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These Odds (w/alfalpha and Jim Bouchard) by rsorensen [Email]
Genre: Indie Rock

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 483
Comments: 32
Votes: 3
Plays: 48
Last Played: Oct 13, 2008 - 12:11:30 AM
Downloads: 20
Fans: 24
Uploaded: Sep 04, 2008 - 04:21:17 PM
Last Updated: Sep 04, 2008 - 04:26:35 PM
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Keywords:
If you're gonna play the game boy ya gotta learn to play it right (3)
Description:
I posted the original version of this song 2-3 weeks ago, leaving a spot open at the end for someone to lay down a solo. I was hoping any Lap Steel or Rhodes players out there would give it a go. Shortly after, peacepiano posted this awesome version and nailed it.

http://www.macjams.com/song/45534

As if that alone wasn't enough, Alfred Solti (alfalpha) sent me another amazing Rhodes solo that blew me away. Just as I was getting ready to post it, Jim Bouchard sent me a beautiful lap steel track to add to the mix. I didn't consider putting the two together at first because I thought it would clash, but when I tried it... magic. You'd think the steel and ivory would collide but not in this case. It's as if they were in the same room jamming it out and playing off each other's lines (you'll hear what I mean).

THEN, Alfred mentioned he was thinking of trying a brass part over the outro. I said go for it and he laid down a line that really works perfectly.

This song really came together nicely with everyone's additions and I want to thank Bill, Alfred and Jim for pitching in. You all really helped me complete this and it meets and goes way beyond what I was initially hoping for, so THANKS!

R Sorensen - Vox, Guitars, Percussion, Keys
Alfred Solti - Rhodes & Brass solos
Jim Bouchard - Lap Steel

Lyrics:
you tell me you wont say goodnight
you tell me it's too hard this time
but I'll come back to you again
I'll come back if you'll let me in

We have played this game before
We both have walked in and out that door
But this time it feels different
Yeah this time I think you mean it

And I don't like these odds
you're giving me to gamble with
And I won't play these games you're playing
because I'll never win

I spent all my time on making you happy
Before I realized we're not meant to be
The glowing stars shoot out from your eyes
Nobody can say we never tried

And I don't like these odds
you're giving me to gamble with
And I won't play these games you're playing
because I'll never win



Hardware:
rsorensen - Gibson Firebird VII, Squier Vintage Jazz Bass, M-Audio KeyStudio 49i (Organ, Piano, Percussion), Tambourine, Blue Snowball


Software:
rsorensen - GB08
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These Odds &mdash 09/04/08 - 04:45:34 PM
Jee this lap steel us cryin ..fabulous cilab my
friend ...i know working with these Magicians just
awesome ..realy thay add terrific touches ..the song
originaly a hit ..having these lines all along made
it just perfect ..thnx alot for sharin !!!!

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yeah &mdash 09/04/08 - 04:49:32 PM
thanks feter. these guys really finished it off and took it to the next level and then some. Glad you like it, brother.

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great stuff &mdash 09/04/08 - 05:03:30 PM
The mix sounds a little more refined than the the last version,If my memory serves. The additions are seamless.
I like the fx on vox, High pass? Overall, brilliant tune.

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mix &mdash 09/04/08 - 05:06:28 PM
thanks buckhorn. i may have tweaked the master eq a bit - though I can't be certain. sometimes I'm on autopilot when I mix these things. for the vox i think i just used 'telephone lines' in GB and adjusted the levels a little. Glad you like the additions and thanks for the listen.

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I'm impressed &mdash 09/04/08 - 05:04:22 PM
This sounds like a classic, the kind of song that you seem to know to know by heart even when you listen to it for the first time, if you see what I mean. And also because the piano, the lap steel and rhodes and the arrangements reconcile the traditionnal rock (I think of the Band, for instance)with your own indie stylings (vocals), and that's no mean feat.

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yeah &mdash 09/04/08 - 10:59:38 PM
I know just what you mean by that familiarity you refer to. there's definitely a lot of 'classic' influences in this coming through. it always amazes me when I finish a song hearing it back and picking out the stuff I was obviously influenced by from songs and bands I love. Thanks for listening and I'm glad you like it.

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Weird &mdash 09/04/08 - 05:35:59 PM
I couldn't get this to d/l in Firefox. I had to open Safari to get it. But I was going to get it if it killed me.

I loved the original version, so many element are tremendously inspired. I especially love the rambling vocal on the opening). I was actually in the middle of working on something where I held the drums back for a long time and was second-guessing myself, but then you posted the original of this and I loved the way it sounded on yours so I kept it on mine. So basically, I'm copying you, Ridd, because you're so awesome.

There's really no better word I can think of to describe how cohesive you guy sound together than, "organic". It just sounds like this music was just born together and came out into the world fully formed. Amazing. I couldn't love it more!

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thanks &mdash 09/04/08 - 11:05:14 PM
well I'm glad it didnt kill you and you got to download!
of all the drums i've tapped out or looped in my songs I think I like these the best. there's something about the tone of them that's so warm and inviting yet powerful at the same time.
the rambling vocal is actually my daughter reading a story she wrote. my wife wanted her to read it with a little more passion but i thought the monotone, rushed reading suited the intro of the song perfectly.
the end solos worked out amazingly. when i heard them together i couldnt belive how well they meshed. your analogy of everything being born together fits well.
thanks again for the comments - looking forward to that song you're working on ;)


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Mr. Sorensen... &mdash 09/04/08 - 06:30:32 PM
Me thinks you are pretty popular! With a tune like this it is to be understood.

This is really a great piece of work! So much going on to keep the ear working hard.

Don't you just love the internet and digital music? I mean how cool is this to have 4 people in different areas of the country putting together a piece like this!?

Very cool!

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ears working hard &mdash 09/04/08 - 11:10:15 PM
thanks mark. yeah i love songs where you can listen and focus on one element and appreciate it, then next time focus on another. that's what i get out of alfred's and jim's solos. they really compliment eah other and sound great together, but are very very cool when you focus on one of them alone when listening. that probably doesnt make a lot of sense how i wrote it but i think you know what i mean. anyway, thanks for listening. internet collabs are the greatest

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Odds &mdash 09/04/08 - 10:41:52 PM
Oh wow. Wow. This is killer! A total success as far as collaboration. This is an awesome tune and it all fits together perfectly. Great additions from everyone. Really cool, guys, thanks. Ridd, great job mixing this one together.

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thanks kassia &mdash 09/04/08 - 11:13:03 PM
yeah alfred and jim really hit it outta the park with this one. also check out peacepiano's rhodes solo here http://www.macjams.com/song/45534 for another great take. thanks for stopping by :)

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great &mdash 09/04/08 - 11:44:17 PM
This sounds great now. The new parts really complete it. This song takes me back because the chord progression is almost exacly the same as a song I did with my first band (probably 16 years ago now) damn I feel old. Great work man.

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chords &mdash 09/05/08 - 01:14:44 PM
Thanks Nick. Yeah it's a pretty standard progression, but really beautiful. Glad you dig this!

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Of course...... &mdash 09/05/08 - 09:59:22 AM
..I remember this one. "Your Team" made some very nice contributions here.

Like I said before, GREAT JOB.

Dave

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&mdash 09/05/08 - 01:21:41 PM
yes indeed they did. beyond any and all expectations. thanks dave.

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wow ridd &mdash 09/05/08 - 05:43:02 PM
that sounds awesome. so glad i didn't embarrass myself by sending you a rhodes solo. these guys are serious, love the new version; really makes it go from great to perfect.

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solo &mdash 09/05/08 - 08:22:27 PM
hah thanks man. yeah I was close to posting a rhodes solo I did that is complete crap. really glad these guys got on board. glad you like it dude.

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3x &mdash 09/05/08 - 09:52:29 PM
three times the charm.

of course the same goes with what I have said before. and now with a big finish. excellent gents!



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&mdash 09/09/08 - 01:50:51 PM
thanks vic. yes the guys really nailed it here. thanks for commenting again :)

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:) &mdash 09/06/08 - 08:08:25 AM
great collab guys. enjoyed it immensely

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&mdash 09/09/08 - 01:51:16 PM
thanks chinaman :)

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Sound &mdash 09/06/08 - 08:11:59 AM
Very cool additions. The guitar and rhodes do work very well. This is a great song to work with.

Thanks
Bill

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&mdash 09/09/08 - 01:52:16 PM
Love what you did too, Bill. I'm so lucky all of you guys pitches in. Thanks!

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Great to see this uploaded... &mdash 09/08/08 - 01:30:25 AM
...it was actually Jiguma (Neil) who alerted me to it!

This was a really enjoyable collab for me, not just because the song is so infectiously well written, but also to have the opportunity to work with the likes of Ridd and Jim was an extra bonus.

I hope that Ridd & Jim are as pleased with the result as I am!

Cheers from 'Down Under' Guys!

Alf

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oops &mdash 09/08/08 - 04:15:05 AM
ack sorry alf. i guess I assume everyone else is obsessed with this place as I am and check it 24-7. Shoulda dropped you a line. I love what you've done thanks so much! looking forward to our next collab

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: -] &mdash 09/08/08 - 08:09:43 AM
.... magic indeed!

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&mdash 09/09/08 - 01:53:10 PM
yeah! those guys are wizards with their instruments, no doubt. they play with a lot of feeling and that's just what I was looking for

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Thanks! &mdash 09/08/08 - 10:23:15 PM
I get to indulge in my fantasy that I'm David Lindley, my favorite lap steel player, on this, since there's so many filtered and distorted sounds. I like the way you mixed my overplaying in, but I was having too much fun to think tastefully. And I managed to resist my temptation to put in a line from "You Really Got a Hold On Me', since that was was I was thinking of the whole time I was tracking this. I actually recorded this sitting on my couch into my laptop using GB'08 and the built-in amp sims. I think I used a Tone Heaven setting. lap steel on a lap top! har har!
The horns sound great. Could've used a longer outro, but I'm hopelessly self-indulgent. Great mix!

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&mdash 09/09/08 - 01:54:29 PM
love david lindley, and ben harper. that's exactly the sound i was wishing for and when you sent it to me i was so happy. thanks jim for pitching in. looking forward to working with you again, and hey - we'll extend the outro to this when we play it live ;)

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This is &mdash 09/09/08 - 07:47:26 AM
just sheer class!
Cheers
Len



[ Reply to This ]
&mdash 09/09/08 - 01:55:22 PM
thanks len. the final version of this turned out just great. i'm very pleased and i'm thrilled you like it. thanks for listening

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