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Description:
While sitting on a few tunes waiting for some collab parts to filter through, this tune came to me pretty quickly, and was recorded over a few days.
Winter is arriving here, and on one cold night the first line came in conversation - "up the hill" is in reference to the NSW skifields not far (a few hours) from here. This brought back memories of our first day in our new home for 1986 - "up north" in the UK, with ice on the stairs, a furnace that refused to light, the silence of snow falling and a feeling of excitement.
It's also about life, and who we are (and where we might be going).
There are 2 acoustic tracks, bass and vocals - drums and percussion are midi.
Turned out better than I expected. It's "early jiguma" in style.
Hope you enjoy it,
Neil
Lyrics:
Ripples In The Sand
© 2008 Neil Porter
It’s getting cold tonight
Must be snowing somewhere up the hill
Remember icy winter nights
Hear the sounds of silence still
We come and then we go
Like footprints in the snow
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Like shifting ripples in the sand
We left a Sydney summer
Touched down in a land of white and grey
Remember how we slipped on frozen stairs
Ancient pub across the way
We come and then we go
Like footprints in the snow
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Like silken driftwood on the shore
We’re resting on our way to sea
We’re moving all the time
We’re going nowhere I can see
Like shifting ripples in the sand
I won’t forget the welcome (warm)
Furnace (cold) moment of surprise
Still see the closing door
The smile we shared, the sparkle in your eyes
We come and then we go
Like footprints in the snow
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Like shifting ripples in the sand
There’s nothing planned tonight
Might just throw some pictures on the wall
It seems it’s been so long
So let’s relive the memory of it all
We come and then we go
Like footprints in the snow
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Hardware:
Seagull S6 acoustic 6-string
Fender Telecaster
Fender Preciaion Bass
Rode NT3 mic
Behringer UB802 preamp/mixer
iMac G4
Software:
Logic Express
Ozone 3
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First visitor &mdash 05/05/08 - 04:44:36 AM
Geez! &mdash 05/07/08 - 12:32:59 PM
Let's just remember... &mdash 05/07/08 - 09:29:06 PM
Great! &mdash 05/05/08 - 05:11:37 AM
This is gorgeous Mr. Neil. The playing and singing and the whole work is at its best. I'm impressed with what I've heard. One of your very bests. Wonderful solo! Thanks a lot for sharing this gem.
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
Glad you like it Yeman! &mdash 05/05/08 - 06:10:43 PM
Always happy to see you've been having a listen - thanks for the positive comment.
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Winter? &mdash 05/05/08 - 05:17:33 AM
Indeed Jiguma style &mdash 05/05/08 - 05:23:06 AM
Very good production. Tight and sweet sounding at my end. Nice mix of a story combined with metaphors of life. Your acoustic guitar sounds very good in the mix. How do you record it... Is it picked up by the Rode only?
I also thought your vocals sounded a good and confident. [ Reply to This ]
Thor .. &mdash 05/05/08 - 07:39:01 AM
.. thanks for listening. The acoustic guitars on this are two separate tracks, each recorded with the onboard electrics (there's a boom mic as well as a saddle transducer inbuilt) - I used to double record each track with the Rode in one channel and the inbuilt stuff in the other, but it doesn't really make much difference. Only other trick is that I never use a pick on the acoustic.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Peaceful &mdash 05/05/08 - 05:31:26 AM
There is something comforting about this music; it just seems filled with good feelings, and a calm acceptance of the inevitable. [ Reply to This ]
Summers here &mdash 05/05/08 - 05:33:39 AM
Its a beautiful spring day here, and this track is just perfect - breezy, laid back, gentle. Wonderful production Neil - i know its a snowy lyric, but i'm pumping this out into the back garden and its putting a smile on my face. Lovely work. [ Reply to This ]
Cheers Steve! &mdash 05/06/08 - 02:50:12 AM
jiguma al fresco - sounds like fun .. can you pass me a beer?
:)
Thanks for always turning up for these (increasingly rare) posts of mine at MJ. Always enjoy your comments.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
capture &mdash 05/05/08 - 06:37:28 AM
this MIX. Although maybe a quicky for you, it sounds like a labor of love. Great progression, vocal, and the guitar work is super fine. Dig the whole scene. [ Reply to This ]
nice &mdash 05/05/08 - 07:32:39 AM
you're a beast, i tell you, a beast! haha this is fabulous work. a few days? wow. [ Reply to This ]
wonderful &mdash 05/05/08 - 07:51:14 AM
A wonderful song Neil, and everything else is wonderful. Your vocals sounds better then ever. I really like your style, there are no shortcuts in your work. Everything is very well done. [ Reply to This ]
hey Neil &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:24:56 AM
You never disappoint. This is a great song. The guitar sounds great and your voice is perfect as always. Very smooth and comfortable all the way through. And this came to you quickly? Geez, some people have all the talent. Thanks for sharing! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Gail &mdash 05/06/08 - 05:11:52 PM
For my first few years at MJ the songs were coming ridiculously fast - I saw it as all the songs I hadn't written during my brief "layoff" (20 something years) from music were fighting to get out.
They don't come as fast anymore unfortunately (and I think I wasted some good songs in my first 2 years by rushing them out), but this one must have been hiding in a corner of my musical brain and fell into place very fast.
Glad you enjoyed it,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
always nice to hear &mdash 05/05/08 - 08:43:07 AM
Sweet &mdash 05/05/08 - 01:16:17 PM
Ripples in the Sand &mdash 05/05/08 - 02:35:23 PM
this is awesome as always my friend ..I can see you
rest to the acoustic sound more now .(winter feels?)
superb arrang,ent as always but that tele has it all
so tastey there .certainly riipped of Nash's .just
wonderful thnx alot for sharin such gem my freind !!! [ Reply to This ]
SWEET &mdash 05/05/08 - 03:16:47 PM
Great Telecaster.
Top Production Levels.
Absolutely from your Classic Collection Book.
-rtc [ Reply to This ]
This has a really great &mdash 05/05/08 - 04:04:29 PM
It's Always Nice... &mdash 05/05/08 - 07:17:15 PM
when you have your love to keep you warm and... you have a song in your heart.
A very nice, breezy tune, Neil. I'm glad the winter is yours now... we had more than enough of it.
Well-written and performed. ;)
--- Joe [ Reply to This ]
Sand gets everywhere &mdash 05/05/08 - 09:09:29 PM
Neil, even if you didn't sing, the music itself has the totally identifiable Jiguma sound that's easy to recognize.
Super mix & production. Also really nice lyrics.
Now don't get cabin fever with winter coming in. [ Reply to This ]
Nice song Neil &mdash 05/05/08 - 09:31:05 PM
great lyrics and some fine guitar playing there, but I have to say something about the entire song.
While it is a great song and your vocal sound spot on for this, the musical background gets a bit monotonous at time. I would love to see this done musically with a more diverse and interesting background to it.
Sorry Neil, I don't know how else to say it. All the elements are excellently performed, and the story makes sense, but I still came away wanting it to sound different than it does.
Please, please take my comments in the way they are intended my friend, as suggestions from a loyal fan to help a good song become a great song.
Respectfully
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Hi Ed &mdash 05/05/08 - 10:47:56 PM
Thanks for the comment - I really like it when people have suggestions about my songs, and rarely - if ever ;) - get upset about it.
I know what you mean about the continuity of the instrumentation. In part it was the rolling vibe I was after - not being able to settle, looking for new places to go (although these ideas weren't specifically addressed lyrically). It also came about like that because of the quick turnaround - I used to do songs in a day or two all the time when I first joined MJ, and I really enjoyed having a song happen so quickly again. Not a lot of time to consider dynamics.
I think for starters it was one verse too long, but I liked all the lyrics and didn't want to cut any out. Just this morning I was listening to it again and thought "why didn't I cut back to simple drums on the last verse?" - it kind of kept building when it could have had more dynamics.
Anyway, if I do another CD I'll definitely make some adjustments. I've learnt a lot from people giving constructive criticism on this site, and I really appreciate you taking time to make a suggestion.
Cheers,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Enjoy it? &mdash 05/05/08 - 10:00:18 PM
I love it! Great track, and terrific performance. The guitar sounds wonderful - sweet tone, crystal clear and resonant. And sweet playing with some lovely changes, it should be said! The lyrical vibe is great; some excellent lines in there ("There%u2019s nothing planned tonight/ Might just throw some pictures on the wall" - excellent...) and wonderful images ("silken driftwood on the shore" - beautiful...). A great song, wonderfully performed. You're a class act and never disappoint. Nicely done. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
Beautifully done &mdash 05/06/08 - 03:00:54 AM
I'm torn between agreeing with Ed and agreeing with your "rolling" vibe.
Whatever, this is bloody good. A wonderful summery song despite the lyrics.
Lovely guitar work.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
I think &mdash 05/06/08 - 07:26:03 AM
that you definitely succeeded with your 'rolling vibe' - has a really lovely swayability to it. Great lyrics and impeccably played, sung and recorded.
Cheers
Len
[ Reply to This ]
I love the &mdash 05/06/08 - 08:16:25 AM
reflections into your life, with your story/songs. This is great, Neil. :-) [ Reply to This ]
right then neil &mdash 05/06/08 - 09:45:13 AM
LUSH! &mdash 05/06/08 - 12:30:19 PM
Not you Neil...the tuneage! Ha ha...
Nice theme. I really like the concept. Loose...relaxed...like the feel of the music.
Very cool lead solo. Signature vocals and bass.
Another classic!
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
Love it! &mdash 05/06/08 - 01:04:01 PM
Beautiful, Neil! Simply, beautiful!
Dang, it's just too sweet! I will be in Australia this winter, so maybe... : )
Thanks, my friend! Macca
[ Reply to This ]
I like it... &mdash 05/07/08 - 10:57:07 AM
...very, very much, thanks, Neil.
Like silken driftwood on the shore
We%u2019re resting on our way to sea
We%u2019re moving all the time
We%u2019re going nowhere I can see
Like shifting ripples in the sand
Brilliant... [ Reply to This ]
I just &mdash 05/07/08 - 03:47:32 PM
love the way your guitar sounds.Is it doubled? You have a a lot of character and feel in your voice.This song really got me.The cymbal crash at the end is cool-sounds like a wave. [ Reply to This ]
Mark &mdash 05/07/08 - 05:27:34 PM
Glad you enjoyed it. The acoustics are two separate tracks. Usually I just double a single pass with the Seagull, but for one reason or another I decided to play it twice which added a nicer depth to the sound. The Tele is a single track (warts and all).
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Hey Neil &mdash 05/07/08 - 05:44:40 PM
I'm not here as much as I've been in the past... way busy... but, I'll always give you a listen.... your guitars & bass are perfect... such an effortless flow... your voice is an acquired taste (sorry) but it's true... gruff tenderness... I wouldn't change it... and it suites your philosophers bent... lyrics are thoughtful and well crafted as usual... and your thumbprint production is spot on.... I'd love to have your ears.. [ Reply to This ]
You're getting it all here, Neil... &mdash 05/07/08 - 09:28:24 PM
...'Old' jiguma was 'thick', and layered, but not necessarily spacious....
'Middle period Baroque jiguma' was stripped down, spacious, but sometimes had a hole here or there...
Here we have neo-post-industrial-unplugged jiguma, and it's full but it's also spacious, the bass is really round and well articulated, the guitars are enough but not too much, and in MY set-up, anyway, the vocal sits really nicely in the mix...
Nice lyric that seems to find a middle ground between Zen and James Thurber...
Cool Tele bits in the middle there, too...
Ed
[ Reply to This ]
Ed .... &mdash 05/08/08 - 09:07:08 PM
.... who are you calling "thick"?! Oh, I see ;)
I looked up James Thurber - interesting .... I have read some of his short stories I think.
What's this "Zen" guy's other name? I'd like to look him up too :)
The Tele bit worked out well but for one bum note. Didn't want to "fix" it digitally and didn't know if I could play the whole solo again either. So it's still there.
Now you've left a comment I can start my next song - thanks for the visit and listen.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
A good story to read... &mdash 05/08/08 - 09:58:13 PM
...in counterpoint to this song, is James Thurber's 'The Last Clock'... Really, Neil... You'll like it... And laugh when you get to the end...
Probably laugh all through it, actually...
Ed [ Reply to This ]
cold?? snow??? &mdash 05/08/08 - 04:53:15 AM
with a picture like that? i don't think so!! :D a lovely tune - and so very jiggy - thank you xoxoxo [ Reply to This ]
Ripples &mdash 05/08/08 - 08:34:21 AM
This has such a nice, relaxing groove to it. The guitars sound great. I really enjoyed this. The lyrics are also really poetic.
chip [ Reply to This ]
Melancholy &mdash 05/09/08 - 04:15:31 PM
You're not lacking in similes when you try to describe your past and present. All very graphic, and it's a sweet picture. Nice song.
[ Reply to This ]
Summer is here..despite some frosty lyrics hehe &mdash 05/10/08 - 01:52:04 PM
Yes...this definitely has that Jiguma classic sound...intertwining acoustics ahoy! Some nice electric bits in there too of course
Good spacious production..I could hear a female chorus in here I reckon to put the icing on the cake?
Good stuff
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Ripples in the Sand &mdash 05/11/08 - 03:36:17 AM
Beautiful song, a wonderful, intense piece of music, gorgeous acoustic work full of feeling and atmosphere :-) Enjoyed it a lot! [ Reply to This ]
Seagulls & sand &mdash 05/11/08 - 01:38:06 PM
Seagulls and sand &mdash 05/11/08 - 04:43:09 PM
Seagulls are white seabirds that tend to congregate around people with bags of chips.........
Oh THAT Seagull!
My Seagull S6 acoustic is a Canadian 6 stringer made by the same company that makes Godin electrics. It has a cedar top taken from timber which has been underwater in one of the Great Lakes - not sure what that's got to do with it. What I like about it is that it has some pretty classy on board mics which make recording very easy and usually pretty clean.
Here's a link to Seagull Guitars: http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seagullguitars.com%2Fintro.htm&ei=bmYnSNagB6mopwSx1vmrCw&usg=AFQjCNFlwkLSWTaaD9huh-3RSofY8EzWmg&sig2=WcDFYcbd8x9H_c4lZakVNQ
This is my model: http://www.seagullguitars.com/products6%2Bcwcedargt.htm
Thanks for the listen,
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Cedar top &mdash 05/11/08 - 06:31:09 PM
mine's not the gloss top - it's a (seemingly) unfinished cedar which looks especially groovy.
N [ Reply to This ]
your songs &mdash 05/11/08 - 06:22:20 PM
are always a treat for me the quality and the musician ship is tops in my book ! Downloaded thanks be well! [ Reply to This ]
What can one say? &mdash 05/11/08 - 06:45:18 PM
Real nice? Cool? Mellow sounds drifting through my mind? Acoustic dreams realized? Captured clouds of musical memories all new? Classic Jiguma?
all of the above.
Jack [ Reply to This ]
Sorry &mdash 05/12/08 - 03:51:18 AM
for the late comment! Really enjoying this one - Production is top-notch as ever and has your very distinctive sound. It's a glorious day here in the UK and this fits it perfectly... PS - your vocals sound especially good.
Peter [ Reply to This ]
Huh? &mdash 05/14/08 - 06:22:27 AM
How did I miss this one? Made my smile. Really nice song here, my friend. You seem to bring your A-game every time.
Dave [ Reply to This ]
coming and going &mdash 05/15/08 - 04:26:50 PM
A sense of resignation pervades these philosophical lyrics - something I can relate to without any trouble : >
Yet an overriding sense of despondency is avoided by your recollection of specific moments of shared joy.
The music has an easy-going feeling to it, nicely reflecting the endless shifting ripples of time.
A minor complaint - well, not really a complaint, just something that keeps slightly chaffing - is when I have to jump from "footprints in the snow" to "shifting ripples in the sand." I understand what you are saying, and it's not really mixing metaphors, it's just that most of the song seems to be about snow and cold and winter, yet the main allusion is to the beach. Of course, you do refer to a "Sydney summer," so I probably shouldn't be so hung up on a consistency. (Perhaps it's because I spent four decades in the ice and snow of Minnesota and there the only time we mixed sand with snow was for traction : >)
The lyrics I really like are in the verse about the warm surprise of a cold furnace, which creates a fire ("sparkle") in her eyes - that's good writing.
All in all - another fine production from down under.
[ Reply to This ]
I remember &mdash 05/16/08 - 03:58:48 PM
soon after I joined MJ Neil commenting on one of your songs and saying that you're a great poet........ and these lyrics are wonderfully philosophical. No need for ME to comment on YOUR performance, because it's always top notch and it's you who gives me the tips LOL. Great musical performance as always, regards M [ Reply to This ]
.. &mdash 05/19/08 - 06:55:07 AM
Always great hearing You Neil : ) So much harmony in this one : ) hear its supposed to be summer soon but its probably cold as your winter...too cold :( This warmed me up ! ThankYou Courtsey to You Lena [ Reply to This ]
Luscious &mdash 05/21/08 - 06:27:13 PM
guitar sound... with a nice percussion section. Trademark Neil vocals in addition. Great mix and nice progression as well. The break into what sounds like a pedal steel is candy. Is that a pedal steel? All in all a very fine piece.
John [ Reply to This ]
Pedal steel &mdash 05/21/08 - 11:09:05 PM
Hi John,
Thanks for dropping by for a listen. The solo section is my trusty Telecaster - I'd love to be able to play pedal steel, but the costs involved kind of rule out learning for me :)
Cheers from Oz,
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Ripples In The Sand &mdash 05/22/08 - 11:27:55 PM
Hey Neil: Sorry I'm so late to the party here, but this is GREAT!! Lovely, sweet, so comfortable like a favorite easy chair. Wonderful lyrics and vocals, and of course your guitar work is perfecto-mundo (is that how you spell that?) Thanks! [ Reply to This ]
Nice ... &mdash 05/27/08 - 04:48:46 AM
I'd like to come up with something original and intelligent to say but Steve Echoroom's "breezy, laid back, gentle" sums it up and there's not really much I can add. Sweet song. [ Reply to This ]
Nice stuff &mdash 05/27/08 - 07:45:49 PM
Love the way the fingerpicking sounds chorus-y , lends for a nice quality and cements your style it seems. Nice soft vocal texture, that is another jig trademark which I look forward to hearing and not disappointed.
Thanks for sharing! [ Reply to This ]
tsada &mdash 06/04/08 - 08:28:47 AM
I been wanting to buy a seagull guitar, (next to cole clark) but alas, my finances will not allow me at this moment, Im just glad to hear it being played here. You're music is very light to the ears, very friendly, happy, pretty | |
[ Reply to This ]