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Manning The Barricades by jiguma [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 490
Comments: 38
Votes:
Plays: 91
Last Played: Nov 19, 2008 - 07:44:04 PM
Downloads: 19
Fans: 40
Uploaded: Oct 10, 2008 - 04:59:52 AM
Last Updated: Oct 10, 2008 - 04:59:52 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
politics (34), leaders (3), US election (1), save the world (2), please! (1)
Description:
I've had these chords (and there's only 4 of them) in my head for ages - I was planning something along the lines of "Things Must Change". It ended up pretty differently.

I've been pretty concerned about the US elections for some time now - they effect the whole world, not just the States - the lyrics reflect this (maybe a little obtusely at times).

This is all me - 2 acoustic tracks, 3 Tele tracks, bass, midi drums, B3, and a doubled vocal. No harmonies for a change.

I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out - I really enjoy working in Logic Studio.

Lyrics:
Manning The Barricades
© 2008 Neil Porter

The man in the corner has sad dark eyes
It’s a sign of the state he’s in
The voice on the radio is telling him lies
He tries not to listen so it tells him again

Can’t get it wrong this time
They tell him all those lies
He tries not to listen
He feels dead inside

The man on the edge feeling empty inside
It’s a sign of the times we’re in
There’s nowhere to go to, nowhere to hide
Now he’s waiting around for the end to begin

Can’t get it wrong this time
They tell him all those lies
He tries not to listen
He feels dead inside

Got dangerous leaders
They got dangerous minds
There’s no doubt about it
We got dangerous times
Need a man on a mission
Need a man of the moment
Need a man of his word
Else we’ll be manning the barricades

The man on the platform is not trying to hide
He’s out there for all to see
He’s a man on a mission, the man of the moment
In the home of the brave, and the land of the free

Can’t get it wrong this time
They tell him all those lies
He tries not to listen
He feels dead inside

Got dangerous leaders
They got dangerous minds
There’s no doubt about it
We got dangerous times
Need a man on a mission
Need a man of the moment
Need a man of his word
Else we’ll be manning the barricades

The man in the mirror has sad dark eyes
It’s a sign of the mess we’re in
The voice on the radio is selling him lies
He tries not to listen so it tells him again

Can’t get it wrong this time
They tell him all those lies
He tries not to listen
He feels dead inside

Got dangerous leaders
They got dangerous minds
There’s no doubt about it
We got dangerous times
Need a man on a mission
Need a man of the moment
Need a man of his word
Else we’ll be manning the barricades



Hardware:
Fender Tele
Fender Precision Bass
Seagull S6 acoustic
Rode NT3 mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
Yamaha PSR 300 keyboard
iMac G5

Software:
Logic Pro 8
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wow firsties &mdash 10/10/08 - 06:29:06 AM
I call firsts... I'm struggling with a mix at this point... I think I'll pack it up and ship it off to you... I can see why you're pleased with this... I really love the tele lick.. it's played with abandon, and testosterone... it really captures a moment... and it pops... nice b3 action... and chunka chunka acoustic grove... but that tele say's it all for me..

the lyric certainly isn't subtle... I suppose we can't afford subtlety as this point...

excellent as usual

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I will say that... &mdash 10/10/08 - 06:31:39 AM
you leave the lyric open to interpretation though...

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Scott &mdash 10/11/08 - 01:35:17 AM
Really pleased you like this. I'm playing a bit more with other people - and a lot of that is on guitar - so I'm getting more of a feel for the Tele at the moment. Love playing lead - like singing, I've discovered you don't have to do things perfectly to sound reasonable.
Always appreciate you stopping by for a listen.
Cheers,
Neil

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voice on the radio &mdash 10/10/08 - 07:17:59 AM
more than anything that brings me down is the demagoguery on the radio. It used to be "talk radio" was about ideas, discourse, sort of a neutral clearing house for diverse opinions. Now its simply specious propaganda. I miss that concept...oh yeah.... great tune... Neil

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John &mdash 10/11/08 - 02:21:06 AM
Couldn't agree more about the radio (and TV and newspapers to a lesser extent (depending what you read). Thanks for the listen.
Neil

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We know &mdash 10/10/08 - 07:20:37 AM
who you're singing about... or do we? LOL I suppose we all have our own thoughts on that. Great song, singing and lyrics. Love the busy instrumental backing and excellent guitar parts, cheers M

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Maurice &mdash 10/11/08 - 02:56:06 AM
Thanks for dropping in for a listen and the kind words. I've been a pretty rare sighting at MJ lately, and have missed a lot of songs - one of which is yours. I'll get there soon.

I wouldn't normally take sides in a US political election, but its difficult to see how the world can survive another term of Bush's cronies in the Whitehouse.

I guess we'll see what happens - whoever wins has one heck of a job ahead of them!

Cheers from Oz,
Neil

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Cool stuff! &mdash 10/10/08 - 02:01:21 PM
This is very impressive Neil. Lyrically, it's brilliant and what a mix! To die for, imo. There's a lot going on here and you've put it all together superbly well. Kudos.

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fantastic &mdash 10/10/08 - 03:01:11 PM
kind of funky, rockin' guitars / bass /organ - it all fits together perfectly. the mix seems perfect, impressive how you managed all those guitar tracks. I'm always a sucker for a telecaster. drums and vox sound really good too.

sounds fresh overall. Good topic, keeping my fingers crossed for that election!






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Fantastic song &mdash 10/10/08 - 04:27:07 PM
Neil.That organ is beautiful and the guitar playing and sound is perfect.I continue to be impressed by your bass playing- great lines right in the pocket.One of your best I think!

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man on a mission &mdash 10/10/08 - 05:37:56 PM
You my friend are that man a mission for the best sounding bass , You always get such a great mix. Another classic song thanks jiguma. Oh yeah sorry about the politics in the old u s of a but seems its all a bit of the same old same old.

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I love that electric guitar... &mdash 10/10/08 - 09:53:16 PM
...for first things...and that keyboard... Your palette just keeps widening...even as you simplify your vocal sound and the overall mixes and arrrangements...

The vocal ends up having real immediacy and impact for me...

Have to admit that I've been worried, this week, about the potential for violence that I'm sensing on the evening news...

Ed

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The more I listen... &mdash 10/10/08 - 09:56:04 PM
...the more I like the arrangement...and I love the opening bars...

You have a GREAT feel for a one man rhythm section...I'm really envious, in a friendly way...

Just more me...

Ed

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Manning The Barricades &mdash 10/11/08 - 09:08:26 AM
WOW this is power my friend ...very groovey my friend !
o yes ...this is so much rocky with moody keys behind
best kind best kind !!!! ...the boomin bass is so good
I think this is so amusing ..thnx alot for sharin !!!!

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I'll vote for you Neil &mdash 10/11/08 - 02:24:54 PM
Just tell me who you want and I'll cast my vote from them. As long as it's not for Palin lol.

Great sounds on this song. You have a lot going on, but it seems to mesh together quite well. By the way, excellent guitars.

Excellent topic, Neil.

Keep up the good work.

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Tell it mate! &mdash 10/11/08 - 04:04:48 PM
Love those lyrics.

And I suspect you've been receiving secret funk lessons from Thoddi! Ha ha...Great rhythm guitar work...Really nice chops.

Powerful and timely!

"Need a man of his word"...Do they still make such men? God help us all if they don't.

Be well friend!

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Neil speaks the truth &mdash 10/11/08 - 08:15:17 PM
Man is this ever appropriate. You're right Neil, this is a turning point in the history of the world. What happens from now on is anyones guess, but I don't like the odds.

Great and very timely song my friend. No man, or country, is an island.

Great great lyrics. Wonderful production too Neil. Kudos

Now let's just hope someone is listening.

Be well and be cool,

Ed

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Great &mdash 10/12/08 - 06:14:29 AM
Great job..This song flows real nice. The organ sounds good. I love a B3.
I listen more to melody than the lyrics. But the lyrics standout, so its hard not to listen to them. great tele sound bass sound....great mix and tune!

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Back for another listen &mdash 10/12/08 - 05:10:21 PM
I especially like the lyrics to this one Neil. Nicely put together as ever.

Peter

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where's superman &mdash 10/12/08 - 05:52:54 PM
when you need him, just as the world is about to blow up in our faces.

great message Neil. and a stunning production here. and your stretching out a bit more on the tele leads... cool!

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tx &mdash 10/13/08 - 02:44:30 AM
..for another terrific song Neil !! You always amaze me(!) with Your lyrics..!!!! Really is thrilling to know/see so many Musicians use there Music for such a reason like You do here - it generates HOPE : )
Great song, a small wish -i wish we heard the bass more ! TX lena


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.. &mdash 10/13/08 - 02:48:35 AM
Your voice is amazing here !! Courtsey to You & Your wonderful wife !

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You just keep &mdash 10/13/08 - 07:37:46 AM
writing these great songs Neil. Lovely mix of instruments and vocal - the production is absolutely pro sounding. Superb.
Cheers
Len



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Wow! &mdash 10/13/08 - 09:03:45 AM
LOUD! Nearly blew my speakers! Great sound, super-dooper mix and mastering job done on this - and the song's good as well. Love the bass playing and the affected vocal. Really top-notch stuff....and the lyric is pretty spot on!

Cheers,
Phil




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Impressive &mdash 10/14/08 - 05:01:56 AM
Great song. I loved the lyrics and that insistent guitar is excellent.

Nice bit of bass as well.

Class A stuff!

Cheers

Dick

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Barricades &mdash 10/14/08 - 07:28:58 AM
Exactly the same word in French!
Neil, your song reminds me years 68, when we played with pavements on barricades. How much this time is distant !
Nice work on all levels. Here again a music of pro quality, very pleasant to listen. Thanks...
Marc

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Warning: Attempt at constructive criticism to follow! &mdash 10/14/08 - 01:15:15 PM
Your lyrics are always so intelligent, and express things so powerfully. There is a 60's Dylan feel to this for me, which is to say that I really like it.

I realize that constructive criticism is not generally something people offer in their comments, but I'm always happy to get it, and it is in that spirit (and some anxiety, because I do not wish to offend!) that I offer you this thought:

Do we really need all the verses? Or, put another way, are you saying anything new, or in a different way, in your later verses? The concern I have is that, with lyrics as pointed as yours (the sentiment of which I completely agree with, by the way), it can sometime feel like the song is trying too hard to make its point, which, like a debate with someone who keeps making the same point, can be off-putting. The old 'less is (sometimes) more' argument, which I realize I've made before.

Feel free to completely disagree, of course! The main point for me is that your lyrics are intelligent and powerful, and you deliver it all (incl. lead guitar solos) with passion and conviction.

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Clark - thanks for listening! &mdash 10/14/08 - 03:46:52 PM
I completely agree! The more i listen to it, the more it becomes clear that it needs one less verse, chorus and refrain. It was mostly a matter of liking the sound of some lines and wanting to use them rather than having anything more to say.

I always welcome constructive criticism :)

Thanks for the comment and reinforcing what I was already thinking.

Cheers from Oz,
Neil

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We are on the scare...... &mdash 10/14/08 - 08:28:26 PM
Is the radio as bad over there as it is here? Constant emotional appeals to fear is the fare here. Great job on nailing the effect of all that. Love the vocal, as well as the B3; worked well.



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As usual &mdash 10/15/08 - 03:43:08 PM
Neil this is wonderful!

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Wow &mdash 10/15/08 - 05:10:45 PM
This sounds amazing. You really get a professional sound, man. this is a wonderful mix here. Everything sounds great - lovely balance between the instruments, and great warm sound. Your voice has excellent tone and spirit; you deliver the lyrics with just enough bite without overselling them, and it works really well. The bass sounds great on this, and the playing just sweet - lovely little touches that complement the song perfectly. Nice work on the lead, too, and great rhythmic acoustic! As you may have guessed, I like this a lot! Great song, excellent performance, and terrific sound. Very cool. Nicely done, my friend. You just get better and better. Kudos. Peace.

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4 chords &mdash 10/15/08 - 06:26:10 PM

It's enough to make good songs , you made one !
Nice lyrics that you sing without forcing , quite softly , over a great backing track .

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Well, sir... &mdash 10/15/08 - 10:14:18 PM
...I've gotta say that I l-o-v-e the tone you've got on that Tele. I'm a sucker for that rhythm sound. A lot of that has to do with the balance you're striking with the other instruments.

Quality stuff, Neil. And the message is right on the mark.

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Can't sit still listening to this... &mdash 10/16/08 - 05:49:43 PM
Check out the funkiness of this track... Rather unexpected. I really like its feeling. Really great beat you've set up here.

I'm also struck by your vocal phrasing, which seems perfectly matched to the rhythm. Very well done.

I like the way you used the B3 to help differentiate the chorus from the verses.

All in all a very enjoyable, funky track, well executed, with important, poignant lyrics. Great job, Neil.

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Great! It grabs &mdash 10/17/08 - 07:25:43 AM
you from the first note! The music is wildly inventive. Most enjoyable though cautionary. Good job. Shake that groove thang! Thank you.

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Haunting! &mdash 10/20/08 - 03:07:28 PM
Great swirling organ sound , Neil, and cool guitar. Good lyrics. Glad I dropped by.

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I needed a song like this! &mdash 10/20/08 - 05:29:58 PM
As a U.S. citizen, i have to say, these past few weeks have seemed like a nightmare to me. This song resonates so much with me, emotionally. Not to mention that the sound is fantastic.

Thanks for moving me!

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Manning the Barricades &mdash 10/25/08 - 12:02:30 PM
What a wonderful and intense track. Superb vocal delivery, fantastic mix. Amazing song, remarkable lyrics!!

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