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Clarkson Ridge (GOOC) by bud [Email]
Genre: Ballad

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 459
Comments: 63
Votes:
Plays: 66
Last Played: Oct 12, 2008 - 04:04:20 PM
Downloads: 18
Fans: 25
Uploaded: Jul 08, 2008 - 07:44:47 PM
Last Updated: Jul 08, 2008 - 09:01:46 PM
Fan List
Keywords:
death (130), blood (18), twins (1), murder (25), hanging (2)
Description:
This here's a dark tale of Oedipal proportions. Least I think I got that right. If not I guess it's inoedipal - or just plain hard to swallow.
I called on GB Slim and the Buffalo Chipkickers to back me up on this one. They're laying down the dusty road I'm walking whilst singin' and pluckin' a few runs on my guitar.
I'm proud to be standing on the same stage as Minnie Pearl and Cephus the Hogcaller of Simon's Hollow. Here goes nuthin'.

Ya'll take care now -

Bud

Lyrics:
On Clarkson ridge they hung a man
From a poplar high
Them that did it swore an oath
To keep the secret why

They said his crime was just too dark
To fall on town folks ears
But people never let it pass
Talk’s lasted all these years

Some folks say he had a twin
Taken off at birth
To live a life of privilege
While he scratched his from the earth

One day he looked up from his toils
Saw his own face staring back
Dressed in silken finery
That’s when his jaw went slack

He’d heard it whispered now and then
When into this world he came
His father did what no man should
And filled his house with shame

When he looked into the mirror of
His of his long forsaken kin
He knew that what he’d heard was true
And it lit a fire within

His mother died on the birthing bed
Is the tale his father told
And just one son survived that night
The other blue and cold

But standing here before him was the
Image of his fears
That his mother died at evil hands
He’d felt it all these years

How much gold could it have been
Or had hatred fueled the fire
Nothing could forgive what on
that fateful night transpired

He walked into the house where
His father laid up sick
In the same room where so long ago
his mother met her end

He bent to wipe his forehead
Like he’d always done but then
He slit his throat from ear to ear
An awful crimson grin

He cleaned his blade and walked
Back to his brother in the yard
When something in him came undone
And he fell upon him hard

They wrestled in the dirt
The way they should have done as boys
But in the end just one man stood
A dark pool spreading at his feet

And now he hangs on Clarkson ridge
The last man in his line
Does it make it any better
Now you know the reason why?

©Kevin Jones 2008


















Hardware:
iBook G3,Angelica OO something guitar

Software:
GB1
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Clarkson Ridge &mdash 07/08/08 - 07:48:50 PM
WOW ..Kevin ..this is superb ..what a structure ..
its is sounds like a country rock band but tooo
progressive ..just great great singing ..very very
nice a true classy ..Kudos ....thnx for sharin such
gem ...your tracks always a suprise !!

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks for the kind words Feter &mdash 07/08/08 - 08:27:17 PM
This happened quick on my old pokey laptop while I was away for the weekend. Wrote the lyrics while my wife was at the store and recorded my guitar and vocals with the pinhole mic. I'm surprised myself it came out OK.

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cos &mdash 07/08/08 - 08:34:16 PM
YOU ROCK !!!

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a classic tragedy &mdash 07/08/08 - 09:38:24 PM
a classic tragedy

nice production (pinhole mic? really?)

thanks



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Thanks Bill &mdash 07/08/08 - 09:59:02 PM
Yeah - it's a pinhole production on a maxxed out cranky old G3. Couldn't use any effects without crashing and had to keep it down to six tracks. Glad you stopped by.

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k &mdash 07/08/08 - 09:39:30 PM
my comment got lost in the electrons.

nice track, Kevin.

best regards,

. - H



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I think I was fixing a typo &mdash 07/08/08 - 10:07:16 PM
nice of you to drop by. Long time no see HL.

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How Very Cool &mdash 07/08/08 - 09:48:12 PM
It's been said that the tale of "The Prodigal Son" in the Bible may be one of the best-written short stories of all time. It's largely because of its brevity and what it manages to convey so succinctly.

You've done an excellent job of telling this tale fairly succinctly and convincingly, Kevin. It really does sound authentic.

I'm not sure there's quite enough irony going on in this dark tale to match up with Oedipus, though. That tale was REALLY twisted. ;)


--- Joe

[ Reply to This ]
You're right Joe - &mdash 07/08/08 - 10:03:33 PM
it's a lot more Prodigal than Oedipal - but I couldn't resist a bad pun. Just seemed like GOOC was missing a good old murder ballad so I started with a hanging man and let it flow. Nothing original of course - but good fun. Thanks for dropping in.

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awesome! &mdash 07/08/08 - 10:57:12 PM
first off great lyrics and your vocals are outstanding.

the whole tune rocks in a outlaw country way.

yes, I am really digging this song.

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Glad you like it Vic &mdash 07/09/08 - 07:01:15 AM
Your stuff is always so solid and rocking. I would have preferred to use fewer loops here - but I was away from my gear and went with what was working.

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Fine &mdash 07/09/08 - 07:18:11 AM
bed of music to lay some fitting lyrics too. You did an excellent job on the vocals which leave me with a Neil Young, Johnny Cash impression. The banjo reminds me a bit of Dog and Butterfly. Kudos on a great song. Sorry for the comparison.

John

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All comparisons accepted &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:40:33 PM
nice of you to stop by and comment - that's some heady company you put me in. BTW - the banjo is a mandolin loop.

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Duh &mdash 07/09/08 - 04:00:05 PM
Yeah... that's it

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Lovely lyrics &mdash 07/09/08 - 08:00:10 AM
and a great song well performed.
Cheers
Len



[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Len &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:41:11 PM
you're always so supportive.

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Nothing &mdash 07/09/08 - 08:43:00 AM
Like a good murder ballad.Great story, excellent vocal.

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It's a new form for me &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:41:54 PM
but one I could get used to. Thanks for listening.

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yep bro... &mdash 07/09/08 - 12:53:28 PM
knew you was closer to texas than it appears ... great story teller song kevin .. :- ]

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Texas is big &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:42:26 PM
it's hard to get away from.

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yes! &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:00:24 PM
really cool song. love the story and the music reminds me off copperhead road country/rock. great job bud

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Thanks for the Copperhead Road &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:44:08 PM
comment. Steve Earle was definitely my inspiration once I got going with this. He's one of my favorite performers. I had the pleasure of filming him and Rosanne Cash together last year.

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Soulful &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:02:47 PM
Love the lyrics and the way you deliver them. I also hear a bit of "outlaw" edginess, but that makes it even better :)

Thanks
Bill

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I actually have an FBI record for &mdash 07/09/08 - 03:47:57 PM
counterfeiting - but that's a long story from long ago. I was acquitted - but they never returned my file and it came back to haunt me when I had to do a shoot at the White House years back. Those guys never forget. Now there's a new song - never wrote that story out. Thanks for dropping by.

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Hey! &mdash 07/11/08 - 10:09:18 AM
That story from your sordid past should have appeared in the recent "INfamous MJers" Forum Bud!

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Very good song writing Kevin &mdash 07/09/08 - 05:10:24 PM
I really like this, it has a true to the tradition feel to it. Excellent piece of work my friend with some fine picking and vocals.

Definitely GOO type music, even if the story is a bit dark. As with all great Country and Folk songs, it tells a story about life.

Thanks for posting this one Kevin, fits the challenge perfectly

Ed

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Thanks Ed &mdash 07/09/08 - 06:49:15 PM
Wish I could take credit for the fine picking - but the mandolin and slide are loops - I'm just playing leads and fills. Hence the help from GB Slim (Garageband 1).

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Love the &mdash 07/09/08 - 05:36:03 PM
instrumentation on this and the rolling rhythm. A great 'Western' type tail and sung with just the right feel, for this Bud. Great song, regards M

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Thanks Maurice &mdash 07/09/08 - 07:09:04 PM
your Opry tune is one of my favorites.

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Great &mdash 07/09/08 - 06:21:00 PM
Piece of Americana Folk influenced music, wow really fine...

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Thank you very much &mdash 07/09/08 - 08:24:13 PM
Mr. Shadow. Glad you stopped by.

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The SOUND... &mdash 07/10/08 - 09:33:16 AM
...is wonderful, Bud, esp. the bass. It is amazing to me that you get such a great result from what you describe as some limited electronic/digital help. I am also really happy to be able to follow your lyrics without the text. You tell a clear story and it's easy to follow. Very much enjoyed this one.
Peace.
Paul

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks for dropping by Paul &mdash 07/10/08 - 12:20:08 PM
I'm glad I finally got a clear story across where my vocals aren't buried under feedback. There are some very good basic loops in the old GB1 that can be manipulated to create a bed like this.I often start with loops and then replace them with my own playing as a writing tool, but in this case I let them stay - didn't have much choice at the time and I'm OK with the sound.

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Great story, Kevin... &mdash 07/10/08 - 11:23:28 AM
...hell of a band you're playing with there...really enjoyed this...

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Can't beat GB Slim &mdash 07/10/08 - 12:21:55 PM
and the Chipkickers. They make anybody sound good.

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Great song &mdash 07/10/08 - 01:22:57 PM
I love songs that tell a story. This is well written, well sang and played. I really enjoyed this one.

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Thanks fro dropping by &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:41:06 PM
enjoyed your entry as well.

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A Bud sighting &mdash 07/10/08 - 02:12:26 PM
Great cowboy lyrics. Story telling. Dig it.

Nice to see you Bud. I can't believe a dog can sing like this.

LL

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Hey Dave &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:42:23 PM
Nice hearing from you - your latest psych tune is killer. We dogs have been singing for a long time - we're only just becoming recognized.

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Wow Kevin! &mdash 07/10/08 - 03:20:50 PM
You ever heard the Blood Oranges? Man does this put me in mind of some of their stuff. Your vocal comes close to Jimmy Ryan's in places...(He was the B.O. lead vocalist and electric Mandolinist).

Dark appalachian story-telling herein. Top-notch performances and excellent mix throughout. Destined to be an MJ classic my friend. It just doesn't get much better than this!

Be well friend!

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Flabbergasted... &mdash 07/11/08 - 08:32:08 PM
...is what I am Kevin, that you pulled this off with such meagre equipment. Flabbergasted and humbled...

If this tune doesn't shoot straight to the top of the Fan Picks list there's a tear in the fabric of the universe! lol

Peace!

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Thanks for the high praise Mike &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:43:34 PM
you're really much to generous. Really enjoyed your Coffee house set.

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This is excellent &mdash 07/10/08 - 07:16:08 PM
I love the vocal (I love a lot of things about the song, but I really love the vocal!) and the sad, rich voice you sing this in is perfect. Pinhole mic! Wow. Love the guitar, and the bass and drums are great support for this towering epic of a ballad. The chiming guitars on the outro are very cool. This is a great song, excellently performed. Nicely done, my friend. Kudos. Peace.

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Very nice of you to stop by - &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:46:13 PM
this whole thing happened one afternoon at the beach house between swimming and eating. Just stole moments in the bedroom with my laptop and guitar. I think the vocals came out the way they did cause I was so relaxed out there.

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Clarkson Ridge &mdash 07/11/08 - 03:06:33 PM
Very catchy song and great music.
Are they loops or are are you playing live ? Either way it sounds good.
great Production.

Peace Dee.

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Hey Dee - dug your GOOC entry &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:47:53 PM
It's all loops except for leads and fills played on my crappy beach guitar which I'm beginning to think records better than my Martin. Glad you stopped by.

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wow! &mdash 07/12/08 - 08:23:17 AM
Very cool song! I was hooked to the story... controlling not to read ahead. Nice instrumental backing up... sweet guitar licks! WOW!

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Thanks Massa &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:48:28 PM
it's always nice hearing from you.

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great &mdash 07/12/08 - 11:09:41 AM
an awesome story and a great sound. Classic.

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Mr. Purpleurp &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:49:20 PM
Glad you could dig this dark tale. Thanks for stopping by.

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......... &mdash 07/13/08 - 11:25:40 AM
Bud wow.... This is the best song I ever heard from you agree with Micheal Wark THIS should go right in top on fan picks list.
Every thing in this song is too me perfect it should be on the radio.

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You're much too kind Kenta &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:50:24 PM
this was just a lot of fun that clicked for some reason. I love challenges. Really enjoyed your classical entry.

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pickin' and grinnin' &mdash 07/13/08 - 03:58:16 PM
Nice song. Classic mountain tragedy lyrics. Sweet production. A keeper!

Philip

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diggin the groove &mdash 07/13/08 - 07:04:31 PM
cool bass lines It carries the song Some really compelling lyrics like the line about the room where 10 years before his wife died I think? I really enjoyed this one thanks for sharin Downloaded!

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WOOPS &mdash 07/13/08 - 07:07:01 PM
Listening to the song and commented then realized Oh theres lyrics I can read! LOL!

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Dynamite writing &mdash 07/14/08 - 11:54:57 AM
Cool story, and swampy sound. Excellent stuff.

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this one kills! &mdash 07/15/08 - 10:25:04 AM
instrumentation was fantastic. were any loops used, or was it all played live? if so, top notch! give us some of the ways you recorded this song, please?
vocals are warm, and have an edge country music is missing. yeah, they try to be rebels, but the get edgy, and thier music ends up sounding like Bon Jovi. this one is pure folk/ country/ bluegrass. i am amazed this was done in Garageband.
i got some good mixes in GB, but it seemed my songs lacked humanity, or warmth. you have achieved this and more in this song. Well Done, Brother Bud. Well Done.
AD

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Kevin &mdash 07/15/08 - 06:19:52 PM
this is really a great song. I think the limitations of your laptop really increased the focus on this one. I love your voice on this one, perfect. weary cracking in all the right places. perfect for the lyrics (which are a great piece of american noir. really outstanding song. sorry it took me so long.

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That's not the only Ridge..... &mdash 07/17/08 - 07:25:42 PM
Where men have swung I'll bet.....
A gruesome but very real story.....
There must be Millions of POPLAR trees with stories
just like this one to tell.......

Very well done, nicely put together........

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Clarkson Ridge &mdash 07/20/08 - 06:06:41 AM
I just gotta say this is Fantastic. Really catchy.
You Rock!

Peace Dee

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Well... &mdash 07/21/08 - 05:54:57 PM
...ya got me with "slit his throat from ear to ear an awful crimson grin." This is a border ballad if I ever heard one, with a little Sophocles thrown in for good measure. Do you remember Joe Risso's "There was another man's hair on my razor?"

My darlin' had him shave thinkin'I was far away,
but the last stroke of that razor fell to me.

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Glad you caught that line - my favorite too &mdash 07/21/08 - 07:17:29 PM
Can't say why - but I was thinking of you when I wrote it. Don't quite remember Joe's song - you'll have to record a version and send it along.

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Oedipus Wrecks &mdash 08/22/08 - 01:56:47 AM
Nice work on this . Well crafted song.

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