[Neil C]

Hi,

Here's a song I co-wrote with a rather talented spoken wordsmith and free jazzer Simons Wells. He unfortunately he lost his brother a while back and this was about their relationship.

Musically written on the piano going for a Van Morrison vibe, not that it sounds like that now, and got a fivvr addition.

Anyway I look forward to your comments and suggestions

 

neil 

https://soundcloud.com/neilconnor-2/shirt-off-my-back-demo-master-14-august-2018 

You always gave me the shirt off your back
You’d pick me up, from school
You would push me right up to the edge
I thought you were so cool
 
Ben Sherman hand me downs
Sometimes straight off the rack
All that you gave me, was more
Than the shirt off your back
 
You always gave me the shirt off your back
Those summers, in the brick yard
Arguing about everything and nothing
For you it was easy, for me it was hard
 
Ben Sherman hand me downs
Sometimes straight off the rack
All that you gave me, was more
Than the shirt off your back
 
Solo

I’m still wearing the shirt off your back
Took a while to understand
That blood is thicker than water
That’s how you made me a man
How you made me a man

Ben Sherman hand me downs
Sometimes straight off the rack
all that you gave
 
Ben Sherman hand me downs
Sometimes straight off the rack
all that you gave me, was more
Than the shirt off your back

I’m still wearing Shirt off your back x 2

c 2018 wells/connor

[PaulAds]

Hello Neil

Great lyric...very poignant.

The music suits it down to the ground...or under the ground, even...if I was being callous 

Very cool and breezy backdrop and an instantly memorable hookline. Sax is cucumber-esque 

Great vocal and super harmonies...reminded me a lot of Squeeze in the warm, friendly way you tell the story.

Excellent stuff, mate!

[Cawproductions]

Howdy Neil.
This sounds great and has a very feel good vibe.

Some great musical parts in there, Sneaky sax just poking through, guitar lick and fills,

That Baseline is super cool.

Great work Guys

[montydog]

Hi Neil,

Poignant and astute lyrics put to a very nicely arranged musical setting. This is a little different from your usual musical palette and it makes a refreshing change. Instrumentally perfect as I would expect and a nice relaxed, confident vocal. Lovely bit of lead guitar right at the end.

A very lovely thing indeed.

M

[Paulski]

Great bluesy feel to this one.
Lots to like here - like the bass especially.
And the lead guitar is stellar too.
Good arrangement and mix - perfect length.

Nice one fellows 
Paul

[adamfarr]

Hi Neil - really enjoyed this one! I found it really intriguing the way that you never name the relationship - could be a father, brother, friend, or anyone else. The shirt idea points to them maybe being quite close in age, but as we don’t know it feels very universal.


Nothing to add, great idea, excellently realised.

[Movin Flavour]

A really good listen.

Love the Ben Sherman reference.

Great sax, gives the song a really bluesy feeling and love those guitars.

Great sentiment and excellent lyrics.

Sandeep

[pompeyjazz]

Clever stuff Neil. Love the breathy sax. Got a sort of Blockheads feel to it. Some tasty playing going on

[Yodasdad]

Very well crafted.

Had a hint of Chas n Dave about it to my ears.

Bass line was the star for me, especially when the mix cleared out towards the end and it could shine.

The lyrics are a great tribute.

Bold move to open with the sax, works though.

Good work

Yodasdad

[Neil C]

PaulAds, thaanks for encouraging feedback
Great vocal and super harmonies...reminded me a lot of Squeeze in the warm, friendly way you tell the story""

Cawproductions, "has a very feel good vibe" cheers

Montydog, thanks for your feedback on the lyrics and style. delighted it hit the spot

Paulski, cheers and pleased you liked the bluesiness and bass

Adam, thanks, I hadn't thought about the lyrics like that because it as some obvious that we were writing about the relationship with his brother..

Movin, thanks for your positive feedback

pompeyjazz, blockheads I'll take some of that :-)

Yodasdad, not sure about the chas'n,dave reference RIP but thanks for your comments on the bass, lyrics and sax

[MonnoDB]

Thought I had commented on this ... must be losing me marbles! That "shirt off your back" hook is just fantastic.. Love the breezy mood to this contrasting with the context. The sax works really well - well actually all of the instrumentation is well played and arranged.. Lyrics are the star for me though... Lovely stuff @Neil C !

[LostBoy]

Great stuff mate! Lovely vibe/instrumentation, nice mix, lovely lyrics.

Only thing I wasn’t keen on (small nit indeed) was the use of the line “you always gave me the shirt off your back” at the start of the second verse right after having just heard that line repeated before in the hook. I bet you guys could write something better for that line.

Nice work to you both. 

[shadowfax]

How did this pass me by?
your usual high standard of instrumentation and the lyrics are very good..agree with lostboy's comment though...

[nooms]

enjoyed this
not quite van the man mate but def neil the feel..just natural
still wearing the shirt off your back..' great line
nice pick up toward the outro.. guitar let loose and free

[Skub]

Yo Neil.

Cool song man. Production and recording is solid.