Hi everyone,
I've been out of action for a while. A short break in Prague ended up with getting the flu which has laid me up for a week. Still not feeling 100% but thought I'd better get back in the saddle.
Thank you for everyone's lovely comments.
This is definitely up there with your best Alan. It kind of lulls you into a reflective state of acceptance about our fate (dusted ghosts
laid in the clay), as we make our way around the never ending "sundial" of life 
It's sad in a way, but that's life, and we enjoy it for what it is 
Pure poetry as always, beautifully sung and so well produced Loved every minute of it 
@crystalsuzy : Thank you my very talented friend. Lovely comments.
I really like this Alan, it´s great to hear your stuff again. I can imagine some kind of country audience all raising their lighters at this one. The music and arrangement are exquisite as always and the lyrics are as thoughtful as they can be. The first three notes of the guitar solo made me jump but I reckon I had been lulled into a meditative state by then...that must be some special quality you have. Great stuff mate.
@MartynRich : Thank you so much. What can I say?
Great song concept - the final time around the dial is such a good line I think I'd have used it again at the end in a strong and memorable position!
I'm not a fan of slide guitars at all, but boy are they effective for creating a sad atmosphere!
Very nice work.
@adamfarr : You can't not slide guitar - it's not allowed! Pleased that you thought they were used effectively.
Hi Alan,
not sure how you manage it, but this is way up there with your best.
Keith
@diademgrove Hi Keith - may thanks. Not sure it's up with my best but I'll take any compliments I can get.
Great melancholy country vibe. I remember seeing Keith Richards talking about his old mate Gram Parsons, and how he had this thing he called ‘high lonesome’ in all his music. I thought this track had that: ‘high lonesome’. Brilliant slide guitars and vocal delivery, and powerful lyrics.
@PaulyX : Yep, high and lonesome is the target. Glad you got it.
lovely song
with a seemingly effortless delivery, the sign of a pro
I*ve to it a few times, very relate-able imagery
this forum is my go to site for good music.
Another top song. Well done Montydog!
@Rightly - Well not so much effortless delivery as default setting delivery. Wish I could scream like Mick Hucknall!
Lovely song, great melancholic feel. I particularly like the Hawaiian guitar backing, really wistful and evocative. Excellent production ( as usual) and strong lyrics. (Don't know if the Pink Floyd reference about "missing the starting gun" was deliberate, but caused to remind me one of my all time favorite songs about aging: "Time".)
Nice job,
Kevin
@kevysc : Thanks for the lovely comments. Yep, "Time" by Pink Floyd was an inspiration for this.
The melancholy sound suits my mood these days. And I always enjoy the sound of your voice.
@CaliaMoko : Thanks Vicki. Means a lot coming from you.
Quite a languid and melancholic number, where I particularly liked the slow reveal of the chorus which is a contrast to the easily memorised rhythm of the verse melody.
The backing track is just lovely with all its gentle subtleties.
The reference to the dial quite late into the song might be a bit confusing though, without having read your intro blurb, but hey. everything does not have to be taken so literally!
Nicely sung and reflectively delivered all round!
@MichaelA : Many thanks - pleased that you liked it.
Hi Alan, it's a pretty nice lyric and as always your vocal and the production is great. Hopefully you have a few miles left on the old clock and a few more trips around the sundial my friend. Geoff
@Furry61 : Hi Geoff - Well lets hope so although with the flu this week I was having my doubts for a while there!
Great lyrics, lovely vocal appropriately melancholic... playing and production top notch.. just lovely. I always like your songs @montydog - think this might me my favourite so far...
@MonnoDB : Thank you - your comments are much appreciated.
That's an impressive sundial for sure Alan. Although of course sundials are fundamentally flawed in their design and particularly non-effective in this country where we lack our sunshine quotas. I suppose it was a good excuse for turning up late for furrowing the field back in the day.
I digress - Very well put together lyrics, contemplative and slightly sad. Your arrangements, playing and production are top class and topped off with your velvety voice. Nice geetar break
@pompeyjazz - Thank you for the lovely comments.
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,signifying nothing.
Old Willy had some lines.
I'm a miserable soul at heart,so this appeals to me greatly Alan. I think as we age,we tend toward the reflective and often downright morose,but this trods the line between meditative and nihilistic just nicely.
Deep observations wrapped in comfy slippers.
@Skub : Hi Davy. I hadn't realised it was Willy The Shake who wrote the original words. Your description of my music as "deep observations wrapped in comfy slippers" is perfect; made my day. Can I use that quote on my next CD?
Some great lines in this...a final time around the dial in particular is a bobby dazzler as folks used to say around these parts. Sounds, playing and production all top notch once more. Its totally not my thing but lyrics this good really shouldn't go unnoticed.
No wonder those Russian guys wanted to visit the cathedral 
@PaulAds : Thank you for your kind words - Just as a matter of interest, what is "your thing"?
So once again many thanks to all who commented. Not a single negative word. Must be a first!
M
