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Uh oh. Another fishy tale. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think anyway. Cheers.

https://soundcloud.com/tuigorge/bad-moon-risin-wrong-509024

Drums - Nashville even 8
Bass - RT 521 - Pop synch
Guitar - RT 1718 - Texas blues- Brent
Sax - RT 2355 - straight blues - baritone - Gary

First time I heard Creedence
Bristol Frieghter bogged in the landing paddock. 4*4 across the lake in a gale. At the wharf theres the seabelle. Jump on the bow with my duffle and crash through the slop to Port Hutt. Tied up to the fuel barge the anchor was lost. Settled in strange for the night, old coal range, a gale rattling the hatches filling the focsle with smoke. Bad news in the morning Kea was gone the convoy was shattered lost in the night with twelve men she turned for the bay rolled and was gone. Never saw any again. Another vessel from the convoy smashed on the beach also with three downed. The Tusitala left on the tail of the blow loaded with pots for the north. Fought her way from the bay dissapeared in the spray never to be seen again so we'll raft up the boats and all get drunk and we'll fish if we can in the morning. Didn't realise for a while I was crewing on the local pirate boat. We were out in the gale lifting pots that's when I heard Bad Moon Rising for the first time.

Bad Moon Rising Wrong

Black full moon and a ragin gale sleet and slush rain and hail
Wild wet landing bogged down wheel like trekkin tired in a battle field
Wind sharp cutting eyeballs ache big truck sliding swampy lake
Barren wharf jumped and fell hit the bow on the old Sea-belle

Bucked and rolled white caps charged Port Hutt snug by the old fuel barge
First time crew on a company boat nothing to say but thats all she wrote
Black water sucks fire below banshee wind unhinged blow
Morning gossip crying bad boats are gone good men dead

Convoy landfall late last night howlin storm was at it's height
Kea turned to make the bay slipped the tow and shot a-way
Rolled and sunk and dissap-peared swallowed whole no time for fear
No trace of her was ever found or the 12 that come to fishing grounds

Same dark night a-nother tow no-one heard or saw her go
Morning wreckage in the bay meant 3 more lives gone a-stray
Small boat big load heavy gear headed north diss-appeared
Found no wreckage lost 2 more men heavy price been paid a-gain

Raft the boats we'll drink for days then go to work in our different ways
Rude awakening one big shock cold and wet on a sliding deck
We only work wildest weather when the prudent run for shelter
Rob their gear in screaming gales cash is king we're hard as nails

Outside the reef heaving sea flying spray just like me
Creedence howlin spooky song a-bout a Bad Moon Rising wrong
Not a thief great relief to get dumped ashore with-out much grief
drag my swag bleak old pub the next plane home to life and love

Hi Richard,

Is this a true, personal story or some background writing in preparation for writing lyrics? It's very powerful.

The arrangement is an interesting tussle between a happy and upbeat backing and a tale of tragedy. Yet again you push those boundaries of convention in a way that has become your songwriting trademark. I think it's really commendable that you experiment so freely. There are some terrific images in these lyrics... a very visual journey.

I enjoyed the listen.

All the best,
Noel

P.S. Just in case this is of interest... a little while after I wrote the above, "Brandy, You're A Fine Girl" (original version) popped into my mind. Here's a link to Kenny Chesney's version, too; he does a great job singing it. The reason I mention this song is because it's similar to yours in that it's also an interesting tug-of-war between a happy, enthusiastic style (disco) and a not-so-happy theme (lost/unrequited love).

An excellent story song. With your distinct voice, this is similar in style to some of the songs actor/celebrity Walter Brennan did years ago.

Enjoyed this.

Hi Richard,

again a very strong story with powerful
pictures.
I enjoyed my listen.

Guenter

Good one Rich. Port Hutt looks like a very interesting place, especially if you're a fisherman!


Regards,

Bob

Rich,
What an incredible way to introduce this song.


and then there's the song You have certainly developed your own incredible style.
The lyrics are a modern abstract poem put to music.
In my opinion the intro AND then the song should ALWAYS go together

A few years ago I used to occasionally frequent a "poetry and folk" club where one was booed off stage if you did a cover, everything HAD to be an original. The intro then the song ie this masterpiece would have ensured that you received a standing ovation and your right hand would be red raw, afterwards, from being shaken so you would have had to drink all the free drinks left-handed. All I got was a "hmm that was different"

I enjoyed that a lot.
can't wait to hear what you produce next!

Alyn

I agree but I will add that your vocals are better than Brennans. Also I think you tell a better story.

I enjoyed this one.

Yes, Mario. This is not only a better vocal, but I don't think Walter Brennan wrote his own material like RichMac does....

Hi Noel. All true and to the best of my recollections. More of a documentary about my first short trip to the Chathams. Never felt so alive. There was always drama during my 6 years there. Forgotten 95% of the stories but still remember a few incidents.

The only mention I can find of the convoy disaster.
http://www.seafoodnewzealand.org.nz/fileadmin/documents/seafood-magazine/SNZ-october-2012.pdf
Page 31 - 32 an article about the navigator on the convoy.

And thanks for the links to Brandy. Had heard it before but never listened to the lyrics. They are very fine.
Much enjoyed. Cheers.

Hi Charlie. Thanks for reminding me about Walter Brennan. Was a favourite of mine long ago and i have a vinyl LP of his somewhere. Must have another listen. Cheers.

Thank you Guenter. The true ones are very easy to write. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

Hi Bob. Port Hutt was fascinating. 50-100 fishing boats jammed in a small harbour. Most rafted up boozing through the bad weather.
Wreck of the Thomas Currell up one end

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/New_Zealand/Other_Islands/Chatham_Islands/Port_Hutt/photo1395210.htm

and a diesel fuel barge in the middle. Us with no anchor always tied alongside another boat or the fuel barge.
Cheers.

I agree!

You are a good storyteller. I enjoy listening to your true stories. Putting it to music really makes it interesting. Keep them coming.
Sonny

Hi Alyn and thanks a lot for your very generous comments.
The trouble with story songs is there is not really room to tell the story properly so it has to be pared to the core. A sort of a zen version. Sometimes a bit of an intro rave helps explain things.

I like the poetry and folk club comments and "Hmmm that was different" certainly has a familiar ring.
Yes and originals are certainly more interesting than copies.
Am going to try for nice in the next song. Nice? Hmmmm. Cheers.

Hi Mario. Am definitely going to check out Walter Brennan again (theres a couple of thousand LP's to sort through). Guess I will never be a vocalist but will always be myself. We are all quite unique ( particularly the people on this forum) and enjoy doing our thing and seeing what the others come up with. Cheers.

Richard,

Fascinating story. And an excellent write to document it. Amazing.

Very tight band! Well done. And a good mix.

This one has it all.

floyd

Richard, Only a great storyteller could craft such a compelling intro and then follow it up with a great story-song. I love to listen to how you describe events from your life in your own very personal style of words and music. Great stuff again. Tom

We agree completely!
We might add: your inspiration clearly never runs out

Rob and Anne-Marie

The arrangement is an interesting tussle between a happy and upbeat backing and a tale of tragedy

Noel's observation was the first thing that struck me as well. The sax sounds very celebratory and the tale is dark. Arrangement is very cool, and your vocals continue to improve! You are certainly among the most colorful writers on the forum! Enjoyed the tune!! Take care. Greg