u are......groovy baby groovy.....
p.s. who is that on the surfboard?...hehhehhe [ Reply to This ]
:) &mdash 02/08/08 - 09:48:34 PM
Aja Coco learning to surf.
Thanks for the comment and listen Mr Boy - I came real close to asking if you'd like to play some guitar on this. Maybe another tune :)
Peace,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
like it &mdash 02/09/08 - 01:12:07 AM
Welcome to MJ SF &mdash 02/09/08 - 01:25:30 AM
yep &mdash 02/09/08 - 01:37:31 AM
Thanks for calling to check it out Jack &mdash 02/09/08 - 04:16:15 AM
Like &mdash 02/09/08 - 02:04:24 AM
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great job
[ Reply to This ]