Hello everyone,

I got triggered writing/composing a protestsong when seeing all those images of burning Australia while their government did nothing more than asking to pray. But it wasn't that alone, but more that climate issues are too often ignored or not taking so serious. And that we more talk about it than really act.
But I'm not a kind of climate-ayatollah (as we say in the Netherlands). I also fly in a plane and possess a (petroldriven) car. But time to act is becoming more urgent now instead of ignoring it.

But enough of that. Now abouth the making of this song: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/all-that-talking

The key: Em, Tempo 92, Length (m:s)=4:10
The style PEAT.STY (Bogs Bottomless Baritone Blues)

RealTracks: 2613:Bas, Elektrisch, Ritme Funk Pompend Offbeat 8sten Gel 100
RealTracks: 3337:Piano, Electric, Rhythm FunkJeff Ev16 110
RealTracks:3351:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm SwampyBluesBrent Ev 095
RealTracks: 3354:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm LowdownBluesBrent Ev 085
RealTracks: 3528:Vocals, Background GospelCool2-part Sw16 075
RealTracks: 3352:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Soloist SwampyBluesTalkBoxBrent Ev 095
RealDrums : Funk70sPop: a: Snare, Kickb: Snare, Ride

I thought it might be a good idea to add a group (a track) of Gospelsingers in this song. Of course I hesitated at first, because could gospel fit in this song, I asked myself. But it did surprisingly well, to my opinion. The same hesitation I had was with the solo-bariton guitar with the explicit sound. But then I liked it. I only added a keyboardtrack in my DAW from Native Instruments to get an 'exiting tone' from the beginning of the song.
And at least I mastered the song in a new programm called Finalizer. I still can use it freely for a week, but it was very easy to work with. (maybe now some of you will say that they can hear that...)
But I hope you like it, but also give me serious comments on what I did wrong or whatever,

Hans Berkhout

The lyrics (with some advise from Stefan Nachtsheim. Sadly he's having a cold now)

All that talking
(c) HWBerkhout, january 2020

Australia is burning, a billion animals have died
Their government is only praying, the cause they denied
Oceans are choking, plastic islands everywhere
But can you tell me...... Who does really care?

=Chorus=
We have a 'situation' can't you see?
The world is in danger, because we can't agree
World leaders are only talking why they have to pay
This is so hopeless, I better start to pray

Pollution is getting skyhigh and the climate has changed
Yet we just keep talking, while nothing gets arranged
Democracy is weakened, Nationalism now appears
We know where that brings us. Worst we should fear

=Chorus=
We have a 'situation' can't you see?
The world is in danger, it affects you and me
All that talking won't help us anyway
I feel hopeless, do you still pray?

--solo--

With our advanced weapons, the world can be pulverized
Although they cost a fortune, they are always subsidized
Solving climate problems may cost the same
but no one wants to pay for it, ain't that a shame?

=Bridge=
All that talking...
mostly empty words,
but...

=Chorus=
The world is dying, can't you see?
It is now crumbling, affecting you and me
All that talking, and we could only wait
We need action, no more time to waste

The world is dying, don't you agree?
It is crumbling, affecting you and me
All that talking while nothing's being said
We need action, before we are all dead
Act now!!!

Cool! The synth at the beginning really sets up the feel for the song, and the gospel choir is an inspired choice.

The mix sounds excellent through my speakers.

The opening music grabs me from the onset.

Good choice with the gospel choir. It brings your song to the next level.

I love the whole sound package hear. Fantastic aural wave!

Your message is spot on.

Hans,
Well done!
I love the addition of the singers, I thought that fit very well with the music and the message.
the only thing I would suggest is to bring the vocal a little more upfront maybe some EQ?

A worthwhile message for sure.
Thanks for speaking out in song,



Many of my songs are born from similar themes.
I've posted 2 songs here, the first was on the same subject.
I'm always shocked and disappointed that not everyone is in agreement on this subject.

Hans,

Excellent Protest Song.

Excellent choice of tracks with very cool variations throughout. The stops and "jerky" chords work well...

Good "angry" vocal.

Well done.

fj

I really like this one, Hans.

Great protest song about an important subject, and a subject I care about a great deal.

Nice production, that choir sounds really good! I also like the guitars you chose, works well for the song.

Enjoyed!

Great protest song...
But take heart...
It seems new solutions are being implemented everyday
For these thorny problems.

Unfortunately the news media only seems to report the problems
And not the solutions.
I found a couple of interesting articles today in a Nature magazine.
One was about how they are repairing the coral reefs...
Another article I read a few days ago was about a new photosynthesis procedure
That can turn carbon dioxide into a "green" methane energy source.
They are there but you will have to search for them!

As someone suffering from the anti earth, anti democratic government referenced - I thank you.
It's also very good!
Get angry more often.

Hi Hans.
Your well crafted song grabs my attention and holds it throughout.
To me the message is a damn site more than thoughts and prayers are required to change anything.
Rock on.

Very good protest song, angry vocals and angry sound express the important subject very well. Nice combination funk, gospel and rock - really work together, reminds me of Who. This is a good start for the year, I hope it inspires us to DO something more to save the world.

Janne

Dave well expressed our feelings about the song. We will only
add that your fine edgy vocal perfectly delivers the message.

Well done!!!

J&B

Hans

A good solid protest song with a lot of interesting features.

Strong vocal and I liked all the instrumentation.

Excellent.

Peter

Hello Hans ...

Excellent song about a message that needs to be said. the b/h choir really adds some rich drama to the delivery ... great choice! And that's nice guitar on the right channel. everything about this is excellent.

Best to you ...

Alan

PS: Loved that intro!!!

Thanks David!

Yes that synth wasn't in before. It sounded allright, but I missed something. I played some tunes on my keyboard and then I knew what I missed; an exciting tone!
Also, the gospelchoir was a wild guess. But it fitted in nicely. They shout and i sang angry. what more do you need?

Hans

Hi Ezekiel,

Thanks for your comment. As I wrote to David Cunny the synth and choir turned out very nice.
It only took me some time to figure out how I had to sing. In earlier versions I was shouting more, but luckily I got a sore throat and decided to sing more modestly. Worked out better.

Hans

Thanks Rich!

I think it takes more to convince 'our' leaders...
But at least you're on!!!

Hans

Hello Captain!

Thanks for your comment on the song.
The only thing I was puzzled about is what you said about the eq.
I listened again to the song, but I think my voice is upfront enough. So help me with what you said.

hans

Hi Floyd, Dave, Jim and Ray,

I responded to some people individually, but then saw my picture appearing all the time and saw that was not a good idea. Now I do the answering like I did before.

Floyd, thanks for your comment. Nice you have the same feelings about this toppic. I am also gladly surprised you had no remarks on my mixing or so. Does that mean I'm improving the quality of my songs, or have you stopped trying to learn me that?

Dave, thanks for your compliments too. I'm glad the gospelchoir fitted in so well. I hadn't expected that at first.

Jim, I knew you would like protest songs. At least it would have amazed me if you didn't. And I know that there are more and more sollutions for environmental issues, as you wrote. But I wasn't singing about that. The song is about the mentality of decision makers in a lot of important countries. They give the impression not to be willing to act on those problems. They deny them, or delay implementation of sollutions. Probably because it brings danger to economic growth. That was why I compared it with those weapos that can destroy our planet. buying them is never a problem. In Dutch the title 'would have been 'Al dat geklets, meaning All that banter'(but in 'flatter' language)

Ray, not even some crumpy words about the mixing of the song! Thanks for your compliments! and I know you suffered, probably now from flooding. My sister lives near Brisbane and complaines all the time on the phone or when she was here some weeks ago. And you both are right (and have a lousy government).

Hans

Hi Janne, Janice, Bud, Peter and Alan,

Thanks a lot for your nice comments on the song, the gospelladies and the exiting tone.
It's also very nice to notice you all agree on the topic. So we only have to convince some leaders and then a better world can come!

Janne, like Floyd you mentioned that 'angry voice'. I thought I was too soft and even a bit too polite in the vocals. In one of the first versions I more had a shouting indignation (ask Stefan, when he'd recovered from his illness).

Janice and Bud, I also have to thank you for your nice words on the song and my vocals. I was wondering, have you put the song 'all the way up' on your speakers? (you once told me you did this on one of my songs). I used a new masteringsoftware (Finalizer) that suits me more than Ozone 9, but maybe you already know it?

Peter, thanks as well. These are nice compliments, but I won't do these protestsong more often, I think. Maybe twice a year? But that gospelchoir... Maybe together with an acoustic guitar?

Alan, it was wonderful to receive two post from you with nice words! I'm sitting behind my desk typing these words with a smile on my face. But that counts for all the nice words I read from you all. Thanks again!

Hans

Hans, some fantastic deliverables within your composition.

Lyrically, you have pushed the envelope, and well done for that.

Rhythmically, everything works just so well.

Musically, nothing has been left out.

Too many people are in denial, sitting on their hands. You created a protest song, and boy, you sure delivered.

Well done.

You did an excellent job on this Hans! Your mix is very good and the vocal has a great cutting edge to it that sits so well in the mix! A great thought provoking write and performance! Thanks, Torrey

Hans,
Excellent tune in all respects! Sad, but true. Mix is one your best!

I was just reading about the Doomsday Clock news this morning and was a bit spooky listening to your tune in the same hour...
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Wow , This is just excellent!!! Love the music, vocal works well on this. Cliff

You've got my number Hans...
I love protest songs.
But sometimes the issues are so thorny
With nothing seemingly being done
So all we can do is cry
And write & sing songs of protest...

I don't think we will ever see our elected officials
Create agendas which will lead to solutions...
Their job is to get themselves elected again
So they can't afford to do anything that's radical.

So I wrote "take heart"
Changes will have to come from common folk
Like you & me & those unsung scientists
That come up with solutions which will work!

Well, that's letting it all out. You shouldn't have fretted about the baritone guitar and the gospel singers...they both make the thing musically. This has a quite Jethro Tull-ish feel to me, which is the HIGHEST compliment I can give a rock song and I hope you can receive it that way. Really good work on this.

Wow - really nicely done! Really hits the nail on the head in terms of getting the point across, and the instrumentation works wonderfully with your vocal delivery. It really had a sense of urgency behind it, and I found it effective in what it was trying to do.

Thanks for sharing

What a cool intro. Awesome song. Love protest songs. Excellent lyric and vocal. Well done

Hans,
Lyrically direct and absolutely necessary protest song- your vocal delivers the message with a convincing edge.
Its also a cool production- those gospel voices sounding more human than the other Biab bgv.
You`ve struck all the right angry notes here!

Robert

Hello Videotrack, Torrey, Misha and Cliff,

I'm very happy with your compliments about the song as a totall (the melody, lyrics, mixing). The mixing- and mastering-processes went more smootly then I had expected. Now I only have to write down how I did that exactly ;-)

Videotrack, I hope not only the song will sound nice, but the message will work in the way you called it (I have delivered). I have some doubts on that...

Torrey, 'A great thought provoking write and performance', so nicely said. Thanks for this!

Misha, I became curious how you did that 'reading about the Doomsday Clock news this morning and listening to your tune'. I can absolutely imagine this combination is a very spooky, or creepy experience. Therefore I do one thing at a time. And also I'm very proud you called this my best mix. You said this before with one of my other songs, so my skills are improving quickly now ;-)

Cliff, I found it very cool to see you used three exclamation marks after the word 'excellent'. Beware I won't become vain by such nice words!!!

Thanks a lot,
Hans

Hello Hans,

Many many people are really worried about the Australian fire.
It is also reported daily here in Japan.
I think that difficult content has become a wonderful Protest song by your hand.
The usage of the each instrument matches this song very well.
And your vocals are splendid.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hans,

This is....



You've delivered big-time with this one. It's two very enthusiastic thumbs up from me.

I totally agree with fellow Aussie rayc when he says,


I've spent most of January writing comments on our national and local newspapers just to try and get people to see the problem we are now facing. It's pretty scary.

The tide is turning, thank goodness. Recent polls suggest that over 2/3rds of Australia not put anthropogenic climate change at the top of the list of worries.

We'll get their eventually.

Thank you for such a great song!
Noel

Hi Jim, Tangmo, Deryk, Scott, Robert, Shigeki and Noel,

Let me start by thanking you for listening and your compliments on this song. As for Jim, this is not the case for his reply, but I come to that.
Protestsongs are not so hot as songs about love and suffering. Some replies as; 'It's so easy to put the blame on politicians'. That's true. But the ones in power are to blame. Why do we have to believe it's the cowshit that spontaneously start burning and cause these fires? But no, I don't want a political discussion here. We're making music and discuss that. But if we don't cry out loud no one will hear us...

And Jim, what I wrote above is also my answer to you. And thank God (!)we are very very busy finding scientific sollutions. But we can't always rely on that without changing our attitude (now I sound like some environmental Ayatollah again).

Tangmo,thanks for you highest compliment that the song sounds Jethro Tull-ish. I almost feel 'uncomfortable' with your beautiful words!
I wasn't fretting about the baritonguitar though, but about the synth. I thought it would sound too dramatic. But no one said it did.

Deryk, 'It really had a sense of urgency behind it, and I found it effective in what it was trying to do'. These are so nice words! And I hope the last part will hapen. Though I am maybe a bit too cynical on believing that. I do hope I am mistaken.

Scott, while I was hesitating abouth that synth, you show me how wrong I was on that. Thanks!

Robert, yes, I was amazed how those gospelsingers fitted in the song. I tried those tracks but expected nothing much from them, but 'Surprise!', they did their utmost. Thanks BB! And then you used a nice sentence: 'You`ve struck all the right angry notes here!'. I had to look it up on Google, because 'angry' putted me on the wrong leg. but the transaltion gave the same words as I thougt you meant. But I wasn't thát angry, was I?

Shigeki, thanks for your very nice words and the concerns about the topic in your country as well. I think a lot of countries covered much of it, but does that make them think of their own behaviour? (Oh, here I go again...). I'm proud you called my voice splendid!

Noel, Whow, an A+ with two tumbs high!!! That feels greeat (I'm not cynical now!). I hope you and Ray and my sister and her husband know enough people to raise serious opposition against your government. And don't believe the cowshit-[*****] (this will becorrected, I'm afraid).

A nice day,
Hans

Hans,

The government will change its ways sooner or later because a great deal of citizen pressure and global pressure is being applied to them. I've been doing a bit a research and the fact are astounding.

Here's a quick example...

In Australia in 2018, we pumped around 535 Mt of CO2 into the air above Australia.

Our country only has a population of 25 million and so 535 Mt is just 1.2% of global emissions. Now the number 535 doesn't look all that impressive. In reality it is 535,000,000,000kg of CO2 (if anyone wants to convert that to pounds multiply the number by 2.2).

Now, on elevators here in Australia, I've seen elevator companies give the weight of an average person as 68 kg. If I use this figure as the average weight of people in the world, then 7.7 billion people will weigh 524 Mt. That means, the 535Mt of CO2 that we pumped into the air is more than the weight of the entire world's population.

That's pretty scary and it's just a tiny amount compared to world emissions. And it's just a single year! As I tell my chemistry students each year, it is foolish to think that this much CO2 can go into Earth's atmosphere without there being consequences.

oops... I'll just kick my soap box over into the corner again!

I've discovered that I'm quite passionate when it comes to climate change.

Regards,
Noel

Hi Hans,

because of our illness (you called it 'a cold' - I'd call it at least a 'killer cold' - Grizzlies kept knocking on our door asking for lessons in producing suchfrightening sounds like they came out of our chests ) I'm pretty late to the party, but on the other hand you granted me the honor to be the first one to listen to this song in the process of becoming that smash thing it now is.

Remember that I told you that I am dead sure you'll be among the 2019 award winners? You wouldn't believe, but old Stefan was right. Because you simply deserve it. So congrats on that !

The final version has become a most terrific thing - the intro alone is just unbelievable !!! You really keep knocking them out of the park !!!

So keep 'em comming, friend. And that anger sure looks good on you, Crying Dutchman (sorry...)...

All the very best to you and Marijke, I'm really looking forward to our next phone call.

Stefan

Hi Noel and Stefan,

I was away for some days and couldn't log in to BB-forum (and more).

Noel, I sent your writings to my sister. Think she fainted after reading all your arithmetic work, because I haven't heard from her since.
But these numbers are pretty scary if you realize what that means... You must get yourself a new progressive government asap!
Thanks for sending it to me, although I have new problem now (my sister).

Stefan, as always you're terribly exaggerating. You just had a cold, like I had two times this year. Haven't seen grizzlies, only devils on my chest.
Your prediction worked out good about me becoming one of the winners of the BB-award, but you won as well and hadn't predicted that. So congratulations too! You earned it as well!
And thanks for your compliments on the song, and of course your attempt to help me make comprehensible lyrics. But I was on my own when you got the flu! Luckily the lyrics got no critics...

Hans

Oh, yeah, those singers seem so appropriate, Hans. They seem to add spiritual credibility, if that makes sense --well, even if it doesn't, I suppose. Love the lyrics, the sentiment, and the emotion you bring in your voice. Every thing clicks, and pushes the song to a strong finish. Your vocal is superb.