I do like your folky, penguin-cafeish sound

b

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Oooooh ... mando and banjo in the same song ... I'm in heaven.

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this is a great version of an excellent song!

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Jim, very cool. M2 is getting the nod from lots of MJers it seems!

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This is a very fine version of a really good song. Everything is in it's right place; strong (new) Nonesuch records vibe on this. Beautifully done.

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very laid back and of the front porch variety. I like the synth that floats around in the background, really adds a cool dimension to the song. excellent production & playing

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how not to enjoy this ...its been written by one of
the best MJers song writers ..and preformed by one
of the best MJers ..singing and playin ..for some
parts I felt the percussions tryin to fine a place
in a spot that it shouldnt be sound there specialy
in the beginning ..J McMurtry ?? something like that
just way cool ...thnx alot for sharin !!!!!!

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this is killing me, you did such a great job of re-interpreting this song. THe performance is overwhelming and of course you recorded it with a level of skill I can only aspire to. This one really put a smile on my face and I will treasure it. Thanks for choosing me. Yay.

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around the time you put this song out here there was a gang incident at the basketball court down the street from my house in Jamaica Plain, Boston, and a young father was shot. Very sad, and this is in the park where I walk my dog in the morning, so it was an inescapable reminder of the toughness of the city. I could've substituted City Feed for Delilah's in the last verse since that's my local store where I pick up my cup of coffee and a dog treat for Speckles on the way to the park, but I decided not to change too much. Your song had a special resonance for me because I live in a similar milieu to the one you describe as your own and we're divided by a continent. And musically since it was mostly one chord I could definitely handle the musical part of this. I have to admire those that have taken on more complex musical covers, but I really got into trying to bring some nuance into my delivery of your song, since that's something you always imbue your songs with.

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how's this for weird? someone just got shot on the corner by my house (like 45 minutes ago). heard some loud thumping bass from a car, then 5 shots. i think the 2 of us need to get some scratch together and start some sort of artists getaway. how do you feel about the Carolinas?

hope you're feeling safe in your hood again.

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because I don't hang with the gangs, and I keep my wits about me. It's always scary, I suppose, when people get shot, but usually there is a reason. Not so much that they are asking for it, but it's a subculture that increases the chances of this result, that I'm not involved in. I'm more likely to get killed in a car accident or while riding my bike, so I just try to live a good life and not worry too much. But it does keep me from sleepwalking through my life, to have the vibrant thrum of life so much in my face in my neighborhood. Thanks for writing this song, that expresses so well what goes on!

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..such a good, solid hearty song. Particularily like how the recording really captures the fun your having doing this Jim. Vocals really match that lazy morning, sleepy vibe.

That rhythm, with this instrumentation gave me a slight 'push bike song' (The Mixtures) kinda thang too, in some way..but slower and more laid back... and no cycle noises .. etc. :o)

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Wonderful vocal on this. Your voice is tailor-made for this, and the instrumentation is sweetly done. Lovely playing, outstanding mix, and warm, warm sound. This is a thing of beauty. Nicely done. Peace.

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I need to go listen to Michael's version now, but I like the laid back feel of this version. The Mandolin and Banjo makes me thing of some places here in rural Arkansas where you can almost feel the summertime heat. Around here they call summertime "the air you can wear" because of the humidity

Great track Jim and a great recoding and mix.

Ed

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And a really good performance on this. You get such smooth (yet dynamic) mixes, and this is no exception. Playing and singing are top shelf as usual.

Makes me feel safe and sound down here listening to the lyrics and reading your reply to Michael's comment.

Neil

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Your style goes perfectly with this. Excellent.

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I thought it was odd at first, that mantra of "I need gasoline", but then I figured out that it wasn't actually about needing petrol, and that it was caffeine that we need in the morning, that was what this song was about. But a chorus of "I need caffeine" would be a little too obvious, perhaps. I stuck the picture of a coffee cup in there for that reason.
But maybe the world would be a better place if the mantra was was "I need wind power"
Thanks for the comment!

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Right , that's the mood before the first morning coffee .
Very well done .

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this is just great, jim. i love that banjo/mandolin combo and your vocals are outstanding. it speaks to how great michael's song is that you can adapt it so successfully in your style and make it completely your own. love how this stomps along. great job

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you are so fimilar sounding every time. lazy feel full of holes like swiss cheese. hot southern summer day. great song.

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I love this kind of music Jim, and you've done a fine job of it.

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I just listened to the original again and realized it's really got a lot of really cool things in it that I left out. Here it is: http://www.macjams.com/song/44363 and you should check it out if you hadn't already!

I thought I stayed pretty faithful to his original, but truth be told, I haven't listened to it since I started working on this. I know I changed the key. It was in G but I thought I'd put it in E since Johnny Cash did a lot of songs in E and I was thinking it would be good to do a sort of Johnny Cash vocal to this, but then of course I realized I didn't have the pipes for that performance and I did it in my normal voice. And then I forgot about changes in instrumental bridge and the extended instrumental part in the ending where michael gets into a little dissonance. My performance is pretty straightforward and sleepily bluegrassy, while michael's is way more personal and psychedelic. Interesting.

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A jaunty, lazy, moonshine swig of a tune. I can almost hear the cicadas in the trees. The drum sounds are great, as well as the banjo (which is a regret of mine having never learned to play it--a goal for my years on the porch in old age). Thoroughly enjoyed and immersed in the vibe. Thanks!
P

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With M2 you cant go wrong and this is as right as it gets excellent!

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This is a WONDERFUL cover You do it so great, just what I needed ; ) Music is like gasoline ... Beautifully played mandolin banjo & guitar they blend so well veels like silk in my ears ...mmmm Thx : )

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It's just ideal, everything fits. Feels like I can almost move around in the auditorium (or rented auction house) as you play it to make my own mix, it's such a clear sound here. Great use of that modern equivalent of the musical iSaw there... floats like a fume.


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