Blow Them Away

  • Thread starter Thread starter crawdad
  • Start date Start date
I respect that.
I sincerly hope you are right.

If they are like me, we won't have to worry about attacks on people just because they are American.

Peace
Joe
 
Sorry it took me a while to get to this - I didn't notice it until now.

Ha ha - you did a dead on Randy Newman. The song style is very Newman-ish too. Remember "Short People?" Parts of the melody remind me of that.

I agree with you that if you listen to the words it's more neutral observation than pro or against war. Ok the "popcorn and Diet Coke" line was a little anti-war. Coke might sue you for that line if you're not careful. :D

Liked the little chord run at the end. What progression was that?

I don't think I'd change anything in the instrumentation or arrangement. Maybe one exception is the end of the chorus there are maybe a few too many "Blow them away's". Just a nitpick. It wouldn't be a Trip-post without one of those :D.

Good job.
 
hey, i like your new piano sound. much better than the last one i heard you use.

this is a dead ringer for randy newman, you could do an impersonation. and fuck, you have got some serious songwriting chops my friend.

sorry no mix comments besides the piano getting better.

no political comments either. this whole thing is very depressing and sad.......
 
One more round of response, if you all don't mind. I always feel like when people make specific comments of length, that I like to answer when I can.

Jagular--I think Newman has written some brilliant stuff in his time and he cracks me up too. Underneath, though, his sarcasm just exposes the sad truth so well. Like in the song Sail Away, which is about the slave trade, the line that killed me was:

We just sing about Jesus
and drink wine all day

Bear in mind, its coming from a slave trader, whos trying to convince an African to hop on board to the promised land. Its funny on the surface but underneath, you know its a lie and the truth is so despicable. I guess the only way you could write a song like that is to put some humor on top of the grisly truth.

M. Brane--I hear you. My whole life, my sense of humor has been my only buffer between me and the deep end! And, for sure--'there is no humor without truth'. Great comment!

darwinsdoggy--I can picture you singing this while making a sandwich. Thats about as high a compliment as I could ever aspire to.

Erland--thanks man. You remind me how global the world has become. Aren't you in Spain now? I was in a bar playing tonight and stopped for the Bush speech. Here in the USA, in the bar where I was, people applauded at the end. Kind of like rooting for your favorite soccer team I suppose. Americans like to be winners and the feeling I got was that erverybodys on the war wagon because we know we're gonna win. Personally, I'd still like to see Hussien seek exile, but if we go, I'll support the coalition troops. I will not get my popcorn and watch the "big show" as some form of entertainment though.

Damn, I was trying to not be political tonight.

CDT-sHaG--Thanks man. Would Billy Joel write anything like this, though?

Smokepole, Macle--You both make good points and I have no problem with it being here in this thread. I mean, I write a song like this, I gotta expect it, right?

TripleM--I actually thought about shortening the chorus by a line, which would be as effective probably, but I found it wanted to be sung again and again in mindless fashion, so I left it that way.

erichenryus--I'm glad you like the new piano better. I think I could have gone even darker with it actually. And, I agree--the whole thing is depressing and sad. Tonight I pray for the best possible outcome.
 
Hey Dad,
:) ... a great song for turbulent times.

The verb on the vocs in this is Perfect!!! I havent read the responses, so at the risk of being redundant... Is that the new Motif?


GREAT stuff!!
Gw/5
 
Of course he replaces the only thing that sucked about the song, the piano.

Now I really, REALLY, hate you, Crawdad!..

:D
 
ok...here is what my useless opinion is telling me to type.

first..the reverb on the vocals is better than none.. That is a definate. It does have a dark "tail" to it...more like a large area that is curtained. Kinda like it might sound if you were in the wing of a stage, and the hall was empty. MY personal preference is something a little brighter. Something that sounds like a really nice parquayed floor...nice hardwood floor....decent ceiling height and the decay is equal at all frequencies...and actually maybe a shorter decay. Something to just make is sound 'live' and 'real'. Not an artificial reverb. (boy...scuze me for nit-picking..and realize this is MY choice. Probably not the one for others) Maybe, I am describing a Lexicon 480.

Now..the piano. This is a hard choice, because the elec MIDI piano sound has become so popular these days, that the sound of a real piano is NOT always expected. This reminds me of the old Helpinstil (sp?) pickups that were in vogue about 20 years ago. To me, being so "outfront and naked" (being the only instrument), it is SO obvious that it is not the real deal. Whether you like it or not, is a choice. I think a 9 foot 'Bosendorfer' would make a major difference. As good as this MIDI patch is, and it is MUCH better than the previous, I am wanting something that will do your vocals justice.

so...is this version better. A big yes.. Is it something that would compete with Billy Joel, etc ...NO. (after all he IS your competion now...right?;) ) If you went to Ocean Way (or your fav Big Boy studio), and recorded with their $90,000 pno and recorded this in the million dollar acoustically treated "live" room, this would be a smash. The song is there..same with the performance. (not that the pno is a technically challanging ordeal), but the vocals are delivered so 'on spot'.

Crawdad.... what a name!! you rock, you old hoosier!!

one last nit-pick... You have some hiss on the vocal track, which is acceptable btw. Same with pno track. They each have their own hiss, which I can hear in the cans, but the levels don't bother me at all. However, what bugged me was you cut your vocal track off earlier, at the end of the song, and the hiss level noticeably jumped just prior to your last pno note. I would let the vocal track "play" to the end too. ...or (God forbid), patch in some hiss!! to level it back out. Listen, JUST after when your vocals end, and you play your last pno note. You'll see what I am talking about.
 
How can I possibly follow that Mixmkr reply...:( All I can say is that I listened 3 times in a row...I laughed,I cried,Iactually felt better about this challenge that America is facing.Excellent work.You gave me a great emotional charge just now and I want to thank you kindly.Your music and voice have likablilty that is foreign to me...I like and can't tell why.Am I getting old?Not that your old and maybe I'm catchin up to what I feel old is,but am I becoming more refined.I doubt it but this song touched something in me I can't quite pin down.I never heard of that Randy Newman guy.

Also listened to Supposed to do,I think I hear a record contract knocking.With pro equipment,this would soar.

Ok ,...done kissing ass


(but I meant it)
 
CDT-sHaG--Thanks man. Would Billy Joel write anything like this, though?
Click to expand...
well no, probably not:)..it is something in the piano playing i think..it is subtle..
 
"one last nit-pick... You have some hiss on the vocal track, which is acceptable btw"

Bullshit. You listen for flaws and hear things that aren't really there, mixmkr. You're famous for it. :D

You're right about the piano, though. If I played piano as well as Crawdad, I'd get my hands on a real piano.

Crawdad: I don't think you sound like billy joel. You sound like you.
 
B.Sabbath - ur right.

this song's mixed alright.
 
Last edited:
groovejunkie

yo groovejunkie, crawdad made it pretty clear that he wasn't trying to open up a debate or anything.. no offense, but I like to read and learn about 'music stuff' in the clinic..

Your post was unnecessary 'here'.. There are a billion political threads in the cave for you though.. Why don't you take it there.. :)
 
dobro said:
"one last nit-pick... You have some hiss on the vocal track, which is acceptable btw"

Bullshit. You listen for flaws and hear things that aren't really there, mixmkr. You're famous for it. :D

You're right about the piano, though. If I played piano as well as Crawdad, I'd get my hands on a real piano.

Crawdad: I don't think you sound like billy joel. You sound like you.
Click to expand...

Bullshit back to you Dobro. God damn... get off my fucking case, Dobro. If you can't hear it, too bad for you. And no friggin smiley faces following my statements either.

Additionally, I hope you aren't implying that I also said Crawdad sounds like Billy Joel. Whether he does or not is unrelated to the point I was also trying to make.

Sorry Crawdad. I am just tired of these asswipes trying to hack me down when I try to offer my opinions (especially when it doesn't even involve them). It won't be done.

I like[d] you Dobro, but your post put you on my "prick" list.
 
Last edited:
I want to stay brief, cause this thing has taken up too much space already...

Mixmkr--Ah! Your BACK! (to your old self). I for one am glad and I really appreciate your comments and insights. Always interesting and helpful to me. Please continue to nit pick as you see fit cause I do not mind a bit. I still may post yet another version of the piano in this soon.

Guernica, Pedullist, CDT-sHaG--Thanks for the comments too!

W.I.S.C.--I appreciated your response and I'm glad that the song had an effect! If you are goetting old, you'll really start liking my stuff:D. Really, you'd probably like Randy Newman--at least some of his stuff. This was really only an attempt to do what he does much better.

Dobro--I have no place to put a real piano! Looks like MIDI forever!

Groovejunkie and B.Sabbath--I think I missed the original post, but sounds like all is well, so that is a good thing.
 
Well Shit!!!.....

.....I get back from vacation and this is the first song I listen to and it's fuckin' GREAT! :D

Now Randy Newman is an awesome son of a bitch and those that think you blow him away obviously haven't listened to his more obscure stuff but...... this is easily on a par with his best work. My hat's off to ya' and I'm immediately saving this.

You have an amazing way with lyrics and it shows up on virtually everything you write. I like the simple arrangement....it fits the need to really understand the lyrics.

You're getting like Sam.....you seem to turn out a tune every nine seconds. I don't know how you do it.

As for the political crap.......Guys..... I just know that we all want the same thing...for this to be short and for the lowest possible loss of life. So everyone pray for that, or cross your fingers or whatever is appropriate for you and your beliefs and lets please not waste our energies attacking each other in this community that we're so lucky to have.
 
Lt. Bob--Hey, welcome back! Folks, the Lt. speaketh the truth about Randy Newman. I just got your "Mickeymail" from Disneyland! Thanks! Too cool. Looks like you were having way too much fun. :D
 
crawdad said:
Looks like you were having way too much fun. :D
Click to expand...

Yep...and fun is about $50 a pound over there too. I just spent a Neuman mic or so! :D
 
"I like[d] you Dobro, but your post put you on my "prick" list."

Fine. Now, do me a favor and *keep* me on that list. I want some consistency from you. I'm tired of this wishy-washy back and forth stuff.

And to match consistency for consistency, I will continue to say it like I see it, with my tongue firmly in my cheek, and posting smilies so that my posts don't get misunderstood as being either too serious or intentionally insulting. Deal?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top