[pompeyjazz]

Hi all,

Wanted to try something slightly different this time with an experiment with vocals in a lower register and a dark and brooding mood. I've gone for a kind of eastern vibe.

For the drums, I'm using EZ Drummer, It's the Southern Soul 60's Ludwig kit

I added another subtle drum track underneath the main drums which is a sample from the excellent free musicradar-arabian-nights-samples soundkit - I think it's still available as a freebie - There is some nice stuff in there, flutes, gongs, bells, bongs and stuff that you may never use but it's a hoot.

I also used that soundkit for the flute sound I have at the end but had to chop up samples and pitch them correctly

The strings I used are from an old favourite VST of mine - I don't know if it's still out there but it's called Aravic World Strings - It's great for this kind of Eastern vibe

I've also had a first attempt at creating a video with the Youtube Movie maker software. I think it took me longer to do the video than it did the music but I guess I'll get the hang of it eventually !!

V1
I crossed the desert in a desert storm
In the dead of night where I couldn't  get warm
My eyes were smarting and my clothes were torn
And I hoped and prayed for a brighter dawn

Ch
My body sore and swollen
My mind was nearly broken
The beautiful oasis
In front of me yet out of reach

V2
Contortion and confusion
An optical illusion
I lost track of my senses
Pursuing hopeless cases

Ch
My body sore and swollen
My mind was nearly broken
The beautiful oasis
In front of me yet out of reach

M8
The desert put us to to the test
There's no return and there's no rest
Strength and courage at the door
Lying on the desert floor

V3
I've been in the desert for one hundred days
If you feed the beast then someone pays
Where nobody leaves and nobody stays
And your mind dissolves in a dusty haze

[CorkingCrackBand]

Firstly, I'm not a fan of peoples feet so watching that was like being strapped to a chair in A Clockwork Orange!  J/K - I wouldn't know where to start on a video and you did a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the song. I'd like to see you try more.  I'm sure you learnt a load along the way and will only get better. 

   To the music, you and @moraamarolaloba should team up for the next bond song... in fact... are they still casting for the new Bond?

  I love your voice in this. It feels really angry and snide. The lyrics provide a wonderful atmosphere and paint a real picture which, as I say, your voice enhances. That guitar sound is top notch and everything else works so well towards the whole - like a backing group of Ringo's - in a good way! 

Nice one,

CCB

[subvibe]

Hi

Great sound & well performed
Got a hint of Beds are Burning by midnight oil

always great to see you trying out different sounds & concepts

Great Stuff

subvibe 

[IronKnee]

Great atmosphere......has that hot and exhausting feel. Well done!!
Good stuff, Pompy.

[shadowfax]

Moody and dark...wouldn't have recognised you until the M8, voice sounding good in the lower register and the arrangement suites the mood very well, this is a good un mate!!

[moraamarolaloba]

I love a lot the stuff you use, drums are soooo real, as well as string, the style is dark and depth.. The instrumental part sounds elegant maintaining the tension of the story, your voice is different, a new discovery!!! Love chorus, really catchy! Good lyrics! Oasis don't exist only at desert... hahaha

[PaulyX]

Hey John, something different from you here... great to hear you mining fresh ground.  Definitely had a sinister 'spy movie' feel to my ears too, right down to that ending ringing chord.  And great to hear you doing a 'Johnny Cash' down in that lower vocal register - it gives you quite a different character to what we're used to.  Good work on the video too... they are a total bind aren't they!  But it was certainly good eye candy for the track.

[Wicked Deeds]

I nearly missed this John.  Such an atmospheric sonBg. Some great sounds going on and it could just about be a different vocalist demonstrating your versatility.  It's a movie soundtrack for sure.  By the way, you're  backing vocalist specialist.  wish I had the motivation and time to include them in my productions. Lovely brooding keys and super spy guitars!  Very enjoyable.

Paul

[cowparsleyman]

@pompeyjazz - Just writing as I'm listening - atmospheric, oriental, hot uncomfortable nights, a glass of water by the bed, Lamb Tagine and couscous...some nice ideas, I wonder where you started?  LOVE the ending.


Rgds

Stormy Norman

[Skub]

Hey pomps.

You've gone all James Bond theme on this one! Digging that baritone thunder.

The vocals on octaves is very effectively done and works well on this one,a harmony would make it too sweet I think.

Cool work on the drums/percussion as well as the strings.

[PaulAds]

Excellent ! Loved the vocals…reminded me of Alice Cooper, for some reason…perhaps you’re an excellent golfer too? It wouldn’t surprise me 😀

It generates a great middle-eastern feel…remember that bird off the Turkish Delight advert and the guy with the very large scimitar? He looked like he could do some damage with that thing. And she looked like she’d let him. Yikes!

Those were the days…

[Jamie]

OK, so you've mastered every other genre, why not go for the Arabic market too @pompeyjazz ? Really interesting in your use of instruments etc to get the sound, and J Cash type vocal worked well in a parched sort of a way! Great adventure John!

Cheers

Jamie

[pompeyjazz]

@PaulAds 

[PaulAds]

Ha ha…that’s her! 😂

[montydog]

Hi @pompeyjazz This is a nice change of gear from you. The lower register on your vocals works well here and the strings are effective. Atmospheric, mysterious and dark. I like it.
M