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Description:
Just a little ditty I put together. I've tried to incorporate the many responses I have gotten in my quest for bettering my music. I must say that I am going into unchartered territory for me, kind of like going off on a pharmaceutical tangent as an adolescent. I must wait for others to tell me what happened.
I am looking for honest opinions (kind words are nice as well) but please let me know what is good and what is not. Thank you.
I am looking for honest opinions (kind words are nice as well) but please let me know what is good and what is not. Thank you.
Lyrics:
See ya on the other side copyright©2008last words you said to me
then you reached out and touched my hand
turned your head and you went to sleep.
Stepping out in the cold black night;
then our past it came back to me.
Best friends forever
for all eternity.
Kickin' cans on a Sunday morning ya
you and me stayin' up and watchin' T-V.
Best damn treehouse on Lakeway Street;
It was always you and me.
Spoken word
You've always been my best friend
nothing's ever going to change it or take it away.
Brother, I'll see you on the otherside.
Just do me a favor
go ask your Mom, ask your Mom if you can come out and play.
Many things I remember
So many more I'm sad I forgot.
One thing I'll never forget, my friend
we stood together no matter what.
We walk alike and talk alike
nothin' is mine and nothing yours.
A childhood to remember
a friendship now lost.
Kickin' cans on a Sunday morning
you and me bud
Stayin' up late and watchin' T-V.
Best damn treehouse on Lakeway Street
it was always you and me.
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E-Frame Wrecker
I like the lyrics, they seem real and heart felt. I think this really touches your heart which makes it an exceptional song for that reason alone. I like the spoken word and the quick (Dylanesque) phrasing of passages. It suits you voice very well. This is the first song of your I have heard. Fantastic!
mowguy3
So much for your kind words and for the listen. I am not familiar with your music either,but I am on my way.
Thanks, Russ
egobandit
I noticed was the great guitar like the way you layered them! Im a sucker for that constant leading ! Sad lyrics I think everyone has memories like these! Thanks enjoyed
mowguy3
for stopping by,and for your kind words. Very glad you enjoyed the song.
Again, thanks and be well, Russ
woofer3
listening because you said you wanted honesty so here goes-this is my first listen -
I like the overall sound - it's clear and crisp and full - particularly the guitar and vocals - your voice reminds me a bit of John Prine and also of Loudon WainwrightIII - I remember having a record of his called Motel Blues which I almost wore out. Anyway - the balance or "mix" seems to me just right with nothing standing out more than it should. The sound is very natural which I really like - I hate over compressed sounds and irritating clicky un natural souning bass drums though I know I have been guilty of this myself! This recording has none of these things.
If it had been my recording I'd of probably added some soft vocal harmonies here and there for lift because I wouldn't have been able to resist it - but thats a matter of personal choice and is not important.
All in all - ten out of ten. Oh and I think I forgot to say I love the actual song as well.
John.
mowguy3
You are to kind sir. I am trying many tips offerd by others here at MJs. I wanted to add some harmonie and dumped every attempt, just wasent sounding right. I am so glad you liked the tune. Thanks for you encouraging words, it means allot.
Be well, Russ
Russ your just truly Awsome when you sing- soo natural and from your heart and soul. Your lyrics of the story are sooo sad too. I love your voice and your music. Well done my freind. You Rock!!
Thanks for the download as usual.
Peace Dee xx
mowguy3
Thank you for your input and complement's. When someone has listend to every song I have put out there and still comes back for more lol well that says something.
Thanks and be well, Russ
lavalamp
Great sound you have achieved here. Dlyanesque. I know it's been said, but it must be said.
Bravo Brother,
LL
mowguy3
quite a complement. So glad you liked the tune. Thanks for your kind words.
Be well, Russ
jiguma
this was going to be interesting Russ. Very nice sound on the acoustics, and a really individual vocal - great words.
Some harmonies would definitely work, but to me this works as it is. Rather than harmonies, I hear a harmonica working in there - not the Dylanesque style, but maybe something more bluesy. If I had to pick a nit, it would be the "drums without bass" one. If there's a bass there, I can't make it out. It's just a personal thing (as a bass player), but it always sounds odd to me to hear a kit without a bass line.
A fine song though Russ.
Cheers,
Neil
mowguy3
no bass. While doing this song I tried many different things and was tempted to leave the drums out. Now after reading what you said and going back for a listen with the headphones on, drums and no bass it is pretty clear there is a void. One of my problems is that I pay to much attention to certain areas and loose the big picture. Anyhow thanks for listen and advice.
Be well, Russ
Skean
I like the start and the whole song BUT I have to agree with Neil about the bass thing BUT what I love this and I'm so happy I can here it so I bow deep Sir for sharing it to us all... I have to download this for later listening... I don't have a good headphones my old one crashed yesterday... So right now I listen with my stereo and it's sounds very fine so clear mixed it can be as your playing is very pro.
Take good care my friend
----
Kenta
P.S I love that lyrics it touch my heart DEEP:D
mowguy3
Sir I am so glad you liked the tune. Like I stated above sometimes I loose the big picture,that is why I ask. So thanks for your input it means so much.
Take care, Russ
spitlogic
Very heartfelt song. The playing is beautiful and very rich lyrics. Nice job.
mowguy3
You so much. Quite a bit of time and effort trying some new stuff but over all I am pleased. Thanks again for your kind words.
Be Well, Russ
Ibstrat
is really a song from the heart.A bass would be nice but the song is so good that I hardly noticed it."Best damn treehouse on Lakeway street" is an amazingly great line.
mowguy3
for the listen and your kindness. Ya Lakeway Street, spent my first 17 years there and the summers were in the treehouse. Again thank you.
Be well, Russ
lengold
a very lovely song and I love the way you sing it. Very intimate performance. I wouldn't change anything.
Cheers
Len
mowguy3
As I have said. I tried many different things when putting this togeather and this I thought was the best over all.
Thanks again for takeing the time for a listen and your kind words.
Thanks and be well, Russ
michael2
this is great. sounds really nice, the guitars and vox sound perfect. you're obviously a very quick study. really smooth vocal delivery, like your voice a lot, don't think that this one needs harmonies at all. i am going to jump in on the "would be better with a bass" train though. if you had a nice bass rack, there would be no room for improvement. really great song (with great lyrics).
mowguy3
Thanks for your advice and kind words. I think you are the deciding vote for the addition of bass. I will try and see how it works out.
Again thanks for the kind words. Be well, Russ
peacepiano
Sad and mellow mood here. I like the little guitar picking on top of the strumming, works very well in a song like this. Your vocal performance is of course the best and most important part of this song. Very well sung and very enjoyable.
Thanks
Bill
mowguy3
I say? I have never thought of myself as a singer, I do it because this is my music and it is important to me. So to be told by someone with such a gift and ear for music "best and most important part of the song" well, again what can I say? except thank you so much.
Be well, Russ
Moviz
right to the end. I love your guitar playing and the song is very moving especially the way you put it across kinda half spoken half sung, making it really convincing. I don't think there's a lot for you to learn performance-wise....... this is great. Love the lyrics.. very well written and performed, Cheers M
mowguy3
I am so glad it held you to the end. I had some question about the length. Your words are to kind, I am just glad that you enjoyed what you came to hear.
Be well, Russ
MarkHolbrook
The guitar is amazing in this... Very nicely done!
one critique I could make: Your vocals seem to have not much mid/low end. You might try an EQ on them.
Loved the song for sure!
mowguy3
for the listen and kind words. Most of all thanks for the EQ tip. That is what I am after, and will be added to the check list on the next tune. I mix with a good set of phones then double check on monitors however none of it matters if you dont know what to look for.
Thanks for stopping by and the help.
Be well, Russ
sloparts
Good lyrics that tell the story of two friends growing up as best friends. The lyrics paint the picture very well indeed, and the music is full enough to be effective, without getting in the way of the story.
Nice song my friend, I like it a lot. Kudos to you Russ.
Be well and be cool my friend,
Ed
mowguy3
for all your advice. I was thinking it went on and on without the story being told. It is nice to be able to call on someone for help,and you were there.
Thanks again and be well, Russ
Char
suited the story telling. Very nice guitar playing. Just real natural and laid back. Reminds me of a story by Ray Bradbury-Dandelion Wine. We were all kids once. Sweet! Thanks.
mowguy3
I cant thank you enough for your kind words. Ray Bradbury? have to say I am not sure who that is. A good google search later. Anyhow thanks again.
Be well, Russ
Gamborg
Hi Russ
I'm a straight forward guy and I'll be honest.
Great song, production and melody. A small detail could be the voice. If you could make it a bit cleared (hearing the word) then I think it would be a Grand A all over. It could be because I'm from Denmark and a lot of american singers sounds to us like they have a potatoe in their mouth. No offence. It can be a charm too. Don't ever try to learn Danish it's close to being impossible to learn to speak and not at least to sing :-)
Just my opinion besides that the song is very good.
Keep up the good work & be well.
- Gamborg
mowguy3
for the listen my friend, and dont apologize for your opinion. Sometimes my wife tells me I sound Drunk when I sing. It is something I have noticed as well. I do not enunciate well when singing. As I was telling someone not long ago I am not a singer by choice, but as it stands now this is my music and at least for now, I choose to do the vocals as well. Enough: Thanks for the listen and your kindness. By the way I am of Irish and Danish heritage. Take care cuz? lol Be well, Russ
Gamborg
Hi Russ
Danish & Irish. That's not a bad combination.
Might be the Danish language genes giving troubles. Ha. Only joking.
Seriously you should keep on singing and practicing your voice. It's like a muscle that have to be built and it takes times but practise make master. So keep it up. I struggle to built my voice 'muscle' as well.
Take Care, Gamborg
Doadars Uncle
Very sweet. Wow man, this takes me back! I like the recording, very clean. Mostly it makes me want to google an old friend from back then!
mowguy3
You very much. It does make me happy folks enjoy my stuff, just as I do yours and others. Your words are kind.
As for Googleing your old friend I say go for it. My wife did that a few years ago, now you cant keep them apart.
Anyhow, Thanks again and be well, Russ
composerclark
First impression is 'wow, that's a really full and warm guitar sound!'
Second impression, production seems totally pro.
Third, those lyrics and your voice singing them reach right into the heart. Very moving. Beautiful.
mowguy3
Thank you enough. I have ask for ideas and help in the past, and just try to remember as I am writing and recording.
Thank you again, be well, Russ
Feter
Terrific guitar work my friend ...such spirit
this song has ...wonderfull lyrics ...just loved it
thnx alot for sharin !!!!
mowguy3
so glad you are back. Thank you for the listen and kindness.
Be well, Russ
guitapick
...heartbreak...so sorry for your loss...life doesn't get any easier that way, does it?
"...Best damn treehouse on Lakewood Street..."
I've still got a friend like this...since I was 4...think I'll call him today. Been too long...thanks...
mowguy3
for stopping by and the listen. Glad this tune reminded you to phone.
Be well, Russ
caroline
that's the first word that springs to mind for this song - it's a compliment and i hope it makes sense to you - thank you for sharing this with us - i would be delighted to share with you the stuff that i didn;t find good but .. there wasn't anything - sorry :(
mowguy3
I think? Thanks for the listen I love to share. Just some simple music from a simple mind.
Be well, Russ
heath
There's something here--I'm not sure what, perhaps a raw authenticity--that transcends everything else. This song is straight from the heart, so it wouldn't matter if there were any technical faults.
That said, the performance and recording are both excellent, really nothing to complain about even if I wanted to. I also don't think need it needs any harmonies or additional instruments. Anything else would detract from the song.
I know I'll feel guilty for criticizing anything in such a fine and deeply personal song, but looks like you really wanted that type of feedback, so I'll share a personal nitpick I have with a lot of the lyrics I see here: I'd like to see more subtlety. In this case, I'd like it if it weren't not blatantly obvious your friend has passed away (by altering or totally removing the second line of the song or moving that verse to much later in the song). It's a small change that might make the song more universal because with the death more ambiguous the song becomes more of an ode to friendship in general.
mowguy3
Point taken. I have re-written the song a couple times now. I see what you are saying. Now to get a flow going with the lyrics. Thanks for the advice and listen.
Be well, Russ
estellie
i didn't hear the original mix, but this one sounds very clear to my untrained ears.
the guitars sound beautiful, and the story is very sweet.
mowguy3
is the original, and I am so glad you liked it. Thanks for listening and kind words.
Be well, Russ
awigze
I am sitting here crying- reminds me of a song I have written for my dad from the same perspective of child hood, My life just got better. As far as the tech side. I will just say that I agree with Heath, but really no need to change a thing.
mowguy3
but am glad you stopped in for a listen. The loss of someone close to you is a hard thing. You never get over it, it pops into thought at any given moment. I think that putting this song on paper realy helped.
Thanks again. Russ
Bob Rodgers
is a wonderful song Russ, love the lyrics and a great vocal.
Nice acoustic sound and so well played!
A fine performance, loved it!
Bob
mowguy3
The lyrics kept roaming in my head and I wanted them out. Now it's done,well kind of. Thanks for stopping by and kind words.
Be well, Russ
richardhowardjones
I REALLY like these lyrics, Russ. Simply poetry!
Thanks,
Rich
mowguy3
Thank you. Very kind words. Thanks for the listen.
Be well, Russ
leap4rog
I love the mildly matter-of-fact feel of the vocal. I would try to make the spoken word part a little more distinct from the vocals in tone and quality. The reason is that the spoken part doesn't seem to have a place in the song if it's too much like the vocals.
Like maybe the spoken part should take place because the singer's sadness takes away his energy to sing for the moment. Or perhaps the spoken word part is the singer talking to the mother of his lost friend, instead of the subject of the song.
The lyrics and delivery are very top notch-- wouldn't be surprised if I'd heard them sung on Austin City Lights. It would probably have backup harmonies and perhaps an extended choral after the second chorus when played live-- in my mind's eye.
But the gist of my feedback is that this is a good, good song with the authenticity that makes you forget your listening for any purpose other than to hear the story. And that, my friend, is what it's all about. Congratulations.
mowguy3
Thanks for the advice. I see what you mean about the spoken word part. I am not so sure about Austin City Lights, It would be nice though. Anyhow thanks for the listen,kind words and advice.
davisamerica
I keep saying "Dylan" .... a compliment!
mowguy3
and a big one. I have been a Dylan fan forever, so thank you. I don't hear it but I guess others do. Thanks for stopping by.
Be well, Russ
Char
I had faved and commented. Wrong. Those were my intentions. Lovely song about remembered friendship. A little harmony in a few places would not detract from your simple elegance, but if you like it as it is, don't change a thing. Thanks.
mowguy3
Everything I do is pretty simple, no bells and whistles. Simple mind and simple music. Let me know. Thanks for stopping I guess for the second time.
Be well, Russ