SAFE HANDS w sisters,thoddi,ktb,kevmikwa,rok41

This is the collaboration I've been wanting to do since I started recording my own music back in 2005 -- I didn't know any of these great musicians at the time, but I'd always imagined getting some great players together and recording something live -- one person doing only what they could do on stage, and each of us recording in a single take, which we videod as we were doing it (we nearly pulled that off!). It was an added bonus to be able to do it as a video, and I can't express enough how grateful I am that these 6 players/singers were willing to put in the time and creative energy to humour me ☺

The lineup certainly contains some of the cream of the MacJams musical community:

John Libby (ktb) from Boston, Massachusetts on keys has played on quite a few of my songs, and has collaborated with lots of people on MJ. He always produces just what is required, and is one of the fastest collaborators I've ever worked with -- if he was any faster, he'd be sending me keyboard tracks to songs I hadn't even written yet! I especially love John's electric piano and clav work (e.p. here).

Anne Cozean and Marty Ross Vining (SISTERS) from North Fork, California are as good as close harmony vocals get. I've worked with Big Sis (Anne) before on quite a few songs, but this is the first chance to have Marty singing along -- welcome on board Marty. Their video submissions were full of warmth and humour, as you'll see -- and they sure can sing!

Mike Watkins (kevmikwa) from Stirling, Virginia on drums. I think I've probably collaborated more with Mike than anyone else on MJ, and for good reason: he plays great drums and his style and mine seem to mesh perfectly. On top of that he's a very decent guy who seems to have his head screwed on particularly well. I've played live with a few terrific drummers, but Mike would be my first choice in any live band I might be putting together (geographic considerations aside). Mike was also the video guru for this project.

Chris Flynn (rok41) from Dallas, Texas on bass. I haven't collaborated with Chris before -- mainly because I do my own bass usually -- but have enjoyed his accurate and thoughtful bass skills since I first heard him a while ago at MJ. Chris is (literally in this case) a bass player's bass player, and does a great job here.

Thor Oliversen (thodi) from Stavanger, Norway on guitar -- last but definitely not least - always surprises and delights with his soul/R&B/funk guitar. We've recorded 3 of my songs together now, and they are 3 of my favourites. Watching his enthusiasm and soulful playing (wait for the solo!) was one of the high points of this project for me.

I'm playing Tele and singing from Pambula Beach, NSW, Australia -- and I mixed and mastered the audio and video.

I would do pretty much anything to play live with this collection of really classy people.

"Safe Hands" was written after I'd invited everyone to do "a video project" -- nothing like having a bit of pressure on to write something reasonable! The inspiration for the song story is a little obscure (no-one will be surprised that it's a plea to our prime minister!), I think the words can fit a number of situations though. The style is one I feel very comfortable with.

The video seemed like a good idea at the time -- how hard could doing a video with 7 people be? I hadn't considered the fact that we would all be using different cameras, different frame rates, different screen ratios, be shooting in different light, in different-looking rooms, with different zoom levels and from different angles ..... etc. I also hadn't considered that my computer would battle with the file sizes or that I might have forgotten my (already limited) knowledge of Final Cut Express. Let's just say it came out OK considering, and that it shows a number of MJ friends doing what they do. It's not likely to win any prizes, but it was fun to do.

I hope you enjoy the music and the video!

Safe Hands
©2011 Neil Porter

What’s up?
Cat got your tongue?
Sooner or later we all make mistakes
Stand up
See what you’ve done
You get it wrong
Just don’t do it again
Just reassure me
Just want to know
Please reassure me
I’m in a pair of safe hands

Watch out
Look at my face
Nothing you’ve done’s gonna make me lose faith
Look out
Stay with the pack
Unless you stumble you’ll never look back
Just reassure me
I just want to know
Please reassure me
I’m in a pair of safe hands

Warm heart so you can feel where I’m coming from
Warm heart, warm heart
A cool head so you know when I get it wrong
Cool head, warm heart
Clear eyes so you can see what you need to see
Clear eyes, warm heart
Safe hands, safe hands
I need to know
You’ve got a pair of safe hands

Don’t need that kind of behaviour
Just need some kind of a plan
Don’t want some kind of a saviour
Just want a pair of safe hands
Just reassure me
I just want to know
Please reassure me
I’m in a pair of safe hands

Warm heart so you can feel where I’m coming from
Warm heart, warm heart
A cool head so you know when I get it wrong
Cool head, warm heart
Clear eyes so you can see what you need to see
Clear eyes, warm heart
Safe hands, safe hands
I need to know
You’ve got a pair of safe hands

Warm heart, warm heart

Cool head, warm heart

Clear eyes, warm heart

Safe hands, safe hands
I need to know
You’ve got a pair of safe hands

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Uploaded: Oct 12, 2011 - 03:39:35 PM
Last Updated: Oct 17, 2011 - 02:47:42 AM Last Played: Mar 26, 2013 - 05:39:17 PM

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