Superstar Shangri-La

DWL

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Description

A Celebrity Torture song by me and Mr Hobbs.

I've been fascinated by African music since I heard Franco in the early 80s and ever since then I've made various attempts to weave that influence into a song now and again. This is my latest attempt. A bit fast perhaps for a Congolese rumba (a la Franco) but I enjoyed it :-)

No guest stars thsi time so it's all me for better or worse.

Yammie 12 string to the fore!

Half way to Paris in a broken down car
Searching for the superstar shangri-la
Should get a call from the Dalai Lama
Searching for the Shangri-la

Photoshoot in Swindon on a council estate
Credibility's in question got to make it look great
Monochrome and moody, but you miss your old mates
Then you're off to find the Shangri-La

Papparazi, papparazi, papparazi, camped at your door
Papparazi, papparazi, papparazi, ma cherie amour

Celebrities need shopping like a bus needs a stop
Becks don't buy his bacon from the corner shop
You won't find Paris Hilton at the local co-op
They're shopping at the shangri-la

Maniacs with uzi's, pathological punks
Step around the dogshit and avoid the drunks
Steer clear of paparazzi cos they're smelling of skunks
They won't get in the shangri-la

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Song Stats

Hits: 377
Comments: 44
Fans: 25
Plays: 44
Downloads: 14
Votes:
Uploaded: Oct 21, 2009 - 04:31:54 PM
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2009 - 04:31:54 PM Last Played: Nov 14, 2009 - 10:44:32 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Comments

RoughRooster	RoughRooster said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)
	Yes!! Great song Dick, I love that intro! Great sound from your acoustic, wonderful lyrics and so good to hear this again. Great tunes you write, loved it! Bob Check out my latest song called Stranger In Your Heart

DWL	DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	Thanks Bob! Great comments! Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)
	Oh wow... This was not expected from DWL!!! But man I like it! That intro was out there then I got the DWL guitar work I had been waiting for! Excellent sir! Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

DWL	DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	You should know by now that I always try to present something different! I'm pleased you enjoyed it Thanks Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Feter	Feter said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)
	Superstar Shangri-La THis is absolutely a gem ...incredible how you mesh you rockin solid beats to ..the guitar work blew my mind ..such authentic thats the real deal ....DEEPEST BOW !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

DWL	DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	Authentic? Thanks Feter, it's really only an approximation as I'm simply not good enough to do it well but I appreciate your generous words. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Moviz

Moviz said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)

Excellent
performance all round Dick.. I just love your sense of comedy in lyrics and your musical and vocal timing make it sound so polished. Your songs almost always sound like show tunes and though you speak of African influence (which of course there is) there are parts toward the end that put me in mind of a South American festival sound, but whatever.... it's all most enjoyable and the instruments sound fantastic, cheers M

Check out my latest song called A Soldiers Dream (Remix/record)

DWL	DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	I must admit to being confused I did try to for the African style of repeated phrases but somehow ended up with a Mariachi band getting involved. Well spotted! Thanks Maurice :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

ktb	ktb said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)
	superstar made me smile all the way thru. Fun and upbeat. The guitar work was wonderful. Understated when it suited the vocals and simply dazzling when it stepped up front. A little Lindsey Buckingham meets Paul Simon. Bravo Check out my latest song called off the deck (w/Z293)

DWL	DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	Smiling is recommended! I don't often do smiley songs recently so it was nice this was a bit more upbeat. Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Jim Bouchard

Jim Bouchard said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)

heeheehee
Well, who needs guest stars? You handle this all very well. I like the chorus' reference to Lady Gaga, unintentional though it probably is. As well as the Kinks sort of feel to this, though it's way less dour than what Ray Davies would usually come up with. This is positively giddy! Didn't the Kinks have a song called Shangri-La? This is ridiculously good!

Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

DWL

DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)

Lady Ga-Ga?
You're right, it was unintentional!

I'm not sure where I was coming from when I did this. All sorts of influences were piling up and as Ray Davies has always been a favourite of mine it's quite likely I channeled him.

The Kinks did do a song called Shangri-La and I just had a listen to it. Very good but luckily very different to this.

Thanks

Dick

Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 30 days ago (October 21st, 2009)
	now this puts a smile on my face absolutely great! surprise beginning and the triple threat guitar outro/solo section is an amazing piece in it's own right. while listening to the main part of the song, I can't help but wonder if you were a Squeeze fan as well. Check out my latest song called November

DWL	DWL said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	Thanks Vic! Nice to get the smiley comments. A bit indulgent on th eguitars perhaps but I enjoyed it Thanks for the listen and the comments. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

woofer3	woofer3 said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	a cultured piece of music - and different, very well written. I like everything about it, you have developed it perfectly and brought it to a fine conclusion. A track you can be poud of, this may well be a standard one day I feel. The mix is just right and the vocals sit perfectly. Bravo, John. Check out my latest song called coalhouse blues

DWL	DWL said 29 days ago (October 23rd, 2009)
	Cultured? That's a first for me ;-) Thanks for your very generous comments. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

blaky smith	blaky smith said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	Enjoyed ! Nice piece Dick, very well done on every way, I like it and It's a pleasure to hear you with these French words "ma chérie amour" ! Thanks. Marc Check out my latest song called Sur le sable (w Jiguma)

DWL	DWL said 29 days ago (October 23rd, 2009)
	Merci Marc! Merci de l'écoute, Il me donne le plaisir que vous avez apprécié la chanson! Amicalements Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

SISTERS	SISTERS said 30 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	blow me down and back up again. excellent from start to finish. just a cool intro changing to yummy strumming that's rich and full. vocal is just swell, dick - you toss it off like it was no effort at all. the blazing, blistering section at end was nothing if not absolutely delightful. you've gone and charmed my socks off! wonderful, anne Check out my latest song called HOW WOULD I KNOW

DWL	DWL said 29 days ago (October 23rd, 2009)
	A charmed life! What a nice comment! Thank you very much Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

davisamerica	davisamerica said 29 days ago (October 22nd, 2009)
	......ah mr. langford!! hahahaha ...this one has me grinning and tappin the foot indeed! Downloaded!!! Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

DWL	DWL said 29 days ago (October 23rd, 2009)
	Ah Jack Much appreciated my friend. Keep that tappin :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

paul f. page

paul f. page said 28 days ago (October 23rd, 2009)

Surprised me...
...with that opening pizz...I knew you couldn't quite stay away from the rock 'n' roll. What a great song. Just puts a smile on my face with it's cheek and driving rhythm. Your vocal (and self-harmony) is terrific. The whole arrangement just hops and skips beautifully from every angle: vocal, instrumentation, spot-on recording. You are a pro! (I don't actually get much "African music" out of this, but who cares...?)
Peace.
Paul

Check out my latest song called Double Etude

DWL

DWL said 27 days ago (October 24th, 2009)

Thanks Paul
Very generous comments.

The African influence is from Congolese rumba. There's a section in each song called the sebene where the tempo is ramped up and is characterised by very fast and fluid lead guitar patterns http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebene - this was my less than fluid attempt!

No, I can't quite stay away from rovk'n'roll!

Cheers

Dick

Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

richard13

richard13 said 27 days ago (October 24th, 2009)

This is amazing!
Amazing lyrics in the best British music hall tradition, updated to this century with all sorts of in bits (Mr. Hobbs, take a bow); amazing vocal (and harmony) delivered with dexterity and clarity; amazing virtuoso playing (you can really make that Yammie sing); and amazing clear, simple and balanced production!

I've never heard a Congolese rumba or Franco (that I know of) but I look forward to hearing them. For now, I've discovered Dick Langford and I think I'm going to enjoy getting to know him (I've seen your list and already have Brown Bread on my iPod).

Cheers, Richard

Check out my latest song called Dancing on the Head of a Pin

DWL	DWL said 25 days ago (October 27th, 2009)
	Thanks Richard I'm really pleased you enjoyed this. We try to make our lyrics mean something if we can and luckily Graeme manages it more often than not. Feel free to explore and download at www.amokopera.com Thanks again, much appreciated. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

DWL	DWL said 25 days ago (October 27th, 2009)
	Sandi at the Co-Op? Blimey Martyn, you name dropper you! Thanks for the listen and the comments. . Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Komrade K	Komrade K said 27 days ago (October 25th, 2009)
	Didn't find Paris Hilton at the local coop... ... but we did have Sandi Toksvig! Great song and such an infectious beat, I shook my leg so hard my foot fell off!! Cheers KK Check out my latest song called Ye Mariners All

guitapick	guitapick said 25 days ago (October 26th, 2009)
	Starts... ...like a 50s sitcom... Serious upbeat solos, man... Great! Kudos, Dick! Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral

DWL	DWL said 25 days ago (October 27th, 2009)
	Sitcom superstar? Now that's a good idea. Thanks Bob! Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 24 days ago (October 28th, 2009)

Dick At His Best!
This is fantastic Dick. I will be blasting this throughout the day in Valrico. Thanks for the download.

The lyrics alone were a treat, but your vocal delivery makes them brilliant. It's obvious you're not from Alabama like I originally thought.

Now, excuse me for noticing, but Dick, those guitars are other worldly! I could listen to you play that all day long, in fact, I will! I am so glad there's a growing Mexican presence in Africa passing on their mariachi traditions to the locals.

You rock Dick. Have you heard that before?

Bob

Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

DWL	DWL said 22 days ago (October 29th, 2009)
	Yo Bob! Great comments! Thanks :-) I'm not sure where the Mexican bit came in...... Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Calchas	Calchas said 23 days ago (October 28th, 2009)
	You are definitely back in the saddle Dick! Love when that acoustic comes crashing in! Hard to sit still...This is very much in the spirit of circa 1972 Kinks. Very well done man! Enjoyed! Be well friend! Check out my latest song called All Is Quiet

DWL	DWL said 21 days ago (October 30th, 2009)
	Thank you! I'm happy being likened to the Kinks :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

lengold	lengold said 23 days ago (October 29th, 2009)
	Really great to hear this again Dick - it really is an astonishing achievement - everything just sounding so perfect. Absolutely wonderful and a very, very catchy song. Cheers Len (I would download - but it is already a treasured possession.) Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

DWL	DWL said 21 days ago (October 30th, 2009)
	The preview! Thanks Len, I really appreciate it. See you next week. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

sloparts	sloparts said 22 days ago (October 29th, 2009)
	What a hoot, dick Love the whole thing, with the tongue in cheek approach to celebrity life. So tell me, have you got it figured, how to get in ? Be well Ed Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

DWL	DWL said 21 days ago (October 30th, 2009)
	Still knocking on the door Thanks for stopping by Ed! Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

jiguma	jiguma said 21 days ago (October 30th, 2009)
	Shades of Rockpile in those acoustic guitars and Kinks in the vocals. I really like this Dick. Enjoying the whole package - very nicely constructed, performed and produced. And a great listen. N Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

DWL	DWL said 11 days ago (November 10th, 2009)
	Sorry for the late reply Neil Somehow got sidetracked. Thanks for the comments, much appreciated :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

PaulaMunk	PaulaMunk said 19 days ago (November 1st, 2009)
	You can write a song about anything and make it unique and fun. Way to go. Enjoyed your lyrics. Love your easy going style. Thanks. Check out my latest song called The Conqueror Worm

DWL	DWL said 11 days ago (November 10th, 2009)
	Thanks "Paula" If only that were true ;-) Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to write some words. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 11 days ago (November 10th, 2009)

Other cultures
always hard to get into the skin of different musics. This keeps sounding decidedly English, but's it's big fun anyway.

Ok, at 2:40 it actually does take on some air from the dark continent. Maybe it's something about the backbeats in the rest of the song that prevents it from being a rumba. Hold on while I whip out some Papa Wemba for comparison.

Great sounding arrangement as always.

Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

DWL	DWL said 11 days ago (November 10th, 2009)
	Rumba rumble? It's too fast for one thing and only the last section was supposed to be a rumba anyway ;-) The first section drew on old ska records I used to listen to listen to. I do like to mix my genres. Many thanks for the comments and the listen :-) Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

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Artist Info

Name: dick langford

Been playing guitar for longer than I care to remember (or so said the witch) Never very interested in music at school (what would I have done with a good teacher?) so it was surprise to find I had a little talent. My latest project is a rock op... [see more]

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