Earthbound

Scott Carmichael

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55 years old today... I promised myself that I’d finish something as a present to myself... seems I always start out by complaining about something... I want to finish songs, but the process is getting harder and harder for me... I don’t hear well.... mixing is painful at this point... I’m only guessing about the highs... OK enough.... as usual, I don’t want to hear this ever again... does anybody else have that same reaction to your songs after you’ve wrung it out to the best of your ability???

this is more or less a companion song to “glimpses”... exploring the guitar for something to keep me interested... I found this tuning DGCGCD... the same tuning that Page used in “Rain Song”... it really opens up some wonderful possibilities on these 6 strings.... sitting down on the dock by the lake, the first line of the song just came to me.... “I am awake in my dreams”... then I had to search for the rest of the verses.. the first line in the chorus “We cannot hear the Angels sing”... presented itself in a similar way... so this song was not written purposefully, so much as just trying to figure out where it was taking me....

the song is an abstract/impressionist approach to a subject that I hope I have obscured somewhat... I hope that any reaction to the song is at an emotional level...

OK... I’m going outside... it’s a beautiful day....

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Lyrics

I am awake in my dreams
I am asleep in my routine
I have this life apart from me
I have this life in my dreams

just vapor drifting through time
aimless descent after I climb
I wafted right on past my prime
I am a mist drifting through time

WE CANNOT HEAR THE ANGELS SING
THERE IS NO HARVEST IN THE SPRING
WE CANNOT SEE THE SPIRIT KING
WE CANNOT HEAR THE ANGELS SING

I used to dream that I fly.... deep in the night
I’d dance my name across the sky.... i used to dream
I’m just another earthbound guy... who'd dream i could fly
I used to dream... dream i could fly

WE CANNOT HEAR THE ANGELS SING
THERE IS NO HARVEST IN THE SPRING
WE CANNOT SEE THE SPIRIT KING
WE CANNOT HEAR THE ANGELS SING

these storms that blow thru our days
effect us in peculiar ways
they taught my heart to sing and praise
these storms that blow taught me to pray

WE CANNOT HEAR THE ANGELS SING
THERE IS NO HARVEST IN THE SPRING
WE CANNOT SEE THE SPIRIT KING
THERE IS NO HARVEST IN THE SPRING

HALLELUIA... GLORY ON HI
BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD... THE LORD ADONIA

we can not hear....

Song Stats

Hits: 2524
Comments: 53
Fans: 30
Plays: 276
Downloads: 70
Votes: 6
Uploaded: Aug 07, 2010 - 10:37:06 AM
Last Updated: Sep 01, 2010 - 05:50:10 AM Last Played: May 22, 2013 - 03:56:19 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

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Comments

alackbass

alackbass said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)

Earthbound
Great track. I'm good with the highs, although my 49 year old ears may be missing those same frequencies. Love the guitar accompaniment. And any fellow Page fan is okay in my book. Great dynamics! Powerful chorus. I love the CSN&N like harmonies. I'm digging the woodwind at :43 and 2:03. The double stops on the bass are also very cool (hmmmmm.......I'll steal that idea for my next track).

Check out my latest song called Just Ain't Worth a Song (2 Track)

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	thanx Andrew I learned to play rain song in a regular tuning... it's not easy... you'd be surprised how easy it is in this tuning... Page was a great guitar guide... and thanx so much... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

RobLeBanc	RobLeBanc said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Earthbound The accoustic guitar reminds me of some of the more recent Townshend accoustic tracks. This is a really great song, well done! Loved the lyrics too! Thanks for sharing this! Check out my latest song called The Sentinals(MJ spacerace challenge)

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	thanx Rob I know that Townsend is more deaf than I am.... love his work all through the years.... thanx.... and I sweat over the lyric.. so I appreciate the nod... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

ktb	ktb said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Happy BD still walk the walk imho :-) did I hear a loon in there? maybe it was my lakeside imagination. Stellar progression & melodic lines. Check out my latest song called Blackwater (by Tokai)

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Hi my friend long time... sorry.... yes a loon I think... I must have lost my mind, except it seemed to capture something... and thank you... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

RAVENS	RAVENS said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Happy Birthday May your day be filled with love, hope & yummy cake! This was really lovely. You have a very pleasant voice & what great lyrics. Your harmonies were just perfectly blended. Awesome song, you are very talented! RAVEN ;-) Check out my latest song called Tattooed Scars (w/ Sigmund, Scofugate, Rok41)

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	thanx Dani this was a wonderful day ... I appreciate the nod toward the lyric... and thank you for the visit... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

sloparts	sloparts said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	You never fail to inspire, Scott And again you've measured up to the task. Happy birthday my friend., and congratulations on accomplishing your goal. This is definitely finished, and very well as usual. Ed Check out my latest song called Quack's Blues

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	hi Ed I will admit that this was a bit harder to flesh out, and was a little bit more like work... that's OK I really needed to push through.. I won't be able to hear it for awhile... so I'll take your word... thank you Ed Check out my latest song called Dogwood

ShadowofNine	ShadowofNine said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Outstanding Composition and performance...Bravo Scott... Check out my latest song called A Sad Goodbye (Julia's Song)

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Hi Dave thank you very much... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

magnatone	magnatone said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Earthbound ya youngster :) (got you by a year!) Scott, this is just fabulous! so great to hear your wonderful voice and guitar work again - happy birthday!! Check out my latest song called Blind Love (Seeing Heart) - Orchestral Version

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	and Karen I would like to grow up to be like you... sincerely scotty Check out my latest song called Dogwood

Calchas	Calchas said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	Good to see/hear you back in the saddle old friend! Very enjoyable this. Be well!

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	as far as the saddle goes this thing bucks.. I was going to go for the "ROCKING horse" analogy... too obvious thanx Mike... maybe I'll get it firing on all cylinders again... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

guygrooves	guygrooves said 1020 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	So Very very very glad to see you back round here. I almost fell off my chair when I realized we have a new one from you. As always top drawer in every respect. Peace Check out my latest song called Summer Bossa with sloparts and Loob

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	thank you I know I haven't been around as much.... life is complicated.. I'm maybe good for one every 6 months at this rate.... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

jdholliday	jdholliday said 1019 days ago (August 7th, 2010)
	very nice love your voice, great lyric and I love the mix, happy b-day friend be blessed! Check out my latest song called Please Help, Pride of NYC needs tracks!

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	thank you much I was suspicious of the mix.... and thanx for the nod toward the lyric... I put more time there then any other aspect of a tune... i will be by soon Check out my latest song called Dogwood

jiguma

jiguma said 1019 days ago (August 8th, 2010)

Good to see
you back at MJ Scott.

I only have one nit, which is the cymbal hits at the start. It sounds like you might have quantised them and some of them have jumped to an adjacent position rather than the one you wanted. Otherwise nothing stands out as being a problem - a lot of us have dodgy high freq hearing I suspect.

Your approach still reminds me a lot of James Taylor in the way you arrange the instrumentation on your songs. Love the fretless as usual - our bass player has a beautiful Warwick fretless which I occasionally mess about with. Fretless bass is a beautiful thing imho.

Everything else is of course first class - a constant in MJ reality.

Happy Birthday and cheers from Oz,
Neil

Check out my latest song called News Is Gonna Break

Scott Carmichael

Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)

well Neil
I've been trying.... I have more obstacles than I ever can remember... I never try to go after any particular vibe... but JT is always a hi compliment for me... this time I used a regular bass, even though I did slide notes in places... I will go back and listen to the cymbal work... I know it's not quantized... so maybe I need to play it better... it is lower than I can hear...

Check out my latest song called Dogwood

Moviz	Moviz said 1019 days ago (August 8th, 2010)
	Scott As with all your songs, there's a great sense of sincerity I find very moving in the singing, words, performance and production and a great deal of emotional beauty too. The performance and song here is simply 'top dollar' for me....Those harmonies are to die for; it sounds wonderful ;truly, regards M Check out my latest song called Shine Your Light

Moviz	Moviz said 1019 days ago (August 8th, 2010)
	And.... Happy Birthday Scott, M Check out my latest song called Shine Your Light

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	thanx Maurice I often can hear how a song will sound in my head.... and I just keep working toward that... this one sort of informed me as I went along... I prefer working that way... newer songs give us that kind of latitude... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

guitapick	guitapick said 1019 days ago (August 8th, 2010)
	Well... "...I am awake in my dreams I am asleep in my routine..." Says it all...though the rest is a delicious icing on the cake. Great song, Scott. Wonderful performances and mix (despite your 55 year old ears...lol). Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	Hey Brutha Bub it was that first line that made me say.... "I have to finish this"... it was a good exercise to push through... "On Wednesdays I go shopping and have buttered scones for tea" Check out my latest song called Dogwood

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 1019 days ago (August 8th, 2010)
	excellent but i have fresh ears, so the tune sounds great to me. and yes after i complete a song i don't listen to them for months or longer or remember how they go. Check out my latest song called Darkest Skies

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	well Vick I listened today.... now I'm thinking that I need to put it away for a month.... then remix.... then post... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 1018 days ago (August 9th, 2010)

Very Powerful
On musical, lyrical, philosophical and emotional levels. A number of subtle musical influences are evident, including David Crosby and Yes, among others already mentioned.

"These storms that blow though our days"... weather us, my friend. Or they blow us away. ;)

Celebrate the autumn --- and the harvest of another year, Scott.

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Chance To Dream

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1018 days ago (August 9th, 2010)
	OK I googled this lyric and nothing came up... who is it?.... I thought it was original... nothing new under the sun... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 1013 days ago (August 14th, 2010)
	Re: OK I googled... I hear the influences in the sound and feel --- not in the content, Scott. I quoted your lyric and followed with my own observation... never noticing the rhyme. LOL! While there may be nothing new under the sun, there always different approaches and interpretations... as there are in your song. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Chance To Dream

dave_b	dave_b said 1018 days ago (August 9th, 2010)
	Earthbound The acoustic in that tuning sounds great. Nice vocs/harmonies reminiscent of CSN&Y. The first 2 lines of the lyric resonate with me. Check out my latest song called Llarions Blues

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	that what I was hoping... and this tuning is an endless wealth of new ideas... I didn't use even a fraction of the stuff that presented itself... in the hopes of keeping the song simple and on point.... thanx Dave Check out my latest song called Dogwood

Bubowski	Bubowski said 1018 days ago (August 9th, 2010)
	Really nice Don't be too hard on yourself. I always like to take a break from something after I have recorded it and come back later for a listen. Sorry about your hearing, but the mix came out well balanced to my ears. Overall, a good song with strong harmonies, guitar playing and production. Check out my latest song called Dasa Kodo

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	thank you Graham as always.... you come back and hear things that you would change... and eventually will... but you just get to a place during the mix where you've heard it to much, and you cant be objective any longer... thanx again Check out my latest song called Dogwood

Godchaser	Godchaser said 1017 days ago (August 10th, 2010)
	Beautiful post i cannot think of anything i do not like about this Scott.Happy belated birthday my friend and thanks for posting such a strong and moving piece.Beautiful in every detail! Check out my latest song called sOur GrapEs

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	thanx Daniel "Strong and moving"... I hoped so... you can't tell until you post... thanx again Scott Check out my latest song called Dogwood

crissew

crissew said 1016 days ago (August 11th, 2010)

Very cool idea
Love the concept you have going here. If i could suggest one thing, try multitracking the vocal on this. Sing it 3 times exactly the same, phrased as close as possible. On two of them, pronounce the consonants at the end of words softly (a trick I learned).

Sounds good as is but I think multitracked vox would fit this song really well. It would make the harmony passages toward teh end sound immense too. Crosby Stills & Nash look out

Check out my latest song called Devil's Argument!!!

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	doubling I might try that... I'm very familiar with doubling techniques... more so because it hides vocal flaws... this is one of the few times that I left some of the harmony parts as single trax... I know it always give the bac-vox a bigger sound Check out my latest song called Dogwood

composerclark

composerclark said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)

I was asleep when I wrote this...
Hey Scott, Happy belated Birthday! I actually listened to this and began a comment on Sunday, but something stopped the process — it may have been my wife telling me that we were late for something or other — so I never finished it. So hopefully, better late than never.

I am a HUGE fan of yours, as I hope you know, so I was thrilled to hear this; really enjoyed and was moved by it. And it's a thought provoking lyric, which is always awesome!

Another excellent track that deserves MEGA-exposure, Scott!

Check out my latest song called Momma's Song

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	smiling you always make me smile.... if I don't laugh outright... do you get distracted easily... what was i saying... thanx Clark.... that means so much... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

billyfromphilly	billyfromphilly said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	When I grow up... This song is incredible. The harmony, The lyrics, your style is a treasure... Check out my latest song called PhillyRockJam

Scott Carmichael	Scott Carmichael said 1015 days ago (August 12th, 2010)
	thanx Billy this is an example of one that I had to "WORK"... my inclination was to put it on the shelve, because finishing is hard... starting it was easy... completing it was like finals week in college... your composition is very good... a wonderful place to start.. thanx for the nod to the lyric... Check out my latest song called Dogwood

mvh9591	mvh9591 said 1014 days ago (August 13th, 2010)
	Very Nice_____ Happy Birthday Scott. I do hope your hearing improves - This song is a beautiful piece of work. Your vocal harmonies are awesome. (as usual) Enjoyed - Thanks for sharing, mvh : ) Check out my latest song called 01-15-13 Not sure where it's taking me.

Roxylee	Roxylee said 1012 days ago (August 15th, 2010)
	Niiiiice, Scott I know exactly how you feel about never wanting to hear a song again after working on it for weeks. Fortunately for us, this sounds fresh and alive. I love your energy and harmonies. You rock at 55! Check out my latest song called Emma, by davisamerica

Bob6stringer

Bob6stringer said 982 days ago (September 14th, 2010)

Holy Looyah, Man, can you belt it out!
Scott, as always your music is equal parts polished and inspired. To your comments: yes, it is a beautiful day. And YES: I know how you feel when you say you can hardly stand to hear the song again after you've killed yourself over the mix. And you know what? I post it, and end up "living in" the world it creates for another couple of weeks, as in some quest to understand what it all means. I haven't heard harmonies so sweet since Crosby & Nash did a run of great (IMO) duo albums and toured with the top LA studio gang at the time, in support. I think I hear "guy-angels" singin' here. And happy belated birthday, we're in the same general neighborhood... don't stop!

Check out my latest song called Call Me (Turn to Me Reprise)

Mckenzie	Mckenzie said 973 days ago (September 23rd, 2010)
	happy birthday. What a beautiful song. Production sounds great to me. One thing that struck me was how youthful your voice sounds. It fits this type of song perfectly. I really, really enjoyed this. Downloaded thank you. Check out my latest song called California Gold

tonestones

tonestones said 958 days ago (October 8th, 2010)

Very beautiful
Scott, I can't believe I missed this one. Absolutely beautiful song. I love the harmonies. You've always had a knack for getting incredible sounds out of your acoustic. The tuning you chose gives a great depth to that guitar tone.

I completely sympathize with your comments on mixing. As I get older mixing is harder and harder. The highs aren't what they used to be. Things sound muddled and I find my ears getting tired much faster. Perfection in a mix is illusive, and quite impossible. It is a series of compromises. That being said, you did a great job with this one. I love the mix.

Check out my latest song called In Some Other World

BirdmanWayne94	BirdmanWayne94 said 950 days ago (October 16th, 2010)
	As we've... ... always expected from you; the best quality, the best songwriting, and the best performance. This is a great tune, Mr. Carmichael! Thanks for sharing. :) Check out my latest song called (An Untitled) Intro

PeterB7858	PeterB7858 said 923 days ago (November 11th, 2010)
	Great song Thanks. This is a really good tune. Fantastic. Love the bass and there is no doubt that echoes of CSN drift throughout of the song. The mix and mastering leave me (a newbie to MJ) in awe. Appreciate you sharing your talent. Check out my latest song called Autumn Falling

jdholliday	jdholliday said 904 days ago (December 1st, 2010)
	man I 'm glad I stumbled back on this song, I love this song! I need to listen to your library! Check out my latest song called Please Help, Pride of NYC needs tracks!

Bass3x	Bass3x said 652 days ago (August 10th, 2011)
	Talent A perfectionist is never satisfied, even when he knows it has to go... Thanks for the effort, it was worth it. Check out my latest song called Russian Winter

Artist Info

Name: Scott Carmichael
Location: usa

I've been a songwriter for a long time now... I write and produce music in my studio... I was on the road for a decade some years ago... but I found that I could enjoy music again if I kept it personal... I was a drummer very early on, and when I got... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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