The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Finished songs => Topic started by: cowparsleyman on August 24, 2020, 08:03:04 PM
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It's 1967, Your'e living in London, and the scene is grooooovy.
So you put on your best bri nylon cream shirt, brown suit and tie, leave the beret at home and hang out with your girlfriends down the Kings Road.
Biba and Mary Quant are busy, you saw Twiggy and Lulu down there once, but they don't come around here no more.
One Saturday night you are watching a band in Diff City, and this is the song you remember...it goes around and around in your head like a circle in a spiral in an ever-spinning wheel.
You take a cab back and crash out listening to the Beatles on your Dansette (with a new needle that cost 2/11d - daylight robbery), pour yourself a beaker of Treetop eat a Bar Six and watch the Telly until the National Anthem and then the test card.
Best turn the light off, got work in the morning...
Part of the Genre Jumping suite, Working with The Urban Myths was one hell of a gas, man.
Credits:
cpm - Music, Lyrics, Instruments, Lead Anvil, Fairground Organ, hair styles.
The UrbanMyths - Ideas, Lyrics, hooks,lines, sinkers, loudness consultancy, Sideburns, Organ twiddling
Lyrics:
Blackbird came to me, he said hey man what are you doing
Get out of your bed It's a Sunday afternoon
Blackbird snag to me, tweeted condescendingly
Best years of your life are over soon
Brass band
Bridge:
Flying high above the rooves and playgrounds
Catch the wind beneath my wings and soar
See my neighbour talking to my Girlfriend
Wonder why I never noticed that before?
Repeat V1
Outtro
Blackbird Fly (flap your wings and fly away)_
Repeat...
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Chirpily perfectly 60s sound guys!!! Instrumentation is fab - some nice anvil and organ playing among a feast of other sounds... (only think I didn't love was the side to side panning of the intro drums but I'm sure that's just me).. Great lyrics.. interesting to hear tweeting in the "bird" context... nice touch actually.. Who's singing? Great vox - and love that loooooww "flap your wings..." response...
Nice outro and beautifully played.. better get that cleared before they sue you for all the dosh you make from this :-) lol.. vinyl crackle a nice touch..
Fab collaboration @5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) and @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308) - this one is a lot of fun..
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Ha ha Rich @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308) you always set the scene so well. We're any hallucinogenic substances involved. A great sixties mas up with touches if Tiny Tim, The Kinks and some Sgt Pepper thrown in for good measure and fabulous al coda of Blackbird. Really enjoyed the listen. I bet you had an absolute hoot working on this one :) All you need is love man :)
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Ha! I LOVE a bit of 60s kitsch. If I had a time machine I’d head straight to 1967 for a gander. So this was a close substitue for that time machine. Charming plonky-plonk rhythm and I liked the Bonzo-dog fake brass band immensely. Groovy, man.
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This sounds fabulous and fun! super catchy chorus and love all the vocals.
very clever ending, great work !
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@MonnoDB (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19820) - thanks Karen, yeah, i edited out the end for the release, It was me singing. it was a complete gas, but very difficult to arrange for some unknown reason, the verse came, then no ideas, so @5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) helped with some ideas, and that’s how it went, until the end. Is it possible to sue for less than a penny...?
@pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269) - cheers John, i try to set the scene - the only mind bending drug was Bovril or was it Ovaltine? Couldn’t resist the Beatles thing at the end , although it could come across as cheesy... but the 60’s were completely cheesy so I kept it in.
@PaulyX (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21034) - Aha Bonzo Dog, yeah they were great...I got the inspiration for the voice brass band from Blott on the Landscape, an ITV comedy which I loved, all of the music was done this way...i always wanted to do something like that and this gave me the opportunity, glad you liked it.
@Bostonfan2 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22448) - thanks for your kind words, so pleased you like it.
Btw the anvil and the Strawberry Fields Mellotron are examples of the last 5% of a production, the ‘hooks’ and ‘sprinkles’ that make a song interesting, memorable and as you say Fun, knowing when it was finished was also tricky...
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Flattered to be credited by @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308) but it is very much CPM`s bird. I contributed very little..I made the metaphorical cups of tea..I make a nice cup of tea..peppermint & lemongrass... while CPM wrote,sang,recorded & produced the song. He is correct I relentlessly twiddled my organ..nae pummelled it (without any help from CPM whatsoever) while he continued to write it, record,sing & produce it. I had a fab time working with Rich, he`s a brilliant producer, a cool head & outta sight. Dig it !!
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Absolutely outstanding in every way possible , there is so much going on, it’s hard to take in - I can’t even imagine how you pulled this all together 😃
Such an ambitious idea , production and execution 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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You really captured the sixties, (cowparsley)man! Great touches and love the Blackbird at the end. Super stuff!
Kevin
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@cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308),
Ray Davies in the building, followed by Paul McCartney with a quirky delivery of playful melody from a bygone age. There are so,many beautiful things going on here. Love the descending organ riff. This is a feast of sounds and I love this!
Paul
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Well this is totally bonkers, in the best possible way, of course ;D The scene setting in the OP is very authentic and adds to the fun. The chorus caught me out, as it took the tongue in cheek element to another level, but quite contrasted with the melancholic message of Mr Blackbird.
I think I wanted the blackbird back again sooner after the mad bit, as it is a really catchy verse section.
But very nice first outro, before the erm second outro.
In awe of the imagination and technique that went into this!
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Brilliant stuff - I thought bri nylon must be the new strings you were using?! Wish I could play Blackbird like that...
The song itself is really on the money for the period - I think I might have put the "brass" band a little later as that part is so hard to top.
But it's super fun stuff and so imaginative - well done you two.
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Hi
This is not only a great sixties pastiche but also a great song, it reminded me a bit of Hi Ho Silver Lining, The track is so brilliantly produced and so redolent of the sixties. I also loved the vocals as well as the lip trumpets and the Blackbird acoustic ending was the icing on the cake. Far out man.
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Great stuff Rich. Full of 60's music nostalgia for me. Bonzo Dogs, New Vaudeville Band, Mungo Jerry. it's all there.
Love the Beatles touch at the end. Typically first rate production/playing/composition
Loved it old chap ;D
btw. still working on that lead ;D ;D. I'll get there...promise ;D
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Went in for another few listens...on my headphones
I just love this , all of it...it’s like a whole album in one song
The deeper register flap your wings and fly away is totally awesome
I love all the little beeps and bobs , organs and fairground noises
The bass tone is gorgeous. Lyrically spot on...love the line about the neighbour and your girlfriend...hopefully they were just talking 😂
In all seriousness this kind of writing and prodcuction makes me really nervous about posting any more of my stuff 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Serious kudos on this masterpiece 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Thanks again for all of the listens and the kind words...
As always i try to respond not only to the questions, but also to explain a bit of my approach and a bit 'how it was done' for those interested....
@5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) - Your contribution was bigger than your organ...
@Kafla (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=6905) - First, glad you dig man, I try and make a mini journey out of all the songs I write, the trouble is I get bored quickly, so if I hear a song that I can guess where it's going, it kind of leaves me cold, so I try and keep the interest there all the way through, it might be by adding something different in the 2nd verse, an inversion of a melody line, a different rhythm for lyrics, but, just something to keep me from getting bored.
As for the beep, bobs and fairground noises, that's a direct influence from 'The Benefit of Mr Kite' and the beginning of Queens 'Brighton Rock'. I guess anything goes, don't be scared.
As for the Neighbour line, it bothered me slightly...How can a neighbour be talking to a blackbird? but it kind of works, doesn't it, for that split second logic flies out of the window...just like the bird.
The song was finished in later July, but my listening phase was quite long for this one, I wasn't convinced about some of the mix levels, so I revisited it a few times to get them just right, releasing a song is like giving birth, a uni directional process...It has to be the best it can be, right from the off.
Keep your songs coming Man, they are excellent.
@Binladeda (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18620) - Cheers Steve - Thought you might go for it...Send it over when your ready, I'm waiting for it....no hurry.
@Grubstar (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22532) - Hi Ho Silver Lining - well I never, that definitely was not on my mind, I always associate that with 'just before finishing a Party' song, Lead lip trumpet, never imagined to be credited for that, it was a load of fun doing that, and I had to stop myself, doing more and more tracks for that, in fact I think I muted 2 or 3 of the tracks in there..Couldn't resist the 'Blackbird' at the end,partly because of my guitar, it's pretty much the same as what they used..so I knew it would sound alright.
@adamfarr (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20124) - Hola Adam, Funny you should say that, I actually went for a set of Thomastik strings, (they were after recording this) I wasn't blown away by them, but I can imagine they could last a bit longer. I do prefer the newtones, as they ring like a bell, I was put on to them by Ralph McTell, I phone his office and asked what pre amp and strings he used, as I LOVE his studio tone, he came back and explained he uses K&K pre amps on all his acoustics and yes, Newtone strings...if they are good enough for him...
I did think about the placement of the 'Solo' section, but I remembered the solo in Squeezes 'Another Nail for my heart', and how brilliantly bold it was to have it so early, so it was a nod to the placement in that song, and it seems to work, albeit slightly unusual when one has heard solo sections later on, as the norm.
@MichaelA (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21274) - Thanks Micheal, yes, the arrangement is a little odd, born out of the rather piecemeal way that it was put together, @5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) had some cracking ideas, he wrote the lyrics for the first 2 verses.
Which mad bit? it's all bonkers man...
Can't have too many outros, I just imagined the guy in the Studio fiddling about (as one does) after the take, and playing that as a bit of a laugh, but it was caught on tape.
@Wicked Deeds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19231) - Thanks Paul - the organ bit was a challenge, one for the blinking sound - I couldn't find a Fairground Steam organ VSTi, so i think I used a '60's Farfisa from Arturia's V Collection 7, and lofi'd it with Audio Thing's Speaker (I think).
@kevysc (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19775) - Thanks for the listen and that you liked it Kev
...Again thanks to all that took a listen, It's scheduled for release on the major streaming sites in mid Sept..without the Blackbird outro, unfortunately...
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Hola @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308)
Thank you for sharing this song, it has taken me to times when the world seemed like this, like the brass band sounds... I loved it and also the lyric. The sound is very natural too!
Mora
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@cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308)
Hi Rich and associates, brilliant, love it, great ideas, playing, production etc etc etc......Made me smile, but I also loved the song. might have to pick up my acoustic and re learn Blackbird.....
Cheers
Jamie
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@Jamie (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19125) - if it made you smile Jamie, then I’m more than happy. Thanks for listening
@moraamarolaloba (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21233) - thanks Mora, glad you like it.
@5 guys named Lars (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22535) - fyi man...
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Well, that's right up my alley. Straight from the sixties--my super musically impressionable teen years.
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That straight eight (or whatever it is...you know what I mean) piano/bass riff is so typical we couldn't be anywhere else. The Move is the first band that came to me despite the Kinky title....but yeah The Kinks too...on a sunday afternoon or a sunny afternoon...definitely summer and definitely afternoon.
It's the bridge where it gets real Kinky. Superb vocals all through.
Great instrumentation all over it too and fantastic mix which is the envy of us all. I'll try to catch your tutorial this week...I've got to learn some of this stuff!
Something always in my head to get that separation of instruments but glue it all together seamlessly. You achieve it nicely....I don't suppose it's anything easy...oh well!
Great stuff Rich and captures the era brilliantly.
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Hi,
This is very, very clever. I'm getting Kinks, Beatles and the whole vibe of that era music. I loved all the sound effects and instruments that you've used. Incredibly original and innovative. This must have taken you absolutely ages. Wonderful in so many ways.
M
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Brilliant Rich! Sooo 60s!
Just off to get my flares out now!
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Fun stuff..............This does have a Beatles feel to it, as the period and title suggested, in a subtle, off way.
Good stuff..........
-Tom
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What a great song and music production.
You've caught the feeling and sound entirely!
Keep up the fantastic work!
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You got that perfect my friend..just missing a few pops and crackles.. :)
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@CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928) - Cheers V, yeah, they are very impressioonable those early days, when a song like 'Fire Brigade' by the Move just filled my ears with wonder...Yes, recreate those days here on the Forum....I can hear the American Voice Over now, with a large sweaty dude in a check jacket....
@Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra - Thanks for your kind words, I put a lot of the mixing down to doing it o great cans, the AKG Q701's have a soundstage about 500 miles wide and placing tracks is a breeze, it's all so intimate.
I'll be resuming the Tutorials in the new year, I'm rather stuffed with work at the moment.
@montydog (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=18653) - Hi M, thanks for the critique, thats so nice of you to say yes it took ages, partly due to the arrangement coming i waves and then the production was pretty tricky, you know, a dB here, 2dB there, a smidge more right/left...sub mix busses helped a lot with the Vox arrangements.
@PeteS (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22588) - You mean to say you took em off? may the Lord of Voicemeter Potato be with you for always (if not longer)...Huge thanks for your help with that.
@IronKnee (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20409) - Cheers
@antepop (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22663) - I will certainly keep it up Mr or Miss antepop, thanks for the cirtique.
@shadowfax (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20024) - Thanks man, I did put Waves Vinyl over it but I wasn't happy with the results, it sounded a tad contrived...that's a bit rich, the whole song is contrived...
Hey ho, such is life, better flap my wings and fly away...
Thanks again to all, really appreciate it.