[James Nighthawk]

Hey boys and girls

I will have totally new stuff to share in the new year. Mastering is go for Album #2. Until then, I have just uploaded this live version of one of my songs to Soundcloud. Some of you may have downloaded it already (it's a free EP download at my site, www.jamesnighthawk.com - errr, is it still a sales pitch if it is free?!   )

Anyway, I play this one live a lot as it is great fun to play...

To a well behaved audience, I play it much as you hear here. Soft and loud combined. To a rowdier crowd, I strum hard and sing loud! Covers both situations

As such, in way of review, any comments on how me+my guitar can deliver this song appreciated. I like the Dylan approach of song's "changing" over time, stops me getting board with them. Tweaks to try to my performance welcome.

I got lots of mixed comments about the lyric of this one when i posted it first time over a year ago. It's a quirky one. I won't bring up the points, as I wonder if the acoustic rendition will affect people's thoughts?

The live version:

https://soundcloud.com/jamesnighthawk/ftw-live-and-acoustic

Album Version (for reference/those new to it):

https://soundcloud.com/jamesnighthawk/ftw

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#ftw

Hello from your good friend
Your friend just across town
We speak online daily
This ol’ life gets you down

A forward attachment
Breaks the working day blues
Harmless distraction
Full of harmless abuse

How r u doin’?
How have u been?
You reply with a smiley face
For the Win

So through web casts and forecasts
Our social skills stay on parole
Now our lives become hands off
As I laugh my ass off, So droll
We recount our nights out
We leave half the vowels out
Linguistic undoing,
Or modern renewing?
Who knows…

MySpace is my virtue
My home page adorned
With a little “Too much info”
We could not forewarn

Lo, stalkers and slackers
Identity fraud
But who’s really loosing face
In technology’s war?

So we roll on the floor
As we all laugh out loud
What’s so wrong?
We bookmark the pages
This R.S.S living’s ‘da bomb’
Our high speed connection
An imperial direction
To a world of false living
Where all love and all giving
Is gone, gone, gone…

Now the Day’s over
All life can begin
Skip on to our happy homes
For The Win

 

[crystalsuzy]

I always feel a little intimidated, being the first to comment on a song, but here goes  

I LOVE THIS SONG everything about is absolutely STELLAR!  

Your vocals are amazing and so clear...great premise...it's all so true

I love the way you've written the lyrics got to love those smiley faces  

I listened to both versions and I like both, but the live track sounds a little more intimate...like I'm sitting in the front row in your audience  

I've downloaded your free album, so thanks   I love all your stuff James

[TheButcher]

Yes, it s a very nice song.

You are a very good musician.

I kinda missed a few surprises in terms of composing.

When the song started i thougth of "when a man loves a woman"

chords and melodies are great, but it sounds a little too familiar to me. Also that electric rhythm guitar that always plays one strum on the 2 and the 4.

it s very very accessible and it s a great production.

cheers

B

[James Nighthawk]

@suzy Big hugs gal, glad you dig it!

@Butcher Yup, accessible and a tad predictable was kinda what I went for. The idea was the attack a modern subject using a 60s style of writing, with a bunch of the tropes you mention; the old juxtaposition nugget. It comes after a run of more dark songs on the album, accessible is dandy. Thanks for your comments

[Binladeda]

 Hi James,

 Beautiful song sir  ;

 Your elegant brush strokes never fail to move me   

 Gawd bless yer guvnr 

[Neil C]

James,
Listened to the live version and I think its my favourite song of yours.
Cleaver lyrics and really catchy melodic tune. I like the way you sing the verses in particular.

Neil

[stickboymusic]

Really nice song - prefer the full version but can imagine the stripped one being just fine live.

It kinda reminds me of beautiful south (in a good way)

If I had any negative comment it would be the slightly odd/american(?) way you sing some of the words

distrac-shone for example.

Good work here though

[montydog]

Hi James,

It's cool, sophisticated and beautifully performed. Pop writing of the highest standard. Prefer the live version as it's just bit more organic.

M

[benjo]

 HEY JAMES


  yeah you play so so well its a real pleasure to listen to talent like that
  and the vocal reminded me a little of MR BLUNT innocent high vocal LOVED IT
  i also felt like i was sat in the front row with a cold beer

  this has everything it needs to get the attention and keep it   ( it did with me )
  lyrically nice and tight paints a nice picture too

        over all James you got man LOVED IT

          GOOD LUCK BUD


                 tony






 

[Dogmax]

(I play this one live a lot as it is great fun to play)

I well believe the audience would love this fantastic performance and i would say they would be yelling for more.

WOW.

[Kevin j]

great song! amazing performance in the live version, and great production in the album version
loved everything about it, can't really give any advice on it, great songwriting

[retrononomusic]

Hi!

I'm stuck with the live version, I like it a lot better. Do you have any videos of your performances?
I repeat myself but just voice + guitar always impress me as I can't do it myself. I found it hard to keep the audience interested. But this one keep my interest.

I didn't get all the lyrics because I'm french and I would have to take a dictionary. I'm frustrated. 

Great!

Nono.

[James Nighthawk]

Thanks for all the lovely comments.

Yup, I have been called out before on my pronunciation of "distraction". It jars more I think, because I sing with an English accent in general, rather than american or neutral. Oddly, it was never on purpose, nor can I stop doing it even when trying! So I have filed it under "quirk" and will be cautious with future recordings. The feedback was certainly helpful!
JNx

[stickboymusic]

Thanks for all the lovely comments.

Yup, I have been called out before on my pronunciation of "distraction". It jars more I think, because I sing with an English accent in general, rather than american or neutral. Oddly, it was never on purpose, nor can I stop doing it even when trying! So I have filed it under "quirk" and will be cautious with future recordings. The feedback was certainly helpful!
JNx

It's a really easy thing to fall into especially if you listen to and are influenced by American music.

I think you are correct that mostly you sing neutral so it does stick out a little.

In honestly it's a little bit of a bug bare of mine and I can see why others haven't mentioned it as a lot of people do it.

It's not distracting from a really good song though

[tone]

Hi James

I really like this version, it showcases the song and the sharp lyric. Even though the album version is really good, I think I prefer this stripped back. It gives you room to play with the vocal delivery, which really suits the song.

Sign of quality songwriting in my opinion, to have it stand up so well with just a voice and acoustic guitar. Classy stuff mate